A recent study confirmed that the doctor’s office may be one of the worst places to determine if your blood pressure is under control. The automatic rise in tension many people experience when they are being scrutinized contributes to artificially high blood pressure readings. Although many times the only way improve one’s blood pressure is through treatment (such as medication, a low salt diet, and weight loss), other times ...
Dr. Charles
What is the best type of infant thermometer?
A fever in an infant can be the first sign of an illness. While a rise in body temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is part of a healthy immune system response, it does signal potential danger and need for further evaluation. Since a reading may lead to a call or visit to the child’s doctor or emergency room, accuracy is key. What is the best type of infant thermometer?A ...
Treating stress with cognitive behavioral therapy can impact cardiovascular disease
"This job is killing me" is not a statement of jest. It is a desperate plea of outright sincerity.Stress, anxiety, depression – all have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. But can interventions to help people cope with stress positively affect longevity and decrease risk of dying? The results of a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine would imply the answer is ...
Top doctors may not always be the best physicians
I’m sure you’ve read through top doctor rankings and online physician ratings. It is only human to seek perceived leaders. But as sometimes seen in politics, those who have reached the pinnacles are often motivated by ambition, charisma, and gamesmanship instead of altruism, sincerity, and merit.Beware the top doctors issues found in magazines and newspapers.Some of these doctors are excellent, but many are simply “notable.” They may be well-connected, in ...
A beautiful Valentine’s Day patient story
“I’ll be back in a little while, Hon’. Will you be okay without me?” the frail old woman asked of her husband. She was standing at the front door and breathing heavily.“I’ll be fine,” her husband replied from his wheelchair. His voice sounded as weak as his body looked – emaciated, scaly, and full of cancer. “I’m sorry I can’t come with you.”The woman opened the front door. A gust ...
Thoughts from a doctor attending a patient funeral
On the way to the funeral you wonder how you’ll be received by the grieving. Although you are confident that your care for the deceased was sincere, professional, and adept, you still question if others will so assume. There is silence in the car. This is a trip you make alone.You manage a bitter smile as you recall stories the patient shared in unguarded moments, behind the door of a ...
10 cost effective preventive medicine services
Here are the top 10 preventive services. These items were chosen by the National Commission on Prevention Priorities, and highlight those preventive services including immunizations, screenings, preventive medications, and counseling that give “the most bang for the buck.”For an in depth discussion of methods and results, read Am J Prev Med 2006;31(1):52–61Discuss Daily Aspirin UseThis counseling does not mean everyone should take aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke, but ...
12 most important medical advances of the decade
As the first decade of the 21st century comes to an end, it is interesting to look back and reflect on the most significant medical advances we’ve seen. I’d like to present 12 medical advances that I consider to have been the most important over the past decade, and I’d like to ask you, the wider world, to contribute in two ways:
- Add your nomination in the comment field regarding ...
