I get a lot of questions about the vaccine for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a viral illness that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. The World Health Organization estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2022, and that there are 1.2 million new infections each year.   Hepatitis B can be prevented by a series of three vaccines that are safe, available, and effective.

Warts: so common, and so annoying. I see them nearly every day in my practice. At some point, most of us will have one or more.

I spend a lot of time discussing nutrition with my patients, and get questions about olive oil every day. Is it the best oil? Does it have downsides?

Do you notice that you (or a loved one) frequently ask others to repeat themselves? Does speech sometimes sound muffled? Is it difficult to understand words, or follow a conversation, particularly in noisy settings? Are there problems hearing certain consonants or high-pitched sounds, and is the TV or radio volume always set on high?

Have you ever had toenail fungus? It isn’t pretty. It can make the toenail yellow, thick, and cracked. Wearing shoes can be uncomfortable.

Just last month, tuberculosis (TB) was found in Long Beach. 14 cases were detected, with nine people hospitalized and one death.

You are in pain. Which over-the-counter pain medicine is best for you?   Over-the-counter (OTC) products can often help with pain, and no...

A few years back I had a wonderful vacation in Japan. One of the many things that surprised me was how prevalent bidets were. I saw (and...

What’s the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants? Are they safe? We use deodorants and antiperspirants because of moisture...

I’ve been practicing medicine in this wonderful community for many years. Can you guess the number one concern among my patients?...

When I first started practicing medicine, it was very common for women who reached menopause to go on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)...

I feel privileged to work in health care, and one reason is because I find the human body endlessly complex and fascinating. Here are...

I have, on occasion, seen patients who present with days of diarrhea and vomiting. They literally cannot keep food or fluids down. This...

It will soon be four (long) years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We have learned a lot since those early days, including what the...

Do you feel an overwhelming and uncomfortable urge to move your legs - particularly at night? Does the feeling only get worse when you...

There have been advances in treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD). We have, as you likely are aware, two kidneys, which are...

You are suffering from cough, body aches, headaches, and a mild fever. Do you have RSV, COVID, a common cold, or the flu? The answer...

I enjoy massages, and had heard about “cupping,” which is sometimes offered along with them. Massage I understand. It feels great and I...

Not a day goes by in my practice without several patients complaining about earwax. While we have all heard that we are absolutely NOT to...

We’ve been paying so much (quite warranted) attention to COVID that we sometimes forget that there are other viruses out there....