Reviewed for scientific and medical accuracy by Jordan Feigenbaum, MD, MS Cholesterol is often treated like a villain, but you may be surprised to learn that it is actually essential for life. It is involved in things like the structure of our cells, brain and nerve function, and hormone production. It is important enough that […]
A concussion is the brain’s response to injury, commonly from car accidents, falls, work accidents, and sports. Concussions can lead to frustrating symptoms that can interfere with daily function. While most concussions resolve within a few weeks, in some cases, they can cause persistent symptoms. This article aims to explain the basics of concussions, recognize […]
Obesity is often reduced to a single number: weight on the scale. The reality of this condition, however, is far more complex. In healthcare, numbers can guide many decisions. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels all guide decision making between a patient and their physician as they assess risk and manage disease. For decades, […]
Most people have their blood pressure checked in a healthcare office setting. If this office measurement is high, additional measurements outside the office setting are recommended to confirm before starting treatment. USPSTF 2021 Checking blood pressure at home can be an excellent option, but requires careful technique with the appropriate equipment. How to Check Your […]
“3, 2, 1, Go!” The crowd erupts as the athletes get to work for the final event consisting of 40 deadlifts, 20 kettlebell clean and jerks, and 5 bar muscle-ups. Normally, this workout would be an all-out sprint for you, but you feel a bit sluggish from the other 4 workouts you’ve done in the […]
Nestled in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm is one of the most important organs in your body: the liver. Despite its modest size – the liver weighs about 3-pounds – the liver is the fourth largest consumer of energy among our organs. It uses roughly 200 Calories per kilogram […]
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Most people are aware of the major ways to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, i.e. eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough high quality sleep, maintain a healthy weight and body composition, and be sure […]
If you watched sports or other shows that were geared towards men in the late 2000’s, you probably saw at least one ad for low testosterone, e.g. “Is it Low T”, which pairs nicely with the ads for Viagra, trucks, and beer. This direct-to-consumer-advertising to “raise awareness” about low testosterone was very effective for the […]
Diabetes is among the most common conditions encountered by patients and doctors today, affecting nearly 1 in 11 people worldwide. Unfortunately, it remains poorly understood by the general public, and even among many healthcare professionals. There are many different kinds and causes of diabetes, but today we will focus on common type 2 diabetes mellitus. […]
In part one we discussed how to interpret blood tests of kidney function in the context of exercise. Today in part two we will discuss another common area of confusion and misinterpretation: the effects of exercise on liver function tests. The liver, like all of the internal organs, is quite complex and there are some […]