Preventative Care

The definition of dementia is a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. I don't have dementia (at least as far as I know), but when I forget things like what I've already written about or can't remember the next thing I was supposed to say, it's hard not to wonder what the future holds. So, can we prevent dementia? Or at least reduce our risk of developing it?

In most people, RSV presents much like the common cold. But in infants, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions, this virus can be much more serious. RSV causes millions of respiratory illness episodes worldwide and is responsible for thousands of deaths each year in the United States.

The flu is NOT just a bad cold. Trust me, having had it twice, I can tell you that ten days in bed is not my idea of a good time. The flu vaccine can help protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and complications—even if it doesn’t prevent every infection. And getting vaccinated also helps protect the people around you, especially infants, older adults, and others at higher risk.

This week, we’re talking about heart disease—and some of the less traditional risk factors for heart disease in women. A hand-drawn illustration of a light bulb with a heart inside, symbolizing the power of love and creativity, set against a red textured background. Now, a disclaimer before we get started: some of these risk factors are based largely on observational data, which means we still need more research to fully understand the connections. But I think they’re importa

Ok. So it’s March. Colon Cancer Awareness Month. We’ve already talked about colonoscopies. We’ve also talked about some of the less glamorous side effects of anesthesia. Apparently, I have chosen this month to become your friendly neighborhood poop-and-propofol correspondent, so let’s move on to alternatives to the colonoscopy. Illustration of the human digestive system, highlighting the structure and arrangement of the intestines within the abdominal cavity. Image created by

Any time you undergo a medical procedure, there are risks. And it is the doctor’s job to review those risks. In my previous post, I recommended colonoscopy screening for all people at average risk starting at age 45. When you give consent for a colonoscopy, you are acknowledging that there are several risks including (but not limited to) bleeding, infection, and perforation. But in this piece, I want to talk about a more subtle “side effect” or “risk” that is rarely discussed

Ok. It’s March. It’s Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Let’s get into this shit…literally. The colon (also known as the large intestine) is about 5 feet long. That’s almost as long as me! You may remember from high school biology that the colon is the organ that absorbs water and some vitamins from waste as it moves through your body. And at the end of that long, noble journey? Poop. (And yes, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people say “poo” instead of “poop.” I don’t know w

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that there are two cancer-preventing vaccines. The first is the Hepatitis B vaccine, which I discussed in a previous blog post (https://www.rx4trauma.com/post/preventing-cancer). The second is the human papillomavirus vaccine, or HPV vaccine. Illustration of a virus particle prominently displaying its spike proteins against a light blue background. Photo created by AI. There are over 100 types of human papillomavirus. Some cause benign warts, whil

Ever since I became a doctor, people have asked me the same questions again and again: What can I do to prevent cancer? What tests can I take for early detection? Should I get full-body scans to look for a possible tumor? Can I do blood tests to screen for every type of cancer? Illustration of a human skeletal system highlighting disease-affected areas, with visible redness indicating inflammation or disease in the shoulder region. (Image created through AI) So let me ask you

As I shared last week, I recently had an abnormal mammogram. When the nurse called to tell me that I needed a diagnostic mammogram, I let out that sigh—the deep, tired, “of course” kind of sigh. I’ve been blessed with dense breasts, and I’ve been considering a breast reduction, so this felt… inevitable. It wasn’t my first abnormal mammogram. But it still landed with weight. It’s not the mammogram itself that gets to me. The squishing? Fine—there’s plenty of tissue to work wit