Medical Matters

Barry and Dr Bottum tackle constipation, continuing their examination of the digestive system, and some of its common ailments. How do you deal with constipation at different stages of life, from infants to the elderly.

DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is the topic of today's show, the risk of clots developing in veins deep in your body. Barry and Dr Bottum discuss the risks involved, and why you might have to wear a stocking before or after surgery.

Barry and Dr Bottum talk about the range of insect bites and stings that people might run into in the summer. What are the risks, what bites are safe, and which ones do you need to be concerned about?

Every spring brings with it beautiful blossoms, and terrible allergies for some, others have issues with hayfever in the summer, still others have to deal with dust in the winter. Barry and Dr Bottum discuss what allergies are, and how you can deal with allergic reactions.

Getting into the summer, how do you protect yourself from sunburn? Looking at yesterdays "Sun Tan Lotion" and today's sunscreen, when should you wear it and why?

What is a hernia, what causes them, and what can you do if you're suffering from one? Dr Bottum gives Barry the scoop on hernias, a common issue that is seen almost every week in Dr Bottum's practice.

ATVs, All Terrain Vehicles, are very popular in the highlands, and in many rural areas around the world. With ATVs growing in popularity, there are more accidents and injuries now than ever before. Dr Bottum gives some tips to help you stay safe on your ATV.

Barry and Dr Bottum discuss the debilitating issue of low back pain. As the most common musculoskeletal complaint, it can be caused by a range of things, but they will all stop you in your tracks!

Sleep apnea is a pervasive condition, that can have some serious risks associated with it. Apnea means absence of breath, and while sleeping, your body can stop breathing for up to a minute, followed by a deep gasp to regain your breath, and this can repeat many times over the course of a night.

When you get a prescription do you take it exactly according to the instructions, until the dosage is complete, do you even pick up your prescription after it's been given to you? Dr Bottum and Barry chat about issues surrounding medication compliance.

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, can be a challenge for people throughout the fall and winter. As a subset of depression, Barry and Dr Bottum discuss the reasons why it happens, and how you can cope with it.

Most people tend to indulge (or over-indulge) over the holiday season. Nicki Mills, RD, joins Barry and Dr Bottum, to talk about how to eat well throughout the holidays.

<p>Barry and Dr Bottum talk about Dietary Supplements, and Dr Bottum gives his opinion on the benefits and drawbacks on dietary supplements and how much is really known about the supplements you might be taking.</p>