The long-term health effects of using artificial sweeteners are unclear, but some experts advise using them sparingly.

     If you become constipated when you travel, understanding why could help you avoid problems on future trips.

     Here are tips for staying healthy while visiting distant or developing countries.

     Elliptical trainers are easier on your joints than running and provide a great aerobic workout. After mastering the proper form, you can adjust the machine's settings to focus on developing your endurance or specific lower-body muscles.

     Test your knowledge of antibiotics with this quiz. (Bonus question: Why should you keep taking an antibiotic until it is all gone?)

     If you experience recurrent BPPV, your physician or physical therapist may teach you how to do the treatment maneuver at home. You may also want to ask if this alternate technique would be appropriate for you.

     How can you tell if your four-footed friend is overweight? This article describes an easy way to check, and simple, positive steps for bringing down a chubby pet's weight. Additional tips are available here.
     Your pet will feel better, live longer, require less expensive veterinary care - and love you just as much. In fact, a recent study suggests cats that have slimmed down may become more affectionate.

     When possible before any surgery, it is best to seek out a surgeon and a hospital that often treat patients with your condition. Frequent surgeries of the same type allow a surgeon and hospital staff to become more expert in the procedure and after-care, increasing your odds of a successful operation and smooth recovery.
     Cancer patients now have a way to check how frequently surgeries for 11 types of cancer are performed at any California hospital. The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has collected and published data from 2014. This copy of their data file has been reformatted to simplify use by our Santa Clara County readers. 
     All prospective hospital patients may be interested in another CHCF service, CalQualityCare, which rates hospitals according to patient experience, safety, and re-hospitalization.

 ...magazines and TV had no ads for prescription drugs. Then the pharmaceutical industry, claiming advertising would help health care consumers become better informed, successfully lobbied Congress to change the law. 

     Why do the American Medical Association and other health care experts recommend reinstating the ban on direct-to-consumer advertising?

     Do you feel better informed?