Charlotte Edition

By Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS – Studies suggest that everyone who lives long enough will get cataracts, although there may be some reduced risk for individuals who eat properly, avoid sun exposure and do not smoke. A cataract is not a disease but an aging process similar to graying hair. As the eye ages, the normal lens inside the …

1.  At what age should you begin having your cholesterol checked regularly? A. 55       B. 35       C. 50       D. 65 2. How often should you have your blood pressure checked? A. Every five years.  B. Once a month.  C. Every two years.  D. Every ten years. 3. At what age should you start being screened for colorectal …

By Virginia ‘Ginya’ Carnahan, APR, CPRC Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute We hear it all too often:  “My PSA is rising, but thank goodness the biopsy was negative!” This finding could be what is known as a “false negative,” and could be far more dangerous that if the biopsy had come back positive. At the Dattoli Cancer Center …

Dr. Carl Klutke In the past few years PSA has been at the center of a great deal of controversy.  Yearly screening of men with this blood test, which has been the norm has come under fire following recent recommendations by the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) with the recommendation by this group that screening be eliminated. Since …

By Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month.  Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) was founded in 1927, by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The aim of BHSM is to raise awareness about hearing and speech problems, while at the same encouraging people to analyze their own hearing and speech, and to seek treatment if they …

Bringing up the topic of senior care support with a loved one can difficult, but the situation is even more fraught when that person suffers from a  mental health issue. Many family caregivers are left wondering how to approach the subject, worried about upsetting their elderly parent, or even fearful of an irrational or violent reaction. Unfortunately, this is by …

By Melvin Field, M.D. May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, nearly 70,000 new cases of primary brain tumors will be diagnosed this year, representing the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males and females younger than 20. This month is an opportunity for us to come together to highlight the tributes and …

By James W. Mallonee Generally speaking a Durable Power of Attorney gives another person (known as the Attorney in Fact or Agent)  the ability to step into the shoes of the person who signed the instrument (known as the Principal) and do everything they can do.  The purpose of most Durable Powers of Attorney are used to manage property (real, …

By Alex Anderson, Senior Associate Pastor at Bayside Community Church Words and thoughts are spiritual. They are not material. The material world can be measured; the spiritual cannot. This is my simple definition of spiritual versus material. Also when I say spiritual, I’m not necessarily referring to God or morality. I’m referring to that part of every human’s life that …

By Jeffrey B. Robin, MD – LASIK & Cornea Specialist, Frantz EyeCare Millions of Americans enjoy freedom from dependence on glasses and contacts thanks to the FDA approval of LASIK surgery in 1999. Yet many patients still have unfounded concerns about the procedure – how it works, its safety and more. I hope you find these answers to the top …