The medical term for stretch marks is “striae atrophica” which Tabor’s Medical Dictionary describes as “fine pinkish-white or grey lines, usually 14 cm in length, seen in parts of the body where skin has been stretched. Commonly seen on thighs, abdomen, and breasts of women who are or have been pregnant, in persons whose skin has been stretch by obesity, tumor, or dropsy (swelling); or in persons who have taken [steroids] for a prolonged period.” This is different from cellulite, which is a dimpling of the skin caused by a thin upper layer of the skin with large, irregular fat cells below. Stretch marks are, however, somewhat related to cellulite in that women are much more susceptible than men due to skin anatomy. Women have more subcutaneous fat, which has less of a cohesive cellular structure, and also tend to have thinner top layer of skin which makes the superficial skin more prone to damage of all kinds.

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Athlete’s foot isn’t exactly a sexy topic, but that is one good reason to stamp it out. Two other reasons to stop this fungal infection in its tracks are that it’s highly contagious and it constitutes a low-grade drain on the immune system. Technically called tinea pedis, this yeasty growth thrives in warmth and dampness, living off the dead outer layer of the skin and calluses of the feet, especially between the toes. When the beneficial bacteria on our skin are further compromised by antibiotics, other drugs, or radiation, the fungus can spread rapidly. Symptoms can include scaling, itching, irritation, inflammation, burning and even blistering. Athlete’s foot is prevalent in those who frequent gyms and pool locker rooms, which provide a perfect environment for the fungus. As always, prevention is best, so please protect your feet against direct contact with gym and pool facility floors. But, it’s likely you’re reading this to find a cure! Read on!

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In this land of plenty, a conservative estimate calls 4 out of 10 Americans “addicts.” Abused substances include sugar, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs and street drugs including pot. Addiction can serve us well once we recognize that substance abuse is a way to obscure honest, peaceful, self-discovery. Using, of any addictive substance, gives us the temporary illusion of control, excitement and perfection. In recovery we discover, often to our great relief, that we’re not perfect, that we need intimacy, and that integrity is more appealing than denial. The addict is self-obsessed; living for the next “fix.” The addict is crisis oriented; using panic as a way of feeling alive while avoiding meaningful contact with others. In recovery we let go of our need to control in favor of serenity and clarity.

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Though I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, I feel quite fortunate to have once suffered a bad UTI (urinary tract infection) because I’ll never forget the excruciating pain. Remember Tom Hanks’ description at the beginning of The Green Mile? “It’s like pissing razors…”

Also called bladder infections or cystitis, the symptoms usually include urinary urgency, where you feel like you have to go right now, but then not much comes out, and what does really burns. And a few minutes later it happens again. You may also have lower abdominal pain, fever, chills or visible drops of blood in your urine. This is more prevalent in women than men, is caused, in over 90% of cases, by the Eshcerichia coli (E. coli for short) bug, a certain number of which are necessary in our intestines for proper digestion. However, E. coli doesn’t ever belong in the urethra or the bladder. Normally, the bug lives at the end of the digestive tract, which we politely call the anus, and can get easily swiped forward to the opening of the urethra, which is the tube up to the bladder. In women, this tube is much shorter, and closer to the rectum.

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Sometimes a sore throat is due to a “strep” infection; the throat will usually look beefy red and the uvula (that doohickey that hangs down at the back of the throat) may be elongated and lying on the back of the tongue. Please see a doctor if you suspect a strep throat. But most sore throats are viral and will resolve on their own. Read on for some tips on how to hasten the healing. General measures for expediting the resolution of a viral infection include, of course, drinking lots of water and increasing Vitamin C intake. Also, restrict food intake (which allows your body to focus on immune stimulation, rather than digestion), especially refined grains, sugar, alcohol and food allergens. If you have a fever — great! Try to intensify it. (Please read the post Suppressing Fevers for two options for home fever treatment.) This is your body’s natural anti-viral mechanism. Viruses live inside the cell so need to be “burned” out, as opposed to extracellular bacteria, which produce pus and green snot and all that other slimy stuff. If you do have a bad bacterial bug and opt for antibiotics, be sure to take probiotics (acidophilus and bifido bacteria) along with and 10 days beyond the antibiotic therapy.

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Fevers should only rarely be suppressed, for example in small children prone to febrile seizures, or a fever that continuously spikes over 104 degrees F for longer than 24 hours. If your body can mount a fever, the course of your viral illness is likely to be shorter. Sometimes people are too ill to mount a fever, and some help is required. You can also intensify your fever with the following two methods. The first method is easy and can be done alone. The second method requires the assistance of a loving friend and is not for the faint-of-heart. But it really works to burn out a viral bug!

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