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September 23, 2021

Health & Wellness

The dangers of digital ‘e-dictions’

Today’s rising rates of depression and anxiety among all ages of people may be a result of our brains’ messengers getting hooked on pleasurable activities. This is especially true in the Covid-19 Era where more and more people are spending an extreme amount of hours at home in pursuit of video games.

Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and professor at Stanford University, gives us this essay adapted from her new book: “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Dopamine is the brain’s chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. In the past 75 years, it has been discovered, however, that pain and pleasure are processed in the same part of the brain.

Health risks of air pollution for the heart

In addition to global warming and climate change with its rising sea levels, Dr. Tim Sanborn of Chicago Life Magazine (Summer 2021) addresses the importance of heart issues resulting from air pollution. Now acknowledged by the American Heart Association and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (along with many other organizations), air pollution has become a dangerous health hazard for heart trouble. More than smoking, obesity, and elevated blood glucose, air pollution is linked to over 3 million worldwide cardiovascular deaths annually. Only hypertension has led to greater cardiovascular mortality.

The mystery of long COVID illness

With fully vaccinated people having been saved (for the most part) from the severe illness and death of the Covid-19 virus, scientists are now identifying an array of less serious, but potentially debilitating chronic long-term symptoms of the Covid-19 disease. Now responsible for more than 80% of our country’s rapidly growing caseload of the viral scourge, the Delta variant or mutation is spreading even amongst our largely unvaccinated youth. The new scientific term “Long Covid” refers to symptoms that last for weeks or months beyond infection.

COVID-19 antibodies to the rescue?

In their article “Covid-19 Antibodies Remain Beneficial,” the Wall Street Journal explains that “Research indicates an enduring level of protection, but variants, like Delta, present risks.” The article’s authors, Brianna Abbott and Stephanie Armour, state that “Infection and inoculation both elicit an immune response against Covid-19 that lasts for months and possibly years, a growing body of research shows, but the power of vaccines against known variants make the shots critical to containing the virus.”

Two important questions about COVID vaccination

A Sun Day reader recently asked two very important questions for the newspaper’s health staff to answer. Here are the Sun City resident’s questions and my column’s researched answers from The Cleveland Clinic and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sitting on the psychological fallout from Covid-19

With the end of the U.S. pandemic’s emergency phase now in sight, experts are, nevertheless, awaiting a long-term impact on individuals’ mental health. Some people will resolve their feelings of anxiety and depression as they resume their normal routine, such as going back to work in an office setting, or reforming social connections. But then there are others who will face new mental health issues or those issues that already persist.

Damage from exposure to the sun’s uv rays is cumulative

I, like so many teenage girls who lived in the 50s through the 60s, welcomed our rich bronze skin tans as a sign of a healthy glow. Indeed, we lathered our skins with a baby oil and iodine mixture aided with the use of a tin foil plate placed under our chins to gather even stronger sun rays reflected onto our faces!

India’s and China’s viral misery

In a follow-up to my last column’s story, here is more info on what has led to the catastrophe of Covid-19 numbers and vaccination failures in India and many of the earth’s poorer countries, including China.

Poorest nationals fall behind on vaccine efforts

As recently as April 20, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated, “More than a quarter of the U.S. population has now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.”  

Meanwhile new versions, including a double mutation of the coronavirus, have been playing a role in the world’s fastest developing surge of cases.  

Key to reaching herd immunity: ‘Surveillance and containment’

My first article on this topic leaves us questioning “If herd immunity is out of reach, does that mean we’re doomed?”  

Our Wall Street Journal (WSJ) medical authors (Larry Brilliant, W. Ian Lipkin, Lisa Danzig, and Karen Pak Oppenheimer) all answer this question with a resounding “Not at all.”

Much more to be done

In its March 27 publication, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) presented “Herd Immunity Won’t Save Us – But We Can Still Beat Covid-19.”  The all-encompassing article was written by medical officers and immunology experts: Larry Brilliant, W. Ian Lipkin, Lisa Danzig, and Karen Pak Oppenheimer. The authors dismiss the fact that “herd immunity” would be an easy plateau to reach.

Is daylight savings time driving you coo-coo, coo-coo, coo-coo?

Today, sixty-per cent of the world follow standard time all year long. As a result, many U.S. citizens (feeling the loss of that one hour of sleep) and their states are questioning the impact that changing clocks appears to have on their health.

Preparing for the next pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic appears to be finally winding down! Current statistics show large decreases in case numbers and fatalities. Thanks to Sun City/Huntley’s fabulous management staff and outstanding neighborhood reps, seniors (choosing to do so) have already received their first corona virus vaccination with a second (booster) shot to be given to them in the next few weeks. Masks and social distancing practices are still advised by the government, but a post-pandemic world is now in reach.

Researchers find sunlight may cause less COVID transmission

Mark Puleo, an Accuweather staff writer, gave us an updated article on January 22. He informs us that researchers are continuing to increase their understanding of the role ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays in the pandemic spread.

2021 Exercise Resolutions by the numbers

Author, Jo Craven McGinty, in her Wall Street Journal article (January 2021), informs us of numbers important for carrying out successful workout resolutions this year. She first cautions us to mark the calendar day of March 7. This is an important date because, according to one study, it takes 66 days to develop a new habit. Unfortunately, according to Gallup Polls, 80% of resolutions are broken by mid-February, with the most common vow of “exercise improvement” then lost in the shuffle.

Illinois attempts to meet the challenge for safe and effective vaccine rollouts in 2021

Beset by confusion and disorganization in many of our states, our country’s most ambitious vaccination campaign ever has not yet met with its 2020 promises of delivery and number of inoculations.

Charting a vaccination path to the pandemic’s end

What usually can take decades of vaccine research work has been completed in months through President Trump’s “Warp Speed Initiative Program.” Both U.S. drug companies, Pfizer (with its German BioNTech partner) and Moderna, are now gaining government authorization allowing the release of their two vaccines to the public.

Combining different layers of vaccinations and personal and public measures to combat COVID-19

With both of our country’s Pfizer and Moderna Research Labs communicating strong showings in their final phases of vaccine development, there appears to be two strong rays of light at the end of the world’s long quarantined tunnel.

On the way

On November 9, American biotech and pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, and its German biotech partner, BioNTech, announced their researched coronavirus vaccine has proven to be more than 90% effective in preventing the virus among those without evidence of prior infection.

Indeed, Dr. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, hailed the recent trial results as “a great day for science and humanity.”

What people need to understand about bipolar disorder

This past October 6 through the 12 was National Mental Health Awareness Week.

Here are comments discussing the reality of one form of mental illness, bipolar disorder or manic-depressive Illness.

The pandemic’s isolationism is leading America into a mental health crisis

The Coronavirus lock-downs continue to spread widespread unemployment resulting in large income losses among our citizens.

But in addition to the forestalling of physical health and social issues being resolved, the largest crisis facing our country today has become a psychological one.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3b: Striving for a high percentage of Americans to receive a vaccination

With Phase 3 vaccine candidates approaching closer to U.S. authorization dates, health and industry leaders are consumed with the necessity of having as many of our population willing to be vaccinated. Besides protecting themselves from the Covid-19 virus, these Americans would also be helping to establish our country’s effective herd immunity level.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3: Are aggressive vaccine timelines unrealistic?

National Geographic explains that there are more than 150 coronavirus vaccines now being developed around the world. Hopes, therefore, are high that to ease the global crisis, at least one will be brought to market in record time!

The magazine continues, “Several efforts are underway to help make that possible, including the U.S. government’s (and President Trump’s) Operation Warp Speed Initiative, which has pledged $10 billion and aims to develop and deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by January 2021.”

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 2: A clinical trial physician and his viewpoint on today’s vaccine/drug development

Dr. Michael Bukhalo, a Rolling Meadows dermatologist and primary investigator for clinical trials, would like to give us his viewpoint on the current international search for a successful corona virus vaccine and drugs.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 1

The world is still living with the extreme health threat from what is now known officially as the Sars-CoV-2 virus. Because the corona virus germ spreads easily, a vast number of the earth’s populous of 7.8 billion people (United Nations elaborated by the Worldometer/August, 2020) is still susceptible to it. As a result of this humongous threat, large numbers of international countries are joining the race to develop a vaccine that could be used to curb the virus’ spread.

The time to wear a mask is now

Throughout the end of this past March, confusing statements on whether or not to wear face masks could be heard emitting from various U.S. communication media. But with all of us still in the coronavirus battle and with cases mounting daily, Americans unanimously (including the White House) seem to be in agreement. Our First Lady, Melania Trump, comments “Even in the summer months, please remember to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.” She continues, “The more precautions we take now can mean a healthier and safer country in the fall.”

Telemedicine, part 2: virtual care

In spite of its huge negative hold on the world, the Coronavirus pandemic, with its international governments’ enforced quarantine policies, is contributing to incredible new advancements in the field of virtual medicine.

Social fitness-ing

Sun City is offering an outdoor fitness class at the Pavilion. The class began on June 22, and weather permitting, will occur weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. “Music N Moves” is led by Laura McGovern.

Telemedicine, part 1: The future of healthcare

With the use of computers and smart phones, it has now become possible to have a consultation with your physicians, out of their offices, for a chronic or many non-emergency health issues. Indeed, due to the corona virus pandemic and its social distancing policy, telemedicine is now just steps away from becoming a “new norm” in these treatments.