Is There a Good Carbohydrate?
The purveyors of popular fad diets are enraptured by the evils of sugar. Consequently, they try in every possible way to recognize sugar in all its forms (honey, dates, bananas, soda, etc.), which is a good thing--and eliminate it. However, they confuse the issue when they label simple sugar as a carbohydrate (which it is)…
Read MoreAnother Problem with Sleep Apnea
The optometrist leaned back in his chair. To Chuck, it looked like a position in which to deliver bad news. “Chuck, take a look these results of your visual field test.” “Yeah, I noticed that you took longer on this test than the last time. I thought the test would never be over,” Chuck commented,…
Read MoreThese Could Be Prevented
Over 2.5 million Americans die every year. Most people would like to avoid being in this group and live a long, healthy life, but aren’t sure how to do it. Is early death a matter of bad genetics? Limited access to health care? Let’s look at the facts and draw some conclusions. Fact # 1: What…
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolutions that Stick
Guess what the biggest medical epidemic of the year was – for the last several decades. Clue: This problem is set to become the number one cause of death because it increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many cancers. Obesity! Every state in the union now has a 30% obesity rate. Over…
Read MoreSleep Apnea
“Yeah, I snore a lot. Champion snorer in my family. So what’s the big deal?”Apnea means “without breath.” If apnea continues for four minutes, you will die. It’s a big deal. If apnea occurs while you are sleeping, you will not know it. Fortunately, your body has warning systems and mechanisms that will try to…
Read MoreWhat Was My Doctor Thinking!?
“Clarice, good to see you again. Welcome back.” Dr. Wilson pulled up his roll-around stool to the edge of the exam table and patted Clarice’s hand. “What can I do for you today?” [How long since I saw this patient?]“Actually, I just needed a refill on my blood pressure prescription.” Clarice checked her watch. “But…
Read MoreA Quick Status Check
Tom and Alice had a backyard barbecue on the 4th of July. They invited their neighbors, Bob and Nadine and George and Beth to join them.“Kids these days don’t know anything about what happens on the 4th of July,” Bob said around a mouthful of sandwich. “In my day, we decorated our bikes and rode…
Read MoreBeware the Epidemiologic Dragon
A recent online health service noted that “40% of cancers are due to avoidable life choices....Tobacco causes 23% of [cancer] cases in men and 15.6% of cases in women. The next largest cause of cancer in men was lack of fruits and vegetables in their diets...”Hold it right there! When someone says that a certain…
Read MoreIf a Little Bit is Good . . .
“If I take two fish oil pills a day to increase my intake of omage-3 fatty acids, four pills a day would be better. If I drink 8 glasses of water a day to make sure my kidneys are functioning well, 12 glasses of water would be better. If I run 5 miles a day…
Read MoreAspirin, the 100-year-old Medicine
Dr. Ron Atchison, internist, waited outside his patient’s room while the current group of medical students and residents filed out behind him. He motioned them to follow him down the hall to a small conference room. When they had all crowded in, he spoke.“This is just for the medical students. The rest of you hold…
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