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Medium •

How to Slash Outrageous Healthcare Costs: A Physician’s Rx

Healthcare costs in the United States are out of control, as most of us know. Healthcare spending in the United States has grown to nearly $5 trillion annually, accounting for an astounding 18% of the national economy. This works out to $14,570 per person, up from $9500 a decade ago and almost double what peer European countries spend.Affording healthcare is one of the most pressing issues I encounter as a rural family physician. I spend a lot of time helping patients, most of whom have Medicare...
Medium •

Why Do Menopausal Women Gain Weight So Easily? And What Can Be Done?

Menopause wreaks havoc on the lives of many women. Soaking hot flashes, restless nights, and inexplicable mood swings become the new norm for many during midlife.On top of that, declining hormone levels alter women’s body composition, leading to excess abdominal fat and a loss of muscle. All these changes are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death.As an obesity medicine doc, I frequently hear frustration about weight gain from my menopausal patients: “I sw...
Medium •

Why are Healthy Women Having So Many Heart Attacks?

The rural health clinic where I practice as a family physician is located in an area with one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the country. Most of my patients are women, and many of them have unhealthy lifestyles. It’s sad, but not surprising, when a woman who doesn’t take good care of her health has a heart attack.It’s more disconcerting, however, when a seemingly healthy woman has an unexpected heart attack or stroke, as I’ve witnessed too many times.The problem is, almost ha...
TeleMedTrends •

The Ultimate Patient Guide to Telemedicine: What to Expect and How to Prepare -

Introduction


Imagine waking up in the middle of the night with a severe sore throat and fever. Waiting until morning to call your doctor for an appointment can seem impossible. Or imagine being on vacation and getting a poison ivy rash, and not knowing where to go for treatment. Imagine living in an area where the waiting time to get an appointment to see a primary care physician can be months.


This is where telemedicine comes in. You can reach out to a healthcare provider day or night, se...
Medium •

Violence Should Not Be Part Of My Job

Last month, a patient in my clinic, who was recovering from opioid addiction, became irate after being denied a prescription for pain medication. He became verbally abusive, cursing me and threatening legal action. When asked to leave the room, he swung his cane at me (he missed), pushed me against the wall, and left, all the while shouting threats. His parting shot was “I know where you live.”Last week, a man walked into a nearby emergency room, demanding immediate treatment. As he was being tr...
Medium •

The Unsung Key To Preserving Memory

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the US. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the US. It affects almost 50% of US adults, and more than 70% of those over age 60.Hypertension has long been thought to be a key risk factor for developing dementia, yet there haven’t been conclusive studies showing that reducing blood pressure reduces the risk of dementia. Until now.A recen...
TeleMedTrends •

From Exam Room to Webcam: Why I Switched From A Brick-and-Mortar Practice to Telehealth -

Introduction


Ten years ago, I was practicing medicine in an academic setting. I wore multiple hats – clinic physician, medical director, hospitalist, and teacher. The stress — and the pressure to do even more — became untenable. After experiencing some personal life changes, I knew I had to find a different way to practice medicine.


I discovered telehealth. I signed on to practice urgent care telehealth with Amwell. For the first time in my career, I had a flexible schedule and control ove...
TeleMedTrends •

Can Telemedicine Reduce Antibiotic Resistance? Here's What New Evidence Says -

IntroductionAntibiotic resistance is one of the most significant public health threats worldwide, according to the  World Health Organization. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria mutate to evade the antibiotic’s killing power, rendering the antibiotic ineffective. One of the primary drivers of this resistance is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 30% of all antibiotic prescriptions in the US are unnecessary.Simply stated, ant...
LowerMyRx •

Why Didn’t I Get Antibiotics? Doctor Explains | LowerMyRx

Have you ever gone to your doctor because you are sick and feel you need antibiotics, only to be told that antibiotics won’t work for your illness? It can be frustrating, especially when you’re already feeling down.


Your frustration is understandable. Patients sometimes expect to be prescribed antibiotics because of past experience.  However, antibiotics are only effective for infections caused by bacteria, not against viral infections. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can cause unwanted side e...
Wise & Well •

Is ChatGPT a Better Doctor Than I Am?

Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare in the US for both patients and doctors. As a family medicine doc who remembers life before the internet, the changes are exciting, but also worrisome.I recently came across an article titled “Microsoft’s MAI-DxO Crushes Doctors at Medical Diagnosis while Cutting Costs” that set my mind spinning. MAI-DxO, or Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator, is a cutting-edge AI system that is 85% accurate in diagnosing complex diseases, according to testing...
LowerMyRx •

Obesity as a Chronic Disease: Doctor’s Insight | LowerMyRx

Jenna has struggled with her weight for most of her life. She has tried multiple “fad” diets over the years. She usually loses some weight, only to regain it when she reverts to her old eating habits.


She’s understandably frustrated with her yo-yoing weight and her inability to keep weight off over the long term. She isn’t sure what to do about it. Jenna has developed high blood pressure and sleep apnea because of her weight, and she feels like her weight has cost her job promotions and relat...
Wise & Well •

BMI is a Big Fat Lie

Obesity — having too much body fat — is associated with poor health and several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. It’s typically diagnosed using the body mass index (BMI), which, as it turns out, isn’t all that accurate.The BMI is an estimation of body fat that’s based on height and weight. It’s endorsed as the standard measure of body composition by several organizations, including the CDC, NIH, and WHO. Around the world, hospitals and clinics faithfully...
Wise & Well •

Oddly, Natural Dietary Sugars May Protect Against Diabetes

As a kid growing up in the 80s, my mom always had a Kool-Aid Man pitcher full of red punch in the fridge. It was a cool refresher for me, my brothers, and all the neighborhood kids after a game of backyard kickball. Once we hit our teenage years, the red Kool-Aid was replaced with Mountain Dew. Somehow, it seemed more grown-up to drink soda instead of red Kool-Aid. At the time, we weren’t aware of the health consequences of all those sugary drinks.Many people today are still unaware. Americans,...
Wise & Well •

Exciting New Sleep Apnea Treatment May Lead to Remission

Snoring due to sleep apnea is one of the top reasons couples opt for a “sleep divorce”, a decision made by romantic partners to sleep in separate beds to ensure quality sleep. Meanwhile, sleep apnea — breathing pauses and gasping in those who snore heavily — is becoming more common as obesity rates soar. It negatively affects physical health, mental well-being, and the quality of relationships with loved ones.As a family doc for more than 20 years, I’ve spent my career treating chronic diseases...
Wise & Well •

Bizarre Red Meat Allergy is on the Rise

During summer, when the woods and weeds are full of ticks, people are at greater risk of tick bites. We can contract several serious infections from them, including Lyme disease.However, not all tick-borne diseases are infections. One weird tick-borne disease causes an allergic reaction to red meat. It’s called alpha-gal syndrome (named after an allergy-inducing molecule called galactose-α-1,3-galactose), and it’s one of the most fascinating diseases I’ve learned about as a physician.Alpha-gal’s...
TeleMedTrends •

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Virtual Healthcare Can Help Stop The Spread -

Summary: How Telehealth Impacts The Treatment of Sexually Transmitted InfectionsThe Rising Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): The UK and specific demographic groups in the US have seen a doubling or even tripling of the rates of some STIs.Barriers to Traditional STI Treatment: Barriers such as social stigma, lack of transportation, and lack of access to healthcare contribute to the rising rates.Advantages of Telemedicine for STI Treatment: Advantages include decreased social stigma...
Wise & Well •

Arthritis Isn’t Just ‘Wear and Tear’ On Aging Joints

When I walk up steps these days, my left knee crunches. It’s a bit disconcerting. If I hike too far or sit in the wrong position for too long, my knee swells and aches. I have osteoarthritis in that knee, but I can’t write it off as part of the normal aging process.Osteoarthritis has long been thought to be caused by repetitive mechanical stress on our joints as we age. The prevailing theory has been that the cushioning cartilage in our joints breaks down by daily microtrauma, until eventually w...
TeleMedTrends •

Transforming Health Through Virtual Weight Loss Programs -

IntroductionOver the past 3 decades, the prevalence of obesity has skyrocketed. The obesity epidemic in the US contributes substantially to rising chronic disease rates, early mortality, and exorbitant healthcare costs. I’m an obesity medicine specialist who treats patients in a rural community that has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Obesity is a challenging disease to manage — successful long-term weight loss requires a comprehensive team approach. In my community, there are n...
Wise & Well •

Why ‘Eat Less, Move More’ Doesn’t Work for Everyone

Some people seem to never gain weight no matter how much they eat, while others try every fad diet around and never lose an ounce. Some can drop 15 pounds just by “setting their minds to it.” Other people wholeheartedly embrace the weight loss advice of “eat less, move more,” yet continue to gain weight.As an obesity medicine physician , I see my patients’ frustration when they can’t lose weight, even if they do everything right. There’s a reason this happens, and it often has little to do with...
TeleMedTrends •

Rural Healthcare In the Age of Telemedicine -

Rural populations, comprising 20% of the US population, have long struggled with limited access to healthcare compared to their urban counterparts. Rural communities are often geographically isolated, have fewer healthcare providers, lack public transportation, and have higher rates of poverty. These factors contribute to disparities in access to quality healthcare services in these areas. This disparity is reflected in the higher prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other chronic...
Read or Die — HQ •

A Common Vaccine May Help Prevent Dementia, But Only If You Get It

Dementia is one of the most devastating conditions from which a person can suffer. It causes the loss of independence, relationships, and even personal identity. Families of those with dementia also suffer. Caregivers often bear the brunt of the disease– financially, emotionally, and mentally. It’s heartbreaking to watch a loved one lose the very essence of what makes them, well, them.Half a million people in the US are diagnosed with dementia each year, and that number is expected to double by...
Health and Science •

This Grossly Underused Heart Test Could Save Your Life

Heart disease kills more people in the US than any other disease. Astonishingly, someone dies from heart disease every 33 seconds, according to the CDC. Plaque built-up in the coronary (heart) arteries is the number one cause of heart disease. Could you be at risk?Most folks don’t realize how deadly plaque build-up in their arteries can be. Surprisingly, up to 50% of people who die from a heart attack aren’t aware their arteries are clogged. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing, which measures...
Health and Science •

GLP-1s Will Never Reverse The Obesity Epidemic

I recently saw a TikTok weight loss ad about GLP-1s; an obesity medicine specialist promised significant weight loss without any dietary restrictions or exercise requirements. Her pitch was, “Eat what you want; don’t deprive yourself of your favorite junk food. Let the shot do the work!” I was appalled.As we all know, US obesity rates are soaring. Almost 75% of adults are considered either overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to nearly all chronic diseases that Americans suffer from — heart di...
Practice Link •

Five Ways To Overcome Job Search Stress

▼ THE Job SEarcH ISSUE DEPARTMENTS Job Doctor CV 5 ways to overcome job-search stress LIFE CHANGES IN GENERAL CAN BE STRESSFUL—ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CHANGE INVOLVES GETTING A NEW JOB. Whether you’re fresh out of residency or just seeking an improved work/life balance, physicians face many challenges once they make the decision to explore new employment opportunities. I personally have dealt with the stress related to changing jobs in the medical field. Many negative emotions can surface: uncertain...