Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute.

Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental, physical, behavioral, and neurological disabilities.

Whether you prefer a relaxing day on the beach or an afternoon on the golf course, enjoying the warmth of sunshine is one of the great things about summertime. Getting a sun-kissed glow is one of the side benefits . . . or is it? Unfortunately, those sunrays aren’t kind to the skin. "Many people think a little color to the skin makes a person look healthier, but if they knew the damage the sun causes to the skin, they would avoid it,” says Lee Miller, MD, board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with Dermatology Associates of Southwest Louisiana.

Between the never ending piles of laundry, the chauffeuring of children to their various activities, and keeping the homestead in tip-top shape to the weekly meals prepared for the family, and for many, a full-time job, staying on top of health matters can fall to the bottom of a to-do list. In truth, your health is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones, so it is imperative you make time to take care of yourself in addition to taking care of everyone else. Consequently, the Department of Health and Human Services has made May 8, 2017 National Women’s Check-Up Day.

When you think of great places for cycling you may think of France, Amsterdam, and California . . . but could Southwest Louisiana be included on that list? Thanks to a push by an unprecedented number of organizations, governments, and businesses, this region is buzzing with bicycle advocacy, bike lane construction, and group rides on any kind of bicycle you can think of.Below are some groups, events, and locations that will encourage you to dust off your 10-speed, pump up the tires, and hit the road.

We’ve all heard the expression, "It is better to give than to receive.” Who doesn’t appreciate that warm fuzzy feeling when we give to those in need, be it our time, energy, or money? Generosity provides the giver a sense of purpose and increases one’s self-esteem. It improves relationships and promotes social connections. The act of giving not only helps others, but is in your best interest physically, as well! Recent studies show that generosity is good for our bodies as well as our minds. Here’s a rundown of the physical health benefits of generosity.

First impressions count. The first moments of meeting someone or experiencing something new sets the stage for everything else from that point.

When you think of the typical patient in an orthodontist's office, an awkward middle schooler with a mouth full of metal brackets may come to mind, but things have changed. Not only are more adults seeking a straighter smile in record numbers, there are more choices than ever in materials for achieving the results they want.

Six eye surgeries. A stroke. Numbness on one side of the body. These are just some of the complications Kristen Orndoff has experienced as the result of diabetes. And she is just 30 years old. "I was diagnosed at age 3, so I have been in treatment for this disease and dealing with the limitations that result from it for basically my entire life.”

In the medical field, life or death situations are often measured in seconds. Sometimes they are measured in pints.