General Wellness

A recent study was done looking at the depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) medication Luvox (fluvoxamine) and whether it helps minimize Covid symptoms. This drug is known as a SSRI, or serotonin reputable inhibitor. Serotonin is the “happy” neurotransmitter in the brain. By preventing its degradation and reabsorption by neurons, it sticks around longer, improving neuronal transmission keeping your mood a little more stable and happy. This is a very simplistic explanation but it works. 

No drug however has only one effect. Another of it’s unexpected side effects is that it decreases inflammation by impacting production of cytokines, normal inflammatory compounds implicated in the cytokine storm where an overproduction leads to all kinds of organ inflammation and problems. Other examples of drugs found to decrease inflammation as an unexpected effect are hydroxychloroquine (an anti parasitic used to treat malaria) and Zithromax (an antibiotic), both of which also decrease inflammation.

A recent small study of only ~170 patients showed that 0 patients given fluvoxamine within 7 days of Covid + symptoms had any significant issues such as hospitalization or major side effects of the illness. In the placebo (sugar pill) arm of the study, 6 patients (8.6%) were hospitalized and many more were significantly ill. Another study had 12% of placebo patients get hospitalized. Not huge numbers, but interesting and for a drug with few side effects, it certainly is worth looking into more. Heck, we can all use some mood boosting. Maybe we put it in the water like fluoride or chlorine? Bad idea on all counts.

Another mechanism of action may have to do with the gut. 70% of our immune function is in the gut and 90% of the serotonin in our bodies is actually made in the gut. In addition to being the “happy” neurotransmitter, it also helps gut motility. One of it’s precursors also ends up as melatonin, the sleep hormone, the majority of which is also made in the gut. This may explain why people with gut issues are depressed and sleep like crap. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Poor diet leads to poor gut health leads to poor neurotransmitter production, depression, anxiety and constipation.

This is another reason to look at your own health rather than hope for a magic pill. Get healthy and you won’t need to worry as much about dying from Covid.

You STILL do NOT want to catch this disease. There are too many risks, short and long term, to be cavalier about it.

Keep doing all the things we know are protective of us and those around us.

Have a great Monday.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC

When I first went into practice, I heard of a local pediatrician who treated a young boy who had some warts on his hands by having him take a potato slice and rub it on the warts a few times a day. It worked. Although there may be some plant compound in the potato which killed off the virus which causes these benign warts, the most likely explanation is the power of the mind on the immune system. This is the field of psycho-neuro-immunology.

Well, we know a lot more about how integrated our mind and body are and how our psychological state and thoughts impact on our health. There are numerous studies showing how stress impacts negatively on our immune function, not to mention a slew of other health measures including weight gain.

Although we were a stressed out society long before Covid hit the scene, this pandemic, along with the social and political upheaval of the last year, and the constant barrage of negative information through all our news and social media outlets had contributed significantly to that stress. 

We know that any chronic disease, including anything affecting your immune system, increases the risks of catching Covid or having a worse course of the disease, including the Chan cues of dying from it. This added stress we are experiencing has a significant impact as well.

The level of paranoia and resulting behavior changeI have seen in my patients, family, friends and even myself, is simply not healthy. As someone who needs to be as up to date with the most correct medical information I can, I struggle with keeping my information overload under control but admittedly, it’s tough. 

Don’t get me wrong. This is a serious disease and we need to be careful however, there is a point of diminishing return.

It is simply not rational to not have gone to a supermarket and have everything delivered for the last year. It is not rational to ride a bike with a mask. It is not rational to feel the need to cross the street when seeing someone walking up a deserted suburban sidewalk. These situations are so remotely assciated with contracting Covid-19 but the stress that results in that mindset is much more damaging.

I have mentioned numerous times in previous posts about how important, not only physical health is, but also mental health. We need to keep things in perspective. We need to approach our behaviors and activities carefully but we must also engage with each other to some degree.

These are basic human needs.

Socialization.

Direct interaction.

Movement.

Being in nature.

Being cooped up, isolated, biting our fingernails while watching the goings on in the world ona screen is simply not natural, not healthy and is making us sicker.

We will get past this but in the meantime, do the best you can to stay healthy, stay engaged with others and keep moving foreword.

I’m changing the order of my recommendations.

GET HEALTHY. Not just physically, but mentally. Eat well, move more, interact, relax.

DISTANCE. Interact but do so at a distance.

WEAR A MASK. It DOES work. Wear it properly. Stop touching it!!!!!

PROTECT YOUR EYES.

WASH YOUR HANDS. Sanitize appropriately. Unnecessary use of sanitizers increases stress and impacts on your skin’s health.

STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.

VENTILATE. This helps with safe personal interaction.

VACCINATE.

Stay safe and be well. AC

AC