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Play the Didgeridoo and Quit Snoring
2006-12-02 15:24:05
Interesting study on snoring and alternative treatments. The D idgeridoo is an Aboriginal wind instrument from Australia. This may be appealing to those who don't want to consider surgery [Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)] or drastic weight loss surgery (Gastric Bypass).Reference:Puhan, Milo A., Alex Suarez, Christian Lo Cascio, Alfred Zahn, Markus Heitz, Otto Braendli, Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2006 February 4; 332(7536): 266?270Objective To assess the effects of didgeridoo playing on daytime sleepiness and other outcomes related to sleep by reducing collapsibility of the upper airways in patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and snoring.Design Randomised controlled trial.Setting Private practice of a didgeridoo instructor and a single centre for sleep medicine.Participants 25 patients aged >18 years with an apnoea-hypopnoea index between 15 and 30 and w...
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New Vitamin (PQQ) in Green Tea
2006-12-02 15:24:05
Green Tea is high in newly discovered Vita minIn 1979 the latest vitamin was discovered. Researchers in Japan discovered this compound which has been classified as a B-complex vitamin due to it's water soluable properties. The compound's scientific name is 2,7,9-tricarboxy-pyrroloquinoline quinone or PQQ for short. This discovery made it the first new vitamin isolated since 1948. Vitamin s by definition are organic substances that are needed in small quantities to promote growth and good health in humans. To be classified as a vitamin they must not be produced by humans and thus must be ingested or obtained exogenously. There are thirteen know vitamins divided into water soluable and fat soluable subtypes. Japanese researchers published a study in 2003 while testing laboratory mice and found that diets deficient in PQQ caused infertility and rough textured fur. Obviously there are implications with humans but further research is needed. Green tea was found to be very high in PQQ ...
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100 Mermaids coming to Beaufort, SC
2006-12-02 15:24:05
COMING SOONJoin JP and Sharon on an artistic journey to create a mermaid for the "100 Mermaids in Beau fort for the Arts" project this summer.The progress of the project will be documented on the blog site: our-odyssey.blogspot.com.Mermaid's name: Sirena ArtargatisSirena (a Greek name alluding to her role as a Siren)Artargatis is a play on the words "Art" and "Atargatis"- the mythological mermaid figure.[Atargatis, in Aramaic ?Atar?atah, was a Syrian deity, more commonly known to the Greeks by a shortened form of the name, Derceto or Derketo, and as Dea Syria (the "Goddess of Syria, rendered in one word Deasura). She is often now popularly described as the mermaid-goddess, being half woman and half fish.]The project will celebrate ART, as the mermaid sculpture will come alive with the representations of several famous modern artists.Those famous artists represented:A. CalderM. ChagallD. ChihulyS. DaliFrank Lloyd WrightGibran Khalil GibranKeigh HaringR. Lichtenstein Rene MagritteH. M...
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Tick Borne Illness
2006-12-02 15:24:05
Tick Borne Illness by Jennifer Quick & JP Saleeby, MDWith over 800 different species of blood-sucking parasites ready for their meals during the summer months, it's no wonder that humans who roam the outdoors risk becoming inadvertent victims of these insects. Chief among these summer pests are ticks, which inhabit woods, tall grass, weeds, and brush throughout the United States, and are excellent vectors for a variety of pathogens known to cause illness in humans. A vector is a term used to describe in this case an insect that carries a disease to humans. The vector itself does not cause disease but rather the pathogens it carries and spreads from one host to another are the culprits of various illnesses. People need to be aware of how ticks transmit disease, what the symptoms of these diseases are, what the treatment options are, and, most importantly, what they can do to prevent tick borne diseases.An essential feature for disease transmission to humans is the life cycle of the t...
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Dr. Saleeby's Blog Part 2 Created
2006-12-02 15:24:05
Due to the long download time because of the mass of this blog it was necessary to create a second blog (Dr. Sale eby's Blog Part 2) at the following link: www.docsaleeby2@blogspot.com To pick up where this blog leaves off click on the link above. In Good Health, JP Saleeby, MDwww.saleeby.net
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West Nile Virus
2006-12-02 02:31:31
West Nile Virus Authored by Jennifer Quick & reviewed by JP Saleeby, MD History/Demographics Protecting ourselves against those pesky mosquitoes could save you not only from an annoying bug bite, but also from transmission of a nasty virus introduced into the United States fairly recently. West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a female patient presenting with fever like symptoms in Uganda in 1937. It is, however, a relatively new disease to the Western Hemisphere, presenting itself in 1999 when the first cases in America were documented in New York City. The outbreak resulted in 62 infections causing serious illness and seven deaths. Since then, the virus has spread to multiple areas including the mid-west, southern and western states, resulting in a steady increase in the number of infections annually. According to the Center for Disease Control, as of August 22, 2006 there were already 581 reported cases of West Nile Virus infection, with 18 of those cas...

Pu-erh Tea & SARS
2006-12-02 02:31:31
Drink a glass of Pu-erh Tea (a fermented aged tea from China) and this will help resist the respiratory syndrome SARS. Reference: Chia-Nan Chen, Coney P. C. Lin, Kuo-Kuei Huang, Wei-Cheng Chen, Hsin-Pang Hsieh, Po-Huang Liang, and John T.-A. Hsu, Inhibition of SARS-CoV 3C-like Protease Activity by Theaflavin-3,3?-digallate (TF3), Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005 June; 2(2): 209?215. Abstract: SARS-CoV is the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The virally encoded 3C-like protease (3CLPro) has been presumed critical for the viral replication of SARS-CoV in infected host cells. In this study, we screened a natural product library consisting of 720 compounds for inhibitory activity against 3CLPro. Two compounds in the library were found to be inhibitive: tannic acid (IC50 = 3 µM) and 3-isotheaflavin-3-gallate (TF2B) (IC50 = 7 µM). These two compounds belong to a group of natural polyphenols found in tea. We further investigated the 3...

Physician Shortage
2006-12-02 02:31:31
The Problem Facing Emergency DepartmentsIn the struggle to keep pace with ever growing patient load in the Emergency Room there is discouraging news. A national trend to require emergency room residency trained board eligible or board certified physicians exclusivity to practice the specialty of emergency medicine is gripping the country. Years ago most Level I regional trauma centers or large high volume inner city emergency rooms required EM boarded physicians on staff, but of late we are seeing this trend take hold in small low volume rural hospitals through out the USA. In a time where predictions of physician shortages as high as 85,000 by 2020 there is a movement to limit credentialing of qualified and experienced physicians who are not boarded to fill the ever increasing holes in Emergency Department coverage. What is the driving force behind this new and detrimental trend?My hunch is there are three powers influencing the practice of emergency medicine. First and most horrif...
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Motorcycle Dealths higher in States without Helmet Laws
2006-12-02 02:31:31
Motorcycles, Motorcycles, MotorcyclesBy JP Saleeby, MD No doubt the scariest emergency room scene is that of a car versus motorcycle accident. I have been witness to more than my share as a full time ER doctor. The outcome? Almost always the same, with motorcyclist never the winner. I am (as many warm blooded American men are) a true fans of the motorcycle as a true American icon and an art form. Yes, I watch Discovery Channel?s ?Biker Build Off? and ?OCC? and Speed Channel?s ?Build or Bust? programs. Yes, I traveled to Marietta, GA to see the custom motorcycle exhibit ?Wind Blown: American Motorcycle Fine Art? at the Cobb/Marietta Museum last year. The exhibit featured works by luminaries in the field of custom bike building: Arlen Ness, Indian Larry, Billy Lane & Hank Young. Yes, I recently traveled to the Orlando Museum of Art to take in the traveling Guggenheim Museum Exhibit, ?The Art of the Motorcycle?. I have even paid homage at Billy Lane?s shop in Melbourne, Florida. Wonder...
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Dear Doctor Gupta.. Thanks a lot man.
2006-12-02 02:31:31
Dear Dr. Gupta,Firstly, congratulations on passing your boards and becoming a diplomate of the American Board of Neurosurgery. That is a lot of time, sweat and money dedicated to that field of medicine to ultimately practice journalism. Secondly, your article ?How I passed my boards? (TIME magazine, July 3, 2006, Vol. 168, No. 1) absolutely infuriated me. On June 10th I posted an article entitled ?The Problem Facing Emergency Departments? lamenting the whole board certification issue.A few things you should share with your readership:1. Board certification does not necessarily make a better doctor. I know of a double-boarded physician who I would not let touch my pet hamster. While there are many GPs who are not BE/BC who are extremely capable and good doctors because of their years of experience (I consider myself one of those in practice). I believe experience is the true barometer of a competent physician.2. Board certification examinations are limited to those who complete resid...
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Environmental Estrogen Endocrine Disruptors
2006-12-02 02:31:31
A subject this author wrote her thesis on inspired by an article I wrote on this subject matter.ENVIRONMENTAL ESTROGEN ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORSAND THEIR EFFECT ON WILDLIFEwritten by:Kathryn GuardiolaBiology 4950Advisor: Dr. SmithSenior Seminar Coordinator: Dr. SmithJuly 3, 2006Table of ContentsTable of Figures *Outline *Abstract *Background of EDCs and their environmental effects *Historical background *The environment remains in danger *Controversy surrounding EDCs *EDCs have a variety of sources, chemical structures and effects on organisms *Sources of EDCs *Bioaccumulation *Endocrine Disruption spans the food web *EDCs are discovered in higher organisms *EDCs omnipresent in environment *EDCs are found in various organisms throughout the world, they cause many detrimental effects and they must be stopped *EDCs span the globe and the food web *EDCs have affected countless organisms *EDCs require further investigation *A call to action *References *Table of FiguresFigure 1: Selected Ste...
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Destination Democracy
2006-12-02 02:31:31
DESTINATION DEMOCRACYby Michael Saleeby (Abu Yusuf, my father)Much has been written and said about the desire to bring freedom, liberty and democracy to the oppressed regions of the world thereby resulting in peace. This is a noble goal. It is based upon our experience in Japan and Germany following WW II. Wars are sometimes necessary in order to achieve this goal, even though they are extremely costly in terms of human life and suffering as well as material things.Let us also look at some recent alternatives to these global wars. Take, for instance, Chile where Allende was, by all accounts, "freely" elected as president . His Communist regime was not favorable to the USA. Remember that Hitler was also "freely" elected, and so was Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Free elections are not necessarily a good measure for liberty and democracy. It may not be free choice at all. It may be akin to a shot-gun wedding. Anyway, in situations such as these, we may desire to change regime...
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A Trip to the Charleston Tea Plantation
2006-12-02 02:31:31
The Charles ton Tea Plan tationby JP Saleeby, MD & Sharon Coopersmith As a Lowcountry resident and the recently christened medical and health writer for the Tea Experience Digest magazine, we felt it our duty to visit the Charleston Tea Plant ation. If you have not had the opportunity to visit the area, our Lowcountry simply refers to the coastal region of South Carolina. At best Charleston and its surrounding areas are genteel, refined and laid back. In the immortal words of George Gershwin, ?Summertime and the living is easy.? At its worst it is hot and humid, hard on us southerners, downright unbearable on our northern visitors, and positively the best environment for tea growing. Armed with pen and paper off we trekked on our adventure, some thirty minutes south of Charleston. The drive was fabulous, a kaleidoscope of shade thrown on the trail by overhanging Spanish moss draped oak trees, so typical of Charleston back roads. What makes this plantation so special is the fact tha...
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Find Life in Everything
2006-12-02 02:31:31
Life is precious... Emgryo of Ischer------------
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Cortlandt Forum - Most Unusual Case - 9/2006
2006-12-02 02:31:31
Cortlandt Forum Published Case Study in September 2006 Issue. Go to the link below to read article on "Catfish Trauma" in Most Unusual Case....http://www.cortlandtforum.com/con tent/index.php?id=26&no_cache=1&tx_co rtlandtmagissue_pi1[showUid]=891---
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Drink Rooibos and save your Liver
2006-06-02 07:38:00
Drinking Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearus) the "Red Tea" from Africa has properties of healing a sick liver.Ref:Kucharska J, Ulicna O, Gvozdjakova A, Sumbalova Z, Vancova O, Bozek P, Nakano M, Greksak M., Regeneration of coenzyme Q9 redox state and inhibition of oxidative stress by Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) administration in carbon tetrachloride liver damage. Physiol Res. 2004;53(5):515-21.
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Wu-long (oolong) Tea helps reduce fat
2006-05-31 00:22:00
Appearing in Tea Experience Digest's Fall Edition:Q: An ad said I could lose weight by drinking wu-long tea because it burns fat. Is this true?A: A thorough examination of the published medical literature reveals that this is true. Wu-long or oolong tea, which is a partially fermented tea, has been reported in laboratory animals as well as in human subjects to have anti-obesity effects. Wu-long tea in fact lessens absorption of fats, increases the body’s metabolism and is responsible for noradrenaline-induced lipolysis (breakdown) of adipose tissue. Wu-long tea also exhibits cholesterol-lowering effects and reduces blood glucose. This does not appear to be a by a caffeine effect, for wu-long tea contains half the caffeine of green tea, but double the polymerized polyphenols. When teas are compared, wu-long tea trumps pu-erh tea, black tea and green tea in suppressing body weight.Ref:Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1999 Jan;23(1):98-105.Diabetes Care. 2003 Jun;26(6):1714-8.J Med In...
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JAMA reports negative findings on Policosanol
2006-05-27 01:23:00
Reprint of Letter to Editor (JAMA) submitted 5-26-2006Regarding: Effect of Policosanol on Lipid Levels Among Patients With Hypercholesterolemia or Combined Hyperlipidemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Heiner K. Berthold, et. al., JAMA. 2006;295:2262-2269.Dear Dr. Golub,With the plethora of well designed positive studies published in peer reviewed medical journals on the use of Policosanol in the treatment of dislipidemia why is it that JAMA chooses to publish this single negative study? I can find no other reference in past JAMA issues of any studies either positive or negative regarding Policosanol.Even the authors of this contribution are quoted in the conclusion that "more independent studies are required to counterbalance the vast body of available positive trials." Could this be a bias to publish the "negative" related to pressures from the pharmaceutical industry? To be fair, JAMA should review and publish one of the many positive trials on this rather safe lipid lowering su...
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Tea Experience Digest
2006-05-21 21:00:00
Dr. Saleeby joins the staff as Medical/Health writer for The Tea Experience Digest magazinewww.teaexperience.com
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Bird Flu Alert
2006-05-21 00:26:00
Avian InfluenzaBy JP Saleeby, MDInfluenza is a real threat each and every year during the winter months. The influenza viruses that are different from the common cold viruses inflict significant morbidity and even mortality and should be taken seriously. The Influenza virus of which there are generally three types (A, B & C) causes the Flu. Type A is the most common and it is the subtypes of A and B that cause the seasonal outbreaks. The constant mutations of these viruses make it necessary to vaccinate annually with updated strains.Everyone is affected, from the very young to the older adult. Most outbreaks or epidemics occur in late fall and early winter. It has been reported that as many as 20,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospitalizations occur each year in the USA due to the flu. Those deaths are highest in the elderly (over 65), folks with diabetes, HIV, nursing home residents, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases of the lung, heart and kidneys.A person is contagious f...
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A Not So Nice Bug
2006-05-15 08:02:00
The Not So Innocent LadybugI used to think those tiny cute little ladybugs were quite harmless. I used to let them land on my shoulders while hiking in the woods and carry them along as friendly hitchhikers. I read with glee about these insects being used by farmers as "natural" ways to control pests. However, my eyes were opened quite recently after hearing about several studies presented at the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology’s 2006 Annual Meeting with regard to an invading species. There is a very real ladybug threat in a matter of speaking.The little monsters causing havoc are Asian Ladybird (Ladybug) beetles (Harmonia axyridis) and they can be quite nasty. In America the name "ladybird" has been popularly Americanized to "ladybug", although these insects are actually beetles (Coleoptera), and not bugs (Hemiptera). Furthermore the Asian beetles should not be confused with the European Coccinella septempunctata which is the friendlier seven-spotted ladybug....
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John Kenneth Galbraith (1909 - 2006)
2006-05-14 21:32:00
"The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable." - John Kenneth Galbraith [Yes, I also think those silly little "experts" on Radio and TV news programs that laugh and joke their way through predicting stock prices and making economic predictions are over-animated and over-paid putzes]Mr. Golbraith also coined the term "Conventional Wisdom".

Dr. Saleeby on AM Talk Radio with Dr. Jordan
2006-05-12 03:13:00
Download and listen to the interview of Health Radio Network's Global Medicine Hunter w/ Dr. Meg Jordan . Dr. Sale eby was a guest recently on the nationally broadcast show to discuss his new Book on Adaptogen Herbs. Click on this link to listen: http://www.healthradionetwork.com/index.p hp?option=com_remository&Itemid=32&fu nc=fileinfo&parent=category&filecatid =5226Program is ~40 min long.
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Sit down and have a pot of tea
2006-04-24 23:14:00
Make that a pot of Jiaogulan Tea (Read all about it in my new book)

RLS
2006-04-17 07:53:00
Restless Leg SyndromeSharon K. Coopersmith, RRT & JP Saleeby, MD I have run this mile countless times, not around the neighborhood nor the local track, but simply in my bed each night as I try to fall asleep. The nagging need to move my legs beneath the sheets is overwhelming. I get out of bed. I walk through the house. I try running water over my feet and legs. I hang my legs over the edge of the bed and dangle my feet. Pacing the floor again, I try sleeping on the sofa. I have tried a variety of medications and have avoided certain foods and drinks prior to bed. My symptoms go away for a while. Some nights I simply fall asleep due to exhaustion. This scene repeats itself and to varying degrees of aggravation.What is this sleep malady and why am I affected by the inability to relax and fall asleep peacefully? I am not alone in this affliction. It is called Restless Leg Syndrome or simply RLS. Approximately 10% of the population is affected. The syndrome is chara...

Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens
2006-04-08 18:00:00
----Dr. Saleeby's book on Adaptogen Herb s is out in paperback.----Signed and personalized copies can be yours by e-mailing the author directly at jpsaleeby@aol.com----Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens----For purchase of unsigned copies at discount visit: www.Xlibris.com/WonderHerbs.html

RX-7
2005-04-27 23:14:00
One of Dr. Saleey's favorite cars. A 1994 3rd Gen. RX-7. Twin turbo Rotary Engine (255 bhp). His current project is the re-working of an Alfa Romeo GTV (1971) by Al Leake (alfaromeorestorations.com) in the GTAm configuration with a tuned high performance Alfa powerplant, upgraded suspension and safety features (see http://www.members.aol.com/alfaromeo71gta m for more details and how YOU can acquire one of these one-off collector supercars.)