Turn off the Computer Before Bed!
We’ve discussed tricks to improve sleep quality on the blog before, but this reiterates the wisdom of turning off the screen well before time to go to bed. If there only was something to read that didn’t emit light, that was easy to hold, didn’t require electricity, was made of recyclable materials, and was really…
Read MoreFrom SF Chronicle: Rethinking overtreatment and screening
Readers of this blog are very familiar with this topic. I think it’s very important, mainly because one of our first responsibilities as physicians is to “Do No Harm.” So when either as part of well meaning policy, or profit driven plan, outcomes deteriorate and harms inflicted, this is a big deal because it can…
Read MoreRisks of Hygiene Examined
I did a recent blog post on a thought-provoking theory of autoimmune diseases and autism. The theory is that we evolved in conjunction with parasites and microbes, and now that we’ve eradicated many of them we are seeing unprecedented incidences of autoimmune problems, and, perhaps autism is also a result. This article gives a critical…
Read MoreAntibiotics and Serious Side Effects
A long article about various dangerous side effects of common antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones are among the most common prescribed with serious side effects, including possible fibromyalgia sequelae. The best known are Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Levaquin (lovofloxacin.) In 2010 Levaquin was the best selling antibiotic. I have to admit I’m surprised at the number of my patients…
Read MoreBig Chem, Big Harm?
This topic seems to have, finally, come up from under the radar. The discussion here is couched in surprise that chemical companies would not come clean on harmful effects of their products. Kristof also makes the obligatory swipe at those of us who were concerned when the scientists first sounded the alarm, calling us ‘Luddites”…
Read MoreOvertreatment Is Taking a Harmful Toll
We have discussed overtreatment on this blog and in my newsletters. This is just one more article highlighting this problem, all the more tragic since there are many people out there going without MUCH required treatment. Overtreatment Is Taking a Harmful Toll By TARA PARKER-POPE When it comes to medical care, many patients and doctors…
Read MorePoverty in America Leads to Third World Diseases
At least we know we’re free. Horrifying story from the NYTimes about poverty rates (2.8 million children living on less than $2.00 a day!!!!) and that it’s taking its toll. I can’t tell you how horrifying this is, these are diseases we learned about in Medical School that were the plague of the third world,…
Read MoreAcupuncture for Fertility
This summary of the best protocols for IVF and IUI is handy, and given the hazards of hormone dosing, acupuncture allows for safer, better conception results. I find it interesting that they put more emphasis on the timing of the acupuncture treatments, and do not mention electroacupuncture. Best Acupuncture Protocols for Infertility IVF and IUI…
Read MoreBlood Pressure Control in the Elderly: First Do No Harm
I’m pleased to see this in detail exploration of the topic of blood pressure control in the elderly, since I’ve wondered about it for quite awhile. The take home message is slightly nuanced in that the investigators find that tighter control in vigorous elderly (85 and older-people still playing tennis, hiking etc…) is warranted. But…
Read MoreFDA Whistleblower Profile
I did a previous blog post on the whistleblowers at the FDA and how the FDA then spied on them, fired them etc… This is an article about one of the victims of the surveillance and one of the main whistleblowers. I won’t go detail here, but even though he was trying his best to…
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