Frischer Medical Group

06/14/2026

I am often asked by my patients whether I think that they should have a “whole-body scan.” These typically use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and/or bone density (DEXA) scans. Modern technology is amazing, and scans like these save lives every day. They can detect tumors and internal bleeding, track diseases, and are especially useful in cases of injury or specific syndromes. However, they are being marketed as a means to detect diseases, such as cancer, earlier. Are whole-body scans worth it?

I am often asked by my patients whether I think that they should have a “whole-body scan.” These typically use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and/or bone density (DEXA) scans. Are whole-body scans worth it?

06/14/2026

The CDC recently issued new vaccine and screening recommendations for hepatitis B. This is an important development; you may be eligible to have the highly effective hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the HBV virus. It is highly contagious and spreads through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. Although the virus can be found in saliva, it is not spread through kissing or sharing utensils, nor is it spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging, breastfeeding, food, or water. Those at high risk include medical personnel, front-line workers like police and firefighters, those who have unprotected s*x, and those using unsterile needles from drug use.

The CDC recently issued new vaccine and screening recommendations for hepatitis B. This is an important development; you may be eligible to have the highly effective hepatitis B vaccine.

06/14/2026

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact during s*xual activity. Note that one can be infected even without symptoms, so even people who appear to be healthy can still transmit this virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Gardasil, a highly effective vaccine to prevent HPV, in 2006.

The HPV vaccine is now routinely recommended for both girls and boys starting at 9 years old, to ensure that they are protected before they are exposed to the virus. It can be given to everyone through 26 years of age, although, depending on a person’s risk factors, it may be given until age 45.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact during s*xual activity. Note that one can be infected even without symptoms, so even people who appear to be healthy can still transmit this virus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Gardasil, a highly eff...

06/14/2026

Many of you are aware of my aversion to mushrooms. I happen to have one more intense and inexplicable dislike: coffee! As a scientist, however, I do my best to be unbiased. Let’s look at the pros and cons of being a coffee drinker.

03/27/2026

When I was a child, kiwi fruit certainly wasn’t found in my neighborhood supermarket. It was grown in China, and was called the Chinese gooseberry. (Yes, it is indeed a berry!) It became known as the kiwi when New Zealand became a major producer, and rebranded it under their own nickname. Today, the top three kiwi growers are China, New Zealand, and Italy (in that order) although it is also grown in our own Northern California.

I recently had a very special visit to New Zealand, which included a visit to an enormous kiwi grove. By the end of my visit, my very enthusiastic guide had me convinced that there would be no more need for my profession if everyone consumed an abundance of kiwi fruit. The kiwi is certainly sweet and delicious, but is it also good for what ails you? Just what does it do for us?

While consuming kiwi fruit will not likely put me out of business, I am impressed with its many health benefits. Have some – and while you’re at it, work on your balanced and healthful diet.

03/27/2026

My patients are smart and knowledgeable, but I find that many mistakenly believe that they are allergic to medicines, and in particular, penicillin. This belief might be based on a distant memory, or on something they were told by their parents. Others believe that the experience of an upset stomach, nausea, or other side effect indicate an allergy. Still others may have experienced a rash or other symptom that was actually due to the illness, and not to the medicine. Still, these numbers are surprising: as many as 100 of every 1,000 patients believe that they are allergic to penicillin, but only about five of that 1,000 actually are!

My patients are smart and knowledgeable, but I find that many mistakenly believe that they are allergic to medicines, and in particular, penicillin. This belief might be based on a distant memory, or on something they were told by their parents. Others believe that the experience of an upset stomach...

03/27/2026

Obesity medications have captured everyone’s attention. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have each come out with injectable medications that have proven to be both safe and very effective. Doctors (including me) have been prescribing them frequently. However, patients are constantly frustrated by poor insurance coverage and high costs. On top of that, the drugs need to be injected, which is discouraging to some.

These GLP-1 drugs were originally prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, but have been found to not only stimulate the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar rises, but also to slow stomach emptying and signal fullness to the brain. According to polls, some 6-12% of people in this country currently use GLP-1 drugs for weight loss or other chronic conditions.

Now, this is actually old news. What’s new? The FDA has announced the approval of a new Novo Nordisk weight loss drug that can be taken by mouth (instead of being injected) and should be available for a cash price starting at $149 to per month for the starting (lowest) dose. This is much more affordable than the current injectable version, which can cost $1,000 per month or more, and if it gets insurance coverage, then copays could be significantly lower.

Obesity medications have captured everyone’s attention. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have each come out with injectable medications that have proven to be both safe and very effective. Doctors (including me) have been prescribing them frequently. However, patients are constantly frustrated by poor i...

01/24/2026

Did you know that some 85% of us will get an HPV infection in our lifetime? HPV is a group of more than 150 viruses, and is spread primarily through s*xual contact. (Note that it is possible to get an HPV infection through non-s*xual activity, such as non-s*xual skin to skin contact.)

HPV includes mostly low-risk strains (which cause warts). However, the high-risk strains are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers (cervical, a**l, pe**le, and oropharyngeal). An HPV infection usually clears on its own within two years, but when the infection does not go away, it can lead to serious health problems. Note that early on, cases have no apparent symptoms, but that earlier detection greatly increases the chance of a cure.

Did you know that some 85% of us will get an HPV infection in our lifetime? HPV is a group of more than 150 viruses, and is spread primarily through s*xual contact. (Note that it is possible to get an HPV infection through non-s*xual activity, such as non-s*xual skin to skin contact.) HPV includes m...

01/24/2026

Are your black plastic kitchen tools, toys, and to-go packages safe? An alarming recent study concluded that they are toxic, and as a result, my kids tossed their kitchen utensils. A week later, the environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future announced that their initial results were incorrect.

Are your black plastic kitchen tools, toys, and to-go packages safe? An alarming recent study concluded that they are toxic, and as a result, my kids tossed their kitchen utensils. A week later, the environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future announced that their initial results were incorrect. I...

01/24/2026

Who has heard of POTS? It’s not a Disney character, or items in our kitchen. More and more people are being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal when we transition from sitting or lying to standing.

Who has heard of POTS? It’s not a Disney character, or items in our kitchen. More and more people are being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal when we transition from sitting or lying to standing. The name actually...