Category: health care

  • Trips and Trip-Killers

    Trips and Trip-Killers

    I just read this JAMA Network article on trip-killers. It’s about using drugs to stop bad trips caused by hallucinogens. One mentioned was ketamine. When I was working as a consultation psychiatrist, I was called occasionally to evaluate patients in recovery rooms who were delirious from the ketamine that was sometimes used by anesthesiologists. I…

  • Thoughts on the Distinguished Education Lecture by Dr. Russell Ledet MD PhD

    Thoughts on the Distinguished Education Lecture by Dr. Russell Ledet MD PhD

    We enjoyed the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Education (originally given on January 17, 2023) by Dr. Russell Ledet. He’s definitely a mover and a shaker and this is another recorded presentation that I wish was available for the general public. His bio is knockdown impressive. And even more interesting to me is that…

  • CDC Reports Decreasing Respiratory Virus Activity

    CDC Reports Decreasing Respiratory Virus Activity

    How about some good news? The CDC Respiratory Virus Data Channel reports decreasing respiratory virus activity as of January 26, 2024.

  • FDA Issues Warning Not to Use Tianeptine

    FDA Issues Warning Not to Use Tianeptine

    There have been several warnings from the FDA and others for several years (going back to at least 2014) against using tianeptine. It’s used as an antidepressant in other countries, but “FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or use any Neptune’s Fix products, or any other product with tianeptine — a potentially dangerous substance…

  • Old Doctors vs Young Doctors

    Old Doctors vs Young Doctors

    I ran across a recently published web article that originated from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), to which I don’t have access because I’m not a subscriber. The title is “Do Younger or Older Doctors Get Better Results?” and it’s in the form of an essay by Pete Ryan. It’s been picked up by over…

  • Heed Warnings About Risk for Frostbite

    Heed Warnings About Risk for Frostbite

    I just saw an article in the Daily Iowan about the importance of knowing how to avoid frostbite during wind chill advisory and warning periods. As a consulting psychiatrist in the general hospital, I saw what can happen to people who suffered frostbite injuries. They were treated on the Burn Unit. The risk for frostbite…

  • CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Elevated or Increasing

    CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Elevated or Increasing

    The CDC on January 12, 2024 reported that respiratory virus activity is elevated or increasing across the country. The summary: “Summary Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 activity remain elevated in most parts of the country; however, the rapid increases seen over the past several weeks appear to be slowing. The U.S. continues to experience elevated RSV activity,…

  • CDC Weekly Snapshot Shows Respiratory Virus Activity High

    CDC Weekly Snapshot Shows Respiratory Virus Activity High

    As of January 5, 2024, CDC is reporting that respiratory illness is increasing across the country. The levels are generally high in almost all regions. “Activity Levels Update:

  • CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Increasing

    CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Increasing

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported respiratory illness leading to visits to the emergency room and hospitalization are rising across the country.

  • Who Gets the Credit?

    Who Gets the Credit?

    When I think about peak moments, I remember this guy back in junior high school who decided to try to break the Guinness Book of World Records for skipping rope. I don’t remember his name but the school principal and his teachers all agreed to let him do it during class hours. They marked out…