Pooh-poohing Mind-Body Interaction 😉 I surprise patients some times when I tell them that I do not believe in what is often called “mind-body interaction”. My explanation, though, convinces them not to run away and look for a different doctor. The idea that thoughts affect the body and physical disease alters emotions is right, […]
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Electo-magnetic Radiation and Asthma
Over time we have gotten used to the idea that some things we cannot see, can still cause us harm. In fact, much longer ago, say 1,500 years, people were concerned about vaporous humors floating out of swamps and causing illnesses. Those ethereal malefic influences often proved to be tiny creatures like mosquitoes carrying invisible […]
Coffee and Prostate Cancer
It is nice to report good news. In this case, the good news is that a recent study of prostate cancer found that drinking coffee reduced risk. It is always essential to view dietary studies skeptically. There are so many reasons they can be misunderstood, or just plain wrong. The world is too complicated to […]
Immunizations and Skepticism – Whooping Cough, Shingles, Swine Flu
As of July 1, children in California are subject to a new law which requires an additional dose of the whooping cough (pertusis) vaccine. Unlike the “required” doses for younger children, which can be waived after a discussion between the child’s physician and parents, this draconian legislation only allows a waiver if the parents sit […]
Skepticism is Healthy
Those of you who have been reading my newsletter for the last few years will probably remember the article I wrote (posted also on my website) regarding the huge investment drug companies have made in their efforts to influence physician prescribing, the success of those efforts and the facts about how this compromises your health […]
Radiation Safety Update
Dear Patients, I am sorry that this email has to be so long. My sadness that it is necessary is, of course, far greater. Also, please do review this material carefully, as I am unable to respond to the very large volume of emails and phone calls that we have been receiving. Reviewing my previous […]
Responding to Radiation Concerns
A growing number of you have been writing to me today re: radiation exposure due to nuclear reactor damage in Japan. An as yet undetermined amount of radiation has already been released, with more likely. A cloud of radiation, creating the most immediate risk, could cross the Pacific, but this is unlikely and would take […]
What You Can’t See
We are bathed in all kinds of invisible energies. From cosmic rays to radio waves, we have no choice in the matter. Well, we do have some choice, but not much. In the 1960’s my father was a computer whiz. He deliberately flunked out of college so that he could leave and join the Navy. […]
Violent Adverse Drug Reactions
Most of my patients are concerned about adverse effects of prescription medications. My own skeptical attitude on this and other issues underlies my approach to patient care, and has done so for as long as I have been practicing medicine. Prescription medications can be life saving, but for many reasons, they can also cause problems. […]
Antibiotic Disruption of Your Body’s Ecology – Permanent?
Recent research is lengthening estimates of the time that antibiotics alter our internal ecology and consequently expanding medical concerns about the consequences of antibiotic overuse. The Swedish review of all published studies on the topic concluded that within one week of initiating antibiotic treatment, genes associated with antibiotic resistance reach high levels in the bacteria […]