"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
I was shocked to hear about the unexpected death of James Gladofini, the well-know star of the SOPRANOS HBO SERIES. Although the details are not available, I already know that this will get some 50 year-old guys wondering whether they are at risk for sudden death due to coronary artery disease. It will raise awareness. …
Amazingly, small segments of DNA from the fetus are floating in the bloodstream of the pregnant mother, and there is a new test that allows the accurate analysis for abnormalities in that DNA and the detection of Down Syndrome, without resorting to invasive testing. A simple blood test can accurately detect Down Syndrome in pregnant …
Read More “AMNIOCENTESIS MAY BE A THING OF THE PAST FOR DOWN SYNDROME MONITORING”
Michael Douglas is a well known actor, and his fight with head & neck cancer has been the subject of much public attention. Adding to that attention this week, he mentioned that his cancer was caused by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and as such has a very good prognosis. In addition, he noted the connection …
Humor is a great stres-reliever and is good for your health. Take a moment to remember this classic Steve Martin bit from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson:
Did anyone see the piece in the Sunday Republic on Robot Doctors? It was picked up from USA TODAY. ARIZONA REPUBLIC SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND The use of robots to eliminate delays in getting evaluation by specialists offers a variety of benefits. First, it allows manning hospitals by using fewer specialty physicians, but more importantly, it …
Read More “ROBOT DOCTORS….COMING SOON TO A HOSPITAL NEAR YOU”
Hi Dr. Lakin– I’m forwarding this message because it speaks to an issue that has concerned me for some time. I have been working out consistently, lifting weights and stretching twice a week, walking or bicycling twice a week and doing yoga twice per week, for several years now, and have felt that I was …
A PATIENT WROTE: I just read in the Wall Street Journal today (WSJ ARTICLE) about the angiotensin receptor blockers that may cause lung cancer. I have been taking one of those drugs for a while. I take Losartan, 100mg once a day. Should I be taking something else? There is a 30% increased chance of …
I just came across this great website and resource for patients with colon cancer and their families. Colon Cancer Alliance
Certainly, the benefits of new technologies are difficult to forsee, but this video shows a very specific application of upcoming 3D printing, that will become more generally available, and will provide the potential is developing treatments and approaches for medical conditions that now seem very daunting. This South African fellow is an unassuming inspiration: 3D …
In my booklet THE KEYS….I distill good health into 8 tenets. #6….Experience Love and Joy……talks about nourishing your inner life; movies, literature, art, and music do this for me. So, toward that purpose, I will post fun videos and websites that I find as I’m wandering the internet from time to time…..here is the first: …
We had a great talk last evening by Debbie Landau-West and I know I learned a lot about what it takes to be successful with the Mediterranean Diet. With that in mind, this post will be the resource for additional information and hopefully, all those who attend will take me up on the offer to …
A patient recently sent me an article from the NY Times written by Jane Brody where she questions the value of the routine pelvic exam for women. Jane Brody NYTIMES With Gynecologists increasingly refusing to see patients over 65 for routine checks due to Medicare reimbursement, and the lack of enthusiasm of women for this …
A patient just sent me this great video of one of my favorites, the comedian Robert Klein, singing this paean to the colonoscopy. If you haven’t had one yet, it’s time. Between 50-55 you should get your first colonoscopy or sooner (40) if there is a strong family history of colon cancer. To read more …
Lately, I’ve been recommending the THERACANE (pic above) to patients for various pains in the neck and back. Found at the RELAX THE BACK STORE, this little item allows you to self-treat spots on your body that are hard to reach otherwise and would require a masseuse to get your muscles to respond. There are …
Statin medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor are used to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but there has been evidence that they can prevent injury and death from serious infection. The data has been mixed on this topic, and a recent report supports the use of these medications, particularly for people already on the …