Paradise Valley Medical Clinic
Douglas M. Lakin MD
9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (Phone)
480.614.6322 (Fax)
Updates With Doctor Doug
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Note From the Office Manager |
Hello Summer!
AZ temperatures are full in effect and things are cooking at PVMC!
Over the past several weeks our office has been fully-open and we have thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of our patients in-person. As more and more people are becoming vaccinated, the more we get to delight in having that one on one interaction. The increase in patient flow to the daily Practice is something all of us here at PVMC absolutely strive for….to provide treatment for you!
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We have a new addition to our team and her name is Gabriela! She is a Medical Assistant that comes to us with many years of experience. She is ready and ecstatic to be providing medical care for our lovely patients. We are happy to have her aboard!
Do your best to stay cool out there! A certain little saying comes to mind…
“Come In For Great Health Care – Stay For The Cool Air!”
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The best bug sprays of 2021
Nothing ruins a sojourn outdoors quite like an entourage of pesky mosquitoes chowing down on your arms and legs. Sure, bug spray is great and all. But between the various active ingredients and concentrations, it’s hard to know what actually works, let alone find a spray that doesn’t smell like a chemistry class or make you feel like you took a dip in a vat of oil.
That’s why we went hands-on with bug repellents to test how they feel, how they smell and everything else you’d want to know about a bug spray before you use one. All this after consulting with multiple experts to ensure we included repellents that are actually effective at, well, repelling bugs. We tested only bug sprays that have an active ingredient approved by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, p-Menthane-3,8-diol (which is in oil of lemon eucalyptus), IR3535 and 2-Undecanone. DEET was the resounding favorite among the experts we interviewed, but they all praised the effectiveness of the other ingredients as well, especially picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
To be clear, we didn’t test each spray for its efficacy at repelling bugs, since there are so many external variables that go into that. Instead, we used our extensive research and the opinions of experts to choose a pool of sprays that science has proven to be effective.
After multiple weeks of testing, we found three bug sprays that stood above the rest:
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TOP PODCAST DONE WEEKLY
BY DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM
(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA)
Dr. Osterholm is a world-renowned epidemiologist who was credited with first elucidating TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME in the 1980’s, and he provides comprehensive and understandable/actionable ideas related to COVID.
Connect with all of
Dr. Osterholm Podcasts
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Everything You Need To Make Ice Cream In A Mason Jar
By Lesley Kennedy
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Of course we don’t need the mercury to be pushing 100 degrees to crave ice cream. It’s just that when summer hits, we want our favorite dessert even more than usual.
“When I was a pastry chef working in restaurants, one of my favorite jobs was to make the ice cream for desserts,” says Gemma Stafford, cookbook author, blogger and host of the online baking show “Bigger Bolder Baking.” “The daily process was laborious but the results were incredible.”
You don’t need a special machine to make homemade ice cream, she adds. Grab a Mason jar and a couple of simple ingredients, and you can whip up delicious ice cream in no time. “It’s such an easy process, you don’t need special equipment, and the best part is you can make any flavor you can imagine at home,” she says.
Sonia Coronado, who shares keto-friendly recipes with her more than 160,000 Instagram followers via her account, @ketosony, says those adhering to the popular diet can still enjoy ice cream with her version of the treat. “Mason jar recipes are normally higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs, making it the perfect keto dessert,” she says.
Yep, whether you’re taking the recipe on the road for your next camping trip, ran out of Ben & Jerry’s, or you just like the idea of a fun DIY treat, making Mason jar ice cream at home is a blast. We asked Stafford and Coronado to share their favorite tricks for making the best flavors. Now, who’s ready to shake things up?
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Benefits of Avocados: 5 Ways They Are Good For Your Health
Avocados have become an increasingly popular food in recent years, with people blending the creamy fruit in their smoothies or slicing it to layer on top of toast.
The green fruit has become a staple in kitchens around the world -- and for good reason. Avocados deliver a variety of health benefits and are a versatile ingredient when cooking, said CNN nutrition contributor Lisa Drayer.
She uses the fatty fruit in soups, dips and even chocolate truffles. Depending on how you bake with it, avocados can be a great fat substitute that won't make your desserts taste like an avocado, she noted.
They are chock-full of nutrients and can be a beneficial addition to a balanced diet.
These are five ways avocados are good for your health:
1. Avocados are high in omega-3
2. They are a great source of potassium
3. They're packed with monounsaturated fats
4. They are also high in fiber
5. Avocados are rich in folate
The bottom line
Avocados are a great source of nutrients, and they can help lower LDL cholesterol. Plus, they can keep you satisfied longer.
Like other high-fat foods, avocados are calorically dense, meaning there are a lot of calories per gram. A serving of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of avocado clocks in at 160 calories, according to the USDA.
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Dental Updates From Marie
Our Sense of Taste-
Changes, Impairment, Disorders, and Treatment
“Our Sense of Taste” Part One, which appeared in Dr. Lakin’s Spring 2021 newsletter, focused on the sense of taste, what we taste, and how we taste. This Part Two article will include a review of changes in taste and the implications of changes, taste disorders and causes, and possible solutions and treatments for issues with taste.
Part Two
If food does not seem to taste as it should to you, pay attention. There could be a certain reason why and it may be something that could be identified and corrected.
Taste changes may include the complete loss of taste (ageusia), partial loss of taste (hypogeusia), a distorted sense of taste such as a metallic taste (dysgeusia) or an unpleasant or revolting taste (cacogeusia).
Possible Causes
A decrease in or impaired taste is common in older adults. Study results estimate that approximately 75% of people over the age of 80 have some level of impaired taste. Therefore, while it may be an age-related phenomenon for some, it could also be caused by one of many possible factors such as: A decrease in the number of taste buds. Possible changes in the way the nervous system processes the sensation of taste – which could cause a decline in the awareness of taste. There may be a decrease in saliva or a change in the consistency of saliva. Also, changes in the tongue may make it more difficult for flavors to reach the taste buds.
Medications can also be a major factor in changes in taste. If this is identified as the cause of altered or loss of taste, a dosage adjustment or a change in medications can be considered to alleviate this side effect. Prescription, and even over the counter, drugs can affect how your taste buds absorb flavors or the saliva may incorporate various chemicals from the drugs. For example, ACE inhibitors and other blood pressure medications sometimes can decrease one’s sensitivity to taste or they can impart a metallic, bitter, or sweet taste in your mouth. Medications that cause “dry mouth” such as antidepressants, antihistamines, etc. can keep flavors from reaching your taste buds because of their drying effect. Particular attention should be given to possible cases, if not already diagnosed, of Sjogren’s syndrome – an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and dry eyes in addition to other compromising issues. Heart medications such as beta-blockers can interfere with one’s sense of taste and smell. Also, lithium and thyroid medications can produce the same side effects.
Treatment or therapeutic drugs often affect taste such as those used in chemotherapy, antibiotics, morphine, or other opioids can impose changes. Radiation treatments can also affect taste buds, salivary glands, and affect one’s sense of smell in addition. A metallic taste may result, especially after eating meat or other protein. Your health care providers should be alerted for assistance regarding these side effects. Usually, following treatment, taste should return to pretreatment levels after a month or so.
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Types of Changes and Causes
If there is a sudden change in taste or loss of taste, this can indicate an underlying medical condition. Some such conditions that can cause a sudden change in your taste perception include common cold, sinus infection, salivary gland infection, ear infection, ear injury, throat infection, upper airway infection, gum disease, or head injury.
Most causes of a sudden loss or change of taste, such as an upper respiratory infection or common cold, may be managed and treated at home. However, in some situations, certain viral or bacterial illnesses can overwhelm the immune system and require a professional consultation.
In addition, if a sudden loss of taste is experienced that accompanies symptoms of more serious conditions, such as a head injury, mouth injury, stroke, or other nervous system conditions, it is time to visit a doctor. Your medical history can be assessed and, if necessary, further diagnostic tests can be done to determine the underlying cause.
In addition to causes already indicated that can contribute to alterations in taste and/or smell are hormone changes as during menopause or pregnancy, oral health problems, nasal polyps, exposure to certain chemicals, use of cocaine snorted through the nose, and cigarette/cigar /pipe smoking.
In certain disorders, odors, tastes, or flavors may be misread or distorted. They may cause one to detect a bad odor or taste from something that is normally pleasant to taste or smell. Such disorders can affect quality of life and they may also be a sign of underlying disease. Problems with taste and smell can suggest certain health issues such as: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, poor nutrition – especially deficiencies of vitamin B-12 and zinc, or nervous system diseases such as: Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Bell’s palsy (a cranial nerve disorder), or multiple sclerosis.
Diagnosing and Treating Taste and Smell Disorders
An initial step is documenting a complete medical history and a physical exam. Oher examinations may include tests comparing tastes and smells of different chemicals, scratch-and-sniff tests, “sip, spit, and rinse” tests where chemicals are applied to specific areas of the tongue.
Treatment considerations will include your age, overall health and medical history, current health status, how well one manages specific medications, procedures, or therapies, how long a condition is expected to last, and the patient’s preferences.
A review of current medications that may be contributing to the disorder is done with considerations given to stopping them or changing the dosage. All efforts are directed to seeking identification of an underlying medical problem and correcting it. Surgical intervention may be necessary to remove an obstruction that may be causing the disorder, and smoking, if it is involved, should cease. For supplemental assistance, counseling may be needed in some cases to support treatment.
Resolving taste and smell changes and disorders is significantly important for many reasons. Doing so has a profound effect on one’s enjoyment of food which, in turn, has a significant impact on nutritional balance, body function, general health and maintaining sound health status. Remain aware of your taste acuity and, without delay, seek guidance and direction when any changes are detected.
Here’s to your good health!
Marie C. Jacobs, D.D.S.
Professor Emerita Loyola University Chicago
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Spend Time Outside and Stay Sun-safe |
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It’s natural to want to get out in the sun as the weather warms up. And it's safe too, as long as you stick to social distancing guidelines and protect your skin.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays – from the sun and other sources like tanning beds – are the #1 cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure can also cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles. Staying in the shade, shielding your skin with clothing, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 can help lower your risk.
Take these steps to stay sun-safe:
- Seek shade: Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
- Cover up: When you are out, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible. Protect your eyes with wrap-around sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30: Reapply at least every 2 hours, as well as after swimming or sweating.
- Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: Both can cause serious long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.
Choosing the right sunscreen
While you should use sunscreen every day, it’s even more important during the summer, when the days are longer, the sun is stronger, and it’s easier to spend more time outdoors. When choosing sunscreen, read the label before you buy. Remember that no sunscreen protects you completely.
US Food and Drug Administration regulations require the labels on sunscreens to follow certain guidelines:
- Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. These sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen products protect against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn. But UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. Only products that pass a test can be labeled “broad spectrum.” Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.
- Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. For example, SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 filters out about 97%. SPF 50 blocks about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.
- “Water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweat-proof,” and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label says it is water resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. For best results, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on.
- Check the expiration date before using a sunscreen. Most sunscreens are good for at least 2 to 3 years. Sunscreens that have been exposed to heat for long periods, if they were kept in the car all summer for example, may not work as well.
Is sunscreen safe?
Some health, consumer, and environmental groups have raised concerns over ingredients in some sunscreens and their potential effects on people and nature.
According to Len Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, “The experts who have looked at the data have concluded that the potential risk of not using sunscreen far outweighs the risks of using sunscreen.” Lichtenfeld, who had skin cancer himself, says he uses sunscreen on his face every day. He recommends people buy and use sunscreens that are sold and marketed in the US because there is less information about the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens made in other countries.
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Addicted to your phone?
5 ways to use it to create healthy habits
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As a health and wellness professional, I’ve preached for years to keep your phone out of your bedroom. But during the pandemic I picked up some bad habits, ignoring my own advice and making my phone a permanent fixture on my nightstand. It became one reach away when I had a hard time falling asleep or would wake up in the middle of the night. And it fueled an obsession with social media and work.
According to Teralyn Sell, psychotherapist and brain health expert, some research suggests that cell phone use can change our brain activity, decreasing reaction times and negatively impacting our sleep quality and patterns. “Problematic cell phone use also has a relationship with depression and anxiety, as well as increased substance use including tobacco and alcohol,” Sell said.
I knew it was time for an intervention. But instead of banishing my cellphone for good, I decided to change the way I was using it.
What if I used my iPhone to break the habits it was holding me hostage to — and use it to create new, healthier habits? I began thinking of all of the positive ways that phones have enriched our lives: health and wellness apps, music, connection to others, calendars to keep us on track, to name a few.
Here are the features I tapped into to make some positive changes in my daily routine.
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Tom's Travels
"Fun in the Fjords"
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Because my all day trip to Bergen from Oslo on train, bus, and boat would require a lot of luggage handling I had my bags sent ahead by an agency specializing in this service.
The first part by train stopped at a majestic waterfall where a woman on the cliff was dancing and singing opera above the water’s roar, purely for tourist groups that stopped there. See if you can spot her.
We then boarded a cruise boat to navigate several fjords where the scenery was fantastic and the weather was cooperating for photos, a stroke of luck. The boat didn’t stop as everything was so visible from the decks, until it was time to board a bus into Bergen.
My first full day there involved seeing as much as possible until clouds moved in and fog was present. I took a funicular to an overlook for a superb view of Bergen, and an hour later it was totally fogged in. Maybe we can blame it on the numerous mischievous gnomes whose statues you see scattered throughout the city.
Bergen’s waterfront has colorful houses and played a part in the Hanseatic League of traders using dried cod as a valuable commodity. The cod could be kept for months, then soaked and ready for cooking after. This trade provided money for merchants to build beautiful large homes in Bergen.
I found the Norwegians to be very connected to art also with museums devoted to the works of their countrymen including Edvard Munch (The Scream).
The rapid changes in the weather require careful planning, proper clothing, and a little bit of luck.
Happy Travels!
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7 Signs That Summer Is About
To Be Lit!
By Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business
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Fares flying high
Americans making summer vacation plans are about to feel some sticker shock when they shop for flights: Airfare costs are near or even above pre-pandemic levels, according to the nation's major airlines.
Executives from most of the major carriers said the recovery in domestic leisure travel is already here. That means yields, which measure how much passengers pay for every mile traveled, are up more than the airlines had been forecasting.
"There certainly has been a surge in domestic leisure bookings, and the yields they've been able to achieve," said Philip Baggaley, chief credit analyst covering airlines for Standard & Poor's. "They're not filling up as much of the plane, but in a very large and important part of their business, they're doing just fine."
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Happy hour
Alcohol retail sales are leveling off after an explosive 2020. But that doesn't mean people are done drinking. In fact, hard liquors, spiked seltzer and champagne will be this summer's most popular beverages.
"Given that in 2021 to date the growth of spirits has shown no signs of slowing, especially with the rapid growth of ready-to-drink cocktails, we expect the trend of liquor gaining share in the summer months to persist this year," wrote Liz Paquette, Drizly's head of consumer insights, in a blog post.
Champagne, for example, will be a big seller because it's obviously the chosen drink for celebrations. Currently, nearly one of every four bottles of wine sold on Drizly has bubbles — outpacing recent years, the Uber-owned company said.
Ready-to-drink cocktails and spiked seltzer are also top sellers. Truly Hard Seltzer is hoping to take the crown away from White Claw with the help of pop star Dua Lipa. The Boston Beer-owned brand is launching its biggest ad campaign ever, featuring the musician, and is regularly launching new flavors to appease fickle drinkers.
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Dressing up
Dresses — worn to work, cocktail hour or anytime a pick-me-up was needed in the "before times" — are coming out of hiding.
Chains like H&M, Anthropologie and Macy's say demand for dresses has increased, and they are introducing new styles to try to cash in.
Government retail sales numbers show consumers were in a mood to shop in March, as retail sales surged overall, including an 18.3% jump in clothing sales from the previous month. Although sales leveled off in April, the recent numbers are a positive turnaround from last year when clothing sales fell 30%.
David's Bridal, one of the country's largest sellers of wedding gowns, said it's anticipating weddings to return with a vengeance this year and into 2022 because of pent-up demand.
"In terms of volume of weddings, we anticipate it to be up approximately 50% compared to an average year, pre-pandemic," according to David's Bridal CEO James Marcum. Based on the number and timing of dress orders the chain is receiving, he expects the pace of weddings to be most robust in the fall, followed by next spring and summer
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Lip service
Lipstick sales are starting to turn around as more people get vaccinated, shed their masks and become more social.
Sales hit $34.2 million in the four weeks ending April 18, up more than 80% from the same period a year earlier, according to the latest figures from market research firm IRI, which tracks point of sale data at retailers.
Walmart (WMT), the nation's biggest retailer, told CNN Business in an email that lipstick is the top performer across all segments of cosmetics, and that lipstick sales were a standout in its latest quarter ending April 30.
Vivid shades like orange, bright pinks, magenta and purple are the top-selling colors.
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Condom sales rise
Condom sales have been in a slump during the pandemic as people sheltered at home and put their sex lives on hold. But now, as more Americans are getting vaccinated and Covid-19 safety restrictions are loosening, condom makers are no longer having trouble getting their sales up.
Sales of condoms in the United States increased 23.4% to $37 million during the four weeks ending April 18 compared with the same stretch a year ago, according to the latest figures from IRI.
That's after a 4.4% drop in all of 2020, according to firm
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Concerts are back
Lollapalooza, the Chicago-based music festival, is returning this summer at full capacity.
Like most festivals, the massive concert was canceled last year in light of the pandemic. It typically draws about 100,000 attendees per day to see the multiple acts that take to the different stages over several days. Lollapalooza will be one of the first multi-day music festivals to return with Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Governors Ball in New York coming back in September. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, normally held in the spring, will be take place in October.
Smaller concerts, including Railbird Festival in Kentucky, are also experiencing strong ticket sales. The event nearly sold out in less than a month after going on sale, which is helping drive a tourist rebound to Lexington officials told CNN Business.
"There was already an all-time high demand for the festival experience in 2020, with most events preparing for a record year. Music fans are now ready to get out there to make up for lost time," said Jeff Cuellar, festival director at AC Entertainment
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Dining out
People are heading back to restaurants, according to OpenTable. Using data from restaurants on its reservations platform, the percentage of seated customers at US restaurants open for reservations is hovering just below pre-pandemic levels.
OpenTable is tracking the number of seated diners compared to the same period two years ago. For example: If 100 people made reservations at a restaurant on this day two years ago, and only 50 did today, the seated diner level would be 50%.
Recently, the number has been relatively high. With some dips and spikes along the way, the percentage of diners compared to 2019 rose from 75% on March 1 to 87% on April 29.
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**There is a new newsletter every month with more interesting and up to date health information! Check it out!
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Trapped By Your Own Thoughts? Here Are 5 Ways To Free Yourself
By Megan Marples, CNN
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You stare at your bedroom ceiling, willing yourself to go to sleep. Thoughts race through your head, holding your mind hostage. Or you ruminate on the awkward conversation you had with your boss on the way home from work.
Overthinking can happen at any time of day or night and can leave people frozen in indecision.
People are often trapped by their own thoughts because they are striving for perfection or are trying to find a way to control a situation, said Kimber Shelton, a psychologist and owner of KLS Counseling & Consulting Services in Duncanville, Texas.
"We want to figure out every single angle and be able to control what would happen if this should occur, and we get stuck in this process of overthinking," she said.
When people overthink, Shelton said, their thoughts begin going in circles and they can't find a conclusion.
Thoughts of mishandled or embarrassing past events can also disrupt people and lead them to play back the events in their head over and over, she added.
Overthinkers have trouble prioritizing their issues and understanding what problems are within their control, said Deborah Serani, psychologist and senior adjunct faculty at the Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
How to break the cycle of overthinking?
Serani created a five-step process to escape the endless cycle of overthinking.
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'EVEN THE BLACKS BEARS ARE FEELING THE HEAT THIS SUMMER!' |
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The Perfect Summer Treat!
Cucumber and Hummus Boats
The refreshing combo of cucumber and hummus really brings this meatless meal together. It transports easily, making it a
great option for summer weekday lunches
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Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 6 medium cucumbers
- 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 package (4 ounces) crumbled tomato and basil feta cheese
- 1/2 cup pitted Greek olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 carton (14 ounces) roasted garlic hummus
- Minced fresh basil, optional
Directions
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl; cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, cut each cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Add garbanzo beans, tomatoes, cheese and olives to quinoa. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, honey, oil, garlic and pepper until blended. Pour over quinoa mixture; gently toss to coat. Spread about 2 tablespoons hummus inside each cucumber shell. Top each with about 1/3 cup quinoa mixture. Sprinkle with basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
2 stuffed cucumber halves: 482 calories, 21g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 1026mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 11g fiber), 16g protein.
- By Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
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Did You Know Dr Lakin Has an Online Gift Shop?
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Welcome to our online store!
Thanks to CafePress.com, we can sell a number of products with unique graphics on them. Feel free to browse our store and buy anything you like!
**Please note:
100% of all profits from the shop are donated to the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, for breast cancer research.
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Paradise Valley Medical Clnic
Douglas M. Lakin , MD
9977 N 90th Street, Suite 180 Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (Ph) 480.614.6322 (Fax)
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