221 million prescriptions...
That's the latest number available for the number of prescriptions written in a single year (2012-2013) for statins.
Living Well
Buying Snow Shovels in Florida
"You want me to buy a snow shovel. I live in South Florida!"
Last week, after our issue on winterizing your house right now (instead of waiting until the end-of-fall rush), Ron M. wrote in about the ludicrous nature of our tip on buying a snow shovel because he lives in South Florida.
Winter Is Coming... Seven Tips to Prepare for the Worst
Imagine looking at the position of Venus and using that to predict how much snow you'll get for the next decade.
It sounds ludicrous, but that's exactly what the Farmer's Almanac does. In 1792, the publication first used the mathematical formula for weather predictions created by Robert B. Thomas. Thomas looked at variables like sun spots, tidal patterns, and yes, the position of the planets. He even gave tips on counting things like persimmon seeds and colors on a wooly caterpillar.
Tired of the Flip-Flopping Medical Advice? Here's What You Need to Know...
It's hard to tell which medical studies to follow... especially when they contradict each other.
One day coffee is good for you... the next, someone claims it gives you cancer. The same with eggs, milk, and a number of other things. (For the record, coffee is good for you and protects against liver cancer.)
Four Ways to Avoid Winning the Worst 'Lottery'
A 60-year-old man in Massachusetts made headlines last week... for all the worst reasons.
That's because he became the first recorded case of a certain mosquito-borne virus infecting a human in Massachusetts since 2003.
Yes, There Are Good Lawyers... And You Need One
Doc's note: August is National Make a Will Month. So this month, I'm covering a question I often hear...
"Should I pay for someone to write my will or can I do it myself?"
The Government Doesn't Care About You (and Never Will)
I'm going to lose my voice from shouting this yet again: Big Government doesn't care about you.
No one – not Big Government, not Big Pharma, not Big Banks – will take care of you. You can only take care of yourself. You are the only one with your own best interests at heart.
You're Ignoring This Heart Attack Red Flag
It felt like just a moment ago you were enjoying dinner with your wife, and now you're flat on your back rolling into emergency surgery.
You've had a massive heart attack... and you're completely blindsided.
My Fascinating Friend Svein on How to 'Do Good'
It's Time for Equifax to Pay Up
It was one of the biggest data breaches in U.S. history.
In 2017, millions of folks had their most valuable information – the keys to their private identities – exposed and possibly stolen. The company at fault – credit bureau giant Equifax.