by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Well, here we go. Many recent studies, including one I referenced Wednesday, have lauded drinking alcohol for its heart and stroke benefits. Now comes a large British study saying, “not so fast.” Any alcohol at all may increase risk of cancer.
The study was done in women, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t apply to men, also. (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The FDA has become concerned about an increase in deaths from “accidental” narcotics overdoses. Apparently, the powers that be have come to recognize what we docs have known all along: Not all who ask for prescription narcotics use them in the manner prescribed, and some will do anything for their “fix.” (more…)
by 
James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
A British study shows four healthy steps to cut our risk of stroke by more than half.
Every year 795,000 Americans have a stroke. It’s our third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer. The risk increases with age. We can decrease our chances by keeping our blood pressure and cholesterol under control, but there’s more we can do to help even further.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Have you ever had an X-ray? Probably so. What would modern medicine be without them? I can’t count the times I’ve seen a kid with a hurt wrist thinking it was a sprain but I ordered an X-ray just in case and surprise, surprise. There’s a little fracture.
But sometimes we might depend on them a little too much. (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
I recently wrote about why drug ads are the way they are. Lo and behold, a study comes out that suggests perhaps a change is in order.
The FDA recognizes we need better quality drug direct-to-consumer ads. Several groups, including the Institute of Medicine, have called for better information conveying benefits versus adverse effects in these ads.
From a sponsor’s standpoint, ads are for one reason: to sell products. Regulators are there to make sure these ads aren’t misleading, but don’t want to place undue restrictions that cause ads (and their money) to disappear. So where is the middle ground?
Can your own perceptions of your child’s health affect it?
Dr. Tracy Lieu, author of a study in the October 8, 2008, Pediatrics, thinks so. She surveyed parents of 700 asthmatic children and found parents’ low expectations led to more poorly controlled asthma.
In a Science Daily interview, Dr. Lieu said: (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The conclusion from the Women’s Initiative Study that multivitamins don’t prevent cancer, heart disease or overall mortality troubles me for some reason.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Women’s Initiative Study. It involves a large group of women (161, 808) followed over a long period (eight years in this instance.) Statisticians analyze the tons of data known about this group and report the findings. The data doesn’t care what I or anyone else thinks. It is what it is.
In the comment section of this report the author cites two other good, long-term women’s studies that showed an association between multivitamins and decreased colon cancer. It took 10 years in one group and 15 years in the other to start seeing a decrease.
But that’s not what bothers me. It’s not the study itself, but that people might get the idea no one needs vitamins. I mean, the New York Times has an article entitled “Vitamins; A False Hope?” This was a study on multivitamins, in set doses. It concluded nothing about set groups of individuals needing specific vitamins at other dosages.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
George Washington was tough. Unbelievably tough. Everybody back then was, or they died. In his younger years he had malaria, small pox, tuberculosis and dysentery, to name a few. He lost all his teeth by middle age and wore various poor-fitting dentures made from ivory or different animals’ teeth, never wooden.
We’re fortunate the rugged 6-foot-3, 230 pounder was relative healthy during the long, cold Revolutionary War. But after two terms as president, he was worn out and retired to work on his farm. Two years later, he died of a sore throat. It is interesting to me how so many great people seem to die soon after retirement. But President Washington may have had a little help from his doctors.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
We all know President Abraham Lincoln was killed by an assassin’s bullet to the back of the head , but do you know the medical speculation surrounding his health? There is even a two-day symposium this year in Washington on it.
Lincoln was tall, thin and lanky, with long arms, large hands and feet, and loose joints. His chest was sunken in. Now, one of our greatest presidents may have looked a little strange, towering over his fellow Americans, but some physicians can be downright strange in their obsessive speculations about what caused Lincoln’s unique appearance. In a 1964 no longer available JAMA article, a physician made the case President Lincoln had Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder which includes the features above along with eye and heart defects. Others since have had their own ideas.
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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Have you ever been watching one of those ads for prescription drugs touting how wonderful the drug is … then they go into detail about side effects like may it may cause blurred vision, anal leakage, heart palpitations, blindness, maybe death? Why do they do that? You don’t see it on all drug ads, just some. Are these drug companies just more open and truthful than others?
Stay tuned for “the rest of the story.”
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