The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Show 1139: Will Supplements Keep Your Bones Stro…
For years, people were urged to take calcium supplements to avoid losing bone density. This advice was aimed particularly at menopausal and postmenopausal women because they are especially susceptible…
Should You Be Worried About Polio-Like Illness?
A strange polio-like illness is spreading around the country. At last count more than 120 suspected cases have been reported in at least 22 states. This condition, acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), first …
Will TV Commercials Reveal How Much Medicines Co…
Do you watch television? If so, are you getting tired of all the prescription drug commercials? It is rare that a commercial break during the evening news doesn’t have at least one pharmaceutical ad…
Surprise–Coffee Drinkers Have Less Chance of R…
Rosacea is a skin condition in which the skin flushes or reddens easily and may stay red chronically. People may also develop pimple-like bumps on the skin. People with rosacea are often advised to av…
Do People Who Eat Fish Grow Old More Healthfully…
Does eating fish or taking fish oil make any difference for your health? For decades, researchers have touted the anti-inflammatory benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. They have sug…
Coconut Macaroon Cookies Cured Child’s Dia…
Have you ever had acute diarrhea? Almost everyone has. You know how unpleasant the experience can be, even if it only lasts for a few hours. Millions of people suffer from chronic diarrhea. It can be …
Arthritis Remedy Does Double Duty Overcoming Con…
We first heard about the grape juice and Certo treatment for arthritis over 20 years ago. We wrote about it in our syndicated newspaper column on March 2, 1998. Here is that very first letter: "My wif…
Will Vitamin D Boost Your Mood This Winter?
Vitamin D, sometimes known as the sunshine vitamin, is renowned for its contribution to bone strength. It may also help ward off lung infections, particularly among people who are especially susceptib…
Will Osteoporosis Drugs Make Your Joints Hurt?
As people age, both muscle mass and bone density begin to fade. The consequences of bone loss can be devastating. When bones become weak, they break easily. If an older person fractures a hip, they ma…
Should You Worry About Pomegranate Juice Interac…
Have you ever wondered whether something you are eating or drinking could affect your medication? It's not a crazy idea. For more than 20 years, we have known that grapefruit juice can increase blood …
The Inside Story on Zoledronate (Reclast) and Bo…
The headlines have been enthusiastic: “Osteoporosis drug Shows Promise for Fracture Prevention.” NPR ran a story that emphasized the strong evidence supporting zoledronate as a safe drug to preven…
How Can You Find Terpin Hydrate Cough Medicine?
Some old-fashioned medicines have maintained their popularity for decades. Just think of Vicks VapoRub, Listerine or Preparation H as examples. Those venerable brands have all survived to hold their s…
Why Is Your Friday Newsletter Coming on Monday?
It is Monday morning, and you may be wondering why you have a newsletter from The People's Pharmacy in your inbox. In fact, you may have missed the newsletter on Friday and wondered why you didn't get…
Show 1138: What Are the Health Benefits of Yoga?
Yoga has become extremely popular over the last few decades. You have probably seen photographs of fit-looking young people in stretchy clothing and improbable poses and wondered why they are so enthu…
Will Fish Oil Supplements Ease Your Anxiety?
Fish oil has gotten a lot of bad press lately. After a decade or two of enthusiasm for its benefits in preventing heart disease, arthritis and dry eyes, scientists concluded that there is little or no…
Are Your Dietary Supplements Contaminated with D…
The Food and Drug Administration has been testing dietary supplements for years. “From 2007 through 2016, 776 adulterated dietary supplements were identified by the FDA and 146 different dietary sup…
Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements for Strong…
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones. When young children don’t get enough vitamin D, they can develop a bone deformity called rickets. This nutrient acts as a hormone in the body. It is vital fo…
Is There Science to Support Alternative Treatmen…
Psoriasis sucks. It is a condition that causes red, dry, scaly, itchy skin patches. There is no cure. The causes are mysterious. Scientists believe that an overactive immune system is the culprit. For…
How to Take Care of Kids with Colds
Ask a pediatrician how to treat kids with colds, and you'll probably learn that there are few, if any, medicines that speed recovery or even ease symptoms. During cold season, parents often search for…
Could a Supplement Help You Lose Belly Fat?
Belly fat (aka abdominal adiposity) is not just a matter of looking unattractive. A disproportionately large waistline can indicate excess visceral fat that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, he…
How Can You Avoid the Flu This Season?
It’s that time again. The signs are up in pharmacies to get your flu shot. TV anchors are telling their viewers that last year’s influenza season was bad, really bad! Is there any way you can avoi…
How Can You Lower Blood Pressure Naturally?
Everyone loves pills. Doctors love to prescribe medicine. Patients love to swallow drugs. We are a pill-taking society. But all medications come with pros and cons. That is true of blood pressure drug…
Will You Get Osteoporosis If You Take Omeprazole…
Do you take omeprazole (Prilosec) or another proton pump inhibitor such as esomeprazole (Nexium) or lansoprazole (Prevacid)? Such PPI drugs were once thought to be relatively free of side effects, but…
Should You Worry About Mail-Order Prescriptions?
Many people are encouraged by their insurance company or their pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) to buy their medicines through the mail. They are told they will save money. Mail-order prescriptions are …
Can You Get Rid of Warts with Super Glue?
Warts are bumps on the skin caused by a virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV). Even though you can't actually get rid of the virus, you can get rid of warts. A wide range of home remedies and over-the…
Levaquin (Levofloxacin) and Life-Threatening Abd…
Millions of people take FQ (fluoroquinolone) antibiotics every year. Number one is ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and number two is levofloxacin (Levaquin). You can tell if you have received this class of anti…
Show 1137: What Should You Know About Women̵…
Viagra became a household name almost as soon as the drug was introduced. Before that, though, few men were willing to talk about erectile dysfunction. When it comes to women’s sexual health, we see…
Should You Be Scared of the Upcoming Flu Season?
The CDC is doing its best to scare you. The public health experts want you to rush out and get a flu shot. The headlines have been designed to motivate: For example, The Chicago Tribune reported “Fl…
What Can You Do To Prevent Recurrent Urinary Tra…
Have you ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI)? The symptoms are unpleasant, to put it mildly. First, you may feel a tremendous urge to pee. And when you do urinate, the burning sensation can be un…
Orthopedic Surgeons Get Bad News About Repairing…
My uncle was a dairy farmer. He had a saying that went like this: farmers like to plow and surgeons like to cut. When you are used to doing something (and getting paid for it) the tendency is to keep …