Author Archive

Five Fantastic Things to Do in Summer

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Jul 1st, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

The trees are green and the sun is out more often. Indeed summer has begun. Wow! People have wondered how to better enjoy this season. With so many choices around, they can’t decide what to do. Well, I have five suggestions.
 
 
Relish the moment
 
As human beings with all inherent weaknesses and frailties, we’ve mulled about [...]



Are you Depressed?

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Jun 1st, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

Clinical depression or major depressive disorder happens often. In fact, about 5% of the population suffers from this medical illness. Commonly misunderstood, clinical depression has caused decline in functioning, relationship problems, financial losses, and worse, even suicide and homicide.
 
Are you depressed? How do you know if you are indeed depressed rather than just lonely [...]



Medical Causes of Depression

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • May 16th, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

Can medical problems cause clinical depression? Or can depressed mood stem from physical ailments? In my practice, I’ve seen individuals with various medical concerns and some have developed significant emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
 
What are some medical problems that can precipitate, cause, or increase the risk of clinical depression?
 
 
Multiple Sclerosis
 
Multiple Sclerosis, being one [...]



Gambling Addiction: Six Facts We Need to Know

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Apr 30th, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

Problem gambling, a form of impulse control disorder, has caused intense misery among individuals and families. The problem is so complicated and deep-seated that it has become a societal menace, not just an ordinary medical disorder.
 
Some gambling, such as bingo, stock market speculation, and betting on games, can be considered as “subtle.” But some ways [...]



Doing what is Right

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Apr 2nd, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

If you’ve lived long enough in this great Earth of ours, I assume that you’ve experienced excruciating pressures from family members, friends, and neighbors to do certain things although that “thing” may go against your conscience. Although that “thing” go against what is right.
 
How many times have you been invited to attend a party when [...]



Victory in Defeat

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Mar 15th, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

Wow! What a game!
 
If you’ve been watching the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on TV for the past two weeks, you should be thrilled by the players’ display of talent, skills, and sportsmanship. Also, you should be inspired by many awesome Canadian Athletes, especially those who have bounced back from defeat.
 
I’m proud of all the athletes [...]



The Winning Formula

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Feb 15th, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

It’s sports season! Schools are busy practicing and preparing for every tournament with the hope that this will be a winning season for their teams. In every competition, you can feel the intensity and hear the jubilation. As well, you can see the face of exhaustion and frustration.
 
As a basketball coach, I’ve heard people [...]



Staying Positive Amid Negativism

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Feb 1st, 2010 • Category: Health & Wellness

Lately, we’ve read and heard many discomforting news — death and destruction after Haiti’s unimaginable earthquake, endless war in the Middle East, political intrigue at home and around the globe, assault and robbery in our neighborhood, and many more.
 
After being bombarded with negativism and horrific stories, how can we stay positive?
 
Set a Positivity Rule
 
Let [...]



Budgeting for 2010

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Dec 31st, 2009 • Category: Health & Wellness

Hello 2010!
 
Another year has gone. A fresh new year is here. For many people, a new year means a new approach to life, a renewed determination to solve continuing problems, a refreshed sense of perspective and opportunities.
 
And yet for others, it’s another year of torment, another chance to keep repeating strategies that don’t work, [...]



The Power of Words

By Michael G. Rayel, MD • Dec 1st, 2009 • Category: Health & Wellness

 
Last year, I received an e-mail commenting about one of my articles. Growing up in Vancouver, she stated her parents were “cold” and never showed affection. In fact, they called her names and put her down almost daily. Her only respite was when they were asleep.
 
In her letter, she stated, “Dr. Rayel, they always [...]