Living Well Viewpoint

There is a patient who I have seen several times in the hospital during the last couple months. He has a blood disorder that is rapidly becoming fatal yet he still embraces the joy of every day. Every time he is admitted to the hospital, with the frequency becoming less than two weeks intervals now, he receives at least 6 - 8 units of transfused blood products. Every minute of the admission, he is eager to get home. He says he just enjoys spending time with his wife. He value

There are many things that happen during your day as a busy hospital physician. You are often called into action when a patient appears to be failing quickly. In one such incident, I later received an unusal gift. Patient in distress. An elderly woman abruptly had decreasing blood pressure, she was breathing fine, her heart rate was fine although slightly elevated. She could hear as well as answer questions slowly but correctly. She was scared because she didn't feel well an

Ever look at a photo and feel you see your exact perfect feeling? The photo conjures up your perfect feeling of calm serenity in regards to place, smells, sounds, and what you are doing. It goes to who you are to the core. When I was more than stressed. Years ago, when I was feeling overstressed from work as a physician, and at the same time overtaxed in my non-work time with having two active pre-school aged children and consequently little time for myself, I came across an

Often you receive the best tips in life from patients with dementia. I know this is surprising but somewhere in between their confusion, their lack of knowing what day it is or whether they are at home or in the hospital, they share gems of little pieces of their own wisdom. Often you are treated with excitement when you approach the patient with dementia, they are sure you are there for an extended friendship type visit rather than to check up on their symptoms and to examin

Nothing like a little unique identity. The Living Well Viewpoint logo is here. Feels right. What do you think? #life #sport #medicine #lifestyle #livingwell

My current practice of medicine includes treating the very healthy who want to maximize their performance and also treating the very sick who are confined to hospital. It is the two opposite sides of health, yet very rewarding. Many a time I am reminded by a human need or a human kindness that life has many wisdoms to learn. From time to time I will write about these calling them "Wisdom with Medicine". Today, a sister of a patient who died a couple weeks prior called me to t

Deciding to start running or any exercise is a big decision for someone who doesn't normally exercise. Running such an easy exercise you can do right from your front door and you can be back home as well as showered and dressed within an hour or less. It is a very efficient way to exercise. It is also very easy to start after you have made sure with your physician there are no reasons why you shouldn't. Make sure you have a good pair shoes that are made for running. They shou

Everyone know the stages of life - infancy, childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle-age adulthood and the senior years of adulthood. The transitions are often difficult and we do them each in our individual way. Is there something we can learn from looking back at the stages we have been through? Does the understanding help us live well? In infancy we are entirely dependent on someone else providing for our needs and well-being. It is not surprising that we develop ou

The Vitamin D Council recommends getting 2000 IU of Vitamin D per day. We often do not get enought from sunshine and also not enough in our diet. So taking a daily supplement is reasonable. Researchers at Queen Mary University indicate that Vitamin D can help reduce the risk of respiratory infections and this includes colds and the flu. I am a taker of 2000 IU of Vitamin D daily and it does make a difference. What about you? #life #medicine #livingwell

There is no greater benefit to the health of young girls than having them active in sports. It helps them socialize, it helps them focus and plan, it keeps them fit, and it has them occiupied with an activity that is positive to name only a few of the good things. To foster a like of something you can continue into adulthood is ideal. For me the sustaining activities have been running and tennis. What are yours? #sport #medicine #livingwell

I graduated from Medical School more than 30 years ago after a pre-medical with work in Exercise Physiology as well as research including a Masters Degree with thesis research regarding how a common blood pressure pill affects the  ability to exercise. Always a proponent of exercise and activity, I supplemented my Family Medicine residency with extra training in Orthopedic Surgery. It felt that my background was perfect for a career in Sports Medicine and the promotion of exe

Reports from the University of Southampton say up to three cups of coffee per day do not have a health risk worry for most adults and actually may be of benefit. Keep the caffiene less than 400 mg per day and enhoy the cup of Joe. Healthy living enjoys the coffee without the extra sugar or extra cream as welll as the side snack. Live well with treating yourself to a unique coffe blend. I like black and steaming hot. Have you tried Verve Coffee? #life #medicine #livingwell