Potassium Iodide Not Needed In AZ

With the events unfolding in Japan there is understandable concern about exposure to radioactive material.

As a result, I decided to search the internet for valid information only to find out that there is very little to be had.  

Thus, I requested information from a patient of mine who has a great deal of insight into the nuclear dilemma facing the Japanese. In summarizing his comments he included important information on the use of Potassium Iodide.  

So...to help you understand the health issues involved for us in Arizona, I am copying his e-mail to me. Needless to say, I will leave this person's identity unstated, but do know that this is a person with my absolute confidence in his insights and knowledge. His commentary is straightforward and useful.  

Please read:

Doug;

Yes, it is a very serious event. Very difficult to assess exactly what's happening because there's little credible information coming out of Japan and even some of that is contradictory.

The press is making a mess out of it. Don't be overly alarmed because of things that you read or hear.
There are several disciplines involved in the recovery effort and experts in one area don't necessarily know
other areas well. I've heard some "experts" say very inaccurate things. Also, just because someone holds a
high government position doesn't mean that they know what they are talking about.

Before you get concerned about radiation effects in the US, remember that there have been quite a few nuclear
detonations around the world through the last 70 years or so (Chernobyl, nuclear devices in Nevada, Japan, India,
Pakistan, China, the Pacific islands).* Yes, radiation levels were observed to
rise all over the globe as a result but they have been insignificant compared to the background radiation that we are
all exposed to day in and day out.
Irradiation levels from those were comparable to or less than you may get from a transatlantic flight or from solar
flares. *Note: Not Three Mile Island. Whatever else you may have read or heard, releases from the TMI accident
were very small and most definitely not health significant.

Next, potassium iodide. Iodide tablets are given to those who may be in a position to inhale significant amounts
of Iodine 131 release from a nuclear accident.  

In other words, those in the immediate vicinity of the accident.
Nobody else should be taking it. It can have very serious side effects, particularly in minors. Don't do it.

It is likely that two of the reactors are close to full meltdown. The spent fuel pool is about the size of an Olympic
swimming pool, only 40 feet deep. The pool in question for Unit 4 would likely have about 2000 fuel assemblies
(each assembly is 12 feet tall and 1 foot square). The pool has been out of water for hours and hours. There
would be substantial melting, and open to the outside. Putting water on it by helicopter was a total waste. At
some point they need to dump thousands of tons of sand on the Unit 4 spent fuel
pool, by air.

Yours in good health,

Dr Lakin  

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Recipe for a Healthy Brain. . . . .  

Can Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer?. . . .

The more distance between your head and the cell, the better.

Use a landline when possible.

Old-fashioned corded phones are best. The cordless kind use radio frequencies similar to those of cell phones, though their signals are generally less powerful.

Go hands-free.

The more distance you place between your head and your cell, the better. That's because the antenna, the main source of RF energy, lives in the handset. Switching to speakerphone works, as do corded earpieces, which emit virtually zero waves.

Check your bars.

The farther you are from a cell tower, the more energy your phone uses to get a good signal, which may increase your exposure to radio waves. Save calls for when you have strong service.

Let your fingers do the talking.

Help Prevent Colon Cancer - In 2 Simple Steps. . . . .

What You Need To Know About Irregular Heartbeats. . . . . 

What makes my heartbeat out of whack?

Excessive alcohol or caffeine, smoking, stress and even exercise may interrupt the electrical signals that keep contractions consistent and blood pumping. More serious arrhythmias can be caused by coronary artery disease, changes in the heart muscle (such as heart failure) or valve disease, which can interfere with the heart's ability to conduct the impulses.

Do all arrhythmias act the same way?

No. Interrupted signals can cause your heart to contract too quickly (more than 100 beats a minute), too slowly (less than 60 beats a minute) or erratically. Many cases are harmless, but some could be life-threatening. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. With AF, the heart's two upper chambers beat chaotically, which may cause blood to pool and clot. If a clot leaves the heart, it may get lodged in an artery in the brain, causing a stroke. Your doctor can test you for an AF.

How do I treat it?

It depends on the type of arrhythmia. Some require no treatment; others need medication, and in more serious cases, an artificial pacemaker or surgery. In December, AF treatment recommendations were revised; in the past, guidelines required strict treatment to keep a patient's resting heart rate at 80 beats a minute. Experts now say a resting rate of 110 is fine for most patients. The new thinking could help reduce medications and side effects and lead to more convenient treatments.

Is atrial fibrillation hereditary?

New research suggests yes. A study published it the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who have a close family member with atrial fibrillation are 40% more likely to develop it; their risk was even higher if relatives developed the
condition before age 65.

I know omega-3s may help prevent heart disease. Do they do the same for arrhythmias?

Dr. Lakin Named Top Doc 2011 Again! 

Dr. Douglas Lakin Named "TOP DOCTOR 2011"

Every year the Phoenix Magazine publishes a guide featuring over 500 of the Valley's best physicians. The doctors are selected through a peer-review survey. The theory is that medical professionals are the best qualified to judge medical professionals.  

The survey asks the doctors to nominate those doctors who, in their judgment, are the best in their fields.

Once again, Dr. Lakin has been chosen as a TOP DOC among his peers.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lakin again!

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Keeping Your Cool. . . . . .

How you react to anger can help you defuse others'.

Strategize. Think of various calm, constructive ways you can react to angry people.

Look at your past. Explore new methods of maintaining a relaxed attitude. Think back on a heated moment in which you kept your cool while dealing with an angry person.

Beautiful Skin Begins In ... The Kitchen?

Olive oil. It's not only nutrient-rich and helpful for digestion, Borba says, but it's also moisturizing and "will give your skin that extra glow, as it actually hydrates your skin from the inside out."

Green or berry-flavored teas. They contain polyphenols - antioxidants that help skin look younger. They also help the body break down collagen in skin production.

Pudding and fruit cups. They have moisture-absorbing gelatin or pectin bases that help your body hold moisture and nutrients.

Oatmeal. It's a a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps regulate your skin's pH balance to soothe and lock in moisture.

"The Secret in the Care of the Patient is in
Caring for the Patient."

Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Hospital

Conference Room

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

7 - 8:30pm

           SAVE THE DATE!

To RSVP: Watch for our email mid-April!

"We hope you enjoyed Dr. Lakin's March 8th presentation on "You Need More....Water!"

There will be a recorded video posted on our website soon for those that could not attend."

      Questions?   Contact Nan 

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Sprinkle On These Spicy Ways To Stay Healthy. . . . .

Bay leaf.

This small dried leaf, when it's cooked, releases its array of antioxidants. It's a natural medicine for cancer, arthritis, ulcers, wounds and mosquito bites. "Look for leaves that are whole, uniform in size and color, and free of stems and bark," Aggarwal says. "The darker the color and the larger the leaves, the better."

Cumin.

In a study from India, cumin was found to be just as effective as an anti-diabetes drug in controlling diabetes in lab rats. It also has been shown to protect bones and help prevent food poisoning. Aggarwal recommends buying cumin as whole seeds rather than ground.

Horseradish.

This spice was used as a medicine before it was used as a food. It can clear congestion, reduce inflammation, fight viruses and bacteria, and relax muscles. Aggarwal recommends buying it prepared and preserved in vinegar: "It won't give you the same zing of fresh horseradish, but it's close."

At the Movies With Barb A....... 

A MUST SEE!          + + + + +        

GREAT                    + + + +

ENTERTAINING       + + +

RENT THE MOVIE    + +

FORGET IT!              +

 BIUTIFUL + + + + +
Javier Bardem's performance in this film was certainly worth his Academy Award nomination.  Incidentally it was the first time that a performance in the Spanish language has been nominated for an Academy Award.  Javier plays the part of a man with a terminal disease who tries to arrange for the future of his children.  He is separated from his bipolar wife.  This man is attempting to make enough money to leave his debts paid in full.  It was a depressing film and did have slight overtones that were political as to the immigration issues in Madrid and Barcelona.  This was well worth viewing and I enjoyed every moment.

 THE LAST LIONS  + + + + 

This was a documentary (with a story) done by the National Geographic so there was lots of educational material.  The movie was filmed in Botswana (sp) where the lion population has shrunk from 450,000 to 20,000.  It revolves around a lioness named Ma Di Tau who has three cubs to raise in a place where survival is more than difficult.  There are some very touching parts showing the cuddly cuts, but things do not always turn out the way you want.  The prides of lions are very cliquish and when a new pride enters, it brings much warfare.  Lots of African animals to see and much melodrama.

  LIMITLESS  + + 

I really don't know what to say.....this film was certainly entertaining but g0sh it was so far out. Of course Buck Rogers was far out and look now - space people are all over the place.  Bradley Cooper is marvelous and who doesn't like Robert De Niro.  Eddie (Cooper) just can't get it all together until an old buddy has a new pill that allows you to use all of your brain instead of just a small percentage.  Soon he is speaking a multitude of foreign languages, making stock market coups and writes two books in hours.  Soon it becomes an action thriller and the end is messy.  Why don't you just rent the movie?

 AVENUE Q + + + + + 

(AT THE PHOENIX THEATER)  Why didn't someone tell me about this place?  The program named many prominent benefactors - some of them patients.  The Qualles are benefactors.  I thought, "What is Avenue Q" and where is the Phoenix Theater.  My late husband was a real music expert and we went to everything in Los Angeles. We had symphony tickets, light opera tickers and all operas at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  So I am thinking, "What is the Phoenix Theatre"?  I will tell you.  A lovely patient in Dr. Lakin's practice had two tickets to Avenue Q and asked if I would replace him at the performance and go with his significant other (Judy).  Well, let me tell you it was MAGNIFICO.  Judy and I laughed and laughed.  The theater is charming - not an empty seat.  Staging was expertly done and the performers (with their puppets - I forgot to tell you it was puppets) unreal.  You must go. Please support this theater.  We had take out from Nicks, which was superb too.

See you at the movies!  

                        Barb A

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Baseball: Spring Training in Arizona. . . .  

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

"

                               -Rogers Hornsby

Cactus League Spring Training:

Click here! 

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NCAA March Madness. . . . .

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