Frischer Medical Group

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 sexual contact. (Note that it is possible to get an HPV infection through non-sexual activity, such as non-sexual 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 sexual contact. (Note that it is possible to get an HPV infection through non-sexual activity, such as non-sexual 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...

01/24/2026

I have been asked to write an article about the health benefits of consuming mushrooms. This is quite difficult for me, as mushrooms are my one irrational dislike. But I do like a challenge, so here goes my most honest attempt.

I have been asked to write an article about the health benefits of consuming mushrooms. This is quite difficult for me, as mushrooms are my one irrational dislike. But I do like a challenge, so here goes my most honest attempt. Mushrooms are a fungus; neither fruit nor vegetable. They grow in a vari...

10/21/2025

It always surprises me when I run across a patient who is lacking a sweet tooth; they are certainly members of a minority. But let’s keep in mind that sugar is not found only in candy and soda; it’s in most processed foods, from pasta sauces to some peanut butters, rice, bread, crackers, yogurt, and much more. When we rely on quick meals and snacks, we find considerable amounts of added sugar.

It always surprises me when I run across a patient who is lacking a sweet tooth; they are certainly members of a minority. But let’s keep in mind that sugar is not found only in candy and soda; it’s in most processed foods, from pasta sauces to some peanut butters, rice, bread, crackers, yogurt,...

07/08/2025

So many factors play a role in determining how long and how well we live, including our personal health habits, where we live, and our genetic make-up. We have control over some of these, and no control over others.

Still, when we understand what is killing us, we can focus on targeted preventive measures. Just what are the current top ten causes of death in the United States?

So many factors play a role in determining how long and how well we live, including our personal health habits, where we live, and our genetic make-up. We have control over some of these, and no control over others. Still, when we understand what is killing us, we can focus on targeted preventive me...

07/08/2025

Recent outbreaks of measles in the United States are raising alarm among public health experts. In 2024, 285 cases were reported in 31 states. More than 80% of those cases were among those who were unvaccinated (or whose vaccination status was unknown). Why is this happening?

Recent outbreaks of measles in the United States are raising alarm among public health experts. In 2024, 285 cases were reported in 31 states. More than 80% of those cases were among those who were unvaccinated (or whose vaccination status was unknown). Why is this happening? Measles is a highly con...

07/08/2025

We are all aware that the state of our health revolves around diet, exercise, and lifestyle. But consider this: Good health may also require finding moments of joy, humor, and human connectedness. Everyone is familiar with the expression “laughter is the best medicine.” There are so many stressors in our lives; in today’s world this may be especially critical. Is there scientific data to support it?

We are all aware that the state of our health revolves around diet, exercise, and lifestyle. But consider this: Good health may also require finding moments of joy, humor, and human connectedness. Everyone is familiar with the expression “laughter is the best medicine.” There are so many stresso...

06/05/2025

The FDA has redefined the definition of healthy foods. What has changed?