Health + Wellness

Older Minnesotans today serve as workers and volunteers in government, our schools, faith communities, civic organizations, the arts, and other places that make our communities vibrant, enjoyable places to live. Older adults already are helping to alleviate a caregiver shortage likely to become more severe in the years to come. Many are not only supporting […]

Some say it and other mental ills have been ignored too long On February 27, Hope and Healing Counseling Services (HHCS) hosted a conversation entitled “Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma.” The event was moderated by Rev. Nekima Levy-Pounds and featured panelists Marques Armstrong, owner of HHCS; Dr. Peggy Elliott, author and counselor; and Rev. Dr. […]

What is melasma? Melasma is a condition where one develops dark brown patches on the forehead, upper lip, nose and cheeks. It can also occur, rarely, on the forearms and neck. Melasma is very common. Skin discoloration of the face can be very upsetting and can lower self-esteem. I see patients every day in my dermatology clinic […]

U of M School of Public Health study explores frequency and use Almost every packaged food product has a Nutrition Facts label listed on the back, giving consumers a glimpse of what they’re actually eating. It can help Americans make healthier food choices, but recent research from the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and Medical School reveals that […]

Doctors are getting a much better understanding of the causes of mental illness and other brain disorders. Researchers, for the first time, are discovering the genes that are active in different types of common neurologic diseases. Let’s first review some common neurologic disorders: Research scientists have come to a better understanding of many brain (neurologic) […]

Americans today recognize acronyms and abbreviations for a wide range of important medical terms: ED is short for “Erectile Dysfunction,” OCD is an abbreviation for “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” UTI stands for “Urinary Tract Infection,” and OIC stands for “Opioid Induced Constipation,” just to name a few. However, most people are not familiar with one acronym […]

One bit of advice that I often share is that many African Americans can be more proactive in our own mental and emotional health care.

There are some monumental shifts occurring in health care. One of the most exciting is the field of pharmacogenetics. Pharmacogenetics is the field where your personal DNA is evaluated, and it can be determined what medications will work best for you. This evaluation with a precise treatment recommendation is also called “precision medicine.” Precision medicine Precision […]

You can never grow tired of getting the right amount of sleep Insomnia is a condition where it is difficult to either fall asleep or stay asleep during the night, or where you wake up too early. Getting a good, restful, recuperative night of sleep is a primary key to good health. Experts suggest that […]

A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets weekly in Minneapolis. The free group is sponsored by NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. The group meets on Fridays, from 2:30-4:00 pm at Northside CSP, 1309 Girard Ave. N., in Minneapolis. For information, contact Don at 651-334-1778. Find […]

Croup, most commonly, is a viral infection of the upper airway in young children. The condition can partially obstruct the airway. This blockage can cause the child to have a strange cough that sounds like a barking dog. Croup often starts out like a common cold, but breathing difficulties may soon develop. The most common […]