This is kind of scary.  The military has created a new weapon that is like a focused microwave ray.  it can target groups of people of even a single person from 500 yards away.  It cause intense heat and pain but is reported to not be lethal.
They are suggesting it may even be used soon in Iraq.

How can they possibly understand what the long term (or even short term) consequences of this thing?  what about pregnant women?

Well, it gets points for the awe factor but I'm afraid of what will happen.  will this be another "Agent Orange" or "Gulf War Syndrome?"

Non-Lethal Weapon Emits Invisible Rays of Pain

It has been brought to my attention once again that the American public has a poor misconception of what is medicine.
Whether it is the "natural" supplements that patients forget to mention to the doctor, or the 7 cups of coffee that the anxiety patient has each day.  There is one simple truth about medicine.

It is ANYTHING you put on or into your body for a desired effect.

well, you may say... that seems silly Dr B.  think about it.

We take medicine into our body to produce some specific effect.
Water?  of course it's medicine.  without it we die.  We use water to treat people all the time in the hospital.  it can even make you sick if you take to much (an adverse side effect.)

Food?  almost the same as above.  we eat so that we feel good and not hungry.  To much and we again, can become sick. 

Sun-Tan Lotion? applied to the skin to protect from the sun and prevent aging and burns.

what about the Sun? some people chose to allow the suns rays to enter their body so they can change their skin color or to feel "rejuvenated."  But of course, to much and you burn and even can get cancer.

I hope readers can understand.  Obviously I have taken this to an extreme, but the point is that we are surrounded by medicine.  it is everywhere!  And it is silly for us to believe that side effects and adverse reactions are somehow limited to the "medicines" that you buy at a pharmacy.
I encourage people to always consider everything in their lives when they have medical problems.  The source of the problem may lay with the simplest and most natural thing in your house.

Remember that everything that goes on or into your body can potentially harm you.  Even "natural" things.  Rattlesnake poison is natural, doesn't make it good for you!

This has been brewing for several years now but it is sadly becoming a frequent problem.  Severe skin infections caused by MRSA (Methicillian Resistant Staph Aureus.)
MRSA is a Staph A. bacteria.  MRSA is a form of this bacteria that has developed resistants to several classes of antibiotics.  What has made this Bacteria scary in the community is it's production of potent toxens that make it an increasing cause of skin infections.  These infections have been frequently misdiagnosed (often attributed to spider bites, which are very rare!)  The poor Brown Recluse spider is also frequently blamed but is rarely the cause.
All should be aware and vigilant of severe (often blistering) skin infections and should seek medical attention to have them treated.  Of note: the community form of MRSA is different from the Hospital aquired form of MRSA.  Confusing, but the distinction is important because they are treated differently.

Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the United States

I have always thought moths were incredible creatures in our little world.  This is a beautiful set of pictures showing some really unique and wonderful moths.

Amazing Moth Pictures

Once again... I am reminded of how good we have it in the US.  Even the poorest in our country are better off than so many people in the world.  We worry about who will pay for our MRI and yet clean drinking water ( a true basic right) is not a reality for so many. 


World Toilet Summit

There is more and more interest is in probiotics (or "good" bacteria) for different gastrointestinal complaints.  Specifically Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  A vague and poorly understood condition of stomach complaints.  We have been encouraging patients to consume beneficial bacteria, but this is the first good study I have seen on it's benefits.

This study (although a review) is good evidence that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (main ingredient in Align(R)) helps with IBS Symptoms.

Review Of Probiotic Trial Research Finds Only Bifantis(R) Able To Claim Efficacy Versus Placebo For IBS Symptoms

Thanks to this website for the picture.
http://www.tipotheday.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/good-cheap-fast.jpg

This is a really fascinating study.  Do people who are asleep or comatose hear AND understand what is said to them?  While by no means definitive or conclusive, this study does look at one variable in the brain.  By using special imaging, they evaluated brain activity in healthy volunteers falling asleep as someone talked to them.  Apparently, the brains seemed to "hear" the speech but areas of the brain that would "interpret" the speech stopped functioning when someone was asleep.  Also It appears that the brain did not make any "memories" of this speech either.  This suggest that asleep and comatose people hear but, do not understand or remember what they hear.   This seems to make sense however it is a little disappointing as we often wish to "speak" to our loved ones when they are sick with comas in the hospital.  Would I let this study stop me?  Absolutely not... Communication with our loved ones, even if it's one sided, is ALWAYS good.

Watching Speech Comprehension Fade As The Brain Falls Asleep

The Journal of the American Medical Assoc published an article this week on treatment options for alcohol abuse.  It was a well designed study but unfortunately a relatively small number of participants.  They looked at whether an anti seizure medication (Topiramate) helped in stopping alcohol intake in heavy drinkers.  The findings were very positive, greatly reducing urges and desire for drinking.  However, the medication caused frequent and significant side effects.  Still not a magic bullet but this may lead the way into new research on the idea.  Hopefully leading to better medical treatment for Alcoholics.

Topiramate for Treating Alcohol Dependence-JAMA

Seizure Drug Shows Promise Against Alcoholism- Nice NPR summary of the work to listen to.

A recent British journal published research that suggest Women with wide hips may increase their daughters lifetime risk of breast cancer at birth.  A very interesting study but everyone should understand that this is a "Retrospective" study which means that it can not determine cause and effect.  This only SUGGEST a possible association.  Interesting but should not change any of our current recommendations.  All women should be screened for breast cancer starting at the age of 40yrs.

Link Discovered Between Hip Size Of Mothers And Breast Cancer Risk In Their Daughter

By the Way... October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.