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Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth, most commonly inside the cheeks or lips and at the base of the gums.  They are very common, affecting up to 20%-40% of the U.S. population at some point in…

Most people have heard the common expression that itching indicates that a cut or wound is healing.  Is there any scientific basis to this belief or is this just an “old wives tale”?    Phases of wound healing. The body’s initial response to a cut or break in the skin…

Some like their sleeping mattress to be firm, some like it soft, some prefer it to be filled with water and some had just as soon sleep on the floor.  To confuse things further, there are claims that adjustable beds, sleep number beds, or memory foam mattresses are best at…

In 2003, the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases established the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network to document cases of drug-induced liver injuries. Between 2004 and 2013, the Network identified 839 patients with liver damage due to prescription medications or to non-prescription dietary supplements.  This registry excluded cases…

Carbon Monoxide is a compound composed of carbon and oxygen and has the chemical formula—CO.  It is a highly poisonous gas that can result in asphyxiation when inhaled.  Carbon monoxide is formed when fossil fuels (gas, oil, kerosene, wood, charcoal, etc.) are burned with insufficient amounts of air.  Automobiles, space…

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by the changing of the seasons. In most cases, it occurs along with the shortening of daylight hours in the fall and continues into the winter months. SAD typically resolves with the longer days of spring and stays in remission…

See if you know the answer to these winter-related health issues, some true, some not:    Can a flu shot cause you to get the flu?  A flu shot cannot cause influenza because it is either made with viruses that have been “inactivated” or with no flu vaccine viruses at…

With the exception of people living in the most southerly climes, being outdoors in the winter means our relatively poorly insulated bodies will be exposed to the cold. This is where wearing the right clothing can make the difference between being protected and comfortable or vulnerable and miserable. The following…

There’s no denying that the typical symptoms of the common cold—sore throat, runny nose, cough, etc. —are miserable.  But when you realize that cold symptoms are an indication that your body’s defense system is working, it gives you a different perspective on your misery.    Up to 50% of colds…

The American Board of Internal Medicine is leading a health education campaign to inform patients and physicians about the overutilization of medical resources.  This program, known as “Choosing Wisely”, includes recommendations for medical professionals as well as for the public.  It was developed “to help providers and patients engage in…