Category: Conditions

The unpredictable wave: a physician’s journey through seizures

The first seizure I remember was like a wave in the ocean. Over my head, sudden dizziness, ready to go over the crest, then down into the dark. The dark was just not there. Or anywhere. Coming up was like being thrown out into the flotsam and jetsam, n…

Size-inclusive medicine: a response to AAP’s guidelines for the treatment of children and adolescents with obesity

We are a grassroots advocacy organization of medical students across the country, focused on making health care more equitable for patients in larger bodies. We join the physicians, eating disorder professionals, and community members who raise concern…

From suffering to healing: the role of trauma in chronic pain

“Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood and untreated cause of human suffering.” – Peter Levine, PhD, Developer of Somatic Experiencing Therapy One frequent cause of treatment-resistant chronic p…

Educating health care professionals on effective communication in rare disease diagnoses is crucial to improving the rare disease patient narrative 

For over 14 years, the last day of February, a month known for its rare number of days, has been recognized by organizations across the globe as Rare Disease Day. With over 300 million patients worldwide impacted by 7,000+ rare diseases, the day serves…

What does it mean when we say someone has died after a long illness?

My personal doctor and two of my cherished mentors died within the past several years, each “after a long illness,” according to their obituaries. Rock legend David Crosby (The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) recently died &#822…

What does it mean when we say someone has died after a long illness?

My personal doctor and two of my cherished mentors died within the past several years, each “after a long illness,” according to their obituaries. Rock legend David Crosby (The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) recently died &#822…

The importance of childhood obesity prevention: a doctor’s perspective

I’m starting to see this trend of podcasts and articles that seem to be raising the white flag against childhood obesity. We should all agree with physicians that these conversations should be approached carefully and thoughtfully. We should agre…

Miscommunication leads to misunderstandings: the tragic consequences of misinterpreted sobriety

At her first visit, still lightly jaundiced, Jennie wanted to talk about a liver transplant. I told her that she had to be sober for six months before they would consider putting her on the list. She told me proudly that she had been sober for three we…

From stroke to strength: one person’s story of overcoming challenges

My story began in the early morning of November 17, 2021, and resulted in a re-birthing of who I am and what I’m becoming. I had a massive stroke that caused paralysis of my right side and left me unable to speak. I was life-flighted to the hospi…

What does an ENT doctor know about childbirth?

An excerpt from Fifty Years a Doctor: The Journey of Sickness and Health, Four Plagues and the Pandemic. I went to medical school for four years. I was a medical intern for one year and a surgical resident for one year. And finally, an otolaryngology r…