Health Advice

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Heart health breakthroughs

More than 61% of Americans (about 184 million people) are projected to have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And today, CVD is the leading cause of death in the U.S. -- often because of Type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity, chronic stress, inactivity, excessive alcohol use and an ...Read more

Eliquis Doesn't Cause As Much Incidental Bruising As Coumadin

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: In 1998, I was diagnosed with lupus anticoagulant and was put on Coumadin. I tolerated it well. A couple of years ago, I was changed to Eliquis, which I also tolerate well.

I noticed that when I was on Coumadin, I would find bruising on me that I didn't realize I had until I saw the bruising visually. With Eliquis, I don't ...Read more

Puhhha/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Collagen supplements?

Health Advice / Nutrition /

Susan T. reads this column on the Omaha World-Herald and asks: “What do you think of taking collagen as a supplement? My son saw something about the benefits of collagen and asked ChatGPT about it. The response touted the benefits of collagen, but I am a skeptic. I would like to hear the opinion of a registered dietitian. Thank you.”

It ...Read more

Wishing you wonderful holiday foods

Starbucks sells about 20 million pumpkin spice lattes every year -- with the grande size delivering more than 50 grams of added sugar, 14 grams of fat, and microbiome-damaging preservatives! And that's just one of the ultra-processed temptations that abound when the holiday season ramps up.

Sugary candies, flavored chips, packaged desserts, egg...Read more

Animal Doses Of Ivermectin Are Different Than Doses For Humans

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: In several of your columns, either you or a reader has brought up the subject of ivermectin as a treatment for infections or cancer. Is this the same ivermectin that is in my dog's heartworm medication? The label on the dog medication says ivermectin/pyrantel. If it is the same, is it really safe for us humans? -- L.M.H.

...Read more

Pain in the neck

We've all worked with someone who was a pain in the neck. Avoiding them was often the best technique for reducing tension and discomfort. But for the 10% to 20% of adults who contend with neck pain, the best solution is to push back with smart exercises, good self-care and, when necessary, medication or surgery.

According to a meta-analysis of ...Read more

Life, Death and Axes

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Let's look at some converging lines of population numbers. The United States appears to be trending toward a new club of nations: those in which annual deaths routinely outnumber births. Some countries in Europe and Asia, such as Japan, Italy, South Korea and Germany, already have more deaths each year than births.

The biggest driver appears ...Read more

Nurse Becomes Infuriated By Constant Screening Demands

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do I get primary care doctors to understand that I do not do any health screenings and that their badgering only infuriates me more. My feeling is that if you're not going to treat me, why test me? I only need the doctor for prescriptions and referrals to a specialist if I choose to see one. I am a nurse and do not need ...Read more

Lifting weights to lower insulin resistance and lose belly fat

The American Diabetes Association has long recommended 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week for the control of blood sugar and increased insulin sensitivity -- essential for preventing full-blown Type 2 diabetes and controlling it after diagnosis. But scientists at Virginia Tech are weighing in with new info.

Their lab study on mice, ...Read more

Thyroid Symptoms Continue Amid Normal Blood Tests

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have low thyroid levels. My blood tests say that the levels are OK, but I still have all the symptoms. I received biological hormones, which helped a lot, but yams bind to the levothyroxine pills. -- S.P.

ANSWER: The symptoms of low thyroid levels can be very nonspecific. Fatigue or weakness, intolerance of cold temperatures...Read more

Keeping an eye on your rate of aging and heart disease risk

Picture this: Your eye doctor photographs your retina and lets you know, not about your vision, but about how fast you are aging, your level of body-wide inflammation and if you are at risk for heart disease or premature mortality.

That's the conclusion of a study in Science Advances. Researchers reviewed data on the small blood vessels in the ...Read more

Help your kids pull off a vape escape

Kids are vaping more often and growing more addicted to nicotine. According to researchers at the University of Southern California, the percentage of eighth, 10th and 12th graders who vaped nicotine daily increased from more than 15% in 2020 to nearly 29% in 2024. And more than half of those kids said they failed at quitting -- even though they...Read more

How Red Blood Cells Can Impact A Person's A1C Level

Health Advice / Keith Roach /

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had an eye issue last year that led to blood tests resulting in an elevated A1C. I said that it wasn't my blood; I am plant-based, exercise regularly, and don't drink sodas or alcoholic beverages. Of course, they wanted to start me on medication for prediabetes, but I opted to see if I could fix it with dietary changes first....Read more

GLP One Less for the Road

Health Advice / Scott LaFee /

Apart from their widely celebrated effect at weight loss and diabetes management, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy might also reduce alcohol use.

In a pilot study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that GLP-1 agonists (which mimic the effects of GLP-1 compounds) slowed the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, ...Read more

Skypixel/Dreamstime/TNS

On Nutrition: Mechanics of nutrition

Health Advice / Nutrition /

I’ve been a nutrition nerd for a long time. In my college years, I’m sure I was a source of irritation with my many questions. One professor in particular got especially annoyed when I continued to drill him to understand not just the “what” of nutrients, but the “how.”

I guess I’m still that way. And over the years, as we’ve ...Read more

Homeopathy for Endometriosis-Related Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Support for Hormonal Health

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing hormonal imbalances and various symptoms. While conventional medical treatments are available, some individuals seek alternative approaches like homeopathy to manage endometriosis-related hormonal imbalances. Homeopathy is a holistic system of...Read more

Homeopathy for Female Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Approaches for Hormonal Health

Female hormonal imbalances can cause a range of symptoms and affect overall well-being. While there are various factors contributing to these imbalances, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. Homeopathy is a holistic approach that aims to address the underlying imbalances and restore harmony ...Read more

Homeopathy for Premature Ejaculation: Natural Approaches for Improved Sexual Health

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual concern that can affect the quality of intimate relationships and cause distress. While there are various factors contributing to this condition, including psychological, physiological, and emotional aspects, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. ...Read more

Homeopathy for Night Sweats: Natural Solutions for Better Sleep

Night sweats can disrupt sleep and leave individuals feeling uncomfortable and exhausted. While there are various causes of night sweats, such as hormonal imbalances, infections, or certain medications, some people seek alternative approaches like homeopathy for relief. Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that aims to stimulate the ...Read more

Homeopathy for Male Infertility: Natural Support for Reproductive Health

Male infertility is a common concern that can have a significant impact on couples trying to conceive. While there are various causes of male infertility, including low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology, some individuals explore alternative approaches like homeopathy to support reproductive health. Homeopathy is a...Read more