Quotes of the Day

More detailed throat exams used to require sedation because of the difficulty in getting any sort of instrument past the powerful gag reflex. However, an exam called the transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL) is now the preferred method for viewing your larynx and the surrounding structures. The brilliance of any transnasal exam is that it involves passing an instrument through your nose, thereby allowing a physician to bypass the gag reflex and view the tissues and structures below. What will typically be examined are the vocal folds—do they look swollen and red, likely to be the source of hoarseness or throat pain? Is there evidence of postnasal drip or accumulated mucus, the possible cause of chronic cough or a lumplike sensation in the throat?  [2017] - Jonathan Aviv

Standard (immediate-release) melatonin can sometimes be useful for the prevention of east-bound jet lag and for certain shift work schedules, and it may be helpful in the short term (up to 1-2 weeks) for sleep difficulty. Immediate-release melatonin is generally not useful for chronic insomnia. [2021] - Judith R. Davidson

Choose the right insurance: For homes that will need some fixing up, you may be limited to an actual cash value (ACV) policy. That means the insurance company will give you only enough insurance to cover what you paid for the property, minus the value of the land it sits on. On the other hand, a replacement cost policy is the preferred option if you can get it. The coverage is better, and it will pay for the full cost of a covered loss (minus your deductible) or even to fully rebuild the house, if necessary. To qualify, the property must be in good condition, with the roof and paint in good shape. With most policies, if you are more than 20% under market costs, you will be subject to a coinsurance penalty. Make sure your policy includes outbuildings (garage, shop, etc.) and you have liability coverage on the home (common limits are $300,000, $500,000 and $1,000,000). I recommend requiring your renters to carry their own renter's insurance as well. [2015] - Brandon Turner

Brushes should be cleaned daily, using an anti-bacterial or other sanitizing method. Toothbrushes can be cleaned by swishing the bristles of the brush in ½oz undiluted antibacterial rinse (Listerine) for 30 seconds. Rinse away the disinfecting liquids under running tap water. Store the brush head up, in a cup, allowing the bristles to air dry completely between each use. If your storage conditions are damp or wet, mold or bacteria will grow easily on your brush, even under a cover or in a bag. Depending on their bathroom conditions, some families may be able to keep their toothbrushes cleaner by storing them in a kitchen area. The makers of the UV sterilizers for toothbrushes are now making small portable units for traveling toothbrushes, and the units seem to work well. [2025] - Ellie Phillips

The best woman-pleasing style that 9.9 out of 10 women prefer is a professional, neat, clean, un-styled, un-dyed, and un-sprayed head of hair. [2006] - Leil Lowndes