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Yearly Archives: 2009
A Weakness for Alcohol can be Dangerous
Alcohol has been used and abused for generations. Previous attempts to make alcohol drinking illegal have failed miserably. There is a constant desire to use alcohol by humans who drink it for various reasons. Most of us are well aware … Continue reading
A Bulge in the Groin Could be a Hernia
Dear Dr. B: I have bulge in the groin. Is it a hernia? Answer: A bulge in the groin could be a hernia, an enlarged lymph gland, an enlarged vein, an aneurysm of femoral artery, a lump of fat or … Continue reading
Lactose Intolerance is Usually Permenant in Some Adults
Lactose intolerance commonly develops after adolescence. It is estimated that between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. Certain ethnic and racial populations are more widely affected than others. As many as 75 percent of all African Americans and … Continue reading
Dehydration Can Be A Serious Problem
It is only mid-April and I can feel the heat. I feel dry and thirsty most days. My urine is dark and concentrated. That means I am losing more water than I take in. Most of the water I am … Continue reading
For Golfers, There is No Time Like Tee Time
By the time you read this column, the Masters tournament at Augusta will be over. Did Tiger win again, or was it Phil, may be Ernie? Well, somebody is going to win. And somebody is going to lose. The winner … Continue reading
Forget love… I'd rather fall in chocolate!
Spring is here. So is Easter. There is love in the air. And there is smell of chocolate everywhere. Would you rather fall in love or fall in chocolate? Forget love… I’d rather fall in chocolate! May be I had … Continue reading
Controversial Role of PSA in Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
Controversy regarding the use of PSA (prostate-specific-antigen) in early detections of prostate cancer continues with the recent publication of an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer and the second leading … Continue reading
Alcohol, Drugs, Date Rape and Unwanted Pregnancy
“The contribution of alcohol and other drugs to sexual assault has been increasingly recognized during the last 15–20 years,” says an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ March, 2009). The authors report that 20.9 per cent of victims … Continue reading
Role of Calcium and Milk Products in Prostate Cancer
Dear Dr. B: We are in Arizona for the winter. My husband and I have always taken calcium and Vitamin D. There seems to be a lot of controversy here with several people who feel that calcium for men is … Continue reading
What to Use for Bowel Cleansing Prior to Colonoscopy?
Dear Dr. B: I have been booked for a colonoscopy. I know I have to have my bowel cleaned out for this test to be successful. I am worried about using Fleet Phospho-soda (oral sodium phosphate product) bowel cleansing laxative … Continue reading
Role of Flouride in Preventing Dental Caries
Dear Dr. B: Last evening I listened to a radio program regarding fluoride. The doctor who hosted the show had nothing good to say about fluoride and was quite adamant that it should not be in toothpaste or in our … Continue reading
More Women Die From Heart Disease Than Cancer
“Cardiovascular disease is responsible for half of all deaths among women aged 50 and older in Canada and the United States,” says an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ March 13, 2007). Heart attacks and strokes account for … Continue reading
Good News About Cancer in Canada
Almost every household has had a brush with cancer. That means nobody is immune to it. Diagnosis of cancer brings with it tremendous psychological and physical burden to the patient and patient’s loved ones. Therefore, it is important for each … Continue reading
What Is New In Preventing Heart Disease?
So, here we are, into February. An important month after you have recovered from Christmas and New Year celebrations. Valentine’s Day, Family Day and heart month fall into February. And as a bonus, this year the Valentine’s Day falls on … Continue reading