Infection
How NHL Players And Olympic Athletes Fight Colds
How would you like to be a NHL hockey player, reach the Stanley Cup playoffs, then suddenly develop a severe cold? Or train for the Olympics and then be knocked out of competition by a cold? It's a fear that never leaves athletes. Now Canadian scientists have finally developed a pill that fights this common problem. In fact, and this is hard to believe, Cold-fX is even good enough to make Don Cherry, hockey's outspoken personality, a believer! Don Cherry, whom we either love or hate during NHL intermission crossfire with Ron Maclean, told me that as a young boy he suffered from bronchial asthma and every winter had several colds. The colds continued during his hockey career. Later, when he...Read More
Gastroenterology, Infection
Travelling Without Montezuma’s Revenge – Dukoral
Friends frequently ask me, "What antibiotics and other drugs are you taking with you for Montezuma's Revenge when you travel to foreign countries?" They are surprised when I tell them I don't carry any medication. I add that recently I visited Egypt and cruised up the Nile River to the Aswan dam without packing any medication. My son and I didn't lose one minute from an attack of travellers' diarrhea during the trip. Was this just luck, or did I have a secret weapon to counter this terror-inducing disorder? On some other trips I've lifted my eyes to Heaven and prayed, "Dear Lord, above all other worldly benefits please quickly grant me the sight of a bathroom". I'm sure other travellers...Read More
Philosophy
The Mathematics Of Living To 85+
What's the chance of living to 85 years and beyond? Dr. Bradley J. Wilcox is the lead author of a longevity study carried out by the Pacific Health Research Institute in Hawaii. It's one of the longest studies on aging and it followed the health of 5,820 Japanese-American men for 40 years. At the start of the study their average age was 45 and they were all healthy. What happened to them depended on nine key factors. You can calculate your longevity with simple arithmetic. One - How good is your grip strength which is measured by how hard you can grasp an object? So the next time you squeeze a lemon estimate your strength. If your grip strength is strong...Read More
Infection, Nutrition
Picky Eaters: The Terror Of Being Invited To Dinner
What's the worst fear for some people? It's not standing before a crowd and giving a major speech. Nor is it the apprehension of being crushed in a crowded elevator or flying. It's the terror of being invited to dinner at a friend's home. A report in the Washington Post outlines the overwhelming fears of picky eaters. Billy Shore is founder and chief executive of the anti-hunger charity Share Our Strength in Washington. So surely he has no hang-ups about food. But that's not the case. Shore hates the "taste and texture" of all vegetables except spinach and corn on the cob. So how picky can you get? The next time you're at a dinner party do a little detective work and...Read More
Nutrition
Anyone Want To Own a Ranch? – Anorexia Nervosa
"But how did you pay for the $250,000 treatment" I asked one of my patients? To my surprise she replied, "I applied and received a grant from the Canadian government". This huge sum of money shocked me. What amazed me more as a taxpayer was the money's destination, Arizona. I decided to find out what treatment is worth $250,000 in the U.S. And who says our government is so stingy with medical care! My patient's teenage daughter was suffering from Anorexia Nervosa and various treatments, including those at the Hospital For Sick Children (HSC) in Toronto, had failed to cure this psychological disease. Now, doctors at HSC had referred her to The Remuda Ranch in Arizona, a live-in facility where she...Read More
Philosophy
The Dangers of 80 Percent
Would you like to be connected to tubes for months to sustain life when doctors know there's no hope of your survival? Or have family members feud because none are aware of your wishes when faced with your imminent death. If you've left such an important decision to chance then there's a good chance this could happen. A study shows that 80 percent of North Americans haven't signed a Living Will. I can understand it if you're one of the 80 percent who because of religious, moral or ethical reasons, want fate to decide your final outcome it's your right to do so. But if that's not the case, overlooking a living will is a terrible risk. And it places a...Read More
Dental, Orthopedics
New Space-Age Way To Treat Osteoporosis
In 2007 what will astronauts take to the space station? I'm sure we would name the things necessary to sustain life in outer space. But I doubt if many would know they will be packing the "Juvent 1000 Dynamic Motion Therapy (DMT) Platform" in the space shuttle. And how many are aware of Wolff's Law? Now, through the space research of NASA, patients have an alternative non-drug way to fight the ravages of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Astronauts face major problems during space travel. One of the most severe is the loss of bone tissue. In a weightless atmosphere, without the earth's gravitational pressure, astronauts lose two percent of their bone mass every month. Here on earth our bones fare much better. But...Read More
Dental
Fluoridation And Why Montreal Males Are Better Lovers
"Doctor, I'd suggest fluoride treatment to protect your teeth". I agreed with my dentist. After all, I'd been told since I was knee-high that fluoride prevents cavities. I've also used fluoride toothpaste for years. But I recently decided to research this topic to see if there was a downside to this treatment. Now I know why Montreal males are better lovers than those in Toronto. William, a three year old Brooklyn boy, had his first dental checkup in 1974. Fluoride gel was spread over the teeth. Following that he was handed a glass of water by the hygienist who failed to inform him to swish the solution in his mouth and spit it out. Instead, he drank the water and a...Read More
Psychiatry
The Dog Is Not For Sale
Why do I carry dog biscuits to work? I admit they're healthier than the occasional hamburger I have for lunch! But the biscuits are for a magnificent German Shepherd dog. He's always with his master, one of the many homeless people begging for money on the streets of Toronto. But why the dog, when his master is unable to feed himself? Several studies attest to the healing power of pets. A 45 year old quadriplegic who used a mouth stick to operate a computer often dropped it. The problem was solved by a Capuchin monkey who retrieved the stick for her. It also brings her magazines, opens refrigerator doors, puts cassettes on the CD and while perched on the arm of...Read More
Nutrition
How To Be A Smart Drinker
"Aren't you being a bit inconsistent? You're always advising others to cut down on sugar. Then before dinner you have a rum and coke? Don't you realize that rum is made from sugar?" I feel like I've been caught with my hand in the cookie jar when my wife scolds me for bring so righteous. And since she's also my editor I try to tread lightly when it comes to offering advice. I wouldn't dare question where she places a comma. But how illogical am I? Today we're often told what to eat, but what to drink doesn't get top billing. Dr. Barry M. Popkin, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, reports in Nutrition Action that in the...Read More
Lifestyle, Philosophy
Pogo Was Right – Consumer Responsibility
How long should we be our brother's keeper? A report in the British newspaper, The Guardian, claims that being a Samaritan is coming to an end in England. Smokers and overweight people will soon be asked to sign contracts with their doctors. They will have to agree to a program to quit smoking and lose weight under a radical medical plan drawn up by the Labour government. Health secretary, Alan Milburn says it's an attempt to remind people of their own responsibilities. The document will not deny medical care to those who refuse to sign the agreement. But the government wants to make it clear that smokers and overweight people must play a role in caring for themselves by stopping smoking,...Read More
Genitourinary, Gynecology, Infection
A Condom In The Mail? – Chlamydia
"What a unique way to get attention" I thought as I opened the morning's mail. What usually arrives on my desk is a host of medical reports. So I was surprised when two condoms fell out of one envelope. I wondered what was expected of me at 10:00am? And have I since put these condoms to good use? Eventually I discovered that Toronto Public Health had initiated a communication campaign for doctors to alert young people to the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STI), particularly chlamydia. To see the whole campaign visit www.gettested.ca The package also contained informative posters about STI for examining rooms and an offer to doctors of a free supply of condoms for patients. It was hoped this would...Read More
Surgery
How To Prevent Unusual Hazards in 2007
Of course you all know how to keep healthy this year. Keep active, eat healthy foods, don't smoke, drink alcohol moderately, have regular medical, dental and eye checkups, buy a bathroom scale so there's no burying your head in the sand about obesity, etc, etc, etc. But here are some precautions you may not have considered. Are you scheduled for surgery in 2007? If so, there's a sure way to circumvent a horrendous surgical error. We've all heard stories about surgeons amputating the wrong leg. Or fixing a hernia on the side that didn't need it and neglecting the one that did. If you think this is past history, you had better think again. The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) says that...Read More
Cardiovascular
Tortilla Chips To Lower Blood Cholesterol?
What's one of the most important rules in medicine today? It's "Never take a drug if a natural and safer remedy provides the same relief". Today millions of people are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent heart attack. But this therapy comes with a price. Some patients develop muscle cramps, liver and kidney problems and some have died. Good sense dictates that it's prudent to first try other ways to lower blood cholesterol. Linus Pauling, two time Nobel Prize winner, says a high dose of vitamin C before breakfast is a smart way to start the day. How much you take depends on your tolerance of C. Too much may cause diarrhea. But most people can tolerate 2,000 milligrams (mg). Ascorbic acid...Read More
Philosophy
Terminal Sedation Is Not Death With Dignity
How much will you endure when you're dying? Many patients say, "I want enough painkiller to prevent all pain." Others add "When there's no further hope of survival give me sufficient medication to end my misery". Recently the University of Toronto Joint Centre For Bioethics issued new guidelines for doctors who treat pain. But how much pain will they stop? The new guidelines were developed by physicians, intensive care program directors, and coroners. The guidelines state that there is no limit to the amount of painkiller that can be given to relieve pain. In fact, they say that doctors should not hesitate to increase the dose of painkillers even if it hastens death. Another section of this outline states that patients may be...Read More
Miscellaneous
What You Should Know About “Holy Smoke”
This holiday season millions of people around the world will be going to church. And many will be lighting candles and offering prayers to the Almighty. But how healthy is holy smoke? And how hazardous is the Christmas tree? We're all cautioned to take special care it doesn't catch on fire. But I wonder how many readers have heard about "Evergreen tree abscess"? Dr. Jim McDaid, an Irish family doctor and Minister of State, has raised a holy stink about holy candles. He warned that burning incense in churches could be harmful to alter boys and girls who help Roman Catholic priests celebrate mass. McDaid says, "Here you have quite a thick billowing type of smoke. Sometimes you see children with this...Read More
Endocrine
What You Should Know About DHEA
"Should I take DHEA to help me lose weight?" Or "Does DHEA slow down aging and increase bone strength". These are two of the many questions I've received from readers about this hormone. So what is fact and what s fiction about dehydroepiandrosterone? Little wonder it's known by its initials! DHEA is one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands perched on top of the kidneys. The body converts DHEA into the female hormone estrogen and the male hormone testosterone and many other less known ones. DHEA reaches peak production around 25 years of age and then decreases every year. By age 70 there's little or none produced. DHEA has had a checkered past. For years it was marketed in the...Read More
Cardiovascular
Think Twice Before Arranging a Surprise Party
Are you considering a surprise party for a loved one or an old friend? It's normally a generous thought and an enjoyable gathering. But a report in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that sudden surprises can have unexpected consequences. There's a scene that happens many times a day in this country. A patient arrives at the hospital emergency in acute distress. He's complaining of constricting chest pain and shortness of breath. Suspected diagnosis is an acute coronary attack. But doctor's jumping quickly to this conclusion can be wrong. Johns Hopkins doctors faced a dilemma in 19 patients admitted to emergency. Outwardly the signs and symptoms were a textbook account of coronary attack. But the electrocardiogram was normal. Blood tests showed...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Psychiatry
Mind Aerobics – A Revolutionary Way To Beat Stress Without Drugs
Who wouldn't want to be less stressed these days when each day brings more frightening economic news? But before you reach for Prozac, make note of a new breakthrough non-drug way to shrug off stress, sharpen your mind, enhance memory, sleep like a baby and improve emotional health. The science behind this exciting breakthrough is called "Mind Aerobics", based on powerful sound technology called "Holosync", and used by 300,000 people in 55 countries. The original research, done at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, and published in the journal Scientific American showed that different brain waves can trigger different mental states. Further research revealed that soothing music creates remarkable, permanent and positive effects on our outlook on life by affecting...Read More
Cancer, Radiation
Mammography – “I’m Sorry I Don’t Know How Much Radiation Is Given”
I have previously reported on a study conducted by Peter Gotzsche, a leading Danish researcher. His study claimed there's no convincing evidence that annual mammograms decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer. But can repeated exposure to radiation cause breast cancer? Three decades ago I reported a shocking discovery. Some x-ray machines were exposing patients up to 60 X the amount of radiation necessary for some procedures. X-ray equipment was often old, others rarely calculated for radiation exposure, and some technologists were incompetent. This column did not win me friends. But it resulted in a crack down by the government. However, regulation of equipment still didn't teach radiologists enough to know you don't mess around with nuclear engineers. A few years...Read More
Diabetes, Endocrine, Neurology
The Twin Epidemics – Diabetes & Alzheimer’s Disease
I experienced a terrible tragedy upon visiting an old friend. He failed to recognize me. All the past history of our years together vanished into the night. And as I drove home the question recurred; what had caused this mental disaster. Could he be victim to what's been called the "Twin Epidemic"? Had his long-standing diabetes played a factor in this condition? Marilyn Albert, an expert on Alzheimer's Disease at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, says that "when it comes to keeping the brain healthy adding extra pounds may be a double-edged sword. That it's not only a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, but also a trigger for Alzheimer's Disease." Dr Zoe Arvanitakis, a neurologist at Rush University Medical...Read More
Alcohol
Health Ad Forbidden in Beer Case
What's in a bottle of beer? 99.9 per cent of my beer-drinking friends didn't realize that beer contains health benefits. A Canadian brewer agreed that distributing information about the contents of this popular drink in beer cases would be beneficial. He also agreed that it must be stressed that excessive alcohol consumption causes serious health problems. But he soon learned the government forbids beer companies to claim any health benefits of any kind. It's an asinine law. The government allows food companies to promote all sorts of junk foods that trigger a variety of degenerative diseases. It does nothing to stop pharmaceutical companies from advertising medications that are often not needed and that can kill. I agree that excessive alcohol can destroy...Read More
Orthopedics
Baby Bommers: Medical Problems Waiting To Happen
Interested in another sure way to make money? Several months ago I suggested investing in hearing aids. I predicted that today's teenagers would be tomorrow's deaf from the excessive noise created by I Pods and rock bands. Now there's another sure-fire way to become rich, rich, rich. Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, a Philadelphia orthopedic surgeon, has added a new word to the English language. Baby boomers, he said, are the first generation to preach the virtues of staying active and also to practice what they preach. But being obsessed with exercise has come at a price. Large numbers have developed "Boomeritis". They've become banged up baby boomers. The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics reports that baby boomer injuries provided 488 million hours of...Read More
Miscellaneous
What’s Your Grade? A or an F?
What have you learned from this column during the past year? I hope I've been a good teacher and you pass this test by getting at least 50 percent of the questions right. But don't get depressed if you flunk the test as I'm not going to tell anyone! And it may even help you when playing Trivia Pursuit. 1. Men who don't shave daily enjoy less sex and are more likely to suffer a stroke and heart attack. 2. Abdominal hernias are repaired to decrease the risk of strangulation of the bowel. But recent studies show that there is no need to operate on all of these hernias. 3. A waistline of more than 100 centimeters (40 inches) for a man and...Read More
Alcohol
We Need A Boar’s Head Pub In Every Hospital
How about opening an English style pub in your local hospital? Just mention this idea to a hospital board and it will question your sanity. Readers may also conclude that I've gotten into the sauce while writing this column. But 25 years ago I visited the Boar's Head in Toronto's Sunnybrook Veteran's Hospital and left convinced that it helped patients cope with medical problems better than most medications. Today hardly a week goes by without hearing that a common drug is causing heart attack, stroke or some other serious complication. Look at any medication and its literature lists potential complications as long as your arm. Alcohol, on the other hand, is one of the oldest drugs known to man and a...Read More
