Dr. W. Gifford-Jones

LATEST STORIES BY DR. W. GIFFORD-JONES

GIFFORD-JONES: Preventing deaths from influenza

Death from influenza is always tragic. But it is particularly so when it occurs at a young age. This year an increasing number of influenza cases is being seen in emergency rooms. And, as usual, thousands of North Americans will die from this seasonal disease. But are some dying needlessly?

January 12, 2019 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: Dr. Sydney Bush; Why Not the Nobel Prize?

What a sad day for me! I should also add, for the world. I have just learned that Dr. Sydney Bush has died. During my 43 years of writing this column, I have never devoted a memoriam to a colleague. But one is needed for Dr. Bush. In part, I’ll miss his presence. But more important, his scientific discovery should have been awarded the Nobel Prize. And it could yet save millions of lives from cardiovascular disease.

January 5, 2019 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: Are you taking these medicines too long?

What will be your 2019 New Year’s resolution? Losing weight? Finally deciding to get off the couch and get more exercise? Hopefully to convince yourself smoking means 20 years less life? These are all healthy ways to start the year. But I’d like to add another New Year’s resolution. Many North Americans are taking medicines for the long run when they’re only intended for the short run. This can have a huge impact on well-being.

December 29, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: What did you learn in 2018?

How much have you been paying attention in 2018? I hope that during that time you’ve learned to live a better lifestyle, and to circumvent medical hazards that will enable you to live longer. So let’s see how well you do on this true or false test.

December 22, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: Prescription for holiday loneliness? Call a friend who needs help

What’s the most important gift you could give this holiday season? The Greek philosopher, Plato, once remarked, “Whoever likes being alone must be either a beast or a God.” I’d say Amen to that statement. Crisis workers tell us that at this time of the year, depression and suicide risk is highest. So what can we all do to decrease holiday melancholy?

December 15, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: Low intensity laser therapy for bruised brains

How far have we come since Egyptians drilled holes in the skull in an attempt to cure a variety of diseases? We’ve seen tremendous advances in brain surgery. But relatively little progress in how to treat concussion. Basically, medical advice has been to rest while waiting for the brain to recover. But research now shows Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) can dramatically speed up the healing of bruised brains. So why isn’t it used more by doctors, and for more conditions?

December 8, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: How to decrease the risk of an aortic aneurysm

Ask anyone about AAA and they will immediately think of the American Automobile Association. But in this case it stands for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Sir William Osler once remarked, “There is no disease more conducive to clinical humility than aneurysm of the aorta.” He could have added that it’s a lethal disease, so prevention is better than cure.

December 1, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: What can a psychiatrist tell us about vitamin D?

Winter’s coming, so how much vitamin D do we need? How much time do you have to spend in the sunlight to obtain adequate amounts? How does obesity affect the dosage? How many diseases can be prevented by adequate amounts of this vitamin? And what can a psychiatrist tell us about this vital vitamin?

November 24, 2018 Diet & Fitness

GIFFORD-JONES: Ovarian cancer, the one that whispers

What couldn’t I believe? Discovering that it’s been 42 years since I last wrote about ovarian cancer! During my time as a surgeon, what was my primary concern about this malignancy? And what has happened in the last four decades to bring hope to those diagnosed with this disease?

November 17, 2018 Diet & Fitness

DR. GIFFORD JONES: Can stem cell injections replace hip and knee surgery

What should you do if the doctor says, “You need a hip or knee replacement due to severe arthritis? The time – honoured treatment has been a major operation to replace the injured joint. This may still be the best option for some patients. But how many of these joints could be repaired by stem cell injections, thereby saving the potential complications of surgery?

November 3, 2018 Diet & Fitness