The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Can Statins Cause Myositis? | Irreversible Muscl…
The FDA has listed myositis as a potential side effect of some statins. We suspect that if you asked many physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists what myositis is, they w…
Should You Stop Taking Aspirin Before a Biopsy?
Millions of people take low-dose aspirin (once called "baby aspirin," though it is not for babies) to protect themselves from blood clots that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. People at higher …
Will Getting to Sleep Wreck Your Digestion?
When you are looking for a way to overcome insomnia, you might well reach for a pill called zolpidem. Sold for years under the brand name Ambien, it is probably the most popular prescription sleeping …
How Does Meat Tenderizer Ease the Pain of Stings…
If you've ever been stung by a wasp, you know something about pain. Not only does the sting hurt immediately, but it can also swell up and be painful and itchy for several days. Look for relief in you…
How Safe and Effective Are Your Medicines? You M…
Before a physician prescribes a medication, she should know exactly how safe and effective it is. And before a patient swallows any pill he should also know precisely how safe and effective it is. You…
Will Cilantro Help Your Irritated Fingertips?
Sore, peeling fingertips can be a trial. Some people use a heavy-duty moisturizer such as petroleum jelly, while others apply lip balm to the irritated digits. The drawback is that these remedies are …
Show 1132: Are Infections to Blame for Alzheimer…
With nearly six million Americans living with Alzheimer disease, this condition is a serious public health problem. It robs people of their memories, their ability to function independently and even t…
What Are Natural Ways to Lower High Blood Pressu…
Do you have hypertension? The chances are strong that you do. That’s because cardiologists at the American Heart Association have established new guidelines. Anyone whose blood pressure readings are…
Yet Another PPI Complication | Acid-Suppressing …
We know you are getting weary of reading about serious side effects linked to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They are among the most popular drugs in the pharmacy. They include dexlansoprazole, esomep…
The Valsartan Recall Disaster Keeps Getting Wors…
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its recall of the blood pressure drug valsartan for the third time. On July 5th the European Medicines Agency issued an alert that Chinese-made valsartan …
Should You Munch Crickets to Benefit Your Microb…
You may not think that crickets sound like a tasty snack, but a new study suggests they could be a healthy one. In many parts of the world, however, people are delighted when insects are on the menu. …
Sauna Bathing and Its Health Benefits
Finnish researchers have been studying the health benefits of sauna bathing for years. Now, a new study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviews the evidence for cardiovascular and other healt…
Does Work Email Bother You at Home?
Does your boss expect you to respond promptly to email or Slack messages outside of working hours? Did you know that before you took the job? Why Answering Email from Home Could Harm Your Health: A ne…
Will Opioid Crackdown Leave Cancer Patients In P…
Far too many people are dying from opioid overdoses. You already knew that. It’s been in the news for years. Many of the deaths are due to fentanyl. This synthetic opioid has become widely available…
What Are the Advantages of Voltaren Gel?
Inflammation is behind a lot of chronic disease, including arthritis. That is why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are so popular among people with joint pain.…
Will Aromas Help You Avoid Motion Sickness?
Plenty of people get seasick on a boat or carsick in a vehicle. There are medications that can help folks avoid motion sickness, but some individuals find that these drugs can lead to confusion or oth…
Solutions to Stop Suffering from Poison Ivy
Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are wild plants that thrive in many wooded parts of this country. They all produce a compound called urushiol. People who get this chemical on their skin frequ…
Can You Solve Your Foot Odor Problem with Vinega…
Do you have smelly feet? Many people are embarrassed to take off their shoes because of the resulting odor. You might be looking for a way to solve your foot odor problem with home remedies. Readers h…
How to Use Olive Oil to Overcome Lice
Head lice are not particularly dangerous, but they are extremely unpleasant. When they persist despite multiple treatments, people may become very frustrated. Some parents are concerned about having t…
Valsartan Recall Update: How Big Is The Problem?
By now you have read a lot about the valsartan recall. Many lots of the common blood pressure pill, valsartan, have been recalled. Initially, the FDA issued recalls for valsartan from just three manuf…
Show 1131: Was Your Medicine Made in China?
Do you know where your medicines come from? It can actually be something of a challenge to find out, because unlike shirts or apples, drugs do not have to be labeled with country of origin. As it turn…
Do Statins Cause Myositis? A Devastating Muscle …
For years we have been receiving tragic stories from readers of our syndicated newspaper column and visitors to our website. They reported a debilitating myositis muscle condition after taking statins…
Why We Can’t Just Slap a Label on It
“Don’t you just have to slap a label on it?” Pharmacists around the country hear the same thing, all day, every day. I know this because I am in several pharmacist groups on Facebook, each with …
Will a Mediterranean Diet Help Your Psoriasis?
Following a Mediterranean style diet with lots of vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil, whole grains and fruit is good for your heart and your metabolism. Now a French study suggests this way of eating …
How Are Vitamin D and Rheumatoid Arthritis Linke…
Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) is essential for good health. Human beings can make this hormone when skin is exposed to sunlight. In addition, vitamin D is found in a few foods: oily fish (and espec…
Chinese-Made Vaccines Caught in Scandal
Chinese manufacturers are embroiled in a domestic scandal. Regulators in China have discovered serious problems with vaccine production. What Is the Chinese Vaccine Scandal? At least two companies hav…
Pharmacist Wouldn’t Take Back Recalled Valsart…
On July 5, 2018 the European Medicines Agency announced a recall of a generic blood pressure medicine called valsartan (Diovan). The active ingredient in some generic formulations was apparently conta…
Allergy Symptoms? | NasalCrom to the Rescue!
Ask most people what works best to calm allergy symptoms and you are likely to hear about antihistamines or corticosteroid nasal sprays. That’s hardly surprising. If you’ve watched any TV at all t…
Pharmacists Attitudes Towards Side Effects
What do you know about the side effects of the pills you take? We often urge readers to consult their pharmacists, who may be more knowledgeable than other health care professionals. Dennis Miller, RP…
Soap Under the Sheet Can Prevent Nocturnal Leg C…
Nocturnal leg cramps really get in the way of a good night's sleep. You might be sound asleep, possibly even dreaming, and bam! You wake up with a horrible charlie horse or, even worse, an iron-hard m…