The Anthem Philatelist

I've on occasion been asked, how do you remain fit? Now, I'm going to reveal my secret- Hormesis. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. This is the basic layman concept of hormesis.  Our body responds to transient, acute physiologic stress or discomfort by triggering the adaptive stress response pathways. This reaction makes  our cells - especially the mitochondria, (the powerhouse of the cell) work better, making our body more efficient machines. The stress should be acute; chronic stress leads to debility and disease. One of the most common hormetic activity is exercise.  We stress our heart and muscle  to a certain degree and our body responds by making our muscles stronger, bigger and more adaptive to stamina. As in life and hormesis, too much of anything, including exercise is bad. I ran too much in my 40's and I injured myself then. So now in my 50's, running has become an occasional activity. Fasting is another hormetic activity. I have always skipped bre...

This is the second of the special series on Gastroenterology on stamps. Click here see first series. Featured here are the first day cover of the 3rd Panhellinic Congress of Gas troenterology issued by Greece in 1974, three special covers from Romania issued in 1993 for the National Symposium of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, which had a special cancel and postmark and a Gastroenterology Week- Protection against AIDS stamp issued by Greece in 1992. In this connection, the PSDE C ommander General, Dr. Jonathan Sandejas is encouraging and inviting all gastroenterologist to join the 2011 Live Endoscopy Boot Camp and Workshop at NKI on August 17-19. Several GI topics will be tackled and "Meet the Masters" session is back.    Three international faculties from Singapore, India and Thailand will share their expertise. Hope to see you there.  I also hope and pray that medical businesses, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies will inculcate in their hearts pat...

Gastroenterology is the medical sub-specialty concerned with the function and disorders of the stomach, intestines, liver and related organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy is a non-surgical procedure done by a gastroenterologist to look inside the gut using an endoscopic camera to diagnosis and perform therapeutic procedures like snare polypectomy (excision of pedunculated polyp), argon plasma coagulation (stoppage of bleeding), and rubber band ligation (esophageal varices). Some stamps related to Gastroenterology events had been issued. The majority are presented here. The World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) is held every four years event under the auspices of the World Organisation of Gastroenterology (OMGE). Since its inaugural conference in 1958 in Washington, D.C.   WCOG has become the leading quadrennial gathering of the world's digestive disease physicians. The previous World Congresses where special stamps were issued for the event include- 1974 in Me...