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1500 questions
26
votes
1 answer
Why are iron levels different in the left and right hands?
Yesterday I donated blood. When the nurse performed a finger prick test of iron using my left hand, she indicated that the level was too low. However, she then asked to perform the test again on my right hand. Surprisingly, the iron level was…
Peter Flom
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26
votes
3 answers
When does the use of headphones become harmful?
Generally, it is known if you listen to music through headphones a lot of time, you damage your ears.
But how long should I use the headphones? And how loud can they be so as not to affect my hearing?
Shevliaskovic
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26
votes
3 answers
Should we rinse with water after brushing our teeth?
I've heard that rinsing with water after teeth brushing lowers or negates the benefits that fluoride provides to our teeth, but I've also heard everything in between; from there's no problem with it, to rinse with as little water as possible, to mix…
NPN328
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26
votes
2 answers
Why should I avoid milk when on antibiotics?
I'm taking antibiotics (specifically, amoxicillin clavulanate) to fight off an ear infection. As she prescribed my antibiotics, my doctor told me not to eat milk products for a few days, then only eat yogurt until I was off the antibiotics…
Kevin
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25
votes
1 answer
How often should I use mouthwash?
I recently started using a mouthwash recently.
However, I've read that (I'll link when I find the article again) mouthwashing everyday doesn't really help as much as doing it everyday for 2 weeks, taking a break, then using it for another 2…
Zaenille
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25
votes
2 answers
Effect of the common cold on the immune system
I've heard that once a person catches a cold, his whole immune system becomes weak and is affected. In what way does having a cold influence the immune system?
If it does weaken it, how can one keep the immune system strong while the person is…
Akshay Vasu
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25
votes
2 answers
Do zinc lozenges really help the common cold?
For years I've been seeing advertisements for zinc supplements for the common cold, and I've heard recommendations from people who swear that they work, either wiping out a cold completely or shortening its duration.
The studies I have seen were…
anongoodnurse
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25
votes
4 answers
How much coffee can a healthy adult drink?
How much coffee can a healthy adult drink before it starts to affect them in a bad way?
For example, some friends of mine get headaches if they drink more than 2 cups in a single day.
Shevliaskovic
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24
votes
2 answers
How to avoid fatigue if I foresee irregular sleeping time?
Let's say normally, I go to sleep at 00:00 and wake up at 08:00. I know that 3 days from now, I will have to work in another city for just that day and wake up at 05:00 to account for the travel time.
How should I plan my activities and rest, so…
kathy
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24
votes
2 answers
Are artificial sweeteners safe?
There seems to be a lot of noise about health risks of consuming artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame and saccharin. Many sources argue that these chemicals carry huge risks of developing cancer and neurological problems.
Should I be…
Nate Barbettini
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24
votes
1 answer
Why is the rate of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus disease booming?
The wikipedia entry on polio vaccines has the 1st graph below, showing that the rate of vaccine derived polio has increased massively over the last few years, with the rate of 1089 cases in 2020 compared to 56 - 71 per year from 2010 to 2014. The…
User65535
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24
votes
6 answers
Is it advisable for a healthy male in his early 40s to take the influenza vaccine?
Influenza vaccines do not have satisfactory effective rates of preventing flu. Flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to…
user781486
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23
votes
3 answers
Why aren't leg amputations done at the knee joint?
I've noticed that leg amputations aren't usually done right at the knee joint. Instead, the amputation is done further up the leg -- up on the thigh bone.
Why cut midway up a good bone like the thigh bone instead of amputating at the knee?
In other…
User1974
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23
votes
3 answers
Why is sitting for long periods unhealthy?
Discovery called sitting "the new smoking", and while this is somewhat hyperbolic, there seems to be hard data that indicates sitting (e.g., at a desk) for long periods of time is unhealthy (1, 2).
Why is this the case, and what can be done to…
Nate Barbettini
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22
votes
1 answer
How do I know if I'm flossing correctly?
I recently started flossing regularly.
However, I'm not sure if I'm doing it right because sometimes my gums bleed. If I floss the right way, should it never bleed?
Aside from bleeding, how can I know if flossing makes a positive effect? What…
Zaenille
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