“In this short Life
That only lasts an hour
How much – how little – is
Within our power.”
—Emily Dickinson
Health care around the world faces an existential crisis. While the quality of medicine continues to improve, its cost remains unbridled and out of control. Better means more expensive, be it a drug or an imaging modality. The whole world is aware of this impending financial crisis, and heads are hunched together to find …
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In this episode, we dive into the complexities of obesity with gastroenterologist Pooja Singhal. Together, we explore the media’s portrayal of new obesity medications, the harmful misconceptions surrounding obesity, and the vital need …
My legs felt like thick, immovable tree trunks as I shakily shuffled down the long, cold hospital hallway in my chafing hospital gown and ill-fitting non-skid socks, pulling my stubborn and squeaky IV pole alongside me. My mom took small, measured steps next to me as we took our daily walk around the hospital floor to escape from my cramped, confining hospital room.
Now several weeks into my first hospitalization after …
“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
– Voltaire
The medical profession is rooted in trust and transparency, but there are certain realities that doctors may not readily disclose to their patients. Recognizing these truths can empower patients to make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Doctors are highly trained and knowledgeable, yet they are not infallible. They may not always identify the exact …
The term “revolutionary” is used too often in health care. New imaging modalities, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, advanced medical devices, and artificial intelligence are all regularly proclaimed to be revolutionary to attract interest and attention. But those of us trained in medicine who work in these fields know that revolutions don’t happen—it takes 17 years for new research to reach the translational stage.
In reality, the best we can hope for is …
My mother. 63 years old. Colon cancer.
She first noticed rectal bleeding. She made excuses. Maybe it’s hemorrhoids.
She put her physician on a pedestal. He said, “You’re too young to die,” and there was no need for further tests.
Her daughters, both RNs (one an ICU nurse, the other an anesthetist), pleaded with her to get a colonoscopy. She refused. We pleaded with her getting a second opinion. She refused. Her once-plump …
The final three minutes of my hour-long elliptical workout were not easy. Pain spread across my stomach, causing me to row in a half-sitting motion, and my chest vacillated between violent coughs and the sorts of deep breaths people take when they think they’ve seen a ghost. Perspiration fell from my shirtless torso to the garage floor. The amount of sweat was not the kind my body produces from exercise. …
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Join Parastoo Jangouk, a gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician. We dive into the challenges faced by business owners and health care professionals in December. It’s a month filled with long hours, patient appointments, and marketing efforts.
But amidst …
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Join Parastoo Jangouk, a dual board-certified expert in gastroenterology and internal medicine. Discover her remarkable journey from growing up in an oppressive society to becoming a successful physician and entrepreneur. Explore the powerful concept of “reverse leadership” …
Like other business owners and private medical groups, I tend to work more hours towards the end of the year.
December is an endless marathon trying to see more patients, add more procedure hours, and double book the office and endoscopy sessions on the clinic side. On the business side, we are creating more content and marketing our online programs.
Patients have met their deductibles; they need to check their screening colonoscopies …
Six months after being diagnosed with gastroparesis, I underwent experimental intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. What is often considered a wonder drug, with the ability to treat hundreds of rare illnesses, resulted in the worst experience of my life. I suspect that I developed aseptic meningitis, feeling like I had brain-damaged myself.
What is intravenous immunoglobulin?
Immunoglobulin is found in plasma, which is a part of your blood. It contains antibodies that help you …
During a recent conversation with Dr. Dawn Sears, I mentioned that I was working on a presentation I wish to give locally, speaking on “How caring for your doctor gets you better care.”
Our discussion revealed some important insights all patients should be aware of, which we share here:
1. Let the pilot fly the plane. Passengers generally don’t walk onto an airplane and start complaining to the pilot about their seat …
Obesity has undeniably become the top health issue of our time, with its prevalence and impact on our bodies making headlines across health care and popular media.
This isn’t merely a matter of carrying extra pounds; it’s about the multitude of serious health complications that come in its wake. The conversation around obesity often gravitates towards heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Still, another critical aspect frequently slips under the radar – …
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Join Brian Hudes, a gastroenterologist. We’ll delve into the evolving landscape of gastroenterology in the United States, exploring historical decisions, changing demographics, and the impact on physician salaries. Discover the challenges and potential solutions in this vital …
“America’s health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system.”
– Walter Cronkite
Hospitals, revered as places of healing and recovery, hold secrets and harbor mistakes that can take a heavy toll on patients. These hidden truths, often concealed behind the walls of health care institutions, come with dire consequences. Supported by alarming statistics and credible sources, this exploration unveils some of the most unsettling aspects of the health care system.
As …
The field of gastroenterology in the United States has undergone a significant transformation over the past 5 to 10 years, driven by a confluence of historical changes in training programs, changing demographics among GI doctors due to the relatively new specialty of GI endoscopy, and a dwindling supply of gastroenterologists. These factors have culminated in a notable impact on gastroenterology physician salaries and have raised important questions about the future …
The American Diabetes Association recently released screening guidelines for liver disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Notably, 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have liver disease, and the most common form is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ultimately, this can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the rates of liver cancer have tripled since 1980. Currently, one in 10 Americans has diabetes, …
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In this episode, we delve into the serious consequences of fecal impaction and chronic constipation on patients’ well-being and health care costs. Our guest, Mahesh Moolani, an internal medicine physician and author of Tough Decisions In Care …
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