Why Do I Need a Primary Care Doctor If I’m Healthy?
You’re in great health and feel good. You eat right. You go to bed at a reasonable hour. So, why do you need a primary care physician (PCP)? Well, you most likely drive your car daily, and you’re a safe driver. Your insurance company says so, too. But you wouldn’t keep driving, day in and […]
Is there a Connection Between Stress and Shingles?
Developing the shingles virus is common, with almost one out of three people in the U.S. experiencing it within their lifetime. And unfortunately, this number is on the rise, with more people of all age groups developing shingles (or herpes zoster) than ever before. Emerging studies cite a few different reasons for this trend, including […]
3 Key Differences Between Bronchitis and Pneumonia
While bronchitis and pneumonia share similar signs and symptoms, there are also a few key differences that may make it easier to determine if you have one versus the other. The same infections that cause bronchitis may also cause pneumonia, making it difficult to decipher which illness is present. Determining the difference between bronchitis and […]
Going Statewide: Explaining the PACT Hartford HealthCare Partnership
Adding certainty in a very uncertain year If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many practices have been challenged to remain open, while our representatives in government have continued to question the structure and philosophy behind the US healthcare system.
When to See a Gastroenterologist: 6 Reasons to Make an Appointment
Although most people may not enjoy discussing their stomach problems to their friends or family, it is important to be transparent about these issues to your doctor, as you are definitely not alone. In fact, according to the CDC, there are more than 22.4 million visits to the doctor for diseases of the digestive system as the primary diagnosis each year.
7 Foods to Avoid with Kidney Disease and Diabetes
Did you know that diabetes and kidney disease are often connected? In fact, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. living with diabetes is also diagnosed with kidney disease. Diabetes is considered one of the biggest factors for increasing your risk of developing kidney disease. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. As a result, kidneys can become damaged and not perform necessary bodily functions as efficiently. Your kidneys remove wastes and excess fluids from your body; when they become damaged, these wastes can accumulate and eventually harm other organs in your body. This is also known as Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD).