Slogans are for people who need to be told what to think.
I am not a medical doctor, but doctor of science and it is important distinction for what I am about to say. Moreover, world of today would be far less polarised if people would acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses in expertise before providing or sharing their opinions.
For example, if I notice certain symptoms - whether concerning mine or others health - a medical doctor is most certainly more qualified to suggest a course of action, including further examination, testing, treatment etc. However, as someone who either participated, developed or validated fair share of tests, I am probably more qualified to point out what are limitation of those tests, as well as their conclusions. That said, I would like to raise an important point here, using my personal story.
Two years ago, my non-existant work-life balance and accompanying stress levels peaked. It was probably picking up speed over long seven years, but two years ago, when I visited my family for holidays, I had a doctor's appointment by the end of the diner. A family member - who happens to be a medical doctor - made sure I step by the clinic and we do complete blood count (CBC), chemistry and - with emphasis - tyhroid panel. Constant tiredness and weight gain were probably suggesting hypothyroidism. Increased hair thinning could be due to age and genetics, but seeing a specialist was recommended and agreed to.
Honestly, I was not reluctant about any of this. I was probably bit overdue for check-up and very human part of me probably wanted an "excuse". Also, worth of former student-athlete, I was relatively active, still very able to have decent gym session, and yet, unable to control my weight. So, in very bias way, it had to be my thyroid, right?
Only, all the results came back brilliant. Optimal. To everyone' surprise. And reckless, busy me just shrugged, saying: "Well, I am healthy. Stressed, but healthy", and for a short while, I went back to my busy, non-existant work-life balance.
However, nothing serves as a wake up call, as bit of vanity does - and this was hair thinning for me. Needless to say, I had a meeting with a specialist and, familiar with MOA of certain drugs, I didn't like my options. So, finally, I sat down, with all my test results, and put my scientific knowledge to use, deciphiring what are limits of those tests regarding conclusions. Simply, is it possible to have optimal test results and still not to be healthy?
The answer is - yes. Yes, it is possible.
What I learnt very quickly, especially related to my lifestyle and symptoms I was experiencing, that blood work would most likely miss early prediabetic stage and insulin resistance. Stressed when meeting deadlines, I tend to eat sugar-rich food or food with artifical sweetners that would still cause insulin to spike. Although, I would normally have one or the most two meals per day, with variety of nutrients...undeniably, I still had a sweet tooth. Mea culpa.
So, I decided to give it all up. It was a basic scientific hypothesis: if I am experiencing early prediabetic stage and insulin resistance, I should avoid certain "insulin-spiking" food to reduce symptoms.
Results: it actually worked. My weight is under control, my tiredness is more correlated to my sleeping patterns, and even hair thinning is reversing. I'll probably have a post in a future to describe the nutrition changes I implemented, but I would like to stick with following lesson today.
When your body is telling you something, pay attention.
Scientific accomplishments, including constant improvement of tests, are brilliant, but in many ways, not as sensitive as your own body. Think of your symptoms - whatever those are - as an alarm. Your can either snooze it until blood work reveals underlying causes (when it can be too late) or you can turn them off by addressing them on time.
To raise awareness, I'm posting a link where you can find more information about prediabetic stage.
This was a very late recording contrasting two news articles about Omicron - so called "Covid super-strain".
I know I haven't been around lately...work...life...However, the 12-years-old clip popped into my feed and I wanted to share it. The reason? This clip provides the great basic understanding into what are the issues with so-called "evidence" related to anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change and the lack of logic when it comes to the interpretation of such evidence. The sad reality is that even after 12 years from this clip, we are still forced to endure nonsensical conclusions that hurricanes hitting Florida are caused by big bad climate change.
The mainstream media is doubling down on the alarmism, and it is not hard to guess why. However, to be fair, consider my little observation an educated guess, an opinion, rather than the fact. Time will show whether I am right.
(1) 'Climate change affects everyone': Europe battles wildfires in intense heat by Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/spain-portugal-battle-wildfires-heatwaves-scorch-southern-europe-2022-07-17/)
If you spent time in Southern Europe, Mediterranean, during summer season - July and August in particular - you probably know that heat-induced wildfires are nothing new. In fact, they are quite common and remarkably devastating for the affected communities, and I have witnessed several in person. Most of the time, the wildfires occur due to heat igniting grasses, especially in the areas where there are broken glass or broken bottles. The glass serves as an amplifier for the sun rays, especially, in the vicinity of dry grasses, or even dry pine needles, and as ...
