Runners encourage friend to train for marathon

Runners encourage friend to train for marathon

Apr 10, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: All of my friends are into running, and lately they’ve been talking about training for a marathon together. They keep encouraging me to join them, saying it would be an amazing challenge, a great bonding experience and something I’d feel proud of accomplishing. The problem is that I hate running. I’ve never enjoyed it, and I have zero passion for it. The idea of training for months and running 26.2 miles sounds miserable, not exciting. At the same time, I feel like I’m missing out by not participating. I don’t want to be the odd one out while they’re all supporting each other and celebrating this huge milestone together. I worry that if I don’t at least try, I’ll feel left out or regret not being a part of something so important to them. I don’t want to force myself into doing something I hate just for the sake of fitting in.

Harriette Cole

Friend’s shady business sours relationship

Apr 05, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think one of my friends might be working for a pyramid scheme. I can’t be sure, but he basically plays the role of a financial adviser and “helps” people invest their money. When they turn a profit, he gets a percentage. The more they invest, the more he gets paid.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Umbilical cord blood holds beneficial stem cells

Apr 05, 2025

Dear Doctors: My fiance and I plan to have kids someday. I was wondering if it would be beneficial to keep our babies’ umbilical cords, which would be full of stem cells. We would like to know how that works and if there are already uses for cord blood. Can it help with Type 1 diabetes?

DO JUST ONE THING

DO JUST ONE THING

Apr 03, 2025

• The shocking statistic that humans – on average – have enough microplastics in our bodies to make a small spoon is motivation enough to do anything to avoid ingesting them. Here’s tip No. 1 of seven this week to help reduce your microplastic consumption: Vacuum on a regular basis in your home. All home furnishing items made from synthetic materials shed over time, so microplastics can come from drapes, rugs, upholstered furniture and throw blankets. These items should be vacuumed on a regular basis. Better yet, avoid synthetics and use all-natural fibers for your home decor.

Parent weighs summer abroad for daughter

Parent weighs summer abroad for daughter

Apr 03, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: Our daughter wants to go away for a study-abroad program this summer. She is in high school, and her only real experience being away from home is the occasional sleepover and sometimes spending a week with her grandparents. Yes, my husband and I are very protective of her. Plus, she hasn’t expressed interest in summer camp or other sleepaway activities, so they haven’t happened. Some of her other friends have done these things.

From eye doctor to stand-up comedian

From eye doctor to stand-up comedian

Apr 01, 2025

The bad thing about living in a new place is that I don’t know anyone. The good thing about living in a new place is that I meet new people.

Realtor friend seems unworthy of hype

Realtor friend seems unworthy of hype

Apr 01, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: I bought property a few years ago. I’m not happy about how my realtor operated during that initial transaction, but I kept working with her. She has now asked me to share her details on my personal social pages to help her get more business. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend her if someone asked me privately, so I don’t care to promote her publicly.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Research continues on long COVID treatment

Mar 22, 2025

Dear Doctors: Has there been any progress in figuring out how to treat long COVID? I have been dealing with the symptoms for two years, and my doctor seems to have given up. Is anyone even doing research anymore? I feel as though we are being forgotten.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Physical activity slows Alzheimer’s disease

Mar 21, 2025

Dear Doctors: What do you know about a study that says aerobics might be good for slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease? I’ve read that being active helps your memory, but how would it affect an actual disease?

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