The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Why Are Children Suffering Acute Flaccid Myeliti…
Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 90 cases of acute flaccid myelitis in 27 states so far this year. Most of the patients afflicted with this polio-like condit…
Show 1143: Can You Control Your Blood Sugar by F…
Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the US and around the world. Although endocrinologists consider it a chronic, progressive disorder, some experts have seen that it is potentially reversi…
Chinese-Made Losartan Recall | More Cancer Conce…
No, no, no, no no! Not again!! Just last week we said "Not Again" when we learned that that some formulations of the blood pressure drug irbesartan were contaminated with the impurity NDEA (N-nitrosod…
Will Testosterone Help Women Feel Strong and Sex…
If we say low testosterone, you might think of a TV ad starring a middle-aged man worried about "low T." But even though testosterone is the quintessential "male" hormone, women make it too. Could a p…
Brits Contradict U.S. Experts About Blood Pressu…
A key component of medical treatment is blood pressure management. Whenever you visit a doctor’s office, you will almost always have your blood pressure measured. Guidelines from the American Colleg…
Can You Prevent Alzheimer Disease with L-Lysine?
Intriguing research suggests that the dementia we call Alzheimer's disease may be triggered by a common infection: herpes virus. Although the story is not yet complete, the brain's immune response to …
What Can You Do for a Kitchen Burn?
A kitchen burn or other minor household burn is painful. They usually cause redness and sometimes blistering. Cold water is the standard first aid recommendation. In fact, cold tap water is just the r…
What Is the Alternative to Grape Juice and Pecti…
Arthritis, joint pain and inflammation and rheumatism have plagued human beings since prehistoric times. Possibly as a result, there are more home remedies for arthritis than you could count easily. T…
Meloxicam for Pain | This NSAID is NOT a Narcoti…
We are not huge fans of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for arthritis pain. That’s because arthritis is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. When you take an NSAID da…
Is Fish Oil Linked to Heart Rhythm Changes?
Could a supplement that people take for heart health actually lead to heart rhythm changes? Most people take fish oil with the expectation that it will lower their likelihood of a heart attack or stro…
KayaBiotics: High-Quality Organic Probiotics fro…
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new sponsor, KayaBiotics. You may be wondering about the probiotics stories you’ve been seeing and hearing over the past few years. In July, a…
Show 1142: What Is the Science Behind Home Remed…
Over the years, we have heard about scores upon scores of home remedies for everything from arthritis to warts. Some make sense intuitively, while others seem silly. Most have never been subjected to …
Doctors Come Clean on Salt Restriction for Heart…
Millions of Americans have heart failure, a condition in which the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently. This is not a heart attack, though once someone has a heart attack, she may be more susce…
Irbesartan Is Contaminated with Probable Cancer-…
We are getting very tired of saying “Not Again!” Sadly, though, this has become a surprisingly familiar refrain here at The People’s Pharmacy. This time it is another ARB (angiotensin receptor b…
What Is It About Coffee That Protects Your Brain…
Java lovers appear to enjoy a variety of health benefits, including a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Now a team of Canadian researchers reports that they have figur…
Can You Delay Alzheimer Disease with Drugs for D…
People with Alzheimer’s disease have distinctive lesions within their brains. Individuals with diabetes also have pathological changes resembling those seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. P…
Will Alirocumab Save You from a Heart Attack?
Alirocumab (Praluent) is a cholesterol-lowering drug that works through a different enzyme system than statins. (Here are the technical details: alirocumab and its cousin evolocumab inhibit an enzyme …
Will Pumpkin Seed Oil Help Your Urinary Problem?
How often do you have to get up at night to visit the bathroom? Some people sleep through the night with no difficulty but others have their sleep disrupted because they need to urinate every few hour…
Cinnamon Can Help Control Blood Sugar
Cinnamon was once highly prized as an exotic spice. The ancient Egyptians used cinnamon along with thyme and cumin to embalm their pharaohs. A far more practical use was for preserving meat during med…
Can You Cure a Plantar Wart with Silver Nitrate?
Plantar warts are those that appear on the sole of the foot. They can become tender and make walking painful. Over the years, we have heard of many different home remedies to get rid of plantar warts.…
Is Chasteberry a Natural Way to Ease Hot Flashes…
Hot flashes are the signature symptom of menopause. Some women are barely troubled by them while others are incapacitated. Most women in menopause would like to find a way to ease hot flashes, though …
Aspirin and Ulcers: A Potentially Deadly Reactio…
We like aspirin. It’s inexpensive and as effective as any other OTC pain reliever on the market. Millions take it or another NSAID (ibuprofen or naproxen) every day. They swallow such pills to ease …
Should You Pay Less for Vicks VapoRub®?
Vicks VapoRub® is a familiar household product with a venerable history. It has been around since the turn of the 20th century, and for much of that time, it contained natural essential oils. In the …
Do NOT Trust People Smiling During Drug Commerci…
Have you ever smiled at a stranger and received a smile in return? It inevitably makes you feel good. Everyone loves a smile. It disarms us and makes us feel warm and fuzzy about the person smiling. B…
The Pros and Cons of Treating Mild Hypertension
Prepare for whiplash. A year ago the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) issued new guidelines for treating mild hypertension. People with blood pressure at o…
Show 1141: Which Health Risks Should You Worry A…
Do you enjoy a glass of wine from time to time? If so, were you alarmed to read headlines last fall announcing that ANY amount of alcohol is problematic? Here’s how those headlines came about. The r…
Are Your Eyes the Window to Your Brain?
It is difficult to diagnose Alzheimer disease early in its course. In fact, a definitive diagnosis has only been available upon autopsy. But what if you had a window to your brain? Would that make ear…
Will Xofluza Help You Recover from the Flu Quick…
It’s been almost two decades since the FDA approved a pill to treat influenza. It was oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu. Last week, the agency approved a new flu pill, Xofluza. What Is the Story on…
ACE Inhibitors and Lung Cancer | Should You Be C…
Popular blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors have been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are taken daily by more than 30 mill…
Is There a Medical Basis for Stories About Vampi…
A few weeks ago we got a fascinating email from a doctor. He wants to remain anonymous, for reasons you'll soon see. However, his theory on how tales about vampires may have gained ground really intri…