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DocTalk

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by DocTalk, Jan 27, 2007.

  1. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    I remember Casey Martin's fight with the PGA and it made me a fan. it's the underdog thing. So it now goes with Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee sprinter who is in a spitting match with the IAAF about his prosthesis.There will be plenty of medical stories at the Olympics, with athletes amazing us with their will to overcome huge obstacles so that they can represent their country. More on the website at www.MDdirect.org/blog

    Regardless of the actions of the IOC, the television networks and the Chinese government, for most athletes the Olympics remain a singular goal and their commitment and dedication should be celebrated.
     
  2. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    A long time ago, or at least in the middle of May, Dwight Howard develped a stress fracture of his sternum or breastbone. It's an unusual injury but it was enough to put his playing for the US Olympic team in doubt. It's good news that he has shown up in camp, ready to go.

    His story is a good segue to chest wall injuries. It helps that there were also a few in the ER this weekend. More on the website.

    Thanks for reading.
     
  3. goalmouth

    goalmouth Well-Known Member

    Just a note to remind people how general the symptoms of Lyme Disease can seem and not to delay seeing a doctor if they persist. My friend's mother put off an exam for weeks and she had it once before. She didn't see a doctor until the symptoms became very severe.
     
  4. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    Lyme disease can be a tough diagnosis. Most people don't remember a tick bite and the rash, that often
    makes the diagnosis, is not seen by the patient. Aside from the viral like infection that occurs after the tick bite, Lyme disease can cause arthritis and affect the heart and brain.

    Ehrlichiosis is another illness that is transmitted by tick bite and that can occur in association with Lyme disease.
     
  5. EStreetJoe

    EStreetJoe Well-Known Member

    Doc -- I know the rule of thumb for adults is to get a Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap) booster shot once every 10 years.
    Since I don't remember my last one, is there a risk in getting one if it hasn't been 10 years?
     
  6. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    The recommendation for tetanus immunization is once every 7-10 years. No big deal getting one a littleearly. However, there are a couple of formulations for immunization. dT (diphtheria and tetanus) can be tolerate if given early. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, whooping cough) should only happen once in adult life.
     
  7. EStreetJoe

    EStreetJoe Well-Known Member

    Don't know if I've had the Tdap one or not. But with a child on the way I've read I should have one.
    Hopefully my physician's records are good enough where he can tell me.
    What's the risk of having the Tdap more than once in adult life?
     
  8. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    Tdap adds pertussis protection to previously occurring immunization schedules for tetanus and diphtheria. Repeated Tdap immunization has not yet been studied in adult populations to find whether further diphtheria immunity is required, or whether repeated immunization is safe. As well, it hasn't been studied in people 6 years and older.

    Since Tdap has only been available since 2005, if you need to be immunized, it is unlikely that you have ever receied Tdap. Not only should your doctor have your immunization records, they should be available through a state registry. And if finances are an issue, county health departments offer immunization.
     
  9. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    The IOC will be looking for cheaters in Beijing and expects to find 30-40. It's interesting that these same athletes have been vetted by their home country as being legal. (Chinese officials report that they tested over 10,000 of their athletes and had a positive yield of only 0.4% or roughly 40 athletes).

    Performance enhancement isn't so cut an dried. You can have Lasik surgery to improve your vision, but I doubt that binocular strength eyeglasses would be allowed. Your bone marrow can be induced to manufacture more red blood cells by a variety of means, some legal, some not so much.

    For a little more, please visit the website. www.MDdirect.org/blog
     
  10. imjustagirl

    imjustagirl Active Member

    Who's the guy quoted in the second question on this link?

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03wwln-ethicist-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

    Someone is big time!!!
     
  11. DocTalk

    DocTalk Active Member

    Though I was quoted, please know that most of my work is done in the background, providing writers and on-air talent on medial information to use in their stories. On the other hand, sometimes it's nice to see your name in print.
     
  12. imjustagirl

    imjustagirl Active Member

    Especially in the NY Times. :D
     
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