Patients are often asked to rate their pain on a scale from zero to ten, zero being no pain and ten being the worst pain you’ve ever felt. For some patients, answering that question may be a bit more complicated than it seems. 

The pain scales are designed to be a measure of pain severity. They are especially useful in establishing a baseline, so clinicians can see the progress of your...

Approximately 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and the vast majority have no idea, which is why January’s Thyroid Awareness Month provides an opportunity to learn more about this common condition. Just above your collarbone, there is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. That’s your thyroid. It produces thyroid hormone, which controls many activities in your body, including how...

Winter sports are a great way to get fresh air and exercise as a relief from being cooped up indoors. Here in the Adirondacks region, there are numerous activities available, even during the pandemic. Masking and social distancing are not hard to achieve when sledding, skating, skiing, and snowboarding.  Every sport has its risks, and winter sports are no exception. The best treatment is prevention,...

Winters in Upstate New York can be quite beautiful, but the cold, dry air can wreak havoc on your nose and throat. When cold temperatures take the moisture out of the air, the body’s mucus production slows down, inflaming the tissues in your nose and throat. Home heating can make the air inside your home as dry as the air outside, leaving no escape from the discomfort.  The irritation to your...

Alcohol is a widely available and socially acceptable substance that, when misused, can cause or exacerbate serious health and safety issues. Overuse and abuse of alcohol is found in drunk driving accidents and fatalities, domestic violence, child abuse, depression, suicides, job loss and financial troubles, homelessness, liver disease, heart disease, stroke, short-term memory loss, high blood pressure,...