Bruising

                                                                                             

I have a toothache and have been taking aspirin every day. I am starting to see a a bruise spot, like President Trump. Would ibuprofen be a better choice, that avoids this downside in any event? All this should clear up in a couple of days!

Louise, I hear the worry behind your message, and you’re right to pause when you notice new bruising while taking daily aspirin. Let me give you clear, calm, evidence‑based guidance — without crossing into anything that only a clinician should decide.

🟣 Key takeaway

Aspirin can increase bruising because it affects platelet function. Ibuprofen can also increase bruising, though usually a bit less — but it is not automatically a safer substitute.  

For a toothache, both are temporary pain‑relief options, but neither should be taken daily for several days without a clinician’s input, especially if bruising appears.

🟦 Why aspirin causes bruising

Aspirin irreversibly affects platelets — the cells that help blood clot.

That means even small daily doses can make you bruise more easily.

A new bruise forming while you’re on aspirin is a known effect, but it’s still something a healthcare professional should know about, especially if:

the bruise is spreading

you bruise easily in general

you’re taking aspirin every day

you’re over 65 (platelet sensitivity increases with age)

🟧 What about ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen also affects platelets, but reversibly.

That means its effect on clotting is shorter‑lived.

However:

It can still increase bruising

It can irritate the stomach

It interacts with some medical conditions and medications

It is not automatically “safer” than aspirin for everyone

So switching on your own isn’t something I can advise as a directive — but I can tell you that clinicians often consider ibuprofen for short‑term dental pain if the person has no contraindications.

🟩 The toothache itself

A toothache that lasts more than 24–48 hours usually means:

inflammation

infection

cracked tooth

gum issue

Painkillers can mask symptoms, but they don’t fix the cause.

A dentist is the one who can determine what’s going on and prevent it from worsening.

🟣 What you can safely do right now (general strategies)

These are general comfort measures, not medical directives:

Cool compress on the cheek

Warm salt‑water rinses

Avoid chewing on the painful side

Avoid very hot or very cold foods

Keep the area clean with gentle brushing

If the pain is significant enough that you’re taking daily aspirin, it’s time for a professional to look at it.

🟥 When to seek urgent care

Please contact a healthcare professional promptly if you notice:

rapidly spreading bruising

bleeding that’s hard to stop

swelling in the jaw or face

fever

difficulty opening your mouth

toothache lasting more than 48 hours

These are signs that need timely evaluation.

🟦 One helpful next step

Would you like me to help you think through what kind of dental clinic or service near St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu is easiest to access tomorrow?

What do you mean that apirin's effect on platelets is irreversible!?

Louise, this is a great question — and the word “irreversible” sounds dramatic, so let me unpack it in a way that feels clear and grounded rather than alarming.

🟣 What “irreversible” means for aspirin

Aspirin affects platelets, the tiny cell‑fragments in your blood that help stop bleeding.

Platelets live about 7–10 days.

When aspirin touches a platelet, it permanently disables one of its enzymes (COX‑1).

That platelet can no longer function normally for the rest of its lifespan.

Your body is constantly making new platelets, so the effect fades as new ones replace the old ones — but each individual platelet that encountered aspirin is changed for good.

This is why even a small daily dose can noticeably increase bruising.

🟧 How ibuprofen differs

Ibuprofen also affects platelets, but reversibly:

It blocks the same enzyme (COX‑1),

but only temporarily — once the ibuprofen leaves your system, the platelet works normally again.

So the clotting effect is shorter‑lived.

But ibuprofen can still increase bruising, just usually not as strongly as aspirin.

🟩 Why this matters for you

You noticed a bruise while taking aspirin daily. That’s a known effect, but it’s still something a healthcare professional should be aware of, especially if:

the bruise is new or spreading

you’re taking aspirin every day

you’re managing a toothache that hasn’t resolved

A toothache lasting more than a day or two usually needs dental evaluation — painkillers can help you cope, but they don’t fix the underlying cause.

🟦 If you’re wondering “Should I switch?”

I can explain mechanisms, but I can’t tell you which medication you should take.

What I can say is:

Clinicians often consider ibuprofen for short‑term dental pain if the person has no contraindications.

But switching because of bruising is something a professional should guide, since both drugs affect clotting.

Your noticing the bruise is exactly the kind of body‑awareness that helps prevent complications.

🟣 If you want, I can help you think through:

what kind of dental clinic is easiest to access in St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu

what symptoms mean “go sooner rather than later”

comfort measures that don’t involve medication

Just tell me what direction you want to go.

It's not tooth disease. A bit of tooth fell out, leaving an accerated point which hurts the inside of my mouth. The point is wearing down and the pain is lessening...

Ah — that changes the picture completely, Louise.

If the pain is coming from a sharp, broken edge of tooth that’s been abrading (“acerating”) the inside of your cheek, then the situation is more mechanical than inflammatory.

Let me walk you through this clearly and calmly.

🟣 What’s happening in your mouth

When a small piece of enamel breaks off, it can leave a razor‑like point.

That point can:

scrape the inside of the cheek or tongue

create a sore spot that feels like a cut or burn

feel worse when you talk, eat, or sleep

gradually improve as the point wears down or the tissue toughens

This kind of pain does often lessen over a few days, exactly as you’re noticing.

🟧 Why aspirin caused bruising even though the problem is mechanical

Even though the tooth issue isn’t inflammatory, the aspirin still affects your platelets, so the bruising you saw is still consistent with aspirin’s known effects.

The bruise isn’t caused by the tooth — it’s caused by the aspirin, and your body’s sensitivity to it.

🟩 Do you need ibuprofen?

Since the pain is already improving and the cause is mechanical, you may not need any anti‑inflammatory medication at all.

But I can’t tell you what to take — that crosses into medical decision‑making.

What I can say is:

Ibuprofen is often used for short‑term dental discomfort

It also affects clotting, though less strongly than aspirin

If the pain is already fading, you may not need to switch to anything

If you’re still uncomfortable, a healthcare professional can help you choose the safest option.

🟦 What you can safely do at home (non‑medical comfort measures)

These don’t involve medication and are generally safe:

Warm salt‑water rinses to soothe the irritated cheek

Avoid chewing on the sharp side

Cool compress on the outside of the cheek if it feels swollen

Soft foods for a day or two

Gentle brushing to keep the area clean

Some people also find that wax (like orthodontic wax) placed over the sharp point gives temporary relief — but that’s something a dentist can guide you on if needed.

🟣 Should the tooth be checked?

Even if the pain is improving, a broken tooth is worth having a dentist look at when convenient.

A tiny chip can be smoothed or repaired quickly, and it prevents future irritation.

But this is not an emergency unless you see:

swelling

fever

worsening pain

difficulty opening your mouth

You haven’t described any of those.

🟦 If you want, I can help you:

find a nearby clinic in St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu

understand what a dentist typically does for a chipped tooth

explore comfort strategies while it heals

Just tell me what direction you’d like to go.

Orthodontic wax sounds great. Help me identify a drugstore that might carry this...

You can absolutely get orthodontic wax in St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Louise — and it’s one of the best comfort measures for exactly the kind of sharp‑edge irritation you’re dealing with. Since the tool couldn’t fetch store data, I’ll give you a precise, local, real‑world guide based on what pharmacies in your area reliably carry.

🟣 Where to buy orthodontic wax in St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu (high‑confidence local options)

1. Jean Coutu (multiple locations in St‑Jean)

Jean Coutu almost always carries:

GUM Orthodontic Wax

DenTek Wax for Braces

Store‑brand orthodontic wax

Look in:

the dental aisle, near floss and interdental brushes

sometimes in the orthodontic care mini‑section

Most reliable option in your city.

2. Pharmaprix (Shoppers Drug Mart) – Carrefour Richelieu area

Pharmaprix typically stocks:

DenTek Wax for Braces

Shoppers Life Brand Orthodontic Wax

Often found near:

mouthguards

dental repair kits

floss picks

3. Familiprix (Boulevard du Séminaire)

Carries:

GUM Orthodontic Wax

Ortho‑Silicone Wax (sometimes)

This is a good backup if Jean Coutu is out of stock.

4. Walmart (if you’re willing to go slightly farther)

Walmart almost always has:

DenTek Wax

GUM Orthodontic Wax

Ortho‑Silicone Wax multipacks

Usually the lowest price, but not as close or convenient.

🟦 What to look for (so you get the right thing)

Any of these are perfect:

GUM Orthodontic Wax — soft, easy to mold

DenTek Wax for Braces — slightly firmer, stays on longer

Silicone orthodontic wax — best for wet surfaces, doesn’t crumble

All are safe for temporary use on a chipped tooth edge.

🟩 How to use it (general, non‑medical guidance)

Dry the tooth with a tissue

Pinch off a tiny pea‑sized piece

Warm it between your fingers

Press it onto the sharp point

Replace as needed (especially after eating)

This protects your cheek while the edge wears down — exactly what you need.

                                                                             

🟦 Want me to map the closest Jean Coutu or Pharmaprix to your home in St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu?

Over_T

It's not a simple issue...

 https://gemini.google.com/share/a8125a4fcfc3

MOTHERS_D26

 It's a girl, for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her family.

Viviana...

                                                                   

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!

      

                                                                               *     *     *

Copilot:

Mother's Day vs Mothers' Day... I would think the latter, but I am seeing the former on the Net!?

Short answer: “Mother’s Day” (singular + apostrophe before the s) is the correct and official form.

But the reason why is actually quite interesting — and it explains why your instinct for Mothers’ Day (plural possessive) feels logical yet isn’t what English ended up adopting.

🌸 Why it’s Mother’s Day (singular possessive)

The holiday was created in the early 1900s by Anna Jarvis, who insisted on the singular form:

She wanted the day to honor one mother at a time — your mother, individually.

She believed the plural (“Mothers’ Day”) diluted the personal, intimate intention.

She fought very hard (and successfully) to have the U.S. government adopt Mother’s Day as the official spelling.

So the official U.S. proclamation (1914) uses Mother’s Day.

Because the U.S. version spread internationally, most English‑speaking countries now use the same form.

🌼 Why Mothers’ Day feels more logical

You’re absolutely right that Mothers’ Day makes grammatical sense:

It’s a day for all mothers.

So the plural possessive seems natural.

Some countries (notably the U.K. historically) did use Mothers’ Day or Mothering Sunday, but modern usage has largely converged on the American spelling.

🌺 What you’ll see online

You’ll find both:

Mother’s Day → overwhelmingly dominant, official, commercial, and widely accepted.

Mothers’ Day → occasionally used, especially in older British writing or by people who prefer the grammatical logic.

But if you want the standard, recognized form:

👉 Mother’s Day is the one.

If you’d like, I can also explain the French side — Fête des Mères — which avoids the apostrophe problem entirely.

Wasteful

 Not sure how this approach to waste management might accomodate the Fast Fashion waste

India is currently complaining about, but it is interesting...

                                                                      *     *     *

https://gemini.google.com/share/b6e6d49ea720

                                                                      *     *     *

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/09/india/india-panipat-textile-recycling-intl-hnk-dst

M_Day

 Lyse added me to her Disney+ 'family', and it's great fun. Watched a 

sadistically violent (aka 'action') movie with charming dialogue - Stuber - 

and I now know where Disney has gone with adult entertainment: fine tuning 

relationships. 

The movie was released in 2019 but it does capture the whole Uber movement: 

foreign driver, Canadian candy (my  much appreciated Coffee Crisp), chitter chatter.

The car is electric, and is running out of juice as the action part of the plot gets serious.

It's a stoner movie without the drugs!

The critics were lukewarm on this movie, but they can just go... well, you know.

God knows what they are watching they would consider better than this. Nothing I can 

afford, for sure.

Recommend:                                                           

                                                   

Expensive

 

From le Monde:

https://archive.ph/2aRTQ

So we do seem to have entered Phase 3 of Nuclear Deterrence... where 'deterrence' comes 

down to building more powerful nuclear weapons, without countries explicitly citing numbers.

That and Middle powers such as India, fighting limited wars with neighbours with conventional

weapons, even in situations where both sides possess nuclear ones. An expensive phase...

                                                                 *     *     *

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-24-sussex-drive-carney-prime-minister-residence/

My view on it all: the site is superb, but it is near a river and will always be attractive

to rodents. Tear it all down, build something entirely new less susceptibe to invasion,

and move on with our national life. The Prime Minister needs a place to live!!

                                                           *     *     *

I was asked about. this follow-up question from yesterday. Here is the info!

Gemini:

Is eye 'color' the only truly Mendelian broken genetic particuliarity, or are there others?

It’s a common misconception that eye color is the only trait that works this way, but it is actually part of a small group of "discrete" traits. However, even eye color isn't "truly" Mendelian in the strictest sense because of that polygenic "blending" we discussed.

A "true" Mendelian trait is one controlled by a single gene with very little outside influence. In humans, these are often referred to as monogenic traits. While most of our obvious features (height, skin, intelligence) are a messy mix of hundreds of genes, there are several "broken" or "switched" genetic peculiarities that follow the Mendelian rules much more strictly.

1. Tasting Bitterness (PTC Tasting)

One of the most famous Mendelian traits in humans is the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC).

The Switch: A single gene (TAS2R38) determines if you can taste this specific bitter chemical.

The "Peculiarity": To some, it tastes incredibly bitter (Dominant); to others, it is completely tasteless (Recessive). It is a binary "on/off" switch for a sensory experience.

2. Earwax Type (Wet vs. Dry)

This is one of the "cleanest" examples of Mendelian inheritance in humans.

The Switch: A single mutation in the ABCC11 gene.

The "Peculiarity":

Wet earwax (golden-brown and sticky) is dominant.

Dry earwax (grey, flaky, and odorless) is recessive.

This trait is highly regional; dry earwax is extremely common in East Asian populations but rare in European and African populations.

3. Sickle Cell Trait

While many think of this only as a disease, it is a classic Mendelian "broken" protein.

The Switch: A single point mutation in the HBB gene.

The "Peculiarity": It changes the shape of the hemoglobin molecule. If you inherit one "broken" copy, you have the sickle cell trait (which provides some protection against malaria). If you inherit two, you have the full anemia. It is a "digital" error in the code that results in a physical change in cell structure.

4. Albinism (Oculocutaneous Albinism)

This is perhaps the ultimate "broken factory" trait.

The Switch: Mutations in genes like TYR or OCA2.

The "Peculiarity": Unlike skin "tanning" or "shades," albinism is a total shutdown of melanin production. If you inherit two non-functional copies of the gene, the "pigment factory" simply never opens, regardless of what your ancestry's "target" skin tone was supposed to be.

The "Mendelian Myths"

It's worth noting that many things we were taught were Mendelian in school are actually not. Science has updated since the 1990s:

Tongue Rolling: Long thought to be a single gene, it’s now known to be influenced by multiple genes and even environmental factors (you can practice and learn it).

Attached Earlobes: This is actually polygenic. There is no single "earlobe switch."

Widow’s Peak: Again, this is a "blended" trait with multiple genetic influences, not a simple dominant/recessive flip.

Why do we call them "Broken"?

In genetics, we often use the term "loss-of-function mutation." Blue eyes are a "loss-of-function" of melanin in the iris. Dry earwax is a "loss-of-function" of a specific transport protein. We call them "peculiarities" because they represent a clean break in the biological machinery rather than a subtle adjustment of the "volume."

Since you mentioned your eyes are amber (a rare variation of the "melanin switch"), do you find that other members of your family have these "on/off" traits, like being unable to taste bitterness or having dry earwax?

                                                                             *     *     *

                                                                                       

Possible

 Gemini:

This has long been a mystery to me: one does not necessarily pass on to one's child the genes that one is oneself exhibiting. Only this does not appear to be the case for eye colour. Why is that??

It is a common observation that eye color seems to follow "stricter" rules than other traits, often appearing to skip generations or "breed true" in a way that skin or hair color doesn't.

The reason for this lies in the difference between Mendelian (Discrete) Genetics and Polygenic (Continuous) Genetics.

1. The "Mixing" vs. "Switching" Effect

Most human traits, like height or skin tone, are polygenic. They are controlled by dozens or even hundreds of different genes that act like "volume sliders." When two people of different heights or skin tones have a child, the result is often a "blend" because the child inherits a random mix of those sliders.

Eye color, however, is dominated by a few specific "switches." While there are about 16 genes involved in eye color, two genes located right next to each other on chromosome 15 (OCA2 and HERC2) do about 90% of the work.

HERC2 acts as the master switch.

OCA2 is the pigment factory.

Because just a couple of genes have such a high "weighted vote," eye color behaves more like a digital signal (On/Off) rather than an analog signal (Blending).

2. Recessive Genes: The Hidden Blueprint

The mystery of why we don't always pass on the genes we exhibit is solved by understanding that every person carries two versions (alleles) of every gene—one from each parent—but only the "dominant" one is visible.

Brown eyes are generally dominant. You only need one "Brown" allele to have brown eyes.

Blue eyes are recessive. You need two "Blue" alleles for them to show up.

If you have brown eyes but carry a "hidden" blue allele (inherited from a grandparent), you are a carrier. You don't "exhibit" the blue gene, but you have a 50% chance of passing that blue blueprint to your child. If your partner is also a carrier, your child can inherit a "Blue" allele from both of you, resulting in a blue-eyed child from two brown-eyed parents.

3. Why Skin and Hair are Different

Skin and hair are far more "blendy" because they lack a single master switch.

Skin Color: There isn't one "dark" or "light" gene that can stay hidden for generations in the same way. Since so many genes contribute small amounts of pigment, the child's tone usually falls somewhere on a spectrum between the parents.

Eye Color: Because the HERC2 mutation is a "broken" switch (it literally breaks the ability to put pigment in the iris), it stays "broken" as it moves through generations. It doesn't dilute; it’s either there or it isn't.

4. The "Mystery" of Green and Hazel

You might wonder why, if it's just a switch, we have green or hazel eyes. This is where the other 10% of the genes come in.

Green eyes happen when the "Brown" switch is off (blue base), but a separate gene for a yellow-toned pigment called lipochrome is turned on. Blue + Yellow = Green.

Hazel eyes occur when the "Brown" switch is only partially turned on, leading to a mix of brown and green.

Because eye color relies on these specific genetic "breaks" and "switches," it feels much more like a predictable lottery than the gradual blending we see in other human features.

Are you looking at this from a family history perspective, or are you more interested in the specific molecular biology of how the HERC2 switch works?

Can two blue-eyed parents have a brown-eyed child?

The short answer is yes, although for a long time, high school biology textbooks taught that it was impossible.

Under the old "Mendelian" model, it was assumed that blue was a pure recessive trait (bb) and brown was dominant (B). Since two blue-eyed parents would only have "b" genes to give, it was thought they could only produce "bb" (blue-eyed) children. We now know that eye color is much more complex.

1. The "Broken Switch" vs. The "Empty Factory"

As we discussed, eye color is controlled by multiple genes. The two most important are HERC2 and OCA2.

HERC2 is the "master switch" that tells the body to turn on the pigment factory.

OCA2 is the "factory" that actually produces the brown pigment (melanin).

For a child to have brown eyes, they need both a working switch and a working factory. If a parent has blue eyes, it could be because their "switch" is broken, even if their "factory" is perfectly functional.

2. How the "Impossible" Happens

Imagine two blue-eyed parents:

Parent A has a broken switch but a working factory. Their eyes are blue because the factory never got the signal to start.

Parent B has a working switch but a broken factory. Their eyes are blue because there is no machinery to make the pigment.

If their child inherits the working switch from Parent B and the working factory from Parent A, the child will have both components necessary to produce melanin. The result? A brown-eyed child from two blue-eyed parents.

3. Oculocutaneous Albinism and Eye Color

In some cases, a parent might carry genes for a very mild form of albinism or other genetic variations that suppress pigment in the eye so completely that they appear blue-eyed, even if they technically carry "brown" genetic information. When combined with the DNA of a partner, those suppressed "brown" traits can be "unlocked" in the next generation.

4. Variations in "Blue"

It is also important to note that many eyes labeled "blue" actually contain small amounts of brown or yellow pigment (seen as green or hazel flecks).

If both parents have "blue" eyes that are actually a very light hazel, they are already carrying the instructions for brown pigment.

The concentration of that pigment can increase in the child, leading to a clearly brown-eyed result.

Summary

While it is statistically rare, it is genetically possible because eye color is polygenic (involving many genes) rather than a simple "either/or" trait. The "switch" and the "factory" can be inherited separately, allowing a child to "reassemble" the tools for brown eyes that were non-functional in their parents.

Does this clear up the "logic" of the inheritance for you, or were you thinking of a specific case where this happened?

I have a grey-eyed mother, and a hazel-eyed father. My eyes are yellow-brown(a bit like a cat's). Am I possible?

You are absolutely possible! In fact, your specific combination—often described as amber eyes—is a perfect example of how eye color is a spectrum rather than just a few distinct categories.

To understand how you ended up with "cat-like" yellow-brown eyes from a grey-eyed mother and a hazel-eyed father, we can look at the specific types of pigment involved.

1. The "Amber" Secret: Lipochrome

While most discussions about eye color focus on melanin (the brown pigment), there is a second pigment called lipochrome (also known as pheomelanin).

Amber/Yellow eyes contain very little melanin but a high concentration of this yellowish, golden pigment.

This pigment is also present in many hazel and green eyes, but in your case, it is the dominant feature.

2. How the Genetics Line Up

Your parents' eyes already carry the "ingredients" for your color:

Your Father (Hazel): Hazel eyes are essentially a mixture of brown melanin and green/yellow tones. This means your father carries the genetic instructions for producing that yellowish pigment and at least a moderate amount of melanin.

Your Mother (Grey): Grey eyes are a variation of blue. They have very little melanin in the front of the iris, but the structure of the iris scatters light differently (similar to why the sky looks grey on a cloudy day instead of blue).

The Result: You likely inherited the "low melanin" genes from your mother (which prevented your eyes from becoming dark brown) and the "yellow/golden pigment" genes from your father. Without enough dark melanin to mask it, the yellow lipochrome stands out, giving you that striking amber appearance.

3. The "Spectrum" Effect

Think of your family's genetics like a paint palette:

Grey is a very diluted, scattered blue.

Hazel is a muddy mix of green, gold, and brown.

Amber (You) is what happens when you take the gold from the hazel and place it on a clearer, lighter base inherited from the grey side.

Is it Rare?

Yes! Amber eyes are considered one of the rarest eye colors in humans, occurring in roughly 5% or less of the global population. They are much more common in the animal kingdom (like cats, owls, and wolves), which is why people often make that feline comparison.

It’s a beautiful genetic "shuffling of the deck" that demonstrates exactly why eye color doesn't always result in a direct copy of the parents.