Tag Archives: Family Doctor

Traveler’s diarrhea

Summer is traveling season. . . this brings up the age-old question of … What to do to avoid diarrhea?  What to take?  When to take it? What is traveler’s diarrhea?  It is defined as passing 3 or more loose … Continue reading →

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Over the counter treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy symptoms

Benign prostatic hypertrophy?  BPH symptoms in men are urinary frequency, difficulty starting and stopping stream of urine, weak urine stream, and needing to get up from bed at night to urinate. Who gets this?  Only men.  More than 80% of … Continue reading →

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Need sexually transmitted infection screening?

If you are a sexually active woman under the age of 24 you most likely need STD screening.  A federal task force is suggesting that STD screening should be regularly done in all American women who are sexually active.  Gonorrhea … Continue reading →

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When pregnant, stay away from medicines

There are some medicines that are thought to be safe during pregnancy. . . but we keep learning more from research daily. Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (Tylenol) was associated with a significantly increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity-like behavioral problems in children. This … Continue reading →

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Late-life depression may be prodrome to dementia

There is a relationship between elderly patients with acute depression and progression to Alzheimer’s disease.   It is unclear whether depression in the elderly is a risk factor for dementia or if it’s a prodrome of the disorder. It’s important to … Continue reading →

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Should you take zinc to help ward off or treat colds?

Maybe. Zinc may help decrease the duration of a cold, but not the severity of symptoms. The studies show that the mean difference in reduction of duration as 1 day. Zinc is included in almost all over-the-counter daily vitamins and … Continue reading →

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Five health numbers YOU should know!

New Years’ Resolutions are still on our minds and a common resolution is to be healthier.  At times it feels like managing our health is a numbers game: watching our weight, counting calories, tracking exercise regimens.  Below are five numbers … Continue reading →

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Let’s discuss ANOTHER old wives’ tale. . . “Brandy soothes teething pain”

That may be true, but no amount of alcohol is safe for infants or children. Teething rings available at stores (many of which can be frozen in the freezer and reused countless times) are best.  For an inexpensive option I’d … Continue reading →

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YET ANOTHER old wives’ tale. . . Feed a cold. Starve a fever.

Incorrect. It’s important to eat whether you have a cold or a fever.  Your body continues to need nutrients to boost your immune system (allowing you to fight off the virus that is causing your illness).

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Old wives’ tale. . . Caffeine stunts growth.

Not true. Height is not impacted my caffeine intake.  Caffeine does not have any medical benefits, so certainly limiting caffeine for children is prudent.  Caffeine is a drug, just like alcohol, and affects children differently than adults since they don’t … Continue reading →

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