To Clip or Not To Clip

With a history that goes back thousands of years, documented in the Biblical book of Genesis, circumcision remains an active topic these days.  Now there is a question about a song lyric speaking to the issue.  So Mel Magazine asked me a bit about the procedure, and I tried to respond in a balanced manner. My portion is only a bit of this article, have a look.

IS THE SONG ‘BAD TO THE BONE’ 

ACTUALLY ABOUT CIRCUMCISION?

A danger lurking in pool water

There are lots of articles warning about water safety and the dangers of drowning in backyard pools.  Less well known are the potential dangers hidden in the water.  Here is an article that stresses the point that pool water is not "clean," and certain precautions need be taken to prevent disease.  An important read for anyone who goes to a pool over the summer, or any time of year!

NO, YOU FOOLS, THE SWIMMING POOL IS NOT A BATH

Can your bowels bowl you over?

Being a professional athlete takes everything - mind and body - working together at a peak level.  When NBA player Joel Embiid suffered bowel problems, some questioned if that could really impact his performance.  Here is an article from MEL Magazine in which I helped look at that question.  The bottom line, pun intended, is that there really is a connection.  

Joel Embiid's issues he cannot outrun

Retire with a plan, not a safety net

After a career in primary care medicine spanning over 40 years, the light of retirement became visible on my event horizon.  With planning and thought, the transition from working to retirement has been as smooth as possible, and the future remains bright.  Here are some thoughts I shared with Mel Magazine about the process.

RETIREMENT IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS. THAT’S WHERE THERAPY COMES IN

The writer, Quinn Myers , asked me to expound on this topic, so let me share with  you the brain dump that I shared with him.

Truth be told, this question is one that address both the younger worker and the older retiree.  That’s because to have a successful retirement, you need to start planning while you are young, employed, and able to make plans.  Financial concerns impact a great number of retirees, and starting to put away money into a retirement account when you start working is vital to being able to retire when you want to.  Whether it is a company plan, like a 401k, or a conventional or Roth IRA, or some other form of squirreling away funds for the future, this is a vital first step.

Next, you need to have more in your life than work.  If asked to describe yourself, your occupation should not be your primary identifier.  Family and friends, community and organizations, hobbies and passions may not be able to consume a significant amount of your time while you are working, but the seeds need to be planted so that they can germinate when you have the time to devote to them.

Now, when the reality of retirement looms on the event horizon, start the process several months before the event, itself.  See if you can cut the work hours a bit, see if you can engage some of those pent up passions a tad.  You may discover new interests, rekindle old favorites, or buddy up with someone trekking the same path.

During these last few months, make sure that your finances are in order.  Perhaps meet with a financial planner to insure that you will be able to pursue the retirement goals that you have set.  Have honest talks with your partner and family, be sure that you are all on the same page.  Clear up any misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations.  Don’t forget about health insurance, and any other obligations which will need to be addressed.

Then comes that day when you wake up, and you don’t have to go to work.  When I retired, we had planned a vacation not long after retirement, and were able to extend it a few days just to relax and break the cycle.  Coming back to home and a loving family, without the stress of needing to go back to work, was wonderful.  And then one needs to establish a new schedule, a new normal, to use the cliche.  I, and many of my friends, established a daily routine of classes, exercise, and family activities.  Nothing so strict that it could not be bent to accommodate an exception, but enough to insure that we were not sitting around watching TV all day.  Sure, some of those old “chores” could be included as well.  Basements are being cleaned, fences are being mended, some are taking new interest in lawn and gardens, and others clear swaths of time to be able to care for grandchildren or aged parents.  

Speaking for myself, now retired about eight months, I am free of the daily stress that had burdened me for more than half of my life.  I have time for my family and interests, and still can take a break when I want it.  I can retain an interest in my profession, without being constrained by it.  It takes planning, support, and a willingness on your part to “let go” of your work and take control of your life.  

Tidy way to a clean hiney?

From ads for toilet paper to articles about bowel cleansing, people are often obsessed with their bowels.  Getting the area residue free is one goal that may take some doing for some people.  Here is a little article from Mel Magazine, where I was interviewed about thoughts of attaining the desired result.

THESE ONE-SQUARE CRUSADERS ARE PREACHING A BETTER WAY TO POOP

Getting Over the Hangover

Through my years in practice, a not uncommon question was what to take, do, or use to help relieve that awful feeling the morning after the night before.  I was asked to evaluate a series of potential hangover cures by Mel Magazine, and here is a rather informative article detailing what you may want, and not want, to do.

RANKING HANGOVER REMEDIES BY HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE AT KEEPING YOUR BRAIN FROM FALLING OUT OF YOUR EARS OH GOD

What may be the worst idea for losing weight

Just when I think I've heard just about every diet, supplement, and weight loss scheme out there, along comes another one that would be preposterous, if it was not true.  Social media is full of stories of people trying to lose weight by using cocaine.  More than a bad idea, or ineffective, this is potentially lethal.  Here is an article that gives some facts, and a testimonial from someone who tried.

I TURNED TO CRACK COCAINE TO TRY TO WIN A WEIGHT-LOSS BET. 

IT ALMOST KILLED ME.