Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe

I know, this sounds like the latest infomercial on late night television to get you to by some book that "doctors don't want you to have." Unfortunately, marketing tactics like this work. They sell books and my patients bring them in to ask me about them. (At least my patients come in and ask me about them, so that we can talk about it).

The title of this post is "borrowed" from an article from yesterday's New York Times. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine made a list of items thought to be in the "conventional wisdom" of physicians and of the general public. What they came up with is a list of seven items proven NOT to be scientifically sound -- according to their research. This is an interesting list...

1. People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
2. We use only 10 percent of our brains.
3. Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.
4. Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker or coarser.
5. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.
6. Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy.
7. Cellphones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals.

Definitely check out the article for more details. I admit that a couple from that list surprised me (I won't tell you which ones - HA!). Not only is the article interesting, but also are the 142 comments (as of this posting) that follow the article. Some people added to this list.

Others who identify themselves as "physicians" say that they knew all of these were myths and that the title is misleading. Still others are taking this opportunity to attack traditional western medical care to promote their own "non-traditional" or "alternative" methods of wellness.

For me, it's a fun article. I'm not taking this article too seriously. Did I learn something - yes. Did it rock my world - not really. This shows again that a lot of angry people live in the comments section. Kind of sad, if you think about it. Take it easy people!

Post of the year 2007

I was reviewing my posts for the past 12 months, I can't help but be amazed by the journey that this blog has taken. I've went through many highs and one notable low during my blog life this year.

But, in reviewing all my posts this year, I have chosen one (for no particular reason), as my 2007 Post of the year. This is called Fat Fido and the comment section is also an interesting read. Enjoy the walk down memory lane.

What about you? This is not a meme, but especially for those of you out there who have been blogging out there for a while, it's an interesting exercise to review your posts over the past year and pick only one for 2007. What will it be? Blog about it....

New Year's Resolutions

So, it's the day after Christmas. And, what are the only commercials that I see on television this morning? It's all those, "Did you eat too many Christmas cookies? Why not make that new year's resolution now to lose the weight that you have always wanted to?" Sheesh! Gimme a break, would ya?

Above, you see how this 14-year old is thinking about for 2008 and what he's thankful for. Watching something like this is so refreshing, because too much of what you see is either so politically correct that it makes me nauseated, or so vulgar that it makes me sick....

For me, I'm always striving toward improving my physical and mental health. But, like everybody else, it's tough to follow that diet and exercise program, as well as dealing with stress. I always hope that next year will be better than this year.

How about you? Do you make New Year's Resolutions? What will be your resolutions for 2008? What are you thankful for? Don't worry, I won't tell anybody. I'll just keep it between us..... hehe

About

Merry Christmas

I'm taking a few days off from the blog. Actually, one of the things I have to do is finish my Christmas shopping this weekend and other things to get ready for Tuesday. So, I just wanted to wish everyone out there in blog land a happy and safe long weekend.

Above is a you tube clip from my favorite Christmas cartoon - and of course, it's Charlie Brown. This scene with Linus close to the end of the show still resonates with me today. Apparently, at the time, there was controversy with the broadcast network about whether to leave this scene in the show. I'm glad that they did. For me, it helps me remember the reason for the holiday....

Prostate cancer and tea

I know what you're thinking, "Dr A., what's the connection here?" I have to admit that I'm not really a tea fan, but my family is (maybe I was adopted - HA!). Anyway, there's a study from Japan that was just released stating that a certain type of tea - namely Green Tea - can decrease the risk of prostate cancer. (Associated Press)

A study of nearly 50,000 Japanese men aged 40-69 found that those who drank five or more cups of green tea a day reduced their risk of having progressive prostate cancer by half, compared with those who drank a cup or less, according to the Epidemiology and Prevention Division of the National Cancer Center in Tokyo.

Christmas is less than a week away now (Wow, I can't believe that). So, if you're like me and do all of your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve (It's really fun!), then don't forget about the gift of tea. Who knows? It may make a good re-gift for someone in 2008. HA!

The Secret Society

As everyone knows, I'm a little obsessive over my blog stats (I need to work on that). Anyway, I was looking at my stats the other day to see where people are clicking from. And I saw this site, which I really found intriguing.

Here's the post title, "Physician Blogs: The secret medical network of doctors that blog." I never knew I was part of a secret society. This phrase has the undertones of the Da Vinci code (see YouTube clip above) - Yeesh! I guess I need to learn the secret handshake and get the secret decoder ring.

As far as the list goes, it's an interesting list. I wonder if there is a more complete list out there. Where would there be a database where one would go to see the physician bloggers? I guess this is a good start. I'll have to check some of these links out.

Medicare 10% cut averted - For now...

Hot off the press from the Associated Press is a story stating that Congress is about to pass legislation which avoids the proposed 10% cut in Medicare payment scheduled to take place 14 days from now.

The legislation crafted by Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Finance Committee would give doctors a 0.5 percent raise when they treat the elderly and disabled. The Senate was expected to approve the bill Tuesday or Wednesday. The legislation would then move to the House, which hopes to wrap up work this week.

Like practically everything else in government, there's a catch. What's the catch? Well, this HUGE zero-point-five percent raise in Medicare payment will expire on June 30, 2008. Which means, that docs will have to go through this stress and anguish and Congressional advocacy efforts all over again in six months.

I know what you're saying, what's the big deal? Docs have all kinds of money anyway. They don't need a pay raise like everyone else does. I don't want to get started on a rant. But, I will say that patients are feeling the effects of status quo or less payment by the federal government and private insurance companies for physician services. Here is how one patient sees it:

Docs, especially GP's (or PA's, my GP was on vacation and also works with a PA who handles some things, you can make an appointment with either but the PA is available much sooner usually) are so pressed-for time, something needs to CHANGE to make it so they can spend a little more time with each patient, geez! Yet not lose money because they might be seeing fewer by a couple, each day . . . . . and then there's all the paperwork, etc. I'm sure Doctor Anonymous, aka Dr. A, can chime in with some comments to this post, from his point of view (he's a GP).

Presuming this legislation passes, I would like to thank Congress for the HUGE raise for taking care of Medicare patients. Of course, the private insurance companies will follow suit, or even continue their tradition of sometimes paying 80-90% of what Medicare pays. For all the Senators and Congress representatives out there reading this - Merry Christmas (er, for the politically correct, Happy Winter Solstice) and we'll see you in June when we have to do this dance all over again.

Do you Re-gift?

So, it's the week before Christmas. The office is deluged with sweets, and little gifts, and trinkets, and sweets. Did I mention sweets? I get a sugar high just walking through the break room. Sheesh! Anyway, sometimes I get a gift basket on my desk. And, sometimes it's stuff that I don't really need or want. So, why not re-gift?

Ok, so I wrote about this phenomenon/behavior last year? Do you know what this is? Well, according to the Urban Dictionary, here are the definitions:

(a). To give a gift that you have received to someone else.
(b). scandalously repackaging and claiming to have purchased on your own a previously received hideous piece of crapola and giving it to someone else as if you had actually been thinking about what they would enjoy.

Now, no one will admit it, but we all do it. It's those gifts that you get at the office Christmas party. You know, those "Secret Santa" gifts or in the office/work gift exchange. How about even on Christmas day (at your relative's house). "What would I ever do with this?," you ask yourself. Well, why not give the gift that keeps on giving. That's where the magic of re-gifting comes in.

I'm definitely into re-cycling. Go green! This year, don't return that gift you really don't want. Don't exchange that gift that you really don't want. Preserve the environment and give that unwanted gift to someone you love or someone you work with next year. You'll be glad you did. *cough*

Medgadget Award Nominations Open

Yes, boys and girls, it's that time of year again for the Medgadget Medical Weblog Awards. This will be the fourth edition of the awards and this year they are sponsored by scrubsgallery.com (must be nice to have a sponsor). There are seven categories for the 2007 awards. Nominations can be made in the comment section on that particular post.

Contrary to last year, I'm not asking for my blog to be nominated. In fact, I'm requesting that this blog not be nominated. I think there are a lot of other great medical blogs out there. In addition, I think I know some of the judges. So, that there is no awkwardness or any kind of conflict of interest, I respectfully decline any nomination for the Medgadget Awards.

Good luck to all, and be sure to nominate your favorite (other) medical blogs! The deadline for nominations is Monday, December 31.