| Memory-boosting pills have no real benefit |
What's with all the ads for brain-enhancing products? Prevagen is one that claims it's been clinically proven to help, but my family doctor says that it hasn't. Who's right? Do these products actually help with memory issues?
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
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December 3, 2019 08:21
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| Age-related lung changes affect their function |
I just turned 55 and have noticed that I get winded faster these days when I go running. Does getting older affect how much air your lungs can hold? Is there any way to increase it?
Monday, December 2, 2019
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December 1, 2019 09:16
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| Halitosis and metallic taste in mouth are common, usually benign |
Dear Doctor: My husband has had very bad breath for several months, and lately he says he has a metallic taste in his mouth. Can you tell us what might be the cause?
Friday, November 29, 2019
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November 28, 2019 10:41
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| New drug treatment brings hope for those with cystic fibrosis |
Our godson has cystic fibrosis, and seeing him struggle these past eight years has been hard. Is the new drug Trikafta we've been reading about really as good as people are saying?
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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November 26, 2019 08:18
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| Arthritis pain may be relieved by prolotherapy |
I'm a 66-year-old man whose right knee really hurts from arthritis. My sister keeps talking about something called prolotherapy. What is it, and can it help?
Monday, November 25, 2019
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November 24, 2019 09:00
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| Nonallergic rhinitis can be triggered by spicy foods |
Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to our monthly letters column. We're happy to report that you've been busy correspondents, so onward to your letters.
Friday, November 22, 2019
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November 21, 2019 08:50
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| Persistent bruising after break could be
hemosiderin staining |
How long should a bruise last? I broke my fibula nearly nine months ago, but I still have a yellowish discoloration on my shin, above the fracture. What could it be? My doctor is unconcerned.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
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November 19, 2019 09:01
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| Kids want dad to try hypnosis to quit smoking |
My sisters and I want our dad to quit smoking, but he says that he's tried before and just can't do it. Should he try hypnosis? Does it work?
Monday, November 18, 2019
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November 17, 2019 08:17
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| Eating wasabi won't bring on broken heart syndrome |
Dear Doctor: I heard that eating some wasabi gave a woman a heart attack. I love sushi and have it a few times a week, and I do use wasabi. Do I have to stop?
Friday, November 15, 2019
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November 14, 2019 11:14
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| Vegan diet can accommodate need for choline |
I've been eating a vegan diet for about a year. My mom says she read that vegans don't get enough choline, and that's dangerous. Is this true? What is choline, and where does it come from?
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
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November 12, 2019 08:44
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| Frozen shoulder will eventually thaw |
One of the moms in our car pool had to drop out because she has a frozen shoulder. I've never heard of that. What is it, and how did she get it?
Monday, November 11, 2019
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November 10, 2019 08:33
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| It's important to wear masks to protect from wildfire smoke |
Dear Doctor: Is wildfire smoke really that dangerous? We're in northern Idaho and our town has been handing out face masks, but I've heard they don't really do much. What should I do to keep our family safe?
Friday, November 8, 2019
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November 7, 2019 10:10
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| research could advance understanding of afm |
This week we wanted to discuss some important updates on several topics you've asked about recently, including the poliolike illness called acute flaccid myelitis, the potentially deadly EEE mosquito virus and vaping lung disease.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
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November 5, 2019 08:46
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| Nose breathing has more benefits than mouth breathing |
I prefer to breathe through my mouth at all times. This is due to fairly constant nasal congestion. Am I getting the same amount of oxygen as breathing through my nose?
Monday, November 4, 2019
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November 3, 2019 08:18
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| Rare auto-brewery syndrome makes sober people drunk |
I heard about a guy who tested as drunk but hadn't had any alcohol. Is that really even possible, or is it some kind of urban legend?
Friday, November 1, 2019
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November 31, 2019 08:43
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| Ear piercings create open wounds susceptible to bacteria |
My boyfriend let a friend of his pierce his earlobe and cartilage, and both places got infected. He says things will get better on their own, but I'm worried. What should he be doing?
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
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October 29, 2019 08:24
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| Fitful sleep not
necessarily a sign of Alzheimer's disease |
My husband has fallen into a strange sleep pattern. Some nights he's awake until 3 a.m., tosses and turns all night, then wakes up tired. I've read that strange sleep cycles may be linked to Alzheimer's disease, which his mother had. I'm worried, but what can I do?
Monday, October 28, 2019
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October 27, 2019 08:56
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| Cannabis use
during pregnancy linked to low birth weight |
Several studies have shown a correlation between marijuana use and low birth weight, and I understand that marijuana today has been cultivated to be much stronger than what was used in earlier years. Should this be a concern for women who are pregnant?
Friday, October 25, 2019
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October 24, 2019 08:41
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| Senior citizens should listen to body regarding exercise |
I'm in my 70s, and I work about 35 hours a week doing shipping, cleaning and light lifting. I've stopped visiting the gym because I'm too tired after work. My back hurts, and I've had heart issues recently, leaving me with a pacemaker and defibrillator. Are the 10,000 steps I walk at work each day enough exercise?
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
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October 22, 2019 08:55
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| There's a reason you turn down the stereo when concentrating |
Dear Doctor: My boyfriend laughs when I turn down the car stereo when I'm trying to find a new address, but I've seen his dad do the same thing when he's changing lanes on the freeway. Why does the quiet make you feel like you can see better?
Monday, October 21, 2019
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October 20, 2019 12:20
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| There's a reason you turn down the stereo when concentrating |
MY boyfriend laughs when I turn down the car stereo when I'm trying to find a new address, but I've seen his dad do the same thing when he's changing lanes on the freeway. Why does the quiet make you feel like you can see better?
Monday, October 21, 2019
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October 20, 2019 08:49
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| Moisture is the key to battling hemorrhoids |
Hello dear readers, and welcome to the first letters column of autumn. Are we alone in wondering how summer flew by so quickly? Here at Ask the Doctors headquarters, you've kept our mailboxes full, so we're diving in.
Friday, October 18, 2019
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October 17, 2019 10:05
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| Two missing gut microbes could influence mental health |
I just read about a study where people who were depressed actually had a different gut microbiome than people who weren't depressed. Is that true? Does your gut determine how you feel?
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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October 15, 2019 08:20
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| Chelation therapy rids the body of excess heavy metals
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A friend who was working on his old Victorian home in New Orleans started getting bad headaches. He tested high for heavy metals, and now he's supposed to do something called "chelation therapy." What is that?
Monday, October 14, 2019
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October 13, 2019 08:56
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| Restrict red meat to an occasional splurge |
I've always heard that it's the saturated fat in red meat that leads to a heart attack. But now I'm reading that it has something to do with the gut? Does that mean probiotics will make it OK to eat steak, which my wife and I just love?
Friday, October 11, 2019
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October 10, 2019 08:48
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| Increasing temperatures extending the West Nile virus 'season' |
Dear Doctor: West Nile virus is active again in southern California. What happens when you are infected? Is there a vaccine?
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
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October 8, 2019 09:44
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| Increasing
temperatures extending the West Nile virus "season' |
West Nile virus is active again in southern California. What happens when you are infected? Is there a vaccine?
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
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October 8, 2019 08:44
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| Explore tools to manage stress of new job |
Dear Doctor: I just started my first post-college job, which I love. Nevertheless, I've been feeling really stressed and anxious. My boyfriend says stress can affect your health. What can I do?
Monday, October 7, 2019
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October 6, 2019 11:09
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| Explore tools to manage stress of new job |
I just started my first post-college job, which I love. Nevertheless, I've been feeling really stressed and anxious. My boyfriend says stress can affect your health. What can I do?
Monday, October 7, 2019
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October 6, 2019 08:18
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| Hand, foot and mouth disease common in kids |
Dear Doctor: We thought our 4-year-old son had caught a cold at daycare because he had a slight fever, but then he got these weird red spots on his feet. Our doctor said it's foot and mouth disease. Is it dangerous?
Friday, October 4, 2019
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October 3, 2019 11:49
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| Senses of taste and smell often diminish as we age |
I've been gradually losing my senses of taste and smell. As a foodie and accomplished cook, this is disheartening. I'm in great health, and I hope it's not just "getting old." I'm 82 and would like to have my taste buds back.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
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October 1, 2019 08:25
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| Hyperkyphosis symptoms range from pain to limb paralysis |
I had scoliosis as a child, and now, at age 72, I'm living with kyphosis in my middle and upper back. It's very painful, and I would like to know more about it.
Monday, September 30, 2019
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September 29, 2019 09:06
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| Hatha yoga is good
therapy for lower back pain |
A few months ago, my husband and I helped our oldest son move into his first apartment. I don't know what happened exactly, but my lower back has been hurting ever since. I would rather not use any medications and have heard that yoga can be good for back pain. Is this true?
Friday, September 27, 2019
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September 26, 2019 08:40
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| No new treatments for polymyalgia rheumatica |
I am a 77-year-old man who used to exercise regularly. I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica a couple of years ago. Sometimes I feel like it is going to disappear, and other times it seems to worsen. Are there any new remedies?
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
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September 24, 2019 08:46
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| Gut microbiome may have connection to
mental health |
I've been on a few different medications for depression, but none of them did much of anything. A friend keeps going on about psychobiotics, which to me doesn't even sound like a real word. What is he talking about?
Monday, September 23, 2019
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September 22, 2019 08:29
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| New therapies offer hope to migraine sufferers |
DEAR DOCTOR: I hate having migraines. The pain is brutal, they knock me down for days and everyone thinks I'm just having a bad headache. Why do they happen? Can you tell me about any new therapies?
Friday, September 20, 2019
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September 19, 2019 10:08
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| New therapies offer hope to migraine sufferers |
DEAR DOCTOR: I hate having migraines. The pain is brutal, they knock me down for days and everyone thinks I'm just having a bad headache. Why do they happen? Can you tell me about any new therapies?
Friday, September 20, 2019
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September 19, 2019 10:06
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| Close to 200 cases of new lung disease linked to vaping |
Dear Doctor: What's going on with that outbreak of lung disease that's hitting people who vape? Our 20-year-old son and a lot of his friends vape sometimes, and we're getting worried.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
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September 17, 2019 10:46
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| Close to 200 cases of new lung disease linked to vaping |
What's going on with that outbreak of lung disease that's hitting people who vape? Our 20-year-old son and a lot of his friends vape sometimes, and we're getting worried.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
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September 17, 2019 08:43
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| Sleeve gastrectomy
surgery reduces
stomach size |
I feel like I've tried every diet, and no matter what, I just can't seem to lose weight. A friend who had a surgery that removed part of her stomach was finally able to lose 65 pounds. I wonder if that's safe?
Monday, September 16, 2019
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September 15, 2019 10:10
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| IBS diagnosis brings on low-fodmap diet |
I was recently diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and was told to follow something called the low-FODMAP diet. Honestly, this is all so new that it's stressful and confusing. Can you explain what's going on?
Friday, September 13, 2019
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September 12, 2019 08:44
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| Heart attacks not always easy to diagnose in women |
A month ago, our 69-year-old mother became nauseated and had pain in her jaw. Then she got so weak that my brother made her go to the ER. It turned out she'd had a heart attack. She never had chest pain, so she had no idea anything bad was going on. Is that common?
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
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September 10, 2019 08:50
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| Despite mom's example, you should eat your veggies |
Hello again, dear readers, and welcome to the monthly letters column. Although it's almost autumn, the heat waves keep on coming. Please take precautions. Stay hydrated, avoid peak heat hours and use your fans or air conditioning. If needed, seek out air-conditioned public places, such as shopping malls, libraries or local cooling centers. And now, your letters:
Monday, September 9, 2019
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September 8, 2019 08:50
