Black licorice health hazardsIt’s coming up on Halloween and I know lots of people who love to decorate with black licorice candies. They even like the taste (which I definitely do not!).
But every year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes a public safety message about the possible health hazards of black licorice.
Why is it unhealthy? And which products should be avoided?
Licorice comes from a root … read on
Stick to the basics and buy genericEveryone has a home pharmacy or medicine cabinet: a drawer or cupboard or box where they stash all their over-the-counter (OTC) products and prescription medications.
Bathrooms are the worst place to store medicine. The above-average temperatures and moisture cause drugs to break down faster.
My home pharmacy is a small basin in a kitchen cupboard. I purposefully chose a small container so I … read on
But only if it’s necessaryI’m one of those people whose ears make a lot of earwax, and it builds up and causes problems if I don’t remove it two or three times a year.
I’ve had it done by nurses and doctors and medical assistants in the past. Now I have a simple, inexpensive and safe routine to remove earwax at home.
HOWEVER, it’s important to say that most … read on
To screen or not to screenThat is the question women are asking (well, I’m asking). But there is no clear answer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aka Pinktober. The news and social media are already broadcasting the message “Mammograms save lives.”
That simplistic platitude isn’t enough. Do screening mammograms really save lives? What do the numbers tell us?
Cancer screening has become a huge business in our … read on
Protect your lipsDid you ever stop to wonder how the skin of our lips differs from the skin on the rest of the face?
The skin over our lips is very thin and highly vascular, hence their typical “vermilion” or red color. Our lips also have more nerve endings, making them very tactile and sensitive.
These anatomical differences make our lips attractive and nice for kissing, but they also … read on
A growing problem
Financial identity theft is when someone steals your credit card or debit card, or uses your personal information to take out a loan in your name.
Medical identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to fraudulently receive medical care and have it paid for by you or your insurance.
If that person is treated under your name, your finances, your medical history and your health … read on
What do topical pain relievers do?A few weeks ago I posted about how to save money on oral over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Then I decided to look into topical pain relievers. This post provides an overview of what’s available, and how to choose the right one and save money.
I was totally surprised at the scope of products available online and at the drugstore! … read on
Traditional and expensiveOver the next few weeks many families, mine included, will receive the dreaded letter from their health insurance company that tells them how much their premiums will be for 2019.
Last spring my insurance company applied for a 29% rate hike. They settled for 19%. That still hurts. Especially because the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are going up, too.
I really feel for other families receiving … read on
Head lice: a back-to-school nuisanceHead lice and their eggs (nits) are a frequent irritation for school children and their parents.
Because they spread through person-to-person contact and by sharing personal items like hats and hair brushes, head lice are especially widespread in the fall and winter months.
And super lice, or head lice that are resistant to conventional treatments permethrin and pyrethrum, are now common in at least … read on
Talk to your doctor first!The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study last week that shows the risks of a daily baby aspirin may outweigh the benefits, at least in patients older than 65.
I’ve known a lot of people, however, who started taking a daily baby aspirin on their own, without checking with their health care providers first.
Over the last few years there have been … read on