Alternative Medicines

Expert Commentary: Peter Geldner, M.D. 12/16/09

The guiding principles of breast cancer have always been to treat the disease first and offer the hope of restoring the body image second. There has never been serious deviation from this standard. The cancer surgeon must do what they feel that they need and what they can prove that they need.  Bizarre incisions and overly aggressive breast ablation has no place in the concept of evidence-based medicine.  Likewise, inadequate excision can never be tolerated just because it makes reconstruction easier.

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Expert Commentary: Steven D. Bines M.D. 12/04/2009

There has been a revolution in the treatment of painful varicose veins. Once a procedure done under general anesthetic in a hospital, utilizing multiple large and painful incisions, today it can be performed under local anesthesia in a doctor's office. Part of this revolution has been a change in the type of doctor treating varicose veins. There are two new procedures. The first is called Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) - where a laser is inserted into the diseased vein. The second Evdovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) uses a radio frequency catheter. Both techniques destroy the diseased vein, and blood flow is naturally rerouted. The varicose vein is absorbed back into the body and disappears from view.

Read more about Expert Commentary: Steven D. Bines M.D. 12/04/2009

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Expert Commentary: Mark Morris D.M.D. 12/1/2009

Pain and root canals, public embarrassment, the loss of thousands of dollars – these can all result from poor case selection and operator technique with porcelain veneers.

Everyone hears about how movie stars and athletes get great smiles with veneers but there is not much talk about the potential downsides.  I’m a dentist.  I’ve seen it all.  I’m here to give you the inside scoop.

Read more about Expert Commentary: Mark Morris D.M.D. 12/1/2009

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Expert Commentary: John J. Kelly, DDS 10/27/2009

According to a recent research there has been a gene identified that makes our bodies grow enamel. This discovery now lets us see a clearer picture of how teeth form and could create new opportunities in dental treatments. 

Researchers and scientists have been looking for ways to strengthen or replace enamel for a long time. Currently, there are products in the form of pastes that try to repair enamel. These products proclaim to effectively promote the re-calcification of decalcified enamel to thereby positively suppress any dental caries. With these recent genetic discoveries it now seems possible that we may be able to completely replace enamel instead of just repairing it.

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Expert Commentary: Carolyn Jacob M.D. - June 12, 2009

The recent study at the Hallym University in the Republic of Korea describes how ellagic acid, which is found in many common fruits (raspberries, strawberries, pomegranate), may one day help prevent wrinkles.

These and other potentially helpful compounds are produced and accumulated in plants.  Many of these, such as the flavonoid group, have been studied extensively for their health benefits. Most have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Recently, studies have been performed using phytochemicals topically on the skin to reverse or prevent sun damage. 

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Expert Commentary: Dr. David Ansell, M.D., MPH - June 2, 2009

I am the President of the Board of the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force (www.chicagobreastcancer.org) , a not for profit group that has at its mission the elimination of the racial disparity in breast cancer mortality in the Chicago area. I am also the Chief Medical Officer at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.   Our task force put out a report in 2007 which showed that black women in Chicago had a mortality rate of breast cancer which was significantly higher than white women, and that this gap had grown since 1980 when the death rates were equivalent.

By 2005 black women were over two times more likely to die of breast cancer than white women in Chicago. Much of this we attribute to 3 major interconnected problems. While the black breast cancer mortality rate has not budged in over 20 years, white women, on the other hand have experienced about a 50% reduction in the breast cancer mortality rate during the same period.

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Expert Commentary: Dr. John D. Cahill, M.D. June 12, 2009

With swine flu spreading to a number of countries, most of them developed and with fairly comfortable supplies of antiviral drugs, it might seem that the world is in pretty good shape to suppress a seriously lethal pandemic. 

Although these drugs appear effective against this strain, it should be remembered that theses drugs are not necessarily indicated for cases of low possible exposure or less severe cases of swine influenza.  They should be reserved for more severe infection, those with underlying significant medical problems, and if there is a clear high-risk exposure to an infected individual. Indiscriminant use of these drugs could lead to rapid resistance and decrease their effectiveness.

Read more about Expert Commentary: Dr. John D. Cahill, M.D. June 12, 2009

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Expert Commentary: Dr. Micozzi, M.D. - June 8, 2009

What makes the story on the 14-point checklist for a healthy heart interesting is that it quotes Ara DerMarderosian, a professor of pharmacognosy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. What is Pharmacognosy?  The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines pharmacognosy as "the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from natural sources."

Though most pharmacognostic studies focus on plants and medicines derived from plants, other types of organisms can also be medically valuable. These include various types of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and microscopic marine organisms.

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Expert Commentary: Dr. Elliot Goodman M.D. - June 4, 2009

We often hear about the physical causes and effects of obesity, but we rarely hear about the emotional and psychological factors. Today, obesity is no longer diagnosed only during middle age - it's becoming the norm to hear that young people in their 20's are dealing with the disease. Obviously, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the onset of obesity, but what's going on behind the scenes?

We know that overeating is the main cause of obesity, but few know what leads to this increase in food intake. The answer is simple: stress. Many young people today live a hectic lifestyle full of stress and anxiety. To cope with the constant physical and emotional drain, many people turn to one of life's simplest pleasures: food.

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Expert Commentary: Dr. Micozzi, M.D. - June 1, 2009

More and more we are discovering the health benefits of vitamin-D. Most of us tend to stay indoors during the winter months, as I know I certainly do, but lack of exposure to sunlight could mean that you’re not getting enough vitamin D. So taking your lunch outside and soaking up a few rays might be a great idea.

Like with many things, balance is important. Getting half an hour of direct sun exposure a couple times a week can be beneficial, while continually getting sun burns or just baking yourself is not.

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