Category Archives: Health

The Story Bench

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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)

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on August 4, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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 

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M.

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The healing power of the mind

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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?

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M.

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Take a Hike in the Andes: a virtual walk

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Jim Tanner

The Fitness and and Wellness subcommittee is bringing back the popular Skyline Virtual Walk. Among the many “walks” we have taken in the past are the Oregon Trail, Route 66, and the Pacific Crest Trail. For those of you who … Continue reading →

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How to (and not to) boost your immune system

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Jim deMaine

KATELYN JETELINA AND DR. ANDREA LOVE Thanks to Ed. M. The rumor mill is hot with ways to “boost your immune system” this viral season. Legitimate and illegitimate claims on prevention and treatment are entangled on social media and massive podcasts (cough, … Continue reading →

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Swedish Health System set for $1.3B expansion of First Hill Campus

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Perkins&Will is designing the 750,000sf tower Swedish Health System is set to break ground its largest project in its more than 100-year history, reports the Puget Sound Business Journal. The $1.3-billion North Tower project, planned at the corner of Marion Street … Continue reading →

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Trying to understand long term care insurance.

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Janet M. who shares two articles from the NYT: A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance and Why Long Term Care Insurance Falls Short for Many

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Learning about Assisted Living – Do we need federal guidelines for staffing?

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Janet M. There are two excellent New York Times articles recently about Assisted Living pros, cons, costs and staffing. The first is titled A Guide to Assisted Living along with a companion articled titled Added Fees Drive Assisted-Living … Continue reading →

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