Substance Dependency
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Saving the VA hospitals
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last weekend’s celebration of Memorial Day was marred by what has come to be called “The Veterans’ Administration Scandal.” Long waits for care were compounded by bureaucratic concealment of the extent of the problem. Some veterans who were denied care…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
12 drugs you should never take (part 2 of 3)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, I gave you the first four medications on my list of the “12 drugs you should never take.” If you missed that installment, you can read it here. This week, I continue with the next third of the list….read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
12 drugs you should never take (part 1 of 3)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Oftentimes, when people hear the phrase “the dangers of prescription drugs,” they think of the problems that arise when patients abuse drugs, either taking drugs they haven’t been prescribed or not taking medications in accordance with the instructions they’ve been…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
Sugar: toxic and addictive
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
The WHO (World Health Organization) is proposing that we should eat less than 5 percent of our total daily calories from sugar (down from the 10 percent guideline issued in 2002). Needless to say, this recommendation is long overdue. Did…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
What gets ignored in the pot debate: It’s not good for you!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week I was invited to appear on MSNBC News to provide a medical perspective on marijuana use. You can see the interview in its entirety on our videos page. It was a crowded segment, and I shared it with…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
Hepatitis
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Hepatitis is defined as liver inflammation resulting from alcohol use, toxic materials or viral infection transmitted through food, liquids, bodily fluids and feces, or blood transfusions. In addition, there is autoimmune hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Viral hepatitis causes fever,…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
Alcoholism
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
People who aren’t alcoholic probably don’t understand why an alcoholic can’t just use a little willpower to stop drinking. The truth is, alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful craving or uncontrollable…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
Nicotine dependency and smoking cessation
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Cigarette smokers usually are familiar with the myriad reasons why they should stop smoking. However, conquering nicotine addiction remains a difficult, sometimes impossible, hurdle for many patients. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that produces positive reinforcing effects, including mild…read more
Categories: Substance Dependency
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Though we think of declining estrogen as the hallmark of menopause, it's actually common for…
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Up to 12 percent of Americans have ulcers at some point in life. Peptic ulcers…
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Gallbladder disease is a modern illness. An estimated 20 million Americans have gallbladder disease. The…
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Q: My mother is otherwise healthy, takes no medications and walks daily for exercise, but she…
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More mask misdirection (and some possible clarity): I’m finally getting a handle on this mask…
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We are living in unprecedented and unpredictable times. It seems every day brings new recommendations…