Collier Edition

By Anne-Marie Chalmers, MD If you’re like most Americans of a certain age, you regularly visit the doctor to get your cholesterol levels checked. But what about your omega-3 index? Since 2004, the omega-3 index has been proposed as a tool for measuring a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Today, some studies indicate the omega-3 index may be a better …

By Dr. Mat Mouritsen Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can be quite dangerous. Those suffering from this disorder repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. These disruptions diminish the quality of sleep and can lead to other health issues. Many times, sleep apnea goes undiagnosed since most of us are unaware of what is going on while …

By Danielle Pasquale, PT, DPT Women face many issues as they age in the perimenopausal and menopausal stages of life, such as increased risk of osteoporosis, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular issues, and more. These obstacles create a challenge for women trying to develop a healthy lifestyle or maintain it as they age. Aging can create a whole mix of emotions, from …

Physicians Regional Healthcare System is excited to welcome Dr. Brett A. Beecher to the medical staff. He will be joining the Heart Center at Physicians Regional and the team of Drs. Dennis Stapleton and Scot Schultz. Dr. Beecher is board certified in cardiothoracic and general surgery and has special training in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. A cardiothoracic surgeon performs surgery on …

By Todd A. Pezzi, M.D., M.B.A. Each case of lung cancer is different and often presents in advanced stages. This can make lung cancer challenging to diagnose and treat, which is why it is important to know if you should be screened. Yearly lung cancer screenings are recommended for individuals who meet all three criteria: 1) Between 50 and 80 …

By Colin E. Champ, MD, CSCS – Radiation Oncologist It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! Can you believe we are already nearing the end of 2022? Soon we will enjoy Thanksgiving, then we rush into Christmas, and before we know it, we’re ringing in another year. It is a busy time filled with family get-togethers, office parties, …

Jose M. Baez, M.D., F.A.C.P., Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine Formerly known as “adult-onset diabetes mellitus”, Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and a lack of insulin. As its former name suggests, Type 2 diabetes was once mostly only found to occur in adults over the age of 45. However, nowadays, with …

Sarah Sesslar, Au.D. – Doctor of Audiology Studies show that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss as non-diabetics. The relationship between the two is unclear. There are a number of factors at play. However, it is clear that diabetics are at a greater risk and should be vigilant in monitoring their hearing so that measures …

Physicians Regional Heart Center has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places Physicians Regional Heart Center among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. The Society …

November has been designated as National Caregiver’s Month. What better way to celebrate than to take a look at all the ways care-givers make our life or the life of our loved one better! The Role of a Caregiver A caregiver is a person who takes care of someone who, because of an illness, disability, or injury, is experiencing difficulty …