"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
Pap testing is a superb method for screening for cancer of the cervix (the opening of the uterus), but there is potential promise for the pap smear as a screening test for ovarian and uterine cancer, and in a recent scientific article from Johns Hopkins, research have performed initial innovative research showing ‘proof of concept’ …
Read More “EXCITING NEW RESEARCH FROM HOPKINS …MAKING THE PAP TEST BETTER”
Minibuk press has allowed me to provide important medical information for our patients in an easy to read & easy to carry format, and now the latest Minibuk, THE GUIDE, is now available as a PDF for your computer or e-reader. We have it on the website, under the BOOKS section, and you can also …
In this fascinating video by Michael (I don’t know his last name) at Vsauce channel on YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/user/Vsauce …gives a brilliant explanation about fingerprints and in so doing, a nice and quick explanation about the largest organ in our body….our skin. Take a look…this is an enjoyable six minutes: http://devour.com/video/how-many-calories-are-on-a-smudgy-screen/
A very moving and honest piece appeared in the NY TIMES today….an essay on saying goodbye to someone who is dying and dealing with the death of someone close to you. The connections we have with one another are the most profound of our experiences, and losing those one of the most momentous. There is …
Our body is ‘electric’ in some ways. The heart rhythms are developed through an electrochemical process, as are all the interactions of the nerves in the brain and nervous system. For this reason, pacemakers have been used to correct slow heart rhythms or used to stimulate areas in the brain to improve Parkinson’s tremor (Barrow’s …
Energy drinks have gotten bad press recently, with reports of deaths of young people potentially linked to their consumption. Although this seems obvious to many people that such drinks are dangerous, as they contain high dosages of caffeine, when you compare their caffeine content to regular coffee, they really are lacking in high levels that …
Read More “CAFFEINE REMAINS SAFE….DESPITE REPORTS ON ENERGY DRINKS”
Xarelto and Pradaxa and two new anti-coagulant medications that have similar effects to Coumadin (warfarin). Because their mechanism of action is different than Coumadin, they are simpler to use as they do not require blood monitoring. Pradaxa was approved over two years ago and appears to be equally effective to Coumadin for atrial fibrillation, but …
Read More “NEW COUMADIN ALTERNATIVES….RANGE OF USE STILL TO BE IDENTIFIED”
Zytega is a new medication for prostate cancer that works by blocking testosterone. It is superior to other medications for this purpose and I have personally seen strong results in patients who have used this after failing chemotherapy. Now, a new report on the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that Zytega is effective at …
Read More “ZYTIGA SHOWS MUSCLE IN PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT”
Based on the latest flu data reports from the state, Arizona is beginning it’s flu season. It is starting slowly, but currently resembles the 2010-2011 season, which peaked in February. We know that this year’s flu shot is ‘right on’ and will cover much of the flu-strain that is out in the community, so I …
A recent study published in the British journal Lancet, showed that diuretic medications work better for obese patients with hypertension than other medication types. This is good information, as it provides better medication selection in this group. Who is obese? Well, about 25% of us in the U.S. If you want to know your BMI …
Read More “DIURETICS ARE BETTER FOR OBESE PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION”
There is controversy over the ideal duration of anti-hormone therapy for women with breast cancer. In women with hormone responsive breast cancer, we treat them after that initial therapy, with ‘anti-hormone medications’ such as Tamoxifen (in the older days) or Arimidex (newer version). These ‘anti hormones’ are in two categories: Tamoxifen (SERM’s….Selective Estrogen Receptro Modulators) …
Read More “LONGER DURATION OF BREAST CANCER TREATMENT IS BETTER”
Aspirin may be among the topics most discussed in these pages and today there is another study on aspirin, this time looking at coated aspirin and perhaps it’s reduced effectiveness compared to plain aspirin. I think most people use coated aspirin now as it is the type most advertised, and it does provide some benefit …
Several states in the Southern US are showing significant amounts of influenza. This is considered a very early point in the season for the flu and has not been seen for almost 10 years. The flu seen in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas is primarily those flu strains that are part of this year’s …
Read More “FLU HAS STARTED IN THE SOUTH…..AND CONFIRMS FLU VACCINE WORKS”
Statin medications like Lipitor and Zocor are among the most commonly prescribed medications for heart patients. In addition, exercise is recommended for heart protection as well. A recent study in the renowned journal Lancet, from England, shows that both statin medications and exercise, either alone or better yet, in combination, markedly reduce the risk of …
Read More “STATINS AND EXERCISE REMAINS CORNERSTONES OF TREATMENT”
Aspirin remains a pluripotent medication; it just had it’s 100 year anniversary ….along with the sister product HEROIN! A recent review of records in over 300,000 patients revealed that aspirin is associated with lower rates of liver disease and liver cancer, in regular users. Anti-inflammatory medications also provided this benefit for reducing liver disease, but …