Are routine pelvic exams indicated?

The American College of Physicians has published new guidelines which suggest that the routine pelvic examination in an average risk, asymptomatic woman serves no useful purpose.  This is a controversial position, and one with which many physicians disagree.  I was asked my opinion by the MedPageToday website, and responded in a video interview included on its piece on the subject, on Sanjay Gupta, MD's blog:

ACP: No Need for Routine Pelvic Exams

Another poop question .. really?

I really do think that some, well all, of the questions that I receive from Maxim Magazine were thought up while some alcohol was being consumed.  So here is the latest, which appeared in the May, 2014, issue of the magazine

As I explained to the interviewer, there are several disease states, including infections, trauma, tumors or just congenital malformations, which create connections between the bladder and bowel, bowel and vagina, or some other combination.  You can use your imagination.  In these cases, patients can have urine coming from the vagina or rectum, or stool from the vagina, or even to a fistula to the pelvic or perineal skin.

A Myth or a Mile Away?

Medical Myths continue to fascinate folks, and there are so many that we all know are true, only they are not.  Here are a few I debunk for the www.sheknows.com website in a nice little article.

BUST THE MYTHS FOR BETTER HEALTH

If there is any demand, I can run a little more information on each of the points in this article.  Editing does take its toll, you know!

Leavey's Skinny on Sleeping Pills

I was interviewed for the Everyday Health website on the topic of sleeping pills.  These little darlings are used widely, but should they be?  Those who know me know that I am not a fan of sleeping pills, and a little of that attitude may come through in this article:

The Risks of Taking Sleeping Pills

Giving "Hydrophobia" a new meaning?

The questions I get from Maxim Magazine are truly some of the strangest I have ever received.  So here is one I received a few months back, which is in the March, 2014, issue of the magazine.

Now, just to be complete, here is a little bit more on the question, and a fuller response:

Can humans be allergic to water? If so, how can they survive?

Sounds crazy, but such a condition does exist.  Called “Aquagenic Urticaria,” this is a poorly understood condition in which contact with water causes a hive like rash.  While cold water can cause a rash due to cold-induced urticaria, with the temperature being responsible, the water itself seems to be the agent in this rare condition.  Some thoughts are that trace impurities in the water, such as chlorine or fluoride, trigger the rash.  Some people, though, have been reported to react to their own sweat.  So it’s rare, and only water on the skin causes the problem, not drinking water, but it is a very real, and very troubling, condition.

I appreciate you all

Six months ago, this blog passed the 2000 view mark; as of today we have passed 3000 views.  I appreciate the traffic this site has generated, and will keep posting articles and appearances, and might add some unique to the blog content, as I have done in the past.  I just wanted to thank all of my visitors for stopping by to read what I post.

Shingles - May be more than a pain in the ...

Some fascinating research out of the UK has found a possible link between developing shingles, known medically as herpes zoster, and heart attacks or strokes.  Variables include the age of the patient developing shingles, the location of the outbreak, and many other factors, but this is one observation that clearly deserves more study.  The website symptomfind picked up on this, and interviewed me for an article called:

The Connection Between Shingles, Stroke And Heart Attack

It's neither long nor full of jargon, so don't be afraid to have a look at it!