3 WHITE BREAD AND YOU’RE DEAD?
A new, database study found that those who eat 3 slices of white bread or other white flour quantities had a higher risk of dying. This study was done in 148,000 people so that there were 9,000 deaths and 3500 major cardiovascular events across multiple diets and 21 cultures. Higher or lower deaths were not associated with whole grain or white rice amount. They did have many Asians in the study also. No mention of pasta/noodles, but the Mediterranean Diet gives an OK and they may release their starch slowly if cooked al dente (a little hard).
US RANKS LOW IN HEALTH
Not much has changed since a survey of high-income nations in 2013 ranked the US last or nearly last in:
• Early Deaths
• Infant deaths
• Injuries
• Homicides
• Drug-related deaths
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Arthritis in Older People
• New AIDS cases
• Traffic deaths in young people
• Obesity
• Health Differences based on Race
Their title was: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health describing this “catalog of horrors” while we pay for a very expensive health care system compared to other high-income countries.
You should try to improve our status voting and political activism but for now you live in this environment and it is up to you to not live the lifestyle that causes premature suffering and death.
Vote for those who want to improve lives by helpful public policy and laws, e.g. safe neighborhoods with parks to encourage exercise and fresh fruit and vegetables available at a good price nearby.
They investigate why life expectancy is 7 years longer in Hawaii than West Virgin-a. States that have conservative policies that focus on helping big business have shorter lives and poorer heath than those states that help the poor with better health care, better minimum wages, smoke-free workplaces, nutrition labeling, higher tobacco tax, spend research money to help people directly rather than make gadgets, etc. It is easier in the short run to invent a new mildly helpful diabetic treatment than to change food policy to prevent diabetes in thousands.
Again, it is best to protect yourself as much as you can. Double mask, cover nose, distance, stay out of buildings or “outdoor” dining that looks like a big plastic tent with little ventilation, and get the vaccine.
SUDDENLY ALIVE AFTER FAILED RESUCITATION?
A study of 480 patients at the end of their lives monitored their cardiac function after CPR, etc. was performed. 67 of the patients had resumption of cardiac activity for 3.9 seconds and then everything stopped. This cancels the myth that people can come back alive as a surprise. Of course, if a person declared dead but the protocol wasn’t followed, then those patients might not be truly dead and surprisingly “become alive” again.
WHY WEAR A MASK AFTER MY VACCINATIONS FOR COVID?
The virus can live in your nose even after you are vaccinated and cause mild disease or no disease in you. You can still spread it to others who can get sick or die. There isn’t data telling us how infectious a vaccinated person can be. There is a case of a man who had Covid twice, so was immune but he spread it to others through his nose during the second infection.
HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINES
The newest research supports using these machines to diagnose and treat high blood pressure. These are more accurate than the visits to the clinic in that they are measuring more times in settings more familiar to the patient than the clinic. White Coat Hypertension means you have high readings when in the clinic but normal at home. I am pleased that our main Medi-Cal insurer in the Inland Empire pays for the home kits. Covid isolation with me and the patient being at home makes this machine essential and saves trips to the clinic.
MARIJUANA AVAILABILITY MIGHT REDUCE OPIOID DEATHS
A new study showed that the number of deaths from opiates (Norco®, heroin, Dilaudid®, methadone, fentanyl, etc) was lower in those counties that had more marijuana dispensaries. This was done in states where marijuana is legal for recreational use.
DO YOU REALLY NEED THAT THYROID MEDICATION?
In this study, 36% of people with moderately low thyroid function were found not to need the medication and 12% of those with mildly low thyroid function. You might consider discussing with your provider, dropping the dose of thyroid medication slowly and rechecking the blood tests and your energy level. Stopping it cold turkey could disrupt your life.
LIFE INSURANCE APPLICATION ON PAUSE IF YOU HAD COVID
Much about Covid 19 is unknown so life insurance companies want to understand the risk of insuring you since some of those with Covid 19 may have long term fatigue, lung, heart, and other problems. They may wait till your status is better known before approving your application.
Keep those questions coming and be safe!
Daniel Pearce, D.O., FACOI, AAHIVMS
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine and HIV, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine and Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
HIV, Hepatitis B,C, Transgender, Suboxone Specialist, Borrego Health (Riverside, San Bernardino, San Jacinto)
Member, Coachella Valley Clinical Research Initiative
REFERENCES: Medscape®