We all know people who can eat whatever they want, and it seems as though they never gain an ounce. Other people can just look at a piece of cake too long, and it seems like they gain weight. Why is this? It is all about numbers, all about calories “in” and calories “out.” In […]
Charles Crutchfield III MD
Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD was the senior medical advisor for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder until his passing on June 21, 2023. He launched and helped organize a weekly Doctor's Advice column where he and other Black physicians offered timely medical advice on pertinent topics in the Black community.
Dr. Crutchfield III was a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of biology at Carleton College. He also had a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, MN.
He received his MD and master’s degree in molecular biology and
genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He had been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Minnesota Medicine recognized Dr. Crutchfield as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield specialized in
skincare for people of color and has been selected by physicians and nurses as one of the leading dermatologists in Minnesota for the past 18 years.
He was the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield was an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Pre-diabetes: a national health concern
Surprisingly, one in every three adults in the U.S. has a condition called “pre-diabetes.” That’s almost 100 million people! Astonishingly, nine out of 10 people with pre-diabetes are completely unaware that they have pre-diabetes. This is very alarming. What is diabetes? Glucose is the main sugar in our diet that allows our cells and body to […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Atopic eczema is like an ‘asthma of the skin’
Good news: New medicines coming out will greatly help in the treatment of atopic eczema Eczema and dermatitis are both terms with the same meaning: inflammation, redness, and itching of the skin. Atopic eczema (a.k.a. atopic dermatitis) is a skin disease. The first sign of eczema tends to be patches of dry or red, itchy […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Ten ways to add 10 years to your life: a New Years’ resolution second chance
Experts say that 90 percent of people fall short of completing their New Year’s resolutions by February 1. If that is the case for you, here is a second chance with 20 (actually) great ideas for better health and a longer life for you and your family. Make sure it is from a doctor you are […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Bone marrow transplants can save lives
Patients with blood diseases like leukemia and lymphoma are likely candidates Inside of your bones is a spongy and powerful tissue called “bone marrow.” Bone marrow is a powerhouse that makes blood progenitor cells. A progenitor cell is a precursor cell that can develop into more specific cells, like red blood cells and white blood cells. […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Peanut allergies may become a thing of the past
Allergy to peanuts has been an increasing problem in children. It is estimated that the prevalence of peanut allergy is about 1.5 percent in children (about one child in every 65) under the age of 18 in the United States. Peanut allergy is one of the most common reasons for a severe allergy attack in children. In […]
Posted inMSR Legacy Archives
We must all do our part to pursue justice
By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD Carleton B. Crutchfield, Esq. Christopher E. Crutchfield, Esq. In his famous April 4, 1967 speech opposing the war in Vietnam, Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “The arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.” Today more than 50 years since his famous speech, our children are growing up […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
What is diverticulitis?
Let’s first briefly discuss the digestive system, then diverticulitis. The digestive system, also known as the “digestive tract,” is composed of several organs. The organs of the digestive tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, pancreas, liver and gall bladder. The goal of these digestive tract organs is to break down food […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
An enlarged prostate does not necessarily lead to cancer
But prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in men Conclusion of a two-part column To maintain good prostate health, it is important for men (and women, for other reasons) to have regular general medical examinations. An enlarged prostate is easily detected by a rectal examination. The rule of thumb is to have two […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
An enlarged prostate has some annoying symptoms
It can also cause serious health problems if not treated First of a two-part column Who should care about prostate health? All men and any woman with a father, grandfather, husband, brother, son, uncle, boyfriend or male friend. Only men have a prostate. In fact, African American men have had the highest prostate cancer rate of […]
Posted inUncategorized
Metabolic syndrome: a little-known serious health concern
Dear Dr. Crutchfield: My brother told me his doctor told him that he had something called “metabolic syndrome.” What exactly is metabolic syndrome? Definition Metabolic syndrome is not actually a specific disease. It represents a group of four risk factors that include: Individually, any of these can be associated with health concerns, but when they occur together, […]
Posted inNews
Laughing gas can decrease pain and anxiety when having a baby
The vast majority of women who go through child labor report that it hurts, and it hurts a lot. Any medical intervention to ease pain is welcomed. It seems that nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” once used long ago to ease the pain of labor, is starting to make a comeback. History of use […]
Posted inUncategorized
Getting a good night’s sleep can work wonders for your health
Sleep apnea can seriously disrupt your sleep Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing is interrupted, repeatedly, while you sleep. Sleep apnea is a chronic disease with multiple destructive health results. According to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, the prevalence of sleep apnea is increasing. Currently, 25,000 adult Americans are affected with […]
Posted inUncategorized
Reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Dear Dr. Crutchfield, my sister is expecting a baby soon. I have heard about something called “SIDS.” What is SIDS, and what advice can I give her to prevent SIDS in her new baby? SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death. This is the sudden death of a child less […]
Posted inUncategorized
How to avoid getting the flu
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu vaccination every year. If you have not, now is the time. Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is caused by a group of viruses called influenza viruses. They infect the nose, throat and lungs (respiratory tract). The flu can have life-threatening complications in many people. Every year […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Stomach pain after eating could be gallstones
Dear Dr. Crutchfield: My uncle tells me he suffered with gallstones. What are gallstones? Let’s first discuss the gallbladder, then gallstones. The gallbladder is a small, sack-like structure that is part of the digestive system. Technically, it is called a storage organ. It is about the size of a large plum. The gallbladder is full before meals and […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
With fall and winter comes dry, itchy skin
Here’s a strategy to beat it What is the cause of dry skin? Dry skin is itchy skin. There are many conditions that can cause dry, itchy skin. The most common player that produces dry skin is the cold, dry air of winter. Also, hot showers without moisturizing afterward, and harsh and drying detergent soaps […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Macular degeneration: a major cause of vision loss
My aunt told me that my grandmother is struggling with something called macular degeneration. What is macular degeneration? Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in seniors. A special area inside the eye called the macula, is affected. When the macula does not perform properly, sharp, central vision is lost. How vision […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Understanding Bipolar Disorder and treatment
My sister told me that a well-known signer, Demi Lovato, announced that she has Bipolar Disorder. What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental health disease where a person’s mood can cycle back and forth between periods of low activity/depression and periods of mania/high activity. These emotional periods can be looked at as two […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Eat well and live well — it’s never too late to start!
They say you are what you eat. One of the biggest things you can do to improve the quality of your life is to improve the quality of what you eat. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. We live in a sea of easy-to-get, cheap food villains waiting at every turn to rob us […]