In an aging world, dementia has emerged as a pressing concern, casting a shadow on the lives of millions of individuals and their families. It robs them of their cognitive abilities, memories, and independence. There are currently more than 55 million people globally with dementia, with nearly 10 […]
Introduction by Hanna Keith Santos Barrientos Nutrition is a crucial element in achieving a healthy lifestyle. However, with most food products being advertised as healthy and nutritious, one may wonder if they’re making the right food choices. If you’re someone who wants to lead a nutritious diet, you […]
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over the other.” — William James The adage “your thoughts, not the situation” bears truth when discussing stress. Indeed, stress is a natural and unavoidable part of life; it is our body’s automatic response to the […]
Not everyone is affected similarly by the same stressor. Stress is both Stressor and Stress Reaction. I hear a lot of times in the clinic how an individual was doing fine until another person or an unfortunate circumstance contributed to their increased stress, anger, and pain. We cannot live a stress-free life. When we speak of stress, it is beneficial to consider two sides of it: the stressor – that which exerts stress – and the stress reaction – our response to the stressor. We may not be able to control what the outside may bring to us, but we can control our attitude and the response we generate. Required in this is the ability to regulate our nervous system to generate calm and reframe a stressor.
Negative and unprocessed stress can be harmful to our health. Unequivocally, it can impact our bodies. How we cope with it can be a second hit to our health and attract us to potentially harmful and addictive behaviors.
In the article, Hanna Keith Santos Barrios defines stress and specifically how our body responds to it. The hope is that the knowledge can equip the reader with a tool to consider the ways in which attach to a stressor and they can reframe it to provide the energy for transcending any obstacle.
By Hanna Keith Santos Barrientos edited by Christopher Cirino, DO, MPH Here is an article specific to women’s health: menopause and the hormonal changes of aging. It also discusses how older women can maintain a healthy body and be able to adapt to the changes that come with […]
Do you have diabetes mellitus? Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is an important condition which also affects the pancreas and can have significant health impacts. You may be surprised that it affects up to 50% of people with diabetes. And EPI is a condition that could go unnoticed or misattributed […]
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
A lot has happened these past few years that may have contributed to people’s anxiety and depression more than ever. In fact, about 16 million American adults experience depression every year. Modern medicine has come a long way with the help of research and technology, but typical antidepressants […]
Introduction: Definition of Alzheimer’s Dementia Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. The characteristic findings for Alzheimer’s are amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques occur due to abnormally high levels of beta-amyloid, a protein indicative of disease progression. Beta-amyloid is a naturally occurring protein found […]
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women worldwide, and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The WHO projects that the number of cases will increase from 570,000 to 700,000 annually between 2018 and 2030. Along with these increases comes deaths, expected to […]
The pandemic has given us a lot to think about regarding mental health. Already on an incline, the rates of depression and anxiety have increased over the last few years.
Psychiatry is on the reactive side of mental health, addressing issues as people present with more serious conditions.
The ACEs study showed an association of trauma with mental and physical health impacts. Envisioning preventive strategies could start at the pregnancy, address parenting approaches, and enhance community and scholastic programs.
Medications have limited efficacy. A multi-pronged preventive approach will likely be the most effective.
I have worked in a prison for the last seven months. Nearly everyone who I have seen for clinic visits has reported some degree of trauma in their childhood. Studies corroborate this and show that 90% of juveniles committing crimes have a history of childhood trauma. The crucial […]
As much as 90% of thyroid diseases are autoimmune (AITD). Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of thyroid disorder and affects about 1 in 50 people in the US. It is an autoimmune disease caused when a particular white cell (lymphocytes) invades the thyroid tissue. The cells cause tissue inflammation […]
How has your sex life been? Are you having enough? These questions might be too taboo for some people. But you should know that sex is natural, and we all need it. Sex is an integral part of human life and is beneficial to our overall well-being. Some […]
Introduction: Illness is all about Inflammation Inflammation has become a hot topic (no pun intended) in health. It explains how stressors can cause a systemic response and lead to injuries that contribute to disease. Early doctors described five cardinal signs of inflammation: rubor (redness), calor (warmth), dolor (pain), […]
From an early age, we are taught how regular exercise can positively impact our bodies, increase our muscle mass, lower our blood pressure, boost our energy, minimize our risk of disease, and improve practically every aspect of our physical health. But what about other aspects, such as mental […]
by Christopher M. Cirino DO, MPH and Julian Dollente, RN The Most Common Cause of Hypothyroidism is Autoimmune For those of you who have hypothyroidism, which is about 5% of the US population, you will find this article useful. An autoimmune cause of thyroid dysfunction accounts for 90% […]
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
by Christopher M. Cirino, DO MPH and Julian Dollente, RN. The endocrine systems consist of multiple tissues, organs, and glands distributed throughout the body. It interacts with the immune system. While the body employs the immune system to protect from foreign invaders, it sometimes attacks the body’s cells, […]
Have you ever had a feeling of burning pain in your chest or throat after having a delicious meal? How about having a sour or bitter taste up into your throat or mouth? If you have, you are not alone. These are the typical symptoms of acid reflux, […]
by Ayotola Ogunsipe, edited by Christopher M. Cirino, DO MPH As of 2021, marijuana is currently legal in eighteen of the United States; 15 additional states have decriminalized use. It appears that the bad reputation it has garnered over the years is gradually diminishing. The renewed interest comes […]
Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health? A Daily Apple on the Effects of Caffeine in Coffee and other foods. There’s something incredibly soothing about waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. However, millions of coffee drinkers don’t just take their cup of joe daily because of […]
by Sydney Bright and Christopher Cirino What if as time passes, our bodies did not age? Does growing older always have to lead to a sharp decline in physical health? Is it possible to live long with a vibrant, healthy body? Modern science is beginning to challenge our […]
The Process of Life Must be Kept in Motion. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, Founder of Osteopathy We now live in a world where technological advancement has made life easier and more comfortable. Unfortunately, comfort comes with a price. Our modern lifestyles have made it easier to become unhealthy. […]
Introduction to the Gut-Brain Axis Everything is connected. At a large scale, this is true when thinking about our planet: our choices influence our environment, which affects the plants and animals of our ecosystem. Ultimately, the systems come back to influence us once again. These same effects occur […]
Introduction: Life with a Brain I write an ode to the brain in this article. We live in a world where constant forces require that we must counteract or succumb. We stand against the force of gravity taking us down. We seek shelter from the wind and rain […]
What is an evidence-based way to address chronic musculoskeletal pain without medications? Short answer: A Multi-Pronged Approach Including Movement, Stress Management, Low Carbohydrate Diet, Optimal Weight, and Optimal Sleep Introduction: What is the Burden of Chronic Pain? We carry through life the sum-total of trauma to our brains […]
Breast cancer (BC) has become a global health issue, as it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. In 2020 alone, about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with 680,000 deaths worldwide. 7.8 million women received this diagnosis in the past five years, making it the […]
Choosing the best diet for you is a lot like a labyrinth; it’s easy to get lost and sometimes it requires trial-and-error.
Fasting is gaining increasing attention as a potential method to optimize weight and reverse insulin resistance. Can fasting be a helpful practice on the road to optimal health? Here is a quick overview on fasting, types of fasting, and benefits. Early Studies on Mechanism of Fasting We owe […]
This article on sleep was written by Daniela Dominguez, second-year medical student at Universidad Internacional del Ecuador Escuela de Medicina. We all want to wake up and feel refreshed and ready for a new day. One of the keys to a fulfilling life is a goodnight’s sleep. In […]
There are benefits in reversing chronic disease states that lead to improved functioning in all vascular tissues – including the penis!
Every beginning has an end. Menopause is the moment in a woman’s life where ovulation ends. While it may be a natural biological process for a woman, it causes uncomfortable symptoms that disrupt her sleep, lower energy, and affect emotional health. Here is an overview of menopause, including the […]
Let’s say your doctor saw you, and they ran a series of blood tests on you. The bloodwork came back, and your doctor informed you that you had elevated liver function tests. What does this mean? Is there any reason to be concerned about these results? Are Elevated […]
The current pandemic has been a catalyst of change in many people. Health guidelines prioritized public safety over other practices, including clinic visits, social activities, worship, and school. Together we waited for the process to pass in our silos, a shared experience in time but not in space. […]
As an open flame attracts a moth, an encounter that can end fatally, certain things in life lure us as humans. Whatever one wishes to refer to the attraction of sin, e.g. mistakes, vices or transgressions, does not change their grip on all of us. Is there something […]
Over a year ago, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and took the entire world by surprise. Although this is not the first outbreak and it will not be the last, modern society hasn’t experienced a health crisis of this nature in decades. Knowing nothing about Covid-19, we led […]
What is “healthy” and would you know it if you saw it? From nature, we gather our understanding of life and how our environment affects us. We develop insights or “laws” – of gravity, entropy and heavenly bodies, through the observations we make in the world around us. […]
The article is a summary on treating MRSA and other Staph aureus skin infections and colonization. If you have had Staph aureus infections, this article is a great way to prevent further problems with this bacteria. As an infection doctor, this is one of the most common reasons that I see people. […]
Motivation plays a vital role in reaching and keeping a healthy and fit lifestyle. It acts as the driving force that propels you towards your goals — whether that’s reducing your body fat, getting stronger, reducing your blood sugar, or controlling stress. However, staying motivated can sometimes be […]
Our environment is not merely a backdrop to our lives; it is an intricate web that intertwines profoundly with our well-being. In an era of technological advancement and urbanization, the relationship between the environment and human health has become increasingly prominent. Our environment encompasses an array of factors, […]
Introduction When it comes to staying healthy, certain minerals namely calcium and magnesium can be compared to building blocks that provide a strong foundation for our health. You might have heard that calcium is essential for building strong bones and that’s true, but it does even more! And […]
In an era where fad diets and quick fixes seem to dominate the health and wellness landscape, intermittent fasting has emerged as a compelling approach that not only aids in weight management but also offers many health benefits. According to a survey from 2020, 24% of US adults […]
While stigmatizing people based on their body size is wrong, it’s equally important to be aware of the potential dangers of having too much body fat — especially on your cardiovascular health, blood glucose levels, and hormone signaling, among other things. Before diving into the effects of having […]
While there are so many voices in the world right now that would seek to offer advice and instructions about our health, there are few that provide a consistent balance of ‘head and heart.’ Your Health Forum remedies that problem.
Zoe P
I was fortunate to find Dr. Cirino’s movement fairly early on during the pandemic and was undeniably impressed with his multifaceted approach to health, healing and well-being. From his blog posts to his books, it was immediately apparent that he offered a level of unparalleled care along with incredibly valuable content. As a busy working woman who is largely in charge of care for my mother, my daughter and myself, I was drawn to the broad appeal of Dr. Cirino’s topics across various circumstances, health situations and life stages. Perhaps most of all I love how brilliant yet accessible the material is much like the man himself. Dr. Cirino is a treasure and a wonderful resource who offers decades of training, knowledge and experience to those who are fortunate to find him as I was and he does so with that profoundly impactful balance of ‘head and heart.’ With Gratitude, Zoe P.
