Wellness LetterWellness Advice

Wellness Advice

TENS for TMD?

Can TENS therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) help relieve my TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder)? My dentist suggested it. There’s some preliminary evidence it could. TMD...
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How Photography Can Make You Happier (Like It’s Made Me)

In 1998, a new domain of psychology called positive psychology was founded by Martin Seligman, Ph.D., at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Seligman, then the president of the American...

The ABCs of the RSV Vaccine

Tripledemic! This past winter you may have noticed this freshly coined term circulating on the news and in online forums. What this scary-sounding term was referencing was the potential...

Restroom Hand Dryers: Does the Blue Glow Mean Anything?

I’ve noticed that some public bathrooms now have hand dryers with cool blue lights. Are they more hygienic than regular hand dryers or even simple paper towels? The blue light...

What’s Behind That Itch?

This is a bit embarrassing, but I have near-constant itching in my anal area that is driving me crazy. What might be causing this, and how can I stop...

Debunking the Mayo Myth

Is it true that mayonnaise is a major source of foodborne illness? No. This notion continues to circulate, even on some reputable websites. Granted, sum­mertime picnic spreads that include heaping...

It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superbugs!

Imagine a fungus, immune to all known medical interventions, rapidly spreading and infecting hundreds of people. The invasive germ can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, and bones. Public...

Keep Kids’ Fingers (and Dogs’ Paws) Away From Marijuana Edibles

If you use marijuana (cannabis)—especially edibles—be sure to keep it away from children and pets. Cases of toxic exposures are soaring as more states legalize both medical and recreational...

Geriatric Medicine: A Young Specialty

What exactly is a geriatrician? I’m 70 years old—should I be seeing one? A geriatrician is a primary care physician—typically a family physician or internist—whose practice is dedicated to older...

Fighting Frailty With Yoga

To help stave off frailty, consider yoga. A systematic review of 33 randomized controlled trials, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in March, found that this ancient mind-body...

Skin Cancer Screening: A Task Force Update

I’ve been getting regular skin exams from my doctor but read that there’s no good evidence they help prevent skin cancer outcomes. Is there any reason for me to...