El and Bill
New member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2003
- Messages
- 3,200
- Reaction score
- 0
- C Dory Year
- 2000
- C Dory Model
- 22 Cruiser
- Hull Identification Number
- Sold in 2012
- Vessel Name
- Halcyon
We all commonly consider preventative maintenance for our boats and are usually familiar with diagnostic testing to prevent damage to our boat’s systems. This is generally considered common sense for all us boaters.
But, what about preventative maintenance and diagnostic testing for the skipper and crew? During our liveaboard years on Halcyon, El and I were careful about the boat and engines but much less so about ourselves (since we were healthy) – and we have paid the price. We would like to share some of what we have learned with our friends here in the pub.
First, healthy individuals need to prevent (not just react when ‘bad’ events occur). What simple tests might we all do (but often procrastinate) to ward off (or detect) problems in our ‘engines’ or plumbing? These are excerpted from UC Berkeley:
1. Detect hypertension:
a) For all adults: Once every two years, if readings are normal. More often if higher than 120/80. (We discovered that blood pressure varies almost from minute to minute, so an accurate reading requires three tests during the day to average out ‘local’ effects).
b) Over 60? More often.
2. Detect plaque in ‘plumbing’:
a) Cholesterol testing once every 5 years; more often if high reading or other risk factors.
b) Heart scan – a simple, quick, non-invasive test (probably not covered by insurance since it is ‘preventative)’ – cost us $200. Tells if there is plaque in or around your heart.
3. Cancer screening
a) For men:
1) Prostate Cancer: Annual DRE test after 50; possible PSA discuss w/ doctor)
b) For women:
1) Cervical Cancer: Pap test, Annual until 30; then every 2-3 years, unless other risk factors.
2) Breast Cancer: Mammography, Annual unless other risk factors; consult with doctor about clinical exam also.
c) Both: Colorectal Cancer, 50 and over, occult test annually; colonoscopy every five years, unless abnormal.
4. Detect Diabetes:
a) Fasting blood glucose test. Over 45, every 2-3 years unless high risk factors.
5. Osteoporosis:
a) Bone density scanning. Over 65 for women; younger for men and women if doc thinks you have risk factors.
6. Eyes:
a) Over 40, every 3-5 yrs. Or doc recommendation
7. Dental Checkup:
a) Every 6 months or dentist advice.
But, what about preventative maintenance and diagnostic testing for the skipper and crew? During our liveaboard years on Halcyon, El and I were careful about the boat and engines but much less so about ourselves (since we were healthy) – and we have paid the price. We would like to share some of what we have learned with our friends here in the pub.
First, healthy individuals need to prevent (not just react when ‘bad’ events occur). What simple tests might we all do (but often procrastinate) to ward off (or detect) problems in our ‘engines’ or plumbing? These are excerpted from UC Berkeley:
1. Detect hypertension:
a) For all adults: Once every two years, if readings are normal. More often if higher than 120/80. (We discovered that blood pressure varies almost from minute to minute, so an accurate reading requires three tests during the day to average out ‘local’ effects).
b) Over 60? More often.
2. Detect plaque in ‘plumbing’:
a) Cholesterol testing once every 5 years; more often if high reading or other risk factors.
b) Heart scan – a simple, quick, non-invasive test (probably not covered by insurance since it is ‘preventative)’ – cost us $200. Tells if there is plaque in or around your heart.
3. Cancer screening
a) For men:
1) Prostate Cancer: Annual DRE test after 50; possible PSA discuss w/ doctor)
b) For women:
1) Cervical Cancer: Pap test, Annual until 30; then every 2-3 years, unless other risk factors.
2) Breast Cancer: Mammography, Annual unless other risk factors; consult with doctor about clinical exam also.
c) Both: Colorectal Cancer, 50 and over, occult test annually; colonoscopy every five years, unless abnormal.
4. Detect Diabetes:
a) Fasting blood glucose test. Over 45, every 2-3 years unless high risk factors.
5. Osteoporosis:
a) Bone density scanning. Over 65 for women; younger for men and women if doc thinks you have risk factors.
6. Eyes:
a) Over 40, every 3-5 yrs. Or doc recommendation
7. Dental Checkup:
a) Every 6 months or dentist advice.
to lose some weight. My goal this year is to be the "C-Brats' biggest loser". I know that many of you may think I've achieved that goal many times over but I'm talking about weight loss not general "loser-ness". So around Dec. 28th my morning weight was about 205. I started running - about 3 miles almost every day (about 9 days out of 10 since Dec. 28th). I switched over to drinking a lot more water and I removed most snacks from my diet. The snacks I didn't remove were replaced with healthier choices like fruit. I buy a big bowl of fruit each week and leave it on my desk at work. I still drink as much wine as before and enjoy a good dinner but I do watch my portions and don't eat as much as before.