Comments on: “Swine Flu” Pandemic Facts and tips on how to stay healthy

By: Patricia Roy

Patricia Roy — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:08:07 +0000

Thank you for the lengthy internet reference list Nima. I know you were not doing a literature search on the subject but you might want to consider some epidemiology and infection control type of references also. As you well know, the WHO reference was an excellent choice. I appreciate your perspective, your willingness to verbalize and encourage dialogue on the subject. In todays, health care system we need to learn to collaborate, listen to each other, and consider other perspectives. The world is ever changing, so we must consider the evidence and make an informed decision.

I must apologize if my behaviour offended anyone, that was not my intention. I just wanted to ensure the information presented was evidence &/or research based and not purely the opinion of one. I’m new to blogs and blogging, so if the purpose of this new technology is to state your opinion on things and encourage discussion, you have succeeded! Well done…

By: Dr. Nima

Dr. Nima — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:34:08 +0000

Actually, Patricia… DON’T ignore it. You did the right thing. If you disagree with something, don’t hesitate in calling me out on it. I didn’t get to where I am in life by having everyone agree with everything I say. My opinion is based on my experience, and I use this forum to share it. Nobody ever got anywhere in life by constantly trying to make sure everyone was ok with them and having everyone’s respect. Study the lives of all the greats– they’ve all had respect and violent opposition. If what I say appears unprofessional, by all means anyone has every right to let me know. I’ll listen to any comment and really digest it to see if it’s valid.
To suggest that it’s unprofessional because it’s not referenced is quite valid– if I was writing in a medical journal. I’ll provide references for those who care. Knowing that having everyone’s respect is an impossibility, as long as I put something out there that I truly believe in, that I would recommend to those who are closest to me to help them live healthier lives… That’s all that counts. Your respect for me and my profession is entirely dependent on your perception.

By: Paul Piotrowski

Paul Piotrowski — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:44:45 +0000

@Patricia: With regards to acting “professional”, I think that all depends on your definition of the word. To me, the style with which Dr. Nima writes on this Blog is very professional and is exactly what builds up my respect for the Chiropractic profession.

He’s got the guts to state his opinion publicly when most “doctors” would keep quiet due to fear of upsetting the status quo. I think the doctors who have an opinion to share, but keep quiet about it are the ones who are acting “unprofessional”. Their fear of sharing an opinion that might go against what the media is currently reporting is greater than their desire to inform the public of another perspective, and I think that’s pretty sad.

Now, having said that, it doesn’t mean that I agree with Dr. Nima’s opinion on everything he writes on this Blog, it just means I respect the fact that he’s willing to share his opinions publicly even though I’m sure he knows they’ll be met with some resistance. That takes courage that not a lot of people (and especially doctors) have.

The reason I read this Blog is to hear Dr. Nima’s opinion, but I’m also intelligent enough to understand that it is his opinion, and not the gospel truth. I don’t treat any doctor’s opinions as the gospel truth, as everyone has their unique perspective on things. I prefer to listen to the different perspectives and opinions of different doctors and people involved in the health industry and then form my own opinion on what I consider to be true for me.

Maybe what might help you out, Patricia, is to just use this Blog as a “second opinion” to what you might be hearing out there from other doctors. If a post doesn’t resonate with you, just ignore it. However, you might find something once in a while that makes more sense to you than what you’re hearing out there from other doctors or the media.

By the way that first YouTube video in the comment above is awesome. Very cool.

By: Dr. Nima

Dr. Nima — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:42:46 +0000

Dedicated to Patricia Roy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB5-Y08qbjo

And the articles that the blog entry was based on:

1 World Health Organization, Epidemic and Pandemic Alert Response, Current WHO Phase of Pandemic Alert, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

2 Welt Online, April 28, 2009, http://www.welt.de/english-news/article3625539/Asian-countries-take-measures-against-outbreak.html

3 News.com.au, April 27, 2009, http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25392380-2,00.html

4 Emerging Infectious Diseases February 2009; 15(2):346-7, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?orig_db=PubMed&db=pubmed&cmd=Search&term=“Emerging%20infectious%20diseases”[Jour]%20AND%202009[pdat]%20AND%20Klugman[author]

5 Esquire, April 26, 2009, http://www.esquire.com/features/best-n-brightest-2005/ESQ1205B&BEWALD_244?src=digg

6 CDC, Lightning-Associated Deaths 1980-1995, http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/PrevGuid/m0052833/m0052833.asp

7 NationMaster.com, Mortality–Lighting, http://www.nationmaster.com/red/pie/mor_vic_of_lig-mortality-victim-of-lightning

8 The Independent, April 26, 2009, http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/pandemic-fears-as-flu-kills-68-1674368.html

9 Reuters, April 26, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE53P23920090426

10 Associated Press, April 27, 2009, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hceWV2_Cu7yoSvw9iNYZ90-qnCyQD97R2FVG3

11 Infowars.net, April 27, 2009, http://www.infowars.net/articles/april2009/270409Baxter.htm

12 Online Journal, April 27, 2009 http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_4631.shtml

13 FredrickNewsPost.com, April 22, 2009, http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=89293

14 The New York Times, April 26, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/world/27flu.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1

15 Nature Precedings, hdl:10101/npre.2009.2832.1, Emergence and Fixing of Antiviral Resistance in Influenza A Via Recombination and Hitch Hiking, Henry L. Niman, http://precedings.nature.com/documents/2832/version/1

By: Patricia Roy

Patricia Roy — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:16:49 +0000

Thank you for the reply.

I guess if people want respect for their profession they should act in a professional manner in the public arena. To me that would include a blog. You just never know the impact your message has on others or your profession.

Stay well…

By: Dr. Nima

Dr. Nima — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:36:31 +0000

Patricia,
thanks for your comments. There are fatalities every single year for the flu. The point I was trying to make was not to panic and to focus on living healthier lifestyles. Tragic about the death, yes. But the panic that results in mass vaccinations is what I was trying to help avoid.
Everything I write, I can back up with scientific evidence. I’d be happy to provide references to anyone who asks for them. Name the statement you feel is inaccurate, and I’ll give you a reference. My target audience for my blog is the general public. If I put scientific journal entries up, it bores the general public to tears.
As far as “chiropractic medicine” getting the respect it deserves….
It will NEVER get the respect it deserves, regardless of any scientific journal articles out there, which there are tons.
Chiropractic and medicine have 2 completely different views of how the body functions. I have quit trying to get respect from the medical community. My target is people who are easily influenced by drug ads from an allopathic system that is failing miserably. I’ve given up looking for approval. Chiropractic continues to grow despite every effort from outside influences to shut it down. Our patients keep sending us their friends and family.
Sorry you didn’t find the mexican advertisements funny. Death is tragic. My point is that the fear of death can cause us to do some even more tragic things– and the best way to handle a situation like this is to focus on doing things in a healthier way. Sorry you didn’t get the point of the message.

By: Patricia Roy

Patricia Roy — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:17:17 +0000

I was disappointed when I read your write up on the “Swine Flu” or as you referred to as “H1N1,” the medically official name for it now. Your article lacked references to your information and a not so funny attitude/approach to a potentially fatal disease. If you don’t know, there has already been one fatality in Alberta. I suggest that if you expect chiropractic medicine to get the respect it deserves that you include a little more scientific/evidence-based research in your articles.

By: Paul Piotrowski

Paul Piotrowski — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:44:19 +0000

@Dr.Nima: Just make sure you get your Hepatitis A&B vaccines prior to traveling to Mexico. You don’t want to catch those from the crushed ice in your Margarita’s.

By: Dr. Nima

Dr. Nima — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:58:16 +0000

It also takes our mind off paying our taxes. It’s gonna make traveling to mexico pretty cheap, too. The beaches won’t be as crowded.

By: Paul Piotrowski

Paul Piotrowski — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:52:15 +0000

Cool article. Dugg and Stumbled.

It’s pretty crazy how there’s always some kind of sickness the media is spreading when there is no war or scandal to cover. I think I’m going to create my own flu. I’ll call it “Ninja Flu”. Symptoms include being attacked by Ninja’s in the middle of the night, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to sunlight.

We’ve had Mad Cow Disease, Bird Flu, Avian Flu, now Swine Flu. All the main meat groups are being covered. I wonder if they’re going to be able to sell us on “Fish Flu” next. Beware of Caughing Salmon!