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Category Archives: Medicine Hat News
More About Steve Jobs and Pancreatic Cancer
Dear Dr. B: I read your column on Steve Jobs and pancreatic cancer. I am puzzled. You say that most people with pancreatic cancer survive only few months after the diagnosis. So how did Jobs, who was diagnosed in the … Continue reading
Celebrating Column No.500
Five hundred columns for Medicine Hat News! That is hard to believe. It was the summer of 1998, when I had a meeting with Gordon Wright, the then Managing Editor of the Medicine Hat News. With his help and encouragement, … Continue reading
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Inflammation of the Pancreas Should Not be Ignored
In the last column we discussed about pancreatic cancer. Today, we will briefly discuss inflammation of the pancreas which can be serious too. The pancreas lies in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. Its function is to produce digestive enzymes … Continue reading
Steve Jobs – a Victim of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer has taken another life. The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is dismal. The overall five year survival rate is less than two percent, the worst of any cancer. Only 20 percent of the patients will be diagnosed at a … Continue reading
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis on the Rise
Recent memo from Alberta Health Services’ South Zone office warns physicians about the significant rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Southern Alberta. In 2009, Alberta reported the highest STD rates across the country. Most significant is the increase in … Continue reading
Anal Cancer Can be Misdiagnosed as Hemorrhoids
You may recall, Farrah Fawcett, one of the Charlie’s Angels, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. Three years later she died. There is no need to panic. Anal cancer is fairly uncommon. It accounts for about one to two … Continue reading
Marriage is Associated with Lower Risk of Death for Men
Since 1858, we have known that mortality rates are lower for married individuals compared to people who are single. Why? We don’t know. We don’t even know why there is excess mortality among the unmarried. Of course, there are many … Continue reading
Role of Probiotics in Health and Disease
About a month ago, I wrote that there is some evidence to advise patients to take probiotics when they are on antibiotics. This is to prevent antibiotic-associated colitis. The probiotic suggested was Bio-K. I understand patients are having trouble finding … Continue reading
A Holiday for an Epic Wedding on the High Seas
Click on photos to enlarge. Download as a PDF for easy printing. The Ship Traditional henna application. The end result of “pithi” ceremony for the groom, Navroz. The bride goes through the same process. Backdrop to the wedding ceremony – … Continue reading
C. difficle colitis – fighting bacteria with bacteria
When was the last time I wrote about the outbreaks of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) colitis in hospitals and nursing homes in Canada, U.S.A. and the U.K.? It was 20 months ago (see www.nbharwani.com January 26, 2010). C. difficile colitis … Continue reading
Overactive thyroid can affect your eyes.
According to Thyroid Foundation of Canada website, it is estimated that 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. One in every three Canadians (about 10 million people) has a thyroid disorder. Of those, as many … Continue reading
Skin Blemishes of Breast
(click to enlarge) Skin lesions and blemishes are very common. Most of them are benign and have no malignant potential. But some can be malignant or potentially malignant. Some areas of the body are easy to examine but other parts … Continue reading
Have you checked your toenails lately?
Now that summer is here, people from all walks of life have given up on shoes and socks. Sandals, flip flops or bare feet, yes people walking bare feet, is the norm. Now look at your feet then look at … Continue reading
Sun Smart Golfers (Photo)
Published in The Medicine Hat News. Original: (click to enlarge)