Wellness Advice
Stop the Bleed (of Hemorrhoids)
I have hemorrhoids that every so often bleed after a bowel movement. Should I be concerned about this, and what can I do when they act up to ease...
Routine Mammograms May Reveal Hidden Heart Risk
I’ve heard that mammograms can detect breast arterial calcification as a sign of heart disease risk. What should I know about that at my next screening?
While mammograms are primarily...
Preparing Your Home for Your Heirs-to-Be
Many of us feel a sense of accomplishment in acquiring possessions—the furniture, books, music, and art that make our homes inviting and comfortable; wardrobes that keep us well-clothed and...
Don’t Count on Fans in Very Hot Weather
I’ve heard that fans are not necessarily effective for staying cool when temperatures soar. Why is that, and what are other ways to chill out?
While the breeze from a...
Pecan Perks
How healthful are pecans—and are they better for you than other nuts?
Similar to other tree nuts, pecans are rich in heart-healthy fats and phytochemicals and are a good source...
AI at the Drive-Thru
Every so often, some research comes along that makes me pause—not because the finding is necessarily so surprising, but because it shows how subtly our everyday decisions can be...
Life Before Vaccines: My Story
Medical science has profoundly changed our lives. I am sure that I would not have survived to this old age (95) without antibiotics and advances in epidemiology and surgery.
I...
Boils: Not Just a Bane of Plagues
I’m prone to developing pimple-like bumps around my buttocks that sometimes get pretty big and painful and then burst. Yuck! Whatever they are—boils?—how can I get rid of them...
Ouch: Tooth Pain in Winter
During the cold snap this winter, my husband kept complaining that his teeth “hurt.” He’d just been to the dentist, who found no problems. Can cold temperatures cause tooth...
Our Kids Deserve Better
As I write, the U.S. is seeing measles outbreaks spread across the country. The epicenter is South Carolina, where there has so far been close to 1,000 cases reported...
