HEALTH

FISH IS BETTER THAN FISH OIL

A new study found better levels of the helpful component of fish when the subjects ate fish compared to taking fish oil capsules. Humans keep trying to find the magic pill or ingredient and pull it out of food to make money and solve problems. Eating 5 portions of fruits and vegetables is far better than taking a multivitamin-which may harm you. To win the game, it takes a team, not a huge number of 1 type of player.

BAN ON E-CIGARETTES, VAPING NICOTINE?

The rapid increases of teen smoking, causing an epidemic, has coincided with new ways of nicotine delivery, vaping. The fruity flavors and the tiny devices disguised as thumb drives has encouraged many teens to start vaping. Some strong flavors mask the taste of nicotine, so the teen is less aware of it, causing addiction. Teens consider them safe, even though the chemicals besides nicotine might be causes of lung and mouth cancer and gum disease resulting in teeth loss. Meanwhile, the companies are making money on addictive products. Other addictive products are: coffee, energy drinks, caffeinated sodas, cigarettes, and cigars.

–SARTAN DRUGS RECALLED FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

If you are taking a medication for blood pressure that the name ends in sartan, you should call your pharmacy to make sure this medicine has not been recalled for contamination with chemicals that may cause cancer.

PREVENTING PROSTATE CANCER

Finasteride for prostate problems (urinating at night often, delay in starting stream, weak stream) and for male baldness has been thought to prevent mild to moderate prostate cancer, but there was a question if it was promoting or preventing aggressive prostate cancer. A recent long-term study showed that it prevents both kinds of cancer. Another probable method of preventing cancer is having an ejaculation about three times a week (through sex or masturbation).

HIGH FOOD FIBER VERY GOOD FOR YOU

Put that soda and juice down! A World Health Organization study found eating more dietary fiber and whole grains protects against non-infectious diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer, according a new review. Vegetables and fruit (5 servings a day) also have a better mix of vitamins and minerals than a tablet. So look for whole grains and avoid white potatoes, white rice, white flour, and corn.

HOT TEA IS GOOD FOR YOU?

Studies are still ongoing and maybe the flavonoids are good for you. Drinking any very hot beverage is probably a cause of cancer.

SPECIFIC ANTIBODY MEDS AND DEVICES FOR MIGRAINES.

Monoclonal Antibodies are used for cancer and many diseases. Now studies have found that certain Antibodies can treat migraines effectively. This medicine has yet to be approved by the FDA.

There are also devices that can be applied to the head which have nerve stimulation or electromagnets that are tuned to treat migraines well.

BRAIN SCANS FOR HEADACHES

Multiple studies show that patients with migraines or headaches, when scanned, have no more interesting findings than people without headaches. So scanning those without tell-tale neurological findings on exam or history is as unhelpful as scanning the brains of people who are not ill or those with other complaints, e.g. a sprained ankle. Another study scanned only those headache patients who requested the scan and they found the same: it is rare to find a problem.

CONFIDENTIALITY

In California, it is unlawful for any health care staff to speak about a patient to another person who is not involved in their care. We can’t look a chart unless we have a strong reason to. I can’t look at my own chart, my wife’s, or son’s chart, or Christina Aguilera’s chart without their permission or unless directed by their provider.  We can’t look at some psychological notes (even though we can see the medical notes) since, by law, they are protected when certain subjects are discussed.

PrEP: HEPATITIS C AND OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV with Truvada®, as you know doesn’t protect against syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. Now data is available that Hepatitis C is being transmitted more often since the best prevention methods (abstinence and condoms) are not being used in PrEP patients. One of the subjects cleared the Hepatitis C without medication and then caught and cleared it again!  His story is the exception. Between 15-45% of Hepatitis C is cleared by the immune system without any medication.  Be safe.

TREATING HEPATITIS C PREVENTS HEART DISEASE.

A large study showed that patients who had been treated for Hepatitis C had less heart attacks and strokes (the killers of the most in the U.S.). So getting screened and being treated early are beneficial.

Keep those questions coming, be safe!

Daniel Pearce, D.O., FACOI, AAHIVMS

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine and HIV, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine and Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

HIV Specialist, Borrego Health (Riverside, San Bernardino, San Jacinto)

Member, Coachella Valley Clinical Research Initiative


REFERENCES: Medscape®