Resisting Antibiotic Resistance

Maybe this has happened to you: After you develop a cold or flu, a family member offers you their unfinished bottle of antibiotics to help you kick it. Should you take them?

In short: no, no, no. The efficacy of antibiotics, one of medicine’s most important weapons in fighting bacterial illness, is becoming compromised by misuse. In a 2013 interview, CDC associate director Dr. Arjun Srinivasan said:

Learn about the moisturizing effects of hyaluronic acid, how to pick the best bronzer for a natural summer glow, using microdermabrasion to improve texture, and how to incorporate coconut oil into your post-shower routine to retain moisture.

The wet winter has been very welcome in helping the land recover from years of drought, but this also means the plants are thriving. Increased plant growth means increased pollen counts. As soon as the rain stops, the plants get to work releasing pollen into the air. For those with seasonal allergies, this allergy season has started earlier than expected. We can expect a long and severe allergy season this spring.

You may have already started to notice typical seasonal allergy symptoms of sneezing, coughing, and itchy noses and eyes. Common allergy triggers come from farms, trees, and natural grassland for a cumulative effect.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – a time to become familiar with the risk factors and warning signs associated with this increasingly survivable disease.

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States. Although a study released last month found the risk for people born in 1990 or later is increasing, the average age at diagnosis is still 72.

Struggling with sleep after turning the clock forward last weekend? Mercy Medical Group neurologist and sleep expert Robert Dias, MD offers five tips to help you get the most out of your ZZZs.