Covid 19: Post #2

March 15, 2020 by ari pressman

What you need to know about COVID-19 on Sunday, March 15

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from a very mild, cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigue and a dry cough.

A trip to the emergency room is necessary if anyone has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up and bluish lips or face, the World Health Organization says. A trip to the ER is not needed if you feel sick – but do not have the above.

WHO (The World Health Organization) says about one out of every six people who contract COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. North American Medicine is not yet sure if this statistic is accurate.

Older people, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

The experience in Italy and China suggests that many people (up to 10% of those who need a hospital) may become critically ill and need an ICU or a respirator.

The Public Health Agency says the risk to the general public is low.

The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also spread through close, prolonged contact, such as touching or shaking hands and it can spread from person to person via surfaces like door handles, mobile phones, tables and light switches.

There is no vaccine and no drugs to treat COVID-19. Hospitals can only help manage the symptoms.

What if I have symptoms?

If you are experiencing shortness of breath or other severe symptoms, you should go to the emergency room and look for special signs.

The government suggests that people with mild symptoms who have not left the country nor been in close contact with a confirmed case should, as has always been the case, stay at home.

These people are encouraged to call TeleHealth if it is available in your area with any further questions. Rather than going to an ER.

How do we get tested?

New testing protocols are going into effect this week. 2000 labs will begin testing. Priority is given to those over 65 with symptoms. The people with mild cold and flu symptoms can be assessed but may not get tested for COVID-19 at this time.

What is the current situation?

Public events are being cancelled, non essential businesses may close, many people are being asked or told to work from home and most schools are closed or have moved classes online. Sports events are cancelled. Gatherings of 250 or more people will be suspended where possible.

Although children do not get very ill they are effective spreaders of disease and as such children’s group activities are also cancelled. Many work places are shifting to work from home where possible or closing.

The current public health strategy aimed at slowing the potential spread of COVID-19 and buying time so the health care system doesn't get overwhelmed by a sudden spike in patients. This is the idea of flattening the curve. Keep us all separated so the virus spreads slower like the flatter graph - allowing health care to look after society.

The messages from the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy are chilling….hence our US response…

"Nurses with tears in their eyes because we can't save everyone … Every ventilator becomes like gold."

"And there are no more surgeons, urologists, orthopedists; we are only doctors who suddenly become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has overwhelmed us," he wrote.

Three professors from the University of Milan also sent a letter to the rest of Europe to "get ready," because 10 per cent of patients who test positive for COVID-19 end up needing intensive care.

"This situation is like a bomb that explodes, and you're simply overwhelmed by an incredible number of patients," another Italian physician, Dr. Giacomo Grasselli, told the CBS News Network this week.

How do I protect myself and others?

Public Health advises people to take the following measures to reduce the risk:

Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay at home if you are sick
Do not visiting others in hospital or a care home.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
Get a yearly flu vaccination.
Stay two meters or more away from other people. This is the reason behind many cancellations.
Self-isolate for 14 days if you're returning home from another country.

Travelers still face highest risk

As of Saturday, March 14, people returning from all travel abroad are advised to self-isolate for 14 days, no matter whether they experience any symptoms. If these people start feeling symptoms, they are asked to stay away from other people as quickly as possible and call a doctor or OPH.

What if I have travel plans?

Chief Public Officer of Health said Sunday that if possible, Americans should postpone or cancel travel and avoid all cruises. Even a short trip to Florida is a risk that probably should be avoided.

International flights to the USA will be restricted to certain airports (13 of them).

The department of State has issued COVID-19-related travel notices for China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain.

Scary Thoughts

Several U.S. states, including New York, Washington, and Florida, have declared states of emergency because of COVID-19. The President has declared a National State of Emergency. National resources, portable hospitals and public domain rules to commandeer private space (like a Mall or a Universities or a Hotels) for treatment of patients is now a reality. Consideration of Covid-19 specific Asylum hospitals is underway. Domestic travel may be cancelled. Bars and restaurants may be closed.

We should not panic because the virus is still of low risk to most of us - but those of us with significant disease will have a scary illness - and we all have to prepare so that they can get the care they will need.

Covid 19 (Coronavirus): Do not Panic.

March 01, 2020 by ari pressman

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans.

China determined that a novel coronavirus is responsible for the outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan Province. Authorities in China and worldwide are conducting further investigations to better understand where the disease came from, how it is spread and the clinical severity of illness in humans.

Those with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Let me say that again – lots of patients who have had this virus got sick like a cold/flu and got better. They did not need a hospital, or a physician or heath resources. They just got better and now have resistance to this virus.

Chicken Pox or Varicella is a virus which infects humans, like Coronavirus. Prior to the vaccination for Varicella, people got the Chicken pox. Some were very very ill, most were not. Most got better and after they finished the illness they developed resistance and rarely got Chicken Pox again. The widespread vaccination against VSV (Chicken Pox) has lessened its presence in society and this will happen for Covid-19 also. A vaccine will likely be available in about a year. This virus will still be around in a year - and we will not all yet have had the illness - the vaccine will be good for society.

Symptoms have included:

fever
cough
difficulty breathing
pneumonia in both lungs
an unfortunate few have died from this illness

For now, there is no specific treatments for most people with COVID-19. Most people with common coronavirus illness will recover on their own. At this time, there is no vaccine for COVID-19. Your health care provider may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms.

You can stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections by:

washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands; and
staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others

If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is not necessary. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of an illness that spreads through the air (like Covid-19), wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of the infection to others. The mask acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny droplets from spreading around you when you cough or sneeze. Your health provider may recommend you wear a mask while you are seeking or waiting for care. In this instance, masks are an appropriate part of infection prevention and control measures that are put in place so that people with an infectious respiratory illness do not transmit the infection to others. We do not all have to go and buy masks.

In China and other parts of the world the population density is higher. Where people are very close together spread of the virus is easier. You don’t have to avoid groups of pople – but like with the flu or Chicken pox – being in close proximity to people who are sick risks transmission. If you get this virus – you will most likely get sick (similar to other respiratory viruses) and you will most likely recover. This does not mean that in the USA we have to cancel all hockey games and concerts.

While experts believe that spread from a person who is asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms) is possible, this is considered to be rare at this time. What we do know for certain is that COVID-19 is most often being spread through close contact with a person who is showing symptoms (symptomatic cases). So based on the latest available data, the main driver of the COVID-19 outbreak is symptomatic cases. That means the primary focus for containing the COVID-19 outbreak is to prevent exposure through direct and close contact with people who are sick from this virus.

In general, coronaviruses have poor survivability on surfaces, and are generally thought to be spread by respiratory droplets left behind after someone coughs or sneezes. So it is less likely to pick this up from a door handle or other object.

In the meantime, the best way to prevent respiratory and other illnesses is to:

avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
consistently use good hand hygiene measures, which include frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
maintain good respiratory etiquette, such as covering your mouth and nose with your arm or sleeve when coughing and sneezing, disposing of any used tissues as soon as possible, and following with handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers where soap and water are not available;
regularly clean and disinfect surfaces with regular household cleaners.

This is not a time to panic. Hopefully this information helps.

Portion size: A must to consider

March 01, 2020 by ari pressman

The key to a healthy balance between eating and calorie control involves several factors. Choosing high quality food, determining what and when to eat and determining how much to eat. How much one chooses to eat is equally important to calorie control as what one eats… and it is easy to get it wrong. People often overdo it on foods that sound healthy. A bag of popcorn is healthier than a bag of chips – but can contains 557 calories. A healthy lunch alternative such as a quinoa bowl may be loaded with nuts and berries and may be large enough to reach 1000 calories – even if every ingredient on the list is healthy. This is known as the health halo effect.

The international Journal of hospitality management (62: 2017, p1-10) opine that studies have noted the health halo effects of such foods, which subconsciously lead consumers to rather unhealthful eating. They further suggest that the consumption of food is based on the perceived healthiness of entrées. In addition, when considering desert, ordering was increased among less health-conscious consumers when the desserts were framed as healthy.

Avocado

What people think: 1/2 of an avocado (or, for many, the whole thing)
A better portion size: 1/3–1/5 of a medium-sized avocado
Discussion: People are adding avocado to salad, toast, pasta and smoothies. But as healthy as this is, especially when it comes to monounsaturated fats, the calories can add up quickly — 234 calories in one medium avocado. A better option is to slice an avocado into quarters and eat one.

Cheese

What people think: Several slices of cheese is a good source of dairy and protein

A better portion size: One oz of cheese has 114 calories and is one thin slice or two small cubes of cheese
Discussion: Sticking to an oz or two of cheese is the right approach. It is a source of protein and dairy – but it is very easy to overdo portion of cheese.

Smoothies

What people think: The 20-ounce smoothie is healthy
A better portion size: About half that: 10–12 ounces or the size of one-and-a-half standard coffee mugs
Discussion: Smoothies can be jam-packed with great nutrients and calories and sugar. An average 20 oz smoothie may have as many as 500 calories. To get the most out of yours, consider splitting it with a friend or using a smaller cup. Filling a smoothie with vegetables and protein helps it become a more well-rounded meal and control calories.

Granola

What people think: Enough to fill your cereal bowl is a good size
A better portion size: 1/4 cup added to yogurt or cereal
Discussion: Granola tends to be high in calories and fat and many store-bought varieties have sugar and 400–500 calories per cup, plus more than 20 grams of sugar.

Frozen Yogurt

What people think: 1 large bowl or cup or 2 scoops is a good size
A better portion size: 1/2 cup
Discussion: Not all frozen yogurts are healthier than their ice cream counterpart and some frozen yogurts have even more calories than a scoop of traditional plain ice cream. By overestimating serving sizes, you’re adding more saturated fats to your diet and depending on toppings a lot of calories. 20 o has 400 calories and 20 grams of sugar – before the oreo crumble, marshmallow and chocolate sauce.

Bagel and cream cheese

What people think: A whole bagel from a bagel shop or cafe with 4–5 tablespoons of cream cheese is healthy
A better portion size: The size of an English muffin, half a bagel or a bagel cut in thirds is better. 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese is better
Discussion: Bagels tend to be high in added sugar especially the cinnamon crunch and flavored ones. Plus, overdoing the cream cheese means you’re getting extra calories and saturated fat. Bagels at typical national chains range from 260 to 400 calories for the sugar added or chocolate chip varieties. While 2 oz of cream cheese may have 200 calories, 5 oz would have 500. So that bagel is a heavy meal.

Olive oil

What people think: A quick drizzle over your salad or into the frying pan is not much (this can add up to 3 oz).

A better portion size: 1 tablespoon, about the size of a poker chip (100 cals). A healthier pour of an oz or two is 250 to 500 calories.
Discussion: You get kudos for choosing olive oil, which is rich in good fats (which help your body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K and promote cell growth). But those extra calories can add up quickly. Please measure.

Pasta

What people think: A bowlful — or an entree at the restaurant. People love their pasta.
A better size: 1 cup of cooked pasta, about the size of a baseball.
Discussion: Many people avoid pasta because they think it’s very high in calories and carbs, but if you stick with the proper serving size, it can definitely be part of a well-balanced diet. A cup (baseball sized) of pasta 220 calories. A large bowl 660 calories. As the always said at my local Itallian restaurant – more sauce and vegetables – less pasta. The problem is that the larger portion below looks so good.

Understanding the right portion size for you is necessary for maintaining a healthy weight and a key ingredient to health eating. A good weight loss attempt can fail by eating too large a portion. What you'll find on the label for food is the standard set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can eat less. Let's say, for example, that you regularly snack on low-calorie popcorn. A serving size according to the Nutrition Facts label is 3 cups. There are two servings in each bag. If you eat the whole bag, your portion size is 6 cups—double the serving size and double the nutrition values.

Similarly, the recommended serving size of grapes is 1 cup or roughly 16 grapes. Unless you count out the grapes, this "low-calorie" food can increase your sugar intake. One serving of almonds is 23 almonds, which equals 1 ounce, ¼ cup or about 1 handful. Its easy with nuts to eat much more of this.

There is no right or wrong amount of specific food to eat. The proper portion sizes of food are the portions that allow you to fuel your body with energy and nutrients and feel satisfied. However, the ultimate aim of any weight loss plan is to consume fewer calories than your body utilizes to remain at your current weight. It is easy to undermine health eating by using portion sizes that are larger than might me required.

Keto - What you need to know

January 20, 2020 by ari pressman in Fitness, Nutrition

Keto diets are successful vehicles for initial weight loss. They allow fish, seafood, low-carb vegetables (forget potatoes or carrots), cheese, meat, poultry, eggs, plain yogurt, and fats. You will forgo fruit, grains (bread and pasta), legumes and anything with added sugar. On a standard ketogenic diet, calories are made up of 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein, and 5 percent carbohydrate. Most American diets have a higher carbohydrate percentage, even when structured health consciously, to avoid excess calories and fats. This post will explore the Keto Diet.

Diet and Weight Loss

September 28, 2019 by ari pressman in Fitness

When your trying to loose weight, its helpful to evaluate what you eat and Track calories. “Calories in: Calories out… it’s just math” many people say. Some dogs, like Huskies, have the ability to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. They do not put on weight. Humans have the capacity to do the same until we age. As young adults we tend to lose our ability to eat just when needed.

Does posture improve function

September 27, 2019 by ari pressman in Fitness

You never know what you’ll find in this blog. “Stand up straight”, “don’t slouch” - we hear this as children. Many of us have weaker core muscles, scoliosis and or other conditions which make it natural not to have good posture. So what are the benefits of better posture.

Fewer headaches, better joint health, Less muscle strain and better digestion are just some of the benefits. But is it really possible just to improve your posture? Probably not!!!

Weight loss by exercise

September 26, 2019 by ari pressman

“To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume”. “It is just math”. “You just have to eat less than you consume”. These are the mantra’s that you hear as relates to weight loss. Exercise can help you achieve this by burning off some extra calories. However, some people claim that exercise isn't effective for weight loss on its own. This may be because exercise increases hunger in some people, making them eat more calories than they burned during the workout. We believe that the lack of effectiveness of exercise alone is because it is hard to burn enough calories to really make a difference. It is also easy to consume an amount of calories equal or greater than those burned if one is not careful.

Low Calorie Dessert

September 26, 2019 by ari pressman

Eating a well balanced diet in moderation does not mean you have to skip the dessert. There are a few ideas here which may help. It is usually possible to think up something which does not do much calorie damage but looks and tastes amazing.

Caffeine: Good or Bad

September 25, 2019 by ari pressman

Caffeine is a chemical which is chemically described as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. It is a natural chemical called an alkaloid found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, cola nuts and other plants. It is the most ingested pharmacologic substance in the world. It can be found as an over the counter stimulant at drug stores and is found in beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks), products containing chocolate, and medications, including analgesics and over-the-counter stimulants. The possibility that caffeine consumption can have adverse effects on human health has been assessed in multiple scientific studies.

Osteoporosis

September 24, 2019 by ari pressman

Bone tissue is continuously lost by resorption and rebuilt by formation; bone loss occurs if the resorption rate is more than the formation rate. Menopause and advancing age cause an imbalance between resorption and formation rates (resorption becomes higher than absorption. Certain factors that increase resorption include aging, smoking, alcohol and estrogen deficiency, as well as specific risk factors such as use steroids or certain other medications.

The Big Picture

September 23, 2019 by ari pressman

There are many articles written that rightly focus on setting up a successful fitness journey. How should one effectively plan athletic progression? What shall I do next? Few focus on nailing answers to athletic performance particularly in the in the back half of one’s life….

Let’s change that.

How do you maximize performance in the key second half of life? How do we develop the enthusiasm to start to become more athletic?

Hand Numbness?

September 22, 2019 by ari pressman

Why Is Your Arm or Hand Numb?

If your hand gets numb, the cause could range from many things which might include a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel syndrome. No matter the reason, treatments can give you relief as well as get to the root of the problem.

Muscle Aches

September 22, 2019 by ari pressman

Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fascia are the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs. This can occur normally with muscle strengthening, exercise of fatigue and it can occur after injury.

Sleep: Now or Never

September 21, 2019 by ari pressman

Sleep and exercise influence each other through complex, interactions that involve multiple physiological and psychological pathways. Physical activity is usually considered as beneficial in aiding sleep. Conversely, inadequate sleep also impairs a person's cognitive performance or their capacity for exercise and increase the risk of exercise-induced injuries either during extreme and/or prolonged exercise or during team sports.

When it comes to working out, you know that what you do in the gym is important. But what you do outside the gym — how you sleep, is crucial. In fact, you must sleep in order for exercise to actually work.

Water

September 21, 2019 by ari pressman

The body is about 60% water. Water is lost from from the body during the day. To prevent dehydration, you need to drink adequate amounts of water. There are many different opinions on how much water you should be drinking every day. Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.

Start Today

Deer Valley Resort

September 20, 2019 by ari pressman in Fitness

Fitness is a buzzword. I’ll start my fitness program later. It can wait until tomorrow. These are all reasons that we do not start working towards a better future. This is a blog dedicated to participation - to starting today and to a brighter tomorrow. Tomorrow can always be better, more energized and brighter than today. This is my attempt to get us there. This is your journey, your call. YOUR NEXT STEP!!!

Launch today

September 18, 2019 by ari pressman

Friends, as you know I am an orthopedic surgeon interested in education on topics related to health and wellness - delivered in bite sized nuggets to help busy driven people excel in life. “Driven by life” is a lifestyle blog dedicated to improving tomorrow. Though positive steps in nutrition, health and lifestyle we believe that only you can make the move to improve your tomorrow.

Armed with a desire to be better, a touch of medical knowledge and the drive to make a change, we believe that you can be better than you are today.

I launch today, please check out the site.