UR Medicine's Most Searched: What You Wanted to Know in 2024

Every year, Google wows us with a roundup of the most common searches from January to December. They remind us of the year's highlights, trials, events, and community moments.

This sparked our curiosity: What made you look to UR Medicine experts for answers? And what were our patients’ most burning questions?

Check out our community's top five most common searches for UR Medicine experts this year and what they had to say.

1. Is BMI accurate?

In recent years, the health community has ramped up their investigation of BMI as a health indicator. For our community, this was one of the most common questions asked online and answered by us. So, what’s the answer?

Family Medicine Physician Holly Russell, MD, tackled this one, pointing out that BMI wasn’t even created originally to measure health.

“Studies have also shown that BMI can mislabel a person’s health when compared to objective measures, like results from tests for cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The bottom line: no simple math formula or number on the scale can measure a person’s health. And using one for that purpose may actually cause harm.”

Dr. Russell also helped guide patients on how to say "no" to being weighed at the doctor, if and when it makes sense.

2. Why is my throat sore but I don’t have a fever?

With illnesses like strep, COVID, and the flu floating around all year, it seemed like no one could escape a sore throat. But many of you experienced a lump in your throat with no fever or other signs of infection. Why might that be?

Drum roll…it’s likely allergies. Kelly Farrow, NP, answered this burning question early this year.

“If you’re not experiencing fever or fatigue with your sore throat, then it is likely due to something non-infectious like allergies. Sometimes mild colds can also start with a sore throat and few or no other symptoms.”

3. Can you feel better after one dose of antibiotics?

Whether for strep throat, a UTI, or bacterial pneumonia, many of us were prescribed a cycle of antibiotics this year. And after one or two doses, it’s common to feel much better. But does that mean you can stop taking them?

Infectious Disease researcher Ghinwa Dumyati, MD, and Emergency Medicine physician Bohdan Klymochko, DO, offered antibiotics do’s and don’ts.

“Symptoms can improve within 48 to 72 hours of starting the antibiotic. The body continues to respond and recover after the antibiotic course is complete. Importantly, follow the antibiotic prescription exactly and be sure to finish the full course as prescribed.”

4. How to get rid of back pain?

From yard work to desk jobs, there are many reasons we experience back pain. In 2024, you wanted to understand what causes back pain and how to get rid of it.

Our Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation experts touched on some causes of back pain and how you might find relief.

UR Medicine teams help treat back and neck pain while our researchers aim to better understand what is happening in the brain regarding chronic pain.

Seek care from your primary care provider, orthopaedic urgent care, or via virtual urgent care. Depending on your diagnosis, your provider may refer you to UR Medicine specialists.

5. What is a Parkinson’s Biomarker?

Our community is largely interested in science and health research—including the study of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. In 2024, you wanted to know all about the latest in Parkinson’s detection and biomarkers. Researchers at Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience have you covered and continue to investigate the growing links between air pollution, pesticides, TCE, and Parkinson's.