What Doctors Don't Tell YouMiss L.P., a 28-year-old single woman, was troubled by cold sores, which seemed to be triggered by citrus. She was an avid drinker of normal English tea with milk, but had recently got into the habit of having a grapefruit each morning. She was...
The US and UK government's position is proving at variance with the decision of several other countries. In Germany the Federal Health Agency (Bundesgesundheitsamt, BGA) in Berlin decided in earl ...
First up was the reader's brother whose nails grew to a point, and curved slightly downwards. What does this signify, our reader wondered. It could be an indication of lung problems, according to a reflexologist. In reflexology, the tips of the toes...
Subjecting women with mildly abnormal cervical smear test results to an immediate colposcopy examination is no more effective than simple observation (The Lancet, 10 July 1993).
We all know we live in worlds within worlds, and we can usually rely on medicine to exemplify the point. On July 11 the World Health Organization finally included two drugs - mifepristone and misoprostol, which both induce miscarriage - as ones that...
Before taking a powerful prescription drug, the doctor - and patient - should weigh up the risks and benefits. Of course the doctor rarely does any such thing, and prescribes the drug as a matter of course. Unfortunately no drug comes without side...
This man has had a sore Achilles tendon for the past four years; anything that puts pressure on the Achilles – such as ankle supports – aggravates the condition. If he runs his hand down his Achilles he can feel a swollen area (it feels like scar...
Many acidophilus - or probiotic - preparations do not contain these 'friendly' bacteria despite the claims on the label.
The British press has been filling its pages in recent days with news that acupuncture actually works, which comes as a surprise to nobody - except the British press, clearly. The news that pushed coverage of a boring election campaign from page 492...
If you've got friends who sneer about alternative medicine, and who tell you there's no proof it works, just give them this two-word answer: 'osteoarthritis' and 'acupuncture'. You can also stick your tongue out afterwards, but that bit is entirely...
