Thursday, December 31, 2009

INTERSTATE ROAD RAGE -- MOST DOES NOT HAVE TO BE



I won’t define road rage – it takes different forms, most not serious – but I’ll start off with a few definitions, or descriptions:

1. LEFT LANE FOR PASSING, NOT FOR CRUISING: This is a bumper sticker I devised and use, it hardly needs defining. In any case, it is aimed at those who clog up the left lane; they just cruise along, despite the fact that some others might like to move a bit faster, but have no place to go. Sometimes those who do this do it out of ignorance, but many just simply are discourteous and take the view that they “own” the road as much as anyone, and besides, they are “doing” the speed limit (perhaps). Roadside signs are quite frequent: “Slower Traffic Keep Right,” and frequently in some States, even more explicit than that. But, this is not the right “driver psychology.” Nobody wants to think that they are “slower traffic!” So, they clog up the left lane.
2. USE SIGNALS: This is also my bumper sticker that also requires no definition. I trust one would not pass the driver’s test if signals were not used when one changes lanes, but after one has the license to drive, forget the signals! (That’s what most do.) Even the cops often do not do it either! But this really is something for which the cops should be giving “warnings” and tickets! It could make a difference. Often one sees the directional signal blinking in the “ONLY” Lane. Wow! What would the follower think is going to happen if the car ahead is in the ONLY Lane? Even that would be okay, too, if the same drivers would use their signals when they change lanes, etc.. But, often they do not! What is a signal for if it is not to tell others what one plans to do?
3. KNOT: What’s a knot? A knot is what one sees so often on an Interstate. It is my word for the situation when both, or all three lanes (or more) are clogged up, BUT one can see all kinds of open road in front (and back). This is what one sees OFTEN on an Interstate. What causes a knot? Arrogant or discourteous or oblivious drivers who will not get over to allow faster cars to get through! Sometimes this might even require speeding up to pass a slower vehicle or vehicles in the lane immediately to the right. Speeding up? What’s that? Don’t know about now, but it used to be the case that cops who relied on “pacing” to determine a “speeding car” would not count speeding up to pass someone, so long as the car returned to an acceptable speed after the passing maneuver. That makes sense, doesn’t it? Don’t know about you, but I do not want someone “tailgating” me; I get out of that person’s way! Certainly do not put on your brakes! That is dangerous – and stupid.
4. TAILGATING: What is the definition of “tailgating”? The proper distance from the car ahead depends on the speed: It is defined as “a car length for each 10 miles of speed.” So, if one is driving 50 MPH, approximately five car lengths is the “proper” distance a following car should maintain. If one’s speed is 60 MPH the proper distance is six car lengths. And, so on. One sees “tailgating” all over the place, in all lanes. For what? Do not tailgate, UNLESS you are signaling your intent to pass! If every driver would do this, and others would pay attention to this signal, there would not be a problem in this aspect of driving on an Interstate!
5. RACING: When a car driver tries to “beat” some other car over a distance on the road, that is racing. Obvious. But, it is also a kind of racing if one speeds up simply to avoid being passed! This happens so often. For some drivers it is not the “mach” thing to be passed! This can be seen in the lane to the right, but more often it is seen when passing a car “cruising” in the left lane. This has happened to me often, and once I was subsequently accused of “running the passed car off the road”! I would certainly never knowingly do such a thing; that is not only discourteous, it is dangerous – and stupid.
6. WEAVING: I think we all know what is “weaving.” Some cars in a desperate attempt to get around slower vehicles ahead wander quickly from one lane to the other, sometimes crossing two or three lanes without even signaling. This is also dangerous, and stupid. The cops will cite someone for this, if they see it, but HARDLY FOR ANY OF THE OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS ABOVE.
The oft-seen warning is: SPEED KILLS! Well, it certainly can if the speed is inappropriate to the situation. But, that varies! Much of proper driving is common sense and courtesy.

From my observation, the average patrol cop does not “teach,” by warnings/citations, or by example. But, he or she should teach in these ways!

Driving a car is serious business; it deserves one’s undivided attention. What does that mean? It means:
1. Make plans for your driving project, short or long; it usually takes seconds, but should include how fast you intend to drive – that must be part of any plan, always.
2. Two hands on the wheel when one’s car is at any appreciable speed. Tires do fail; they can blow! Professional drivers, when asked which tires they would rather have blow – front or back, they reportedly said those in front. That emergency allows better control of the car, they said. But, I doubt that they meant that one-handed, sometimes one-fingered, driving is the way to go. Both hands should be on the wheel!
3. Use signals to indicate to following drivers where you intend to drive your car; certainly do this whenever changing lanes – and one lane at a time!
4. If you make a mistake, are in the wrong lane and, say, have passed your intended exit, or have made another of many possible mistakes, do not try suddenly to make “a correction.” It is not the fault of a following driver that you made a mistake. Simply drive on and make your “correction” somehow later on! That may mean, taking the next exit so that you can drive back on the same Interstate to the exit you meant to take, etc., etc.
5. If there is road open ahead, do not cruise in the left lane! The left lane should be for passing, unless the whole road is open. And, if you are in the left lane and a faster car comes up behind you, speed up, signal, and get over at the first safe opportunity into the next lane to the right; let the faster car go on. Do not decide that another car is going too fast, or whatever, unless you are a patrol cop! If someone else is driving improperly, shake your head perhaps, but get out of the way and be sure that you yourself are driving safely.
6. NEVER TAILGATE UNLESS YOU INTEND TO PASS (see above definition). If someone tailgates you in the left lane, or if you deliberately tailgate in any lane, that should be a signal that you, or the other car, wants to pass! Otherwise, never tailgate. And, safely get out of the way of anyone tailgating you, if you can!
7. The driver should not use the car phone. If you are called, of course answer, but if there is to be any conversation, and you are driving at any appreciable speed, ask either to call back later, or safely pull off the road.
8. Driving over the speed limit: Those who say that driving over the speed limit is never justified are, of course, correct. If one drives over the speed limit to get somewhere sooner, another can make a good argument that this is not the way to go. If one averages a few miles over the speed limit and thus, say, ten hours later, gets to the destination a half an hour or even an hour, sooner, what for goodness sake has one really gained? Not much, is the proper answer. However, what really counts is: Has one driven safely, whatever the speed? That, it seems to me, is the most important criterion!

There is NEVER any proper excuse for ROAD RAGE! Confine your own “road rage” to muttering to yourself perhaps, but always be sure that you yourself are driving safely and courteously!

Monday, December 7, 2009

DEFINITION DILUTION

I remember when one of our leaders said something like, “I can’t define pornography, but I know it when I see it.” The definition of “polymath” may be in the same category. Especially in these days of dilution of meanings! It seems to me that it is the tenor of the times to dilute the meaning of lots of things.

For example, take patriotism. What is that anyway? How do you define it?

All of our “leaders,” anywhere on the political spectrum, speak loudly about “patriotism,” “our constitution” (that Holy Grail), “democracy,” and the like. Apparently we can spin those things any way we desire. Especially since the definition of those terms is really difficult. Difficult, that is, to come up with meanings that satisfy all persons at all points on the political spectrum. So what to do?

Must have been a polymath that decided to leave it up to the eye and ear and mind of the reader, the listener, and the voter. And that is where the “dilution” comes in: We can, in effect, define these things any way we want to. And we do!

You know, I have, as have many people, tried to understand what makes a “great civilization” decline. They all have throughout our history – including, I’m finding, in China’s history, as well. As best possible I once read a summarized version of “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” Didn’t help me enough, but I think that is because I don’t know enough.

But I am learning – for what good that can do at my late stage. The “race” in my case is to learn more than I forget, to say nothing of my short life expectancy. But I find that these things do not make much difference so long as one truly enjoys learning. (I call it a kind of intellectual orgasm.) I am fast getting to the point where I can read a book, and then start the same book again, and think I am reading something new! (Oh well.)

But, back to the “decline.” Is the American Civilization doing that right now? I’m afraid that it is, but then I will not live long enough to see it. (I hope.) This country, with its brand of understanding “individual freedom,” used to be the beacon for the world. Is it still? President Obama says so, so it must be true. (Sigh of relief.)

Would that I could believe it!

What was my friend’s name, you ask? As I wrote in a previous blog: I’m so forgetful! But I think it was something like “Hobbs” or “Lucy.”

Think I’ll ask Wiley Miller, if I can get his address, that is.

DBT

KNOW THYSELF!

I have heard that advice so many times during my long life. But, what does it mean? How do you do that? know thyself?

I once knew a guy quite well; he was even a friend. He shared his thoughts with me so often that I came to think I really knew that guy! Somehow that contributed to feeling comfortable with him: Somebody I knew; somebody I really, really knew.

Now, that guy wasn’t perfect you understand – he’s gone to his maker now, many years ago – but I knew him! And I was glad that I knew him, even though he, like me, was a lot less than perfect.

Why, he was even a polymath! A polymath? How can one be a polymath and not be perfect, I asked myself often. Must be possible, however, because my friend was a polymath!

Since the time when I knew what polymath meant, I have concluded that, at best, I am a “Wannabe Polymath.” I even came to be satisfied with that – though it took a long time.

However, there was a time, I admit, many years earlier, when I thought I might become a real polymath, if I worked hard at it. Well, after much time, trial and tribulation, I learned that I am not a polymath, cannot be a polymath. Much to my own disappointment!

But my friend was a real polymath; that came to be enough for me. After all, he was my friend.

Then, all of a sudden there was this former college professor, who insisted on calling me “brilliant,” despite my written protestations. And, later, a physicist at a prominent university accused me of something similar! Wow! Maybe I am selling myself short, I thought! (Like the Phoenix, hope was rising again.)

But nope, no matter how I cut and diced it, thought and soul-searched it, I still had to conclude that I am no polymath, not even close. Again, head hung low. What is the problem?

Well, the problem is, I have read a little history, and therefore I know a bit about some of the real polymaths in our past. Am I in their category?

No way, I have to decide – finally. This time it didn’t even take too much time or thought.

So, how come? Where did my educated observers go wrong? Well, I think I know the answer.

It is a matter of Definition Dilution!

Now, aside from the possibility that the reader doesn't know what is meant by "definition dilution," that reader might ask, "Who was that friend? what was his name?

Well, what was his name again? Hmmmm! I am so forgetful. But I think it was something like "Hobbs" or maybe, "Lucy."

Think I'll ask Wiley Miller.

DBT

Friday, December 4, 2009

"EXTREME BEERS"

I understand that there are now beers with as high an alcohol content as 27% by volume! They are called,"Extreme Beers." The Associated Press says so, so it must be true!

In Augsburg, Germany, in the U.S. Army, as a veterinary officer,I once had the job of doing a “sanitary inspection” of a German brewery. Well, I love to drink beer, but what I know about its production you could stick under the proverbial eyelid.

But, it was my job to inspect the brewery! Of course, I was treated with “great respect”; after all, the brewery officials wanted to sell beer to the U.S. Army.

Know what? At that time, over fifty years ago, the highest alcohol % in beer around the world was about 5%! Most beers were less than that; in Germany only “Christmas Beer” and “Easter Beer” had about 5%.

I asked the brew master at the brewery I was inspecting about that. He told me the yeast used to make beer would die at a higher alcohol percentage!

Well, many of my American military friends touted German beer, and flaunted the idea that they would really, really get tipsy on a couple of German beers! Ha ha! Only problem was that what they thought was the alcohol percentage was what the Germans called “Grad,” namely about 12%! Actually the designation “Grad” referred to the percentage of solids in the beer, not at all the alcohol percentage!

Most, if not all, of them did not know that “Grad” had nothing to do with the alcohol percentage in the beer they were drinking; in most cases the beer had the usual 3 to 4% alcohol.

So much for the so-called “placebo effect”: If you think that something is true, it is. For many people that is.

As any good physician does, I came to use this concept on occasion in the delivery of health care. That is, after I became a human doctor. "Whatever works," if it does not cause harm! (And, so long as it is not a haven for quacks and snake oil salesmen.)

So, what do I think now about “extreme beers”? (Made with “engineered” yeast.)
I think it is fine – so long as you do not call it beer!

Dallas B. Tuthill, D.V.M, M.D.

Monday, November 30, 2009

WINNING/LOSING and RELATED ITEMS

Today’s newspaper (Monday, 11-30-09) reports the squeaky loss of the Bucs (1-10) and Colts’ squeaky win (11-0).

Winning is “everything” and losing is “nothing.” Could even mean the “saving” or the “firing” of a coach, a player, coaches, players! “Squeaky” doesn’t count. After all, we’re talking millions of bucks.

Something is lost in the shuffle here.

Maybe this in part accounts for many fans’ shift to college football for their jollies. And this is despite the fact that college football has also evolved more and more in the direction of “BS” – just a little later.

Now we are even in the process of souring high school football, too. It’s even started in Little League circles! (This goes right along with parents’ chewing out the Little League officials from the stands – and worse.)

And these guys are supposed to be the “role models” for our youth? Gimme a break!

Perhaps the only “break” people like me are going to get is the realization that professional boxing, professional football, NASCAR, and some others, are not really sports (for all the fun they are for us – me included –to watch)! They are “blood fests,” the modern equivalent of throwing people to the lions (literally) in the days of the Roman Empire. And, if the athletes don’t supply the blood, the fans do! No blood, no sport (e.g., fencing).

Maybe we should redefine the word “sport.” While many so-called sports require that one “play hard” and give the opponent(s) injuries or even concussions (!), and always plenty of blood. My “sport” would minimize – not entirely eliminate – them.

Somehow, I would like the word “sport” to emphasize the ideas of skill, courage, cooperation, competition, persistence, training, work), not blood.

DBT

Friday, November 27, 2009

MODERN WEATHER FORECASTING

A subtitle for this blog might be, “Where is Ben Franklin When We Need Him?”

I read my local newspaper every morning faithfully, including the weather page. Of course, I already have the forecast for that day as I pick up my paper on the driveway: The paper is either double-wrapped or not!

Now there is weather forecasting on the cutting edge! That’s the way ol farmers done it.

Oh, but in the last couple of centuries we have made huge meteorological progress! We’ve even added “percentage chance of rain” to the forecast. Now, there is something to hang your hat on.

Problem is: On what part of it do you hang your hat?

Why, now we even have the forecast for the whole week. And we’ve added helpful wrinkles, in the form of icons for each day! We have colorful, jagged ones that indicate lightning; we have recognizable drops of rain that have an obvious meaning; we even have a snowflake icon; and when we add clouds, they will cover a given, predicted amount of the sun icon. As Garrison Keillor sings every week, “Could we ask for more?”

Problem is: When these icons are joined for each day in various combinations, what are we to make of it? Do we then have a better idea of the weather prognosis for that day?

I admit it; I am confused!

One day we have only a large, jagged lightning icon with, say, 60% chance of what – rain? Or, we might have 20% along with a partially obscured sun icon, plus the icons for three drops of rain. Then, we might have the same 20% with no drops whatsoever. For another day, we might have 30%, or even 50% with or without drops.

I admit it; I am confused.

One day when a meteorologist had spoken to our group, I asked if predicting the chance of rain by citing a percentage helped the consumer, or made it all a bit more convenient (read: CYA) for the meteorologist? If one were to criticize when predicted rain was not forthcoming – heaven forefend – the meteorologist could say, “Well, I didn’t say 100%.

Well, from the look that meteorologist and some in the audience gave me, one would think that I had engaged in the pleasurable part of borborygmus!

As I said, “Where is Ben Franklin when we need him?”

DBT

UNBIASED NEWSPAPERS

Recently a man I respect very much wrote, in exasperation, “I have looked in vain for a newspaper that reports the news in unbiased fashion.” Oh?

Well, right or wrong, I replied, by email, that this is one quest doomed to failure.

I am an avid newspaper reader – have read newspapers literally all over the world – and have yet to find a newspaper that is NOT biased. I don’t think there is such an animal!

The only way, I think, to get at some semblance of the “truth” is to “triangulate,” by reading/hearing, and understanding, all sides of a substantive issue.

But remember: This is then just a semblance! Keep your mind open, seek to understand differing viewpoints on the same matter, and be ready, if necessary, to change your personal conclusions. (Emerson – he knew everything, right? – said, “Consistency is the hobgoblin of simple minds.”)

But even my own offspring accuse me on occasion of always coming to the same – in other words “rock-ribbed” conclusions."

Maybe. Even probably, sometimes. But, always coming to the same conclusion about something must mean that the conclusion is not right – right?

DBT

TOILET SEATS

Women tend to get all bent out of shape when a male leaves both toilet seats up.

How ‘bout when women leave the top toilet seat up? In other words, what is that cover seat for?

I suppose its purpose is to see the bottom of it!

DBT

Monday, November 23, 2009

WHAT OTHERS THINK!

Most people worry more about what they think others think than what they think themselves! Here's what Samuel Johnson had to say about that many years ago:

MUCH OF THE PAIN AND
PLEASURE OF MANKIND
ARISES FROM
CONJECTURES WHICH
EVERYONE MAKES OF THE
THOUGHTS OF OTHERS!


Samuel Johnson

Learning from what someone else thinks and experiences is wise; but try to believe what your own conscience leads you to think, NOT what you think someone else thinks!

Dallas Tuthill, M.D.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

SELF-INTEREST AND SELF-PRESERVATION

What ultimately drives us humans, every one of us! Self-interest, self-preservation!

Maybe you don’t believe that, but it is true. The modern human animal, in the long course of evolution, has left very few true instincts: self-preservation and self-interest are two of them, or at least are two aspects of the same thing.

Other animals exhibit many more real instincts. As a matter of fact, so far as we know, instincts govern most of the behavior of all other animals, since we, so far, do not attribute to them much ability to “think” for themselves.

“Oh no,” you say. “That doesn’t leave room for human altruism.” Well, altruism is NOT an instinct; it is sublimation. It is learned behavior. That is, if you do ever exhibit altruism!

Just imagine you suddenly realize that you are in a burning building. In that first split second your first instinct is to save yourself! You might later explain grandly to the newspaper reporter that your first thought was to save your spouse…or your infant…or "whatever" it was that one should have wanted to save. Uh-huh. But that wasn’t true instinct. No way!

So, what are the long-range implications of this? Think about it.

After decades of observing human behavior, professionally and otherwise, I have come to an immutable conclusion:

ANY LONG-RANGE PLAN THAT REQUIRES HUMANS TO BE AS YOU WISH THEY WERE INSTEAD OF HOW THEY ARE IS DESTINED TO FAIL!

Despite the fact that some very intelligent philosophers in human history have believed in the perfectibility of man, it sure has not happened yet; it has not yet happened in even one human individual, let alone more than one. Is there anyone –- even if that person’s goodness is generally acknowledged -- who can look into the mirror and see a “perfect person”? Nope. Not even close.

So, why is it that we believe, at least implicitly, that our elected government officials collectively are going to be any smarter, any more altruistic, any less greedy, any less (or more) “anything” than the same number of humans taken at random from anywhere in this country? Or, from any country?

In other words, we cannot believe that. We should not believe that! Otherwise, we believe that an oligarchy should or can rule us. (What, pray, is a situation where some 650 elected individuals in Washington rule some 300 million citizens, if it is not an oligarchy?)
Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if, for example, a high-paid lobbyist (who makes the best?) came to an elected representative and that representative had to say, “I’d love to help you, but I just do not have the power!”

If that is indeed the way it is – and who can doubt it? – it behooves us to be very careful about giving elected officials the one power that a only a duly constituted government has. And what is that?

The legal power to coerce!

Can you think of any other human organization, other than government, that has that legal power? No, you cannot. If you do not think that this is so, openly try not to pay your taxes – federal, state or local – for just one example! You’ll go to jail.

This is exactly the kind of problem that Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton (and so many others) faced after our revolution officially succeeded with the signing of the Paris Treaty of 1783.

Soon, back then, however, most everyone agreed that The Articles of Confederation needed to be changed. In the summer of 1787 a commission was appointed to do just that!

In three hot, sticky months in Philadelphia that commission hammered out a massive compromise: Our U.S. Constitution. Compromise, I say? Yes. Unless, for one example, you still think that a black man is 3/5ths of a person! Or still think that women should not be able to vote!

But now we Americans speak of our U.S. Constitution as though it were some sort of Holy Grail! Well, I think that it is wonderful. But perfect it is not. And, perfect our representatives are not. Not even close!

Right now our elected representatives in government are handing out all sorts of “lollipops.” They are called “rights.” We suck ‘em up, and sue someone if we don’t get ‘em. Wonderful behavior.

Talk about (in the “Good Book”) building foundations on sand!

Dallas Tuthill, M.D.

Friday, November 20, 2009

STOP 90 to 95 % OF NOSEBLEEDS !

Amazing but true, even some physicians do not know this simple method – at least many physicians did not when I was still in practice!

Most nosebleeds, about 95%, come from the front (anterior) part of the nose.

Grasp all of the soft tissues of the nose below the nasal bones between thumb and curved forefinger, squeeze firmly and hold for at least one minute (counting 1000 one, 1000 two, etc. Or, watch a clock. Sixty seconds is a long time!). Then let go slowly to check if the bleeding has stopped. If not, continue as before. Check periodically to see if bleeding has stopped.

If bleeding does not stop after ten minutes of firmly squeezing ALL of the soft tissues of the nose below the nasal bones, you should see a physician, or nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.

A small percentage of nosebleeds come from higher up in the nose, and these CANNOT be stopped with the method described above.

But, if you experience frequent nosebleeds, regardless of origin, see a doctor or nurse. If, for example, high blood pressure is the cause, this common disease urgently needs treatment!

In any case, your doctor or nurse will decide if you need to see an ENT specialist.

Dallas Tuthill, M.D.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

VACCINE AIN'T SERUM!

In these days of the “flu scare” which we experience every fall, accentuated this time with concern about Swine Flu, one often hears and reads of “serum” being distributed by the Federal Government.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SWINE FLU SERUM! And, there is no such thing as “regular flu” serum, for that matter.

There is a swine flu vaccine, however, and for better or worse, that is what the government is distributing, as well as “regular” flu virus vaccine.

What then is the difference between a vaccine and a serum?

A vaccine consists of a live or dead virus or bacterium (in street parlance, a live or dead “bug”) that is especially prepared, when live (often on egg substrate when it has to do with a virus), so that it can then be injected (or instilled in the nose). The human subject so injected then makes its own antibodies against the pathogen (the agent causing disease), if that subject is capable of doing so. HIV patients, for one example, may be “immuno-compromised” and cannot make their own antibodies. That is a different medical problem.

A serum, on the other hand, consists of a part of the plasma (the liquid part of the blood without the cells) plus antibodies already made by somebody else (be it an animal, or much less frequently another human). For example: Anti-snake venom antibodies are usually made in a large animal, such as a horse, by repeatedly injecting that animal with an appropriately diluted snake poison so that the animal, usually a horse, makes antibodies against the snake poison. When it is determined that there is a high enough concentration of antibodies in the blood of the “animal host,” a large amount of blood is drawn, and processed so that the final product is serum containing antibodies. This serum is what is injected into victims of snakebite, so long as that victim is not allergic to horse serum! The antibodies “fight” the snake venom that is circulating in the victim’s blood, and, if all goes well, the victim is saved!

Dallas Tuthill, M.D.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

FEEL--GOOD MISCONCEPTIONS

Most of us humans not only believe in superstitions (e.g. Friday the 13th), but also, even more commonly, engage in feel-good actions that belie real understanding. Some of them follow:

1. Some prefer a bath to a shower for cleanliness. How can one stick one’s butt into bath water that is then used for cleaning everything else, and assume that this is better than a shower? It isn’t. Now, if one wants to enjoy lolling in a warm bath because it is soothing, calms one, and just feels luxurious – fine. But, if one is interested in getting clean, a shower is better, and, incidentally, uses less water!
2. As a corollary to #1 above, many, perhaps especially Americans, have a fetish about cleanliness, and scrub themselves “all over” frequently, even every day! Some professions might demand this, but most don’t. (Old joke: Most men wash hands after going to the toilet, the blacksmith washes his before!) Some of this scrubbing leads to dry skin and other problems for which all kinds of lotions and crèmes are used that cost money; this helps the cosmetics industry but seldom the user. What about the skin on your back? Except for those few who use a long handled scrub brush, most cannot reach the back; most let some water flow over it, and don’t worry about it. “Out of sight, out of mind.” A message there?
3. How often have you seen someone open a bottle of soda or beer and use a hand to wipe the top before drinking? This may be a habit, but does it make the bottle more sanitary? (No “dirt” like your own “dirt.”)
4. Toilet paper: Use of modern toilet paper is, no question, better than the old red corn cob, then the white, then (possibly) the red again routine, but, as an old medical professor of mine once said, depending on toilet paper to “protect” one is illusory. Here, proper hand washing afterward is where it’s at! Proper hand washing after #1 is important, after #2 essential!
5. Proper hand washing? What is “proper”? A little water plus perfunctory hand swiping is almost worse than nothing. Many males don’t even do that! (Women I don’t watch!) In effect, one is saying that “my equipment” is sanitary, yours is not.” Right? Proper hand washing depends somewhat on the purpose: Certainly that before a surgical operation demands more than some others, but usually soap and a vigorous “one hand washing the other” for about 20 seconds is acceptable. An approximate second is longer that one thinks! Count 1000 one, 1000 two, etc.
6. How about those throw away paper cut outs available in some public johns? Well, if there is visible excrement on the toilet seat, I suggest you use another toilet.
7. I admit to amusement sometimes when I have noticed in a given exercise room that some exercisers carefully wipe the equipment after its use, (sometimes before as well!) believing it is then “sanitary.” Well, if a user leaves visible sweat on some equipment, wiping it up is being polite and to be applauded, but being sanitary it isn’t. Unfortunately most people have no real concept of what bacteria (bacterium is the singular) – let alone viruses – are like. Myriad bacteria exist on most used surfaces, and spreading them around by “wiping” does not make anything “germ-free.” Luckily, most bacteria are actually “good”; our very lives depend upon some of them, especially in the normal gut!
8. #7 above brings to mind the frequent use of “mouth washes” (such as “Listerine”) in order to render the mouth “germ-free,” or at least “to kill the bad bugs.” As with most OTC lotions and crèmes, this habit helps the producer, but hardly the user – except to “feel good.” (Or, perhaps to try hiding that beer-breath from your Mom.) Any mouthwash that really would “kill the bad bugs,” wouldn’t be very kind to the mucous membranes of the mouth!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

AGING AND FAITH

According to the AARP, the percentage of people who say religion is very important in their lives:

Ages 18 to 29: 44%; Ages 30 to 49: 54%; Ages 50 to 64: 61%; Ages 65 to 74: 62%, and Ages 75+: 70%

How do you spell "Foxhole Christian"?

Something I had to say to some of my patients: "Death at a reasonable age is "normal."

DBT

WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT?

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT?

As an old man, and a physician, it has often occurred to me that if some (many) women would expend as much time and money on, say, proper eating and fitness, as on their hair and nails they would look a lot more appealing – and have better quality of life, plus live longer!

Of course, the former is more difficult, but also perhaps more rewarding?

As a male, as well as a physician, the “average” woman with a dress size of much more than 12, is “less desirable”; that is, unless one thinks of the time when Ruben’s corpulent women were “in.”

Or, are women just trying to impress other women? (Uh-huh!)

DBT

Friday, November 6, 2009

Seniors' Exercise Philosophy

As usual, let’s start with review questions: (Don’t forget, no one grades you, no one even knows your answers but YOU!) Again, my email address is: dbtut@aol.com

1. What is systolic pressure?
2. What is diastolic pressure?
3. What is the pulse, and what makes it?
4. What’s a “quick and dirty” way to estimate the “maximum heart rate for your age?
5. How can counting your pulse help you with your fitness regimen?
6. What does one use the “maximum heart rate” for?

I have alluded to this subject in a past essay, but let’s revisit it: Some people eat “little” and become fat, some eat “much” and don’t get fat. And this can be irrespective of how much you exercise, et cetera. How come? No one knows really, but it for sure has something to do with one’s genes. I won’t go into what a gene is here, but will assume that you realize that this in turn has something to do with the “hand you are dealt” by your parents when you are a fertilized egg in your mother’s womb.

The same kind of mystery surrounds why some people live a long time, and others don’t – again irrespective of how much you exercise, or in some cases, how much you eat. Just think of someone famous, like Winston Churchill, who did everything “wrong,” but lived to over 90! Some explain this away by saying, solemnly, “The exception proves the rule.” (Whatever that means. Who knows how long Churchill would have lived IF he had eaten, and drunk and exercised properly!)

I have no doubt that someday “they” will figure out the real answers to these two mysteries. But, in the meantime, we just have endure all the “gurus” who offer all kinds of “formulas” to achieve leanness and long life. Fie on you if you fall for some of these, especially if they promise to do these things without much effort and persistence. These guys are successful because many of us are looking for the easy way out.

Quality of life (whatever that means for a given individual) is much more important than longevity.

So, where does that leave most of us? Eat properly plus follow an exercise routine that repeats at least 3X per week (preferably six), works out all major muscle groups, and takes into account our ages and our medical problems (if any). Do the things you can enjoy, and that are consonant with your physical state.

Before beginning any exercise program check first with your family doctor!

By the way, in an exercise regimen, what is the equivalent of “recreational meal”? (Remember a recreational meal is one where you eat what you want to, but in reasonable quantities, and once or – at most – twice a week.) The equivalent is a “recreational interlude.” That is, one does not go through an exercise routine every day but, say, five or six days a week. In the interim, usually on the weekend, one allows the body to recoup. (Even the “world” was created in six days, and the seventh day was for “rest.”)

What about walking? Walking is excellent exercise! And, one can do this either in the comfort of one’s home, or in the wonderful air-conditioned exercise room that we have in Sun City Center, or outside on the streets.

How does one do this at home? If you have a fairly large bathroom (or use whatever adequate room you have), one can alternate walking and easy jogging, making figures of eight, counting each step (in groups of twenty) up to, say, two hundred for each mode, ending up with 1,200 steps in all. If combined with other exercises at home to involve all major muscle groups, it can make an effective exercise routine. Alternate this with three days a week that you go to the exercise room. If you do some serious work in the yard, let that take the place of the exercise routine for that day.

Don’t forget! In addition to choosing a routine that exercises all major muscle groups, most important is to exercise one’s balance organs. What are these? They are the so-called semi-circular canals that are in each ear. There are three of them in each; they lie perpendicular to each other so that they control all three directions: up, down, and horizontal, no matter what is our body’s position.

It is possible, and is especially important for oldsters (!) because one of the main problems we face is falling! The better our balance organs work, the less is the likelihood that we will fall! How does one exercise the semicircular canals? Very important, and something that is NOT stressed enough.

The first thing to recognize is that one’s vision has a lot to do with balance. If you don’t believe this, try standing on one leg, first with eyes open, and then with eyes closed! You will see which you can do for a longer time. So, close your eyes when doing many of the exercises, especially the ones requiring movement of the head.

While standing straight, do motion exercises of the head and neck: bend the head and neck forward and down as far as possible (so you are looking at your feet), then turn your head back and forth slowly at least 10 times, work it up to, say, 20 over the next weeks. Bend your head and neck backwards and turn your head to the left and right several times – gradually increase the number of repetitions. Stand straight, as before, and look to the left as far as you can, then keeping the same twisted neck position strain to turn your head to look up and down and everything in between; then do the same on the right. And with all of these, do them, if you can, with eyes closed!

When you walk – inside, outside, on the treadmill without holding on, etc. – at the same time as you walk in all directions, look up (as you might to a tree you passing), down, to the sides, etc. You will find that it is not so easy to walk in a straight line and look in different directions at the same time that you are walking.

Be careful not to get up from a sitting or lying position too fast! Older people should get up slooowly so that the old arteries have more time to adjust (to contract) and keep the blood flowing to the brain. If you are dizzy after getting up, sit down again, or at least hold on to something solid and get your head and upper body lower and wait until you are not dizzy.

Even if you do not do other exercise routines (fie on you!), PLEASE, PLEASE regularly exercise your balance organs (the semi-circular canals). Falling is one of the most frequent untoward things that happen to us oldsters. Thus, improving balance, AND especially watching our step whenever up and around are two of the most important things to keep in mind.

ALWAYS be mindful of these two things when you are up and around!

Dallas B. Tuthill, M.D.
My email address again is: dbtut@aol.com Do NOT call on the telephone.
DBT