Dementia and cancer have more in common than most people recognize. Two thirds of tumors appear to be the result of random mutations. And two thirds of dementia cases also appears to be basically random, with only about 35% responsive to lifestyle changes (so far.) The implications of this “odd” convergence is wide. First, for diseases with difficult or ineffective treatments, […]
How Can People Quit Smoking?
People know smoking kills. Smokers know they need to stop. Many can’t. Lots of clinicians feel smoking is the hardest addiction to end. So is using e-cigarettes a helpful way to get people to quit? Recent results appear to say yes. Yet American public authorities, like the CDC, deeply dislike e-cigarettes. They worry that e-cigarettes […]
Sitting Smoking Sleeping (6/18/13)
Going to Extremes Human beings love to test limits. For many it’s fun to drive a car. And if driving is fun, it’s also fun to simultaneously talk on the phone, eat a granola bar, read our emails, dictate a letter and watch TV. Except when we run someone over. Or slam into rear of […]
Hello, Carbon Dioxide (11/12/12)
What’s In the Air Welcome, sulphur dioxide Hello, carbon monoxide The air, the air is everywhere Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep It’s been a while since the musical “Hair” expressed its fragment of the sixties’ zeitgeist. And as much as its message of peace, love, and happiness appears dated in our present political […]
Smoking Is My Retirement Plan (8/8/12)
Better Living Through Denial? Smokers, one fifth of American adults, often tell me they’re not worried about the future. Why? Because, as my webmaster and other smokers tell me, they don’t foresee a long term future. Retirement? Long term care insurance? Pointless. As many explain, “Smoking is my retirement plan.” Sorry, guys. It doesn’t work […]