What can you do right now to prevent getting the flu? As H7N9 continues to dominate our health headlines, I thought I’d continue my refresher course on prevention of this and other viruses. I’ve already discussed the specific tips for preventing H7N9 bird flu as well as getting a good night’s sleep; now let’s go over the actual evidence for the many herbal and non-prescription methods to prevent colds and flu.… Read the rest
Category Archives: Prevention
Don’t Want To Get H7N9 Flu? Get A Good Night’s Sleep!
As this H7N9 infection slowly gains steam, I thought I’d continue to post some quick updates, on top of my previous article mentioning prevention. I wanted to again mention a fascinating 2009 study from the Archives of Internal Medicine which proved that getting less than 7 hours of sleep dramatically increased your risk of getting infection from common viruses.… Read the rest
Can A Child Be Too Clean? Some Bacteria And Probiotics are Healthy
It usually feels like we live in a toxic world here in Beijing, bombarded daily from the air and what we eat and drink. But what about the other extreme of being too clean? In our zeal to protect our families from toxins and germs, could we be harming as much as helping?… Read the rest
Websites for Wellness: Health Information in the Digital Age
Which websites do you turn to for health information? There are thousands of healthcare sites offering advice, but a sizable portion are either trying to sell you something you don’t need or simply do not provide evidence-based recommendations. I’ve researched many websites throughout my career as a physician, and I’d like to share with you my favorite websites for health and wellness information.… Read the rest
What’s All The Fuss About Sunscreen Danger?
I’ve noticed a big increase this summer in news reports about “dangerous” sunscreens, so I’ve been digging around to find out what the fuss is about. Apparently this media fuss starts each spring with the annual sunscreen report from the Environmental Working Group.… Read the rest
Men, Don’t Forget Sunscreen!
We’ve already reached the summer solstice, and the sun is now the strongest it will be all year. So now’s a good time to remind everyone to use sunscreen anytime you go outside for more than 30 minutes. Even if you’re almost fully clothed, you still need to protect your face, ears and tops of your feet.… Read the rest