HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Physician's Incomes
Date: 28 Dec 92 01:11:06 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <92351.153826DGS4@psuvm.psu.edu> DGS4@psuvm.psu.edu writes:

>>their efforts.  Socialized medicine would encourage mediocrity.
>
>What do you mean by socialized medicine?  Do you have any evidence
>that physicians in Germany, Canada, France, Britain, etc. are mediocre?
>

In my experience they aren't much different in competence than US
physicians.  However, they do not work nearly as hard.  They work
much more regular hours and have little incentive to do anything
extra.  There is certainly something to be said for that, from
the physician's viewpoint.


-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Cranberry Juice Antidote
Date: 22 Dec 92 02:37:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Dec22.023745.25203
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Dec22.020117.23728@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> barlow@prodigal.psych.rochester.edu (Rebel) writes:
>Not being a veterinarian I am not sure but does anyone know if the drug they
>are talking about is ketamine? Trade name is Ketlar. I do know that it is used
>as an anesthetic for animals and that it has a "dissociative effect" meaning
>that it does not make you lose consciousness but that it makes you really
>spacy so you don't know what's happening to you.

That might be it, but I can assure you that drinking cranberry juice
would have no effect on ketamine's actions sufficient to call the juice
an "antidote" by any stretch of the imagination.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
Date: 31 Dec 92 17:37:06 GMT
Article-I.D.: pitt.17936
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <kendall.105@sceng.ub.com> kendall@sceng.ub.com (Greg Kendall) writes:

>>Well, if you build a large calorimeter, put the person into it,
>>measure the heat generated, the weight changes, and the food taken
>>into the calorimeter, what other complex input conditions are there?
>>Seems reasonably simple to me.
>
>Your model seems to rest on the assumption that we all get the same
>amount of energy out of our food.  Is there evidence to support this
>assumption?

Yes.  The feces are also analyzed for any energy not extracted.
This has already been done and thin people have been shown to
extract the same as obese.



-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: "sharon ware" <sharon.ware@canrem.com>
Subject: healing
Reply-To: "sharon ware" <sharon.ware@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: sci
Date: 1 Jan 93 19:55:17 EST

Does anybody here know about the Healing Hands technique?
I know a course was available to nurses in Toronto a few years back, and
I understood that some were quite enthusiastic about it, as it promoted
healing.
I have a friend who is not healing from surgery.. the incision won't
heal and they can't suture it any more, and would appreciate input.
Thanx in advance!
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: hojunya@ecf.toronto.edu (HO JUNYA)
Subject: Re: aids testing and insurance
Summary: AIDS testing and confidentiality as it applies to Toronto
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 07:31:59 GMT

An aside regarding confidentiality in AIDS testing, which applies to Toronto,
though I think it would also apply to the whole province:

From what I have been told, there is 'confidential' testing, and 'anonymous'
testing.  'anonymous' means that -nobody- knows who you are - to the system,
you are just a number if you opt for 'anonymous' testing.  One goes about this
by going to certain clinics which offer this service, and giving a blood
sample.  You are then assigned a number.  You then come back at a later time
to find the results.  However, I believe you must go through counselling of
some sort when requesting a test (which is understandable I would think).

'confidential' testing occurs when you go to your doctor and ask for a test.
The fact that you requested a test can appear on your records (which will
disadvantage you when applying for insurance).  However, doctors can and do
send out requests with pseudonyms instead of the patient's name ('Mickey
Mouse' is popular i'm told).

Caveat: I am not completely sure about the process of 'confidential' testing,
so corrections would be welcomed.  I can get more complete information in
a couple of weeks, if desired.

If you donate blood here, and if they find HIV antibodies, (or certain other
things), they'll send a letter to the local health officer with a list of the
things (eg, HIV antibodies), who is then required to call the person who
donated the blood.
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Migraine Medication
Date: 31 Dec 92 18:42:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: pitt.17943
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <AMT.92Dec21125820@dunvegan.linus.mitre.org> amt@linus.mitre.org (Anne Tallant) writes:
>
>If verapamil proved to be ineffective as a migraine prophylactic for a
>migraine sufferer, would propranolol be any better?  Are the medications
>significantly different enough for migraine control?  Would their
>in/effectiveness depend upon the individual?

Yes, yes, and yes.

In my experience, propranolol is more effective than verapamil, although
more people have side effects.


-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: mdkline@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Mark D. Kline)
Subject: Re: Getting off Xanax
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 92 11:41:56 EST

In article <1992Dec23.015410.0603038@locus.com> yazz@locus.com (Bob Yazz) writes:
>The net.testimonies (not enough for a study of course, even if the data
>had been gathered scientifically) also seem to have a common component
>that seems funny to me: the patient successfully reduces his dosage
>slowly over time, down to Almost nothing (250mics, isn't it?).  So far
>so good.  But then when the dose goes from that to 0 all hell breaks
>loose.  It's as tho in addition to whatever dose-related (perhaps linear)
>effect the drug has, it has an additional effect that kicks in with even
>the smallest dose -- such that withdrawal from that additional effect
>only kicks in with the very last step in tapering.
>

This may be some people's experience, and the truth about biased sampling
is that greaseless wheels squeak, so to speak; however, this is not the
usual experience with Xanax.  I have certainly seen patients have trouble
getting off of it,  some of whom should not have been trying to get off
of it, imho, but most patients treated with Xanax over short/intermediate
term (weeks to months) take LESS than I recommend and taper and discontinue
the medication on their own without problems and often without taking to
me about it.  They show up three months later off Xanax.  Ran out, didn't
get a refill.   No big deal.  Of course, such experiences don't make news
on the net or elsewhere.

>I've never actually met anyone personally who withdrew from Xanax so the
>above is sheer speculation based, as I said, on net.testimonies.

>There are an awful lot of areas in which I think MDs are much wiser than
>12-step folks (and of course the two groups do overlap to some extent) but
>I really think that for this particular question, it's the 12-step folks
>who are the most knowledgable experts.

If the question is about people who have trouble with Xanax, the 12
steppers may be wiser than the MDs.  Not everybody taking Xanax has
trouble with the drug, that's the point.  Not everybody should be
taking Xanax, that's also true.

BTW, the article in the current issue of Consumer Reports is appropos.
My take on the article is that its tone of breathless sensationalism is
generally not warranted by the information contained therein, most of
which I found agreeable.  The little case-vignette fragments in the
text of the article stressed the badstuffthatcouldalsohappentoyou
raising the question, why would anyone prescribe or take Xanax?  The
sidebar on Prozac and Halcion I found a bit objectionable; they didn't
mention the church of scientology, a major player in the war against
Prozac, and it worries me that such little pieces frighten people away
from treatments which can be so helpful (in the case of Prozac, I'm no
special fan of Halcion).  On the whole, I didn't think the article was
so bad, although its tone was a bit sensationalistic. 

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: m23364@mwunix (James Meritt)
Subject: Risk Age
Organization: MITRE Corporation, McLean VA
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 20:24:21 GMT


The health-hazard appraisal is based on statistical tables collected and developed over
the last couple of decades.  Doctors use them for the "You should do ______ and
that would add _____ years to your life expectency." statements.  Is there
a "swag" table for these calculations?  A Reader's Digest/Woman's Day
layman-type few-page table that I could get?

Thanks.

Jim
--
James W. Meritt:  m23364@mwunix.mitre.org - or - jmeritt@mitre.org
The opinions above are mine.  If anyone else wants to share them, fine.
They may say so if they wish. The facts "belong" to noone and simply are.
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
Date: 22 Dec 92 17:18:45 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <1992Dec12.053437.522@news.wesleyan.edu> RGINZBERG@eagle.wesleyan.edu (Ruth Ginzberg) writes:
>
>Chuck would probably not deny that those who are desperately ill with any
>condition which is currently untreatable have to make difficult decisions
>regarding symptomatic relief, especially if the symptoms themselves can be
>life-threatening.  However, he argues that research models which fail to
>distinguish between symptom and disease will get no closer to actual treatment
>or cure of the disease itself (rather than merely symptomatic relief) until
>they make that distinction. 

I think most researchers do recognize this.  Certainly this
"character flaw" stuff is a straw man.  I don't deny that the
public at large considers obesity a character flaw, but I can't see 
where those who try to help the obese through diet and exercise
have to subscribe to this theory.  Rena Wing certainly doesn't.
The point is that until something better than diet and exercize
comes along, we have to work with the tools we have.  Chuck believes
that diet and exercise are harmful to the obese.  I don't.  



-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Different types of migraine in same person?
Date: 31 Dec 92 18:51:31 GMT
Article-I.D.: pitt.17944
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Distribution: na
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <1992Dec22.185105.24596@ncar.ucar.edu> ilana@kiowa.scd.ucar.edu (Ilana Stern) writes:

>I visited an opthamologist on the advice of my regular optometrist; he
>said he didn't see anything wrong with my eye, and speculated that I was
>having a "headache-less migraine" which periodically affected the blood 
>vessels more to the front of my eye.
>
>1) Is it plausible that I'm having two different kinds of migraines at
>different times?
>
This is very common.  In fact, probably the rule rather than the exception.


-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu (David Rind)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Bacterial Cause of Ulcers?
Date: 30 Dec 92 14:38:03 GMT
Organization: Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass., USA

In article <2570020@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> pabo@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM
 (Eric Pabo) writes:
>	I would appreciate some references for articles, preferable in medical
>journals, on the recent developments on duodenal ulcers being caused by an
>infection by a bacteria (Helicobacter ?) and the treatment regimen of anti-
>biotic and bismuth.  If anyone has information in an electronic format I would
>also appreciate it.

There have been many, many articles on this over the past five years.
Why not do a literature search yourself using MEDLINE?  There have
been important papers on this topic in both the New England Journal
and Annals of Internal Medicine in the past three years if you need
to limit your search.  The bacterium is Helicobacter pylori.
-- 
David Rind
rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: gpond@vpnet.chi.il.us (george pond)
Subject: Xanax Addiction
Organization: Vpnet Public Access
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 01:38:16 GMT

How much Xanax do you have to take to get addicted.  How long
after you stop taking it will you feel the withdrawal symptoms.  
How long will they go on.


From: Doug.Platt@f595.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Doug Platt)
Sender: Usenet@f-454.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Tuberculosis
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 22:07:07 -0600

 
 
Thank you very much, Mark, for your information!
 
So you think I should just go back to visiting this couple and not worry
about it unless I see symptoms (in myself) ?
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Dylantin
Date: 31 Dec 92 18:58:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: pitt.17947
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <ljerpoINNa9c@news.bbn.com> fgedzium@BBN.COM (FrancEs Gedzium) writes:

>Is it possible she never had epilepsy?  Could the dylantin have been keeping
>the brownouts and heart racing under control all this time?  What direction 
>should she take?  
>
The brownouts and heart racing could be manifestations of epilespy.  She
should see a neurologist right away.  The Dilantin could have been
controlling her seizures before.

>What other illnesses is dylantin used for?
>

Cardiac arrhythmias and chronic pain syndromes.

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu (David Nye)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Drusen
Date: 28 Dec 92 23:43:43 -0600
Organization: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

[reply to <U29242@uicvm.uic.edu>,]
 
>Would anyone be able to give me a reference to a book that would help
>me understand what macular Drusen's are?  Of course, I know they are a
>form of maculopathy but I don't know much about prognosis etc.
 
I've never heard of "macular Drusen" before, but I'm a neurologist, not
an ophthalmologist.  The only Drusen I know about (and the only kind
mentioned in Glaser's Neuro-opthalmology) are hyaline bodies of the
optic nerve head.  These may occasionally cause visual field problems
but are more often asymptomatic.  They are inherited, following an
autosomal dominant pattern.

David Nye
nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
Subject: Re: Physician's Incomes
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 92 20:20:36 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland

>> 120K is the average for all physicians.  Several specialties have averages
>> over 200K and a few have averages over 300K.

I'd like to know why none of the physicians that I follow in sci.med have
never once participated in the newsgroup, misc.invest. Aren't you people
with big paychecks interested in investing?

Let's here what you think about growth stocks in the health sciences. Give
us the inside story on what a speculator should be investing in now.

If I made $120k+ salary, I'd be drooling over the Wall Street Journal
every day.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: mparks@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (michelle.lim)
Subject: Laser surgery for Cataracts?
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 21:39:03 GMT
Keywords: cataract

Hello,

Are lasers used for cataract surgery?  My mom has cataracts 
and the doctor is recommending surgery to remove the lens and
put in an artificial one.  She does not live in the US and was
wondering if they have laser surgery for the procedure
in the US.

If there is such a thing, what are the advantages and disadvantages
over conventional (non-laser) surgery?  What are costs like?

I understand the replacements are silicon lenses.  Is
there a danger in light of the recent discoveries
about silicon?  (My mom is 60).

Any other information on cataract surgery will be
most welcome.  Personal experiences also welcome.  Thanks
in advance.

Michelle
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Coma
Date: 22 Dec 92 16:38:21 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <1992Dec10.225627.0457962@locus.com> yazz@locus.com (Bob Yazz) writes:

>Well, I know of a whacky anecdote that would be within the realm of
>reasonable for a physician to try in many cases -- Valium.
>
>Apparently, someone in a long-term coma (I don't know what "kind") was
>having some dental work done, and to assuage any anxiety that he might
>have felt, they gave him 10 or 20 mg of Valium.  To everyone's shock, the
>guy sat up and started talking normally.
>
>No I don't pretend to understand how this could have worked!
>
The patient was in status epilepticus.  The Valium brought him
out of the status.  An EEG would have determined the diagnosis.
All patients in coma should have an EEG done, not have Valium
injected!




-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: rameshk@mace.cc.purdue.edu (ramesh krishnamoorthy)
Subject: information on protein delivery
Followup-To: sci.med
Organization: purdue university
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 01:34:05 GMT

Dear reader,
		I am posting this note in the hope that someone would be able to help me
in finding the leads in the area of peptide/protein delivery and the
implications of metabolism in this process. I am in the process of writing
up an extensive review detailing the role of luminal and cellular proteases
on the potential problems in peptide delivery. I plan to focus mainly on
intestinal enzymes and microsomal enzymes alongwith lysozomal enzymes and
their effects on peptide absorption and metabolism.
		I would appreciate if I could get in help in the form of details of
review articles (published in the recent past) and books on this vast
subject. Please accept my gratitude for any help extended and I sincerely
thank all who will be inclined to help me.
		Please forward all your suggestions/responses to me at :
rameshk@mace.cc.purdue.edu or rameshk@vm.cc.purdue.edu
		Thanking you.
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: What to tell child their taking?
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: 25 Dec 92 17:43:09

    [poster's 6-year-old daughter was prescribed Ritalin for ADD]
    > and stated "she wasn't sick". What do should you tell her the medicine
    > is for? Should you tell her that they are vitamins or smart pills
    > or try and explain the situation?

    I wouldn't tell her they're "smart pills".  That might cause her
    friends to want to try them, too.  Or she might get the idea of
    taking the whole bottle to see how smart she can get.  I wouldn't
    tell her they're vitamins, either.  This would probably be a good
    time to introduce her to the concept of drugs and drug overdoses,
    if for no other reason than to avoid an accident.

Ritalin for little kids is quite controversial in some circles.
Many feel ADD is overdiagnosed in this country and that the Ritalin
given to quiet the kids down is for the benefit of the teachers,
not the kids.  They don't prescribe nearly as much of it in Britain,
for instance, and their kids are not biologically different than ours.

I'm not knowledgeable about the subject but, recognizing this, if a
doctor (especially a school doc) told me to drug my kid with Ritalin I
would check into it very thoroughly and consult with other doctors
before going ahead with such a thing.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: mrl@nerus.pfc.mit.edu
Subject: RE: Info sought on TMJ
Organization: MIT PLASMA FUSION CENTER
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:56:16 GMT

In a previous article, heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu" wrote:
> 
>I was diagnosed some years ago as having TMJ, but for financial and
>insurance reasons have not yet sought medical care. I am noticing, however,
>that in the last few months my symptoms have grown more severe. I would
>like to be able to attribute this to the increased stress I am experiencing
>as my company is going through an acquisition, but I am wondering:
> 
>	a) Is this a degenerative disease that will continue to worsen as
>	time goes by, or is the severity of its symptoms correlated to
>	environmental factors such as stress-induced grinding of the teeth
>	while asleep, etc.?

It may or may not be degenerative based on the actual problem.  If the jaw
bones are hitting due to misalignent, then the bones will be warn down.  If
teeth are grinding or clenching at night, the bite could be shifted by that.

>	b) Are there treatments available for TMJ? If so, are they
>	surgical, or do they rely on drug therapy? Or perhaps physical
>	therapy and appliances?

As mentioned by other respondees, often a night appliance can help.  There are
dentists that specialize in TMJ.  Ask your regular dentist for a
recommendation.  Sometimes a med school might offer treatments at lower cost
(such as Tufts in my area).  I suggest getting 2 opinions, as treatment varies.
Chiropractic treatments can be of great help also, and that may be covered by
insurance.

Note:  TMJ is a common symptom of Fibromyalgia.  If you are having other
problems, such as muscular pains in other areas of the body, and sleeping
problems, these are Fibromyalgia symptoms.  

Mark London
MRL@NERUS.PFC.MIT.EDU