Burning calories while exercising: how important is how much effort you put into it? Does difficulty enter the equation, or is it all time and distance? [more inside]
posted by canadia on Jul 3, 2009 - 10 answers

How do I "detox"? [more inside]
posted by GComes on Jul 1, 2009 - 16 answers

What constitutes a healthy diet when excess weight is not an issue and reasonably high calorie intake is necessary? [more inside]
posted by jon1270 on Jun 30, 2009 - 15 answers

Am I turning into a hypochondriac? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 29, 2009 - 9 answers

I have been tossing around the concept of polyphasic sleeping for years now and the only thing that is stopping me from converting is this question. How would this affect my body? There seems to be no real mention on articles covering polyphasics of how this affects your body. Plenty say that you get enough sleep for your mind, although as I would like to form my own opinion on the mind part, my issue is that they are quick to say that the other "Five something" hours of non REM sleep are essentially wasted. My hypothesis is that you need these hours of downtime for your body itself to regenerate. If my hypothesis is correct is there any ways to ensure a rest like state for my body while in a waking cycle during full on uberman style polyphasics? Related Link [more inside]
posted by Chamunks on Jun 28, 2009 - 8 answers

I haven't slept in days, and I need to be completely alert for the next sixteen hours. Should I nap or push through? [more inside]
posted by doublehappy on Jun 28, 2009 - 16 answers

Help me get up in mornings! [more inside]
posted by pakoothefakoo on Jun 27, 2009 - 33 answers

How can I get tested to see if I'm missing any trace minerals or vitamins in my diet without health insurance?
posted by parallax7d on Jun 26, 2009 - 16 answers

How can I arrange for bulletproof independent health insurance? [more inside]
posted by rr on Jun 22, 2009 - 7 answers

Will a long-long-ago suicide attempt on my hospital record impact negatively on an attempt to sign up for a private health fund in Australia/on the cost of health fund membership? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 22, 2009 - 3 answers

Please suggest me some snacks, light or portable dishes that are both healthy and involve baking or cooking. [more inside]
posted by schmoo on Jun 21, 2009 - 9 answers

10 uneventful (knee wise) years after ACL reconstruction, my knee is very swollen and very sore. Advice needed! [more inside]
posted by thenormshow on Jun 20, 2009 - 7 answers

Urgent-care-or-not filter: Excess thirst and frequent urination for the past two days, with pitting edema in the feet. Can this wait until next week? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 19, 2009 - 5 answers

Are perfume oils (from BPAL specifically) hazardous to health? For my own and pet snake's who might be exposed as he lives in my room.
posted by Yasuo on Jun 18, 2009 - 3 answers

When, if ever, is it reasonable to ask for a preemptive test? Given a family history of congestive heart failure I'm wondering how reasonable it is to reguest a MUGA or echocardiogram just to allay (or confirm) my own worries. I'm definitely already going to see a doctor, so I'm not asking for medical advice. I guess I am asking for perspective to help me frame my request with my physician. [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 17, 2009 - 12 answers

My downstairs neighbor, who is most likely schizophrenic, has been harassing my wife and me. Our landlord seems unenthusiastic about evicting her, and we are unenthusiastic about moving ourselves. What legal options can I pursue? Does anyone in Chicago have personal experience with a (cheap!) lawyer they might recommend? [more inside]
posted by ztdavis on Jun 17, 2009 - 47 answers

Help! My COBRA health insurance ended recently for a sketchy reason and I don't know how to get any answers and I need health care. [more inside]
posted by xenophile on Jun 17, 2009 - 12 answers

I suffer from a tendency to develop tendonitis in my wrists. Gyorgy Sandor's On Piano Playing has helped me learn to play piano in a way that keeps my wrists happy. What similar book exists for guitar? [more inside]
posted by invitapriore on Jun 16, 2009 - 5 answers

I just found out my foot pain is being caused by bunions. Now what? [more inside]
posted by picapica on Jun 15, 2009 - 12 answers

Do Bananas constipate or do they do the opposite? My daughter needs to eat foods that make stool soft. Some people have told me to feed her bananas and others say to stay away from them. Which is the truth? My daughter is five years old. [more inside]
posted by lynnie-the-pooh on Jun 15, 2009 - 25 answers

My SO has a fairly serious medical condition, and refuses to go to the doctor. Is there any way that I can/should address this? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 14, 2009 - 46 answers

Swollen lymph nodes, general ickiness... you are not my doctor, but do I really need to see one? [more inside]
posted by banjo_and_the_pork on Jun 14, 2009 - 9 answers

A somewhat recent NY Times article explains the connection between ALDH2 deficiency and throat cancer. Request for perspective on level of risk and appropriate response in extended. [more inside]
posted by Busoni on Jun 13, 2009 - 4 answers

I've had some success fasting. Initially this was for weight-loss but I also felt much better -- more energy, and my sinus problems went away. The trouble is that it's hard to do well. Do you know of any good books or web resources that explain fasting techniques? I'm not interested in "detox", whatever that is, and this seems to pollute web searches making it hard to find genuinely useful information. For me, this is more of an overall wellness thing.
posted by humblepigeon on Jun 13, 2009 - 9 answers

Are there any *safe* supplements I can take for added muscle gain/weight loss/etc? [more inside]
posted by ascetic on Jun 10, 2009 - 10 answers

Prescription medication from other countries to the US - logistics? [more inside]
posted by jnnla on Jun 9, 2009 - 10 answers

Anyone know about Massachusetts Health Insurance? I'm between a rock and a hard place. I'm about to move to MA from overseas. I sent off application for the low-cost insurance, Commonwealth Care, but it may be weeks after I arrive to hear whether I qualified. [more inside]
posted by Elsie on Jun 9, 2009 - 10 answers

This one goes out to all you dish dogs and pearl divers out there: how do you keep your hands in good condition when working in a restaurant? Especially as a dishwasher. [more inside]
posted by Infernarl on Jun 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Can anyone help a person who has had moderate to severe mental health problems find employment? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Jun 6, 2009 - 9 answers

Mild chemical burns on my hands -- do I need to see a doctor? [more inside]
posted by dizziest on Jun 2, 2009 - 12 answers

My thigh is covered with inflamed hair follicles. It's basically little red dots that look like razor burn. It doesn't hurt, itch, or anything, it just looks bad. Is there any way to reduce them?
posted by Anthro girl on Jun 2, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for cookbooks, blogs, websites, and forums that specialize in simple, healthy recipes. [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Jun 2, 2009 - 20 answers

Why don't adults enjoy dizziness like kids do? When I was a kid I remember thinking adults were boring for not enjoying the feeling of dizziness, and I vowed to always enjoy it :) Now as an adult, I can't stand it, and feel like throwing up. It seems most adults (if not all) feel the same way. Why is that?
posted by ivanv on May 31, 2009 - 33 answers

i like to swim, but friends have been lecturing me about the dangers of chlorine -- that it's been linked to cancer, that it's god-awful for your health and well-being, even if not cancerous. does anyone have an informed opinion on this issue?
posted by LittlePumpkin on May 30, 2009 - 36 answers

Cystoscopy - have you had one? Do I need one? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on May 27, 2009 - 8 answers

Looking for some advice on how to cope with long-standing psychological issues - except...I'm studying in Tokyo for the next month, which adds some unique twists. [more inside]
posted by Griffinlb on May 26, 2009 - 8 answers

What is the characteristic regeneration time for the stomach lining, after daily NSAIDs or alcohol? [more inside]
posted by gensubuser on May 21, 2009 - 6 answers

Are there any downsides to becoming a human garbage disposal? I'm tired of composting and/or throwing out vegetable material. Would there be any seriously ill effects if I just started eating all of the vegetal "waste," i.e. peels, rinds, seeds, myself? What about egg shells?
posted by mrgrimm on May 21, 2009 - 33 answers

My feet are in pain. What kind of doctor should I go to? I've heard that podiatry is sort of a dubious branch of medicine. [more inside]
posted by Sloop John B on May 19, 2009 - 17 answers

Please give me a good technique for getting drops in my eye rather than my cheek.
posted by CodeMonkey on May 19, 2009 - 21 answers

Need no or low cost reconstructive surgery for friend who had a radical vulvectomy [more inside]
posted by ~Sushma~ on May 18, 2009 - 16 answers

Should non-hemophilic women with a mild factor VII deficiency have children? Are the risks too serious to chance child birth?
posted by brokekid on May 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Asbestos, mold and spores! Oh my! Slightly afraid of the burned down building next to me. Should I be? Details, and a heartwarming metafilter-related story inside. [more inside]
posted by fontophilic on May 15, 2009 - 6 answers

Why do some people's hair on their head and pubic hair not match in color? [more inside]
posted by reenum on May 14, 2009 - 30 answers

Woke up Tuesday morning with a killer sore throat, swollen lymph nodes making it painful to swallow and a low-grade fever. A doc visit this afternoon confirmed I've got some sorta creeping crud and I was given a prescription of antibiotics, (Amoxicillin tablets 875mg). Can someone describe in detail what exactly happens when I take the stuff, maybe in a timeline format? How does it wipe out the baddies exactly (i.e. what mechanisms does it use to kill off the bugs?) [more inside]
posted by captnkurt on May 13, 2009 - 8 answers

What can I do for relief until I get to my allergy doctor? [more inside]
posted by greatalleycat on May 12, 2009 - 28 answers

Speaking English causes bad teeth? Combined with chewing gum, leads to more kids having to wear dental braces? Help me research this one; would like stats and links... [more inside]
posted by querty on May 11, 2009 - 25 answers

I've been hearing a lot about the benefits of walking barefoot, and barring that, wearing shoes like the Vibram Five Fingers or Nike Frees, which aren't padded. But are there cheaper alternatives? Wouldn't the lineup of Converse All-Stars and Puma shoes, to give two examples, have the same effect? Any others?
posted by dicetumbler on May 10, 2009 - 17 answers

I'm allergic to benadryl, as in can kill me. Even a normal does causes me to brake out in hives and my airway to swell. Do I need to wear some sort of med alert bracelet (is there even one?), is there something I should, at the least, put in my wallet?
posted by blackout on May 8, 2009 - 13 answers

Trying to remember a cool site about ethical seafood and fish? [more inside]
posted by furtive on May 8, 2009 - 4 answers