Avoiding Colds and Flu on Vacation

Although colds and flu are not uniquely travel-related hazards, they can be especially unpleasant during vacation. Dozens of remedies, both mainstream and complementary, are available. So what works, and what’s a waste of your money? Here, the experts from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), offer suggestions for the best ways to… Continue reading Avoiding Colds and Flu on Vacation

E-Cigarettes and Skin Wounds

Here’s another reason to avoid vaping: It delays the healing of skin wounds. The study is just the latest in bad news about e-cigarettes. Investigators recently cited the addictive properties of e-cigs, especially one particular brand (See “The Most Addictive Brand of E-Cigs?”) In the newest study, conducted on animal subjects, experts led by a… Continue reading E-Cigarettes and Skin Wounds

A Non-Opioid Alternative for Pain in the ER

A combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen proved as good as opioids in treating arm or leg pain for adults coming to the emergency department, new research shows. According to a release from the JAMA Network Journals, in the randomized clinical trial researchers analyzed 416 patients, aged 21 to 64 years, in two urban emergency departments.… Continue reading A Non-Opioid Alternative for Pain in the ER

Tai Chi: An Alternative for Patients After Heart Attack

An update from the American Heart Association on an alternative exercise for people who might not like physical activity: The slow and gentle movements of Tai Chi hold promise as an alternative exercise option for patients who decline traditional cardiac rehabilitation, according to preliminary research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access… Continue reading Tai Chi: An Alternative for Patients After Heart Attack

Parkinson’s and Complementary Health Treatments

Editor’s note: If you’re struggling with Parkinson’s, or have a loved one who is, it may be tempting to try complementary health treatments in addition to conventional medicine. But how good are these remedies? Here, experts from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, one of the National Institutes of Health, offer an overview.… Continue reading Parkinson’s and Complementary Health Treatments

Hepatitis C and “Natural” Treatments

Approximately 3.2 million people in the U.S. suffer from Hepatitis C, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and 17,000 cases are diagnosed each year. A liver infection caused by a virus, Hepatitis C can lead to serious and even fatal illnesses such as liver cancer or liver failure. Conventional treatments include antiviral… Continue reading Hepatitis C and “Natural” Treatments