Tag Archives: doctors

Drug-free prescriptions for better health

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

drug free prescriptions for better healthLifestyle matters

I remember a family practice doctor once telling me “Most of my patients aren’t sick. They’re lonely, unhappy, stressed or bored.”

His observation resonated with me.

So many somatic complaints, like headaches, back pain and digestive problems, stem from emotional upset.

Being isolated or bored or just unhappy with life leads to eating poorly and sitting too much, which in turn leads to heart disease, diabetes and depression.… read on

How likely are you to get cancer?

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

how likely are you to get cancerFear sells healthcare

In our predominately for-profit healthcare system, fear sells products.

Every day I read an article or listen to a news story about cancer. Breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer, mouth cancer, ovarian cancer…I often feel like a ticking time bomb!

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the grim statistics being tossed around by marketers. Then we live in fear, become anxious and … read on

Protect yourself from healthcare tunnel vision

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

healthcare tunnel visionToo many specialists

Our healthcare system is like an inverted pyramid.

Rather than having a strong base of primary care doctors—family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics—and a decreasing number of specialists, we have more and more specialists and a dwindling number of primary care docs.

Roughly two thirds of our doctors are specialists. And subspecialists. And sub-subspecialists.

Why is that a problem?

One, because specialists cost more money, which adds … read on

What I learned from my atypical Spitz nevus

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

atypical spitz nevusOverdiagnosis of melanoma

I learned two things from a recent journey into the healthcare system:

  1. Melanomas are overdiagnosed; and
  2. Always discuss cost with your physician.

I’ll explain.

Earlier this summer I shared that I had a small mole removed from my leg. I didn’t like the look of it, so I thought it prudent to have it checked out.

I had to wait almost a month for an answer, because … read on

“Brain on Fire” – A diagnostic odyssey

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Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness

I wrote this post two years ago, but the movie is now available on Netflix. It’s worth watching, although the book goes into much more detail so I definitely recommend you read it, too, if you like medical mysteries. FN

As a twenty-something cub reporter in New York, Ms. Cahalan began experiencing strange, seemingly unconnected symptoms, such as forgetfulness, paranoia and the sensation … read on

“Slow Medicine” – One size doesn’t fit all

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

slow medicineWhen did medicine become “healthcare”?

I recently read Slow Medicine: The Way to Healing by Victoria Sweet, MD.

The book’s introduction captured my attention immediately. In it, Dr. Sweet describes the downward spiral her elderly father suffered when he was admitted to a hospital.

At 90-something he was in pretty good health; in an ironic turn, the hospital almost killed him with unnecessary diagnostic tests and prescription drugs.

Even though … read on

Tips to handle or avoid surprise medical bills

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

surprise medical billsSurprise medical bills can catch you by, well, surprise

Bottom line on top: If you’re the victim of a surprise medical bill, there are resources to help you.

After several years of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many of us are resigned to high premiums, high deductibles and small provider networks.

We try to be good healthcare “consumers” (as if we really want to buy healthcare!) by reading the fine … read on

Living well with a serious illness

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living well with serious illness“Life After the Diagnosis”

Last week one of my family members was diagnosed with a serious illness.

My niece, a physician in San Francisco, recommended a book written by one of her colleagues: Life After the Diagnosis: Expert Advice on Living Well with Serious Illness for Patients and Caregivers.

I immediately bought myself a copy, too. (If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m an advocate of hospice, palliative care … read on

How to communicate better with your doctor

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communicate better with your doctorEven doctors have trouble—if they’re the patient

If you like reading books about medical mysteries and hospital disasters, then you’ll love In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope, by Dr. Rana Awdish.

In short, Dr. Awdish, an ICU physician, ends up a patient in her own ICU. Her story is a beautifully written, but horrific, page-turner. We see her as a vulnerable … read on

Unnecessary medical procedures cost more than money

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unnecessary medical proceduresHave you had unnecessary medical procedures?

If you see a physician on a regular basis and always follow his or her advice regarding routine screening tests or common diagnostic tests for minor illnesses, the answer is probably YES.

I just finished reading a new report published in my state (Washington) about the extent and cost of these unnecessary medical procedures.

This is a problem I’ve posted about before. Many … read on