Newsletter
Below are links to some of the most popular articles from our newsletter. Please note that our newsletter articles are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.
Fall 2023
Updates for Fall - 3 vaccines to consider. Click here to read more: https://mailchi.mp/3e1f0e34d7cc/mid-maryland-internal-medicine-spring-newsletter-13560576
Spring 2023
Updates for Spring - Spring COVID Boosters And Other Warm Weather Tips
We hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Spring weather! With Spring upon us, we wanted to provide some updates and tips for COVID and for staying safe and maximizing enjoyment this Summer. Click here to read more: https://mailchi.mp/22ecf006905e/mid-maryland-internal-medicine-spring-newsletter-2023
We hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Spring weather! With Spring upon us, we wanted to provide some updates and tips for COVID and for staying safe and maximizing enjoyment this Summer. Click here to read more: https://mailchi.mp/22ecf006905e/mid-maryland-internal-medicine-spring-newsletter-2023
Fall 2021
COVID FAQ
We're not quite at the end of this pandemic. Learn more about where we are these days.
We're not quite at the end of this pandemic. Learn more about where we are these days.
Summer 2021
It's Tick Season
The sunny, warm days of summer mean it’s time for gardening, picnics and walks in the woods, but they also mark the beginning of tick season. Learn about how to avoid, detect and treat tick bites, and recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease
New Alzheimer's Drug
You may have heard about Aduhelm, the new, highly controversial, drug recently approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s. The FDA has been in an uproar over this approval, with many questions unanswered, including efficacy and safety.
We will undoubtedly be hearing more about this, and other drugs targeted at treating the underlying causes of dementia. Learn more about Aduhelm.
The sunny, warm days of summer mean it’s time for gardening, picnics and walks in the woods, but they also mark the beginning of tick season. Learn about how to avoid, detect and treat tick bites, and recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease
New Alzheimer's Drug
You may have heard about Aduhelm, the new, highly controversial, drug recently approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s. The FDA has been in an uproar over this approval, with many questions unanswered, including efficacy and safety.
We will undoubtedly be hearing more about this, and other drugs targeted at treating the underlying causes of dementia. Learn more about Aduhelm.
COVID-19 Newsletters
2022
January 3
2021
December 16
April 6
February 14
January 10
2020
December 19
November 18
October 30
September 9
August 4
July 12
May 31
May 17
May 11
April 27
April 20
April 14
April 5
March 29
March 22
March 15
January 3
2021
December 16
April 6
February 14
January 10
2020
December 19
November 18
October 30
September 9
August 4
July 12
May 31
May 17
May 11
April 27
April 20
April 14
April 5
March 29
March 22
March 15
Fall 2019
Is CBD Right For You?
Many of our patients have been asking about CBD – the hemp-based derivative that can be used to treat pain, inflammation, insomnia and more. If you have questions, we’d be happy to talk with you, but you can get started with our introductory guide.Read more . . .
Great Meatless Burgers are Here!
If you’ve been thinking about reducing your red meat consumption but just couldn’t develop a taste for veggie burgers, you may want to try an Impossible Burger. The result of many millions of dollars of investment and years of research, the consensus is that Impossible Burgers are about as close to the real thing as you can get.
Previously available only at restaurants, you can now buy Impossible Burger “meat” at the Frederick Wegmans. One important thing to keep in mind – while Impossible Burgers have protein comparable to a real burger, the same holds true for saturated fat and sodium, so they’re not exactly a more healthy alternative. That said, if you’re trying to reduce your consumption of beef and cholesterol, they’re worth a try.
Many of our patients have been asking about CBD – the hemp-based derivative that can be used to treat pain, inflammation, insomnia and more. If you have questions, we’d be happy to talk with you, but you can get started with our introductory guide.Read more . . .
Great Meatless Burgers are Here!
If you’ve been thinking about reducing your red meat consumption but just couldn’t develop a taste for veggie burgers, you may want to try an Impossible Burger. The result of many millions of dollars of investment and years of research, the consensus is that Impossible Burgers are about as close to the real thing as you can get.
Previously available only at restaurants, you can now buy Impossible Burger “meat” at the Frederick Wegmans. One important thing to keep in mind – while Impossible Burgers have protein comparable to a real burger, the same holds true for saturated fat and sodium, so they’re not exactly a more healthy alternative. That said, if you’re trying to reduce your consumption of beef and cholesterol, they’re worth a try.
Spring 2019
Frederick Memorial Hospital now Offers Fecal Transplant Therapy for Treatment of C. diff
Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. diff) is a bacterium that causes almost half a million gastro-intestinal illnesses in the US each year. It is contagious and can cause severe illness and death. The condition has traditionally been treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics also kill many of the healthy bacteria that might otherwise fight the C. diff infection. A new treatment that has shown immense promise is fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) – transplanting the stool of a healthy person (which contains millions of health-promoting bacteria) to the patient with C. diff. The good news – Frederick Memorial Hospital now offers FMT for the treatment of C. diff. Read more . . .
Measles Update
We’ve been getting a lot of calls from patients with questions about if and how the current measles outbreak might affect them. The US Center for Disease Control has an extensive set of resources on the web to help you understand the implications of the current outbreak. If you have questions, check out the CDC measles website and call us if you have additional questions.
Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. diff) is a bacterium that causes almost half a million gastro-intestinal illnesses in the US each year. It is contagious and can cause severe illness and death. The condition has traditionally been treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics also kill many of the healthy bacteria that might otherwise fight the C. diff infection. A new treatment that has shown immense promise is fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) – transplanting the stool of a healthy person (which contains millions of health-promoting bacteria) to the patient with C. diff. The good news – Frederick Memorial Hospital now offers FMT for the treatment of C. diff. Read more . . .
Measles Update
We’ve been getting a lot of calls from patients with questions about if and how the current measles outbreak might affect them. The US Center for Disease Control has an extensive set of resources on the web to help you understand the implications of the current outbreak. If you have questions, check out the CDC measles website and call us if you have additional questions.
Fall 2018
Current Thinking About Alcohol Consumption
A recent study made the headlines when it proclaimed that any alcohol consumption increases the risk of mortality and that the only quantity of alcohol to minimize health loss is “zero.” Read more about what the study really means and how to assess your own drinking habits.
Health Checkup Road Map
At every stage of your life there are routine screening exams you should undergo. The New York Times recently published a lifetime health checkup road map that identifies recommended screenings by age. We think it’s worth a look. Read the article. . .
A recent study made the headlines when it proclaimed that any alcohol consumption increases the risk of mortality and that the only quantity of alcohol to minimize health loss is “zero.” Read more about what the study really means and how to assess your own drinking habits.
Health Checkup Road Map
At every stage of your life there are routine screening exams you should undergo. The New York Times recently published a lifetime health checkup road map that identifies recommended screenings by age. We think it’s worth a look. Read the article. . .
Spring 2018
Advance Directives
Thinking through the healthcare decisions you want made for you if you’re unable to make them yourself probably isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend a few afternoons. But it’s critically important. Read the article . . .
More Nuts Please
There has long been a debate about whether the omega-6 fatty acids, found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are helpful or harmful. A new long-term study, discussed here in the New York Times wellness blog, suggests that omega-6’s can be good for the heart.
Thinking through the healthcare decisions you want made for you if you’re unable to make them yourself probably isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend a few afternoons. But it’s critically important. Read the article . . .
More Nuts Please
There has long been a debate about whether the omega-6 fatty acids, found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are helpful or harmful. A new long-term study, discussed here in the New York Times wellness blog, suggests that omega-6’s can be good for the heart.
Winter 2017
What To Do About the New Shingles Vaccine
Our take – we think that any new drug or vaccine needs to be develop a track record before we decide whether to recommend it to our patients. So stay tuned. Learn more here . . .
Latest Word on Sodium
The recommended daily intake of salt – about 1 1/8 teaspoons – will start to be reflected on nutritional labels in 2018. Learn more here.
Our take – we think that any new drug or vaccine needs to be develop a track record before we decide whether to recommend it to our patients. So stay tuned. Learn more here . . .
Latest Word on Sodium
The recommended daily intake of salt – about 1 1/8 teaspoons – will start to be reflected on nutritional labels in 2018. Learn more here.
Summer 2017
It's Tick Season
The sunny, warm days of summer mean it’s time for gardening, picnics and walks in the woods, but they also mark the beginning of tick season. Learn about how to avoid, detect and treat tick bites, and recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease. Read the Article . . .
Hand Sanitizer is Fine, but Keep Washing Your Hands
According to a recent story in the New York Times, the efficacy of hand sanitizer has not been thoroughly studied. While it stands to reason that an alcohol-based sanitizer probably has some desirable effects, there’s no substitute for a good hand washing with warm water and soap. Learn more here.
The sunny, warm days of summer mean it’s time for gardening, picnics and walks in the woods, but they also mark the beginning of tick season. Learn about how to avoid, detect and treat tick bites, and recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease. Read the Article . . .
Hand Sanitizer is Fine, but Keep Washing Your Hands
According to a recent story in the New York Times, the efficacy of hand sanitizer has not been thoroughly studied. While it stands to reason that an alcohol-based sanitizer probably has some desirable effects, there’s no substitute for a good hand washing with warm water and soap. Learn more here.
Spring 2017
Not Getting Enough Sleep? You're not Alone.
Lack of high-quality sleep is now understood to be critically important to our physical and mental health. But getting enough sleep can be a challenge. Read the Article . . .
Every Little Bit of Exercise Helps
According to a recent study, even a single, moderate workout can have a beneficial effect on cardiac cells. Learn more here.
Lack of high-quality sleep is now understood to be critically important to our physical and mental health. But getting enough sleep can be a challenge. Read the Article . . .
Every Little Bit of Exercise Helps
According to a recent study, even a single, moderate workout can have a beneficial effect on cardiac cells. Learn more here.
Fall 2016
Expired Medications
Before you toss out that year-old bottle of aspirin, learn about the meaning of prescription medicine expiration dates and how to assess whether to take "expired" meds. Read the Article . . .
Caregiver Burnout
Long-term caregiving for a loved one can take a toll, both mentally and physically. Strains on caregivers have become more widely recognized and lots of organizations have stepped up to support caregivers with support groups, helplines and other resources. Learn more here.
Before you toss out that year-old bottle of aspirin, learn about the meaning of prescription medicine expiration dates and how to assess whether to take "expired" meds. Read the Article . . .
Caregiver Burnout
Long-term caregiving for a loved one can take a toll, both mentally and physically. Strains on caregivers have become more widely recognized and lots of organizations have stepped up to support caregivers with support groups, helplines and other resources. Learn more here.
Summer 2016
Probiotics - Separating Fact From Marketing
From a simple container of yogurt to “probiotic” bread, peanut butter and countless pills and capsules, probiotics have become big business and big news. Here’s a summary of what’s known (and not known). Read More ...
Are you Using Sunscreen Correctly?
It’s that time of year – gardening, beach vacations and outdoor exercising all raise the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Here are some guidelines from the New York Times to help you ensure that you’re protecting yourself from that summer sun. Read the Article ...
From a simple container of yogurt to “probiotic” bread, peanut butter and countless pills and capsules, probiotics have become big business and big news. Here’s a summary of what’s known (and not known). Read More ...
Are you Using Sunscreen Correctly?
It’s that time of year – gardening, beach vacations and outdoor exercising all raise the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Here are some guidelines from the New York Times to help you ensure that you’re protecting yourself from that summer sun. Read the Article ...
Spring 2016
Heartburn Drugs Tied to Dementia Risk
A popular class of heartburn drugs, proton pump inhibitors, has potentially been associated with an increased risk of dementia. A large study conducted in Germany found that people over the age of 73 who took the drugs over a five year period had a significant increase in the rate of developing dementia, compared to control groups who didn’t take the drug. Examples of well-known drugs in the PPI class include Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix among others. More studies are required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about ways you can reduce your heartburn symptoms and decrease the need for PPIs or other heartburn medications. Read more . . .
A popular class of heartburn drugs, proton pump inhibitors, has potentially been associated with an increased risk of dementia. A large study conducted in Germany found that people over the age of 73 who took the drugs over a five year period had a significant increase in the rate of developing dementia, compared to control groups who didn’t take the drug. Examples of well-known drugs in the PPI class include Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix among others. More studies are required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about ways you can reduce your heartburn symptoms and decrease the need for PPIs or other heartburn medications. Read more . . .
Winter 2015
Driving Older/Driving Smarter
By paying attention to the changes that are a normal part of the aging process, you can take steps to improve your driving skills and develop strategies to help you stay safely behind the wheel for many years to come. Read More ...
The Real Consequences of Hearing Loss
Gradual hearing loss affects many of us as we age. But loss of hearing can also lead to social isolation, distraction, anxiety, difficulty focusing and frustration for family members. Hearing Loss Costs Far More than the Ability to Hear, a piece from the New York Times wellness blog, outlines the lesser-recognized consequences of hearing loss. Read the Article ...
By paying attention to the changes that are a normal part of the aging process, you can take steps to improve your driving skills and develop strategies to help you stay safely behind the wheel for many years to come. Read More ...
The Real Consequences of Hearing Loss
Gradual hearing loss affects many of us as we age. But loss of hearing can also lead to social isolation, distraction, anxiety, difficulty focusing and frustration for family members. Hearing Loss Costs Far More than the Ability to Hear, a piece from the New York Times wellness blog, outlines the lesser-recognized consequences of hearing loss. Read the Article ...
Fall 2015
Exercise - Get Up and Get Going!
Want to feel better, lose weight, have more energy, improve your sex life and reduce your risk of physical injury and chronic conditions? It could be as simple as incorporating exercise into your life. Read More ...
Just a Little Bit of Brisk Walking Can Keep Aging Brains Healthier
According to a recent study, it only takes a little bit of exercise to improve our ability to think as we age, and more exercise doesn’t necessarily make much of a difference for increased cognitive ability. Read more about it on the New York Times Wellness blog. Read the Article ...
Want to feel better, lose weight, have more energy, improve your sex life and reduce your risk of physical injury and chronic conditions? It could be as simple as incorporating exercise into your life. Read More ...
Just a Little Bit of Brisk Walking Can Keep Aging Brains Healthier
According to a recent study, it only takes a little bit of exercise to improve our ability to think as we age, and more exercise doesn’t necessarily make much of a difference for increased cognitive ability. Read more about it on the New York Times Wellness blog. Read the Article ...
Summer 2015
Vaccines - They're not Just for Kids
Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in reducing disease and death from infections. But vaccines aren’t just important for children, and the flu isn’t the only thing that vaccines can protect you from. Vaccines are important for adults, and the specific vaccines that are appropriate for you can depend on whether you’re managing medical conditions. What vaccines do you need? Read More ...
Remembering Where the Car Keys Are
You may have heard the saying that forgetting where you parked your car is no big deal, but forgetting what your car looks like can be cause for concern. This article from one of our absolute favorite online columns, the New York Times Well section, discusses how our brains change as we age and how to minimize the effect of aging our brain functions. Read the Article ...
Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in reducing disease and death from infections. But vaccines aren’t just important for children, and the flu isn’t the only thing that vaccines can protect you from. Vaccines are important for adults, and the specific vaccines that are appropriate for you can depend on whether you’re managing medical conditions. What vaccines do you need? Read More ...
Remembering Where the Car Keys Are
You may have heard the saying that forgetting where you parked your car is no big deal, but forgetting what your car looks like can be cause for concern. This article from one of our absolute favorite online columns, the New York Times Well section, discusses how our brains change as we age and how to minimize the effect of aging our brain functions. Read the Article ...