There are so many sources of information regarding the pandemic so I will refrain from being another source of conjecture, guessing, pollyannism, or pessimism. I will have more to post in the future, but for now, let me assess that sadly there is more in front of us than behind us. We will [Read More]
News & Media
Coronavirus in the United States
Coronavirus has landed in the United States. There are now 13 states reporting disease and 80 confirmed cases. Sadly one skilled nursing facility in Washington has seen 9 of it's occupants succumb to the disease. The CDC has taken some criticism for the rolling out of their test kits. Despite the [Read More]
Coronavirus Outbreak
Fear of a pandemic from coronavirus continues. Yes, this is a real threat. This is not hoopla or media sensationalism. This is much ado about something. Now over 80,000 cases have been reported, the vast majority in China. 3% of those infected have died which is not a small number (especially if you [Read More]
Gallbladder Cancer Awareness Month
Tired of hearing about the coronavirus? Well, it's Gallbladder Cancer Awareness Month! It's a relatively rare cancer affecting about 20,000 Americans a year. If you're one of the 20,000 it is quite a big deal. Slightly more women than men are affected. Symptoms mimic gallstones with jaundice, [Read More]
Cardiovascular Exercise
February is Heart Month! What better way to keep that ticker ticking than by regular exercise. What I like about running is the price tag--it's cheap! Get on a pair of sneakers and you are good to go. When I used to run for exercise before my gouty arthritis did a number on my ankles, I enjoyed [Read More]
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger affects about 200,000 Americans every year. Count me in as one of them! It occurs when the tunnel sheath that allows the tendons of each finger to pass becomes inflamed. The tendons go through but "catch". The finger, or thumb in my instance, becomes stuck in a bent position. At the [Read More]
New Coronavirus from China
Coronaviruses are species of virus belonging to the subfamily Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae, in the order Nidovirales. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and with a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The genomic size of coronaviruses [Read More]
Tips for Reaching Your Goals
Healthy Monday Reset. What a great concept! In a collaboration of the universities at Columbia, Syracuse, and Johns Hopkins a brilliant concept has emerged of how to reach the goals we make at the New Year to improve our health. It is reported that only 25% of us keep our New Year's health [Read More]
New Study Says Chili Peppers Make You Live Longer
Who knew Italians ate chili peppers? Not me. My idea of Italian spice is the red pepper flakes I put on my pizza. But there are those down south of Italy way that consume 4 or more peppers a day. This study published in the American Journal of Cardiology documents what happens to about 22,000 [Read More]
Flu Season
The flu season has taken a wacky turn this year. There is already widespread report of cases along the southern states including Texas. This is much earlier than usual and the earliest in 15 years. Furthermore, the predominant strain is the Influenza B virus, which is included in the vaccine [Read More]
Screentime and Preschoolers
Is your child's brain development affected by too much screen time? Researchers from Cincinnati, OH would have us believe that it is. In an online study published Monday on the JAMA Pediatrics website, they found that preschoolers age 3-5 who had more screen time, scored lower on cognitive testing, [Read More]
Flu Season is Here
Flu shots are available! Flu shots are available! It is that time of year again. Flu season is upon us! Everyone is at risk, but particularly vulnerable to hospitalization and death from the flu are the young, the elderly, the immunocompromised, the pregnant, and those with underlying medical [Read More]