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Last week we looked at “good” aspects of pet ownership, ways that pets can contribute to our health and well-being. This week, we’ll look at animals that many authorities consider to be inappropriate as pets. We’ll also consider some of the illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans….

The U.S. is a pet-loving country, with around two-thirds of all households reporting owning a dog or cat. To put this into perspective, this amounts to approximately 78.2 million dogs and 86.4 million cats owned by Americans. A cancer specialist affiliated with the Mayo Clinic once noted that “a pet…

A few years ago, there was marked disparity among experts as to whether and how screening for prostate cancer should be performed. At that time, the American Cancer Society recommended that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) should be done yearly, beginning at age 50,…

Chronic insomnia affects approximately 30% of the general population. It is a particularly common occurrence among women and the elderly. With rare exception, insomnia is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself. Some of the situations associated with insomnia include: Medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux, restless leg…

Foodborne illness increases dramatically during the summer months, in part due to more people using outdoor grills or cooking while camping. When cooking outdoors, food safety features that a home kitchen provides, such as temperature-controlled cooking, refrigeration, and washing facilities, are not always available. This increases the risk of “Bar-b-que…

Preventive mastectomy, done to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, involves the surgical removal of one or both breasts. This procedure, also called prophylactic mastectomy, was in the news recently when actress Angelina Jolie announced her decision to undergo the procedure. Women with certain risk factors are much more…

Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, May is National Bike Month and is an opportunity to celebrate the many reasons that people choose to ride. For some, bicycles represent their primary means of transportation. Many people ride bikes as a means to health and fitness. Others yet find pleasure…

The topic of sunscreen use is rife with  strongly recommends sun avoidance practices including use of sunscreens year round to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Here are a few of the common misconceptions regarding the use of sunscreens preventing skin damage from sunburn: controversy and misconceptions. Some authorities…

Iron is an important building block for red blood cells. When the body lacks adequate amounts of iron, red blood cells become smaller and are produced in inadequate numbers. This results in decreased hemoglobin levels, the protein that transports oxygen in red blood cells. This condition is known as iron…

In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness month this May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages Americans to learn about this common tick-borne disease and take steps to protect themselves if they live in or visit areas with Lyme disease activity. Statistics from the CDC indicate that there…