Health

Study: Common class of drugs linked to increased risk of dementia

A new study found the use of a common class of drugs is associated with an increased risk of dementia – even when taken 20 years before a dementia diagnosis. The international research team from the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland analyzed more than 27 million prescriptions for anticholinergic drugs. They compared those prescriptions […]

Report: Clark County has higher rates of female, young doctors

While Clark County has more physicians and more primary care providers per 100,000 than the state average, it lags behind in several specialties and psychiatry, according to a new report by the state Office of Financial Management. Clark County also has a higher rate of female physicians per 100,000 people and has the youngest median […]

Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak continues to grow

Want to avoid E. coli? Better stay away from chopped romaine lettuce. The number of people sickened in a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has climbed to 53 people in 16 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is recommending people don’t eat any store-bought chopped romaine […]

WSU researchers study effects of pot on depression, anxiety

Researchers at Washington State University have confirmed what medical marijuana users have been saying for years: Smoking pot helps with anxiety, stress and depression. The WSU researchers looked at how self-reported levels of stress, anxiety and depression were affected by smoking different strains and quantities of cannabis at home. They concluded that smoking cannabis can […]

Research shows marijuana ends up in breast milk

New research shows that a marijuana compound ends up in mom’s breast milk, but the exact consequences of that are still unclear. Research published this month in Obstetrics and Gynecology looked at marijuana use among eight women in Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal. The women were between two and five months postpartum and were […]

Survey: Young women don’t see STD risk

While more than half of young women are sexually active, more than 85 percent of those who are do not believe they are at risk for chlamydia or gonorrhea, according to a new report. Quest Diagnostics surveyed thousands of young women 15 to 24 years old, their mothers and primary care and OB/GYN providers about […]

Surgeon general urges people to carry opioid antidote

In an effort to combat the opioid’s crisis, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams says more Americans should be carrying the overdose antidote naloxone. Adams released a public health advisory Thursday, recommending more people carry the medication that is already carried by many first responders. Individuals, including family, friends and those who are personally at […]

Poll: Majority will buy own health plan, even without mandate

The vast majority of people say they will continue to buy their own health insurance, even without an individual mandate requiring they do so, according to a new poll. The March Kaiser Health Tracking Poll surveyed non-group health plan enrollees about the individual mandate and their health coverage. As part of the Republican tax plan […]

Medical costs still preventing people from visiting doctor

In the past year, 44 percent of people report skipping a visit to the doctor when they were sick or injured because of the cost of being seen. And about 40 percent say they skipped a recommended medical test or procedure because of the cost, according to a new national poll. The survey, conducted by […]

Study: Thousands of children injured in hoverboard falls

New research reveals that nearly 27,000 children and teens were treated at hospital emergency departments for injuries sustained while riding hoverboards during the first two years of sales. Researchers analyzed 2015-16 injury data among children younger than 18 and found that injuries were most common among 12-year-old boys. The body parts most often injured are […]

Real men get mental health help

Most news organizations, including this one, have a policy that we generally don’t print news and names of suicides. While it’s not universally true — exceptions are when public resources or public people are heavily involved — it’s a well-intentioned policy that seeks to steer around deeply personal, private tragedy. It especially holds for children. […]

Laughter… the best… tool … :-)

In recent decades, as insurers have taken over the delivery of medicine, we doctors are trained to be ever quick and to the point during the brief interaction we have with our patients.  Our time is short, our patients’ needs long and finding the middle ground takes skill and practice. One common experience, even ritual […]

Unreal Pain

As a primary care physician I’m in the helping profession: I spend my days helping solve people’s problems, both physical and mental. I love what I do and always take my patients’ complaints seriously. What may seem minor may be the tip-off to something major. No complaint is left unheard. Much depends on the therapeutic […]

Just a Form Away…

The form sat on my desk all morning.  I glanced at it now and then, sighing slightly each time.  Then about 3 in the afternoon I had a window of time. I sign death certificates about half a dozen times a year. Sometimes whole seasons will go by without any, and then 3 or 4 […]

Not Just A Cold…

I look at my schedule every morning with my assistant.  We troubleshoot things—who needs a lab test or an Xray before being seen, or an ECG or a wheelchair; would a patient’s needs be better met at an Emergency Room rather than our primary care office. One day on reviewing the list, we found a […]

One Day at a Time

Health Notes -One Day at a Time   “I think it’s just a virus, a stomach  virus,  Really.  My wife had the same thing.”  The wizened man looked at me, just above my eyes. “I’ve been married 67 years.”   The 87 year old man smile slightly. He was actually frightened, but could not say […]

Spice Things Up

We ventured briefly out into the cold today. After struggling against the wind my kids became concerned that our chickens would blow away. I think the chickens will be fine (I hope), and I know something for sure: I don’t like the wind. I’m completely against it. But since it does me no good to […]

Autumn Musings

Autumn has brought that feeling with it, the feeling that it’s time to slow back down after the sometimes hectic pace of Summer. I’ve been so busy these last few months that I haven’t had the energy to write, or do anything creative for that matter. But the clouds and rain seem to have given me […]

Portland Iron Chef Competition 2014

It was an honor to attend Portland’s Original Iron Chef Competition on behalf of my employer, FamilyCare Health Plans. What a fantastic, first rate event. The food was delicious, the venue was perfect, the auction was lively, and the crowd was diverse – what’s better it was all for good cause. All proceeds support the […]

A part of the Family!

So proud to be a part of the family! I’ve been self-employed, out and about in the community; sharing my passion for food and health for the past six years. In August, I accepted a full-time position with an awesome, growing, local health plan. I knew if I ever returned to work for an organization […]

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