Category Archives: Health

Should we get the MMR vaccine?

Most people will not require MMR vaccination, they include the following: People born before 1957 are considered to have natural immunity. They almost certainly had measles, mumps and rubella as children. No need for vaccination or titers. 2) People born … Continue reading

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The Moment of Life – new book by Melinda Gates

The world’s largest non-profit organization is right here in Seattle. The values of Melinda Gates have been formative in the mission of this philanthropy. This PBS interview highlights her efforts and candor in advocating for equality between men and women, … Continue reading

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Dying Is No Reason to Stop Fighting

This article is an opinion op-ed from the NYT. Thanks to Pam P for sending it in. “Ady Barkan rolled into Washington this week in a motorized wheelchair, unable to talk or to chew food or to lift his arm to scratch … Continue reading

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Thanks for your care!

Ed note: Are you having trouble pronouncing the name of your doctor, nurse, aide or caregiver? Do you understand that the shake of a head can mean “yes” instead of “no.” We are so fortunate at Skyline and in Seattle … Continue reading

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The NASA Kelley Twin Study – comments and a video about the future of genetics in space travel

The news media yesterday had a fascinating story about a twin experiment involving astronaut Scott Kelly and his identical twin Mark. The results of the effects on Scott have recently been published in the journal Science. Most changes to his … Continue reading

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How to Fix a Dry Room: 11 Best Ways to Increase Humidity in Your Home

Ed note: There are a number of inexpensive hygrometers available on Amazon to check your apartment’s humidity level. Some residents find our winter indoor dryness just too dry – giving them dry itchy skin and dry eyes. Part of this, … Continue reading

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British doctors may soon write prescriptions for dance, art or music lessons

Thanks to Peg H from the Washington Post: “What if you were ill and instead of — or along with — a prescription for a pharmaceutical drug, your doctor wrote a prescription for a music, dance or painting class? Doctors … Continue reading

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“Seattle is Dying” – over 2 million views so far

Ed note: A Bellevue friend mentioned this video to me and was amazed why I would tolerate the drug related homelessness in Seattle. I was a bit defensive but after watching the video and reading John Carlon’s take, Seattle badly … Continue reading

Posted in Addiction, Advocacy, Crime, Health, Homeless, In the Neighborhood, Safety | 2 Comments

Why Lifting Weights Can Be So Potent for Aging Well

Ed note: This article from the NYT reminds us that we’re never too old to begin even a mild form of exercise like lifting weights. Have you noticed your muscles thinning with age. This is called sarcopenia, the muscle equivalent … Continue reading

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Should I take that baby aspirin?

Years ago, I asked a Cardiologist friend if he took a baby aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks or a stroke. He said, “No, I don’t have any risk factors and the risk of bleeding is more than any benefit.” … Continue reading

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The “Mr. Caplow Burger,” the new item on the lunch menu

Chef Mark Ferrante listens to Skyliners’ suggestions.  The “Mr. Caplow Burger,” the new item on the lunch menu, came out of a discussion in the Dining Services Committee. Chef Mark was aware of this new product and had already included … Continue reading

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Skyline resident featured on Q13 News about fall prevention

Whether it’s yourself or you are caring for an aging loved one, falling is a very serious concern for a lot of people.  In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates one in four people 65-years-old or older fall each year.  It’s … Continue reading

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Meet the surgeon Buffett, Bezos and Dimon trust to fix health care

Ed note: Atul Gawande is aware of the problems in the health care system – access, quality and cost. He has now teamed up with Buffett, Bezos and Dimon to try to bring these runaway problems under control. If anyone … Continue reading

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How my dad’s dementia changed my idea of death (and life)

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Vaping Is Big Tobacco’s Bait and Switch

Ed Note: Nicotine is highly addicting as any cigarette smoker can tell you. I cared for two doctors who died from COPD – neither able to stop smoking. Big Tobacco has long tried to lure us (especially teenagers and women) … Continue reading

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The problem with dietary supplements

On ingesting her bone meal dietary supplement to prevent osteoporosis a woman felt just fine – until she didn’t. Over time she began to feel weak and sought out medical attention. Even a top neurologist wasn’t able to establish a … Continue reading

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After taking a painful tumble, this doctor and runner is learning the best way to fall

By Daphne Miller in the Washington Post Thanks to Jim T for sending this in One minute, I was trotting peacefully along a rutted hillside path. The next, I lay in a heap on my left side, so wracked with pain it was hard to breathe. A longtime runner, I traded pavement … Continue reading

Posted in Fitness, Health | 1 Comment

Is Eating Deli Meats Really That Bad for You?

From the New York Times: Q. Is eating deli meats really that bad? Does it make a difference if it’s organic, nitrate-free or uncured? A. Meat and poultry are excellent sources of protein, B vitamins and certain minerals, but consuming even … Continue reading

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AARP Hosting Tele-townhall with Governor Inslee

On Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. AARP will host a Tele-townhall with Governor Inslee. AARP Washington State Director, Doug Shadel will interview the Governor about the Long Term Care Trust Act, healthcare and prescription drugs. More than 10,000 AARP … Continue reading

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Brain chemistry and love – from BrainHQ.com

Thanks to Sally S who sent this in. BrainHQ is an online brain-training system that represents the culmination of 30 years of research in neurological science and related medicine. It was designed by an international team of neuroscientists, led by Michael Merzenich—a … Continue reading

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Ingenious: Leonard Hayflick

One of the world’s preeminent experts on aging on his life in research. From Nautilis: “After all, for 60 years it had been known that human cells were immortal, capable of dividing forever if they were cultivated in the right … Continue reading

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Is the future of medicine a cell, not a pill?

Thanks to Gordon G for sending this along. We are entering a new area where using specialized cells modified with your genome in mind, may provide the breakthroughs in cancer, parkinson’s and other serious illness.

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Study Offers Hint of Hope for Staving Off Dementia in Some People

Ed note: There’s a saying in medicine that the questions never change, but every few years the answers do. I was taught that it was “normal” for the systolic blood pressure to increase roughly 10 points for every decade and … Continue reading

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Should Scientists Toy With the Secret to Life?

Ed Note: Science continues to push well ahead of the ethical implications involved, especially now with the ability to modify our basic genetic makeup. With Crispr the key is now present to consider literally cutting out bad genes known to … Continue reading

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The Cause of Alzheimer’s Could Be Coming From Inside Your Mouth, Study Claims

In recent years, a growing number of scientific studies have backed an alarming hypothesis: Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just a disease, it’s an infection. While the exact mechanisms of this infection are something researchers are still trying to isolate, a litany of papers argue the deadly spread of Alzheimer’s goes … Continue reading

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