I’m intrigued by the new Apple 4 watch that has an FDA approved EKG monitor. This is a much more accurate way to measure heart rhythm and is really the first readily available health monitor that provides accurate information that can be shared with the doctor. I’m excited for this ‘new future’ and the Apple …
Read More “AGREED….IT’S A GAME-CHANGER”
I recently had a patient tell me about their friend who had a heart attack shortly after having a flu shot, and this was their reason for not getting a flu shot: That the flu shot can cause heart attacks and strokes. This is a great question. If I heard this story, I too might …
Read More “DOES THE FLU SHOT CAUSE HEART ATTACKS…THE ANSWER: NOPE”
The desire to chew on ice is called pagophagia, and if a person has an intense desire to chew ice they of will often be found to have iron deficiency anemia. It is the iron deficiency that causes this behavior as the person is seeking iron in their environment, and that desire if focused into …
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Medical research is a difficult undertaking. Exploring new ideas and proving new concepts takes genius and diligence. Reading the story of James Allison, the latest winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, you hear of all the dead ends and crazy ideas he pursued, until he finally lighted upon the novel method of proving that …
Read More “IT’S GETTING HARDER TO KNOW WHAT’S REAL”
First, it was a few manufacturers of Valsartan..then more and more. As a result, I had switched many patients (myself indcluded) to Irbesartan….a very similar medication. Now there are concerns about small amounts of carcinogen in Irbesartan. It is just starting with only one manufacturer, but probably there will be more. For now…sit tight and …
Read More “NOW IRBESARTAN IS RECALLED”
Doctor Doug: I heard on the news that one of my medications was recalled due to chemical concerns and cancer risk. Can you tell me what you recommend I do? Sid I responded Sid; Right now…..several blood pressure medications are being implicated with concerns of imperfect production with chemical ‘taint’. The studies do not support …
Read More “A PATIENT ASKS ABOUT RECALLED MEDICATION…AND I RESPOND”