Wellness Blog

HPV vaccine’s benefits too great to ignore
Posted on April 26, 2016
By May-Tal Sauerbrun, M.D. Medford and Malden OB/GYN I see a lot of teenage and young women in my OB/GYN practice. They and millions more across the country are at risk for contracting HPV, or human papillomavirus. In fact, about 79 million people in the United States have HPV, and many don’t even know they’re […]

Mammogram guidelines: Which should women follow?
Posted on April 19, 2016
By Catherine Tucker, M.D. Medford and Stoneham – Surgical Oncology – Breast Surgery If you’re unsure about when you should get your first mammogram and how often you should get them, you’re not alone. Even the organizations responsible for setting those guidelines can’t agree. I’ve reviewed the guidelines as they’ve been updated over the years, […]

Integrating the “M” words: Meditation and medicine
Posted on April 12, 2016
By Marie Angeli Adamczyk, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates If, along with giving you a prescription for medication, your doctor suggested you also try meditation, would you leave their office thinking they were crazy? Over the past years, I’ve paid close attention to the mounting research that has shown mindfulness meditation improves nearly every aspect […]

Ready for labor and delivery? 3 frequently asked questions
Posted on April 5, 2016
By Parul Nagar, D.O. Hallmark Health Medical Associates You’re nearing the end of your pregnancy and heading into an exciting – albeit uncomfortable – time. You’re looking forward to seeing your new baby’s sweet face and finally holding that bundle of joy in your arms. You’ve been eating right, keeping physically active, and getting plenty […]

How we treat the 4 main types of urinary incontinence
Posted on March 29, 2016
By Roy Epstein, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Do you scout out the bathrooms every time you enter a new building? Avoid road trips because it takes so long to get somewhere because you have to stop for bathroom breaks on the hour? Dread long work meetings because of the urge to “go”? I hear […]

Urinary incontinence is common, but doesn’t have to disrupt life
Posted on March 22, 2016
By Roy Epstein, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Cough, sneeze, laugh, or move – don’t forget to cross your legs! If this is a daily occurrence in your life, you’re far from alone. Approximately 60 percent of women will experience some amount of bladder leakage – incontinence – in their lives. This problem is very […]

2 tips to help kids ‘self-soothe’ with meditation
Posted on March 15, 2016
By Marie Angeli Adamczyk, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates “Mooooom, Daaaaad, I can’t sleep!” If this is a nightly occurrence in your house, you likely react in one of these ways: Get up at all hours to comfort your child Get upset and yell Get in bed with your kid, or vice versa These scenarios […]

Not willing to get a colonoscopy? 2 other ways to catch colon cancer
Posted on March 1, 2016
By Brian Clark, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Let’s face it: Some people will never get a colonoscopy. I could recite all the ways that colonoscopy protects you from colon cancer until I’m blue in the face, but for some, it won’t be convincing enough. Thankfully there are other options available. Colonoscopy is the gold […]

Why all adults need a health care proxy
Posted on February 23, 2016
By Laura Carman, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates One of my patients who was in her 70s had a large tumor in her chest. It was almost surely cancer, but we weren’t 100 percent certain. She was becoming very short of breath and was getting confused. We had a decision to make: Put her on […]

There’s no wrong way to practice meditation
Posted on February 16, 2016
By Eleanor Moresco, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates “Just give me a moment.” Many of us have said this from time to time when we’re stressed out at home or frustrated over a complicated project at the office. Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and find our balance before tackling the issue […]

3 vaccines we recommend if you’re over 65
Posted on February 9, 2016
By Amanda Vince, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates As we age, so does our immune system. We’re also more likely to have chronic diseases when we’re older. For these reasons, adults older than 65 are more susceptible to health problems. Thankfully, we can protect ourselves from some diseases by getting vaccinated. In some cases, you […]

How meditation helps with chronic pain or anxiety
Posted on February 2, 2016
By Eleanor Moresco, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Chronic pain, stress, and anxiety disorders can take a toll on our physical and emotional health. While traditional medicine offers many treatment options, for some patients, physical therapy and prescription drugs are not enough. When I see my patients struggling with these issues, I often point them […]

4 vaccines young adults need
Posted on January 19, 2016
By Amanda Vince, M.D. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Young adults have a lot on their minds. At ages 18 to 26, many are exploring their newfound freedom. It’s safe to say that very few young adults are thinking about which vaccines they might need to stay healthy. But vaccines are important. Getting poked with a […]

Prepare for pregnancy with a preconception appointment
Posted on January 12, 2016
By Parul Nagar, D.O. Hallmark Health Medical Associates Sometimes pregnancy is a surprise. Other times it’s been in the plans for years. When that’s the case, one of the best things you can do to prepare for a successful pregnancy is to schedule a preconception appointment. Quite a few of my patients have a preconception […]

15 ways to stay healthy during the Boston winter
Posted on January 6, 2016
By Michael Cheney, N.P. Hallmark Health Medical Associates, Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Hallmark Health System Let’s be honest. Snow drifts and wind chills do not motivate most people to go running outside. We are fortunate that the Boston area is pedestrian friendly, but in the wintertime, people tend to hibernate. Walking the dog or […]