Music you may hear in the clinic

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:49:36 -0600

Back in my college days an amazing guitarist would tour the University. He played guitar in a very unique way with both hands on the neck, taping and pulling off. He sounded like two of the best guitarists I’ve ever heard at the same time. Each year he came back to play the University they would have to find larger venues. I have all his CD’s ( yes, CD’s). In 1999 he just disappeared and I found no trace of his touring or new music. After struggling for 2 years with his hands not allowing him to perform his signature music he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called Focal Dystonia. This is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract involuntarily. If affects over 300,000 people in the U.S. alone, and there is no cure, yet.
Other names you may recognize with this disorder include Scott Adams (Dilbert) has focal dystonia , Shania Twain with dysphonia ( lost muscle control of vocal cords), and more.

I hope you’ll enjoy the music overhead, and realize it’s from this very talented musician how battled his way with dystonia to relearn how to play the guitar with the opposite hand. Not an easy thing to do, but an amazing journey.
He was kind enough to allow his music to be played in our clinic and I’m happy to try and help share his story and raise awareness.

Information about Billy McLaughlin
www.billymclaughlin.com

Link to Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
www.dystonia-foundation.org

Donations - link for more information, get involved, donate

Doctors and Weight Loss

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:10:15 -0600

Great story on NPR ( yes, I listen to NPR some mornings ) about Doctors and weight loss.
Suggests that 2/3 of doctors do not address weight in the office. I thought it was an interesting story and showcases some success stories as well.
I hope we are the 1/3 that do address it and help out.

Well worth a read and listen to the story.

Insomnia

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:16:55 -0500

Insomnia is one of the most common complaints in primary care. It is characterized by difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. It can be associated with significant anxiety, depression and numerous physical complaints.

Insomnia is defined by how long the symptoms have lasted
Transient: < 1 week
Short Term: 1 to 3 weeks
Chronic: >3 weeks

There are numerous causes of insomnia: stress and worries, change in sleep environment, increased light exposure, noise, high or low temperatures, poor mattress, too much stimulant such as coffee, tea, nicotine or soda, anxiety or depression. It can also be associated with other diseases like COPD/Emphysema, heart failure, Parkinson's, bipolar, drug or alcohol use, diabetes, thyroid issues and sleep apnea.

It is very important to evaluate insomnia as it can lead to excessive daytime fatigue, accidents and clumsiness, memory loss, and eventually even more stress.

It’s important to evaluate and identify the cause to treat adequately. Treatment could be as simple as working on sleep hygiene. This may involve changing a mattress, temperature in the room or eliminating lights.

Eliminate any activity in bed like reading or watching TV. Because these activities are stimulating and involve direct activating light exposure they should be avoided. It may be fine to read or watch TV in another room but try to keep it out of the bedroom. I get the most grief when I suggest this, but it really does help.

In the office you’ll be evaluated for sleep hygiene issues as well as physical findings such as enlarged tonsils, narrow throat, enlarged tongue size, overweight or large neck, thyroid issues or iron deficiency, and sleep apnea.

If appropriate you can be prescribed medication for insomnia. This can include hypnotics like zolpidem or some older medications such as trazodone for insomnia associated with depression, or a benzodiazepine which is an older and generic medication approved for sleep disorders that are associated with anxiety. Over the counter options include benadryl or melatonin. There are many other options and combinations that can be helpful, but identifying the cause and using non-pharmacological methods are still preferred.

For even more information please click HERE to explore beyond the basics.

Updated 10/27/2011 - More Links

Link to Consumer Reports Health 2008 article on Insomnia.

Flu Vaccines are in

Fri, 7 Oct 2011 14:57:47 -0500

We have a limited number of influenza vaccines for those interested. Please call 590-2020 for your flu shot appointment.

This is a good time of year to be extra careful. Wash your hands and when it gets cold start a Vitamin D3 supplement to reduce your risks.

Update: Flu Vaccines are out. We did not get our full order.
Vaccines are still available at local pharmacies.

Insurance company nonsense

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 17:22:47 -0500

Just to share in our frustration. Cigna insurance has decided that if you are on their insurance and you come in for a physical, you can only have a physical. If you also need a well woman exam ( PAP, Breast Exam) that would have to be done on a different date. They won’t cover both on one day. If you come in for a physical exam and have another unique problem not related to the physical they will not cover that either. A problem would have to be addressed on a separate date and visit.

Just wanted an advanced notice for folks that will be frustrated by this. Trust me, we are too.

Cigna is the same insurance company that let a 17 year old California child to die by not approving a liver transplant as being “too experimental” in 2007.

Please, please feel free to complain to Cigna.
Here are some options:

Mail to:
David M. Cordani Chairman/CEO
CIGNA Corporate Offices
900 Cottage Grove Rd
Bloomfield, CT 06002

His salary and compensation:
http://people.forbes.com/profile/david-m-cordani/19446

Here are the entertaining ones. There are many more out there:
http://cigna.pissedconsumer.com/
http://insurance.freeadvice.com/reviews/49/

FDA warning on Zocor / Simvastatin

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:00:56 -0500

If you are taking Zocor, Simvastatin, Vytorin at an 80mg dose daily please reduce your dose to 40 mg maximum.

The FDA has advised that there is a increased risk of muscle damage at the higher dose. This means that 61 out of 1,000 people taking 80mg Zocor may have muscle damage.

Please also take CoQ10 200mg daily to help offset the side effects of statin medications including zocor, simvastatin, crestor, lipitor, pravachol, etc.

More information is available at the FDA website