Just Right Treatment for Male Andropause

As men get older, they are often treated for hypogonadism (low testosterone).  This can be beneficial and safe, if initial blood levels are low (200-250 nanograms) and if relative low doses of testosterone topical gels are prescribed.  Other measures such treating chronic pain, diabetes, B12 deficiency, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, weight loss, and IV chelation can safely raise this hormone and improve quality of life.  However, treatment with injectable testosterone to achieve higher doses can be dangerous.  A huge study in the U.S. and England, showed a 26% increase in a composite end point of heart attack, stroke, and unstable angina and a 34% increase in all-cause mortality for patients treated with injectable testosterone.

See Dr. Margaret E. Wierman, JAMA Internal Medicine,  July 1, 2015.

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Heart Attack Survivors have a Much Higher Risk of Cancer

126,000 Danish patients who survived heart attacks were followed for up to 17 years.  The relative risk for developing lung cancer was 44% and bladder cancer was 31%, despite likely recommendations for smoking cessation.  The mechanism is unknown.  However, if those patients had been treated with chelation therapy for vascular disease, I would have expected a major drop in free radicals, which in turn might have lessoned the subsequent risk of cancer.  In my opinion, a combination of aggressive smoking cessation and chelation should be routine medical care following an acute myocardial infarction.

See Danish National Patient Registry for more details.

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Another Concern for Statin Drugs

 A study that was either suppressed or ignored for the past 5 years showed that patients who took statin drugs (to lower their cholesterol) had flu antibodies 38-67% lower than those who did not take statins.  A much larger study of patients greater than 65 y.o. who took statins were 11% more likely to get a severe respiratory disease.  The second study was conducted by Emory University.  The authors did not recommend changes in medical practice based on their study.  Why not?  Elderly people die of respiratory infections.  This blog recommends alternatives to statins such as red yeast and berberine whenever possible.

Contact Saad B. Omer of Emory University, the lead author of the latter study

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TV Advertising is Effective

According to a Health Tracking Poll, 44% of patients who asked their doctors about a drug they saw advertised were prescribed the drug by their doctor.  54% of physicians recommended lifestyle or behavioral changes.  49% recommended a different prescription drug and 39% an over-the-counter drug.  Unfortunately, the study did not track how often a nutritional or herbal product was recommended.  Even with the long list of possible side effects and interactions that is rattled off at the end of the ad, TV advertising is very profitable.

Kaiser FamilyFoundation Health Tracking Poll.

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Teen Sexual Assault Victims Are Not Receiving Minimal Care

A nationwide study of 12, 687 teenage victims of sexual assault treated in emergency rooms showed that only 44% received the basic recommended lab for sexually transmitted disease.  Only 35% received the recommended prophylactic treatment.  This proved true even when the ER had specialized sexual assault evaluation teams.  The tragic conclusion is that the victim is considered guilty and unworthy of care.  The authors call for a major shift in treating these assault victims.

See Pediatrics, Nov. 2, 2015.

Celebration of HealthAssociation website  

Teen Sexual Assault Victims Are Not Receiving Minimal Care

A nationwide study of 12, 687 teenage victims of sexual assault treated in emergency rooms showed that only 44% received the basic recommended lab for sexually transmitted disease.  Only 35% received the recommended prophylactic treatment.  This proved true even when the ER had specialized sexual assault evaluation teams.  The tragic conclusion is that the victim is considered guilty and unworthy of care.  The authors call for a major shift in treating these assault victims.
 

See Pediatrics, Nov. 2, 2015.

Celebration of Health Associationwebsite  

The Tragic Release of Lead into the Flint Water Supply

Flint, Michigan’s release of lead into the city water supply has made worldwide news.  I have spoken with two of my alternative medicine colleagues who live in the area. They are struggling with the task of how to chelate everyone who lives or works in the city of Flint.  Otherwise, those exposed are at high risk of brain damage, heart disease, and cancer.  Then there is the huge task of repairing the pipes and supplying residents with bottled water in the interim.  Please pray for those working hard to solve this major public health catastrophe.

Lead in Flint, MI

 

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