Medical Doctors who Smoke a Pipe?

[simong]

And politicians ;-)

Bill Clinton in particular, no?
If I was married to Hillary, I'd be inhaling everything I could get my hands on! Lol

 

[Bourbonandcigars]

I’m not a dr but I play one on tv.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

My previous doctor, as he just retired, asked me years ago during one of my annual physicals, if I smoked. I was honest and told him I smoke a pipe and cigars, and I told him about how frequent I would smoke each week. I explained to him it was my way of relieving stress. After verifying that I was not inhaling; he said I'll let you have that one vice, but suggested I quit. Since he knew I was healthy and fairly fit, though I could stand to lose a few pounds, and not a heavy drinker, nor someone that abused narcotics; he was okay with me having my one vice. Each following year at my physical he would ask if I was still smoking, yes. If I was inhaling, no, and how frequent, and I would tell him how often I was smoking at that time. He would say, ok, and then give me the, you should quit look. He never gave me that you should quit speech.

 

[warren]

Many medical facilities now offer "pre-cancer screening", covered by insurance usually. I believe it's aimed primarily at over 60's who smoke or recently quit. I took it a couple of years ago. I started cigarettes at age 12. Cigars and pipes followed within a few years. Surprisingly, I got a clean bill of health from the screening. I still swear it's all in the genes. Family history, for you non-adopted types, is one of the best pieces of information you can access before deciding to smoke, in my opinion. That's all it is, an opinion.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

"Do as I say, not as I do".

I just want to point out that this is not hypocritical. You asked for advice on health and I gave it, but that does not mean that there is no free will, or that just because I give good advice that I am bound to follow it myself.

People come to me as a physician because I have knowledge and surgical skill, not for my piety or personal health. I also accept their personal decisions and respect their choices while providing the best health care I am capable of.

I make plenty of bad choices in life, just ask my wife and kids...

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I

Iron butts are awesome but without a helmet the wind exposure would certainly do me in. In my more youthful temperance I have done 1k (24hrs) on a crotch rocket (with helmet) and I was wiped out. Your 1500 sans helmet is impressive!
YMMV

It ain't for the weak. I love the challenge. For me it is a sort of meditation. I wouldn't advise it unless you really really want to do one. Adrenaline junkies do all sorts of things that don't make sense, but it completes us.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

Half of all doctors are below average, I wouldn't be surprised if most here had a tale or two about bad medical advice they've received.

Hopefully not in my office!! I am not sure about this below average thing, unless you have been talking with my wife...

 

[captpat]

Hopefully not in my office!! I am not sure about this below average thing, unless you have been talking with my wife...

Simple statistics, in any population, half will be below average and half will be above average. It's a consequence of how averages are calculated. IME I'd say about half the doctors I've encountered over my lifetime are below average (all things considered). Given the requirements to become a doctor, the average is quite high compared to the average Joe, even so, they make mistakes, offer bad advice, or are just unpleasant to be around.

 

[AroEnglish]

I am a doctor, I don't just play one on this forum.

All smoking is bad for you - lets just get that out of the way. Professionally and on the record - QUIT!

Cigarette smoking is very harmful, the inhaling of hot gases with carcinogens is extremely bad for your health and the number one preventable cause of death. Risks = Cancer / COPD (emphysema) / Peripheral Vascular Disease (heart attack, stroke, poor circulation, hardening of the arteries)

Nicotine is extremely addictive.

Chew is strongly linked to oral cancers.

Pipe smoking in general is much less harmful, but is dose dependent. From what I have seen in studies, occasional use has minimal risk. That is assuming that you do not inhale. If you inhale, it likely is similar to cigarettes or possibly worse. If you smoke daily your risk will increase, and if you are smoking multiple bowls every day then you are certainly addicted to nicotine and have substantial increased health risks of COPD and cancer.

IMO there will never be an honest study of pipe smoking for a couple of reasons. First, it is so overshadowed by cigarettes that any study will not apply and would not be accurate for many reasons I will not get in to here. Second, who is going to pay for or publish any study that would be favorable to any tobacco use?!! It will not happen. From what I can deduce from the scant evidence, less than daily use of pipes and not inhaling carries minimal increased risks to your health.

As others have alluded to, there may be some beneficial affects of pipe smoking for anxiety and other psychiatric ailments. There is certainly a huge benefit to people who quit cigarettes and use pipes as an alternative, assuming they do not regularly inhale or smoke all day long.

But let's not kid ourselves, just because there is a lack of evidence directly related to pipe smoking and possibly some theoretical benefits, we can't assume that it is harmless or even beneficial over all. It is in the end a behavior that is harmful to your health. As an adult you have to make the decision on what risks you want to take in life and what adds quality to your life. Do you want to be alive or live? We all take risks in life and society. Driving is extremely risky for instance, but we all accept that risk to increase the quality of our lives. Alcohol, nuff said. Tobacco remains the number 1 preventable cause of death in America. Obesity is also very bad - eating excessive calories is detrimental to your health.

Personally I accept the risk and enjoy smoking a pipe. I will smoke quite heavily some days, but many days I don't smoke at all. As long as I don't have any withdrawal symptoms when I don't smoke and it does not impact my family relations such as spending time with my grandchildren, then I feel the risk is acceptable.

I may be a doctor, but I also am a risk taker. I drive motorcycles fast without a helmet for long distances. I just finished a Texas Iron Butt ride for 1500 miles in 24 hours. So take that into account when you read the above. I am sure that most other physicians would not agree with my personal opinion and advise to quite smoking.

-Doc

I didn't know you were an actual doctor. I didn't think you could be any cooler yet here we are.

 

[warren]

I guess I've been lucky in my choice of doctors. Of course I do a bit of due diligence before making that critical first appointment. I've only been disappointed with one DDS I've had over the years, too young and concerned with the 15 minute units. I prefer a professional who uses a bit of time to converse and establish a bit of a relationship with his/her patient. I've really been impressed with the three "Hospitalists" I've had interactions with.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I guess I've been lucky in my choice of doctors. Of course I do a bit of due diligence before making that critical first appointment. I've only been disappointed with one DDS I've had over the years, too young and concerned with the 15 minute units. I prefer a professional who uses a bit of time to converse and establish a bit of a relationship with his/her patient. I've really been impressed with the three "Hospitalists" I've had interactions with.

This is a huge problem in primary care, they are forced to see more patients and spend less time. I prefer doing surgery where I don't have that pressure and can spend more time with my patients. I get paid mainly for doing the surgeries, and do not rely on office visits for a decent salary.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Dr, Bob Kiess is one,

He’s also an excellent pipe maker!

 

[Pipeh]

Half of all doctors are below average, I wouldn't be surprised if most here had a tale or two about bad medical advice they've received.

Q: What do you call someone who graduates medical school at the bottom of their class?
A: Doctor

 

[GreatWhiteNorthPiper]

My doctor, Dr. Perl, makes great pipes and filters. So it must be good for you!