Shedding Light on the Placebo Effect

I’m a trained scientist and researcher. I followed this path because I have always been the curious type and I’ve found that there’s always new ways to look at the same question. I like the challenge of simultaneously being independent, analytical and objective. I enjoy diversity in thinking, but expect people to behave reasonably. As a mom, one way I’ve shared my love of learning and discovery is by doing home science experiments with the kids. This is a great family activity that can be tailored for any age and any degree of interest. Ask the questions, get answers. Dissect the results. The insight that is gained from the new perspective can be invaluable. That’s why we should strive to listen, not just talk.


Recently and inadvertently, I was involved in situation that illuminated the placebo effect for me. Everyone knows the placebo effect is based on a belief that something is going to produce an effect, but that the something is not capable of actually producing that effect. The effect occurs because the person assumes that is what is supposed to happen. And that is what happens…at least initially. The classic example is that the doctor gives you a pill to cure an ailment and you take it and you get better. The doctor knows the pill contains only sugar or some inert ingredient but the patient thinks it’s a remedy. The patient feels better for taking it. Case closed. Next!! More rigorous studies involve groups of patients, some getting actual drugs, some getting placebo. Neither the doctor nor patient knows who is getting placebo. This is the classic “double blind” study which is designed to minimize the assumption factor for both the doctor and the patient.

The Learning Curve in Social Media

I'm excited to be participating in Social Media success Summit 2010 during May. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from the professionals and incorporating what I learn back into this website for sharing!

Spring Fever and Blastomycosis

When we lived up in Eagle River (a great town with great people) springtime meant freedom to get outside without worrying about the cold temperatures and snow. This of course, meant that your pets, too, could enjoy the fresh air and do their thing outside. We were heavy into boating and fishing and there was always a landscaping project going on.

Up north, all residents are keenly aware of a fungus that lives in the soil. It seemed that everyone you knew had a story of how their dog or their cousin came down with blastomycosis. I wondered how I never got it, as I was always digging in the dirt, raking leaves or blowing pinecones off the drive so the kids could ride their bikes or draw with chalk. I was sure that if a lab test was available that I would have had a measureable titer.

But as it was, our dog came down with symptoms…fever (104 degrees rectally), cough, lethargic, and no appetite at all. Blasto is usually inhaled and the lungs are infected first. It can also enter the body through abrasions in the skin. It always is a slow grower that tends to become systemic and life-threatening. The treatment of choice was an anti-fungal known as amphotericin, also known as ampho-terrible because if the blasto didn’t kill you, the amphotericin would by shutting down the liver. When the jaundice appears in the eyes of your beloved pet, things are really going downhill. It means that even 3 times /week IV drip at the vet isn’t enough. That’s the point where we were at, the moment of decision on how to mercifully let our dog go.

The Top of the World

 

The shake up and fallout of the healthcare legislation, as well as the enormous financial and economic realities of our times are are beginning to be appreciated. I know - I have been in shock for a few weeks also! But as Tiger tees off at Augusta today ~ 1:40, I am getting charged by his recovery! We wish him and his family the very best of luck always (not that we are acquainted, mind you). We're rooting for you all! Now get there and play! We want you to do what you do best.

Whatever stage you are in your life, realize that what you take into your body and what you expect out of your body are determined by you. It begins with consciously taking stock of yourself. Start to notice your diet, your activity level, your breathing, your posture. For me, I can get to this place fastest by stretching.  Yoga works well daily, if you can do it. So does golf, particularly if you've got a gift for it. I going to be trying to appreciate my golf gift more this year. We've been out twice this year, but today it snowed. Mother Nature is truly awesome!!

All in all, I hope this new phase in medicine will lead to an "extreme transcendental makeover" for our culture and us as individuals. Maybe this will be the greatest time for men. We need all of them to start behaving like role models for us again. Let's enable them to show their leadership skills. Encourage them to build on good foundations. Give each other  enough personal space and expect professionalism at work and be  loving parents at home. Turn off the automatic pilot and actually connect with people you care about. Hooray! Turn off the TV, go have fun and meet some people. Beat your drum, but then put it away till tomorrow. Have a good day!