On Tuesday evening, December 17, the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series spotlighted a semi-annual virtual lecture on the newest things in medicine, hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim. Dr. Mel Breite, Founder and Director of the lecture series, was the featured speaker. He greeted everyone and shared that the lecture would be partly a musar lesson.

He shared that things are changing in medicine, while at the same time certain things remain the same. “Make sure to maintain a normal weight and to avoid processed foods. Keep up with regular medical check-ups and take your prescription medicines.” When you see your doctor, make sure to specifically ask why he is recommending any particular test. Make sure they justify every test they order. Insurance companies are now allowing annual check-ups to be covered. See your dentist regularly and schedule your mammogram, colonoscopy, and ophthalmologist or optometrist appointments. Also make sure you have appropriate vaccines. Flu season begins in December. He recommends taking flu and pneumonia shots.

Dr. Breite then listed common problems that people neglect. These include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. These are known as the metabolic syndrome. Taking care of these issues can prolong your life. High blood pressure needs to be lowered to 130/80, which is normal. One study showed that if blood pressure on the upper number was lowered to 120, this improved stroke and heart attack prevention. Dr. Breite added that 100 and 110 as the upper number are normal. While 140 or 150 are not normal. There are many medicines that treat blood pressure. High blood pressure used to be treated with diuretics, but most authorities recommend sartans. Side effects with this drug are not frequent. A new drug soon to be added is nifedipine. Water pills and beta blockers are added later if needed.

Studies today show that when people with high blood sugars go on diabetes medicine early, it prevents complications of the disease later. Complications include kidney and eye problems. See an endocrinologist for the best treatment for diabetes.

There are new drugs for acid reflux and ulcers. There is a new effective medicine that is about to be approved called Vonoprazan. There is also a new medicine for urinary tract infections called penicillium.

He then spoke about Vitamin D. It was elevated as a universal panacea for everything. Then experts said it wasn’t. The endocrine society recommends for children up to 18 to make sure their Vitamin D levels are normal. The normal level for adults is 20. Adults up to age 70 need 600 units a day. Adults over 70 should take 800 units daily. Dr. Breite quipped, “My opinion is that the researchers earned a “D!”

There are a lot of medicines used for new purposes now. Some of these include medicines for arthritis and strokes. There is a medicine now to prevent diabetic eye disease and to delay retinopathy. Some diabetes medicines like semaglutides are used to decrease kidney stones and some kinds of arthritis and heart failure.

A fascinating study showed that people who smeared Neosporin in their nose after contact with a cold, prevented catching a full-blown cold. This is being studied now. There is a new nasal spray called neffy.

If you have a heart murmur, you should make sure to have an echocardiogram, which could inform the doctor if you need a valve replacement. The earlier you do the valve replacement, the better off you are.

A drug that treated diabetes for the past 50 years, metformin, was discovered to be able to induce spermatogenesis.

To prevent night cramps, it’s important to do stretching. A study this year showed that Vitamin K2 works for night cramps. The amount to take has not been determined.

It’s important to reduce cholesterol. A Chinese study showed that people with high cholesterol who took statins had 30% fewer heart attacks and strokes. If your LDL is higher than 120, start taking statins right away. Statins have few side effects.

A blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease was developed in Sweden and was 90% effective. It is not yet available. There are two drugs for treating amyloid that help stop the progression of Alzheimer’s. The data is not good. The drugs are expensive, and chances are insurance companies will not approve these.

He spoke about the problem of overuse of antibiotics. “Don’t take antibiotics unless you need them.” He also spoke about watchful waiting with PSA that is high instead of rushing into unnecessary treatments.

He also advised not to get medical care from “Dr. Google.”

The community is very grateful for Dr. Breite’s wonderful lecture series that is in its 14th year. May we all share good health together for many years to come.