MEDICAL MATTERS

[Cathy]

Forgiven Stanley. (Just don't let it happen again ).

Just noticed my avatar is back.
Happy happy joy joy. Thanks whoever did it.

[PanBiker]

You're welcome Cathy, I gave Maz her all seeing eye back as well, once I had figured out how to do it.

[Marilyn]

Ugly sister indeed!
I've a good mind to put a further curse on that back of yours!


( let's see...Eye of Newt...Poo of Cockatoo...( I have that in abundance!)

[Stanley]

[Stanley]

See THIS for news of a report on research at Liverpool on the influence of micro-bacteria in the gut on cancer risks. Most of us are aware that we have trillions of bacteria working away inside us, the vast majority of which are totally beneficial. This report suggests that some, though a possible threat to health in themselves, might have a role in protecting us from more serious conditions.
I've always averred that our internal bacteria are important. They may be more so than I thought!

[Tizer]

And it's another good reason for being careful with prescribing antibiotics, a sure way to kill off your gut bacteria.

[Stanley]

That's something I have always been aware of and one of the reasons why I avoid them.
It's ethnic cleansing!

[Stanley]

Having said that, daughter Margaret is in hospital with IV antibiotics being pumped into her to try to save her implant which is infected.....
THIS report about cuts and burns sustained during the day healing faster than those at night is curious. Evidently its connected to our Circadian Rhythm.

[chinatyke]

I've been getting regular and painful leg cramps in bed during the night for the last few months. I noted the suggestion on this site of putting 3 corks under the mattress, and the claimed success of the method. I gave my problem some thought and concluded that I eat well so I'm unlikely to be suffering from any vitamin or mineral deficiencies because of my diet. Also my blood sugar levels are OK so what else good it be? I came to the conclusion it was poor circulation at night caused by hypotension, low blood pressure. I was worried about the possibility of DVT. I take 2 types of tablets daily to keep my BP under control. The main one is Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor. The other one, which is frequently dispensed alongside most BP treatments, is a diuretic, Indapamide. I did some research on the Internet and found Indapamide can cause electrolyte imbalances and leg cramps. 3 weeks ago I stopped taking Indapamide and haven't had a cramp since then, or any other adverse side effect. I've been monitoring my BP and it is still in the normal range and under control, presumably the ACE Inhibitor is enough.
No NHS here so it's a case of treat yourself, and I know you shouldn't do that, but so far so good!

[Stanley]

I think you're on the right track China, nobody knows your body better than yourself and the results prove that you were right. Look at the difference Wendy made to Col by using her head. I'm all in favour of self-medication, mainly because that was how I was reared. So far it seems to be working..... (I look at some people my age and think My God! how did that happen....)

[Wendyf]

Colin has done it himself, low carb was all his idea, I just spread the news!

[Marilyn]

China, nocturnal leg cramps in my calves were bothering me again, usually about 4am.
I had tried High Dose Magnesium before but found it upset my tummy, so I abandoned them.
I got them out of the cupboard again and found the ( rather large) container doesn't expire for another 12 months, so decided to give them another try. They upset my tummy for about 4 days but I hung in there. After 2 weeks, I have been pleasantly rewarded with being cramp free, so I am sleeping through and no further gut problems. ( after spending 4 days visiting the loo more regularly than normal)
Tablets are rather large, and I have to snap them in halves but still gag. They are "suppository" sized. Close your eyes and think of England!
For now I shall continue with them, because the last 4 or 5 days I have woken feeling I slept better than I have in years...

[Stanley]

Margaret isn't out of the wood yet. There is a chance the infection has got inside her skull. Very worrying....

[Marilyn]

Best wishes Margaret. Fingers crossed.

[Stanley]

She's back in hospital Maz. The worry about the infection getting in her skull has receded but they are trying to find the cause of the headaches.... Still no decision on the status of the implant.
News just in that she has had a lumbar puncture and is flat on her back for four hours. A bit poorly but this is most likely the new antibiotics. Mind you she's having ginger ale and a sandwich so there is hope!

[Tizer]

Onwards and upwards! Please send her our love and best wishes.

[PanBiker]

Ours too Stanley.

[Stanley]

Will do.
Later at 04:15. She rang from hospital and sounds a lot better, up and walking about but they are pumping all sorts of drugs into her and it bothers me.... She has an idea that her body is rejecting the implant and her surgeon comes back off holiday tomorrow and will be seeing her. They might take the implant out and have a rethink later. I just want her home and off the bloody drugs...... Earache is not a joke!

[Stanley]

Holly sent me a selfie of her and Margaret this morning. She looks well and I am easier in my mind.

[plaques]

I think it was Tizer mentioning annuities that made me wonder what the average life expectancy for the UK was. A quick Google got me a graph that showed that once you had reached 65 how many years you had left. The good news is that if you have just reached 65 you can expect 'on average' to live to 81.6. Having already past that landmark you could work backwards on the chart to the year you were aged 65 and then get the extra years, bad news, I've used all my time up, ready to shuffle off at any minute. My only hope is that people younger than me would be kind enough to pop their clogs so that I can live a bit longer to make the 'average' up again. Somehow I don't think it works like that. Link,

[chinatyke]

...I've used all my time up, ready to shuffle off at any minute.

Don't forget to leave us a pint "over the bar!"

Just got my prediction and I'm expected to last until I'm 91, 20 more years!

https://www.livingto100.com/calculator/age

[Stanley]

I'm not interested in averages.... Granddad Alex lived to be 103. I want to beat him. So far so good!

[Stanley]

See THIS for a BMJ report that moderate consumption of coffee can be a good thing. It would appear that my regime of one pint of good strong coffee with milk in the mornings is a good way to start the day! Yet another reinforcement of one of my basic beliefs, that moderate consumption of almost anything has health benefits!

[Stanley]

Margaret has had the implant removed and is going home today. Not 100% yet but much improved!

[Sue]

I did the Life Expectancy calculator , it came out at 98,should I tell the children