I'm Dr. Simeon Margolis, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Together, let’s explore the issues behind the headlines to help you navigate the health care maze. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:36:52 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17612/should-everyone-get-the-h1n1-flu-shot/ We've all heard that this year's flu season could be more deadly due to the H1N1 virus. In fact, the CDC confirms that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are already high and rising across the U.S. Still, many healthy adults wonder if getting a flu shot is necessary. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:36:52 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17606/end-of-life-counseling-is-not-euthanasia/ To offset the shrill cries of those opposing the health-care-reform bill's end-of-life counseling provisions, I would like to insert a calmer word: End-of-life counseling is not aimed at euthanizing grandma or, in my case, grandpa. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:30:34 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17555/when-drug-companies-go-too-far/ Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer crossed the line recently when the company paid doctors to attend lavish meetings that promoted FDA-approved drugs for uses and in doses not approved by the FDA. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:07:19 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17519/deadly-snoring/ Results of a large U.S. study published this year found that men with severe OSA were 2 times more likely to die from all causes, than were men without OSA, and 50 percent more likely than men with moderate OSA. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:59:30 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17513/reduce-your-exposure-to-toxic-chemicals/ Here are some things you can do to reduce your family's and your own personal exposure to chemical toxins. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:35:54 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17502/congressional-health-care-bills-pros-and-cons/ I'm delighted that President Obama has said he will not sign a health care bill unless it includes an emphasis on efforts to prevent disease as a way of cutting the future costs of health care. But where would all the money come from to pay for such preventive services? Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:40:09 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17496/scorecard-for-the-war-on-drugs/ I claim no expertise on how to deal with the United States' huge appetite for illicit drugs, but I do know a losing proposition when I see one: It is clear that our present punitive policies concerning illegal drugs are not working. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:38:05 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17484/blood-pressure-meds-to-lessen-cvd-risk/ Researchers advocate for more people to take blood pressure lowering drugs to prevent cardiovascular disease, but this isn't recommended for everyone. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:29:47 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17482/worried-about-a-high-lipoprotein-a-level/ Along with watching our low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels so as to decrease our heart-attack risk, doctors now say we should also be keeping an eye on a substance called lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:04:14 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/17464/managing-a-peptic-ulcer/ Peptic ulcers are open sores in either the stomach (called a gastric ulcer) or in the initial part of the small intestine (a duodenal ulcer). But, contrary to what many have believed, excessive stress and worry do not give people peptic ulcers. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:33:36 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.