I'm Dr. Simeon Margolis, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Together, let’s explore the issues behind the headlines to help you navigate the health care maze. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:14:49 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17213/acetaminophin-not-as-safe-as-you-think/ About a month ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that many over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers that contain acetaminophen will have to carry new warnings about potential dangers of liver damage. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:14:48 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17201/type-2-diabetes-and-bone-fractures/ a number of studies have now shown that older women with diabetes in fact suffer more bone fractures than do non-diabetic women of the same age. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:37:03 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17199/is-restless-legs-syndrome-disrupting-your-sleep/ RLS is a rather common condition characterized by discomfort, usually below the knees and in both legs, that occurs only when a person is at rest. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:23:43 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17163/postpartum-depression-vs-thyroiditis/ During the postpartum period, about 1 in 15 women develops thyroiditis, a transient autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland marked by an accumulation of certain white blood cells in that gland. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:54:06 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17157/treating-gerd-to-prevent-asthma/ According to surveys, large numbers of asthmatics are taking proton pump inhibitors, which cost between $150 and $180 per month. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:46:02 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17155/voluntary-withdrawal-of-an-alternative-medicine-product/ The danger of Zencore is that it, like the approved drugs for ED, can cause a severe, life-threatening drop in blood pressure when used by men who are also taking a nitrate to relieve the angina that is caused by coronary heart disease. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:50:31 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17125/are-soft-drinks-contributing-to-obesity/ Many people and nutritional experts, but certainly not all of them, have accepted that HFCS is a significant player in the development of obesity. Tue, 26 May 2009 22:03:21 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17110/dvt-affects-2-million-americans-each-year-and-is-deadly-in-25/ A PE is fatal about 25 percent of the time, and death is frequently sudden. About 2 million Americans suffer a DVT each year, and these clots generate most of the PEs that cause the deaths of more than 50,000 people a year in the U.S. Thu, 21 May 2009 20:10:13 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17079/overhyped-food-health-claims/ It's natural, I suppose, to hope that the food we eat is both delicious and provides some inherent health benefit. And to feed that desire, food companies very often claim that their product's health benefits are "clinically proven." Thu, 14 May 2009 17:52:17 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17032/mild-head-trauma-can-be-deadly/ Even if you haven't lost consciousness and feel pretty good immediately after a seemingly minor blow to the head, you should be taken to an emergency room immediately if you develop a headache that is getting worse. Tue, 12 May 2009 23:53:12 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.