Painful urination can have multiple causes

Ask Dr. K

Cure for common cold remains elusive

Ask Dr. K

New study links preterm birth with microbes in mom's body

WASHINGTON - Scientists might have found a new way to tell who's at risk of having a premature baby, by checking the bacterial community that lives in mom's reproductive tract.

OTC medications at wholesale prices

Diabetes is an awful disease.

Apply for unclaimed controlled hunt tags by Aug. 15

For a wide variety of reasons, some of the lucky hunters who drew tags in the deer, elk, antelope and bear controlled-hunt drawing did not buy their tags.

Purchase controlled hunt tags by Saturday

Big game hunters who were successful in drawing controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear have until 11 p.m. PDT, Saturday, Aug. 1 to buy their tags.

Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses. Currently, one in every five antibiotic prescriptions written for U.S. adults is written for sinusitis. Keeping in mind that unnecessary and unneeded antibiotic use leads to more virulent strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that doctors only suspect a bacterial infection when sinusitis symptoms last ten days or more and do not improve. After that, a five to seven day course of amoxicillin is often recommended.

Playing the health insurance shell game

Last Wednesday, we were treated to another nonsensical "My Turn" by Chuck Malloy, where he started off by thanking goodness for insurance. He went on to say that he needed to purchase an insulin pen and the cost of a five pack over the counter without insurance was $500, but thanks to the wonderful insurance world, he only paid $35.

No over-the-counter for Plan B pill

Election-year politics seen in move by Obama administration

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a surprise move with election-year implications, the Obama administration's top health official overruled her own drug regulators and stopped the Plan B morning-after pill from moving onto drugstore shelves next to the condoms.

FDA allows over-the-counter morning-after pill, lifts age limit

Study questions how much better organic food is

WASHINGTON - Patient after patient asked: Is eating organic food, which costs more, really better for me?

Controlled hunt drawing results online

Hunters who applied for elk, deer, pronghorn, fall turkey and black bear controlled hunts can check online to see whether they were successful in the recent computerized drawing.

Hunters can get certified before fall

Beginning hunters interested in hunting in Idaho this fall who have not taken a required hunter education or a bow hunter education course may complete an online course in time to receive their certification, buy a license, and hunt this fall.

No over-the-counter, nonresident deer, elk tags available this year

No over-the-counter nonresident deer, elk tags available this year Controlled hunt tags must be purchased this week or forfeited

Taste, taste, taste

Mary and I affectionately refer to tasting wine many times as "homework." For us while it really isn't work at all it is a big part of the job, as we never feel comfortable or confident recommending a wine to a customer if we have not tried it first regardless of the price we pay and therefore charge our customers, it has to meet our standards. Allegorically, customers can and for their own protection should approach wine the same way.

Treating sinus inflammation

When sinus inflammation (sinusitis) strikes, most people probably think that the best thing to do is get a prescription for antibiotics from their doctors. However, antibiotics are ineffective in 90 percent to 98 percent of all sinusitis case because nearly all sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics don't kill viruses.

Antibiotics: Friend or foe? Part II

Germs are becoming increasingly more resistant to our antibiotics, and as a result, stronger, more potentially dangerous antibiotics are necessitated. Keep in mind that any drug, whether by prescription or over the counter (OTC) has potentially serious side effects, and should be utilized only after researching the risks, including toxicity as a result of its consumption. Antibiotics - and OTC's, because they're given out like candy - often miss the scrutiny given to other medications by wise consumers, but pose potentially serious side effects when misused.

Local lakes to be stocked with 43K fish

Over 43,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in April.

Unified Land Use Code comments sought

Kootenai County Planning Commission is accepting public comments on the final draft of the Unified Land Use Code that was released to the public on Tuesday.

Hold your fire

ALBANY, N.Y. - Gun enthusiasts fearful of new weapon controls and alarmed by rumors of government hoarding are buying bullets practically by the bushel, making it hard for stores nationwide to keep shelves stocked and even putting a pinch on some local law enforcement departments.