Dr. William M. Healy, MDVIP

It has been difficult to find an article to post that is NOT Covid-19 related. But here is one about a class of diabetic medications known at SGLT2 inhibitors that have been shown to protect against kidney disease. A serious complication of Diabetes Mellitus is kidney disease which can progress to dialysis. These SGLT2 drugs (Invokana, Jardiance, and Farxiga are some examples) have recently been shown in a recent BMJ article to reduced risk of serious renal events when compared to another group of diabetic medications. I have found that these drugs work well and are well tolerated. https://medicalxpress.com//2020-04-diabetes-drugs-kidney-p

Another old drug to the rescue? Researchers are continuing to look at old drugs that may fight against the Covid-19 virus. It looks like Hydroxychloroquine may not pan out since a recent study in VA patients did not show any benefit. But now along comes Ivermectin which is a old drug used to treat parasitic infections including scabies. In cell cultures, Ivermectin wipes out the Covid-19 virus in just 48 hours. There are no human trials yet, but Ivermectin is very widely used in parasitic disease and seen as a safe drug. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com//could-an-antiparasitic-d

Here is something non-Covid-19. There may soon be a urine test to aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. This would certainly beat the pain and inconvenience of multiple prostate biopsies. Researchers have found that men with prostate cancer may have cancer-specific changes in urinary RNAs and metabolites that can be detected with a simple urine test. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com//prostate-cancer-noninvas

Looking for the fountain of young? It looks like we need to get some" Yamanaka factors". These are a panel of proteins involved in embryonic development. Researchers have found that elderly mice regained their youthful strength when their muscle stem cells were exposed to these proteins. Hopefully they will start working on this in earnest once this Coronavirus calms down https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas/2020//200324090007.htm

Even though Covid-19 is shutting down the planet, you can still go out for a walk and enjoy the outdoors. Just keep a distance from those around you. Walking has been shown to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease. Walking is also a great stress reliever in these difficult times and the weather should be getting better soon. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com//walking-more-linked-with