FIDGETING

I'M FINDING SMALL THINGS OF INTEREST, SO I'M PASSING THEM ALONG. "Fidgeting" helps minimize adverse effects of sitting too long APASep 25, 2015 Individuals who sit long but fidget have a similar mortality risk to those who are physically more active. People who fidget when sitting may be considered somewhat impolite, but they are behaving in a way that's beneficial for their health: A British study published in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine" suggests that the movements involved in fidgeting may counteract the adverse health impacts of sitting for long periods. Researchers at the University of Leeds analyzed data of 14,000 women aged 35 to 69; the surveyed data included questions on health behaviors, chronic disease, physical activity levels and fidgeting. The data showed that an increased risk of mortality from sitting for long periods was only found in those women who consider themselves very occasional fidgeters. No increased risk of mortality, on the other hand, was found from longer sitting times, compared to more active women, in those who considered themselves moderately or very fidgety. "While further research is needed, the findings raise questions about whether the negative associations with fidgeting, such as rudeness or lack of concentration, should persist if such simple movements are beneficial for our health," said study co-lead author Professor Janet Cade.

FOOD: IS NOTHING SACRED?

THIS IS A WORTHWHILE SLIDE SHOW FROM AARP. FOOD AND MEDICATION, SOMETHING ELSE TO ANNOY US.

MEDICATIONS CAUSING COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

I HESITATED BEFORE PASSING THIS ON BECAUSE THE POSSIBILITIES ARE SO POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT. WHEN I WAS IN PRACTICE, I HAD ON ONGOING BET WITH MY PATIENTS THAT ANY SYMPTOM THEY HAD COULD BE FOUND AMONG THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THEIR MEDICATION. I ALMOST ALWAYS WON THAT BET. ONE THING THE PHYSICIANS DESK REFERENCE DID WAS GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE FREQUENCY OF THE SIDE EFFECT, BUT OFTEN NOT THE SEVERITY. SO IT IS WITH THIS PRESENTATION AS WE DON'T GET EITHER PIECE OF INFORMATION. DEMENTIA IS SUCH A DEVASTATING CONDITION THAT WE ALWAYS NEED TO CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF MEDICATION FIRST, OR AL LEAST EXCLUDE THEM IN OUR EVALUATION OF COGNITIVE OR MEMORY IMPAIRMENT. ALZHEIMER'S OR SOMETHING ELSE?

EPIDEMIC OF DIABETES

IT'S MOSTLY OBESITY, BUT I WONDER IF IT'S SOMETHING ELSE AS WELL. THE ECONOMIC COST IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ASTOUNDING. Study: Global diabetes rate has risen by 45% over past two decades. The New York Times (6/8, A3, Tavernise, Subscription Publication) reports that a study published online today in The Lancet finds that “the global diabetes rate has risen by nearly half over the past two decades...as obesity and the health problems it spawns have taken hold across the developing world.” Specifically, the study “reported a 45 percent rise in the prevalence of diabetes worldwide from 1990 to 2013,” with “nearly all the rise...in type 2 [diabetes], which is usually related to obesity.” According to the Times, the study, which received its funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, “is the largest analysis of global disability data to date, drawing on more than 35,000 data sources in 188 countries.”

MALIGNANT MELANOMA RATES CONTINUE TO RISE

This is from the CDC via the AMA. Readers of my work will recognize my interest in malignant melanoma. My novel, A Simple Cure is about attempts to treat this deadly disease. The link for this novel is: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Cure-Lawrence-Gold-ebook/dp/B00ELWQ4IA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid= The audiobook version of this novel is finished and will be available within days. Larry CDC: Incidence of melanoma has doubled in the US in the last 30 years. The Los Angeles Times (6/3, Kaplan) “Science Now” blog reports that “the incidence of melanoma...has doubled in the U.S. in the last 30 years and is on track to remain high unless Americans take more precautions to protect themselves from ultraviolet radiation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said” yesterday. The “Vital Signs study” was “published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.” The blog adds that while “Melanomas account for only 2% of skin cancers...they are the deadliest kind, according to the National Cancer Institute.” On its website, CBS News (6/3, Cohen) reports that in a statement, Dr. Lisa Richardson, the director of the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, said, “If we take action now, we can prevent hundreds of thousands of new cases of skin cancers, including melanoma, and save billions of dollars in medical costs.” Melanoma rates up among US children, young adults. Health Day (6/3, Dallas) reports that research indicates that “melanoma...has increased by 250 percent among U.S. children and young adults since the 1970s.” The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.

PARANOIA IS JUSTIFIED IF THEY ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU

Environmental hazards juice the internet, but what to do when we're overwhelmed with threats to our lives? A little reality check, even a controversial one, goes a long way. THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT, OR NOT!

BACK IN ACTION WITH A CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT: SALT

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things after open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my mitral valve. All in all it was an unpleasant (euphemism) but I'm recovering and anticipate getting back to normal life soon. I came across this slide show in WebMD and although I do not agree with all its conclusions, it's worthwhile. The trick for a physician is to determine whether a particular patient is "salt sensitive". If so, the conclusions presented are right on. If you're not salt sensitive, the restriction of sodium is a waste of great tasting food. A TRUTH ABOUT SALT