Category: Conditions

Hidden infections: Are bats a missing link in the Countess of Chester tragedy?

As you should know, bats carry Histoplasma capsulatum and shed it in their feces (along with Aspergillus and other fungi, bacteria, and viruses). They evolved to deal with the photophobia and tinnitus it causes by hunting at night using echolocation. B…

The hidden crisis in health care: How corporate greed is destroying patient care

I grew up in a medical family, primary care. I’ve worked in the medical field for 40 years, from the front office to the back, lab to radiology. I’ve been a registered nurse for 33 years and a family nurse practitioner for 30 years. I have …

When protocol kills: a tragic lesson from the ER

My wife once told me, “It was like everyone was your friend.” And she may be right. I connect well with others and take an honest interest in them. In practice, I always ask where they are from. I find that a great opener, and even Alzheime…

The personalization of cancer care in 2025

In the past 50 years, cancer in many cases has morphed from a certain death sentence into a chronic illness. However, cancer is unlike other chronic conditions. There are hundreds of different cancers, classified by where they start in the body and how…

Why patients need a registered dietitian on their health care team

How’s your cholesterol? Are you getting enough protein? Do you even know? Whether you’re a doctor, a patient, or both, you may be missing out on the powerful benefits of a registered dietitian. Recently, I received lab results that were concernin…

Why ADHD kids struggle and how we can truly help

How do I talk to my kid about ADHD? You’re not alone. Your child’s pediatrician should be your first stop in this journey. As a neurospicy pediatric neurologist with an ADHD child, this is how I discuss this topic with my patients and their…

Do microplastics cause dementia?

Let’s begin by understanding the scope of the dementia problem: According to data from Alzheimer’s Disease International, before you finish reading this sentence, someone, somewhere in the world will have developed dementia. Here comes anot…

What’s going on with left-sided breast cancer: a curious phenomenon

In clinical research, chart review is nearly as familiar as daily functions like walking or breathing. My days are full of identifying missing variables, finding them in the electronic medical records, then documenting them in my meticulously organized…

Maternal ambivalence: the side of motherhood no one talks about

An excerpt from Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood. What is maternal ambivalence? Motherhood is a messy, loving process, filled with complicated and conflicting feelings that, though it’s hard to admit to, …

New dietary guidelines should prioritize plants and healthy beverages

As both a physician and a certified culinary medicine specialist, I know firsthand how a nutritious diet can prevent and treat diet-related diseases. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions are becoming increasingly more co…