As men, we often pride ourselves on being providers, problem-solvers, and pillars of strength. But let’s face it—life can throw curveballs that hit hard, especially when it comes to finances. Whether it’s an unexpected medical bill, a job loss, or past mistakes catching up, a less-than-perfect credit score can feel like a weight holding you back. The good news? There are ways to get back on track, and smart borrowing can be a tool to help you rebuild. In this... read more

Vitamin Overdose More is not necessarily better when it comes to vitamins, especially fat-soluble vitamins. The American Academy of Family Physicians lists the following vitamin overdose side effects sometimes associated with taking too much of a particular vitamin. Fat-soluble Vitamins  Vitamin A – Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, clumsiness, birth defects, liver problems, and possible risk of osteoporosis. You may be at greater risk of these effects if you drink high amounts of alcohol or if you have liver... read more

GERD Symptoms Common GERD symptoms include the following: Heartburn Regurgitation Difficulty swallowing Less common GERD symptoms may include the following: Chest pain Sour taste in mouth Coughing, laryngitis Asthma Voice changes Aspiration Even pneumonia Diagnosis The diagnosis of GERD is usually made based on clinical signs and symptoms. Lab tests (measuring the acid levels in the esophagus or the strength of muscle contractions in the esophagus) are rarely used except in special circumstances. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (looking inside the esophagus and stomach... read more

Symptoms of Depression The initial symptoms of depression are not always the commonly described symptoms of low mood, anhedonia, and other forms of sadness. Frequently, the first symptoms of depression include tiredness, headache, GI issues, and weight loss or gain. People with depression may also become irritable or easily distracted rather than overtly sad. Basically, depression can present in a variety of ways. If you have noticed unexplained mood changes or other changes concerning for depression, please contact your primary... read more

COPD Prognosis COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States! Unfortunately, COPD cannot be cured. It can only be treated. Thus, an individual’s COPD prognosis is based on how effectively his disease can be managed. Rates of survival are based on several factors, including an individual’s body mass index (BMI), level of airway obstruction, shortness of breath at various levels of activity, and 6-minute walking distance. The better an individual rates in each of these activities,... read more

FDA Approved HGH Products The following table lists all FDA approved growth hormone products. If you and your physician pursue growth hormone replacement therapy for growth hormone deficiency, ensure that you use an FDA approved product. Note that growth hormone delivered via subcutaneous injection is the only form of growth hormone that has been proven to be effective and has been approved by the FDA for use as replacement therapy. Oral and inhaled products are neither effective nor have they... read more

What Causes GERD? GERD is actually caused by two mechanisms: The first mechanism involves a failure to prevent acidic stomach juices from getting into the esophagus due to inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that contracts to keep stomach juices in the stomach. When this muscle relaxes at the wrong time, acidic juices can reflux into the esophagus and contribute to GERD. The second mechanism involves a... read more

What Are the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) indicates the following are general symptoms of IBD that may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease1,2: Fever Loss of appetite Weight loss Fatigue Night sweats Growth retardation Primary amenorrhea The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) also indicates the following symptoms may be associated with inflammatory damage in the digestive tract: 1. Diarrhea: mucus or blood may be present in the stool can occur at night incontinence may... read more

Chicken vs Beef: Which is Healthier? With all things being equal, skinless white meat chicken is normally considerably lower in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat than most cuts of beef. On the other hand, beef normally contains more potassium, zinc, and choline than chicken. The American Heart Association recommends eating more chicken than meat based on the fact that excessive red meat consumption has been shown to raise the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. The Way... read more

How To Treat Depression A variety of effective treatments are available for individuals with depression. However, treating depression is not as simple as taking a pill and immediately getting better. Treatments must be customized for each individual with depression and must frequently be combined to achieve effective and lasting improvement and hopefully resolution of depressive symptoms. Additionally, depression may recur at anytime, requiring either repeat or new treatments. Medications are effective but can take weeks to months to reach full... read more