Once all the variables of the environment have been controlled and the patient is feeling better and has found a compatible water, he is ready to begin his food tests. Generally speaking, the patient breaks his fast with some form of fish, if he has no known allergy to it. It can be either fresh [...]

It has long been known that pregnancy can hasten the onset of deafness in members of certain families who have a tendency to gradual hearing loss in middle age. Known as otosclerosis, this common type of deafness is due to overgrowth of bone around the inner eardrum, which becomes rigid and unable to vibrate in [...]

Signs and symptoms The development of breasts is obvious except when the boy tries to hide gynaecomastia out of embarrassment. If this happens, the parents may not be aware of the problem. Home care It is very important to be understanding and to reassure the child that the condition will disappear. In more obvious cases, [...]

Suitable for frying, baking and roasting: This expression is often found on a bottle of vegetable oil. The same oil will usually claim to be cholesterol free and/or free of saturated fat. Health authorities slam saturated fat as the main cause of high cholesterol levels, therefore if an oil is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated it must [...]

The temperature rise around the middle of the cycle confirms that ovulation has taken place, though it cannot predict it in advance. But charting your temperature each day tells you that you are ovulating and when. So this is another way to identity when you are likely to be fertile in future cycles. If your [...]

Fires. About 4,700 people die each year because of fires-the majority of which are avoidable, says Susan McKelvey, public affairs manager of the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Massachusetts. “Taking basic safety precautions greatly reduces the risk of fire,” McKelvey says. “Cigarettes should be extinguished with water; smoking carelessly is the leading cause of [...]

Bulimia does not produce physical symptoms in the same way that chicken pox does, for example. But there are physical consequences, most of which are actually side effects of overeating or vomiting. These complications can be grouped as follows: Digestive Tract Stomach pain Abdominal swelling Pancreatitis Cramps Nausea Vomiting (involuntary) Rupture Malnutrition Electrolyte imbalance Hair [...]

For almost 18 years, Denise Ramirez tried and failed to lose the 80 pounds that stuck around after her pregnancy. She tried exercise classes, but she couldn’t stick with the schedule. “So one day, I put on my headset and went for a walk,” says Denise, 36, of Fresno, California. “And you know what? I [...]

An interesting study demonstrated what happens when the powerful stress hormones are released too often. A group of rats was forced to listen to a tape recording of a cats chasing rats, complete with hissing and squealing. Stress chemicals flooded the rats’ bodies as they prepared to fight or run away from the cat. But [...]

I was sitting in my office with a pleasant 42-year-old-banker. His medical and personal history had been taken, his physical examination was completed and his test results had been returned to me. His outlook was good, but his health was only fair. After discussing Super Foods and other recommendations, I suggested that he embark on [...]