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Home
and Family
Your Medical Questions Answered!
by Joseph B. Leibman, MD
Director, Emergency Services, Bikur Cholim Hospital
I was sent an article about the Heimlich maneuver. This is
used for people who are choking, and it can be lifesaving,
but it can also be dangerous if not done right. Therefore, I
repeat my view that people should all take a course to learn
it. It is covered in a standard CPR course. These courses are
generally run by Magen David Adom and can be taught to women
only by a woman instructor who is religious or for men by a
male instructor who is religious. I do not know of any female
chareidi instructors, but I would be glad to hear from my
readers if there are such instructors.
Another article talked about allergies causing criminal
behavior. I am pessimistic, but would like to see the
references to this article, which were not included. The
person who sent this article also mentioned having a guest
writer. I have run after many people to write guest articles
and no one comes through. If someone responsible has
something to say, I would be glad to include it.
Yes Vioxx has been taken off the market. I have been against
this drug for years. The FDA is very vigorous in its
evaluation of drugs, but occasionally only through experience
does one find a problem, and that is why you must tell your
doctor about any side effects so these can be reported.
Accutane was also mentioned by the reader. This anti-pimple
drug is safe if one is not pregnant. Serevent is a drug of
Glaxo's. It is a long-acting drug against spasm of the
breathing passages. It is mainly to prevent asthma. In truth,
the FDA had a problem since people were using it for an acute
attack, but since it is long-acting it takes longer to work,
and so it did not help. Glaxo does want everyone to know that
Serevent is for prevention and not acute attacks.
Is colonic hydrotherapy really back? There is no evidence
that this is beneficial, it does hurt, and it can be
dangerous. Stay away.
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