The People's Perspective on Medicine, since 1976
Helping you to make informed decisions about both traditional and alternative treatments.
Could an Antiviral Drug Help Control Alzheimer 
There is a growing recognition by neuroscientists that the brain is not a sterile organ. In other words, the brain has a microbiome just like the digestive tract. There are bacteria, fungi and viruses…
Swapping Losartan for Valsartan Results in Stoma…
The ongoing valsartan recall has caused a lot of trouble. Pharmacists have had to hunt for alternative suppliers that did not use the contaminated active ingredient from Zhejiang Huahai company in Ch…
Will Milk of Magnesia on Your Face Ease Rosacea?
Rosacea may start with easy blushing and flushing and proceed to constant (or near-constant) redness across the cheeks. With this, people may get bumps that look like pimples but are not. There are me…
Is Liver Cancer a Risk of Acid-Suppressing Drugs…
Not again! We are sick and tired or reading about another potentially serious side effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Over the last few decades the list of very worrisome adverse reactions has g…
Can You Overcome an Afrin Addiction?
Have you ever become addicted to your nasal spray? Millions of people do. Decongestant nasal sprays can be used safely for only a few days before they start to produce rebound congestion that can be q…
What Are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon in Coff…
Have you been hearing that cinnamon is good for you? Or maybe you're worried about the potential health hazards of cinnamon but unsure of what they could be. Perhaps you have been wondering how you mi…
Show 1133: How Can You Overcome Migraine Headach…
Nearly 40 million Americans know the nausea and throbbing pain of migraine headaches. This debilitating condition that can create one-sided head pain may make it difficult or impossible to carry on wi…
Is Salt Good or Bad for Your Health?
You have heard for years that salt is sinful. People who sprinkle salt on their food are frowned upon by many health professionals. The diet dictocrats will tell you that if you eat chips and salsa, c…
Is There Roundup in Your Breakfast Cereal?
A recent report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that oats and oat cereals may be contaminated with the herbicide glyphosate, often sold under the brand name Roundup. Some industry-af…
Will Benzodiazepine Use Increase Your Risk for A…
Americans love benzodiazepines (aka benzos). These anti-anxiety agents are used as all-purpose psych drugs. Millions of people take benzos to calm jittery nerves, ease anxiety and overcome insomnia. T…
Will Blue Light from Screens Harm Your Vision?
Could your digital viewing habits be harming your eyes? Computers, cell phones and hand-held devices all put out blue light that reaches the retina. The Problems with Blue Light: Two new studies sugge…
How Could Cannabis Help Inflammatory Bowel Disea…
Inflammatory bowel disease is an autoimmune disease that can create chaos in the digestive tract. Inflammation leads to diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. People with ulcerative…
Can Statins Cause Myositis? | Irreversible Muscl…
The FDA has listed myositis as a potential side effect of some statins. We suspect that if you asked many physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists what myositis is, they w…
Should You Stop Taking Aspirin Before a Biopsy?
Millions of people take low-dose aspirin (once called "baby aspirin," though it is not for babies) to protect themselves from blood clots that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. People at higher …
Will Getting to Sleep Wreck Your Digestion?
When you are looking for a way to overcome insomnia, you might well reach for a pill called zolpidem. Sold for years under the brand name Ambien, it is probably the most popular prescription sleeping …
How Does Meat Tenderizer Ease the Pain of Stings…
If you've ever been stung by a wasp, you know something about pain. Not only does the sting hurt immediately, but it can also swell up and be painful and itchy for several days. Look for relief in you…
How Safe and Effective Are Your Medicines? You M…
Before a physician prescribes a medication, she should know exactly how safe and effective it is. And before a patient swallows any pill he should also know precisely how safe and effective it is. You…
Will Cilantro Help Your Irritated Fingertips?
Sore, peeling fingertips can be a trial. Some people use a heavy-duty moisturizer such as petroleum jelly, while others apply lip balm to the irritated digits. The drawback is that these remedies are …
Show 1132: Are Infections to Blame for Alzheimer…
With nearly six million Americans living with Alzheimer disease, this condition is a serious public health problem. It robs people of their memories, their ability to function independently and even t…
What Are Natural Ways to Lower High Blood Pressu…
Do you have hypertension? The chances are strong that you do. That’s because cardiologists at the American Heart Association have established new guidelines. Anyone whose blood pressure readings are…
Yet Another PPI Complication | Acid-Suppressing …
We know you are getting weary of reading about serious side effects linked to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They are among the most popular drugs in the pharmacy. They include dexlansoprazole, esomep…
The Valsartan Recall Disaster Keeps Getting Wors…
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its recall of the blood pressure drug valsartan for the third time. On July 5th the European Medicines Agency issued an alert that Chinese-made valsartan …
Should You Munch Crickets to Benefit Your Microb…
You may not think that crickets sound like a tasty snack, but a new study suggests they could be a healthy one. In many parts of the world, however, people are delighted when insects are on the menu. …
Sauna Bathing and Its Health Benefits
Finnish researchers have been studying the health benefits of sauna bathing for years. Now, a new study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviews the evidence for cardiovascular and other healt…
Does Work Email Bother You at Home?
Does your boss expect you to respond promptly to email or Slack messages outside of working hours? Did you know that before you took the job? Why Answering Email from Home Could Harm Your Health: A ne…
Will Opioid Crackdown Leave Cancer Patients In P…
Far too many people are dying from opioid overdoses. You already knew that. It’s been in the news for years. Many of the deaths are due to fentanyl. This synthetic opioid has become widely available…
What Are the Advantages of Voltaren Gel?
Inflammation is behind a lot of chronic disease, including arthritis. That is why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are so popular among people with joint pain.…
Will Aromas Help You Avoid Motion Sickness?
Plenty of people get seasick on a boat or carsick in a vehicle. There are medications that can help folks avoid motion sickness, but some individuals find that these drugs can lead to confusion or oth…
Solutions to Stop Suffering from Poison Ivy
Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are wild plants that thrive in many wooded parts of this country. They all produce a compound called urushiol. People who get this chemical on their skin frequ…
Can You Solve Your Foot Odor Problem with Vinega…
Do you have smelly feet? Many people are embarrassed to take off their shoes because of the resulting odor. You might be looking for a way to solve your foot odor problem with home remedies. Readers h…