If you have hypertension, a chronic condition that affects an estimated third of U.S. adults, your blood pressure isn't the only thing on the high side. So, too, are your health care costs. The Health Care Cost Institute says that in 2016, adults with hypertension spent 3.2 times more in total and 2.2 times more in out-of-pocket costs for health care than adults without hypertension.
To be sure, folks with high blood pressure tried to cut costs. In 2016, adults resorted to fewer inpatient and professional services compared to 2012, but more outpatient services and prescription drugs. The drug costs were the biggest driver, primarily because of increased brand name usage.
Body of Knowledge
An adult human spine compresses roughly 0.59 inch from morning to night.
Counts
3,647: Number of children hospitalized between 2004 and 2015 due to opioid exposure. Almost half required intensive care; one-third ventilation.
2.8: Mortality rate, as a percentage, in 2015 — up from 1.3 in 2004
Source: Pediatrics
Doc Talk
O-sign: a noun, used to describe a comatose patient with mouth open
Q-sign: a noun, similar to an O-sign, but with the patient's tongue protruding
Phobia of the Week
Chiroptophobia: Fear of bats
Number Cruncher
A single serving of canned tuna (284 grams: Albacore, solid white, in water) contains 70 calories, 0 from fat. It has 0 grams of total fat or 0 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.
It also contains 25 milligrams of cholesterol (8 percent); 140 mg of sodium (6 percent); 0 grams of total carbohydrates and 16 g of protein.
Never Say Diet
The Major League Eating record for boysenberry pie is 14.5 pounds in 8 minutes, held by Joey Chestnut. The feat shattered the previous record of 3.14159265359.
Best Medicine
A patient became quite anxious after a prolonged bedside discussion with a group of hospital doctors. Later, the chief of surgery returned.
"There must be a lot of doubt about what's wrong with me," said the patient.
"Where did you get that idea?" asked the surgeon.
"Well, all those doctors — and they all seemed to disagree with you."
"Perhaps, but not to worry," replied the surgeon. "In a similar case, I stood firm in my diagnosis — and the autopsy proved me right."
Hypochondriac's Guide
Astasia-abasia is a neurological condition in which the person is unable to either stand or walk in a normal manner. Instead, they tend to lurch wildly in all directions, but fall only when a physician, family member or soft object will catch them.
Observation
"He who laughs, lasts."
—American author Mary Pettibone Poole
Medical History
This week in 1998, Sildenafil citrate was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, quickly rising to become the sixth largest drug in sales at more than $2 billion a year. It was marketed as Viagra, the first oral pill to treat impotence. If it takes more than four hours to read this blurb, please see your doctor.
Self Exam
Q: The heart is the hardest working muscle in the human body. Over the course of 24 hours, it generates enough energy to drive a semi-truck how many miles?
a) 2
b) 9
c) 18
d) .05
A: c) 18 miles. Over an average lifetime, that's equivalent to driving to the moon and back, or roughly 477,800 miles.
Medical Myths
In ancient Rome, it was believed that the blood of gladiators was the stuff of strength and vitality, making their post-mortem bodily fluid a hot commodity. Gladiator blood was also thought to cure epilepsy.
Curtain Calls
The famed Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe died in 1601 from complications of a burst bladder after refusing to leave a dinner table to relieve himself because it would have been a breach of etiquette.
To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
View Comments