Is there really a new non-invasive replacement for colonoscopy? The headline is misleading if it suggests that conventional colonoscopy has become obsolete. There are newer and less-invasive ways to screen the colon, but each has limitations. The main alternatives FIT (fecal immunochemical test): A stool test that looks for microscopic blood. It’s done at home …
“The most potent herb” that destroys parasites, UTIs, herpes and flu — is there one? There isn’t a single herb proven to eradicate parasites, urinary-tract infections, herpes, and influenza viruses. A headline claiming one plant can treat all four is almost certainly overstating the evidence. Different infections require different treatments: Urinary-tract infections: Bacterial UTIs may …
Those small white, foul-smelling stones are usually tonsil stones They’re called tonsilloliths. They form when mucus, food particles, bacteria, and dead cells become trapped in small pockets (crypts) in the tonsils and gradually harden. Why do they smell so bad? The trapped material contains bacteria that produce sulfur-containing compounds, which can create the characteristic rotten-egg …
How to get rid of “inner-ear crystals” and reduce vertigo If by inner-ear crystals you mean BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), tiny calcium-carbonate crystals called otoconia have moved into one of the semicircular canals. This can cause brief episodes of spinning when you turn over in bed, look up, bend down, or move your head. …
19 foods to be careful with if you have hypothyroidism There isn’t a scientifically supported list of 19 foods that everyone with hypothyroidism must avoid. In most cases, people with hypothyroidism can eat a varied, balanced diet. What matters most is how certain foods or supplements interact with thyroid medication, particularly levothyroxine. Foods and products …
How often should you shower after 65? There is no medically required shower schedule based solely on being 65 or older. The right frequency depends on sweating, activity, climate, skin condition, mobility, and personal preference. For many older adults, a few full showers per week may be sufficient, with daily washing of areas that tend …
Nighttime leg cramps: what might your body be telling you? Nighttime leg cramps are very common, especially in older adults. They don’t automatically mean you’re deficient in a particular vitamin or mineral. Possible contributors include: Muscle fatigue or overuse Long periods of sitting or standing Dehydration Certain medications, including some diuretics (“water pills”) Nerve problems …
7 foods often called “natural blood thinners” The phrase “blood-thinning food” can be misleading. Foods don’t work like prescription anticoagulants, and there is no food that can safely replace medication prescribed to prevent blood clots. Some foods contain compounds that may influence platelet activity or blood clotting, but the effects from normal portions are generally …
Drinking water on an empty stomach: what does it actually do? If the viral headline says drinking water first thing in the morning is dangerous, that’s generally misleading. For most healthy people, drinking water on an empty stomach is safe and simply contributes to daily hydration. It may be helpful because: 💧 Replaces fluid lost …
Left-side body pain: what could it mean? Pain on the left side can come from something as simple as a muscle strain or indigestion, but the location alone can’t tell you the cause. The organs and structures on the left side include the heart, lung, stomach, spleen, kidney, bowel, ribs, and muscles. Common possibilities Muscle …
