More on Glenn Frey's death

The rather sensational coverage of singer/songwriter Glenn Frey's death continues, with my being interviewed for yet another website, The Wrap.  I think it is important to realize that all of these interviews, as with previous celebrity tragedies, are being looked at in general terms from a distance.  The words used may sound sensational and specific, but, in the case of famous people, are often used with journalistic liberty.  Each of the people involved have had their own unique set of circumstances, the details of which are known only to their physicians and family, and which clearly influence the decisions made and outcomes obtained.  If you have any of the conditions discussed, please do not assume anything or act on any situation without having a full and frank discussion with your own physician.  While we look to celebrities for many things, health care advice should likely not be one of them, especially when drawn from partial information and unknown consequences.  

Glenn Frey’s Death: Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Can Lead to ‘Disaster,’ Doctor Says

The Descent of an Eagle

The death of Eagles founder Glenn Frey disturbs on so many levels.  That a young man should die of diseases that many may have only heard about on commercials is troubling.  The combination of illnesses that Glenn Frey suffered produced a devastating effect on his health, raising questions in many.  Here is an interview I did with Yahoo Health about this terrible loss.

Eagles Founder Glenn Frey’s Death:

A Look at Rheumatoid Arthritis, Colitis, and Pneumonia

I received another call about this, from old friend Charlotte Libov on the Newsmax site.  With such a high profile death, questions continue to bounce around.  Here are my further thoughts on that website on

What Killed Glenn Frey?

Bone Chilling Advice

With the mid-Atlantic seaboard in the grip of the first serious cold weather of the winter season, and temperatures dropping to single digit levels, our local CBS affiliate television station stopped by my office to get a few words on the effects such cold can have on people exposed to it.  Here is the clip that ran on Monday night, January 18, 2016, with a few choice medical thoughts of mine.

Dangerous, Bone-Chilling Cold Gripping Maryland

Would your doctor write you a note like this?

Donald Trump, in his quest for the presidency, has released a statement of his health prepared by his personal physician.  In this article from Yahoo Health, several physicians, myself included, took a look at that note and commented on what it says, and how it says it.

What Does Donald Trump’s Doctor’s Note Really Mean?

It feels good to get out, but you’re still stuck inside!

So you’re off on your vacation and to get there, you have to endure a few hours locked up in an aluminum cylinder soaring through the sky.  It feels really good to get out of the plane, but what do have to face while you’re confined?  Can you do anything to help keep yourself healthy during the flight?  Here is an article on Yahoo Health that looks at some of what happens during a flight, with several of my suggestions and ideas.

What Happens to Your Body on an Airplane

Men and women are different? Who knew?

The medications and medical procedures that are in use today first saw light in medical studies, with a population selected upon which to test the product.  While this may seem to be counter-intuitive, studies have often limited their subjects by gender, age, or ethnicity, which may skew the final results.  Here is an article addressing this situation, with my comments on several of the points raised.  One can only hope that someone is listening.

Are Clinical Trial Samples Too Narrow?

You gonna take that pill?

It seems to happen to me every week or so.  A patient was watching television and saw some advertisement, or the news and heard a brief piece about a drug, and decided, on the basis of ten words or less of questionable authority, to discontinue a medication.  If he or she is lucky, there are no immediate repercussions, but there well may be.  Do you think this is a problem?  Do you have trouble understanding why someone would act that way?  Well, here is commentary on a study which looked at the question, with me being given the final words in the article.

Bad News on Statins Linked to Quit Rates