Medical

If you have been trying to conceive a child for more than a year, there is a good chance that something may be interfering with your reproductive function.  Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after having regular unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or more.  A normally fertile couple’s average chance of conceiving is approximately 25 percent per menstrual cycle. 

A Common Ailment:

“Doctor, I’ve had this pain between my shoulder blades for two months now.  It just gradually came on and I can’t seem to get rid of it.  I put heat on it, tried to stretch it out, but nothing helps.”

“Doctor, I’ve tried everything for my headache and nothing has helped.  I’ve had still x-rays, EEG’s, brain scans and CAT scans.  I’ve been to two neurologists, and to a neurosurgeon.  I’ve had my eyes tested and glasses checked.  I’ve been to a dentist to check my teeth and an ENT specialist to have my sinuses examined.  Nobody has found anything wrong with me.  I keep getting these excruciating headaches.  I’ve tried tranquilizers, Valium, codeine, and anti-depressants.  Many times I’ve had to go to the emergency room for a shot of Demerol.  I’m beginning to think it’s futile to try anything.”

At Providence Holy Cross Medical Center we’re committed to helping you and your baby get off to the best start.  Providence encourages and offers support for mothers who choose to breastfeed through the Lactation Education Program.  Most women are able to breastfeed, but may need a little extra assistance to successfully establish breastfeeding.

During the year I get many patients that come in with vision that seems to fluctuate.  There are a lot of reasons for this but one that sticks out in peoples mind is stress.  When a patient’s stress level gets to a certain point, it can affect blood pressure, cholesterol levels and even your vision.

Does the thought of going to a dentist frighten you?  Experience sedation dentistry at the office of Dr. Mark A. Poitras and eliminate your fears!

Millions of Americans suffer from headaches on an almost daily basis.  What many people don’t realize is that it is very possible that the cause of their headaches may be related to their dental health, specifically their “occlusion”.  “Occlusion” is simply the way your upper and lower teeth come together, (also know as your “bite”).  If your teeth are misaligned, the muscles of your face and neck are forced to work hard to compensate or correct the misalignment.

Brand names such as Botox® and Restylane® are well known for treating facial lines, but there is a lesser-known filler that is used for restoring deep facial fat loss — a condition referred to as “Lipoatrophy”.  This filler is called Sculptra® and is another tool that can be utilized to obtain a more youthful appearance.

This new treatment for low back pain is the DRX9000™True Spinal Decompression machine.  This is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that was developed for the treatment of lower back pain caused by disc herniations and degenerative disc disease.  The process is effective in relieving low back pain by enlarging intradiscal space, reducing herniation, strengthening outer ligaments to help move herniated areas back into place, and reversing high intradiscal pressures through application of negative pressure.

A breast reduction surgery can be performed on both men and women with excessive breast tissue.  A female breast reduction is ideal for women with large, sagging breasts which are uncomfortable and interfere with one’s life style.  Large breasts can be painful, unhealthy and cause upper back, neck and shoulder pain.  In addition, large breast tissue can cause hand numbness, reduce nipple sensation and restrict certain activities such as exercise.

Q: My mouth is always dry, with stringy saliva.  I’m wondering what could be the cause and what your suggestions might be.  Right now, I feel like my mouth stinks, even though I am drinking lots of fluids.  SOS — Santa Clarita, CA

Heightened demand for Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s two year-old childbirth education series has prompted hospital officials to expand the program and increase the frequency of course offerings.

I want to thank everyone who volunteered this year to help with our “Be a Santa to a Senior” Program.  More than 500 gifts were distributed through the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, the Antelope Valley Committee on Aging and the Partners in Care Foundation, thanks to the generosity of people in our community who wanted neglected and ailing seniors to feel the warmth and love of the holiday season.

The power of the mind is not a gimmick.  Just ask John Stevens.  Mr. Stevens is a Vietnam vet who in 1986 completed the New York Marathon, a task that can be a high level of accomplishment in any person’s life.  However, what makes his story unique and a great motivation for many others is that John Stevens has no legs.  He completed the marathon using his hands, arms and torso — it took him four days.  When asked how he did it he simply said, “I always believed that I could,” he added, “I saw myself doing it…finishing.”

Who would think that a simple piece of thread would emerge as an important aid in the fight against cavities and gum disease?  As far-fetched as it sounds, that’s exactly what happened to dental floss — a strong thread that is passed between teeth to loosen and remove food debris wedged between them.

We have begun a new year and had the month of January to adjust to coming out of the holidays.  This is the time many of us choose to incorporate ideas on how to improve our lives.  For years I experienced the peace, power and purity of the “ascending currents”, those early morning hours before the sun comes up.

Everyone has (or has had) teeth, right?  Although that much is obvious, it may not have occurred to you that the ‘fairer’ sex has some unique dental health concerns.  It is my Valentine’s gift to all of the women readers to help raise their awareness of these conditions.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition and the most common chronic respiratory disease of children.  It is most common in childhood and occurs in approximately seven to 10 percent of children.  It accounts for the majority of school absenteeism as well as the majority of childhood E.R. visits and hospitalizations.  It is characterized by difficulty breathing and can affect children in varying degrees.