Car Sickness

As if I don't have enough problems at the moment, it seems that I may have developed car sickness in my old age. Yesterday, during a long drive in which I was sitting in the front seat of the car, I started to feel nauseous. I was prompted to ask the following question of Gemini and its response follows:

Is it common for older people to develop car sickness even though they never suffered from the condition when younger.

While motion sickness is often associated with children (who usually grow out of it), it is not uncommon for older people to develop car sickness or other forms of motion sickness even if they didn't experience it when younger. 

Here's why this can happen:

• Changes in the Vestibular System: As we age, there can be natural changes in the vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and is crucial for balance and spatial orientation. These age-related changes can make the system less efficient at processing conflicting sensory information, leading to new or increased susceptibility to motion sickness. 

• Other Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions that become more common with age can contribute to motion sickness, such as: 

• Inner ear disorders (e.g., Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)). 

• Migraine headaches (people who get migraines are more susceptible to motion sickness). 

• Cardiovascular diseases. 

• Parkinson's disease. 

• Medications: Some medications commonly taken by older adults can have side effects that include dizziness or nausea, which can exacerbate or trigger motion sickness.  

• These can include certain antibiotics, NSAIDs, and some blood pressure medications. 

• Hormonal Changes: While more commonly associated with women (e.g., during pregnancy or with hormonal fluctuations), hormonal changes in general can influence susceptibility to motion sickness. 

• Environmental Factors: Factors like poor ventilation in a vehicle, strong odors, or focusing on screens (like reading a book or looking at a phone) while in motion can also trigger or worsen motion sickness in anyone, including older adults who might be more sensitive to these inputs as they age. 

• Decreased Adaptation: While generally, the body can adapt to repeated exposure to motion, this adaptability might decrease with age, making it harder for older individuals to habituate to motion that they previously tolerated.

If an older person suddenly develops motion sickness and it's a new or significant issue, it's always a good idea to consult a doctor. They can help determine if there's an underlying medical condition or medication contributing to the symptoms and recommend appropriate strategies for prevention and management.

Of these reasons, I would say that "changes in the vestibular system" is the most likely candidate as my sense of balance has certainly deteriorated over the years. The incident was just a one-off so I shouldn't read too much into it. However, it seems that I will be driving in the front passenger seat from now on to minimise the likelihood of a reoccurrence. Meanwhile, all I can do is monitor the situation.

Recovering and Blood Test Pending

Inevitably, I came down with a cold that laid me low for a couple of days but I seem to have largely recovered except for a slight cough. I've resumed walking and using my stretch band. This is the price of a transition from tropical warmth in Jakarta to the depths of a Melbourne winter. Tomorrow I hope to "have my bloods done" as they say around here. 

I got a pathology request from a Dr. Naresh Pandit at the Elsternwick Medical Centre. I should be able to see him toward the end of the week and review the results of the tests with him. There is also a Dr. Dr Aik Honn Lim at the same clinic who is a skin cancer specialist so I'm probably see him as well. If I get the all clear from both of those doctors then there's not too much else I can do. Let's wait and see how it all pans out.

Fat Pad Atrophy

 Just another consequence of growing older. I asked Gemini:

Why do the soles of my feet feel a little sore when I walk barefoot? I never used to feel that way but now I'm 76 years old. My body has changed, maybe the padding of fat on the soles of my feet has decreased. I'm not overweight (70kg and 178cm tall) so there's no great weight bearing down on the soles of my feet. Is this common for older adults?

Here was the response:

You're observing a very common and normal change that occurs with aging! The soreness you're feeling when walking barefoot is highly likely due to the natural reduction of the fat padding on the soles of your feet, a condition often referred to as fat pad atrophy.

Here's a breakdown of why this happens and why it's common for older adults:

• Reduced Fat Padding (Fat Pad Atrophy): This is the most significant factor you've identified. The fat pads on the soles of your feet, particularly under the heel and the ball of the foot (where you bear the most weight), act as natural shock absorbers and cushions. As we age, these fat pads naturally thin, lose elasticity, and their volume decreases. This means there's less natural cushioning between the bones of your feet and the hard ground, leading to increased pressure and soreness when walking barefoot. Even at a healthy weight like yours, this thinning occurs. 

• Loss of Collagen and Elastin: With age, the collagen and elastin fibers within the fat pads deteriorate. These proteins are crucial for maintaining the elasticity and thickness of the fat pads. Their decline contributes to the "wear and tear" that reduces the shock-absorbing capacity of your feet. 

• Skin Changes: The skin on your feet also changes with age, becoming thinner, drier, and less elastic. This can make the feet more vulnerable to pressure and discomfort. 

• Biomechanical Changes: Over decades of walking, your feet undergo cumulative changes. Ligaments and tendons can lose strength and flexibility, and the arches of the feet may flatten. These biomechanical shifts can alter how weight is distributed across your feet, potentially creating new pressure points that become sore when walking without support. 

• Increased Sensitivity: With less cushioning, the nerves and other structures in your feet become more exposed and sensitive to direct pressure from hard surfaces.

Is this common for older adults?

Yes, absolutely. Fat pad atrophy and the resulting foot soreness, especially when walking barefoot on hard surfaces, are very common complaints among older adults. It's a natural part of the aging process for many people, even those who are not overweight.

What you can do:

• Wear supportive footwear: This is the most direct solution. Shoes with good cushioning and arch support will help compensate for the reduced natural padding. 

• Use insoles or orthotics: Over-the-counter cushioned insoles or custom-made orthotics can provide additional shock absorption and support, redistributing pressure more evenly across your feet. 

• Avoid prolonged barefoot walking on hard surfaces: While walking barefoot can have benefits, for many older adults, hard surfaces (like concrete, tile, or hardwood) can exacerbate soreness due to the diminished natural cushioning. 

• Gentle foot stretches and exercises: Maintaining flexibility and strength in your foot muscles can help support the foot's structure. 

• Moisturize your feet: Keeping the skin on your feet hydrated can help with overall comfort and prevent dryness and cracking. 

• Consult a podiatrist: If the soreness is persistent, severe, or significantly impacts your daily activities, it's always a good idea to see a podiatrist. They can accurately diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend personalized treatment options. They can also rule out other potential causes of foot pain, such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, or nerve issues, which can also become more common with age.

In summary, your observation is spot on – the decreased padding of fat on the soles of your feet is a very likely reason for the soreness, and it's a common age-related change.

Soya Milk

Yesterday I mixed some soya milk with a banana and a little honey in a blender and drank it. Today shall we say there were some "consequences". 

I asked AI the following question:

Can the calcium carbonate added to soya milk or other liquids cause constipation?

Yes, calcium carbonate, when added to liquids like soy milk, can potentially cause constipation in some individuals. While calcium supplements are generally well-tolerated, calcium carbonate is known to be more likely to cause constipation than other forms of calcium like calcium citrate. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Calcium Carbonate and Constipation:

Calcium carbonate is a common form of calcium supplement, but it can sometimes lead to constipation, gas, and bloating, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Why Calcium Carbonate?

Calcium carbonate requires stomach acid for proper absorption, and individuals with lower stomach acid levels (especially older adults) may experience more digestive issues with this form. 

Soy Milk and Calcium Fortification:

Soy milk is often fortified with calcium, and calcium carbonate is a common choice for fortification. This means that consuming calcium-fortified soy milk could potentially contribute to constipation in susceptible individuals. 

So it would seem that I need to avoid soya milk that is fortified with calcium carbonate. After all, this compound makes up the bulk of chalk, limestone and marble. This form of calcium is best avoided as this video explains and Calcium Citrate seems preferable. It would be best to take soy milk without any fortification at all.

Deconditioning

I just watched a Dr. Suneel Dhand video in which he talks about \( \textbf{deconditioning} \) which can be explained as follows:

In medical terms, "deconditioning" refers to the decline in physical function resulting from inactivity, prolonged bedrest, or a sedentary lifestyle. It encompasses a range of negative changes in the body, including decreased muscle strength and size, reduced endurance, impaired cardiovascular function, and even mental and social consequences. 

Elaboration:

Physical Impact:

Deconditioning leads to a noticeable loss of physical fitness, including reduced strength and endurance. Muscles atrophy (shrink) and become weaker, making it difficult to perform even basic activities of daily living. Cardiovascular fitness also declines, meaning the heart and lungs may struggle to deliver oxygen to the body during exertion. 

Systematic Changes:

The effects of deconditioning are widespread and can impact various systems:

• Musculoskeletal: Muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, and loss of flexibility are common.  

• Cardiovascular: Reduced heart efficiency, blood clots, and orthostatic intolerance (dizziness upon standing) can occur.  

• Respiratory: Reduced lung capacity and increased shortness of breath.  

• Digestive: Changes in appetite, constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems.  

• Urinary: Loss of bladder control and urinary tract infections.  

Cognitive and Social Impacts:

Deconditioning can also affect mental and social well-being. Individuals may experience confusion, depression, and decreased social interaction due to limited mobility and reduced participation in activities. 

Causes:

Deconditioning can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Extended Bedrest: Patients recovering from surgery or illness may experience deconditioning due to prolonged inactivity.  

• Sedentary Lifestyle: A lack of physical activity can lead to a gradual decline in fitness.  

• Chronic Illness: Conditions like heart failure or respiratory diseases can limit activity and contribute to deconditioning.  

• Space Travel: The effects of weightlessness on the body in space, including muscle atrophy and bone density loss, are a significant example of deconditioning. 

Prevention and Reversal:

While deconditioning can have a significant impact on health, it's often reversible with a gradual increase in physical activity and appropriate rehabilitation programs. Regular exercise and other interventions can help regain strength, endurance, and overall fitness. 

I remember when I was 13 and was in hospital for a week. I had a minor operation and nowadays would have spent one night in hospital. However, movement wasn't encouraged at all and I spent most of my day lying on the bed. I couldn't barely walk on my release. Imagine the impact of a week in hospital for a person in their 70s, 80s or 90s who is bed-ridden. 

As the good doctor says in his video, you should spend as little time in hospital as possible and while you're there you should try to move around as much as possible. For the elderly this is crucial.

Super Jab for Cancer

Here's the good news (source):

Thousands of patients will benefit from a new cancer jab for more than a dozen types of the disease, with the NHS the first in Europe to offer the new injection.

The health service is rolling out an injectable form of immunotherapy, nivolumab, which means patients can receive their fortnightly or monthly treatment in 5 minutes instead of up to an hour via an IV drip.

The roll-out will save over a year’s worth of treatment time for patients and NHS teams annually – enabling patients to spend less time in hospital while freeing up staff capacity to deliver more appointments and treatments.

The new jab can be used to treat 15 cancer types, including skin cancer, bladder, and oesophagus, and it is estimated around 1,200 patients in England per month could benefit.

This follows approval from the UK’s medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today.

While it's currently being used for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, what's the bet that it will soon be recommended prophylatically for everybody. Turbo cancers are exploding around the world following the Covid-19 jabs and now here's another jab to put a stop to all that. Inevitably "secret ingredients" will be added to the immunotherapy mix to increase its potency. It may not be safe but it will be effective.

ONE JAB GIVETH AND ONE JAB TAKETH AWAY

Any drug or treatment being pushed by the NHS should be regarded with deep suspicion but it could be that a fear campaign is about to be launched in the UK and elsewhere that will entice the gullible into baring their arms. The mere mention of the word "jab" should strike fear into the hearts of the those who remain healthy. One way or another the depopulation agenda will be implemented by a combination of accelerated death rates and surreptitious sterilisation.

Ivermectin Paste

Now this was an interesting tweet in which Ivermectin paste is recommended for the treatment of skin cancer. As he says, the paste is FDA approved for the treatment of Rosacea which is "a chronic skin condition that mainly affects the face, causing redness, flushing, and sometimes acne-like breakouts. It's a common condition, often appearing after middle age, and is more prevalent in fair-skinned individuals. While there's no cure, rosacea can be managed with various treatments and lifestyle changes."

However, the veterinary version referred to as a horse paste is stronger (1.87% versus 1%) and probably cheaper but care needs to be taken with the dosage. I was thinking that this paste could be useful in treating what I referred to as my protuberance (see posts titled An Odd Protuberance and Protuberance Gone). In the end, it went away of its own accord. I also have an area on my back that is quite sensitive and that I usually keep covered with a bandaid. This area might respond favorably to the application of this paste.

X Link

Of course, Ivermectin in combination with Fenbendazole is recommended in the treatment of internal cancers but I'd not heard of Ivermectin paste. It's these sorts of treatments that I need to be familiar with as alternatives to recommendations by the Medical Mafia should I ever need them.

Here is an abstract from a comprehensive paper published about Ivermectin in 2011 (before it was demonised in the treatment of COVID a decade later):

Discovered in the late-1970s, the pioneering drug ivermectin, a dihydro derivative of avermectin—originating solely from a single microorganism isolated at the Kitasato Intitute, Tokyo, Japan from Japanese soil—has had an immeasurably beneficial impact in improving the lives and welfare of billions of people throughout the world. Originally introduced as a veterinary drug, it kills a wide range of internal and external parasites in commercial livestock and companion animals. It was quickly discovered to be ideal in combating two of the world’s most devastating and disfiguring diseases which have plagued the world’s poor throughout the tropics for centuries. It is now being used free-of-charge as the sole tool in campaigns to eliminate both diseases globally. It has also been used to successfully overcome several other human diseases and new uses for it are continually being found. This paper looks in depth at the events surrounding ivermectin’s passage from being a huge success in Animal Health into its widespread use in humans, a development which has led many to describe it as a “wonder” drug.