Cardinal Endocrinology

09/07/2024

Autumn whispers through the trees, and cardinals paint the season with their crimson song

01/18/2024

Plastics, microplastics, nanoplastics are everywhere. Most recently, researchers from Columbia & Rutgers Universities found about 240,000 plastic fragments per liter in typical bottled water. These small fragments have been found layering the bottom of our oceans, in our f***s, and in the deepest recesses of our lungs.

Our recommendations: Limit the amount of plastics used to store our foods and liquids. Use or buy glass containers instead. Avoid purchasing water & other beverages sold in plastic bottles. If you must drink liquids from these sources, DON’T store them very long, DON’T expose them to sun or keep them in your car, & DON’T reuse them. Use filtered tap water at home.

08/05/2023

I proudly passed the ABIM certification for endocrinology, diabetes, & metabolism 25+ years ago. I’ve attended at least one major endocrine meeting annually since then to assure that I’m up to date with the latest information. In addition, I maintain records of at least 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) for my state, read at least 10 times that much without documentation, and teach students in my medical practice.

Since that time, and increasingly so every couple years, the self-appointed ABIM bureaucracy imposes more requirements at increasing costs to maintain board certification. Physicians who completed training two years before my class are exempted from this insult. There have been no studies showing any benefit to patients. To the contrary, one might consider the redundant time requirements take away from patient care.

It’s time to retire the elitist ABIM monstrosity. Return it to the original purpose of certifying new physicians in their respective fields. CME requirements established by each state should be sufficient to assure we keep up. That is the position of the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. I could think of many more important ways to spend $70M.

3,901 signatures are needed, let’s get there by the end of the day?

07/09/2023

People who are well-hydrated may be less likely to develop chronic diseases & may even live longer than those who don’t drink enough fluids.

8 Tips to Get Enough Water
• Make drinking a glass of water one of the first things you do each morning and before each meal.
•Check the color of your urine. Ideally, it should be clear or a light-colored yellow.
• Invest in a high-quality reusable water bottle. Set reminders if you need a nudge to drink throughout the day.
• Mix up your water options. Try adding some fruit, like lemon, pineapple, watermelon. Vegetables and herbs, like cucumber or mint also taste good. Drink sparkling water over juices & sugary beverages.
• Don’t forget fluids are in many foods too. About 20% of the fluid we need comes from vegetables & fruits.
• If you feel thirsty, especially if your lips are dry, you’re not getting enough fluids. Drink water right away if you have these symptoms.
• Up your water intake when it’s hot outside, especially if you are active or exercising.
• Limit alcohol and caffeinated drinks. These can cause you to lose water.

Signs You May Not Be Drinking Enough Water
• Dark yellow or orange urine (the darker your urine, the more dehydrated you are)
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or tired
• Having a dry mouth or lips
• Getting more headaches
• Feeling nauseated
• Getting muscle cramps when you’re active

06/16/2023

First it was Ozempic face, then it was Ozempic butt. Now it’s Ozempic finger!

These are not side-effects of Ozempic! They’re expected concerns with any mode of weight loss - Ozempic just does a better job than others.

So, keep hold of your rings if they don’t fit snuggly. Lose weight any way that’s safe. Your body will appreciate it.

People on Ozempic aren’t just dropping pants sizes for hot girl summer — finger and wrist sizes are shrinking, too. Now, women desperate to shed pounds who have turned to Hollywood’s go-to rapid weight loss drug are terrified of losing their precious engagement rings and Cartier LOVE bracelets...

03/13/2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on March 2 an updated policy effective April 16 that will expand continuous glucose monitor coverage to more people with type 2 diabetes.

That’s an awesome step, but we still have a huge burden with insurers who waste hours of time for all patients. Those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Patients young and old.

If you have diabetes and want a continuous glucose monitor, there should be NO BARRIER.

07/04/2022

Wow! It seems that anteaters have better insurance coverage than some humans. Here’s to looking forward to a day that all diabetic patients have easy access to continuous glucose monitoring if they want it.

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11/05/2020

Urinary incontinence is more common than you think, but most rarely discuss it. It is the loss of small amounts of urine associated with coughing, laughing, sneezing, or jumping that increase intra-abdominal pressure and likewise pressure on the bladder.

We can help! Don’t hesitate to ask about our easy solution.

07/28/2020

A brilliant and beloved ICU physician in Baltimore died from COVID-19 on Saturday, 7/25/20. I’m not being alarmist, but this coronavirus picks its targets and we don’t know who it will be. We know some risk factors, but we don’t yet understand why some apparently healthy people succumb.

Be knowledgeable, be smart, and be safe.

Dr. Joseph Costa, the chief of the critical care division at Mercy Medical Center who treated patients battling COVID-19, died of the coronavirus on Saturday, his husband confirmed.

05/09/2020

Lea was asking before Christmas as we were looking for ugly sweaters, “What is it with all this LLAMA stuff?” I said they’re just cute. Maybe it was a herald.

I hope everyone I know is doing well!

Researchers published a paper on Tuesday that looks into the use of llama antibodies to treat COVID-19.

05/03/2020

I am honored to belong to the medical profession, but I sit far from the frontlines of the heroic efforts of my colleagues.

Much of what I do can be postponed a month or two if necessary. Emergencies in my practice are rare. My efforts are concentrated on the patients with diabetes and high blood pressure, and obesity, each of which can increase the risks of complications associated with COVID-19.

I want my patients with pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal disorders to maintain optimal therapy to keep their stamina up.

I meet with my patients to be sure they’re aware of COVID-19 news and updates. We reassure each other that everything will be okay in the end, and I finish each conversation with “stay safe and stay well.”

Our current COVID-19 pandemic is about as close as most of us will come to experiencing a worldwide health scare up close and personal. Having reti...