Is Zinc Nasal Spray a Cure for the Common Cold

| June 28, 2011

A major study published in the ENT Journal, October 2000 (the journal for physicians specializing in ear, nose and throat problems) appears to have found a treatment for the common cold that it almost seems to deserve the title “cure.” The treatment: zinc gluconate nasal spray.

Instant Messenger Pros and Cons

| June 21, 2011

When e-mail first became popular, a college professor observed a dramatic transformation in the behavior of a colleague from another university. The woman, a highly regarded academician, had been quite shy, barely speaking to others at professional meetings. Through e-mail, she seemed to come out of her shell. She became quite talkative over the Net, [...]

Relief for Achalasia

| June 21, 2011

Q.I have a condition called achalasia. I even have problems swallowing liquids. I have had my esophageal muscle dilated twice. The first time, I saw improvement for six or seven years. The next time it only lasted about three years. Is there anything else I can do instead?

Obesity Linked to Colon Cancer

| June 14, 2011

Excess weight is yet again shown to be deadly for women. Overweight women have a much higher risk of developing colon cancer, according to a newly-published study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, which included more than 20 years’ worth of data on 13,000 men and women, is the first to [...]

About ERCP

| June 7, 2011

Q.What is an ERCP test? A.ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This is a fancy term for an exam that combines endoscopy and radiography to examine the duct system that connects the gallbladder, the liver and the small intestine. In this procedure, the doctor inserts an endoscope — a long tube with a tiny viewing [...]