Swim to your health
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention whatdoctorsknow.com Swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States and a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity. Just 2 1/2 hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling or running can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. This can […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Lice is tough to treat
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com What are kids bringing home from school besides their homework? Lice! The good news is that lice are obligate parasites and they don’t jump or fly. They are transmitted by direct contact. But, the smart ones have found another way to drive parents crazy … they are becoming more and […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Does your child have IBS?
By Sue Hubbard, M.D. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastro-intestinal disorder in children. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder which is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort with associated changes in bowel habits. It is a diagnosis based on taking a good history and there are typically few physical findings. I recently saw […]
Women with excess hair look to heredity & hormones as cause
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I am a 20-year-old female. I have hair on my chest, back and stomach. I am wondering if I have a hormone problem. If so, is there a way to treat it? A: About 10 percent of American women believe that they have more body hair than they should. Even […]
Create a plan for an adult child with disabilities
Many families want to leave behind a little something to ease their children’s way in the world. But for parents of an adult child with disabilities, the estate plan can be crucial in guaranteeing a loved one’s secure financial future. As a result of medical advances, adults with severe disabilities are living longer than ever. […]
The sooner psoriatic arthritis treatment starts, the better
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and am confused about all of the treatment options. What do you recommend for your patients? ANSWER: Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people who have psoriasis — a chronic skin condition characterized by thickened, reddish patches of skin that […]
Breaking up with salt
By Densie Webb, Ph.D., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter “I love you, salt, but you’re breaking my heart.” This is the plea from the American Heart Association for Americans to pledge to “break up” with salt. Almost 81,000 people have done just that. But, it seems breaking up is hard to do. That’s because salt is […]
Variety of treatments available for uterine fibroids
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve had heavy bleeding with bad cramps for almost two months and was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids. My doctor prescribed hormone treatment, which helped with the bleeding for a couple weeks, but when I stopped taking it due to negative side effects the bleeding started again. What are my other options […]
Irritable bowel syndrome often chronic, but treatments can ease symptoms
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: For the past year or so, I feel like I’m often either constipated or I have diarrhea, with only a few “normal” days here and there. I have a friend with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who suggested I be tested for this. However, my symptoms are not as severe […]
Don’t judge your mucus by its color
By Robert Shmerling, M.D. Harvard Health Blog A friend made an offhand comment the other day that caught me off-guard: “When I blow my nose, it’s green, so I’m calling my doctor for some antibiotics.” I thought this myth had been debunked long ago. In fact, it has been well established that you cannot rely […]
Lead poisoning: What everyone needs to know
Harvard Health Letter The lead poisoning of thousands of children in Flint, Michigan is tragic — and should never have happened. If we are going to make sure that nothing like it happens again, all of us, especially parents, need to learn about lead poisoning. Lead is a chemical that used to be commonly found […]
Tackle digestive concerns and upsets
By Marsha McCulloch, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Heartburn, constipation and other digestive tract issues can strike at any age, but some of these problems may become more common in middle age and beyond. Changes in the digestive tract over time, such as increased inflammation and gut permeability (leakiness), along with other factors, such as […]
Scientists uncover health concerns related to caffeine overdrive
By Matthew Kadey, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Whether it’s on a long car drive or a marathon session at the office, most of us need an energy boost from time to time. Many people turn to super-caffeinated beverages to get them through the task at hand. Although the stimulant caffeine is generally regarded as […]
