Water Is Not Contact Lens Solution

The FDA explains why water and homemade saline put lens wearers at risk and how to lower the chance of infection.

Keep Cotton Swabs Out of the Ear Canal

MedlinePlus explains what ear wax does, why swabs backfire and when a blocked ear needs a provider.

Mention Persistent Dry Mouth at Your Next Visit

Does a paper coffee filter matter for cholesterol?

What Harvard researchers say about how much coffee is too much, and what else your morning cup may affect.

Ask before splitting a tablet

What the FDA says about scored tablets, extended-release pills, storing split halves and switching brands.

Multigrain does not always mean whole grain

Why label terms and bread color can mislead, and what to look for on the ingredient list instead.

Hoarse for more than three weeks? Mention it

What hoarseness is, the warning signs that call for a visit, and why the three-week mark matters.

Can eating close to bedtime make acid reflux worse?

What the NIH and the American College of Gastroenterology say about weight, smoking and other habits beyond meal timing.

Keep the Eye-Drop Tip Off Everything

Why the FDA says eye drops need extra care, which products to avoid, and what to do if a bottle gives you trouble.

The Same Pain Reliever Can Hide in Two Medicines

Acetaminophen hides in cold medicines and prescription pain pills, and the FDA says to check labels for its abbreviations too.

Taking Biotin? Mention It Before a Lab Test

The FDA is naming troponin tests that have not fixed a known problem with biotin, so share your supplement list before blood work.

Are sweet potatoes healthier than white potatoes?

How the two spuds differ as plants, how much the world grows, and an easy topping swap from Cleveland Clinic.