Many people take glucosamine supplements for arthritis, but how well does it really work? Unfortunately, the best evidence is less than overwhelming. What does seem clear is that, out of the many types of glucosamine pills, only glucosamine sulfate may work.
I never thought spring would arrive this year, but when it finally arrived, it quickly brought along the springtime itching and sneezing. Now, we’re already starting the summer allergies, which is more a blend of tree pollen and grasses. It’s hayfever time.… Read the rest
A few weeks ago an 8-year old patient stumped me with a wonderfully refreshing question: is it bad to crack your knuckles? Well, these common-sense questions aren’t taught in medical school, so I dug around and found the answers. First, from the Naked Scientists Discussion Forum is a description of what actually makes the popping sound:
… Read the restThe reason that joints “crack” is that when you pull on them, or put the joint into a certain position, the pressure drops within the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint.
There’s been quite a shift in official recommendations regarding the popular PSA blood test. As most men know, this is by far the most popular screening test for prostate cancer. The problem, as I’ve mentioned before, is that the PSA test is not only poor at finding real cancers, it’s also bad at creating many falsely positive tests.… Read the rest
There’s been a lot of recent press regarding plastics and their possible effects on health. Many parents know about the 2007-8 recalls of baby bottles made of polycarbonate plastic Bisphenol A (BPA). This was mostly in response to newer studies, including a review in JAMA, showing an association (but not causation) between BPA exposure and increased risk in heart disease and diabetes, among other diseases.… Read the rest
Are you aware that certain plants can act as natural air purifiers? Indoor air pollution is a serious problem in many communities, especially in cities. But there are also issues with indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde or varnishes that can also cause problems.… Read the rest