Check It Out: Life is like a roll of toilet paper
By Joan Janzen
The one thing we all have in common is we’re all getting older every day … some of us more so than others. Radio broadcaster Andy Rooney said, “I’ve learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.”
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, “You know you’re getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It’s like, see if you can blow this out.”
The prospect of a large accumulation of birthdays may cause some to consider indulging in a strong drink for medicinal purposes. However Franco Terrazzano from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) noted in a recent online interview that two-thirds of the cost of Canadian Club whiskey is tax. In 2017 the federal government brought in a sneaky alcohol escalator tax that automatically increases tax on alcohol every year. A bottle of Canadian Club whiskey costs $30 in Canada, but you can buy the same bottle for $13 in Japan.
While CTF makes people aware of how much tax they’re paying, Dr. Suneel Dhand makes people aware of the amount of prescription drugs they’re consuming. On his podcast, he made an observation concerning patients 60 years and over.
“I see it every day, people overloaded with prescriptions they may not need, leading to unnecessary side effects, complications and skyrocketing costs,” he said. Some of his patients have as many as twenty prescriptions, half of which are to treat side effects from the initial medications!
“I urge you to regularly review the list with your doctor. Many people become dependent on long term medications without realizing they no longer provide benefits, just side effects,” he explained.
Blood pressure medications are one of the three most common cases he sees. “I see countless cases where my older patients continue taking these meds even when their blood pressure is already low,” he said, and explained that as people age, blood pressure often naturally drops. Taking meds that aren’t needed puts people at risk of fainting, dizziness and dangerous falls.
Statins taken to lower “bad” cholesterol was the next prescription he listed. “If you’ve been on a statin for years, have a discussion with your doctor about whether you still need it,” he advised. Lowering cholesterol too much can lead to increased inflammation and even cognitive decline since your brain (which is 60% fat) needs cholesterol to function properly.
Muscle relaxants and medications prescribed for muscle pain and nerve issues can cause excessive drowsiness and cognitive impairment in older adults. “I’ve seen countless patients admitted to the hospital, only to have these medications reduced or stopped, and they didn’t even notice a difference in their pain. But they did become more awake and less drowsy,” he observed.
“Western medicine is good at fixing acute conditions quickly,” Dr. Dhand said. “But I get more and more people coming up to me and saying alternative medicine fixed my problem. Alternative medicine addresses root causes.” He gave the example of an inflamed gut which is caused by what people are eating, which usually includes a diet of processed food.
For those struggling with depression he offered the following advice. Scrolling on devices, being bombarded with negative content and problems, while not enjoying the outdoors and socializing with others will lead to depression. Depression often leads to addictions.
If you want to be healthy, Dr. Dhand advises his patients to eat real food, avoid toxic processed junk, walk 10,000 steps a day, and get adequate sleep. “Chronic conditions frequently can be reversed. Pills are a last resort,” he added.
Concerning daily mental health, the doctor offered the following tip: Stop scrolling through news apps or social media first thing in the morning. “Social media is not designed to help people; it’s designed to prod you and the majority of time in a negative way. It will set the tone for your day,” he noted.
The doctor said he deliberately waits as long as possible before looking at the news, social media or emails. Instead he takes time to enjoy a cup of tea, get hydrated and looks for something inspirational and uplifting to start his day. “It has really helped me during the last year or so,” he observed.
The upcoming Easter weekend is an inspirational celebration. I will leave you with a few Easter quotes to fill you with hope, love and strength.
“The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.” - Anonymous
“Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.” - Floyd W. Tomkins
“May the God who gives hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.