The availability of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, that at one time could only be obtained by prescription, has allowed thousands of people to treat minor illnesses on their own. This benefits consumers by avoiding unnecessary doctor visits and offering a less expensive alternative to prescription drugs. It is important to remember, however, that just because a…...

An eDoc client recently wrote in asking about ways to reduce excess fatty tissue in the upper arm region that she referred to as “chicken cutlets”. Several factors should be taken into consideration in regard to firming the upper arms: Is overall weight reduction needed? If general weight reduction is needed, improvement in overall weight…...

Autism, currently and more accurately referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability that includes autistic disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. ASD is caused by changes in the brain that appear to occur during its early development. There are no distinguishing physical features of autistic children and at least early in life, they…...

There are many causes for people’s memory to “slip”. These include medication side effects, dementia, depression, medical conditions, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. By addressing the underlying cause, it is possible that memory can be improved. For example, if a medication is responsible, discontinuing or changing that medication can have a beneficial effect. While normal…...

When someone talks about “scratching” their eye, they are usually referring to an injury to the cornea. The cornea is the clear dome-shaped structure that covers the front of the eye. The cornea protects underlying eye structures (iris, lens, etc.) from injury and helps to focus images on the light-sensing portion of the eye (retina).…...

Cells are the basic building blocks of living organisms. The human body is made up of many different types of cells---skin cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, etc. All cells (with the exception of certain nerve cells) are capable of reproducing themselves. Under normal circumstances, reproduction occurs only when there is a specific need. For example,…...

Fragile, or as many people refer to it, “thin” skin, can affect anyone at any age, but it is particularly common in older individuals. The reasons for this include genetics, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, and the aging process itself. Most of these aging-related changes occur in the middle layer (dermis) of…...

Most people are aware of the many lives that have been saved through early detection and treatment of cancer. A good example of this is regular Pap screening which has decreased cervix cancer mortality by at least 80%. Why then do we not hear much about screening for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer…...