RichC | September 25, 2024
A change of plans is something that can cause stress … but nothing like the stress of having a child with a medical condition, no matter their age. Brenda’s younger sister Ann and her husband Gary have a grown daughter who has overcome hurdle after hurdle in living with a chiasmal optic glioma. It has […]
RichC | February 3, 2024
While Brenda and I apprecated the warmer weather while in Florida last month, we really focused on walking more each day after working half days from the condo. Our steady daily beach walks and healthier eating will hopefully pay-off with the shedding of a few pounds and improving our long term health (Brenda’s hip replacement […]
RichC | April 15, 2023
For years now I have thought there was something to the Mediterranean diet and in drinking red wine with a meal. I’ve tried to put at least the “red wine” part of this into my regular diet and continue to read articles and studies that promote the positives of antioxidants for the heart — grape […]
RichC | April 10, 2023
While feeling a bit melancholy last week while thinking about my late father and mother-in-law (no Alzheimer’s, but some dementia), I heard the song “While He Still Knows Who I Am” recorded by Kenny Chesney on his Welcome to the Fishbowl album in 2012. It does trigger memories and getting things said while you can […]
RichC | March 15, 2023
While reading a health related social media post this past week, a graphic struck me as interesting since it highlights many of the ailments that most doctors and aging humans eventually face. Just to keep it personal, I’m noticing the hair thinning, vision and hearing loss as well as my high cholesterol needing some work […]
RichC | February 27, 2023
From a CNNHealth story: A sugar replacement called erythritol — used to add bulk or sweeten stevia, monk-fruit, and keto reduced-sugar products — has been linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death, according to a new study. “The degree of risk was not modest,” said lead author Dr. Stanley Hazen, director of the […]
RichC | October 5, 2022
Occasionally an article triggers me enough to save a PDF version, even though I rarely go to the folder on the computer where I’ve saved them. I’m not sure why I bother? Anyway, here’s a medical oriented article offering up 5 habits for healthier eyes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision […]
RichC | August 17, 2022
Read this medical information the other day and thought it likely might be a question many of us may have when taking over the counter (and prescription) doses of the common NSAID Ibuprofen. Check out the full article on GoodRx. How much does ibuprofen raise your blood pressure? Studies have looked at how much NSAIDs […]
RichC | August 16, 2022
Since I wear a Fitbit and monitor a few things like heartrate, exercise and daily step count, I was concerned when my resting heartrate (graph left) seemed to be rising? After talking with my daughter about it, she mentioned that it sure seemed to correspond to my COVID diagnosis. Hm??? Hopefully it will return to […]
RichC | July 16, 2022
Since a lot of aging Americans have been prescribed a statin, they likely pay close attention to articles talking about possible links between statins and dementia –I take note too. Thankfully each time the medical studies and advice is updated, the benefits of taking a statin vs trying to live with high cholesterol still outweigh […]
RichC | May 18, 2022
When the weather finally warmed up and I was motivated to head outside to work in the yard and start cleaning things up around the house, it was good for my activity level. Let’s see if this will correspond with losing a few pounds and getting a little healthier – it certainly can’t hurt (a […]
RichC | February 27, 2021
This past week was a semi-rushed haul out week for Encore in Florida. I headed south for 3 days of work on the “running hot” Volvo diesel auxiliary, as my assumption was that the heat exchanger was plugged up/calcified and needed to be taken off and cleaned (something I’ve never done). I met a friend […]
RichC | December 27, 2020
There was an interesting article in Prevention Magazine that explains what the COVID19 or generically the Coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do … AND what their ingredients are. It also details the differences between the two from the standpoint of how cold storage temperatures need to be. Check out the article for the ingredients […]
RichC | September 18, 2020
After a recent update from Fitbit, my Versa watch is now tracking my SpO2 level when I sleep. Unsure what to make of it, I asked my doctor-daughter Katelyn what it means: “looks good, no sleep apnea.” (Fitbit devices measure this while sleeping, since they are usually the lowest) After a little reading on SpO2 […]
RichC | July 7, 2020
See a few more details leading up to this from Gov Mike Dewine on this post.
RichC | July 2, 2020
It sure would be nice to report all is well in Ohio, but unfortunately our returning to semi-normal routines and statewide reopening has hit a snag … at least according to those elected and paid to monitor our health. See coronavirus.ohio.gov. ALERT LEVELS: (all include “Follow all current health orders”) Active exposure and spread. Increased […]
RichC | June 3, 2020
It is starting to look like early gadget failure going to become the ‘norm’ now that we’re wearing tech gadgets everyday. My Fitbit Versa watch is not even a year old and has failed. For a while it started to blink and flip through it’s screens, then surged with colorful vertical lines (photo)and a vibrate […]
RichC | March 31, 2020
Although few of us really want to be tracking the exponential explosion of the COVID19 spread, a friend asked me if there was a preferred site to go to for updated information. I responded with CDC.gov or Department of Health here in Ohio as trusted sources, but then suggested that if he was like me, […]
RichC | March 7, 2020
I’ve purposely put off posting anything to MyDesultoryBlog as the worldwide spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (#COVID19) began. Partially since it is challenging to separate the unfounded fears and panic from the real threat since the reporting varies based on news sources (Information from China is particularly questionable but western media sources aren’t all […]
RichC | February 7, 2020
The week started with heartache. A funeral for our neighbors son. That was followed by my friend Jeff heading to be with his dad’s wife Thelma in Orlando after a fall. (his dad is 93 and she is 90). It looks as if Jeff with be soon trying to figure out their care and living […]
RichC | October 10, 2019
Previously I mentioned that Katelyn and Drew brought me kicking and screaming (not really) into the Fitbit “wrist device” wearing age and world. I had given up wearing a watch decades ago when I started carrying a pager. Eventually I adopted the Nextel belt holstered cellphone, then pocket folding Samsung i500 PDA phone. The new […]
RichC | June 26, 2019
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RichC | April 6, 2019
View this post on Instagram Pediatrician Katelyn Oostra, MD, talked about the prevention of childhood obesity this past Wednesday night at a presentation for Super Fitness Weight Loss Challenge contestants. Each year the physical fitness center joins together with WTOL, Channel 11, to host a healthy weight loss challenge. This year, physicians from ProMedica participated […]
RichC | September 12, 2018
The biggest awaited tech news for most Apple lovers took place yesterday as they introduced their latest Watch Series 4 with "heart monitoring" capabilities and improved everything. From edge to edge larger screens, to a 64-bit processor that is twice as fast at their earlier version. The speaker is louder (common complaint), a walkie-talkie feature, […]
RichC | March 9, 2018
Enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and exchange thoughts with a Twitter management group working on improving online #health (safety/abuse). The live Periscopechat was a way for Twitter operate as transparently as possible. They will be opening an RFP process (request for proposal) from academia and the community. Twitter along with most of Silicon Valley […]
RichC | May 20, 2015
Looks like we may be onto something here … People who took a single vitamin pill twice a day cut their risk of the two most common forms of skin cancer by nearly a quarter, Australian researchers reported Wednesday. (Tweet This) The vitamin is a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide, and it’s sold in […]
RichC | March 7, 2015
A catch up post since hear in Cincinnati we have had a much snowier February and early March than usual … although a change is coming, so I hear? Sharing a few medical concerns: Activities this first week of March have revolved around medical care for a few in my family. Most pressing concerns are […]
RichC | December 13, 2014
Wow … just couldn’t believe the lower gas prices this week as oil continues to tumble down under $60/barrel. The abundant supplies and inventory along with the recession in Europe and slowdown in China has really put pressure on world prices. I’ve seen news photos of gasoline selling under $2.00 out west and while driving […]
RichC | June 29, 2014
Aging sneaks up on most of us and before you know it your muscles have atrophied and often joints become a painful reminder that we may have abused them in our youth. Thankfully, I’m still functioning on all cylinders even if I’m regularly reminded that I can’t (and shouldn’t) try to physically work as I […]
RichC | December 27, 2013
It has been both a wonderful and unsettling year of change for our family. We’ve had the highs of a wedding (Katelyn and Drew) and a college graduation (Taylor), AND the emotional lows with the passing of parents. The above events were as they should be and in keeping with the human condition … but […]
RichC | May 31, 2013
Here’s some pretty much commonsense advice from Dr. Susan Williams at the Cleveland Clinic’s Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, but a sound reminder for those of us noticing our bodies changing in our 30s, 40s and 50s. First Williams says that we should try to maintain a normal weight without the “rollercoaster of weight gain and […]
RichC | July 24, 2012
If laughing helps a person live a long and healthy life, my friend Jeff will easily make it to a healthy 100 years! Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress […]
RichC | June 21, 2012
I appreciate high profile Meniere’s Disease sufferers commenting on how debilitating it is to deal with abrupt attacks and ongoing balance/sickness issues, especially when they are as tough as UFC’s Dana White. He commented that he is “not a normal patient” while in an interview about his struggle – although I don’t think he exhibits […]
RichC | June 6, 2012
Many families face the inevitable fact that our parents will not be around forever. Unfortunately knowing the end is closer doesn’t make managing a parent’s declining health any easier. I now understand why my daughter’s medical training and rotations in “end of life care” were not attractive to her – pediatrics does sound as if […]
RichC | June 1, 2010
The needle pricks involved in acupuncture may help relieve pain by triggering a natural painkilling chemical called adenosine, a new study has found. The researchers also believe they can enhance acupuncture’s effectiveness by coupling the process with a well-known cancer drug — deoxycoformycin — that maintains adenosine levels longer than usual. See article in USNews.com
RichC | February 23, 2010
After American citizens were heard ‘loud and clear’ during the Obama administration’s attempt last year to ram though health care reform, the President and a ‘agenda-driven’ liberal congress are planning to give it another go. In a feeble attempt to cloak the “retooled $950 billion health care plan” and continual expansion of government as “bi-partisan,” […]
RichC | February 23, 2010
I don’t pretend to understand how a man concludes that crashing an airplane into an IRS building is justified, but I know that stress can push reasonably sane people into saying and doing some pretty radical things. I get pretty worked up over government waste and irresponsible spending, but can’t imagine striking back at innocent […]