Dr. David Taylor, MD, PhD
The BestRatedDocs Blog
Sourced statistics pages, plus practical guides and explainers. Our product roundups live under Categories.
Statistics
Every figure links to its primary source. Free to cite, with a CSV download on each page.
Mobility Aids
Wheelchair Sizing Guide: Standard Dimensions and How to Measure for the Right Fit
An MD's method for measuring for a wheelchair — the five body measurements that determine fit, the standard seat-width/depth/height dimensions, a printable size chart, and the clinical reasons an inch in either direction matters.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
Home Recovery Essentials After Surgery: An MD's Guide to What You Actually Need
Dr. David Taylor, MD walks through the home setup, medications, mobility aids, and red flags that determine whether post-surgery recovery goes smoothly or ends in the emergency room.
Updated May 26, 2026
Manual vs Electric Wheelchair: An MD's Clinical Guide to Choosing the Right Chair
Dr. David Taylor compares manual and electric wheelchairs — who benefits from each, cost and Medicare coverage, airline battery rules, shoulder injury risk, and the power-assist middle option.
Updated Apr 24, 2026
Rollator vs Walker: An MD's Guide to Choosing the Right Mobility Aid
Dr. David Taylor compares rollators and walkers — clinical differences, who should use each, Medicare coverage, proper fitting, and when to transition between them.
Updated Apr 17, 2026
Orthopedic Supports & Braces
How to Improve Circulation in Your Legs: A Doctor's Guide
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how to improve circulation in your legs: how to tell arterial from venous problems, what actually works, and when elevation harms.
Updated Sep 2, 2026
How to Choose the Right Knee Brace for Your Injury
An MD's guide to choosing a knee brace by injury and condition — the four clinical brace categories, which brace matches an ACL tear, meniscus tear, arthritis, or runner's knee, how to size one correctly, and when to see a doctor instead.
Updated Jul 22, 2026
A Beginner's Guide to Compression Therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Start Safely
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains what compression therapy actually does to your circulation, which garment fits which problem, the one safety test to do before you start, and why most beginners quit in the first two weeks.
Updated Jul 15, 2026
Understanding Compression Levels: 15-20 vs 20-30 mmHg (Physician Guide)
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains the clinical difference between 15-20 and 20-30 mmHg compression, CEAP-mapped indications, and when ABI testing is required first.
Updated May 5, 2026
Compression Socks vs Sleeves: When to Choose Each (Physician Guide)
Dr. David Taylor explains the clinical differences between compression socks and calf sleeves — when each is correct, when each is unsafe, and how to pick the right mmHg level.
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Respiratory Equipment
Best Nebulizers 2026: Why I No Longer Recommend Buying One on Amazon
Dr. David Taylor's honest 2026 update: Amazon's nebulizer catalog has collapsed under FDA enforcement, and the machines still listed are not ones I can recommend. Here is what happened, and exactly how to source a real nebulizer instead.
Updated Jul 14, 2026
Complete Guide to Nebulizer Maintenance and Cleaning
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how to clean and maintain a nebulizer the way the clinical evidence actually supports — daily rinse routine, weekly disinfection methods, parts replacement schedule, and the after-illness, hard-water, and biofilm details most guides skip.
Updated Jul 1, 2026
Nebulizer Types Explained: Compressor vs Ultrasonic vs Mesh
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how compressor, ultrasonic, and mesh nebulizers differ in particle size, medication compatibility, noise, and cleaning — and which one fits your prescription.
Updated Jun 2, 2026
Nebulizer vs Inhaler: Which Should You Use?
Dr. David Taylor compares nebulizers and inhalers — how each works, which conditions favor which device, and how to choose the right one for your age and lifestyle.
Updated Apr 7, 2026
Thermometers
Pain Relief Devices
TENS Unit Placement Guide: Where to Put the Pads for Every Pain Area
Dr. David Taylor, MD shows exactly where to place TENS pads for back, neck, sciatica, knee, and foot pain — plus the spacing, settings, and no-go zones that make it work safely.
Updated Jun 23, 2026
Heating Pad vs Ice Pack: When to Use Each (Physician Guide)
Dr. David Taylor explains when to use heat vs. ice for pain, injury, arthritis, back pain, and more — with a condition-by-condition decision table.
Updated Apr 21, 2026
TENS Unit vs EMS: Which Is Better for Pain Relief and Recovery?
Dr. David Taylor explains the clinical difference between TENS and EMS, when to use each, and which is right for your condition. Includes an NMES explainer.
Updated Mar 27, 2026
First Aid & Safety
Home First Aid Kit Checklist: How to Build One That Actually Covers Your Family
Dr. David Taylor, MD walks through exactly what belongs in a home first aid kit — wound care, OTC medications, tools, and monitoring devices — tiered by who lives in your house, plus what to leave out and how to keep it current.
Updated Jul 28, 2026
Senior Fall Prevention: An MD's Room-by-Room Guide to What Actually Works
Dr. David Taylor, MD walks through the medication risks, home modifications, and clinical self-tests that prevent falls in older adults — the depth your doctor doesn't have time to explain in a 15-minute visit.
Updated Jun 9, 2026
Flu Season Essentials Checklist: An MD's Guide to What Every Household Needs
Dr. David Taylor, MD walks through the 2026 flu season essentials checklist and the 48-hour antiviral window that determines whether the flu becomes serious.
Updated May 19, 2026
Weighing & Monitoring
Pulse Oximeter Readings: What They Mean and When to Worry
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains what your pulse oximeter's SpO2 and pulse numbers mean — normal ranges, the 88% threshold, red flags for when to call 911, and why readings can be wrong.
Updated Jul 22, 2026
Blood Pressure Readings Explained: What Your Numbers Mean
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains exactly what your blood pressure numbers mean under the 2025 AHA/ACC guidelines — categories, systolic vs diastolic, and red flags.
Updated Jun 16, 2026
How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home: An MD's Step-by-Step Guide
Dr. David Taylor, MD shows the step-by-step home blood pressure technique under the 2025 AHA/ACC ≥125/75 home threshold and the errors that inflate readings.
Updated May 1, 2026
Hearing Aids
OTC Pharmaceuticals
How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore Fast: A Doctor's Guide
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how to get rid of a cold sore fast: why the first tingle matters, which treatments shorten an outbreak, and what does not work.
Updated Sep 30, 2026
How to Get Rid of Dry Eyes: A Doctor's Guide
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how to get rid of dry eyes: which of the two types you have, the warm compress temperature that matters, and what the evidence says.
Updated Sep 9, 2026
How to Stop Snoring: A Doctor's Guide to What Actually Works
Dr. David Taylor, MD explains how to stop snoring: how to find where your snore comes from, which remedies match it, and the red flags that mean sleep apnea.
Updated Aug 26, 2026
OTC Pain Relievers Compared: Ibuprofen vs Acetaminophen vs Aspirin
A physician's symptom-by-symptom guide to choosing between Tylenol, Advil, and aspirin — with dosing, safety, pregnancy, and older-adult considerations.
Updated May 8, 2026
Supplements
Turmeric and Curcumin: Benefits and Dosage
Dr. David Taylor on turmeric and curcumin benefits and dosage: what trials show, how trial doses compare with EFSA limits, liver injury risk and interactions.
Updated Oct 27, 2026
When Is the Best Time to Take Supplements? A Doctor's Daily Schedule
The best time to take supplements depends on food, mineral conflicts and your medications. Dr. David Taylor gives a timing table and a full-day schedule.
Updated Sep 16, 2026
How to Read a Supplement Label
Dr. David Taylor explains how to read a Supplement Facts panel: serving size math, %DV, elemental mineral weights, proprietary blends, and third-party seals.
Updated Aug 19, 2026
Iron Supplements and Constipation: How to Take Iron Without It
Dr. David Taylor explains why iron supplements cause constipation and gives a clinical protocol to prevent it — alternate-day dosing, which iron forms are gentlest, timing rules, and what to do if you are already backed up.
Updated Aug 12, 2026
Essential Vitamins and Supplements for Seniors
An MD's evidence-based guide to the vitamins and supplements that actually matter after 60 — B12, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, omega-3, protein, and more — with senior RDAs, drug interactions, and what you can skip.
Updated Jul 22, 2026
Supplements for Joint Health: What the Research Says
An MD's evidence-based review of glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric, omega-3, collagen, boswellia, MSM, SAMe, and vitamin D for joint pain — what the trials actually show, dosages, and drug interactions.
Updated May 12, 2026
Probiotics vs Prebiotics: An MD's Guide to Understanding the Difference
Dr. David Taylor explains the difference between probiotics and prebiotics — how each works, food sources, health benefits, supplement guidance, and who should avoid them.
Updated Apr 14, 2026
Melatonin vs Magnesium for Sleep: An MD's Evidence-Based Comparison
Dr. David Taylor compares melatonin and magnesium for sleep — how each works, clinical evidence, dosing, side effects, drug interactions, and how to choose the right one for your sleep issue.
Updated Apr 10, 2026