Articles

Surgery

What’s the most catastrophic illness that can befall us? To me it’s a spinal cord injury (SCI) that results in total paralysis. During a recent visit to Israel I interviewed Dr. Shimon Rochkind, world-renowned neurosurgeon at the Tel Aviv University Sourasky Medical Center, an expert on SCI. Every year 12,000 North Americans sustain spinal cord injury. The people involved are usually under the age of 30 and 80 percent are males. Some, like Christopher Reeves of Superman fame, fall from a horse. Others dive into shallow water or are involved in car accidents. Dr. Rochkind has spent his life trying to accomplish what’s said to be impossible. Time and time again we’ve been told...Read More

Gastroenterology

How could North Americans have so many ill stomachs? Why does treatment cost so many billions? And why are so many taking the wrong medication? According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 10 years ago one in eight Canadians over 65 years of age was taking PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), the strongest medicine available to stop gastric acid secretion. Now, one in five is on this medication. A report from Johns Hopkins University says that every year 113 million Americans take these pills. But how many people need PPIs and what are the dangers of long-term use? In 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned those taking PPIs along with...Read More

Dental

Several months ago I started brushing my teeth with soap. Why? Because I’m of Scottish background and I don’t enjoy paying dental bills. Nor do I find it pleasant to have dentists scraping plaque from my teeth every six months. Besides, a medical report said that soap not only removes plaque, but also stops cavities and protects gums. So how did my experiment turn out? My first reaction to this report was, “Come on, Dr. Judd, you must be kidding! Who would ever brush their teeth with soap?” But Dr. Gerald Judd was no nut. He was a retired Professor of chemistry at Purdue University. So since I admire people who challenge well-established theories that may be wrong, I didn’t...Read More

Miscellaneous, Surgery

Would you jump at the chance of back surgery that has zero risk of post-operative complications, is free of pain and provides relief of all your symptoms? Or would you choose a back operation that provides none of these guarantees? The first choice may sound like being sold swamp land in Florida. But a recent study shows this is not science fiction. Dr. Rachelle Buchbinder is a researcher at Monash University in Malvern, Australia. She recently reported in The New England Journal of Medicine about an operation called vertebroplasty. During this surgery medical “cement” was injected into a fractured spinal bone to provide extra strength to it. The surgeons hoped that this approach would relieve back pain because compression fractures...Read More

Cancer

The facts are depressing. Lung cancer kills more people than prostate, breast and colon cancer combined. Only 15% of those diagnosed with lung cancer are alive in five years. Now, a study by the National Cancer Institute shows that CT scans can decrease the number of these deaths from this deadly disease. But what is the medical and economic cost? Every year, 24,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Canada and 157,000 people will die from this disease in the U.S. Patients with lung cancer complain of shortness of breath, frequent coughing, weight loss or coughing up blood. But too often, an X-ray reveals an advanced cancer. For years doctors have been searching for a better diagnostic tool. In 2002, The...Read More

Surgery

Warren Buffett, believed to be the world's greatest investor says, "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing." Risk in surgery also comes from not knowing what you're doing. But in this case, rather than losing money, you can lose a life. A report from Johns Hopkins University says that "50% of people over 65 will undergo surgery." It's a forgone conclusion that aging parents and their children will therefore be asking, "Do you believe he or she is well enough to undergo an operation?" Sometimes the answer is as easy as falling off a log. The parent simply does not need surgery. After all, why submit a 70 year old, who has only mild discomfort that's not life-threatening, to a major...Read More

Alternate Treatments

Were the judges right or wrong? A man suffered spinal injuries in a car accident leaving him with chronic pain only relieved by marijuana. His insurance company refused to pay for this medication. But Quebec judges believed that "personal experience" must be considered when deciding if a patient is helped by medication. They ruled his company must pay $5,000 so he could grow his own marijuana. When I wrote about this I asked for your opinion. DJ from Sherbrooke, Quebec, responded, "Congratulations for bringing this matter to the public's attention. My father is dying of cancer and this is the one remedy that helps to control his pain and nausea. It's ludicrous he has to obtain this illegally, but there is...Read More

Prescription drugs can kill, natural remedies rarely. It's one of the most important lessons I've learned practicing medicine. So why risk a prescription drug to lower cholesterol when a natural one is available? This week, how Sytrinol can be a safe, effective, less expensive and natural way to lower blood cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart attack. Cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLDs) do decrease blood cholesterol and risk of coronary attack. But to question their use is like attacking Motherhood and apple pie, even though there are several short and possibly long-term side effects. For instance, one major study showed that patients taking CLDs may be exchanging one devil for another. Those taking CLDs had 22 fewer deaths...Read More

Miscellaneous

Millions of North Americans are suddenly aware of potassium iodide (PI) since Japan's nuclear plants started spewing out radioactive material. But how much will PI protect us from radioactive particles? Who should take it, and who should not? During a nuclear explosion or meltdown, radioactive iodine (I-131) enters the atmosphere and it has a malignant effect on the thyroid gland. The thyroid normally obtains iodine from iodized salt and shellfish to produce the hormone thyroxin. This hormone acts much like the accelerator of a car, controlling heart rate, temperature and energy level. Too much of it causes hyperthyroidism and too little, hypothyroidism. But the thyroid gland isn't particular where it obtains iodine. It also has no way of distinguishing between radioactive I-131 from...Read More

Alternate Treatments

What would you do if you were the judge? A man in his 40s (his name is protected under provincial law) is involved in a severe car crash. His spine is badly damaged resulting in painful spasms. A variety of painkillers are prescribed to alleviate the pain, but none are effective. Would you agree to the medical use of marijuana? Patient X requested insurance coverage for marijuana, but it was refused. It wasn't an unexpected decision, as the use of this drug has sparked controversy for many years. But an unusual event occurred in this case. The Quebec judges wrote, "The tribunal is well aware of controversial attitudes regarding the therapeutic use of marijuana." But then they added this important message: "There...Read More

Pain

“Why shoot a mouse with an elephant gun?” I recently remarked to a patient suffering from osteoarthritis (the wear and tear type). She had never been advised to try a variety of these lesser medications before using stronger drugs which may cause major complications. Vitamin C I believe this vitamin is the most overlooked natural remedy in treating aging joints. It’s an indisputable fact that vitamin C is needed to produce healthy collagen, a vital component of cartilage. Unhealthy cartilage eventually means bones grind against one another causing pain. Researchers at Boston University Medical Center studied the vitamin C intake of 640 people. They discovered that those with a higher intake of vitamin C were protected against progression of...Read More

Vitamins

What do the Japanese eat for breakfast that could help North Americans? Every year 7.5 billion packages of Natto are sold in Japan. The government has made it an integral part of the school breakfast program. Natto contains vitamin K2, a largely unknown vitamin on this continent and it packs a whammy. Studies show that K2 helps to prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones) and cardiovascular disease. In 1929, Danish scientist Dr. Henrik Dam, discovered vitamin K. Later, Japanese researchers reported that women living in Tokyo, where Natto, a centuries old Japanese food is a popular, had increased bone density. But women living in Western Japan where Natto is not popular showed a decline in bone density. Further research determined that vitamin...Read More

Lifestyle, Nutrition

“How did this happen?” you wonder when you look in the mirror. Your stomach used to be flat. The conclusion is obvious. You’ve developed a large gut, like millions of other North Americans. It’s called “killer fat” and it increases by four times your risk of heart disease. But here are ways to reverse this dangerous problem. One – Stop Being Surrounded By Food You can’t eat what’s not there. So get rid of the cookie jar that contains 150 calories per cookie. By enjoying four you’ve already used up 600 of your 1,800 calorie limit per day. Get rid of cola drinks with eight teaspoons of sugar, another 120 calories. Get smart, buy a calorie book and stop living...Read More

Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat

“Why isn’t he more careful when pointing that laser beam?” I wondered during a recent lecture. The speaker was careless with the red beam, casting it about before pointing it at the screen. I knew lasers could damage eyes. When used for treating medical problems, protective glasses must be worn. But I had no idea whether the use of a laser pointer was dangerous. Now I know. Dr. Martin K. Schmid, an ophthalmologist at Lucerne Cantonal Hospital in Lucerne, Switzerland, reports in the New England Journal of Medicine the case of a 15 year old boy who wanted to have a little fun. So he purchased a laser thinking he would burn a hole in his sister’s sneakers and pop...Read More

Dental

Do you enjoy paying dental bills? Or having dentists scraping plaque from your teeth? If it’s a pleasure, there’s no need to read this column. But I’ve never enjoyed these regular checkups. Now there’s a way to retire dentists, prevent cavities, protect gums and rid teeth of plaque, using cheap, ordinary soap. My first reaction when I read this report was, “Come on, Dr. Judd, you must be kidding! Who would ever brush teeth with soap?” But Dr. Gerald F. Judd is no nut. He’s a retired Emeritus Professor of chemistry at Purdue University. I admire people who have the intestinal fortitude to question well-established theories that may be wrong. Besides, I discovered he and I both believe dentists...Read More

Cancer, Miscellaneous

What’s the biggest problem facing airline travellers today? Ask this question and many would say it’s the long wait at airports, removing shoes, extensive screening procedures and that “Damn Pat-Down” by airport personnel. But during the public uproar about airport security some travellers will make a huge mistake. The U.S is replacing many metal detectors with more sophisticated equipment, better described as Personal Exposure Devices. In effect, the technology can detect articles beneath the clothing along with you-know- what, and this infuriates many travellers. There are two types of scanners. The millimeter wave machine is safe, creating an image of the body by using electromagnetic waves. The other, “Backscatter” devices, use low energy X-rays to produce a picture of the...Read More

Miscellaneous

How much did you learn from this column in 2010? I like to believe that it makes you wiser about medical matters. But let’s see how much sank in by answering these true or false questions. And did you miss the column that could save millions of lives? 1 – Cat lovers are less likely to encounter winter blues than those who don’t have “Whiskers” sitting on their lap. They also have fewer headaches, less chance of catching a cold and sleep better. 2 – One percent of Caucasians and 30 percent of those of African descent have a gene that increases the rate at which codeine changes into morphine. This has caused respiratory death in children following tonsillectomy. 3...Read More

Cardiovascular, Vitamins

BEST COLUMN OF 2010 Five years ago I wrote in this column, "Former President Clinton has joined 400,000 Americans who required coronary bypass surgery in the last year". Clinton had high blood cholesterol and took cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLDs). But in spite of these drugs, along with superb medical care, they failed to prevent a blocked artery. Again, recently the insertion of two stents (tiny structures like scaffolding) were required to reopen one coronary artery after he experienced chest pain. Five years ago, following his bypass, I wrote to the former President. I suggested he should discuss with his cardiologists the merit of high doses of vitamin C and lysine to prevent a recurrent blockage (restenosis) of his coronary arteries. I did not...Read More

Cardiovascular, Lifestyle, Nutrition

What is the greatest tragedy that can befall parents? It’s that a child will die before they do. It’s tragic when this happens and we may see it more often. Many years ago I attended a service in Westminster Abbey in London, England. I can’t recall the sermon. But I do remember seeing chubby choir boys. I realized then how obesity was starting to affect children. Since then several studies have shown the growing extent of childhood obesity. One study involved 5,517 grade 5 students in 291 public schools in Nova Scotia. Of these students 32.9 percent were overweight and 9.9 percent obese. One in 10 is a frightening figure. We don’t...Read More

Orthopedics

Warren Buffett, the world’s greatest investor, says, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing”. What is true in economics is equally true in medicine, particularly so when taking medication. A recent report from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has a sobering message about bisphosphonates, drugs such as Fosamax, Actonel, Atelvia, Boniva and Reclast, used to prevent osteoporosis (fragile bones). It’s an ironic situation. The FDA warns that prolonged use of drugs to decrease the risk of fracture can actually result in an increase in “unusual fractures of the thigh”. In fact, three years ago “The Harvard Women’s Health Watch Report” wrote about these fractures when they started to appear. These fractures are unusual because the break occurs just...Read More

Alcohol

Have I ever felt the need at Christmas for Prozac, sleeping pills, or the mass of over-the-counter medication? The answer, a definitive no! But I always enjoy a relaxing pre-dinner drink at the end of the day. So I’m always looking for good news about the health benefits of moderate drinking. Recently, I found an unsuspected reason to continue the cocktail hour. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine claims that a drink a day aids in keeping pounds off. LU Wang, a Harvard researcher, studied 19,200 women age 39 and over whose body mass index was normal. Wang reports that 38 percent of the women were teetotalers, 32.8 percent drank one-third of a five ounce glass of wine...Read More