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Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

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Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 

Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 

By William Jones

 

From Public Health Official to Candidate  Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has carved out a career that has moved in and out of medicine, public health, and politics. Now at 41, the handsome and articulate Michigan doctor and former public health practitioner is center stage in a pivotal moment in U. S. politics. El-Sayed has defeated a popular moderate Democratic challenger in the primary, and will face former U.S. Representative, Mike Rogers, a Republican, in the November. general election. El-Sayed’s progressive message is being tested in one of the nation’s most closely watched swing states. Personally he is already facing bigoted slurs from the political right. Islamophobia, is alive and well, in the good ‘ol US of A. The vehement attacks by the GOP, have some Democrats worried that El-Sayed may cost them their dream of taking back both the House and the Senate in November.

Michigan Roots and a Public-Service Path  Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed was born October 31, 1984, in Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, MI.  His parents were Egyptian immigrants. His mother, Fatten Elkomy, a nurse practitioner, his father, Mohamed, was a PhD candidate at Wayne State University. After his parents divorce, Abdul was raised by his father and his stepmother, Jackie, both engineers.  El-Sayed grew up going to public schools where he was socially active and played sports. According to his campaign bio his family was deeply connected to public service. After high school, Abdul, went on to study at the University of Michigan, graduating with high honors in biology and political science.

Family Life  Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is married to Dr. Sarah Jukaku, a psychiatrist. They met at the University of Michigan and married in 2006 and have shared the last 20 years together. The couple have two beautiful and talented daughters. He jokingly refers to himself as “girl dad.”

Impressive Credentials  After graduation from the University of Michigan he was accepted to Columbia University’s Medical School. In his second year at Columbia he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford where he received a Doctorate in Public Health. When his time at Oxford was finished he returned to Columbia and completed his medical training. As time passed, he grew more interested in how communities are affected by sickness and disease, rather than the individual response. This change in perspective led him into epidemiology, public health policy, and government.

Building a Career in Public Health    El-Sayed garnered nation wide recognition when he was named Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department at the youthful age of 30. His activities focused on improving health initiatives, the environment’s threat to health, and the intervention of health programs for children and families. While Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department he learned that the health of the community is much more than doctors and hospitals. He soon came to understand how conditions in the home, family income, clean water and air, are all factors that affect the overall health of the community. Dr. El-Sayed left the Detroit Health Department in February of 2017. During his tenure he was designated ‘Public Official of the Year’ by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and ‘Policy Innovator’ by the Carnegie Council.

Keeping Busy    After leaving the Detroit Health Department Dr. El-Sayed launched an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of Michigan in 2018, finishing second in the Democratic primary, losing to powerhouse and future governor, Gretchen Whitmer. After his primary loss he refocused; writing several books on public health,  hosting the podcast America Dissected, and serving as the director of Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services from 2023 until 2025. The themes from his first campaign remained largely unchanged as he persisted in his call for a bigger government role in health care and economic security for all.

A Senate Campaign Built From the Ground Up  Dr. El-Sayed had decided to run for the U.S. Senate in April 2025 when Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced that he would not seek re-election and then immediately threw his support behind centrist Democrat, Haley Stevens, the U.S. Rep. from Michigan’s 11th District.  Dr. El-Sayed’s campaign had started out small but with Peter’s decision not to run for re-election, Dr. El-Sayed began an  aggressive campaign against the “establishment” and went on an all out statewide push for the nomination. El-Sayed visited 110 cities, held over 500 events, and developed a volunteer network of more than 12,000. He campaigned on a progressive platform of Medicare for All, economic affordability, campaign-finance reform; and notably, loud and clear opposition to the seemingly unlimited U.S. military aid to Israel. Dr. El-Sayed is identified with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is identified as a moderate. Reuters described the battle as one for the party’s “ideological direction.”

The General Election Test   Winning the primary gave El-Sayed an opportunity, but it also means that he now faces a far greater challenge. There’s still plenty of political room left in Michigan, and Republican Mike Rogers has solid national support, and a huge bank balance as he readies for the general election. Now El-Sayed must win over voters who are unlikely to be in the progressive camp who might not see their everyday concerns addressed by his ideas. Cost of health care, wages, housing, and government trust are likely to continue to be key topics with voters. He will also continue to be a figure of interest in Israeli politics here in the United States as the Muslim voice against the genocide in Gaza.

Building Bridges  El-Sayed immediately after his victory went to work to show party unity; assuring the public that after the  contentious primary campaign the Democrats were united against Trump and his billionaire allies; understanding that all of the voters who had supported Stevens now had to be shown his was a winning candidacy. The AP reported that El-Sayed spoke by phone with former President Barack Obama and hoped he would campaign with him. The defeated Stevens embraced El-Sayed in her concession speech and encouraged all Democrats, Independents, and disillusioned Republicans to support him. The action was a clear sign that the Democrats want to show a united front to the Republicans and their massive financial war chest. As for the Republicans they are already declaring the good doctor to be everything from a “communist” to a “9-11 advocate.”

A Career Reaching Its Biggest Test   As you can see it’s been no straight trajectory to the top of the political ranks for Dr. El-Sayed. His backers find a man who understands that policy decisions impact the lives of ordinary families and who won’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Some prognosticators think his progressive views in a multi-racial battleground state may not be what is needed. The next stage of the campaign will be influenced by these opposing perspectives. November will reveal the direction this country is headed. The Senate race is wide open. It is likely to be a barometer for what we can expect in 2028.

References: The internet

Photo from Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s Facebook website

Questionable Health Care Habits

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Questionable Health Care Habits
Readers Digest offers some suggestions when kissing your dog and other questionable habits.Questionable Health Care Habits 

 

D.S. Mitchell

Bored

While I was waiting to get my oil changed, I tired of playing cell phone solitaire and began to search through stacks of magazines in the waiting area. I soon found the September 2024 Reader’s Digest, and  Rosemary Counter’s terrific article on our many loathsome, unclean, and totally disgusting behaviors that we should probably stop doing.  The title of the piece was, “Do You Kiss Your Dog?” I’ll do a short recap of the article but I suggest you find the original article and read it, Rosemary is much funnier than I am.

Best By

Just because it says “best if used by” such and such date, does not mean the product is any less flavorful if used after the highlighted date. An item may not be at  peak favor but still safe to eat. Remember you can’t always trust your eyes or your sense of smell. It you are seriously concerned about how long the item has been hiding at the back of the refrigerator throw it away, or check out the FDA website for specific guidelines.

Cutting Corners

1). I know you’ve done it. The package of cheddar cheese has a blemish (mold) and you just cut it off. It seems, according to experts, that if there is some mold growing on cured meats and hard cheeses its probably just fine to cut off the area that shows the mold and serve it to your family, no harm done. However, with soft, more porous cheeses like Brue and Feta, or soft produce like strawberries it is best to throw the item away.

Kissing the Dog

2). According to Rosemary’s article more than 61% of dog owners admit to kissing their dogs on the mouth. I love my fur baby but no way to this one. I’ve watched, I know where that tongue has been and I sure don’t want any of those leftovers inside me. Despite the need to bond with your animal there is a good chance such face to face loving will result in an animal-to-human spread of disease. Pasteurella the source of skin inflammation and joint infections, Salmonella (stomach cramps, fever) and E. coli (diarrhea, blood stream infections) are rampant, not to mention the chance of passing you a parasite.

The Five Second Rule

3). We are all familiar with the five second rule.  If it’s on the floor for less than five seconds it is safe to eat. Stop. If you drop a cookie, a piece of candy, do not pick it up and eat it. Instead, throw it away. Thinking about where your shoes have been in the last couple weeks should be be enough to make you rethink the wisdom of eating any item of food that has landed on the floor for five seconds or for any length of time.

Orphaned Water Bottles

4). Orphaned water bottles. We all have one or two reusable water bottles hanging around, either at the bottom of our gym bag or on the backseat of the car. You’ve rinsed it out but it never gets properly scrubbed. So adding fresh water to that reusable bottle probably isn’t a wise idea, even in a pinch, if you plan on drinking from it. “The inside of that bottle is like a dirty aquarium,” Ms. Counter tells us, “it is filled with viable microorganisms. Perhaps the microorganisms from your mouth’s backwashed flora won’t hurt you but foreign bacteria can sneak into the bottle and multiply.” A water bottle sitting in the car for a few hours becomes a veritable petri dish for microscopic bugs to thrive in. Porous plastic bottles are the most hospitable to bacteria; so it’s best to opt for glass or stainless steel. Whatever you end up drinking from, please wash it every day or two in the dishwasher or with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water.

Wash Those Hands

5). What we do outside our homes is often very different from what we do behind closed doors. Handwashing is one of those behaviors. We consciously scrub those hands when we are in a public bathroom, but at home we often neglect the serious scrubbing, after all the germs are my own, right? “Even microbes you already harbor can balloon if your immune system is busy fighting something else,” Rosemary Counter warns us. So, scrub those hands like you are in a public restroom.

Peeing in the Shower

6). It has happened to all of us. The warm running water stimulates the bladder to contract, causing a sudden urgency and there’s no stopping the inevitable. Urine is normally sterile and it’s going straight down the drain so there should be no problem. What about public swimming pools, where we know everyone is peeing in the water. Expert’s tell us to be more afraid of swimming in fresh water lakes or rivers that are filled with fish waste and bacteria. The often suspect public swimming pools are loaded with chlorine and the vast amount of water dilutes most human secretions to safe levels.

Pimple Popping

7). Thank God, I’m past picking and popping pimples. Fortunately, I rarely had a bump or a pimple to deal with when I was younger, but when I did have an eruption it was always in the same spot on my chin. It’s a miracle there isn’t a huge scar in that spot on my chin.  Rosemary suggests that you remember every popped pimple is an open wound where evil bacteria can start a skin infection like impetigo, or a yeast based fungus like candida, or God forbid an abysses requiring anti-biotics or surgical drainage.

Toothbrush Sharing

8). If I thought kissing my dog on the lips was totally disgusting; the suggestion that sharing toothbrushes with someone, even my husband/lover, actually happens, literally curled my toes. Yikes. My mom told me my mouth was the dirtiest thing ever, and I believed her. I swear I wouldn’t share my toothbrush with ANYONE. Toothbrushes are easy to come by, you can pick up one anywhere, even the front desk at the hotel. If for some reason you are in an oral hygiene desert, don’t reach for the other guy’s toothbrush, just rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water. Everyone has their own unique delicate bacteria balance, using someone else’s toothbrush can expose you to flu, colds, and even herpes.

Well now that you know the truth about how germs can find there way into our bodies it might be a smart idea to change some of our questionable hygiene habits.

 

Diagnosis: Diabetes

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Diagnosis: Diabetes

A diagnosis of diabetes can be a scary thing, but with life-style changes the condition can be improved, or even reversed. Patients do not need to face years of fear, guilt, and drugs.

Diabetes is a scary diagnosis. Make some life style changes and change the prognosis.

Diagnosis: Diabetes

By D.S. Mitchell

A Public Health Emergency

One in ten Americans is living with Type 2 diabetes; that’s approximately 38 millions people. Some might call that a public health emergency. With diabetes comes other life altering diseases; cardio-vascular disease, kidney failure (dialysis), stroke, neuropathy, blindness, and lower limb amputation.

Medical Treatment

Many diagnosed diabetics are on high doses of injectable insulin and multiple oral anti-diabetic medications. Insulin is a hormone that transports sugar out of the blood and into the body’s cells. With diabetes the body can’t manufacture the hormone (Type 1-sometimes called childhood diabetes) or the more common Type 2 diabetes, where the body becomes resistant to insulin’s effects. In both cases, insulin injections are the standard fallback treatment.

Change Your Tactics

It doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of accepting the “inevitable” some patients decide to implement strategic behavioral tactics that have shown to improve the condition and even reverse it. Said more simply, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you can turn it around. What follows are seven behaviors that can make a difference in your life and your battle with diabetes.

  1. Lose Weight: Do not under estimate the impact of gaining, (or losing), even a few pounds. The physiology of diabetes causes the body to ineffectively regulate blood sugar levels because at the heart of diabetes is “insulin resistance.” With insulin resistance the pancreas is forced to manufacture more and more insulin in an effort to transport sugar from the blood to the cells. What is often misunderstood is that insulin whether manufactured in the body or taken as a medication promotes fat storage and weight gain. It becomes a vicious circle, gain a few pounds and the weight gain will force the body to produce more insulin which in turn causes more weight gain-and so it goes. The good news, however, is that even a 10% weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity by 60%.
  2. Keep Up Your Fluid Intake: Hydration is a pretty big deal, don’t ignore it. With dehydration comes a concentration of sugar in the blood.  Studies show that patients who drink less than a half liter of water per day increased their risk of elevated blood sugar compared with those who drank more. Water, milk, herbal tea all work. Caution for coffee lovers; caffeine is dehydrating, limit the intake to a maximum of three cups per day.
  3. Stay Vaccinated: Many believe that COVID is behind us. Well, for folks with immune suppression, over the age of sixty, obesity, and diabetes the threat remains serious. In fact, studies indicate that COVID damages the pancreas and causes system wide inflammation, which in turn increases insulin resistance. New studies link COVID to new cases of diabetes. If you are in one of the high risk groups get vaccinated and stay boosted. Vaccinations lead to milder cases of the disease which should indirectly result in decreased COVID impact on pre-existing diabetics.
  4. Increase Protein Intake: Protein at every meal, not just dinner. Protein maintains muscle and contributes to blood sugar regulation. Fill your plate with fish, white meat chicken, lean cuts of beef and plant based protein sources such as beans, nuts, quinoa.
  5. Bite-sized Bits of Activity: “Exercise snacking” means spreading short bursts of activity throughout the day. A fifteen minute walk, two or three times per day, may do more to help control blood sugar than one long workout. Remember the 10,000 steps recommendation? In that study there was a link between exercise and improved diabetes control. The goal is to mix various types of exercise. Schedule exercise periods for yourself each day. You might start the day with a fifteen minutes block of strength training, using weights, resistance bands and body-weight moves. Mid-morning do fifteen minutes of aerobic activity such as fast walking, swimming, jogging, or tennis. After lunch try fifteen minutes of stretching which improves joint flexibility, balance, and reduces chances of injury.
  6. Read Labels: Do not focus on sugars, but rather read labels for the “Total Carbohydrate.” This term incorporates both naturally occurring sugars and those added. Women should aim for 30-45 grams of total carbs per meal, and men 60 to 75. A typical reaction after hearing a diabetes diagnosis is to eliminate sugar and carbs. Such behavior can result in nutritional deficiencies, fatigue, and dangerously low blood sugars. Consider talking to a Registered Dietitian and setting up a realistic eating plan. Many insurance plans pay for such training. Ignorance is not helpful, your quality of life depends on understanding how you can best help yourself.
  7. Finally: Losing weight, changing eating patterns, and exercising, are things that a newly diagnosed diabetic, or a long time diagnosed diabetic can do to reverse the disease. However, even with all those interventions, there may still be times when insulin and other diabetic medications have a role to play. Pregnancy is such a situation. Pregnancy frequently elevates the expectant mom’s typical blood sugars, just proving insulin has a secure place in the treatment of diabetes.

 

Control Your B/P And Save Your Life

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Control Your Blood Pressure & Save Your Life

Untreated high blood pressure kills at least 400,000 Americans every year.

Control Your Blood Pressure And Save Your Life

Editor: This is an updated version of an article originally published 11/25/2017.

D. S. Mitchell

Silent Killer

I am a retired RN. As a result, I will often blog about health care, and health care news. Today I thought I would draw attention to the ‘silent killer,’ high blood pressure. It is known as the silent killer because there are no warning signs or symptoms  of the condition. Approximately 75 million adult Americans have high blood pressure. In 2016 the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported high blood pressure as the primary cause for the death of 410,000 Americans.

Causes Of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure occurs when our arteries become clogged with a waxy substance called plaque. Plaque forms due to a variety of reasons, most particularly these causes are defined as life style causes. There are of course hereditary factors at work, but for most modern adult Americans, high blood pressure is about life style choices.

Ignoring The Diagnosis Will Not Make It Go Away

The American Heart Association indicates that “while the incidence of high Blood pressure is way up from 10 years ago, and 46% of Americans know they have it, most refuse to do anything about it,” says Brion Oaks an AHA spokesman. Americans want to ignore the condition, often refusing to take B/P meds or make lifestyle changes.

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Hints To Cure Motion Sickness

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Hints To Cure Motion Sickness

If you have motion sickness you spend a lot of time with your head in a paper bag

Car Sick? Air Sick? Sea Sick?

Hints to Cure Motion Sickness

By D. S. Mitchell

Childhood Memories

OMG. When I was a kid, the worst words I could hear were, “Let’s go for a ride!” Don’t get me wrong, I loved going; going anywhere, it didn’t matter, I was a young adventurer. HOWEVER, I was also a kid with  motion sickness. It didn’t happen all the time, I think that was the worst part, never knowing whether I’d be happy and giggly, or a kid with her head in a paper bag.  My mom did not like me vomiting out the car window. It wasn’t just the car, sometimes it was on the deck of daddy’s boat, or there was that incredibly long plane ride to Hawaii. Oh, dear, the nice lady sitting next to me was very kind, and understanding. And, those damn 3D movies, there should be a warning label.

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when your brain gets conflicting messages: your eyes perceive forward motion but your inner ear feels the up and down motion of the car, plane, or boat. The experts say the brain then races to reset itself and that action causes the sick feeling. The nausea triggers the vagus nerve, which connects to the GI system, stimulating anything in the gut to come up.  Paper bag, please.

It Was All About The Ginger

Ginger is an herb that has been used for thousands of years for its many natural medicinal properties,  particularly its antiemetic qualities. When I was a kid that was about all there was, other than stopping the motion, and that wasn’t happening. What I seem to remember is mom grating up the herb and putting it in tea and having me drink it before we went on any road trips. Current studies indicate that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting. Some studies suggest ginger works better on vomiting than the underlying nausea. Now days, ginger can be found in capsules and gummies and even tea.

Antihistamines

The same antihistamines used to treat allergies also reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. Numerous rounds of studies have shown that antihistamines can effectively alleviate motion sickness.  Recommendations include taking the medication 30 to 60 minutes prior to boarding the plane or boat, so you’ll have it in your system to squelch the vagal response. BUT they cause drowsiness. If sleep walking doesn’t bother you this may be your solution. I on the other hand cannot function in a “drugged” state. Benadryl and Dramamine are inexpensive and may work for you. Give it a try, the worst thing that will happen is you will take a nap.

It Works For Me

Acupressure wristbands are what I use. I am a great fan of acupuncture and acupressure is a variation of that ancient Chinese art.  When pressure is applied to certain points on the wrist and ear it alleviates stomach upset. Acupressure wristbands are available in most pharmacies and on Amazon. I’ve used them for years and they are fabulous. No unwanted sleepiness. The package will contain two bracelets, just slip them on your wrists and position the little plastic thing-a-bobs over the recommended points on your wrist per the directions.

 

3 Gremlins Facing Health Care In The U.S.

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3 Gremlins Facing Health Care In The U.S.

Americans are taking too many prescription meds

3 Gremlins Facing Health Care In The U.S.

By D. S. Mitchell

On The Front Line

Writing for www.CalamityPolitics.com allows me a grass root platform to discuss health care, and every other area of our political spectrum, for that matter. It does not give me the right to say anything I want about the issues. With that said, I have ground level experience in health care. Because of that experience and exposure to trench warfare in hospital health care I have strong opinions. Client care and results need to be discussed and evaluated for effectiveness. I have a passionate interest in health care, and in this area, I believe my street level experience gives me the right to discuss the issues. Bringing common sense thinking to health care should always be welcomed. I am an RN, and have worked for 38 years in hospitals in Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada.

The Sickest

My two primary areas of specialty are Crisis Psychiatry and Cardiac Intensive Care. Whether the issues are mental, behavioral, or cardiac emergency, many of the issues facing the caregiver, and the client are the same. Despite the obvious differences in the front line needs of the clients, both of these populations are often the sickest in the hospital. One thing I know, is that the health of the American citizen should not be decided by a politician in Washington, D.C. Sadly, that’s where this battle always shows its ugly underbelly.

Gremlin 1: Big Pharma

Suitcases Of Medications

For the first twenty-five years of my career, when I admitted a patient that came to the unit with a suitcase of medications, I believed it was because they were incredibly ill. Like physicians I had been trained to believe in  pharmaceuticals.  Once I was an old nurse, my thinking transformed into, the patient is sick because they are taking so many prescribed medications. I can hear the protests from the audience now. Don’t believe me, just read the labels. These are chemicals and they are toxic and poisonous.

Side Effects

Truthfully, every pill has the potential to cause side effects, some known and some unknown.   When a person complains to his doctor that he is uncomfortable due to the side effects of the medication he is taking, his doctor writes him another prescription to help deal with the side effects.  The patient has pain so his doctor writes him a prescription for an analgesic. When he complains that the pain medication makes him constipated, he is given a prescription.  You can see where this is headed, right?

Advertising Medications

In America, television is the best friend of the pharmaceutical industry.  Constant television marketing has convinced viewers that there is a pill that will fix anything and everything. Unfortunately, many Americans now believe that there is a pill that will make everything in their life better.  Health care policy makers need to take this issue very seriously. I realize drug manufacturers want to make a profit, but I also believe constant repetition creates a need that previously did not exist.

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Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Risk

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ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND STROKE RISK

 Assessing stroke risk in patients is an important part of managing Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Risk

A-fib can lead to blood clots in the upper chambers of the heart increasing the risk of having a stroke fivefold.

 

By D.S. Mitchell

Costco Connection

I am a Costco member and as such I get a copy of the Costco Connection magazine every month. The publication is full of useful information. In the February 2023 issue, I found a great article by Andrea Downing Peck, on the dangers of atrial fibrillation, a very dangerous heart rhythm disorder. I’m a retired RN and I’m always looking for information that will help people recognize symptoms of dangerous health conditions.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Recently, I have seen numerous public service announcements made by NBA basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who tells us that he suffers from atrial fibrillation. Well Kareem is not alone; an estimated 2.7 million American live with atrial fibrillation (a-fib). A-fib is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder seen by doctors.

What Is A-Fib?

A-fib is an irregular, disorganized heart rhythm where the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) no longer beat in coordination with the lower chambers (the ventricles). The rate is usually more rapid than would normally be expected for the level of activity being engaged in.  A-fib is extremely dangerous because the rhythm commonly causes blood clots and blood clots cause strokes. Patients may experience a-fib without symptoms, but when symptoms do appear they may include chest discomfort, light-headedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. If left untreated it can be deadly.

Common Victims

The risk for a-fib increases after age 65. Several medical conditions also increase the risk of developing a-fib whether you are young or old: High blood pressure, Sleep apnea, Obesity, Heart failure, Diabetes, Overactive thyroid, Pericarditis, and coronary artery disease.

Triggers

Lots of studies and research have been done over the last fifty years to discover how to prevent heart disease. Researchers have known that the risk of coronary disease increases with predictable lifestyle factors. Now much of that research is telling us that those same factors and prevention strategies are most likely relevant to heart rhythm disturbances such as a-fib.

Alcohol vs Caffeine

Caffeine has been suspected as a trigger in patients who experience intermittent a-fib. Intermittent a-fib is defined as a temporary episode of the disorder that starts suddenly but resolves quickly without medical interventions, usually within 24 hours. The studies clearly indicate that caffeine does not appear to increase episodes of a-fib, but alcohol did frequently act as a trigger. Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day is clearly a trigger for the disorder.

More Than One Trigger

Smoking, sleeplessness, dehydration, stress, obesity, high blood pressure, and sedentary lifestyle are factors that seem to trigger a-fib events. The caveat here, as with many things, it is often a combination of several factors that trigger the event. Over the next several decades the prevalence of a-fib is expected to increase significantly. It’s the combination of these co-morbidities that increase the risk of a-fib.

The Answer

There’s an epidemic of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, inactivity, and alcohol abuse, in the United States. According to experts, we need the population to move, lose weight, drink less alcohol, and as practitioners, doctors need to aggressively treat diabetes and high blood pressure.

Treatment

 Treatments can vary. Medication or surgical intervention, in some cases, may be required. Medications are used to control heart rate and rhythm. Anti-coagulants are used to prevent clotting. A cardioversion is sometimes used as an emergency intervention. A catheter ablation is a procedure used to permanently restore the heart’s proper electrical currents.  There is also for some patients an implant called the Watchman that offers an alternative to blood thinners.

Outcomes

It is important to educate the public about a-fib and other heart rhythm disorders. It is important that if an individual is experiencing symptoms, they should contact their physician as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and above all prevent stroke.

 

May Is Stroke Awareness Month

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May Is Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Learn the varying risks, types, causes and symptoms of stroke

May Is Stroke Awareness Month

If you are experiencing acute stroke symptoms remember time is critical, every minute treatment is delayed can result in irreparable brain damage. DO NOT CALL your friends and family to ask advice, CALL 9-1-1 immediately.

By D. S. Mitchell

No Longer Just For Seniors

Strokes are not just a health concern for the elderly. Strokes can happen to anyone of any age from infancy through adulthood, most however do occur after the age of 60. Alarming statistics however indicate that over the last 15 years younger Americans, in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50’s are suffering strokes at increasing  numbers.

Celebrity Strokes

Recent headline grabbing stroke victims include entertainer Jamie Foxx (55), politician John Fetterman (53), musician *Kid Cudi (32) and influencer Hailey Bieber (25).  The reasons are many, some genetic, but mostly the experts are pointing at lifestyle choices; unaddressed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, and *drug use (Kid Cudi admitted a two week cocaine binge before checking into rehab and subsequently suffering a stroke). Of those factors poor food choices and lack of exercise are probably the most common factors for younger stroke victims.

What Exactly Is A Stroke?

A stroke is quite simply a sudden loss of brain function. The two direct causes of stroke occur when a blood vessel is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). Onset of symptoms is usually sudden. Symptoms can include weakness or loss of sensation, frequently to only one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, loss of balance and coordination, and headache.

FAST

FAST is the acronym used to teach people how to recognize dangerous stroke symptoms.

  • Facial droop (one sided)
  • Arm or leg weakness
  • Speech slurred or difficult
  • Time is of the essence if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms call 9-1-1.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL, you might end up killing yourself and someone else in a collision. Call 9-1-1. When you call 9-1-1 you will not only get an ambulance with all the necessary emergency equipment onboard along with trained EMTs, but the 9-1-1 call also triggers actions at the nearest hospital where professionals will be preparing for appropriate testing and treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment may include the removal of a single blood clot or multiple clots. Procedures such as angioplasty, stents, or medications such as blood thinners, to prevent further clots from forming may be used. The residual damage from a stroke may take weeks or months of physical and speech therapy to strengthen affected areas. Thankfully due to research and the development of new treatments for strokes there are better outcomes.  Having a stroke doesn’t mean your life is over, you can still have a meaningful and productive life.

 

Body Fat and the Health Risks

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Body Fat and the Health Risks

Obesity in the US is growing. For folks over 60 years of age 42% are considered obese. Startling numbers.

Body Fat and the Health Risks

Studies repeatedly indicate, without a doubt, obesity is dangerous to our health. As we grow older our bodies accumulate fat and then deposit most of the accumulated fat around our waistlines. At the same time we are losing muscle mass. The combination of those factors are a pathway to health problems; most particularly Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, elevated cholesterol, and overall mental decline.

By D. S. Mitchell

 

Body Fat

Mention body fat and a lot of us start to get anxious. It’s not that the bathroom scale tells the whole story, but it does tell how much body fat we are carrying. We mostly choose not to think about it until our pants won’t zip up or when we pass a full length mirror. More and more information shows that there are serious health risks in carrying extra body fat. Experts tell us that the accumulated body fat begins to act as an endocrine organ. The endocrine system is a complicated network of organs and glands that uses hormones to control multiple body functions. Most specifically, body fat is involved in the metabolism of sex hormones, blood clotting, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity.

Measuring the BMI

Physicians use the BMI to measure body fat, and diagnose whether the client is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese, or morbidly obese.  A BMI of less than 18.5 is underweight, 18.5-24.9 is healthy weight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30 plus is obese, 40 or more is morbid (severe) obesity. Where an individual carries their extra pounds seems important. The visceral fat; that’s fat that is carried in the belly means higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. In fact, many doctors now suggest patients regularly monitor weight, BMI and waist measurement just as we currently monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. In a 10 year study with 190,672 participants, obesity tripled the risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

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Sugar Is Killing Us

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Sugar Is Killing Us

Sugar is killing us.

Sugar Is Killing Us

By D. S. Mitchell

When I started writing this article, my intention was to write a quick easy read, nothing in-depth, certainly nothing scientific. Something along the lines of, “Ten Reasons To Kick The Sugar Habit”. That plan was quickly dashed as I read one scary article after another explaining the dangers of sugar consumption. If you are suffering from any of the diseases highlighted in this article, remember, you are not alone. If you want a better, longer life, it is time to take a look at your relationship with sugar in all of its malevolent forms. 

**This article first appeared in CalamityNewsandPolitics.com on 04/03/2020

THE DANGERS OF SUGAR: PART ONE

Sixty-Five Pounds Annually

The average American consumes 65 pounds of sugar annually without even being aware of it. That information alone should be a heart stopper. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) of added sugar per day and women no more than 6 teaspoons (24 grams). On average each of us ingests 19.5 teaspoons or 78 grams a day. Research on the dangers of sugar on health are ongoing, and new information is being constantly being uncovered.

Dangerous And Addictive

If there was ever any doubt about the dangers of sugar they are being put to rest by a series of scientific studies. Research is proving sugar is both dangerous and extremely addictive. A person who drinks one 20 oz sugary beverage every day will cut their life expectancy by nearly five years. That is,  comparable to being a regular smoker. If that fact doesn’t get your attention, read on, it gets worse, a whole lot worse.

Just As Bad

Sugar does a lot of damage to our bodies.  With all the negative news about sugar is there an alternative?  Some people say, “just use a sugar replacement.” Whoa.  Evidence is mounting that sucralose, saccharin and aspartame are just as dangerous as sugar.  Research shows that sugar replacements injure and destroy the essential microbiome in the gut.  Microbiome are the millions of microorganisms inside our bodies that help us stay alive.  These microbes protect us against germs, they also break down food to release energy, and produce vitamins.

Find A Garbage Can

To make it clear, sugar substitutes are just as bad as the real thing.  In addition to the physical damage products like sucralose do, they are also associated with weight gain and glucose intolerence-the very things people use them to prevent.  Those folks trying to cut down on sugar may be drawn to advertised benefits such as “maple syrup’s antioxidant benefits” or “honey’s healing power”.  Forget such misinformation.  Sugar is sugar, no matter what form it takes. I suggest that no one consume them.  Keep them out of the house.  If you have any of these sugar substitutes in your cupboard toss them in the closest garbage can.

Highs And Lows

The body’s reaction to sugar is like taking a roller coaster ride; an unending ride to extreme highs, followed by extreme lows, sending the body into a spiral of endless cravings. People report being “hungry all the time”. Descriptions include “being obsessed with food”, and literally feeling “addicted” to food. It makes perfect sense, because everything they eat and drink is loaded with sugar.

Addictive Cycle

High sugar intake sends the body into a crazy, roller coaster ride of ups and downs.

The danger of sugar is easy to describe, it is addictive, sharing all the highs and lows of  any other addictive drug.

The danger of sugar is easy to describe.  As the addictive cycle begins, say after you eat a piece of cake, a predictable pattern begins.  Blood glucose begins to rise.  Then, Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers is released, messaging that everything is “great”.  Meanwhile, if you are not a diabetic, your pancreas is busy releasing insulin into your blood stream to help lower the threat of rising blood sugar.  High insulin levels signal the body to store fat throughout the body, including the liver.  With the release of insulin, blood glucose drops.

Another Piece Of Cake

As the sugar high subsides, your brain begins sending signals that you are ‘hungry’.  The ‘false hunger’ signals kick cravings into high gear, demanding another piece of cake. Predictably, as you consume that second piece or cake, or cookie, the sugar driven roller coaster takes the body on another crazy, dizzying ride.

Mood Swings

The ups and downs of unstable blood sugar will cause a person to experience mood swings, fatigue, and headaches.  As described in the “addictive cycle” unstable blood glucose contributes to cravings, which begins the cycle of “false hunger”.  When the body is under stress, it immediately kicks into fight-or-flight mode, releasing large amounts of stimulating hormones.  Interestingly, the body has the same chemical response when it detects low blood sugar, created by the insulin response.  After eating a sweet snack, stress hormones begin to compensate for the crash, by raising your blood sugar.  Unexplained anxiousness, irritability, and even tremors often result.  By contrast, those who avoid sugar have fewer cravings, and feel emotionally balanced and energized.

Sleeplessness

Can’t sleep?  Thirty percent of Americans complain of insomnia, or interrupted sleep.  Sugar may be keeping you up at night.  Researchers have found that eating more sugar, along with less fiber and more saturated fat, is associated with lighter, more disrupted and less restorative sleep.  Insomnia has been connected to diabetes, obesity and heart disease.  This deadly trio of health conditions, is now being directly tied to sugar consumption.

Sugar And Mental Health

Consuming high-sugar products like cookies, candy and sugary drinks, are associated with a higher risk of depression.  Researchers believe that blood sugar swings, neurotransmitter dysfunction, and inflammation may all be reasons for sugar’s detrimental impact on mental health.  Sugar in fact, could be making you sad and depressed.  Capping off a bad day with a comforting sugar laden snack may make you feel worse in the long run.

Increased Depression

A recent Columbia University study found that post-menopausal women whose diets were high in added sugar and refined grains were at a high risk for depression. Study participants, that ate more dietary fiber, whole grains, vegetables, and unprocessed fruits had a decreased risk of depression. In another study, men who consumed 67 grams or more of sugar per day were 23% more likely to develop depression than men who ate less than 40 grams per day.

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