The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
ASA Everyday | Will Aspirin Help or Harm You?
Americans have long been told that aspirin is “the wonder drug that works wonders.” Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA for short) was supposed to prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by bloo…
Show 1135: Who Do You Believe–the Experts or t…
Doctors have been advocating evidence-based medicine for a few decades, but a surprising amount of medical practice is based on tradition. How can you sort out the value of evidence-based medicine fro…
Can Curcumin Control Your Blood Sugar?
Most people experience a bump in blood sugar after they eat a meal containing carbohydrates. The body responds by secreting insulin to clear the blood sugar. Australian researchers wanted to see whe…
Do Turmeric Supplements Have a Downside?
The yellow spice turmeric is extremely popular both as a food ingredient and as a supplement. When it is used to flavor food like yellow mustard or curry, turmeric is considered safe. A case report de…
How Good Should You Feel About BPA Substitutes?
Over the last few decades, scientists have identified a large number of compounds that can mimic hormones like estrogen. These endocrine disruptors include bisphenol A, also known as BPA. Scientists h…
Do Mouth Microbes Help the Immune System?
Humans support a variety of microbes on our skin, in our digestive tracts and elsewhere. As a result, some observers have noted that there are more bacterial cells than human cells in our bodies. As w…
Will Cutting Salt Conscientiously Land You in th…
The American Heart Association has advice for people who want to keep their hearts healthy. It recommends exercising regularly, quitting smoking, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, skipping junk …
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Relieved With Soap!
There are some medical conditions that are surprisingly common but quite mysterious. You have probably heard of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Doctors now call it myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The …
Will Vicks VapoRub Ease Facial Pain?
We have been fascinated to hear lately from readers who have found unusual remedies. We have been writing for years about the possibility that soap can alleviate nighttime leg cramps. We were surpri…
Will You Risk a Heart Attack with Diclofenac Gel…
People with arthritis have a very difficult dilemma. The primary drugs used to treat joint pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unfortunately, these arthritis medications can produc…
Can You Cool Your Hot Flashes with Maca?
Just because menopause is a natural part of life doesn't mean it is easy. Some women have intense hot flashes for only a few years, but others may suffer for a decade or more. Estrogen is the gold sta…
An Unexpected Way to Moisten Dry Nostrils
As the weather begins to turn from summer into fall, people may find that they have to start dealing with cool-season complaints. One of these is dry nostrils. We have frightened many people by warnin…
How Can You Use Beets for Better Blood Pressure?
With concerns about contaminated antihypertensive medications, many people are interested in ways to lower their blood pressure without drugs. There is a wide range of options: exercise, weight loss, …
Is Whole Fat Dairy (Milk, Cheese and Yogurt) Goo…
Cardiologists have been admonishing Americans to avoid saturated fat in the diet. Whole fat dairy products have been especially vilified. That is why skim milk, margarine and low-fat yogurt have becom…
Breaking Down a Prior Authorization
A prior authorization (PA) is common terminology in pharmacies, but I find it to be very confusing for our patients. Has this ever happened to you? You visit your doctor, discuss prescription options …
Statins Fail to Help Healthy Older People
Statin drugs that lower cholesterol are among the most important tools cardiologists have for preventing heart disease among middle-aged patients. Until recently, however, no one knew whether drugs su…
Show 1105: How to Keep Your Nails Healthy and Be…
Nails rarely get much medical attention. They just don’t seem as urgent as high blood pressure or diabetes. Despite this, nails are part of the way we present ourselves socially. Consequently, most …
Will Tai Ji Help Keep You from Falling?
Older people have a justified fear of falling. A broken hip often leads to disability or death. That’s why it is so important to prevent falls. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine sugges…
Should You Stop Taking Your Sleeping Pills?
Older individuals who take a benzodiazepine are more likely to experience falls. Medications like alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) are frequently used as sleeping pills or f…
Was Aspirin to Blame for Leaky Heart Valve?
Nonprescription drugs don't always get the respect they deserve. Many over-the-counter medications have significant effects, for good or for ill. If you take anything day in and day out, you should di…
Can A Bar of Soap Stop a Cough or Laryngospasm?
We have been writing about the amazing power of soap to stop leg cramps, ease restless leg syndrome and control hand cramps for years. Initially these stories seemed too good to be true. And yet we ha…
Do You Have Any Idea Where Your Pills Are Made?
Do you swallow any pills in the morning? We would be surprised to learn that you don’t. Most Americans swallow a handful without even thinking. Let’s start with vitamins. Millions of people take B…
Searching for a Better Blood Pressure Pill
Under the guidelines adopted by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in 2017, nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. Most of them take medication to …
Should You Smear Milk of Magnesia on Your Rosace…
People with the skin condition rosacea often feel frustrated. To alleviate the redness of the condition, they may try over-the-counter and prescription medications. Many people report that they don't …
Is It Safe to Use NasalCrom for Years?
If you suffer from hay fever or other fall allergies, you may already be miserable. On the other hand, you might be dreading the weeks ahead. Will you be sneezing, sniffling and suffering itchy eyes a…
Will Certo and Grape Juice Help Your Sore Knees?
The recent news that diclofenac, like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can make people more susceptible to cardiovascular complications is disturbing. It is not particularly surpri…
Show 1134: Can You Control Your Blood Pressure W…
High blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. A recent change in guidelines urges doctors to treat people whose blood pressure would not have been considered particula…
White Noise for Tinnitus–More Harm Than Good?
People with tinnitus or ringing in the ears suffer invisible harm to their quality of life. The constant hissing, chirping or buzzing can make it hard to function during the day and sleep is often dis…
Chigger Bites May Trigger Alpha-Gal Allergy to R…
Have you ever been bitten by chiggers? Some people barely notice such bites. Others, like me, are highly allergic to such attacks. We develop severe itching along with nasty blisters that can take wee…
How to Have the Best Experience at the Pharmacy,…
After 17 years working in a pharmacy, I notice many of the same issues over and over, many of which can be easily prevented. I have collected tips over the years, and recently gathered some more from …