Henry talks about acne this week (Living Healthy Podcast #27) but he started off the podcast with a caution about “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” There’s a bunch of these (prescription and OTC) and they’re used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation. Arthritis sufferers tend to rely on this group (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.). Henry points out that last year, more people died from complications associated with these drugs than died of AIDS in the U.S. He says tough it out and take two Tylenol.

Toenail problems come in two varieties: fungus and ingrown toenails. Dr. Domke views the first as a hyped-up, false problem. Toenail fungus is not dangerous and there’s no cure. Affects about 20% of all adults. He thinks the treatment is more dangerous than the problem. Ingrown toenails a different matter. Recorded April 15, 2006

This week’s Living Healthy Podcast was nice and laid back. Henry gave us the 411 on allergies. My favorite moment was when he suggested a “cat-ectomy” for people allergic to felines. In just four more shows we will have been at this for six months.

Many of Henry’s patients –our target audience– seem unable to figure out how to listen or subscribe to the podcast. I tend to take a lot of this for granted and would welcome any suggestions on how we could make that process more intuitive. We’re using the standard icons, badges and text links (“Download MP3 file”). Take a look and email or comment ideas on how to improve.

(Recorded March 25, 2006)

Dr. Domke describes an alcoholic as someone for whom alcohol causes problems but continues to drink. How often and how much you drink is irrelevant. He doesn’t consider it an addiction in the same way that tobacco is addicting. I found this one of his more interesting topics. Recorded March 18, 2006.