Do I have a fatty liver?

A disease you may never have heard of is slowly damaging the health of a quarter of Americans. In San Antonio and the Valley, fatty liver disease affects nearly half the population, including up to 20 percent of children and adolescents – about twice the national average. What does it mean when you have a fatty liver? Fatty liver disease causes fat cells to infiltrate the liver. While it can be caused by continued abuse of liquor, it also affects 50 to 60 percent of obese people, and 60 to 70 percent of patients with Type II Diabetes. Liver inflammation ...Read More >

Not just for kids: Grown-ups need annual doctor visits, too.

You take your kid for regular checkups without fail, but when was the last time you saw your family doctor for a yearly physical? If it has been a while, go ahead and make an appointment. It’s important for your health—and for your kids. “If children see their parents go to the doctor, they’re more likely to go to the doctor when they grow up,” says Dr. Suhaib Haq, family practice physician at University Medicine Associates. “You’re setting the example for your kids. “How many times do you see a child refuse to get a vaccination, but when the parent ...Read More >

All in the Family: Is Diabetes Genetic?

For better or for worse, there are many qualities you’ll continue to receive from your parents throughout your lifetime. Studies have found that your driving abilities, your pain tolerance and even your love of coffee can all be based on your genetics. Genetics can even play a role in determining the likelihood that you’ll develop certain diseases, including diabetes. Is diabetes genetic? “There’s a very strong family component to type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Alberto O. Chavez, an endocrinologist at the University Health System Texas Diabetes Institute in San Antonio. “If you have one parent who has type 2 diabetes, ...Read More >