The People's Perspective on MedicineArticles
Show 1276: How to Make Better Choices About Your Health
Dr. Miron-Shatz describes how to evaluate medical evidence and make better choices about your health. How do you find advice you trust?
How Dangerous Is It to Stop Taking Aspirin?
The US Preventive Services Task Force says millions of people should stop taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack. Better be cautious!
The Salt Wars Rage On | How Do You Cope with the Low-Salt Confusion?
The FDA wants food companies to cut back on salt. AHA guidelines are much stricter. Are the low-salt targets practical? Are they healthy?
What Is the Story on Nuts and Health?
Scientists suspect there is a connection between nuts and health. Many studies show nut eaters have less heart disease, strokes or cancer.
Diet with Mushrooms May Protect You from Depression
Loading your diet with mushrooms may cut your chance of being diagnosed with depression. Will you eat them on pizza or in stir-fry?
OTC Statins? Crestor or Lipitor Without an Rx?
Many cardiologists think that more people should be taking statins to lower cholesterol. Should OTC statins like Crestor get FDA approval?
Removing A Splinter Without Tears
Why not try a doctor-recommended home remedy for removing a splinter? Russell Copelan, MD, suggests using a wart removal patch to get out a tricky splinter.
What Supplements Could Help Ease IBS Symptoms?
Readers looking for supplements to ease IBS symptoms have found probiotics and enteric-coated peppermint oil can help.
Unexpected Benefits and Risks of the Moderna Vaccine
We have learned a lot about the benefits and risks of the Moderna vaccine. Here are some unexpected pros and cons of other shots.
Will Medical Mistakes Kill You or Someone You Love?
Medical mistakes are a leading cause of death and yet they go unreported and ignored. What can you do to protect yourself and those you love?
When Should You Take Your BP Pills? Morning or Bedtime?
A reader got better blood pressure control if he took his pills at night instead of in the morning. Should you take your BP pills before bed?
Can You Stop Bleeding with Black Pepper?
Have you tried to stop bleeding with black pepper? Many readers have found it works surprisingly well.
Show 1275: The Vicious Cycle of COVID and Diabetes
Diabetes expert Mitchell Lazar, MD, PhD, describes an under-recognized vicious cycle between diabetes and COVID-19 infection.
Should You Worry About Myocarditis from COVID Vaccination?
New information from Israel provide evidence about myocarditis from COVID vaccination. Should the shot be given in the old-fashioned way?
Flip Flops from CDC and WHO on Face Masks and COVID Spread
Do you wear a face mask in public? Will you be able to celebrate winter holidays with loved ones? COVID spread remains very controversial.
Can Anti-Herpes Treatments Prevent Alzheimer’s?
There is growing evidence that herpes viruses contribute to dementia. Could an antiviral nutrient or drug like Valtrex prevent Alzheimer's?
Will You Get a Flu Shot? How Well Will It Work?
The CDC wants you to get a flu shot before the end of the month. How well will it work? Judging from past years, it won't be all that great.
Are You Suffering Senility or Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency may mimic senility, with poor concentration, constipation, balance problems and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.
Statins and Diabetes! A LONG Delayed Warning
Statins have been prescribed since 1987. A new study reveals an association between statins and diabetes management. It's harder with statins!
Do You Still Need a Face Mask After Full Vaccination?
Are you ready to get on with your life? Want to put COVID behind you? Vaccines and boosters can help. Do you still need a face mask inside?
Sauna Bathing and Its Health Benefits
Regular sauna bathing lowers blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. It may also help prevent lung disease and dementia. Exercise plus sauna is synergistic.
Stopping Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Led to Itchy Nightmare
When people take cetirizine for allergy symptoms they do not think about side effects when they stop the drug. But reports of withdrawal itching continue!
Will Soap Under Sheets Help Your Leg Cramps?
Many readers find that a bar of fragrant soap under the bottom sheet can prevent or stop painful nighttime cramps. Will this remedy banish your leg cramps?
Do You Really Have High Blood Pressure?
People who have high blood pressure in the doctor's office may need to confirm that it is sustained throughout the day with home blood pressure measurement.
Are Pills Containing Lactose Making You Fart?
Are you lactose intolerant? How would you know? Milk sugar can cause bloating, diarrhea and gas. There are lots of pills containing lactose.
How to Relieve IBS with a Low FODMAP Diet
A low FODMAP diet that avoids milk sugar as well as fruits and vegetables that are easily fermented by gut bacteria can ease symptoms of IBS.
Molnupiravir: A Pill for COVID Could Be Here Soon!
The first pill against SARS-CoV-2 could be a game changer! People who are vaccine hesitant may embrace molnupiravir against COVID-19.
Show 1274: Can We Make Sick Buildings Healthy?
When we pay attention to fixing sick buildings, the people in them become happier, healthier and more productive.
Which Is Better for Blood Lipids–Low-Carb or Low-Fat?
A randomized controlled trial found that people have better blood fat profiles and less insulin resistance on a low-carb diet.
The Dark Side of Cortisone Shots: Joint Deterioration
When your knees, hips or shoulders hurt, you want rapid relief. Cortisone shots seem like a simple and fast solution. Are there risks with steroids shots?
Eating Fruits and Veggies Boosts Children’s Mental Wellbeing
A large study in England shows that youngsters who eat more vegetables and fruits score higher on tests of mental wellbeing.
Anticholinergic Drugs and Dementia: The Link Gets Much Stronger!
Alzheimer disease is devastating. People think it's caused by bad genes or bad luck. But data link anticholinergic drugs and dementia.
Unexpected Complications with Sucralose
A fascinating study shows that neither sugar alone nor sucralose alone disrupted insulin response. But sucralose with maltodextrin did.
Amlodipine (Norvasc) Side Effects
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is thought to be a super safe blood pressure medicine. Many visitors report side effects from rashes to swollen feet.
Has the Flip-Flop on Saturated Fat Made Your Head Spin?
You were told that cholesterol and saturated fat is bad for your heart. You turned to low-fat dairy products. Was that advice all wrong?
How to Make Your Blood Fats Healthier
Regular exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet can change blood fats so that they are less likely to increase the risk for heart disease.
Lisinopril and Angioedema: A Life-Threatening Side Effect
Have you heard of angioedema? Most people haven't. Doctors may miss the diagnosis especially if lisinopril and angioedema affect the abdomen.
Will Prescription EPA Prevent Heart Attacks?
Researchers report that a prescription EPA (purified omega-3 fat from fish oil) can reduce the risk of heart attacks, but not the chance of dying.
Will Certo and Grape Juice Help Your Sore Knees?
Drinking a concoction of the liquid pectin Certo and grape juice appears to ease knee, shoulder or hip pain for many people. Will it help you?
People Are Dying Because of the High Cost of Medicines
The high cost of medicines is having a scary impact on the health of the nation. If people cannot afford cancer drugs it can lead to death.