EXPERT
Samuel Friedman
Hematologist-Oncologist | Hematology & Oncology
Dr. Samuel Friedman is a hematologist oncologist practicing in Tamuning, Guam. Dr. Friedman specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of blood diseases such as anemia, hemophilia, sickle-cell disease, leukemia and lymphoma. Hematologist Oncologists are also trained in the study of cancer and its attack on other organs.
58 years
Experience
Samuel Friedman
- Tamuning, Guam
- University of British Columbia
- Accepting new patients
People Behaving Badly, Or Why There Is a Medical Crisis in Guam
Originally published in The Guam Daily Post, Letter to the Editor (Part 1/Part 2)Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folksAnd the rich folks hate the poor folks. All of my folks hate...
For Shame, Guam!
Uruguay is a small, democratic country on the east coast of South America atop Argentina. Unlike many of its co-continental nations, it has distinguished itself as a viable, true,...
Truth in Medical Advertising or "Fake News"
Originally published in The Guam Daily Post, Letter to the EditorI read an interesting article in a medical journal recently from the Department of Medical Ethics at New York University...
A Swing Too Far
It has been difficult to avoid the news this past year or so—with the ongoing opioid epidemic in the USA and the hysterical swings authorities, of various stripes, have been taking...
How can I raise my iron levels quickly?
The quickest way is with an intravenous iron infusion. If not urgent, then oral iron, usually 325 mg of some ferrous salt taken once a day preferably with fish or meat.
How can acupuncture help with anemia?
No! See a competent doctor and find out the cause of anemia and get treatment if needed.
What will happen if anemia is not treated?
It us important to know the cause of the anemia and treat that.
How do you lower protein in your blood?
Depends on what protein. If it is globulins, this could be due to an inflammatory or even malignant disease such as myeloma.
Can you go to the hospital for anemia?
No need for hospital for anemia which can be investigated and treated as an out patient; unless the anemia is very severe needing urgent transfusions.
Longerhons cells histiocytosis
I don't know how a diagnosis can be made without a biopsy.So, yes, a biopsy should be done.
WBC high?
Impossible to answer without breakdown of cell types.
How long does it take to biopsy a lymph node?
A lymph node can be biopsied by a large needle and usually have enough for any study. If someone wants to remove the node go see someone with the ability to do a core biopsy which READ MORE
A lymph node can be biopsied by a large needle and usually have enough for any study. If someone wants to remove the node go see someone with the ability to do a core biopsy which can be done under local freezing and take a minute.
How long does a bone marrow biopsy take?
If the person performing the bone marrow knows what he/she is doing, it should be virtually painless and take no more than a few minutes for both an aspiration and biopsy.
What does high hemoglobin mean in a child?
High hemoglobin could be caused by: 1) low oxygen levels as seen in some congenital heart defects 2) abnormal hemoglobin molecule that does not release oxygen readily 3)pulmonary READ MORE
High hemoglobin could be caused by: 1) low oxygen levels as seen in some congenital heart defects 2) abnormal hemoglobin molecule that does not release oxygen readily 3)pulmonary disease with low oxygen levels 4) living at high altitudes 4) rare in children, an abnormality with bone marrow producing to many red blood cells. All of these should be easy to diagnose by a competent physician.
What kind of anesthesia is used for bone marrow biopsy?
Usually just local anesthetic with 1% xylocaine.
What is the cause of high platelet count?
1) overproduction in bone marrow called primary thrombocytotosis, 2) infection or inflammation, 3) iron deficiency anemia. These are the usual causes.
Should you go to the emergency room for low hemoglobin?
No! If this is something chronic the ER is no place to go for a diagnosis. You need a competent doctor who will find the cause and outline a proper treatment for the anemia.
Can thrombosis be treated at home?
Absolutely and unless there is some other reason, it should be. The newer non-vitamin K-dependent anticoagulants need not "work up" time like coumadin and can be started as an READ MORE
Absolutely and unless there is some other reason, it should be. The newer non-vitamin K-dependent anticoagulants need not "work up" time like coumadin and can be started as an outpatient and the patient sent home.
How does sepsis get into the blood?
Sepsis usually means the infection is circulating in the blood and is very serious. Any serious infection can seed the blood. If you indeed have sepsis, it is usually a medical READ MORE
Sepsis usually means the infection is circulating in the blood and is very serious. Any serious infection can seed the blood. If you indeed have sepsis, it is usually a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.
Should I go to ER for blood clot in arm?
A clot in the arm is unusual and not as serious as one in the leg. If present, there is usually an important reason for this which would be much more logical to be assessed by READ MORE
A clot in the arm is unusual and not as serious as one in the leg. If present, there is usually an important reason for this which would be much more logical to be assessed by a hematologist and not an ER doctor concerned with serious acute emergencies and not prone to work up problems over time. So,it might be logical to first see if indeed this is a clot, but if so,see a person to investigate possible causes.
Chronic wound?
I suspect the sickle cell problem has something to do with the nonhealing, likely vascular blockage. I would see a vascular surgeon or preferably a vascular radiologist to have READ MORE
I suspect the sickle cell problem has something to do with the nonhealing, likely vascular blockage. I would see a vascular surgeon or preferably a vascular radiologist to have your vessel patency assessed. Improving this might have a beneficial effect on the healing.
What is the cause of low platelet count?
There are 2 reasons for low platelets; either the bone marrow is producing less or there is increased destruction of platelets that are produced. There are a number of reasons READ MORE
There are 2 reasons for low platelets; either the bone marrow is producing less or there is increased destruction of platelets that are produced. There are a number of reasons for both causes which need to be investigated for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Whether this is dangerous depends on the cause and the resultant platelet count.
Can high hemoglobin cause miscarriage?
In theory yes, but for all practice, no. If there was a severe problem whereby the hemoglobin level was so high that it would obstruct blood flow, this is possible. But one would READ MORE
In theory yes, but for all practice, no. If there was a severe problem whereby the hemoglobin level was so high that it would obstruct blood flow, this is possible. But one would have to have severe lung or heart or blood problems to have such a level.
