Alan L. Rubin, MD - Endocrinologist & Dummies Health Author

Medical Procedures You Don’t Need

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:14:00 +0000

Seven tests that are frequently done that often lead to false positive results and sometimes to disastrous treatments. Continue reading →

Reducing Blood Pressure without Drugs

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:16:50 +0000

Reduction of blood pressure without using drugs. Continue reading →

New Exercise Discoveries For Diabetes

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:33:29 +0000

Aerobic versus resistance exercise in diabetes. Continue reading →

New-Old Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:59:20 +0000

Two old drugs that are finding new uses in diabetes. Continue reading →

Diabetic Neuropathy: Entrapment Neuropathies

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:03:48 +0000

Nerve damage due to the trapping of nerves as they pass through bones. Continue reading →

Diabetic Neuropathy: Loss of Voluntary Movement Nerves and Automatic Nerves

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:06:04 +0000

This article explains diabetic neuropathy involving the nerves that affect movement, both voluntary and involuntary. Continue reading →

Diabetic Neuropathy: Loss of Sensation

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:36:08 +0000

The article describes the main nervous system complications of diabetes associated with loss of sensation as opposed to loss of movement. Continue reading →

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:36:02 +0000

This article is an introduction to one of the common complications of diabetes, neuropathy or nerve damage. Continue reading →

ObamaCare: On Balance, A Good Thing

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:48:21 +0000

This article expresses my opinion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare. In a word, I like it. Continue reading →

What Is Thyroiditis?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:04:58 +0000

This article tells you about the various forms of thyroiditis, including chronic thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis and acute thyroidiitis. Continue reading →

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:48:56 +0000

Treatment of high blood pressure requires a willingness to change your lifestyle and to take medications regularly if this is necessary. Continue reading →

Signs, Symptoms and Complications of High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:46:52 +0000

Part two of a three part discussion on high blood pressure. This part describes the signs, symptoms, and complications of high blood pressure. Continue reading →

What is High Blood Pressure? How is Blood Pressure Measured?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:00:36 +0000

This first part of a three part series on high blood pressure will provide an overview of high blood pressure. The second part will discuss the signs, symptoms, and complications of high blood pressure, and the final part will describe the treatment of high blood pressure. Continue reading →

Are You at Risk for Prediabetes?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:43:54 +0000

Are you at risk for prediabetes? This risk quiz can help you identify the most important signs and symptoms that point to prediabetes. Continue reading →

Gestational Diabetes and Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:00:03 +0000

What is gestational diabetes? How do you test for it? What are the risks if untreated? How can you reduce the risk? What about hypothyroidism during pregnancy? Continue reading →

Diabetes Mellitus: What is Diabetes?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:54:24 +0000

What is diabetes mellitus? What are the major types of diabetes? How is a diagnosis of diabetes made? What are some of the complications of diabetes? Continue reading →

Welcome To DrRubin.com

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:15:50 +0000

In this welcome video, Dr. Rubin introduces himself and his books, and describes what you can expect to find at DrRubin.com. Continue reading →

Avandia: FDA Restricts Use of Rosiglitazone

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:29:02 +0000

The FDA has taken action and severely restricted use of Avandia, a drug that was developed for diabetes. In Europe, the drug’s sales will be halted entirely. Continue reading →

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need and How Can You Get It?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:21:22 +0000

With all this interest in vitamin D, you want to be sure that you have enough in your blood. If not, you want to make sure that you build up your level to the right amount. So what is the right amount? Continue reading →

Vitamin D Benefits: Sorting Through The Hype

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:45:13 +0000

Lately it seems as though every other article in newspapers and magazines describes a new benefit for vitamin D. Could any substance in your body really be so critical? What is the truth and what is a myth? Continue reading →

Vitamin D and Osteoporosis: Protecting Your Bones

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 17:41:12 +0000

Osteoporosis is the gradual loss of bone that occurs in both women and men as they get older, but accelerates in women once they reach the menopause, the time when periods are lost. Vitamin D has a very important role in the building up and preservation of bone. Continue reading →

Normal Blood Sugar Levels – What Is A Normal Blood Glucose?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:59:50 +0000

I am often asked this question, "What is a normal blood sugar?" It should be relatively easy to answer, but there is a lot of potential confusion that I need to clarify. Continue reading →

Vitamin D Overdose: Taking Too Much Is Hard To Do

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:13:02 +0000

One of the fears that people who need supplements of vitamin D describe is the danger of a vitamin D overdose. Continue reading →

Sources of Vitamin D: Should I Stay Out of the Sun?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:31:47 +0000

The sun is accused of causing skin cancer, wrinkles and even malignant melanoma. The sun provides us with vitamin D, essential to our body. Continue reading →

Vitamin D Sources: Not Enough Vitamin D in Food

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:47:17 +0000

The foods that contain the most vitamin D, like cod liver oil and wild salmon, just don’t have enough to get you up to those levels unless you are a baby or a toddler. Continue reading →

Vitamin D is a Hormone, Not a Vitamin

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:04:39 +0000

A vitamin is something you need in tiny amounts that you must get from an external source. You make large quantities of your own vitamin D after just a few minutes in the summer sun. A hormone is a chemical that you make in one organ that travels through the blood stream and has its effect on distant organs. Continue reading →

Podcast: Smoking – The Saddest Addiction

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:38:01 +0000

This healthcast will show you why smoking is the saddest addiction. My thanks to Dr. Tom Gross for this healthcast. Continue reading →

Podcast: Inhaled Insulin

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:52:32 +0000

This healthcast will introduce you to a major advance in diabetes care, inhaled insulin. Continue reading →

Podcast: Byetta For Type 2 Diabetes

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:34:17 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn: The uses of a great new drug for type 2 diabetes called Byetta, the kinds of patients who should not use it, and the properties of the drug that make it so valuable. Continue reading →

Podcast: Trans Fats – What Are They And Why Are They Bad For You?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 23:10:05 +0000

What are trans fats and why are they bad for you? Which foods contains trans fats? Why is fat needed, and which ones to choose. Continue reading →

Podcast: Corn is Killing Us – The Obesity Epidemic

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 22:21:56 +0000

This healthcast will tell you: 1) The probable reason for our current epidemic of obesity and diabetes, 2) How we got into this mess in the first place, and 3) What we can do to get ourselves out of the mess Continue reading →

Podcast: Insomnia – Getting A Good Night’s Sleep

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 19:19:55 +0000

In this healthcast you will discover how insomnia is defined, the current types of insomnia, and what you can do to get a good night's sleep. Continue reading →

Podcast: Fat In Fish – Why Fish Is Good For You

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 02:33:17 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn: Why fish is good for you, which fish are the best source of heart disease preventing omega-3 fatty acids, and who should avoid certain kinds of fish because of the mercury content. Continue reading →

Podcast: Depression Part Two – Medication, Therapy, and Resources

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:53:31 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn: the place of antidepressant medications in treatment, talk therapy for depression, and how to make use of all your resources to overcome depression. Continue reading →

Podcast: Recognizing Depression In Adults, Children And The Elderly

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 06:49:33 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn how to define depression so you can tell if you or a loved one suffers from it, special features of depression in children and the elderly, and what your doctor needs to know to treat it properly. Continue reading →

Podcast: Anorexia Nervosa

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:50:33 +0000

How to determine if someone you know has anorexia nervosa. How to tell if the person suffers from bulimia. What must be done to prevent sickness or even death. Continue reading →

Podcast: Alzheimer’s Disease – How To Identify and What To Expect

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:45:42 +0000

How to identify when someone you know has Alzheimer's, How to tell the difference between Alzheimer's and other conditions, What to expect over time for the person with Alzheimer's Continue reading →

Podcast: Ethics In Science

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 02:47:22 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn about the problem of falsification of data by "scientists" trying to enhance their reputation. Continue reading →

Podcast: Lasik Eye Surgery – What To Expect

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 23:39:43 +0000

This healthcast will introduce you to LASIK surgery for improving your vision and eliminating your lenses or glasses. Continue reading →

Podcast: Osteoporosis – Severity, Prevention, and Treatment

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 06:43:29 +0000

This healthcast is an introduction to osteoporosis. It contains information about: the severity of the problem in the United States, the medical and economic consequences of osteoporosis, and the way to prevent and, if necessary, treat osteoporosis. Continue reading →

Podcast: Thyroid Disease and the Elderly

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 23:05:39 +0000

This healthcast describes the special characteristics of thyroid disease in the elderly. Continue reading →

Podcast: Preventing Heart Attacks With Aspirin

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 03:06:01 +0000

In this healthcast you will discover whether you should take aspirin to protect yourself from a heart attack. Continue reading →

Podcast: Advances In Diabetes Care

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 02:15:15 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn about some of the newest and best advances in diabetes care. Continue reading →

Podcast: Screening For Prostate Cancer

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 06:37:07 +0000

This healthcast will help you to sort out all the confusing information about screening for prostate cancer, especially with the prostate specific antigen test. Continue reading →

Podcast: Influenza Part Two – Listener Questions Answered

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 06:35:04 +0000

This healthcast was created by listeners who had all sorts of questions about the dangers of influenza. It represents the best and most universal questions they posed to me. Continue reading →

Podcast: Influenza – Seasonal Variety vs Asian Avian Flu

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 06:27:05 +0000

In this healthcast, you will learn improtant information about influenza, both the annual "seasonal" variety, and the dangerous new Asian Avian flu. Continue reading →

Podcast: Medicare Part D – The New Medicare Drug Plan

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:40:36 +0000

In this healthcast, you will learn the basics of the new drug plan offered by Medicare to reduce the cost of your medications. Continue reading →

Podcast: High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 06:19:36 +0000

This healthcast will tell you what you need to know to get through a pregnancy if you have high blood pressure before or during the pregnancy. Continue reading →

Podcast: Salt and High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 06:17:18 +0000

This healthcast concerns the major role that salt plays in raising your blood pressure. Continue reading →

Podcast: How To Find A Good Doctor

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 01:20:33 +0000

This healthcast will tell you how to find the best specialist for your thyroid condition. The recommendations apply to any illness for which you need a specialist. Continue reading →

Podcast: The Unrestrained American Drug Industry

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 06:14:38 +0000

This healthcast is about the American drug industry, how it promotes its new expensive drugs and benefits from the laws that are supposed to protect you and me. Continue reading →

Podcast: High Blood Pressure Drug Treatment

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 06:06:39 +0000

This healthcast is about using drugs to control your blood pressure when lifestyle changes like the DASH diet and exercise have not lowered it sufficiently (below 140/90). Continue reading →

Podcast: Hurricane Katrina Medical Aftermath

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 23:30:33 +0000

In this healthcast I will tell you how Hurricane Katrina has caused injury, disease and death in the Gulf Coast. Continue reading →

Podcast: Exercise and High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 06:02:38 +0000

This healthcast is about using exercise and other body movements to control your blood pressure. More detailed information will be found in my book, "High Blood Pressure For Dummies". Continue reading →

Podcast: High Blood Pressure Nutritional Treatment

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 05:58:00 +0000

This healthcast is about using diet to control your blood pressure. More detailed information will be found in my book, "High Blood Pressure For Dummies". Continue reading →

Podcast: Introduction to High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 22:33:55 +0000

This healthcast will introduce you to this "silent killer" that affects 50 million Americans and 20% of the rest of the world. Continue reading →

Podcast: Ten Commandments For Excellent Diabetes Care

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 02:44:06 +0000

Taken from my book, Diabetes For Dummies, these "commandments" are the basis for excellent blood glucose control and avoiding complications of diabetes. Continue reading →

Podcast: How to Quit Smoking – Kick The Habit Today

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 21:20:18 +0000

In this healthcast you will learn the various ways that people have successfully kicked the habit. Continue reading →

Podcast: Why You Should Quit Smoking

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 05:46:16 +0000

This healthcast is about tobacco and why you should stop smoking and using smokeless tobacco. Continue reading →

Podcast: Large Thyroid Glands – Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 17:42:03 +0000

This Healthcast is all about large thyroid glands, whatever the cause. You will discover: The causes of a large gland or a bump on the thyroid called a nodule, How to tell if your gland is large and whether it should concern you, What you and your doctor should do about it Continue reading →

Podcast: Introduction to Hyperthyroidism

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 19:11:07 +0000

This Healthcast will tell you what you need to know to deal with hyperthyroidism, the condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Continue reading →

Podcast: Introduction to Hypothyroidism

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 22:59:59 +0000

This Healthcast is about hypothyroidism, the condition of low production of thyroid hormone, a condition that affects more than 20 million Americans and hundreds of millions of others outside the USA Continue reading →

Podcast: Introduction To The Thyroid

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 06:01:49 +0000

"Introduction to the Thyroid" will tell you what you need to know about this important but rarely appreciated gland. Continue reading →

The Body Mass Index – How To Calculate BMI

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 20:33:37 +0000

The Body Mass Index or BMI is a number that correlates your weight with your height. To calculate BMI, use this formula. Continue reading →

Podcast: Metabolic Syndrome Affects Over 1 Billion People Worldwide

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 21:10:54 +0000

This healthcast is about the most common disease you know nothing about, the metabolic syndrome. It affects more than 50 million Americans and 1 and 1/4 billion people worldwide. Continue reading →

Podcast: Preventing Disease, Injury, and Death (Golden Years)

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 00:36:22 +0000

In this healthcast you will discover: the major causes of injury, disease and death beyond age 64, screening tests that are most effective for these problems, counseling that can be done to avoid these problems, and vaccinations and drugs that prevent them. Continue reading →

Podcast: Preventing Disease, Injury, and Death (Adult Life)

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:13:55 +0000

In this healthcast you will discover the major causes of injury, disease and death at ages 25-64 and how to avoid them. Continue reading →

Podcast: Preventing Disease, Injury, and Death (Young Adult)

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 00:42:52 +0000

In this healthcast you will discover: The major causes of injury, disease and death at ages 11-24, screening tests that are most effective for these problems, counseling that can be done to avoid these problems, and vaccinations and drugs that prevent them. Continue reading →

Podcast: Preventing Disease, Injury, and Death (Early Childhood)

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:32:54 +0000

Things you need to know at every age to prevent accidents, disease and death. This segment covers early childhood. Continue reading →

Podcast: Introduction To Diabetes – An Overview

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 24 May 2005 20:43:07 +0000

How many people have diabetes? Why is it called diabetes mellitus? What are the complications of diabetes? Can these complications be prevented? Avoiding complications. Continue reading →

Podcast: Losing Weight – How To Become A Successful Loser

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 17 May 2005 06:58:13 +0000

This Healthcast will help you to shed those pounds that are raising your blood sugar, your blood pressure and your health care costs. Continue reading →

Podcast: Exercise is Essential – Benefits and Recommendations

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Tue, 10 May 2005 20:49:50 +0000

What are the benefits of exercise? Should you see a doctor before starting a program of vigorous exercise? How much exercise should you do? Which type of exercise should you do to meet your goals? How vigorous should your exercise be? Continue reading →

Podcast: Aging Well – Before You Turn 50 Do These

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 02 May 2005 04:41:48 +0000

In my very first podcast, I discuss what you need to do before the age of 50 to ensure good health later in life. Continue reading →

Treatment of Hypothyroidism

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 23:55:11 +0000

You take enough T4 to reduce the TSH level to normal. Changes in the level of T4 you take are checked with blood tests no more often than every 4 weeks. Continue reading →

Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure – What Are The Normal Levels?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 21:40:30 +0000

How do you know if your blood pressure readings are too high? The numbers have been clearly defined. These are the various categories that you might fall into. Continue reading →

Alcohol and Weight Gain: Alcohol Calories Add Up Fast

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 20:17:30 +0000

In the last few weeks, I have had several new patients who came in complaining of weight gain despite not eating excessively. When I take a history, I often find that these patients are consuming excessive amounts of alcohol every night. Continue reading →

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 17:08:32 +0000

The idea in treating hyperthyroidism is to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood to normal. These are the three main ways this can be accomplished. Continue reading →

10 Commandments For Excellent Diabetes Care

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 16:32:30 +0000

Follow these recommendations and you will not only avoid complications of diabetes but you will be healthier than your friends without diabetes. Continue reading →

Criteria For Making A Diagnosis of Diabetes

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 06:20:20 +0000

Diabetes is very clearly defined by the level of the blood sugar, which is actually called glucose. These are the criteria for making a diagnosis of diabetes. Continue reading →

Harvard Medical School Study: Aging Well

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 01:32:56 +0000

What are the things that should be in place by age 50 that predict that you will be alive and well at age 80 and beyond? Continue reading →

How Low Should My Cholesterol Be?

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:33:21 +0000

When it comes to cholesterol, except for the form called High Density Cholesterol or HDL (also known as “good cholesterol”), the lower the better. Continue reading →

Aspirin and Diabetes: The Benefits of Low Dose Aspirin

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:21:02 +0000

Just about every diabetic is a candidate for aspirin treatment. Diabetics benefit more than those who do not have the disease because having diabetes puts you at risk of a heart attack. Continue reading →

Ten Commandments For Avoiding High Blood Pressure

Alan L. Rubin, MD — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:14:42 +0000

You can do a lot to prevent high blood pressure. These are just some of the more important steps you can take to avoid getting it and its complications. Continue reading →