Category Archives: Health

What Exactly Is Long Covid? — ITT Episode 37

Published September 11, 2024 in the New England Journal of Medicine Ed note: This discussion below may help those afflicted with long COVID to understand the confusing array of symptoms they may have. I hope this lengthy article may prove worthwhile … Continue reading

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Does everyone *really* need routine vaccinations?

Your questions on Hep B, HPV, rubella, measles, and U.S. universal vaccinations Ed note: If you’re like me, you’ve had young relatives ask you, “Why so many shots?” Vaccines are a modern marvel, but young people haven’t seen (thankfully) the … Continue reading

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Lewis Thomas on Aging

From The Fragile Species: “Florida Scott Maxwell, a successful British actress, a scholar, and always a writer, wrote: ‘Age puzzles me.  I thought it was a quite time. My seventies were interesting and serene, but my eighties were passionate. I … Continue reading

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CDC Releases 2024-2025 Flu Vaccine Guidance

Thanks to our inhouse expert, Dr. Ed M. Ed note: Please see the recommended timing is toward the end of October (in order to cover the peak of the flu season). The CDC’s ACIP recommended annual trivalent flu vaccines for … Continue reading

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To Be In Awe

Thanks to Diane S. What gives you a sense of awe? You might imagine standing on a wide-open plain with a storm approaching, or holding the tiny finger of a newborn baby. That word, awe – the feeling of being … Continue reading

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The Story Bench

Ed note: An affable friend of mine had this terrific idea – a Story Bench. Here’s Dr. Bill explaining his socialization project. Something similar is discussed in a wonderful podcast on Hidden Brain–talking to strangers on a train.

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Older Adults Do Not Benefit From Moderate Drinking, Large Study Finds

Ed Note: : “The attenuation of mortality observed for wine preference and drinking only during meals requires further investigation, as it may mostly reflect the effect of healthier lifestyles, slower alcohol absorption, or nonalcoholic components of beverages.” So wine in … Continue reading

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Research study mapping the brain at UW

Ed note: I was contacted by the UW researchers who asked me to post this information. Participants will be paid for the visits and travel  costs will be covered.  If you are interested in learning more about  the Brain Map … Continue reading

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The best bidets of 2024, tested by editors (CNN)

Ed Note: Bidet toilets are nearly universal in Japan where the best selling Toto brand was established in 1917. As of January 2023, 72% of Japanese households have a bidet-style toilet, also known as a washlet, which is a brand name … Continue reading

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Let’s honor the past but bid farewell to the Blue Angels

By Breck Lebegue Special to The Seattle Times It’s time to salute and say goodbye to the Blue Angels at Seafair. Although we need skilled fighter pilots to defend our nation and our allies from enemies, these airshows cause significant health … Continue reading

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Psilocybin Therapy in Palliative Care | An EOLWA Update 

The landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly psilocybin, is undergoing significant transformation, especially in the context of palliative care. End of Life Washington (EOLWA) has advocated for the inclusion of psilocybin as a therapeutic treatment for seriously ill patients. Research and … Continue reading

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Restoring Faith in Vaccines

Thanks to Ed M.

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The healing power of the mind

Thanks to Ed M. Ed Note: I’ve always been fascinated with the placebo effect, the poorly understood but real connection between mind and body. Click here for my story concerning the placebo effect on one of my own patients. by … Continue reading

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The Science of Love

John Gottman is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington where he founded ”The Love Lab” at which much of his research on couples interactions was conducted. World-renowned relationship expert John Gottman set forth to understand why … Continue reading

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The privatization of Medicare and Medicaid

Ed note: This is an in depth look at how a few large insurance companies are taking over control of health care (doctors, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, etc.). It is notable that “the government will pay roughly $500 billion to insurance … Continue reading

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Thursday’s Health Talk – 11 AM in the MBR

Sleep expert Brandon Peters-Mathews returns to Skyline once again to update us on a subject near and dear to us: What goes on during that one-third of our lives while we sleep? Brandon is a Virginia Mason neurologist who has … Continue reading

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H5N1 Influenza Virus (“Bird Flu”) Is Unlikely to Become a Human Pandemic

Here’s why: by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) In May 1997, a 3-year-old boy died in Hong Kong of influenza. His death wasn’t unusual. Every year in every country in every corner of the world healthy children die from … Continue reading

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Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health

Recent research makes it clear that any amount of drinking can be detrimental. Here’s why you may want to cut down on your consumption beyond Dry January. Ed note: When I developed A-fib, I asked my cardiologist if there was … Continue reading

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Brain Health Block Party on Seattle’s First Hill – Skyline is a partner in the community

Click here for the Memory Hub newsletter. Community Stories, Brain Health, News, Brain Health Awareness Month Neighboring organizations come together to promote brain health for this second annual event From 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday July 10, head to Seattle’s First Hill for the … Continue reading

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The loneliness of the woman voter

By Danny Westneat – Seattle Times columnist (thanks to Bob P.) In the fire hose of news this past week, the airlifts are an image that needs more attention. “We are now living in two very different United States,” was how one … Continue reading

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Federal Officials Revise Recommendations for R.S.V. Vaccine

Among Americans aged 60 to 74, only those with certain health conditions need to receive the shots, the agency concluded. Pfizer’s Abrysvo is one of three R.S.V. vaccines approved by the F.D.A. The other two are GSK’s Arexvy and Moderna’s … Continue reading

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The Woman Who Could Smell Parkinson’s

She first noticed the scent on her husband. Now her abilities are helping unlock new research in early disease detection. By Scott Sayare in the NYT: Scott Sayare is a writer in New York. He interviewed doctors, researchers, caregivers and patients … Continue reading

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Antioxidants – food, supplements or neither?

Ed note: Dr. Mehmet Oz has been an unfortunate voice hyping fat-burning supplements sending sales skyrocketing. He has been called to task by congress and has undergone searing critiques of his “flowery language” and health claims promoting questionable products. Unfortunately … Continue reading

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Consider this letter to Senator Jamie Pedersen

House Bill 2166 (with revisions) recently passed the House unanimously (97-0). This bill allows our POLST forms to be placed in a statewide registry, so that our POLSTs can rapidly be retrieved by 911 responders or emergency rooms. Oregon has … Continue reading

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Trump’s COVID life threatening infection

Thanks to Ed M.

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