We are looking back on one of the toughest years we’ve faced in a long time. Fatal overdoses in Saratoga County had nearly doubled by the end of November 2020 compared to all of 2019. While substance abuse and alcohol intoxication incidents continue to be on the rise locally, here at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Addiction Medicine, the good news is that we are seeing patients overcoming...

Patients are often asked to rate their pain on a scale from zero to ten, zero being no pain and ten being the worst pain you’ve ever felt. For some patients, answering that question may be a bit more complicated than it seems. 

The pain scales are designed to be a measure of pain severity. They are especially useful in establishing a baseline, so clinicians can see the progress of your...

Alcohol is a widely available and socially acceptable substance that, when misused, can cause or exacerbate serious health and safety issues. Overuse and abuse of alcohol is found in drunk driving accidents and fatalities, domestic violence, child abuse, depression, suicides, job loss and financial troubles, homelessness, liver disease, heart disease, stroke, short-term memory loss, high blood pressure,...

Winters in Upstate New York can be quite beautiful, but the cold, dry air can wreak havoc on your nose and throat. When cold temperatures take the moisture out of the air, the body’s mucus production slows down, inflaming the tissues in your nose and throat. Home heating can make the air inside your home as dry as the air outside, leaving no escape from the discomfort.  The irritation to your...

Winter sports are a great way to get fresh air and exercise as a relief from being cooped up indoors. Here in the Adirondacks region, there are numerous activities available, even during the pandemic. Masking and social distancing are not hard to achieve when sledding, skating, skiing, and snowboarding.  Every sport has its risks, and winter sports are no exception. The best treatment is prevention,...