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How to Meditate in Bed: Start or End Your Day With This Restful Practice
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We often imagine a standard meditation practice taking place in a seated position, but sitting is certainly not the only way to get a great meditation session. In fact, one of the most accessible places to meditate is a space where we already spend a third of our lives: in bed. If you’re wondering how to meditate in bed, you’ll find what you need to get started in this simple guide, complete with techniques, benefits, and tips to make the most of this restful practice.

Whether you’re looking to begin your day with clarity, or you’re seeking a soothing practice to quiet your body and mind before sleep, meditating in bed offers a gentle and practical way to weave mindfulness into your routine.

Why Learn How to Meditate in Bed?

Meditating in bed isn’t just convenient—it can also be beneficial. Here’s why this practice is worth exploring:
1. Accessibility:
  First of all, at the beginning or end of each day, you’re already there! No need for a special cushion or designated space. Plus, this position can be easier and more comfortable for people with chronic pain or mobility challenges that make traditional seated postures painful or impossible.
2. A Versatile Option to Add to Your Mindfulness Toolkit:
  You can meditate in bed while sitting, lying on your back, or resting on your side. And while you might not feel like meditating in bed every day, it can be a great option for times when you aren’t feeling well, or you’re recovering from an injury or medical procedure that makes sitting uncomfortable.
1. A Gentle Start or End to the Day:
  Morning meditations set the tone for mindfulness and focus, while evening meditations help transition from the day’s busyness to restful sleep.
1. Stress and Sleep Support:
  Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality, making it an ideal practice for those struggling with insomnia or racing thoughts at night.
1. Body Awareness and Relaxation:
  In bed, you’re naturally lying down or reclining, a posture that can encourage deep relaxation and help you connect with your body in a soothing way.
How to Prepare for Meditating in Bed

Creating the right environment can significantly enhance your meditation experience. Here are a few steps we recommend to set the stage:
1. Reduce Distraction:
  This can include anything from taking a few minutes to declutter the space, making sure your phone is silenced or off, or taking care of a small to-do that might be nagging your mind.
1. Dim the Lights:
  Soft lighting or total darkness can help signal your brain that it’s time to wind down. If it’s safe to do so, a lit candle can also be soothing. (For example, if you know you’re prone to falling asleep during this type of meditation, candles might not be the best option.)
1. Limit Noise:
  Use earplugs, a white noise machine, or calming background sounds like ocean waves or rain if you’re in a noisy environment.
1. Dress Comfortably:
  Wear loose, comfortable clothing or pajamas that don’t restrict your movement or breath.
1. Avoid Screens:
  If you’re using this time to wind down at night, minimize screen time for at least 30 minutes before bed to reduce blue light exposure and prepare your mind for stillness.
Techniques for Meditating in Bed

While most meditations can be done sitting, standing, or reclining, there are several meditation methods tailored for bed, each addressing different goals like relaxation, mindfulness, or stress relief. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Body Scan Meditation

The body scan is a soothing technique that helps you become aware of physical sensations, tension, and areas of relaxation.

How to Meditate In Bed with a Body Scan:
1. Lie flat on your back with your arms resting at your sides. Close your eyes.
2. Begin by focusing on your breath. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
3. Starting at the top of your head, bring your awareness to each part of your body. Notice sensations—warmth, tension, or lightness.
4. Slowly work your way down your body: forehead, jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach, hips, legs, and feet.
5. If you notice tension, imagine sending your breath there to gently release it.
6. Once you’ve scanned your whole body, rest in the stillness you’ve created.
2. Breath Awareness Meditation

Focusing on the breath is a foundational meditation practice that calms the mind and anchors you in the present moment.

How to Meditate In Bed with Breath Awareness:
1. Lie comfortably on your back or side, closing your eyes.
2. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four, hold for a count of two, and exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of six.
3. Pay attention to the sensation of air moving in and out—cool air entering, warm air leaving.
4. If your mind wanders, gently guide it back to the rhythm of your breath.
5. Continue for 5–15 minutes or until you feel a sense of calm.
3. Guided Visualization

This technique uses imagery to create a sense of peace and relaxation, perfect for setting a vision for your upcoming day, or winding down before sleep.

How to Meditate In Bed with a Guided Visualization:
1. Find a guided meditation app or audio recording, or create your own imagery.
2. As you lie in bed, close your eyes and picture a serene setting, like a tranquil beach, a quiet forest, or a warm, glowing light surrounding you.
3. Use all your senses: imagine the sounds, scents, and textures of your visualization.
4. Let the imagery carry you into a deep state of relaxation.
4. Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)

Loving-kindness meditation is a practice of directing goodwill and compassion toward yourself and others. This can be particularly powerful before you head into work (focusing your attention on compassion for those you’ll encounter during the day) or as a way to re-center after a stressful day.

How to Meditate In Bed with Metta Meditation:
1. Begin in a comfortable lying position, eyes closed.
2. Take a few deep breaths and focus on feelings of warmth and love.
3. Silently repeat phrases like:
  
  “May I be happy.”
  
  “May I be healthy.”
  
  “May I be safe.”
4. Gradually expand your focus to others: first someone you love, then a neutral person, and finally someone you’ve struggled with.
5. End by sending loving-kindness to all beings everywhere.
5. Counting or Word Meditation

For those who struggle with a racing mind, creating a single, simple point of focus can help to slow thoughts and bring calm to the body and mind. Counting works, or choosing a short word or phrase can also be useful.

How to Meditate In Bed with Counting or a Simple Word:
1. Lie on your back and close your eyes.
2. Begin counting your breaths: inhale as “one,” exhale as “two,” and so on up to ten.
3. If you’re using a word or phrase, you can repeat it on each inhale and exhale, or you can use the inhale for the first part of the phrase and the exhale for the second. For example, you could say something like, (inhale) I greet this day, (exhale) with gratitude and openness.
4. If your mind wanders, which it will, just start again without judgment.
5. Repeat this process until you feel centered and calm.
Read more and follow along with the audio here: A Mindful Breath-Counting Practice for Teens and Tweens

6. Yoga Nidra

While it has many overlaps with traditional meditations practices, Yoga Nidra is a restorative and intention-setting practice that’s been around for centuries. It is a form of non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) that activates the brain’s delta waves, which allows the body to enter the “rest and digest” state. It has been shown to bring deep relaxation, mental clarity, and a calm, revitalized energy. Notably, it’s an effective practice for reducing anxiety.

How to Meditate in Bed with Yoga Nidra:
- Get comfortable on your back with your feet about shoulder width apart and your arms by your sides.
- Set an intention (called a Sankalpa) for your practice. This could be something like, I am courageous, My true nature is love, or, I am a conduit for peace in the world.
- Remind yourself that you will remain awake throughout the practice.
- Focus on different parts of your body, feeling their weight and then their lightness.
- Witness all thoughts and feelings that arise, welcoming them with compassion, not trying to “fix” them, and just allowing them to pass.
- Reflect on your intention for the practice and affirm it with your mind and body.
You can learn more about the practice of Yoga Nidra and experience seven full guided sessions with teacher Kelly Boys in our Yoga Nidra course.

Tips for Meditating In Bed as an Ongoing Practice

As with any meditation practice, it might take some time to find what works best for you. As you explore adding this approach to your mindfulness toolkit, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Be Patient with Yourself:
  Your mind will wander—this is normal. Gently bring your focus back to the practice without self-criticism.
1. Experiment with Positions:
  While lying on your back is common, this might be uncomfortable for people with low back issues. It’s okay to lie on your side, prop your knees up, or lie at a 45º angle with pillows under your shoulders, neck, and head if that’s more comfortable.
1. Use Props for Comfort:
  Pillows under your knees or a weighted blanket can enhance relaxation.
1. Set a Time Limit (or Don’t):
  Meditate for a specific duration, or simply let the practice carry you into sleep.
1. Be Consistent:
  Make meditation a nightly or morning ritual. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to slip into a meditative state.
How to Meditate In Bed: Benefits You Can Experience

As you experiment with different techniques and times of day, see what you notice about how you’re feeling. Here are some benefits you might experience as you develop your practice:
1. Improved Sleep Quality:
  Meditating before bed can help quiet the mind, release tension, and prepare your body for restful sleep.
1. Reduced Anxiety and Stress:
  Mindfulness lowers cortisol levels, promoting a sense of calm and balance.
1. Enhanced Emotional Regulation:
  Regular meditation can help you approach challenges with greater resilience and clarity.
1. Improved mindset or outlook:
  Morning meditation sets a positive tone, fostering mindfulness, curiosity, and focus throughout the day.
1. Deepened Self-Awareness:
  Spending time with your thoughts and body creates a stronger connection with yourself.
A Cozy, Comfy Way to Grow Your Mindfulness Practice

Meditating in bed is a versatile, gentle way to bring mindfulness into your life. Whether you’re looking to start your day with clarity or unwind into restful sleep, the techniques shared here can help you create a sense of peace and connection.

The beauty of bed meditation lies in its simplicity—you don’t need fancy tools or hours of practice. All you need is your breath, your body, and a willingness to be present. Over time, this practice can transform not just your sleep but also your overall well-being.

FAQs

What if I fall asleep during meditation?

It’s common to fall asleep while meditating in bed, especially at night. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing! If your goal is to wind down and sleep better, drifting off during meditation means your practice is working. However, if you’re aiming for focused mindfulness, consider meditating sitting upright earlier in the day.

Can I combine meditating in bed with other types of meditation?

Of course! Meditation can be done anytime, anywhere, and any way you like. Just find what works for you. You can even combine practices if you like—for example, using yoga stretches to help you relax before bed.

When I learn how to meditate in bed, do I get the same benefits as other types of meditation?

Yep! Meditating in bed still increases relaxation, lessens stress, balances the nervous system, enable better sleep, improves mood, and offers a host of other physical, emotional, and mental benefits.
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May 2, 2025
Sexual Health Changes Following Treatment

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Prostate Cancer

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May 2, 2025
Heart health in culturally diverse populations
In this Heart Week special, we’re joined by Dr Rebecca Luong – Accredited Practising Dietitian, Sports Dietitian and PhD-qualified expert in cardiometabolic health. With a passion for practical, culturally inclusive care, Rebecca shares real-world strategies for supporting heart health across diverse populations.

Hosted by Brooke Delfino

Biography

Dr Rebecca Luong is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian, also known as The Cardiometabolic Dietitian and co-founder of Heartful Flavours. Rebecca worked in various areas of dietetics, including private practice, outpatient hospital, supermarket nutrition and community health, before completing a PhD in nutrition and cardiometabolic health. Her aim is to improve the heart and metabolic health of individuals globally through providing the best practical evidence-based nutrition solutions. Currently, she provides online consultations and launched heart-healthy Asian seasonings on a mission to eliminate excess sodium intake and support heart health. Rebecca was awarded the Dietitians Australia President’s Award for Innovation, 2024.
In this episode, we discuss:

How heart disease risk presents across different cultural groups

Real case studies in cardiometabolic nutrition

How to adapt traditional food practices for heart health

Strategies for overcoming engagement and access barriers

Practical tips for flavourful, heart-smart meals
Additional resources

The content, products and/or services referred to in this podcast are intended for Health Care Professionals only and are not, and are not intended to be, medical advice, which should be tailored to your individual circumstances. The content is for your information only, and we advise that you exercise your own judgement before deciding to use the information provided. Professional medical advice should be obtained before taking action. The reference to particular products and/or services in this episode does not constitute any form of endorsement. Please see  here  for terms and conditions.
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May 2, 2025
Got Memory Issues? Here’s How To Tell If It’s Dementia Or Just Aging

Who has not forgotten a name, occasionally misplaced things, or stumbled over the right word during a conversation? However, with growing awareness about dementia, these occasional memory lapses often leave people wondering if it could be an early sign of dementia.

As people get older, you might notice that it takes a little longer to remember things than it once did, but most of the time, there is no cause for concern. This occasional forgetfulness is called age-associated memory impairment and is a normal part of aging. Although it may feel frustrating, it does not mean you have dementia.

Although many people confuse normal aging with dementia, the two are very different. Dementia often begins with mild memory loss but progressively worsens over time. In normal age-related memory changes, forgetfulness tends to be occasional and typically involves memories from the more distant past. In contrast, people with dementia frequently struggle with recent events, such as forgetting a conversation they had earlier that day or not recognizing someone they just met.

Dementia is not just about memory loss. It also brings confusion, difficulty managing everyday tasks, trouble with language and understanding, and noticeable changes in behavior. Over time, these challenges interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and can significantly affect their independence.

However, it is important to remember that noticing symptoms like memory loss or confusion is not enough to diagnose dementia. Only a healthcare professional can make that diagnosis after a thorough evaluation. This typically involves medical history, cognitive tests, physical exams, and sometimes brain imaging to rule out other possible causes.

Memory issues can also stem from a variety of other causes, including head injuries like concussions, brain tumors or infections, thyroid or organ problems, medication side effects, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, substance misuse, sleep disturbances, or even deficiencies in key nutrients such as vitamin B12 and poor nutrition.

When to see a doctor?

If memory problems start interfering with daily life, it is important to see a doctor. Warning signs include repeating the same questions over and over, getting lost in familiar places, or struggling to manage personal care.

In some cases, older adults may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition where memory or thinking problems are more noticeable than in others their age. However, unlike dementia, people with MCI can usually manage their daily activities independently, but it can sometimes be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

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May 2, 2025
Doctors Pushed HIV Meds On Patients in Exchange For Lavish Meals, Trips, and Cash: Prosecutors

A pharmaceutical company that allegedly paid doctors kickbacks to push their HIV/AIDS drugs has agreed to pay a fine of more than $200 million to settle a civil lawsuit filed by federal prosecutors.

The government alleged that Gilead had induced doctors to prescribe a slew of HIV/AIDS drugs in exchange for honoraria payments, meals, and travel expenses to healthcare practitioners. Prosecutors said the company created a scheme where healthcare practitioners who spoke at or attended Gilead speaker events, and used the events as a a way to deliver kickbacks.

“For years, Gilead unlawfully sought to increase sales of its HIV drugs, by using its speaker programs to funnel kickbacks to doctors. As alleged, Gilead spent tens of millions of dollars on these programs, including over $20 million in speaking fees and millions more in exorbitant meals, alcohol and travel, all in an effort to induce doctors to prescribe Gilead’s HIV drugs and drive up sales,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said.

“With this settlement, Gilead has taken responsibility for its conduct and agreed to pay a significant financial penalty. The message is clear, companies that illegally drain taxpayer dollars from federal healthcare programs will be held accountable,” he said.

The government also alleged that the scheme led to false claims for the Gilead HIV Drugs being submitted to and paid for by federal healthcare programs. Because of this, more than $176 million of the fine will go as compensation to the government, with the remainder being distributed to several states.

One HIV speaker, who received over $300,000 in total honorarium payments, wrote prescriptions for Gilead HIV Drugs that resulted in over $6 million in Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE payments.

The Gilead HIV antiretroviral drugs are expensive, with Medicare paying more than $1,000 for a one-month supply of Complera®, for example. From 2011 to November 2017, the company conducted HIV speaker programs, ostensibly for educational purposes.

However, prosecutors say many of the events had little educational value and that Gilead would invite the same physicians over and over to the same program. The events were often held at fancy restaurants in New York including at James Beard House, Del Posto, Asiate, Palma, Vaucluse, Ilili, and Limani.

Other desirable locations for the events included Hawaii, Miami, and New Orleans. Prosecutors noted that sometimes the location was selected in response to an HIV speaker’s request to be booked for a program in that city.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald

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May 1, 2025

Heart – OPTN

Heart

Patient brochure

Find information for patients and families to understand and navigate organ donation and transplantation below:

Questions and answers for transplant candidates about:

The heart

Functions of the heart

The heart is a strong, muscular, cone-shaped organ. It is located behind the breastbone between the lungs. It pumps blood throughout the body.

Blood that no longer carries oxygen flows from the heart to the lungs, where it gives up wastes and gets new oxygen. From there, the blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body.

Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Birth defects, or any condition that damages or overloads the heart muscle, can cause it. Treatment depends on the cause of heart failure and the age and condition of the patient.

Heart transplant procedures

Most heart transplants involve replacing the patient’s heart with the heart from a deceased donor. In rare cases, the patient’s native heart is not removed; this is known as a heterotopic transplant.

There also have been a few transplants involving a living heart donor. This may occur if one patient receives a heart-lung combination transplant but their heart is in good condition. This patient’s heart may then be transplanted into another recipient. This is known as a “domino” heart transplant.

Reasons for heart transplant

Heart diagnosis categories	Heart diagnoses
Cardiomyopathy	Dilated Myopathy: Idiopathic Dilated Myopathy: Myocarditis Dilated Myopathy: Other Specify Dilated Myopathy: Post Partum Dilated Myopathy: Familial Dilated Myopathy: Adriamycin Dilated Myopathy: Viral Dilated Myopathy: Alcoholic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Restrictive Myopathy: Idiopathic Restrictive Myopathy: Amyloidosis Restrictive Myopathy: Sarcoidosis Restrictive Myopathy: Endocardial Fibrosis Restrictive Myopathy: Other Specify Restrictive Myopathy: Secondary to Radiation/Chemotherapy
Coronary Artery Disease	Coronary Artery Disease Dilated Myopathy: Ischemic
Congenital Heart Disease	Congenital Heart Disease
Valvular Heart Disease	Valvular Heart Disease
Retransplant/Graft Failure	Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Coronary Artery Disease Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Other Specify Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Non-Specific Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Acute Rejection Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Hyperacute Rejection Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Primary Failure Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Chronic Rejection Heart Retransplant/Graft Failure: Restrictive/Constrictive
Other	Cardiac Disease: Other Specify Heart: Other Specify Cancer

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April 30, 2025

Edufrienz Individual Subscription 1 Year ClickBank – Edufrienz

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April 30, 2025
A Meditation for Clarifying Your Motivations for Using Tech
Your motivations for using tech can also point the way toward developing a healthier relationship with it. In today’s practice, Jay Vidyarthi guides us to identify our motivations and ways to establish more balance and intention in our tech use — without the guilt.
Recent studies have confirmed that the constant presence and use of tech in our lives has become a hazard to our well-being on multiple levels. Yet it’s not going anywhere—so how do we mindfully hold that tension and seek balance in our relationship to technology?

Meditation teacher, mindful tech designer, and self-identified tech lover Jay Vidyarthi observes, “It’s okay to enjoy technology. Tech becomes a problem when we get so attached to it that our lives fall out of balance—and this happens because a certain device or app or game or even your work email might satisfy a specific, lacking, healthy emotional need.”

In today’s practice, Jay leads us through a contemplative practice that can help us dig down and understand our motivations for using tech, while also helping us identify ways to be more intentional about the why, how, and when of our digital consumption.

A Meditation for Clarifying Your Motivations for Using Tech

Read and practice the guided meditation script below, pausing after each paragraph. Or listen to the audio practice.
1. This is going to be a contemplation. So choose whether you want to meditate with your eyes closed in a certain posture or position, or whether you’d rather journal, in which case you can grab a pen or a paper or even type on your computer.
2. Hit pause on the audio if you need a little bit more space to get settled. There’s never a need to rush into this kind of thing, so try to find a place that’s quiet, maybe even inspiring, for your contemplation or journaling.
3. When you’re ready, start by thinking or writing about why you personally might be interested in a better relationship with technology. What’s motivating you here? Is it a general feeling? Are there specific patterns you’re trying to change? Are there specific things that have happened that felt off to you that maybe inspired this idea that you needed to work on your relationship with technology? Are there maybe stories you’ve heard in the media or the press about technology and what it might be doing to us? Are there positive experiences that you have with technology where you find joy or meaning or purpose that maybe you want to get more of, or maybe you want to get back to? Maybe those are memories from an earlier incarnation of technology that feels lost.
Are there positive experiences that you have with technology where you find joy or meaning or purpose that maybe you want to get more of, or maybe you want to get back to?
1. Consider or write down how a more mindful relationship with technology might positively impact you and the people around you, whether those are family members or friends or roommates or coworkers, or even just the barista at the coffee shop or the clerk at the grocery store.
2. If you’re having a hard time getting to deeper answers, try asking why over and over again like young children do. It’s a very powerful word. You might start with, Why am I interested in a better relationship with technology? Your mind might answer that with something like, I want to be less stressed. From there you might ask, Why do I want to be less stressed? Maybe your answer is because you want to be more present for the people you care about. You might ask why again, Why do I want to be more present for the people I care about? Keep going with this, and you’ll eventually find yourself at some deeper personal truths.
3. Now, as you do this, notice if any judgment or shame is coming up. If you’re journaling, you can look back over the page, but if you are contemplating, you can just reflect. If judgment is arising, just let that come and go. So for example, you might ask why and hear your inner voice get self-critical. Like, Why do I want a healthy relationship with technology? Oh, well, because I can’t control myself and I’m addicted and destroying my life with this technology. Our inner voice can go all over the place, as you well know. If that happens, there’s no need to resist it, but don’t give it more energy, either. Try to stay curious and focus on those motivations, those intentions, those answers that feel like they’re encouraging positive growth.
4. As we approach the end of our session here, see if you can distill what’s come up in this practice into a simple word or phrase. If you’re journaling, you can draw a big line on the page. If you are contemplating, you can clear your palate. Try to find something that captures the essence of what is motivating you, what your intention is to form a more mindful, healthier, better relationship with the technology in your life. Try to be very specific and concise.
5. Once you have something, commit that to memory or write it down. Then, let go of all the effort that we’ve put into this practice and let’s take a few moments to just be as we are. There’s nothing more to do, yet we’re not yet moving into the next thing. We’re enjoying this transition, this moment of emptiness and non-doing.
6. When you’re ready, you can gradually open your eyes if they were closed. Have a little stretch or a sip of water, whatever you need. And if you haven’t yet, you can write down the word or phrase you came up with, put that in a visible place, and let that be a reminder of your intention, your motivation, your commitment to an improved relationship with technology.
It’s important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean only setting boundaries around problematic use patterns. It also means setting yourself up to fully enjoy the parts of technology you enjoy and to find authentic connection online and to allow any meaning or purpose that you get from technology to fully flourish into your life. I hope this was helpful. See you next time.
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April 30, 2025
Cardiologists, Heart Stents, and Upcoding

Cardiologists can criminally game the system by telling patients they have much more serious, unstable diseases than they really have—fraud that results in unnecessary procedures, unnecessary costs, and unnecessary patient harm.

“The history of medicine abounds with dogmas assumed and later overcome”—sometimes, much later. The Women’s Health Initiative study showed that giving women Premarin, a hormone replacement therapy, increased the risk of the number one killer of women, heart disease, as well as breast cancer risk. Millions of women stopped taking it, and breast cancer rates came down.

Another such reversal of an established medical practice is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—angioplasty and stents for stable coronary artery disease. Billions of dollars are spent on procedures shown “unequivocally” to offer no benefits.

So, why are cardiologists still doing them? Researchers did some focus groups and concluded: “Although cardiologists may believe they are benefiting their stable patients with CAD [coronary artery disease] by performing PCI, this belief appears to be based on emotional and psychological factors rather than on evidence of clinical benefits.”

“The sense of irrationality surrounding this practice is so strong that the phenomenon has been coined the oculostenotic reflex (I see a stenosis; I stent it).” They see a narrowing and stent it as though they can’t even help themselves.

Since the procedure carries some risks, including death, there’s an argument that stents should only be used for individuals who are actively having heart attacks and are in an emergency or unstable situation. Thankfully, there are now published, appropriate-use criteria in place to help guide cardiologists, and the good news is that 82 percent of stents are “reported to be performed in emergency or unstable situations.” So, we can disregard that ORBITA study that showed there was no benefit in stable patients since it’s now almost always performed only in unstable patients, right? Well, that’s how it’s almost always reported. “There are 2 ways a physician can become compliant. One is to do fewer unnecessary procedures”—which is the whole point (but where’s the money in that?)—“and the other is to make unnecessary procedures seem necessary.”

Is the implication that a doctor would try to game the system by telling a patient that they had a much more serious, unstable disease than they actually had, so the procedure could be carried out anyway? This is referred to as “upcoding.” Another word for it would be “fraud.” Researchers found that “some of that decline [in inappropriate use] may be driven by upcoding, falsely and intentionally misclassifying patients with stable angina as UA,” having unstable angina. As soon as those appropriate-use criteria went into effect, suspiciously, there was a four- to tenfold greater increase in rates of stents for acute coronary syndromes like heart attacks. “In New York, the proportion of PCIs labeled as acute, but performed as outpatient procedures, increased 14-fold…” There’s no biologically plausible reason why that would happen, so they were unnecessary procedures with unnecessary cost and unnecessary patient harm. And harm not only from the risk of getting an unnecessary stent but also from lying to the patient by exaggerating how bad their heart disease is. “This practice, at best, damages the credibility of the profession, increases health care spending, violates patient autonomy, puts the patient at risk of procedural complications and, at worse, may cross the threshold into criminal activity…”

What’s the solution? There could be an independent review panel to protect patients. “Simpler might be to remove the financial incentive to perform more procedures.”

“How many established standards of medical care are wrong? It is not known.” Bloodletting was the standard of care for thousands of years, for example. “Rigorous questioning of long-established practices is difficult. There are thousands of clinical trials, but most deal with trivialities or efforts to buttress the sales of specific products. Given this conundrum, it is possible that some entire medical subspecialties are based on little evidence.”

In the landmark COURAGE trial that showed stents were useless for extending life, what did seem to determine longevity? Ironically, in the case of heart stents, it was how many risk factors the patients were able to control. Those who achieved all six by lowering their blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and smoking, while improving their diets and activity, had five times the survival over the subsequent 14 years than those who didn’t, as shown below and at 4:36 in my video Heart Stents and Upcoding: How Cardiologists Game the System.

Should we be surprised that angioplasty and stents fail to improve prognosis? After all, they do nothing to modify the underlying disease process itself. In other words, it doesn’t treat the cause. Even if stents helped with symptoms beyond the placebo effect, they would still just be treating the symptoms and not the disease. So, it’s no wonder the disease continues to progress until the patient is disabled to death. Dr. Esselstyn wrote, “Thus, the leading killer of men and women in Western civilization is being left untreated. What is being practiced is ‘palliative cardiology’: nontreatment of heart disease leading to disease extension and frequently an eventual fatal outcome.”

Deaths by the planeload every week, are “regarded as unfortunate,” rather than a national, preventable tragedy. “It is as though in ignoring this dairy, oil, and animal-based illness, we are wedded to providing futile attempts at temporary symptomatic relief”—rather than the cure.

Thankfully, “we are on the cusp of a seismic revolution in health…not another pill, procedure, or operation,” but instead treating the underlying cause of heart disease with whole food, plant-based nutrition, “the mightiest tool medicine has ever had in its toolbox.”

To get there, we need to fight a key nutrition deficiency in education. A study found that 90 percent of cardiologists reported receiving no or minimal nutrition education during their cardiology training, leaving fewer than one in ten feeling confident in their nutrition knowledge. So, maybe it’s a good thing that most spend just three minutes or less discussing nutrition with their patients. Only one in five cardiologists themselves even ate five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Thankfully, this lifesaving information is slowly but surely getting out there. “Medical education has focused on being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff rather than a fence at the top. Money talks, and there’s very little money in promoting eating broccoli and going for a walk, despite them being much more effective.” I was so eager to see the citation they used for that and was so honored when I did, as shown below and at 7:14 in my video.

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April 30, 2025
DK Klinik Develops Hair Donor Index After Thousands of Clinical Cases

In a study conducted by an internationally recognised association of hair restoration surgeons, doctors specialising in hair transplantation reported that 6 out of every 100 procedures are corrective surgeries for transplants previously conducted at black market clinics.

Considering that not every individual who underwent a transplant at a black market clinic seeks a second operation, the actual rate of hair transplants performed in black market clinics appears to be significantly higher.

This situation highlights an evaluation process that is far from scientific standards and lacks transparency.

In an effort to improve transparency and scientific structure in hair transplantation, DK Klinik has introduced a new clinical evaluation system: the Hair Donor Index.

The Hair Donor Index, created by analysing thousands of hair transplantation cases performed at the clinic over the years, was developed by DK Klinik—operating in the field of dermatology and hair transplantation in Turkey for 23 years—to grade the donor area quality of patients in preparation for hair transplantation.

Unlike traditional approaches that often rely heavily on subjective visual inspection, DK Klinik’s Hair Donor Index scores the donor area based on four critical parameters: follicular density, donor area size, follicular unit distribution, and hair thickness.

Each factor has a different level of influence on donor site suitability. Therefore, each score is multiplied by a specific weight, and the patient’s donor area is ultimately scored between 20 and 100 based on the weighted results.

‘Many hair transplant evaluations focus on how much area needs to be covered, but they rarely assess whether the donor area can sustainably provide enough grafts,’ said Prof. Dr. Ümit Kemal Şentürk, a senior executive at DK Klinik and added:

‘While the Norwood-Hamilton classification helps estimate how many grafts may be needed to restore coverage, it does not measure whether the donor area can supply them without risk. There has been no standardised methodology for evaluating donor sufficiency — until now. Our Hair Donor Index addresses this critical gap with a structured, data-based system.

We have long used the Hair Donor Index to classify patient candidates in our internal case evaluations, and it has been highly beneficial. However, I believe it is important to note that this methodology is only semi-standardised, as in some cases, individual patient factors can override the four main parameters we consider.’

Another persistent challenge for hair transplant candidates is inconsistent graft number estimations between clinics.

While traditional scales can approximate the recipient area’s needs, the donor area’s capacity has primarily been left to subjective interpretation. This often leads to exaggerated promises and a confusing environment where clinics compete over inflated graft numbers. The Hair Donor Index aims to replace guesswork with measurable, realistic evaluations.

Raising Global Standards

Hair transplantation has grown increasingly global, with countries like Turkey becoming major destinations for affordable, high-quality procedures. As more patients seek multiple opinions across clinics, tools like the Hair Donor Index provide a critical layer of transparency, helping patients avoid misleading promises and make better-informed decisions.

DK Klinik’s initiative not only sets a new benchmark for donor area evaluation but also reinforces its long-standing commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based care.

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April 30, 2025