Alcohol, Women's Health
The Great Tragedy of a Damaged Brain at Birth
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms says that all Canadians receive justice. The U.S. Constitution states that “All men are created Equal”. But some children are born who do not receive justice. Nor will they ever be equal. It’s because they have damaged brains at birth, due to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy. Recently, in Canada, there was an outpouring of public anger when police removed a newborn baby from her indigenous mother. I have no knowledge of whether this action was justified. Authorities claim that the woman was drunk when admitted to hospital. Others deny this. But regardless of who is right or wrong, there are startling facts about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disease (FASD) that may make your hair stand...Read More
Pain
Chronic Pain: A Close Cousin to Suicide
He preaches patience that never knew pain.” These sage words were published in the Handbook of Proverbs in 1855. Or, as Shakespeare wrote, “They breathe the truth that breathe their words in pain.” Today, pain is the most common medical symptom that plagues humankind. But when does it kill? The number of people suffering from pain depends on the source of data. Some reports claim 25 to 100 million have some level of pain, and over 10 million suffer from considerable pain every day. Dr. Emiko Petrosky, at the U.S. Center for Injury Prevention and Control, analyzed data on 123,000 suicides. His report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, shows that one in 10 patients with sizable pain decided to end...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Pain
Spinal Decompression? Or Back to Rum or Chardonnay?
Can stretching spinal vertebrae ease lower back and neck pain? Can it circumvent surgery? It’s a question I’ve researched for several years as I suffer from spinal pain. The first spinal clinic I sought looked at my neck MRI’s and concluded that stretching the spine was too dangerous at my age. But recently another doctor agreed to treatment. So, was this therapy more successful than a 5 o’clock rum, or glass of Chardonnay? After the cold and flu, spinal pain is the number one cause of work absence. Studies show that up to 85 percent of the North American population will suffer from back or neck pain at some time during their lives. Often it’s due to a ruptured spinal disc...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Miscellaneous
Laughter Is Good Medicine
Years ago I told this story. A Russian member of the Russian Ski patrol arrived home after several months on duty. A TV interviewer asked, “What do you do first after being away so long?” He replied, “I make love to my wife.” “Yes, but what do you do next?” “I make love to my wife again.” Frustrated, the interviewer continued, “But then what do you do?” “Oh, I take off my skis.” Then, another famous skier boasted, “I’m so fast on the ski hill that I could make love on the way down and still win the race.” At this point readers may be saying, “Gifford-Jones, if you plan to change careers and become a comedian, don’t sell the farm!” I...Read More
Medicine
Will Dr. AI Eventually Be Your Family Physician?
How much will artificial intelligence (AI) play in the future when you require medical care? Today, millions are being spent to produce cars that drive by themselves. Will the same be spent on Dr. AI, your family doctor? Ironically, this column wasn’t triggered by reading a medical report. Rather, it originates from an article written by Matt Harrison, Contributing Editor of the Park Avenue Digest, an economic news publication. Harrison writes that we’re getting closer to seeing a robotic doctor than one would think. For instance, the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York already has a robot able to pick up pneumonia in chest X-rays, with the final diagnosis made by a human doctor. But I wonder how...Read More
Nutrition, Sex
Darling, a Little Chocolate for a Little Amour?
Hmm, should I order flowers, maybe consider a romantic candlelight dinner, or a box of chocolates? This year, chocolate wins after reading an article from the highly respected Nutrition department at Tuft’s University. So, what’s good and what’s questionable about chocolate on Valentine’s day? I believe readers will agree that we need a lot more love in this troubled world. The Aztec Indians thought so too. They considered chocolate an aphrodisiac. The story goes that Montezuma consumed a huge chocolate drink before visiting his harem. Alas, this is more fiction than science. A chemical called phenylethylamine is present in chocolate and does play a small part in emotional arousal. But studies show that eating chocolate does not increase the level of this...Read More
Miscellaneous
Too High to Drive on Less Than One Joint
Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors has sound advice for those who want to become rich. He counsels, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” This sage advice also applies to many aspects of life. For one, it applies to a recent report in the Canadian Automobile Association Magazine (CAAM), for those who believe they can use marijuana and drive safely. And what should you know about Bill-C 46? Today, every 50 minutes someone in North America dies in a car accident due to alcohol consumption. And in these fatalities, 30 percent of drunk drivers are between 21 and 24 years of age. But this frightening trend could get worse. In Canada, 25 percent of car fatalities are...Read More
Philosophy
A Seeing-Eye Dog Wins First W. Gifford-Jones Prize for Humanity
Readers may ask why I chose to award a Service Dog the first W. Gifford-Jones Prize for Humanity. And wonder why human achievement was ignored. There were plenty of reasons and it required only moments for me to choose a seeing-eye dog. It’s been aptly said that “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself!” Harry S. Truman, former President of the U.S., an astute observer of the political scene in Washington, once remarked, “If you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog.” Truman knew a dog would provide unconditional love regardless of what happened during his Presidency. The prize winner, Ulysses, will devote his entire life to the welfare of one person with...Read More
Philosophy
Why a W. Gifford-Jones Prize for Service to Humanity?
For 44 years I’ve been writing this medical column. It’s been a privilege, but also a huge responsibility. Now, in my 95th year, my time on this planet is limited. Consequently, I’d like to establish The W. Gifford-Jones Prize for Humanity to honour somebody or something that personifies the importance of common sense, a healthy lifestyle and innovative medical thinking that I have been preaching for years. Years ago I wrote that “The problems of society are caused by supposedly intelligent people who are largely fools.” I haven’t changed my mind as it’s the lack of good sense and faulty lifestyle that are the root cause of many of today’s medical and societal problems. To emphasize this point I proposed that we could...Read More
Vitamins
Preventing Deaths from Influenza
Death from influenza is always tragic. But it is particularly so when it occurs at a young age. This year an increasing number of influenza cases is being seen in emergency centers. And, as usual, thousands of North Americans will die from this seasonal disease. But are some dying needlessly? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. reports that, for the first time in 13 years, every state reports an increase in influenza caused by an aggressive virus. Authorities stress that the best way to decrease the number of cases of influenza and deaths has always been to get a flu shot. As Dr. Shobhit Maruti, officer of Health in Edmonton, Alberta, where deaths have occurred, stresses, “It’s never...Read More
Neurology
Alzheimer’s Disease: Is Sugar the Culprit?
Ask anyone what causes a heart attack and most will say it’s high blood cholesterol, too much dietary fat, excessive stress, obesity or a lack of exercise. But how many would answer, it’s sugar? And how many would reply excessive amounts of sugar are also responsible for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? Dr John Yudkin, former professor of Nutrition at London University, made headlines years ago when his book, “Pure White and Deadly”, was published. He claimed that sugar, not fat, was causing the increase in heart disease. Yudkin showed that as sugar consumption increased in several countries so did the increase in heart disease. The sugar industry was not amused and made life difficult for Yudkin. Since then other studies have linked an...Read More
Vitamins
Dr. Sydney Bush: Why Not the Nobel Prize?
What a sad day for me! I should also add, for the world. I have just learned that Dr. Sydney Bush has died. During my 43 years of writing this column, I have never devoted a memoriam to a colleague. But one is needed for Dr. Sydney Bush. In part, I’ll miss his presence. But more important, his scientific discovery should have been awarded the Nobel Prize. And it could yet save millions of lives from cardiovascular disease. Ten years ago I learned that Dr. Sydney Bush, an English researcher, claimed he had made a huge scientific discovery. But I questioned its validity. So I travelled to England to interview him and spent several days at his laboratory. Bush, an optometrist, knew...Read More
Medicine
Are You Taking These Medicines Too Long?
What will be your 2019 New Year’s resolution? Losing weight? Finally deciding to get off the couch and get more exercise? Hopefully to convince yourself smoking means 20 years less life? These are all healthy ways to start the year. But I’d like to add another New Year’s Resolution. Many North Americans are taking medicines for the long run when they’re only intended for the short run. This can have a huge impact on well-being. The January Reports on Health claims that one-third of Americans over the age of 55 take too many medications. Michael Steinman, an expert on aging and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says, “Some medicine are more effective and safest when you...Read More
Miscellaneous
What Did You Learn in 2018?
How much have you been paying attention in 2018? I hope that during that time you’ve learned to live a better lifestyle, and to circumvent medical hazards that will enable you to live longer. So let’s see how well you do on this true or false test. 1. Heroin is available for addicts at injection sites in Canada. But it is not available at hospitals for terminal cancer patients in pain. 2. Neo40 is a natural remedy that increases the production of nitric oxide by the inner lining of arteries. This dilates arteries decreasing blood pressure and risk of heart attack and stroke. 3. A report from the University of California shows that, in the spring when we lose one hour of sleep...Read More
Miscellaneous, Psychiatry
Prescription for Holiday Loneliness? Call a Friend Who Needs Help
What’s the most important gift you could give this holiday season? The Greek philosopher, Plato, once remarked, “Whoever likes being alone must be either a beast or a God.” I’d say Amen to that statement. Crisis workers tell us that at this time of the year, depression and suicide risk is highest. So what can we all do to decrease holiday melancholy? I’ve never seen it in the index of disease in medical texts, but loneliness should be listed in big print. It’s an illness that sooner or later disrupts the lives of many people. Chopin, the great pianist and composer, must have been deeply depressed. He complained of being, “alone, alone, alone.” Some people deny loneliness. One man who hated mankind...Read More
Alternate Treatments
Low Intensity Laser Therapy for Bruised Brains
How far have we come since Egyptians drilled holes in the skull in an attempt to cure a variety of diseases? We’ve seen tremendous advances in brain surgery. But relatively little progress in how to treat concussion. Basically, medical advice has been to rest while waiting for the brain to recover. But research now shows Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) can dramatically speed up the healing of bruised brains. So why isn’t it used more by doctors, and for more conditions? To learn about this therapy I interviewed Dr. Fred Kahn, founder of Meditech International. Last year, his Toronto clinic treated over 800 concussion patients, those who have been in a car accident, suffered a fall, or who years ago had...Read More
Vitamins
How To Decrease the Risk of an Aortic Aneurysm
Ask anyone about AAA and they will immediately think of the American Automobile Association. But in this case it stands for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Sir William Osler once remarked, “There is no disease more conducive to clinical humility than aneurysm of the aorta.” He could have added that it’s a lethal disease, so prevention is better than cure. Every year over 20,000 North Americans die from a ruptured aorta. Albert Einstein, the physicist who expounded the Theory of Relativity, and Lucille Ball, the TV star that made us laugh, both died of AAA. So, what causes the aorta, about the size of a garden hose, the largest artery in the body, to rupture? Getting a little stiff in various parts of our body...Read More
Vitamins
What Can a Psychiatrist Tell Us about Vitamin D?
Winter’s coming, so how much vitamin D do we need? How much time do you have to spend in the sunlight to obtain adequate amounts? How does obesity affect the dosage? How many diseases can be prevented by adequate amounts of this vitamin? And what can a psychiatrist tell us about this vital vitamin? Years ago I reported that Dr. Catherine Gordon, a professor of pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School, tested the vitamin D levels of teenagers 11 to 18 years of age. She found that 14% of these adolescents were deficient in vitamin D. Today about 30% of adults are low in D. Dr. Glenn Braunstein, professor of medicine at the University of California, said her research was a wake-up call....Read More
Cancer, Gynecology
Ovarian cancer, the one that whispers
What couldn’t I believe? Discovering that it’s been 42 years since I last wrote about ovarian cancer! During my time as a surgeon, what was my primary concern about this malignancy? And what has happened in the last four decades to bring hope to those diagnosed with this disease? Ovarian cancer is the third most common malignancy of the female pelvic organs, after uterine and cervical cancer. But it is also the most fatal pelvic malignancy. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. It’s also more likely to occur if close relatives have developed the disease. Also at risk are childless women and those who have had breast cancer. Vulnerable too, are those with early onset of menstruation, or a late...Read More
Diabetes
Options for Treating Chronic Disease
I wrote years ago that, “If you keep going to hell, you’ll eventually get there.” Today, half of North Americans suffer from chronic disease. One in four has several chronic diseases, and 30 per cent of children struggle with chronic illness. Chris Kresser, an integrative medicine clinician at the California Center for Functional Medicine and author of the book, “Unconventional Medicine”, reports that conventional medicine has failed those suffering from chronic disease. So, how can we prevent so many from finding their way to hell? For centuries, doctors knew the main cause of death was acute infectious disease, such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis and pneumonia. Today, they know another cause is lifestyle chronic disease, of which diet is a leading factor. Medical treatment in the...Read More
Alternate Treatments
Can Stem Cell Injections Replace Hip and Knee Surgery
What should you do if the doctor says, “You need a hip or knee replacement due to severe arthritis? The time – honoured treatment has been a major operation to replace the injured joint. This may still be the best option for some patients. But how many of these joints could be repaired by stem cell injections, thereby saving the potential complications of surgery? Today, it’s a question many people are asking. Stem cell procedure is fairly straightforward. Bone marrow and fat are extracted from the patient and placed in a centrifuge. This separates valuable stem cells which are then injected into the hip or other affected joints. Stem cells, our body’s raw material, has the ability to develop into bone, cartilage,...Read More
Infection
What You May Not Know about Vaccines
Every year readers ask me if I get flu shots. I reply, I don’t. I rely on high daily doses of vitamin C to build up my immune system. But I may be wrong. So, I’ve sought the opinion of experts in the field. Their primary message is that informed consent is vital. Most people believe vaccines would not be advised unless researchers and doctors deemed them safe. But I’ve often stressed, there’s no such thing as 100 percent safe surgery. The same is true of vaccines. That’s why 3.6 billion dollars has been awarded to families due to the complications of vaccines. Here is a typical parent’s story. “My child was healthy, was given a vaccine and then something happened.” The...Read More
Lifestyle
Healthy Lifestyle Can Add 12 to 14 Years of Life
What results in good health and longevity? I’ve said for years that it’s good genes, good lifestyle and good luck. But since we can’t choose our parents, or know what fate holds in store for us, we must treat lifestyle with tender, loving care. Now, a report in the publication, Circulation, proves that a sound lifestyle adds 12 to 14 more years to life. Two epidemiological studies of health professionals involved 120,000 men and women. This group was followed for 34 years. The study concluded that for people over 50 who had never smoked, exercised daily, had good dietary habits, a moderate use of alcohol, and maintained a healthy weight, ended up the winners. The rewards are significant. For instance, a woman,...Read More
Surgery
Gallstones: For Surgery or the Crematorium?
What should you do if you are diagnosed with gallstones? Today, 10% of North Americans share this medical problem. For some patients surgery is the prudent choice. But now, a report from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), shows that, in some cases, leaving gallstones to the crematorium can prevent serious complications and even death. In 1991, Dr. Joacques Perissat at the University of Bordeau, in France, removed a gallbladder by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. This innovation provided a huge advantage for patients from a technical standpoint. But is it foolproof? The CMPA reports that during a four year period the most frequent complications of gallstone surgery were injury to the biliary duct that carries bile to the intestines, bowel injury, and hemorrhage....Read More
Infection
Debunking Travel Myths
What’s the worst of times when travelling? It’s when you’re sitting on a bus tour 100 miles from the next stop and you begin to suffer the bowel spasms of traveller’s diarrhea. If the worst scenario happens, it’s a moment you will never forget. But this common risk, and the chance of acquiring other infections, can be decreased by ridding yourself of several travellers’ myths. Myth: Only in the Amazon jungle do you have to worry about mosquito-transmitted diseases. Fact: That’s not so. In the jungle, mosquitoes spread disease to humans by biting infected monkeys. In a cafe in Paris, Rome or Istanbul, mosquitoes infect you after biting infected humans. Myth: So, to prevent this infection in a Paris cafe, you’ll have two glasses of chardonnay. Fact: I...Read More
