Category Archives: Health

Add Ozone to the miseries of the Seattle Smoke

Posted on August 14, 2017 by William Calvin

To quote Cliff Mass: According to Dr. Jaffe, we have not seen [ozone] like this in decades.  So with smoke adding lots of particles into the atmosphere (documented in previous blogs), high ozone levels, a depressing sky with little visibility, and … Continue reading →

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The sad fact is that we frequently don’t know how to best care for the old

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Jim deMaine

There’s a new book in progress about “oldhood.” Writer and Professor of Geriatrics Louise Aaronson points out in a NYT Opinion column that we don’t really treat the new-old and old-old any differently. Studies often don’t include the elderly. We don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging Sites, Health | 2 Comments

Street drugs, a threat to police officers

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Jim deMaine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w48y6tzkpkg I used to use fentanyl frequently. Not recreationally, but medically in doing procedures such as a bronchoscopy. With the patient monitored, I would be gloved and masked and very small titrated doses of fentanyl and versed would at times … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Eclipse solar glasses

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From Ann Milam: The market is flooded with “solar glasses” that are unsafe. Please check this reference from the National Science Foundation before ordering a pair: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

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Why I didn’t become a surgeon

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Every medical student goes though a process of elimination when deciding what kind of doctor they want to become. We hear the old saying, “Internists know everything and do nothing; Surgeons know nothing and do everything; Psychiatrists know nothing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Health | 3 Comments

Cliff Mass’s updates on the smoke, fires and global warming

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Jim deMaine

The following is from his website: Click here for more If you want to escape smoke, go south of Olympia or head to the coast. Now the bad news.  Today is the good day for air quality around Puget Sound.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Health | 1 Comment

Air quality continues to deteriorate as B.C. wildfire smoke fills Washington skies

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Jim deMaine

“SEATTLE (KOMO) — A thick, smoky haze from wildfires burning in British Columbia continued to blow into Washington on Wednesday, giving the skies an orange-brown tint and degrading the air quality. Air quality monitors with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and … Continue reading →

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Living with benign essential tremors

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Try putting a pea on a fork and getting it gently to your mouth without shaking. I’ve not been able to do that for some time. I don’t have the tremor at rest which is so common with Parkinson’s often … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Life support vs. comfort care – not always a clear choice

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: The following is not an unusual situation. Following an advance directive is not necessarily a clear choice. This young Critical Care physician has an ethical dilemma involving a loved family member. If interested, I have similar stories of … Continue reading →

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UW students create innovative devices to solve vexing medical problems

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From Ann Milam: Published in the Seattle Times Last year, there was a national outcry after the price skyrocketed for a medical-injection device that counteracts the life-threatening symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. But for a team of students at … Continue reading →

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From Canada – understanding U.S. health care

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: When in Victoria recently I happened to spy this article in The Globe and Mail newspaper. They truly have trouble understanding our health care system. The answer: see below! “To Understand U.S. health care, think like an American.” “Don’t … Continue reading →

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Sunglasses won’t cut it: How to keep your eyes safe during the solar eclipse

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From Ann Milam Jul. 25, 2017 at 7:27 AM A. Pawlowski TODAY The total solar eclipse is coming, and as the excitement builds, so does the worry that it will leave behind a nation of eye problems. On Aug. 21, … Continue reading →

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Becoming an unexpected caregiver

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Jim deMaine

When You Feel Like Strangling the Patient (Love and Support for the Caregiver) On-Demand Webinar: click here Here’s  “a unique webinar featuring author and family caregiver Lauren Simon sharing her surprising experience as an unexpected caregiver. “When her husband Stephen Simon … Continue reading →

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Your Life Your Choices

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Below is a video of a program I’ve been involved with for the past 10 years giving presentations at Skyline and a variety of other venues. We all have the rights to make end of life choices and to have them … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life, Health | 1 Comment

Enlightened Aging – Eric B. Larson, MD

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Jim deMaine

ENLIGHTENED AGING: BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR A LONG, ACTIVE LIFE by Eric B. Larson, MD, and Joan DeClaire Eric Larson has presented on the topic of Enlightened Aging here at Skyline in the past. He heads up the research department at … Continue reading →

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Being prepared for the unexpected

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT: FEMA, the American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all provide checklists to help you get started, and many items they recommend overlap. Each agency offers a basic list, which includes water, food, a battery- or hand-powered radio, … Continue reading →

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End-of-life-care – US rankings surprisingly improved in some areas

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Most folks wish to pass from this life in a home-like environment surrounded by loved ones. But in the past, most of us were whisked off to the hospital. Hospice care has had a huge impact by improving end of life … Continue reading →

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The Smallpox Miracle

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Smallpox dates back to the body of Pharaoh Ramses V, who died more than 3000 years ago. He had telltale pockmarks on his mummified skin. There have been horrendous repetitive epidemics over the centuries, for example an epidemic raged in … Continue reading →

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Doctor, get off the computer!

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Jim deMaine

I recently had my Medicare annual checkup. The checks in the checkup turned out to be the boxes on the computer screen carefully completed by my Internist. As she smiled and we chatted, there were a lot of computer screens … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Do Hand Sanitizers Really Cut Down on Illness?

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Jim deMaine

  There are some “simple” precautions that we should be taking, but do we? The hard part is remembering. In addition to hand washing or a sanitizer, can we really keep our hands away from our noses? From the NYT:  Q. … Continue reading →

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“How do we heal medicine” Atul Gawande

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Jim deMaine

His book, “Being Mortal” will be discussed at next Monday’s Book Club at Skyline.  

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The century of tobacco abuse that lingers on

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Jim deMaine

   The 20th century will be remembered in many ways – one of which is the epidemic of lung cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease related to tobacco abuse. Remember when cigarettes were less than a quarter a pack and the … Continue reading →

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A letter to the President from organizations across the political spectrum

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Jim deMaine

The letter below to President Trump was signed by America’s Health Insurance Plans, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Benefits Council, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the Federation of American … Continue reading →

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Updates from Aging & Disability Services – King County

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Update from : Aging & Disability Services; Seattle King County Area Agency on Aging Thanks to effective advocacy from the Advisory Council and aging network partners, there has been a number of wins this legislative session, including: Vulnerable adult bill 1153 passed both … Continue reading →

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”We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep”

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Jim deMaine

We still know far too little about sleep. It’s surprising because if we live to be 75 and sleep 8 hours a day, we’ve slept for 25 years. Why? What’s going on? The restorative aspects of sleep are widely appreciated … Continue reading →

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