Staying Well During These Difficult Times, May 6

We hope everyone is doing as well as can be during these unusual times. We are okay inside the Be Well Medical Center. We are seeing patients at the office and by telemedical visits every day. We have still suspended evening clinics through the month of May. Some patients have stated that they don’t want to call and bother us, since we are so busy. That is not necessary, and I want you to know that we are here and available to you. Please wear a facial covering if you come to the office. We will take your temperature and complete a respiratory questionnaire before allowing you entrance into the building.

​Facial coverings of some type need to be worn when you are around people.The purpose of them is to impede the flow of exhaled air so it doesn’t travel as fast or as far, and thereby reduces the risk of COVID-19 spread to others. 

The most important action everyone can do is to use your common sense. Social (or what I prefer to say is personal) distancing is something we need to continue to do. Facial coverings of some type need to be worn when you are around people. They are not necessary inside your homes. The purpose of them is to impede the flow of exhaled air so it doesn’t travel as fast or as far, and thereby reduces the risk of COVID-19 spread to others. Medical grade N95 masks do NOT need to be worn outside of the medical setting. I have seen some very creative and good-looking masks lately! 

Tensions around the world appears to be on the rise. We need more gentility, kindness, compassion, and smiles right now. We are making significant progress in the fight against COVID-19. Remdesivir, an intravenous medication developed by Gilead, has just been authorized by the FDA to treat severe COVID-19. It has been shown to reduce the number of days of hospitalization. This is very significant!

The new COVID-19 antibody test by Roche is now approved. It is 99.8% accurate, and the one I have been waiting for. Now, we can discuss antibody testing knowing we have a good test to use. Antibody testing is not for everyone, but it can give useful information. Antibody testing will become more and more useful in the near future.

COVID-19 is a virus that causes inflammation, generally, but not limited to the respiratory system. Inflammation is bad and is the cause of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as well as other diseases. We need to do what we can to reduce inflammation inside our body for maintaining the best health possible. Good medical treatment and control of all seemingly unrelated medical ailments are important in reducing inflammation. We don’t want the COVID-19 virus to be “the straw that brakes the camel’s back” when it comes to inflammation in your body.  If you are prescribed medications to treat hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, or anything else, make sure you take them as instructed to keep your body’s inflammation in check.

Other things I can suggest to help reduce inflammation are the following: 

• quit smoking, 
• move around and stay active, 
• reduce alcohol and recreational drugs, 
• good oral hygiene including daily flossing (this is more important than one would think to reduce inflammation including heart disease), 
• improve your diets, and 
• maintain a positive mental attitude. Do stretches or find an online Yoga class you can do safely from home.

Although not specifically approved or indicated for COVID-19 protection, I recommend Vitamin D at over the counter strength. Some studies have shown that low Vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients is associated with a higher mortality. Also, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can reduce inflammation. Turmeric has been reported to reduce inflammation as well. Like anything else, the more layers of protection you take to reduce inflammation, the better off you may be.

I’ve recently heard that people who have recovered from COVID-19 may be at a higher risk for getting blood clots. This is not age or time specific. The use of low dose aspirin can be discussed as a measure to prevent this. This is an off-label recommendation. 

Please be creative and safe in celebrating this year’s Mother’s Day!

To Your Good Health…We Remain