Part I
Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Let's answer some more letters. We are just after the Remedia
crisis, and a few people have commented that exclusive use of
formula is a loser.
We still do not completely know all the benefits of mother's
milk, but as far as building a stronger defense against
bacteria, better psychological functioning, better IQ and
less obesity -- mother's milk wins hands down. Mother's milk
can be more dangerous than formula if the mother herself does
not eat properly, is taking medicines such as anti- seizure
pills and other medicines, or herself is suffering from
stressful events. Formula suffers from the danger of what
occurred in the Remedia incident plus the problems that water
and bottles may not be the cleanest. Formula should only be
used when nursing is inconvenient, or to give Mom a rest,
especially at night.
Another question: What tests should be done when a person
reaches fifty? I haven't gotten there yet, but this is what I
can tell you. One should have a baseline EKG by age 35, and a
baseline mammogram before fifty. A yearly physical is
recommended above age forty as well as a fasting glucose.
Blood pressure checking should probably be first checked at
age 30, and prostate exam and stool exam from age forty.
Cholesterol testing also should be checked by age 35. Of
course anyone at high risk by current health standards (such
as inactivity, smoking or obesity) or anyone with a family
history of dangerous disease needs closer observation. My
thanks to my friend Matan Sternberg MD, who helped me with
this segment of this column.
Juvenile diabetes: I am not the expert, but there are some
new developments in this field. Transplants of hormonal
tissue, insulin pumps and glucose monitors that work without
piercing the skin are fairly new, but there are new things in
this field all the time. I invite my readers to let me know
what they do. Write me in care of the Yated.
A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this
column. Glaxo has achieved excellence in the field of
smoking cessation. Zyban works great and fast -- usually
within three months. Without Zyban, your chances of success
are less than 5 percent. Few side effects, and it works.
