LASIK isn’t a cure allLASIK has tempted me.
I’ve been nearsighted almost my entire life, and began wearing glasses when I was 5.
I would love to wake up in the morning and not have to fumble for my glasses, or worry about my lenses getting wet in the rain or fogging up when I come in from the cold.
I would love to say goodbye to irritating contact … read on
Painful and ugly……are the best words to describe cold sores.
They typically show up on the lips, too, which makes them so difficult to hide.
Cold sores are caused by a virus, the herpes simplex 1 virus or HSV-1. (Herpes simplex 2 or HSV-2 is what’s known as genital herpes.)
If you’ve ever had a herpes cold sore, don’t feel embarrassed. HSV-1 is extremely common; more than 70% of … read on
December is Safe Toys and Gifts MonthEvery year, more than 250,000 kids under the age of 14 are injured by toys.
So if you’re shopping for young children this holiday season, here are some tips and resources to help keep kids safe.
Prevent Blindness, the sponsors of Safe Toys and Gifts Month, offers this pretty comprehensive do and don’t list:
I rarely start my holiday shopping until mid December. But I keep a gift list throughout the year, and when I see an item I think is perfect for a certain friend or family member, I write it down.
Many of the gifts I give are those I’ve used myself: books I’ve read, games I’ve played, or other products I use regularly.
I like giving gifts with a healthy twist … read on
What is sinusitis?Following my recent post about nasal sprays, I thought it a good time to talk about sinusitis and some simple home treatments.
Sinusitis is the inflammation of sinus tissue. The swelling blocks normal drainage, which can lead to a viral or bacterial infection.
Sinusitis can be caused by colds, allergies, the overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, or a physical blockage, such as a deviated septum … read on
Over-the-counter nasal spraysIt’s cold season, and I see so many ads in the media for nasal sprays.
The best tip for saving money on OTC nasal sprays is to know the ingredients used in the different products. Read the labels!
When you understand which ingredient is best for which nasal problem, you can shop for the best price.
Nasal sprays fall roughly into three categories:
Thursday is Thanksgiving Day.
Did you know it’s also National Family History Day?
Since 2004, the Surgeon General has declared Thanksgiving to be National Family History Day.
“Over the holiday or at other times when families gather, the Surgeon General encourages Americans to talk about, and to write down, the health problems that seem to run in their family. Learning about their family’s health history may help ensure a … read on
Immediate reliefThe other day a family member asked for my advice on treating heartburn. It’s a common problem and fortunately there are many lifestyle changes and simple products to try before spending money on doctors’ appointments and prescription medications.
For the occasional case of heartburn following a large meal, or eating too late at night, or being more stressed than usual, try a herbal product or one of the … read on
Anyone taking an antidepressant needs to read thisLast winter a nurse friend of mine ended up in the emergency department.
Sick with a cold, she took NyQuil before going to bed. She woke up a few hours later with dizziness, tense muscles, her heart racing and her whole body shaking.
Her husband called 911. On the way to the ED, her blood pressure became dangerously high.
At the ED … read on
Do you suffer from DBS?I first ran across the term Dormant Butt Syndrome (aka Dead Butt Syndrome or DBS) about three years ago.
DBS isn’t really a disease. Rather, it’s an explanation for why millions of Americans suffer from low back, hip and knee pain.
The term was coined by a physical therapist who believes Americans sit too much (I’m guilty of this!), and it’s weakening our gluteus or … read on