ARTICLES

THINK YOU’RE ADDICTED TO SODA AND ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS?… You probably are

If you feel powerless against the appeal of sugary soft drinks, sweetened “fruit” juices and teas, or artificially sweetened beverages, it could be your body is experiencing a biological addiction to sugar or artificial sweetener on a cellular level.

It’s a fact: both artificial and natural sugars are scientifically proven to be equally or even more addictive than cocaine.

Why does this matter? This may shock you, but high sugat diets have been shown to act as a kind of “gateway drug”, contributing to the development of other substance-use disorders and addiction to hard drugs and alcohol, given the dopamine-reward dysregulation that chronic sugar consumption creates. What’s more, a high-sugar diet has also been linked to the development of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and impulsive behavior, thanks to the way that sugar artificially induces the “dopamine dump” of reward and pleasure. CLICK here for full article.

INJECTIONS FOR JOINT PAIN — technology vs. anatomy

Joint ailments become more frequent as we age. When modified activities and medication fail to alleviate joint pain, injections can offer significant symptom relief. To ease pain with cortisone injections, lidocaine (an anesthetic) is added to the mixture. Joint pain relief within five minutes confirms proper joint penetration. The addition of lidocaine is the perfect test to ascertain that the needle was indeed in the joint as intended. This technique has served my patients very well over the years.

A knowledge of the anatomy and hands-on palpation of the landmark remain the optimum guide for injections and surgery. 

However, it frustrates me to witness a patient sent to the hospital for a hip injection under fluoroscopy, turning a $65 five-minute office procedure into a $3000 one-hour hospital procedure with no better results.

If I were the patient, I would question… CLICK here for full article.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SHOULDER ARTHRITIS — Should you have surgery?

Arthritis affects many joints throughout the body, including the shoulder. Arthr- stands for joint and -itis stands for inflammation. Over the past decades I have observed a progressive increase in the prevalence of shoulder arthritis. Primary arthritis in the shoulder has no specific cause. I suspect that environmental and nutritional changes over the past several decades have become a trigger for systemic inflammation in many people, resulting in an increase in joint arthritis. Secondary arthritis has a known cause or predisposing factor, such as major shoulder trauma, chronic dislocations, infection or chronic rotator cuff tear.

However you developed arthritis in one or both of your shoulders, you’re here because you want to know your options for relief, including how to decide whether or not to have shoulder replacement surgery. So, let’s look at how to weight different courses of action. CLICK Here for full article

COVID DELTA - NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. FOR MOST OF US.

The Covid Delta variant may seem terrifying. The bold and scary news headlines invite the reader to click but mislead the facts. To protect ourselves, our families and loved ones, a better understanding of true risk based on FACTS is needed. Let’s review:
Delta was never a surprise
The news may make it sound like Covid was on its way out and then suddenly, like the end of a horror movie, it sprang back to life in the mutated form of the Delta variant. The truth is… READ MORE

YOUR SURGERY DATE IS ON THE CALENDAR. NOW WHAT?

This is the first in a special 3-part series on how women can prepare for surgery to minimize stress and optimize their recovery. READ MORE

Don't miss part 2: 18 steps to no-stress surgery prep
and part 3: Bouncing back after surgery.

18 STEPS TO NO-STRESS SURGERY PREP

This is part 2 of our special 3-part series on how women can prepare for surgery to minimize stress and optimize their recovery. READ MORE

In part 1 of our series, you took some “big picture” steps to start preparing. In the final days and minutes before your procedure, it’s time to tie up loose ends so that when surgery day arrives, you’re feeling as confident and comfortable as possible. 

BOUNCING BACK AFTER SURGERY - A SURGEON’S RECOVERY GUIDE

This is part 3 of our special 3-part series on how women can prepare for surgery to minimize stress and optimize their recovery. READ MORE

In part 1 of our series, you took some “big picture” steps to start preparing. In part 2, you tied up loose ends in the final days and minutes before your procedure. Now in part 3, you'll get important tips on how to bounce back and speed your recovery time after your surgery.

WHAT THE MEDIA GETS WRONG ABOUT COVID VACCINES

What the media says about Covid vaccines is factually correct, but a little misleading.

The media reports, for example, that the Pfizer vaccine is “85% effective after a single dose”, or that Astra Zeneca is “76% effective”. So it sounds like you still have a big risk of getting Covid. On top of that, the media reports that people are getting Covid a second time, even if they’ve been vaccinated. And we have a lot of public officials saying the mutations might evade the vaccines -- so don’t relax! READ MORE

COVID-19 VACCINES ARE GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY, BUT ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOU?

The aim of the vaccination campaign against Covid-19 is herd immunity — the point at which so few people are susceptible to infection that the virus runs out of places to go. It’s anticipated that we’ll cross this threshold when 80-90% of us are immune to the virus, either because we were previously infected and now have lasting immunity, or because we’ve received a vaccine. READ MORE

Let’s face it, Covid-19 has done a great job at exposing our health vulnerabilities. We now know that women (and men) with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other chronic conditions have a greater risk of a severe case of Covid, including death or long term damage. READ MORE

LOOKING FOR THE BEST TREATMENT FOR KNEE ARTHRITIS PAIN? Here’s what an orthopedic surgeon wants you to know

Knee pain from arthritis is so common now it can almost seem inevitable. There are many reasons for that — but at some point, you’re past preventing the damage. The question becomes: what are my options for treating knee pain caused by arthritis? READ MORE

A SURPRISING SIDE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? FOR MANY, IT'S JOINT PAIN

Over the past few months, so many people have come to me for help with joint pain. These are patients who have never had joint complaints before, but now find themselves waking up with stiff and achy joints, mild ankle and hand swelling and fatigue. They don’t understand why their joint health has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. READ MORE

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SHOULDER ARTHRITIS — SHOULD YOU HAVE SURGERY?

Arthritis affects many joints throughout the body, including the shoulder. Arthr- stands for joint and -itis stands for inflammation. Over the past decades I have observed a progressive increase in the prevalence of shoulder arthritis. Primary arthritis in the shoulder has no specific cause. I suspect that environmental and nutritional changes over the past several decades have become a trigger for systemic inflammation in many people, resulting in an increase in joint arthritis. Secondary arthritis has a known cause or predisposing factor, such as major shoulder trauma, chronic dislocations, infection or chronic rotator cuff tear. READ MORE

ARTHRITIS IN YOUR 40s — WHAT’S DIFFERENT?
Women’s Health Network

When I diagnose patients under the age of 50 with arthritis, it’s usually an unwelcome surprise, often because arthritis is only supposed to happen to “old people.” After explaining that pain in their knees, shoulders, or hips is related to arthritis, the response I often hear in my office is, “But I’m too young for this!” READ MORE

WHAT’S THE BEST SURGERY FOR PAIN IN AGING KNEES — ARTHROSCOPY OR ARTHROPLASTY? | Women’s Health Network

As an orthopedic surgeon, the most common condition I see is knee pain — young or old, it doesn’t matter. Young people may have torn ligaments or cartilage, while people over forty more often show signs of degenerative changes in the knee joint. And while treatment in younger people is straightforward—typically observation, physical therapy, or arthroscopy—choosing the right treatment for older patients requires a little more thinking. READ MORE

HOW TO EXERCISE AS YOU AGE: 6 TIPS FROM AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON | Women’s Health Network
Exercising as you age can get a bit tricky. As we get older, the importance of exercise magnifies. But at the same time, your body starts to react to it differently. So your old workout routine can actually hurt you — if you don’t make a few changes. READ MORE

AVOID A BROKEN BONE: Optimize Bone Health and Reverse Osteoporosis By Pier Boutin, MD

All you need to know to stop bone loss and reverse osteoporosis. Avoid a broken hip! Learn which foods support bone formation and those, which destroy bones. This 100-page book covers diet, exercise, supplements, hormone replacement and medications.

• To Fight Osteoporosis, Commit to Exercise

• Gut Health and Bone Health