The American Medical Association voted on a resolution that would recommend hospitals ban doctors’ iconic white lab coats, citing evidence that the garment contributes to the spread of infection. (The resolution was referred to a panel for further consideration.)* Indeed, a number  of studies have shown that the coats harbor potentially harmful bacteria (and may cause “white coat hypertension”). If white coats are so bad, why do doctors still wear them?

Because a white lab coat says “I am a scientific healer.” The knee-length coat in medicine crossed over from the laboratory sciences at the turn of the 20th century. Before that time, medicine was generally seen as the haphazard province of quacks and frauds, and physicians wore street clothes even in the operating room. As the field developed into a respected branch of applied science in the early 1900s, doctors adopted the costume of the laboratory as a way of bolstering their scientific credibility.

In pre-white-coat times, physicians used primitive tools and techniques and had little formal training. (Medical school could be finished in a year.) Early doctors competed for legitimacy (and patients) with other healing arts like homeopathy and medical eclecticism. But the development of antiseptics and anesthesia, among other things, demonstrated the exceptional power of science to improve health. Doctors strove to become more scientific, in practice and in dress. The lab coat served both purposes by providing a (supposedly) sterile work environment and soothing patients with its air of scientific authority. The traditional lab coat was beige, but doctors adopted white because the color symbolizes life and purity. (In earlier times, doctors were more likely to wear black, in keeping with the high mortality rates seen at hospitals. The nuns who served as nurses often wore black habits.) By 1915, physicians working in hospitals had for the most part switched from street clothes to white coats and pants.

With their scientific bona fides firmly in place, doctors today are divided on the white-coat question. Supporters say the coat instills docs with a humbling sense of responsibility and puts patients at ease, while detractors see it as an alienating symbol of medical hubris. More than 100 medical schools host “white coat ceremonies” where first-year med students are outfitted with shortened versions of the white coat, and the coats are ubiquitous at large teaching hospitals where they help differentiate between doctors and students. However, doctors in smaller hospitals and private practice are more likely to wear regular clothes. A recent study suggests that only 1 in 8 doctors actually sport a white coat at work. Perhaps the most ardent supporters of the garment are patients: In one study, 56 percent of those surveyed believed doctors should wear coats, compared with only 24 percent of doctors. (Elderly people tend to be most supportive of the white coat.) Another study found that patients were much more likely to trust a doctor if they were wearing a white coat than if they were in scrubs.

If hospitals followed the AMA resolution and banned the white coat, what would doctors wear? The Scottish National Health Service outlawed white coats in 2008 and instituted a uniform of color-coded scrubs for all medical personnel. The Mayo Clinic doesn’t allow white coats; their doctors wear business attire.

• Park a little further away from entrances to increase walking.
• Add one piece of fruit or vegetable to your diet everyday.
• Cut out one dessert per week.
• Add one glass of water to your daily consumption.
• Change from white bread to whole wheat.
• Substitute fish for red meat once a week.
• Eat breakfast, or at least a small snack, every morning- it improves metabolism and energy, helps concentration, and those who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who don’t.
• If you are sedentary, take a walk once a week; add days when you can.
• Start stretching – it helps combat stress, headaches, muscle tension, and improves overall fitness.
• Actively try to laugh more- doing so lowers blood pressure, increases endorphins, reduces pain, and can help mitigate chronic illness.

- Dr Jennifer McMahon

MYTH: Drinking milk during a cold produces more phlegm.
TRUTH: Milk consumption has no impact on phlegm production, but it can produce a similar feel while swallowing it.

MYTH: The flu shot can cause a person to contract influenza.
TRUTH: The fly vaccine is a dead virus and cannot cause an active infection, just like a tetanus shot cannot cause tetanus. However, the necessary immune response that vaccines produce can cause flu-like symptoms including body aches and fever.

MYTH: If your mucous is green or yellow, you have a bacterial infection.
TRUTH: Viral infections are the most common cause of discolored mucous and phlegm for the first 1-2 weeks of a respiratory infection.

MYTH: Muscle turns to fat when you stop exercising.
TRUTH: Muscle and fat are composed of different tissues. Your heart cannot turn into a long. Stop exercising and your proportion of fat increases as muscle mass decreases.

MYTH: You need 8 glasses of water a day.
TRUTH: Adequate water intake is necessary for many health reasons, but there is no scientific basis for the 8 glass recommendation.

MYTH: Burns should be immediately treated by applying butter.
TRUTH: Burns should be treated with cold running water. Applying butter increases the risk of infection.

MYTH: Q-tips are effective in removing ear wax.
TRUTH: Q-tips push wax deeper into the ear canal, causing impaction.

Dr. Jennifer McMahon

• Scented candles, lotions, soaps, and massage certificates for relaxation
• Exercise apparel or gift cards to a sporting store to help them exercise and stay active
• Gift cards to movies, bookstores or music stores as an entertaining alternative to food
• Personal “coupons” for favors such as cooking, cleaning, babysitting, household chores to give them more free time

The true spirit of giving means giving something that is personal and beneficial to the recipient, not sharing the guilt of overeating and thwarting healthy resolutions. So give the most precious gift of all- health and well being.

- Jennifer McMahon, MD

Parkway Medical recommend supportive care for cold symptoms, including antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, fluids, etc. Medical care should be sought for worsening symptoms, fevers, shortness of breath, or symptoms lasting more than two weeks.

-Jennifer McMahon, MD

Here are a few websites:

• Partnership for Prescription Assistance
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Search for available patient assistance programs by entering a particular drug, such as Advair.com

There is help out there.  It simply takes a few minutes to search for it.

Emollients smooth skin, but do not moisturize.  They do this by filling in the spaces between the cells of the superficial skin.  In other words, they flatten out the rough edges between the cells.  It makes skin feel smooth, but does not moisturize well.  Less expensive moisturizers contain water as the largest component,the water evaporating when it delivers other products to the skin.  Therefore, it has to be re-appliedfrequently.   The less expensive products contain a lot of water and emollients.

Barriers and rehydration solutions help moisturize by keeping water in and rehydrating.   Ingredients  thatact as barriers include  dimethicone, and cyclomethicone.  Humectants, substances that attract water to the skin, are glycerine, sorbitol, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, sodium pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, and proteins.  Don’t try to pronounce these, simply look for them in the ingredients as they will truly help moisturize your skin.

So what about wrinkles?  Do moisturizers really help?  Yes, they do.  But, it needs to be a good moisturizer that not only creates an occlusive barrier to prevent water loss, but also needs to contain “humectants” that help attract water to the cells.  This leads to more hydration and less wrinkle appearance.

Finally, products that create a temporary colored layer on the skin surface, place a semi-permanent stain on the skin cells, or increase reflection from the skin surface with light reflecting particles, help improve the skin’s appearance.  Mineral make up does this well when placed over moisturizers.

To really determine what is right for you, see someone who specializes in skin cosmetics or aesthetics to get the right mix.

•  Manifests as a redness around the middle of the face, generally the nose and cheeks in a butterfly pattern
•  Has telangiectasia (couperose)
•  Is NOT acne, and does not have comedones
•  Attributed to photo damaged
•  Especially occurring in fair skinned persons

1) Overview

•  Family history/ Ethnic Background ( Celtic )
•  Sun Exposure
•  Male or female
•  Age
•  Demographics

Rosacea has progressive stages, as follows:
Pre-Rosacea
Frequent episodes of flushing and redness that come and go – triggered by foods, stress, environment and lifestyle.
Stage One – Vascular Stage
Telangiectasia, persistent flushing and redness; may be swollen and warm. Many never progress beyond this stage.
Stage Two – Inflammatory Rosacea
Pustules and papules, though no blackheads or white heads; may be misdiagnosed as acne. Telangiectasia is dilated and pores can be enlarged.
Stage Three – Orange Peel Skin Stage
Exacerbation of previous symptoms and tissue hyperplasia (overgrowth). Strikes mostly men and most often on the nose (rhinophymy), the red bulbous nose of W.C. Fields. Patients can experience more than one stage simultaneously, in progression, or only one type, including rhi

2) Topical

(Cosmecutical, Pharmaceutical OTC over the counter)

• OTC ( Over the counter) Department stores/retail outlet
• Cosmecutical sold under  license Esthetic- Cosmetology Boards
• Prescription from MD

3) Ingredients

Cosmecutical

• Antioxidants/Anti Inflammatory:
• Astaxanthin- Soluble Vitamin C-Alpha Lipoic
• Wound healing improve integrity of the skin Copper- Vitamin K –Willow Herb-Co Q10 for stimulating the ATP  ( energy)of the cell

Prescription from MD

4) Ingredients

Cosmecutical

• Antioxidants/Anti Inflammatory: Astaxanthin- Soluble Vitamin C – Alpha Lipoic
• Wound healing improve integrity of the skin Copper- Vitamin K –Willow Herb- – Azeleic  acid
• Co Q10 for stimulating the ATP  ( energy)of the cell

Prescription from MD

• Azeleic  acid (15%)
• Metronidazote ( demodex mite)
• Oral antibiotics ( tetracycline dirivitives)

5) Other information

• Sunscreen non irritating/ physical block/ oil free moisturizing
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Camouflage for coverage quality of minerals /particle size/ amount of fillers
• Things that may trigger it
  - Food
  - Exercise
  - Heat
  - Stress

If you have any questions about how to handle your rosacea-prone skin, Parkway Skin Centre’s staff is always available for consultation. Click here if you would like to purchase Derma MD’s Rosacea Skin Saver Kit.

Most people are unaware that they experience hypnosis in their everyday lives.  For example, if you have been driving and suddenly realize that you do not remember passing the last few exits, you were in a state of waking hypnosis.  In fact, the most common hypnotic state is a daydream!

Hypnosis works, ask me how.  Hypnotic techniques are useful tools to assist in the treatment of stress, sleep disorders, pain and depression.  It is used very successfully for weight loss and smoking cessation. Hypnosis is not a replacement for medical care or any other modality, it is a compliment to all therapies.  For more information on how hypnosis can help you please call Julie Jones, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, at 602-576-8821 or click here to read more.

Parkway Medical now offers the 24 hour blood glucose monitoring system. This quarter-sized sensor is worn on the abdomen for 5 days. During this 5 day time period it will painlessly and automatically measure your blood sugar every few minutes, 24 hours a day! After 5 days of gathering the data, the sensor will be removed and the information will be downloaded onto our computer providing a full color report. This report will be interpreted and given to your provider to discuss with you.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes or have Type 2 Diabetes and take insulin, ask your primary care provider to consider this valuable monitoring system as part of your overall diabetes management.

We are proud to say that Parkway Medical strives to provide our patients with the latest in medical services. We are pleased to add 24 hour blood glucose monitoring to our growing list of cutting edge technology.