Viruses are a string of proteins encapsulated by a membrane, which become intracellular to duplicate and spread. Inside the cell the virus loses its outer membrane, and duplicates the string of viral proteins with a new outer membrane. When viruses enter cells previously infected with intracellular bacteria, the virus can evolve into new variants due to the mixing of co-infections or due to diminished cell function caused by a chronic intracellular infection. The variation in underlying chronic intracellular infections in…..
Others are now advocating the repurposing of drugs we already have for covid19, while we wait for new antiviral drugs and covid19 vaccines. We previously reported azithromax has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, and can prevent blood clots and heart attacks from a viral infection; and that imervectin may be beneficial in covid19, based on laboratory studies. The NIH has now withdrawn its objection to imervectin for covid19, and takes no position on its use for covid19. We already have…..
A beautiful picture of the Rio Grande gorge, by Elijah S Rael, which seems an appropriate image in a time of great divides across society. We need bridges across the many divides in society and the many great divides in medicine. We hope our book will provide a bridge to new ways of thinking in medicine.
After his residency, Dr. Merchant worked 5 years in an area where parasitic disease was common, due to contaminated drinking water and contact with animals. He observed that chronic parasitic disease led to other chronic diseases, and that chronic diseases developed in younger patients. Mebendazole is an anti-parasitic drug, for parasites and worms, which is one of the most under-utilized drugs in medicine. Mebendazole was not used frequently enough, in the U.S.; thus, manufacturers raised the price beyond reason……
Antibodies detected in blood, bodily fluids, and tissue include IgA, IgG, and IgM. IgA and IgM are a response to acute infection. IgG antibodies take at least ten days to form and thereafter provide immunity against bacterial and viral infection. Saliva PCR testing for covid19 detects the presence of the covid19 spike protein, and not the type of antibodies present. Saliva testing for the type of antibodies can be done, and would reveal if the patient has an active covid19…..
Cats are the only known reservoir for toxoplasma gondii, a parasite transmitted from cats to humans, which causes toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is assumed to be a self-limiting disease in patients older than five; and only warrants treatment in patients under five. Toxoplasmosis should not be assumed to be self-limiting or harmless. Parasites live off the energy of the host, can spread silently to preferred locations in the body over decades, and can survive and multiply as long as the host lives……
A beautiful photo of the sunset at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on September 4, 2020, taken by Elija Rael, another great photographer in northern NM. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is on the cover of our book and the FB page, to symbolize crossing the great divides in medicine. The two eagles fly over the gorge toward the mountain, reaching for new heights and finding new wisdom in medicine, for the benefit of all.
In 1946, Dr. William Banbridge said the search to eradicate the scourge [of cancer] “has been left to incidental dabbling and uncoordinated research”. The problem persists today, in that research is fragmented, and separated from medical practice and patient care. It is hard to find a cure for a chronic disease when one does not know the cause of the chronic disease. Searching for cures, without knowing the cause, leads to random and fragmented research; and development of long-term…..
For National Glaucoma Awareness Month, we offer a few observations. Glaucoma is defined as high intraocular pressure, which has damaged the optic nerve. Glaucoma gradually shrinks the visual field, and in rare cases causes vision loss. Normal intraocular pressure is maintained in the anterior chamber angle (trabecular meshwork), which should be open for 360 degrees. (Acute angle closure is a medical emergency.) Glaucoma has also been described as epithelial dysfunction and/or endothelial dysfunction, in the anterior chamber angle, causing loss…..
We have previously written about the benefits of Azithromax (Z-pack) in a variety of chronic diseases—and about early treatment of intracellular infections to limit the risk of developing a chronic infection. Azithromax is safe and available, and has been shown to be effective at stopping inflammation and blood clots, after influenza and other viral illnesses. Azithromax has been shown to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events in patients with cardiac disease. Azithromax and is now being considered as a…..