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Articles

Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Philosophy, Surgery

The Greatest Gift to Give at Any Time of the Year

December 21, 2019

This holiday season there will be joy, intimacy, and affection around many family dinner tables. But for some families it will be a difficult time with little laughter. They know that next year a family member may be missing. They are waiting for the donation of a kidney, heart or other vital organ to keep a loved one alive. But it may not arrive in time. So here’s a story of compassion from a man who gave the ultimate gift to a perfect stranger. I recently came across an article written by Naazneen Karmali, Asia Wealth Editor and India Editor for Forbes Asia. She relates the story of a wealthy Indian tycoon, Kochouseph Chittilappilly. He acknowledged that, as his 60th birthday...Read More

Lifestyle

Why Am I Still Working at 95?

December 14, 2019

I’m often asked, “Why don’t you stop working?” It’s a good question as many of my friends have left this planet. But I don’t want to get rusty, so I’m happy to have a work routine. Besides, an article from the Harvard Medical School indicates there are health benefits to working longer. At the time of the Roman Empire, people often died in their twenties. Infectious diseases were the primary cause of death. Nicole Maestas, an associate professor of health policy at Harvard studies the economics of aging, health and disability. She says, “Today, people who reach 65 years of age, will on average live to 84 years for men and 86 for women. So it’s natural they may be working longer.” Maestas...Read More

Lungs

Popcorn Disease: A New Way to Injure the Lungs

December 7, 2019

“What’s your secret for good health and longevity?” I have been asked repeatedly on radio, TV, and in interviews. My reply is simple. “You must learn early in life to practice a sound lifestyle and continue it forever.” This should be easy. Yet we are not learning from history. The Canadian Medical Association Journal has reported the case of a 17-year-old boy, who has been seriously injured from smoking e-cigarettes. Several cases of lung injury have been reported recently in North America. But this particular patient should get more headlines than others due to its unique cause. The CMAJ reports that the vaping injury was similar to, “Popcorn Lung”. This is a condition seen in workers exposed to the chemical flavouring,...Read More

Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Neurology, Vitamins

The Perfect Omega-3

November 30, 2019

It’s been aptly said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.” For instance, most North Americans believe that when they eat fish twice weekly as recommended, or take omega-3 fish-oil supplements, that they have sufficient omega-3 essential fatty acids. But a Canadian study using the Omega-3 Index shows that ain’t so. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) including omega-3 are needed for growth, healthy cellular membranes, many reactions in the body, and are crucial for brain, mood, joint, and cardiovascular health. So EFAs have been called, “nutritional missing links”.  Two of these essential acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) are key to the reduction of cellular inflammation and they...Read More

Cancer

Stomach Cancer – The Orphan Malignancy

November 23, 2019

Napoleon Bonaparte, John Wayne, and Peter O’Toole all succumbed to stomach cancer. Yet, when we talk about cancer, all the attention usually goes to lung, breast, prostate or colon cancer. This is why stomach cancer is often called the “Orphan Malignancy”. But stomach cancer strikes over 32,000 North Americans every year. It also demands a dramatic change in lifestyle when this vital organ is lost. So it’s well worth the effort to decrease the risk. Early stomach cancer usually has no symptoms. In fact, when indigestion, bloating, and weight loss occur, it can be due to several benign reasons. So it’s often only when fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain begin that patients realize there’s a problem and seek medical advice. The...Read More

Lifestyle, Miscellaneous

Tests That Prevent Severe Disability or Death

November 16, 2019

It’s been said that if the U.S. Constitution was rewritten afresh, its authors would not stress the pursuit of happiness, but rather the pursuit of health. Today, when people get together, their topic of discussion eventually turns to health concerns, such as losing weight, blood pressure, bone density or other medical issues. Now there are tests to indicate the condition of your health. And if tests show an early abnormality, rule #1 is prevention.  Rule #2 is never forget rule #1. Blood Pressure Hypertension is one of the main causes of heart attack, so what number should you try to maintain? Dr. William Dale, spokesperson for the American Geriatric Society, says that “regardless of age, North Americans should shoot for a blood...Read More

Surgery

Appendicitis: To Operate or Not to Operate

November 9, 2019

This year about 700,000 appendectomies will be performed in North America. And although the lowly appendix does not get the attention associated with other problems, each year nearly 3,000 people will die of appendicitis. But do all cases require surgery? We’ve come a long way since the French surgeon Dupuytren ridiculed the idea that the appendix could be the cause of infection. Later, Henry Sands, a New York surgeon, simply stitched up a hole in an appendix! It’s also hard to believe that another surgeon, just straightened out the kinks in the appendix! If these patients survived, it was the Almighty who saved them. The appendix is a fingerlike tube about four inches long that’s situated in the lower right side of...Read More

Pain

Are Your Facet Joints Causing You Pain?

November 2, 2019

It’s been aptly said, “They preach patience who never felt pain.” Chronic severe pain can be soul destroying, particularly when the diagnosis is not known. One of the most troublesome categories is back and neck pain.  It can render people immobile, making even the simplest activity a challenge.  Because it involves the spine, and therefore a wide range of muscles as well as the delicate and complex central nervous system, back and neck pain is also a worry due to the risks of treatments that go wrong. Unfortunately, all too often, the diagnosis and treatment of spinal problems involves expensive tests, risky surgical procedures, and powerful drugs.   But as regular readers will know, I have always been loath to recommend surgeries...Read More

Dental, Nutrition, Pediatrics, Philosophy

Halloween Should Scare Up a Big Boooo!

October 26, 2019

If you are looking for a holiday tradition that has lost any semblance of common sense, look no further than Halloween.  Today, it has few redeeming qualities. Let’s focus on only the health issues associated with children consuming ridiculous quantities of junk. Halloween candy comprises the lowest quality food on the market – cheap, sugary chocolate bars, chewy treats, hard candies, salty chips, soft drinks, and who knows what else – all questionably packaged, and gleefully handed out to unsuspecting youngsters as if it were the best thing on Earth.  What a crock! Mary Poppins sang that a “spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”, but that should be a rare occasion.  Today, I see children spooning far more than that...Read More

Nutrition

The Truth about Sugar Substitutes

October 22, 2019

Have I been leading readers astray? For years this column has stressed that we’re all consuming too many calories, and in particular, too much sugar. I’ve always practiced what I write, so for years I’ve made sure it is a sugar-free cola that I add to my rum before dinner. But are these alternatives to sugar safe? Scientists at Tufts University report that the research on sugar substitutes continues to advance – yet few clear answers are apparent. For over 40 years, highly refined sugar substitutes have been on the market and common additives in drinks and foods. But for food safety, a cloud has always hung overhead. Dr. Alice H. Lichenstein, Director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at the USDA’s Human...Read More

Infection, Lifestyle, Pediatrics

Are we keeping our kids too clean?

October 15, 2019

Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s independence movement, popularized the expression, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Any doctor would agree that cleanliness is on the pathway to health nirvana. But are we going too far in keeping young children isolated from common germs?  Are some parents doing a disservice to their youngsters by keeping them too clean? For decades, immunologist have been studying whether exposing young children to a little dirt might strengthen the ability of their immune systems to fight infection later in life. Research by Sir Mel Greaves, Professor of Cell Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, England, shows that children raised in cleaner environments are more likely to have weakened immune systems. But experts are concerned an...Read More

Philosophy

Gun Response Proves Politicians Have the Wrong Answer

October 9, 2019

A recent column argued that gun deaths in North America could only be stopped by following Singapore’s strict gun laws and severe penalties. This resulted in many responses now posted at docgiff.com/reader-mail-on-the-rule-of-law. They reveal an utter loathing by the public of politicians who are too weak-kneed to tackle this cancerous social problem that’s undermining society’s well-being. From P.P., “My little city of 100,000 has now become the most criminal and dangerous city in Canada in the last few years. It’s no longer the same city I loved. I plan on moving.” This sad reaction was echoed by several people who have become afraid of being in large public places. D.O. replies, “Finally someone talks about the impact of gun violence on one’s...Read More

Orthopedics, Sports, Women's Health

What Medical Advice Would I Give Bianca Andreescu?

October 5, 2019

What an historic moment for Canada as we all watched Bianca Andreescu defeat Serena Williams at the U.S. Tennis Open and capture her first major tennis championship. I’m sure that this talented teenager will win more trophies in the future. So is there any medical advice to help her avoid injury and end a promising career? One thing quickly caught my eye when the cities of both Mississauga and Toronto gave her a hero’s welcome. Her appearance in civilian attire gave us a chance to see her style off the court. But it was her shoes that shocked me. I wondered why a high performance athlete had not been warned of the hazards of high heels. One unfortunate misstep could cause...Read More

Pain, Philosophy

Rotten Law, Rotten Politicians, Rotten Eggs

October 1, 2019

Months ago, I wrote a bracelet could be worn by those opposed to medical assistance in dying (MAID).  The bracelet would protect those individuals, and the law’s restrictive, now seemingly unconstitutional, conditions could be relaxed for those who want access to MAID. I sent a letter and the column to every Member of Parliament (MP) and Senator in Canada urging a rewrite of the law. I’ve delayed writing another column on this topic so our elected and appointed leaders could respond. So what happened? First, there was an avalanche of mail from readers in response to my initial column. From JR – It’s a brilliant solution to a difficult problem. Congratulations for your efforts to ensure human rights for all. SW says – Your...Read More

Philosophy

The Rule of Law Could End Mass Shootings

September 21, 2019

Campaigning politicians in Canada and the U.S. are arguing for stricter gun laws to address the epidemic of gun deaths. I predict they will fail. Why? Because politicians consistently demonstrate they have not read history or studied psychology. Furthermore, it’s been my experience they do not have the intestinal fortitude to pass justifiable, tough-on-crime laws. I believe this issue is no longer just an issue of security, crime and punishment.  Due to all its ramifications for our bodily, mental and societal well-being, I believe it has become a health issue. California has the most restrictive gun laws in the U.S., but they are clearly not tough enough. California suffers the most mass shootings in the country. When penalties are not severe, these...Read More

Medicine, Pain

Did you hear about the North American wimp epidemic?

September 16, 2019

How do people in other countries handle pain following various surgical procedures? It’s a pertinent question today in light of the debate on opioid usage in North America. A recent report in JAMA Network Open, published by the American Medical Association, confirms what I have argued, that North Americans have become wimps when confronted with pain. So who is responsible for this? I first became aware of what was happening to pain control many years ago. I had an impacted wisdom tooth which my dentist said must be removed. So I called a dental surgeon in Toronto, whom I had known for years, and made an appointment for this procedure. Following the tooth’s removal, he said, “Be sure to take this painkiller every...Read More

Cardiovascular, Orthopedics

The “Perfect Calcium” To Prevent Weak Bones

September 7, 2019

Michelangelo remarked over 500 years ago that, “Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.” It’s a phrase often repeated when teaching young surgeons. Now, there’s a “Perfect Calcium”, an Icelandic natural remedy that helps to keep bones strong. Studies show that one in four women and one in eight men over age 50 suffer from osteoporosis (brittle bones). So due to an aging population, we can expect more hip, spinal, and other bone fractures in the future. What about the use of calcium supplements? The point is that not all calcium products are the same. Most use calcium mined from limestone, a sedimentary rock. After processing this material it contains only one mineral, calcium. But one particular product, Aquamin, is a source of calcium...Read More

Lifestyle, Medicine

Natural Remedies Could Help Finance Pharmacare

August 31, 2019

It’s soon voting time and politicians will again try buying your votes with freebies. One is universal Pharmacare. England, France, and New Zealand have varying types of free drugs. Canada and the U.S. should have the same. But the U.S. debt is $22 trillion and Canada’s $2.2 trillion. The “Debt Time Clock” shows these debts are increasing by millions every hour. If this doesn’t scare you, nothing will. But could increased use of natural remedies help make Pharmacare more affordable? The National Pharmacare Advisory Council tells us it will cost $15 billion. But we’re all suffering from chronic amnesia if we do not remember that the costs always balloon when politicians get involved. Pharmacare is not a cheap proposition.  Costs will...Read More

Neurology, Pain

Magnesium: A Natural Remedy to Treat Migraine

August 24, 2019

Migraine attacks have plagued humankind for centuries and they are still a major cause of disability worldwide. During a recent reunion at the Harvard Medical School, a professor told me of an interesting study. He said that Dr. Stephanie W. Goldberg, a neurologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, has reported that magnesium can be helpful in treating these debilitating headaches. Migraine attacks are not your typical headache. Rather, they’re associated with an intense throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and an increased sensitivity to light and sound. Patients may also complain of visual disturbances, such as flashes of light, zigzag lines or stars. It’s not surprising that Statistics Canada finds 63% of those with...Read More

Sports

How Does Our Longevity Compare with MLB Players?

August 17, 2019

Today, what’s the best message that parents can give their children about sports? I’d be particularly concerned if a child wanted to get involved in football or hockey. I’d try to convince him or her it’s safer to play baseball. Now, a report in Men’s Health Resources, reveals this is prudent advice. Marc Weisskopf is professor of environmental epidemiology and physiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. His 10-year study compares mortality rates and health of 10,500 major league baseball (MLB) players with those involved in other major league sports. First, Weisskopf has bad news for the rest of us mortals. His research reveals that MLB players tend to live 24% longer than the average American male....Read More

Infection

Why a Sore Throat and a Scratched Knee Might Kill You

August 10, 2019

A book called, “The Microbe Hunters”, thrilled me as a boy. It explained how bacterial diseases were responsible for killing millions of people in the past – and how years later antibiotics saved them. But even so, the World Health Organization (WHO) still warns that a sore throat or a scratched knee could kill us. The best defense is a strong immune system. Dr. Margaret Chan, former Director-General of WHO, says we are at the end of modern medicine. She claims there is now a global crisis, a slow-motion tsunami, that has been building for years and is getting worse. The problem, super bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Chan reports that superbugs are great global travellers. They now haunt hospitals...Read More

Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat, Nutrition

Is North American Diet a Recipe for Blindness?

August 6, 2019

How often have we been warned, we are what we eat? A book by Dr. Chris Knobbe, Ancestral Dietary Strategy to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration, is an eye-opener. Knobbe claims doctors have been taught for years that macular degeneration “MD” which destroys the macular, a tiny spot on the retina responsible for central vision) is due to aging and genetics but it’s an absolute untruth. Rather, he claims the leading cause of blindness in North America is actually due to the garbage we’re eating. Dr. Chris Knobbe Knobbe, an ophthalmologist, reports that before 1925 there were about 50 cases of MD in the world’s medical literature. But by 1975, 8.8% of Americans over the age of 50 had this disease. Dr. William Osler,...Read More

Pain

The Hypocrisy of Pain Control

July 27, 2019

Why is it that patients in severe pain from serious diseases are being denied painkillers? A report from the Chronic Pain Association of Canada (CPAC) states that it’s easier for addicts to obtain painkillers than non-addicted patients in desperate need of them. You might say this does not make sense. But the lack of common sense, uncommon as it is, does not surprise. During the past fifty years I’ve seen a ton of hypocrisy that results in needless, disabling pain. The report states, “Bad and distorted research used by Health Canada leads to tragedy for many Canadian patients.” It charges that to deal with overdose deaths among illicit drug users Health Canada decided on a new tactic. The decision was to go...Read More

Obesity

A Talking Scale to Fight Obesity

July 20, 2019

Are readers tired of me telling them that they should step on the scale every day? No one has said, “Enough is enough!” Besides, tons of readers evidently ignore my advice. Since the obesity epidemic gets worse year after year, is there any other way to convince readers that obesity causes Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and strokes? This week, here’s another idea to prevent these tragedies. I discovered talking scales. I was so impressed with the smart innovation that I’ve placed a talking scale on my website. A voice from the scale might finally get this health message across before sickness strikes. Moreover, the right message on the scale could separate fact from fiction about obesity. I’ve heard every imaginable excuse...Read More

Cancer, Vitamins

Is there such a thing as sensible sun exposure?

July 13, 2019

In their book, “Embrace the Sun”, Drs. William Grant and Marc Sorenson,  experts on vitamin D, report that North Americans have been taught to believe  excessive amounts of sun cause potentially fatal skin malignancies.  The result? North Americans have developed sun phobia and spent billions of dollars on sunscreen protection. But does the sun trigger melanomas? Dr. Michael F. Holick, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Boston University, agrees that excessive sun exposure causes non-melanoma skin cancer, which diagnosed early is easy to treat. But he says there is compelling evidence that regular sun exposure helps to prevent the highly malignant melanoma, rather than causing it. There’s also general agreement to be cautious about melanoma if you have red hair, fair skin, a...Read More