Microbiome & Antibiotics

Are antibiotics bad for the human microbiome?

 According to NIH studies, antibiotics have saved many lives since they were first discovered and have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases on a global scale. However, their overuse and misuse in human and veterinary medicine have resulted in the current global antibiotic-resistance crisis. A study published in the journal Lancet reported that drug resistance was responsible for more than one million deaths in 2019. A single course of antibiotics was found to alter the gut microbiomes of healthy volunteers, and it can take months to years to recover the original desirable species. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections but are often given to prevent a growth of bacteria that can follow a viral illness. According to research at University Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Francisco Guarner was reported as pointing out that antibiotics can destroy some healthy bacteria and allow other microorganisms to overgrow. This alters the healthy balance. Microorganisms that become resistant to antibiotics can even “teach” other organisms to also become resistant. 

Human Microbiome

I know what the human genome means; I do not understand what the human microbiome means.

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (genome.gov), the term human microbiome is typically used to describe the trillions of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea (one-celled organisms without a cell nucleus)—that live on the skin, in the mouth, in the urogenital system, and in the gut. Your microbiome is dynamic, meaning that it can change for better or worse (e.g., ratio of desirable organisms getting out of balance with undesirable organisms) based on many environmental factors. These can include lifestyle choices such as exercise, food and beverage intake, medications, antibiotics, and other exposures.

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Homographs & Heteronyms, 2

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have more than one meaning. Heteronyms are homographs that although they are spelled the same are pronounced differently. These types of words may contribute to making English a challenging language to learn for some individuals.

•  The bandage was wound around the wound.
• He could lead if he would get the lead out.
• The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
• Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
• A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
• Upon seeing the tear in the painting, she shed a tear.
• A row erupted when the row of paintings was uncovered, and two patrons wanted the same painting.
• It was my task to subject the subject to a series of tests.
• How can I intimate this to my most intimate (are pronounced differently)

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Divide & Rule

I have a boss that seems to lead by Divide & Rule." The boss rarely calls a group together to vote on a matter unless each individual has been spoken to separately in advance. We sometimes found out later that individuals may have received differing information. How is this helpful?

It's obviously helpful for the boss's agenda or the behavior likely would not be repeated. The goal of divide and rule is to program each individual separately and in advance so that when a vote is taken on a problem or issue, the boss reasonably can expect that a majority will vote the outcome he or she wants. It involves positing to each individual in a “this is just between us” style, what the boss believes will get that person on board with the desired solution. This may include omitting some of the details, embellishing others, or addressing the other individual’s fears, concerns, or weaknesses. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult style of “leadership” to deal with. When the committee eventually meets and the boss says, “To save time, I’ve met with each of you individually. If (so and so) will move to approve the solution I discussed with each of you, we can vote and get on with the next agenda item.” As long as the boss gets a majority vote, there is no general discussion where each individual can ask questions in the group setting. Eventually, this style can lead to an environment of distrust and even to questioning the level of honesty. 

Alternative Questions

Asking a “why question” of an adult narcissist typically guarantees walking on egg shells and potentially injuring your own feet. Their reactivity tends to be set in stone, one reason that this mental disorder is often referred to as an extremely difficult behavior to deal with, much less to recover from. Even with professional help, they tend to believe that the problem is always—repeat ALWAYS—someone else’s problem and never theirs. For a teenager, try open-ended questions rather than anything starting with the word “Why.” For example, “What was your brain thinking when you decided to drink and drive?” “What could you do next time to remember to turn in your homework?” “How could you remind yourself the night before to put out the garbage?” “What prompted your brain to punch your little brother?” “Is there something I can do to help you realize the value of telling the truth and building a reputation for honesty?”

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Narcissists & “Why”

In addition to typical teenagers, narcissists are notorious for balking at being asked “why.” They tend to rage, attack, stonewall, deny, and ghost. They are poor at reflecting on their inner self and motivations  and may act out combatively, verbally and physically. They typically exhibit JOT behaviors (Jump to Conclusions, Overreact, Take things personally. They hate personal accountability and are exhausting to be around or deal with. If these individuals do not grow out of narcissistic behaviors, you have to deal with a “forever kiddo” who always needs a nap, a diaper change, and a box of juice after having tantrum meltdown—unless, however, you have the option of distancing yourself from them. Typically, this also includes many teens who are quite narcissistic until and unless they get some maturity and are helped to put “it’s all about me” into a balanced perspective. My brain’s opinion is that this is where parents, teachers, and coaches, can play a huge role in helping teenagers to grow out of their narcissism. 

"Why" Questions

Why do people go ballistic when they are asked a "why" question?

I could ask, "Why do people continue to ask 'why' questions when they rarely receive cogent cognitive answers?" Many human beings do not like being asked a “why” question, adolescents and Narcissists especially. “Why did you do that?” is likely to be answered with “I don’t know” or “Get off my back!” or “I’m out of here,” unless they just ghost you and badmouth you to others. In all probably they likely do NOT know as it takes some maturity and high Emotional Intelligence skills to attempt to identify contributing factors for an exhibited behavior, especially those involved with brain function. Indeed, a “why” question does often sound accusatory: “Why did you drink and drive?” or  “Why didn’t you turn in your homework,” or “Why didn’t you put out the garbage for pickup,” or “Why did you punch your little brother,” or “why did you eat half the cherry pie that you knew was for dessert tonight,” or “Why do you always lie,” or “Why didn’t you call me back?” or “Why did you cheat on me?” or ad infinitum.

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