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Yearly Archives: 2008
Ten New Year's Resolutions for 2009
Do we really have to make New Year’s Resolutions? Many people make resolutions concerning their health. Studies have shown that people understand their health risks but do not necessarily change their lifestyle. Then why make resolutions and then suffer from … Continue reading
Christmas Means Happy Times Are Here
So this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun And so this is Christmas I hope you have fun Most of you will recognize the above lyrics are from John Lennon … Continue reading
Controlling Hypertension Means Preventing Stroke
When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Last week, I wrote in my column that we should learn to recognize early signs of stroke because if you receive clot busting medications within three to 4.5 hours … Continue reading
Plan Ahead for a Dignified Death
Last week, my friend Evelyn sent me a red rose in memory of my mother. Evelyn also had a question, “Why an elderly lady in a nursing home was denied treatment because her nursing care status was DNR 3?” Let … Continue reading
There Are New Guidelines For Stroke Management
“During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) … she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They … Continue reading
Proctalgia Fugax Is A Pain In The Butt
You have pain in the butt which comes and goes. You see a doctor. You want to know if you have hemorrhoids or cancer. Well, what else could it be? There are at least six common causes for rectal and … Continue reading
All-Terrain Vehicles Are Dangerous
Last week, I read two articles on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). One was in the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons (November 2008 issue) and the second article was in Westworld magazine (November 2008 issue). Then I went to the … Continue reading
One Egg A Day Is Good For Healthy People
It is not uncommon for people to wonder whether eating eggs is healthy. If it is healthy then how many eggs one should eat in a week. This confusion is quite understandable. Eggs have developed a reputation of being high … Continue reading
Your Turn: A 10-point Marshall plan to right the doctor shortage
More than four million Canadians do not have a family doctor. Currently, Canada produces 2,300 new doctors a year but we need about 3,200 a year. How can we find 900 more doctors annually? Canada has failed to use the … Continue reading
Erectile Dysfunction May Be An Early Sign Of Heart Disease
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) may be an early sign of heart disease. Greek researchers evaluated the incidence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease in 26 men with erectile dysfunction and found 23 per cent had coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography (x-rays … Continue reading
Traveler’s Diarrhea Can Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Have you already planned a winter holiday? Besides getting your passport and appropriate currency, you need to think of getting your vaccinations updated and take actions to prevent traveler’s diarrhea (TD). TD hits your system when you consume contaminated food … Continue reading
Anal Fistula Can Be Difficult To Treat
Last week, I was in San Francisco, California to attend the Clinical Congress (convention) organized by the American College of Surgeons. It is one of the largest surgical conventions in the world. The convention lasts five days (Sunday to Thursday). … Continue reading
Shortage Of Doctors – A 10-Point Plan To Fix The Problem
Almost every Canadian is aware that we need more doctors. Ipsos-Reid poll done for the Canadian Medical Association indicates that MD shortages rank second only to the economy in a list of election issues (CMAJ July 1, 2008). According to … Continue reading
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Is A Ticking Time Bomb
I recently saw an ad put out by the Canadian Society of Vascular Surgeons (CSVS) calling for a national screening program for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA has been described as a ticking time bomb. Now, not everybody knows where … Continue reading