by  James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I used to make New Year’s resolutions when I was very, very young.  They were bold and visionary.  I never kept them and forgot what they were by January 2.  Since my late teens, when people would ask me if had made a resolution, I would tell them something like sweat less, age a year or some other nonsense.

Maybe I should compromise and make one good resolution that I try my best to keep.  Something specific and doable.   Any ideas for me? (keep it civil now)  What is your resolution?

If you smoke, may I suggest to stop by the end of 2009?  Many patients I advise to stop smoking give me a frustrated look that implies easier said than done.  I know.  But what if you make it the one thing you resolve to do, your number one priority for 2009?

Here is one incentive.  Dr. Norman Edleman of the American Lung Association says half of smokers die of lung disease.  Have you ever seen anyone with chronic lung disease?  Most of you can imagine cancer, but there are other more long term diseases that slowly destroy your lungs to the point you become constantly short of breath and nothing (including oxygen) relieves you.  Fully half.  I know most of you think you will not be in that half.  Maybe, if you are lucky (sarcasm goes here), you may die of one of the many other associated cancers, or heart disease.

Here are some tips to help you stop.

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

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported good news in its annual report to the nation on the status of cancer.  Newly diagnosed cancer rates in men declined 1.6 percent per year from 2001 to 2005. In women, they declined 0.6 percent per year from 1997 to 2005.  Ten out of 15 of the most common cancers went down.

Not all was good news, as you will see below, but it is a start.

Specifically, the cancers that declined in women were:

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

For 2008 the U.S. Surgeon General’s call to action (the thing he or she wants to publicize nationwide, ie, his or her pet project) is to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. From the press release:

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh.  The clot can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling, and skin discoloration.

DVT can be a problem in itself.  Due to damaged veins, your leg may be chronically swollen for life, causing all sorts of problems.  But the big risk is that sometimes, a piece of this clot can break off and go directly into the lung (pulmonary embolism) to cause serious damage or even death.

According to the surgeon general, each year there are 350,000 to 600,00 cases of DVT, with as many as 100,000 deaths.

DVT is not to be confused with superficial thrombophlebitis, which is inflammation of the veins near the skin surface.  Varicose veins are prone to this condition, which is not susceptible to a pulmonary embolus.  But how can you tell the difference if your leg is red and swollen? Well, you can’t.  You will need to see a physician ASAP.

Obviously, you want prevent DVT.  And you really, really want to prevent a pulmonary embolus, but how?

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