Why is it so prevalent? As the use of social media continues to rise, so does the frequency of cyberbullying. The viciousness of attacks also has increased. Why do people feel like it’s more permissible to confront people on social media? Why has the level...
Your Health Consult 2020
Vaccinations or No School
Can this be enforced? Due to the anti-vaccination movement that has become more popular in recent years, the number of children who haven’t received immunizations is rising. As a result, there have been outbreaks of diseases that normally aren’t seen. This has led...
Nursing Homes
What should you worry about? For some individuals, nursing homes are their only option because they aren’t able to take care of themselves anymore. However, before selecting one to live at, there are several things you should consider. What are these? How do you know...
Hormone Therapy
What’s it used for? We have many different hormones in our bodies and they all serve important functions. Most people think of hormones as those related to men or women, testosterone and estrogen, respectively. The need to replace these if they’re lacking is often...
Economic Hardship & Suicide
What’s the link? Having financial troubles is very challenging and for some, it can be overwhelming. When you don’t know how you’re going to take care of yourself or your family, you can feel like a failure and that you don’t have many options within your control....
Broken Heart Syndrome
Is it real? When we lose someone that we care about, we’re usually deeply saddened and grieve. For individuals who lose someone, like their spouse, this can be especially traumatic. In some cases, these individuals end up passing away not too long after as well. Some...
Stem Cells
What can and can’t they do? One topic that is always controversial is stem cells. Some people are for using them and others are against it. However, many people don’t fully understand what they’re all about. This is vital to know. So, what are stem cells? What can...
Exercising
Why is it hard to restart a routine? Being physically active and exercising used to be your thing. It was something that you looked forward to, then you got injured and had to take some time off. Now, you’re trying to get back into the swing of things, but it’s...
Self-Control
Is it really that hard to maintain? It’s time for lunch, so you go to your favorite café. After you order your sandwich, you see the dessert case and they have your favorite…chocolate cake. You really want a piece, but decide you shouldn’t and don’t order it. This is...
Chronic Pain
Can you make it go away? Pain isn’t something you want to experience. Unfortunately, some people live with it on a daily basis. While there are many different treatment options, some are better than others. How do you determine the best one? Are there new options...
Preventative Medicine
Why is it so important? Most people think of getting medical care when they’re sick or injured. However, this isn’t the only time you should be going to the doctor. Adults, just like kids, should have well visits. These appointments are vital to keeping you healthy...
Obesity Epidemic
Why is it such a problem? For the past few years, there has been lots of talk about obesity and how it’s becoming an epidemic. This has led to the issue of fat-shaming being called out by many, including celebrities. While no one should be made fun of, it’s essential...
Naps
Are they good for you? It’s the weekend and you’re at home due to the rain outside. Once you get all of your to-dos done, you sit down on the couch. As you sit there, you feel tired. You feel like you could fall asleep. You want to take a nap, but should you? If you...
Meditation
How does it help? Most of us deal with large amounts of stress on a regular basis, especially right now during the pandemic. To reduce our levels of stress, we try different things. Some people exercise, some eat more food, and some meditate. You might think of...
Meat
Is it good or bad for you? It seems like every few years there’s a new report on the risks or benefits of meat. This makes it very confusing when it comes to knowing whether or not you should be eating it. What’s the truth? Is meat harmful or is it helpful? Is one...
Brain Stimulation & Depression
What’s the connection? There are millions of people who experience depression. Some people try medication to treat it. Others try therapy. Many try both. While these do work, what if there was a way to relieve it in a faster and safer way? This is where brain...
CRISPR
What is it being used for? In the past few years, there has been talk among the scientific community about CRISPR and the many possible benefits it might present. However, not all the talk has been positive. There are some concerns about the dangers it poses. What is...
Maintaining Weight Loss
What does it take? Most of us know how challenging it can be to lose weight. All of the exercise and eating better paid off. So, how do you keep the weight off? Often, this can be even harder. Why is this the case? Are there specific reasons this happens? What can you...
Global Pandemic
Why weren’t we ready? For years, experts had been warning us that there could be a global pandemic. Then, one happened. Why weren’t we better prepared to handle it? What things should we be doing to get out of the current situation? How should we be getting ready for...
Aging Parents
How do you manage? As people get older, they typically need assistance with things that they didn’t before. While a natural part of aging, it can be challenging for the person to accept help. It’s also not easy for the person’s family. What happens when the elderly...
Old Wives’ Tales
Is there any truth to them? There are many old wives’ tales about numerous things. This is especially the case when it comes to health topics. For instance, you’ve probably heard, “Eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away.” How did sayings like this get started? How...
Wildfires
How do they impact your health? There’s no question that wildfires are harmful to the environment. They can cause the destruction of thousands of acres of land and kill wildlife. In addition, they can damage property and result in death if people don’t get out of the...
Benzodiazepines
Are they the next big drug crisis? The opioid epidemic has been in the news for the past several years and as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s starting to ramp up again. This definitely needs to be addressed, but so does another drug crisis that no one is...
Secondary Infertility
Why can’t you get pregnant again? You have a wonderful family that is comprised of you, your significant other and your child, but something is missing. You have always wanted to have another child but have been struggling with making this dream a reality. Why is this...
DNA Testing & Privacy
Can you have both? Thanks to several companies, DNA testing has become a popular way to learn more about your family history and your health. While this seems neat and helpful, it’s not without risk. Some cold cases have also been solved using DNA from relatives of...
TB Vaccine
Why is it needed? Tuberculosis has been a very serious disease for thousands of years that has resulted in millions of deaths. It was finally starting to be controlled through decades of work by multiple agencies. However, there still isn’t a vaccine that’s completely...
Organic Foods
Do they really make a difference? When you’re in the grocery store, you’ve probably noticed that there are sections that are designated as organic food. Often, the food doesn’t look any different from the non-organic version despite typically being more expensive. So,...
Artificial Sweeteners
Are they bad for you? One thing you’ve probably been hearing a lot about is how bad sugar is for you. This is true given the amount of it that most of us taken in daily. As an alternative, there are many artificial sweeteners available to use instead. However, are...
Placebo Effect
Does it work? You’ve probably heard the term “placebo effect” before. You might also know that it has something to do with taking medication that isn’t real. While this is partly true, there is much more to know. What is it really? Why is it important to understand? A...
PTSD
What causes it and what doesn’t? Almost everyone has heard the acronym PTSD before and probably know that it has something to do with experiencing something traumatic. Most people associate it with military personnel. While they can have the disorder, they aren’t the...
Murder Hornets
Are they really that bad? Murder hornets…just the name implies that these are something that should be feared and this has led to many people panicking. In truth, if you see one, their size would probably scare you, but are they really a threat? Can they kill you? Why...
Household Cleaners
What are the dangers? If you’re like most people, you’ve probably got a cabinet that contains all sorts of cleaning products. These are useful at removing dust, mold, mildew and other gross stuff. However, many of these products can be harmful to humans and animals....
Domestic Violence
What happens when home isn't safe? When you’re in an intimate relationship, it’s supposed to be a safe space. However, when one partner abuses the other, that doesn’t happen. Unfortunately, domestic violence is prevalent throughout society. Given the recent...
Posture
Does it really impact your health? Probably since you were a young child, you’ve been hearing about sitting up straight so you have good posture. As an adult, like most individuals, you don’t think much about what position your body is in when you’re sitting or...
To Do Lists
Do they actually help? To do lists…you’ve probably had one at some point in your life. They’re supposed to help you organize task that you need to do. The issue is that they don’t always work. Once you make a list, where do you start? Do you find them to be helpful?...
Chiropractors
Do they really work? You’re at work and lift a heavy box. When you get home later, you notice that your back is sore. You don’t think too much about it until several days later when you notice it’s still sore. You decide that it’s time to get help, so you go to the...
Timeout
Do they work? Are they actually bad for kids? As a child, you probably had some form of punishment when you were bad. If you were born after the 1960s, it most likely involved being placed in timeout. If you’re currently a parent, you’ve presumably have used it at...
Optimism
Can it help you live longer? Being optimistic certainly has advantages. Typically, these individuals have a more positive attitude about life. However, per several studies, optimism can actually provide numerous health benefits, including potentially living longer....
Air Pollution & Exercise
Do you really benefit? You want to go outside and get some exercise. As you get together all of the things you’re going to need, you decide to check the weather. When you check the weather, do you think to look at the air quality? Given that air pollution is becoming...
Social Interaction & Health
Is there a correlation? Humans are highly social beings. It’s an integral part of who we are. Being social, or not, has a huge impact on our health. Why is this the case? As a result of needing to separate ourselves from each other due to COVID-19, how is it impacting...
Coronavirus Update
Why has it gotten so bad? The coronavirus, COVID-19, is now a pandemic. The number of cases is expected to increase, not just globally, but here at home. This brings forth numerous questions about what is being done to protect American lives. Unfortunately, the...
Sugar vs Salt
Which is worse for you? When it comes to snacks, most people fall into one of two groups—those that like salty or those that like sweet. We know that too much of either isn’t good for us. For years, we’ve heard about how bad salt is for you. More recently, we’re...
Gaming Disorder
Is it real? Most of us like to play video games at some point during our lives. For some, they outgrow this as they become an adult. For others, it’s activity that they continue to partake in as adults. The concern is whether or not gaming is addicting. Is gaming...
Added Sugar
Just how bad for you is it? We hear all the time that sugar is bad for you. Recently, there has been more and more talk about added sugar and the negative impacts it has on your body. What is added sugar? How is different from “regular” sugar? Why is it so bad for...
Living Organ Donation
Why is it so important? You probably know that organ donation is when someone receives an organ from another person because the recipient’s is no longer functioning correctly. In most cases, the donated organ from someone is deceased. However, there is such a thing as...
Coronavirus
Should you be worried? You turn on the TV or you read the news on internet and it’s all about the coronavirus. This has led many people to be very concerned about their risk of catching it and to inaccurate information being spread. So, what is the coronavirus? Where...
Bankrupt Drug Makers
How does this effect your medications? If you’ve been following the news any time in the past year, you probably have noticed that there have been several drug manufactures who’ve filed for bankruptcy. Why are they doing this? Don’t they make tons of money selling...
Nursing Shortage
How will it impact your health? Nurses play a key role in our healthcare system. Without them, there would be potentially dangerous scenarios that would occur on a regular basis. So, it might come as a surprise that we are in the midst of a nursing shortage and that...
Tobacco Age Increase
Will it make a difference? Within the past month, a new law went into place raising the minimum age to purchase any tobacco product to 21. This has the support of many groups, including several large tobacco companies. Why is this law so important? Will it help curb...
Paris Climate Accord Withdrawal
What are the health impacts? Australia is burning. The effects of it are being felt by the environment, wildlife and humans. Unfortunately, this is one of many situations that are having negative consequences in these areas. The Paris Climate Accord is supposed to...
Hospital Price Disclosures
Will it make a difference? There is no question that healthcare is expensive. The issue is that the cost of healthcare isn’t clear. So, how do we fix this? Well, two regulations are being suggested to help make the price of healthcare more transparent. What are they?...
Politics & Health
Is there a negative correlation? It seems like it doesn’t matter what you do, but politics are everywhere—TV, social media or talking to friends and family. With the 2020 election and impeachment hearings, the information is nonstop. This leads to information overload...