It’s no secret that obesity, and its twin sister disease of diabetes, have become epidemics of every modernizing country. I work in a family medicine clinic in China and am now witnessing firsthand the expanding waistlines of Chinese people, as they quickly adopt the “Western” diet.… Read the rest
Category Archives: Illness
Happy Birthday, Dad. Alcoholism Took You Too Soon.
My dad would have been 76 years old today. “Should have been 76,” I need to clarify — but he died far too early, eight years ago from cirrhosis of the liver. He was a wonderfully warm-hearted man with a hearty laugh, but he was also an alcoholic who slowly drank himself to death.… Read the rest
Good News: Newer Medicines Actually Help Stop Smoking
Today (May 31) is World No Tobacco Day and a good time for all smokers to sit back, take a deep breath and think about quitting their habit. I’m very happy to report that your family doctor finally has a couple good prescription options for you.… Read the rest
Honey For Hayfever? Doesn't Work — But Here's What Does
I’ve been hearing people ask about using honey for spring allergies (which just started to kick in for me this week), so I thought I’d do a bit of evidence-based digging for you, and here’s what I found. The answer, unfortunately for some, is no, there is no strong evidence that taking honey helps decrease allergies.… Read the rest
Thick, Greenish Runny Nose = Antibiotics? No, It Doesn't…
It’s a popular misconception among not just the population but also many doctors, that a greenish runny nose = bacterial infection = the need to take prescription antibiotics. Well, it’s not true! As this fun New York Times article reviews, the color is more a sign of clumps of your body’s infection-fighting white cells as well as colorful shades of your normal nose bacteria.… Read the rest
Coughing: What Medicines Work?
A cough is one of the most annoying symptoms of the common cold, and OTC cough syrups are one of the most popular purchases in pharmacies. But which ones really work?
No Combos For Children Under Four
Recent reviews have consistently shown that, unfortunately, there is no major evidence that any common OTC products help well for a cough.… Read the rest