Who should get a stress test and when?
by Michael Melgar on September 10th, 2013
This is a sad story but one I hear at least once or twice a year. Heart attacks or Myocardial Infarctions (MI's) are all too common. Although it may seem like cancer is public enemy number one, heart disease kills more people in the U.S. than all cancers combined. There were nearly 600,000 deaths in the U.S. due to heart disease in 2011.  The incidence of heart attacks climb dramatically after age...  Read More
0
Coffee: Elixer of Life or Poison? - What's the deal with all these conflicting studies?
by Michael Melgar on August 28th, 2013
It seems like every day brings another study about something that will either help you live to 100 or kill you before you wake up tomorrow. The irony is that often the very thing that is supposed to deliver immortality on Monday becomes the agent of your early demise on Tuesday. Just this week a study was reported that linked the consumption of 4 or more cups of coffee per day and early death (Ass...  Read More
0
The PSA test - Should you be screened for prostate cancer on your next physical?
by Michael Melgar on August 21st, 2013
PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen) is a blood test doctors have used to screen for prostate cancer for the past 25 years. Recently the PSA has been in the news because of questions about how useful the test is at reducing deaths from prostate cancer. In this article I will go over the risks and benefits of the test and discuss the current recommendations.PSA is a protein that is produced in healthy ...  Read More
0
Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) - An unnecessary burden for most diabetics?
by Michael Melgar on August 17th, 2013
We've all seen the TV commercials, the familiar grandfatherly actor and diabetic patient, Wilford Brimley sitting at home as he looks into the camera and encourages diabetics to "check your sugar and check it often" while he makes a cup of coffee. "Call XYZ medical supply now and get your test equipment at no cost to you" he says and then stirs in the cream and takes a sip. It sounds like a good i...  Read More
0
Antioxidants - Not the saviors they are made out out to be
by Michael Melgar on July 19th, 2013
Worried about cancer? Antioxidants will prevent it. Want to halt the ravages of aging? Antioxidants will put an end to that too or so the claims go. Health food and vitamin companies, TV doctors and others have extolled the benefits of antioxidants for years creating a healthy demand for products containing antioxidants, but are the people who take them healthier for doing so? The theory that anti...  Read More
0
Vitamin D - Fact and Fiction
by Michael Melgar on July 12th, 2013
The media has been full of information lately about Vitamin D. Not all of it has been correct.Everyone from the your local newspaper to Dr. Oz have been pushing the public to increase their intake of Vitamin D. The claimed health benefits range from increased energy to cancer prevention and reductions in heart disease. While Vitamin D is an important nutrient some of its benefits are well document...  Read More
0
Natural - What does that word mean?
by Michael Melgar on July 11th, 2013
I often get questions from patients about natural foods and supplements. The marketplace and media are awash in the term “Natural”, but what does it mean? If you ask most people why they would choose to use something that is natural the most common answer you are most likely to get is that “its better for you”. To the average person natural means wholesome and safe. It seems only common sense that...  Read More
0
   Newer