Reimbursing doctors for discussing goals of care with their patients- finally, a good health care reform idea!

Part of the proposed health care reform bill that I like is the idea to reimburse physicians for having an “advance care planning” discussion with their patients once every 5 years. This is something I do with my patients often, and I have wished many times that Medicare would recognize the value of this skill, and the time it takes to perform it, by offering specific reimbursement for the discussion. Unfortunately, some Republicans are saying that supporting a patient-physician conversation about goals of care and end-of-life options will “start us down a treacherous path toward government-encouraged euthanasia”. I disagree.

Health benefits from Chia seeds

A caller to my Tuesday morning appearance on WMBI asked a question about chia seeds, and I had to admit that I did not know much about what they had to offer. If you’re like me, the word “chia” conjures up images of pet-shaped terra cotta pottery with green sprouts. It turns out that eating chia seeds can have some positive health benefits.

This Week’s Health Headlines

Active children go to sleep fasterCDC: All children should get the regular flu vaccine this fallUp to one in four Americans could get swine fluSix lifestyle changes that reduce men’s risk of heart failureObesity rate for preschoolers holds steady at one in seven

Antacids and "Rebound" Heartburn- can you get hooked?

This morning on WMBI I talked about a recent study on the popular Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medications and their potential to cause “rebound” acid reflux. This could lead to a dependence on these medicines. Many callers and e-mailers have questions about this. If you are on these medicines, should you stop them? If so, [...]

I Bumped My Head- Now What?

The recent death of famed pitchman Billy Mays was tragic (he convinced me to spend $19.95 for not one, not two, but six tubes of “Mighty Putty”). He apparently died from heart disease, but initial speculation blamed his death on a head injury he suffered during a rough airplane landing the night before. While the head trauma seemingly did not cause Billy May’s death, it raises the question: what worrisome signs should I be looking for if I bump my head?

One Good Decision can Lead to Another

There are many foods that are healthier than cereal bars (like fresh fruits and vegetables), and I am not endorsing Nutri-Grain products, but I am a big fan of their new ad campaign. Watch their commercial here and be inspired to make a small change today.

A Simple Cure for Vertigo

One of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies is Vertigo. Jimmy Stewart plays the detective who becomes an unwitting foil in a complex murder scheme, then goes too far in orchestrating a second chance to absolve his gnawing guilt for failing to save a woman’s life. The twisting plot and gripping finale will make your head spin.

Use Listerine to fight… mosquitoes?

Some of you have possibly seen the e-mails going around that tout Listerine as an effective mosquito repellent. I decided to try it myself and… it seems to work. Most mouthwash products contain eucalyptus oil, which is known for its insect repelling properties. The only caveat: because the concentration of eucalyptus in the mouthwash is much lower than in commercially available repellents, the Listerine must be sprayed more frequently to keep up the effect.

Lessons from a Broken Alternator

About 2 weeks ago, the “Check Engine” light began to appear each time I started my car. When this happens, my emotions go through several stages. First, denial. “There’s probably nothing wrong, the light is just malfunctioning.” Next, anger. “I don’t have time to take my car in! Doesn’t it know this is a crazy week for me?!” Then I move into bargaining. “OK, car, if you can hang on for one more week, I’ll make sure to never again go over 3000 miles before changing your oil.” And finally… well, back to denial. “Hey, the light went off- I knew nothing was wrong.”

Fight Empty Stairwells!

A few months ago, I decided to start taking the stairs at the hospital instead of the elevator. I make rounds on the 4th floor of Advocate South Suburban Hospital at the inpatient unit for Advocate Hospice.

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