Medical education is intense, expensive and focused on the idea of “evidence-based medicine” (EBM). The idea of home remedies is usually framed as outmoded, unscientific and potentially harmful. If you ask physicians what treatments they recommend for hiccups, leg cramps or mild ...

DEAR ANNIE: My husband confided to me that his mother had an eating disorder in the past, and there are possible signs she may have relapsed. When she visits us, she will exercise for hours daily, regularly disparage her physical appearance and skip meals claiming that she is “too bloated” ...

DEAR HELOISE: When telemarketers call your house, answer by spelling “stop” out loud. I thought that I would try this one day because this is what I get told when I receive spam text messages. Our phone rarely rings anymore. Hope this works for others! — Kelly, in Anaheim, ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In one of your recent columns, you touched upon the long-term use of tamsolusin. I, too, tried tamsolusin, and after several months, I saw no significant improvement to my symptoms. My primary care physician switched me to finasteride, ...

1. One spade. Your spades are admittedly weak, but there are other factors to consider besides the strength of the suit. You can’t bid two diamonds because that would promise 10 or more points, and you can’t bid one notrump because you might miss a spade fit. The one-spade response allows ...