When Pill = Sleep In America alone, tens of millions take sleeping pills to sleep each night. Yet sleeping pills don’t produce natural sleep. They worsen memory. They increase the risk of death. But people can’t stop. Physically or behaviorally addicted, they know pill = sleep. Here are some reasons why that happens – and […]
It’s Genetics (1/7/12)
Sorry, You’re All Flawed People often want to know the causes of their illnesses. They often hear the phrase “it’s genetics.” The answer provokes little solace and some fear. Aid is provided in the sense there is “an explanation.” But an explanation that speaks to innate, uncontrollable flaws? What will happen to me next, people […]
Sugar Coating Aspirin (12/18/12)
Aspirin Resistance? Aspirin is back in the news. Recently the science of “aspirin resistance” has taken a big knock. And once again calls for “aspirin for everyone” – at least everyone middle aged – are being pushed as “the” heart disease and cancer preventive. What we really learn from these debates is what runs the […]
The Generic Drug Mess (12/17/12)
They’re Not The Same “I used to be taking blue pills but now they’re orange. And I don’t think this pill is working.” The patient had been given the “same” medication. But it was a different generic drug. This “generic” story is now a general story. Generic medications are off-patent versions of FDA approved drugs. […]
Losing Virility? The Strange Science of Sperm Counts (12/12/12)
The French Fuss Authorized by the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertes , a group of French researchers reported in Human Reproduction a decrease by about a third of French sperm count over the period 1989-2005. According to these records the average count decreased from 73.6 million for milliliter to 49.9 million over 17 […]