Author Archives: Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

About Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

CYNTHIA J KOELKER , MD is a board-certified family physician with over twenty years of clinical experience. A member of American Mensa, Dr. Koelker holds degrees in biology, humanities, medicine, and music from M.I.T., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She served in the National Health Service Corps to finance her medical education.

Herbal Medicine Debate

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

I was intrigued by a reader’s comments on herbal medicine and have replied to her comments below, in italics.  Which position do you take? * * * Ssurvy states: Relying overmuch on what science says about herbs is ridiculous. Science … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbal and complementary, Herbal medicine, High blood pressure, Medical archives, See medications - herbal | 7 Comments

Week 11 – Question of the Week: What lab procedures are you preparing to provide at TEOTWAWKI?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Week 11: 2011-05-19 Today I’m asking our professionals to consider this question: What lab procedures are you preparing to provide at TEOTWAWKI? Anyone else with opinions, questions, or concerns is invited to reply as well in the box below. Check back soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Field equipment, Medical archives, Medical testing, Preparation, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

from “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” – Rudyard Kipling

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

  Our friendly dentist sent this today, a reminder from days gone by. “….Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true … Continue reading →

Posted in Perennial Favorites, Poetry & Prose | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Clinical Laboratory Procedures under Austere Conditions: Part I – Introduction

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

The following post on clinical laboratory procedures is contributed by Pete Farmer,  who holds advanced degrees in research biology and history, and is also an RN and EMT.  * * * Among the many unsung heroes and heroines of modern medicine are … Continue reading →

Posted in Contributors, Medical archives, Medical testing, Pete Farmer, Preparation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dangers of pill splitting?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Craig asks:  A lot of data sheets I have seen for medicines in tablet form say something along the lines of “Do not halve the tablet. Dose equivalence when the tablet is divided has not been established.” How accurate is … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, Antidepressants, Blood pressure meds, Medical archives, Medications, Perennial Favorites, Shelf life, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications, Thyroid preparations | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Week 10 – Question of the Week: What steps have you taken to establish structured medical care?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Week 10:  2011-05-12 Today I’m asking all our readers to respond to this question: What steps have you taken to establish structured medical care for an end-of-life-as-we-know-it scenario?  Will you simply be on your own amidst the chaos, or have you networked … Continue reading →

Posted in Disaster Relief, Education, Medical archives, Preparation, Public health, Question of the Week | Tagged | 1 Comment

Cholera – Lessons from Haiti

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Haiti had not experienced a cholera epidemic in over a century. The January 2010 earthquake changed that. In the wake of the destruction and misery, cholera paid a visit.  By October 2010 an epidemic had been identified.  By six weeks later 91,770 cases … Continue reading →

Posted in Acute diseases, Cholera, Diarrhea, Diarrhea, Diseases, Education, Free downloads, Medical archives, Perennial Favorites, Preparation, Public health, Waste disposal, Water | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kidney stones and the end of the world

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

  A kidney stone:  don’t tell me it’s not the end of the world.  Sure, I’m better today, but yesterday I was dying.  At least it felt like it.  I hadn’t had pain like that since my son was born 17 … Continue reading →

Posted in Abdominal pain, Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Acute diseases, Bloody urine, Bonine - meclizine, Difficulty urinating, Dramamine - meclizine, Flank pain, Frequent urination, Ibuprofen, Ibuprofen, Kidney stone, Meclizine, Medical archives, Nausea, NSAIDs, OTC Nausea/vomiting meds, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Over-the-counter meds, Symptoms, Vomiting, Vomiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Medical-prepper links

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

One of our contributing professionals asked about placing my research on a hotmail sky drive.  Perhaps in the future I’ll find time to add this feature, but in the meantime he has offered to share his own extensive prepper research … Continue reading →

Posted in Disaster Relief, Education, Free downloads, Medical archives, Perennial Favorites, Preparation, Public health | 1 Comment

Week 9 – Question of the Week: How far are you prepared to stray from your area of expertise?

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Week 9: 2011-05-05 Today I’m asking our professionals to comment on the following question: At TEOTWAWKI, how far are you prepared to stray from your area of expertise? Would a veterinarian be willing to perform an appendectomy?  As an EMT … Continue reading →

Posted in Disaster Relief, Medical archives, Preparation, Public health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments