Everyone poops. I learned that from children's books from when my kids were little. I've also earned a living learning that lesson (i.e I'm a gastroenterologist). Since COVID is shed in poop, one way to track population experience of the pandemic is by testing wastewater. In communities throughout [Read More]
Fox 7 Austin
Blood Clots and COVID-19
I'm getting really tired of pandemics. I wish we could just move on. Sadly we can't. It still here. That's the truth. While I empathize with the protestors during this civil unrest, I fervently wish they all would wear masks, and if they can't stay a meter apart, then at least wear gloves. This [Read More]
Toxic Algae Symptoms
Toxic blue-green Algae has been infesting Lady Bird Lake in Austin as well as lakes and rivers around the country. Four dogs have died from exposure to the algae in Austin alone. While no harm has been reported in humans in Austin, there is a potential risk. Blue green algae appears in nutrient rich [Read More]
Do genetics or nature impact a person’s health more?
DNA or zip code? Which has greater impact on your health? Of course the answer is the same as it ever was. Both! This study in Nature was interesting though in it's methodology. It used the Aetna database and found 56,000 twin pairs and studied them until age 24 (while they were on their parents [Read More]
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory Syncytial Virus infects nearly every child by age 2. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, and that confounded cough! A staccato cough that can keep a child from sleeping. Our second child had this as a newborn and it was disconcerting but she did well. (Thanks to a couple of sleepless [Read More]
Prostate Cancer Awareness
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Kumar interviewed Dr. Shaw from Urology Austin to discuss the pros and cons of screening for prostate cancer. [Read More]
