CDC Advisory Committee Recommends Vaccine to Prevent Shingles

Six weeks ago I wrote about Zostavax, a vaccine that prevents shingles.  At that time I suggested waiting to see if the CDC was going to recommend it.  Last week the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that all adults over 60 who have had chicken pox receive the vaccine.  The press release about the ACIP's recommendation is ...
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Increased Weight is Associated with Heartburn

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which acid from the stomach rises into the esophagus causing heartburn, is a very common and uncomfortable problem. A connection between GERD and increased weight has long been suspected. This recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine makes a fascinating connection between being overweight and having symptoms of GERD in women. The study looked at o...
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Many Americans Unaware They Have Diabetes

A new study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control highlights how common type II diabetes is among American adults. The study is summarized in this NIH news release. 6.5% of American adults have diabetes. Even more alarming is that a third of them don't know they have it. Type II diabetes has serious potential consequences, and its high prevalence makes it a common cause of disabi...
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Gastric Banding is a Reasonable Treatment Option for Obesity

Obesity is a serious problem in America and in my practice. Obesity predisposes to type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It also increases stress on joints and worsens arthritis. Nevertheless, losing weight for most patients is very difficult. Dietary modification and exercise have been the most proven weight loss techniques, but many patients can not adhere to a strict exercise and diet regimen. More recently, surgical treatments for weight loss have offered an alternati...
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