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Talk With the Doc: Assisted living review and recommendations

Let’s start today by reviewing the basic definition of “Assisted Living.” Following is the definition of “Assisted Living” as defined by the National Institutes of Health. Assisted living is for people who need help with daily care, but not as much help as a specific nursing home may ...

Gut microbiome tests are everywhere — should you get one?

At-home gut microbiome tests are trending, selling insights to the curious, empowerment to the chronically ill and a claimed path to longevity to the wellness-conscious. Private companies are offering tests, costing $100 to $500 or more, that promise a bacterial inventory of your ...

Talk with the Doc

In just 9 days, on Friday, October 31st, we will have our annual celebration of Halloween in the USA. Of course, on Halloween, there will be many kids out doing their trick-or-treating, and will also be carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, visiting haunted attractions, sharing scary ...

Michigan launches first annual Microplastics Awareness Week

LANSING – Microplastics are everywhere: in our water, our food and even our bodies.  At under 5mm in size – smaller than a pencil eraser – microplastics are a significant source of pollution in the Great Lakes, according to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration. The ...

Music could help ease pain from surgery or illness. Scientists are listening

(AP) — Nurse Rod Salaysay works with all kinds of instruments in the hospital: a thermometer, a stethoscope and sometimes his guitar and ukulele. In the recovery unit of UC San Diego Health, Salaysay helps patients manage pain after surgery. Along with medications, he offers tunes on request and sometimes sings. His repertoire ranges from folk songs in English and Spanish to Minuet in G Major and movie favorites like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Patients often smile or nod along. Salaysay even sees changes in their vital signs like lower heart rate and blood pressure, and some ...