I'm Dr. Simeon Margolis, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Together, let’s explore the issues behind the headlines to help you navigate the health care maze. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:12:14 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14043/6-red-flags-that-its-not-a-cancer-cure/ Often desperate and filled with fear, cancer patients sometimes can't help grasping at straws — and so they start surfing the Internet in search of a cure. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:12:14 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14023/cancer-risk-and-ct-scans-should-you-worry/ While there may be little you can do to avoid receiving CT scans if you've had an accident, here are several questions you might ask your doctors when they recommend an elective CT. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:42:28 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14022/do-healthy-adults-need-an-annual-physical-exam/ Healthy people of all ages truly need reminders to follow preventive measures like getting the flu vaccine, stopping smoking, controlling weight, and improving their diet and exercise routines. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:56:10 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14015/autism-how-it-isolates-a-person/ Although autism continues to receive much attention from the media, many people are unfamiliar with its manifestations in older children and adults. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:59:28 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14013/is-cholesterol-the-ultimate-villain/ Many clinical trials have conclusively shown that lowering LDL cholesterol levels significantly reduces the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:54:05 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14012/will-cleansing-your-colon-do-wonders-for-your-health/ There is precious little supporting evidence that the periodic flushing out of toxins harbored in the colon will cure health problems ranging from obesity to bad breath to headaches. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:06:52 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14006/two-new-drug-warnings/ If you are taking Chantrix, you should promptly tell your doctor if you notice the onset of any psychiatric problems recently mentioned by the FDA. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:36:06 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/14002/can-too-little-sleep-make-you-gain-weight/ Recent studies have linked inadequate amounts of sleep to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of developing diabetes. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:36:05 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/13997/genetic-testing-dos-and-donts/ Up until now, many people have been afraid to submit to genetic testing for fear that abnormal results might adversely affect their health insurance premiums or place their jobs at risk. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:42:25 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/13989/tim-russerts-heart-condition-affects-many/ Medical professionals have been encouraged for some time by the improvements in treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD) and by the greater attention being paid to preventive measures: Over the last 20 years, these two developments have cut deaths from CHD in half. Most lay people, then, were shocked by Tim Russert's unanticipated death (and by those of other relatively young people). And yet such news should really come as no surprise. CHD is still the single most common cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women, and about half of those with CHD do die suddenly and unexpectedly from it. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:30:02 -0800 Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.