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Clinicians should not overlook the benefits of botanicals and dietary supplements

Meds

August 24, 2024

A patient recently came to my office seeking antibiotics for her viral URI symptoms. After a shared decision-making discussion on using Echinacea (an immunostimulant with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects) instead, we were able to forgo the unnecessary antibiotic. Approximately 25 percent of U.S. adults report concurrently taking a dietary supplement with a prescription medicine. As a resident physician in primary care, I regularly receive questions from patients regarding …

A doctor’s reflection: 25 years of mentoring and pride in medicine

Alan Dow, MD

Education

August 24, 2024

“I want you to be proud of me,” my intern replied when I asked what he wanted to get out of the rest of his year. We were wrapping up the first two weeks of July—his first two weeks of being a doctor—and having our end-of-rotation feedback session. However, he had just flipped the tables on me. His comment was the type of jolting response that made me rethink my …

An inspirational journey through chemotherapy and immunotherapy [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 23, 2024

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Deborah C. Smith, a nurse who shares her courageous battle with T-cell lymphocytic leukemia and aplastic anemia. Diagnosed in 2017, Deborah navigated extreme fatigue, frequent transfusions, and challenging chemotherapy regimens before finding …

How a doctor transformed grief into personal growth

Stephanie Wellington, MD

Physician

August 23, 2024

This season, I’m living even more fully into who I am behind the scrubs and stethoscope. I’m deepening my understanding of whether I’m operating in my highest energy versus operating from stress and fear.

When my mother passed away months ago, I was thrust into unbelievable grief. I looked to family and friends who had lost a parent and wondered how they got through it. I wanted the pain to stop. …

From plant milk to human milk: the untapped climate solution

Emily Little, PhD

Conditions

August 23, 2024

Did you know? August 22nd marks World Plant Milk Day. Get ready for a creamy, non-dairy cheers! Once just reserved for soy, the list of alternate milk options now includes everything from macadamia to hemp to flax to rice milk.

But has anyone stopped to wonder why our milk craze, first ignited with the glass bottle deliveries of 1878 and now perpetuated with the bougiest …

How embracing vulnerability transforms pain into power

Diana Londoño, MD

Physician

August 23, 2024

Regret. We often think about it because of an action or lack of action. We regret having done something or perhaps not doing enough. Regret is filled with “shoulds,” which soon spiral down into guilt, remorse, self-judgment, anger, and depression.

To me, I think about the actions often. Do I regret having trusted or opened my heart to others?

The thing is, I don’t have ANY regrets. I have experienced many circumstances …

How medical school curricula perpetuate inequality

Lauren D. Olsen, PhD

Education

August 23, 2024

In Curricular Injustice: How U.S. Medical Schools Reproduce Inequalities, I describe how the medical profession, in its attempt to integrate the humanities and social sciences to develop humane and equitable future physicians, often failed to do so. Clinical faculty members, in their capacity as …

Tax-free income with the Augusta rule [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 22, 2024

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

In this episode, we explore the Augusta Rule, a unique tax strategy that allows homeowners to rent out their property for up to 14 days annually without paying taxes on the rental income. …

A life of purpose: free from societal pressures that lead us astray

Jillian Rigert, MD, DMD

Physician

August 22, 2024

When you allow yourself to truly see and sit with the fact that we are only here for a short period of time, it can feel scary and also freeing.

My world became small when I started developing profound anxiety about dying. It was a good sign, actually, as I came from a place of apathy to wanting to live. Truly live. …

The hidden impact of pharmacy benefit companies on fertility treatments

Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD

Conditions

August 22, 2024

Fertility treatments are a challenging journey filled with emotional highs and lows. For many, these treatments represent the hope of starting or growing a family. However, one of the less obvious but critical aspects of this journey involves pharmacy benefit companies (PBCs). These companies play a significant role in determining access to fertility medications, and their influence can create unexpected barriers for patients and health care providers alike.

Pharmacy benefit companies …

Renal denervation: a solution for hypertension patients worldwide

Jeremy Bock, MD

Conditions

August 22, 2024

Hypertension, known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a global epidemic. It impacts a staggering 1.28 billion people, more than a third of the adult population, and is the leading cause of death globally.

The most frightening part?

More than 75 percent of people with HBP don’t have it under control – current treatments, like lifestyle changes and medications, aren’t working for many patients. Millions of Americans, including many of …

A game-changer in methamphetamine treatment

Roneet Lev, MD

Meds

August 22, 2024

The standard treatment for methamphetamine poisoning is “sedate and wait.” There is no antidote to methamphetamine; instead, we typically aim to cover up the unwanted symptoms. We prescribe our favorite sedative, Ketamine or a B52 cocktail (Haldol 5, Ativan 2, Benadryl 50), and often multiple dosages are required to control the agitation and ensure the safety of both the patient and …

Consider Texila American University in Guyana for medical school

Texila American University College of Medicine & The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 21, 2024

This article is sponsored by Texila American University College of Medicine (TAUCOM).

Aspiring doctors often consider a range of factors, such as the quality of education, clinical training opportunities, affordability, and global recognition when pursuing a medical degree. In recent years, Guyana …

The resilience of international medical graduates

Dr. Kanwarmandeep Singh

Physician

August 21, 2024

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count.”
– Winston Churchill

In this vast world of hopes and dreams, few would shine as brightly as the dream of becoming a physician and saving lives. Each year, amidst tough competition, millions of young, eager minds compete for the limited spots in medical schools in their respective countries. After this first stepping stone, they continue to …

President Biden: a closer look at leadership, dignity, and aging

Kevin Haselhorst, MD

Conditions

August 21, 2024

The fatal blow to President Biden’s reelection bid came during the debate when he appeared to have a stroke. The insult of being “too old” haunted and hounded him ever since. How quickly did Biden need to end his campaign to save face?

Dignity grants the certainty of whether three seconds, three minutes, three hours, three days, three weeks, or three months is reasonable to pull the plug on sustainability and …

The practice of delayed gratification in medical training: a double-edged sword

Ben Reinking, MD

Physician

August 21, 2024

As I led small group sessions during our medical school’s recent orientation, I was struck by the nervous excitement and hope radiating from our new first-year students. Their enthusiasm was palpable yet tinged with apprehension about the challenging journey ahead. Two themes emerged from our discussions. The first was a desire to dive in and tackle challenges ahead. As one student stated, “Enough talking, let’s start doing.” The second was …

Spinal revolution: Navigating a digital future in surgical precision

Steven D. Glassman, MD

Conditions

August 21, 2024

With an expected 80 percent increase in demand for spinal surgery by 2060, particularly among older patients, the need for advanced technology driving personalized treatment is clear. Achieving optimal spine outcomes while deriving critical data that facilitates continuous improvement is limited in the current state by operating room technology narrowly focused on optimizing safe screw placement. While this is a valuable capability, integrating more advanced surgical navigation and artificial intelligence …

From marathoner to heart health advocate [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 20, 2024

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

We dive into the intriguing world of endurance exercise and cardiovascular health with our guest, John C. Hagan III, an ophthalmologist and veteran endurance athlete. John shares his personal journey with long-distance running …

Compassion in medicine: How palliative care changes lives

Emina Begovic, PA-C

Conditions

August 20, 2024

Health care providers dedicate years to rigorous education and training to optimize medical care, aiming to heal and treat illness. However, historically, there has been a significant gap in training regarding the transition from a treatment-focused approach to focusing on providing comfort in the face of serious illness and death. This leaves health care professionals unprepared to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Despite their good intentions, health are providers …

Your baby is fine; her lips aren’t blue

Tomi Mitchell, MD

Conditions

August 20, 2024

I remember these words as if it were yesterday. Those memories are etched into my mind forever. I can’t forget them, nor do I want to, because I know that these experiences are not unique to me but happen all too often.

When my second child was four days old, I had her home with me, surrounded by family. It had been a busy few weeks because, for this pregnancy, I …

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Your baby is fine; her lips aren’t blue