Category Archives: General Medicine- Adults

When should you take your high blood pressure medicine? Does timing matter?

Maybe so!  If you take blood pressure medication, you may receive more benefit if you take at least one of the pills  at bedtime. Taking the medication at bedtime was associated with lower diabetes risk.  This was based on a … Continue reading

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Soccer headgear. Should my kid wear one?

There is a great article in a sports medicine journal reviewing headgear in soccer, as often companies would like to market their wares to help with “safety.”  There is NO evidence that headgear products can reduce the incidence or severity … Continue reading

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Vaccine law in California…

My new medical home is about 15 miles from California and their laws affect my practice.  I am acquainting myself with the new California law regarding requirements of school vaccines. California Governor Jerry Brown signed off on one of the … Continue reading

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When should you go to the Emergency Room?

Certainly if you have a major trauma or accident, you should visit the emergency room. But, there are other reasons to go to the ER such as any symptoms that interrupt your life or your ability to function– severe chest … Continue reading

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Can red-yeast rice be taken instead of a statin drug?

Not really.  Here in the United States, the red-yeast rice extract that contains naturally-occurring lovastatin (a statin drug) is not FDA approved. In contrast, in China red-yeast rice is a common dietary and medicinal product.  Their red-yeast rice contains a wide range of … Continue reading

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Prescription gel helps with knee pain

Diclofenac gel (the only topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory available in the United States) was shown to help decrease pain and improve function scores for as long as 12 weeks in patient with osteoarthritis of the knee.  The drawbacks are the cost … Continue reading

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Do obese children get more joint injuries?

Do we need a study to evaluate this?   Apparently so.  And, yes!  Overweight children are 18% more likely to have lower extremity injuries compared to normal weight children.  The risk increases to 24% in obese children and 34% more likely … Continue reading

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Do YOU want to apply for disability?

Disability evaluations are more than completing a form… I would first ask if there is an alternate job/function/work schedule that you can change to that may fit your needs. Did you know that according to the World Health Organization, more … Continue reading

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Wound care (part 2 of 2)

Can stitches get wet? Yes. Stitches can get wet anytime. We often suggest that stitches stay dry for the first 24 hours, but studies have shown that there’s no increased risk of infection or wound breaking down if it gets … Continue reading

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Initial management of high blood pressure

First off, you need to know YOUR blood pressure.  Get this done at any pharmacy or grocery store.  There are two blood pressure numbers.  Your blood pressure should be UNDER 135/ UNDER 85 (s Why is this so important? Hypertension is the MOST common chronic … Continue reading

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