Doctor Column

Keep Moving, Sit Less & Move More for Good Health!

“Exercise is “good for you.” How many times have you heard that? Others announce; you need a “balanced program” that includes muscle strengthening, bone strengthening stretching and aerobic—cardio activities. But how do you make sense of and begin a balanced exercise program? How many steps are enough, what muscle groups should be strengthened or how hard and how often should you work out? People opine about the many benefits of exercise; but what are they?

Nine (9) Tips for Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

There is a definite need for better control of high blood pressure in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), “roughly 39 million Americans are at risk for serious health issues due to uncontrolled high blood pressure,” which includes an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, vision loss and kidney disease.

Sickle Cell Disease and CRISPR-Cas9

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disease that’s passed down from parent to child. This genetic disorder causes the body to make abnormal red blood cells (RBC’s). Hemoglobin is the protein in the RBC’s that delivers oxygen to all parts of the body and sends carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled from the body.

A 21st Century Scientific Revolution? CRISPR-Case 9

Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier have ignited a scientific revolution. In 2020, both shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their pioneering work in gene editing (also called genome editing or genetic engineering). This innovative technology, CRISPR-Cas9, allows scientists to more easily and accurately repair or enhance an organism’s faulty DNA.

Echocardiogram Stress Test

A cardiac stress test evaluates the health of the heart. Sometimes called a treadmill stress test, it contrasts how the heart functions at rest compared to how it functions with activity. Either a treadmill or a stationary bicycle is commonly used by the person to put the heart under increased, physical stress.

From Treadmill to Marathon Julie’s Story — “I Did It!”

You don’t have to be, as if anyone could be, Haile Gebrselassie to be a good runner. Haile is considered, by many, to be the greatest distance runner in history. This 5 foot 5 inch and 119 pound dynamo, in his prime, shattered 61 Ethiopian national records ranging from 800 meters to the marathon, established 27 world records and captured two Olympic gold medals. An Ethiopian national hero recognized by New African magazine in 2011 as being one of the 100 most influential Africans.