Is the COVID-19 pandemic over, or not?
How will we know when it ends — and does it matter? It seems like a long time since the pandemic began. And now, as so much of life looks like it did before the pandemic, it’s reasonable to wonder: is it over? It sure seems like it — even the president said so in […]
Trying to lower stubbornly high LDL cholesterol?
Expert consensus focuses on individual planning to bring down elevated LDL. Recently I met with Nancy, a 72-year-old woman with coronary artery disease, to review her latest cholesterol results. Despite taking a statin, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly, her low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol remained above our target. “What else can I do?” she […]
When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water?
Some studies suggest milk is better than water, but evidence is weak. Driving along the freeway recently, a billboard caught my eye. In bold letters it proclaimed: Milk hydrates better than water. Wait, could this be true? And if so, should I be rehydrating with milk after a workout? And should we all have milk, […]
Prostate cancer: Zapping metastatic tumors with radiation improves survival
For some men, this strategy eliminates the need for hormonal therapy. Oligometastatic cancer is an early form of stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to other organs in the body, but only to a limited degree — generally defined as no more than three to five areas outside the prostate gland, most commonly the […]
Are women turning to cannabis for menopause symptom relief?
A survey offers a glimpse into cannabis and CBD use among women in midlife. Hot flashes and sleep or mood changes are well-known, troublesome symptoms that may occur during perimenopause and menopause. Now, one survey suggests nearly 80% of midlife women use cannabis to ease certain symptoms, such as mood issues and trouble sleeping. Mounting […]
Does your health monitor have device bias?
Pulse oximeters and other devices to monitor aspects of our health may work better for some than for others. In recent years, there’s been a veritable explosion in the number and type of health monitoring devices available in smartphones and fitness apps. Your smartphone is likely tracking the number of steps you take, how far […]
Respiratory virus cases tick upward: What parents should know
RSV is one of several viruses that may cause respiratory distress in some children and adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that has become even more common in recent years — and is causing lots of problems. RSV cases used to rise predictably in the fall and winter, but are essentially occurring […]
How to help your preschooler sleep alone
It may not happen overnight, but parents can help preschoolers start out and stay in their own beds. “Sleep is still most perfect… when it is shared with a beloved,” wrote D.H. Lawrence, and most young children would agree. But sometimes those beloved — that is, parents — would rather have some privacy and not […]
What’s the right way to brush your teeth?
A good brush and a bit of technique go surprisingly far to boosting your smile and health. Getting your teeth cleaned professionally feels like a dental health reset. Your teeth get scrubbed, scraped, and polished to perfection. Whether they stay that way is up to you. What happens at home (think Vegas rules) can be […]
Should you get an over-the-counter hearing aid?
What the new hearing aid options mean for your ears and wallet. A change in FDA regulations has cleared the way for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. What does this mean for you if you’re among the approximately 48 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss? We asked Dr. James Naples, assistant professor of otolaryngology/head […]