by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The older we get, the more we start to worry about dementia. … What was I saying?  Oh, yeah, dementia, a decline in our memory, thinking, figuring things out.  Declining cognition.  Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia.

Actually, it is nothing to laugh about. The increasing elderly population makes certain it will become a big and bigger public health hazard.  Our ignorance of how to prevent or treat it, or even knowing the causes for certain, makes it fair game for people to want to try anything they’ve heard might help.

Ginkgo biloba falls into that category of hope.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I have been treating irritable bowel syndrome, sometimes called spastic colon, since I began practice in the 1980s.  I saw a lot of it when I had a full-time family practice.

Several new treatment drugs have been developed and removed from the market within the past few years, due to bad side effects.  An article in the British Medical Journal shows that really, much has not changed since the 1980s.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Do you understand Medicare Part D? Do you even know what it is? How about your elderly loved ones?

Medicare open enrollment starts November 15 and ends December 31. During this time every year, Medicare participants can change or tweak their Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.  Start early so everything is in place by the time the new coverage kicks in on January 1.

If you’re under Medicare age, consider helping loved ones with their decision.  There are several options and it can get complicated.

Here’s some help to get you started.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Waiting for health-care reform?  Guess what.  It’s going to be a while, and no matter what the changes are, it will stay relatively expensive.  In the end, it’s still our responsibility to take care of ourselves, and to find ways to limit costs.  We can do that now.

Here are a few suggestions.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to the cough-and-cold section of the pharmacy, I feel a little overwhelmed.  I think I know what I want but then see the same brand with just a little different type or amount of ingredients.  Which is better for your symptoms? (Make no mistake, the over-the-counter meds treat symptoms, not the underlying problem.  Many times that’s all you need, just to feel a little better until your body agrees.)

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

A new study concludes that many physicians prescribe placebos to their patients.  The news, which made headlines all over the place late last week, was surprising to me.  But I think the study is a tad weak and misleading.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

The FDA met to look at evidence, take comments and decide whether there should be a ban on children’s cough and cold medicine under the age of 6.  They acknowledged the evidence from pediatricians that it was not effective at that age and sent thousands of kids to the ER each year.  Then they punted.  No ban or recall.

A spokesperson for the FDA acknowledged there was no evidence that the meds worked under 6  (apparently the meds were “grandfathered” by the FDA many years ago with no tests on children), but was afraid that parents would use stronger adult meds on children if there was a ban.  The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the meds under 6 and an independent group advised the FDA to ban them last year.

Now in steps the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) to save the day (sort of).

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Readers Digest has written “9 More Things your Pharmacist Isn’t telling You.” This follows their list of “13 Secrets Your Pharmacist Won’t Tell You” on which I have already blogged.  I like this new list better.  It boils down to one thing.  Talk to your pharmacist.  Ask questions. Be assertive.  If he/she won’t listen, find another pharmacy.

Pharmacists are well educated.  They know their drugs, but mostly just count pills all day.  Most are happy to share their knowledge.

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

You’ve seen plenty of products that advertise they’re “FDA-approved.”  What does that really mean?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants you to know that all advertising is not as it seems.  Many products that say “FDA-approved” aren’t. Some are not even in the jurisdiction of the FDA to approve.  They couldn’t approve them if they wanted to.  Others can be “approved” before the FDA really knows much about them.  What about food and drugs?  The words are in the title of the agency so the FDA must approve them.

Well, not really.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

A while back there was news on a couple of pharmaceutical companies working on a new drug type that decreased appetite by blocking the same receptors in the brain that stimulate hunger after smoking marijuana.  Early trials showed promise, but later studies proved that, to take an dose of taranabant strong enough to decrease appetite effectively, the side-effects increased also.  The risk of increased anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts was too much so Merck has cancelled further testing and pulled the drug from FDA consideration.

I am disappointed in the failure, but commend Merck for doing the right thing.  It is an example of the time, expense and risk involved in trying to bring a new drug to market.  It is also a good example of a medical news story, highly touted and broadcast initially, with little follow-up.  Get the headlines from big media. Get the real scoop from JHMFD.

Can you think of other examples?