By: Daniel Pearce, D.O., FCOI, AAHIVMS
IS CAFFEINE THE ONLY WAKE UP CHEMICAL IN COFFEE?
Researchers gave pure caffeine in hot water and scanned their brains in an MRI machine. The pure caffeine activated some brain centers but the coffee activated more important centers. Therefore we should attribute the wakening and alert effects of coffee to more than the caffeine it contains.
COSMETIC SKIN IMPLANTS: NEW LIST OF SIDE EFFECTS
More and more men are getting implants to improve their appearance. Besides the infections, soreness, and leakage one can have pain at the implant site whenever there is another viral infection, immunization, or bacterial infection, e.g. strep throat. There is no need to remove the implant. It is best to re-evaluate when the infection is over and see if the implant still hurts.
CTE FROM BOXING MAY BE DIAGNOSED EARLIER
Chronic Traumatic
Encephalopathy (CTE) from multiple head traumas is very serious and can result in mild to severe dementia. Boxers are the largest group with this problem. An autopsy is the only way to diagnose it. Some researchers have come up with a list or calculator to predict who has it. This list has worked pretty well.
CANNABIS REPLACES MORE DANGERIOUS PRESCRIBED MEDS?
Researchers examined prescription data from 12 states where cannabis is legal and 17 states where it is not. They found opioid and non-opioid painkiller prescriptions and physical therapy prescriptions changes did not support the idea that cannabis replaces prescription opioids. This was paid for, in part, by the National Institute of Drug Abuse which only funds studies showing that cannabis is harmful. A director there told me years ago they would not support a study if it found cannabis helpful. Also, the states may have very different cultures of cannabis use and opioid pain prescribing so it may not be a good comparison.
TESTOSTERONE BAD FOR SHOULDERS?
A large database study of rotator cuff shoulder injuries showed that there was an increased risk of tears and injuries of the rotator cuffs on those on testosterone compared to those who weren’t on it. I wonder if those on testosterone lifted heavier objects or were more unsafe in their exercises or daily life that resulted in the injuries vs. testosterone making the cuff more prone to injury. Please don’t overdo shoulder exercises; it is susceptible to injury if not used properly.
STEM CELLS GET DIABETICS OFF INSULIN
Some preliminary data is encouraging. Some of the patients who received the stem cells are now not needing insulin and are secreting their own insulin. These patients have type 1 diabetes, which usually affects younger, thin patients. Type 2 usually affects adults who are overweight, although obese children are coming down with diabetes more lately with the obesity epidemic.
HOT WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH VISION PROBLEMS
In looking at health records, Canadian researchers found that adults 65-79 had more vision problems when they lived in US counties with average temperatures above 50 degrees. With such a database study, the confirmations and causes have yet to be investigated.
RELEASING COVID INTO APARTMENTS ON PURPOSE!
There is a machine that can detect Covid in a room or apartment. It pulls in a lot of air and a light goes on if Covid is detected. To prove this the researchers put the detector in a lab room after releasing Covid a few times and then in a couple of apartments. It worked well. It has not been marketed or approved by the FDA yet. They can use it to detect other viruses also.
MILD FEVER MAY BE BENEFICIAL
Fevers are part of the natural defense of our bodies. A study of fish showed that healing was twice as fast when given no fever reducer medications compared to those on the medications. Of course, severe fever can cause seizures in children and much distress. The rule I follow is advising Tylenol® if the fever causes discomfort.
NEW VACCINE FOR THOSE OVER 60
RSV or Respiratory Syncitial Virus causes up to 10,000 deaths and 160,000 hospitalizations in adults in this age group. Look for this from your clinic to prevent this serious infection.
TICKS USE STATIC ELECTRICITY TO HOLD ONTO YOU
Ticks can carry many diseases such as Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. With climate change Ticks are moving into new areas of the country. There are ticks in Southern California but mainly in forests, meadows, fields. They climb a grass shaft and wait for you to pass by and jump on you. They expand from a tiny dot to the size of a quarter filled with your blood. They found if an object had static electricity on it from rubbing (like the grasses in a field or balloons on hair) then the ticks could jump across air gaps of an inch or so. So if you are out in such an environment, wear light colored clothing to see the ticks and knock them off before they painlessly bite you.
MENOPAUSE WORSE WITH COVID
For your mothers: Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sweats, brain fog, fatigue, poor sleep, and dizziness are made worse by having Covid now or in the past. This is a long Covid situation. It may be better to give low dose estrogen to these long Covid patients.
Keep those questions coming and be safe!
dpearce@western.edu
Daniel Pearce, D.O.,
FACOI, AAHIVMS
Associate Professor of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine HIV, Hepatitis B,C, Transgender, Suboxone Specialist, Neighborhood Health (Riverside, Hemet), Loma Linda SACH (San Bernardino) Member, Coachella Valley Clinical Research Initiative
REFERENCES: Medscape®