Don’t Ignore Your Cough. It May Be Trying to Tell You Something!

Having a cough is so commonplace that most of us view one as more of an annoyance than anything. After all, its causes – such as having a cold or being in a smoky room – are usually pretty obvious, and a cough almost always goes away on its own within a few days. As such, we usually treat it similar to the way we would treat a sneeze or a headache. So basically other than some hot tea, cold medicine (if we know we have a cold) or throat lozenges, we really don’t do much to care for a cough. And, for most coughs, this is really about all the attention they deserve.

We Need Universal Health Education - Not Just Universal Health Care!

It is that time of year when politicians are touting some form of universal health care plan (such as “Medicare for All”) in order to solve our country’s healthcare crisis. But what most don’t seem to understand is that universal health care does not necessarily lead to healthier lives or a healthier country.

Who Doesn’t Love Rice? But is Rice Milk Right for You?

If you are lactose intolerant, which reportedly about 30 million of American adults have some degree of by age 20, then regular cow’s milk may not be the beverage for you. Some of you may also be vegan or simply prefer a dairy-free diet.

High School Principal Dies While Donating Bone Marrow. What is Bone Marrow & How Did This Happen?

A 44-year-old high school principal and father to a six-year-old recently died after donating bone marrow. His name was Derrick Nelson, and his fiancé said he suffered complications after the donation, according to this CNN report. Reportedly, in the United States each year nearly 17,500 people (between the ages of 0-74) are diagnosed with a serious disease in which a bone marrow transplant or an umbilical cord blood transplant is needed.

Malaria May Be Rare in the U.S., but We Still Need to Be Proactive

Malaria is said to be one of the deadliest diseases in human history. According to some reports, this disease kills a child under the age of five every two minutes.

Yes, There is a Tapeworm Diet. No, You Should Not Try It!

Have you ever heard about the Victorian Tapeworm Diet? This diet involves swallowing a parasite (a potentially disease-causing organism). It reportedly gained popularity in the early 1900s among Victorian women who were put under immense pressure to be thin, wear tight corsets and “look perfect.”

The Role Gut Bacteria May Play in Lupus

They say if you have a ‘gut feeling’ about something, you should trust your instincts. But more importantly, in my opinion, than trusting your gut instincts is taking care of your gut. Your gut microbiome has trillions of microbes (also called gut flora, gut bugs or gut bacteria) that live in your gut. These ‘bugs’ may have an impact on several issues that determine whether you are healthy or unhealthy. There are both good and bad bacteria in the gut, and the goal is to maintain a gut where there is a good balance of various bacteria in your gut. A balanced population of bacteria is key.

Another Reason to Go Plant-Based? Your Gums!

One way to be proactive about the health of your gums is adopting a plant- based diet. A whole plant-based diet is considered an anti-inflammatory diet (as opposed to a pro-inflammatory diet). And gingivitis is caused by inflammation, which is also believed to be the root cause of many ailments.

Think Teenage Drinking is No Big Deal? Actually, the Effects Should Be Concerning to All Parents

If you are a parent to adolescent or teenage children, you probably fear that they may drink and drive or get in the car with a drunk driver. And that is a very valid fear, considering that about a quarter of all car crashes with teens involve an underage drinking driver.

Let’s Have an Open and Honest Discussion About Douching

Let’s put all the embarrassment aside and just have an open and honest discussion about a perhaps uncomfortable topic: vaginal douching.

Are Walnuts the New Secret Weapon in Fighting Breast Cancer?

More than likely, you know someone who has had their life impacted by breast cancer. You may even be currently fighting it or have survived breast cancer.