Chronic Pain
Those individuals with chronic pain are often challenged or misunderstood. They are often asked to prove they have an ongoing potentially disabling problem objectively, and without a dramatic test result, may be considered to be overreacting to their problem. This can leads to difficult situations with interactions with physicians, family members and other relevant contacts.

Now’s the time to take science seriously

Looking at the enormous changes the world has experienced over the past century, it’s clear that the most powerful force shaping our lives and society was not politics or economics but science when applied by business, the pharmaceutical and medical industries, and the military. Think of the impact of antibiotics, chainsaws, nuclear weapons, computers, oral contraceptives, cars, television – the list is long.

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is now a leader in the campaign to eliminate toxic chemicals across the country.

Its greatest success has been in the area of reducing lawn and garden pesticides.  Over the last few years, CAPE doctors have worked hard to win pesticide prohibitions in a number of Canadian cities including Toronto, Peterborough, London, Markham and Hamilton. In 2008, they won a provincial pesticide ban that covers all of Ontario.

Osterman PO et al. Weekly periodicity of headache and the effect of changes in weather on headache. Ups J. Med Sci Suppl 1980;31 23-26. (ring a bell anyone?)

Villeneuve PJ, Szyszkowicz, M, Stieb D, Bourque DA Weather and emergency room visits for migraine headaches in Ottawa, Canada. Headache 2006;46:64-72

Iguacu Falls, which lies at the junction of Brazil and Argentina, rivals Niagara Falls in stunning beauty. Iguacu is longer by far, stretching over several kilometers, with islands between parts of the falls. Except in one place, however, it is not as thunderous. That place is known as The Devil's Throat. By a trick of geography it is possible to stand very close to the waters rushing down the throat. You stand, however, below the crest of the falls, to one side, looking up at its might.

I was in B.A. two years ago, for the second time. There are many good reasons for going to this great, faded, safe, European city, with excellent food and reasonable prices, but for us the reason is Argentine Tango... the dance that is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire. We go a couple of times a week to learn and try out what we've learnt, and it's great.

I was in Cambodia for a conference a couple of months ago. Along the road from our hotel was a children's hospital and, being a doc, I asked to look round it. That's where I found out about a swiss doc called Beat Richner who gets my vote as saint of his generation. 

The effect of ambient temperatures on glucose tolerance and its implications for the tropics. Akanji-A-O et al in Tropical and Geographical Medicine 43(3): 283-287 1991===Biometeorology:linking weather and health. Jane Wilson in Can Med Association J. vol 132, March 15 1985====Recognizing fibromyalgia.

It's fifty years since the great smog in London. I was a young stripling when the world disappeared into a grey green cloud. It was good fun, of course, because breathing thick, dirty, cold smoke 24/7 it did not bother me...

From time to time I'll list a few references that scientifically oriented readers can chase up if they wish. So here goes: Prince P.B. 16 July 2004 Weather can trigger migraine. in the journal: Headache==== Choisnel et al 1987 Weather and acute cardiovascular attacks. statistical analysis and results. Experentia 43, pp. 27-32==== Banton D et al British J Prev Soc Med 1977 31 pp 49-53==== Goldstein F. 1980 Weather patterns and asthma epidemics in New York and New Orleans, Int J. Biomet. 24, nr 4 pp 329-339====