Tag Archives: medication

Take back the medicine cabinet

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Jen Homann

You don’t keep cheese past the expiration date – so why should expired or unwanted medications be any different? The answer: they shouldn’t! Experts warn that more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs – many of which are obtained from family and friends, sometimes stolen right out of the home medicine cabinet. That’s why the DEA is teaming with local law enforcement and health officials to sponsor National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 29. Last year, the DEA collected a whopping 309 tons of prescription drugs in … Continue reading →

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Generic Medications: Safe and Cost Effective

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Ryan Isherwood, M.D.

As a physician my duty is to help the patients with their problems and work to not only give them a diagnosis, but to also determine an appropriate treatment.  For me that treatment must have 2 criteria.  First it must be effective and show clinical evidence of this effectiveness.  That is why the drug companies spend billions of dollars on studies and trials.  They want to show me that their new drug is better than their or someone else’s old drug.  This is good practice but this all adds to … Continue reading →

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Second Opinions

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Ryan Isherwood, M.D.

When you go to a clinic and have an appointment to see a physician what you are really paying for is their medical opinion.  That opinion may include a medication, diagnostic testing, or even a referral to a specialist.   Or is may entail none of these.  That is what the practice of medicine entails, doctors interviewing, examining and formulating their best medical assessment, their opinion.  Physicians in related specialties generally have the same training and education.  Those of us that are Board Certified in our respective fields have passed the … Continue reading →

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Life-Saving Measures

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Eric Van De Graaff, M.D.

A few weeks ago my young daughter and I were shopping when we ran into a patient of mine.  After chatting with me for a bit, the elderly gentleman turned to my daughter and said “you should be really proud of your dad—he saved my life.”  My daughter nodded politely but seemed unimpressed.  Later she told me that she already knows that I save lots of lives; in fact, she told me, she’s perfectly aware that I save lives every day I go to work and every night I get … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Pick Your Poison

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Eric Van De Graaff, M.D.

I have a confession to make.  For years now I’ve been guilty of poisoning my patients.  Not the “Arsenic and Old Lace” type of poisoning, or the Dr. Kevorkian variety that shepherds patients into the next life, but poisoning none the less. No, the kind of poison I provide is both legal and even encouraged in this age of modern medicine.  You could go so far as to say that I would be unable to ply my trade without the particular type of toxins I promote. Now, before you register … Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiology | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments