Radio Naturopath Episode 280: CDC on How COVID-19 Is Spread; It's 11:11; Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

This week I talked about the CDC's statement on how COVID-19 is spread, basically being exposed to aerosols, worse if unmasked, within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes. Droplets are easier to avoid, and fomite spread, although possible, is not as significant. I also talked about the discussion around taking elderberry for COVID-19, and the advice is mostly favorable.

It's 11:11! Some people feel like there is a spiritual significance to this.

The main topic today was dysfunctional uterine bleeding. I'm seeing it more in my practice, so I thought I'd discuss it more. Of course, help for it is multifactorial, and involves diet and lifestyle change, exercise, and nutrition and homeopathy.

Radio Naturopath Episode 279: Election Day Stress, Humidity in Your Home, Get More Rest

Whew, Election Day 2020! At this writing I don't know who won the election and I'll edit when I find out. I talked about election day stress, which most people are feeling regardless of your side of the aisle. What can you do about it? Well, if you are so inclined and able, you can canvass or staff phone banks. Whether or not you're going to do that, you can also take time to engage in stress reduction techniques, such as avoiding social media, avoiding ALL media, sleeping more, and anything that makes you feel calmer.

Here's a timely topic: the humidity in your home! What should it be and how do you adjust it? Also, this the time of year to get more REST. Here's some ideas!

Radio Naturopath Episode 275: The President Has COVID-19; Overweight/Obesity and COVID-19 and Risk Reduction

President Trump has contracted COVID-19. As is often the case when a president falls ill, there seems to be some confusion and protection about the president's actual health status. I wish him well and a full, speedy recovery, and same to the at last count 22 White House staff who have also contracted the virus. I expect there will be more. But I believe that the President and all of his staff and advisors behaved irresponsibly. In the time of a pandemic, or in any crisis or situation where there are leaders, it is incumbent upon the leaders to set a good example. By not wearing or requiring masks, by holding outdoor and indoor events without masking or social distancing, the president and his staff put countless people at risk. This virus is mild to most and deadly to some, and when anyone contracts it they don't know which they'll be. I believe that the Trump administration set a poor example for the American people in not taking COVID-19 seriously, and now that the president and many of those around him have shown that their actions definitely result in contracting the virus, they need to change their approach. From a public health, leadership, and human standpoint, the Trump administration has failed to set a good example for the American people. This is NOT how to lead. They should have been masking, encouraging and modeling physical distancing, and following the science. Let's hope that going forward they change their ways. 

Also, it is unfortunate to report that overweight and obesity contribute to the outcome of COVID-19. People with obesity are more than 2x as likely to be hospitalized, have 75% greater risk of going to the ICU, and 48% greater risk of dying. This does not mean that ALL overweight/obese people will have severe disease, but a greater percentage. I talk about ways to mitigate the risk using basic health practices, eating whole foods, hygiene, and supplementation.