A Serving Size Is Not a Recommendation

FDA's 2016 label update made serving sizes reflect real portions, and here is how to read them alongside calories and Daily Values.

Don't Make Holding Your Urine a Habit

NIDDK on why delaying the bathroom can stretch the bladder, the early signs to watch for, and habits that help.

Mammogram Timing: The Task Force's Starting Point

What the Task Force's B grade covers, why the start age moved to 40, and where other groups and the evidence past 74 differ.

Are frozen vegetables as healthy as fresh ones?

Consumer Reports and Cleveland Clinic on when frozen or canned shines, what canning costs in nutrients, and what to check on the label.

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.