TB or Not TB

That's not really the question. The question is if you're like PearlieMae are you going to do whatever it takes to not get tuberculosis this year or the next. If you're a regular reader of PearlieMaes you know whatever it takes is going to be all that stressful physically or otherwise. We aren't interested in making you sweat or work up a sweat. We do admit that sweating and things that make you move til you sweat are the way to better health.We just have never believed that its the only information you should be provided. We support a two pronged method of attack.

"In 2009 there were 11,545 new cases of tuberculosis reported in the United States - Although reported TB cases reached all-time lows in the United States, there are still disproportionately high rates of TB among foreign-born persons from high prevalence countries and among U.S.born racial/ethnic minorities, especially U.S.-born blacks. Among racial and ethnic minorities, unequal distribution of TB risk factors can increase the chance of developing the disease." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Current Features)

Our focus has been on protecting yourself from the H1N1 (swine flu) and not so much from the old standbys. The reason being this is season for that kind of infection is so obvious and easily prevented. Though our own actions wouldn't be a very good indication of that practice. Which is another reason why we haven't been showing the "swine table of death" that we usually show and will return to shortly. We're still at risk each and all of us even though we've had some technical difficulties keeping our stories.

"Tuberculosis - Although tuberculosis is contagious, it's not especially easy to catch. You're much more likely to get tuberculosis from someone you live with or work with than from a stranger. Most people with active TB who've had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious." - Mayo Clinic (Causes)

The reason we haven't focused on TB is because it's not "easy to catch." It's the difficulty that doesn't need an injection for protection. Avoid the sick and don't get sick which is a good tactic for all contagious diseases. If you hear that a co-worker, family member or friend has TB and you've been especially close to that person then you might want to seek treatment. Do not self treat because whatever medications you receive has to be taken completely even when you feel better. 

Feeling Poorly To Excess

When you saw a distended belly of an African child surrounded by flies in his mother's arms you certainly don't think that to be a symbol of obesity. Historically when you saw a painting of a Rubensian figure in art it meant a sign of good health and great wealth. Currently such a size on an individual in reality indicates poor health and now poverty according to researchers.

“Social Context May Be a Better Indicator of Obesity Disparities than Race - In a national sample not accounting for race differences in social context, black women had twice the chance of being obese as compared to white women,” Sara Bleich, PhD, lead author and assistant professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Health Policy and Management. “To date, efforts to explain the disparity in obesity prevalence have primarily focused on individual level factors and little research has focused on social context as a possible explanation. When we examined poor, urban women exposed to the same environment, race disparities in obesity virtually disappeared.” - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (May 6, 2010)

We've long maintained that eating properly and exercising as solutions to individual illnesses that often lead to premature deaths isn't the answer to the problem. While social inequities are becoming more prevalent by the current economic climate solutions, we suggestion, need to be more proactive. Which we admit is as contradictory as the research.

"Obesity, Poverty, and Participation in Nutrition Assistance Programs - Poverty, as measured by household income, is associated with obesity in some population groups. One review of 144 published studies shows a strong inverse association between socioeconomic status and obesity in women, and an inconsistent relationship in men and children. The panel concluded that it is necessary to separate the effects of poverty and socioeconomic status from the potential effects of food assistance to determine the relationship between obesity and program participation. The research challenge, however, is that poverty is highly correlated with program participation, making it hard to separate their independent effects. " - USDA Food and Nutrition Service (February  2005)

The poor who appear to be eating to excess by the physical appearances when in reality their bulk can and often is the result of the opposite. It's where you are in both location and along the economic scale that determines not only your wealth but also your health. Departments of Health in our region and the nation need to be prepared for not only moments of prosperity as well as poverty when they're least likely to afford the services needed by our communities.

"New Flu Vaccine Option for Adults 65 Years and Older  - Adults 65 years of age and older are among the groups hardest hit by influenza, and annual vaccination remains the best protection, particularly for this population. However, as people age, their immune function tends to decrease, which makes older adults not only more susceptible to infections, but also less responsive to vaccination." - American Lung Association (Top Stories)

We at PearlieMaes also believe that age is another significant factor in both health and well being of individuals. One of PearlieMaes biggest complaint was that as a senior no one, meaning doctors, would speak to her directly. Physicians often directed their answers, comments and or suggestions to whomever ferried her to her appointments. While priority should be given to the patient in the case of relatives or transporters secondary or supplemental information should be given. Unfortunately doctors are too often too pressed for time to give the information twice.

Obviously Obese

You're ugly. You ain't go no alibi. You're ugly. You're ugly. You're U-G-L-Y! Goes the cheerleader chant. When you're rooting for your team and want to psyche out the other team your cheerleaders "trash talk" their opponent. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) isn't acting like an opponent. It's obvious that our children, grandchildren and all of us are fat. Yes, we're fatter than we were in 2007 and unless something else changes we'll be fatter in 2014. We're probably fatter than we were in 1807. The CDC's solution:

"More than one third of U.S. adults are obese. Weight gain occurs when you consume more calories than your body uses. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight will help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. The key is FINDING A BALANCE in your lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Finding Balance)

We don't support that as a regional or national alternative. We didn't gain weight as a national mission. We gained weight all the while trying to improve our economy, keep our jobs, saving our investments and stay alive. Unless we can embark on a national mission that will improve our economy, save our jobs, increase our investments all the while keeping us better alive we don't support it. We can't support it.

"Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index, United States 1960–2002 - During the last 2 decades the prevalence of obesity and overweight has increased in the United States (1–3). This is in part due to a shift in the distribution of BMI (BMI, weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of the entire population. This report presents the changes in mean bodyweight, height, and BMI for the entire U.S. population from 1960 to 2002." -  Center for Disease Control and Prevention (October 27, 2004)

Gaining weight is what we do if not as American then as people in a civilized society. We get tall and we get wider. "Finding balance" is a humorous way of being absurd by the federal government that hasn't been either effective or reasonable for today's current lifestyles. We know what you want to know - how fat are we? We just don't want to be as overweight as our neighbors. "At least we're not as fat as the Jones." Or are we? The information in the CDC report comes from telephone surveys of some 405,102 people.


We conclude that since the information was collected by telephone and all the respondents we telephone owners then if you own a telephone it will make you gain weight. The solution is to rid ourselves of our telephones and if anyone asks say you're ten (10) pounds lighter than your actual weight. That way when the researchers call they'll think the country or at least the region has lost weight even though we've gotten taller. We think our suggestion would be more effective than the federal governments. Besides our suggestion, like a folk remedy, wouldn't hurt you, unless you actually believe your untruth.

Back That Thing Up

We don't and we didn't. We should have and our position is that you should. We're from our parents do as I say and not as we do school of thought. Our parents would constantly contradict themselves and we as young brash smart alecs would constantly say to them but Mommy/Daddy you do/say that! Unlike our parents we have to suffer the consequences of our actions. We also don't learn from the mistakes of others as indicated by this very old post:

"Drive one is dead, most likely in some liquidation load and I replaced it with another drive of the exact same model at best buy. Well, that one failed too!" - DTSL Williams (June 12, 2007)

Learn from our mistakes and we should take our own advice. In some ways we are backing up. Our excuse was we replaced the drive with another of the exact same model but NOT from BestBuy but ours actually we couldn't even format it. We've learned through further reading that when you create a "brick" using two (2) terabyte (TB) hard drives to create four (4) terabyte hard drives. Someone in our office who shall remain nameless thought to flip the switch to make the two (2) drives into a single huge drive. It made the information unavailable to us. The fix we learn all too late was to re-initialize the drives rather than formatting them again. That way the information is not lost.

The following articles we recovered or discovered. At the time they were timely. They might be old but the information while not current is at least still true. We're mostly proud of the new story from our family member about their hospital experience. It's funny and informative. We hope you enjoy it! 

Piling on the Roids

When a couple suffer from the same malady it makes you concerned that there's something in the food, water or environment that affects or has affected them both. When two (2) different colonoscopies on two (2) different weeks produces the same diagnosis we get concerned. Again the instinct is more reactionary than scientific but we had to investigate. We can't recall whether it was ever known if PearlieMae suffered from the "piles" as its sometimes called by the "ole folks." We only thought we'd do the investigation our selves.

"Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. They are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus. They often result from straining to have a bowel movement. Other factors include pregnancy, aging and chronic constipation or diarrhea. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of all people have hemorrhoids by age 50. The most common symptom of hemorrhoids inside the anus is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Symptoms usually go away within a few days." - MedlinePlus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

What we found out was that the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) suggestion for treatment was surgical and the alternative to surgery is the nature or homeopathic treatment called horse chestnut but only the prepared variety. It's not a do it yourself treatment, unless you buy the pills and take them. What concerns is is that surgery is an external solution to a largely external problem from the government. We thought made the "alternative" suggestion would be a cream like petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel to be applied directly to the inflammation.

"If you have rectal bleeding you should see a doctor. You need to make sure bleeding is not from a more serious condition such as colorectal or anal cancer. Treatment may include warm baths and a cream or other medicine. If you have large hemorrhoids, you may need surgery and other treatments." - MedlinePlus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

We were looking for a cream applicable solution to the "roids" problem. When we found the horse chestnut under "Alternative Therapy" that's what we believed it to be. "Over-the-counter creams and suppositories may temporarily relieve the pain and itching of hemorrhoids. These treatments should only be used for a short time because long-term use can damage the skin." Which was the federal recommendation and again confuses us. Surgery can not only damage the skin but on such a sensitive area we would imagine would be really uncomfortable. Banding might not usually be painful. We just can't imagine how putting a rubber band around a painful infection would not be painful.

"If at-home treatments do not relieve symptoms, medical treatments may be needed. Outpatient treatments can be performed in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Outpatient treatments for internal hemorrhoids include the following:
* Rubber band ligation. The doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off circulation, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink. This procedure should be performed only by a doctor.
* Sclerotherapy. The doctor injects a chemical solution into the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
* Infrared coagulation. The doctor uses heat to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue.
Large external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments can be surgically removed." - National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (Medical Treatment)

Warm baths always feel good to us as they're warm baths. Unfortunately you usually have to sit on your roids to treat them in a bathtub. We admit we can't imagine everything that is possible in the world. Its just that if we treat ourselves with a warm bath won't the drying no matter how tend we are inflame the infections? Why not pure aloe vera gel as a cool treatment for an inflamed area? The problem we believe (again without scientific substance) is a cool natural compress that won't spread the infection or cause greater inflammation. That's our speculation based on nothing more than our own experiences.

"Pycnogenol relieves symptoms of acute hemorrhoids - A study published in a recent issue of Phytotherapy Research revealed Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract, from Natural Health Sciences, has important anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties that may be beneficial in patients with hemorrhoids, both for acute and chronic treatment, and in preventing new attacks. The randomized, controlled study conducted by G D'Annunzio University in Italy investigated 84 patients suffering from an acute episode of external hemorrhoids, lasting 24 to 48 hours prior to inclusion in the study. The most frequently observed signs and symptoms, including hemorrhoidal bleedings, severe perineal pain and intravascular intravascular thrombus, were evaluated during the study period of two weeks." - Nutraceuticals World (Mar 1, 2010)

You might remember how we championed the idea of French pine bark extract and how it should be differentiated from the Japanese variety that failed in test showing its effectiveness in other uses and treatment. We love the idea of combining cream and pills that the "study indicates that Pycnogenol, both in oral and in topical form, is effective for controlling this common, disabling health problem. The application of Pycnogenol eases the management of acute hemorrhoidal attacks and help avoid bleedings." We thought so and we told you we thought so. The Japanese might have found that pine bark extract might not be the "be all to end all" for every disease but it sure beats, in our opinion, surgery or banding. We admit that the results were from a study of less than one hundred (100) individuals but come on - how many results do you need when the alternative is surgery or a rubber band around your infections?

Cancer's End

Don't they know it's the end of the world.... Skeeter Davis sings in one of our favorite songs of loss and heartbreak. The End of the World can also be considered a song about end of life care. The headlines about the new report from Dartmouth University looks at the records of over two hundred and thirty thousand (235,821) patient records at their end of life. When its you or your loved ones. The end of the world is the end of life. It was her end of life care of PearlieMae that resulted in the creation of this site. What PearlieMae didn't want was to die in a nursing home or a hospital unfortunately that fear was realized to our great regret.

"Most patients with serious illness prefer to be at home at the end of life, in familiar settings and close to family. However, across the United States, about 29% of cancer patients who died during the period from 2003 to 2007 did so in a hospital." - The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care (Percent of Patients Dying in Hospital)

PearlieMae was like most patients. Unfortunately where she lived determined where she'd die. We knew this but she succumbed to her cancer before relocating to the region's least likely areas (Asheville, NC area). The Carolinas are also the areas most know for producing tobacco long considered responsible for cancer. The region's most likely areas (Columbia, SC area) to succumb to the disease in a hospital. The metropolitan area is often considered the "tri-state." However for the purposes of the Dartmouth data the District of Columbia is composed of a different "tri-state." For the purposes of this study, rather than as it's residents, DC's data is drawn from Annapolis to West Virginia but excludes Virginia.

"The use of health care resources in the United States is highly localized. Most Americans use the services of physicians whose practices are nearby. Physicians, in turn, are usually affiliated with hospitals that are near their practices. As a result, when patients are admitted to hospitals, the admission generally takes place within a relatively short distance of where the patient lives. This is true across the United States. Although the distances from homes to hospitals vary with geography – people who live in rural areas travel farther than those who live in cities – in general most patients are admitted to a hospital close to where they live that provides an appropriate level of care. Data for all Dartmouth Atlas regional data reflect the experience of Medicare patients living in the region, regardless of where the care was actually delivered." - The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care (Data By Region)

PearlieMae's older sister, Alice, did live and use the services of a physician nearby her in North Carolina. Alice was able with family and community support to receive care at her home where she was able to succumb to her non-cancerous illness. The concern with cancer is the use of sufficient pain relieving medications. In this time and in this current atmosphere of drug abuse the concern for receiving medications that can and often are abused is more of a concern than insuring that patients have enough to "succumb" comfortably in their home. That's more speculation than the results of the research from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.

Losing Snacking Weight

It was a story we could not ignore. We don't believe it and it's not so much research as it was a single person trial. Unfortunately its much todo about nothing because as wonderful as all the stories make it appear.

"PROFESSOR USING SNACK CAKE DIET TO COUNTER POPULAR HEALTH BELIEFS - His special four-week diet started Aug. 25. It includes products like peanut butter-chocolate bars, chocolate cake rolls, breakfast pizza, donuts and sugared cereal. Within the first four days of the diet, Mark Haub, associate professor of human nutrition, had lost seven pounds by eating foods high in saturated fats and sugar while maintaining his calorie goal of 1,800 kilocalories a day. "It's portion controlled. I'm eating foods that are deemed by many to be unhealthy; we will see if they are," he said." - Kansas State University (News Services)

You're hooked and ready to jump on the trial and be test subject number two (2) understand that it includes vegetables by the can, a fresh tomato and the dreaded exercise of over an hour to actually result in actual weight loss. Just when you thought you could eat your weight in snacks and actually lose weight. It is more like a commercial for eating snack food using the right portions. For how unreasonable that is read the back of your snack package and determine how many serving are actually in the pack.

"Many think increased weight gain leads to diabetes, heart disease, mortality and more. But associate professor Haub said research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found overweight people have lower mortality rates and health care costs. Haub said his diet also is easy on a budget. "It's very inexpensive and I get all of my calories for about five bucks a day," he said. "I am not promoting this or recommending it; it's just an exercise in nutrition." - Kansas State University (News Services)

The story was more a come on than an actual fact based account. Not that the associate professor is being dishonest or that the story isn't true - actually the headline from all the news services and Kansas State University is misleading. It's not so much the foods that you eat as it is in the calories you burn when you eat whatever you eat. Less calories and more burning of the whatever is left results in weight loss. Thankfully the YouTube video fills in all the gaps in the both the news stories and KSU website.

"Deakin in the news - a new snack food developed by Dr Keast who also happens to be a qualified chef. Consisting of a parmesan cheese cracker and organic mashed potato, the snack also contained natural additives – such as an antiinflammatory agent, oleocanthal, and omega 3 fatty acids – and a natural appetite suppressant. Dr Keast said it was the first time oleocanthal had been included in a manufactured food and research was continuing into its flavour and health promoting properties. ‘Overall, the snack is a vehicle for these health promoting compounds ... while it is not a natural food it is an innovative food,’ he said. A senior lecturer in the area of sensory science, Dr Keast’s research has also helped reduce bitter taste in pharmaceuticals with particular emphasis on paediatric formulations." -  Media buzz PDF (April 2, 2008)

The magical properties of oleocanthal was going to make snack food more tasty and better for us. The miracle ingredient was going to allow us to eat all the junk food we wanted as cheesy, greasy and tasty as we love and have been so far unable to resist. Oleo, the olive oil based ingredient (that makes us think of Oreo) would make our weaknesses palatable, pleasurable and make portion control possible. We could eat the whole container and our bodies would tell us that its time to stop.

"The SENECA (Survey in Europe on Nutrition and the Elderly: a Concerted Action) study, developed from 1988-89 to 1999, showed that the food pattern of southern European elders appeared to be the healthiest, since it was rich in grain, vegetables, fruit, lean meat and olive oil; however, a sufficient energy intake seemed to be necessary for an adequate micro nutrient intake. ...Nutritional status of free-living people in Palma de Mallorca is defined by a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and a low risk of undernutrition. This elderly population showed an imbalanced dietary intake, mainly characterized by low energy intake, too much energy derived from fats and proteins and poorly derived from carbohydrates, low dietary fibre intake, risk of atherogenic potential, and inadequate mineral and vitamin intake. An increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures may be expected, due to their high animal protein intake and low calcium and vitamin D intake. An increase of dietary complex carbohydrate and fibre, a decrease of fats, mainly SFA, and a balanced intake of animal/vegetable proteins and fats is recommended. Dietary supplementation, especially with calcium, vitamin C and E, and occasionally vitamin D, may be useful to improve nutritional and health status of freeliving elderly people in Palma de Mallorca." - University of Navarra (05 TUR e/c/7)

Why is this Spanish research important? We want you to live longer, stronger and better lives. We also think to be successful you should first see who is and emulate them which is the what the European Survey did. We'll admit that less than two hundred and fifty (250) people aren't a substantial population. We don't dismiss their findings. The "freeliving elderly people" from the now Palma, Spain are apparently "fat and happy." Since they have long life and health even they could have better lives with some supplementation. When science helps us to enjoy our lives of excess we're all for that kind of research.