Do Nasal Sprays Cause Glaucoma or Cataracts?

Image courtesy of radnatt at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net Steroid nasal sprays are very commonly used by patients to treat sino-nasal allergies .  However, a common concern of some patients as well as their eye doctors is that such nasal sprays may cause or exacerbate glaucoma or cataracts. After all, oral steroids and inhaled steroids (for asthma) is associated with such eye problems due to systemic absorption. Indeed, there is a constant (but collegial) dispute between ENT and EYE doctors on…

9/10/2016 0

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Does Tongue Tie Cause Breastfeeding Difficulties and Speech Problems?

Although there is both objective and subjective evidence that tongue tie contributes to breastfeeding difficulties and speech problems, when it comes to quality evidence-based research, the data is a bit lacking. And because of this sparseness, tongue tie release is actually considered a controversial topic with both supporters and detractors (personally, I am a supporter of this procedure). Among the detractors, tongue tie release is considered unusual and unnecessary... even bizarre. To…

3/20/2015 1

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Oral Steroids No Help in Sinus Infections?

Media outlets such as Fox News reported yesterday that oral steroids do not help with sinus infections. This claim is based on a small study of 174 patients with clinical symptoms of an acute sinus infection and given either 30 milligrams per day of prednisolone or placebo pills for one week. Of note, antibiotics were not given. No significant difference in symptom resolution was found. Now why would one even think to give oral steroids for sinusitis in the first place? Steroids decr…

8/08/2012 0

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Mind Over Body Treatment

24 years old female presents with several week history of progressive stomach pains, substernal chest discomfort, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, headache, insomnia, and growing lump sensation in her throat. Physical exam was essentially normal. Can this previously healthy female have suddenly developed reflux , globus , paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, brain tumor, and throat cancer with possible overlying thyroid disorder? Or perhaps has she contracted some other horrifi…

10/22/2011 0

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Has Evidence-Based Medicine Gone Too Far?

Although there is no question that evidence-based medicine is a very important development in the evolution towards higher quality healthcare, the demand for evidence for a given treatment can go too far. The following abstract is an ACTUAL published article in the British Medical Journal describing the lack of evidence that parachutes are effective when falling out of a plane. Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational challenge: systematic review of randomi…

12/12/2010 0

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