Medically Speaking

We live in an exciting world where new technology makes it possible to solve medical problems that have plagued human beings for millennia. The Permian Basin medical community is in the forefront when it comes to applying this technology.

The Odessa American introduces Medically Speaking, a new feature published each Monday to bring you up to date on what’s happening in the medical field.

A recent article highlighted Dr. Benjamin J. Cunningham, an orthopedic spinal surgeon who was one of the first to perform revolutionary spinal fusion surgery. Other articles offered a glimpse into the world of pain management, dentistry, advanced skin care and women’s health care. Medically Speaking gives you an opportunity to keep abreast of the highly regarded and growing field of medicine in the Permian Basin.

Commonsense rules to manage your weight properly

Dr. Kamal Tolia

Gail M. Williams

Obesity is a disease, and like any disease, it must be treated, according to Dr. Kamal N. Tolia. As a gynecologist, Dr. Tolia found that often her patients' health problems were weight-related, and many of them spoke to her about their struggles to lose... Full story

Medical profession makes strides in headache treatment

Dr. Pam Cunningham

Gail M. Williams

Head pain, in the front of the head, the back of the neck, on one side or the other, or both, sometimes coupled with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sounds and smells - when these are the symptoms, it's hard to dismiss the condition as "just a... Full story

Available treatment eases painful, almost crippling condition

Dr. Pam Cunningham

Sciatica, a painful, sometimes almost crippling condition, can affect patients of any age, says pain management specialist Dr. Pam Cunningham.  In younger patients, the pain may come on after heavy exertion.  "You might move a heavy... Full story

New generation of lenses brings your world into focus

Tolia Eye Clinic

Gail M. Williams

Intraocular lens replacement represented a great advance in the world of cataract surgery. The hard crystalline lens covering the pupil (cataract) was removed and replaced by an artificial lens that can also correct vision. Sometimes, a person who had... Full story

Therapies can control painful peripheral neuropathies

Dr. Pamela S. Cunningham

Gail M. Williams

By Dr. Pamela S. CunninghamPain Intervention Specialist Painful Peripheral Neuropathies   Our peripheral nervous system is made up of the nerves in our body that speak to our brain and spinal cord. This allows us to be aware of when our body... Full story

• Advanced Pain Center
• Charles Lively M.D. & Jackie Lehr W.H.C.N.P
• Permian Sleep Center
• ASC
• Desert Springs
• Pamela Cunningham, M.D.
• Tolia Eye Clinic
• Chris Maguire, D.O.
• Kamal N. Tolia, M.D.