Archive for 2002
Religion and Peace
My first column appeared on August 13th, 1998. In that my imaginary friend Dave asks, “Doc, how can I stay healthy?” This question is valid today as it was four years ago. Perhaps it has been valid for many hundred years. I guess our ancestors cared about their health as much as we do. And our struggle to stay healthy will continue. There are no short
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Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy means surgical removal of the uterus. It is the most frequently performed major surgical procedure in gynecology. Hysterectomy came into widespread use about hundred years ago. Last year, in Palliser Health Region, 159 hysterectomies were done, 50 vaginal and 109 abdominal. In Canada, in
Islam
Depending on the moon’s visibility this week, 1.3 billion Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This celebration, “festival of breaking fast”, is called Id or Id al-Fitr. Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year. All Muslims are expected
Celiac Disease
A reader wants to know about celiac disease. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue. Celiac means abdominal cavity. Celiac disease mainly affects the small intestine which is in the abdominal cavity. Very rarely it can affect stomach, colon or rectum. Sprue is a chronic disorder that occurs
Quick Q & A with The Medical Post
The Medical Post November 19, 2002 Quick Q & A with Dr. Noorali Bharwani – a general surgeon in Medicine Hat, Alta. What is your least favourite medical procedure that you regularly perform? Not a medical procedure but part of it: filling insurance forms. What book are you reading? Jacalyn
Nipple Discharge
“The secretion of fluid from the nipple of a newborn baby or any mature woman is not unusual, nor is it a sign of breast pathology,” says a textbook, Breast Diseases. Nipple discharge is not an uncommon complaint. At one breast clinic, using a special suction device, researchers were able to demonstrate
Foot Pain
Some time ago I had received a question about feet pain. What are its causes? What exercises to do to prevent painful feet and what sort of foot wear to use to keep feet healthy and pain free. Like back pain there is no perfect cure for all ailments of the feet. Most of us are on our feet longer than
Antibiotics
A concerned mother has a question: My pediatrician recently told me that he no longer recommends that patients who are prescribed antibiotics finish their entire dose. He said that recent research shows that finishing the dose may lead to greater antibiotic resistance, not less. He also said that pediatricians
Hypertension
“Hypertension is a growing concern in our society. The increase in the prevalence of this condition is in part related to changes in levels of physical activity and diet and increases in obesity and the average age of the Canadian population,” says an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Damn cheap architects! In July/August, I went to Europe with my family. We visited London, Oxford, Paris, Geneva, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome and Vatican City. It was interesting to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its construction began in August of 1173. It took about 200
