Men typically tend to be quiet about their health concerns, and at times that can have devastating consequences. Many of us have been taught from childhood to “suck it up” and not complain. While this attitude can be beneficial in some aspects of life, it should not be the standard approach when it comes to […]
How to Prevent Constipation
Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement less frequently than three times a week. Many people are prone to this common problem, and there are a number of things that can be done to decrease the chance of constipation developing: Drink plenty of fluids, shooting for eight glasses of non-caffeinated, non-alcohol liquid per day. […]
Health Risks of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are most commonly used to treat bacterial infections. Appropriately used, they significantly shorten the duration and severity of disease, and have dramatically helped increase life expectancy in the last century. However, antibiotic use is not without risks. These include (but are not limited to): Allergic Reactions: Allergic reactions such as hives (see picture) and swelling […]
What is MRSA?
MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus, is a bacterial infection which is becoming more frequent worldwide, largely due to the overuse of antibiotics. What makes it problematic is that many common and widely prescribed antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and cephalexin, do not successfully treat it. Incidence is increasing both in hospitals and health care facilities, as […]
How to Save Money on Prescription Medication
Economics times are tough, and cost of prescription medication can take a significant bite out of one’s budget. Many name brand prescriptions cost several hundreds of dollars for one month’s supply. Even generics, while still much cheaper than their respective name brands, are marked up significantly by most pharmacies, and can prove to be too […]
Common Causes of Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps (not to be confused with illness related stomach cramps) are very common and quite painful. They usually happen suddenly and can involve any muscle, but most often the legs and frequently in the middle of the night. Gently stretching the affected muscle usually relieves the cramp. The following list gives the most common […]
Ringing in the Ears
Ringing in the ears is known as tinnitus. It can be quite annoying and can disrupt one’s life. Fortunately, many causes are reversible. Some of the common causes of tinnitus include the following: Anti-inflammatory Medications: Aspirin products, as well as other anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), are a common cause and should be avoided. Blood pressure […]