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Are home microbiome test kits worth it?

General Health

Are home microbiome test kits worth it? Probably not. TL;DR: Right now, these tests don’t provide actionable information to diagnose health conditions, guide medical treatments, or tailor our diets. When you order an at-home microbiome stool kit, you collect a tiny stool sample and send it to a lab that uses DNA sequencing to analyze Read more…

How do I best navigate a health appointment?

General Health

Navigating the healthcare system is difficult – even for those without disabilities or social, financial, employment, and/or family challenges. Many helpful tips are available on various reputable websites, examples here, here, and here. But if you find you’re still frustrated (I’m betting you are), keep reading, and remember – you’re taking care of your health, and you’re Read more…

What is psyllium, and is it good for you?

General Health

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative & dietary fiber supplement. Psyllium may also have small benefits for heart and metabolic health. It’s best to talk with your clinician before taking it regularly. For generations, psyllium has been a go-to solution for pooping problems. As a kid in the 80s, I remember my grandma mixing the orange Read more…

Can social factors affect your ability to maintain healthy iron levels?

General Health Social and Racial Justice

Q: Can social factors affect your ability to maintain healthy blood iron levels? A: Yes, they can. But there are ways to offset these factors by building personal and community awareness and advocating for social change. Health-related social factors (also known as social determinants of health, often shortened to SDOH) are non-medical aspects of life Read more…

Blood Donation Q&A: Answers to Common Questions

General Health

Blood donation is safe, simple, and life-saving. By the time you read this sentence, someone in the U.S. required a blood transfusion. That’s right, about every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood for surgery, childbirth, serious injury, treatment for cancer or chronic health conditions, and more. Because there is no replacement for blood, Read more…

How much iron should I take?

General Health Videos

Your iron supplement dose depends on how much iron you need and how well you tolerate iron. Taking your iron pill every other day and combining it with vitamin C may help you get the most benefit from your supplement. Watch this video by Nerdy Girl Daphne Berryhill, RPh to learn more! For additional information Read more…

HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD?

General Health Mental Health

HELP! I can’t focus. Do I have ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a 🧠 neurodevelopmental disorder 🧠 that BEGINS IN CHILDHOOD. Symptoms that start in adulthood are usually not ADHD (unless they just weren’t noticed before!) and are often caused by conditions like depression, anxiety, or other medical causes. It is important to Read more…

What can I do to stop my eyes from feeling like sandpaper or watering like crazy, especially in the winter?

Aging General Health

An eye care routine can improve symptoms of dry, itchy, or watery eyes. Routine eye care includes keeping your fingers out of your eyes, gentle cleansing, using sun protection, and seeking care with a health professional when symptoms do not improve. Blepharitis or eyelid inflammation is a common condition affecting all ages, though the prevalence Read more…

What is overdiagnosis in cancer screening and why does it matter?

Data Literacy General Health

Cancer screening is a critical tool to improve health. It helps to detect cancer early, before symptoms even appear, and can increase the chances of successful treatment. However, cancer screening does come with risks. One important and sometimes confusing risk is overdiagnosis. When we think about cancer screening, we really have two goals: to detect Read more…

What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms?

Aging General Health Reproductive Health

What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms? Medications that deliver estrogen into your bloodstream can help relieve bodywide symptoms related to menopause. You can take a pill or wear a patch, but those aren’t the only FDA-approved options. Menopause marks the one-year anniversary of your final menstrual period. Read more…

Am I getting too much fluoride if I regularly use toothpaste and mouth rinses with fluoride in them?

General Health

No – it’s very unlikely that you are getting too much fluoride. Fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses have low amounts of fluoride relative to recommended daily levels. Fluoride helps support strong tooth enamel for fewer cavities and strong bones. Fluoride also helps stop and reverse tooth decay. Most adults in the US get some of Read more…

Today is the Great American Smokeout!

General Health

Q: I have tried to quit smoking five times. How can I quit and stay quit? A: Recovering from nicotine dependence is not about willpower. It is about brain science. Nicotine dependence is a chronic disease that creates long-term changes in your brain. Recovery is possible but may require medical support. Ask your primary care Read more…