Berkeley Wellness Alerts

Lifelong Wellness Alerts

Expired Medication: Take or Toss?

Is it okay to use medication after its expiration date? Does medication become ineffective or dangerous, or is the date simply a marketing ploy to get you to buy more? There is disagreement even among professionals.

Can Your Blood Pressure Be Too Low?

Should You Be Tested for Mercury?

Reports about the dangers of mercury—from fish, dental fillings, and pollution—may make you wonder if you should get tested for mercury. But beware, the results can be misleading.

The Grapefruit Effect and Your Drugs

Many people taking medications have learned to be leery of grapefruit and its juice—which is too bad, since grapefruit is not only delicious, but also heart-healthy and nutritious. Here's what you need to know.

Do You Need an Appetite Adjustment?

If you’re trying to lose weight and calorie counting hasn’t worked, making changes in your environment and behavior may help keep your appetite in check. Here’s a look at what drives overeating and how you can gain control.

Should You Join This Tea Party?

After water, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world. But can it really improve your health, as claimed? Here’s a brief look at some of the research.

Who Needs Alzheimer’s Testing?

Some experts think all older people should be tested for Alzheimer’s. Would you be better off if the disease could be diagnosed early, and if you and your relatives were tested?

TMD: A Pain in the Jaw

Jaw pain is the most common kind of musculoskeletal pain after low back pain, affecting about 20 million Americans. And fittingly, it has a jaw-breaking name: temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Shining a Light on Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is very common, and some types can be deadly. But discovered early, almost all skin cancers can be treated and cured. Here’s what you need to know.

The Buzz on Mosquitoes

It's peak mosquito season in many parts of the country. Here’s a survival guide.

The Dating Game

Your toothpaste just “expired.” What do you do—resuscitate it or toss it? Many products carry expiration dates, but it’s hard to know what they mean.

A Pain in the Neck

You wake up with a crick in your neck and along your shoulder blade, making it painful to turn your head or even use the affected arm. Now what?

Sinusitis: The Cold That Doesn’t Go Away

Your nose is stuffy and runny, and you have a crushing headache. You might think you have a cold, but it might instead be sinusitis.

Woodstoves and Fireplaces: No Smoke is Good Smoke

As the weather gets chilly, many people cozy up to woodstoves. But woodstoves, as well as fireplaces, are a source of both indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Steering Clear of Motion Sickness

Most people experience motion sickness under severe conditions. But even a simple car ride can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in sensitive people. Here’s how to steer clear of motion sickness.