Expert Voices > Articles

Eileen Hoffman, M.D.

Vitamin D Stands for Deficient

Posted March 22, 2009 8:35 PM

The importance of vitamin D and its role in health is underappreciated by most of us - clinicians and patients alike. More importantly, by following recommendations to avoid sunlight and wear sunscreen, we block the way our body gets 95% of its vitamin D - from the midday sun. While we may be aware of vitamin D's role in absorbing calcium and keeping bones strong, many of us are not aware that chronic deficiency over time may also be related to hypertension, diabetes, immune disorders, chronic pain, winter depression, and cancer. Read more…

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Palpatations and the Heart's Electrical System

Posted February 04, 2009 4:03 AM

Over the last decade, awareness about women and heart disease has increased, and public awareness that heart attacks aren't exclusive to men, has increased greatly. What is often less appreciated is that women have some important differences in the heart's electrical system and, therefore, often present symptoms differently and respond to tests differently than men do. This normal variation is an important piece of information in women's routine care as well as understanding a common complaint, palpitations.


Woman may have higher heart rates than men and may often exhibit abnormal heart rhythms. The heartbeat is regulated by the autonomic nervous system (the one that controls automatic functions like heart rate, breathing rate, digestion, etc.). Read more…

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