In studies of anesthesia prior to laryngoscopy, tetracaine or dyclonine solutions are consistently shown to be the most effective topical anesthetics. Laryngoscopy is an examination of the back of your throat including your larynx (your voice box). There are a few different methods of examining this area and topical anesthesia is necessary for most of them, with general anesthesia used for direct laryngoscopy. The options for commercially available anesthetic solutions…

The drug clascoterone has recently been approved with the brand name Winlevi for the topical treatment of acne. This is the first FDA approved topical treatment for acne which is a significant development in the search for effective acne treatments. Acne is a notoriously difficult to treat condition. Many medications that are taken orally have unwanted systemic side effects. For many patients, a topical medication is an effective option that…

In a recent large scale study, TSH levels were significantly associated with periodontitis - independent of various risk factors for periodontitis. The relationship between periodontitis and systemic conditions that cause inflammation has frequently been studied. This particular study was not actually conducted in patients with hypothyroidism but instead in patients with no history of thyroid disease. Instead, the study examined thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in 5,468 individuals and related…

The association between vitamin D and the development of autoimmune hypothyroidism has been established in many smaller studies. However a recent study published in BMC Endrocrine Disorders included 7,943 participants, which makes it the largest study to-date that examines this relationship. This large scale study provides confirmation that low levels of vitamin D are associated with the development of autoimmune hypothyroidism. What is Hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where…

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder that often causes seizures or periods of abnormal behavior. For most individuals, epilepsy can be controlled with medications. There are numerous medications that are used to control seizures for patients with epilepsy – sometimes one medication is sufficient and in other cases combinations are used. A recent study published by researchers at Cairo University showed that in a series of case studies, low…

While relatively unknown to many, the CARES Act included a provision that restricted the sale of hydroquinone products over-the-counter. The debate over when to ban OTC hydroquinone products has been going on for many years but it was not until the CARES Act that it was actually enacted. The smaller legislation was given the opportunity to be enacted by including it along with the larger bill. The main concern with…

The health effects of mold are well studied but not well known by many people. Mold in the home can lead to allergic reactions, asthma, respiratory conditions, and mold-related illnesses like CIRS. To control mold you have to control moisture. This is easier said than done for many individuals – especially those living in older houses or houses that were not constructed properly to avoid leaks. Some individuals are more…

There are a variety of reasons why you may need to numb your skin. You may want to numb the skin prior to a painful procedure like a cosmetic treatment or a tattoo. Or you may have a cut or burn and want to numb the skin for pain relief. There are both natural and medical ways to numb the skin that have different degrees of effectiveness. Some numbing agents…

Recent shortages and discontinuations of certain desiccated thyroid medications have put patients in the position of quickly finding alternative medications. Some patients, who may have taken the same thyroid medication for years, suddenly found themselves needing to find a new brand. Since each thyroid brand may quantify their dosages differently, it is not always an easy 1 to 1 conversion. Thyroid medication is typically taken for life so it is…

Migraines are a prevalent condition with few treatments that are both consistently effective and also safe to use on a regular basis. It is estimated that as many as 1 out of every 4 or 5 women experience migraines in the U.S. and as many as 1 out of 10 men. Many patients (up to 1.2 million each year) visit an emergency room seeking treatment for a migraine. Current treatments…