The uninsured are tossed around like pawns on a chess board, but most do not have an idea of who the uninsured are and how they became part of this faceless roll that houses these people. In order to understand why it is imperative that legislation be put in place that assist them, let’s take time to pull back the curtain of mystique on globally grouping the uninsured as the “have” and “have nots” and hear the story of my patient Ms. G. Ms. G is a 59-year-old African-American woman who works as a cook at a local day care here in Baton Rouge, LA.
Contrary to public opinion, Ms. G has been employed all of her life as a cook and has held her current job for thirteen years. She was referred to me after being evaluated in the emergency room for an elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and headaches. The emergency room doctor insisted that she seek the services of a primary care physician and get her blood pressure and blood sugar under control, or suffer the repercussions of these health conditions- a heart attack or stroke. Physically, Ms. G is in poor health but with some changes her health outlook could improve. She is a slightly over weight smoker with a strong family history of heart disease and diabetes. Her mother and father died from complications of heart disease, and her younger sister recently died from a massive heart attack.
Her options for treatment were limited to the local charity hospital, which has eliminated the outpatient family practice clinic due to budget cuts. Before the clinic discontinued its services there was a typical wait of four to six months for a routine appointment. This wait was so prohibitive she has never followed up with a physician for “scheduled visits” after her initial emergency room visits. In addition to simply accessing healthcare, the price tag for maintenance of ones health is unreasonable. The average cost for an appointment with a primary care doctor for cash-paying patients that includes blood work and other tests ranges from $200-400 dollars, but I have seen her in my office free of charge.
Prior to her visit at my office, the emergency room had become her primary care doctor and she was very appreciative of seeing a “regular” doctor. Because Ms. G lives just above the poverty level and, as she puts it, “robs Peter to pay Paul”, she has never been able to afford health care insurance and has placed eating, paying the bills, and helping to raise her grandchildren as a priority over her own health. “I gotta live Doc. Maybe I will get some insurance later; but right now, I gotta live.” Later may just be “too late” for Ms. G. Without medical intervention and a consistent health care program maintained by a physician, her risk for heart disease and stroke are high.
Although Ms. G’s story is sad, unfortunately, her story is a very common and frustrating problem for both physicians and patients. There are more than forty million uninsured people that live in the United States, which is twenty- percent of the U. S. population. In 2005, one in five Americans under the age of sixty-five did not have health insurance. This number has continued to increase which was reinforced by findings released on December 3, 2007 by the CDC entitled Health United States 2007, which showed that one-fifth of Americans could not afford one or more of the following services: medical care, mental health services, prescription medicines, eyeglasses, or dental care.
Since the release of Michael Moore’s controversial and thought provoking documentary Sicko which addresses the state of health care in the United States, this topic has spawned much debate: how many people are uninsured in America, forty-seven million or thirty-seven million; does that include the illegal immigrants; is universal health care really cost effective; who’s healthier, Michael Moore or Sanjay Gupta? Who cares! One uninsured or under-insured American is one too many!
The face of the uninsured may not be what you think. Those without health insurance do live significantly below the poverty level, however nearly seventy- percent live in homes with at least one full-time worker. Health insurance is either not offered by the employer or the percentage that the worker is asked to pay towards insurance premiums is too expensive. Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program have reduced the number of uninsured children under the age of nineteen; nevertheless, more than eight million children, three-quarters of whom qualify for these programs, still are not insured. Young adults between the ages of nineteen and twenty-nine with low income and unstable jobs are the fastest growing population of uninsured in America.
In a poll by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, voters rated health care second only to the war in Iraq as the issue they most wanted the presidential candidates to address. Seventy-four percent of voters supported a reform plan that provided health insurance for everyone. The time has come for universal and affordable health care. I don’t have all the answers, but this crisis needs to be addressed and should be of the highest priority for the presidential candidates as these nameless people are their constituents and an integral part of the fabric of this country. (c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published March 2008 at http://www.eurweb.com.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hey Ladies!
I need to speak to the women for a minute. I love and admire African-American sisters to death, as I am the product of one of the strongest and most beautiful African-American woman in this world. Without my mother, there would be no Hip Hop Doc. She is the living example of what I think women should mature to be and thank goodness she is healthy at the young age of 73. Black History Month is a perfect time to recognize and support the ladies as they continue to carry the torch and make positive strides in all facets of life. But sisters, there is a serious problem! To be quite honest, this is a state of emergency for all women. Something is lurking in the bellows waiting to steal you away from the husbands, children, employers, friends, and families that love, need and cherish you and his name…Heart Disease! Heart disease is not only the number one killer of all Americans no matter what race, creed, or nationality, but also the number one killer of women. African-American women are disproportionately affected by heart disease, which is more prevalent among them in the US than other ethnic or racial groups. The face of heart disease has changed from men to that of men and women and something must be done to stop this dreaded disease.
Heart disease is number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart. This article will focus on coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD), which are the most common type of heart disease and the number one cause of heart attacks. Individuals with CAD have hardened and narrow arteries, which are the pipes that supply blood to the muscles of the heart. In order for the heart to beat efficiently, it must receive nutrients and oxygen via blood. The average adult heart beats 100,000 times a day. If the blood vessels are blocked or narrowed, the heart must work harder to get blood to itself. Overtime, this increased strain on the heart can lead to a heart attack, where some of the muscles of the heart actually die, or heart failure, where the heart beats less efficiently and blood is not pumped to other areas of the body. Both a massive heart attack and heart failure can severely debilitate and/or kill a woman, however, the key is knowing what causes these disorders and how to prevent them.
Risk factors for heart disease that we cannot change include age, gender, race, family history, and previous history of heart attack or other forms of heart disease. As we get older, the risk of heart disease increases. This is not to say that younger people don’t have heart attacks, but the chance does increase with increasing age. Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women and they have heart attacks earlier in life. But as stated earlier, the face of heart disease is changing and CAD is the leading cause of death in American women. African American’s are disproportionately represented when it comes to heart disease and therefore must take active measures to protect themselves. One way to do this is by knowing their family history. If your first-degree relatives (mother, father, sister, or brother) have heart disease, this increases your chances of having the same problems. The discussion at the dinner table and family reunion when we are healthy and happy should include “the talk” about the state of the family’s health. African American’s as a result of mistrust in the medical community, being under-insured or un-insured, or lack access to care are often diagnosed later in the stage of disease and hence have poorer outcomes. Finally, if you have had a heart attack in the past, your risk is significantly increased. Taking medications as prescribed, eating properly, exercising, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis can reduce your chance of having a second heart attack.
By stopping smoking, the single most preventable cause of death in the United States, controlling you cholesterol, taking your blood pressure and diabetes medications, exercising, and losing and maintaining a healthy weight African-American women can live happy, healthier, and long lives. The American Heart Association and the Go Red For Women campaign is raising our awareness about this disease and provides tools to protect us from heart disease. Log on to www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about heart disease, do your own heart disease risk assessment, get great recipes, and come with an action plan to protect you and your loved ones.
Sisters, we love you. Don’t let heart disease take you away from us.
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published February 2008 at http://www.eurweb.com.
Heart disease is number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart. This article will focus on coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD), which are the most common type of heart disease and the number one cause of heart attacks. Individuals with CAD have hardened and narrow arteries, which are the pipes that supply blood to the muscles of the heart. In order for the heart to beat efficiently, it must receive nutrients and oxygen via blood. The average adult heart beats 100,000 times a day. If the blood vessels are blocked or narrowed, the heart must work harder to get blood to itself. Overtime, this increased strain on the heart can lead to a heart attack, where some of the muscles of the heart actually die, or heart failure, where the heart beats less efficiently and blood is not pumped to other areas of the body. Both a massive heart attack and heart failure can severely debilitate and/or kill a woman, however, the key is knowing what causes these disorders and how to prevent them.
Risk factors for heart disease that we cannot change include age, gender, race, family history, and previous history of heart attack or other forms of heart disease. As we get older, the risk of heart disease increases. This is not to say that younger people don’t have heart attacks, but the chance does increase with increasing age. Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women and they have heart attacks earlier in life. But as stated earlier, the face of heart disease is changing and CAD is the leading cause of death in American women. African American’s are disproportionately represented when it comes to heart disease and therefore must take active measures to protect themselves. One way to do this is by knowing their family history. If your first-degree relatives (mother, father, sister, or brother) have heart disease, this increases your chances of having the same problems. The discussion at the dinner table and family reunion when we are healthy and happy should include “the talk” about the state of the family’s health. African American’s as a result of mistrust in the medical community, being under-insured or un-insured, or lack access to care are often diagnosed later in the stage of disease and hence have poorer outcomes. Finally, if you have had a heart attack in the past, your risk is significantly increased. Taking medications as prescribed, eating properly, exercising, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis can reduce your chance of having a second heart attack.
By stopping smoking, the single most preventable cause of death in the United States, controlling you cholesterol, taking your blood pressure and diabetes medications, exercising, and losing and maintaining a healthy weight African-American women can live happy, healthier, and long lives. The American Heart Association and the Go Red For Women campaign is raising our awareness about this disease and provides tools to protect us from heart disease. Log on to www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about heart disease, do your own heart disease risk assessment, get great recipes, and come with an action plan to protect you and your loved ones.
Sisters, we love you. Don’t let heart disease take you away from us.
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published February 2008 at http://www.eurweb.com.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Interview with Prodigy on Sickle Cell
Each year 2000 babies are born in the United States with a life long condition called sickle cell disease. This disease of the blood affects between 50-75,000 people in the US and millions throughout the world. Approximately 2 million Americans carry the sickle cell trait, which increases the chance that the disorder is passed on to their children. Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States affecting those of African descent and Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry, but the trait has also been found in those with Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin American, Native American, and Mediterranean heritage. One in every 500 African-American births is affected with sickle cell disease.
The two most common forms of sickle cell disease are sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia. They are characterized by defective hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. This defective hemoglobin interferes with the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen. Those who inherited the sickle cell trait have one defective gene and no symptoms to moderate symptoms of the disease in most cases. If a person has sickle cell anemia, the most common and most severe form of the disease, they are at risk for many problems: anemia (very low blood counts), pain crisis or sickle cell crisis which causes almost every joint in your body to hurt usually requiring hospitalization, strong pain medicines, and IV fluids, acute chest syndrome which is similar to pneumonia, but much more painful, strokes, and a decreased life expectancy. If children are screened at birth and/or parents who are unsure of their status are screened, sickle cell disease can be significantly reduced by education alone.
A full description of all things sickle cell is way beyond the scope of this article, however I wanted my friends who read my column for All Hip Hop to really understand this preventable disease, so I called on Prodigy of Mobb Deep to help me out.
The two most common forms of sickle cell disease are sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia. They are characterized by defective hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. This defective hemoglobin interferes with the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen. Those who inherited the sickle cell trait have one defective gene and no symptoms to moderate symptoms of the disease in most cases. If a person has sickle cell anemia, the most common and most severe form of the disease, they are at risk for many problems: anemia (very low blood counts), pain crisis or sickle cell crisis which causes almost every joint in your body to hurt usually requiring hospitalization, strong pain medicines, and IV fluids, acute chest syndrome which is similar to pneumonia, but much more painful, strokes, and a decreased life expectancy. If children are screened at birth and/or parents who are unsure of their status are screened, sickle cell disease can be significantly reduced by education alone.
A full description of all things sickle cell is way beyond the scope of this article, however I wanted my friends who read my column for All Hip Hop to really understand this preventable disease, so I called on Prodigy of Mobb Deep to help me out.
H2D (at the office in Baton Rouge, LA): P, what’s good? How are you feeling?
Prodigy (driving through Manhattan): I’m good; what’s good with you, Doc?
H2D: The same thing; trying to bring more awareness to the hip-hop community on health issues. Man I would like for you to enlighten us about something you’ve dealt with all your life. Tell me about sickle cell disease and how it has affected you?
Prodigy: I mean basically, I was diagnosed with sickle cell when I was 3 months old. I have the worse type of sickle cell… the “SS” type. If I don’t take care of myself and do the right things, I will experience a severely painful sickle cell crisis; all my joints hurt; it’s a bad scene. Before I really knew how to take care of myself I was in and out of the hospital…they had me on morphine for pain; IV’s in my arm; couldn’t get comfortable for days at a time…it was really hard on my body.
H2D: Are you taking any medicines right now?
Prodigy: Nahhhh! I don’t take none of these medicines that they try to say is good to take for sickle cell. All I do is try to have a healthy diet as much as possible; I drink water like a fish, eat healthy, and I notice that since I’ve been doing that for the past seven to eight years, I don’t get sick as much as I use too. If I do get sick, it’s really because of something I’m doing wrong. I really know my body and how to control it, know what I mean?
H2D: Yeah, that’s what’s up. Now, in 2000, you wrote the song “You Can Never Feel My Pain” on your first solo album, HNIC. This song really dealt with the harsh realities of sickle cell and how it affected you. Almost like sickle cell 101. What motivated you to write that piece?
Prodigy: Basically because at every Mobb Deep show, I would see somebody in the crowd, and they would yell to me like “Yo P, I got sickle cell too.” And they would ask how I was able to perform and do all that I do.” I always encourage my fans that they should reach for their goals and reach high when doing it; and to further this point I decided to drop something on my album to tell people about the pain that I and others with sickle cell suffer with, which is a handicap no different than living in poverty, but that its something you can escape.
H2D: I’m sure you know T-Boz has sickle cell. She was a national spokes person for the disease back in the day.
Prodigy: Yeah, I wanted T-Boz to get on that song with me. So I actually reached out to her, went down to Atlanta and played the song for her. She came to the studio, liked the song, but we both decided that it was best for me to roll with that approach. We had a long conversation about sickle cell and this drug called hydroxyurea. We talked about this drug and some the side effects. She had decided at the time to not take the medicine. I kinda felt like we were being used as guinea pigs when they try to come up with these new drugs. That’s why I really don’t take or promote some of the medicines.
H2D: I can respect that. Well, other than “You Can Never Feel My Pain”, do you have any new songs dedicated to creating awareness about sickle cell?
Prodigy: I already did the song and I don’t want to keep doing the same old thing. I’m gonna start being more vocal about it, like with this piece. When I get out (of prison) and get home, I want to hook up with you and do the community thing you got going on; talk to some kids and tell them what it’s like to live with sickle cell and how they can still be successful. You can just set something up and I’ll roll with you. That’s good shit what you doing Doc.
H2D: Yeah, that’s real talk. It has been a challenge, but one I welcome. You know lately, there’s been a lot of things going on in regards to health and hip-hop: Kayne West and his mothers death; Foxy Brown and her battle with hearing loss; Pimp C leaving us way too early; Nate Dogg having a stroke…do you think the hip-hop culture is taking health issues seriously?
Prodigy: A lot of young peoples attitude is they feel invincible. It’s like someone who has sickle cell and someone who doesn’t? The person who doesn’t have sickle cell thinks they can drink, smoke, eat anything and everything, just go hard and say, “Hey, I’m okay.” If I do that, it affects me immediately. They may not feel the effects until 30, 40, 50 years later when they got heart problems, lung problems, and they are dying from things they could have prevented. To me sickle cell is like an alarm system because it lets me know when I’m doing something wrong, you know what I’m saying?
H2D: Definitely! What advice would you give to the young people growing up and living with sickle cell?
Prodigy: The number rule for people with sickle cell, as far as I’m concerned, is their diet has to be strict. You damn near have to be a vegetarian to avoid getting sick and having a painful sickle cell crisis. You have got to take care of your health. Eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water, and eat lots a vegetables. I guarantee that if you do that and get all the impurities out of your system, you will see a hundred percent turnaround.
H2D: What kind of stuff do you eat?
Prodigy: Like today, I might have baked salmon, brown rice, and green vegetables. I try to stay away from the poisonous food additives. I don’t drink sodas or eat a lot of junk. This is the plan you have to follow to keep the impurities out of your body. You gotta really eat healthy; break it down to a science and start learning how to read labels and know what ingredients are good and bad for you. And I know I keep saying this, but you gotta drink mad water. It helps wash away all impurities and poison in the body.
H2D: P, thanks for your time. Anything else you would like to say to All Hip Hop?
Prodigy: Just support the real shit that we putting out there, man cause there’s a lot of people who are not being real. They are chasing some outrageous dream. I’m staying grounded, know what I mean? I’m focusing on real shit. So, just support real artist like Mobb Deep and myself. Check out my website at HNIC2.com. A lot of good information and I will have my address up so that they can write me letters while I’m locked up.
H2D: Cool. Peace, P.
Prodigy: One.
(c) 2008. Rani Whitfield. This interview was publishsed February 2008 at http://allhiphop.com/
Friday, February 1, 2008
African-American physicians who paved the way
I like to give credit where credit is do and there is no better time to do this than Black History Month (we even got an extra day this year). Hip-hop would not exist if it were not for the pioneers of the culture: DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambatta, The Rock Steady Crew, Grand Wizard Theodore, and Coke La Rock just to name a few. That being said, there would be no blood banks or open-heart surgery if not for the contributions of African American physicians and scientist. Here’s a small list of the brothers and sisters who made it possible for me and many others to go to medical school, cure disease, and bring good health information to the community of AHH and the world.
Name: Imhotep- The Father of Medicine
Life: 2635-2595 BC (differs depending on source)
Medical School: Did not have a medical school during his time, so he created his own.
Contribution: A man of multiple talents (architect, scribe), his best-known writings was medical text. He is believed to be the author of the Edwin Smith Papyrus in which more than 90 anatomical terms and 48 injuries are described. He founded a medical school in Memphis long before Hippocrates was born. All who understand its origins crowns Imhotep the father of medicine.
Compared to: DJ Kool Herc who inspired the Merry-Go-Round- using two turntables at one time and creator of the break beat. Herc is considered the Father of Hip-Hop.
Name: Dr. James Durham, born into slavery
Life: 1762- time of death unknown.
Medical School: None; he was owned and taught by a number of white physicians to read, write, mix medicines, and treat patients. He bought his freedom and began his own medical practice in New Orleans, however the city restricted his practice, as he had no formal medical training.
Contribution: He treated more patients successfully for yellow fever than any other physician in the country. He was so impressive that his publication on diphtheria was read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Compared to: Afrika Bambaattaa, Master of Records- had over 20,000 pieces of vinyl. Organized the very first international hip-hop tour.
Name: Dr. James McCune Smith
Life: 1813-1865
Medical School: University of Glasgow in Scotland
Contribution: First African American to earn a medical degree.
Compared to: The Twins, Keith and Kevin Smith. Inspired the B-Boy Style or break dancing, which included matching outfits with trench coats and hats. They would jump on the floor and create dance moves to DJ Kool Herc’s beats.
Name: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Life: 1858-1931
Medical School: Chicago Medical College
Contribution: Performed the first successful operation on a human heart. The patient, a victim of a stab wound to the chest, lived 20 years after his open-heart surgery. Williams also established the Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, which was the first African-American owned and first interracial hospital in the United States.
Compared to: Grand Wizard Theodore- creator of the needle drop and the scratch, two of the most fundamental techniques any DJ using vinyl should posses.
Name: Dr. Charles Drew
Life: 1904-1950
Medical School: Howard University
Contribution: Dr. Drew researched blood plasma and blood transfusions for several years while in New York. He discovered that blood could be stored and used at a later date. He developed the system for storing blood, called a blood bank. He also established the American Red Cross blood bank. As a result, he has saved and continues to save the lives of many who need blood transfusions.
Compared to: Melle Mel, Godfather of the Rhyme. Grandmaster Melle Mel has been given the title as the greatest lyricist ever. As a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, he was the principle scribe for The Message and White Lines. The group’s songs dominated the airways between 1979 and 1984.
Name: Vivien Thomas
Life: 1910-1985
Medical School: Vanderbilt University Medical School. He was also a surgical research technician at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine, research associate and supervisor of surgical research laboratories. He was appointed to the medical school faculty at JHU in 1977; he never attended medical school.
Contribution: Thomas was a scientific genius with superb surgical skills. Thirty years before Johns Hopkins admitted its first Back surgical resident, Thomas served as a black research technician without a degree and was teaching operative techniques to white staff surgeons at the university's hospital.
Compared to: Mos Def… who else? Mos Def portrayed Mr. Viven Thomas on the HBO special Something the Lord Made. Mos Def is multitalented and can be seen in movies, hosting Def Comedy Jam, and recently appeared on Bill Maher’s talk show Real Time with Cornell West.
Name: Dr. Mae C. Jemison
Life: 1956-
Medical School: Cornell University Medical School
Contribution: First African-American woman astronaut and the first African-American woman to enter space (September 1992)
Compared to: MC Sha Rock, the first female MC. Sha Rock was not afraid to battle with anyone and is often referred to as the Mother of Hip-Hop.
Name: Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall
Life: 1930-
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Contribution: Dr. Lefall, a surgical oncologist, is the first African American president of the American Cancer Society.
Compared to: Coke La Rock is considered the first true MC ever in the history of hip-hop. He would lay down rhymes over the music of DJ Kool Herc at the legendary Cedar Park in New York.
Name: Dr. Jocelyn Elders
Life: 1933-
Medical School: University of Arkansas Medical School
Contribution: Dr. Elders is the first African-American to be appointed as U.S. Surgeon General
Compared to: MC Lyte who is the first rapper to ever to perform at Carnegie Hall and the first female rapper to ever receive a gold single.
Name: Dr. Benjamin Carson
Life: 1951-
Medical School: University of Michigan
Contribution: In 1987, this pediatric neurosurgeon made medical history with an operation that separated Siamese twins from the back of their heads. He had to orchestrate a 70-man team that worked for 22 hours to successfully separate the twins who survived the surgery and did well. Check out his two books Think Big and Gifted Hands.
Compared to: Grandmaster Flash is surgical on the 1’s and 2’s creating the vocabulary for the turntables that DJ’s continue to use today. He is the innovator of back spinning, phasing, and cutting- terms only a DJ would understand. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published February 2008 at http://allhiphop.com.
Name: Imhotep- The Father of Medicine
Life: 2635-2595 BC (differs depending on source)
Medical School: Did not have a medical school during his time, so he created his own.
Contribution: A man of multiple talents (architect, scribe), his best-known writings was medical text. He is believed to be the author of the Edwin Smith Papyrus in which more than 90 anatomical terms and 48 injuries are described. He founded a medical school in Memphis long before Hippocrates was born. All who understand its origins crowns Imhotep the father of medicine.
Compared to: DJ Kool Herc who inspired the Merry-Go-Round- using two turntables at one time and creator of the break beat. Herc is considered the Father of Hip-Hop.
Name: Dr. James Durham, born into slavery
Life: 1762- time of death unknown.
Medical School: None; he was owned and taught by a number of white physicians to read, write, mix medicines, and treat patients. He bought his freedom and began his own medical practice in New Orleans, however the city restricted his practice, as he had no formal medical training.
Contribution: He treated more patients successfully for yellow fever than any other physician in the country. He was so impressive that his publication on diphtheria was read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Compared to: Afrika Bambaattaa, Master of Records- had over 20,000 pieces of vinyl. Organized the very first international hip-hop tour.
Name: Dr. James McCune Smith
Life: 1813-1865
Medical School: University of Glasgow in Scotland
Contribution: First African American to earn a medical degree.
Compared to: The Twins, Keith and Kevin Smith. Inspired the B-Boy Style or break dancing, which included matching outfits with trench coats and hats. They would jump on the floor and create dance moves to DJ Kool Herc’s beats.
Name: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
Life: 1858-1931
Medical School: Chicago Medical College
Contribution: Performed the first successful operation on a human heart. The patient, a victim of a stab wound to the chest, lived 20 years after his open-heart surgery. Williams also established the Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, which was the first African-American owned and first interracial hospital in the United States.
Compared to: Grand Wizard Theodore- creator of the needle drop and the scratch, two of the most fundamental techniques any DJ using vinyl should posses.
Name: Dr. Charles Drew
Life: 1904-1950
Medical School: Howard University
Contribution: Dr. Drew researched blood plasma and blood transfusions for several years while in New York. He discovered that blood could be stored and used at a later date. He developed the system for storing blood, called a blood bank. He also established the American Red Cross blood bank. As a result, he has saved and continues to save the lives of many who need blood transfusions.
Compared to: Melle Mel, Godfather of the Rhyme. Grandmaster Melle Mel has been given the title as the greatest lyricist ever. As a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, he was the principle scribe for The Message and White Lines. The group’s songs dominated the airways between 1979 and 1984.
Name: Vivien Thomas
Life: 1910-1985
Medical School: Vanderbilt University Medical School. He was also a surgical research technician at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine, research associate and supervisor of surgical research laboratories. He was appointed to the medical school faculty at JHU in 1977; he never attended medical school.
Contribution: Thomas was a scientific genius with superb surgical skills. Thirty years before Johns Hopkins admitted its first Back surgical resident, Thomas served as a black research technician without a degree and was teaching operative techniques to white staff surgeons at the university's hospital.
Compared to: Mos Def… who else? Mos Def portrayed Mr. Viven Thomas on the HBO special Something the Lord Made. Mos Def is multitalented and can be seen in movies, hosting Def Comedy Jam, and recently appeared on Bill Maher’s talk show Real Time with Cornell West.
Name: Dr. Mae C. Jemison
Life: 1956-
Medical School: Cornell University Medical School
Contribution: First African-American woman astronaut and the first African-American woman to enter space (September 1992)
Compared to: MC Sha Rock, the first female MC. Sha Rock was not afraid to battle with anyone and is often referred to as the Mother of Hip-Hop.
Name: Dr. LaSalle D. Lefall
Life: 1930-
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Contribution: Dr. Lefall, a surgical oncologist, is the first African American president of the American Cancer Society.
Compared to: Coke La Rock is considered the first true MC ever in the history of hip-hop. He would lay down rhymes over the music of DJ Kool Herc at the legendary Cedar Park in New York.
Name: Dr. Jocelyn Elders
Life: 1933-
Medical School: University of Arkansas Medical School
Contribution: Dr. Elders is the first African-American to be appointed as U.S. Surgeon General
Compared to: MC Lyte who is the first rapper to ever to perform at Carnegie Hall and the first female rapper to ever receive a gold single.
Name: Dr. Benjamin Carson
Life: 1951-
Medical School: University of Michigan
Contribution: In 1987, this pediatric neurosurgeon made medical history with an operation that separated Siamese twins from the back of their heads. He had to orchestrate a 70-man team that worked for 22 hours to successfully separate the twins who survived the surgery and did well. Check out his two books Think Big and Gifted Hands.
Compared to: Grandmaster Flash is surgical on the 1’s and 2’s creating the vocabulary for the turntables that DJ’s continue to use today. He is the innovator of back spinning, phasing, and cutting- terms only a DJ would understand. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published February 2008 at http://allhiphop.com.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Under the Influence
Yeah, it’s true! At one point in history cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, LSD, opium and heroin were perfectly legal and in some cases given away- free. Now these drugs are considered illegal, harmful, and addicting. “It was better than sex; it was better than the best thing I ever tried; crack, marijuana, cocaine- put me in a state of mind where I did not care about anything or anyone I just wanted to get high.” These are all statements made to me by individual in jail or in drug rehab about how they felt being “Under the Influence” of drugs of abuse. How could chemicals that soothe pain, inspire intense euphoria, and temporarily allow us to escape from the problems of the day be harmful? Lets explore two of the popular drugs of the hip-hop culture and see how they affect the body.
Ecstasy (MDMA)
The “love drug” was first synthesized in a laboratory in Germany in 1912. Believed to have no medical use, it sat on the shelf for years; that was until 1977 when ya boi Alexander Shulgin, a chemist living in California, re-synthesized the compound and introduced it to local psychotherapist. It was not illegal and was given to patients by doctors to help couples communicate, to treat posttraumatic stress disorder, and treat anxiety and depression. The drug was called “empathy” until it hit the party scene where the name ecstasy was coined. Ecstasy was so wide spread in cities like Dallas, TX that you could buy it over the counter at bars- LEGALLY, doctors gave it to patients for group sessions and everything was all good, right? The sense of emotional well being, confidence and love produced by the drug comes from its effects on the brain. Ecstasy stimulates the release of serotonin, which affects our mood, energy and emotions. Normally in the brain, a little bit of serotonin gets released at time; when using ecstasy, all of the serotonin stored in the brain cells is released at once and the nerves goes “bananas” producing intense euphoria, strong emotions, and feelings of love, happiness, intimacy, openness, and empathy. This dramatic release of serotonin is also what makes the drug potentially dangerous, as the nerves may not ever function the same after repeated use of the drug. The agony begins when the ecstasy wears off and is often called “suicide Tuesday’s”. The user feels tired, fatigued, depressed, and is unable to sleep. Some ecstasy user’s have literally danced themselves to death or have seizures, go into to a coma, and die due to increased body temperature (up to 107 degrees) and water intoxication. An average 100-milligram dose last 6 to 10 hours and cost between $25 and $45 per pill depending on where you live. There is still a push to make this drug legal and to be used by psychotherapist.
Opium
Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seedpod of the opium poppy. Heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and dihydrocodeine are all derivatives of opium. They are highly addictive substances that are commonly used by physicians for medical purposes: to treat diarrhea, nausea, and more commonly pain. Vicodin, Lortab, and Oxycotin (hillbilly heroin) are all examples of the prescribed derivatives of opium. They have legitimate uses in medicine, however the abuse potential is great. Prescription drug abuse has become a huge problem in our society and both the patient and the doctors are to blame. Have you heard of “dat Lean”, syrup, or sizzurp? Once just a “cough medicine”, this codeine based drink has become a cocktail of the hip-hop culture. Just mix your cream soda or fruit punch with some promethazine with codeine, and voila… you have the cheap, sweet drink made popular by the Houston hip-hop scene and DJ Screw who died from a mixture of codeine, alcohol, and marijuana. Codeine, a commonly prescribed and effective drug used to treat pain, diarrhea, and to suppress cough, is the most widely used and naturally occurring opiod or narcotic (medicines that produce pleasure and calmness) in the world. Promethazine, which does not contain codeine, is the generic name for a sedating, anti-nausea chemical that is often combined with codeine in cough syrups. Symptoms of codeine abuse include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small or constricted pupils, loss of consciousness, coma and possibly death! To experience the effects of codeine, the human body must convert the drug to morphine. The effects of codeine start 10-30 minutes after ingestion, peak within 1 to 2 hours and may last 4-6 hours, depending on how much taken. Within two to three weeks of repetitive use a physical and psychological addiction may develop. Misuse will lead to an apathetic, dulling-type effect, a lack of co-ordination and dulled responses.
Every illegal drug to date has started out perfectly legal, freely used and widely accepted. They are considered medical miracles until the side effects develop. One major problem with these illegal substances is that there is no long-term studies to tell us what will happen to the body after long-term use. What I can tell you is that destruction of lives, time spent in jail, and the risk of being infected with HIV or other STD’s, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and rape have all occurred “under the influence”. The fix is temporary and the cost is high. Lets seek out the natural highs in life: love, children, music, a good job, a loyal woman, great mix tapes, seeing bootleggers arrested for jacking music, and real hip-hop! Holla!
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published January 2008 by Ozone Magazine.
Ecstasy (MDMA)
The “love drug” was first synthesized in a laboratory in Germany in 1912. Believed to have no medical use, it sat on the shelf for years; that was until 1977 when ya boi Alexander Shulgin, a chemist living in California, re-synthesized the compound and introduced it to local psychotherapist. It was not illegal and was given to patients by doctors to help couples communicate, to treat posttraumatic stress disorder, and treat anxiety and depression. The drug was called “empathy” until it hit the party scene where the name ecstasy was coined. Ecstasy was so wide spread in cities like Dallas, TX that you could buy it over the counter at bars- LEGALLY, doctors gave it to patients for group sessions and everything was all good, right? The sense of emotional well being, confidence and love produced by the drug comes from its effects on the brain. Ecstasy stimulates the release of serotonin, which affects our mood, energy and emotions. Normally in the brain, a little bit of serotonin gets released at time; when using ecstasy, all of the serotonin stored in the brain cells is released at once and the nerves goes “bananas” producing intense euphoria, strong emotions, and feelings of love, happiness, intimacy, openness, and empathy. This dramatic release of serotonin is also what makes the drug potentially dangerous, as the nerves may not ever function the same after repeated use of the drug. The agony begins when the ecstasy wears off and is often called “suicide Tuesday’s”. The user feels tired, fatigued, depressed, and is unable to sleep. Some ecstasy user’s have literally danced themselves to death or have seizures, go into to a coma, and die due to increased body temperature (up to 107 degrees) and water intoxication. An average 100-milligram dose last 6 to 10 hours and cost between $25 and $45 per pill depending on where you live. There is still a push to make this drug legal and to be used by psychotherapist.
Opium
Opium is a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seedpod of the opium poppy. Heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and dihydrocodeine are all derivatives of opium. They are highly addictive substances that are commonly used by physicians for medical purposes: to treat diarrhea, nausea, and more commonly pain. Vicodin, Lortab, and Oxycotin (hillbilly heroin) are all examples of the prescribed derivatives of opium. They have legitimate uses in medicine, however the abuse potential is great. Prescription drug abuse has become a huge problem in our society and both the patient and the doctors are to blame. Have you heard of “dat Lean”, syrup, or sizzurp? Once just a “cough medicine”, this codeine based drink has become a cocktail of the hip-hop culture. Just mix your cream soda or fruit punch with some promethazine with codeine, and voila… you have the cheap, sweet drink made popular by the Houston hip-hop scene and DJ Screw who died from a mixture of codeine, alcohol, and marijuana. Codeine, a commonly prescribed and effective drug used to treat pain, diarrhea, and to suppress cough, is the most widely used and naturally occurring opiod or narcotic (medicines that produce pleasure and calmness) in the world. Promethazine, which does not contain codeine, is the generic name for a sedating, anti-nausea chemical that is often combined with codeine in cough syrups. Symptoms of codeine abuse include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small or constricted pupils, loss of consciousness, coma and possibly death! To experience the effects of codeine, the human body must convert the drug to morphine. The effects of codeine start 10-30 minutes after ingestion, peak within 1 to 2 hours and may last 4-6 hours, depending on how much taken. Within two to three weeks of repetitive use a physical and psychological addiction may develop. Misuse will lead to an apathetic, dulling-type effect, a lack of co-ordination and dulled responses.
Every illegal drug to date has started out perfectly legal, freely used and widely accepted. They are considered medical miracles until the side effects develop. One major problem with these illegal substances is that there is no long-term studies to tell us what will happen to the body after long-term use. What I can tell you is that destruction of lives, time spent in jail, and the risk of being infected with HIV or other STD’s, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and rape have all occurred “under the influence”. The fix is temporary and the cost is high. Lets seek out the natural highs in life: love, children, music, a good job, a loyal woman, great mix tapes, seeing bootleggers arrested for jacking music, and real hip-hop! Holla!
(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. This article was published January 2008 by Ozone Magazine.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Young and Invincible.
The Young and Invincible. Sounds like the title to a soap opera, but actually it’s the attitude that many young adults have about getting sick or injured. Young people think they are invincible and as a result neglect the most important thing that they possess: there health! Listed below are ten medical issues in young adults that I see in my Family Practice that I want to discus with you.HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become one of the most devastating sexually transmitted diseases ever known to man. Once infected with HIV, the body’s immune system can become weakened and the infected individual will develop the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). According to statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): an estimated 38,500 young people (age 13-24) in the United States received a diagnosis of AIDS; African American youth were the largest group of young people affected by HIV, accounting for 56% of all infections; young women, especially of African American and Hispanic decent are at increasing risk. Risk factors for infection with HIV include unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, use of IV drugs, the presence of an undiagnosed sexually transmitted disease, lack of awareness, and poverty. The key is to get tested if you don’t know your status, and if you decide to have sex, Rap It Up!
Obesity
In the past 20 years, there has been a significant increase in over weight and obese individuals in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that almost two-thirds (64%) of all Americans are overweight; almost one third are obese. Childhood obesity is on the rise and we are now seeing shocking increases in diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension in this previously active and healthy population. Today, approximately 17 percent of young people are seriously overweight. One main problem that I see is the decrease in mandatory physical education classes for school aged children. Lack of exercise, poor diets high in fat and calories, and the fast food epidemic are the main reasons for this epidemic. Young people are stuck on computers and hove video games and don’t bike and or play outside as much studies have shown. So get moving! Exercise at least 20-30 minutes most days of the week and eat foods low in calories and fat.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer, a disease of the female reproductive system, is more common in young women. It accounts for 6% of all cancers in women and is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) in 90-95% of the cases. The virus is passed from person to person usually by unprotected sex and in most cases the woman has no symptoms. Risk factors for HPV include multiple sex partners, cigarette smoking, and unprotected sex. The key point is that all women who are sexually active need to have a pap smear at least once a year whether you wear condoms or not. Even if you are not sexually active, annual pap smears are still recommended by the age of 18. Cervical cancer can be detected and treated if diagnosed early by pap smears. Talk to your doctor about the vaccine currently in use that may reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
Anabolic Steroids
Barry Bonds is not the first person accused of using steroids and won’t be the last. His situation, however, has brought much needed attention to the topic of steroids. The desire to be competitive and to gain an edge on one’s competitor is natural, however the facts still remain: steroids are illegal and are associated with short and long term effects which can be very damaging to the body. Don’t get it twisted; they do help to build muscle mass, however, with side effects like elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, balding in men, breast development in men, facial hair in women, and mood swings just to name a few, there is no way I would recommend to anyone using them. The National Institutes of Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported an increase in steroid use among 8th and 10th grade boys in 2000. The primary reasons for using steroids among these young men where to enhance athletic performance and physical appearance. If you want to be the best, work hard and don’t use a substance that is illegal and might permanently damage your body. Also remember, never take or rub a substance on your body if you don’t know what’s in the solution.
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Twenty three percent of high school students and 8% of middle school students in this country are regular smokers. There are more deaths each year from tobacco use than by HIV, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders all together. The active ingredient in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco is the very addictive substance called nicotine. Cigarette smoking is associated with cancers of the lung, bladder, and cervix; heart disease; low birth weight babies; sudden infant death syndrome, and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Smoke free facilities are becoming the norm as society is becoming more aware of the harmful side effects of second hand smoke. If you plan on living longer, then you need to stop smoking.
Mental Disorders
Mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone should be comfortable discussing these topics with their doctor. The most common mental health issues seen in my practice are anxiety and depression. Approximately 25% of young adults experience depression by the time they are 24 years old, but very few seek help. This is alarming and depression, if left untreated, can lead to suicide. Anxiety, the most common form of mental disturbance in the U.S., affects approximately 28 million Americans each year. Both anxiety and depression are major problems for society as they can interfere with work, school and family life. They contribute to high rates of substance abuse and alcohol abuse. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, it is important to take your medicines as prescribed and see your doctor and/or therapist on a regular basis.
Suicide
Suicide is the end result of severe depression that is untreated or under-treated. Suicide is common in young adults and the elderly. In general women attempt more suicide than men; men are more “successful” in suicide attempts. Signs of depression include disturbances in sleep, loss of interest in things the person normally does, guilty feelings about a situation or situations, decreased energy, decreased concentration, decreased or increased appetite, abnormal and unintentional weight loss or weight gain, decrease sex drive, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts. These symptoms have to be present for more than two weeks for the diagnosis to be made. The challenge is to recognize these signs and symptoms and to get help for the affected person before a suicide attempt (s) occurs. Suicide is the permanent answer to a temporary problem. If you are someone you love is talking about suicide, get him or her help immediately!
Substance Abuse
Despite what some might try to convince you, drugs of abuse are mind altering and can put you at risk for STD’s, accidents, and time in jail. The trends of abuse have shifted in young adults somewhat from the gateway drugs marijuana and cocaine, to designer drugs such as ecstasy and the date rape drug, GHB. There are more potent forms of marijuana, which make them more addictive, and crystal meth is slowly becoming a drug of choice for many young Americans. The results of substance abuse are quite evident: mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, incarceration, STD’s including HIV, destruction of families, and untimely deaths due to accidental overdose, suicide, or crimes as a result of the drug’s influence. While under the influence of these mind-altering substances, an individual often makes poor decisions and will participate in behaviors that he or she would normally avoid. Education and awareness about the different drugs available and how they affect the body is one of the major ways to decrease abuse.
“Staph” Infections
Community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are on the rise! What the hell is that you ask? Well if you have ever had a boil that was hard to treat and it came back to visit you on several occasions requiring multiple doctor visits, drainage by a physician, and sometimes hospitalization and antibiotics through an IV, chances are you had a staph (staff) infection. MRSA was at one time primarily seen in hospital patients with wounds and in individuals with weak immune systems. As a result of antibiotic overuse by physicians to treat simple skin infections and patient noncompliance with medications (not taking them like they are suppose to), these very intelligent bacteria have become resistant to the very basic and inexpensive antibiotics that we have available in our local pharmacies. Staph infections can be very dangerous and are now being associated with pneumonias in healthy individuals. MRSA can kill! If you develop a painful to the touch, red and swollen area on your body that produces pus (drainage), you could have a staph infection. See your doctor right away so that this can be treated quickly and effectively.
Sexual Transmitted Diseases/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs/STIs)
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, syphilis, and HIV are on the rise again. One out of every 2 Americans will have an STD/STI by the there 25th birthday. The reasons are many and include lack of education and awareness, having unprotected sex, and substance abuse. If a person is infected with one STD/STI, then he or she is at risk of getting another. The concept that oral sex is safe sex or not sex at all is garbage. Herpes, HPV, and gonorrhea can be spread via oral sex. The likely hood of being infected with HIV is very low in someone receiving oral sex compared to the “giver”. However, there is still some risk. Abstinence is still the best way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, however, this method is not always practiced. If you choose to have sex protect yourself. Know your HIV status, practice monogamy, wear condoms, and if you perform oral sex learn how to use dental dams. They come in tasty flavors and colors.
This by no means is a comprehensive list of all the potential problems young people encounter, but it’s a great start. Hopefully this will give you a good foundation and help guide your own research regarding the medical issues that I commonly see in my practice.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Women and Steroids
No matter where you go, we are hearing more and more about the use and abuse of steroids in men’s sports. But when multi gold medallist and track super star Marion Jones recently announced that she used steroids after vehemently denying the allegations for years, it sent a shock wave across the country and mixed messages to her friends, family, and fans. This coming on the heels of Barry Bonds record breaking home run season tainted with accusations of steroid use and the recent rumors of talented boxers Sugar Shane Mosley and Jameel McCline’s use of steroids to prepare for there matches. The question most people are asking is why? Why are athletes, especially women athletes, using these illegal and potential harmful substances?
Before I get into the reasons why, let me first explain this class of drugs more correctly called anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). AAS are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. The ability for steroids to build muscle and strength is the anabolic effect of the drug, while the development of MALE secondary sexual characteristics, like the pitch of someone’s voice and the pattern of body hair describe the androgenic effect of the drugs. AAS have been around since the 1930s to treat a condition in men called hypogonadism in which the testes do not produce a sufficient amount of testosterone for normal male development and sexual function. Other approved medical uses for testosterone include the treatment of impotency, the “wasting” or weight loss seen in persons infected with HIV or cancers, and delayed puberty.
Performance enhancing drugs like AAS are not new to the arena of sports. They date back to the early Olympic Game’s, which started in Greece and has now evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry due to marketing and advertising. As early as 1969, journalist Bill Gilbert was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, “The pill, capsule, vial, and needle have become fixtures of the locker room as athletes increasingly turn to drugs in the hope of improving performance.” The desire to win and to gain the edge over one’s opponent is innate, however in the “steroid” culture, there is a phrase used by some professional athletes: “If you are not using steroids, then you are not trying hard enough!” This quest for supremacy at the expense of one’s health has taken over and the all-mighty dollar is more important than health, longevity and loved ones. Steroids have been used and proven to build strength and endurance in competitive athletes for decades; however, AAS are illegal and potentially harmful and considered cheating! These are not the messages we want to deliver to young African American athletes.
The reason women use these illegal and potential harmful substances are very similar to the reasons men use them: to improve athletic performance, to become more muscular, to gain weight, to lose weight, to recover faster from fatigue and injury, and/or to increase speed and endurance. Women who are victims of rape or who have been physically abused also use AAS to improve strength and confidence so that they can protect themselves from future attacks. Muscle dysmorphia, also called bigorexia or reverse anorexia nervosa, is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough, hence uses AAS to “bulk up”.
AAS have become much more complex as proven by the “designer” steroids used by Marion Jones, some of which are undetectable with the latest technology in urine, blood, or hair samples. Steroids are administered in many ways including pills, needles, patches, or creams. Once in the blood stream they are soaked up my muscle cells and promote the production of protein, which stimulates muscle growth. Athletes will mix different types of AAS to achieve various effects, as there is no accepted medical dosing standard for the use of these drugs for performance enhancement. Side effects of AAS use/abuse include high blood pressure, strokes, elevated cholesterol, nausea, sleep disturbances, acne, increased aggressiveness, and mood disorders including anxiety and depression. Women can experience reduced breast size, increased body and facial hair, a deeper voice, and menstrual problems. In men, reduced sperm count, impotence, breast growth, and decreased testicular size have all been documented. Some of these side effects are irreversible and require surgical treatment.
This is a very unfortunate situation and I am truly saddened as Marion Jones was one of my favorite athletes. I hope that she will turn the negative into a positive and begin to educate young athletes on the only way to become successful in competitive sports while at the same time improving their health: hard work and proper nutrition.
For more information on steroids visit www.nida.nih.gov or visit my website at www.h2doc.com, view the Steroid Man, see a comprehensive list of individuals who have been associated with steroids and shoot me a question or comment at DrRani@h2doc.com. It’s Tha Hip Hop Doc, they call me H2D, come on now lets get Hip Hop Healthy. Peace, I’m out! (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield.
Before I get into the reasons why, let me first explain this class of drugs more correctly called anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). AAS are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. The ability for steroids to build muscle and strength is the anabolic effect of the drug, while the development of MALE secondary sexual characteristics, like the pitch of someone’s voice and the pattern of body hair describe the androgenic effect of the drugs. AAS have been around since the 1930s to treat a condition in men called hypogonadism in which the testes do not produce a sufficient amount of testosterone for normal male development and sexual function. Other approved medical uses for testosterone include the treatment of impotency, the “wasting” or weight loss seen in persons infected with HIV or cancers, and delayed puberty.
Performance enhancing drugs like AAS are not new to the arena of sports. They date back to the early Olympic Game’s, which started in Greece and has now evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry due to marketing and advertising. As early as 1969, journalist Bill Gilbert was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, “The pill, capsule, vial, and needle have become fixtures of the locker room as athletes increasingly turn to drugs in the hope of improving performance.” The desire to win and to gain the edge over one’s opponent is innate, however in the “steroid” culture, there is a phrase used by some professional athletes: “If you are not using steroids, then you are not trying hard enough!” This quest for supremacy at the expense of one’s health has taken over and the all-mighty dollar is more important than health, longevity and loved ones. Steroids have been used and proven to build strength and endurance in competitive athletes for decades; however, AAS are illegal and potentially harmful and considered cheating! These are not the messages we want to deliver to young African American athletes.
The reason women use these illegal and potential harmful substances are very similar to the reasons men use them: to improve athletic performance, to become more muscular, to gain weight, to lose weight, to recover faster from fatigue and injury, and/or to increase speed and endurance. Women who are victims of rape or who have been physically abused also use AAS to improve strength and confidence so that they can protect themselves from future attacks. Muscle dysmorphia, also called bigorexia or reverse anorexia nervosa, is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough, hence uses AAS to “bulk up”.
AAS have become much more complex as proven by the “designer” steroids used by Marion Jones, some of which are undetectable with the latest technology in urine, blood, or hair samples. Steroids are administered in many ways including pills, needles, patches, or creams. Once in the blood stream they are soaked up my muscle cells and promote the production of protein, which stimulates muscle growth. Athletes will mix different types of AAS to achieve various effects, as there is no accepted medical dosing standard for the use of these drugs for performance enhancement. Side effects of AAS use/abuse include high blood pressure, strokes, elevated cholesterol, nausea, sleep disturbances, acne, increased aggressiveness, and mood disorders including anxiety and depression. Women can experience reduced breast size, increased body and facial hair, a deeper voice, and menstrual problems. In men, reduced sperm count, impotence, breast growth, and decreased testicular size have all been documented. Some of these side effects are irreversible and require surgical treatment.
This is a very unfortunate situation and I am truly saddened as Marion Jones was one of my favorite athletes. I hope that she will turn the negative into a positive and begin to educate young athletes on the only way to become successful in competitive sports while at the same time improving their health: hard work and proper nutrition.
For more information on steroids visit www.nida.nih.gov or visit my website at www.h2doc.com, view the Steroid Man, see a comprehensive list of individuals who have been associated with steroids and shoot me a question or comment at DrRani@h2doc.com. It’s Tha Hip Hop Doc, they call me H2D, come on now lets get Hip Hop Healthy. Peace, I’m out! (c) 2007 Rani Whitfield.
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