Dr. Robot
The idea of a carefree life with loyal robots available to do our work for us has always had some appeal — think back to the Jetsons, Star Wars, and Buck Rogers. But doing dishes for us is one thing. Doing surgery on us is another thing entirely.
That’s exactly what about 300 hospitals around the country are doing. They shelled out $1 million apiece for a da Vinci robot and are touting it as the new, less-invasive approach to myomectomies to remove uterine fibroids without eliminating fertility — along with a host of other common surgical procedures.
In theory, it sounds great: The less invasive, the better. And a myomectomy, which removes the fibroids but not the entire uterus or ovaries, is certainly a better option that a hysterectomy.
But a while back, I wrote to you about another less invasive technique called uterine artery embolization (UAE) that is not only minimally invasive, but doesn’t require a million-dollar robot to be performed. This procedure is done by an interventional radiologist and involves placing a small catheter into an artery in the groin and directing it to the blood supply of the fibroids. Little plugs are injected through the catheter to block these arteries. This causes the fibroids to shrink and disappear. By all accounts so far, it also seems to preserve fertility, shorten recovery time, and is much less invasive than the more common surgical options.
As promising as the UAE procedure is, it remains in the “experimental” category in this country and is not widely known or performed. Which begs the question — why the rush to million-dollar robots when a simple catheterization procedure could do the trick more simply, and certainly in a more cost-effective format?
The answer, I’m afraid, lies with the State Department, and a $21 billion program (compliments of Boeing) called Future Combat Systems. What does this have to do with your uterine fibroids? Everything, I’m afraid.
You see, the daVinci robot is the obsolete technology from the early days of this program. After the military deemed it a step in the right direction, but not something they could use, the company that developed the da Vinci obtained FDA approval for its use in civilian surgery. With this much money on the line — and the promise that one day robots could perform medical and other battlefield tasks in place of humans one day — I doubt it’s the last we’ll see of recycled robotics coming through our hospitals. But is it good medicine, or social and military experiment?
I’ll let you be the judge. I’ll just say that we should be willing to question new technology as it comes up and is marketed to us as better than anything else out there. If you are willing to be part of an experiment of this nature, that’s up to you. Lots of people opt for experimental procedures every day — and they have their reasons. Personally, I’d just like to KNOW when I’m part of an experiment, and decide for myself if I’m a willing subject.
****************************************************
Seeing clearly
Q: I am 85 years young and have a developing cataract in my one eye. It’s beginning to slow me down a bit and I’m not quite ready for the rocking chair. What do you recommend?
JVW: Cataracts, or clouding of the lens of the eye, are one of the leading causes of blindness in older people. Two contributing factors to the formation of cataracts are oxidative stress and excess blood sugar. The lens of the eye will collect sugar when the levels are high in the blood but it has nowhere to store it. So it condenses in the lens and becomes a cataract. This is why diabetics are prone to developing cataracts.
First, eliminate your consumption of refined sugar and products that contain refined sugar.
Next, stock up on antioxidants. Vitamin A is very important. I’ve found that 40,000 IU of vitamin A (not beta carotene) is beneficial for those with cataracts. It doesn’t usually make them go away, but it does help stop their growth and progression. I recommend the “micelized” liquid form because the body more readily absorbs it.
Bilberry is also a powerful antioxidant that can halt the progression of cataracts. A good dose for cataracts is 60-180 milligrams three times per day. With bilberry, it is important to make sure your product has a 25 percent standardized anthocyanidin content.
You can also use eye drops with the antioxidant N-acetylcarnosine. In a 2002 study of older eyes with cataracts, researchers found that N-acetylcarnosine drops improved visual acuity and glare sensitivity in just six months. I’ve used a brand in my practice called CAN-C but there are several brands of drops on the market.
One more thing to try is Hachimijiogan or Ba-wei-wan, a group of Chinese herbs. I recommend a brand called Clinical Nutrients for the Eyes. You can find both CAN-C and Clinical Nutrients for the Eyes at some natural foods stores, compounding pharmacies, and online.
****************************************************
What is…hachimijiogan?
Hachimijiogan, also called Ba-wei-wan, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formula that is believed to restore the function of old degenerated organs. There are 43 studies in the National Institute of Health database that back up various claims about its efficacy in the treatment of dementia, diabetic oxidative stress, infertility, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and increasing HDL levels while lowering LDL.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healin
Sources:
“Pentagon invests in using robots to operate on wounded soldiers,” USA Today, 3/28/2005
Babizhayev MA, Deyev AI, Yermakova VN, et al. “Efficacy of N-acetylcarnosine in the treatment of cataracts.” Drugs R D 2002; 3(2): 87-103
Haranaka R, Okada N, Kosoto H, et al. “Pharmacological action of hachimijiogan (Ba-wei-wan) on the metabolism of aged subjects.” Am J Chin Med 1986; 14(1-2): 59-67
