If you’re one of the 66 million people in the US with acid reflux, you know the misery it causes. This can go WAY beyond a 4-alarm fire in your chest and include chest pain, regurgitation, coughing, difficulty swallowing and sore throat. But there’s another consequence of acid reflux that is far worse than belching or sleeping propped up on pillows. Barrett’s esophagus. Let’s look at this silent and potentially deadly condition, as well...

  That statement probably has you pondering. What would you consider to be the best medicine of all? Many people would say antibiotics.   They’ve saved lives, but they have also been way overprescribed.  As a result, they have destroyed many gut microbiomes and spurred the development of “Superbugs” that resist even our strongest antibiotics and can pose a threat to your life. Others may say proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).   In fairness, these drugs do...

  With nearly seventy percent of Americans currently being overweight or obese, I think it’s safe to say that there’s no shortage of belly fat around. But is all belly fat created equal?  And what’s driving this epidemic of spare tires and muffin tops?  Is it just that we’re eating too much? Or is there more to it than that? Let’s look at several factors that are behind our “blossoming bellies” and more importantly, how you...

  I think it’s safe to say that most women (yours truly included) have experienced at least some degree of menstrual cramps in their lives, which can range from mild discomfort to serious pain.     But one out of five women suffers from extremely severe pain to the point where it is debilitating, otherwise known as dysmenorrhea.  In addition to the pain, symptoms of dysmenorrhea can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, weakness and even fainting...

  March is “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.” Since colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer in terms of deadliness, it’s good to be aware of it and more importantly, know how to prevent it. Colorectal cancer is rather personal to me since my Mom had it back in 1978 and ended up with a permanent colostomy as a result. When she was first diagnosed, it seemed so shocking to 15 year-old me, but...

  Let’s play an “imagine game” for a moment. Let’s say you had been suffering from symptoms that included: fatigue, chills, hair loss, cold feet and hands, brain fog, depression, constipation, nervousness, mood swings, loss of appetite, anxiety attacks, weight gain, irregular heart rate, low energy, and high blood pressure. So you go to your doctor and after a complete workup including bloodwork, you’re told there’s nothing wrong.  Oh, and probably are given meds for...