Memoirs of a Deaf Physician part 2

The most asked question I receive regarding my hearing is, "How long have you been hearing impaired?"  This is soon followed by, "What caused your hearing impairment?"  These are always good questions, and the many repeated questions I have answered have continued to be the same:  "I was born with it," and "I think it was probably genetic." 

The truth is I don't know what caused my sensorineural hearing loss.  I know that it was discovered after a year and a half of my mom and dad testing me with all these different techniques such as clapping behind my back, asking me a question and see if I would answer, and whispering at me. 

When I asked my mom how she discovered that maybe she knew I had a hearing problem, was when she found herself writing in my baby book all these abnormal sounding names for common terms like, "fruck," for "truck," or "bees" for "these."  My dad told me he knew I had a problem when he would whisper to me and see me move my lips like he did without sound.  Quite an impressive deduction I felt when he told me that.  I never would have thought that. 

The fact that my youngest sister has the exact same problem led me to believe that it was a genetic trait.  My mom's continued remarks about her possibly having German measles could not have caused a sensorineural hearing loss.  German measles cause a much more serious issue - complete deafness. 

My hearing loss is moderate range, about 40% hearing loss of high decibels, which effectively eliminates most high decibel sounds, like "t, c, s, e, f, h, i, l, x, and z."  These syllables are completely missed by me when spoken directly to me while I can lip read.  

I wear hearing aides now that enable me to hear about 80%.  I still miss many important syllables.  Making up for it by repeating what I thought was said helps tremendously.  I learned how to lip read at an early age.   Concentrating on some one's lips is very important for me.  I connect sounds from lip reading simply from years of experience.  I've learned that when I see the tongue against the upper teeth, that a high decibel sound will be made, like "the," for the actual word, or "lah" for the "L" sound.

I can rarely hear in a group setting or with background noise.  However, in the clinic one - on - one, my strengths can overcome by allowing me to hear and read lips to the fullest affect.  I have been fortunate to develop this strength to serve the public.

The reason I want to serve the public developed by a much longer route than expected however.  I wasn't born with the desire to become a physician.  I learned the hard, much hard way that becoming a physician would be a culmination in my journey to self fulfillment. 

The desire started with a need for a second job.  While working for a grocery store as a customer service clerk, I began working for a nursing home.  I helped people get up from bed, bathe, feed, move, change diapers, and essentially full care of an individual.  Then I noticed that these super efficient super confident people who handed out medications and were writing down things all day seemed happier.  They turned out to be nurses, so I wanted to be a nurse.

The rest is history as they say.  I was a nurse for about 3 to 4 years before I knew I wanted to be a doctor.  That story will be clarified in my book.  In the meantime, stay healthy and live well.

Justus Peters MD

Memoirs of a Deaf Physician part 1

I have decided to leave a legacy for my children.  A memoir for them and others with similar interests in the obstacles one faces in my shoes.  I have started a book called, A Walk in My Moccasins, Memoirs of a Deaf Physician.  I hope the stories are interesting to those with hearing disabilities or those who just want some heartwarming stories of events that have shaped my life to become what it is. 

Starting a book is no easy chore.  I work over 60 hours a week, take care of patients both in the hospital and in the clinic.  I see nursing home and rehab patients.  To pay off medical school, I work in the ER and urgent care part time.  So in the midst of all the medicine I practice, I find myself reminiscing about my past, and seeing how my patience has developed.  I notice how the empathy developed, how I could easily share feelings with a patient.  Developing the desire to serve the public was a long arduous journey, and I can say that many many mistakes were made and many lucky chances I received to get here. 

Writing is a personal passion I had when I first saw dad reading his books all the time.  His constant reading and his depth of knowledge captivated my young mind, and allowed me to discover more knowledge through reading and writing.  My writing has developed since college when I was held back as a freshman on English 101.  It takes time, and practice.  It was a hurdle, like the many hurdles we all faced to get where we are in life. 

I hope you all enjoy some of these small portions from the book that is still currently being written.  Right now I have about 19,800 words with a goal of 50,000 words by the end of the year.  Wish me luck.  I hope you all stay safe and healthy. ;)

The Ins and Outs of Indigestion

I remember succinctly during my Intern year training, developing a severe burning epigastric pain that radiated up my chest.  I doubt it had anything to do with stress, but rather the awesome breakfast Carne Asada burritos.  For all those great breakfasts, I paid dearly by taking Nexium for the next 2 years.

Indigestion, or dyspepsia (our medical term) can be caused by several reasons.  Improper stomach emptying may increase acid buildup.  Sometimes OTC pain meds such as Advil or Motrin, and Tylenol can cause it. 

Some people get ulcers in their stomach or intestines from H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori).  An infection from this bacteria can cause indigestion.  This is one of the bacteria that can actually cause gastric carcinoma.

Sometimes indigestion can be a sign of something serious like gallstones, or rarely, cancer.  Be on the look out for other signs of serious illness like: weight loss, anemia, loss of appetite, trouble swallowing, frequent vomiting, and indigestion symptoms that begin after age of 55.  Schedule an appointment asap if any of these symptoms appear.

We know what causes indigestion, now what do we do about it?  First off, you should stop taking OTC pain meds.  Drink less alcohol, quit smoking, and changing diet may help.  Fatty fried foods relax the lower esophageal sphincter which is the muscle that closes off the stomach acid from irritating your esophagus.   Try to avoid foods that make symptoms worse, like the wonderful Carne asada burritos I devoured, or spicy foods.  Indigestion can be worse if you are stressed or depressed.  Doctors can help you find healthy ways to cope with stress or talk to you about treating depression.

If you have pain or burning, doctors may recommend medicine such as ranitidine, or omeprazole.  Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which is really too strong to be treating acid reflux.  I tell patients, it’s like killing a fly with a shotgun.  Recently a new disease has emerged secondary to chronic use of PPIs.  It is called Gastric Rebound disease. 

A little acid is good, to kill all the bacteria, viruses, and parasites we swallow with our food.  But when our stomach is not making acid, it produces more and more acid producing cells.  So when you take away your meds, the acid overflows and worsens any reflux symptoms.  A proper weaning protocol is essential to getting completely off PPIs and using them only as needed. 

There are other meds that may help if you feel bloated or full.  If you have a bacterial infection you may need antibiotics.  Schedule an appointment if you feel any symptoms that are not going away.  Thanks again for all the questions!  Be safe and healthy!