Are they LYING or just DECEIVED?

Be careful - be VERY careful - about what you believe about drugs and surgery. Dr. Darshak Sanghavi is a pediatric cardiologist. He has written a clear paper about how drug companies use numbers and statistics to convince you and your doctor that their latest drug is THE best treatment for you. But, their claims depend on HOW they have manipulated the data to make their point.

Using a statin drug reportedly reduces a person's risk of heart problems from 7.5% to 5.3% over a five year period. That's a reduction of 2.2%. However, published materials about Pravachol (a statin) report a 31% reduction. How can they do that? The 31% represents a RELATIVE REDUCTION (from 7.5 to 5.3). Actually, out of every 50 people who take the drug for 5 years there will be one less heart event. However, that isn't as impressive as 31%
If you were selling a statin drug would you want to use 31% or 2.2%?

Progesterone for Men?

It's clear that many women benefit form using a quality progesterone supplement. But, what about men? If you check out most basic physiology texts you'll find that men have progesterone in their bodies too. I conclude that many guys may also benefit from a daily dose progesterone - less than a woman's, of course. More...

I Know How to FIX Healthcare

It's easy to sit on the sidelines and throw stones - basically to complain about the state of things, but do nothing about it. Instead of just whining I think I have some of the answers - and they don't depend on anyone but me to implement them.

I knew a man who had diabetes. He preferred to take drugs instead of changing his diet and doing a little exercise. For the most part he sat in a chair, unhealthy, until he died. He firmly believed that his doctor was doing the best possible by prescribing the medicine for diabetes. The doctor never mentioned anything but testing for sugar and taking the drugs. That poor man lost out on a lot of living while he took his drugs and waited to die.More...

Killer Sunlight? NOPE!

I think we've been completely misled when it comes to the SUN. It seems a bit much to swallow to believe that the source of all life on earth could actually be the cause of skin cancer.I'm not talking about overdosing or abuse of the sun. Sure, too much of anything can be harmful - heck, even too much water can kill you. If you let the sun severely burn your skin you should expect to pay the consequences. A serious burn is way more than just uncomfortable and studies have shown that skin damaged by too much sunlight is more likely to develop cancer in the future.A recent study has shown that exposure to sunlight can actually be associated with increased survival from melanoma. More...

Ten Lies You Might Still Believe

All of us have BELIEFS. They accumulate over the years and become part of the force that drives our lives. Beliefs are a lot like opinions. We all have them. Sadly, some (maybe most) of them are probably wrong. Most people would want to base their life on truth, and accurate beliefs. That's why the philosopher told us that "the unexamined life isn't worth living." (Socrates Apology 38a)

I've accumulated a list of ten LIES that I'm working on in my life. Take a few minutes to review the list - and the references - to see how many of them might be controlling your life. More...

Some People Just Don't THINK!

I received an email from a customer recently. He's concerned because he had just been diagnosed with DIABETES. It was a surprise because he had been eating well and had never been warned about diabetes.

During a routine visit at the VA hospital his single blood test indicated a glucose level slightly above 150. That's always been considered a borderline result and suggests further study. I can't imagine that anyone - particularly a "doctor" would be so insensitive and harsh to tell a person he HAS diabetes based on one lonely blood test. Has everyone gone NUTS?!

I think we have to be very careful these days. Just think what damage an "official diagnosis" of diabetes can do to a personj. It doesn't just affect the patient! How about employers and insurance companies - to mention just a couple? It seems a market is opening where people can have their lab work done anonamously. I sure wouldn't want my insurance company to know about a diagnosis that was made in such a shoddy manner. How about you? More...

Do We Even HAVE a Chance?

I spent a few years at Loyola University in Chicago and ended up with a nice degree in philosophy - medical ethics to be precise. Everywhere I turn in the field of medicine I find examples of highly questionable - if not flat out unethical - behavior.

The front page of today's Wall Street Journal (December 12 2005) describes another situation - this time at the "famous" Cleveland Clinic. Here's the basics of this story;

Cleveland Clinic has a machine they use for a certain heart procedure.The clinic owns stock in the company that makes the machine and actually helped fund the development of the machine (the clinic supplied $25 million). A heart surgeon at the clinic who uses the machine has been on the board of the company that makes the machine. Over 1,200 people have had procedures at Cleveland Clinc where the machine was used. No patient was informaed that there was a relationship between the clinic and the manufacturer.

It is important to note that the machine in questions is not approved by the FDA for the procedure it's used for. The patients on whom the machine has been used are actually part of the studies needed to obtain official approval. That makes them research subjects. And yet they didn't know that their procedure was experimental.

This all stinks and Cleveland Clinic has been taking steps to clean up this little (?) mess, but it's too late. The horse is out of the barn. A lot of people know that the clinic's reputation is (or should be) tarnished. I believe that the doctors involved ought to be tried for every type of wrongdoing possible - but they probably won't be. Instead they may loose a position here or a title there but the funding, fees and kickbacks will probably continue to flow just not as obviously.

Those among us charged with our health are prostituting themselves. People at the FDA hold positions in industry that are clear conflicts of interest. Millions of dollars are being diverted to the people we should be holding in high regard. In response to our grattitude those men and women are engaging in the most horrific forms of ethical misconduct. The worst punishment MIGHT be a mild slap on the wrist. Nobody involved will suffer a consequence even remotely comensurate with the ethical offense. Why? Everyone "up there" is in on the schemes, scams, and chicanery.

Nobody can blow the whistle too loudly for fear they'll call attention to their own form of robbery.

On the one hand I can drop my head and bemoan the fact that we DON'T have a chance. Then I remember that WE can make a difference if we work on it. My task is to let as many people know about evil doings in medicine. Once enough people know there will have to be a response. The house will topple. I have to believe this or succomb to depression.

Socks Win!

No, I'm not talking about the World Series Champions - The Chicago White Sox. I'm talking about real socks - stockings.  

I want to remind everyone about an excellent way to get a good night's sleep. 

   Step 1. Wear socks to bed. 

   Step 2. Warm the foot of your bed before getting in.

We conducted a study about warm feet and sleep. Sure, it isn't NEW NEWS but it seems important. The colder temperature reminded me about the study and I thought it time to tell everyone.  http://www.thecompounder.com/otherwarmfeetsleep.php

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