Differential diagnoses: They are the possible causes of a set of signs and symptoms in medicine. An example of this can be found in Robert H. Seller’s book Differential diagnosis of common complaints. If a patient presents with bloating and flatulence, the author suggests the following differential diagnoses: 1. Excessive intestinal bacterial fermentation; 2. Increased … Continue reading
Tag Archives: doctor
Unveiling Culprits, Part 2: The Hypnagogic Jab
As I write this, British multinational pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline is conducting a study in my backyard. No, there are no lab-coat-clad scientists bagging petunias in my garden. I don’t have a garden, much less a backyard. (And, for what it’s worth, I think “Bagging Petunias” would be an awesome band name) By backyard, I mean … Continue reading
Disordered Diseases of Ill Infections: Demystifying Medical Definitions
Is Alzheimer disease an illness or a syndrome? Can a flu be referred to as a disorder? There is an abundance of medical terms to describe illness: while some overlap, others exist for a reason. Our first semantic stop is the word injury, which is quite distinct from the rest of the medical grab-bag. An … Continue reading
Take Your Vaccinatin’ Paws Off Me, You Damn Dirty Doctor!
So, my beautiful baby girl is almost a year old. Congratulations! We’re so proud. But, you know what, we put our foot down with our paediatrician who wants our beautiful, healthy baby girl to get her MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) shot. Wait, what? My girlfriend and I both know that vaccines have been linked to autism. That’s … Continue reading
Read: Joe Schwarcz on Why Not All Facts Are Created Equal
As a prelude to this year’s Lorne Trottier Symposium on Public Science, I encourage you to take a look at Joe Schwarcz’s latest article in The Montreal Gazette. Here’s an excerpt: “In science we don’t cherry pick. We shake the tree, collect all the cherries, mash them together and then taste. And that’s just what … Continue reading
Listen: Patients Telling Doctors What to Do
Another great episode of the CBC’s White Coat, Black Art, in which Dr. Brian Goldman is invited to Ontario’s Kingston General Hospital to be shown how they went from zeroes to heroes. Their solution? Vocal patients sitting on boards and hospital committees, denouncing problems, and suggesting solutions. White Coat, Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman … Continue reading
Listen: Medical Whistleblowing
If you want to know more about the mistakes that are made in hospitals in Canada and the UK and why so few medical professionals are willing to come forward to bring them to light, I heartily recommend you listen to this week’s episode of White Coat, Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman on CBC … Continue reading
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