Monday, October 26, 2009
Two Choices
You have 2 options when you're in a serious car accident, that's not your fault, and you escape with minor injuries. #1- you can embrace the role of the victim and forever let your life be haunted by the accident and continue to let your life unravel because now you have something to blame it on, dwelling on revenge and bitterness. #2- rejoice in your good fortune that you were not more seriously injured and embrace a life of good decisions from this point on, celebrating the opportunity to live.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Bad Advice
I'm amazed at the number of people who come to the doctor who really don' t want to get well. When they don't like medical advice, it is labeled as bad advice. This type of advice most often involves taking some personal responsibility and changing bad decision making or bad habits.
Medical advice you don't agree with does not necessarily equal bad advice. It more likely represents a bad attitude. However, when you accept that you are responsible for your own health, there is no one left to blame but yourself when you don't get well. Having no one to blame is not acceptable to many people.
Medical advice you don't agree with does not necessarily equal bad advice. It more likely represents a bad attitude. However, when you accept that you are responsible for your own health, there is no one left to blame but yourself when you don't get well. Having no one to blame is not acceptable to many people.
Lethal Duo
Smoking & Obesity cause a myriad of expensive health problems. Eliminate these 2 drains on the health care system and there is no more crisis. Ironic that they are both arguably 100% preventable. Even more interesting is that there is very little talk in the media or from politicians about preventing health problems. They like to talk about fixing complications, not preventing them.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Smoking Poison
So here's an interesting fact. Let's assume I was unfortunate enough to suffer from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This could happen because of a faulty furnance or a house fire (among other things). If I was a smoker and my CO level at the hospital was <10%, no one would likely get too excited. If I was a non-smoker and my CO level at the hospital was <3%, no one would likely get too excited. Notice a difference?
The point is smokers can walk around with a CO level that is equivalent to CO poisoning. Even if a smoker is involved in a CO poisoning incident, it may be hard to tell because they may live with a chronic CO level of up to 10%. Anything over 3% in a non-smoker would be cause for treatment with 100% oxygen and maybe even hyperbaric oxygen treatment. If you're a smoker...not so much, you may live at that level already.
Why should the hospital get excited about your acute CO poisoning when you've been doing it to yourself chronically already?
The point is smokers can walk around with a CO level that is equivalent to CO poisoning. Even if a smoker is involved in a CO poisoning incident, it may be hard to tell because they may live with a chronic CO level of up to 10%. Anything over 3% in a non-smoker would be cause for treatment with 100% oxygen and maybe even hyperbaric oxygen treatment. If you're a smoker...not so much, you may live at that level already.
Why should the hospital get excited about your acute CO poisoning when you've been doing it to yourself chronically already?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hardware
Having moved back to MN in the past month, I found flat head screws in a variety of things around our new house. Wall fixtures, outlet covers, towel racks, and even the bolts that hold your toilet tank to the bowl. I don't like flat head screws. They strip and are too hard to really tighten or loosen. Someday when I'm president, I will pass a law to replace all flat head screws with Philips, star, or square headed screws.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Somethin's Gotta Give
As we wandered around Seaworld today, I was amazed at the amount of overweight people and kids there. I commented to a friend of mine who said something I'd never thought of before. When you decide to make a commitment to lose weight, something else has to be taken out of your schedule. You can't expect to be busy 24/7 and ADD a workout plan. You can't make a 25 hr day. If you want your exercise plan to be sustainable, something else has to go.
For most of us, there is fluff time built into our day. We don't want to admit it but we're not as busy as we think or pretend. We simply choose to spend our time doing something that isn't worth doing. Pick your poison- TV, surfing the internet, Facebook, napping, celebrity gossip...
Whatever it is that soaks up your limited time, really consider the long term consequences of it. Is it worth it? Everyone can probably find something that could go and be replaced with something more productive. It's a choice and it starts with being honest with yourself about what you spend your time doing.
For most of us, there is fluff time built into our day. We don't want to admit it but we're not as busy as we think or pretend. We simply choose to spend our time doing something that isn't worth doing. Pick your poison- TV, surfing the internet, Facebook, napping, celebrity gossip...
Whatever it is that soaks up your limited time, really consider the long term consequences of it. Is it worth it? Everyone can probably find something that could go and be replaced with something more productive. It's a choice and it starts with being honest with yourself about what you spend your time doing.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Time and Money
It is disappointing to me when people I know don't have enough time or money for things that are supposedly important to them: time for family & friends, money to tithe, etc.
For those that don't have enough time: how much time did you spend on Facebook this week? How much TV did you watch?. For those that don't have enough money: how many times did you eat out this week? How many movies have you gone to recently?
How we use time and money is a choice. It's not something beyond our control to use as an excuse for not doing the important things.
One last comment about money. It's common to confuse "need" and "want". E.g. do you need a car that fits your family? Yes. Do you need a new car? No.
For those that don't have enough time: how much time did you spend on Facebook this week? How much TV did you watch?. For those that don't have enough money: how many times did you eat out this week? How many movies have you gone to recently?
How we use time and money is a choice. It's not something beyond our control to use as an excuse for not doing the important things.
One last comment about money. It's common to confuse "need" and "want". E.g. do you need a car that fits your family? Yes. Do you need a new car? No.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu Outcome
At the very least, perhaps the public will be encouraged to wash their hands as a result of the media frenzy over the swine flu. Imagine the morbidity and mortality that could be saved if everyone actually washed their hands and avoided coughing on each other. I don't know the actual stats but the common cold, ear infections, bronchitis, and pharyngitis, (and obviously regular influenza) are usually viral and spread by person-to-person contact.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll
My wife and I host a small group through our church called "Couples With Toddlers". It has been an incredible blessing in our lives and it's been incredible to see how the other couples/families have grown over the past couple years.
As a way to introduce ourselves, my wife and I shared our testimonies (i.e. how God has worked in our lives) when we first started meeting in early 2007. It was quite a shock to a lot of the couples because my wife has had 2 abortions and I have struggled with pornography. This was not your average small group. We cut right to the heart and skipped past the facades and phoniness and wanting to keep our skeletons in the closet. God has taken our brokenness and pain and worked through it to heal us and make us usable by Him.
The bonding that we have experienced as couples and friends is unbelievable and rooted in knowing that we're all broken and in need of a Savior. There are no perfect people allowed in our church or our small group.
Fast forward to more recently... Our small group has grown so much we had to split once already and are on the verge of splitting again. Since we have so many new couples, we did another round of testimonies recently. You name it, someone in our group has done it. I won't get into details of sharing others' hurts and struggles in this setting but I can tell you we serve an amazing God. It's amazing to me how he has worked in the lives of all the couples in one way or another. Whether they came from a Christian background or the opposite of that. We have broken families and broken religions in our past as well as loving parents and Christian homes and everything in between.
As a way to introduce ourselves, my wife and I shared our testimonies (i.e. how God has worked in our lives) when we first started meeting in early 2007. It was quite a shock to a lot of the couples because my wife has had 2 abortions and I have struggled with pornography. This was not your average small group. We cut right to the heart and skipped past the facades and phoniness and wanting to keep our skeletons in the closet. God has taken our brokenness and pain and worked through it to heal us and make us usable by Him.
The bonding that we have experienced as couples and friends is unbelievable and rooted in knowing that we're all broken and in need of a Savior. There are no perfect people allowed in our church or our small group.
Fast forward to more recently... Our small group has grown so much we had to split once already and are on the verge of splitting again. Since we have so many new couples, we did another round of testimonies recently. You name it, someone in our group has done it. I won't get into details of sharing others' hurts and struggles in this setting but I can tell you we serve an amazing God. It's amazing to me how he has worked in the lives of all the couples in one way or another. Whether they came from a Christian background or the opposite of that. We have broken families and broken religions in our past as well as loving parents and Christian homes and everything in between.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Miss USA
According to Mr. Hilton's blog posted the day following the Miss USA pageant last weekend, Miss CA lost because she didn't offer the politically correct answer to his question about gay marriage. According to Mr. Hilton, that answer should have been something along the lines of the states should be allowed to decide about gay marriage and not the federal government. A neutral answer.
But let's pretend for a minute that she gave an honest answer in favor of gay marriage. Would this also have been considered "half-brained" and incorrect by Mr. Hilton? It would not have been in line with what he posted on his blog any more than the answer she gave.
There were 3 possible answers: opposed to gay marriage, neutral about gay marriage, and in favor of gay marriage. I find it hard to believe she would have lost had she said anything but what she did.
I commend Miss CA for her honest answer.
But let's pretend for a minute that she gave an honest answer in favor of gay marriage. Would this also have been considered "half-brained" and incorrect by Mr. Hilton? It would not have been in line with what he posted on his blog any more than the answer she gave.
There were 3 possible answers: opposed to gay marriage, neutral about gay marriage, and in favor of gay marriage. I find it hard to believe she would have lost had she said anything but what she did.
I commend Miss CA for her honest answer.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Crisis Seeds
I heard an advertisement on the radio today for "Crisis Seeds". According to the ad, they can be worth more than gold or silver and even have been worth more than gold or silver in this century. Although I'm not really sure when that was.
If you send away for a kit now, you will receive enough un-genetically enhanced, non-hybrid seeds to plant a "crisis garden" 1 acre in size. Sounds good right?
So where does the acre of land, good soil, water, etc come from to raise this crisis garden? How many people do you know that actually own an acre of soil that you could grow anything on? Now add to that the fact that you're planting these seeds after a "crisis" of some kind...
Really? Crisis seeds? Does anyone actually buy this kind of thing?
If you send away for a kit now, you will receive enough un-genetically enhanced, non-hybrid seeds to plant a "crisis garden" 1 acre in size. Sounds good right?
So where does the acre of land, good soil, water, etc come from to raise this crisis garden? How many people do you know that actually own an acre of soil that you could grow anything on? Now add to that the fact that you're planting these seeds after a "crisis" of some kind...
Really? Crisis seeds? Does anyone actually buy this kind of thing?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Unemployment
For some good advice on staying employed or finding employment, check out Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat". It's not a short read but it's very interesting.
In summary, due to how fast information & technology changes and moves throughout the world, those that don't keep up will eventually be replaced. Those that continue to learn and make themselves valuable and versatile will always have a job.
In summary, due to how fast information & technology changes and moves throughout the world, those that don't keep up will eventually be replaced. Those that continue to learn and make themselves valuable and versatile will always have a job.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Why Obesity Can Kill You Faster
There should be no one who does not understand that being overweight or obese is bad for your health. The ailments that go with obesity are numerous such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, back pain, etc. The list could go on. Many of those things can and will eventually kill you. However, based on the ever increasing size of individuals who require medical attention, those facts alone are apparently not enough to change behavior.
Let me shed some light on other ways that being overweight can kill you. It can kill you much faster than you may have thought possible. And if not kill you, at least make you more sick compared to another person in the same circumstances who is not obese.
Almost any form of trauma is worsened by being obese from the time of the injury until you are fully recovered. For example, falls have worse outcomes due to increased force acting on bones resulting in worse fractures, sprains, etc. Recovery takes longer and is more difficult.
Motor vehicle crashes are worse. Seat belts don't fit as well so they are less effective. EMS has more difficulty extricating you from a vehicle, moving you, stabilizing your neck & spine, and transferring you from the scene to the ambulance to the ER.
Doctors have a much more difficult time examining you. It's much more difficult to detect an injury in an obese abdomen because you can't actually feel much through the layers of fat. Even ultrasound probes don't work as well through all that fat to detect severe injuries.
Necks are often examined because the veins in the neck give some insight into cardiac function. Fat necks obscure those veins.
Lungs and heart sounds are hard to hear through layers of fat. Again, the ultrasound probe may not penetrate enough for a good assessment.
Swelling is obscured by fat so it's difficult to exam joints and extremities for fractures or injuries.
Even x-rays are not as clear through layers of fat. CT scanners and MRI machines have weight limits on them so you may not even be able to get the appropriate test done.
Performing rectal exams and pelvic exams are much more difficult and prone to be inaccurate.
The average person has a few minute window to be intubated before their oxygen level drops to dangerous levels. An obese patient has much less time because all that weight literally pushes down on your chest making it hard to breath.
Intubations are more difficult. Oxygen masks don't fit as well. Maintaining good oxygen levels on intubated obese patients is more difficult.
Infection risks are higher because sterile technique is more difficult during Foley catheter insertion, central lines, chest tubes, etc.
Normal anatomy is obscured so placement of lines and tubes is more difficult and prone to error.
Best case scenario: these things are an inconvenience for your doctor.
Worst case scenario: you die because of them.
Let me shed some light on other ways that being overweight can kill you. It can kill you much faster than you may have thought possible. And if not kill you, at least make you more sick compared to another person in the same circumstances who is not obese.
Almost any form of trauma is worsened by being obese from the time of the injury until you are fully recovered. For example, falls have worse outcomes due to increased force acting on bones resulting in worse fractures, sprains, etc. Recovery takes longer and is more difficult.
Motor vehicle crashes are worse. Seat belts don't fit as well so they are less effective. EMS has more difficulty extricating you from a vehicle, moving you, stabilizing your neck & spine, and transferring you from the scene to the ambulance to the ER.
Doctors have a much more difficult time examining you. It's much more difficult to detect an injury in an obese abdomen because you can't actually feel much through the layers of fat. Even ultrasound probes don't work as well through all that fat to detect severe injuries.
Necks are often examined because the veins in the neck give some insight into cardiac function. Fat necks obscure those veins.
Lungs and heart sounds are hard to hear through layers of fat. Again, the ultrasound probe may not penetrate enough for a good assessment.
Swelling is obscured by fat so it's difficult to exam joints and extremities for fractures or injuries.
Even x-rays are not as clear through layers of fat. CT scanners and MRI machines have weight limits on them so you may not even be able to get the appropriate test done.
Performing rectal exams and pelvic exams are much more difficult and prone to be inaccurate.
The average person has a few minute window to be intubated before their oxygen level drops to dangerous levels. An obese patient has much less time because all that weight literally pushes down on your chest making it hard to breath.
Intubations are more difficult. Oxygen masks don't fit as well. Maintaining good oxygen levels on intubated obese patients is more difficult.
Infection risks are higher because sterile technique is more difficult during Foley catheter insertion, central lines, chest tubes, etc.
Normal anatomy is obscured so placement of lines and tubes is more difficult and prone to error.
Best case scenario: these things are an inconvenience for your doctor.
Worst case scenario: you die because of them.
Preparing for the Storm
In the past week, I've had some friends suffer a miscarriage for the second time after IVF. I also have a friend who was just diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He's a husband and father of a 1 year old. These are storms of life and maybe these won't be the same storms I ever face, but I will face storms regardless.
My life has been relatively storm free for the past 8 years. I'm married to a wonderful wife with 3 healthy kids and have a stable job in a market that is relatively immune to the economic crunch. I'm blessed far more than I deserve. The question I posed to myself today was, am I ready for the storm? It's only a matter of time.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum" is Latin for "if you wish for peace, prepare for war." Another favorite quote of mine is, "Are you ready for war? You should be."
How are storms and wars related? Because of Ephesians 6:12: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206:12;&version=31
So, am I ready for the storm or the war that will inevitably come my way? In a broader sense, yes. My life has been redeemed by the blood of Christ so my eternity is secure. On a smaller scale, am I in the Word, talking with God, and growing my faith now so when the next storm/war comes, I will remain victorious? Maybe not... How about you? Are you ready for war?
My life has been relatively storm free for the past 8 years. I'm married to a wonderful wife with 3 healthy kids and have a stable job in a market that is relatively immune to the economic crunch. I'm blessed far more than I deserve. The question I posed to myself today was, am I ready for the storm? It's only a matter of time.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum" is Latin for "if you wish for peace, prepare for war." Another favorite quote of mine is, "Are you ready for war? You should be."
How are storms and wars related? Because of Ephesians 6:12: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206:12;&version=31
So, am I ready for the storm or the war that will inevitably come my way? In a broader sense, yes. My life has been redeemed by the blood of Christ so my eternity is secure. On a smaller scale, am I in the Word, talking with God, and growing my faith now so when the next storm/war comes, I will remain victorious? Maybe not... How about you? Are you ready for war?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Side Effects vs. Allergies
When you take a new medicine and it causes an upset stomach that's a side effect. When you take a medicine and you have an anaphylactic reaction or a rash, that's an allergy. It's important because it makes a big difference the next time you might need that same class of medication.
When you tell your doctor you're allergic to penicillin, that wipes out a lot of options because there are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation penicillins. Add to that the fact that the cephalosporins are a close cousin to the penicillins so those are often off the table as well. Again, 4 generations of drugs that you may not be able to use.
The same goes for sulfa (a fairly common allergen) which is found in antibiotics and a common anti-hypertensive drug. Check out this longer list from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfonamide_(medicine).
The same is true for many pain medications, i.e. Vicodin, Percocet, morphine, etc. All these drugs are in the opioid class so an actual allergy to one makes doctors wary about giving you the others. If you go to the doctor in severe pain, you'll probably get an opioid and opioids are one of the most common drugs that cause stomach upset. There are drugs to prevent nausea so tell your doctor about your symptoms but please understand stomach upset and nausea are side effects, not allergies.
Lastly, know the details of your medical history. It's not so important to know if you were 5 or 6 when you had your appendix out but if you had any reaction to drugs, know exactly what it was. Ask your mom about things like this and get the facts right. Many patients will report I had "Drug A" as a kid and had a reaction to it. That's not very helpful for the same reasons described above.
When you tell your doctor you're allergic to penicillin, that wipes out a lot of options because there are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation penicillins. Add to that the fact that the cephalosporins are a close cousin to the penicillins so those are often off the table as well. Again, 4 generations of drugs that you may not be able to use.
The same goes for sulfa (a fairly common allergen) which is found in antibiotics and a common anti-hypertensive drug. Check out this longer list from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfonamide_(medicine).
The same is true for many pain medications, i.e. Vicodin, Percocet, morphine, etc. All these drugs are in the opioid class so an actual allergy to one makes doctors wary about giving you the others. If you go to the doctor in severe pain, you'll probably get an opioid and opioids are one of the most common drugs that cause stomach upset. There are drugs to prevent nausea so tell your doctor about your symptoms but please understand stomach upset and nausea are side effects, not allergies.
Lastly, know the details of your medical history. It's not so important to know if you were 5 or 6 when you had your appendix out but if you had any reaction to drugs, know exactly what it was. Ask your mom about things like this and get the facts right. Many patients will report I had "Drug A" as a kid and had a reaction to it. That's not very helpful for the same reasons described above.
End of the Day Medicine
A little tip about seeking medical care... For those of you inclined to go just before closing, don't.
Doctors are tired at the end of the day and offices that close usually have limited resources. You're better off going somewhere which has 24 hour service, usually an ER or 24 hour urgent care center. Don't be fooled into thinking that your visit will be quicker because the place closes and everyone wants to go home. If that's the case, you're probably not sick enough to even need a doctor appointment.
By the end of the day in most offices, there is paperwork to catch up on. Most doctors will do their best to keep up with charting as they see patients throughout the day. However, most inevitably get behind. So not only are you dealing with tired staff, you're dealing with people who are behind in their work before you even get there. Have you ever interrupted someone who was already behind in their work? How did that work out for you? Did you get what you wanted?
Medicine is not better practiced in a rush. Things get missed by both the patient and the doctor. Patients forget important details which would help their doctor make a diagnosis. Doctors forget to give that extra piece of education that would have made you satisfied with your visit if you both weren't in a rush.
Doctors are tired at the end of the day and offices that close usually have limited resources. You're better off going somewhere which has 24 hour service, usually an ER or 24 hour urgent care center. Don't be fooled into thinking that your visit will be quicker because the place closes and everyone wants to go home. If that's the case, you're probably not sick enough to even need a doctor appointment.
By the end of the day in most offices, there is paperwork to catch up on. Most doctors will do their best to keep up with charting as they see patients throughout the day. However, most inevitably get behind. So not only are you dealing with tired staff, you're dealing with people who are behind in their work before you even get there. Have you ever interrupted someone who was already behind in their work? How did that work out for you? Did you get what you wanted?
Medicine is not better practiced in a rush. Things get missed by both the patient and the doctor. Patients forget important details which would help their doctor make a diagnosis. Doctors forget to give that extra piece of education that would have made you satisfied with your visit if you both weren't in a rush.
Safe or Paranoid?
The local 6 o'clock TV news advertises on the radio that they report the latest, up to date and up to the minute crime information so I know exactly where crime is happening, even right in my neighborhood. According to the ad, this is supposed to keep me safe. Apparently this is in my best interest and that's what the news folks are most concerned about, my best interests.
The best this can do is make me paranoid if I actually watched it. Please explain to me how hearing about crime will make me safe. Am I going to lock my doors and be alert when I'm outside just because I saw their newscast compared to the rest of the time when I hang out alone in dark alleys and leave my doors open? Hardly. Appropriate vigilance is a wise habit but it doesn't vary based on some newscast.
Let's call this what it is...another gimmick to get you to watch the news. Drama, i.e. CSI, Law & Order, everything "ripped from the headlines" sells and that's all this is. For a real perspective on fear and how to not be paranoid, check out Gavin de Becker's books starting with "The Gift of Fear".
The best this can do is make me paranoid if I actually watched it. Please explain to me how hearing about crime will make me safe. Am I going to lock my doors and be alert when I'm outside just because I saw their newscast compared to the rest of the time when I hang out alone in dark alleys and leave my doors open? Hardly. Appropriate vigilance is a wise habit but it doesn't vary based on some newscast.
Let's call this what it is...another gimmick to get you to watch the news. Drama, i.e. CSI, Law & Order, everything "ripped from the headlines" sells and that's all this is. For a real perspective on fear and how to not be paranoid, check out Gavin de Becker's books starting with "The Gift of Fear".
Sunday, January 11, 2009
CrossFit and Church
I'm a CrossFit fan because nothing else has ever changed my level of fitness so convincingly in 15 years of working out. I'm also a Christian or as my church describes it, Christ-follower. My faith is the most important thing in my life and strongly influences all the choices I make.
A common argument for not starting CF is that "I'll start when I'm in better shape." A common argument for not turning to God and going to church is "I'll go when I get my life straightened out."
The argument is virtually the same and absolutely baseless. CF is universally scalable to any activity level so with a little knowledge, anyone can start anytime. Much more importantly, God didn't come to call only saints to himself. He came to save sinners. That's you and me and everyone else on earth. There is no need to "clean up your act" before you seek God. He'll meet you where you're at.
For more details about elite fitness, check out crossfit.com.
For proof that God is interested in you (as you are), check out Matthew chapter 9.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209:9-13;&version=31;
A common argument for not starting CF is that "I'll start when I'm in better shape." A common argument for not turning to God and going to church is "I'll go when I get my life straightened out."
The argument is virtually the same and absolutely baseless. CF is universally scalable to any activity level so with a little knowledge, anyone can start anytime. Much more importantly, God didn't come to call only saints to himself. He came to save sinners. That's you and me and everyone else on earth. There is no need to "clean up your act" before you seek God. He'll meet you where you're at.
For more details about elite fitness, check out crossfit.com.
For proof that God is interested in you (as you are), check out Matthew chapter 9.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209:9-13;&version=31;
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