The People's Pharmacy

Tick-borne diseases are extremely widespread, but they seem to be difficult to diagnose and hard to treat. Science has now recognized many more conditions that result from tick bites than were known even a decade ago. Lyme Disease: The diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by a deer tick […]

Until fairly recently, no one was really interested in the denizens of the digestive tract except for a few gastroenterologists and a few more microbiologists. But now research has shown that the bacteria in our bowels form complex ecological systems, and interest in the microbiome has gone mainstream. Bowel Bacteria as a Source of Inflammation: […]

People have been using plants to take care of skin problems for hundreds or thousands of years. Which natural products really work? Our expert guests discuss the power of a fresh aloe vera leaf to help soothe a burn, including a sunburn. You’ll also find out how to prevent sunburn naturally. Some plants (tomatoes, chocolate, […]

This is the thousandth episode of The People’s Pharmacy, and we are celebrating. We invited local listeners who support our host station, North Carolina Public Radio, WUNC, to join us for a live performance of the show. BJ Leiderman Played our Theme: Adding to the celebratory mood, we were joined by noted NPR composer BJ […]

At one time, most Americans were mystified by meditation and wary of yoga. There is now increasing recognition that both meditation and yoga can have profound health effects. Meditation and the Brain How does meditation alter the brain? Our expert guests explain the significant physiological changes that happen at the level of the neurons, genes […]

Inflammation is a primary cause of many chronic conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis to asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. But what causes the inflammation? Could infectious agents be the root of most of our chronic disease–including cancer? The New Germ Theory: Find out about the new germ theory linking infections and mental illness. Is […]

Diagnosis is the very foundation of medical care. Without an accurate diagnosis, doctors have no way of determining the appropriate treatment. Decades ago, doctors used to rely heavily on the patient’s account of her problem (called the “history”) and the doctor’s direct physical examination of the patient. Medical students still learn these skills, but in […]

We don’t always pay attention to our sense of touch, though it is critical to survival. Sensations of pain, heat or cold protect us from injury. But the importance of touch goes far beyond that. Pain and Pleasure: Our sense of touch also provides us with great pleasure. Caress is an essential element of bonding […]

Dr. Peter Gøtzsche worked for the pharmaceutical industry years ago supervising clinical trials and working in regulatory affairs. But this industry insider has become the toughest of critics. Dr. Gøtzsche is concerned about the impact that big pharma exerts on health care. Pharmaceutical firms are among the most profitable in the world. In the US […]

Most of us know what we should do to clean up our lifestyles–eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, and so on ad nauseum. You’ve heard it all before. But we don’t necessarily do the things we know that we ought to. Perhaps we think it doesn’t really matter for us, at least not right now. […]

Americans frequently boast that we have the best health care in the world. While that may be debated in some quarters, no one doubts that our health care system is the most expensive. What makes American health care so pricey, and is there anything that could be done about it? Evaluating Obamacare One approach that […]

Dizziness is a common problem, but not easily diagnosed. A little lightheadedness could be a reaction to dehydration or blood pressure medication. But when the room is spinning, walking can become difficult or even dangerous. A fall, especially for an older person, can have very serious consequences. When Is Dizziness Dangerous? When does vertigo signal […]

Every five years, the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services collaborate on producing Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These are supposed to tell us what we should be eating. They are also used to shape institutional food choices, such as those in schools or prisons. Changes Expected Will there be any changes in […]

Turmeric, the yellow spice in curry and yellow mustard, has an active component called curcumin. This compound is the subject of more than 7,500 studies that show it has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. How Does Curcumin Work? Recently scientists discovered exactly how it boosts the activity of a treatment for colorectal cancer. We talk with […]

An ever-increasing appreciation of the complexity of ecosystems has begun to change farming practices so that they become more sustainable. Science is demonstrating that our human bodies are also complex ecosystems, made up of more microbes than human cells. Could some of the principles of sustainable farming help us stay healthy too? Dr. Daphne Miller […]

Heated disagreements about whether or not Americans all need to reduce their salt intake have reached the Wall Street Journal. Many public health agencies recommend that we cut back on salt to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But how well does that approach work? We talk with contrarian […]

An amazing number of American youngsters is considered to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some states, CDC data show that more than 10 percent of school children carries this diagnosis. You will find a thorough discussion of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and potential consequences of ADHD here. Alternatives to Ritalin The usual treatments for […]

A recent investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office provoked scandalized headlines. They indicated that important herbal supplements from four major retailers did not actually contain the herbs they purported to provide. What was detected by the DNA barcode test was rice, soy or wheat, possibly used as fillers. But was the DNA barcode […]

Americans tend to equate more tests and more aggressive treatment with better quality care. This approach does result in more expensive care. The US spends more on health care per capita than any other country in the world. But we lag behind other industrialized nations on important measures of public health. Challenging Assumptions Many of […]

Antidepressant medications have become part of popular culture ever since Prozac came on the market in the mid-1980s. Only those who have weathered a suicidal crisis themselves or watched a loved one face such an emergency may truly appreciate how inadequate our current antidepressants are in such circumstances. Ketamine An old drug, ketamine, is now […]