One of the most common and vexing medical complaints I see in the office is nausea. Indeed, not a day goes by that a patient does not lament the presence of this uncomfortable and vague sense of distress. This symptom is among the most frustrating for both patients and providers. The reason for this is that in most cases, the complaint cannot be explained. Of course, nausea can have an specific cause which we physicians will try to identify. In these cases, the nausea is usually a secondary effect of another medical condition. In other words, the nausea is not typically caused by actual stomach disease. Patients with viral infections, gallbladder issues, depression, appendicitis, migraines, inner ear disease, pregnancy or marijuana abuse can all experience nausea. And nearly every medicine will have nausea listed among the long list of potential side effects. When I see a patient suffering from years of nausea, how might...
Editor’s Note: For 16 years, I've published weekly essays here on Blogspot, which will continue. I’ve now begun publishing my work on a new blogging platform, Substack, and I hope you’ll join me there. Please enter your email address at this link to receive my posts directly to your inbox. A good friend of mine has contracted with a concierge medical practice. Concierge medicine is also referred to as 'boutique practices' for reasons I will explain below. This is certainly not a new practice model for medical care. Concierge providers came onto the scene decades ago. These patients pay a cash fee to the concierge practices, which can be several thousand dollars annually. This is in addition to the patients’ existing costs for their conventional medical insurance. In return, these patients get supreme VIP medical care. For instance, they may enjoy same-day or next-day access for appointments. The office visits are lengthy and relaxed. And ...