Song of the Other Sister

Glucosamine chondroitin
maybe some ibuprofen
Viactiv with calcium
fish oil and Senior Centrum.

Ohioans need some D,
build those bones for all to see;
Stretch and bend, wear socks and shoes,
Take a walk after the news.

Breathe deeply, now in and out,
wave to your friends give a shout,
life is good we can't complain,
but we'd settle for less pain.

Summer poem

Bikes and grass and summer things
Tea with ice, a thought that clings--
Yellow roses, gray blue eyes,
Summer romance--a young girl's sighs.
Hot rod cars, loud and steamy,
Didn't we think they were so dreamy?
Now we smile and say good-bye,
while watching rain clouds in the sky.

Glucosamine chondroitin

On my last check up I mentioned to my doctor that I've developed some hip pain, that goes away within a few minutes after moving around. "Arthritis," he said, and suggested I try Glucosamine chondroitin.

"Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States and has a major effect on the health-related quality of life. In 2004, the estimated direct and indirect medical costs associated with all forms of arthritis exceeded $86 billion. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the most widely used dietary supplements for osteoarthritis, with estimated sales in 2004 approaching $730 million."

This study looked at its use, but decided stricter standards were needed before a final decision could be made.

Time to Talk campaign

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched Time to Talk, an educational campaign to encourage patients—particularly those age 50 or older—and their health care providers to openly discuss the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, such as herbal supplements, meditation, naturopathy, and acupuncture. Read more