All Posts

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Pruritus Hiemalis Ever notice your skin turning into an uninvited scratch-fest once the temperatures drop? You're not alone! That persistent, annoying itchiness that seems to plague us every winter is a very real phenomenon, and it even has a name: "Winter Itch" (or pruritus hiemalis). It's a stark contrast to the generally more comfortable skin we enjoy during the warmer months. So, what's really going on when winter rolls around? The Primary Culprit: A Sev

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Happy Turkey Day A Family Tradition You Want to End If your family’s post-holiday tradition involves limping, sudden foot pain (often in the big toe), and an inability to use the stairs, you are not alone—you’ve experienced the infamous ThanksgivinG Gout Flare. Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, caused by excess uric acid forming painful crystals in the joints. The key is to understand that a flare is often delayed. That wonderful turkey

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Guidelines have shifted to age 45, and new blood tests are entering the market. Here is a data-driven look at the trade-offs between efficacy, prevention, and convenience in CRC screening. The Evolving Colon Rectal Cancer Screening Toolkit Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is undergoing a significant transformation. With incidence rates rising in younger adults, major organizations like the USPSTF and the American Cancer Society now recommend screening begin

by Dr. Ed Fuentes D.O. We all know the routine: blood pressure, weight, maybe a quick "ahhh" to check your throat. But how often does your family doctor take a peek inside your ears during a routine check-up? Surprisingly, it's often overlooked, and that simple oversight could be costing you more than just a missed conversation. In an age where we assume hearing loss means expensive hearing aids, it's time for a vital reminder: sometimes, the solution to hearing loss is as si

by Dr. Ed Fuentes The Hidden Struggle of Alcohol Use Disorder  Introduction: The Most Popular Drug You Never Talk About Alcohol is the most common substance used and misused  in the United States, and its spectrum of unhealthy use is highly prevalent. Despite the staggering toll on public health, alcohol use disorder (AUD) often remains shrouded in societal acceptance, which makes addressing the problem even harder. This post dives deep into the science and sociology of AUD,

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Never Let The Sun Set On An Abscess As a first-year surgical resident, before I found my true calling in Family Medicine, there was one fear that loomed larger than any other, especially during those grueling 2-3 day on-call shifts in the ER: missing an appendicitis . The thought of sending a child home with what could be a ticking time bomb in their abdomen haunted me. Back then, the approach was clear, almost dogmatic. If we suspected appendicitis, you ope

by. Dr. Ed Fuentes Science vs Myth In an age of endless information, it's easy for complex topics like autism to get muddled by myths and speculation. You've probably heard various claims about what causes autism, or why its prevalence seems to be rising. But what does the actual science show? Today, we're cutting through the noise to bring you a clear, evidence-based look at autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – from its evolving prevalence to the latest research, and most import

by Dr. Ed Fuentes For over a century, insulin has been a life-saving medication for millions managing diabetes. Yet, for all its power, one persistent challenge has remained: the daily burden of injections. Imagine if you could reduce your basal insulin injections from 365 times a year to just 52. That future is closer than you think, thanks to exciting developments in once-weekly basal insulins. A Century of Progress: From Daily Shots to Weekly Convenience When insulin was f

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Mutual Help Groups Addiction is often misunderstood as a simple lack of willpower, but the science tells a different, more complex story. At its core, addiction is a biopsychosocial illness  where biological, psychological, and environmental factors intersect. The highlighted  root of this struggle: the hijacking of the brain's pleasure/reward pathway , specifically the nucleus accumbens . Normal pleasure  (like food or connection) boosts the reward system b

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. Peace given, peace received In the wake of acts that shock our collective conscience, we often struggle to comprehend...

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. Waiting at the Terminal For millions of people, air travel is a gateway to new adventures, family reunions, and...

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. Emotional Impacts of Pervasive Negative Media The contemporary media landscape, dominated by a 24-hour news cycle and algorithmically-driven social platforms, presents a significant challenge to human neurobiological and psychological health. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of how continuous exposure to negative news can trigger a maladaptive stress response. The data indicates that consuming a steady stream of sensational and distressing con

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. Uterus in Greek: hystera ("womb"), which is the origin of the word "hysteria," based on an ancient belief that...

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. PCB's chemical structure Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs , are a group of synthetic chemicals that can pose...

by Ed Fuentes, D.O. Standard of Care for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a silent epidemic, a devastating and...

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Early and Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms For centuries, we've grappled with the mysteries of the mind. From blaming...

by. Dr. Ed Fuentes Wildfires are no longer just a regional concern; their increasing frequency and intensity across the United States are...

Decoding the Rhythm of Healing: Fibonacci Patterns in Graceful Communication and NLP by Dr. Ed Fuentes For years, I've been captivated by...

by Dr. Ed Fuentes Dr. F. Perry Wilson of the Yale School of Medicine discusses a study in iScience that explores the psychological...

by Dr. Ed Fuentes While we often focus on outdoor air quality, a critical new study highlights that the air inside our homes and...