Defining Your Health In 1947, the World Health Organization defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Do most folks take that expansive view? The kinds of statements you’ll get from people are more like these: “The doctor says I’m in great shape.” “I eat real healthy.” “You really are doing […]
Going to the dogs – for your health (1/11/12)
Who Lives, Who Dies My internist cousin says he knows who will live and die among his older patients: those who own dogs. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provisionally agrees. They believe the data show that dog (and cat) ownership can lower: Blood pressure Feelings of loneliness Cholesterol and triglyceride levels While increasing – […]
Who can I sleep with safely? (12/14/11)
Love, Strangulation and Suffocation When you see public health advertisements placing a meat cleaver next to a sleeping infant, it’s clear co-sleeping is no longer a simple matter. Milwaukee’s Health Department has received has enormous flack, but officials are convinced their ads keeping infants from parental beds will save many from strangulation and suffocation. But […]
Snorting the cremated remains of Great Danes (+ doggie xanax and other tales – 2/10/11)
Stealing Doggie Xanax Sometimes the dog did not do it. One of my patients has a son who struggles with mood swings and addictions. After a recent hospitalization he returned home. He appeared to do quite well in his classes and social relations. His use of illicit drugs seemed over. Or so his parents thought. […]