Dear Doctor: My brother told me he was having surgery to treat a pilonidal cyst. He told me that the condition was also called “pilonidal sinus disease.” What is pilonidal sinus disease? A pilonidal (pie-low-NIE-dul) cyst or sinus is an abnormal area or sack in the skin that usually contains dead skin, oil and debris. A pilonidal cyst is commonly situated near the … [Read more...]
What is ‘metabolic syndrome’ and why is it important that I know?
Metabolic syndrome is not one single medical condition but rather a series of medical conditions that include: high blood pressure high cholesterol high blood sugar levels increased body fat, especially around the waist Having one of these conditions does not mean that you have metabolic syndrome, but you should ask your doctor if it is worth checking for the other … [Read more...]
Suicide among children on the rise
It is inconceivable that a six-year-old child would attempt suicide and want to end his or her life. Yet, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled that the recent death of a six-year-old child was indeed a suicide by hanging. An article in Black Doctors reported that there were healed ligature marks on her neck, which may suggest that this was not her first attempt to kill … [Read more...]
Black women endure menopause longest
Sarah Finney, 57, said she gets hot flashes throughout her body at least once an hour. She even wakes up in the night with so much perspiration that she looks like she just left working out at a gym, she said. “Hot flashes are very annoying,” said Finney, a married mother of two who declined to use her real name. “A surge of heat goes through my body, sometimes accompanied … [Read more...]
Curl-friends: Hot oil is not just for cooking!
If you have never tried a hot oil treatment, try it at least once. It is an easy process that can be done at home safely. For best results, it is recommended to do this treatment before you wash your hair. Hot oil treatments before a shampoo can become your secret weapon in preventing dandruff and dry scalp. It can also smooth the cuticle, soften dry rough hair, and help to … [Read more...]