I had prepared a longer newsletter, but computer problems destroyed it, so my apologies. Our technology has now advanced to the point that the old, "My dog ate my homework" can now be true - as long as you name your computer Rover. The good news is that my web site is now operational: www.carlstonmd.com

Although it will continue to grow with more functions, including purchasing supplements online, right now you can access most of the old newsletters, other newly written information, office directions and links. Your comments and suggestions are more than welcome.

Best,
Michael Carlston

• Reading Between The Lines - Medical Research
• Butterbur And Allergies
  

Although research is a very important tool to help develop understanding of health care therapies and practices, it can be misleading. Recently a study found that there was no connection between computer work and repetitive stress injury (i.e., carpal tunnel, etc). The widely publicized study seemed to fly in the face of clinical experience. Well, now we have a study which shows that good ergonomic design of work stations reduced that rate of all computer related symptoms (including RSI of hand, wrist, elbow shoulder and back as well as eye strain) by over 40%.

As Mark Twain liked to say (borrowing from Benjamin Disraeli), "There are three kinds of lies, lies, damned lies and statistics".

Remember to cautiously read news articles regarding the latest health discoveries. Often there are other studies "proving" the opposite, or even more likely, the author of the article does not know how to see the problems in the study design, which can lead to false conclusions. Even physicians commonly misinterpret studies. We have a process of "peer review" in place at all of the best medical journals. The very best typically send every article submitted for publication to three reviewers. I am a reviewer for the Journal of the American Medical Association and a few other medical journals. As our job is to find the flaws in these studies, I am very impressed by how difficult it is to conduct a good clinical trial which gives us meaningful results.

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Fans of The Lord of the Rings might remember Butterbur, but for the wrong reasons. In addition to being a harried inn manager who forgets important messages, butterbur is a Scottish herb used to relieve hay fever. One recent study compared the herb to Claritin, and found that it worked at least as well, without the adverse effects of Claritin. Ever since the newer class of antihistamines started being withdrawn because people died from heart irregularities, I have been anxious about their use. Although more extensive experience and research support trying homeopathic remedies, nettle and other supplements first, clearly butterbur is another option worth considering.

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