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New Bowel Prep Option Is Claimed to Taste Better

10/8/2024

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by wayne persky

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When following our gastroenterologist's prescribed cleanout procedure to prepare for a colonoscopy, many of us have discovered that it could be argued that the worst part of the procedure, is convincing ourselves to finish drinking the rest of that prep solution, after we've discovered how nauseating the first few swallows tasted, and we've managed to force about half of it down.
Many of us have nausea problems during cleanout preparation.
Apparently, about 1/3 of MC patients are plagued by nausea issues that can range from minor to debilitating, at times. So deciding whether or not to continue drinking the liquid, as the nausea increases, requires a lot of soul-searching, unless we happen to feel invincible (or foolhardy). In some cases, the nausea can be so bad that we're unable to finish, for fear of regurgitating all of it.
Is GoLytely appropriately named?
The cleanout solution known as "GoLytely", for example, requires drinking a gallon of solution — a formidable task for someone who has the digestive issues typically associated with active MC. Incidentally, whoever named that product must've been a real joker (or a cruel sadist) — there's nothing "lyte" about the process of "going", after drinking GoLytely. Cleanout solutions are typically caustic, and many are nauseating and inflammatory to our intestines.
Some cleanout products have been removed from the market.
In the past, some of the cleanout solutions that had been previously approved by the FDA, have been removed from the market, because they were so caustic that for some patients, they were causing the development of MC or other health issues where they didn't exist prior to drinking the solution. In fact, studies have been done on the association of emergency room (ER) visits following colonoscopy exams of IBD patients.

For example, one such study, of 212,205 IBD patients who had at least one colonoscopy between 2007 and 2010, showed that 3, 699 of those patients had an ER visit within 10 weeks after having a colonoscopy Burnett-Hartman, et al., 2019).1 The researchers looked at ER visits during two particular time frames — 1–4 weeks after having a colonoscopy, and 7–10 weeks after having a colonoscopy. Because visits during the first time period were likely to be associated with a colonoscopy, and visits during the second time period were more likely not to be associated with a colonoscopy, they compared the ratio of these visits.​
Prep solutions using sodium phosphate appeared to be a smoking gun.
The researchers found that in general, the relative risk (RR) of an ER visit was 1.24 during the month after a colonoscopy. And they found that the RR jumped to 2.09, for those who had used a sodium phosphate bowel preparation prior to the colonoscopy.
Products that have been removed from the market include:
Fleet Phoso-Soda and Fleet Phoso Soda EZ Prep Bowel Cleansing System. C.B. Fleet, Inc. stopped selling these products over the counter when the FDA issued a requirement for black box warnings on two similar prescription only products, Osmoprep® and Visicol® (both based on sodium phosphate). A generic version of the products sold over the counter by C.B. Fleet, Inc., is still available, in over-the-counter form.​

HalfLytely (active ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350) and Bisacodyl Tablets Bowel Prep Kit has also been removed from the market. Currently, based on products that are available, it appears that the preferred cleanout solution is a mixture of MiraLAX and Gatorade.
But now, the FDA has approved Suflave.
Will it be kinder and gentler on our digestive system? A company press release claims that it will taste similar to a lemon lime sports drink, and it was scheduled to be available in August, 2023. According to an article in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, the ingredients appear to be somewhat familiar.2 The product will consist of a combination of an osmotic laxative utilizing 178.7 g of polyethylene glycol 3350, 7.3 g of sodium sulfate, 1.12 g of potassium chloride, 0.9 g of magnesium sulfate, 0.5 g of sodium chloride,, and lemon-lime flavoring. And it will be designed to be taken in two doses. Looking at the ingredients, it's difficult to visualize how this will be less nauseating than GoLytely (at least, for those of us who have nausea issues associated with MC), but will tell. At least, it's another new option.
Before agreeing to a repeat colonoscopy request from your gastroenterologist,
always remember that colonoscopies are not risk-free procedures, and according to published medical research, perforation rates range from 0.005–0.085% (Kim, Kim, and Park, 2019).3 This is a small percentage, and the rate seems to be holding steady over the last 15 years, but a perforation requires prompt emergency surgery, and that surgery is associated with a relatively high mortality rate, because of the rather high risk of infection.
MC can only be diagnosed by using a colonoscopy to collect biopsy samples.
A colonoscopy (or at least a sigmoidoscopy) is required in order to collect the biopsies necessary for a diagnosis of MC, but once the disease is diagnosed, it's a permanent diagnosis. Some gastroenterologists have a much worse track record of adverse events, than others, and the age, and fragility of their patients matters. When a gastroenterologist's prescribed treatment is not effective, most of them will request a repeat colonoscopy so they can search for another reason for the continued diarrhea. But another reason is almost never found, because the problem is virtually always due to the ineffectiveness of the treatment that the gastroenterologist prescribed, and not some other issue.
"New" gastroenterologists usually want to perform a colonoscopy.
If a patient changes gastroenterologists, the new gastroenterologist will often request a colonoscopy, despite the fact that a colonoscopy may have been performed within the last few months by the previous gastroenterologist. Incorrect diagnoses of MC do not exist. An MC diagnosis is virtually always 100% correct. By contrast, many cases of MC are misdiagnosed as IBS, or some other issue, but anyone who has been diagnosed with MC after biopsy samples from the lining of their colon have been examined under a microscope by a pathologist, definitely has MC. And a follow-up colonoscopy to verify that diagnosis is almost never productive.
Preparing for a colonoscopy can also be risky.
As discussed above, in addition to the risk imposed by the colonoscopy itself, some of the prep solutions used before a colonoscopy have been associated with causing MC for some patients, who didn't have MC before the prep solution was used. Most of the products that are prescribed for this procedure are very irritating (inflammatory) for the epithelial lining of the colon. Those that are not, are not as popular with gastroenterologists, because they're less effective for providing a clear view through the scope, during a colonoscopy.
​
References
1. Burnett-Hartman, A. N., Hua, X., Rue, T. C., Golchin, N., Kessler, L., & Rowhani-Rahbar, A. (2019). Risk interval analysis of emergency room visits following colonoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. PLoS One, 14(1), e0210262. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326490/
2. Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News Staff. (2023, June 27). FDA Approves New Drinkable Bowel Prep Option With Suflave. Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, Retrieved from https://www.gastroendonews.com/FDA-Update-and-Product-News/Article/06-23/FDA-Approves-New-Drinkable-Bowel-Prep-Option-With-Suflave/70675?sub=&tken=28D0302C8A43FD2FA8C07583E1176C63D13D7F836F03BE9FDCFC2888550&enl=true&dgid=&utm_source=enl&utm_content=1&utm_campaign=20230629&pos=1&utm_medium=button
3. Kim, S. Y., Kim, H. S., and Park, H. J. (2019). Adverse events related to colonoscopy: Global trends and future challenges. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 25(2), 190–204. Retrieved from https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v25/i2/190.htm
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Is Human Evolution Falling behind the Advance of Technology?

10/1/2024

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by wayne persky

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The rapid pace of technological advancement and modernization is outstripping the slow process of human evolution, leading to significant adverse effects on our lives, well-being, and societal stability. This phenomenon, termed evolutionary mismatch, occurs when traits that evolved under previous environmental conditions become maladaptive in the current environment. A recent article published on a phys.org webpage outlines several ways this mismatch appears to be affecting us, and its impact on contemporary issues, including the increasing prevalence of antisocial behavior (Yong, 2024, June 3).1​
Some of the issues discussed in the article include, for example.
1. Our sweet tooth — Our ancestors' preference for sweet, calorie-rich foods helped survival in nutrient-scarce environments. But in today's world, this preference leads to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay due to mass-produced sugary foods.

2. Our social structure -- Humans evolved in small, kin-based tribes, fostering strong social bonds and a sense of belonging. Large, impersonal cities cause loneliness and social isolation, increasing stress and mental health issues.

3. Crowding and stress — Studies show that social animals in crowded environments suffer from stress, reduced immune function, and lower fertility. People in crowded cities experience similar stress and health problems.

4. Social inequality and status anxiety — Humans are sensitive to social status, which helped in small, egalitarian societies. Extreme wealth disparities and media focus on the rich heighten status anxiety, leading to unhealthy behaviors like incurring debt to appear affluent.

5. The role of social media — Social media often presents an idealized version of life, increasing feelings of inadequacy. Likes and followers on social media intensify social comparisons and anxiety.

6. Behavioral trends — Status anxiety drives obsessions with education, prestigious jobs, and material wealth. To cope with societal pressures, people engage in risky investments and dangerous cosmetic procedures.

7. Changing life goals — Due to high living costs, younger generations are shifting focus from traditional goals like homeownership and starting a family to maintaining mental and physical health.​

8. Mental health issues — Intense societal demands lead to anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, self-harm and antisocial behavior. Perceived social injustices can result in cynicism, aggression, and hostility, as seen in "incel" communities.
Did we learn anything from the book "Future Shock"?
Alvin Toffler's 1970 book, "Future Shock," explores the disorienting effects of rapid technological and societal changes on individuals and societies. Toffler argues that the accelerated rate of change leads to "future shock," a state of distress and disorientation caused by an overload of new information and technology that individuals struggle to adapt to. Some of his key concepts include:
1. Accelerating rate of change — Toffler emphasizes how the exponential rate of change in technology and society outpaces human adaptability, leading to stress and disorientation.

2. Cultural lag — The gap between the rapid development of technology and the slower adaptation of societal norms and institutions.

3. Information overload — The overwhelming amount of information individuals must process, leading to decision paralysis and anxiety.

4. Transience issues — A sense of impermanence in relationships, jobs, and locations due to constant change, causing instability and insecurity.​
Toffler appears to have been right on target.
We currently appear to be experiencing evolutionary mismatch. Modern environments, drastically differ from those in which our ancestors evolved, and those differences create significant adverse effects on mental health, social stability, and well-being. We're now dealing with widespread

1. Mental health issues and stress — Modern urban environments and societal pressures contribute to loneliness, stress, depression, and anxiety.

2. Social inequality and status anxiety — The disparity between past egalitarian societies and current social inequalities fuels anxiety and unhealthy behaviors.

3. Changing life goals — Younger generations are adjusting life goals due to the pressures of modern society, leading to dissatisfaction and unfulfillment.

4. Antisocial behavior — The pressure to succeed contributes to mental health issues and antisocial behaviors, disrupting social harmony.​

5. Need for mitigation strategies — Aligning modern environments with our evolved nature through urban planning, reduced consumerism, and mindfulness practices.
What did we learn from "rat utopia"?
Between 1968 and 1970, American ethologist John B. Calhoun experimented with rats, particularly his famous "rat utopia" or "Universe 25" experiments. His experiments provided several insights into the dynamics of population behavior under conditions of overcrowding and social stress.

Calhoun observed what he termed the "behavioral sink," a collapse in social behavior due to overcrowding. Despite having unlimited resources (food, water, and shelter), the rats exhibited severe social breakdowns as population density increased.

Overcrowding led to the emergence of various social pathologies among the rats, including:

  1. Aggression — Increased instances of violence and aggression.
  2. Submissiveness — Some rats became overly passive and withdrawn.
  3. Social Withdrawal — Many rats became isolated, avoiding social interactions.
  4. Abnormal Sexual Behavior — Disruptions in mating behaviors, with some rats showing a complete lack of interest in reproduction.
  5. Maternal Neglect — Mothers neglected their young, leading to high infant mortality rates.
Despite the availability of resources, the rat population eventually stopped growing and began to decline. The breakdown in social behaviors meant that the population could no longer sustain itself.

In normal conditions, rats form social hierarchies and territories. In the overcrowded environment, these social structures broke down, leading to chaotic and unpredictable behaviors.​

Calhoun suggested that his findings could have implications for understanding human societies, especially in terms of urbanization and population density. He hypothesized that similar social stresses and breakdowns could occur in human populations under extreme conditions of overcrowding.
In conclusion
The concept of evolutionary mismatch highlights the profound impacts of the rapid pace of technological advancement and modernization on human well-being and societal stability. As Alvin Toffler predicted in "Future Shock," the accelerated rate of change is causing significant stress and disorientation, contributing to widespread mental health issues, social inequality, and antisocial behavior.​

And these challenges are surely exacerbated by the disparity between our evolved traits and the demands of contemporary urban environments. To address these issues, we need to design modern environments that align more closely with our evolved nature, incorporating strategies such as nature immersion, minimalism, and mindfulness. By doing so, hopefully we will be able to enhance our mental and physical well-being and foster more stable and harmonious societies.
References
1. Yong, J. (2024, June 3). Human culture is changing too fast for evolution to catch up—here's how it may affect you. phys.org, Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2024-06-human-culture-fast-evolution-affect.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-nwletter
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Everyone talks about global warming, but exactly what's causing it?

9/22/2024

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by Wayne persky

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Recent research from the University of Leeds discusses the outsized impact of long-distance travel on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, suggesting this is luminal a primary driver of global warming. Is it really? The article points out that despite accounting for less than 3% of all trips by UK residents, long-distance journeys (defined as trips over 50 miles one way) are responsible for a staggering 70% of all passenger travel-related carbon emissions (University of Leeds, 2024, July 2).1 The disparity is even more pronounced when looking at international travel alone, which constitutes just 0.4% of total trips but contributes 55% of emissions. This stark contrast underscores the importance of targeting long-distance travel to achieve meaningful reductions in carbon emissions.​

The research suggests that current efforts to reduce carbon emissions from passenger travel have focused too narrowly on local and commuter travel, overlooking the significant impact of long-distance travel. Policymakers are encouraged to reassess their strategies and prioritize initiatives that target long-distance travel, especially flights, to achieve more substantial emission reductions.
This begs the question, "How are emissions by commercial aircraft regulated?"
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, and it plays a significant role in regulating aircraft emissions. In 2016, ICAO adopted the first-ever global CO2 emissions standard for aircraft, which will apply to new aircraft designs from 2020 and to new deliveries of existing designs from 2023. This standard aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

The ICAO also developed the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). CORSIA is a global market-based measure to offset CO2 emissions from international flights. It aims to stabilize net CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels by requiring airlines to purchase carbon offsets for emissions that exceed those levels.

The EU has incorporated aviation into its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Under this system, airlines operating within the European Economic Area (EEA) must monitor, report, and verify their CO2 emissions and surrender allowances corresponding to those emissions.​

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. has set greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for aircraft, aligning with ICAO's standards. However, these regulations have faced criticism for not being stringent enough to significantly reduce emissions.
Technology continues to improve efficiency.
While regulatory measures are in place, the aviation industry also relies on technological advancements (such as more fuel-efficient engines and lighter materials) and operational improvements (like optimized flight paths) to reduce emissions.

Programs like CORSIA and the EU ETS aim to mitigate emissions through market mechanisms, but their effectiveness can be influenced by the cost and availability of carbon offsets and allowances.

There is ongoing research and development into sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), which can significantly reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to conventional jet fuels. Regulatory support and incentives are important for the widespread adoption of SAFs.​
Regulations need to be coordinated.
Effective regulation of aircraft emissions requires global coordination, as aviation is inherently international. Differing regulations and standards across regions can complicate compliance for airlines
But will tightening aircraft regulations significantly reduce GHG emissions?
Aviation accounts for approximately 2-3% of global CO2 emissions. While this may seem small, the impact is amplified due to the high-altitude release of these emissions, which has a greater warming effect than ground-level emissions.​

Aircraft emissions contribute to radiative forcing, a measure of the change in energy balance in the Earth's atmosphere due to greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollutants. The combined effects of CO2, water vapor, nitrous oxides, and particulates from aircraft (especially in the upper atmosphere) can significantly enhance global warming. The entire transportation sector is responsible for about 14% of global emissions, with aviation being a subset of this figure.
Looking at the statistics.
  1. ​Electricity and Heat Production — 25% of global GHG emissions.
  2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use — 24% of global GHG emissions.
  3. Industry — 20% of global GHG emissions.
  4. Transportation — 14% of global GHG emissions.
  5. Buildings — 6% of global GHG emissions.
The largest source of GHG emissions globally is the burning of fossil fuels.
1. As noted above, generating electricity and heat (energy production) account for about 25% of global emissions.

2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) contributes to emissions through activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and agricultural practices. It accounts for about 24% of global emissions. This sector contributes through CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.

  • About 40% of methane comes from natural sources, and the other 60% is a result of human activities. The anthropogenic (due to human activity) methane production is mostly a byproduct of agriculture, the burning of fossil fuels and biofuels, the decomposition of landfill waste, and wastewater treatment.
  • Nitrous oxide is produced during various agricultural soil management processes, such as the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers, the management of livestock manure, burning of crop residues, forest fires, and certain industrial processes. Nitrous oxide amounts to about 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Industrial processes are responsible for approximately 20% of global emissions. This sector also contributes through CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.

Roughly 75% of the emissions produced by industry are due to burning fuel in order to create heat, and the rest is associated with the production processes that transform raw materials into finished products.

4. GHG production associated with transportation is obviously associated with the burning of fossil fuels and biofuels.

5. The GHG production associated with buildings is due mostly to energy used for heating and cooling.
What are the primary GHG sources?
  1. Approximately 76% of total GHG emissions are CO2.
  2. Methane is the second largest component of anthropogenic GHG production, at approximately 16%.
  3. Nitrous oxide amounts to about 6% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
How significant are the contributions of natural events to GHG production?
Volcanic eruptions can inject large quantities of aerosols and gases, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), into the stratosphere, which can have both cooling and warming effects on the climate.

The primary effect of large volcanic eruptions is a temporary cooling of the Earth's surface. This is due to the reflection of solar radiation by volcanic aerosols. For example, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 caused a temporary global temperature decrease of about 0.5°C (0.9°F) for a couple of years.

Overall, volcanic eruptions are considered to have a short-term cooling effect rather than a significant long-term warming impact. On a much smaller scale, volcanic CO2 emissions can contribute to the greenhouse effect, but this is negligible compared to human emissions.​
Changes in solar radiation can affect the Earth's climate.
The Sun's energy output varies slightly over time due to sunspot cycles and other solar phenomena. The 11-year solar cycle leads to small variations in solar output. While these variations can influence short-term climate patterns, they are not significant drivers of long-term global warming.​

Studies suggest that changes in solar radiation have contributed less than 10% to the observed warming over the past century. But note that this is still a significant amount over which we have no control.
Natural processes such as decomposition and respiration can release GHGs
Natural sources of methane include wetlands, termites, and oceanic processes. While these sources contribute to the greenhouse gas inventory, their levels have been relatively stable over time. But again, these sources are beyond our control.

Natural CO2 emissions come from processes like respiration and ocean-atmosphere exchanges. However, natural CO2 emissions are balanced by natural sinks like photosynthesis and ocean absorption, so they don't significantly contribute to the observed increase in atmospheric GHG concentrations.
Do carbon offsetting schemes actually have any merit?
Carbon offsetting schemes are mechanisms designed to compensate for emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) by funding equivalent CO2-saving projects. While the concept of carbon offsetting has theoretical merit, its effectiveness and impact can vary significantly depending on how the schemes are implemented.

The actual benefits (if any), of these schemes is debatable. Personally, my own opinion of carbon offsetting schemes is that 10 years from now, we'll all be looking back at what a pathetically optimistic idea that was, and feeling ashamed, because it will be painfully obvious that it made absolutely no difference at all in total GHG emissions.

Why? Because precious few individuals are going to sell a carbon offsetting plan unless the practices in that plan are part of their normal operation, anyway. They're much less likely to sell a plan for which they'll have to go to the trouble of actually doing something different. Consequently, most of these plans will probably turn out to be worthless, because they involved carbon offsetting actions that are a part of normal operations, so they would have been done anyway.

And anyone who has been forced or coerced into buying an offsetting carbon scheme will surely resent being forced to do that, so that they certainly are not going to go out of their way to make sure that everything they do will minimize GHG emissions. These combined disincentives will probably cause the program to be self-defeating.
In conclusion,
When put into perspective, it's obvious that long-distance commercial aircraft flights contribute only a relatively small amount of GHG emissions when compared with other major sources of anthropogenic GHG emissions. However, recent research shows that, despite being a small fraction of overall trips, these journeys contribute significantly to global warming, due to the fact that these emissions occur at relatively high levels in the atmosphere, where they have a greater effect on global warming.

Overall, global warming is occurring as a result of many aspects of human existence as we all try to not only survive, but also take advantage of the available comforts and every day pleasures that modern technology has to offer. The planet could probably continue to support us for at least thousands of generations, if we didn't produce so many GHG emissions that interfere with the planet's solar energy balance.​

But at the current rate, global warming will eventually make the production of adequate amounts of food increasingly difficult, and at some point, impossible. Hopefully, we can correct the problem long before we get to that point. Ultimately, it will require a blend of regulation, innovation, and international cooperation, if we ever hope to make any meaningful progress in combating global warming.
References
1. University of Leeds. (2024, July 2). True scale of carbon impact from long-distance travel revealed. Phys.org, Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-true-scale-carbon-impact-distance.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-nwletter
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The Association Between Perfectionism and MC

9/16/2024

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by wayne persky

A search of the archives of the Discussion and Support Forum associated with our website shows that most of us (although certainly not all of us), are perfectionists, overachievers, early adapters, type A personalities, or some combination of these traits. This article will focus on perfectionism, since it appears to apply to more microscopic colitis (MC) patients than the other listed attributes.

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The ETS2 gene and IBD

8/31/2024

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by Wayne Persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

New research recently published by the doctors at the Royal Free Hospital claims to be a significant discovery in understanding (and potentially treating) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and possibly other autoimmune diseases (Royal Free NHS London Foundation Trust, 2024, June 5; Stankey, et al., 2024).1 So let's take a closer look.

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Dealing with Stress Is a Balancing Act

8/23/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

Our paleo ancestors evolved as hunter gatherers and experienced stress in various forms. They learned to deal with the stress of hunger when times were lean, and locating food was difficult. They learned to live with the stress imposed by extreme cold, and excessive heat. 

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Why Are U.S. Drug Prices Immune to Government Regulation?

8/15/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

Prescription drugs in the U.S. cost several times as much as they do in other countries of the world. Yet unlike other industries, the drug industry continues to escape heavy-handed government regulation.

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Why Are U.S. Drug Prices the Most Expensive in the World?

8/9/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

The cost of drugs (and healthcare) are far more expensive in the U.S. than in any other country in the world, and they're becoming unaffordable for many patients. Every year, the problem increases — not just a little, but a lot. Why do we have this problem, and why isn't it being addressed? Some of the key reasons for that include:

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The Next Pandemic Is Right around the Corner — Why Aren't We Prepared for It?

8/1/2024

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 by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that our health systems around the world are severely limited by many vulnerabilities. But it also offered valuable lessons that, if heeded, could better prepare us for future outbreaks. Unfortunately, as we emerge from the shadows of the Covid 19 pandemic, signs indicate that we may not be as ready for the next pandemic as we should be. ​

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Drug Industry Corruption

7/19/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

In a recent study published in PLOS Medicine , researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, led by William Feldman, shed light on the tactics used by insulin manufacturers to keep prices high. The analysis reveals how these companies have manipulated patent laws and FDA regulations to extend their market exclusivity, suppressing competition, and keeping insulin prices elevated despite its century-old discovery (Olsen, et al., 2023).1

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John B Symes, DVM, and Secondary Food Intolerances

7/4/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

I wonder how many of us have ever heard of John Symes? He owned Beltline Animal Clinic in Mobile Alabama, where he specialized in providing veterinary services for pets, for several decades. He was known online as DogtorJ (his website was dogtorj.com), and years ago, many of us encountered his excellent articles on food intolerances, and associated health issues. ​

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Many Doctors Seem Opposed to the Idea of Using Food As Medicine

6/20/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation
That's obvious in articles written by doctors and published on medically oriented websites, such as an article recently published on Medscape (Mandrola, 2024, February 22).1 Medscape is a website claimed to be read by many doctors, so it's probably safe to assume that the conclusions stated by an article such as this are popular among doctors. Prestigious medical journals and medical websites are loath to publish articles that include unpopular conclusions.

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Controlling Stress the Easy Way

6/12/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

​Stress is not just a daily annoyance; for those with microscopic colitis (MC), it can be a significant trigger for symptom flare-ups and disease exacerbation. Managing stress becomes not just a matter of personal comfort but a critical component of disease management. Yet, as anyone with MC knows, finding effective stress management techniques that fit into our lifestyle is much easier said than done. 

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Gender and Food Allergies

5/23/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

A review of previously published literature regarding health-related quality of life (HRQL) associated with food allergies, revealed a distinct gender bias. The study, published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy, showed that HRQL associated with food allergies, deteriorated more for females, than for males (Rosser, et al., 2024).1

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Why Women Develop More Autoimmune Diseases Than Men

5/9/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

As an online article published on the MedicalNewsToday website points out, 80% of patients who have an autoimmune disease are women (Pratt, 2024, February 1).1 The reason for this gender bias has been unexplained until recently, when researchers discovered a connection with a genetic process unique to women, that occurs because of the DNA configuration that defines the difference between mammalian males and females.

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"See a good psychiatrist."

4/25/2024

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By wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

Over the years, how many of us have heard that frustrating advice from our gastroenterologist when we asked him or her what we should do to control our gastrointestinal symptoms? Or our pain? Or our brain fog? Or our difficulty getting enough sleep? Or our persistent fatigue? Or . . .?

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Using Fiber to Deal with Constipation Predominant MC

4/11/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

I've had constipation problems most of my life. I can remember events from my childhood, when typically, several days would pass before I would have a bowel movement, and of course, even then, the event usually wasn't accomplished easily. As I was growing up, I didn't realize that this was an abnormal pattern of bowel movements. But when I was in my early 50s, my bowel movements suddenly became marked by a little fresh blood with each event.

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Are CPAP Machines Over-Prescribed?

3/28/2024

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By Wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

With concerns about sleep apnea and a few other sleep issues on the increase these days, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is on the increase. And concerns about a possible association of sleep apnea with issues such as heart failure, cardiovascular risk, hypertension, and various other health issues add a sense of urgency for those who suspect they might have sleep apnea.

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How the Electronic Health Records System Penalizes PCPs Who Try to Promote Healthier Patient Lifestyles

3/14/2024

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by Wayne Persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

Or, why your doctor is forced to prescribe medications
Indisputable evidence continues to support the position that making lifestyle behavior changes, when properly done, can be successfully used to prevent, and even reverse common chronic issues such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type II diabetes, for example. And the clinical practice guidelines listed for the treatment of such chronic diseases currently suggest lifestyle interventions as the first line of treatment, whenever possible.

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Is a Crisis Brewing in U.S. Healthcare?

2/29/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

​*Note that this article is so long that it is being published in two parts. This is part two.
Continuing Doctor Magnuson's description of her experiences with EMR

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Is a Crisis Brewing in U.S. Healthcare?

2/14/2024

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by wayne persky

​Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

*Note that this article is so long that it is being published in two parts. This is part one.
Burnout among medical professionals is an increasing problem, while patient dissatisfaction is growing. Doctors and nurses are understaffed, and overworked at most institutions. They're increasingly frustrated by how their job description has changed over the past couple of decades. Patients are losing faith in the healthcare system because of increasing wait times for appointments, and dissatisfaction with the way their appointments (and often their treatments) are handled. Is a crisis looming? You be the judge.

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A Major Problem with Electronic Health Records

2/4/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

According to an online article titled The History of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), electronic health records date back to the mid-1960s, when Lockheed developed an electronic system known as a clinical information system (Rajaee, 2022, June 4).1 This inspired other technology and engineering companies to begin developing electronic health record systems for hospitals and universities. During the 1970s, the federal government began using EHR in the Department of Veterans affairs.


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Are All So-called Autoimmune Diseases Simply Symptoms of Food Sensitivities Due to Vitamin or Mineral Deficiencies, Combined with Stress?

1/21/2024

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by wayne persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

*Note that this article is so long that it is being published in two parts. This is part two.
Our immune system was fine-tuned over a million years, as our paleo ancestors evolved. During that time period, our ancestor's immune system was exposed to most types of threat to which it is exposed today, and more, and it evolved with the capability to protect human life without the benefit of any medical intervention. Consequently, there's no logical reason why it should malfunction now, as long as it's properly nourished.

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Are All So-called Autoimmune Diseases Simply Symptoms of Food Sensitivities Due to Vitamin or Mineral Deficiencies, Combined with Stress?

1/7/2024

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By Wayne Persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

*Note that this article is so long that it is being published in two parts. This is part one.
Because the practice of medicine is based on the concept that every disease is diagnosed and treated as if it were independent of all other diseases, medical researchers rarely consider the interdependence of various diseases. Consequently, they tend to overlook common connections that might be primarily responsible for the development of an entire class of diseases, such as autoimmune (AI) diseases, for example.

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Toxoplasmosis Has Other Risks, Including Schizophrenia

12/23/2023

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By Wayne Persky

Founder and President of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation

According to a recent online Medical Xpress article, having a cat more than doubles the risk of kids developing schizophrenia later in life (Jackson, 2023, December 11).1 Research published back in 2012, titled, "Toxoplasma gondii and Other Risk Factors for Schizophrenia", and published in "Schizophrenia Bulletin" showed that schizophrenia patients were nearly 3 times more likely to have toxoplasma antibodies in their blood (meaning that previous toxoplasma infections were prevalent among schizophrenia patients) (Torrey, Bartko, and Yolken, 2012).2

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