The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Is Dupixent a Super Solution for Bad Eczema?
Most people with eczema find it intensely frustrating. They itch, and their skin is often red with swollen patches. Medications may help soothe the irritation, but most patients don't know why they su…
Show 1165: Can Your Doctor’s Positive Attitude…
We all prefer to interact with people who are friendly, supportive and helpful. But when it comes to health care providers, does “bedside manner” really make a difference? Or is a doctor’s posit…
Billion Dollar Settlement for People with Bad Hi…
Another week, another BIG settlement! Actually, there was one big settlement in the medical device industry regarding bad hip implants and an even bigger award in a jury trial involving the weed kille…
Will Eating Your Vegetables Ward Off Heart Failu…
Many studies have shown that the DASH diet can help people lower their blood pressure. Now, researchers have found that individuals who follow DASH diet guidelines also reduce their risk of developing…
Why Americans Don’t Trust the Pharmaceutical I…
Both brand name drug companies and generic drug manufacturers have earned the distrust of the American public. In just the last week we have learned about another lawsuit filed against some of the lea…
Should You Read Your Doctor’s Visit Notes?
Many if not most health systems and doctors’ offices around the country have adopted electronic medical records. As a result, patients can access appointment information, pay their bills, check thei…
Generic Drugs Hammered | Are AUTHORIZED Generics…
This has been a very bad week for generic drug manufacturers and the FDA. Here are just a few of the stories that have made headlines. “A New Book Argues That Generic Drugs Are Poisoning Us” (New …
Is it Safe to Get Vitamin D From the Sun?
Before there were vitamin D pills, humans made this essential nutrient whenever their skin was exposed to sunlight. Nowadays, dermatologists warn us that any sun exposure is bad for our skin. They are…
How to Substitute Powdered Pectin in Arthritis R…
Because arthritis is so common, people have invented dozens if not scores of home remedies. Scientists have not done studies on most of these approaches, but that won't stop people from trying them. O…
What Took the FDA So Long to Warn About Z-Drug D…
The Food and Drug Administration seems to take great pride in approving new drugs. Last year was “An All-Time Record, And A Watershed,” according to Forbes (Jan. 14, 2019). The FDA shattered…
Can Antibiotic Help Post-Colonoscopy Problems?
Colonoscopies save lives. The procedure in which a gastroenterologist examines the lining of the colon for pre-cancerous growths called polyps allows for early detection of colon cancer. In addition, …
Will Special SLS-Free Toothpaste Prevent Canker …
Do you pay attention to the kind of toothpaste you use, beyond the flavor? The American Dental Association wants you to use a toothpaste with fluoride because it prevents cavities. Some readers take a…
Are Pecans Good for Your Heart?
Have you ever wondered whether your favorite food is good for your heart? If your favorite foods include ice cream and cookies, you don't have to wonder. The answer is a clear no. If you love oatmeal …
Are People In Pain Committing Suicide For Lack o…
Everyone knows we are in the middle of an opioid epidemic. Hardly a day goes by without a headline or a TV news story about a tragic overdose death. There is no question that far too many people have …
Popular Sleeping Pills Get FDA’s Black Box War…
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a black box warning for the most popular sleeping pills on the market. This is the heaviest tool in the FDA’s toolkit, short of banning a medicine outrigh…
Show 1164: Will We Win the Race Against Emerging…
Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, after observing horrific lethal infections on the battlefields of the first World War. It was the first antibiotic to defeat a wide range of terrif…
For Blocked Arteries, Is Surgery More Effective …
Coronary artery bypass grafting, known as CABG for short, is more effective than stents in some cases. Scientists reached this somewhat surprising conclusion by studying the records of over 1,600 hear…
Can Restricting Eating Time Help Control Blood S…
People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes may be able to reverse this process by limiting food intake to a nine-hour period every day. Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia conduct…
Trouble with Tinnitus Raises Risk of Suicide
Tinnitus (pronounced either TIN-ittis or tin-EYE-tuss) is a condition in which the victim hears sounds that others cannot perceive. Sufferers describe these noises as chirping, humming, hissing,…
Drug-Resistant Infections Will Kill Millions
Experts for the United Nations have just issued an alarming analysis about drug-resistant infections. In 2019, 230,000 people will die from multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Almost half a million mor…
Do Statins Cause Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)?
Statin enthusiasts have a hard time accepting that statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs have side effects. There is even one clinical trial analysis from the UK that concluded “At the doses tested…
Milk of Magnesia for Odd Underarm Odor
Have you ever heard of using the laxative Milk of Magnesia (MoM) as a topical application for the armpits? Many readers have tried it and told us that they have found this an innovative way to manage …
Prostate Drug Dutasteride Shrinks Prostate and P…
Dutasterice (Avodart) has a powerful effect on the prostate gland. The history of this medication and its chemical cousin finasteride (Proscar) is a medical mystery. It all started in the Dominican Re…
Should You Really Stop Taking Your Supplements?
Vitamin and mineral pills are still controversial, despite years of study. Many doctors have decided that you should get all your nutrients from your food. No doubt you could, if you followed a though…
Will Saline Irrigation Ease Sinus Congestion?
Sinus congestion can make you miserable. You may have trouble breathing well and you might suffer from headaches. Medications don't always help much. One reader found a simple way to ease sinus conges…
Goldilocks Got It Right: Don’t Overmedicate!
Doctors should pay more attention to the moral of the Goldilocks story: Not Too Much, Not Too Little--Just Right! To refresh your memory, Goldilocks snuck into a house in the forest. She found it to b…
Must You Grind Flaxseed to Get Its Nutritional B…
The humble flaxseed is now being hailed as a superfood because it is a great source of fiber, healthful omega-3 fats and lignans. The fiber content is helpful against constipation. A systematic review…
Sunscreen Gets Under Your Skin | Is It Safe?
For decades, dermatologists have encouraged us to slather on the sunscreen before we expose our skin to the sun’s rays. The goal is to prevent premature aging and, more importantly, to reduce the ri…
Show 1163: Should You Trust Your Prescription Dr…
Do you use mail order for your prescription drugs to get a better price? Many insurance companies strongly encourage people to order online from preferred sources so they can control how much they hav…
Why Are Measles Outbreaks Growing?
The spreading measles epidemic has left more than 700 people sick in the U.S. Young children have been hardest hit in outbreaks across the country, from New York State's Rockland County to California'…