Motion sickness is experienced by many individuals and is associated with nausea, vomiting, hyperventilation, and headaches. Although it is most commonly experienced during travel, such as on a car, boat, or plane, motion is not necessarily required for symptoms to occur. Certain situations where a person is looking at a screen can also result in motion sickness even if the body is not moving. The most common explanation for motion…

Estriol is not as well known or as frequently prescribed as other types of estrogen but it is an effective treatment for many post-menopausal women. It can be applied locally to treat vaginal atrophy associated with menopause. It has failed to gain widespread use in the United States mostly due to the prevalence of estradiol as the main type of estrogen hormone therapy and the fact that it cannot be…

In a recent article, UC Davis Health’s Dr. Toby O. Steele discusses his treatment protocol for patients suffering from loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19.  About 5-10% of patients will have lingering symptoms of reduced or altered ability to smell and taste after recovering from this viral infection. The loss of smell can actually have profound effects on an individual’s health including their nutrition, weight, and even safety in…

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has gained more mainstream acceptance in a wide range of medical fields. Its low incidence of side effects, combined with its potential to improve quality of life for patients with chronic conditions, make it an excellent candidate for experimental research. In a comprehensive literature review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, the reviewers concluded that: “Low-dose naltrexone provides an alternative in medical management…

Glutathione is an antioxidant that naturally occurs in the body. It is important for preventing damage to cells from free radicals. While the research is ongoing and not always conclusive, glutathione is being used as a supplement and treatment for a variety of conditions. Conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat that involve oxidative stress are being treated. Some doctors have even begun prescribing glutathione intranasal as an experimental treatment…

In a study that was published in June 2020 it was shown that 41% of patients with test-confirmed COVID-19 had dysfunctions of their sense of smell and 38.2% had dysfunctions of their taste. These results were based on self-reports. When objective measurements of dysfunction were used these rates were even higher. Given the prevalence of this long-term side effect, many who have recovered from COVID-19 are looking for a treatment…

On April 30, 2021, the FDA published an announcement regarding a recall of multiple lots of Acella’s NP Thyroid product. Unlike some recent recalls of thyroid products, for example those manufactured by RLC Labs, this recall included information on adverse events reported to Acella. According to the release, Acella has received 43 reports of serious adverse events that could possibly be related to this recall at the time it was…

One skin care ingredient that has been discussed a lot recently is tranexamic acid. This product was initially developed to reduce bleeding and is still most commonly used for this purpose. However many dermatologists are now prescribing tranexamic acid to treat conditions of the skin including melasma. This ingredient has a favorable side effect profile compared to some others used to treat melasma and has been shown to be effective…

Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that has been widely used for treating patients with hypertension. The drug interferes with the aldosterone receptor which results in lower blood pressure. Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that plays a role in regulating blood pressure. It has also been shown in research that spironolactone blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptors making it an antiandrogen. Since DHT stimulates sebum production, it has been a target for reducing…

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a rare condition that sometimes is misdiagnosed. There are various resources online that discuss MCAS, its causes, and treatments. However some of these resources have an overly broad scope of what is classified as MCAS. Many patients have some type of mast cell activation issue but do not have MCAS. The diagnosis of MCAS is difficult as it is associated with a variety of…