W. Gifford-Jones, MD and Diana Gifford-Jones

Napoleon Didn’t Have a Choice When Treating His Hemorrhoids

Would Woodrow Wilson have negotiated a more lasting peace treaty following World War I if he had not suffered from tight-fitting shoes? Would Napoleon have won the Battle of Waterloo if he had not been suffering from hemorrhoids (piles) while sitting on his horse? Such small but painful annoyances might have determined history. But unlike Napoleon, patients today no longer have to endure the pain of hemorrhoids.

Sorry, Doctor, I’d Prefer An Opinion From The Dog

What do dogs have that humans lack? Harry Truman, the straight-talking former president of the United States, once remarked that, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” But friendship is not the dog’s only virtue. A dog’s nose has 220 million cells that detect odours, compared to a mere five million in humans. And although none have yet graduated from The Harvard Medical School, they can often outsmart doctors in recognizing serious disease.

How Fruit Juices Affect Medication

What would you think of somebody who poured himself a vodka martini for breakfast every day? No doubt you would believe he was on a rocky road to medical hell. But how many readers are aware that a large glass of grapefruit juice in the morning is also a health hazard? Studies show that downing a glass of fruit juice can have a powerful effect on medication.

A Shock Absorber to Help Knee Pain

Is there any similarity between a car and the human body? We do have one thing in common—the need for efficient shock absorbers.

LASIK Eye Surgery

“Would you take the risk of jumping out of a plane with a parachute?” I asked the patient.

What You Should Ask Before You Say, ‘I Do’

We’ve often heard a minister ask, “Mary MacTavish, do you take John MacDuff to be your lawful husband, to love and cherish, till death do you part?”

Don’t Laugh at These Old Wives’ Tales

Who hasn't heard an old wife's tale? “If you touch a toad, you get warts” has no scientific foundation. But in recent years, researchers have shown that some tales are medically sound and safer than traditional drugs.

It’s a wormy world

Suppose you passed a worm one foot long!

The Ultrasound Question

“Will repeated ultrasound examinations harm my baby?” This is a question readers often ask. It’s a timely question, since millions of obstetrical diagnostic exams are done every year in North America. As well, many expectant families want to record the historic moment of delivery by obtaining a high-resolution, 3-D video of it. How safe are these procedures?

Can You Be Hefty and Healthy?

For years this columnist and others have been screaming from the rooftops that excess pounds are unhealthy. Now several reports show that a healthy weight is not that simple, and it’s possible to be both hefty and healthy. So how should you measure it?

The Possible Hazards of Pill Substitution

A 22 year old student stated, “I’ve been on the birth control pill (BCP) for several years. Now my pharmacist wants to give me a generic BCP rather than my regular one. What should I know about these other pills?” It’s a good question, and parents should also be concerned about substitution.

When Is It Critical To Say “Stick Out Your Tongue”?

Why did a 28 year friend of mine survive a stroke when a stroke destined another to spend the rest of his life disabled? The reason is that some people are “stroke smart”. They know that speed often determines the difference between walking again, or being confined to a wheelchair. And it’s easy to be “stroke smart”. You only need to remember the first three letters of stroke, STR.

Suppose An ACL Tear Had Happened To A Young Tiger Woods

Three letters, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), could end the golfing career of Tiger Woods. As much as he tried, it was impossible for Woods to keep his pain to himself as he held his left knee, and limped and grimaced through 91 holes of the U.S Open. But was it prudent for Woods to play with an injured knee and risk further damage to this vulnerable joint?

Do They Think I’m Going To Blow up Canandaigua?

“Gifford-Jones, I can’t give you a license for your new boat!” That was the greeting on a phone message from Seager Marine. I returned the call immediately. “Why?” I asked the staffer in a panic. Were they going to take my boat away from me? I thought. “It’s because you’re an alien,” she replied. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles requires that you meet six requirements.”

Gas And Cesarean Operations At Record Highs

Not only is the price of gas rocketing to high levels. A recent report by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) says that 26.3 percent of women now have babies delivered by Cesarean section. There are many different opinions of why this has happened in both Canada and the U.S. But William Shakespeare had the ultimate explanation.

I Was Married By a Judge. I Should Have Asked for a Jury

What’s the chance of living to 85 years and beyond? Dr. Bradley J. Wilcox is the lead author of a longevity study carried out by the Pacific Health Research Institute in Hawaii. It’s one of the longest studies on aging and it followed the health of 5,820 Japanese-American men for 40 years. At the start of the study their average age was 45 and they were all healthy. What happened to them depended on nine key factors. You can calculate your longevity with this simple arithmetic.

Viagra and Other Medical Tidbits

There are more uses for Viagra than meet the eye. You can get more than the Mother of All Hangovers after a night of binge drinking. Few parents give much thought to the fact that children face a hazard when urged to brush their teeth. And roller coaster rides this summer could provide more than thrills. All are topics worthy of concern.

Use Radiation Like Porcupines Make Love, Very Carefully

It’s said that elephants never forget. Neither does radiation. The human body has a natural computer that tabulates every bit of radiation to which it is exposed during a lifetime. Radiation has great benefits in diagnosing disease when used wisely, but potentially harmful when used carelessly. So how much risk is there of developing radiation-induced cancer?

Rights of Addicts, And Rights Of Cancer Patients

Should the injection site for addicts in Vancouver be closed? Proponents argue that one million injections in Vancouver have saved lives and decreased the risk of HIV infection. Others contend injection sites send the wrong message and should be closed. But in this heated debate, why don’t both sides and our government attack the root cause of this cancerous problem.

How “The Neat Theory” and “Magic Underwear” Keep You Thin

Why is it that some people are thin and others prone to obesity? Hundreds of books have been written to explain this dilemma. Some blame the under-active thyroid. Others cite genetics. But Dr. James Levine, an endocrinologists and Professor of Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has a “neat theory” supported by “Magic Underwear” to explain the difference.