Hazards of sleeping medications
Informative article on insomnia and ways to mitigate it. Even I was surprised at the following facts. (We’ve discussed insomnia on the blog often since it is a common presenting symptom in my clinic. This newsletter edition last year would be a good starting place). Recent studies, moreover, associate more serious and even deadly…
Read MoreMaking the Invisible Visible
We all know it’s hard to prove a negative. The term “Absence Blindness” refers to a concept that when you prevent something from happening (absence) it is difficult to perceive it. In our culture, there is more willingness to deal with something once it happens (Hurricane Sandy relief), then to prevent it from happening…
Read MoreRecommendation for Otitis Media: Watchful Waiting
New guidelines from the Academy of Pediatrics. We’ve discussed the conundrum of antibiotics for otitis media here and here. Having completed a Pediatric Residency and passed my Boards (granted, this was back in the Dark Ages), this comes as such a 180′ turn around, it’s sort of difficult to believe. Stricter diagnostic criteria and broader…
Read MoreMore Specialty Recommendations on Testing: First, Do No Harm
Here is a link to more recommendations about testing, which tests are worth it and which are not. Just a few things I learned. Colonoscopy only needed every 10 year. Bone density testing necessary after age 65. They had a lot to say about PPI’s, or Proton Pump Inhibitors for GERD and gastric distress. I…
Read MoreHear, hear! Looking for Environmental Causes of Breast Cancer
Long overdue but so pleased to see this important step. We’ve discussed breast cancer and possible causes here, here, and here. (I don’t like the title of this editorial, since breast cancer “prevention” has become synonymous with mammograms.) Emphasizing breast cancer prevention Monday, February 11, 2013 Until now, federal research on breast cancer has been…
Read MoreJuveline Arthritis: Leaky Gut? Case Study
Fascinating case study of a young boy diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, treated with conventional medicine and also complementary treatment of supplements and dietary restriction. Warning, this is a long article. They discuss gut flora as we have done here as a possible causative factor with antibiotics perhaps playing a role. When I read about these…
Read MoreMakers Aware of Flaws in Hip Prostheses
To be filed under “Follow the Money”, this story has been repeatedly in the press lately so I just wanted to include in in the blog. We’ve discussed the onging problems with hip prosthetic problems for over a year and a half. January 25, 2013 Maker Hid Data About Design Flaw in Hip Implant, Records…
Read MoreEat Like a Mennonite: No Plastic
Discussion of the problems with BPA (bisphenol A) here (BPA and childhood obesity), and here (Big Chem, Big Harm), here (BPA and Breast Cancer Link), and here. (Media fails to protect babies from BPA ). The last entry is from 4 years ago, so this has been an issue for awhile… In this article…
Read MoreValue of Yearly Physicals Controversial
Over diagnosis of small irregularities can lead to over testing and risks. We’ve discussed the problems with too much exposure to the health system here, here. January 21, 2013, 12:01 am A Check on Physicals By JANE E. BRODY “Go Beyond Your Father’s Annual Physical. Live Longer, Feel Better” This sales pitch for the…
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