Swelling in the legs or arms may mean that you are suffering from lymphedema. The swelling is caused by fluid that is usually drained through the body’s lymphatic system. Swelling can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck and genitals. (Do note that there are other reasons for leg and arm swelling, including congestive heart failure, liver and kidney failure, and deep vein thrombosis.) The lymphatic system consists of lymph fluids, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and

Flu season will soon be with us. Influenza is a serious disease; in this country it is responsible for some 12,000 to 52,000 deaths each year. For last year’s flu season, the CDC reported that 46% of adults and 49% of children were vaccinated. Let’s improve those numbers.

It is hard to imagine that it’s been six and a half years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It was traumatic for young and old (and those in-between). It was responsible for over seven million deaths worldwide, including more than one million deaths in the United States alone. The disease, vaccines and treatment have changed substantially over time. The virus is constantly producing new variants, medications have been developed for both prevention and treatment, and effectiv

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about our gut’s microbiome. How do our health habits (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption) affect this microbiome, and why does it matter?

We’ve all been hearing about the new GLP medications for weight loss. While these medications feel miraculous to those who have used them to lose weight, they were never intended to work alone. For true and lasting success, GLP treatment should be accompanied by a diet and exercise plan. This enhances the benefits, establishes new habits, and limits potential side effects.

For decades, taking a daily low-dose aspirin (which many of us knew as “baby aspirin”) was nearly automatic for men over age 50. It was considered a safe way to protect against heart disease. As it turns out, this daily 81 mg dose is no longer recommended for the great majority of adults!

Did you know that two of every three American adults drink coffee, and that they average two to three cups every day? Now consider that some 70% of adults take at least one medication per day. This means that every day, most adults drink coffee and take medication. Are there medications that should not be taken with a cup of coffee?

In the news we’ve been hearing about rising numbers of cases of typhus in…Santa Monica? Historically, millions of people died from epidemic outbreaks, usually during war, famine or other times of crisis. And yes, typhus does still exist. There was a record high of 220 cases of typhus detected in Los Angeles County in 2025, and 90% of those infected were hospitalized. There are different types of typhus found worldwide, each caused by different bacteria. Some are spread by bod

Screening for colorectal cancer is very important and is extremely effective. Sadly, the incidence of colon cancer keeps rising. Colon cancer is actually the most likely type of cancer to kill those under the age of 50, and colon cancer rates in adults under 50 have increased by a whopping 51% since 1994. Overall, colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women.

What can an EKG tell us about our health?

A urinalysis is a set of tests. A patient gives a urine sample, either by peeing into a cup or having it taken with a catheter. Testing the sample might be as simple as a dipstick test in the doctor’s office while you wait, or the urine could be sent out to a lab.

Everyone has gas. It can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but not life threatening. Gas leaves our body by burping or by passing it through the rectum. Every day, most people produce one to four pints of gas, and pass gas about 14 times!

Recently I’ve seen an uptick in patients complaining of parasites. It’s become a popular topic on social media, including lots of information/misinformation on platforms like Tik Tok. At the same time, there’s been no appreciable increase in the actual number of cases of parasitic disease, and actually, parasitic diseases in Southern California are quite rare. What are the signs and symptoms of a parasitic infection?

Most of us know someone who eats no vegetables. These people may appear to be just fine, but I encourage you to read on to understand just why their diet is so worrisome.

Health care technology has advanced dramatically. Patients now have access to a wide range of medical devices to help monitor and treat chronic diseases, and we are experiencing a shift from hospital-based care to managing our health at home.

Rates of depression have surged over this past decade, and it now affects more than 20 million adults in the United States. Treatment often involves counseling, making major life changes, stopping the use of addictive drugs and alcohol, and taking medication under a doctor’s guidance.

Nearly every day, a patient asks about taking apple cider vinegar. What does current science have to say?

I occasionally recommend magnesium supplements to patients. When might they be helpful?

Obesity medications have captured everyone’s attention. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have each come out with injectable medications that have proven to be both safe and very effective. Doctors (including me) have been prescribing them frequently. However, patients are constantly frustrated by poor insurance coverage and high costs. On top of that, the drugs need to be injected, which is discouraging to some.

Years ago, soft drink companies developed so-called “healthy” alternatives to sugary drinks…by using artificial sweeteners. Since then, a significant number of studies have concluded that artificial sweeteners are no better than sugar, and in many cases much worse. What is the current thinking?