MedWorm Tags: fall

SALMS Fall 2011 Events

The Situationist — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:01:49 +0100

The Harvard Student Association for Law and Mind Sciences (SALMS) is excited to announce its tentative schedule for the Fall 2011 Speaker Series! Below, see confirmed speakers, the dates of their talks, and a very brief description (that certainly does not do their exceptional scholarship and topics justice). All listed talks are slated to begin at noon. Stay tuned for updates, locations, and additional speakers! September 13: Edward P. Schwartz. Tuesday, noon, Pound 101. Schwartz, a nationally recognized jury consultant, will speak about psychology and jury decision-making. The talk will focus on terrorism trials after September 11th, especially the case of Tarek Mahenna, whose trial is scheduled to begin in Boston in October. September 27: Steven Hyman. Tuesday, noon, Pound 101. Dr. H...

Welcome to the Human Condition

Life with Chronic Pain — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:04:24 +0100

Sometimes life comes at us with such force, surprise and ruthlessness, it stuns us. I don’t have any more answers than you do but I do have it whacking me in the face or elsewhere, every day of my life. I know if you’re reading this, you do, also. This week has been a good example of that as so much is going on in our little world as well as the impending danger for millions of Americans facing a hurricane in the east. Let me use yesterday as an example. Jim, my dear man, who had just returned from a trip to California on family business had missed his flight because the hotel did not give him the wake-up call he had requested. While he was in CA he went to visit an old friend many miles from where he was staying to discover that old friend’s wife had been found dead tha...

New anti-depressants linked to falls and fractures in the elderly

Aging with Grace CareConnection — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:46:00 +0100

The following is an interesting article that appeared in McKnight's Daily Update on August 4. Elderly patients being treated for depression may have better luck and fewer side effects with older tricyclic antidepressants rather than newer, more popular antidepressants such as Effexor and Prozac, a new study reports. Researchers say that while newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally considered safe and effective, there have been fewer studies testing their safety and efficacy in senior citizens. SSRIs, which include Celexa, Paxil and Zoloft, recently have been linked to an increase in falls in the elderly. However, British researchers say tricyclics could be safer in people over 65, especially those at risk for falls. The University of Nottingham analyzed pres...

Preventing Falls And “Post-Fall Syndrome” In Seniors: A Call For Anticipatory Care

Better Health — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:00:05 +0100

We hear about stories like this all time: An elderly person falls and breaks something — a hip, a wrist, or an arm. Soon what once was a healthy, independent senior begins an inexorable downhill slide. Such is the case of my 89-year-old mother who recently fell and broke her wrist. Turns out that 30 percent of people age 65 and older fall each year. Predictably, seniors with the following risk factors are more prone to falls: Using sedatives Cognitive impairment Problems walking Urinary tract infection Eye problems Balance issues Similarly, when a person does fall, a cascading series of predictable clinical events occurs. It even has a name: “Post-fall syndrome.” This syndrome is characterized by things like fear of falling again, increased immobility, loss of muscle and contr...

Simple ways to enjoy Fall food…

Cord Blood News — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:33:25 +0100

This time of year brings all sorts of wonderful fruits and vegetables. From hundreds of different types of squash to potatoes to wonderful and hearty soups to warm you in the chilliest of winter months… Healthy eating leads to healthy children…… Read here for more information and recipes! (Source: Cord Blood News)

Resist Temptation and Use the Fall Back Hour for Sleep

Sleep Education — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:36:00 +0100

(Source: Sleep Education)

Best of Our Blogs: October 8, 2010

World of Psychology — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:13:53 +0100

When things are going good in our lives, we suddenly have amnesia. We forget the battles we won, the hardships we faced and the pain we endured. Yet, there are occasions like yesterday’s National Depression Screening Day or Mental Illness Awareness Week that help to remind us to not forget. More importantly, it reiterates the importance of helping those who are in their own struggles right now. The top posts this week deal with issues that you or someone you know may be dealing with right now. As we end the week, I hope you’ll read these posts, share it with those you care about, take the tips you’ve learned and pay it forward. As always, I wish you a happy and healthy weekend! Enjoy. Body Image & Self-Esteem: Barb Steinberg On Empowering Your Daughters, Part 2 (Wei...

The first acknowledged morning of Autumn

white pebble — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:00:39 +0100

Yes, I know we had the first official day of Autumn several days ago at the Autumn equinox. I could point out to you where we were, then, on the analemma that you used to see on old maps and globes, but which they don’t include any longer. But I am quite reluctant this year to see the summer end, and so put the change of seasons out of mind until this weekend when the temperature dropped and seemed likely to stay down for the next four months or so. Yes, this happens every year. I should be used to it by now. Take deep breaths, etc. But the cold has officially set in now, as well as the cloud cover which should last us well into February. Gonna write my way through it. At least the winter solstice is not too terribly far away. Consolation through blogging. That’s the trick. Fil...

Endangered: That Off-to-College Feeling

Donna Trussell — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:17:39 +0100

My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Endangered: That Off-to-College Feeling. There’s a chill in the air, and I’m reminded of an experience I never really had. Like nearly every woman my age, I saw the 1970 film “Love Story,” set in a place that, compared to my blue-collar suburb in Dallas, looked magical. Houses had two stories, a street ends at an ocean, leaves turned crimson, and snow covered everything. Plus, you could fall in love with a handsome man with a Roman numeral name. Oliver Barrett IV was Old Money. In my neighborhood, there was no Old Money. Or New Money either, for that matter. The 1969 movie “The Sterile Cuckoo,” filmed at Hamilton College in New York, was all green meadows and red bricks, old villages and leafy bus stops. For so...

A Medical Alert Bracelet Inside Your iPhone

Better Health — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:38:28 +0100

OnCall Defender Medical Alert (available via iTunes) is an iPhone app that features 3G connection to a 24-hour security monitoring service. Via a subscription service, you can use your iPhone to send an emergency notification to the service after which local law enforcement or EMT services, depending on the type of alarm, will be dispatched. The advantage over using 911 is that the monitoring service automatically receives GPS localization of your whereabouts and that you can cancel the emergency call within 15 seconds. The service costs $16.99 a month or $9.99 with a one-year subscription. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at iMedicalApps* (Source: Better Health)

A WPA Poster Guide To Fall Resolutions

Breastfeeding 1-2-3 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:41:27 +0100

Most people resolve to do things around January 1st, but I like to challenge myself to new tasks around September 1st. The change of seasons, that “back-to-school” feeling (even if you’re not in school), and that I’ve-been-lazy-all-summer-not-it’s-time-to-kick-into-gear type of inspiration makes me especially motivated this time of year. Plus, there’s nothing like being hung over and snowed in to make me NOT want to start training for a marathon or ride my bike to work. So in the spirit of what I think should be the official season of resolutions, here are a few WPA posters to help remind us of all the things you we want to do this fall: ...

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Breastfeeding 1-2-3 — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:55:38 +0100

Eco-Friendly Fall Fashion: Everyone knows the best part of fall is the clothes. Ecouterre put together a list of 14 earth-friendly picks for fall that are fit for campus or the office. (via Ecouterre) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3)

Aretha Franklin Breaks Two Ribs in Fall

Inside Surgery — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:11:08 +0100

Singing legend Aretha Franklin has sustained two broken ribs in a fall two days ago and has had to cancel two upcoming free concerts. (Source: Inside Surgery)

Best of Our Blogs: July 9, 2010

World of Psychology — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:21:00 +0100

Is it just me or is anyone else feeling the “after holiday blues?” Yep, memories of fireworks and the waft of the grill are slowly fading away. I’m already thinking about the next big thing, a vacation, a birthday, another holiday. My mind starts to dream about the end of the summer and the beginning of fall and what that will bring. I let myself get carried away into the future and then a wave of worries take over. Money, family, career, you name it. I’ve thought about it and indulged in it. Before I know it, the day is gone. How unfortunate that we let time get the best of us and how easy it is to succumb to things like stress, worrying and negative thinking. Although it’s quite normal, it would be wonderful to catch myself in the act and stop the thoughts b...

Multiple Sclerosis Home Modifications

Life with MS — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:33:23 +0100

MS, by definition, is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. That term “degenerative” has always bothered me but, it’s true. For most of us, it keeps getting a little worse – taking (at least) a little bit more from us – as we get older. I mentioned (or “teased” as they say in the broadcast business) the idea of modifications we may need to make to our homes in my recent post about a fall and have moved forward with plans to install a second handrail on the steps to our home office. As we look to an eventual move back to Ireland, there are many considerations to keep in mind when buying a new home. Most of us won’t go as far (unless it’s mandatory) as moving out of our homes because of our MS. Many of us, however, have considered the need to make ou...

Vertigo and MS

Life with MS — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:58:11 +0100

A couple of short spells of dizziness this weekend brought back memories of my first discernable MS attack. Dizziness is a fairly common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Many of us will feel the occasional light headed-ness, a slight bit of disorientation, and a sense of being off-balance when placing one foot in front of the other. Vertigo, however, is a much more severe and significantly rarer (but far from unknown) symptom of MS. This past weekend I experienced a bit of the former while walking through a parking lot. Luckily, Caryn was at my side and the episodes passed after a couple of moments. Being that we were walking to a live-aboard friend’s boat for an early evening supper made me leery of the evening’s prospects but everything turned out fine (better than that; we h...

MS and Falling

Life with MS — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:08:51 +0100

We likely all studied Newton’s theory of Gravity in school; “F = GmM/r^2” is how the renowned scientist mapped out the force (F) of attraction between two objects (m, M) which draw them together. I’ll have to remember that equation the next time I find myself in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs… I’m sporting a wicked bruise on my left arm this week; a result of such a fall. A momentary shift in focus from placing my foot on the bottom step in preparation for a routine assent, as Sadie hurried past in an heretofore unannounced race, and I was inhaling the scent of recently-vacuumed carpet…up close! On my way down the up staircase, my forearm met the end of the handrail with the “F” of “m” meets “M” leaving a 7” deep muscled bruise which is now that u...

12 Ways to Mend a Broken Heart

World of Psychology — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:00:09 +0100

Bess Myerson once wrote that “to fall in love is awfully simple, but to fall out of love is simply awful,” especially if you are the one who wanted the relationship to last. But to stop loving isn’t an option. Author Henri Nouwen writes, “When those you love deeply reject you, leave you, or die, your heart will be broken. But that should not hold you back from loving deeply. The pain that comes from deep love makes your love ever more fruitful.” But how do we get beyond the pain? Here are 12 techniques I’ve gathered from experts and from conversations with friends on how they patched up their hearts and tried, ever so gradually, to move on. 1. Go through it, not around it. I realize the most difficult task for a person with a broken heart is to stand sti...

Federal Job Creation

Cato-at-liberty — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:50:01 +0100

By Tad DeHavenThe board game Monopoly first took off during the Great Depression. A different game has become popular during today’s Great Recession. In this game, politicians race against high unemployment to create jobs in order to save their own. The players (politicians) have unlimited tax and borrowing authority, and can call upon friendly economists to help them maneuver. The players even get to keep score, although the media can penalize shoddy scorekeeping. Ultimately, voters will decide which players win and lose in the fall elections. Okay, I’m being facetious. But as politicians continue to throw trillions of dollars at the economy in a vain effort to create jobs, and the media continues to go along with it by obsessing over meaningless job counts, the entire spectacle has b...

Pumpkin Pie-Scented Play Dough Recipe

Breastfeeding 1-2-3 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +0100

Becoming a mother made me more frugal and brought me back to basics. Fortunately, play dough is surprisingly easy to make from scratch! I love knowing what’s in it and that it is truly non-toxic, and I love experimenting with different colors and scents! I find homemade dough to be superior to store-bought. It’s smoother, smells better, and can be made in large quantities. The recipe below can be halved if you want to make a small amount of a variety of colors, or it can be doubled to make a gallon-sized bag worth. It takes about 15 minutes to make, and I recommend cleaning the pot before the dough dries in it! This recipe makes a quart-sized bag. To celebrate fall, this time I made pumpkin-pie scented orange play dough. Basic Play Dough Recipe 2 cups flour 2 cups warm water 1...

The sages of Chinese antiquity stood facing South

Deepest Health: Exploring Classical Chinese Medicine — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:51:45 +0100

Today, on a walk I was taught an important lesson by some late migrating geese. In the late summer and autumn, we get a whole lot of geese flying overhead in my neighborhood. We live pretty close to a couple of wildlife refuges, one being specifically devoted to waterfowl. In general, in Portland, the autumn is always accompanied by the resonant, melodic sound of Canadian geese fleeing Canada. It’s one of those things that is commonplace, yet never seems to lose its magic. I’ve noticed a lot of things in Autumn are like that – the leaves turning, the miracle of the harvest, the start of formal schooling and so on. Anyway, today I had one of those magic moments – fog bank just rolled in, walking on a hill in clear view of the setting full moon and the rising sun refl...

Easy Fall Recipes

Diabetes Daily — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

We had company over for dinner last night. Elizabeth served a rockin' cheese souffle, a salad with my favorite homemade dressing, and bread pudding for dessert. Between cleaning up and taking care of the baby, she has a lot to do. So I volunteered to write and share my favorite fall recipes.8 Easy Fall RecipesFall is a time when the light recipes of summer are tempered by cooler nights. I start to crave things that are more filling, though I'm not ready for the hearty stews of winter. The following recipes are perfect. They are easy to put together, satiate on cool nights, and dazzle your most demanding guests.Spaghetti Squash with Primavera Sauce. This dish earns the number one spot hands down. It's healthy, easy to prepare, flexible, and satisfying. My sister calls it "her favorite dish,...

100 Worst U.S. Cities for Allergies

A Hearty Life — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:13:54 +0100

Fall allergies to pollen and other things flying around in the air are inevitable for some people. While the allergies may cause mild eye itching and stuffiness for some, for others, they can make life miserable. Allergies can make you not only feel miserable because of the actual symptoms, but lack of sleep causes fatigue, making it difficult to get through the day. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for such allergies yet, but there are some steps that people can take that may reduce their exposure and reaction to the allergens. They include: Don’t hang laundry outside in the fall (it may trap allergens) Use air conditioners even if it’s not too hot Stay inside if it’s windy If over-the-counter medications don’t help relieve allergy symptoms, consider asking yo...

Embrace the Shortcuts in a Life of Chronic Pain

Life with Chronic Pain — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:34:55 +0100

Yesterday, when I was running boring errands, I was overcome by the spirit of Fall. I like this time of year yet know what we’re in for. Rain, rain and some snow will come. I stopped in at my favorite little gift shop, full of country crafted items and was smacked in the face by autumnal splendor. I said to the owner, who is a great gal, “My gosh, it looks like Fall threw up in here.” Thankfully, she and her clerk laughed. They know. They did it all; breathe in the odor of cinnamon and other spices all day and are surrounded by the black trees with pumpkin ornaments, witches flying through the air and autumns burnt umber and yellow splendor. I was struck by and had to buy a small sign that read, “If The Broom Fits, Ride It.” Don’t you love it? I know there are many times in my ...

Embrace the Short Cuts in a Life of Chronic Pain

Life with Chronic Pain — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:34:55 +0100

Multiple Sclerosis and Being Prepared

Life with MS — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:59:48 +0100

Just about everyone I know grew up understanding the concept of spring cleaning. After a long winter of short days and long, cold nights in which the home becomes something of a hibernation chamber, a top-to-bottom scrub and re-org seems appropriate. I look at much of life through a different, health-skewed lens, and think that fall cleaning makes more sense to me. Over the past several years of taking medications for my multiple sclerosis, I’ve learned the art of preparation. Knowing it or not, I think we’ve all learned something about being prepared from our MS. I learned to have plenty of OTC antiinflammatory drugs in the drawer when I was on interferon therapy. When Novantrone would take me out of circulation for a week or so, I learned to make sure the house was stocked with...

Happy Healthy Fall and Gift-Giving Season Begins

Happy Nutritionist's Nuggets — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:39:00 +0100

Welcome to the season of fall, everyone! I hope you are taking care of yourselves and preparing for an especially healthy season. I was encouraged to hear that the H1N1 flu virus, though still a concern, is becoming less of a concern as it isn't mutating into something more dangerous, a good sign. Are you going to take advantage of the flu vaccination this year? I have to admit that I never do, but am giving it a bit of thought this year.This time of year begins the gift-giving season in our family. There are 2 family birthdays in October, and a wedding...then we are moving into the holiday season. We are on quite a tight budget this year, so it will be interesting to see what gifts we can come up with. I did browse a website that offers watches, fancy watches like the Citizen eco drive la...

Stripped to the bone

Deepest Health: Exploring Classical Chinese Medicine — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:43:23 +0100

Pardon the period of relative silence, I can only hope it won’t last long. I’m currently being taught the truest meaning of a hexagram I threw twice in a row when contemplating the Autumn and what is in store for me during this transitional period from light to dark. I hope my dear readers will forgive me a quite personal post – I’ll try to throw some teaching in there somewhere. :) The hexagram I threw is number 23, Bo 剝 - often translated as “Stripping” is my teacher for late summer and early autumn of 2009. In Karcher’s excellent translation, he states: “Stripping describes your situation in terms of habits and ideas that are outmoded and worn out. The way to deal with it is to strip away what has become unusable. This brings renewal. R...

Winning Walls: Fantastic Poster Giveaway

Autism Vox — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:47:17 +0100

As fitting as it might be, I’m getting a little tired of that puzzle piece. After all, autism isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Just in time to save us from advocacy-image-burnout, Jaime and Jeffrey Rugh, a N.J. couple who are artists and the parents of two children on the spectrum, have started designing and producing posters that are sharp and unusual. Image courtesy of Jaime and Jeffrey Rugh Reminiscent of the works of Alexander Girard and Corita Kent, the Rughs’ posters brim with color and message. The Rughs are producing the posters to promote awareness, support and compassion for people with autism, as well as families and communities who live with those on the spectrum. Prices are $15 to $25 per piece, and a portion of the proceeds will be given to an organiza...

I am reading too much

white pebble — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:48:29 +0100

… and sleeping too little, I think. I am just realizing how daunting the list is. Infinite Jest (which you might have guessed already) The Shadow of the Wind The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society The Children’s Book (by A. S. Byatt, not in print over here yet until September) On the back burner: War and Peace The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance So, I can’t really lay a claim to boredom at the moment. Related articles by Zemanta Q & A: Author Carlos Ruiz Zafon (time.com) Carlos Ruiz Zafon Novel Debuts on Top of Indie Bestseller List (mediabistro.com) Vacation Reading 2009 (literatehousewife.com) Omni Daily Crush: “The Inner Game of Tennis” (omnivoracious.com) The new generation’s Catch-22 (gu...

School win, Asperger’s back-to-school guide

Autism Vox — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:01:30 +0100

A family who enrolled their 4-year-old son with special-needs in a private preschool has been awarded partial reimbursement by a North Carolina review officer. Both parents and the Orange County Schools system made procedural errors in providing services for Owen McWhirter, who has autism, according to the officer. According to the decision, the school system’s errors deprived Owen of educational services for months, the decision said. Because of this, they failed to provide him with the “free, appropriate public education” required by law. More is here. * * * Photo courtesy of Bill Ward's Brickpile (flickr.com) The Fargo Special Needs Kids Examiner has released a back-to-school guide for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. There are tips on handlin...

Is My Child A Kleptomaniac?

World of Psychology — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:57 +0100

In an article about apologizing, I confessed to stealing a friend’s hair brush when I was six. That brush burned a hole in the back of my closet until the unbearable guilt ratted me out to my Mom. She marched me over to my friend’s house and stood at a supervisory distance while I did the death walk of the condemned up to the door. The brush was returned together with a shaky, sincere apology. I never felt so bad, before or since. Thus ended my career in petty crime. When I read Perri Klass’s article in the New York Times Health section, Stealing in Childhood Does Not a Criminal Make, it rang so true. Dr. Klass is a pediatrician/writer whose career I’ve followed since my graduate school, her medical school days back in the ’80s. Like me, she is now a seasoned professional wit...

Summer regrets

Autism Vox — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:39:40 +0100

It’s funny how every summer I feel kind of sad, right around now. There are still some weeks left of summer. The days are long (though noticeably shorter.) But the windows are filled with back-to-school notebooks and sweaters, and I have a lingering list of things not done, that will either wait till next summer or have to be crammed in these last few weeks. We planned to take Alex to visit his new school — we can still do that a few days before school starts. I wanted Alex to go to the dentist this summer — OK, we’ll make the appointment now and he’ll go in the fall. We haven’t had a picnic since Mother’s Day, mostly because the weather has been uncooperative. Again: a warm September day will be the perfect time for a picnic. We have last-minute p...

An autumnal blog posting schedule

Deepest Health: Exploring Classical Chinese Medicine — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:22:08 +0100

Has anyone noticed how SLOW August can be? The clinics in town seem to be reporting lower numbers than in July, and traditionally do around this time. There is less traffic on the streets. I get fewer and fewer emails as we progress deeper into August. Forums and blog commenting is down. Even Twitter is quieter than usual, particularly Friday-Sunday. I suppose it has to do with vacations and the like, particularly in the US. Today, August 7, is the first day of the agricultural period 立秋 lìqiū, or “Beginning of Autumn”. Remember : in the most general way of speaking, in the Chinese calendar the energetics precede their material manifestation. I can tell you that on this day, our skies in Oregon are cloudy (in contrast to the way they have been for the last...

Steven Tyler Falls During Concert

A Hearty Life — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:23:04 +0100

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has been airlifted to a hospital after falling during a performance at the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota. The 61-year old singer has suffered minor head, neck, and should injuries. It’s too early to say what the extent of his injuries are. Someone posted this video on YouTube, and the fall does look pretty serious to me. To just do a turn and lose your footing off of stage like that has to be pretty traumatic. Here’s the clip (the fall is about halfway through the video): We wish Steven well and hope he recovers quickly. Image: Zuma Press Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Steven Tyler Falls During Concert (Source: A Hearty Life)

Will the Drug Industry be the Next Auto Industry?

Pharma Marketing Blog — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:26:00 +0100

At last night's Philama (Philadelphia American Marketing Association PharmaSIG) panel discussion on "Pharmaceutical Marketing within Today's Social Media Culture -- Opportunity or Nightmare?" I found myself comparing the pharmaceutical industry to the auto industry.Impossible!, you say. The pharmaceutical industry is at the top of its game with an average 17% gross and 22% net profit margin, according to panelist Thani Jambulingam, PhD, Chair and Associate Professional of the Department of Pharmaceutical Marketing at St. Joseph's University (a great school, BTW).Let me explain my thinking.I am interested in the auto industry because my son just graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering and his dream was to work in the auto industry. When the proverbial sh*t hit the fan belt in that ind...

Sick Days, Working Parents and the Bad Economy

World of Psychology — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:15:00 +0100

It’s an epic battle that surfaces every year in about October, and usually dies down in the spring. Microscopic invaders keep thousands of kids home from school every day during the fall, winter, and early spring months. Parents do their best, but we often feel powerless to prevent sick days. In light of the current national job situation, a working parent today may have more on their mind than just their child’s health. I work part time and am able to stay home with my kids most of the time. Nevertheless, I have had my share of trouble with “kid germs” interfering with my work schedule. I’ve missed more than one “really important meeting,” rescheduled training days, and reworked my writing projects around nebulizer treatments and doctor’s ap...

PFO and the consequences

Life in the Fast Lane — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:02:34 +0100

“PFO”… “Not another TLA”, I hear you groan… PFO is a three letter acronym that stands for “pissed, fell over”… A disturbingly frequent presenting complaint to emergency departments around the world. Here’s a bar chart showing the pattern of injuries that result from PFOs, according to blood alcohol concentration: The bottom line according to @precordialthump: At a BAC of about [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane)

Fall is finally here

white pebble — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:18:22 +0100

Yes, fall is finally here in Cincinnati: the weather has turned chilly the past couple of days, and roughly half of the trees have leaves of a distinctly non-greenish color. I love now thinking about the fact that the bright orange and yellows of the leaves were always there in them since they budded in the spring, that the green chlorophyll was simply so abundant that it overpowered these other brilliant colors until now. (I am also comforted by poetic thoughts in the morning. They should disappear before I make my first pot of tea.) What to do before the end of fall: drink a cup of tea and think about the leaves. Copyright © 2008 white pebble. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at...

Harvest Time, Foliage Time Brings Memories to Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer's Notes — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:18:34 +0100

AlzheimersNotes.com As I gaze at the colorful foliage of autumn around my New Hampshire home, I’m reminded of my mother’s love of this time of year. We were surrounded by pasture and woodlands at the farm where I grew up and where Mother lived for more than 50 years. She always called our attention to the autumn colors in the woods and field and garden. Some corn stalks lingered in the field beyond the barn. Pumpkins and squash, ready for picking, added color to the garden near the house. As Mother developed Alzheimer’s, she still enjoyed the autumn leaves and harvest. I recall one autumn of taking her for drives through the colorful countryside near her home. She talked about that for days afterward, whenever she remembered. It was an event that still br...

The Leaves are Here!

The Beast... — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:46:00 +0100

< Tomorrow is the first day of fall and my maple tree is right on schedule. Leaves are already falling. It starts with this tree. About 3 - 4 weeks later the other maples will drop their leaves, followed by the oak trees. I love my wooded neighborhood, but the leaves are a pain.Usually the city picks up leaves three time in October/November, but who know what will happen this year with the economic drain of the flood.What did we do before we had leaf blowers? (Source: The Beast...)

Powerlessness and power

white pebble — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:40:52 +0100

I must start out this blog post by admitting a thing that might make me either very popular here in Cincinnati, or, possibly, unpopular: we have electrical power at our house. Ever since Monday’s infamous “deluge” by the remnants of hurricane Ike, with huge windstorms and much power outage, the most common question around here is “Do you have power?” We came home, slowly but surely, yesterday, to find out that we did have power at our house. We came home slowly because, on Sunday when the windstorm hit, we were in a plane in the region of Knoxville, flying home from Ft. Lauderdale. Thus, since the Cincinnati airport was closed, we were rerouted to Atlanta where, as you saw, we stayed the night. Further slowness in our arrival was caused by a huge fallen tree t...

Zinger Questions to Lehman Leaders

BrainBasedBusiness — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:05:12 +0100

Some say that Lehman investment giants lost their way by narrowly tunneling after financial gain. Others say leaders at Lehman missed key opportunities that come to those who embrace change to meet the times. I say that a few zinger questions would have altered Lehman’s fate and likely have restored their fortune. Imagine outstanding outcomes to Lehman leaders, for instance, had they asked:1. What daily practices will advance our shared vision? 2. How are employees’ best capabilities developed and valued at work? 3. Where would skilled investment leaders see rejuvenation opportunities here? 4. In what ways can leadership reward ongoing innovation that improves the bottom line?5. What ethical practices would better align workplace routines with admirable financial targets?...

Dr. Jim Sears Launches “The Doctors” TV Show Today

Breastfeeding 1-2-3 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:33:29 +0100

Pediatrician, attachment parenting expert, and breastfeeding advocate Dr. Jim Sears kicks off a new television show “The Doctors” today on CBS (check local listings for time). A spin-off of the “Dr. Phil” show, “The Doctors” features four physicians: a pediatrician, an OB/GYN, a plastic surgeon, and an ER physician. It’s a one-hour daytime talk show taped in front of a live studio audience five days a week. To see a preview, get more information, submit a question for the doctors, or find out how to be in the audience, visit “The Doctors” website. Share This (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3)

The rain of fall

white pebble — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:32:09 +0100

We have a very rainy day, the tail ends of Hurricane Whichever; there are so many hurricanes either here or threatening to be here that it’s hard to keep score. however, all that rain has to go somewhere. It goes here. We needed it, though, and, like I said, here it is. I have to wonder, though, why that which is good for the natural world, such as this needed rain, is not equally enjoyable. I mean, who doesn’t prefer a sunny day to a rainy one, all things being equal? But enough griping. What is really getting to me is that this is a sign that fall is already here. I pick up nothing but signs of the closing year. I begin to wonder where all of my full-spectrum lamps have gone. I hope that I can find that online vendor again. (Source: white pebble)

Make it STOP!

Dr. Zeus's Forensic Files — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:23:00 +0100

When Fred's top hat can wedJudy's Easter bonnetHats' amoreWhen a stetson makes a passTo a pillbox on a lassHats' amoreWhen monsieur's French beretWoos madame's French beretHats' amoreA porkpie in a 'VetteAttracts sunny straw headsHats' amoreA ski bunny's furred hoodTurns snowboarders' knit tuquesHats' amoreMarion's tiaraPeaks Robin Hood's head areaHats' amoreWhen a ten-gallon hatCompensates for a capHats' amoreYour Grandpa's warm cossackLures Grandma's babushkaHats' amoreOn your closet's dark shelfAll your caps are felt upHats' amore (Source: Dr. Zeus's Forensic Files)

When Engineers Attack

Dr. Zeus's Forensic Files — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:18:00 +0100

Robbubba refuses to get a blogger account, but he dumped these in my inbox: All of traffic's a painWeaving into your laneThis street's "One Way"It's hard just by sightTo split gold from pyriteUse an assayNot too happy or sadNot too good, nor too badIt's just okayMucus delivery toolFive percent saline tooIt's a nose sprayA bunch of flowers for youArranged prettily tooHave this nosegay And for bad taste segment of today:Off the coast of QueenslandIs Steve Irwin's last stand:"There's a stingray!"And drifting vowel sounds slightly:Pop a filling or twoin a sweet piece of gooThat's a toffeeOn the menu todayIs goose liver pureedTry the pate'An actress who screamedFor the gorilla her dreamsIt's Fay Wray Make the cue ball go 'roundWith much English, astoundWith a masseWhen you go in JapanRemember...

So There I was...

Dr. Zeus's Forensic Files — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:43:00 +0100

Listening to Sinatra, and he started singing That's Amore. Which caused an earworm, and that got my (admittedly odd) mind going... and I came up with: When you swim in the creek and an eel bites-a you cheek,That’s a moray If a chicken you toss with a chocolate sauce,That’s a mole Herman’s white whale, crushing ships with it’s tailThat’s a Moby. I know there are some clever folks reading this nonsense. Hit me with your best shot in the comments. (Source: Dr. Zeus's Forensic Files)

Falls and fall-related injuries are all too common in older adults

Dr. Z's Medical Report — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:16:09 +0100

My father will turn 89 in early April, and he was recently described by a visiting physical therapist as “a fall waiting to happen.” So the March 7, 2008 article in the CDC’s “MMWR” publication about seniors falling is one of personal interest to me. And since the CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury in persons 65 years and older, it’s likely that this subject will resonate with HealthTalk readers concerned with their personal risk of falls as well as with the risks to their parents, friends and other loved ones. The CDC has estimated that in a three-month period in 2006, about 5.8 million persons over 65 fell and of those about 1.8 million sustained some type of fall-related injury. The overall estimate is that each year in the United Stat...

Last Week’s Top Posts

Autism Vox — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:16:26 +0100

There were no celebrity autism mother TV appearances last week and things were somewhat “normal” (a rather loaded word here, as regards autism and disability: what is “normal”……), though sobering. Worry, WorryA 11-year-old boy is bullied as he gets off the schoolbus—and the attackers videotape it. Autism and Genetics and the EnvironmentOn the age-old question of nurture and, or vs., nature. Sister charged with failing to provide the necessities of lifeTiffany Pinckney was found in a basement on a soiled rug and weighing 84 pounds. Her sister, Allison Cox, is on trial. Who pays for what? (3): In this case, the state of New YorkThe Supreme Court rules in favor of a former Viacom exec who sued the city of New York to pay for his learning disabled so...

Colour of the evening sun resting in a field.

azureone — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:00:00 +0100

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Colour of the evening sun resting in a field., originally uploaded by natzke. This is what I see right now outside my window.Colors bursting, sharpened by the straight cool of the air. Pink heat pushes out. Autumn watches calmly. Summer dances in the heat of its sun, happily lost in play. With a slow stretch Autumn gathers herself. Summer's bedtime has come. (Source: azureone)

What’s all the fuss about lead?

The Doctor Weighs In — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:33:33 +0100

Poor Mattel; three huge recalls of lead-tainted toys, despite conscientious testing efforts. Those babe-in-the-woods quality control experts were no match to the wily new capitalists from China, determined to maximize profit. Isn’t that the name of the game?What’s next? A toxic Barbie? That may actually be a blessing in disguise.But, it’s not only toys. Here is an item from today’s San Jose Mercury:Lunchbox warning: Health officials say toss themUNSAFE LEVEL OF LEAD FOUND IN GIVEAWAYSBy Steven HarmonMediaNews Sacramento BureauArticle Launched: 09/21/2007 01:33:38 AM PDTSACRAMENTO - "The state's public health department asked parents Thursday to toss certain Chinese-made lunchboxes potentially containing dangerous levels of lead - the same ones it distribut...

Searching for stillness

The Cancer Blog — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Filed under: All Cancers, Environment, Cancer SurvivorsWhen I sit still in the middle of the day, I fall asleep. I'm not sure if it's a side effect of cancer or of life in general, but as a result, I keep myself moving at all times. I'm always doing something -- writing, emptying the dishwasher, packing a school lunch, reorganizing cabinets and closets and drawers. There's always something to fiddle with, something to keep my body from crashing into a deep sleep.My little boys have been playing with Lego all afternoon. For hours they have been content and happy and full of imagination. They've built flying boats and castles and pirate contraptions. My wish: to just sit and watch them, to absorb their words, their sound effects, their interactions. I tried to just sit and watch, tried to ho...