It’s definitely the middle of flu season already, and so far it isn’t so bad where I practice. I’m still having daily conversations with my patients about the flu vaccine — but who really needs the annual flu shot? There’s actually a very comprehensive new study which should help shed some light on this issue.… Read the rest
Category Archives: Illness
Pregnancy and Food Poisoning: What’s Safe To Treat?
Gastroenteritis — diarrhea caused by bacteria from our foods — peaks in the summer but can occur all year. Pregnant women should be especially choosy about where and what they eat, since a bad bout of “gastro”, while usually not serious for mom, can sometimes cause serious problems for her baby.… Read the rest
Bad Acne and Diet: Is There Good Evidence of a Connection?
I recently wrote about acne and discussed how there wasn’t much evidence linking diet choices with acne. Now I’ve discovered a recent literature review published last year, which does show some linking with acne flares and cow’s milk, as well as high glycemic-index foods.… Read the rest
Muscle Aches: Ice or Heat — Which is Better?
What works better for acute muscle injury like neck or back strain — ice or heat? Most doctors say that the initial ~48 hours of an injury, with the swelling and achiness, are best treated with ice. But actual research has been fairly scanty.… Read the rest
Brown Rice Can Prevent Diabetes
Those of you with diabetes, or on the verge of the disease, should take note of a new study which reaffirms what nutritionists recommend: white rice is much less healthy than brown rice and can lead to worse diabetes — or cause diabetes for those on the verge.… Read the rest
Indoor Tanning: No Dose Is A Safe Dose
Those of you who use tanning beds should take heed: there’s new proof that there is no such thing as a safe tanning bed or a safe dose. Last year I warned readers about the new, stronger U.S. government classification of tanning beds as “carcinogenic to humans”; now there’s an even stronger study which shows a strong correlation with tanning beds and the deadly melanoma skin cancer.… Read the rest