If you follow medical news, you must have noticed that all you get are “snippets” of the facts; the dramatic headline, the superficial explanation. No one seems to take the time to really explain a topic. Is something harmful or is it good for you? If so, why? How much should you take of this? How much should you not take of that? The information can get downright confusing. Well…things are about to change! Every Wednesday from now on, at DrJorge.com, is WELLNESS WEDNESDAY. I have been going around the country asking people what they want to know about. Every Wednesday I will launch a new video blog where I discuss, in a clear, educational and entertaining fashion, the topics that YOU find important.
Come and join my medical community. Send me your suggestions on topics you want to know more about. Share my insights with your friends and family. Pass it forward. Let’s all start gaining knowledge and getting healthier today!
This is the story of Cate. A health educator that should have known all about diabetes and how to treat it. Unfortunately it is difficult to walk the walk. She had trouble controlling her weight and her blood sugar… until she read The Diabetes Solution. In a few months she lost over 20 pounds. Her A1C dropped by almost 2%. She went off 75% of her medication. Here is here inspirational story.
Over three million Americans have Hepatitis C and over half of them are unaware they are infected. This virus, which mainly affects baby boomers born between 1945 and 1965, can quietly and without symptoms slowly destroy the liver until all that is left is a scarred, cirrhotic, non-functioning liver. But now there is a cure.
The liver is one of our vital organs. Located under the right rib cage it quietly goes about its business of ridding our body of dangerous toxins. It produces proteins that allow our blood to clot. It is also vital in our blood’s sugar balance. Without a normally function liver anyone’s prognosis is grim.
Hepatitis C is a virus that specifically targets the liver. Some people that are infected with Hepatitis become jaundiced and very ill at the time they acquire the virus. The majority, however, have no symptoms at all. The virus can live in their liver for decades; every day destroying a small piece of liver. Until one day they become ill. Small wonder Hepatitis C is called a silent killer.
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood. Therefore, anyone who has ever used IV drugs or received a blood transfusion is at high risk of having Hepatitis C. Since no test for Hepatitis C was discovered until 1992 anyone who received a blood transfusion before 1992 is considered at VERY high risk. Actually, 67% of all people with Hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965. If you don’t fall into any of these groups don’t feel too comfortable because up to 30% of all Hepatitis C cases were transmitted sexually. So, anyone who has ever had unsafe sex can also have Hepatitis C.
Up to two years ago the only treatment for Hepatitis C was a combination of pills and some very potent yet toxic injections. The treatment had to be taken for a year. Unfortunately only 30% of those who were strong enough to complete the treatment got cured. No wonder many people were more afraid of the treatment than the actual disease. However, two years ago all of that changed! Now there are medications that can easily treat Hepatitis C. The treatments are as simple as one pill a day for three months, with an over 90% success rate. That is remarkable.
If you were born between the 1945 and 1965, had a blood transfusion before 1992, used IV drugs or have ever had unprotected sex you may be at risk for Hepatitis C. Please ask your health professional to check you for Hepatitis C. All it takes is one simple blood test that can save your life.
For more information ask your doctor or go to www.hepchope.com #HepatitisC #HepatitisCAwareness #Hepatitis #Liver #DrJorge #DrJorgeMD
It’s that time of year again, the holidays have passed and the flu is making its rounds. This year make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to avoid the flu at all costs! Trust me, it’s nasty this year! It is seriously no joke. It’s currently affecting 43 states severely and 6 other states mildly. It appears that Hawaii is the only state that is being spared so far.
The symptoms are usually fever, chills, cough and severe body aches. If you think having the flu is a joke, let me tell you that during the last week of 2014 over 600 people died from the flu. During the week of Christmas alone over 800 people died from the flu. So please give these recommendations the attention they deserve.
On that note, here’s my top ten list for surviving the flu season.
Keep your distance. This one is pretty obvious, but stay away from people who have the flu. I know there are times when it’s unavoidable — like when you have a sick family member — but keep it to a minimum if possible. For family members, consider having an isolated room where they can rest and recover without spreading germs throughout the house.
Avoid community property. Any item that is shared by many is a germ magnet! So rather than using the bolted-down pen at the bank, this is the season to bring your own. Other germ magnets include phones, door knobs and anything else that comes into contact with lots of potentially infected hands.
Track the influenza virus. Did you know they actually have sophisticated mathematical formulas to determine where the flu is headed and when it will hit your neck of the woods in full force? Some very smart scientists at Columbia University put together a tracking website that can help you to know which weeks you should be extra cautious … and maybe avoid too much time in crowded public places.
Boost your immune system with a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants are important for overall health. While a last-ditch effort to reign in your eating habits may not prevent illness altogether, it’s important to give your body all the nutrition it needs to support the extra work of fending off illnesses.
Don’t forget physical activity. Save the lethargy for when you’re actually sick. In the meantime, experts at Medline Plus suggest that moderate daily exercise can help to both reduce your risk of getting sick and reduce the severity if you do catch the flu. For further reading, the folks at The New York Times discuss some interesting studies on the topic in a blog post titled Does Exercise Boost Immunity?
Catch plenty of z’s. Multiple studies have shown a direct link between lack of sleep and illness. Constantly skimping on your sleep puts a strain on your immune system and increases your risk of catching the flu and other illnesses. For more in-depth reasoning behind this, check out WebMD’s article Can Better Sleep Mean Catching Fewer Colds?
Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. The flu virus can survive on surfaces for up to three hours! And since contagion sets in BEFORE symptoms, it’s probably best to make sanitizing part of your regular routine this time of year. Pay particular attention to doorknobs, phones, toilet handles, sheets and pillow cases. For a thorough guide to sanitizing your home, read How to Disinfect Your Home from the Cold and Flu Viruses from The Huffington Post.
Get the flu shot. I can’t say it often enough, THE FLU SHOT SAVES LIVES! Even in years when the vaccine is not a perfect match it still provides some level of protection and can help to reduce the severity of the illness if you do get sick. Plus, in any given year several strains of the flu can circulate and evolve. The flu shot is likely to cover at least some of those strains. You can read more on this topic at ABCNews.com.
Wash your hands frequently. That’s basic hygiene year-round but it’s especially important this time of year… especially after coming into contact with other people or objects that have been handled by others. On that same note….
Keep your hands away from your face! Your eyes, nose and mouth are a direct conduit to illness. Keep the germs out by never touching your face except after washing your hands… and then make sure to wash them again.
Last but not least, if you do get sick, please please PLEASE DON’T SHARE THE LOVE. If you get sick, do your coworkers, neighbors and the general public a favor and just stay home.
Be part of the future of diabetes research. If you are an adult withtype 2 diabetes, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study. Call 310-550-2271 to find out if you qualify.
