Living Well

I'm a bit of a dancing fool...

My passion started in childhood. Winters in Minnesota left me with little to do, so I chose to spend my time learning to dance. That was, after all, what all the pretty girls were doing, too.

Doc's note: I'm handing over my daily letter today to my researcher, Amanda Cuocci. Despite working for me for nearly four years, Amanda has an embarrassing confession to make about her finances...

And my guess is, she isn't alone.

The pill the nurse was trying to get my mother to take could have killed her.

My mom was post-surgery and waking up in her hospital room. The nurses were bringing her medication to take that night, and my mom didn't recognize all of the pills.

Doc's note: Steve Sjuggerud is multi-talented guy...

He was a great tennis player, a state-champion rower, and a fantastic soccer player, too. He's also a world-class guitar player and one of the world's most accomplished "watermen" (he surfs, windsurfs, kitesurfs, and competes in stand-up paddle surfing). There never seems to be enough time in the day, but Steve still gets a lot done.

If you've ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you're familiar with the itching, burning sensations, and pain when using the bathroom. It can be excruciating. And it's a pain 10 in 25 women will experience in their lives.

Lots of folks think this is just a women's issue.

Each year, 50 million Americans suffer seasonal allergies...

And nearly all of us have to fight off a few colds a year.

Your bedroom isn't as safe as you think.

If you have a television... a cellphone... a nightlight... or even a digital alarm clock anywhere near your bed... you may be destroying your sleep and wrecking your overall health.

Would you believe that a common household accident kills more than 27,000 each year? What if I told you that if you're 65 or older, you have a one in four chance of falling victim?

I'm talking about falls. Falling is the leading cause of death for folks over 65. And the number of folks who fall increases every year.

Doc's note: Today we're featuring another issue from my researcher, Amanda Cuocci. This time, she's sharing a story about a minor home disaster and how you can prepare for the worst.

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It's an uncomfortable feeling... You get a burning sensation right behind your breastbone. It hurts to bend over. You're coughing, your stomach feels off, and you can't sleep.

You've got severe heartburn.