Low levels of estrogen and testosterone play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among Americans.

Low testosterone, commonly referred to as low T, can cause a wide range of health issues for both men and women. It’s tied to erectile issues and difficulty concentrating in men, as well as low libido, fertility problems, weight gain, muscle and bone loss, depression, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes in both men and women.

Low estrogen levels in women can cause weight gain, mood swings and headaches. It also raises the risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and dementia. And in men it may raise body fat, lower sex drive and contribute to erectile dysfunction. 

Every few years, MDVIP invites its affiliated physicians to a national meeting. In my 10 years with the company, I’ve been to all of them. This year we met in Dallas. Why do we get together? To learn from each other and experts about the latest medical trends in prevention and wellness – and to learn how to better serve you. 

Many Americans take metformin. Most of them have either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (the drug is also occasionally used to treat type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes). Although you may not love taking metformin, there is a bright side: The drug may significantly lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration — the leading cause of blindness in Americans older than 50, according to a study presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

The number of Americans with a chronic condition continues to rise as the American population grays. About 85 percent of older adults have at least one chronic condition and 60 percent have two, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Have you seen the recent study on low-dose aspirins? It’s gotten a lot of media attention because it contradicts conventional wisdom that low-dose aspirin therapy helps prevent heart attacks. 

Fall Open Enrollment Period for Medicare kicks off October 15th. This is the time of year when current Medicare enrollees can select or change Medicare benefits.

Wanting to live forever – or at least as long as possible – is a concept built into the human spirit. In fact, most Americans want to make it to 100, according to a survey conducted by the Stanford Center on Longevity, in partnership with TIME magazine. Advances in medical technology and a better understanding of a healthy lifestyle have helped raise our overall life expectancy.

You just finished your workout. Whether it was a 45 minutes of strength training, a five-mile run or a yoga class, you probably need to drink some fluids. Rehydration is an essential part of recovering from a workout -- it helps lower temperature and heart rate, lubricate joints, repair muscles, ward off muscle cramps, ease fatigue and keep the digestion process working properly. And of course, it helps prevent dehydration.