"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
With the events unfolding in Japan there is understandable concern about exposure to radioactive material. As a result, I decided to search the internet for valid information only to find out that there is very little to be had. Thus, I requested information from a patient of mine who has a great deal of insight …
Read More “RADIATION FROM JAPAN:POTASSUIM IODIDE NOT NECESSARY IN AZ”
In the past, the total PSA value over 4.0 was considered suggestive of prostate cancer. Subsequent experience has shown this to be inadequate as an absolute cut-off. Among the ways we have changed our analysis of the PSA is looking at PSA velocity (change of PSA over time) with a rise in PSA over 0.5 …
Read More “PSA….CONTROVERSIAL, BUT STILL WORTHWHILE WHEN USED WITH PERSPECTIVE”
A new large prospective study has cleared the use of Plavix & PPI medications (Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium, Dexilent). This is a reassuring finding and means that there is no need to worry or adjust medication for patients with stents who also require treatment for GERD. This issue has been a hot topic of late …
Read More “PLAVIX FOUND SAFE WITH PRILOSEC AND SIMILAR MEDICATIONS”
Coumadin may be a thing of the past….but not just yet. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at Apixaban (a medication like Pradaxa…the new Coumadin replacement). The new Coumadin-replacement was superior to aspirin in preventing stroke, and had a similar safety profile after 1 year of study in 5000 patients. …
Dizziness is commonplace and when persistently bothersome or severe, leads patients to see the doctor or go to the emergency room. I see approximately 2-3 people each week of the year with this complaint and fortunately it is rarely a sign of something serious. A recent study of 30,000 patients with this symptom, who presented …
Natroba Topical Suspension (spinosad 0.9%) has just been approved for treating lice. It’s easy to apply and does not require combing. In addition, it works better than Permethrin (the topical treatment we generally use.) You may not realize this, but lice is very common nowadays and is rampant in the Scottsdale School District and in …
A recent study suggests that fosamax and other bone building medications (called bisphosphonates) have the ability to prevent colon cancer. A 50% reduction was seen in patients on medication vs. those not taking these medications. The connection is unclear and there will be further study, but for now, it is encouraging to see some positive …
A new research study in JAMA, using Citalopram (an inexpensive generic medication) shows promise in reducing hot flashes in approximately half the women in the study. Taking 20-40mg of Citalopram was effective and safe. This medication is an ‘anti-depressant’, but is being used for broader indications. If you are having problems with this issue or …
Taking the shingles vaccine reduces your risk of getting shingles by 50%…a large amount. This is reassuring and confirmatory information indicating the benefits of this immunization and I recommend it to everyone over the age of 50 who is interested in it. This data is based on a recent study of more than 300,000 people. …
Yes….I said Bully (I love TR!) A recent study from England shows improved strength and muscle function after a stroke if patients are given 20mg of Prozac( standard dose) in the days following a stroke and for the 3 months after that. Very interesting. We commonly use anti-depressants after strokes, as depression is a common …
Of late, the generaly tenor of medical recommendations on hormone replacement are that it is generally a negative as regards increased cancer risk (breast in particular), increased heart disesae, and increased risk of dementia. These latest thoughts are completely opposite to recommendations only 15 years ago. This remains a confusing topic, but a recent report …
Aspirin was found to have anti-cancer effects in a large study of 25000 people, published in the Lancet (a British medical journal of high repute.) This is consistent with much previous data confirming the preventive effects for aspirin on colon cancer. Aspirin, 100 years old (invented the same year as Heroine…by Bayer, Inc.), continues to …
Recently there has been controversy about the safety of ARB medications. These are medicines used commonly for high blood pressure and for heart failure. Going by the common names Cozaar, Avapro, Diovan, Benicar, Tevetan….they were implicated a year ago as a causing an increased risk of cancer in patients taking for the long term. A …
Metformin (Glucophage) is the most common medication used to treat type 2 diabetes (non-insulin requiring). It has been available for over 30 years and it’s beneficial effects continue to be identified. A recent study showed that patients taking Meformin had a reduced risk of death from all causes, compared to alternative medication regimens for diabetes. …
Read More “METFORMIN (GLUCOPHAGE) PROVIDES MULTIPLE BENEFITS IN DIABETES”
More good new for those patients taking PPI (proton pump inhibitor) medications for the long-term for such conditions as GERD and ulcer disease. It appears that these medications are safe in pregnancy, without evidence of birth defects. Of course, if you are not pregnant, you might think that this is not important to you….yet such …