DR. HooK


Byetta: A new weapon, but not a gun Published on Nov 17th, 2005 0 comments When I was staying at a resort in Puerto Rico 10 years ago, there was a restaurant called "Iguanas." It was an outdoor restaurant on a small beach island surrounded by beautiful vegetation and palm...
Hack, hack: What's with that awful cough? Published on Nov 10th, 2005 0 comments I have never seen the opera La Boheme, but I hear the diva dies of tuberculosis. Does Mimi sing her final aria with coughing between high C's: "La, la... cough, cough, laaaaaa-phlegm, laaaaaa, hack...
Avian anxiety: If bird flu comes, fly! Published on Nov 3rd, 2005 0 comments The world needs to laugh a little more. Isn't laughter the best medicine? Elizabeth Taylor sang, "Send in the Clowns" (ouch, bad example!). Okay, Donald O'Connor sang, "Make 'Em Laugh" in Singing In...
Gown up! Fight cooties...er, MRSA Published on Oct 27th, 2005 0 comments I remember in elementary school, kids would touch each other to spread cooties. However, if you crossed your fingers, you were immune. Once I was tapped with cooties, and I immediately touched a girl...
Call 911: Worry about insurance later Published on Oct 20th, 2005 0 comments Very few things shock me. Sexual issues, alcohol and drug abuse, psychiatric issues, people's lifestylesnot shocking. Sticking a bobby pin in an electrical outlet, current politicsshocking. Health...
Sprue- whew!: Celiac sufferers pooped Published on Oct 13th, 2005 0 comments One of my friends said I write and talk about poop better than anyone else he knows. Is that a compliment or an insult? I learned in college there are three sacred things in life: eat, sleep, and...
Eastern standard: Tai Chi works wonders Published on Oct 6th, 2005 0 comments We were the only Asian people in the small town in Ohio where I grew up. In fact, many of the people thought we were Mexican because they weren't used to seeing Asian people. Ole! So when my...
Prime time: Fall colds nothing to sneeze at Published on Sep 29th, 2005 0 comments I was at the grocery store this weekend, and two women came up to me screaming, "We know you! Yadda yadda yadda!" They were so funny and friendly that I figured we must know each other. But then "Mr...
Hurts so bad: Pain drugs create quandary Published on Sep 22nd, 2005 0 comments Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis were steamy until they actually "got steamy" on Moonlighting. Why is it when the boy catches the girl, the magic of the show is gone? Look at The Bachelor–...
Mono Lisa: Tell Epstein-Barr to kiss off Published on Sep 15th, 2005 0 comments Growing up, I wasn't encouraged to listen to rock-n-roll or pop music. Before my mother became a physician, she sang opera, so I was exposed to classical music, jazz, and show tunes. (Ask my patients...
Aftermath: Katrina survivors face health horrors Published on Sep 8th, 2005 0 comments Jan Egeland, the United Nations undersecretary for humanitarian affairs says, "Natural disasters affect at least seven times more people than conflicts." I don't know if that is statistically valid,...
Aura-ble: Migraines cost millions yearly Published on Sep 2nd, 2005 0 comments What is the deal with all the TV reality shows? Weren't The Brady Bunch and The Cosby Show good enough? Now, when I'm on the elliptical rider at the gym, I see people on Fear Factor eat everything...
What's shakin'?: Essential tremors wreak havoc Published on Aug 25th, 2005 0 comments During my first year in medical residency in Los Angeles, we experienced an earthquake that rocked my world. Well, actually at the time I was visiting my significant other at UVA, but when I returned...
Ante up: Co-payments not so bad Published on Aug 18th, 2005 0 comments John Lennon's song, "Imagine," is one of the best songs ever, and I'm willing to arm-wrestle over that one– wait, Lennon wouldn't want that– I'll out-sing anyone instead. The song is...
Heart attack: Denial can be deadly Published on Jul 28th, 2005 0 comments One of my favorite movies is Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton. Why did she show up at the Oscars wearing her Annie Hall outfit? That is so '70s, and she didn't win the Oscar again in that...
Ticked off: Bloodsuckers are bad news Published on Jul 21st, 2005 0 comments There are many different types of ticks. "Tick-tock of the lonely clock." "The old ticker is still working though my spouse is going to give me a heart attack!" "Don't tick me off; I'm off my...
Rabid response: One bite, five shots Published on Jul 14th, 2005 0 comments Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck had some great adventures. "It's Duck season!" "It's Wabbit season!" "It's Wabbit season!" "It's Duck season, Fire!!" Boom! Remember when they entered Aladdin's cave and...
Too darn hot: Heed heatstroke's warnings Published on Jul 7th, 2005 0 comments When I was a child in New York City, my parents actually belonged to a country club. I remember these ladies with B-52 beehive hairdos in their swimsuits lying on the pool chairs. It was from these...
Sweetpee? Leave sugar on the table Published on Jun 30th, 2005 0 comments When I was in college, I saw a crazy, steamy movie called, 9-l/2 Weeks. There's a scene beside an open refrigerator in which blindfolded Kim Basinger eats unidentified food given to her by Mickey...
Summer Running: See a movie, save a life Published on Jun 23rd, 2005 0 comments Olympia Dukakis said in Steel Magnolias something like, "If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me." I have some distant relatives who complain about everything. "My ankles are swollen....
Shove boat: Patching together a cure Published on Jun 9th, 2005 0 comments Last year I went on my first cruise, and it was truly paradise! The sun was shining in the Caribbean, a band was playing by the outdoor pools, a man greeted us with Bahama Mamas, and the ship was...
Life saver: How to spot the roots of elder abuse Published on Jun 2nd, 2005 0 comments Who loves Jane Fonda? Who hates Jane Fonda? Regardless of her politics, she did win an Oscar for Klute, married Ted Turner, and starred with her father (who won an Oscar for On Golden Pond just a few...
Bulked up: Swollen prostate has to shrin Published on May 25th, 2005 0 comments Women have some medical issues that men don't have to worry about: PAP smears and pelvic exams, mammograms, etc. But men do need testicular exams, and rarely, men can get breast cancer. The...
Itchy, scratchy: Leave yeast for bread baking Published on May 19th, 2005 0 comments I love musicals. I know every Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and every obscure song they wrote. If you ever hear me sing Karaoke, you will know what I mean. "I can name and sing that song in 4 notes...
Just do it! Your medicine prescribed for a reason Published on May 11th, 2005 0 comments 252"> The HooK: DR. HOOK- Just do it! Your medicine prescribed for a reason // >> classifieds >> personals >> advertise >> contacts...
DR. HOOK- Grease up: That tan's not worth dying for Published on May 5th, 2005 0 comments <P>The Beatles sang a great song, "Here Comes the Sun." I love the sun; it makes a gray day... well, sunny. "Sunny, thank you for the sunshine in my life..." <P>...
Grease up: That tan's not worth dying for Published on May 5th, 2005 0 comments 252"> The HooK: DR. HOOK- Grease up: That tan's not worth dying for // >> classifieds >> personals >> advertise >> contacts ...
Sore subject: Herpes isn't a Greek god Published on Apr 21st, 2005 0 comments When I was a freshman in college, my fellow pre-med friend, George, pointed at my face and laughed. I asked him what was so funny. He chanted, "You've got a herpes, you've got a herpes..." and...
Med monikers: What's in a drug's name? Published on Apr 14th, 2005 0 comments Mary Poppins said the longest word in English is supercalifragilisticespialidocious. I think the longest-named medicine is Hydrochlorothiazide. (And if you say it loud enough, you'll always...
Boy, girl, or...? Leave intersex babies alone Published on Apr 7th, 2005 0 comments What's the first thing most people ask when a baby is born? If the father of the newborn doesn't stuff your mouth with a pink- or blue-ribboned cigar reading "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" most...