Wellness Blog

For Thyroid Awareness Month let’s discuss the thyroid and why it is so important. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that sits at the base of the throat. It secretes hormones that are vital in the function of virtually every organ in your body. Thyroid hormone is also critical in metabolic functioning. We begin

What is a pap smear? A pap smear is a cancer screening test for cervical cancer. It examines the cervical cells for pre-cancerous or cancerous changes. There is an additional test often included with the pap test, called the HPV test, which screens for the human papilloma virus which can cause cervical cancer. Why do

By Lindsey Reynolds, PA-C Pets can have an amazing effect on their owners. From unconditional love and support, to completing therapeutic duties, furry and feathered friends benefit their humans’ lives in many ways. Seniors benefit even more from having a pet in their lives. As you age, things such as social interaction, activity and health

By Roopa Dani, MD Most senior patients, develop multiple health conditions as they get older. Sometimes this requires them to see multiple specialists, which may prescribe multiple different medications. This can lead to several of problems like drug-drug interaction, side effects of medications, organ failure and sometimes death. In 2008, 7.1% of all hospitalizations for

By J. Kate Tuttle, FNP-C Sleeping is a critical part of our health. It gives the brain an opportunity to rest and recover. Some research even suggests sleep gives the brain the opportunity to “forget” things that have inundated our brains throughout the day. As we age, many of us believe that we need fewer hours

By Ashley McDowell, PA-C  High blood pressure is a condition that does not usually cause symptoms, but puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Lifestyle changes have a big effect on your blood pressure. They may decrease the likelihood that you will need blood pressure medication. Some of the lifestyle modifications that

By Carolyn Dechaine, PA-C A lot people think vaccines are only for children, but adults should get regularly vaccinated to protect themselves and loved ones from serious diseases. Below is a list of vaccines every adult is recommended to receive. Influenza:  The influenza virus mutates and changes at a high rate.  These mutations prevent our

By Mailo Brantner, NP-C Whether you’re seeing your provider for the first time, for a regular checkup, or for an acute medical reason, you’ll want to be prepared to provide some information to help make the visit as efficient as possible. A visit to your provider can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s a lot of information