Thwing Medical Group

04/12/2026

This is surprising and great news for my patients: Getting your annual Flu Vaccine (especially the higher-dose "senior" vaccine) cuts your risk of getting dementia substantially!

"Influenza vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, with multiple meta-analyses showing risk reductions ranging from 13% to 31% in vaccinated older adults.
The protective effect appears to be dose-dependent, with greater risk reduction observed with repeated vaccinations over multiple years. "

I was already aware that getting the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, cuts the risk of dementia by 4% or so, but until today I didn't know that annual Influenza vaccines are even more protective.

Animal models have indicated that influenza vaccination may prevent or delay the onset of dementia. However, the epidemiological evidence in human beings is still limited. Given this background, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current state of the art of observational...

03/13/2026

Here is a little trick if you have an ingrown toenail and want to put off coming to see me to have it cut out.
You can fill up the groove between the irritated cuticle and the nail with Super Glue (use the name brand Super Glue, not some other brand or knock-off) and cover the area on the toe and the nail a little bit as well.
Once this dries (it takes nearly 20 minutes - be patient!), it will make a molded, plasticky "splint" that will help the pain significantly. You have to replace it every 2-3 days because it will come off.
It's unlikely to fix the ingrown nail, but at least the Super Glue splint will buy you some time while you're screwing up the courage to come see me for definitive care.

03/05/2026

I have been saying this for years.
It's nice to have the history of just where "Best if Used Before" dates on food actually came from.
Yes, if the food does not appear to be rotten or moldy or whatever, it's perfectly fine to eat past the (arbitrary) "expiration date"

https://www.facebook.com/reel/25496696723321790

02/24/2026

The Doctor is IN!
I am definitely not designed for an unstructured life. I have finished my post-op recuperation period and started back in the office yesterday.
My back was a little sore by the end of the day, but not too bad and certainly not bad enough to keep me at home anymore. I'm not too sad, though, that Tuesday is my day off!
I will be back in the office again tomorrow, and am always glad to answer my patients' texts and phone calls and FB messages when I'm not in the office.
Thank you for all of your prayers and loving comments and cards. My recovery has been relatively quick, and it's nice to be remembered when you're not at 100%

02/05/2026

I will have spinal surgery next Wednesday, Feb 11th and will be out of the office for 10 days. Don't worry, though! I've got coverage, so the office will still be open and all appointments can be kept.

Besides arthritis and some herniated discs, I have a lima-bean-sized Synovial Cyst pressing on the nerves on my left side, causing kind of a lot of pain down the backs of my legs. It feels like I'm sitting on an electrified croquet ball, so I'm very much looking forward to the Neurosurgeon decompressing this space and unpinching my poor sciatic nerves.
I have a lot of confidence in my Neurosurgeon, but prayers are appreciated!

02/02/2026

We are open today until about 4PM or so if you need us!
The roads are cold and snowy, but at least the ones I drove weren't especially slippery.
Call in first, and I'll be glad to see you: (423) 639-0707
(But I will of course be closed on Tuesday like I always am. I have to go to a conference in Knoxville)

01/09/2026

Dr. Rebecca Lindberg's last day at the 400 Y Street location was today. She will still be with Summit Medical Group, but her office will be at Tusculum Family Physicians on Justis Drive
If you have an appointment scheduled with her, you just need to show up a little early at her new office to get the paperwork updated. Most of her patients will have already gotten a letter or e-mail, but if you have any questions just call (423) 783-7965.
Or, you can ask them here in the comments below!

12/28/2025

I am often asked by my female patients how often they really need Pap smears and at what age can they quit having them.
I routinely do 'Co-testing" which means that I do the Pap smear looking for abnormal or cancerous cells and also check for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. That means that, for my women aged 30-65 who aren't at extra-high risk for cervical cancer, they get this done every 5 years and quit after age 65.
From 21-30, every three years is recommended.
If you have had a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons, there is no cervical tissue to run a Pap smear on and therefore no need to ever have another Pap smear.
A breast exam is still advisable annually.
Yay!

11/13/2025

It's that time of year again:
My cuticles are splitting and cracking.
Very painful especially when I bump something, but a little Super Glue takes care of the pain immediately and is safe to use.

10/11/2025

I had heard of Amazon Pharmacy, but I had never looked into it.
The prices for 90-day supplies of several of these very commonly prescribed meds is pretty good (similar to or occasionally better than the cash prices at Food City or Publix or Walmart pharmacies)
Too many of my patients are still under the false impression that you cannot buy medications unless you have insurance. Sometimes, the cash price is *less* than an insurance co-pay!
If you have Amazon Prime already anyhow, check out the price you'd pay from Amazon. Just pick your medication and choose the form (tablet, extended release capsule, whatever), milligram strength and 30- or 90-day supply. For most meds I checked, the cost for 90 days was $8-15

Prime members, subscribe to RxPass and get all of your eligible meds for just $5 a month.

09/11/2025

Autumn is arriving awfully early this year!

08/07/2025

Amen!
I was just counselling a new patient earlier today about the risks of the anticholinergic effects of Benedryl. The main ingredient in most OTC sleeping medications, diphenhydramine has significant anticholinergic effects along with it's sedative and antihistamine effects. Benedryl knocks about 15 IQ points off of you 12-14 hours after taking it.
If you take Sominex or some other OTC sleeping medication and notice mental dulling the following afternoon, it might very well be the diphenhydramine. This is especially dangerous in the elderly.
I have felt for quite some time that the FDA should remove it from our shelves.

In a new review, experts call for the removal of diphenhydramine from over-the-counter and prescription markets in the United States, saying it’s outdated, dangerous and eclipsed by safer alternatives.