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
Monday, November 30, 2009
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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
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
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