Your Health In Mind

Hospital problems..Today’s topic 3-18-26

https://www.google.com/search?q=current+problems+runnning+and+servicing+us+hospitals&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS706US709&oq=current+problems+runnning+and+servicing+us+hospitals&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgkIBRAhGAoYoAHSAQoyMDM2MGowajE1qAIIsAIB8QUHca_nJz6VLvEFB3Gv5yc-lS4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

U.S. hospitals are facing a severe financial and operational crisis in 2026, driven by high labor/supply costs, labor shortages, and rising administrative burdens (e.g., insurer claim denials). Over 60% of expenses go to staffing, which saw a 5.6% increase in 2025. Key challenges include treating a sicker, aging population, high inflation, and significant cybersecurity threats. Key Operational and Financial Challenges:Financial Instability: Operating margins remain slim or negative, leading to a record number of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.Workforce Shortages & Burnout: Persistent shortages of doctors and nurses have forced reliance on expensive, temporary staffing (locum tenens).High Costs and Inflation: In 2025, total hospital expenses grew 7.5%, outpacing revenue growth, with supply costs rising by 9.9% and drug costs by 13.6%.Administrative Burden: Hospitals spent $43 billion in 2025 on costs related to prior authorization and insurer claim denials.Supply Chain Disruptions: Over 20% of essential medical supplies experienced high scarcity rates, leading to daily challenges in sourcing critical items.Infrastructure Issues: Aging facilities require costly repairs, contributing to closures, particularly for independent and rural hospitals. Service and Patient Care Impacts:Increased Demand for High-Acuity Care: Hospitals are managing a higher volume of sicker patients, causing capacity issues.Emergency Overcrowding: Closures of nearby hospitals or specific departments (e.g., obstetrics) are causing overcrowding and longer travel times for care.Technology Failures: Increased reliance on digital systems has led to severe disruptions, such as major software outages affecting multiple hospital systems.Cybersecurity Threats: Over 180 ransomware attacks hit healthcare providers in 2024, costing nearly $900,000 on average to resolve. Strategies for Mitigation:

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U.S. hospitals are currently facing a “perfect storm” of financial and operational pressures as of March 2026. Data from the American Hospital Association (AHA) indicates that hospital expenses grew by 7.5% in 2025, more than double the growth rate of hospital prices. 

Critical Financial PressuresReimbursement Shortfalls: Hospitals are frequently losing money on essential services. Approximately 56% of hospital costs are tied to service lines—such as behavioral health, obstetrics, and burn care—where reimbursement fails to cover the cost of care.Government Underpayment: Medicare and Medicaid underpaid hospitals by an estimated $130 billion in 2023. Medicare currently pays roughly 82–83 cents for every dollar spent on patient care.Insurance Administrative Burden: Hospitals spent $43 billion in 2025 alone trying to collect payments from insurers for care already delivered. Commercial insurer practices, including frequent claim denials and excessive prior authorization requests, have increased “friction costs” significantly. 

Operational and Workforce ChallengesWorkforce Shortages and Costs: Labor remains the largest expense, accounting for roughly 60% of hospital budgets. Hospitals face critical shortages of nurses and physicians, fueled by burnout and an aging workforce.Rising Input Costs: In 2025, spending on drugs increased by 13.6% and supplies by 9.9%. Drug shortages have reached a decade-high, adding up to 20% to hospital drug budgets as they scramble for alternatives.Aging Infrastructure: The “average age of plant” has increased by over 10% in recent years, indicating that many hospitals lack the capital to reinvest in critical facility upgrades and new medical technology. 

Service and Infrastructure RisksCybersecurity Threats: Hospitals have become prime targets for ransomware, with attacks rising nearly 50% between 2022 and 2023. The 2024 Change Healthcare attack highlighted how a single breach can paralyze revenue cycles and patient care nationwide.Hospital Closures: Between 2010 and 2023, 300 hospitals closed, with rural areas hit particularly hard. Many remaining facilities, especially in states like Colorado, are operating with “unsustainable” margins below the 4% required for long-term survival.Increased Patient Complexity: Hospitals are treating more patients (up 5.3% in 2025) who are increasingly sicker and medically complex, requiring more intensive staffing and resources per case. 

Would you like to focus on the specific challenges facing rural versus urban hospitals, or see more details on cybersecurity impacts?

https://www.google.com/search?q=hospital+closures+on+mexico+bordars+in+the+us+and+why&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS706US709&oq=hospital+closures+on+mexico+bordars+in+the+us+and+why&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgcIAhAhGKsCMgcIAxAhGI8C0gEKMjE5MjRqMWoxNagCCLACAfEFHqZIVm_78Sw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Hospital closures and service reductions along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, are part of a broader, accelerating national crisis affecting rural and underfunded healthcare facilities. As of 2025, over 40% of rural hospitals are considered at risk of closure due to financial insolvency, with Texas having the highest number of such closures in the nation. 

Primary Reasons for Border Hospital ClosuresBorder hospitals face a unique combination of financial and demographic pressures, exacerbating the typical causes of rural hospital closures: Financial Instability and Low Reimbursement: Border hospitals often serve high-poverty, uninsured, or Medicaid-dependent populations. Low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid, combined with a high volume of uncompensated care (care provided without payment), create unsustainable financial losses.High Uncompensated Care Costs: Hospitals in the region bear the burden of treating uninsured patients, including migrants and residents without coverage, which has been described as a major contributor to financial stress.Operational Strain from Migrant Influx: The surge in migration has put immense, sometimes overwhelming, pressure on already limited staff and resources, particularly in emergency departments.Traumatic Injuries from Border Wall Falls: Increased height of border fencing (up to 30 feet) has resulted in a5-fold increase in severe trauma injuries, such as falls, placing a significant, high-cost burden on border-serving hospital trauma units.Proposed Funding Cuts (2025-2026): Proposed federal “Big Beautiful Bill” cuts to Medicaid, which accounts for up to 30% of revenue for some hospitals in New Mexico, threaten to trigger a “domino effect” of closures.Staffing Shortages: Border areas often struggle with a poor ratio of patients to providers, making it difficult to maintain services. 

Key Affected Areas and TrendsTexas: Texas leads the nation in rural hospital closures, with 15 specific rural hospitals identified as at-risk of closing in 2025 due to Medicaid cuts.New Mexico: Hospitals in northern New Mexico face closure risks due to high Medicaid reliance, with significant cuts threatening to shutter services.Arizona: Rural Arizona hospitals are facing closures or the elimination of labor and delivery units, with more anticipated in 2025 than in 2024. 

Impact on Border CommunitiesThe closure of these institutions has profound consequences, including:Loss of Essential Services: Residents lose access to emergency care, maternity wards, and intensive care units.Increased Travel Distances: The median distance to access hospital care has increased significantly (sometimes up to 40 miles) for residents in affected areas.Economic Decline: Hospitals are often the largest employers in small communities; their closure leads to job losses, which in turn erodes the local tax base, impacting school and other public services.Reduced Public Safety: The loss of ER services means longer waits for emergency medical services (EMS) and limited access to trauma care for both residents and migrants. 

While some urban areas have seen closed hospitals converted into outpatient facilities, rural border hospitals frequently shut down entirely___________________

While there has not been a single, mass “border-wide” shutdown of all medical facilities, hospitals in U.S. border regions—particularly in 

Texas, New Mexico, and California—are currently facing a critical wave of closures and financial instability in 2025 and 2026. This is primarily due to a combination of rising uncompensated care costs from border-related injuries and major federal funding shifts. 

Recent Closures and Facilities at RiskGlenn Medical Center (California): This facility, located in a rural area near the border, announced plans to close its emergency department and hospital services in late 2025.Taos Holy Cross Medical Center (New Mexico): Serving approximately 50,000 residents, this hospital has warned of potential closure due to anticipated federal reimbursement cuts.Palo Verde Hospital (California): Located in Blythe, this facility faced a severe financial crisis in late 2025, with negative cash flows of $1 million per month leading to a potential sale or shutdown.Texas Rural Hospitals: Over 76 rural hospitals in Texas are currently on “life support,” with several at immediate risk of closing within the next two to three years. 

Why These Hospitals Are ClosingSurging Emergency Costs from Border Infrastructure:

Federal Funding Cuts:

The “Uncompensated Care” Gap:

Workforce and Operational Struggles:

Impact on Border CommunitiesWhen these hospitals close, residents often face ambulance rides of 40 miles or more to reach the next nearest emergency room. This has led to specialized “maternity deserts” along the border, where nearly one-third of counties lack any obstetric providers. 

Would you like to see a map of specific hospital risks in a particular border state like Texas or Arizona?_____________________
Advocate in CO

https://www.google.com/search?q=Health+care+Advocate+in+Colorado+procedure&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS706US709&oq=Health+care+Advocate+in+Colorado+procedure&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRiPAtIBCjE4MjA1ajFqMTWoAgywAgHxBXo32MAKOkQz&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

A health care advocate in Colorado, often designated via a Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA), must be over 18, willing to serve, and able to make decisions based on your wishes. The procedure involves selecting an agent, filling out a Colorado-specific form (no notary or witnesses required for the standard MDPOA, though recommended), and distributing copies to providers. Steps to Appoint a Health Care Agent in ColoradoSelect an Agent: Choose someone over 18 who is willing to manage your medical care and communicate with doctors if you become incapacitated.Complete the Form: Utilize the Colorado Medical Durable Power of Attorney form to formally name your agent.Sign the Document: The form should be signed, and while not legally required, it is highly recommended to have it notarized for validity.Distribute Copies: Provide copies to your chosen agent, family members, and all healthcare providers.Understand Authority: The agent can access records, consult doctors, and make treatment/placement decisions based on your stated wishes. Additional InformationAlternative Options: You can use the “Easy to Read Colorado Advance Health Care Directive” to combine a medical decision-maker with specific end-of-life care instructions.Other Documents: Consider a Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) form for serious illnesses, which requires a physician’s signature.Mental Health: Colorado has a specific process for a Psychiatric Advance Directive.Assistance: Organizations like the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition can assist with advocacy. For legal, professional advocates, it is advised to have a signed contract detailing specific services, fees, and availability.

Show topic for 3-11-26 “Falling and Exercise Injury Prevention”

Falls are extremely common, especially among adults 65 and older, with 1 in 4 (about 3 million+ annually) falling each year in the U.S.. These incidents lead to 3 million emergency room visits, 1 million hospitalizations, and over 41,000 deaths annually. Key causes include weak legs, vitamin D deficiency, medications, and home hazard.Preventing falls and injuries involves a combination of removing home hazards, maintaining physical strength, and managing health factors. 

Key actions include clearing walkways, improving lighting, wearing sturdy shoes, and exercising to enhance balance. Falls are not an inevitable part of aging and can be prevented.  

Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic  says 

Home Safety Measures (Room-by-Room) Floors & Walkways: Remove rugs, papers, electrical cords, and clutter. Ensure carpets are secured with tape or, preferably, removed. 

Lighting: Increase lighting, use nightlights in bedrooms/bathrooms, and place lamps near beds. Ensure stairways are well-lit. Bathroom: 

Install grab bars in the tub and shower, and use non-slip mats. Kitchen: Store frequently used items at waist level to avoid using step stools. Stairs: Ensure handrails are on both sides of the staircase and are secure.  

 Physical Health and Prevention Exercise for Balance/Strength: Engage in activities that improve balance and leg strength, such as tai chi, yoga, or walking. 

Medical Reviews: Have doctors review medications to check for side effects that cause dizziness, such as sleepiness or low blood pressure. 

Vision and Hearing Checks: Get vision checked annually to ensure glasses are up to date, as poor eyesight increases fall risks. 

Footwear: Wear properly fitting, low-heeled shoes with non-slip rubber soles, both inside and outside the home. Behavioral Changes: Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, and avoid walking in socks or loose slippers.

Exercise

To prevent workout injuries, always start with a 5-10 minute warm-up, maintain proper form by using mirrors or a trainer, and gradually increase intensity (maximum 10% per week). Listen to your body to avoid overtraining, stay hydrated, use appropriate footwear, and include rest days. 

 MedlinePlus says

Key Safety Guidelines 

Warm Up & Cool Down: Spend 5-10 minutes warming up (e.g., light jogging, jumping jacks) and cooling down (stretching) to prepare muscles and aid recovery. Master Form: Proper technique is critical; use mirrors to check your posture or consult a trainer to avoid improper, dangerous movement. 

Progress Slowly: Avoid “too much, too soon.” Gradually increase weight, frequency, or intensity by no more than 10% per week. Listen to Your Body: Do not exercise through sharp pain. Distinguish between muscle soreness and injury-related pain, and rest if you feel pain or are excessively tired.

 Use Proper Equipment: Wear well-fitting shoes and ensure gym equipment is used correctly. Include Rest and Variation: Schedule rest days to prevent overtraining and swap exercises to prevent repetitive strain. 

Specific Preventative Actions Breathing: Do not hold your breath; exhale during the most difficult part of the movement. Hydration: Drink enough water to prevent cramps and dizziness. 

Load Management: Avoid “ego lifting”—using weights that are too heavy for your current strength level. 

Safety Setup: When adding plates to a barbell, load one side at a time to prevent it from tipping. Active Rest: On off days, engage in light activity like walking or stretching to help muscles recover.

Talk to you soon!

  ! Dean !

Show topic for 3-11-26 “Falling and Exercise Injury Prevention”

Falls are extremely common, especially among adults 65 and older, with 1 in 4 (about 3 million+ annually) falling each year in the U.S.. These incidents lead to 3 million emergency room visits, 1 million hospitalizations, and over 41,000 deaths annually. Key causes include weak legs, vitamin D deficiency, medications, and home hazard.Preventing falls and injuries involves a combination of removing home hazards, maintaining physical strength, and managing health factors. 

Key actions include clearing walkways, improving lighting, wearing sturdy shoes, and exercising to enhance balance. Falls are not an inevitable part of aging and can be prevented.  

Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic  says 

Home Safety Measures (Room-by-Room) Floors & Walkways: Remove rugs, papers, electrical cords, and clutter. Ensure carpets are secured with tape or, preferably, removed. 

Lighting: Increase lighting, use nightlights in bedrooms/bathrooms, and place lamps near beds. Ensure stairways are well-lit. Bathroom: 

Install grab bars in the tub and shower, and use non-slip mats. Kitchen: Store frequently used items at waist level to avoid using step stools. Stairs: Ensure handrails are on both sides of the staircase and are secure.  

 Physical Health and Prevention Exercise for Balance/Strength: Engage in activities that improve balance and leg strength, such as tai chi, yoga, or walking. 

Medical Reviews: Have doctors review medications to check for side effects that cause dizziness, such as sleepiness or low blood pressure. 

Vision and Hearing Checks: Get vision checked annually to ensure glasses are up to date, as poor eyesight increases fall risks. 

Footwear: Wear properly fitting, low-heeled shoes with non-slip rubber soles, both inside and outside the home. Behavioral Changes: Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, and avoid walking in socks or loose slippers.

Exercise

To prevent workout injuries, always start with a 5-10 minute warm-up, maintain proper form by using mirrors or a trainer, and gradually increase intensity (maximum 10% per week). Listen to your body to avoid overtraining, stay hydrated, use appropriate footwear, and include rest days. 

 MedlinePlus says

Key Safety Guidelines 

Warm Up & Cool Down: Spend 5-10 minutes warming up (e.g., light jogging, jumping jacks) and cooling down (stretching) to prepare muscles and aid recovery. Master Form: Proper technique is critical; use mirrors to check your posture or consult a trainer to avoid improper, dangerous movement. 

Progress Slowly: Avoid “too much, too soon.” Gradually increase weight, frequency, or intensity by no more than 10% per week. Listen to Your Body: Do not exercise through sharp pain. Distinguish between muscle soreness and injury-related pain, and rest if you feel pain or are excessively tired.

 Use Proper Equipment: Wear well-fitting shoes and ensure gym equipment is used correctly. Include Rest and Variation: Schedule rest days to prevent overtraining and swap exercises to prevent repetitive strain. 

Specific Preventative Actions Breathing: Do not hold your breath; exhale during the most difficult part of the movement. Hydration: Drink enough water to prevent cramps and dizziness. 

Load Management: Avoid “ego lifting”—using weights that are too heavy for your current strength level. 

Safety Setup: When adding plates to a barbell, load one side at a time to prevent it from tipping. Active Rest: On off days, engage in light activity like walking or stretching to help muscles recover.

Talk to you soon!

  ! Dean !

The 5 Tastes of Life..show for 3-4-26

Five basic tastes that human tongues can perceive: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). While these are the established basics, researchers are investigating others, such as a potential sixth taste for ammonium chloride

Chinese medicine 5 tastes   AI Mode All Shopping Images Videos Forums Short videos More Tools These are results for chinese medicine 5 tastes Search instead for chinese medicine 5 tastes AI Overview Five Flavours In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the five tastes—sour, bitter, sweet, pungent (spicy), and salty—are used to classify foods and herbs based on their energetic effects on specific organs and body systems, rather than just flavor. These tastes are associated with the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and are used to balance Qi, Yin, and Yang to promote health and healing.  

The Five Tastes and Their Functions 

Sour (Wood): Associated with the Liver and Gallbladder, sour foods (e.g., lemon, vinegar, plum) have an astringent effect, helping to restrain, conserve, and “hold in” fluids or qi. 

Bitter (Fire): Associated with the Heart and Small Intestine, bitter foods (e.g., dandelion greens, kale, coffee) clear heat, reduce inflammation, drain fire, and dry dampness. 

Sweet (Earth): Associated with the Spleen and Stomach, sweet foods (e.g., grains, legumes, root vegetables) tonify, nourish, moisten, and harmonize the body. 

Pungent/Spicy (Metal): Associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, pungent foods (e.g., ginger, garlic, onion) disperse, move qi and blood, and expel cold or exterior pathogens. 

Salty (Water): Associated with the Kidneys and Bladder, salty foods (e.g., seaweeds, miso, shellfish) soften hardness, dissolve nodules, and moisten dryness.

Taste disorders range from reduced (hypogeusia) or lost taste (ageusia) to distorted sensations (dysgeusia) like metallic or foul tastes. 

Common causes include medications, aging, infections (COVID-19), smoking, and neurological conditions. Treatments include addressing underlying causes, medication changes, and improved oral hygiene, often improving with time.  

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov)  +4 Classification and Symptoms Ageusia: Complete loss of taste. Hypogeusia: Reduced ability to taste, specifically sweet, sour, bitter, or salty, often occurring with age. Dysgeusia: A lingering foul, rancid, or metallic taste, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation (burning mouth syndrome). Phantom Taste Perception: A lingering, unpleasant taste despite nothing being in the mouth.  

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov)  +3 Common Causes and Risk Factors Medications: Over 50% of taste disorders are linked to prescribed drugs. Infections: Viruses like COVID-19 and upper respiratory infections. 

Neurological/Medical: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, and kidney disease. Oral Health: Poor hygiene, smoking, gum disease, or dry mouth.

Talk to ya soon!

    ! Dean !

The 5 Tastes of Life..show for 3-4-26

Five basic tastes that human tongues can perceive: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). While these are the established basics, researchers are investigating others, such as a potential sixth taste for ammonium chloride

Chinese medicine 5 tastes   AI Mode All Shopping Images Videos Forums Short videos More Tools These are results for chinese medicine 5 tastes Search instead for chinese medicine 5 tastes AI Overview Five Flavours In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the five tastes—sour, bitter, sweet, pungent (spicy), and salty—are used to classify foods and herbs based on their energetic effects on specific organs and body systems, rather than just flavor. These tastes are associated with the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and are used to balance Qi, Yin, and Yang to promote health and healing.  

The Five Tastes and Their Functions 

Sour (Wood): Associated with the Liver and Gallbladder, sour foods (e.g., lemon, vinegar, plum) have an astringent effect, helping to restrain, conserve, and “hold in” fluids or qi. 

Bitter (Fire): Associated with the Heart and Small Intestine, bitter foods (e.g., dandelion greens, kale, coffee) clear heat, reduce inflammation, drain fire, and dry dampness. 

Sweet (Earth): Associated with the Spleen and Stomach, sweet foods (e.g., grains, legumes, root vegetables) tonify, nourish, moisten, and harmonize the body. 

Pungent/Spicy (Metal): Associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, pungent foods (e.g., ginger, garlic, onion) disperse, move qi and blood, and expel cold or exterior pathogens. 

Salty (Water): Associated with the Kidneys and Bladder, salty foods (e.g., seaweeds, miso, shellfish) soften hardness, dissolve nodules, and moisten dryness.

Taste disorders range from reduced (hypogeusia) or lost taste (ageusia) to distorted sensations (dysgeusia) like metallic or foul tastes. 

Common causes include medications, aging, infections (COVID-19), smoking, and neurological conditions. Treatments include addressing underlying causes, medication changes, and improved oral hygiene, often improving with time.  

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov)  +4 Classification and Symptoms Ageusia: Complete loss of taste. Hypogeusia: Reduced ability to taste, specifically sweet, sour, bitter, or salty, often occurring with age. Dysgeusia: A lingering foul, rancid, or metallic taste, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation (burning mouth syndrome). Phantom Taste Perception: A lingering, unpleasant taste despite nothing being in the mouth.  

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (.gov)  +3 Common Causes and Risk Factors Medications: Over 50% of taste disorders are linked to prescribed drugs. Infections: Viruses like COVID-19 and upper respiratory infections. 

Neurological/Medical: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, and kidney disease. Oral Health: Poor hygiene, smoking, gum disease, or dry mouth.

Talk to ya soon!

    ! Dean !

Being Touched” .. Show for 2-25-26

“Being touched” primarily means feeling emotionally moved or affected by something, such as gratitude or sympathy. 

Alternatively, it can mean having come into physical contact with someone or something, or it may be used as an older, informal term for being slightly mentally unbalanced or eccentric (“touched in the head”).  Merriam-Webster Dictionary Merriam-Webster 

Emotional Significance: When someone says “I am touched,” they mean they are emotionally moved, grateful, or deeply affected by a gesture or kindness. Physical Contact: “Being touched” refers to the literal action of being contacted, grazed, or handled. Alternative/Older Definition: The term “touched” can describe someone who is considered slightly mad, eccentric, or unconventionalTouch anatomy involves a complex network of cutaneous low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMs) within the skin that detect, convert, and transmit tactile, thermal, and pain stimuli to the brain. These receptors include Meissner’s, Pacinian, and Merkel disks, which send signals via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and on to the somatosensory cortex for interpretation.  National Institutes of Health 

Key Components of the Touch System: Skin Layers: Receptors are located in the epidermis (outermost), dermis (middle), and hypodermis (deepest). Touch Receptors (Mechanoreceptors): Meissner’s Corpuscles: Detect light touch, vibrations, and texture. Pacinian Corpuscles: Detect deep pressure and high-frequency vibration. 

Physical diseases transmitted by touch include:

Skin-to-skin infections (viral warts, herpes), parasites (scabies), fungi (ringworm, athlete’s foot), and bacterial infections like impetigo. Other diseases, such as tetanus or rabies, are transmitted through skin punctures. Additionally, lack of touch (touch starvation) causes stress, high blood pressure, and immune system issues.  WebMD WebMD  +2 Diseases Spread by Touch (Direct/Indirect Contact)  Skin-to-Skin Infections: Viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, and herpes simplex. Fungal Infections: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. Bacterial Infections: Impetigo and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Parasitic Diseases: Scabies, which burrow under the skin. Respiratory Illnesses: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can spread through touching contaminated surfaces.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) 

 Diseases Transmitted via Skin Puncture  

Tetanus: Caused by bacteria entering through wounds, often from soil or rust. Rabies: Transmitted through saliva via animal bites or scratches.  Gresham College Gresham College  +4 Conditions Affecting the Sense of Touch Allodynia: A condition where non-painful stimuli, like light touch or brushing hair, causes pain. Dysesthesia: An abnormal, often painful sensation of touch, sometimes feeling like bugs crawling on the skin (formication). Hypoesthesia: Reduced sensitivity or numbness to touch.  NIH News in Health (.gov) NIH News in Health (.gov)  +4 Effects of “Touch Starvation” (Lack of Physical Touch) A lack of human contact can lead to significant physical and mental health issues:  WebMD WebMD  +1 Increased cortisol levels, causing stress and anxiety. Higher heart rate and blood pressure. Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections. Sleep disturbances and fatigue.  

WebMD WebMD  +1

Merkel Disks: Detect sustained pressure and fine textures. Ruffini Endings: Detect skin stretch and sustained pressure. Free Nerve Endings: Detect pain, temperature (hot/cold), and light touch. Neural Pathways: Stimuli are converted into action potentials and carried by peripheral nerves to the spinal cord (dorsal root ganglion), then through the spinal nerves to the brainstem and the somatosensory cortex in the brain. Sensory Processing: The somatosensory cortex, arranged as a topographic map, interprets these signals, with more sensitive areas (lips, fingertips) having higher receptor density. Adaptation: Receptors can be rapidly adapting (detecting movement) or slowly adapting (detecting shape/size)

Synesthesia is a harmless, usually genetic, neurological trait where stimulation of one sense (e.g., hearing sound) involuntarily triggers experiences in another (e.g., seeing color), affecting 2%–4% of the population. Common symptoms include seeing letters/numbers in specific colors, hearing music in colors, or tasting words. It is not treated as a disorder; many enjoy this unique perception, though it can sometimes feel isolating.  Wikipedia Wikipedia  +6 Key Aspects of Synesthesia Symptoms: Involuntary, consistent, and automatic sensory experiences. Common examples include grapheme-color synesthesia (letters/numbers have colors) and chromesthesia (sounds trigger colors or shapes). Causes: It is a neurological, often genetic condition. It involves increased connectivity between brain regions that are usually separate, causing cross-activation during sensory processing. Types: There are over 35 known types, including sound-to-taste (lexical-gustatory), spatial sequence (seeing time or numbers in physical space), and color-hearing. Daily Life: Most synesthetes find their experiences to be a neutral, or even positive, aspect of life that aids memory and creativity. However, it can sometimes be overwhelming or cause confusion if their perceptions differ from others. Treatment: No treatment is required or standard, as it is considered a difference in processing rather than a disease. 

Common Types and Experiences Grapheme-color synesthesia: The most common form, where letters and numbers are shaded with specific, consistent colors. Sound-to-color (Chromesthesia): Sounds, music, or voices may evoke colors, shapes, or movements. Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: Words or sounds produce distinct tastes or textures in the mouth. Spatial Sequence: Calendars, months, or numbers are perceived as having a specific, fixed location in physical space.  Reddit Reddit  +5 Many synesthetes report that their experiences are consistent over their lifetime, and the associations are involuntary.

Talk soon

 ! Dean !

“Being Touched” .. Show for 2-25-26

“Being touched” primarily means feeling emotionally moved or affected by something, such as gratitude or sympathy. 

Alternatively, it can mean having come into physical contact with someone or something, or it may be used as an older, informal term for being slightly mentally unbalanced or eccentric (“touched in the head”).  Merriam-Webster Dictionary Merriam-Webster 

Emotional Significance: When someone says “I am touched,” they mean they are emotionally moved, grateful, or deeply affected by a gesture or kindness. Physical Contact: “Being touched” refers to the literal action of being contacted, grazed, or handled. Alternative/Older Definition: The term “touched” can describe someone who is considered slightly mad, eccentric, or unconventionalTouch anatomy involves a complex network of cutaneous low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMs) within the skin that detect, convert, and transmit tactile, thermal, and pain stimuli to the brain. These receptors include Meissner’s, Pacinian, and Merkel disks, which send signals via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and on to the somatosensory cortex for interpretation.  National Institutes of Health 

Key Components of the Touch System: Skin Layers: Receptors are located in the epidermis (outermost), dermis (middle), and hypodermis (deepest). Touch Receptors (Mechanoreceptors): Meissner’s Corpuscles: Detect light touch, vibrations, and texture. Pacinian Corpuscles: Detect deep pressure and high-frequency vibration. 

Physical diseases transmitted by touch include:

Skin-to-skin infections (viral warts, herpes), parasites (scabies), fungi (ringworm, athlete’s foot), and bacterial infections like impetigo. Other diseases, such as tetanus or rabies, are transmitted through skin punctures. Additionally, lack of touch (touch starvation) causes stress, high blood pressure, and immune system issues.  WebMD WebMD  +2 Diseases Spread by Touch (Direct/Indirect Contact)  Skin-to-Skin Infections: Viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, and herpes simplex. Fungal Infections: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. Bacterial Infections: Impetigo and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Parasitic Diseases: Scabies, which burrow under the skin. Respiratory Illnesses: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can spread through touching contaminated surfaces.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) 

 Diseases Transmitted via Skin Puncture  

Tetanus: Caused by bacteria entering through wounds, often from soil or rust. Rabies: Transmitted through saliva via animal bites or scratches.  Gresham College Gresham College  +4 Conditions Affecting the Sense of Touch Allodynia: A condition where non-painful stimuli, like light touch or brushing hair, causes pain. Dysesthesia: An abnormal, often painful sensation of touch, sometimes feeling like bugs crawling on the skin (formication). Hypoesthesia: Reduced sensitivity or numbness to touch.  NIH News in Health (.gov) NIH News in Health (.gov)  +4 Effects of “Touch Starvation” (Lack of Physical Touch) A lack of human contact can lead to significant physical and mental health issues:  WebMD WebMD  +1 Increased cortisol levels, causing stress and anxiety. Higher heart rate and blood pressure. Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections. Sleep disturbances and fatigue.  

WebMD WebMD  +1

Merkel Disks: Detect sustained pressure and fine textures. Ruffini Endings: Detect skin stretch and sustained pressure. Free Nerve Endings: Detect pain, temperature (hot/cold), and light touch. Neural Pathways: Stimuli are converted into action potentials and carried by peripheral nerves to the spinal cord (dorsal root ganglion), then through the spinal nerves to the brainstem and the somatosensory cortex in the brain. Sensory Processing: The somatosensory cortex, arranged as a topographic map, interprets these signals, with more sensitive areas (lips, fingertips) having higher receptor density. Adaptation: Receptors can be rapidly adapting (detecting movement) or slowly adapting (detecting shape/size)

Synesthesia is a harmless, usually genetic, neurological trait where stimulation of one sense (e.g., hearing sound) involuntarily triggers experiences in another (e.g., seeing color), affecting 2%–4% of the population. Common symptoms include seeing letters/numbers in specific colors, hearing music in colors, or tasting words. It is not treated as a disorder; many enjoy this unique perception, though it can sometimes feel isolating.  Wikipedia Wikipedia  +6 Key Aspects of Synesthesia Symptoms: Involuntary, consistent, and automatic sensory experiences. Common examples include grapheme-color synesthesia (letters/numbers have colors) and chromesthesia (sounds trigger colors or shapes). Causes: It is a neurological, often genetic condition. It involves increased connectivity between brain regions that are usually separate, causing cross-activation during sensory processing. Types: There are over 35 known types, including sound-to-taste (lexical-gustatory), spatial sequence (seeing time or numbers in physical space), and color-hearing. Daily Life: Most synesthetes find their experiences to be a neutral, or even positive, aspect of life that aids memory and creativity. However, it can sometimes be overwhelming or cause confusion if their perceptions differ from others. Treatment: No treatment is required or standard, as it is considered a difference in processing rather than a disease. 

Common Types and Experiences Grapheme-color synesthesia: The most common form, where letters and numbers are shaded with specific, consistent colors. Sound-to-color (Chromesthesia): Sounds, music, or voices may evoke colors, shapes, or movements. Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: Words or sounds produce distinct tastes or textures in the mouth. Spatial Sequence: Calendars, months, or numbers are perceived as having a specific, fixed location in physical space.  Reddit Reddit  +5 Many synesthetes report that their experiences are consistent over their lifetime, and the associations are involuntary.

Talk soon

 ! Dean !

Show notes 2-18-26 “Looking out for the Eyes” 

Eye Anatomy

The Front of the Eye Light is focused into the eye through the clear, dome-shaped front portion of the eye called the cornea.  Behind the cornea is a fluid-filled space called the anterior chamber. The fluid is called aqueous humor. The eye is always producing aqueous humor. To maintain a constant eye pressure, aqueous humor also drains from the eye in an area called the drainage angle.

Parts of the Eye Outside the Eyeball The eye sits in a protective bony socket called the orbit. Six extraocular muscles in the orbit are attached to the eye. These muscles move the eye up and down, side to side, and rotate the eye.  The extraocular muscles are attached to the white part of the eye called the sclera. This is a strong layer of tissue that covers nearly the entire surface of the eyeball.

The Surface of the Eye The surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelidsare covered with a clear membrane called the conjunctiva.

The layers of the tear film keep the front of the eye lubricated. Tears lubricate the eye and are made up of three layers. These three layers together are called the tear film. The mucous layer is made by the conjunctiva. The watery part of the tears is made by the lacrimal gland. The eye’s lacrimal gland sits under the outside edge of the eyebrow (away from the nose) in the orbit. The meibomian gland makes the oil that becomes another part of the tear film. Tears drain from the eye through the tear duct.

Behind the anterior chamber is the eye’s iris (the colored part of the eye) and the dark hole in the middle called the pupil. Muscles in the iris dilate (widen) or constrict (narrow) the pupil to control the amount of light reaching the back of the eye.  Directly behind the pupil sits the lens. The lens focuses light toward the back of the eye. The lens changes shape to help the eye focus on objects up close. Small fibers called zonules are attached to the capsule holding the lens, suspending it from the eye wall. The lens is surrounded by the lens capsule, which is left in place when the lens is removed during cataract surgery. Some types of replacement intraocular lenses go inside the capsule, where the natural lens was.  By helping to focus light as it enters the eye, the cornea and the lens both play important roles in giving us clear vision. In fact, 70% of the eye’s focusing power comes from the cornea and 30% from the lens.

The Back of the Eye The vitreous cavity lies between the lens and the back of the eye. A jellylike substance called vitreous humor fills the cavity.  Light that is focused into the eye by the cornea and lens passes through the vitreous onto the retina — the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.  A tiny but very specialized area of the retina called the macula is responsible for giving us our detailed, central vision. The other part of the retina, the peripheral retina, provides us with our peripheral (side) vision.

The retina has special cells called photoreceptors. These cells change light into energy that is transmitted to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rods perceive black and white, and enable night vision. Cones perceive color, and provide central (detail) vision.  The retina sends light as electrical impulses through the optic nerve to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of millions of nerve fibers that transmit these impulses to the visual cortex — the part of the brain responsible for our sight.

Common eye conditions range from refractive errors (myopia, astigmatism) to age-related diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, often causing blurred vision, pain, or vision loss. Common causes include genetics, aging, diabetes, and infections. Diagnosis involves comprehensive, dilated eye exams, with treatments ranging from glasses and eye drops to surgery, depending on the condition.  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov) Common Eye Conditions and Disorders Refractive Errors: Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related close-up vision loss). Age-Related Conditions: Cataracts (cloudy lens), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and dry eye. Chronic/Serious Conditions: Glaucoma (optic nerve damage), Diabetic Retinopathy (leading cause of blindness in working-age adults), and retinal detachment. Infections/Inflammation: Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids), and corneal diseases. Functional Issues: Amblyopia (lazy eye) and Strabismus (crossed eyes).  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov)  +1 Common Symptoms Vision Changes: Blurry, double, or dimmed vision, and loss of central vision. Physical Changes: Redness, inflammation, itching, or swelling of the eyelid. Sensory Changes: Eye pain, light sensitivity, flashes of light, and floaters.  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov)  +2 Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis: Primarily through comprehensive, dilated eye exams to detect disease early. Treatment: Refractive Errors: Corrective lenses (eyeglasses, contacts) or refractive surgery. Cataracts/Retinal Issues: Surgical interventions, such as cataract removal. Glaucoma/Dry Eye: Prescription eye drops, lasers, or, in severe cases, surgery to manage pressure or inflammation.

Talk to ya soon!

     ! Dean !

Show notes 2-18-26 “Looking out for the Eyes”

Eye Anatomy

The Front of the Eye Light is focused into the eye through the clear, dome-shaped front portion of the eye called the cornea.  Behind the cornea is a fluid-filled space called the anterior chamber. The fluid is called aqueous humor. The eye is always producing aqueous humor. To maintain a constant eye pressure, aqueous humor also drains from the eye in an area called the drainage angle.

Parts of the Eye Outside the Eyeball The eye sits in a protective bony socket called the orbit. Six extraocular muscles in the orbit are attached to the eye. These muscles move the eye up and down, side to side, and rotate the eye.  The extraocular muscles are attached to the white part of the eye called the sclera. This is a strong layer of tissue that covers nearly the entire surface of the eyeball.

The Surface of the Eye The surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelidsare covered with a clear membrane called the conjunctiva.

The layers of the tear film keep the front of the eye lubricated. Tears lubricate the eye and are made up of three layers. These three layers together are called the tear film. The mucous layer is made by the conjunctiva. The watery part of the tears is made by the lacrimal gland. The eye’s lacrimal gland sits under the outside edge of the eyebrow (away from the nose) in the orbit. The meibomian gland makes the oil that becomes another part of the tear film. Tears drain from the eye through the tear duct.

Behind the anterior chamber is the eye’s iris (the colored part of the eye) and the dark hole in the middle called the pupil. Muscles in the iris dilate (widen) or constrict (narrow) the pupil to control the amount of light reaching the back of the eye.  Directly behind the pupil sits the lens. The lens focuses light toward the back of the eye. The lens changes shape to help the eye focus on objects up close. Small fibers called zonules are attached to the capsule holding the lens, suspending it from the eye wall. The lens is surrounded by the lens capsule, which is left in place when the lens is removed during cataract surgery. Some types of replacement intraocular lenses go inside the capsule, where the natural lens was.  By helping to focus light as it enters the eye, the cornea and the lens both play important roles in giving us clear vision. In fact, 70% of the eye’s focusing power comes from the cornea and 30% from the lens.

The Back of the Eye The vitreous cavity lies between the lens and the back of the eye. A jellylike substance called vitreous humor fills the cavity.  Light that is focused into the eye by the cornea and lens passes through the vitreous onto the retina — the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.  A tiny but very specialized area of the retina called the macula is responsible for giving us our detailed, central vision. The other part of the retina, the peripheral retina, provides us with our peripheral (side) vision.

The retina has special cells called photoreceptors. These cells change light into energy that is transmitted to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rods perceive black and white, and enable night vision. Cones perceive color, and provide central (detail) vision.  The retina sends light as electrical impulses through the optic nerve to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of millions of nerve fibers that transmit these impulses to the visual cortex — the part of the brain responsible for our sight.

Common eye conditions range from refractive errors (myopia, astigmatism) to age-related diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, often causing blurred vision, pain, or vision loss. Common causes include genetics, aging, diabetes, and infections. Diagnosis involves comprehensive, dilated eye exams, with treatments ranging from glasses and eye drops to surgery, depending on the condition.  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov) Common Eye Conditions and Disorders Refractive Errors: Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related close-up vision loss). Age-Related Conditions: Cataracts (cloudy lens), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and dry eye. Chronic/Serious Conditions: Glaucoma (optic nerve damage), Diabetic Retinopathy (leading cause of blindness in working-age adults), and retinal detachment. Infections/Inflammation: Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids), and corneal diseases. Functional Issues: Amblyopia (lazy eye) and Strabismus (crossed eyes).  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov)  +1 Common Symptoms Vision Changes: Blurry, double, or dimmed vision, and loss of central vision. Physical Changes: Redness, inflammation, itching, or swelling of the eyelid. Sensory Changes: Eye pain, light sensitivity, flashes of light, and floaters.  National Eye Institute (.gov) National Eye Institute (.gov)  +2 Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis: Primarily through comprehensive, dilated eye exams to detect disease early. Treatment: Refractive Errors: Corrective lenses (eyeglasses, contacts) or refractive surgery. Cataracts/Retinal Issues: Surgical interventions, such as cataract removal. Glaucoma/Dry Eye: Prescription eye drops, lasers, or, in severe cases, surgery to manage pressure or inflammation.

Talk to ya soon!

     ! Dean !

The Nose Knows..show for 2-11-26

The nose’s main functions are breathing, smelling, and conditioning the air; it warms, humidifies, and filters inhaled air before it reaches the lungs, protects the respiratory system from pathogens, enables our sense of smell (which significantly impacts taste), and adds resonance to our voice, making it a vital part of the respiratory and sensory systems.

Nasal Conchae .

Bones, cartilages and mucosa with a focus on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. The nasal conchae (also known as turbinates) are bony plates located on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. There are three nasal conchae in each nasal cavity including the superior, middle and inferior nasal conchae.

Function . What is the function of the nose? AI Overview Nose and throat  The nose’s main functions are breathing, smelling, and conditioning the air; it warms, humidifies, and filters inhaled air before it reaches the lungs, protects the respiratory system from pathogens, enables our sense of smell (which significantly impacts taste), and adds resonance to our voice, making it a vital part of the respiratory and sensory systems.   

Air Treatment & Protection Filtering: Mucus and tiny hairs (cilia) trap dust, germs, and allergens, preventing them from entering the lungs.  Humidifying: The mucous membrane adds moisture to dry air, protecting the throat and airways.  Warming/Cooling: It adjusts the air’s temperature to body temperature, making it more comfortable for the lungs.  Defense: It produces immune substances (immunoglobulins) to fight inhaled bacteria and viruses.  Smell & Taste Olfaction: Specialized nerve cells in the upper nasal cavity detect odor molecules, giving us our sense of smell.  Flavor Perception: Smell is crucial for flavor; when you have a cold and can’t smell, food seems tasteless.  Other Functions Voice Resonance: The nasal passages and sinuses add tone and depth to your voice.  Breathing Pathway: It’s the primary entrance for air, ensuring proper oxygenation, especially during sleep when nasal breathing is superior to mouth breathing

Treatment:

Nasal Cavity . What is the nasal cavity? AI Overview Nose and throat | healthdirect The nasal cavity is the air-filled space inside your nose, divided into two passages by the nasal septum, that serves as the entrance to the respiratory system, filtering, warming, and humidifying inhaled air while housing the sense of smell. Lined with mucus and tiny hairs, it traps dust, warms and moistens air, and contains olfactory receptors for smell, directing air to the lungs and connecting to the throat (nasopharynx).

Structure & Location Location: Above the mouth’s roof, behind the nose, and connected to the nasopharynx at the back.  Division: A central wall (nasal septum) separates it into left and right passages (fossae).  Key Features: Includes scroll-like bones called turbinates (conchae) that increase surface area, and is surrounded by air-filled paranasal sinuses.

Functions Respiration: Filters large particles with hairs, warms air with blood vessels, and humidifies it with mucus.  Olfaction (Smell): Contains specialized nerve endings for detecting odors.  Immune Defense: Mucus traps pathogens, and the lining protects deeper respiratory structures.  Drainage: Allows drainage of mucus and secretions from sinuses.  Key Regions Nasal Vestibule: Just inside the nostril, lined with skin and coarse hairs.  Respiratory Region: The main area for conditioning air (warming, humidifying, filtering).  Olfactory Region: Located in the upper part, containing smell receptors (olfactory epithelium). 

Talk soon!

  ! Dean !