Medical Conditions

Cancer. Not a diagnosis anyone wants to hear. But many of us will hear it, if we live long enough. One source tells me that 25% of us will have cancer at some point in our lives. I was a month out from having a hip replaced when I was admitted to the hospital…

I never expected a simple trip to buy vegetables to change my life, but it did. I met Maria at the Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market where she was offering five-minute massages. My body hurt that day, as it always did. Figuring I had nothing to lose…

Some people describe sacral neuromodulation (SNM) as a “pelvic floor pacemaker.” It does have a lot of similarities to pace making, because it involves implanting a computerized chip under the skin to send a signal to a complex muscular…

Dementia is a disorder causing impaired reasoning and memory that interferes with daily functioning. Dementia is not a specific disease. There are many diseases that may cause dementia, such as: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease…

There is a host of “solutions” to bladder incontinence. Medications cause certain muscle groups to relax. Surgery tries to elevate or suspend certain ligaments. Botox injections attempt to cause relaxation of the detrusor muscle to add bladder capacity…

Painful joints were traditionally treated with oral painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen or stronger anti-inflammatory drugs. These are now discouraged following concerns that they may affect…

Our memories mean so much to us. They provide us with a sense of self and stand as a reminder of the journey we have taken in this life. And the memories we share with the people closest to us become an intricate piece of our identity…

“You don’t understand” is a statement I heard a lot in the last weeks in our office. It came from a range of individuals who were finally feeling free to explain what it was like to live with bladder or bowel incontinence…

Dizziness episodes that cause people to fall can be a major health risk, especially among the baby boomer generation. Learning more about balance and dizziness, and taking action to reduce your risks, can help prevent those catastrophic falls…

Few people escape joint aches and pains, however gracefully they age. Over 100 different types of arthritis can cause symptoms of pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement. Arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints…