by Leigh Ann Otte

Sometimes, a C-section is medically necessary. But what if it’s not and you want one anyway?

Some women schedule C-sections so they can have their baby on a certain date. Others do it because of fear for themselves or their child, says ob-gyn Annette Perez-Delboy in this week’s feature article. And those aren’t the only reasons. But are they good ones?

Some doctors say yes, a woman has the right to choose. Others disagree. They argue that elective C-sections—surgeries—are riskier for the mother and baby, so why have the option?

We asked two doctors to debate this issue. Here’s what they had to say. What do you think? You can weigh in below or at the bottom of the article itself.

Leigh Ann Otte is the managing editor of MyFamilyDoctorMag.com and a freelance writer, editor and blogger.

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by Leigh Ann Otte

“My heart skipped a beat.” It’s a nice saying. But when it really happens—and happens a lot—it can seem less romantic.

In this week’s feature article, family doctor Eva Briggs talks about heart palpitations, whether they’re dangerous, and when to see a doctor. She also explains what often causes them. They’re not actually skipped beats. They’re just mistimed ones.

Have you ever had heart palpitations? Did anything in particular seem trigger them?

Leigh Ann Otte is the managing editor of MyFamilyDoctorMag.com and a freelance writer, editor and blogger.

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by Leigh Ann Otte, Managing Editor

If “rub it” seems like sissy advice for your throbbing cluster headaches, aching back or worrisome arthritis pain, perhaps “burn it” will do the trick?

Capsaicin creams and sprays burn away the pain, so to speak, with the same chemical that makes peppers hot. These medicines make your body use up the substance triggering your pain. Integrative medicine physician Andrea E. Gordon explains in our article “Capsaicin Treatment: How Hot Peppers May Help Burn Away Headache and Arthritis Pain.”

Of course, the question is, is the cure worse than the treatment? In some cases, maybe; in others, maybe not, says Dr. Gordon. One thing’s for sure: Don’t get it in your eyes. “Capsaicin oleoresin is an oily extract used in pepper self-defense sprays!” Dr. Gordon says.

You can find capsaicin treatments in your pharmacy, but some applications require a health-care provider’s supervision. (Read the article for more on that.)

Have you tried capsaicin cream or spray? What was it like? Did it work?

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We came up with eight good reasons you’re not losing weight. Well, maybe.

The truth is, most of us can lose weight and even keep it off if we do the right things. But every once in a while, there really is a good reason those pounds just won’t come off.

In “8 Reasons for Weight Gain That Are Not Your Fault!” we list signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for a variety of causes. Yes, family history and medicine are two of them. But did you know lack of sleep may contribute to weight gain? Stress and depression can too. And then there are serious diseases that are important to get diagnosed, like underactive thyroid and PCOS.

So check ‘em out. If they don’t speak to you, maybe they’ll ring true of a friend. Then the question becomes, how do you delicately forward the article?

Good luck with that.

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by Leigh Ann Otte, Managing Editor

Got a nagging cough that’s gone on a while? Don’t want to have it checked out? Chances are, your spouse or co-workers want you do. I’m just sayin’ …

Well, actually, our publisher Dr. Hubbard is. He’s been in your shoes. He found out his chronic cough was caused by sleep apnea, of all things. Sleep apnea (stopping breathing when you’re sleeping) can lead to heart problems and an early death. What a good thing that cough turned out to be.

In “What Causes a Chronic Cough? 8 Reasons—and Treatments,” Dr. Hubbard lists some common things that can lead to coughing. They range from the everyday (allergies) to the serious (cancer, asthma) to the unexpected (heartburn, medications).

So get to the doctor already! You may be thanking your cough afterwards.

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by Leigh Ann Otte, Managing Editor

Did you know that properly stored honey never spoils? Yep, and it may help wounds from spoiling too. Integrative physician Robert Pendergrast explains:

[Honey] has strong antibacterial activity, mainly because of its low water/high sugar concentration: It literally sucks all the water out of bacteria.

Honey seems to be an effective wound treatment in certain situations. Of course, there are important precautions and guidelines. Find out more by checking out our article. It also covers whether a nighttime dose of honey can treat children’s coughs and whether bee stings—yes, stings—can treat arthritis. (Do be sure to read the precautions. For example, never give honey to a child under 12 months because of botulism risk.)

MyFamilyDoctorMag.com, giving a whole new meaning to “licking your wounds” …

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by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

Seasonal allergies can be so frustrating. It can feel like you have two choices: Feel miserable from the allergies or feel miserable from the medication.

Fortunately, though, those aren’t your only options. In “19 Tips From Allergists for How to Prevent and Treat Allergies,” allergists give their tips on dealing with indoor and outdoor allergies—without medication.

If you do need medicine, check out “Allergy Treatment: What Medicines to Take for Allergies—and How to Take Them,” which features an in-depth, practical rundown of your options—and how to use them best.

Do you have allergies? What has helped you?

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by Leigh Ann Otte

NERD is weird.

“NERD” is the aren’t-scientists-funny acronym for the most common kind of heartburn, non-erosive esophageal disease. And this type of GERD is not like what you’d expect.

In our feature article, witty gastroenterologist Patricia Raymond offers a fun-to-read guide to this not-fun disease. If you have ongoing heartburn and acid-reflux medications don’t get rid of it, this may be your culprit. Here are a few unexpected characteristics you’ll read about:

• Though it’s painful, NERD doesn’t leave erosions or ulcers in your esophagus.
• You may have pain with relatively little acid.
• That little flap on top of your stomach that keeps acid down? It probably works just fine.

Do you have heartburn? Have you seen a doctor about it? What’s helped you?

Leigh Ann Otte is managing editor of MyFamilyDoctorMag.com.

by Leigh Ann Otte

Today, 4/20, is National Pot Smoking Day. Yeah, it’s unofficial. But around the country, people will be smoking marijuana at 4:20 p.m.

So we thought this would be the perfect moment to examine a different side of this illegal drug: the medical one.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Leigh Ann Otte

We came across this cool company that lets you make your own energy bars through a fun and simple online process. You pick your ingredients—from the base bar to fruits and sweets and other fun stuff—and then order ‘em up.

We figured they’d make unique gifts or maybe tasty treats for yourself. So we asked two readers and a registered dietitian to test them out. They went through the process and received their baked bars not long after. Find out the results here.

Leigh Ann Otte is the managing editor of MyFamilyDoctorMag.com.