Dry January – that month-long festival of guilt, shame and repentance – is still the biggest abstinence initiative in this neck of the woods, but other months are beginning to gain ground. No Alcohol November is becoming more popular, especially with those who want to launch a pre-emptive strike before the mindless abandon of the… Read More: Katie Byrne: Sober October has the right idea but the… »
Cotton swabs may seem harmless enough, but they can be dangerous when used to clean your ears. Although some people swear by using cotton swabs (Q-Tips™) to remove excess earwax and debris from their ear canals, medical experts will warn you not to try it. Why is it bad to use Q-Tips in your ears?… Read More: Why you shouldn’t clean your ears with a cotton swab… »
We often talk about the importance of planning for pregnancy. In these discussions, we emphasize the importance of supplementation with folic acid as a means of decreasing risk for birth defects and improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. A recent study indicates that adequate levels of iron may also play an important role in fetal brain… Read More: Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy Affects Child’s Brain Development »
Even a divided America can agree on this goal: a health system that is cheaper but doesn’t sacrifice quality. In other words, just get rid of the waste. A new study, published Monday in JAMA, finds that roughly 20 percent to 25 percent of American health care spending is wasteful. It’s a startling number but… Read More: The Huge Waste in the U.S. Health System – The… »