In the US almost 14 million units of blood are dispensed each year to 4.8 million patients. While blood transfusions undoubtedly save many lives, over the past five years, several studies have found that patients who received transfusions were also more likely to suffer heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death. In 2004, for instance …
This time of year I get a lot of questions from patients wondering if they should get the flu vaccine. Let me share some recent reports on the vaccine that I have come across. Flu shots have shown an inconsistent effect in the elderly. Even though flu vaccine coverage of elderly people in the US …
Drug companies are big investors in medical research and post-qualification training for doctors. A survey done by Mass General Hospital in Boston has put actual figures on the industry’s involvement. Nearly two-thirds of heads of department from 140 medical school and teaching hospitals said they had some relationship with industry. Over a quarter acted as …
When I grew up in back country of North San Diego County as kids we were continually out climbing the mountains. I remember mom routinely checking us for ticks when we came home. Back then if a tick was found embedded with its head in the skin we would use kerosene to remove it. I …
In Nevada come election time the public will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on whether to ban smoking in public places. Today when I was getting my car washed at Terrible’s I noticed all the workers wearing T-shirts supporting proposition 4 but encouraging people to vote no on proposition 5. Proposition 5 would …
I recently came across an article in JAMA that refutes claims made by those opposing the smoking ban in the work place. In the article they state that “three common arguments are advanced against mandatory smoke-free bars, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses. Each is fallacious. First, laws to prevent smoking in bars will not be …
Every week JAMA has an article written by physicians expressing their experiences in life. This last week article, written by Thomas Edes, MD, I thought was unusually good. It relates the story of Bonnie, a woman with cancer who initially approached it with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. She endured the countless prolonged visits to clinics, …
One of the biggest factors affecting our kids eating habits is the advertising budgets of big corporations like Kellogg’s. For example, when Kellogg’s came out with their new cocoa frosted flakes they budgeted $30 million the first year. In comparison the FDA spent only $400,000 in one year to promote the use of vegetables and …
Women have pretty much been held responsible for the health of their unborn babies. Don’t drink, smoke or eat too much fish when you are pregnant. However, new research is indicating that fathers too need to be careful about what they are exposed to lest they affect their child’s health and even those of generations …
(click on any form below to open, read, print and/or fill out) Adult Application (PDF Format) or (Word Format) – Please print, fill out document and bring with you to your first office visit. Dear New Patient, Thank you for scheduling an appointment with me. In this section you will find information to expedite your …