1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Apr 15, 2007, 11:55 am PDT

I never take antibiotics, cough syrups, or any over the counter medicine when I'm sick. They give me a bad reaction. I just eat some raw garlic whenever I get sick and cook with 1/2 a bulb of garlic, lots of onions, and vegetables in my homemade soup whenever I get sick. Spice it up really well. I drink lots of tea and water. Eat a salty snack since that's a great healer for a sore throat. My colds are usually gone within a few days.

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Apr 15, 2007, 7:08 pm PDT

Why haven't they just stopped putting antibiotics into the animal feed and fed organically? Why don't doctors just say no to patients who want antibiotics for the common cold and flu? I'd like someone to do psychological evaluations on everyone at the FDA and see if they are even mentally fit to hold their jobs. They are more hazardous to our society than they are a benefit.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, May 18, 2007, 6:08 pm PDT

#1 and #2: for a sore throat put about 2 Tablespoons of any vinegar into equal parts (or more) of honey, nectar, syrup, warm a bit and drink it. VOILA. The reason "chicken soup works" is because one is breathing in the steam when its cooking, so... 1/2 bulb of garlic? that's nothing! Add 3 bunches of Escarole or BokChoy to your soups, and be sure the base is from vegetable or poultry stock, and yes, lots of spices but easy on the throat! Using simple saline drops in the nose every 30 minutes keeps the sinuses from blocking up (Saline nasal sprays are available, but be careful of the "stabilizer" in them). #2, why can't pre-med applicants take a test for "Reason" in the MCAT? We're seriously lacking physicians with the ability to reason, and also with sufficient basic sciences. They really need at least 15 more hours in grad. biology courses with 8 hr. labs. Since the Bayn-Dole Act passed, universities may now perform their own drug trials, and the FDA may not report failures. There is where the problem lies. Repeat that Act, and make universities get back to educating paying students, and out of the task of business/marketing, leaving the R & D up to expert pharmacologists, then we know where to aim the cannon when things go beswerk. Doctors must learn to speak out, against their colleagues, and bad practices, period. Without such physicians, there are no professionals, because the hallmark of a "Profession" is that the members police themselves--an ethical practice long out of date.

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, May 18, 2007, 6:15 pm PDT

Dr. M, that time has already comes, as you well know. We must empower the healthcare consumer to always check out any prescription that is recommended to feel confident in the following: If its for an infection, was a culture and sensitivity done first to determine that is the correct antibiotic to treat the organism? If its for a serious illness, cancer, et al, tell your doctor you want to see the DATA, and meet to discuss what s/he gives to you. If the data is 30 months, for example, ask for the ongoing follow-up of the patients who took it; IOW where are they now? Most of the time, your physician will agree with you. If it is a hormone, be certain your physician is well aware of your family health history, especially cancer...hormones may have a serious outcome for certain hormone receptors on cancer cells, and many people may not know they have cancer (i.e. breastcancer screening--is it up to date?). If diabetic, Google "drug interaction for patients on Metformin," etc. and "Penicillin" or if you had an allergic reaction to Penicillin you must know what drugs are "like Penicillin" and may cause serious reactions, or auto-immune disorders. A great link to study thoughly any drug being taken and BOOKMARK this: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html At the first sign of any drug reaction, including supplements (do not follow the TV infomercial gurus!), go to an ER ASAP. Then, be certain that you have your records in every physicians office, and on your person RED-FLAGGED for all drug reactions. We are coming to a critical point in healthcare with the over-use of antibiotics, and drugs in general...for example, there is a potentially fatal skin disorder caused by drug combinations; unless an expert is sought out immediately, performs the biopsies, not much can be done to save the patient. That is weeks, not years. And, always have 2nd and 3rd opinions performed on any diagnosis, pathology for a biopsy, chronic disorder, loss of any one of the senses (vision, hearing, et al), and contacing www.nih.gov will help them find no cost 2nd opinions; every physician obtains 2nd and 3rd opinions for themselves and loved one, and must learn to do so for their patients. If a serious condition is suspected, patients may contact their insurance companies and request a "Case Manager." That person is medically licensed, and will assist in pushing through tests, procedures, et al that must be done, and its much easier on physicians, and healthcare consumers.

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