Reversing Mark Twain, rumors of our longevity in the present location have been greatly exaggerated. Yes, the reassurances we received about continuing our lease proved false. We are to relocate by June 1. The precise date and location are, as yet, unresolved. Hopefully, it will all be settled quite soon.

The feedback on the Jeff Leiken seminar two weeks ago was very positive. For those parents who missed it, another meeting with Jeff will take place at the Santa Rosa home of Heidi Harris, this Thursday evening March 24, from 7:30 to 9 PM. Please call her at 526-1909 for directions and to RSVP.

Best, Michael Carlston, M.D.
www.carlstonmd.com 
707-545-1554

Adding further to the deserved controversy about Ritalin, we have a report about potentially cancer causing effects of the medication. Scientists discovered that Ritalin causes cellular changes typical of cancer when tissues were exposed to moderate doses. This does not mean that Ritalin causes cancer in human beings. It does mean that it may. It also adds another reason for attempting safer treatments first. That approach is always wise.

Texas investigators reported an interesting series of 33 patients they treated with red contact lenses. These patients had noticed that lights tended to increase or trigger their headaches. This is a common experience among migraine sufferers. 31 of the 33 had relief within 90 minutes without taking any pain pills. Those two patients had nonmigraine causes for their headaches. Of the 31 migraine sufferers, only 5 had any pain at all at 90 minutes. Those five gave the pain at 90 minutes a rating of 0.5 to 1.5 of 10 where 10 was the worst pain imaginable. Five patients reported complete relief in under 10 seconds. The average patient was 50% relieved after 20 minutes.

The contacts were dark red and filtered 80% of incoming light including 90% of light 600 nm or less. They allowed 90% of longer wavelengths.

Although a placebo-controlled follow up is necessary, this looks quite promising, not least because it is so nontoxic.

Patients whose hearts do not pump very well have what we call heart failure. When the heart failure is bad enough, the person can’t exercise much because their heart can’t support the activity. After a while, simply sitting on the couch is exercise for these people. There is evidence that mind-body activities can help by reduce the nervous system’s fight against the heart. One study randomly split 30 patients into two groups, one advised to practice tai chi three times a week as taught by a videotape given to the subjects. The other 15 were an intervention free control group. After 12 weeks all but one outcome measure showed a significant benefit for those in the tai chi group.

Although doctors have been using topical steroids for irritant contact dermatitis for 50 years, the practice was solely based upon theory. Turns out that research shows steroids either don’t help or make it worse. So rashes with really dry irritated skin from harsh soap, chemicals, rubber gloves, sodium lauryl sulfate, fiberglass or solvents, should not be further irritated by slathering them with steroids. Uses good moisturizers instead. FYI- Allergic contact dermatitis (think poison oak for example) is another matter.