Monday, February 14, 2011 on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119: Doctor Radio!

Happy Valentines day everybody! We have a special show Monday, where I will broadcast from Sirius Central!

How can you have Valentine's day without candy? Join me and Beth Kimmerle, a chocolate and candy expert and the author of two books on the history of candy, as we talk about the history of candy. Did you know that research from 1928 showed that 1) candy was a food and that 2) you could lose weight with it?

If you have any questions about the history candy (I want to find out who created those little hearts with sayings on them) call us at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

We are continuing are candy theme for our second half hour as well! I will be joined by The Medicine Hunter, Chris Kilham, who hunts the world looking for traditional, plant based medicines. He is the author of 14 books and the host of the TV show "Medicine Trails." Chris will be talking to us about the new science of cocoa therapy. Is eating chocolate good for you? If so, how much? Listen and find out!

If you have any questions at all about staying healthy with chocolate...or any other natural compounds...give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

What happens when someone decides to leave medicine? Dr. Maggie Kozel the author of “The Color of Atmosphere: One Doctor’s Journey In and Out of Medicine," will be joining us to tell about her journey from Georgetown Medical School, to a Naval Pediatrics practice, to private practice, and then to being a high school chemistry teacher. Find out what she enjoyed about being a practicing physician, what she didn't like, and why she chose to leave.

If you've ever wondered about what your doctor is "really thinking" give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

We will end the show with "Ask Doctor Ira," where you can ask me any medical questions on any topic at all: anything you forgot to ask your doctor, ask me!"

Call us with your questions at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!


The chocolate heart pictured above is actually for sale here!

Monday, February 7th, 2011 on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119: Doctor Radio!

I hope every enjoys their Superbowl. We have a great show planned for tomorrow.

Starting with...social media. Kevin Pho, the blogger known as KevinMD will be joining us. Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) is starting to change how medicine is practiced. Find out how all this computer stuff is starting to change how we interact as doctors and patients, and what its all going to mean soon.

Wondering if Twitter is really going to change your relationship with your doctor? Want to tell us a story if it has...give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

Did you see those guys shoveling snow before the Superbowl? In Texas! Even watching it gave me back pain. If you've had back pain you are going to want to hear what my next guest has to say. Dr. Preston Phillips is the Section Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at the Warren Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma will be talking to us about his book: "Your Aching Back: A Doctor's Guide to Relief," which was recently updated! Find out how to avoid back pain, and if you have it, how to make it better!

If you have any questions about back pain or back surgery, give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

I have to admit: I spend most of my time on the "Doctor Ira Breite Show" thinking about medicine today: after all its what I do all day, and a big part of practicing medicine is helping people with the best tools available today. But what about tomorrow? Dr. Stephen Badylak, DVM, PhD, a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, and featured in the new National Geographic TV Documentary "Explorer, How to Build a Beating Heart," will be joining us to talk about the future of medicine. Find out if its possible to regrow a finger!

If you have any questions about where medicine is "going" give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

We're going to end the show with Ask Dr. Ira, where you can ask me any question you want on any medical topic at all...anything you forgot to ask your doctor...ask me!

Give us a call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

The Doctor's and staff of Westside Medical Associates wishes everybody a happy and safe Superbowl today!

Monday, January 31st 2011 on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119

Stomach problems are a major part of what I take care of on a daily basis. So I am very excited that a large part of our show will be devoted to "Digestive Issues." A great breakfast show indeed!

Jaqueline Wolf, MD is an Associate Professor of Gastroenterology at Harvard Medical School and a pioneer in the field of women's gastroenterology. She has just written a book called "A Woman's Guide to a Healthy Stomach." Join us as we talk about common digestive problems in women (and men!) and answer your questions at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

In our second , its time for another episode of Doctor Ira's "Ripped From the Headlines." Hear about some of the latest advances in gastroenterology; from the important (risk of bleeding in aspirin takers) to the weird (peppermint oil for irritable bowel). I will also be answering your questions at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

We're going to expand the questions in the top of our second hour with a full "Ask Doctor Ira," where you can ask me any questions on any medical topic at all and I will be glad to answer! Anything you forgot to ask your doctor ask me at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

We're going to end the show with an interview from the other side of the world. Dr. Sarah Medland of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia is going to talk to us about the genetic epidemiology of curly hair. I hope to find out how my dad has a great wave, and all I'm going to have is the need for a good weave! We'll also be joined by Ms. Loraine Massey, the co-owner of the famed Devachan Salons and the author of the new book "Curly Girl, the Handbook."

So, if you are a curly girl (or boy), and want to know about either the science of how you got there or what to do to just look good give us call at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

Monday, January 24th on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119

March may be colon cancer prevention month, but we wanted to start 2011 off right by talking about how you can prevent colon cancer in your loved ones. Join me and Dr. Carol Burke, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and the author of "Colonoscopy for Dummies," which is available free at this link!

Call us with all of your colonoscopy questions at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

One problem with colonoscopy is that its rather invasive: a lot of people don't even want blood tests. What if you could get important clinical information from your saliva? Join me and Penn State Psychoneuroendocrinologist (how would you say that on Twitter?) Dr. Douglas Granger as we talk about his research on using saliva in a variety of laboratory measurements. I am extremely fascinated by his recent study on measuring cortisol levels during times of stress.

Wondering if you can avoid a blood test? Call us with your saliva testing questions at 1-877-NYU-DOCS.

One of the big issues with prevention is whether we diagnose things too early. An example: if you diagnose someone elderly with prostate cancer early, there is an excellent chance that something else will kill them long before the cancer ever becomes even symptomatic. Much of what we do as physicians is try to prevent: with cholesterol and hypertension medicines, with blood tests like the PSA and with mammograms and colonoscopies. Are we going to far? My next guest thinks we have: join me and Dartmouth Internist and Professor of Medicine Dr. H. Gilbert Welch as we talk about his new book: "Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health." How much do physicians overdo it, and are people willing to give up the things they think will help them?

If you think you're getting tests you don't need call us at 877-NYU-DOCS! If you think that tests, even with minimal benefit, are a good idea, call us at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

We'll end the show with Ask Dr. Ira, where you can ask me any questions on any medical topic you might have, and I will be happy to answer your questions...anything you forgot to ask your doctor, ask me! We'll be joined by special guest pediatrician Doctor Tanya R. Altmann.

Call us at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

Happy Martin Luther King Day

This Monday, the office will be open in the early morning only...please call for any urgent appointments.

My radio show will be a replay...please listen on Sirius 114 and XM 119.

There is a normal endoscopy and colonoscopy schedule for Monday late morning and afternoon at Eastside Endoscopy.

Monday, January 10, 2011 on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119: Doctor Radio

Old giants, new technologies and a new you! We have a really interesting show lined up for you this Monday.

First the giants. Charles Byrne was enormous: seven feet seven inches at a minimum. Before dying of tuberculosis and a love of gin in 1783, he was a successful circus freak in London. Although it was long suspected that he had a tumor in his pituitary as a cause of his height, recently the actual mutation that he had was isolated by scientists in London. Join me and NYU endocrinologist Dr. Stuart Weiss as we talk about how a 250 year old dead giant might affect cancer treatments for you and your family!

I don't know how many times I hear "I checked this out on the internet..." as I speak to patients about their medical issues. I must admit that I have not heard "I twittered my symptoms and now have some questions for you!." But social media and medicine is coming...so they tell me. Join me and Mr. Phil Bauman, an RN, who runs "Health is Social.com," a website about the intersection of social media and medicine.

Join in by calling us (old media) at 1-877-NYU-DOCS or tweeting me (@doctorira) during the show...we'll see how that works!

We have a program switch. Ask Doctor Ira will be at the top of the hour, 9 AM Eastern. Ask me about your medical problems at 1-877-NYU-DOCS or tweet me at @doctorira (yeah, we'll see if that works). We will also talk about new potential treatments in IBS.

Yes, its after New Years...resolutions to stop smoking, drink less, and of course, get into shape, abound. Can you do it? Well, my next guest thinks you can. Timothy Ferriss, the author of the new book: "THE 4-HOUR BODY: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman." Hear what he has to say, and ask him questions about his plan at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!

Monday, January 3rd on the Doctor Ira Breite Show on Sirius 114 and XM 119: Doctor Radio

Happy New Years and welcome back. Here is a brief rundown of tomorrow's show.

Jules Shepard, the author of "Free For all Cooking" and a celiac disease patient will be joining us along with Roben Ryberg the author of the Ultimate Gluten Free Cookie Book. Celiac patients can start the New Years off right!

Erik Olson of the the Director of the Pew Health Group Food Program will join us to talk about the Food Safety Modernization Act.

If you've ever wanted to eat like a caveman (what do cavemen eat?) you won't want to miss Robb Wolf of Art De Vany, the authors, respectively, of The Paleo Solution - The Original Human Diet" and "The New Evolution Diet: What Our Paleolithic Ancestors Can Teach Us About Weight Loss, Fitness, and Aging."

We will end the show with Ask Doctor Ira: where you can ask me any medical question on any medical topic at all...anything you forgot to ask your doctor ask me! Call us at 1-877-NYU-DOCS!