A urinalysis is a set of tests. A patient gives a urine sample, either by peeing into a cup or having it taken with a catheter. Testing the sample might be as simple as a dipstick test in the doctor’s office while you wait, or the urine could be sent out to a lab.

Everyone has gas. It can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but not life threatening. Gas leaves our body by burping or by passing it through the rectum. Every day, most people produce one to four pints of gas, and pass gas about 14 times!

Recently I’ve seen an uptick in patients complaining of parasites. It’s become a popular topic on social media, including lots of information/misinformation on platforms like Tik Tok. At the same time, there’s been no appreciable increase in the actual number of cases of parasitic disease, and actually, parasitic diseases in Southern California are quite rare. What are the signs and symptoms of a parasitic infection?

Most of us know someone who eats no vegetables. These people may appear to be just fine, but I encourage you to read on to understand just why their diet is so worrisome.

Health care technology has advanced dramatically. Patients now have access to a wide range of medical devices to help monitor and treat chronic diseases, and we are experiencing a shift from hospital-based care to managing our health at home.

Rates of depression have surged over this past decade, and it now affects more than 20 million adults in the United States. Treatment often involves counseling, making major life changes, stopping the use of addictive drugs and alcohol, and taking medication under a doctor’s guidance.

Nearly every day, a patient asks about taking apple cider vinegar. What does current science have to say?

I occasionally recommend magnesium supplements to patients. When might they be helpful?

Obesity medications have captured everyone’s attention. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have each come out with injectable medications that have proven to be both safe and very effective. Doctors (including me) have been prescribing them frequently. However, patients are constantly frustrated by poor insurance coverage and high costs. On top of that, the drugs need to be injected, which is discouraging to some.

Years ago, soft drink companies developed so-called “healthy” alternatives to sugary drinks…by using artificial sweeteners. Since then, a significant number of studies have concluded that artificial sweeteners are no better than sugar, and in many cases much worse. What is the current thinking?

We all just love fast-food. It is convenient, often inexpensive, and tasty. Unfortunately, most of it is also quite unhealthful. One recent study found that Five Guys has the unhealthiest cheeseburger and fries; that the most unhealthful chicken burger is the Chicken Sandwich Classic at Popeyes; and that Fatburger’s Vanilla Shake is the most unhealthful in its class. Why is fast food bad for us? It typically is high in calories; has huge amounts of fat, sugar, and sodium; a

What is the best diet for you? Everyone’s needs differ, but over the years I have found that one of the very best diets for many of my patients is the Mediterranean Diet.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the relationship between vitamin b3 (nicotinamide, also known as niacin) and skin cancer prevention. I found it to be very promising.

It always surprises me when I run across a patient who is lacking a sweet tooth; they are certainly members of a minority. But let’s keep in mind that sugar is not found only in candy and soda; it’s in most processed foods, from pasta sauces to some peanut butters, rice, bread, crackers, yogurt, and much more. When we rely on quick meals and snacks, we find considerable amounts of added sugar.

Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable to talk about, and even more uncomfortable to encounter - but by age 50, there’s a 50% chance that you have had them! What are they? What causes them, and what symptoms should we look out for? How can we treat them and ensure that they don’t return?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Note that one can be infected even without symptoms, so even people who appear to be healthy can still transmit this virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Gardasil, a highly effective vaccine to prevent HPV, in 2006.

The CDC recently issued new vaccine and screening recommendations for hepatitis B. This is an important development; you may be eligible to have the highly effective hepatitis B vaccine.

I am often asked by my patients whether I think that they should have a “whole-body scan.” These typically use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and/or bone density (DEXA) scans. Are whole-body scans worth it?

Many of you are aware of my aversion to mushrooms. I happen to have one more intense and inexplicable dislike: coffee! As a scientist, however, I do my best to be unbiased. Let’s look at the pros and cons of being a coffee drinker.

My patients are smart and knowledgeable, but I find that many mistakenly believe that they are allergic to medicines, and in particular, penicillin. This belief might be based on a distant memory, or on something they were told by their parents. Others believe that the experience of an upset stomach, nausea, or other side effect indicate an allergy. Still others may have experienced a rash or other symptom that was actually due to the illness, and not to the medicine. Still,