Tag Archives: family physician

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

Posted on March 4, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

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!

Posted on February 28, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

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”

Posted on February 25, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

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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My mom recently asked me if I’d suggest that she get a low-dost CT lung scan.  I should say that I am not the physician for my family–although I often do field questions. Great question!  Low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening … Continue reading →

Posted on February 21, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg | Comments Off on Should you get a low-dose CT scan of the lung to look for lung cancer?

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

Posted on February 18, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

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.

Posted on February 14, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

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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Old wives’ tale. . . Spicy food causes ulcers.

Posted on February 11, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

Wrong. Spicy food will not CAUSE an ulcer, but if you have an ulcer spicy food will really make you hurt. Most ulcers are caused by bacteria in the stomach called helicobacter pylori or by high doses or prolonged use … Continue reading →

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In what AGE patient is the shingles vaccine the most cost effective?

Posted on February 3, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

Because the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine appears to decrease over time it is suggested that the vaccine be given once… after age 60. This is based on the Long-term Persistence Study done by the pharmaceutical company Merck.  The study … Continue reading →

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Let’s discuss an old wives’ tale. . . should you gargle salt water for a sore throat?

Posted on January 29, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

This works! Gargling with salt water eases symptoms of cold and flu because of the way that saline works.  Saline draws excess fluid out of inflamed tissues (and loosens mucus!). A recent study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine … Continue reading →

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Want your winter skin to look more radiant?

Posted on January 16, 2014 by drlesliegreenberg

Do not visit a tanning salon for a winter pick-me-up.  Tanning beds are bad news.  The beds use bulbs that produce mostly UVA light– a type of radiation that encourages pigment production by damaging skin’s deeper layers.  UVA exposure sharply … Continue reading →

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