Every time cold and flu season rolls around I hope I won’t fall prey, and then, every year, I do. I tend to have a strong reaction to a lot of the conventional cold and flu medications. Often times, they end up knocking me out more than the flu itself. So, I try to save them as a last resort.
When you are feeling poorly, you often will try anything. This last cold and flu season, I started experimenting with natural treatments. Some were successful, others felt like placebos. At the end of the day, I haven’t found the be
Parkinson’s and Diet/Exercise
by Dean Heller MD March 30th, 2012 | Ask the Doctor
My father has Parkinson's disease. I have been trying to have him eat a healthy diet and to exercise. I think it is overall just good for him given his limitations at this time. I also heard that it is helpful for the Parkinson's itself. If that is true, it would help me convince him to listen to me.
A healthy diet, high in fiber, and low in saturated fat and carbohydrates is good for general health, including heart and colon health. Exercise is also beneficial for health in general. It has beneficial effects on cholesterol, weight, diabetes, and high
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A healthy diet, high in fiber, and low in saturated fat and carbohydrates is good for general health, including heart and colon health. Exercise is also beneficial for health in general. It has beneficial effects on cholesterol, weight, diabetes, and high
Weightlifting and Children
by Tom Seman MD FAAP March 29th, 2012 | Pediatrician on Call
My brother-in-law wants to have my 12 year-old nephew begin weight training in preparation for high school football. Isn't this too young, and won't his growing bones and muscles be injured?
This is a very common question, but the answer is not a clear yes or no. The very simplest answer is yes he can strength train, but he may not be able to lift weights. A significant complication in this question is that there are different expectations in the results of the weight training depending on where the child is in his pubertal development. Puberty should start between ages 8-16 years old.; therefore, a
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This is a very common question, but the answer is not a clear yes or no. The very simplest answer is yes he can strength train, but he may not be able to lift weights. A significant complication in this question is that there are different expectations in the results of the weight training depending on where the child is in his pubertal development. Puberty should start between ages 8-16 years old.; therefore, a
Stomach Bugs Getting More Serious
by Jessica B. March 27th, 2012 | Health News
In a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control last week, stomach bugs are on the rise, and they are packing a punch. According to the report, deaths almost doubled from 1999 to 2007, and a large percentage of the deaths were among the elderly.
Who is at risk?
The study showed that elderly people who lived in nursing homes were the highest risk, particularly after they took a course of antibiotics. In fact, taking antibiotics prior to infection was a common factor even if the patient did not reside in a nursing home.
Because antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately, this might
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Who is at risk?
The study showed that elderly people who lived in nursing homes were the highest risk, particularly after they took a course of antibiotics. In fact, taking antibiotics prior to infection was a common factor even if the patient did not reside in a nursing home.
Because antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately, this might