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

Tanning1 Tanning is basically the immediate and long-term pigment darkening that occurs as a result of exposure to UV radiation. HAVING A TAN DOES NOT PROTECT THE SKIN FROM UV RADIATION NOR DOES IT DECREASE THE RISK OF SKIN CANCER! There is a delayed tanning effect that occurs about 3 days after sun exposure. This effect gives a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 3, which provides a small amount of protection from sunburn. However, this slight increase in protection... 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

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

Different Types of Skin Cancer1,2,3 There are three types of skin cancer in order of gravity: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. A complete description of each is provided below. Have a dermatologist thoroughly check your body once a year for skin cancer, and report suspicious moles immediately. Melanoma Arise from melanocytes (pigmented cells in the skin) Can develop in or around lesions already on the skin or in healthy looking skin Some types caused by UV radiation... read more

What Is Botox?1 In cosmetic applications, a Botox injection, consisting of a small dose of botulinum toxin, can be used to prevent development of wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. Many people would probably be surprised to know that Botox® is actually Botulinum toxin A, one of 7 deadly poisons (labeled A-F) produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Medical grade Botox® is produced in a laboratory and is FDA approved for multiple uses. Still, it remains extremely deadly even at very... 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

GERD Medications There are three major classes of GERD medications for treating gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). They include antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. Additionally several surgical procedures are available to reduce GERD. 1. Antacids Antacids provide immediate, short-term relief from GERD symptoms by temporarily neutralizing acids in the esophagus. These can be used anytime to decrease the symptoms of GERD but do not provide a long-term solution as their effects only last a few minutes before symptoms return.... 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

How Does Botox Work?1 Botox® works by paralyzing the muscles that is come into contact with. Botox® actually blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for muscle contraction. Wrinkles are caused by multiple factors, including aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, and facial muscle contraction! When a facial muscle contracts, the skin overlying that muscle is pulled along with that muscles. This movement can cause that overlying skin to form a crease. Over time, the skin crease... read more