He was a sweet sixteen when he came to see me with his parents, both doctors. Before he said a single word, his Father blurted out: “Our son has a clinical varicocele and we’ve read all about them. We’re wondering whether or not he should have it fixed.” Fair enough. It’s what I do for a living. I...Continue reading
In 2012, Ken Chadwick hit rock bottom. He weighed more than ever at 327 pounds and it was a struggle for him to not gain even more weight. One morning, his then wife came into the bedroom while he was putting on his socks. He couldn’t reach his feet due to the girth of his...Continue reading
Are They Really Connected? Wondering if gum disease can be the cause of an unhealthy heart? Many research studies have found that poor oral health can significantly increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. So can regular brushing and flossing give you a healthy heart? Doctors Say Yes. While the cause and effect relationship...Continue reading
It happens to everyone sooner or later: The big financial emergency that makes you feel like your life may crumble and fall. But if you have a good financial plan in place, those great big, one-time bills or financial emergencies won’t be as life altering as they might otherwise be. Saving money is critically important...Continue reading
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley was a delight. It seemed that summertime lasted forever and our little home in Sherman Oaks was the center of a wonderful universe from which I began to explore. The front yard was big and it was lined by trees, which I soon began climbing. I was a...Continue reading
Dear Mr. Dad: While I appreciate your recent column about the benefits of education, I encourage you to add the option for a career technical education (CTE) degree and/or certificate to possible educational endeavors. Not all students are destined for a four-year degree. Without the burden of substantial debt., large numbers of students can have...Continue reading
You know the saying: Good things come in small packages. Like jewelry. Ah, but good things also come in large packages. Like time-off from work. But breaks from work don’t always need to be big to be good. Small ones do just fine, really. A Break in Plans Do you worry that if you take...Continue reading
If you’re like some adults, there are still a few habits that you have carried over from childhood that are simply too hard to let go of in life. It’s important to make sure you are constantly assessing your habits and working on those habits that aren’t necessarily beneficial for your health or well-being. Take...Continue reading
The proper ways for handling a patient’s health records are set forth by the government at national and local levels. All healthcare organizations must have systems in place to comply with these legal requirements, referred to as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). The penalties associated with not following the laws and...Continue reading
Dear Mr. Dad: My son just finished his sophomore year of high school and has decided that he doesn’t want to graduate. My wife and I never finished high school and we’re doing okay—she’s a waitress and I’m an auto mechanic. Some of my friends (the ones who have college degrees) are telling me that...Continue reading