Can my finger and toenails provide a clue to how healthy I am?

7 October, 2020

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 …

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Is it dangerous to have so much medical information available?

7 October, 2020

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

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Is there really such a thing as a summer cold?

7 October, 2020

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

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Should I breastfeed my baby?

7 October, 2020

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 …

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How can I protect my eyes and preserve my vision?

7 October, 2020

 “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 …

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What is a Sports Physical?

7 October, 2020

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 …

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Should antibiotics be used for respiratory infections?

6 October, 2020

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 …

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Are asthma cases on the rise?

6 October, 2020

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by episodes of airflow obstruction known as asthma attacks. During an asthma attack, small muscles surrounding the airways contract, resisting the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Inflammation and swelling …

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