The immune system is a complex system of specialized cells, tissues, and organs designed to defend the body from germs and other invaders.  Central to the normal function of the immune system is its ability to distinguish between what is part of our own healthy bodies from a potentially harmful agent. The part of the…...

While changes in the normal configuration of nails usually indicate a problem affecting the nail itself, certain changes may also provide clues to an underlying medical condition.  Brittle nails, nails containing “pits” or small depressions, nails that are discolored yellow or green, or dark lines beneath the nail are examples of the changes that could…...

While cigar-smoking, mint julep-drinking Mark Twain may not seem like a paragon of healthy living, he did provide us with some thought-provoking quotes directed toward health. “Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint.” ~ Mark Twain This quote, written prior to the development of personal computers or the World Wide…...

The term "summer cold" is something that most of us have heard about, but aside from its seasonal occurrence, is there anything really different about this type of cold? What causes the common cold? Colds are viral infections of the nose and throat that affects up to a billion Americans each year. The common cold can…...

Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infants' health, growth, immunity and development. -- Healthy People 2010, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Most authorities including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Practice, and the American College of Obstetrics and…...

 "The eyes are the window to the soul" ― Old English Proverb It has been estimated that up to 80% of our perception, learning, cognition and activities are mediated through vision.  Additionally, most activities, whether work-related or for pleasure, are enhanced by visual input.   Since vision is such a precious sense, problems affecting the eyes are…...

The sports physical, also known as the pre-participation examination (PPE), is an annual rite for millions of students who participate in school athletics. Even though the necessity of these exams in the young, healthy population in which they are performed has been questioned, most states in the U.S. require some form of physical evaluation before…...

Recently, I wrote a Health Tip on the topic of "Summer Colds".  That particular tip was actually inspired by the viral upper respiratory tract infections that both my wife and I experienced a few weeks ago. While I usually try to avoid writing in first person in my Health Tips, an interesting side issue related…...