TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #4

The "silent killer" is the fourth preventable cause of death we are highlighting from Dr. Alker. High blood pressure or hypertension often causes no symptoms, another reason for regular checkups with your doctor. This silent disease is the leading cause of kidney disease, heart disease, and impotence.

Hypertension is considered when a blood pressure reading is 130/80. A top number (the systolic reading) above 190 is a hypertensive emergency and can trigger a brain bleed, heart attack or kidney failure.

Symptoms include headache, decreased urination, chest pain and shortness of breath. Emergency care is required. To prevent a crisis, monitor blood pressure, reduce alcohol intake, stay active and consider the DASH diet. "The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, known as the DASH diet, is the greatest reducer of long-term high blood pressure", according to Dr. Alker.

file photo

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #3

Were you aware that broken heart syndrome can cause death? I've heard it said a few times, "She/he died of a broken heart." I always thought that was kind of silly. but it can be true. The medical term is stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This typically temporary heart condition can be triggered by intense emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a shock, according to Dr Alker. 

Here is how broken heart syndrome works on the heart. It causes part of the heart to temporarily enlarge and not pump properly. Unlike a typical heart attack, broken heart syndrome is not caused by blocked arteries, but the resulting chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat mimic a heart attack.

The good news is that most people will recover with medical care. However, this condition can be life-threatening so any chest pain should be evaluated by medical personnel.

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D., ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #2

Today is about the Brain -Eating Amoeba. The Naegleria fowleri lives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs. It can enter the body through the nose. 

Although infection is extremely rare, it is almost always fatal. Yes, almost always fatal! Only four people in the United States have survived this nasty amoeba. What can you do to protect yourself? When swimming in warm, untreated freshwater, keep your head above water! 

Also, a few infections have occurred when people used tap water to rinse their sinuses. Always use boiled or distilled water when cleaning your nasal passages with a neti pot or other device.

file photo

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D. ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS #1

Dr Ashely Alker notes that vaccination is one key way to prevent death. A study published in The Lancet estimates that since 1974, vaccines have averted 154 million deaths worldwide, including 146 million in children under age 5. There is controversy from time to time on vaccines and the benefits. I, personally, refused to take the covid vaccine because it was rushed out, not tested, and as time has passed, I am thankful I did not take it. But I agree that time-tested vaccines are necessary and do save lives. 

Dt Alker has said, "Many of the deaths I write about are preventable through public health education." We will touch on a few more of them this week. Tomorrow we will talk about a Brain-eating amoeba.

file photo

TIPS FROM ASHLEY ALKER, M.D. ON PREVENTABLE DEATHS

Dr. Alker is an emergency medicine physician and healthcare advisor. She describes herself as a "death escapologist" because of her experiences in the emergency department watching people die of preventable causes. We will talk about some of her ideas on preventable deaths over the next few posts. She has written a book entitled "99 Ways to Die And How to Avoid Them". We will explore a few of them. This is what Dr. Alker has said about her book, "Many of the deaths I write about are preventable through public health education. If enough people read this book, I do believe lives will be saved."

Stay tuned friends. We will start discussing some of her theories next. 

DIE YOUNG AS LATE AS POSSIBE

Anthropologist Ashley Montagu made the following comment, "The idea is to die young as late as possible." Confused? His remark refers to the value of maintaining good health as long as you possibly can. Perhaps we should pay more attention to his comment, even better pay more attention to our health. Studies show avoidable deaths in the United States are increasing.

Researchers from both Brown and Harvard Universities reported preventable deaths, including road accidents, vaccine-preventable diseases, infections, and conditions that could be caught early through screening, are rising in every state.

To make this personal, are you up to date on your vaccines? Do you visit your doctor when you notice a problem, or do you try to wait it out? Follow your doctors' recommendations for routine checkups and get an appointment at the first sign of a problem.

Remember, "The idea is to die young as late as possible."

file photo

  

HEALTHY CANNELLINI BEANS

Cannellini Beans are an excellent 'white food' that should be included in our diets on a routine basis.  One cup of these beans provides almost half of our daily fiber needs and provides 14 grams of protein.  Fiber is important in so many different health ways and protein is essential to our daily diet.  Protein and fiber are also both great blood sugar stabilizers for diabetics, and both are filling, thus helping to keep us feeling full.  Cannellini beans are easy to work into the diet for those who don't want to sit down to a bowl of beans.  Learn to include them in your soups, salads, etc,

file photo

LIGHTING

Did you know there are approximately 6,000 lightning strikes every minute? That comes out to around 8 million lightning strikes daily. These numbers are from the CDC, saying that while most victims will survive a lightning strike, about 28 people die every year from being struck by lightning. They recommend staying inside, if you can, during lightning. If you are caught outside, stay away from trees and avoid being close to tall structures as they attract lightning.

If someone is struck by lightning, cardiac arrest is the main danger. If this happens call 911 and begin CPR or use an AED, automated external defibrillator, if one is available.

file photo

MEN, DON'T AVOID DOCTORS AND/OR SKIP SCREENINGS

I doubt if anyone really wants to go to the doctor, but men are notoriously known for avoiding doctor visits. A Cleveland Clinic survey found that 72% of men would rather do household chores, such as cleaning the bathroom, than going to the doctor. Avoiding doctor appointments or skipping them can lead to serious health problems. Health screenings detect diseases before they show symptoms. Catching diseases before they start showing symptoms are when treatments are most effective. Below are 5 screenings doctors say every man should get:

• Cholesterol: Healthy men should have this checked every 4 to 6 years.
• Blood pressure: Men 40 and older should have this checked at least once a year.
• Diabetes: Guys, this is a big one. Diabetes can cause so many other problems, especially left unchecked. Starting at age 35, men should be tested at least every three years. If there is a family history of the disease or you are overweight, your doctor may want to check this more often.
• Prostate cancer: Age 50 is the starting age for men at average risk to start talking to their doctor about screening. Men who are black or have a strong family history of prostate cancer, should start earlier at around age 40.
• Colorectal cancer: Regular screenings should start around age 45 for men at average risk.

file photo

VITAMIN B12 AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

 A study at the University of California, San Francisco regarding vitamin B12 and cognitive function was conducted with healthy adults over age 71. The researchers found that B12 levels in the lower range of "normal" correlate with faster cognitive aging and damage to nerve fiber that are essential for communication within different areas of the brain. If you or a loved one show early signs of dementia and perhaps some of the symptoms listed in yesterday's post, have your doctor check your level of B12.

file photo

SIGNS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Yesterday's post was about vitamin B12 deficiency, especially if you have been taking metformin for a long period of time. Today's post is a list of signs that could be indicators of such a deficiency. All these are probably symptoms of various problems, however, if you have more than one or two of these signs over a period of time, talk to your doctor about a blood test of your B12.

• Feeling very tired
• Weak muscles
• Getting confused easily
• Balance problems
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Mouth soreness
• Tender Tongue

This is a partial list. This should be enough to give you a clue, if you suffer a couple of them. A blood test is a simple way to check your vitamin B12.

file photo

METFORMIN AND VITAMIN B12

Are you aware a drug you may be taking might cause a vitamin B12 deficiency? Metformin is one of the most common drugs prescribed for type 2 diabetics.  I have been a type 2 diabetic for 19 years, taking metformin most of that time. I have regular blood work and checkups with my doctor. Vitamin B12 supplements were added to my regimen some time ago. Metformin blocks absorption of B12 often requiring supplementation. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration requires a warning with metformin prescriptions (who reads all that stuff that comes with a prescription?) to that effect. If you are taking metformin, be sure you are having your B12 levels checked regularly. By the way, Amy Rothenberg, a naturopathic doctor and educator based in Massachusetts, has stated, "Research shows that those with higher circulating B12 levels have slower decline in memory, executive function, and language usage."

file photo

DAILY EXERCISE

No doubt about it, most of us need more exercise for its health benefits.  Beginning with children who now spend so much of their time sitting around watching TV, playing video games, etc instead of playing outside, riding bikes, etc, to adults whose jobs keep them behind desks and in front of computers hours and hours a day, we need to move around!  Daily exercise doesn't mean an expensive gym membership; it can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.  Take a few minutes to think back over your day and how many times you could have exercised more.  Here are a few ideas in addition to the one just mentioned:

Only going a few blocks?  Walk instead of drive.

Park farther from the door to your office or the shopping center, etc.

When watching TV get up and walk around during commercials or between shows.

When talking on the phone, stay active.  Instead of getting in your comfy chair, walk around, load the dishwasher, pick up the room, etc.

Carry your groceries in one bag at a time.  The extra trips are exercise!

Get a friend to walk around the block with you, push the young ones on the swing, work in the yard, etc.

Put dishes, etc that you use often on a higher shelf.  Stretching to reach them is exercise!

Start now to add exercise to your life daily, no matter how small.  This is especially important for diabetics, most people with heart disease, etc.  And get the young ones started out right by limiting 'lazy activities' and encouraging 'busy activities'.

TRIVIA....WHO REMEMBERS TAB?

 Are you old enough to remember when Coca-Cola introduced the diet soda Tab to America? The year was 1963 and I remember it well. I was a teenager and my family had an old country store an old-fashion soda cooler. The ones with the soda pops sitting in ice water. Those were the coldest drinks ever, but one's hand got cold filling the cooler. Weight-conscious Americans everywhere were anxious to try Tab. I had no desire to lose weight but of course, I had to taste it. Just thinking about it gives me a chill. I thought it was awful and couldn't believe people actually drank it. It supposedly had a sharp lemony flavor and was sweetened with saccharine and cyclamate. Six years later, a health scare caused Tab to stop using cyclamate, only using saccharine. That caused Tab to have a bitter taste.

By 1982 Coca-Cola produced its' own competing product called Diet Coke which caused the sales of Tab to decline. Eventually Tab was taken off the market in 2020. The 1 crazy calories drink was history.

If you ever drank Tab, leave a comment telling us what you thought of the drink and if you miss it.

file photo

HAVE YOU TRIED QUIINOA?

Is quinoa a part of your diet? If not, you might want to consider adding this grain. It is gluten free, is a complete protein meaning that unlike most grains, quinoa contains all nine essential acids.  Ita's protein content also supports muscle repair and strength. It's high-fiber content also helps keep you feeling fuller longer, so it is ideal for maintaining weight, supporting metabolism and avoiding energy crashes. The protein also helps balance blood sugar, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. It is easy on the stomach, a great support to gut health without discomfort.

Quinoa is an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans or others who are looking to add more plant power to their meals. 

Kroger photo post idea from TOH 2025