We live in an age where most young people now alive have never seen illnesses that were common 50-100 years ago. The medical system’s success at eliminating or significantly reducing common and deadly childhood illnesses through the use of vaccines has Continue reading
Experts are growing hoarse warning us about antibiotic prescribing
If you are reading this post, you have repeatedly heard the cautions about avoiding overuse and inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. Well, the national experts who continue warning us on this topic feel they are speaking into deaf ears. Continue reading
Ode to the great toe
I am a long-time proponent of equality and long-time opponent of discrimination. In all aspects of life. Because of these strongly-held values, reinforced over 30-odd years practicing medicine, I still do not understand why certain organs are viewed as Continue reading
Exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking 10 years ago, eat more tomatoes, salmon, and stay away from processed meat – Live well and prosper
In late September, Kenfield, et.al., presented a late breaker at the European Cancer Congress in Amsterdam that associated a healthy lifestyle and diet with a 39-46% decreased risk of lethal prostate cancer Continue reading
Number of uninsured will soon start dropping
Tomorrow, on October 1, health insurance exchanges nationwide will begin signing up people for health insurance which will become effective in 2014. In many ways, tomorrow is a landmark day in the country’s history. Continue reading
Motives for nonmedical opioid use
Adults in a residential addiction treatment center had high rates of prescription opioid use for reasons other than pain relief, according to a recent article in Clinical Psychiatry News referencing a study published in Continue reading
Beware e-cigarettes
There is a new challenger to Joe Camel on the block and his name is El Cig. Electronic cigarettes are a relatively new development and are being used by some smokers as a substitute for tobacco cigarettes. They resemble cigarettes but Continue reading
TENS-IS anyone?
A recent report from the BMJ investigated whether adding a TENS unit to usual primary care – advice, exercises, NSAIDS – improved the 6-week outcome of pain intensity. (Cortisone injections were discouraged for purposes of Continue reading
Type 2 diabetes and antipsychotic drug use in children
A recently published article in JAMA Psychiatry shows a 3-fold increased risk for type 2 diabetes in children treated with antipsychotic medications.
This was a retrospective cohort study involving Tennessee Medicaid Continue reading
If you see it, can you really believe it?
We clinicians do our best to practice evidence-based medicine. We seek objective evidence to diagnose disease and monitor treatment. Symptoms and complaints are subjective. They may suggest a disease is present or Continue reading