Desert Health News - January-February 2025

Medical News The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 3 www.desertcancercenter.com Winter is the season for many viral infections that cause congestion, cough and sometimes fever. We spend a fortune treating these symptoms, believing and hoping the medications are actually helping us overcome the infection. The truth is they are not. Most medications for congestion, cough and fever are counterproductive, preventing our body from eliminating the offending virus and may be prolonging the illness. In her exceptional book, “The Anti-Viral Gut: Tackling Pathogens from the Inside Out,” integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan, MD, describes how our bodies respond and naturally eliminate viral infections. Nasal and sinus congestion have the benefit of washing out the viral particles. I do not take or recommend medications to treat these symptoms, but instead, I will blow my nose and use a saline nasal spray to wash the nasal passages and sinus openings and eliminate the virus. Medications can have serious side effects, especially in seniors. Over- the-counter (OTC) decongestants are known to elevate blood pressure and interfere with sleep while OTC antihistamines can cause dry mouth, create heart rhythm problems and worsen balance. Furthermore, the anticholinergic effects of antihistamines used regularly are associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Antibiotics for viral infections upset the gut microbiome and can require months to recover. Some expectorants (Mucinex, Robitussin) may help a little and appear to have minimal side effects, but overall, we should let nature do its work to overcome viruses efficiently. The purpose of a cough is to keep the lungs clear. That expression resonates with me often. A viral cold may become bronchitis, inflammation of the airways, or pneumonia, an infection in the lungs, if we overly suppress our cough defense mechanism with pain relievers like codeine. Coughing and sneezing help to expel the virus. Just remember to be courteous and cover your cough and sneezes in public. Viruses are heat sensitive and our bodies work to destroy them by developing a fever. Yes, fevers are good for us, including children. I despair when we attack a fever with medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. A fever of 104 can be a red flag for a bacterial or serious viral infection, or a reaction to medication, but on their own, they are not dangerous. If you have a sick child who develops fevers easily, you may have tried to treat this with a combination of Tylenol and Advil every two hours in a desire to help. Dr. Chutkan describes how this cultural practice may be harmful by delaying or preventing the body from shedding the virus. For adults, using heat such as a sauna or red light therapy may be more helpful in countering a viral infection, and instead of bundling up when you have a fever, dress lightly to let your body expel the heat. Otheradultalternativestomedications are some supplements that have anti- viral benefits, including zinc up to 25 mg, vitamin C up to 1000 mg, vitamin D3 2000-5000 units (all my patients take this with vitamin K2 for bone health) and black elderberry syrup. These do not disrupt the body’s defenses. The human body has powerful mechanisms in place designed to fight off illness and keep us healthy. By learning more about this vital www.DesertHealthNews.com January/February 2025 Each cancer diagnosis is unique—and each treatment requires a unique approach. That's why each doctor on our nationally-recognized medical team brings a unique skill to your care. From the pathologist to the hematologist, from the solid tumor expert to the radiation oncologist—our team works together on every case. Because every patient deserves a chance to ring the survivor's bell. Learn more at D esertCan erCenter com Your Team to Fight Cancer Each Comprehensive Cancer Center Doctor Brings a Unique Skill to Your Care Your Symptoms Are Helping You Our bodies are built to help us heal Joseph E. Scherger, MD, MPH "Using heat such as a sauna or red light therapy may be more helpful [than medications] in countering a viral infection." - Joseph Scherger, MD Research has proven the benefits of a positive, reliable adultmale figure in boys’ lives — but in Riverside County, only a small fraction of the boys who need these role models have them. To this end, Voices for Children is urgently calling for compassionate and empatheticmen in Riverside County to step up and become volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). Voices for Children trains volunteer CASAs to support youth in foster care as these children navigate an often confusing and frightening time in their lives, advocating for their needs to the court. Often, these children have suffered major abuse and trauma and do not have a reliable male figure or positive male role model in their lives. They need good experiences with men who will keep them safe, and CASAs provide that. CASA volunteers do not require any particular professional background, only a willingness to be trained and to show up for their case child. In Riverside County, about 49 percent of the 5,900 children in foster care annually are boys, but only 17 percent of CASA advocates are male. Currently, 55 boys in Riverside County are waiting for an advocate to be there for them, and more are entering foster care daily. There is a particularly urgent need for men, especiallymen of color and those who are bilingual in Spanish and English. Those who are located in more rural areas across the county are also encouraged to consider becoming a CASA, as children in foster care in these areas often must wait longer for a CASA advocate to speak up for their needs. “We need men in Riverside County to speak up for boys in foster care now,” said President and CEO of Voices for Children Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS. “Volunteering as a CASA is a concrete, actionable way to make a difference in the lives of children in your community. If you are looking for a way to give back, here is how you can step up now. Whether you are advocating in court, talking to a child’s teacher, or doing simple things like teaching a child to ride a bike or cheering them on from the bleachers at sports games, your influence has a huge potential payoff for future generations.” If you are able to give of your time, we encourage you to consider becoming a CASA. This small act of giving can have a life-changing effect on a young boy in need. To learn more about becoming a CASA in Riverside County, visit www.speakupnow.org. Urgent Call for Volunteer Advocates for Boys in Foster Care Compliments of Voices for Children CASA volunteer José with a youth he has served through Voices for Children Continued on page 6