Sweet potato for Diabetics

 Can sweet potato help lower blood sugars?

Sweet potato is a tropical food which is widely consumed globally. In two small studies, consumption of sweet potato did lead to lowering of blood sugars and HbA1c. However, there are many types of sweet potatoes and no one knows which species is the best to consume. Diabetics should not substitute sweet potato for their diabetic medications as the evidence is not very strong. Sweet potato is well tolerated, is tasty (esp the french fries) and should be enjoyed as a food rather than treated as a medication.

Vitamins for diabetic neuropathy

 Vitamins to treat diabetic neuropathy

The treatment of diabetic neuropathy is not satisfactory. Some anticonvulsants and antidepressants do work, but often they stop working in the long run. Many people have been turning to vitamin B for treatment. In one study, large doses of vitamin B did relieve the pain, but the study was sponsored by the manufacturer and so bias cannot be ruled out. 

You may want to try high doses of vitamin B, because It is relatively safe and see what happens. In the meantime, stop smoking, protect your feet and keep good control of your blood sugars.

Remember vitamins are a billion dollar business and people often make false claims to deceive desperately ill patients.

Surgery for corns

 I have had corns and calluses for many years. Recently my doctor said I needed surgery to realign my toes. Will this help me?

It is very rare that surgery is done for corns and calluses. In some cases of poorly aligned joints, the surgeon may correct the joint deformity. However, these are very unusual cases. In most people, surgery is the last choice of treatment. The majority of foot doctors suck and can make your symptoms worse. Surgery should never be undertaken until you have tried better shoes and shoe inserts. Unless you want a life of pain and suffering, avoid surgery for corns and calluses. Remember-all these professionals only want your money. 

Diabetic with corns

 I am a diabetic and am wondering if I should allow my foot doctor to remove my corns. Is this okay?

If you have diabetes, the last thing you want is for a foot doctor to muck around with your feet. Never let anyone touch your feet if you are diabetic is the best advice I can give you. If you have foot problems and are diabetic, see a vascular surgeon first and let him determine if the blood supply to your feet is okay. Otherwise, you can quickly end up having no toes and no feet. I have been involved in countless malpractice cases against foot doctors who never assessed the blood supply of diabetic patients-end result was amputation.

Corns and callus

Are there any home remedies I can use for my corns and calluses?

Sure, there are. Go to a pharmacy and get some pads or shoe inserts. Apply these pads to the areas where there is pressure on the skin. If you plan to use a sparing blade to remove the corns, always soak your feet first. This will make the corns softer. Use a pumice stone on a frequent bases, preferable soon after you have a shower. This will help prevent accumulation of tough skin. The one thing you should always do is apply a moisturizer several times a day. This will keep the skin soft and smooth. 

Finally, wear a decent pair of shoes and wear comfortable socks that can absorb moisture. Cotton socks are probably the best.

Laser hair removal

Can you tell me which is an effective laser for hair removal?

Laser hair removal is big business and people who sell this therapy make many false promises. Studies indicate that the best lasers for hair removal are the alexandrite and the diode laser. These lasers only work in 50% of people with light skin. Lasers that are useless or barely work for hair removal include the intense pulsed light, ND: YAG or ruby laser. Irrespective of which laser you are treated with, laser hair removal only lasts 3-6 months. 

There is no laser that can remove hair permanently- that is only in the imagination of the laser manufacturers. Side effects like pain, skin reddening, burnt hair, scarring, permanent skin discoloration are commonly reported with all lasers. For every one person who has a good result after laser hair removal, there are 10 others who had a shitty result.

Varicose veins and pregnancy

 I am a 31 year old female and have just delivered my first baby. I now have large rope like varicose veins. Is there any non-surgical treatment for these veins?

Yes, many women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Once the baby is delivered and you begin to lose weight, the varicose vein will start to decrease in size but will not completely disappear. While surgery is one of the ways to remove varicose veins, they can recur. 

The best treatment which is effective, cheap and free of complications is a decent pair of compression stockings. The only negative about these stockings is that you  may feel warm during the summer. However, there are some excellent styles and designs of compression stockings which can be worn during the summer. If you cannot tolerate the stockings then surgery is your next option. There are many types of newer surgical procedure to remove varicose veins, but I would wait and see how you respond to stockings. 

In most cases, varicose veins that occur during pregnancy subside after delivery.

Hepatitis A vaccine

 Who needs a hepatitis A vaccine?

In general, the vaccine is recommended for people whose sexual lifestyle is very risky. Others include people with liver disease, those working with people who have the infection and going to places where there is an outbreak. There is a mythological perception that going to Africa and Asia will leads to immediate hepatitis A. This is only if you deviate from basic hygiene and clean life style. You are just as likely to get hepatitis A in Bangkok as you are in New York City. Healthcare workers recommend this vaccine only because they want your money. Just wash your vegetables and fruits, maintain good personal hygiene and do not partake in risky behavior-then you won't need anything.

Vaccination for travel

Do I need to be vaccinated if I go for a vacation to Bangkok?
 
No. Bangkok is a major metropolis with excellent hotels, just like the USA. The doctors in the USA are making a lot of money by inducing fear in travelers by telling them about exotic infections and crap. For the majority of travelers who go to hotels at holiday resorts all over the world, there is no need for vaccines. 

The world of vaccination for tourism is a billion dollar business. The only people who benefit from these bogus shots are the doctors. 

The only people who need vaccines are those healthcare workers going to work with sick people in an infected area. Others who need vaccines are those who indulge in gangbangs and orgies without any protection. Therefore, if you do not fall into that class, you do not need anything. 

Doctors certainly recommend the vaccines because they make money. Remember, medicine is a business. Some healthcare professionals will try to sell you a bunch of crap all the time.

Insect bite

I often break out into hives and itch when I am bitten by insects, especially during holidays in the tropics. Do you recommend anything?
 
Sure, just take some antihistamines and a topical corticosteroid. Both of these products are available over the counter. Wear protective garments when you go out which will help reduce the risk of an insect bite.

Acne in a female

 I am a 29-year-old female and have had bad acne all my life, I have tried many medications, but nothing works. Anything you can suggest?

Sure, try a birth control pill. The oral contraceptives can help settle down your acne. You may need to take the pill for a few months. Note that these pills will make you gain weight- so be sure to walk. If the birth control pills fail, then see a skin doctor and ask for a retinoid.
 

Acne Scars

Is there any good treatment for acne scars?

No, there is nothing like a pill or lotion that can get rid of your acne scars. Best advice- see a decent skin doctor. Listen to what he/she says and never rush in for any treatment. Some skin doctors are like car mechanics. They jack up the prices and make you come for multiple sessions which are prohibitively expensive. So if in doubt get a second opinion. 

The best treatment in my opinion for acne scars is laser. It will cost you a fortune. However, the laser will only work for superficial acne scars. Deep acne scars will not improve with any laser. You should also know that after spending 1000s of dollars on laser, there is a good possibility that the treatment may worsen your scar. So speak to someone who has had the treatment-this means another patient and not the doctor. Doctors always brag and lie about their results!

Back Acne

 I have some terrible acne like lesions on my back. Is there anything you can recommend?

First, you need to see a doctor if it is really acne. The retinoids like Accutane work great for acne on the back. You need to take the medication for at least 8-12 weeks to see the results. It is only available with a prescription. Try it –my personal belief is that retinoids are the best treatment for acne. Some doctors may not give a prescription to young women-because the drug can cause birth defects. There is also a topical formula which is also effective. Wear cotton garments and change clothes if you sweat a lot. Avoid use of fragrant containing deodorants.

Malaria vaccine

 Is there a vaccine to prevent malaria?

No, there is no vaccine for malaria. If you are traveling to a warm country, mosquitoes are a major problem. Unfortunately, nothing works against these creatures. There are sprays, lotions, potions, racquets, incense and so on -but nothing works. The only way to avoid mosquitoes is not to go to a warm humid country. In fact, we now have mosquito problems all over North America- so there is nowhere to hide.

Shots for Travel!

What type of protection do I need when traveling to Central America for a Vacation?

You need nothing as long as you are not going to eat out of the toilet or drink someone else’s piss. All these vaccines and tablets for travels is just a bunch of shit. Healthcare professionals have been scamming travelers with bogus injections, pills and vaccine for decades. If you are traveling to Central America, you will most likely stay at a resort. Most of these resorts are clean, and offer decent fresh food. Doctors keep on jabbing travelers with needles so that they can money. If you are just going for a week and are on a tour package, the only thing you need is medical insurance. That is all. 

It is very unlikely that you will get any infection at a resort. If you are going to be have sex with strangers, use a condom. The world of medicine is partly crooked with healthcare workers trying to scam naïve consumers of all their hard earned money with bogus travel shots.  

Water pill for Carpal tunnel syndrome

Is a water pill effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome?

In this day and age, any health professional who prescribes a water pill for carpal tunnel syndrome must be a fool and dumb. There is zero evidence that water pills help people with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, the water pills will cause dehydration and alter your electrolyte balance.

Please if you have carpal tunnel syndrome and no money, just wear a hand splint at night and during the day perform some type of hand and wrist exercise. You do not have to see a expensive physical therapist for these exercises. There are plenty of free videos on the web. If you have money, I still recommend the same treatment- spend the money on a dog at a shelter.

Disc Prolapse Surgery

I have been told I have disc prolapse and need surgery. Any suggestions?

Sure, avoid it. Patients with disc prolapse are often scared by surgeons into quickly having back surgery. The surgeons usually claim that this is an urgent procedure and shit will happen if the patient does not undergo surgery-all this is just bullcrap.

So far, there is very little evidence to show that surgery for disc prolapse has benefits. Only a few selected patients with disc prolapse benefit from surgery-the majority end up worse.

If you do not have what is called cauda equina, you should think twice about disc prolapse surgery. No matter how great the surgeon is, the chances that you will get better are slim to none. 

 My advice: lose weight, stop smoking and exercise everyday.  This has been shown to relieve the pain and improve quality of your life.

PS- I am a surgeon and have seen 1000s of patients who have undergone back surgery- am not impressed at all.

Home remedy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Is there anything I can do at home?

Yes, for mild to moderate symptoms there are several options. If you have money, you may go for physical therapy, US therapy or take oral steroids. If you do not have money, buy a splint and wear it regularly at night. In the day time, you can perform wrist and hand exercises.

There are many FREE videos on the WEB as to the types of exercises you can perform. Treatments like vitamins, acupuncture and steroidal injections are worthless and a waste of money. In the mean time, lose weight.

Do not spend money buying ergonomic devices that are hyped to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Evidence shows that these devices are nothing more than a swindle.

Surgery is never the first treatment of carpal tunnel and is almost never recommended for mild to moderate symptoms. Even if you do undergo surgery, the results suck.

Adapalene for Acne

I have moderate acne and have been prescribed adapalene by my doctor. Does this medication work?

Adalapene is a relatively new topical vitamin A derivative, which is used to treat mild to moderate ace. First it will not work if you have acne scars or severe acne. For those who have mild to moderate acne, the drug is excellent. Do not expect results in a few days. It often takes a few weeks for the maximal benefit. The product is also sold as Differin and Epiduo. To use it, apply the gel once a day. If you apply it more often, you will develop severe skin dryness and peeling of skin.

All people who use Adalapene should understand that initially the drug will make your skin look worse, but with time, the defective skin cells will fall and be replaced by newer, smoother and younger looking skin. Avoid going out in the sun when using this medication.

Yoga to tighten facial skin

Does "yoga face-lift" help tighten skin?

To be honest no one knows. The people who market this technique claim that yoga can tighten the facial muscle and improve skin tone. I think it is all bogus. Yoga does no such crap. Do you really believe that sitting on a mat for a few hours everyday can tighten your arse? If you believe this crap, then you are the right candidate for a yoga facelift.