The American Medical Association Doesn’t Want You to Read This

They say a blog is like a shark – feed it or it dies. I want to explain why the frequency of my posts has declined. Unlike many blogs, the posts I write are not about things that happened 15 minutes ago. While at times I write opinion posts (admittedly more so in recent months), what I really would rather be doing is sharing interesting ideas, research and information that will help you take the best possible care of yourself.

But just because I’m not here as often doesn’t mean there’s not a lot already on the site for you to keep coming back to read. (I know exactly how long visitors spend on the site, gentle readers, and you have not read most of what is already here.) I am confident there is useful information on this site that you have not yet explored. Read this post if you want to know what is keeping me from writing more blog posts these days.

Read Full Post

Mammogram Recommendation – What to Do Now?

Last week the U.S. Preventive Task Force Services (USPTF) recommended that screening mammograms were no longer routinely required for women in their 40s and that self-breast exam is no longer advised. What!? Is this just cost-cutting or is this good medicine? Read this post to learn more.

Read Full Post

How to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

I have an idea about how to lower prescription drug costs and save millions (if not billions) of wasted dollars.

I know how to decrease confusion and eliminate much of the unnecessary anxiety related to prescription drugs. And I know how to decrease the cost of prescription drugs for individuals. How?

Pass a law to make it illegal for drug companies to advertise directly to consumers. Read on see why this is good idea.

Read Full Post

Texting While Driving is a Serious Health Risk - Duh!

I know, it’s not you - it’s the other guy. I want to talk about a serous health risk that more than 80 % of us admit to engaging in – texting while driving or talking on a cell phone while driving.

How much faith to you have in yourself as a driver? And how much faith do you have in other drivers? I’m betting you believe you are more competent than most of the drivers with whom you share the road. Be honest, am I right? I think its human nature to find ourselves more competent than everyone else on the road, but when I scrutinize that belief it’s just doesn’t hold up.

Please read this post and get real for a minute about the dangers of texting while driving an automobile or using a cell phone when you are behind the wheel.

Read Full Post

Swine Flu Symptoms and When You Need Tamiflu

The swine flu (AKA H1N1) has gotten our attention. At my practice we are getting getting calls from patients asking about the symptoms and for prescriptions for Tamiflu to have at home “just in case”.

In this post I want to explain the symptoms of swine flu and when you do and do not need Tamiflu (oseltamivir) – or the other anti-viral medication, Relenza (zanamivir). Also, I want to give you a link to good information sources about swine flu. There is a lot of hype out there and as this is a story that is still being written, so I want you to have reliable sources for the best information.

Read Full Post

Nurse “Edge Runners” Honored by Maverick Health

The Edge Runner program is a part of the Raise the Voice initiative funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and directed by the American Academy of Nursing. It recognizes nursing professionals who are finding new ways to improve and promote the health of patients.

It hasn’t gotten nearly the media play it should, nor have these Edge Runners had as much recognition as they deserve. To honor their achievements Maverick Health is inducting them into its Hall of Fame.

Read on to learn how these innovative nursing professionals are delivering health care that rocks!

Read Full Post

“Smart Choices” Food Labels Dishonored in Maverick Health Hall of Shame

This week I am introducing the first of two new categories to my Areas of Focus on the blog – the Maverick Health Hall of Shame and the Maverick Health Hall of Fame. (Next week I will introduce the first Maverick Health Hall of Famer.)

“Smart Choices” is a shameful food labeling campaign bought and paid for by giant food processers. It is a sham and so deserves its place of dishonor in the Hall of Shame. In these days of contentious debate about health and health care reform I want to do what I can to bring fame to those doing good work and shame to those trying to bamboozle us for a quick (or big) buck.

After reading this post if you want to protest this food labeling deception you can sign a petition at this link.

Read on to see why this is SO shameful.

Read Full Post

Flu Shots: Who Needs Them and Why

Labor Day has come and gone heralding the end of summer. I’m back here at the blog after a (great) summer break. I hope you had a healthy summer and are ready to move forward this fall and winter continuing to improve your health and speaking out for health care reform.

This post will remind you about immunizations you may need to get in the next 8 weeks and provide an update on the current status of the swine flu vaccine – when it will be given and whether you need to be vaccinated.

Read Full Post

How NPs Can Reform Health (Care)

NP World News is the official news publication of nurse practitioners. Its contributors and columnists are thought leaders in the NP profession.

This is the third of 5 columns I will write for NPWN this year on subject of NP practice, health and health care reform.

Click “Read Full Post” if you would like to leave a comment.

Read Full Post

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Your Meds

Times are hard and people are struggling. I have written many times on this blog about the importance of medications. They are life saving, but they must be taken faithfully and exactly as prescribed if they are to do any good.

But what if you can’t afford your medications? You do have options and almost every drug company has programs that can help. Read this post for information about assistance programs for patients and what your responsibility is in getting needed meds.

Read Full Post