We often get asked if we're able to link other ailments to the Mediclim Index and hence to weather changes, and, if we can, why don't we?

The answer is that we have no doubt that other health problems have a weather component amongst their triggers but, as yet, there is no available, statistical proof. And we take pains to offer only well founded information to our subscribers.

Chronic Pain
Those individuals with chronic pain are often challenged or misunderstood. They are often asked to prove they have an ongoing potentially disabling problem objectively, and without a dramatic test result, may be considered to be overreacting to their problem. This can leads to difficult situations with interactions with physicians, family members and other relevant contacts.

Now’s the time to take science seriously

Looking at the enormous changes the world has experienced over the past century, it’s clear that the most powerful force shaping our lives and society was not politics or economics but science when applied by business, the pharmaceutical and medical industries, and the military. Think of the impact of antibiotics, chainsaws, nuclear weapons, computers, oral contraceptives, cars, television – the list is long.

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is now a leader in the campaign to eliminate toxic chemicals across the country.

Its greatest success has been in the area of reducing lawn and garden pesticides.  Over the last few years, CAPE doctors have worked hard to win pesticide prohibitions in a number of Canadian cities including Toronto, Peterborough, London, Markham and Hamilton. In 2008, they won a provincial pesticide ban that covers all of Ontario.

Osterman PO et al. Weekly periodicity of headache and the effect of changes in weather on headache. Ups J. Med Sci Suppl 1980;31 23-26. (ring a bell anyone?)

Villeneuve PJ, Szyszkowicz, M, Stieb D, Bourque DA Weather and emergency room visits for migraine headaches in Ottawa, Canada. Headache 2006;46:64-72

Iguacu Falls, which lies at the junction of Brazil and Argentina, rivals Niagara Falls in stunning beauty. Iguacu is longer by far, stretching over several kilometers, with islands between parts of the falls. Except in one place, however, it is not as thunderous. That place is known as The Devil's Throat. By a trick of geography it is possible to stand very close to the waters rushing down the throat. You stand, however, below the crest of the falls, to one side, looking up at its might.

I was in B.A. two years ago, for the second time. There are many good reasons for going to this great, faded, safe, European city, with excellent food and reasonable prices, but for us the reason is Argentine Tango... the dance that is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire. We go a couple of times a week to learn and try out what we've learnt, and it's great.

I was in Cambodia for a conference a couple of months ago. Along the road from our hotel was a children's hospital and, being a doc, I asked to look round it. That's where I found out about a swiss doc called Beat Richner who gets my vote as saint of his generation.