PSA….CONTROVERSIAL, BUT STILL WORTHWHILE WHEN USED WITH PERSPECTIVE

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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 …

PLAVIX FOUND SAFE WITH PRILOSEC AND SIMILAR MEDICATIONS

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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 …

BUGGY WHIP FACTORY CLOSES

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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 …..BOTHERSOME BUT NOT DANGEROUS

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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 …