Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Colorectal Cancer:
I haven't been on in a while due to family issues.  My stepson, who graduates medical school on Friday, was diagnosed in March with stage 4 colorectal cancer so our lives have been somewhat hectic.  He is undergoing chemotherapy at University Medical Center in Lubbock under Dr. Cobos.  We are hoping he will do well with the chemo and start his anesthesiology residency at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio in the fall.

As a health tip, chronic constipation and especially with rectal pain is something you need to pay attention to.  I had an elderly patient who also had severe rectal area pain and had been to several doctors.  I asked him if he had a colonoscopy-no.  I told him to get one right away and sure enough rectal cancer.  The typical age is 50-75 years, sedentary lifestyle, eats lots of red meat, sedentary lifestyle, and smokes and drinks.  Irritable bowel/Chron's Disease also increase the risk.  My step son is 30 and does none of the above.  He hardly had any symptoms.  Oh, yeah.  Make them palpate your abdomen if you ever have this issue and pursue it if not getting satisfactory results or explanations.  It took an ER doc who actually palpated his abdomen and a CT-scan to identify his.

Other News:
  • I've been appointed to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) by Governor Perry.  I've been placed on the enforcement committee which means pretty regular trips to Austin once a month. 
  • Attended the chiropractic orthopedic symposium in Las Vegas in April.  Had a chance to see singing ventriloquist Terry Fator perform-great show and I highly recommend it.  Marty and her son found a young people cancer symposium there as well which was very valuable to both.
  • My 2nd article on upper extremity nerve entrapments should be coming out soon.

Office Hours
No change in the office hours right now.  However, I'm an appointed Worker's Compensation Designated Doctor and will be traveling to adjoining counties to perform exams for injured workers.  I'm doing them on Thursdays and Saturdays only so I never know when I'll be in the office on those days.  A call will save you a wasted trip if I'm out doing exams.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Spring Blog

It's been a busy spring for me and I have not been able to get on to post anything.  I just completed a 3 day seminar on impairment rating and will be doing worker's compensation evaluations for the state once I pass the exam.  One of my articles was published on 2/23/13 in Chiropractic Economics on median nerve entrapments and the other on radial and ulnar entrapments is pending publication.  I'm working on a Mind Map review book for chiropractic orthopedics boards and a martial arts book.  I'm also teaching an online class on health sciences and a noon martial arts class two days a week. 

Health News:
  • Locally, there has been a 13.2% increase in Motor Vehicle Accidents in the area.
  • The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the most heart healthy dies out there.  It's also a sensible way to lose weight.
  • Fenugreek, used as season in the Middle East and Egypt, has good evidence supporting its ability to lower blood sugar after a meal.  It may also increase good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad triglycerides.  Some studies have also found it may help with acid reflux.  With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions, controlling blood sugar is important.
  • Pradaxa (digibatran), a new blood thinner, may be more effective and safer than warfarin.
  • Intense acupuncture is promising for Bell's Palsy rehabilitation.
  • Medical futures:  3D printing may be a booming business area.  They have already been able to print an ear.
Of the Future:  Jogging the brain.  Given the social, technological, ecological, economic, and political environment of today, what scenarios do you see playing out in the future?  5 years? 10 years?  20?  50?  Is society moving forward or backward?  How do you define progress?  Just some things to think about.