Tag: health

Airway Problems

~ joannerambling ~ 6 Comments

Today I am looking at the problems we can experience with our airways, ya know those passages that carry air into and out of the lungs.

Problems can arise when said passages become narrowed, blocked, irritated, or inflamed. These passages include the nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, bronchi, and smaller breathing tubes in the lungs. When airflow is reduced, a person may find it harder to breathe, speak, sleep, exercise, or clear mucus from the chest.

The common causes are infections, allergies, asthma, chronic lung disease, smoke exposure, choking, swelling, injury, or structural narrowing of the airway. Some problems are short-term, such as a cold or allergic reaction, while others can be long-term and need ongoing medical care.

The signs and symptoms to look for include

·       Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·       Noisy breathing, such as wheezing, whistling, or stridor

·       Persistent coughing or chest congestion

·       Tightness in the chest

·       Difficulty speaking, swallowing, or sleeping because of breathing symptoms

·       Blue, grey, or pale lips, gums, or fingernails in severe cases

As a severe airway problem can be life-threatening, we need to call for help sooner than often we may if someone is choking, cannot breathe or speak, has swelling of the face or throat, becomes confused or very drowsy, or develops blue, grey, or pale colouring around the lips or fingernails. It is time to stop scrolling and time to ring your emergency number here in Australia that is 000.

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include inhalers, allergy medicines, antibiotics for certain infections, oxygen support, removal of a blockage, or procedures to open a narrowed airway. Prevention can include avoiding smoke and known allergens, following an asthma or lung disease action plan, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, and seeking medical advice when breathing symptoms are new, worsening, or unusual.

Next week we will look at specific conditions that block our airways.

Week 35 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

I slept well and was up 3 minutes before the alarm went off. Tim didn’t get home till 2.30am and I have no idea what time he went to bed.

I feel good this morning and managed to sweep, vacuum and clean the kitchen.

I also went for a walk to post my letters.

Blain came to see his mum and came to see me as well, while here he helped Papa check the damage to my chair and Tim decided that he will be able to repair the chair.

Steps: 7,669 = 4.7k’s or 2.9miles

I slept well enough but was up at 4.15am.

Sue came and picked me up and we went to Officeworks to pick up some documents I had printed. We then went to the chemist to get more needles for Tim’s insulin.

Tasha told me she lost it with the workers, whenever she asked a question all they would say is “don’t know” at one point because she was frustrated and angry one of the workers started laughing at her which is when she told them to pack up and leave, she had to tell them 3 times to leave before they did.

She doesn’t know if they will come back or what. Because she is only 4’ 7” tall or 140cm tall some people think she is a push over she is not.

Steps: 7,712 = 4.8k’s or 2.9 miles

A new day has arrived; I got up at 4.45am and after feeling a bit sluggish this morning I am at last starting to feel ok.

I went to Tasha’s to wait in case workmen arrived they didn’t.

This afternoon I fell over, not much damage a bruised knee and a sore elbow, I didn’t hit my head but trying not to hit it I strained a muscle I suspect.

At first, I just laid on the floor, but when I tried to get up I couldn’t so I rang Tasha no answer so I rang Sue and said 6 words I’ve fallen and can’t get up the next thing I knew l had Tasha, Sue and Sandy here. Tasha had rung me back and I said the same 6 words to her.

In order to make others happy I am seeing the quack on Thursday morning.

Steps: 5,709 = 3.5k’s or 2.1 miles

A new day is here and a wet day it is my left knee and elbow are very sore, and I have a nasty small bruise on my knee.

I have had issues all day with my left leg and pain and not feeling stable when standing.

At 3pm I went to have a 30-minute lay down only to fall asleep for an hour.

Steps: 5,598 = 3.4k’s or 2.1 miles

Another day has arrived and it’s a somewhat cold start to the day.

My knee is really sore and has a dark bruise on it, my Dr’s appointment is at 8am, as it’s not raining, I will walk up to the top of the driveway to meet Sue.

Ok the doc said my knee and arm are fine and to use ice packs on my knee not heat packs as they can make the area bleed more darking the bruise and causing more pain.

The arvo has been fine done some housework, read some blog posts had little energy to do much at all.

Steps: 7,005 = 4.3k’s or 2.6 miles

Another day is here and it’s the last day of the working week. I have woken with not just a headache but an earache as well, so no hearing aids till that eases and as I am alone that should be ok

Did an email to our tendency officer about how I am concerned about Natasha’s state of mind due to all the shit going on with the workmen at her     place. She replied and acknowledged my concerns.

I was sitting here at my computer when in walks Sam and Jess, I felt so happy seeing Sam, I get the same way when seeing Blain and the girls, but I don’t see the girls much due to distance and their ages 13 & 16.

Had 2 naps today

Steps: 4,879 = 3k’s or 1.7miles

Our Lungs

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

This week we are looking at our lungs.

The human lungs are a pair of soft, spongy organs located inside the chest, protected by the rib cage. They are an essential part of the respiratory system, which allows the body to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Every breath brings fresh air into the lungs, where oxygen moves into the bloodstream and is carried to cells throughout the body.

The rib cage plays an important role in protecting the lungs. The ribs form a strong, curved frame around the chest that helps shield the lungs and heart from injury. The rib cage also helps with breathing because the ribs move up and out when a person breathes in, allowing the lungs to expand, and move down and in when a person breathes out.

Air enters through the nose or mouth, travels down the trachea, and then passes into two main bronchi, one leading to each lung. These bronchi branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by small blood vessels, making them the main site where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

A person’s lung capacity or the amount of air the lungs can hold varies from person to person depending on age, body size, fitness level, and overall health. People who exercise regularly often use their lungs more efficiently, while smoking, illness, or pollution can reduce how well the lungs work. Measuring lung capacity can help doctors understand how healthy a person’s breathing system is.

The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes to make room for the heart.

The diaphragm, a large muscle below the lungs, helps pull air in and push air out during breathing.

Healthy lungs help supply oxygen for energy, remove waste gases, and support the body’s overall function.

The History of Glue

~ joannerambling ~ 11 Comments

Glue may seem like an ordinary household item, but its history stretches back thousands of years. Long before modern bottles of white glue, super glue, or tape, people discovered that sticky natural substances could help them build tools, repair objects, make art, and construct furniture. The story of glue is really the story of human ingenuity: finding ways to make things hold together.

Some of the earliest adhesives were made from materials found in nature, such as tree resin, plant gums, tar, and animal products. It is believed that prehistoric people used sticky substances like birch tar to attach stone points to wooden handles, helping them make stronger spears, axes, and other tools. It is known that Egyptians used animal-based glues in woodworking, furniture making, papyrus production, and decorative objects, while Greeks and Romans used adhesives in mosaics, construction, and everyday repairs.

For many centuries, the most common glues were made by boiling animal hides, bones, or connective tissue to extract collagen. These “hide glues” were widely used by cabinetmakers, instrument makers, bookbinders, and artists. Although they were not waterproof and had to be heated before use, they were strong, reliable, and could be softened again with heat and moisture, making repairs possible.

It was during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, glue changed dramatically.  It  was in the 1800s that natural rubber adhesives appeared, and with the growth of chemistry came new products such as casein glue, nitrocellulose glue, epoxy, polyurethane, and synthetic rubber adhesives.

Of course, wars and industrial manufacturing speed  things up as stronger, faster, and more specialised adhesives were needed for vehicles, aircraft, packaging, and construction.

Today, adhesives are everywhere: in schools, homes, hospitals, electronics, cars, packaging, and even spacecraft. Modern glues can be waterproof, heat-resistant, flexible, instant-drying, or specially designed for medical use.

So from way back when to now and beyond there will many different types of ways to stick on thing to another.

The Role of the Mouth and Nose When Breathing

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

This week we are looking at the role of the mouth and news when breathing.

The nose and mouth are the two main entry points for air when we breathe. Although both can bring air into the respiratory system, they have different roles. The nose is usually the preferred pathway because it filters, warms and moistens the air before it travels down the throat, through the windpipe and into the lungs. Tiny hairs and mucus inside the nose help trap dust, germs and other particles, making the air safer and more comfortable for the lungs.

The mouth acts as a second pathway for breathing. It is especially useful when the nose is blocked, such as during a cold or allergies, or when the body needs more air during exercise. However, air that enters through the mouth is not filtered, warmed or moistened as well as air that enters through the nose. This means frequent mouth breathing can sometimes lead to a dry mouth, throat irritation or poorer sleep.

Overall, the nose and mouth work together to help the body take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The nose protects and prepares the air for the lungs, while the mouth provides an extra route for airflow when needed.

When we have a cold, the inside of the nose can become swollen and filled with extra mucus. This makes it harder for air to pass through the nose, so breathing can feel blocked or stuffy.

Because the nose is blocked, we often start breathing more through the mouth. Mouth breathing lets air still get into the lungs, but it does not filter, warm, or moisten the air as well as the nose does. That is why a cold can sometimes make your mouth or throat feel dry.

A cold can also make us sneeze, cough, or have a runny nose because the body is trying to clear away germs and mucus.

Week 31 of 2026

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I slept well waking once to pee and then straight back to sleep till 4.10am, when I got up to pee again and couldn’t settle so I got up. It is a cold morning the temp at 5am was 4c or 39f.

I am having a bad day Parkinson’s wise I am shaking a lot but my mind is mostly clear and working.

By 3.30pm I started to feel good, the tremor had stopped I could do stuff

Steps: 5058 = 3.1k’s or 1.9miles

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I slept well till around 4am when I woke to be and couldn’t settle again so naturally, I got up, it is now 5.20am and the temp is 5c or 41f.

I went for a nice long walk

Sue picked me up at 10.50am and took me to have the ultrasound done of my right knee.

Tasha came down at 4.30pm and helped me change into my Pj’s, I will be in bed by 7pm.

Steps:8,083=5k’s or 3miles

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I slept well till around 4am when I woke to be and couldn’t settle again so naturally, I got up, it is now 5.20am and the temp is 5c or 41f.

It is now 5.10am and the temp is 5c but should warm up later in the day.

No walk today as I have the groceries coming.

Had a not so great morning but a pretty good afternoon.

Steps: 4,193 =2.6k’s or 1.6 miles

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Had a good night, woke when the alarm went off it is 5c again. I went for my walk, and it felt good as the morning has gone on it has warmed up and I got colder how silly is that.

After a nap at 11am for 30 minutes I started to feel better. My feet started to feel hot so I tried to take my socks off but couldn’t get my right sock off I was sitting on my armchair and started to cry in frustration and the physio who was with Bear (our neighbour)came and asked me if I was ok when I said I was upset as I couldn’t get my sock off, so she came took it off for me.

Steps: 6,576 = 4k’s or 2.6 miles

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Had a good night, woke when the alarm  

Didn’t go for a walk was busy hanging the washing up to dry. Also, it was too bloody cold. It was 5c or 41f at 5am by 10am it was 13c or 55f.

I went for a nap at 11am and slept till 12.20pm, that’s unusual for me.

I thought having such a long nap I would be right for the rest of the day, I was wrong by 4pm I was starting to feel like shit again. At 5pm Tasha came down and helped me get changed for bed.

By 6.30pm I started to feel better and more with it.

Steps: 6,576 = 4k’s or 2.5 miles

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Had another good night, although I was up at 4.10am as I felt awake it is cold again the temp was 5c or 41f at 5am.

I walked down and posted some letters off, then home to sweep and vacuum before Sue picked me up. We had appointments with the podiatrist.

When Sue arrived, I was in a right state, that state being you forgot to eat breakfast you silly woman. I ate a tub to yoghurt in the car.

After the podiatrist we called in to the plaza so I could pick up my scripts.

This afternoon I sorted my meds out for the next month, not a quick task but now I am set for the month.

Tomorrow I will do Tim’s meds, he doesn’t have them done for a month like I do instead he has three weeks done in weekly lots.

Steps: 6,451 = 4k’s  

Had another good night, although I was up at 4.10am as I felt awake it is cold again the temp was 5c or 41f at 5am.

Tim not working this weekend, he also did a load of washing that I hung up to dry this morning.

No walk this morning as it is raining.

Tim went to Bunnings and was gone 2hrs he spent the rest of the day outside doing stuff.

Steps: 4,318 = 2.6k’s

Update on Dave

~ joannerambling ~ 10 Comments

Hi all, I am posting this update about my brother, these are text messages sent by my sister in-law.

Sunday 7 June

We have some beautiful nurses today making regular calls to the Theatre team to see if his still to be done today, his still on the list for today so far and unfortunately just playing the waiting game again!

Cancelled for the 4th time, doing it all over again tomorrow!

I’m thinking they took him off the emergency list when his bloods improved so not so urgent but surely it would be making scare tissue and adhesions etc

Monday 8 June

They have collected him for surgery just now! 😔🎉Should be approx 1hr plus up to 2hrs recovery! Won’t know yet if he will go to ICU or a ward but they will call me when he hits recovery! 🤞all goes well and his recovery can start! Thank you so much for your love and support, will update again when his out! ❤️

And please sisters don’t panic if he does go to ICU they have a bed ready for him in icu just in case he needs it and it’s could just be a cautionary me to send him there because of his diabetes in her blood pressure

Tuesday 9 June

Hey all, his still in recovery, his asking to hold off visiting until he hits the ward as only 1 visitor at a time and his sleeping on and off still! His had a reasonable sleep overnight a little pain on coughing but has a pain button to press every 5 mins if needed! No details from the surgeon yet on how it went, didn’t have to open so just 2 chest drains for a few days and small wounds to heal!

At this stage he will get a bed F3 bed 12 but won’t be ready till 11ish but nurses talk will be 3pm lol.

I will add that on Monday Leigh told the hospital that if he didn’t have his surgery today, she wanted him transferred to Newcastle Private Hospital this is the hospital where they both work, Leigh as a nurse and Dave is in charge of the back-dock.

She filled in forms and lodged a complaint as Dave had been told he would have his surgery only to have it postpone 4 times and we all felt this was a joke

DAVE & LEIGH

Diabetic Retinopathy

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Let’s start with what the hell is wrong with me I wrote this and forgot to hit   publish on Tuesday and the Wednesday and now here we are at Thursday, talk about getting distracted and having a scatter brain. 

This week we are looking the eye condition called Diabetic retinopathy. This is a condition that some who has diabetes may develop it causes damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina and can lead to vision loss or blindness if untreated.

It’s a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes where high blood glucose gradually harms the retinal blood vessels. These vessels can:

Swell and leaks

Close off, stopping blood flow

Grow abnormal new vessels that bleed easily

Over time, this damages the retina and affects vision.

There are two stages the first is non‑proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). In this stage the following may happen

The blood vessels weaken and leak

The retina swells

The macula may swell known as macular oedema, this causes blurred vision.

The next stage is proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in this advanced stage, the following happens new fragile blood vessels grow, these can bleed into the vitreous (causing floaters or major vision loss) and scar tissue can form and pull the retina away as in retinal detachment.

Early on, there may be no symptoms at all.

However, as it progresses, people may notice:

Blurry or fluctuating vision

Floaters (dark spots or cobweb-like shapes)

Dark or empty patches in vision

Poor night vision

Sudden vision loss

How is this diagnosed?

To start with a dilated eye exam is essential during this the eye specialists may use the following.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure retinal swelling

Fluorescein angiography to detect leaking or blocked vessels (the dye test shown in the widget above)

Treatment depends on the stage, usually starting with

Control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol which is the foundation of preventing vision loss

Anti‑VEGF injections (e.g., Eylea, Lucentis) to reduce swelling and stop abnormal vessel growth

Laser therapy to seal leaking vessels or shrink abnormal ones

Vitrectomy surgery for severe bleeding or retinal detachment

Your risk increases when these things apply

Long duration of diabetes

Poor blood sugar control

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Smoking

Beechband

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Today I am writing about the Beechband, what is it you may wonder well it is a device to help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

The Beechband works by delivering steady, rhythmic vibration pulses on your wrist to help calm and regulate movement, speech, and anxiety symptoms—especially for people with Parkinson’s.

It’s essentially a wearable version of a therapeutic tapping technique that its creator originally used manually.

It produces rhythmic pulsing vibrations (around 85 beats per minute in many cases). These pulses mimic a metronome‑like tapping that can help the brain stabilise movement patterns and reduce anxiety.

For some people, the effect is immediate, while for others it builds gradually over several weeks.

It can help with the following symptoms anxiety and stress, dyskinesia, rigidity, freezing of gait and other walking problems, speech difficulties, sleep issues and tremor of course.

However not everyone experiences the same benefits—some feel a big change, others only subtle effects, and some none at all.

You wear it on your wrist (or try switching wrists or even the ankle if results vary). Turn, it on and ignore it—most people stop noticing the vibration after 15–30 minutes.

It is recommended to use it daily for at least 6 weeks to judge whether it helps. Friends or family often notice improvements before the wearer does.

The vibration can be loud for some people; the battery life is often short around 3–4 hours.

Some users report major improvements in gait and freezing; others report no change.

The Beechband is a non‑medical wearable that uses steady vibration cues to help regulate movement and reduce anxiety. It doesn’t treat Parkinson’s itself, but for some people it provides meaningful day‑to‑day relief.

I have this device and it works great for me it calms my body, stops the internal tremor and helps clear my mind allowing me to focus and connect.

A stressful day

~ joannerambling ~ 10 Comments

Hi all, yesterday Friday 1 May was a stressful day for me I had to go and have an Xray done of my neck as I still have pain from when I fell on the cruise. However, I had only just got home when my doctor’s surgery called to tell me I had to go back and have a CT scan done of my neck asap. So, I went back and had that done the radiologist spoke to Sue and explained there was a small break in the neck.

After a couple of hours my doctor’s surgery rang and said I needed to go to emergency about the break, I didn’t want to go due to the time, but of course I did, Sue took me over and she stayed with me the whole time, I was there around 8hrs.

So, I have a C4 teardrop fracture at the back of my neck but thankfully not the front and the break is stable.

A C4 teardrop fracture is a serious injury to the cervical spine, typically caused by high-energy trauma such as a car accident or a heavy fall. This type of fracture occurs at the fourth cervical vertebra and is often associated with damage to the spinal cord, which can result in varying degrees of paralysis or loss of sensation below the level of the injury. In addition to bony damage, there may also be ligamentous injury and potential instability in the neck, making immediate medical attention critical to prevent further complications.

Symptoms of a C4 fracture vary depending on the injury’s severity and spinal cord involvement. Patients experience localized pain in the neck, which may radiate to the shoulders or arms. Muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs are common. More serious neurological deficits, such as paralysis in the arms, hands, torso, and legs, or even loss of diaphragm function requiring ventilator assistance, can occur with spinal cord involvement. Recognizing these symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention is important to prevent further damage.

I now have to go back to my GP and arrange to have an MRI done to check for ligamentous injury.

So what does this mean in the long run, well it is still a serious cervical spine injury a future fall could cause loss of stability in the fracture which would not be good. As this could cause damage to the spinal cord resulting in problems breathing, difficulties moving my arms, loss of sensation in my body.

Worsening of the fracture as in an increased displacement, new cracks, or involvement of other vertebrae. As well as soft‑tissue injury to ligaments, discs, and muscles around the fracture can be damaged, reducing stability.

Then there are delayed neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in coordination.

So even a “simple” fall — tripping, slipping, or landing awkwardly can transmit force through the neck. So, a stable C4 teardrop fracture can stay stable if protected, but a fall can change the situation quickly.