The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 04: Come On In

Good morning, all.

How's Day 2, Tex? Hard go, but worth it.

Ah. +12C and clouds.
I'm knackered. Any chance of a coffee please ?

TarnishedPenny said:

Good morning, all.

How's Day 2, Tex? Hard go, but worth it.

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Morning TP. So far so good. I've been awake about three hours now, got about 3.5K written and this is the first time I've thought of a cigarette.

It's 47 and cloudy and supposed to get up to the mid 50's later and still be cloudy. What happened to those 70's they were talking about last week.

Fresh coffee for the thundering herd and the rest of you also.

Just back from the second hospital visit to see a different specialist doctor about my lack of balance and general wobblyness.

He didn't find anything particularly wrong within his specialism. He has ordered extensive blood tests - again - and referred me to another department. Now I wait for an appointment with another specialist.

I need coffee. I haven't had any today so far.

oggbashan said:

Just back from the second hospital visit to see a different specialist doctor about my lack of balance and general wobblyness.

He didn't find anything particularly wrong within his specialism. He has ordered extensive blood tests - again - and referred me to another department. Now I wait for an appointment with another specialist.

I need coffee. I haven't had any today so far.

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No coffee! There's the problem right there.

Hell, Ogg, I think it's is a symptom of age. Lately, I've had a decline in balance and an increase in wobbliness and I'm younger than you are. Get you one of those dapper silver headed canes with the sword inside. You might not be any more steady on your feet but you will walk with more of a swagger.

TxRad said:

No coffee! There's the problem right there.

Hell, Ogg, I think it's is a symptom of age. Lately, I've had a decline in balance and an increase in wobbliness and I'm younger than you are. Get you one of those dapper silver headed canes with the sword inside. You might not be any more steady on your feet but you will walk with more of a swagger.

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My cane is a basic one, unlike my brother's which chambered a 12 bore shotgun cartridge.

I think I have noticed since I am obviously unsteady even with the cane - middle-aged people help me. I went shopping. The person behind me unloaded my basket for me. After the checkout the person who had already paid waited to put my shopping in my bag.

Earlier, I went to pick up a parcel from the Post Office depot. A young lady insisted I went first and held the door for me as I left.

Of course I thanked all of them but until recently I had been the one helping others.

TxRad said:

Hell, Ogg, I think it's is a symptom of age. Lately, I've had a decline in balance and an increase in wobbliness and I'm younger than you are....

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Balance starts to deteriorate from about age 25. You can do a really good DIY static balance test to see how you shape up. Age-related changes in the complex interplay between sensory, nervous, and motor systems are one reason why older people are more prone to falling. When your eyes are closed, the differences in static balance between young and old are exaggerated (older people are more dependent on vision for balance), so this test is one of the most dramatic of all biomarkers.

Stand on a hard, uncarpeted floor, barefoot or in low-heeled shoes. Close your eyes and, bending at the knee, lift one foot (the right foot if you are right-handed, the left if you are left-handed) about 6 inches off the ground. Do not move or hop about to maintain your balance – just stand there with your eyes closed. (Have someone nearby to time you and help you if you start to fall.) See how long you can stand on one leg before putting your foot back down. Repeat two more times and average your scores.

The mean score at age 20 is 30 seconds; at age 30, 25 seconds; age 40, 15 seconds; age 50, 10 seconds; age 60, 7 seconds; and age 70, 5 seconds. You'll see a few variations on this with a second or so's difference but the median is around these times I've given.

One of the main reasons for unsteadiness as you age is the vestibular system (inside your ears and used to help cue your balancing) deteriorates as cells die off - as you get older you become less aware of your position and less able to take rapid corrective action. Blood pressure medication will affect your balance as well. There;s also visual input and muscle / joint strength and reliability.

Best way to do something about it is exercise more and practice balancing daily. Here;s a couple of things you can do.

Hold out your thumb, training your eyes on it, then slowly turning round making an arc with your thumb, following it with your eyes as you do, or marching on the spot, focusing on a particular point in front of you.

Changing between types of shoe during the day can help keep the balance sensors in your feet and legs 'switched on'

Exercise - swimming, walking, something like playing bowls

When you brush your teeth, stand on one leg for two minutes, then swap

Balance on one leg with your eyes closed (good idea to have something to grab or someone to catch you if you do go over tho

Stand on a pillow (this makes the sensors in your feet and ankles work harder)

Sleep. Get enough sleep. If you're sleep deprived, that'll affect your balance.

Tai Chi - that's why you see so many old chinese people doing Tai Chi - it's reallly good for your balance

Supplements
Resveratrol helps coordination and balance. Resveratrol-rich foods include red grapes, blueberries, bilberries, cranberries and peanuts.

Vitamin B12 - being deficient in vitamin B12 can cause problems with balance and gait, which could increase the risk of falls

Moderate doses of vitamin D may improve balance and reduce the risk of falls in older adults deficient in vitamin D.

When combined with resistance exercise, supplementation with protein or creatine may help to build muscle in older adults (muscle loss has been associated with an increased risk of falls).

When you get older, you're also at increased risk for bone fractures so you should supplement to build up bone density to reduce risk of fractures, especially hip fractures, if you do take a dive. Having low levels of both vitamin D and K leads to a 50 percent increased risk of experiencing a hip fracture compared to those with the highest levels of the vitamins. So take Vitamin K and D together plus a good calcium supplement that makes the calcium bio-available (some supplements are crap). And do a low-glycemic load diet as well. K and D should also improve your blood pressure

Don't overdo Vitamin D - stick to the recommended dosage

Vitamin K has the potential to interact with certain medications, especially vitamin-K antagonists like Warfarin. It is important to discuss supplementing with vitamin K with your doctor, especially if you are on any type of anticoagulant.

Herein endeth Chloe's contribution to your healthy lifestyle

I too am getting wobbly, but only if I close my eyes. When they are open, I'm fine. Or if I have a hand on something and close my eyes, I guess my brain as reference point and I don't get dizzy.

Finally got a hair cut. I'm not twenty pounds lighter. Suddenly, I feel like I'm back in the service. Yes, it's that short now. But I won't have to worry about another one until the summer heat hits and then it will only be a trim.

Thank you Chloe, for that set of instructions but:

Lack of balance was sudden onset in early December. Before then I could stand on one leg for minutes.

I used to do Tai Chi but my ankylosing spondylitis now makes most movements impossible.

Tests by two sets of specialists indicate that apart from lack of balance my muscles and reflexes are much better than they should be at my age, apart from no reaction to hitting below my knee with a rubber mallet - I haven't had any reaction there for forty years. I have very good sensors in my feet. I react to all minimal stimuli there.

I'm puzzling the medics because everything else seems very normal or excellent except my balance. Labyrinthitis is the next test...

Coffee helps.

And for some light entertainment for anyone who's bored - a cute little romantic action-packed Hong Kong movie.... with a romantic ending...

My Wife is a Gangster

oggbashan said:

Thank you Chloe, for that set of instructions but:

Lack of balance was sudden onset in early December. Before then I could stand on one leg for minutes.

I used to do Tai Chi but my ankylosing spondylitis now makes most movements impossible.

Tests by two sets of specialists indicate that apart from lack of balance my muscles and reflexes are much better than they should be at my age, apart from no reaction to hitting below my knee with a rubber mallet - I haven't had any reaction there for forty years. I have very good sensors in my feet. I react to all minimal stimuli there.

I'm puzzling the medics because everything else seems very normal or excellent except my balance. Labyrinthitis is the next test...

Coffee helps.

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So approaching it from another angle, if they are unable to find the cause/solution, you might ask if there are any “falling” classes. In those classes they actually teach strategies on falling “safely” to minimize injury as well as strategies for how to get back up off of the ground. In my work in healthcare, we could not outright stop a fall always, so the focus changed to safely lowering the patient to the ground.

ChloeTzang said:

And for some light entertainment for anyone who's bored - a cute little romantic action-packed Hong Kong movie.... with a romantic ending...

My Wife is a Gangster

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Thanks... Is it on any of the streaming services (Prime, Netflix, Hulu, etc...)

Just submitted my first contest entry and while I know there's nothing riding on it and I have low expectations I'm still oddly a little nervous.

I'm thinking I'll pull a swig or two from the stock of medicinal liquids you keep in the cabinet over there Tex. If'n you don't mind, that is.

All day I've been looking forward to have my coffee order delivered, said March 1st, but I just checked tracking and it's still a couple states away so no delicious coffee for me probably until Monday.

When I got back together with my now ex he smoked. I got him to quit in about a week, a little less actually.
Every time he wanted a cigarette, I sucked his dick instead.
It worked. He stopped smoking.

FullBliss said:

So approaching it from another angle, if they are unable to find the cause/solution, you might ask if there are any “falling” classes. In those classes they actually teach strategies on falling “safely” to minimize injury as well as strategies for how to get back up off of the ground. In my work in healthcare, we could not outright stop a fall always, so the focus changed to safely lowering the patient to the ground.

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I weigh 101 kilos (about 220 lbs) and am over six feet tall. When I fall it is a good idea not to be in the way.

Coffee helps me stay upright.

oggbashan said:

I weigh 101 kilos (about 220 lbs) and am over six feet tall. When I fall it is a good idea not to be in the way.

Coffee helps me stay upright.

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You're about the same as me, then, Ogg.
Falling down is not a viable option for me; I really worry about it sometimes.

I think it's now time for a decent mug of Tea, it being late and all.

CwM - we should get your prescription recognized by the FDA!

It has been one of those days. Since noon, I've had three people stop by asking about boats. To make a long story short, I now have four boats to build and even more before I have any back in stock. One guy even took my last 8 footer to use until his 10 foot one is finished. Rhe first time I've actually rented out a boat.

Okay, fresh coffee while I hunt up something for supper. Burritos might be a good thing. I have a couple in the icebox, come to think of it.

TxRad said:

It has been one of those days. Since noon, I've had three people stop by asking about boats. To make a long story short, I now have four boats to build and even more before I have any back in stock. One guy even took my last 8 footer to use until his 10 foot one is finished. Rhe first time I've actually rented out a boat.

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Sounds like a good day, and building a bunch of boats seems like a great way to stay busy while not smoking.

ChloeTzang said:

The mean score at age 20 is 30 seconds; at age 30, 25 seconds; age 40, 15 seconds; age 50, 10 seconds; age 60, 7 seconds; and age 70, 5 seconds. You'll see a few variations on this with a second or so's difference but the median is around these times I've given.

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I tried this, thinking I'd ace it.

Not.

I'll have to work on it.

Chloe; as ever, sincere thanks for the info on balance, vitamins and that film.

But it's morning and therefore time for a morning coffee.

Handley_Page said:

Chloe; as ever, sincere thanks for the info on balance, vitamins and that film.

But it's morning and therefore time for a morning coffee.

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You're welcome HP and I hope some of it's useful. And it's ALWAYS time for coffee and I need a refill.

I love those films. Those and the wuxia films, watch and few of those and you can see a few influences on Chloe in her formative years. There's some great wuxia movies out there if you can find them. Here's one I watched recently

The Fate Of Swordsman (it's got english subtitles)

Good morning.

I see our Chloe is trying to draw us down another rabbit hole. I liked the one from yesterday. Lots of plot bunnies hopping around from start to finish. And Yes, Chloe, they need to have subtitles as very few of us speak Chinese or Korean or Japanese, or any of them other languages..

Fresh coffee for the Saturday morning crowd and anyone else who happens to drop in..

Today is day three of the quitting experiment and so far no one has died, including me or the cat. But the day is still young and I need to go to the store and do my first of the month shopping. The possibilities of deadly encounters are endless.

A couple of the side effects of this Chantix is sleeplessness and weird dreams. I'm sleeping about like normal and my dreams are about as weird as they always are. So no problem

Good morning, coffee please, thank you.

Korean, I speak a little, just enough to get into trouble and just enough to let someone know they are in trouble. Stationed there for a year back in the '70s.

Well, not a single word written yesterday. I feel... awful about that.

Y'all have a good day.

Mid 40s with grey skys in DC today. They say we’re going to get a mix of snow and rain here tomorrow.

Ugg!

I need a thermos of hot coffee to go Tex. I’m up to my elbows with my One Night in New Orleans rewrite and I need a healthy dose of vitamin C(affeine).