I never watch TV (aside from football games), but after getting a taste of a morning news program while waiting to have blood drawn recently, I decided to conduct a little experiment and forced myself to watch an hour of mainstream television. All I can say is I was nauseated—and I couldn't even make it a full hour. Because in the span of just 45 minutes, I counted 10 prescription drug commercials. Ten. Although...

  According to Harvard Health Publishing, osteoporosis currently affects approximately 10 million Americans. Women are far more susceptible than men. Of those 10 million cases, about 80 percent occur in women and 20 percent in men. In addition, another 43 million Americans have low bone mass (osteopenia), meaning there is a strong possibility they could eventually develop osteoporosis. What’s especially alarming is that these 53 million Americans represent roughly 43 percent of all adults age...

  A dentist's appointment this morning got me thinking about a dental concern that affects millions of people—often without them even realizing it. And the consequences can extend far beyond your teeth and gums. I'm talking about amalgam fillings. You may know them as "silver fillings." For more than 150 years, they've been one of the most common ways to restore cavities. But a long history of use does not automatically mean something is safe....

  Snoring. It has been the subject of countless jokes and funny movie scenes—usually featuring a husband on his back sawing logs while his wife lies awake staring at the ceiling and desperately searching for earplugs. But snoring is not always as innocent—or as funny—as it may seem. In many cases, it can be a warning sign of a serious health condition that is becoming increasingly common today: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Here’s what you...

  I would dare say that there is no subject in this world that is as falsely portrayed and completely misunderstood as cholesterol. The extent of most people’s knowledge of cholesterol is that it’s the demon that clogs arteries and leads to heart disease, and that the magic numbers to strive for are: Total cholesterol under 200 LDL cholesterol under 100 HDL cholesterol at 60 or higher And if your blood tests show you're in...