Posts by Lynn Webster, M.D.
Insomnia Is More Than an Inconvenience
“Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.” ‒William Shakespeare, Macbeth Why We Need Sleep Shakespeare may be complicated, but the universal need for sleep is not. The “Chief nourisher” is, indeed,…
Read MoreHarvey and Irma: A Harvest of Friends, Family, and Tolerance
We Believed in a Melting Pot Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were tragedies, but if there was a silver lining, it was that they brought out the best in people. They reminded us that humans can overcome partisanship and tribal differences to help one another. For generations, many of us took pride in thinking of the…
Read MoreHow We Force Hurricane Victims Into Withdrawal
Facing the Wrath of Hurricanes As of this writing, Hurricane Irma is about to invade Florida. It is reported to be a Category 5 storm. Many people are evacuating, while others cannot leave their homes and must prepare to shelter in place. The region will inevitably experience catastrophic effects, and this is on the heels…
Read MoreThe Good News Hiding Inside a Hurricane
A Hurricane Hits Hard Hurricane Harvey has brought despair and heartache. The devastation will be with us for years to come. Whether we are in Texas or in other parts of the world, we feel the intense pain that the storm has brought. With continual wars and conflict throughout the world, it sometimes is hard…
Read MoreTwenty Questions to Ask Political Candidates
Preparing for Election Season The United States is approaching a new election season. Most people are aware of the opioid crisis and the imperative to solve it. As voters, we are tasked with choosing the people who can make a positive difference. Now is the time to evaluate the ability of each candidate’s potential…
Read MoreAre Alternative Pain Treatments Effective for You?
Alternative Pain Treatments Most doctors want to help people in pain. Ideally, the care would be provided in such a way that there would be little or no risk to our patients. If we could wave a magic wand (or don an enchanted stethoscope), we would be happy to replace opioids with alternative, non-pharmacologic treatments.…
Read MoreIs Consuming Energy Drinks a Predictor of Substance Abuse?
Energy Drinks and Subsequent Drug Abuse A study by the Center on Young Adult Health and Development, University of Maryland School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, found a correlation between energy drink consumption and subsequent drug use during young adulthood. Published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the research showed, “The typical…
Read MoreWhich Contributes More to the Opioid Crisis: Hopelessness or Overprescribing?
Opioids Affect the Workplace The headline of a story on the social network site, LinkedIn, reads, “The opioid crisis is creating a fresh hell for America’s employers.” The story talks about how deeply prescription and illicit painkillers, including fentanyl, have affected the workplace. At an Ohio-based pottery company, the owner no longer requires applicants to…
Read MoreWill Brain Injuries End the Game of Football?
Sports are central to American culture; they teach kids the concepts of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Each sport has its own risks for specific injuries, but football is particularly dangerous because it can cause extensive damage to the brain. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that…
Read MoreWill Brain Injuries End the Game of Football?
The Consequences of Playing Football I grew up in Nebraska where participation in sports was at the core of a young person’s social, educational, and physical development. It was how we learned important lessons about winning, losing, and being part of a team. Football was a big part of our culture, but it was even…
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