The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Show 1149: Is Cutting Carbs More Important Than …
The diet wars have been raging for years. Each side has ardent proponents–those who insist that a low-fat diet is the best way to control weight and those who are convinced that a low-carb diet is b…
Are Leaky Blood Vessels A Culprit Behind Alzheim…
What causes Alzheimer’s disease? That is the billion-dollar question which remains unanswered to this day. A lot of money has been spent trying to find answers to the mystery of dementia. Most exper…
Reduce Your Risk of Dementia with Physical Activ…
Older people who would like to stay sharp can take one simple step: keep moving! Research from Rush University Medical Center suggests that physical activity can reduce elders' risk of dementia (Buchm…
Will Chocolate Calm Your Cough?
This is the time of year when lots of people have nagging coughs. Traditional cough medicine leaves a lot to be desired. But could chocolate calm your cough? Might You Use Cocoa to Calm Your Cough? Sc…
Do Dermatologists Prescribe Too Many Antibiotics…
Dermatologists love antibiotics. They prescribe proportionately more antibiotics than other medical specialties. Do not take our word for this! Here is a quote from an article in JAMA Dermatology (Jan…
How Serious Is the Problem of Inappropriate Anti…
Infectious disease experts worry a lot about the problem of bacterial resistance related to inappropriate antibiotics. A study of patient records suggests that doctors in the US may be prescribing ant…
Why are FDA Inspections So Ineffective and Disap…
We have been tough on the FDA, we admit it. We have questioned the agency’s generic drug approval process. We have criticized the Food and Drug Administration for being slow to discover and report s…
Should You Be Peeing on Your Feet?
Warning: this remedy might be too disgusting for you. Many readers tell us that peeing on your feet can help you overcome toenail fungus or athlete's foot. Is there any evidence to back this claim up?…
Will Apple Cider Vinegar Lower Your Blood Pressu…
Apple cider vinegar is an extremely popular home remedy. More than 50 years ago, D. C. Jarvis, MD, published his best-selling book, Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health. In it, he pr…
Can Naltrexone Overcome Obsessions Like Hair Pul…
Don’t you just love medical terminology? Hair pulling is straightforward. You immediately understand what it means. But no, doctors have to use Greek or Latin. You get the tongue twister trichotillo…
Can You Use Activated Charcoal to Fight Flatulen…
Have you ever wished you had a good way to fight flatulence? Sometimes changing your diet to include more legumes and green vegetables like cabbage or broccoli can backfire. Of course, you will probab…
Can Repatha Substitute for Statins to Lower Chol…
Not everyone can tolerate statins to lower cholesterol. Some people react to drugs like atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin with muscle pain and weakness, arthritis, mus…
Could Herbal Tea Overcome Your Nasty Cough?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen that usually causes mild symptoms such as runny nose, fever or sneezing and wheezing. It can also cause a nasty cough in some people, especially …
Does Your Dental Floss Contain PFAS Chemicals Th…
How many times has your dentist told you to floss your teeth? Lots, right? But flossing can be a drag, especially if you use the unwaxed kind. It gets stuck or shreds. That’s why waxed or slippery f…
Show 1148: What Can You Do About Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones afflict an estimated three million Americans each year, resulting in at least half a million trips to the emergency department. But what are they and what can you do about them? How do t…
Is There Flu Near You?
The CDC reports that flu season is here (FluView from the CDC for the week ending Dec. 29, 2018). The number of states reporting high flu activity has more than doubled, from 9 to 19. Consequently, th…
How Can You Avoid Norovirus?
Norovirus, the plague of cruise ships, is also known as the winter vomiting bug. It is highly contagious and is starting to circulate this winter. Michigan is being especially hard hit. There are als…
Why Has Healthcare Marketing Increased So Much?
If you ever watch television, you may have noticed a lot of drug ads. Unless you have a particular interest in a drug, you might not bother to look it up and learn how much it might cost. The answer i…
Are Older People More Likely to Fall on Antidepr…
Older people may be at particular risk of falls and fractures when they take antidepressants. Back in 2012, experts added SSRI and SNRI type drugs such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and venlafaxine (Effexor)…
Will Apple Cider Vinegar Cure Your Heartburn?
Do you get uncomfortable after a big meal? A burning sensation under the breastbone after eating is common. If you have ever suffered from this type of indigestion, you may want to know how to cure yo…
Vitamin C and the Common Cold: Will Ascorbic Aci…
One of the most contentious issues in modern medicine revolves around vitamins, especially vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid). For reasons that mystify us, most health professionals dismiss the value of vi…
What Can You Do for Cold Sores?
Cold sores are painful and unsightly lesions that result from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). People also call them fever blisters, as they tend to pop up when a person is suffering from an infection …
Why Was the FDA So Slow to Warn About FQ Disaste…
We would be the first to admit that the Food and Drug Administration has a LOT of responsibilities. The agency is supposed to ensure that our food supply is safe. It monitors those never-ending prescr…
Taking Synthroid in the Middle of the Night
An underactive thyroid gland is a surprisingly common condition, affecting up to 5 percent of adult Americans. More people experience subclinical hypothyroidism than overt hypothyroidism. Nonetheless,…
Why KayaBiotics from Germany? Certified Organic!
We are delighted that Kaya Biotics has decided to extend its relationship with The People’s Pharmacy. This German company is now underwriting our nationally syndicated public radio show. We are very…
What Happened to Cod Liver Oil as a Home Remedy?
The origin of many a home remedy is lost in the mists of time. Usually we don't have a good record of who started using it or when, and we also rarely have information on when and how it falls out of …
Swollen Ankles from Amlodipine and Swollen Tongu…
"Swelling" as a drug side effect doesn't seem like that big a deal. And yet drug-induced swelling can be unpleasant at best and life threatening at worst. Amlodipine (Norvasc) is the second most presc…
Show 1147: How Do You Control Your Cholesterol?
What causes heart disease? There are a number of risk factors, including cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, diabetes and others. One well-known risk is high cholesterol. Has …
The Law of Unintended Consequences Strikes Hospi…
Have you ever heard of the law of unintended consequences? This is when something that was supposed to be beneficial turns out to bite you in the butt. Here is just one example: Kudzu is an ornamental…
For Healthy Kidneys, Avoid Sugary Drinks
Usually, people are advised to drink plenty of liquids to keep their kidneys healthy and functioning well. A new study suggests, however, that sugary drinks are more of a problem than a help. What Is …