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How Doctors Stay Well Health Secrets from Seven Top Specialists

Nov 15, 2004

How Doctors Stay Well
Health Secrets from Seven Top Specialists

David Borenstein, MD
George Washington University Medical Center
Edward T. Creagan, MD
Mayo Clinic
David Lipschitz, MD, PhD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Sheldon Marks, MD
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Guy McKhann, MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Anil Minocha, MD
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Karl Neumann, MD
Weill-Cornell Medical College

Special from Bottom Line/Personal

Forget about trying to make heads or tails of the latest health news. To stay healthy, just do what the experts do. Here, seven of the country's top specialists reveal how they prevent the ailments they treat... *

CANCER

Edward T. Creagan, MD
Mayo Clinic

I have found that the secret to living a long, healthy life is in what you do every day. What I do...

Eat 100% whole-wheat bread. Most people get less than 10 grams (g) of fiber a day, but we need 25g to 35g. Fiber protects against colon cancer because it whisks toxins from the intestinal tract. Look for bread with three or more grams per slice -- 100% whole-wheat flour should be the first ingredient. My favorite local bakery makes a bread that has 5g of fiber per slice.

Check skin once a month. I pay particular attention to spots that appear and then go away, only to return in the same place. I also watch for areas that are easily irritated when I towel-dry my body. These are warning signs of skin cancer.

Love a pet. Social connectedness, including the unconditional love of a pet, can protect against cancer. My wife and I have two golden retrievers -- Brinkley and Jesse -- and a cat named Reggie. When we saw Brinkley at the Humane Society, with his big brown eyes and three legs, out came the checkbook. We may have saved Brinkley's life, but he gives us the best medicine of all. I often write a "pet prescription" for my patients.

Edward T. Creagan, MD, is a cancer specialist at Mayo Clinic and professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic Medical School, both in Rochester, Minnesota. He is author of How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis (Health Communications). www.hownottobemypatient.com

BACK PAIN

David Borenstein, MD
George Washington University Medical Center

I had one episode of terrible back pain in the early 1990s -- the result of twisting while bending over to pick up a pair of socks. Since then, I've been careful to maintain good posture. In addition...

Stay active even when in pain. Studies show that back pain gets worse when patients give up exercise or daily activities. Move around as much as you're able. Daily walks are ideal.

Take over-the-counter painkillers. I recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as soon as the pain begins. These can reduce the inflammation that causes back pain to linger.

Don't be captive to your computer. Change position once an hour to stretch your muscles and improve circulation.

David Borenstein, MD, is a rheumatologist and clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, and author of Back in Control! (Evans).

COLDS

Karl Neumann, MD
Weill-Cornell Medical College

As a pediatrician, I treat sick children every day, but I only get about three colds a year. To keep viruses at bay...

Wash hands before eating. When I'm working, I wash my hands about 20 times a day, and I always wash my hands before I eat. I recommend that my patients use antibacterial hand wipes if soap and water aren't available.

Beware of doorknobs. Depending on the virus, cold germs can live on inanimate objects for up to several days. At home, we clean the doorknobs. After I use a public bathroom and wash my hands, I use a paper towel to turn the doorknob.

Karl Neumann, MD, is a pediatrician in private practice in Forest Hills, New York, and clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York City.

STROKE AND DEMENTIA

Guy McKhann, MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

You can keep your mind agile and reduce risk of stroke and other neurological diseases if you...

Exercise. I work out at the gym for one hour two days a week. Exercise stimulates the production of trophic factors, substances that the brain needs to stay healthy and recover from injury.

Take a low-dose (81-mg) aspirin every other day. It helps prevent small blood clots that can cause stroke.

Supplement with vitamin E. I take 400 international units (IU) daily. Research strongly suggests that vitamin E can slow the onset of cognitive declines as well as Alzheimer's disease.

Guy McKhann, MD, is professor of neurology and neuroscience and founding chairman of the department of neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore. He is author of Keep Your Brain Young (Wiley).

DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

Anil Minocha, MD
University of Mississippi Medical Center

I take a multivitamin daily to build up immunity. I also...

Eat yogurt daily to replenish bacteria in the colon. The beneficial organisms, or probiotics, in yogurt improve immunity as well as digestion. Stonyfield Farm, one of the best brands, provides about 10 billion organisms per serving.

Take ginger. I chew a fresh slice or use it to make tea daily. Ginger contains enzymes that help digest proteins and reduce inflammation. To make tea: Peel and thinly slice a one-inch piece of fresh ginger. Add 12 ounces of boiling water. Let steep 10 minutes. Makes two cups.

Anil Minocha, MD, is professor of medicine and director of the division of digestive diseases at University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson. He is author of Natural Stomach Care (Avery).

PROSTATE CANCER

Sheldon Marks, MD
University of Arizona College of Medicine

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. My grandfather had it, so my risk is increased. In addition to getting an annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for early detection, I...

Eat broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower and brussels sprouts. I have them at least three times a week. Crucifers contain sulphorophane, a chemical compound proven to detoxify carcinogens.

Take supplements. Research shows that 400 IU of vitamin E and 200 micrograms (mcg) of selenium daily can significantly reduce the incidence of prostate and other cancers.

Watch funny movies. Laughter strengthens the immune system and reduces anxiety. There's Something About Mary and Best in Show are two of my favorites.

Sheldon Marks, MD, is associate clinical professor of urology and clinical lecturer in radiation oncology at University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson. He is author of Prostate and Cancer (Perseus).

LONGER, BETTER LIFE

David Lipschitz, MD, PhD
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The number-one goal of most older adults is to live longer and maintain their independence. To do so...

Nurture relationships. I love my wife, Frances -- to whom I've been married for more than 25 years -- more today than ever before. All deep relationships boost health.

Have faith, even if you're not religious. I always considered myself an agnostic, but since the tragedy of 9/11, I have become more spiritual. Research clearly shows that people with spiritual beliefs -- in God or simply in the wisdom of the universe -- experience more tranquility and cope with illness better.

Don't diet. I can't emphasize this enough. The long-running Framingham Heart Study found that people of "average" weight -- those who are a little heavy but not obese -- live just as long as those who are at their so-called ideal weight.

David Lipschitz, MD, PhD, is chair of the department of geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and director of Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging, both in Little Rock. He is author of Breaking the Rules of Aging (LifeLine).

*Always consult your doctor before starting any medications or supplements.