June 2018
Featured Article
Pain medications
A careful look at the risks
A sore back from a day of yardwork? It may be second nature to pull out a nonprescription pain reliever from the medicine cabinet to manage it. Or perhaps it's an everyday arthritis pain that leaves you wishing for better relief. When used appropriately, pain relievers can be... Read More
Heat illness
Be on guard when it's hot
For many, summertime means warm, sun-filled days with a long list of enjoyable possibilities — picnics, boating and sipping iced tea on the porch. But as outside temperatures rise, your internal body temperature still needs to stay within a tight range. The body rids itself of excess heat as... Read More
Rosacea
Finding redness solutions
No, you're not blushing or too warm — you've handled those questions many times in recent years. But there's no denying the redness that keeps flaring across your cheeks. What you may be experiencing is the skin condition rosacea. While treatment options have been limited in the past,... Read More
Health Tips
CPR basics
The lifesaving technique cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often useful when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Here are steps you can take to help save a life: Call for help — Call 911 or emergency medical help before beginning CPR, or have someone else call. The dispatcher...Read More
News and Our Views
Drug reduces risk of recurring C. difficile infection
A case of diarrhea caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile — often referred to as C. difficile — is not soon forgotten. Unfortunately, it's fairly common to have a recurrent infection within a few weeks after treating the initial infection. A new drug — bezlotoxumab (Zinplava) — takes aim...Read More
Shade isn't enough for sun protection
When it comes to sun protection, people who rely on shade have a much higher rate of sunburn than do people who use sunscreen, according to a study in the March 2017 issue of JAMA Dermatology. The study monitored 81 people who visited a beach on a sunny...Read More
Second Opinion
Do I need special screenings because of my history of heavy smoking?
A: Yes, there are a couple of screening tests recommended specifically for people who smoke or have smoked in the past, depending on their age, when they stopped smoking and their particular smoking habits. Smokers have an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm. With this, the lower part... Read More
What is watermelon stomach?
A: The term watermelon stomach is another name for a condition called gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE). With a name like watermelon stomach, it's not surprising that the image of a large, oval-shaped belly may be the first thing to pop into your mind. Rather, the term comes... Read More