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Category Archives: Health
“Why We Sleep”
Do you get 8 hours of sleep? Matthew Walker says we should and tells us why. He was recently interviewed on NPR – click here for the link. Or perhaps you have insomnia or a medical problem which keeps you … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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A therapeutic “crapsule?”
My sister ruptured her bowel and almost died while taking antibiotics for Lime Disease. C Difficile was the culprit. It appears that our “intestinal flora” is a lot more complicated than we know. Manipulating it may harmful, but also may … Continue reading
Posted in Health
3 Comments
Progress on cancer survival, but a long way to go
Data: Journal of the National Cancer Institute; Chart: Chris Canipe / Axios Ed note: One thing that might falsely improve survival is the early diagnosis bias. In other words, the earlier a disease is diagnosed the longer the survival. Men still … Continue reading
Posted in Health
2 Comments
Chopin’s heart revisited
Seattle author, pianist and physician Steve Lagerberg has written a book Chopin’s Heart: The Quest to Identify the Mysterious Illness of the World’s Most Beloved Composer. Chopin’s body rests in Paris, but his heart in Poland. The heart was recently secretly exhumed … Continue reading
Choosing Wisely
Consumer Reports and the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation sponsor a free web site called Choosing Wisely. There is a wealth of information and guidance on a host of medical questions. They use evidence based reasoning in their articles: … Continue reading
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AgeWise King County – November 17 Bulletin
IN THIS ISSUE: The Chair’s Corner Expanded Services for Unpaid Family Caregivers 10 Must-Read Books to Guide and Support the Dementia Family Caregiver Medicare Open Enrollment Has Begun–Review Your Plan Now Survey Says! Seattle’s Older Residents Rank the City on … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, Health
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No surgery for smokers or the obese: Policy in UK stirs debate
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
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
New shingles vaccine approved for adults
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
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Prenatal surgery – a new frontier
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
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
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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Timothy Leary revisited in serious research
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
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Washington Post and 60 minutes – the scandal causing the opioid epidemic
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
Understanding WASHAA – advocacy in health care
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
In flu Enza
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?
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
Posted in Health, Science and Technology
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Why are African-Americans not completing advance directives?
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
Posted in end of life, Health, Hospice, Race
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SAFE & SOUND in the Hospital – Tuesday September 19th at 2:30PM in the MBR
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
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
Good news from Congress
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
Blood pressure medications and falls
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
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
Seeing with your tongue
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
Do we need an antibiotic ointment for cuts?
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
Posted in Health
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