By: Daniel Pearce, D.O., FCOI, AAHIVMS
MORE ON COFFEE
We found out recently that coffee doesn’t really increase your urine output but does prolong life. A new study showed that coffee in any form prolongs life but not decaffeinated. I am adding it to my vege/fruit smoothie I have for breakfast. They found that 1-5 cups had this effect and that 4-5 cups had the most effect. BUT the problem is that too much caffeine can cause fast heart rate and palpitations in addition to withdrawal if someone skips a drink. I am surprised by the beneficial result since I have had to advise people to cut down when they had palpitations.
QUICK FIX FOR SLEEP APNEA
If you snore loudly, have daytime sleepiness or are observed to be choking at night with periods of apnea (not breathing), then you may have sleep apnea and need a test. One reporter had these symptoms and had moderate to severe sleep apnea and a CPAP machine or mouth appliance to keep the airway open was recommended. The reporter looked carefully at the data sheets and discovered that the sleep apnea was mild when he slept on his side. He bought an oximeter (oxygen measurer) connected to his smart phone and discovered no major oxygen problems when he slept on his side, confirming his data analysis. Some people sew a tennis ball to the back of their pajama top to force them to not sleep on their back where the saggy throat tissues block the airways. The sagging comes from age and being overweight. Sleeping on your side is a good idea if you snore loudly and it lessens when you sleep on your side.
SPIRONOLACTONE DECREASES DESIRE FOR ALCOHOL?
Many who are transgender females are on this medication as are those with heart failure or cirrhosis. I used to explain this medication to physicians in 1976, working for a pharmaceutical company. Now a new study of veterans found that it may lower the desire for alcohol. You might ask your friends taking spironolactone with one of these conditions how their desire for alcohol might have changed when they started this medication.
MORE CROHN’S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS WITH GAYS?
A new study found that these inflammatory bowel diseases were more common in men who have sex with men (MSMs). They just went back into a large database and found a higher number of MSMs suffered with these diseases which cause cramps, diarrhea, constipation, bloody stools. Sometimes they need surgery, antibiotics, and pain medications or all of them. The MSMs were nearly 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and 64% more likely to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. You may know someone with these symptoms.
MODERN HUMANS HAVE MIXED WITH NEANDERTHALS AND DENISOVANS
There are well-preserved DNA samples from us, ancient humans, and 2 human-like species before humans came out of Africa and moved up into Asia and spread all over the rest of the world. Studying DNA after we left Africa shows some of us had sex with the other two species, so DNA samples show pieces of Neanderthal and another species that lived in high altitudes, the Denisovans. Remember that sex back then did not involve flowers, music, dancing, or a movie. Sending your DNA off for an analysis can tell you how much of your genes are from Neanderthals. Do not confuse Neanderthals with being of low intelligence, that is a myth.
MORE IS NOT BETTER SOMETIMES
Folic acid (a vitamin in dark green leafy vegetables) supplementation prevents nerve damage in fetuses so it is a supplement to all pregnant ladies. But some take way more than needed and that has been linked to cancer in their children. More is not always better.
COVID DAMAGES HEART MUSCLE DNA LIKE DIABETES OR OBESITY
A study looked at the DNA of seven patients who died from Covid and found the DNA was damaged as if the person had diabetes or obesity compared to the heart muscle DNA flu patients and others who died of other causes.
CDC SAYS MASKS NOT NECESSARY IN CERTAIN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS
I’m typing this with a mask in early October. When we are not in contact with a person who might have Covid then it is OK to not wear a mask if the area around you has a low number of Covid cases. I don’t see such an update on the Riverside County site yet
Keep those questions coming and be safe!
dpearce@western.edu
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®