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- Doctors Behaving BadlySandra My mother also had the same attitude towards physicians. However, my mother...
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Author Archives: Ryan Isherwood, M.D.
Ryan Isherwood, M.D., is a board-certified family physician with Alegent Health Clinic in Gretna. As a family practice physician, he is specially trained to provide comprehensive care for all members of the family, including health maintenance and preventive services – a task that he’s now brought to the blogging world.
Dr. Isherwood has been contributing to BlogAlegent since November 2010 – offering up a physician’s take on topics like concussions in football, stress management and the danger of mixing alcohol and caffeine. View his medical biography on Alegent.com.
You Ask, We Answer: Thyroid Levels
“I had a TSH drawn and my level was 1.44. I know this is in the normal range but was wondering since it is at the low end of normal if I should consult my doctor about a thyroid medication.” When we check thyroid levels we look at the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which is a signal from the pituitary (in the brain). If the TSH is high (above 5) then they have hypothyroid – or an under active thyroid – and that is when someone needs to go on … Continue reading
Sun Safety
What tips do you suggest to keep families safe in the sun, (i.e., how much sun exposure is safe, what times of day, eyewear, etc.)? The first thing is to limit your amount of sun exposure. Sunburns can occur in as little as 15-30 minutes. The worst time of the day to be out in the sun is during the noon hour. When you are in the sun for an extended period of time, apply sunscreen, wear light cloth cotton clothing that covers most of your skin and spend plenty … Continue reading
Yoga Basics
When some people think of yoga, they imagine having to stretch like a gymnast. That makes them worry that they’re too old, unfit, or “tight” to do yoga. The truth is you’re never too old to improve flexibility. Most Westernized yoga classes focus on learning physical poses, which are called asanas. They also usually include some form of breathing technique and possibly a meditation technique as well. Some yoga classes are designed purely for relaxation. But there are styles of yoga that teach you how to move your body in … Continue reading
Stressed out By Stress
Currently I am sitting in my office being stressed about writing my blog. What to write about? I tend to procrastinate at times and this would be one of them. As I write I feel the tension in my shoulders and neck. This is where I and most people I know and treat “carry” their stress. So why not discuss stress and all that it does to our bodies and minds. We all suffer from it at some point in time if not regularly. Stress is a compounding factor in … Continue reading
Generic Medications: Safe and Cost Effective
As a physician my duty is to help the patients with their problems and work to not only give them a diagnosis, but to also determine an appropriate treatment. For me that treatment must have 2 criteria. First it must be effective and show clinical evidence of this effectiveness. That is why the drug companies spend billions of dollars on studies and trials. They want to show me that their new drug is better than their or someone else’s old drug. This is good practice but this all adds to … Continue reading