Category Archives: Health

No surgery for smokers or the obese: Policy in UK stirs debate

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From Dick Dion: “Two issues are the cause of a plethora of diseases and health conditions affecting people worldwide: smoking and obesity.And one local health committee in the UK has announced a controversial policy “to support patients whose health is … Continue reading →

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Checklists are boring, but death is worse

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Harvard surgeon Atul Gawande wrote The Checklist Manifesto – How to Get Things Right. He also founded Ariadne Labs which is a joint center of the Brigham and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The most widely used checklists are by … Continue reading →

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New shingles vaccine approved for adults

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: “Shingles, which is also called herpes zoster, occurs when the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster), which is dormant in those who’ve had the illness, reawakens later in life. Almost all adults over age 40 carry the chickenpox virus—and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 4 Comments

Prenatal surgery – a new frontier

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Fiber-optics, tiny surgical instruments and skilled neonatal surgeons have pushed the envelope in the timing of surgery for spina bifida. The New York Times has a fascinating article about this new, but experimental surgery, which attempts to do the repairs … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 3 Comments

Enlightened Aging: Building Resilience for a Long, Active Life

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Eric Larson spoke at Skyline about a year ago. Recently I was able to hear him talk about his new book. Here are the sides he presented: 171019 Larson Enlightened Aging-ARMS_. Based.on a long term population ACT study he gives practical tips … Continue reading →

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Timothy Leary revisited in serious research

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Jim deMaine

I’ll be attending a conference on Friday October 27th at the UW Law School: Psychedelic Medicine – New Frontiers in Palliative Care. The use of psilocybin, MDMA, marijuana and others will be discussed particularly in relation to palliative and end-of-life … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life, Health | 1 Comment

Washington Post and 60 minutes – the scandal causing the opioid epidemic

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Jim deMaine

In case you missed it the Washington Post has done a remarkable investigation of the causes of the opioid epidemic – placing much of the blame on the drug companies, the distribution companies and unethical pain clinics and pharmacies. Basically … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Health, Politics | 1 Comment

Understanding WASHAA – advocacy in health care

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Jim deMaine

  The Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA), was originally founded in 2012 responding to the community’s interest in health and patient advocacy.  Interest has included gathering people in the state who want to provide professional health advocacy services, academic … Continue reading →

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In flu Enza

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Jim deMaine

I had a little bird, Its name was Enza.  I opened the window, And in-flu-enza.  — Children’s Skipping Rhyme, 1918 Ed note: Australia has had a bad flu season and there are reports of cases already showing up in Seattle. … Continue reading →

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Does Amazon Alexa have a future in diabetes management support?

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Amazon’s Alexa is a lot of fun. However, it may be more that just a toy or household helper. What if voice activation could help you with diabetes control or call 911 if you fall and can’t reach your pendant? … Continue reading →

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Why are African-Americans not completing advance directives?

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Jim deMaine

First a disclaimer. As a Caucasian, I have only personal anecdotal impressions from the African-American patients I have cared for. To me their approaches to end of life decisions were not uniform by any means, but there was clearly often … Continue reading →

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SAFE & SOUND in the Hospital – Tuesday September 19th at 2:30PM in the MBR

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Medical errors in the hospital are the third leading cause of death in our country. A successful hospital experience includes knowing what actions patients and their families should take. Learn about some of the opportunities and challenges that hospitals face … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Health | 2 Comments

Football and brain injuries – ESPN sportscaster resigns

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Jim deMaine

It’s now being called the guilty pleasure of watching. Personally I loved playing football and still watch. But like Ed Cunningham, I’m feeling more queasy about brain injuries.  From Salon: “Ed Cunningham, a college football analyst and prominent color commentator … Continue reading →

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Good news from Congress

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Sometimes we don’t hear good news from Washington. But there has been a positive bi-partisan effort which benefits our health, research and innovation. Both the House and Senate have rejected the Trump administration’s attempts to severely reduce spending at the … Continue reading →

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Something we have all heard – with trepidation

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Jim deMaine
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Blood pressure medications and falls

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Jim deMaine

September 22nd is the national fall prevention day. All to often, a major decline in our health is precipitated by a fall, broken bone and subsequent complications of treatments. There are multiple on-line sites such as the Mayo Clinic which … Continue reading →

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In the hospital? Under observation or admitted – a big difference

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Jim deMaine

If I’m ever in the hospital, why should I have to double check to find out whether I’m “under observation” or “admitted?” Well, it makes all the difference to Medicare if you’re going to need skilled nursing (SNF) care. Medicare wants … Continue reading →

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Seeing with your tongue

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Jim deMaine

The eyes don’t see, the brain does. So can a blind person find a way to bypass the eyes? It sounds like it’s impossible but images transmitted in pixels to the tongue, have become an amazing breakthrough for the blind. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Do we need an antibiotic ointment for cuts?

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Mother nature does the healing, the doctor sends the bill – or in this case the pharmaceutical company cashes in. A little soap and water alone are just fine for our scrapes – and keep the area clean. The temptation … Continue reading →

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There is nothing inevitable or natural about chronic disease

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Jim deMaine

“The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman” is a favorite quote from Jonathan Swift. (Doctor Exercise is equally important.) Another favorite quote is from William Osler: “The desire to take medicine is perhaps … Continue reading →

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Buy or lease a new car as we age? Does new technology help the aging driver?

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT: “More than three decades ago, I fell in love with the first minivan I spotted parked in my Brooklyn neighborhood. Though I was never a “soccer mom,” I travel as if there were no stores at my … Continue reading →

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Hearing aids at the Mall – progress in much less expensive hearing aids

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT: “A few years hence, when you’ve finally tired of turning up the TV volume and making dinner reservations at 5:30 p.m. because any later and the place gets too loud, you may go shopping. Perhaps you’ll head … Continue reading →

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Can we stop antibiotics earlier than prescribed?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Why do so many prescriptions say, “Take for 10 days” or “Take for 7 days”? Well, we have 10 fingers and there are 7 days in a week. These are historic guesses because often the answers haven’t been critically studied. … Continue reading →

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Primum Non Nocere

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Jim deMaine

One of the first tenets of medicine is “Do No Harm.” Yet, the incentives in medicine (fee for procedure) often leads to too much being done. For example my brother recently had a second total knee replacement. Yes he’s overweight … Continue reading →

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Should we record the visit with our doctor?

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Jim deMaine

I used to be a bit nervous when a patient would ask if they could record our visit. Could it be made public, put up on YouTube or used in a later lawsuit? But in reality, it might be a … Continue reading →

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