Search Results for: medical
A Unique Approach To WELLNESS: Pharmacists Who Focus On Restoring Health At Any Age
Today’s headlines center on healthcare and the means to cut healthcare costs. As more cost-effective treatments for diseases are sought, the question rarely asked is how the cycle of poor health can be broken. At Stephens Pharmacy and Stephens Compounding Pharmacy, Jerry and I are seeking…
Advanced Women's Care - Pregnancy is both miraculous and terrifying at the same time-especially the first pregnancy.
Every flutter is questioned, celebrated and analyzed by the expectant mother. “Is this normal? Should I feel this way?” are thoughts that crowd her mind, especially in the first trimester. She has probably seen countless episodes of A Birthing Story on the Discovery Channel, and…
Advanced Women's Care of the Lowcountry: Offering Options for Today’s Women
Did you know there’s a medical practice right here in the Lowcountry specifically tailored to meet the needs of today’s busy, multi-tasking women? With offices in Hilton Head and Bluffton, Advanced Women’s Care offers all the “usual” OB/GYN services—infertility, prenatal, labor/delivery, postpartum, surgery and lifetime…
Back In The Lowcountry. Lowcountry Spine & Sport
The secret to success is simple: if an omen or oracle tells you to do something, pay attention. Then just take the hint and do what it says. Dr. John Batson grew up on Hilton Head Island, learned to windsurf at South Beach, spent time kayaking…
Bioidentical Hormones: The Real Story
“Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy” or BHRT generally refers to a compounded mixture of plant-based hormones which are similar to, or identical to, those produced by the ovaries. They are used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and decreased sex…
Breast Cancer - You Are At Risk, But Are You At High Risk?
Breast cancer will affect one in eight women in the United States. However some women have a higher risk than one in eight. FACTORS WHICH INCREASE A WOMAN’S RISK OF BREAST CANCER INCLUDE: • Early age menstruation • Late age menopause • No children or a first child late in life…
Cancer Does Not Live Here
Circle of Health is not a medical clinic. It is a place for people who have voluntarily decided to take ownership, partially or in full, of their health care. The eyes are the window to the soul. They’re also a pie chart of the body. I…
Cancer of the Prostate is an Inevitable Cause for Concern. For Men.
Prostate cancer are two words most men don’t like thinking about – but become an inevitable cause for concern as they approach 50 years of age and beyond. Board certified urologist, Dr. Richard R. Vanderslice on the active medical staff of Hilton Head Hospital points out…
Caroline & Friends: Sharing the Up side of Down
After a full day of kindergarten (and two hours of therapy) Caroline Mayers runs in the door with energy to spare. Curious about the stranger sitting on the living room sofa, she approaches. Introducing myself, I extend a hand; she gives it a quick shake…
Compounding Pharmacist Solves Medication Problems
Blinding migraine headaches dictate that you rest in a quiet, dark room while the demands of your life continue to press steadily forward, the medication that brings relief is limited due to the acetaminophen component. Take too much and the possibility of liver damage results. For…
Cosmetic Dentistry for Beautiful Smiles, Better Breathing & A Balanced Body
What’s behind a beautiful smile? More than you would expect. There’s better balance, restful sleep and improvement to your overall health. Hilton Head Island cosmetic dentist Dr. Timothy Gross said in some cases, there’s a better life, because some procedures can correct life-threatening conditions such…
December 2011: Health Note - American Thoracic Society annouces New Guidelines - A Look at what it means for Asthma Care
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently released its official clinical practice guidelines, providing strong recommendations for measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) to determine airway inflammation in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. The new guidelines will transform how more than 20 million Americans are…
Dental Care for Pets
“But Doc, why does Fluffy need his teeth cleaned when he only eats dry food?” This is one of my favorite questions regarding dental care. The owners are truly puzzled. To their question, I have a simple answer. “Imagine what your teeth would look like…
Dental Department: Q&A With Dr. Brian C. Low
Q: What do you see as the greatest advancement in dentistry over the past 20 years? A: The development of dental implants has greatly changed the way dentistry is practiced today and has significantly improved the quality of life of many of our patients. More recently,…
Depression in Paradise
Jack is a 64-year-old retired corporate attorney. He and his wife, Fran, have just moved to the island from Ohio. They have raised three children who are now all adults. They have invested wisely enough that Jack will not have to work anymore. They had…
Do You Have Gum Disease?
What would you do if you had an ulcer the size of your palm, which bleeds, may express pus, smells, and does not heal on its own? You would most likely see a physician and make sure that it is treated. Dr. Jonathan Ross at…
Do you HEAR What i HEAR?
It’s insidious, this business of hearing loss. One day you’re sailing along, hanging with Jagger and the fellas, listening to a cranked iPod and belting out each clearly distinguishable lyric. “You can’t always get what you waa-aaaant, But if you try sometime You might find You get what…
Dr. Bonnie Rothwell - Open Wide And Say Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt...
It is simply amazing that such a peaceful, tastefully appointed dentist’s office would inspire such passion. But it does. The passionate ones are those who have opened their mouths and let in Dr. Bonnie Rothwell to create works of art, and they can’t wait to…
Dr. Liz Shelly
DR. TIMOTHY GROSS' DENTAL EXCELLENCE - A Passion For Pearly Whites
Love and humor are as abundant as smiling pearly whites in the dentist’s office of Dr. Timothy Gross’ Dental Excellence at 15 Bow Circle on Hilton Head Island. If Gross doesn’t have his patients cracking up with his wit and jokes, he has them enthralled…
Eating Healthy is the best Preventative Medicine
For years we have been told that food is fuel. Like a car needs gasoline, our bodies need food for mobility. While this is true, it reveals only the partial purpose of food. If a car were more like a human body, it would not…
Eye Do - The Eye Site of Bluffton
Sometimes you have to look at young love and accept it for what it is. The gods were obviously just bored and decided to have a big time by swirling together two local optometrists with a bunch of consonants to create an upside down and…
Fever Phobia - Separating Fact From Fiction
Fever has always been one of the most common reasons for parents to contact their children’s doctor. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions regarding fever, causing fear and anxiety as well as unnecessary concern. Many parents view fever as a sign of serious illness. But many…
Get Off the Couch!
“You can diagnose a problem, fine. You can treat the problem, fine. That makes a good doctor. What makes the best doctor is when you can prevent it from even happening. There’s nothing better,” said Dr. Gaston Perez. As a primary care physician, prevention is…
HEALTH NOTE - SWELLING & Summer in the South
By the time you read this article, you will be enjoying one of the most beautiful seasons of the year (sans pollen). Cool nights and warm days may have you turning on your air conditioning at some point, but that long, cold (soggy!) winter we…
Healthier Lifestyle Can Help Reduce Insurance Costs
Every day I am asked how families and businesses can reduce the cost of their health insurance. A healthy lifestyle and regular preventative medical care is one way to reduce the cost of your health insurance premium. 2011 is a great time to begin a healthier…
Hickey Center - Hilton Head's Own "House, M.D."
HICKEY WELLNESS CENTER OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS House, M.D., a popular American TV show, centers upon Dr. Gregory House, a medical mastermind who leads a talented team of budding diagnosticians at a prominent, state-of-the-art teaching hospital. While Dr. House’s sarcastic demeanor, cool, businesslike…
Hilton Head Island’s Top Amenity: Healthcare
When you think of Hilton Head Island, what amenities immediately come to mind? Sunny beaches, lush golf courses? Tennis courts, waving palms, meandering leisure paths, heaping platters of fresh seafood? What you may be overlooking is one of our most valuable assets of all: The…
Hilton Head Occupational Therapy: Where Hope Happens
Imagine living in a recliner for six months. While that might sound relaxing, it was anything but for Jeannette Donnelly of Walterboro, whose recliner was her prison cell from May-November of 2009. Overweight and suffering with multiple infirmities, she could not walk or even sleep…
In Full Bloom - Counseling Helps Adolescents Blossom From Within
Myra Gasser and Joy Lauerer certainly don’t look like farmers. But the two describe themselves as seed planters, gardeners, waterers, cultivators and nurturers when it comes to issues and challenges of adolescents and their parents. As Bloom Within Counseling, Gasser, the firm’s owner and a…
Is there a Nurse Practitioner in the House?
The figures are staggering. Various studies have concluded that over the next decade, there will be a shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians in the U.S. The shortage is nothing new. For years, even decades, medical schools have been churning out physician specialists in greater…
IT'S SUNDAY!! Is There a Doctor in the House?
It happens. When you have a hammer in your hand, everything looks like a nail. Including your thumb, which you just hit and think might be broken. Of course, it’s Sunday morning. That’s when you’ll meet either Dr. Joel Johnson or Dr. Lydia Torres-Rozof at Main…
Joey Debate - Nurse Practitioner
“HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE LIKE BAD WASHING MACHINES,” SAID NURSE PRACTITIONER JOEY DEBATE. “THEY ALWAYS BREAK DOWN AFTER FIVE OR ON WEEKENDS,” WHICH IS ONE REASON HE STARTED HIS “AFTER HOURS” CLINIC AT CROSS ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER. THE CLINIC IS OPEN TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY, FROM…
Know Where To Go - Because Minutes Matter - Hilton Head Hospital's Heart Rescue Programs Saves TIme and Lives
For the last three years, Hilton Head Hospital has received recognition and top honors for successfully treating heart attacks. They have reduced the average time it takes to restore blood flow to under an hour, an astounding 33 percent faster than the American College of…
Let's Talk About Breasts
Is that a lump? That can’t be a lump. Shoot. I think that’s a lump. Ten more minutes of fondling myself, in the shower, and I finally called in my significant other for a second opinion. The initial grin on his face slowly turned to…
Life-Changing Dentistry: Healthy Gums, Healthy Heart
Valentine’s Day is the holiday in February where we show our loved ones how much we care about them. This is traditionally carried out by sending flowers, greeting cards, candy or special gifts in tiny boxes that bring big smiles to the recipient. It’s a…
Lowcountry Spine and Sport: An Honest Practice That Gets Patients Better
Dr. John P. Batson, MD, FACSM, has a resume that reads like a go-getter’s grocery list. He is a cum laude graduate from the College of Charleston with a BS in Biology. He completed his medical training at USC School of Medicine in Columbia and…
Medcial Section: Weighing in on Alcohol
Hilton Head Island is a small community, so let’s get this straight right up front. If you see me out after 5 p.m., you can bet I’ll be sipping a glass of chardonnay. So this is not one of those fire and brimstone sermons about…
Medical Section: A Weight Loss Journey
It is no secret to any of us that making a commitment to changing eating habits and activity levels are the keys to long-term success with weight management. Also, many of us have read the articles that talk about “changing your relationship with food.” That…
Medical Section: Hospital's Hip New Joint
Total joint replacement surgery remains a last-ditch orthopedic option. However, folks left with no other option now have their own exclusive place for post-operative care and therapy at Hilton Head Hospital. After determining a growing need for more effective in-patient care, hospital higher-ups and orthopedic specialists…
Medical Section: Lend Me Yours Ears - Hilton Head Hearing Services
If you met Paul Hayward Taylor, you would probably describe him as jovial, witty and personable. His handshake is confident, his smile is warm, and his southern accent is charming. Today he is wearing khaki pants and a soft yellow sweater and is excited about…
Medical Section: New and Exciting Strategies for Treating Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affecting the low back and joints is one of the most common complaints seen by physicians. As compared to acute problems causing pain (such as a sprained ankle), chronic pain affects many aspects of patients’ lives. Chronic pain can interfere with work, relationships,…
Medical Section: The Difference between School Speech Therapy and Private School Therapy
At least once a week I am asked by concerned parents, “What is the difference between school speech therapy and private speech therapy?” When you suspect that your child is having a speech or language delay, getting started with therapy can be overwhelming and confusing.…
Medical Section: Understanding Medicare
“Don’t panic.” — Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Author’s note: The purpose of this article is to help people enroll in Medicare, not to judge its value, merits, faults or burden on the federal deficit. I am not an expert on Medicare, but…
Medical Section: Vision Correction with Lasik: How to know if it's right for you
LASIK has become an important option for people to correct their vision, enhance their quality of life, and reduce or eliminate a lifetime of dependence on glasses and contacts. LASIK has become one of the most popular surgeries, and allows people from all walks of…
Medical Section: Visiting Angels - Bringing new in-home care services to the Lowcountry
Richard DeSalle of Bluffton and Keith Weinman of Hilton Head Island recently opened Visiting Angels, a local agency serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort, S.C. areas. DeSalle and Weinman, along with their team of certified nursing assistants provide in-home care, respite care, senior personal…
Medical: Does My Child Need Help?
Imagine a 14-year-old girl named Julia. She is smart, attractive and well loved by her family. To you and me, Julia’s life is just beginning. Yet Julia feels like it is ending. She lacks self-confidence with her peers and is self-conscious about her body. In…
Medical: Help The Hoo-HAHS
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see a pink ribbon somewhere. I think of the amazing difference the Susan G. Komen Foundation has made in reducing the number of breast cancer deaths, all because of one woman’s frustration at watching her sister battle…
Medical: Reversing Negative Effects of Aging
My name is Gaston Perez, and I practice medicine in the Lowcountry. I grew up in Miami after my mother brought me to the U.S. from Cuba, and I have been practicing Family Medicine for 15 years. Helping people obtain maximal health and vitality through…
Medical: Why Is My Child a Toe Walker?
There are a few questions pediatric physical therapists get all the time, and this is one of them. But first let’s determine if your child is a toe walker. All children will try out walking on their toes during their development. If you see your…
More than a Tooth Doctor: Elizabeth Shelly DDS Takes Dental Care to a New Level
When was the last time you got excited about seeing your dentist? For most of us, the answer would be “not in a million years.” But patients of Dr. Elizabeth Shelly say they actually look forward to their dental visits. What’s up with that? Longtime patient,…
More Than Meets The Eye - Why you need to have your eyes checked
Having a yearly eye exam will not only help you see better, but more importantly, it will ensure that you will keep seeing for years to come! A good eye exam doesn’t just check your glasses or contact lens prescription, but also checks the overall…
PET EXTRAVAGANZA - What is Your Veterinarian Doing for You?
When clients move, they often ask what they need to know to choose a veterinarian in the new area. This has always been a difficult question for me to answer. Instead, I’m going to bring to light what your veterinarian should be doing for your…
Q&A With Mark O'Neil - The New CEO Of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare
C2: Where are you from originally and what made you want to get into this profession? Mark O’Neil: I am originally from upstate New York. I spent my first 25 years in hospital leadership at the University of Rochester and as a CEO of a multi…
Seeing is Believing: Palmetto Eye Specialists & Island Medical Spa can help you look as good as you see and feel!
You’ve surely heard the age-old adage regarding the eyes being the mirrors of the soul. If you visit your ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly, you’re also likely aware of the importance of eye exams, which can help identify a variety of ocular concerns, such as poor…
Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Today
I have had a career in small animal veterinary medicine for 37 years. The changes in the discipline I have seen along the way have been dramatic just as they have been in human medicine. When I started, the most common services provided by a general…
Smile Makeover! A Pain Free Smile Is Within Reach
A few years back, I had an attractive middle- aged woman in the office who had been a patient for a number of years. “Mrs. Jones” had an old crown on her front tooth that was considerably darker in shade than her other front teeth.…
Speak Up! I Can't Hear You...
With untreated hearing loss approaching what many medical experts consider epidemic proportions, a new invisible hearing device has come along at a perfect time. The device is called the Lyric® and is the first non-surgical, 100 percent invisible, extended-wear hearing correction device on the market. “The…
Stephens Pharmacy
If you’ve been to the Health & Wellness Center at 2 Marshland Road, you’ve probably discovered Stephens Pharmacy, the independent pharmacy that could be mistaken for an extension of the physicians’ offices. If not, you might want to visit the shop, which pharmacist and owner…
Telemedicine
Let’s talk about health care for a minute. No specious statistics. No opinion poll numbers. Just a little bit of the common sense and market realities that are severely lacking in much of the public discourse on the subject, and a concept that could be…
The Allergy Epidemic - Where is it coming from?
It seems that everywhere you look today, the prevalence of allergies is increasing. People are suffering more and more from the effects of pollen and other environmental allergies. The sense of happiness that spring flowers used to bring has been replaced by a sense of…
The Curry Foundation
The Curry Foundation’s genesis was quite simple: a friend helping a friend. In May of 2009 Thomas M. Curry, Jr., president and CEO of Hardeeville-based Lowcountry Paver, learned that his friend Ben Kennedy had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma…for the second time in a year. Ben…
The Effects Of Technology On Vision
Let’s look at this scenario: Most of us work eight hours a day. During this time, many of us spend five to six of those hours staring at a computer screen. Now we get home, and what do we do? Check our e-mails, pay bills…
The Resort Doctor: Hickey Wellness Center Goes Beyond Traditional Medicine
John Morabito had a problem. Diagnosed with a bone marrow disease called pancytopenia, bone marrow transplant centers in New York told him he had only six-eight months to live. But Morabito wasn’t ready to give up so easily. He took a trip to Hilton Head…
The Smile Factor: Cosmetic Dentistry Helps You Smile With Intensity!
WHAT IS A SMILE? According to Wikipedia, “a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing those muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth and is customarily an expression denoting pleasure, happiness or amusement.” Okay, we all know that. But what does it mean…
The Why and How of Exercise
Throughout my career as an exercise physiologist and fitness trainer, I have had numerous conversations with people about their desire to start an exercise program. Typically, an event such as a high school reunion or a wedding date inspires people to hit the gym. However,…
Wellness Defined - Body, Mind & Soul
What is the definition of wellness? More than ever before, we hear this word in the news, on billboards, in conversation and even at work. Interestingly, there is no universally-accepted definition of wellness. There is, however, a set of common characteristics seen in most thoughtful…
Women's Back Pain. Yes. It's Different
Pain in the neck and back area is the number one complaint among older Americans, and physicians now understand more clearly that pain affects men and women differently. According to studies by The Journal of American Geriatrics Society, women typically seek professional help more quickly…
Your Beautiful Smile - Compliments of Island Family Dental
“Wow, you look great! You have an amazing smile. Who’s your dentist?” Young or old, man or woman, there’s just something about receiving a compliment that never seems to get old or go out of style. Whether it’s from a friend, a loved one or the…
Today’s headlines center on healthcare and the means to cut healthcare costs. As more cost-effective treatments for diseases are sought, the question rarely asked is how the cycle of poor health can be broken. At Stephens Pharmacy and Stephens Compounding Pharmacy, Jerry and I are seeking…
Advanced Women's Care - Pregnancy is both miraculous and terrifying at the same time-especially the first pregnancy.
Every flutter is questioned, celebrated and analyzed by the expectant mother. “Is this normal? Should I feel this way?” are thoughts that crowd her mind, especially in the first trimester. She has probably seen countless episodes of A Birthing Story on the Discovery Channel, and…
Advanced Women's Care of the Lowcountry: Offering Options for Today’s Women
Did you know there’s a medical practice right here in the Lowcountry specifically tailored to meet the needs of today’s busy, multi-tasking women? With offices in Hilton Head and Bluffton, Advanced Women’s Care offers all the “usual” OB/GYN services—infertility, prenatal, labor/delivery, postpartum, surgery and lifetime…
Back In The Lowcountry. Lowcountry Spine & Sport
The secret to success is simple: if an omen or oracle tells you to do something, pay attention. Then just take the hint and do what it says. Dr. John Batson grew up on Hilton Head Island, learned to windsurf at South Beach, spent time kayaking…
Bioidentical Hormones: The Real Story
“Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy” or BHRT generally refers to a compounded mixture of plant-based hormones which are similar to, or identical to, those produced by the ovaries. They are used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and decreased sex…
Breast Cancer - You Are At Risk, But Are You At High Risk?
Breast cancer will affect one in eight women in the United States. However some women have a higher risk than one in eight. FACTORS WHICH INCREASE A WOMAN’S RISK OF BREAST CANCER INCLUDE: • Early age menstruation • Late age menopause • No children or a first child late in life…
Cancer Does Not Live Here
Circle of Health is not a medical clinic. It is a place for people who have voluntarily decided to take ownership, partially or in full, of their health care. The eyes are the window to the soul. They’re also a pie chart of the body. I…
Cancer of the Prostate is an Inevitable Cause for Concern. For Men.
Prostate cancer are two words most men don’t like thinking about – but become an inevitable cause for concern as they approach 50 years of age and beyond. Board certified urologist, Dr. Richard R. Vanderslice on the active medical staff of Hilton Head Hospital points out…
Caroline & Friends: Sharing the Up side of Down
After a full day of kindergarten (and two hours of therapy) Caroline Mayers runs in the door with energy to spare. Curious about the stranger sitting on the living room sofa, she approaches. Introducing myself, I extend a hand; she gives it a quick shake…
Compounding Pharmacist Solves Medication Problems
Blinding migraine headaches dictate that you rest in a quiet, dark room while the demands of your life continue to press steadily forward, the medication that brings relief is limited due to the acetaminophen component. Take too much and the possibility of liver damage results. For…
Cosmetic Dentistry for Beautiful Smiles, Better Breathing & A Balanced Body
What’s behind a beautiful smile? More than you would expect. There’s better balance, restful sleep and improvement to your overall health. Hilton Head Island cosmetic dentist Dr. Timothy Gross said in some cases, there’s a better life, because some procedures can correct life-threatening conditions such…
December 2011: Health Note - American Thoracic Society annouces New Guidelines - A Look at what it means for Asthma Care
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently released its official clinical practice guidelines, providing strong recommendations for measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) to determine airway inflammation in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. The new guidelines will transform how more than 20 million Americans are…
Dental Care for Pets
“But Doc, why does Fluffy need his teeth cleaned when he only eats dry food?” This is one of my favorite questions regarding dental care. The owners are truly puzzled. To their question, I have a simple answer. “Imagine what your teeth would look like…
Dental Department: Q&A With Dr. Brian C. Low
Q: What do you see as the greatest advancement in dentistry over the past 20 years? A: The development of dental implants has greatly changed the way dentistry is practiced today and has significantly improved the quality of life of many of our patients. More recently,…
Depression in Paradise
Jack is a 64-year-old retired corporate attorney. He and his wife, Fran, have just moved to the island from Ohio. They have raised three children who are now all adults. They have invested wisely enough that Jack will not have to work anymore. They had…
Do You Have Gum Disease?
What would you do if you had an ulcer the size of your palm, which bleeds, may express pus, smells, and does not heal on its own? You would most likely see a physician and make sure that it is treated. Dr. Jonathan Ross at…
Do you HEAR What i HEAR?
It’s insidious, this business of hearing loss. One day you’re sailing along, hanging with Jagger and the fellas, listening to a cranked iPod and belting out each clearly distinguishable lyric. “You can’t always get what you waa-aaaant, But if you try sometime You might find You get what…
Dr. Bonnie Rothwell - Open Wide And Say Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt...
It is simply amazing that such a peaceful, tastefully appointed dentist’s office would inspire such passion. But it does. The passionate ones are those who have opened their mouths and let in Dr. Bonnie Rothwell to create works of art, and they can’t wait to…
Dr. Liz Shelly
It was a Friday, Dr. Elizabeth Shelly’s scheduled day off, but somehow she found herself at the office. A dentist at Palmetto Dental Arts in Bluffton, she had a morning meeting with a magazine reporter…
DR. TIMOTHY GROSS' DENTAL EXCELLENCE - A Passion For Pearly Whites
Love and humor are as abundant as smiling pearly whites in the dentist’s office of Dr. Timothy Gross’ Dental Excellence at 15 Bow Circle on Hilton Head Island. If Gross doesn’t have his patients cracking up with his wit and jokes, he has them enthralled…
Eating Healthy is the best Preventative Medicine
For years we have been told that food is fuel. Like a car needs gasoline, our bodies need food for mobility. While this is true, it reveals only the partial purpose of food. If a car were more like a human body, it would not…
Eye Do - The Eye Site of Bluffton
Sometimes you have to look at young love and accept it for what it is. The gods were obviously just bored and decided to have a big time by swirling together two local optometrists with a bunch of consonants to create an upside down and…
Fever Phobia - Separating Fact From Fiction
Fever has always been one of the most common reasons for parents to contact their children’s doctor. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions regarding fever, causing fear and anxiety as well as unnecessary concern. Many parents view fever as a sign of serious illness. But many…
Get Off the Couch!
“You can diagnose a problem, fine. You can treat the problem, fine. That makes a good doctor. What makes the best doctor is when you can prevent it from even happening. There’s nothing better,” said Dr. Gaston Perez. As a primary care physician, prevention is…
HEALTH NOTE - SWELLING & Summer in the South
By the time you read this article, you will be enjoying one of the most beautiful seasons of the year (sans pollen). Cool nights and warm days may have you turning on your air conditioning at some point, but that long, cold (soggy!) winter we…
Healthier Lifestyle Can Help Reduce Insurance Costs
Every day I am asked how families and businesses can reduce the cost of their health insurance. A healthy lifestyle and regular preventative medical care is one way to reduce the cost of your health insurance premium. 2011 is a great time to begin a healthier…
Hickey Center - Hilton Head's Own "House, M.D."
HICKEY WELLNESS CENTER OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS House, M.D., a popular American TV show, centers upon Dr. Gregory House, a medical mastermind who leads a talented team of budding diagnosticians at a prominent, state-of-the-art teaching hospital. While Dr. House’s sarcastic demeanor, cool, businesslike…
Hilton Head Island’s Top Amenity: Healthcare
When you think of Hilton Head Island, what amenities immediately come to mind? Sunny beaches, lush golf courses? Tennis courts, waving palms, meandering leisure paths, heaping platters of fresh seafood? What you may be overlooking is one of our most valuable assets of all: The…
Hilton Head Occupational Therapy: Where Hope Happens
Imagine living in a recliner for six months. While that might sound relaxing, it was anything but for Jeannette Donnelly of Walterboro, whose recliner was her prison cell from May-November of 2009. Overweight and suffering with multiple infirmities, she could not walk or even sleep…
In Full Bloom - Counseling Helps Adolescents Blossom From Within
Myra Gasser and Joy Lauerer certainly don’t look like farmers. But the two describe themselves as seed planters, gardeners, waterers, cultivators and nurturers when it comes to issues and challenges of adolescents and their parents. As Bloom Within Counseling, Gasser, the firm’s owner and a…
Is there a Nurse Practitioner in the House?
The figures are staggering. Various studies have concluded that over the next decade, there will be a shortage of 40,000 primary care physicians in the U.S. The shortage is nothing new. For years, even decades, medical schools have been churning out physician specialists in greater…
IT'S SUNDAY!! Is There a Doctor in the House?
It happens. When you have a hammer in your hand, everything looks like a nail. Including your thumb, which you just hit and think might be broken. Of course, it’s Sunday morning. That’s when you’ll meet either Dr. Joel Johnson or Dr. Lydia Torres-Rozof at Main…
Joey Debate - Nurse Practitioner
“HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE LIKE BAD WASHING MACHINES,” SAID NURSE PRACTITIONER JOEY DEBATE. “THEY ALWAYS BREAK DOWN AFTER FIVE OR ON WEEKENDS,” WHICH IS ONE REASON HE STARTED HIS “AFTER HOURS” CLINIC AT CROSS ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER. THE CLINIC IS OPEN TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY, FROM…
Know Where To Go - Because Minutes Matter - Hilton Head Hospital's Heart Rescue Programs Saves TIme and Lives
For the last three years, Hilton Head Hospital has received recognition and top honors for successfully treating heart attacks. They have reduced the average time it takes to restore blood flow to under an hour, an astounding 33 percent faster than the American College of…
Let's Talk About Breasts
Is that a lump? That can’t be a lump. Shoot. I think that’s a lump. Ten more minutes of fondling myself, in the shower, and I finally called in my significant other for a second opinion. The initial grin on his face slowly turned to…
Life-Changing Dentistry: Healthy Gums, Healthy Heart
Valentine’s Day is the holiday in February where we show our loved ones how much we care about them. This is traditionally carried out by sending flowers, greeting cards, candy or special gifts in tiny boxes that bring big smiles to the recipient. It’s a…
Lowcountry Spine and Sport: An Honest Practice That Gets Patients Better
Dr. John P. Batson, MD, FACSM, has a resume that reads like a go-getter’s grocery list. He is a cum laude graduate from the College of Charleston with a BS in Biology. He completed his medical training at USC School of Medicine in Columbia and…
Medcial Section: Weighing in on Alcohol
Hilton Head Island is a small community, so let’s get this straight right up front. If you see me out after 5 p.m., you can bet I’ll be sipping a glass of chardonnay. So this is not one of those fire and brimstone sermons about…
Medical Section: A Weight Loss Journey
It is no secret to any of us that making a commitment to changing eating habits and activity levels are the keys to long-term success with weight management. Also, many of us have read the articles that talk about “changing your relationship with food.” That…
Medical Section: Hospital's Hip New Joint
Total joint replacement surgery remains a last-ditch orthopedic option. However, folks left with no other option now have their own exclusive place for post-operative care and therapy at Hilton Head Hospital. After determining a growing need for more effective in-patient care, hospital higher-ups and orthopedic specialists…
Medical Section: Lend Me Yours Ears - Hilton Head Hearing Services
If you met Paul Hayward Taylor, you would probably describe him as jovial, witty and personable. His handshake is confident, his smile is warm, and his southern accent is charming. Today he is wearing khaki pants and a soft yellow sweater and is excited about…
Medical Section: New and Exciting Strategies for Treating Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affecting the low back and joints is one of the most common complaints seen by physicians. As compared to acute problems causing pain (such as a sprained ankle), chronic pain affects many aspects of patients’ lives. Chronic pain can interfere with work, relationships,…
Medical Section: The Difference between School Speech Therapy and Private School Therapy
At least once a week I am asked by concerned parents, “What is the difference between school speech therapy and private speech therapy?” When you suspect that your child is having a speech or language delay, getting started with therapy can be overwhelming and confusing.…
Medical Section: Understanding Medicare
“Don’t panic.” — Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Author’s note: The purpose of this article is to help people enroll in Medicare, not to judge its value, merits, faults or burden on the federal deficit. I am not an expert on Medicare, but…
Medical Section: Vision Correction with Lasik: How to know if it's right for you
LASIK has become an important option for people to correct their vision, enhance their quality of life, and reduce or eliminate a lifetime of dependence on glasses and contacts. LASIK has become one of the most popular surgeries, and allows people from all walks of…
Medical Section: Visiting Angels - Bringing new in-home care services to the Lowcountry
Richard DeSalle of Bluffton and Keith Weinman of Hilton Head Island recently opened Visiting Angels, a local agency serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort, S.C. areas. DeSalle and Weinman, along with their team of certified nursing assistants provide in-home care, respite care, senior personal…
Medical: Does My Child Need Help?
Imagine a 14-year-old girl named Julia. She is smart, attractive and well loved by her family. To you and me, Julia’s life is just beginning. Yet Julia feels like it is ending. She lacks self-confidence with her peers and is self-conscious about her body. In…
Medical: Help The Hoo-HAHS
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see a pink ribbon somewhere. I think of the amazing difference the Susan G. Komen Foundation has made in reducing the number of breast cancer deaths, all because of one woman’s frustration at watching her sister battle…
Medical: Reversing Negative Effects of Aging
My name is Gaston Perez, and I practice medicine in the Lowcountry. I grew up in Miami after my mother brought me to the U.S. from Cuba, and I have been practicing Family Medicine for 15 years. Helping people obtain maximal health and vitality through…
Medical: Why Is My Child a Toe Walker?
There are a few questions pediatric physical therapists get all the time, and this is one of them. But first let’s determine if your child is a toe walker. All children will try out walking on their toes during their development. If you see your…
More than a Tooth Doctor: Elizabeth Shelly DDS Takes Dental Care to a New Level
When was the last time you got excited about seeing your dentist? For most of us, the answer would be “not in a million years.” But patients of Dr. Elizabeth Shelly say they actually look forward to their dental visits. What’s up with that? Longtime patient,…
More Than Meets The Eye - Why you need to have your eyes checked
Having a yearly eye exam will not only help you see better, but more importantly, it will ensure that you will keep seeing for years to come! A good eye exam doesn’t just check your glasses or contact lens prescription, but also checks the overall…
PET EXTRAVAGANZA - What is Your Veterinarian Doing for You?
When clients move, they often ask what they need to know to choose a veterinarian in the new area. This has always been a difficult question for me to answer. Instead, I’m going to bring to light what your veterinarian should be doing for your…
Q&A With Mark O'Neil - The New CEO Of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare
C2: Where are you from originally and what made you want to get into this profession? Mark O’Neil: I am originally from upstate New York. I spent my first 25 years in hospital leadership at the University of Rochester and as a CEO of a multi…
Seeing is Believing: Palmetto Eye Specialists & Island Medical Spa can help you look as good as you see and feel!
You’ve surely heard the age-old adage regarding the eyes being the mirrors of the soul. If you visit your ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly, you’re also likely aware of the importance of eye exams, which can help identify a variety of ocular concerns, such as poor…
Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Today
I have had a career in small animal veterinary medicine for 37 years. The changes in the discipline I have seen along the way have been dramatic just as they have been in human medicine. When I started, the most common services provided by a general…
Smile Makeover! A Pain Free Smile Is Within Reach
A few years back, I had an attractive middle- aged woman in the office who had been a patient for a number of years. “Mrs. Jones” had an old crown on her front tooth that was considerably darker in shade than her other front teeth.…
Speak Up! I Can't Hear You...
With untreated hearing loss approaching what many medical experts consider epidemic proportions, a new invisible hearing device has come along at a perfect time. The device is called the Lyric® and is the first non-surgical, 100 percent invisible, extended-wear hearing correction device on the market. “The…
Stephens Pharmacy
If you’ve been to the Health & Wellness Center at 2 Marshland Road, you’ve probably discovered Stephens Pharmacy, the independent pharmacy that could be mistaken for an extension of the physicians’ offices. If not, you might want to visit the shop, which pharmacist and owner…
Telemedicine
Let’s talk about health care for a minute. No specious statistics. No opinion poll numbers. Just a little bit of the common sense and market realities that are severely lacking in much of the public discourse on the subject, and a concept that could be…
The Allergy Epidemic - Where is it coming from?
It seems that everywhere you look today, the prevalence of allergies is increasing. People are suffering more and more from the effects of pollen and other environmental allergies. The sense of happiness that spring flowers used to bring has been replaced by a sense of…
The Curry Foundation
The Curry Foundation’s genesis was quite simple: a friend helping a friend. In May of 2009 Thomas M. Curry, Jr., president and CEO of Hardeeville-based Lowcountry Paver, learned that his friend Ben Kennedy had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma…for the second time in a year. Ben…
The Effects Of Technology On Vision
Let’s look at this scenario: Most of us work eight hours a day. During this time, many of us spend five to six of those hours staring at a computer screen. Now we get home, and what do we do? Check our e-mails, pay bills…
The Resort Doctor: Hickey Wellness Center Goes Beyond Traditional Medicine
John Morabito had a problem. Diagnosed with a bone marrow disease called pancytopenia, bone marrow transplant centers in New York told him he had only six-eight months to live. But Morabito wasn’t ready to give up so easily. He took a trip to Hilton Head…
The Smile Factor: Cosmetic Dentistry Helps You Smile With Intensity!
WHAT IS A SMILE? According to Wikipedia, “a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing those muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth and is customarily an expression denoting pleasure, happiness or amusement.” Okay, we all know that. But what does it mean…
The Why and How of Exercise
Throughout my career as an exercise physiologist and fitness trainer, I have had numerous conversations with people about their desire to start an exercise program. Typically, an event such as a high school reunion or a wedding date inspires people to hit the gym. However,…
Wellness Defined - Body, Mind & Soul
What is the definition of wellness? More than ever before, we hear this word in the news, on billboards, in conversation and even at work. Interestingly, there is no universally-accepted definition of wellness. There is, however, a set of common characteristics seen in most thoughtful…
Women's Back Pain. Yes. It's Different
Pain in the neck and back area is the number one complaint among older Americans, and physicians now understand more clearly that pain affects men and women differently. According to studies by The Journal of American Geriatrics Society, women typically seek professional help more quickly…
Your Beautiful Smile - Compliments of Island Family Dental
“Wow, you look great! You have an amazing smile. Who’s your dentist?” Young or old, man or woman, there’s just something about receiving a compliment that never seems to get old or go out of style. Whether it’s from a friend, a loved one or the…
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