Blog Archive

November is National Diabetes Month, which aims to raise awareness of this chronic disease.    When you have diabetes, you monitor your blood sugar frequently to ensure it doesn’t stay at elevated levels. Without treatment, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health complications, and some can be life-threatening,...

As the weather gets a bit cooler, even in California, we find ourselves indoors more. You’re back at work. If you have kids, they’re in school. You have events, meetings, and parties to attend. It’s no wonder, then, that you feel a bit tired. You’re just overworked and overextended, like...

The old saying, “Move it or lose it,” is almost tailor-made for many arthritis sufferers. The problem is that this disease of the joints presents a relatively large hurdle to the very thing that can help you with the pain and inflammation that are part and parcel of arthritis —...

Sleep apnea is more serious than the inconvenience of snoring, or a restless night here and there. Left untreated, this condition can be life-threatening. Aligning with the goal of providing the best internal medicine care in Tarzana, California, Dr. Samuel I. Fink wants patients to be aware of the hidden...

Summer is a fantastic time to enjoy outdoor activities, and hiking is an excellent way to experience nature while staying active. However, if you’re living with arthritis, some thoughtful planning can reduce the chances of triggering joint symptoms during or after your hike. Primary care specialist Samuel I. Fink, MD,...

If you’ve noticed that you get headaches when the weather warms up, it may not be just your imagination. Warm weather can trigger headaches in individuals who are sensitive to certain factors.  The good news is that you can take steps to prevent headaches when the temperature outside rises, and...

Each year, more than 375,000 people in the United States die of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. Various risk factors increase your risk of CAD, and family history of the disease is one of them. Fortunately, genetics don’t have the final say when it...

Thyroid diseases affect an estimated 20 million in the United States, and more than half of them are women. In fact, women are up to three times more likely to develop a thyroid issue than men.  What’s more, up to 60% of people are unaware of having a thyroid problem,...

The last thing you want to do if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is to eat food that will worsen your symptoms. Knowing what foods to steer clear of is part of managing IBS effectively. Dedicated to providing the best internal medicine care in Tarzana, California, Dr. Samuel I....

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

When winter temperatures arrive, many people experience stiffness and discomfort in their extremities. While sore fingers and hands in chilly weather is unlikely a life-threatening situation, it may signal an underlying health issue that needs attention. Rely on the expertise of internal medicine physician Samuel I. Fink, MD, FACP, to...

Many of the up to 45 million people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) link their symptoms to eating, and evidence supports using diet to control symptoms. Dietary choices like low-FODMAP foods can significantly improve symptoms. It’s wise to work with a skilled provider to get your symptoms under control...

Carrying excess weight is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Most individuals with sleep apnea are overweight, and the more you weigh, the more likely you are to develop sleep apnea.  While not everyone with sleep apnea is overweight, weight loss is known to improve sleep apnea. If...

High blood pressure can have a major impact on your health, yet the condition often causes no noticeable symptoms. Having your blood pressure checked regularly is the only way to know if you’re in the danger zone.  Striving to provide the best internal medicine in Tarzana, California, Samuel I. Fink,...

Receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming. You're suddenly faced with a slew of new terms, medication, and lifestyle changes that you need to incorporate into your daily routine. But you should know that with the right steps, you can manage diabetes and live well with this condition. Dr. Samuel I. Fink and...

Sleep problems can leave you feeling at your wits end, especially when you've tried all of the usual tricks to help you drift off at night. However, it's not always about the bedroom environment or your daily habits; sometimes, the root cause is something you haven’t considered.  Dr. Samuel I....

Your weight can have a profound influence on your health. Carrying too much or too little weight has negative consequences. However, it’s less common for people in the United States to struggle with being underweight.  More than 70% of US adults are overweight or obese, and it contributes to issues such as hypertension,...

In today's fast-paced world, chronic stress has become a pervasive health issue. With consequences ranging from heart disease to depression, understanding stress and its effects is a vital part of managing your overall health. In striving to provide the best internal medicine in Tarzana, California, Dr. Samuel I. Fink wants patients to...

Sleep is a vital component of overall health, but many people overlook its impact on cognitive function. Dr. Samuel I. Fink is dedicated to providing the best internal medicine in Tarzana, California, and he understands the importance of quality sleep for maintaining optimal health and well-being.  If you're struggling with...

Did you know that regularly waking up with a sore throat could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Because it occurs while sleeping, most people with OSA are unaware they’re experiencing it.  In striving to consistently provide the best internal medicine in Tarzana, California, Dr....

While many factors contribute to chronic headaches, your diet can play a significant role. Certain substances in common foods and beverages can trigger headaches in some people, and regularly eating a trigger food contributes to ongoing headaches. If you’re dealing with chronic headaches, you need a doctor you can count...

High blood pressure increases the chances of stroke and heart attack. In fact, hypertension is considered the top controllable risk factor for heart disease and stroke. That’s good news because it means that with healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and losing weight, you can reduce your...

Living with arthritis can be challenging — from waking up with stiff achy joints to having to give up activities you enjoy, like golfing. The chronic joint inflammation can even make small day-to-day things like reaching into the cupboard for your favorite coffee mug painful.  Fortunately, there are things you can do...

Even if you have a family history of heart disease, it isn’t inevitable. If you’re concerned about your heart health, you should know that you have control over five major risk factors for coronary artery disease.  While you can’t change risks such as age, gender, and family history, you can...

The holidays are a time of celebration and spending quality time with family and loved ones. For people with migraines, however, the holidays are also fraught with triggers that can cause incapacitating head pain and other symptoms.  The holidays are known to increase the frequency and severity of migraines. Fortunately,...

A stroke can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your chances of having one. It's critical to understand the risk factors so you can take steps to mitigate them. Many people believe that strokes only occur in the elderly, but strokes can occur at any age. Dr. Samuel I....

It’s easy to miss the signs of an underactive thyroid. That’s because thyroid problems cause symptoms that you may attribute to something else, such as stress or aging.  Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder, and it occurs when your thyroid is unable to make enough hormones to meet your...

Roughly one in two American adults has high blood pressure, a chronic issue that significantly raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Regular physical activity is well known to help manage various chronic diseases and conditions, including hypertension. Despite this knowledge, a large majority of people lead relatively inactive...

There are an estimated 1.5 million new cases of diabetes each year. The number of adults and children living with diabetes is rising at an alarming rate, but you aren’t powerless, and diabetes isn’t an inevitable consequence of modern life. Internal medicine physician Samuel I. Fink wants patients to feel empowered to take control...

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring. It causes your breathing to pause multiple times throughout the night, which deprives your body of oxygen and puts a strain on your system. Left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems, and some of them are life-threatening. Sleep is...

Headaches are maladies that virtually everyone has experienced at some point in their lives. Tension, cluster, and migraine headaches are the three most common types. Stress, exhaustion, a lack of sleep, hunger, and caffeine withdrawal are just a few triggers. Internal medicine physician and primary care specialist Samuel I. Fink, MD,...

The key to combating arthritis pain could lie in your refrigerator. Eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce arthritis pain and improve your overall health in the long run, so it’s important to know which foods may promote inflammation and which foods have the capacity to soothe aching joints. Internal medicine...

Migraines affect nearly 40 million people in the United States, and these incapacitating headaches are three times more common in women. People who have migraines frequently feel queasy and are sensitive to light and sound. In addition, up to one-third of migraine sufferers have strange visual or bodily experiences known as an...

If you aren’t careful, diabetes can sneak up on you without you knowing it. In fact, many people with elevated blood sugar don’t realize it until it progresses to diabetes and complications arise. The best way to lower your risk of developing diabetes is to attend routine checkups with your...

More than 200,000 primary care physicians (PCPs) care for over 300 million people in the United States. Primary care includes family and internal medicine, along with nurse practitioners, pediatrics, and community health. PCPs are the first point of contact for your care and are your first line of defense against...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that causes you to briefly stop breathing frequently while sleeping. Because it occurs during sleep, many people are completely unaware that they have sleep apnea. Learning to recognize the warning signs means you can get treatment and lower your risk of associated...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes a group of symptoms that affect your digestive tract. You may experience bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation among other symptoms. IBS doesn’t cause damage to your digestive tract, but symptoms can cause significant discomfort and disrupt your daily life.  If you have IBS,...

Type 2 diabetes accounts for up to 95% of all adult diabetes cases. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report published in 2020, it’s estimated that 34 million Americans have diabetes. Another 88 million Americans have prediabetes, which means having blood sugar levels above normal but not high enough for...

Uncontrolled high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, damages the heart and blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to various organs. Hypertension is a silent epidemic. Many people who have high blood pressure are unaware of it. It’s estimated that 100 million people in the United States have...

Headaches are very common, and most of the time they’re little more than a brief nuisance. However, some people experience headaches significant enough to prevent them from working or functioning during an episode.  Internal medicine physician Samuel Fink, MD, provides comprehensive primary care, including headache management. If you’re struggling with...

There are more than 100 types of arthritis, though just a few account for the majority of cases. Arthritis is an umbrella term that refers to various conditions that affect the joints. Swelling and inflammation of the joint is characteristic of arthritis. If you have arthritis, it’s important to work...

It’s estimated that 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disease, and more than half of them are unaware of it. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough of its hormones to meet your body’s needs. You may feel tired and unlike yourself. Internal medicine specialist Samuel I....

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes lapses in breathing during sleep. These pauses in breath last 10 to 30 seconds on average and can happen as many as 400 times a night. The repeated interruption in oxygen causes lower-quality sleep and increases health risks. Fortunately, sleep apnea is...

There are good reasons to make losing weight a top priority if you’re overweight and have arthritis. Carrying excess weight places a burden on your joints, contributes to joint pain, and negatively impacts joint function.  The good news is that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight not only improves your...

High blood pressure affects nearly half of adults age 20 and older in the United States, and many of them are unaware they have it. Left unmanaged, hypertension silently damages the body and is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Internal medicine physician Samuel Fink, MD and...

Headaches are extremely common — but when is your head pain normal and when should you be concerned? Most people will experience a headache at some point during their lifetime. Millions of Americans, however, experience frequent or severe headaches, and sometimes headaches are a warning sign of something more serious....

When someone you care about has diabetes, your support can help them better manage their condition and lead a good quality of life. Receiving a diabetes diagnosis can shake up anyone’s reality. Living well with diabetes requires making lifestyle adjustments and adopting healthy habits — and those things are easier...

Some people are more likely to develop thyroid disorders than others, and while It’s impossible to prevent thyroid disease, knowing the signs and symptoms can help you get a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early detection is key to preventing complications and needless suffering. Internal medicine physician Dr. Samuel I. Fink...

Keeping blood vessels healthy is key for heart health. Healthy blood vessels are soft and flexible to allow blood to flow effortlessly, but arteries thicken and harden with age as a result of plaque buildup. The consequence is narrow, stiff arteries, and they increase your risk for heart attack and...

The holidays are a time to come together with family and friends to enjoy seasonal food and festive activities. For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), however, the holidays are also a time of increased flare-up risk. The interruption to your normal schedule, travel, added stress, and a change in...

More than 45 million Americans are living with frequent severe headaches. Tension headaches are second only to migraines as the most common type of headache. Tension headaches cause a characteristic pain around the temples, forehead, and back of your head, earning the nickname “headband headache.” If you’re one of the...

An arthritis diagnosis often comes after several months pain and swelling in your joints. It may feel overwhelming to receive this diagnosis, but there are things you can do to manage arthritis, lead an active lifestyle, and maintain a good quality of life. In this post, our internal medicine experts...

If you’re tired, headachy, and feel run down during the day, it’s a good idea to rule out sleep apnea on your path to finding answers for your symptoms. Up to 20% of women and 30% of men have sleep apnea, and many of them are completely unaware of it....

Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect how well your body uses blood sugar. While your body can use various fuel sources, it relies heavily on glucose. When glucose levels remain too high for too long, damage to the body occurs. It’s estimated that more than 34 million Americans...

Internal medicine physicians specialize in using the latest scientific knowledge and clinical expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases that affect adults. While COVID-19 remains a health threat, staying home and practicing social distancing has reduced the spread of COVID-19 and helped to save...

While there’s no magic bullet when it comes to the perfect diet for arthritis, there are aspects of nutrition that can both ease arthritis inflammation and contribute to it. Arthritis affects more than 54 million adults in the United States. Characterized by joint inflammation, arthritis commonly causes pain and limits...

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience troublesome digestive symptoms without any visible signs of disease in the digestive tract, and many people with IBS remain undiagnosed. If you have IBS, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans experience symptoms of IBS.  Because April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, internal...

Are you a snorer? While you may not notice your own snoring, members of your household are most likely very familiar with it. What you might not realize is that loud, persistent snoring can be an indicator of something more serious known as sleep apnea. Dr. Samuel Fink and his...

Headaches are a common ailment that we see in many patients at the practice of Samuel I. Fink, MD. There are different causes of headaches, along with a few different types of headaches. Typically, a dose of over-the-counter medicine, such as aspirin, is enough to quell the pain caused by...

Hormones are chemicals that travel in your blood and control all of the essential functions in your body. A number of glands in your body produce them. Your thyroid is a gland that produces essential hormones that affect how you grow and how your body processes food. Samuel I. Fink,...

Think of your arteries as a freeway system between your heart and the rest of your body. Coronary artery disease, or CAD, develops when cholesterol builds up and keeps oxygen-rich blood from flowing normally to your heart. This condition increases the risk of serious injuries that are sometimes fatal.  According...

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is probably not something you want to discuss with friends. Despite the fact that you likely did nothing to cause the disorder, it just isn’t polite or in good taste to go around talking about your bowel movements or the abdominal pain that often accompanies...

If you are either pre-diabetic or overweight, you are at higher risk of becoming diabetic, obese, or both. The connection between these two conditions is undeniable, and science bears out that people who suffer from one often suffer from both.  From his medical office in Tarzana, California, Dr. Samuel Fink...

Among the essential elements of treating your arthritis are getting up and staying in motion. This can be tough when your joints feel stiff and painful. However, the more active you are, the better you will feel in the long run.  Samuel I. Fink, MD, FACP and his team focus...

Hypertension is a silent killer, as it rarely comes with any symptoms. However, it’s one of the best markers for heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer in the United States. Researchers are still discovering the effects of chronic stress on the circulatory system. But one thing is certain:...

If you suspect or know that you have sleep apnea, you aren’t alone. As many as 22 million Americans struggle with sleep apnea. To make matters more frustrating, 80 percent of moderate to severe cases are undiagnosed.  The first thing you should do if you think you’re suffering from sleep...

An occasional headache is not uncommon. Maybe it’s allergy season, you had a little too much wine with dinner, or you skipped lunch. There are all kinds of reasons for the occasional headache. Granted, headaches are no fun, but most of the time they are a one-and-done kind of event,...

The American Heart Association estimates that 103 million adults in the United States suffer from hypertension. And high blood pressure contributes to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death. And yet, as deadly as high blood pressure is, in many cases it may be  controlled with lifestyle changes....

Your belly isn’t feeling so well. You’re experiencing abdominal pain, bloating, or gas. You’re having trouble with your bowel movements — either they’re too loose, soft, and urgent (diarrhea) or they’re too hard or difficult to pass (constipation). Everyone has gastrointestinal (GI) troubles like these once in a while. That’s...

If you have prediabetes, you have company. An estimated 35 percent of adults over age 20 in the United States have been diagnosed with it. Your body is developing insulin resistance, which causes abnormally high blood sugar levels.   Are you wondering why you ended up with prediabetes? Genetics do...

A stress test can save your life. It’s designed to detect severely blocked coronary arteries, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. If you’re at risk for heart disease or are experiencing symptoms that could point to heart trouble, it’s a good idea to talk to your provider...