Health Blog

October 2006 - Posts

• Colds and Flu are spooky!

  As the weather turns cooler, nothing is spookier than infections - particularly when we don't need to get them.    A new study from the University of Washington demonstrates what the "science" would have lead us to believe.  Physical activity improves our ability to fight infections - not to mention our thinking, performance and heart.  But in this year-long study, the researchers demonstrated that regular daily activity (in this case it was 45 minutes of any type of activity) reduced colds by 50%.  A big number.   So if you're "spooked" by the goblins or the kids in your neighborhood Tuesday, remember:  Nothing is scarier than not moving enough!    And, you'll save on the kleenex, misery and medications too!   Have a great Halloween weekend.   Dr Mike Posted Oct 27 2006, 02:42 PM by mparkinson with 3 comment(s) Add your comment

• Buyer beware........of the 'newest' drug

  In one of my previous blogs - 'Airborne...is it really effective?' I've mentioned how some drugs are not as effective as they are touted to be. Here's the link to an article I read on USA Today that looks at the safety concerns and cost-effectivness on new drugs in the market. In a nutshell, 'new' drugs are much riskier than old (those that have been on the market 7 years or so) drugs.  And the Institute of Medicine confirmed that despite a high general generic substitution, these drugs are consuming far too much of drug spend - not to mention all the people who would be better off with alternatives or off them entirely. Click here to read the entire article - http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-10-17-new-drugs_x.htm   Dr. Mike Posted Oct 25 2006, 07:53 PM by mparkinson with 0 comments Add your comment

• Healthier bartenders and making the extra point...

  Two studies on the lighter side...   A smoking ban including smoke-filled pubs was recently passed in Tayside, Scotland.  A study among 105 nonsmoking bartenders demonstrated that compared to before the ban,  the bartenders' lung function improved, asthma decreased, inflammation in blood decreased and self-reported quality of life improved.  A happier, healthier bartender is a good thing!   And, in a study done at the Johns Hopkins ER, it turns out that emergency room visits among men jumped by 50% immediately after a professional football game and 30-40% after a baseball game. In reviewing the timing of ER visits relative to 800 televised games, the ER doctors concluded that many men were waiting for the "final point" before heading out to have their symptoms evaluated.    Bottom line:  Stopping smoking or being exposed to smoke helps even our bartenders . And, waiting until the "last second" to get checked out for a true emergency may be the end of one's "season"!!   So continue to get out there today and everyday, to stretch your legs with a 10-20-30 minute walk   Dr Mike Posted Oct 16 2006, 10:38 AM by mparkinson with 3 comment(s) Add your comment