Several days ago, I discovered one of my patients has continued to smoke in spite of information from me regarding the pitfalls. He came to the office after smoking several cigarettes which caused an elevated blood pressure and required a return visit the next...
Relationship
Growing Old Can Cause Depression
Perhaps, you have never given much thought to this clinical challenge, but getting older can be a major cause of depression for some people. I am witnessing this type of depression frequently. You should be aware of life changes that occurred in your parents...
The D (Death) Word
Several weeks ago, a friend asked me to talk with a friend of hers about dying. I have received some strange requests, but none comparable to this request. The person was not my patient and even though I am skilled at dealing with this type situation, it is not...
Wives Notice When Men Don’t
It is often a challenge when the physician receives two versions of the medical history of a patient’s illness. The male version, in my experience, is often not as accurate as the version of the significant other. Recently, one of my patients was experiencing...
Prostate Cancer Can Take a Toll on a Relationship
Prostate cancer is the second, most common cancer that African American men can experience in their lifetime. The exact cause is not known, but risk factors are well documented and a major one is family history. It is imperative for all black men to determine...