"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
Swine flu is just ‘flu’ in pigs. It is important because it can transfer from pigs to humans….and if that occurs, there can be lots of trouble. Why? Well….if the humans then transfer that from person to person…..we have a massive epidemic. Three years ago, H1N1 influenza (a swine subtype) had an enormous outbreak, so …
Recent reports have confirmed that statin medications, like Zocor and Lipitor, do increased a person’s risk for developing diabetes over their lifetime. This is an important issue and any negatives from the medication need to be weighed against their positives. For cholesterol medications, in most instances, the benefits ‘do’ outweigh the negatives. A recent study …
Active Forever is a great resource for medical equipment and assistive devices. They are just around the corner, on Desert Cove, but they are a national company with a range of useful products on the internet. Do take a look at what they offer ACTIVEFOREVER.COM Why am I mentioning them now? Well…..just today I had …
To the rescue is a ‘spray on’ formulation of cells from neonates (young children). Using skin cells from removed foreskin of babies, researchers have developed a technique of applying these cells using a ‘spray device’. This has resulted in improved healing and more rapid healing to a significant degree. So….the latest technology of ‘spray on’ …
West Nile is having a banner year in 2012 unfortunately, with an increase in cases across the country. Most are in Texas and Oklahoma…..Arizona, fortunately has not been having a marked increase. Still….West Nile, a virus transmitted by mosquito bites, is still prevalent here in Arizona and has it’s peak occurrence in August. So….be aware …
How does getting your cataract fixed keep your hips strong? Well, it doesn’t….but it may help prevent you from falling and breaking a hip. A recent analysis in the journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) reviewed data on over 1 million patients and found a reduced risk of fracture among those who had …
This past week the FDA approved a lower-volume colonoscopy preparation called PREPOPIK (funny name.) The Baltimore Sun on-line reports: Prepopik is a combination of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and anhydrous citric acid with an orange flavoring. It is taken in two doses: either both doses the day before the colonoscopy or one dose the day …
Read More “YIPPEE…..NEW, LOW VOLUME COLONOSCOPY PREP IS APPROVED”
Did you see the article in the AZ Republic today about the PhD student who won his insurance battle with Aetna, to get coverage beyond his 300,000 lifetime maximum? Read it here…. http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2012/07/27/20120727asu-student-fighting-cancer-twitter-victory-aetna.html It’s a great story of a strong student who is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with advanced cancer at the …
A recent study of 1000 men with milder forms prostate cancer has questioned the benefits of aggressive treatment (read surgery) in patients with milder stages of disease. The conclusion of the study is that surgical treatment (removal of the prostate) does not prevent cancer deaths in this low risk group. Despite the claims of this …
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of childhood and adolesence, affecting children from 3 months to the teen years. It causes a severe cough and fever and can be very persistent and aggressive in the very young. In adults, it tends to cause milder infection with the hallmark of a persistent …
A just published article in the widely respected journal Nature, shows that genetic protection against Alzheimer’s Disease exists. The real excitement is that this genetic trait prevents the production of beta-amyloid, a protein known to be found in excess in brains of Alzheimer’s patients. This strongly supports the idea that medication that prevent beta-amyloid production …
Calcium Citrate (Brand CITRICAL) is my choice for calcium supplementation in those who need additional calcium for their bones. The reasons I like this brand are: 1. The various forms that are available, from once-daily to smaller pills for those with difficulty swallowing 2. Calcium Citrate is better absorbed that Calcium Carbonate and is generally …
Dr. Eric Reiman is a noted researcher specializing in brain imaging. His pioneering studies at the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute http://banneralz.org/ are providing insight into patients with the earliest stages of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. This is a great update on the latest information about Alzheimer’s Disease and what we can expect in the future. Sobering …
Read More “PHOENIX TOP RESEARCHER ON ALZHEIMER’S IS NOTED IN THIS SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN ARTICLE”
I have been doing PODCASTS for the past several months and I am updating them regularly. You can find my PODCASTS here…..take a listen….just Click the link Below: http://douglakin.podomatic.com/ How about some reassuring words from Doctor Doug…..here you go! Click the link Below http://douglakin.podomatic.com/player/web/2011-12-28T15_33_02-08_00
A recent data review has demonstrated that the Shingles Vaccine can be safely given to patients with immune suppression (either from medications like steroids or from their underlying medical condition). This is good news and makes the data for the Shingles Vaccine more an more encouraging. The Shingles Vaccine has been available for the past …