Amish's low asthma rates could be due to exposure to cow germs, study suggests
The Amish may be farming the cure for asthma in barnyard animals

Fascinating study. I hope that they can figure out the exact triggers and help with asthmatic cases.


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A pretty good commentary on dealing with chronic pain, though it's just touching on the edges:

8 Things to Remember If You Love Someone With Chronic Pain

kitarra said that I should write a book on this while I'm in-between jobs. We'll see. It probably won't happen, but it's something I've thought about.


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On one of the chronic pain forums I lurk on, someone posted pictures of a new advert campaign that London Drug is doing:

A Chair/A Chair to a Chronic Pain Sufferer
A Baby/A Baby to a Chronic Pain SuffererWhile I dismiss the assertion that any of their over the counter medications can do much for me/most chronic pain sufferers, the idea behind them ( Read more... )

The whole US is moving to ICD-10 billing Thursday (October 1st), and there's as much panic in the medical community as you can imagine. Aetna did some videos illustrating some of the oddest ICD10's out there (in their estimation). My favorite?

ICD-10 Cartoon: Hurt at Library (Y92.241)

What's your favorite?


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Things I hate:
1) My back, my knees, my shoulders, my big toes... basically every part of my body that can potentially throw out.
2) Narcotics. I do not enjoy being high as a kite, even if it does take away the pain.

Things I appreciate:
1) canyonwalker2) My boss. I highly doubt she will actually be able to take care of everything tomorrow with me ( Read more... )

During my pelvic ultrasound today, the nurse was prepping a long cylindrical object. She put a condom with gel on top of it, turns to me and asks "Have you ever had one of these before?"

I feel that my return comment, "I am married", was not as well understood as one would hope.


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I've spent the last two weeks being in more pain, meeting yet another doctor, and getting put on yet another drug regimen[1]. It's all been worth it, though, as today is the first day in seven bloody months that I've had no pain and no side effects from meds! I know it's a temporary reprieve, as I shouldn't stay on these meds forever if I can ( Read more... )

Fun: Hiking Zim Zim Falls at the Knoxville State Wildlife Area near Lake Berryessa ( Read more... )