Category: Science and Medicine
Wrong About Polio: A Review of Suzanne Humphries, MD and Roman Bystrianyk’s “Dissolving Illusions” Part 1 (the short version)
Suzanne Humphries and Roman Bystrianyk's book Dissolving Illusions make numerous egregious errors or deceptive statements about polio. Here is part 1 in a series about the truth and true impacts of polio.
A Common Virus Wreaks Uncommon Havoc in a New Jersey Nursing Home for Medically Fragile Children
Ten children have died in the past few weeks as a result of a common viral infection that typically causes mild symptoms. But there is much more to the many adenoviruses than meets the eye.
A Review of Flipping The Script: Parents Fight Back
Jeff Witzeman has released a new documentary on cancer, Flipping the Script: Parents Fight Back. It is terrible and dangerous.
A Call for Caution on Antioxidant Supplementation
Antioxidants have gotten a lot of press here on SBM; this post digs a little deeper into the basic science of antioxidants, and the importance of understanding more than just one part of a complex biological system before you interfere with it.
The Return of the Miscellany of Medical Malarkey Strikes Back
The flu season is upon us, as is the first pediatric death. A polio-like illness is spreading, and experts are baffled. Kids probably shouldn't be around giant spinning metallic blades. Magic tape! You guessed it, another miscellany of medical malarkey has risen from the grave.
Drugs in your supplements
Supplements are a billion-dollar business, but quality control is questionable. A new study shows that supplements may be adulterated with unlabelled prescription drugs.
Debunking the magical power of the placebo effect for chronic pain (yet again)
The opioid crisis and growing awareness of the dangers of addiction to pain medication are prompting renewed calls for the use of pill placebos in place of active treatments, backed by familiar claims about the magical powers of the placebo.
Vigorous Chiropractic Adjustment Associated with Potentially Serious Eye Injury
Can vigorous adjustment of the neck cause direct injury to your eye? Probably, but I don't know. This is based on a single case report. Still, I wouldn't take the chance. And why do I keep mentioning dugongs?
AAFP should publish research behind finding that functional medicine lacks evidence, contains harmful and dangerous practices
For the public's health and safety, the American Academy of Family Physicians should publish their research behind their claims that functional medicine lacks evidence, and contains harmful and dangerous practices.
A Recent Case Report Highlights Why Skipping the Chickenpox Vaccine is a Bad Idea
Chickenpox is a nasty infection. And though it isn't as deadly as some other vaccine-preventable illnesses, it can cause severe complications even in healthy kids, especially those too young to be vaccinated against it. Ignore anyone who shrugs it off as "no big deal".