Step into any grocery store, department store, or pharmacy and you'll quickly be reminded that the personal care industry is big business. Entire aisles are devoted to lotions, creams, shampoos, conditioners, gels, sprays, cleansers, toners, scrubs, and countless other products. Manufacturers know people are willing to spend substantial amounts of money—and try almost anything—to look their best. I sometimes joke that a personal care company could bottle used motor oil, market it as a moisturizer,...

  One of the most commonly used medications in the United States over the last 80 years has been antibiotics. Since the discovery of arsphenamine in 1909 as a treatment for syphilis, followed by Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have been widely prescribed and mass-produced since the 1940s. They've rightly been hailed as a medical miracle, saving countless lives from dangerous bacterial infections. But that doesn't mean they're without consequences. In fact,...

  I've got a little story to tell you today. Several years ago, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and asked me to accompany her to an appointment where her doctor would explain the upcoming treatment. After the doctor outlined the surgery and chemotherapy plan, she asked if we had any questions. I asked, "Why do you think she developed breast cancer in the first place?" You should have seen the deer-in-the-headlights look I...

  I would venture to say that one of the most uncomfortable experiences for women is a visit to the gynecologist. I realize that men have their share of uncomfortable examinations too, but I think we women take the prize on that one. Unfortunately, the less-than-pleasant experience of a GYN exam causes many women to procrastinate or avoid appointments altogether. But that can come back to bite you, especially if there's an issue brewing that...

  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...