Health news blog

Since your primary care doctor functions as the “gatekeeper”—blocking or granting access to specialists—choosing a good gatekeeper can be vital. You want someone who, if necessary, will appeal on your behalf if you need a special test or an extra day in the hospital. It’s often hard to tell much about a doctor from the brochures, so again, talk to other members, even people you bump into in the waiting room.

If you feel you’re being unjustly denied services you need, don’t be afraid to fight for them. If politely making your case to your doctor doesn’t work, try appealing to an administrator. All HMOs have formal grievance procedures.

Finally, the more you can learn about any medical conditions you have, the better position you’ll be in to assert yourself. HMO doctors have a difficult time saying no to reasonable, well-informed patients.

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what òî look for: Whole rye should be the first ingredient. Long, slow cooking causes the natural sugar in rye flour to darken and sweeten the bread.

typical nutritional data per slice: 100 Calories, 0.5 g

fat, 3 g fiber, 200 mg sodium.

good brands: Mestemacher Genuine Westphalian Pumpernickel… Rubschlager 100% Rye, Rye-Ola Pumpernickel.

Dietary silicon, found in whole grains and their products (such as beer), reduces bone loss and promotes bone formation.

Beer is an especially good source because it is readily absorbed. Other sources of silicon include oat bran, barley and rice.

warning: More than two drinks per day for men or one for women is considered harmful.

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In the 1980s, doctors and patients found out that the drug minoxidil does help grow—and regrow—hair. It just didn’t work predictably well for many of those who tried it. Ten years and countless trials later, some dermatologists think that a three-drug regimen may be more successful in battling baldness.

This less common regimen involves mixing Rogaine {minoxidil), now available over-the-counter, with Proscar (finasteride), originally a medication for prostate enlargement, and thyroid hormone.

the application method is similar to what is suggested on the packages of minoxidil: Rub it into the scalp every day. Of course, this combination treatment will cost more— but early results are promising.

note: Finasteride should be avoided by men contemplating fatherhood. (Women should also avoid it before and during pregnancy.)

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Never store vitamins in the refrigerator. Each time you open the bottle, warm air from the outside will mix with the cold vitamins, causing condensation. Over time the pills will become sticky and may actually begin to dissolve.

also: Don’t store them in the bathroom, where heat and humidity can shorten their shelf life.

better: Store vitamins in a pantry or on the kitchen counter where they’ll stay dry and at room temperature.

exceptions: Supplements of intestinal flora, such as lactoba-cilli or bifidobacteria. These should be kept in the refrigerator.

These bony protuberances on the sides of the feet are caused by ill-fitting shoes and/or hereditary factors. They can lead to painful calluses, osteoarthritis and/or hammertoes.

self-defense: Wear loose-fitting shoes. New shoes should be purchased at midday, when the feet are slightly swollen. Make sure there’s a thumb’s-width space between the front of the shoe and your longest toe.

to reduce redness and to reduce swelling.’ Use ice around the bunion.

finger test: If a whitish area appears when you press down on a bump, you may not be suffering from a bunion but from bursitis, a condition that requires medical attention.

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Certain herbs and certain supplements have been shown to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition to a daily vitamin Ñ supplement, consider taking all of the following supplements a week or two prior to the onset of your pollen allergy season (trees, April…grass, May…ragweed, August), best choices…

Crapeseed extract is the most effective natural antihistamine. In France, it’s a popular choice for treating allergies. It contains proanthocyanidin, an antioxidant that helps reduce mucous membrane inflammation.

typical dose: 100 mg to 200 mg three times daily between meals.

Nettles, derived from the leaves, stems and roots of a perennial plant that grows throughout the US, is an effective natural antihistamine. It can be taken during an allergy flare-up but is more effective as a preventive.

typical dose: 300 mg three times daily with meals.

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid in many vegetables, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It helps reduce nasal congestion and inhibits the effects of histamines, body chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Take a quercetin supplement that includes bromelain, a digestive enzyme that improves the body’s ability to absorb quercetin.

typical dose: 250 mg to 500 mg three times daily with meals.

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