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Rediscovering Lithium for Mood Disorders
Lithium is a chemical element that is widespread in nature. You can find it in the earth's crust, in water and even in the food you eat. Depending upon where you live, there is a good chance that ther…
Don’t Drink Mouthwash or Hand Sanitizer
Most people know that alcoholism is an addiction, and that the condition can be lethal. They may not realize, however, that desperate alcoholics will drink things that are not fit for human consumptio…
Is Interstitial Cystitis Drug Cheaper in Canada?
What would you do if your doctor prescribed a medication that made your life better, but you couldn't afford it? This is not a hypothetical question. Many people are caught in that kind of double-bind…
Licorice Led to Life-Threatening Loss of Potassi…
You may have heard someone express the opinion that natural medicines are safer than synthetic ones. That isn't always the case, however. Sometimes botanical medications can have scary side effects. L…
Should You Smear Chili Oil on Your Psoriasis?
Every once in a while, a reader comes up with a home remedy that surprises us. Although we have often written about capsaicin, the essence of hot chili peppers, we've never imagined using chili oil an…
Stopping Cetirizine Led to Itching Like Crazy
Who would guess that stopping an antihistamine taken for allergies could lead to dramatic hives and itching? Although it may seem improbable, scores of readers report that they developed dreadful itch…
How Can You Overcome Gas from Metformin?
Sometimes even helpful medications have side effects that are difficult to tolerate. For example, metformin is a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. It even has benefits beyond blood sugar. In a…
Show 1091: Unexpected Remedies to Soothe Your Su…
Summer is a great time to enjoy being outdoors. But vacation travel and playing in the back yard both offer potential hazards, such as sunburn, bug bites, poison ivy or blisters. How do you handle suc…
Almonds Are Better Than Banana Muffins for HDL
HDL cholesterol is considered beneficial, and people with high levels of this good fraction of cholesterol are less prone to heart disease. But people have a difficult time raising their HDL levels. C…
Can You Trust FDA Device and Drug Approvals?
Everyone wants a magic bullet when it comes to serious illness. That's why doctors and patients are willing to take chances if they think a new medication or medical device could ease pain, or prolong…
Marathon Runners Should Watch Out for NSAIDs
Marathon runners might be tempted to take ibuprofen or a similar NSAID before they start a long race. But evidence is accumulating that such anti-inflammatory pain relievers may increase the risk of k…
Glucosamine a Bust in New Analysis
A study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (online, July 28, 2017) concluded that glucosamine lacks evidence of effectiveness. Although the researchers don't come right out and say it, …
Does Cannabis (Marijuana) Ease Nerve Pain or PTS…
How well does marijuana work against pain or post-traumatic stress disorder? That is a question many patients and physicians would like answered. Now that opioids have been vilified, people in chronic…
Lisinopril and Angioedema: A Life-Threatening Si…
Lisinopril is the most frequently prescribed blood pressure pill in the United States. At last count over 20 million Americans take this ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor daily. It works q…
Low-Salt Food Tastes Blah: How Helpful Is It?
We've been told to ban the salt shaker and avoid salty foods. No more chips, pretzels or pickles. But are there tradeoffs when you cut back on sodium? Low-sodium soup often tastes bland. Even when you…
How to Cure Toenail Fungus
Are you embarrassed to go barefoot at the beach or even in your own backyard? This is the time of year when people often kick off their shoes to cool down. Sandals or flip-flops have become everyday w…
Why Was Aleve Better Than Tylenol for Bed-Wettin…
Bed-wetting is not just a child's problem. Enuresis, as it is known medically, can also affect older people. Doctors sometimes prescribe anticholinergic drugs such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol) an…
Can You Lower Your Cholesterol with Bergamot?
How do you control your cholesterol? Many people take a statin medication such as atorvastatin or simvastatin to keep their blood fats within normal range. On the other hand, you might prefer a more…
How to Make Sense of Thyroid Blood Tests
As many as 20 million people in the US have thyroid disorders, according to the American Thyroid Association. But how would you know if your thyroid gland is functioning properly or not? First and for…
Is There a Cure for Concave Fingernails?
Have you ever looked at your fingernails and wondered why they look the way they do, with ridges or streaks or splits? Often, there is not a specific answer to such a question. There are, however, a f…
Show 1090: How Intense Exercise Benefits Parkins…
Parkinson's disease makes it difficult for people to move. In addition to tremors or twitches, people with Parkinson's often feel stiff and find it difficult to walk easily. Their handwriting shrinks,…
Mediterranean Diet Cuts Chance of Gallbladder Re…
Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. It is performed when gallstones made of cholesterol or bilirubin block the bile duct causing intense pain. In an…
Will Caffeine Wake You Up Quicker from Anesthesi…
Many people rely upon caffeine to get going in the morning or improve alertness during the day. Researchers have now found that caffeine might speed recovery from general anesthesia. Could caffeine wa…
Not All Flu Shots Are Created Equal
How effective are flu shots? The influenza virus changes from year to year, and consequently the vaccine must change as well to keep up. This means that experts need to study vaccination effectiveness…
Colorectal Cancer Is Killing More Young Adults
Researchers are reporting that colorectal cancer is killing an increasing number of American adults under 55. The death rate has risen noticeably since the mid 1990s. Colorectal Cancer Is Killing Whit…
Is Highly Variable Blood Pressure a Red Flag?
Blood pressure does not remain constant. It changes throughout the day depending upon stress, physical activity and many other factors. But could highly variable blood pressure signal a problem? What …
Exercise Hard During Free Time to Offset Workday…
It has been suggested that sitting is the new smoking. Having a sedentary job that requires you to sit and stare at a computer screen all day is bad for your health. Can you offset the danger if you e…
Is the Antidepressant Wellbutrin (Bupropion) a S…
Many people find that traditional antidepressants lower their libido and interfere with sexual pleasure. Drugs like citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Proz…
Is Your Confusion Due to a Vitamin Deficiency?
As we grow older, our mental lapses bother us more and more. Could losing the car keys be the first sign of Alzheimer's disease? Is forgetting the PIN for the ATM an early warning flag for dementia? O…
Can You Mitigate a Migraine with a Milkshake?
Migraine headaches are debilitating as well as painful. Many sufferers report nausea and an inability to stand light or sound that imprisons them in a darkened room until the symptoms pass. There are …