Category: Editorials

(Snippets from the frontline) Prescription denied He was an opera coach with a deep melodious voice.  Now in his 80’s, my patient uses a walker and suffers from lumbar spinal … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Retirement worry Some want to retire, while others are forced to retire.  We rely on savings, social security, investments, retirement benefits, and family.  In reality, you … Continue Reading →

Snippets from the frontline) Mike He was a veteran who lost both legs below his knees in Vietnam, yet returned to California, married, raised three daughters, and started a successful … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Hospital “code words” Over the past decade, the business mentality takeover ascribed “code words” to hospitalized elder seniors, herding them out of the hospital into nursing … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Decreasing life expectancy After rising 26 years, US life expectancy decreased for the second straight year.  News reports attributes opioid fatalities as a contributing factor to … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Sepsis In hospitalized patients, experienced doctors and nurses instinctively recognize imminent death, and that awareness makes them act immediately to save a life. This instinct is … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Elder suicide We’ve heard these words before:  “He died peacefully in his sleep.” As a geriatric physician, I fear that an elder senior has committed suicide … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Being au naturel Sometimes statistics are baffling.  Why do many autoimmune diseases (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, etc.) effect significantly more women than … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Readmission If you are admitted, discharged, and return with the same diagnosis within 30 days, hospitals are penalized by Medicare for the readmission. Nowadays, hospitals are … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The easy way out “Take this pill.”  Words patients like to hear from their doctor assuming it will solve all medical problems.  Likewise, grabbing fast food … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The other gateway drug Many states are on the road to legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana.  Much of this is related to change in cultural attitudes, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Overtime Doctors know when a patient breaks a hip, surgical intervention is quickly needed to control pain and avoid complications like anemia, fat emboli, deep vein … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Computer reality My patient visited New York and had a heart attack.  Upon his return, it took 6 weeks to get medical records snail-mailed back to … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Dehydration Every day patients arrive in the emergency room with confusion, weakness, and low blood pressure, and are diagnosed with infection.  Intravenous fluid and antibiotic are … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The silent doctor Doctors have been described as the best and brightest, and they should be as medical decisions impact the lives of many people.  But … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Overdosed by government Opiate overdose is a leading cause of death in our country with addiction destroying lives and families.  Many disabled patients however under chronic … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Grace She was a teacher, retiring at age 65 and traveling the world finally seeing countries she passionately illuminated for her students. Grace wanted those she … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Painting a picture Upon admission to a hospital, the doctor you choose has already earned your trust and confidence. Nowadays though, one can be admitted by … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Don’t forget the forgotten There is no place like home.  Just not a nursing home. The re-invented name “Skilled Nursing Facility” cannot erase images of screaming … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Surviving war and hospitalization Robert, a Vietnam veteran, returned from the war zone without physical or psychologic scars, and did not adopt the habits of smoking … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Business bandwagon Some of the “best and brightest” have become medical doctors.  They endure rigorous training caring for the health and well-being of those ill in … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Re-blending our DNA Seretse Khama, a prince from the African country of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), fell in love with a woman in England after WW II.  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Rolling the dice with chest pain You are awakened with crushing chest pain and brought to the emergency room.  Initial testing reveals no heart attack, but … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Medicare HMO is not free Every year during open enrollment, HMOs direct full-page ads toward Medicare patients promoting “free” coverage including medication, glasses, hearing aids, dental … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) When is a bribe not a bribe? When it is a campaign contribution from special interest lobbyists. Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.