Lifestyle

There is a lot going on in the world these days. If you ask me, it seems like more than ever before. Is that because of social media and the constant, nearly immediate spreading of information? Perhaps, but it remains, nonetheless. Something can happen across the world, and we find out almost immediately. This can lead to stress, anxiety and even fear. None of which are good for our health, and without your health (mental and physical alike), everything else will seem so much worse.

Q: I am a 77-year-old man and saw my primary care doctor several weeks ago for a routine emphysema checkup. She made sure that I had the Moderna mRNA COVID vaccine last year, because with my lung issues and my age she doesn’t think I would survive a COVID infection.

Q: I’m a 39-year-old married woman with fairly good insurance. Recently, I’ve been tripping and nearly falling, both indoors on flat, uncarpeted floors (with no rugs/thresholds/ other trip hazards in evidence) and outdoors (like on the sidewalk or our driveway).

I was very blessed to grow up in Newberry, where our family always had a dog. And we also had a cat that came to us as a tiny kitten, and was with us for about 17 years. A cat’s average life expectancy is about 11 years, and dogs live an average of 13 years.

Q: My 26-year-old son recently had to go to the Emergency Department because of sudden, severe pain in his side. He was told he had a kidney stone that should pass within 10-12 hours, and was sent home with only a prescription for naproxen for pain.

We’ve talked quite a bit over the last several months about how your thoughts affect pretty much every aspect of your life, and today’s topic is no different. Self-talk, in general, is the voice inside your head; it is the inner dialogue that you have with yourself.

Q: I am a 54-year-old man and I’ve been having some pain in the left lower area of my stomach now and then. When the pain is at its worst, I feel feverish, though I haven’t taken my temperature. The pain has not yet been severe enough to make me go to see my doctor, but I would like to know what might be causing this; can you help?