"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
In a recent study of twins, by a group of research-based plastic surgeons, smoking was seen to significantly impact facial features of aging. This series of pictures is an interesting demonstration of what they noticed SMOKING & NON-SMOKING TWINS So….if you want to stay young….here is another reason to give up the cigarettes. As little …
Dr. Lakin; My dentist likes to do xrays once a year, to help in caring for my teeth, but I’m concerned about excessive radiation. What do you think? Chevy Dear Chevy; This is a great question, and one we should all think about when we are exposure to radiation or xrays. Now that it …
Read More “RADIATION CONCERNS ARE LEGITIMATE, BUT KNOW THE DOSE”
Chantix (varenicline) is a great ‘stop smoking’ medication. It works by stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain, but it was given a black-eye when there were concerns that it caused suicidal thoughts in people and might worsen depression in those who are susceptible. Now, a new study, shows this medication to be safe, and that …
Should you take an aspirin daily to prevent strokes and heart attacks? That question seems simple enough, and based on general comments you might think it is a good idea, but the scientific data on daily aspirin remains mixed. Yes….aspirin prevents many heart attacks and strokes, but it does have side effects that are significant. …
What is CRS? Well…it’s not a scientific term….it stands for “CAN’T REMEMBER SQUAT” …and is shorthand for the memory issues that develop as we get older. Memory issues develop as young as 40 years-old, with the latest research showing that the 40+ brain is in decline as regards memory, and this is 10-20 years earlier …
Patients sometimes say to me….” I like to stay away from the doctor”…in such a way that they don’t want to offend me, but just to let me know. My answer is often….”Yes….we killed George Washington…among other great moves.” In fact, historians do note that blood-letting, common in the age of Washington, was used to …
Certain Whole Fruits Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk By Amy Orciari Herman (www.jwatch.org website) Adults who frequently consume certain whole fruits, including apples, grapes, and blueberries, have a significantly lower risk for type 2 diabetes than those who eat little fruit, according to a BMJ study. Three cohorts of U.S. healthcare professionals, comprising nearly 190,000 adults without …
Read More “FRESH FRUITS PREVENT DIABETES DESPITE CONTAINING NATURAL SUGARS”
There has been controversy about screening for lung cancer. This has gone on for many years, as the chest xray has been deemed quite imperfect in screening for this issue. On the other hand, the overdiagnosis of benign nodules with it’s attendant unnecessary lung biopsies and complications, as well as the radiation from CAT scanning …
Hormone therapy for women is an area of controversy that continues to evolved. The issues are well -being, menopause symptom control, cancer risk, dementia risk, and heart risk. The interaction of hormones on all of these issues is complicated and the research on the pro’s and con’s of supplementation remain somewhat unclear, despite efforts to …
Supplementation with Omega 3 fatty acids, the healthy fats that come naturally from fish sources and also are used as supplements like Mega Red, has shown an association with prostate cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute report shows a statistical increase in men with high levels of Omega 3’s, having more ‘low grade’ and …
Read More “OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS MAY INCREASE RISK FOR PROSTATE CANCER IN MEN”
In a recent study of oiver 1,000 patients with colon cancer, discovery at colonoscopy proved to be an important factor in longer survival. Patients who were discovered to have colon cancer by colonoscopy were found to have an earlier stage of disease and a longer life-span. This is just another study suggesting the benefits of …
Patients often ask for a list of exercise and stretches they can do at home and it’s difficult to find a nice, succinct list to suggest. Here is a list of 9 simple strength exercises listed in the Harvard Medical School Health Report. 9 STRENGTH EXERCISES
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. …
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 …
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 …