Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei Hayeshua
Hospital
Some newsworthy items from the world of medical research. We
now feel that we must closely watch people who are
"borderline" diabetics. They need to be screened quite often.
People at high risk must be especially careful. High risk
factors include having a family member with the disease,
overweight, problems with high cholesterol and high blood
pressure.
Even a little exercise and weight loss can lower your risk of
diabetes by more than 50 percent. Diabetes is not a game, and
poor sugar control can lead to a number of bad side effects:
amputations, blindness, heart attack, stroke, and brain
edema. Good control and follow-up by a physician who
understands diabetes is essential.
I believe that this is a disease that should be treated by
specialists (preferably an endocrinologist or at least an
internist). This is not a malady to be treated by a general
practitioner.
ACE inhibitors are the drugs of the year. They are a class of
drugs that reduce blood pressure, but every month there is
more about their protective effects. They help a lot to
prevent heart disease and stroke. They can be expensive and
cause a hacking annoying cough. Depending on your age group
and other factors, an anti-high blood pressure program should
be designed for you individually. Again, modest weight loss
and exercise go a long way.
Of course you should never stick anything in your mouth that
needs to be lit. That includes dynamite and cigarettes!
Osteoporosis now has many drugs that are helpful, and taking
estrogen for the post-menopausal women is now only one
option. Good diet, especially a good intake of calcium when
you are still a little girl, are important. And guess what
also helps -- EXERCISE!
The chicken pox vaccine -- Varilrix -- made by our sponsor is
recommended by the American Association of Pediatricians, and
all evidence points to it being a good idea. Chicken pox is a
misery for patient and parent. Chicken pox can turn mean as
well. As it isn't yet used routinely in Israel, you may have
to request it from your doctor.
A new revolutionary vaccine against pneumococcus -- the
leading cause of meningitis in kids -- is now available in
the USA.
Proteins may be better than carbohydrates, but now there may
be a link between them and Alzheimer's. Best bet -- eat a
balance, but low fat.
Fats in blood are a serious problem, but like high blood
pressure and diabetes, may go undetected. Now more evidence
points to the value of keeping cholesterol and fats down.
Good health is not just reading my column. Go out and get
your fat profile checked (a simple blood test), get your
blood pressure checked, have that mammogram, do a baseline
EKG, have your stool checked for occult blood, and do cancer
screening. And while you are at it, walk, don't take the bus
or drive, to the doctor's office. Start your exercise program
today!
Write me in care of the Yated.
