Electronic Cigarettes? Several countries, like Brazil and Panama, ban them. The FDA declares their use not backed by proper clinical trials. Some addictionologists hate them, thinking they can addict kids and keep others hooked on nicotine. Others, like the newspaper the Economist and many public health officials think they are a breakthrough in smoking cessation. […]
Dying to Walk (4/8/13)
Moving Is walking dangerous to your health? Sometimes. Particularly when you march through city streets. A recent media friendly study looked at emergency patients hit by cars and trucks who entered Bellevue Hospital in New York. Some salient “facts”: 1. 44% were hit while in crosswalks while the light was signaling a safe time to […]
Unknown Unknowns – Some Future Health Crises (4/2/13)
The Known Unknowns You don’t have to read Nicholas Nassim Taleb’s “The Black Swan” to recognize unpredictable events produce inordinate impact. Consider the major events of your own life – marriage, work, serious illnesses. How many of them were predictable? Chance rules the world. Presently most “health” crises are, in policy terms, health care crises. […]
Amazing Ambien (3/19/12)
The Rock Star Drug Steve Tyler of Aeorosmith took it to sooth an aching foot. He fell off the stage. One Calgary man claimed it made him take a bottle of vodka out of the fridge, down it and drive directly into other cars – all while he was asleep! My patients have woken with […]
Alzheimer’s – An Information Processing Illness (2/27/13)
The Deficient Disease Model The human body degenerates like a rusting machine. The parts just get older, break down, fall away. Believe this story? If you do, you’ll increase your risk of Alzheimer’s and many major illnesses – for that’s not how the body works. Machines fall apart. Cars rust. Machines degenerate. Bodies regenerate. […]