Junk Food Deficiency Syndrome
So I went to the doctor for a routine check up a couple of days ago. I always feel vaguely guilty that I have nothing interesting to report.
But I did finally get Covid two months ago! I didn't feel like eating or drinking and got so dehydrated I had to call 911. Well, I could no longer stand up, so I thought it was time. It took a long time to recover, too-about six weeks.
What else? I quit smoking my occassional pipe but don't notice any difference, except I'm saving a little money.
My blood pressure was perfect-just a tad low and I had lost eight pounds. I eat healthy and take a walk every day. I don't believe in diets, but I do believe in gradual life style changes for the better. Gradual is the only kind of change we can stand, really. We are creatures of habit.
Hmm, blood pressure a tad low?Lost weight? Obviously I have the dreaded Junk Food Deficiency Syndrome. It's been...a year? since I had any junk food. So I went to Sonic for lunch.
Freakishly Healthy
So I'm 74 and freakishly healthy; healthier than when I was twenty-five. I'll offer some suggestions for why this may be, perhaps it could help you.
Last week I went for my annual checkup, feeling a bit sorry for the nice young doctor who I was going to bore yet again. I knew he would ask for symptoms of something.
I know! Shortness of breath! That could be a symptom of heart trouble.
Blood pressure, weight, vitals, all good...
Doctor: Do you have any problems?
Me: Sometimes I'm short of breath. He perked up.
When does this happen?
When I walk up a steep hill.
When else?
Well, I had a panic attack* in the Philadelphia airport six months ago, that entails shortness of breath.*
He: But everyone can have shortness of breath when they walk up a steep hill.
Yes, I guess that's true.
I told him what I did about the panic attack, which he found interesting, then we chatted about shite airports, like the one in Philadelphia.
See you next year doc.
How I Slew the Panic Attack
TSA woman was acting like she hated me (Philly airport is terrible) I started feeling out of breath and heart thumping-you know, panic attack. I was passing out when a cop asked if I was all right. I said I needed to sit down. So he got me a chair.
I deliberately relaxed my muscles-been practicing that for years-progressive relaxation. (several videos on Youtube) I breathed in slowly for count of five, held it for five, breathed out for five.
I did this for 20 minutes and then was fine. Funny thing about breathing-we do it automatically and can do it deliberately. One of the few bodily functions we can control. Maybe that's why it helps when we feel out of control?