Health Tips

We occasionally receive messages from eDoc clients expressing frustration with not being able to lose weight, despite eating a low-calorie diet and getting regular exercise. Once issues such as hypothyroidism are ruled out, the cruel reality is that weight loss occurs only when the number of calories that we burn…

Every year, an estimated 10 million international travelers are affected by traveler’s diarrhea (TD), a gastrointestinal disorder that causes loose stools and abdominal cramping. For Americans, the risk for developing TD is particularly high in the developing countries of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and in Asia. What causes…

Antibiotics, used in the treatment of bacterial infections, are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. A common side effect when taking antibiotics is antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). This occurs in up to 25% of people taking antibiotics. Why do antibiotics cause gastrointestinal problems? In addition to killing…

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are those that contain added caloric sweeteners such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, or fruit-juice concentrates. They include soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened iced tea, and lemonade. Findings from multiple scientific studies show a positive association between greater intakes of sugar sweetened beverages and weight…

A great deal of heel pain is attributed to self-diagnosed causes, such as a heel spur or stone bruise, but a more common explanation is an inflammatory condition known as plantar fasciitis. The structure affected, the plantar fascia, is a ligament that connects the heel to the front of the…

A great deal of heel pain is attributed to self-diagnosed causes, such as a heel spur or stone bruise, but a more common explanation is an inflammatory condition known as plantar fasciitis. The structure affected, the plantar fascia, is a ligament that connects the heel to the front of the…

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…