Wow
(Source: youtube.com)
Overmedication of the elderly is a widespread problem, a public health crisis that compromises the well-being of growing numbers of older adults.
This is unfortunately, all too common.
Recently got a chance to see this on ESPN… Truly one of those days in history where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you found out. Twenty years later, not only is Magic Johnson still alive, but he is thriving (Go, Dodgers!). Because of science and education, the whole concept of HIV infection has transformed from a death warrant to a manageable chronic disease. Even without a cure, you sometimes really do have to marvel about the progress of medicine.
This is great. No more excuses about not having the time to exercise. There’s always something you can do to increase your physical activity throughout the day.
“Mindful eating is not a diet or about giving up anything at all. It’s about experiencing food more intensely — especially the pleasure of it.”
In today’s New York Times Dining section:
Mindful Eating as Food for Thought
I’m halfway through reading Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung—so, of course, what did I do today?
I wolfed down my lunch in front of my computer, in between patients, while I reprimanded myself for doing so…
This looks interesting, airing locally on PBS soon:
Los AngelesKLCS
101 and 102 Tuesday, January 31 at 9pm; 103 and 104 Tuesday, February 7 at 9pmLos Angeles/Hungtington BeachKOCE OrangeTuesdays at 10pm beginning February 7This looks great and it’s one of the most important health issues in our country. Glad to see there is more attention being given to why our cities and economy were designed to make health so hard.
A provocative new 4-hour series soon to air on public television, Designing Healthy Communities, examines the impact of our built environment on key public health indices, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and depression. The series documents the connection between bad community design and burgeoning health consequences, and discusses the remedies available to fix what has become an urgent crisis.
Retrofitting Suburbia (by MPC)
Happy New Year!
If I could prescribe movies to my patients to watch, this one would make my list. I hadn’t heard much about this documentary before but after seeing it, I really wish it had gotten more press and more of a following.
Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is about—in a kind of reverse Super Size Me—two men who go on induction juice fasts and not only lose weight but are able to get off their chronic medications, feel better about themselves, and make lasting positive lifestyle changes.
Don’t let the trailer dissuade you, the movie is very entertaining and truly inspiring; I loved the snippets of interviews throughout and the health messages are straight forward and easy to comprehend. As a doctor, one of the most satisfying experiences I have is when I can safely get a patient off a chronic medication they no longer need—and this usually doesn’t happen until a patient makes some kind of positive lifestyle change. To see a story about people who are able to find a way to better health is a wonderful tale, and to me, a great lesson to be shared.
You can find the movie online for free on Hulu; it is also available on Netflix streaming and Amazon streaming.
Good write up about Danville, NY physician Dr. Thomas Dwyer (father of one of my colleagues)…a retired family physician who now practices acupuncture out of his back kitchen!
Just got around to reading this…thoughtful and provocative. In my case too, it’s right on the money.
