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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.

Over 200 Cases Of Suicidal Thoughts After Taking Weight Loss Drugs: New Analysis

As Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro soar in popularity, the drugs are facing increasing scrutiny by regulators over reports of suicidal thoughts.

A recent Reuters analysis reveals that over half of the adverse event reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration describe suicidal thoughts arising soon after starting or ramping up doses of these injectable drugs.

About 40 percent found relief after quitting the meds or taking a smaller dose.
...
Suicidal Thoughts: A Recurring Theme with Weight Loss Medications

Wegovy's label explicitly warns of potentially serious mental health side effects such as depression and suicidal thoughts. Patients are advised to monitor any sudden mood changes, behaviors, and feelings.

Similarly, liraglutide has been linked to suicidal thoughts and worsened depression in some patients.

A case reported by The Epoch Times spotlights the mental health risks. After starting Ozempic in February for his diabetes, a man became uncharacteristically withdrawn. By May, severe fatigue and declining mood set in. On May 14, he took his own life.

Weight loss medications provoking suicidal thoughts is not unprecedented. Sanofi’s weight loss drug rimonabant (Acomplia, Riobant, Slimona) was pulled from European markets in 2008 amidst concerns about suicidal ideation. Though unrelated to GLP-1 medicines, it reduced hunger through the endocannabinoid system, which serves as a connection between the body and the mind. Rimonabant was never approved in the U.S., due to psychiatric side effects.3

For the past 25 years, I have been eating very unhealthy food. Lots of fatty dishes, with no vegetables at all. My burgers are huge, with lots of bacon and cheese, with no lettuce in it at all. I scoffed at the mere suggestion of lettuce in my burgers, going so far as to say "are you completely insane?", when I was asked if my burgers had any sort of healthy stuff in it. I can feel my health being worse, even if I walk a lot at work. I don't sleep much, and my daily sugar intake is alarmingly high. I'm amazed that I aren't diabetic at this point, because.. Well, it's bad.

My current weight is 96.2 kilos, or 212 lbs, and my height is 178 cm, or 5 ft 7 in, which is giving me a Body Mass Index of 30.4, which is obese.

So judging by that, and the fact that my heart races after climbing the 2 flights of stairs at the train station when I leave for work, I think it's time to get rid of some of my weight. I am aiming for 20 kilos, or 44 lbs.

First step is to cut out sugary soda completely, but that will take quite a while, since I get very cranky when I don't get my sugar and caffeine. I could drink caffeine free soda to begin with, and gently cut back until I am completely free of the sugar/caffeine grip. I also need to eat more vegetables, so I think I'm gonna start doing that from next week. That gives me enough time to find good recipes with lots of vegetables in it.

It's gonna be a struggle for sure, and a battle that I am determined to win!

Wish me luck

I am typing this on the final day of the month, September 30th. Tomorrow, on October 1st, I am starting fresh with more healthy eating. To do that, I have bought a few ingredients that - hopefully - is gonna take me down a path of more healthy eating.

Change will not happen over night, but over several months. I don't expect to be a changed man tomorrow, just because I have started eating more salad and vegetables. The first thing I have to stop eating is chips. I eat way too many of them, but they're an easy thing to eat, but not very healthy or filling, so they have to go.

The next thing on my list: stop drinking so much soda. Switch it for water or flavored water. This step is undoubtedly going to be the hardest step, because I'm addicted to coke. Not the powder, but coca cola. I have been drinking it for over 35 years, so kicking the habit completely is going to be VERY hard - but very rewarding, in the end. Hopefully that will see an improvement on my overall body, as well as on my wallet. I bought 5 crates today, which sat me back 565 kroner, or about $80.

Every day at work, I drink 4 cans. The plan is to slowly bring that number down to 0. Some people might be thinking "What about diet soda? Isn't that better?".. I have heard somewhere that diet soda is worse than regular soda, but I am not sure if that's true or not. I might have to ask a nutritionist about that.

But - starting tomorrow, I will begin my quest for a healthier lifestyle. It's gonna be hard, but rewarding in the end!

This is one procedure that people avoid. Doctors often recommend everyone start around the age of 50. I have a cousin who retired to Florida a few years ago. He's in his 70's and has an active lifestyle. Having his very first colonoscopy 2 weeks ago, the biopsy revealed cancer. He's scheduled for an MRI today and said he will probably require surgery.

Don't put off the exam!