I have always liked variety in my life. It’s a major reason that this blog is not concentrated strictly on one subject, or one way to age with pizzazz. To mix things up a bit, I thought you might like to read an assortment of ideas from different professionals.
Many of them are local to me, but not all. I will use their specialties rather than their names (to safeguard any of my opposing opinions or snippy remarks). I have edited comments, but only for brevity, not content. Entries are in alphabetical order to avoid any personal bias. Their opinions range across matters of better health, daily care, safety or quality aging. I don’t happen to agree with each one, but nothing demands that any of us accept the approach of every professional. We aren’t obligated to do so. We aren’t “peas in a pod” or “birds of a feather” in our thoughts, philosophies, or the way we chose to live.
Certainly, each professional tends to emphasize points which are relevant to their specialties, but not solely. In cases where they don’t, I think it is indicative of seeing the forest for more than just the trees. Frankly, most of the comments will be familiar to you – but I always figure that if I learn just one useful tidbit, it’s a plus and I am happy. Despite whether it is a new piece of information to me or not, sometimes a suggestion simply comes at a more opportune time for me to “hear it.” I have taken the liberty to share my 2 cents here and there, [put in brackets].
Aging Specialist. [This one is an assurance for women.] Regarding breast cancer, mammograms are more precise as woman age, detecting presence accurately 85% of the time. [Tissue becomes less dense as ovarian hormones are no longer active. Additionally, some of the newer 3D technology called tomosynthesis allows for sharper vision of small lumps or tumors that might be missed on traditional mammography scans.] This MD recommends that between the ages of 50-74, women get a mammogram every other year. [According to the US Preventative Services Task Force, after the age of 75, the data is insufficient to draw conclusions as to whether you can “forget about it” or “go for it anyway.”]
Cardiologist – supports the common idea of taking 2 baby-aspirins a day to maintain heart health. [There is controversy here, but after drafting some pros and cons of this advice, I found it taking over the entire post. I determined that this is a subject for a separate future piece. I will leave it at two facts, both which support personalized determination for individual patients. 1) In 2014 the FDA declared that daily aspirin is not safe for everyone. 2) While those in alternative circles would probably not choose this option – and despite that aspirin is proven to induce gastrointestinal bleeding – there is demonstration that this cardiologist’s advice is valuable to many. Look for more details in coming months. Also, remember there may be natural alternatives and anti-inflammatory remedies as well.]
Chiropractor – explains that slouching is not just looking bad; it’s dangerous. Poor posture weakens the spine and creates muscle tension, leading to acute or chronic pain and further risk of injury, in a vicious circle. It is more than just “good looks.” It is the health of internal organs and the spine. [We need to move and we don’t just need to move more, we need to move while carrying ourselves correctly and in a balanced posture.]
Dentist – insists you don’t use your teeth as a tool. We know this – and still do it, perhaps more than we admit. He said that this behavior, even when as simple as breaking a thread, can lead to chipping, fracturing and pain. He points out that it can lead to a sudden decrease in your bank account as well. [Good point.]
Dermatologist – warns against the “healthy tan” and ultraviolent injury. [No surprise.] However, her further fear is that once people experience pre-cancerous skin conditions (even wrinkles, and ‘sun’ spots – what we used to call liver spots), they have reached their limit of UV radiation. Bare skin, especially face, neck and arms that are so often exposed, need cover or skin screen daily. [Since many people use moisturizers, it is helpful to buy one with at least a SPF 15 for use daily on face, arms, neck and back of hands.]
DO – Doctor of Osteopathy (and an MD). Two votes were given for non-compliance with medications. Whether it is not filling a prescription, not re-filling it or not taking it as directed, all bring possible serious complications or ER visits. [I have a feeling even more would have said this if it didn’t sound so much like a complaint versus a recommendation. If we don’t plan on using such medications and already know that while still at the office, it is best to have that discussion up front. You may have a point, but the doc doesn’t necessarily know what it is. Given the chance, they might discuss other alternative approaches or products.]
Gym owner. Get up and move. Have fun, get useful safety tips, but plan exercise daily.
Internist – says one major issue that surprises him is the rate of salmonella infection he continues to see in his office each year. [US statistics show about 500 deaths annually, lots of lost work-days and many ER visits.] He warns against consuming raw eggs, raw cake batter or raw cookie dough. [Also see: Make your Food Safer – One Easy Tip. ]
MD. [One practicing MD friend of mine made another suggestion regarding getting good care.] Make sure you clearly alert your doc to what your problems or concerns are before sitting down in front of her. This means writing them down, and including them in the office paperwork. Last minute surprise-complaints that start out with the introduction of ‘oh, by the way, while I am here let me tell you about blah blah blah’ will not ensure you the best treatment or care as it might have once done. Plan ahead. [This advice is particularly true in these days of “metric medicine” in which the doctor feels obligated, and even forced, to spend half the time attending to the patient and the other half to the computer screen.]
ND – Naturopathic Physician – declares that people consume too much carbohydrate, “meaning gluten, grains, sugar, potatoes and rice.” It’s one of the worst choices people make. They could have much more vitality and energy by avoiding them. [Note: I understand the concern of the ND, but think it might be phrased differently. Mostly, he is speaking about “bad carbs,” bakery-type goods in particular. Please see Whole Grain Link to Aging with Pizzazz for a slightly different view on this.]
Nutritionist – says stop the sugary drinks and sugary diets, including juices and flavored yogurts. [Good suggestion! I admit to liking flavored yogurts, but his point is a valid warning. Recommendation limits? According to the American Health Association, adult women should have no more than 6 teaspoons of added-sugar daily, and adult men no more than 9 teaspoons. This may seem like a lot. Way more than you use, right? But remember when we say “added” we don’t just mean to our tea or coffee. It is in addition to natural sugars from whole fruits, grains and vegetables. As you know, many processed foods have a large percentage of sugar in their ingredients that means it can quickly out-pace the already liberal 6-9 teaspoons a day. ]
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Optomologist – suggests people don’t wear enough eye protection when doing yard work or projects with wood and especially metal, where flying flakes are likely, and dangerous. Failure to take this safety step accounts for many of his emergency visits. [I find that just raking in the yard without wearing glasses seems to allow accumulation of excess pollen on my contacts. It is noticeably much less a problem when I wear safety glasses or just a pair of sun glasses. Every hardware store has general quality safety glasses for less than $10; certainly worth the purchase. The difficult part is reminding ourselves to use them.]
Pharmacist – complained that patients do not tell her (or their regular doctor) about all the other medicines they take, aside from what is being prescribed. [The only surprise here is that she reports the ones they forget to reveal most often are vitamins, alternative remedies, and either homeopathic or herbal supplements. Perhaps the patients fear being scoffed at.]
Podiatrist – recommends people should wear sandals or reef shoes when in water, maybe more so in public pools and lockers. It doesn’t reflect poorly on you, or indicate that your feet are ‘dirty’ or contagious. Many infectious organisms can be avoided with footwear. Athlete’s foot or plantar warts can be easily passed on; and if we have small cuts or abrasive openings on the soles of our feet we are more at risk. [Luckily, these days, we can find reef shoes in any department or big drug store for under $20. And as we age, they have more advantage. In the ocean, lake or river, they can protect us from slipping or from stepping on the wrong rock, boulder or jelly fish. Hmmm. As I write that I wonder, is there a ‘right’ jelly fish to step on?]
Public Health Advisor – cautions about the poisoning from carbon monoxide exposure. [This comment was also mentioned by another MD.] Her concern is that a home without a carbon-monoxide detector is risky business. [Perhaps surprising is that carbon monoxide is still one of the leading causes of poisoning in the US with up to 6,000 deaths annually. That is one of those numbers that really makes you do a double-take and ask “really?” While I assume everyone reading this has a detector, are you sure your batteries are fresh or charged? Somewhere I read the idea of replacing your batteries in both the carbon monoxide and fire detectors each time you adjust your clock ahead in the spring.]
Surgeon – explains that people need to “understand their instructions” for pre and post-operative procedures, or they may not follow-through. Two post-operative steps he employs are preventative. To avoid complications, infections, increased pain or conditions such as pneumonia, be mindful of these two steps. 1) Choose your favorite way to relax and practice it, keeping down the stress hormones. 2) Breathe deeply and cough: this is to expand the lungs and clear airways after being on a ventilator. [Nice to see advice that is helpful, instructive and cost-free.]
Veterinarian. Advice: Get a pet! [Why include the vet? Because they know that living with an animal extends life for those creatures not their patients – namely us. One of the longevity predictor tools suggests that pet ownership can add up to 3 years to your life.]
FINAL THOUGHT
The edited entries above certainly don’t represent the entire repertoire of suggestions from these professionals, but simply a list of miscellany that characterizes some of their concerns and suggestions. While most of these recommendations are common and may seem mundane, it is sometimes handy to hear about the simple stuff, at different times and from different sources. It lets us check some basics for reaching our goal to Age with Pizzazz.
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Title Picture-Potpourri of Health Care providers: Dentist and patient Photo by Geo Days on Unsplash; Little girl with doc Photo by CDC on Unsplash; Woman – eye care “061013-F-NH180-490” by Pacific Air Forces is licensed under CC BY 2.0; Blood pressure cuff Image by Alterio Felines from Pixabay; “Jim Dubel Chiropractic” by planetc1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
