John Roberts
Montgomery Medicine #790
Gout Gout is a condition that has been recognized and documented for centuries, often referred to as the “disease of kings” because of its association with rich foods and alcohol. However, gout is far from a condition exclusive to royalty or indulgence. It is a form of arthritis that affects millions of people worldwide, causing…
Read MoreMontgomery Medicine #791
GERD Part 2 I left you hanging last week wondering about the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). First, a quick review: Recall that acid from the stomach (gastro) can enter the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) and flow backward (reflux). When I see someone complaining of GERD symptoms, I review…
Read MoreMontgomery Medicine No. 789
Norovirus You may have read that cases of Norovirus are really ramping up in America. I have been asked to rerun my column on this nasty virus. Most people describe these infections as “stomach flu.” This term, however, can be misleading. Unlike the seasonal flu that affects the respiratory system (also on the increase), the…
Read MoreMontgomery Medicine No. 788
Colorectal Cancer Screening Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) has become increasingly common thanks to growing public awareness and campaigns like the CDC’s Screen for Life Action Campaign. Each year, over 150,000 new cases of CRC are diagnosed, and about 53,000 people die from the disease. This makes CRC the third deadliest cancer in men, after…
Read MoreMontgomery Medicine No. 787
Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer is a particularly concerning illness because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it more difficult to treat effectively. By the time most women are diagnosed, the cancer has already spread beyond the ovaries into the abdominal cavity or nearby lymph nodes, which is considered stage 3. This delay…
Read MoreExercise Is Not Just For The Young
By: John Roberts “All parts of the body if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy and well developed, and age slowly; but if unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth, and age quickly.”-Hippocrates Few things benefit the body more than maintaining…
Read MoreMy Finger Is Stuck!
By: John Roberts I have seen many patients over the years who presented with problems getting their fingers to move. They all described pain with “catching” or “popping” when trying to flex or extend a finger. They suffered from trigger finger, a condition also known as trigger digit, or by the medical term stenosing tenovaginitis.…
Read MoreRestless Leg Syndrome
By: John Roberts Someone told me the other day that they thought “restless leg syndrome” (RLS) was a condition cooked up by pharmaceutical companies to sell medications. You may have seen commercials for Requip® and Mirapex®, both drugs used to treat this condition. People have described symptoms suggestive of restless legs since the 17th Century.…
Read MoreNorovirus; Gut-Wrenching Details
By: John Roberts Stomach flu has been making the rounds lately. I have to start by dispelling a common misconception people have that all types of “flu” are the same. “Stomach flu” is not caused by the same viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. Flu shots, given this time of year to help prevent respiratory influenza,…
Read MoreEverything You Need To Know About Head Lice
By: John Roberts I’ve heard about a few cases of head lice now that kids are back in school and the weather is cooling down. Head lice are white, and about the size of a sesame seed. They are known as obligate ectoparasites. Obligate means they require a placental mammal like a human host to…
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