Last Commented Health Blogs (955)

There's a narrow 2-lane road leading to the county park where I'm often seen with friends on weekends. Typically, I arrive between 9 or 10am and find it amazing to see the same guy walking along the way to the park. From the main road into the park and back is no less than four miles... doable for someone at a slow pace. The guy wears a floppy-style safari hat, t-shirt and shorts... typical to many of the people who go to the park. The thing most distinguishable about him is his hunchback-like posture. You can spot him from 100 yards as his head and neck are forward and he's usually looking downward. Only once in all the times I've seen him did he look up and acknowledge me as I drove by.

I admire someone so ritual in his exercise plan that I've nicknamed him 'Walker' as he's probably in his 70's and doesn't appear to have any body fat. Bravo!

As kids, do you remember an elder correcting you if you leaned over in a slouched position that could cause bad posture that would affect you as an adult? I do. Yeah, there are times where people have congenital problems that cannot be avoided. Other issues come from machine operators where one side of the body gets stress causing the body to be twisted. I knew a guitarist who played classical guitar for hours upon hours and his posture from so many years holding the instrument had his body twisted that required chiropractic treatments to help straighten his shoulders.

When I see someone with a hunchback, I'm always reminded to SIT STRAIGHT!

Towards the end of the year, all the healthcare providers attempt to get my business as it's the season for Open Enrollment. TV advertisements, mailers, emails, Billboards and radio ads are everywhere and they claim they are the best.

I used to be with a large company 'Florida Blue' that had a huge network. Four years ago, when I moved 40 miles north into a retirement community, I was approached by a woman who was an agent for a smaller company that offered lots of benefits... most of them I didn't use. The 'out of pocket' expenses were less, so as long as I'm healthy... they had better pricing. Do you see the humor in that? Cheaper than the others as long as you don't to go to the hospital.

My insurance plan is an HMO and years ago, I did a comparison to a PPO that some claim is better, but at that point in time, I stayed with the HMO. I need to do the research again.

More important than the plan, is the provider and the size of their network. What I don't like about my current provider is the limited network. Primary care is 6 miles away. That's okay, but one cardiologist in 200 miles. One pulmonologist in 50 miles. X-ray, MRI and blood work lab 2 miles away and they service all the major providers. Recently, I found a neurologist for back pain that's 10 miles away.

I'm in a large city, so It's all doable. I would hate to think of a rural environment where the closest sign of life is an hour drive!

In the mean time, it's HMO or PPO... but, I don't know which way to go!

Since originally being diagnosed with diabetes, my lifestyle changed including my eating habits. 52 lbs lost, actual real definition in my face and body for the first time in my life, a thigh gap for the first time in my life, much lighter on my feet, feeling way better overall.

Who would have ever thought that diabetes would turn out to be so awesome

I think I am at a crossroads in my life. Been there before and had to navigate my way through, seems like I will have to do the same again.

I got a reality check last week. Kidney specialist told me in no uncertain terms that I need to quit cigarettes and stop taking anti inflamatories for my hip and leg pain. I think the reality of it is hitting home, my kidneys are not good and it could cause problems for me later on. I don't need to make big changes aside from quitting smoking, but I do need to make those changes.

Like the man said. You can have fame, fortune, women, everything in the world but if you don't have your health, you got nothing. Its time to start treating my body better and get rid of the cigarettes and the anti inflamatories. Kidney dialysis is not something I think I would adapt to very well

I did some traveling this past weekend that involved airports with interconnecting flights, museums and sporting events. I passed through Atlanta, Georgia and much of my vacation was in Ohio. Dayton and a day in Columbus.

I noticed people... lots of people.

While the weather was very good (by any standard) we had a little drizzle rain and cool temperatures the first few days then amazing sunny, clear that went from freezing in the early morning to mid 60's (Fahrenheit) in the afternoon. I wore a long-sleeve polo with a jeans jacket and never felt cold. We went to a high-school soccer game on a cold night and those kids were in normal long sleeved pullovers with no additional coats. The spectators mostly had winter coats

It's safe to say that in cold climates, people tend to shower less often than people in hot climates. Fortunately, I didn't get a whiff of someone who's 38 hour antibacterial soap quit working. I did see something unexpected... lots of guys with dandruff. It shows up on dark clothing.

Up until this trip, I would have thought dandruff would have faded away like leprosy, where you've only heard stories and seen photos, but never had a close encounter with a leper.

Treatments for dandruff are everywhere. It's in shampoos, topical liquids... Listerine mouthwash is said to cure dandruff. So, there's no excuse.

I've often heard famous people (musicians especially) die in groups of 3. This month it's Jimmy Buffet, Steve Harwell and now Gary Wright. Pretty sad as they all died from extreme health related issues....

I'd never heard of this before - insulin for non-diabetics, as a way to lose weight. A man in his early 70s that I know has recently started it, because his overweight daughter did. I looked it up, and seems there's quite a trend, mainly in the US. They are not in the US but their doctor is providing the stuff and monitoring quantities and, presumably, their health.

Changing the body's chemical make-up - AND knowing that diabetics struggle to rid themselves of stored bellyfat when they start on insulin - is surely not a great idea, but father and daughter are both very happy so far with reduced appetite and steady weightloss, don't mind the occasional attack of biliousness. Both are pretty large.

Anyone know more pros and cons - literally asking for a friend, since his wife (a naturally skinny wench who therefore Doesn't Understand How Hard It Is To Lose Weight) is absolutely appalled.

A few months ago my cardiologist recommended I increase my diuretic to resolve leg swelling when I sit at a computer many hours a day. If that doesn't work, I should wear compression stockings. Medium compression of 20-30mmHg was the recommendation.
So, I bought a pair from a store that sells medical supplies. They were fitted to my foot and leg dimensions. I found them uncomfortable and would make my legs itchy if I had them on for more than an hour or two.
So, I ordered some from Amazon that were a size larger and kept them on for at least 6 hours. When I removed them, my legs and ankles were uncontrollably itchy, worse than the previous pair.
I researched reasons for itchy ankles and one symptom was diabetes. Ruling that out as my weekly sugar levels are in the normal range and I'm doing brisk walking 4 to 5 times a week.
I put some Benadril anti-itch medicine on the affected areas but it only worked for an hour or two and an itchy episode came back, it was like flipping a light switch!

How do you cure an itch?

You scratch it... I did and broke the skin. This started a viscous cycle.

Trying to make this go away, I'm using different medicines and alternating between antibiotic, hydrocortisone, and Benadril. My leg swelled so much I went to the doctor. He had me go for an ultrasound to be sure it didn't create a blood clot. Simple test... no clot.
The medical technician thinks I've got an allergy to the material the stockings are made from.

I'm headed to some outside appointments so no 'compression' for now... when I return, I've got a day of drawings to make and I'll consider some support hose. 10-15mmHg and some dry skin cream first.

An amazing cave whose walls, ceiling, floor, and everything in it are made of rock salt... for healing and getting rid of negative energy. It is very useful for respiratory diseases as well. Amazing experience. You can find it in Siwa Oasis, Marsa Matrouh city and Cairo in Egypt
I recommend it For medical tourism
Hana

It is the time of the year, again, when leaves turned into beautiful colors of orange, red and yellow before they fall to the ground. Yet the sky is always gray or worse, black and rain just keeps coming day after day. I wonder where the sun goes.