2002

Acetaminophen can be dangerous

December 23, 2002

Physicians know this, but sometimes forget. Acetaminophen can cause acute liver toxicity at high doses. The danger of acetaminophen. It has long been known that too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage, but the alarming extent of the problem has just been documented. A new study has found that overdosing on acetaminophen, the most widely [...]

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The Medical Letter Treatment Guidelines

December 22, 2002

I am a subscriber and intellectual supporter of the Medical Letter. This publication provides unbiased reviews of drugs; it is nonprofit; it accepts no advertisements. They have introduced a new product – Treatment Guidelines – which looks very interesting. I have printed out the free sample which gives Treatment Guidelines for Diabetes Drugs. Having spent [...]

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A poem

December 22, 2002

I am quoting this entire poem from the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Here is the original link – Super-cef . It is just too good not to share. I am Jeff. Jeff-the-Rep. Would you like some Super-cef? No, no, Jeff-the-Rep. I do not want your Super-cef. I have no time for you today. I must [...]

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The right pacemaker

December 22, 2002

Study: Some Defibrillators May Be Riskier : More Sophisticated Heart Defibrillators May Have Increased Risks, Study Suggests But most patients who need defibrillators are likely only to need less sophisticated devices equipped with a backup pacemaker, the research suggests. The backup pacemaker stimulates the lower heart chamber when the beat becomes too slow. The researchers [...]

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Testing for thyroid disease

December 22, 2002

Thyroid problems ‘missed by doctors’. This article, unfortunately, relies heavily on anecdote, but does not provide any data. I choose to link though to remind myself and readers that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism present with non-specific complaints. Eye problems, rapid weight loss and being unable to sit still are all symptoms of an over-active thyroid. [...]

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Paying for contraception

December 22, 2002

I have never understood why insurance companies do not pay for contraception. One could easily expect the expense to save the companies money. The introduction of Viagra (and many insurers pay for Viagra) focused attention on this issue. Apparently some states are intervening. Some states now requiring contraceptive coverage viagra free viagra buy viagra online [...]

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Smallpox – the facts

December 22, 2002

We have spent more time discussing the smallpox vaccine, and not enough time getting educated about the disease. A prerelease NEJM article shows that the public (and probably many physicians) do not know the facts. This article provides a nice summary – With New Threat of Smallpox, a Reeducation. Take the 2-3 minutes to read [...]

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On Dr. Frist

December 21, 2002

The Washington Post today has a very nice overview of Dr. Frist – The Doctor as Dealmaker? I am hopeful that he will bring a focus on health care issues that will help improve health care and delivery. We will all watch his performance carefully. viagra free viagra buy viagra online generic viagra how does [...]

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Medicare cuts – unintended consequences

December 21, 2002

I have written about this issue extensively. Medicare payments to physicians are a crisis. I hope the new Senate Majority Leader understands that this is his first health care priority! Medicare to Cut Payments to Doctors 4.4% The Bush administration announced today that Medicare payments to doctors would be cut 4.4 percent next year, after [...]

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A physician as majority leader

December 20, 2002

It appears that Trent Lott is stepping down and Dr. Frist will become majority leader – Lott Steps Down as Senate Republican Leader . I believe this is a very important move for medicine. Frist has championed many important causes – Medicare reform, malpractice reform, etc. Being majority leader, he will more likely have the [...]

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