Fight Alzheimer’s Disease with common drugs. Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen seem to help to dissolve the brain lesions that occur in some patients. These lesions are caused by plaque build up. The over-the-counter drugs bond to and help dissolve the plaque and also prevent new lesions from forming. This suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs can lower a person’s risk of developing the disease but more research is needed.

Chronic heartburn can be cured with a simply, minimally invasive procedure that actually uses part of the stomach to repair the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. This surgery prevents stomach acid from backing up the esophagus. Note that this procedure should only be considered by those suffering from heartburn at least two times a week.

One-fifth of the 548 drugs approve by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past 22 years have proven to have severe side effects that were unknown at the time of approval. Seven drugs (that later have been taken off the market), had side effects so severe that they may have contributed to over 1000 deaths. Never take medications that have not been on the market for at least 5 years. If your doctor prescribes a new drug, ask for a time-tested alternative.

Salicyclic acid is the best treatment for warts, based upon studies done in England. This over-the-counter remedy is safer, less painful then other treatments has an impressive cure rate of over 75%. Cryotherapy is no more effective and can be quite painful. Even newer treatments like photodynamic therapy or pulsed-dye lasers have not proven more effective then salicylic acid.

The risk of lung cancer is higher among women then with men – even for women who never smoked. The nonsmoking female is twice as likely to develop lung cancer then a nonsmoking male. The reason for this is unknown at this time. If you smoker or have smoked, ask your doctor about having a spiral CT scan. This 20-second X-ray can detect cancer at its earliest stage when is most treatable.

People suffering from Diverticulosis, pouch-like bulges, called diverticula, that form in the large intestine had always been advised to avoid such foods as nuts, seeds, and popcorn. Actually, research has shown that unless you have an infected or inflamed diverticula, this restriction is unnecessary. A diet of fiber-rich content (at least 30 grams per day) can, in fact, help prevent Diverticulosis and keep existing conditions form worsening.

Risk of breast cancer is lower then most women believe. Nearly half of the 1,608 women surveyed believed that their risk was 30 to 50%. Two-thirds believed that the risk was around 20%. Actually the average lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 11%.

Breast cancer vaccines are being tested. Recent experimental vaccine that is created form bits of tumor proteins has shown positive preliminary results in 14 breast cancer survivors. More years of testing are required before determining its true effectiveness and who would benefit most form it.

Flu-related illnesses send over 200,00 to the hospital each year.

More American doctors are dropping malpractice coverage due to soaring premiums. Some are limiting their practices (avoiding trauma, obstetrical and other high risk procedures and advising their patients that they carry no insurance. Some require that patients sign a waiver stating that they are aware of the doctor’s status and that they would receive little compensation if they sued.

The likelihood of getting an infection from a blood transfusion has dropped to about one in a million. People likely to need a transfusion should consider donating their own blood if their health will allow and there is adequate time.

More Americans are allergic to seafood then any other food. Of the 11 million people who suffer from food allergies, over half, or 6.5 million, are allergic to seafood, most commonly shrimp, crab, lobster, salmon, tuna, or halibut. Over 3 million are allergic to peanuts and or tree nuts. Severe reactions to these foods have led to 30,000 emergency room visits per year and over 200 deaths.