acnlatitudes--2020-04-01--Natural Therapeutics for Spring 2020

Natural Therapeutics for Spring 2020

Dr. Neil Tessler is a naturopathic physician specializing in classical homeopathy .
He is a long-standing Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians , served as president of the Academy for five years , and was editor of the Academy ’ s international journal for six years .
An author , educator , and lecturer , Dr. Tessler is practicing in south Surrey , British Columbia .
Editor : This informative article began as a letter from Dr. Neil Tessler to his patients and friends .
One of our advisory board members shared it with me , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publish it , with hopes that readers will find it helpful during this difficult time .
It is not intended to be applicable to all readers , nor did the author intend it to be taken as specific medical advice .
I wanted to share my findings after a period of research as well as a number of seminars with top practitioners .
Firstly , though , as a disclaimer , it is necessary to say that my presentation here is for general informational purposes and is not meant to promote any preventive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Naturopathic physicians in British Columbia have been designated an essential service and are following very closely the guidelines given out to health care practitioners by the Provincial Health Officer .
I ’ ve left how my office is operating to the end of this paper .
Of course , I ’ m going to keep this as simple as can be .
Much will be repetition from what you may have already learned .
Some will be new .
Along with all of the necessary personal and social behaviors being promoted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth considering some of the research that may have relevance to the current situation .
I ’ ve also provided plentiful scientific references for those who would like to delve more deeply .
This article focuses on naturopathic considerations .
In the next article I ’ ll be discussing what ’ s been going on in the homeopathy world around Covid-19 and the homeopathic experience in past epidemics .
Just yesterday I learned that my nephew was ill with what has been confirmed to be Covid-19 .
He has a wife and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today I spoke with him and questioned him in detail regarding his experience , and believe me , none of us would want to go through it .
I then spoke with his wife and reviewed all the measures she is employing to help herself and this was a great discussion .
Notably , a number of his work colleagues are ill but have not been tested , which tells us that the true count is well ahead of what is reported .
This also illustrates in several ways the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know who is infected until they have isolated long enough to pass through the incubation stage , which can go all the way to three weeks .
People feeling fine could be vectors of infection , as could their co-workers or family , so we have to avoid a false sense of security .
Control freaks are having a huge healing right now as they finally realize we don ’ t control much and finally let it go .
Nevertheless , we can , with an effort of will , control our behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virulent ( which essentially means harmful ) organism .
So it is easily transmitted and easily able to do its dirty work .
In the process of infection , once the virus attaches to a cell and then enters , it develops by activating a specific factor in the cellular fluid called an NLRP3 inflammasome .
You don ’ t have to remember NLRP3 .
In act , forget I even said it .
The important point is that this inflammasome activates the release of a complex family of immune factors known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness caused by Covid-19 .
By now you may have heard the term “ cytokine storm ” , which refers to an immune system gone wild .
Cytokines are a normal part of the immune system , though under various circumstances they can trigger severe local inflammation , as in rheumatoid arthritis .
A Cytokine Storm is when too many cytokines are released too quickly , leading to fever , inflammation , and the array of symptoms associated with the illness .
Of course , there are various other intriguing biochemical points around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cellular environment , but enough , as they say , is enough .
The severity of the infection depends on two main factors .
First is the basic health status of the individual .
This includes any underlying conditions , the ways in which medications effect immune function , as well as nutritional status .
Stress is another risk factor as it has so many harmful effects on the body , including increasing inflammation and depressing immune function .
So chill out , get enough rest , breathe deeply , and learn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportune time .
The second basic risk factor is age , as many of the most potent defensive and restorative systems within the body are less efficient with age .
Age-related health issues such as cardiovascular or respiratory illness , and all of the other wide-ranging biological changes that go along with aging , can be a dangerous combination .
I happen to be sensitive to this subject as I qualify for a pension this summer !
So in our review of research with some potential relevance , we have tried to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increase the immune systems ability to kill viruses , prevent viruses from attaching to cells , prevent viral replication within the cell , or reduce the activation of inflammasomes and other cellular factors that lead to serious illness .
One of the most interesting things I have learned though , is that virtually everything that has relevance to preventing viral infection , is also relevant to cancer prevention .
I have nothing more to say about that here , but wanted to share that finding .
A clear conclusion from all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food diet , rich in variety and color , is your first , most important line of defense .
Even the elements that give foods their color are potent , antioxidant .
and anti-inflammatory nutrients .
Some have been shown to reduce inflammasome signals that can lead to a cascade of inflammatory factors .
So eat plenty of fresh vegetables , fruits , berries , nuts and seeds .
I would particularly mention broccoli sprouts due to their rich content of sulforaphanes , though broccoli , cauliflower , cabbage , and kale are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current novel coronavirus is activated by an enzyme called TMPRSS2 .
Sulforaphanes , besides dampening inflammation , directly inhibit this enzyme .
Green tea catechins also inhibit the secretion of TMPRSS2 .
Also legumes , i.e.
, beans , as well as grains such as millet , buckwheat , quinoa , and rice are all rich sources of macro and micro nutrients as well as a wide variety of phytochemicals , unique plant chemicals with health promoting and anti-aging value .
In fact , inadequate nutrient status is a major risk factor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a high quality multi-vitamin/multi mineral supplement .
There are various micronutrients that help maintain strong immune function , such as zinc and selenium .
Diet alone can be insufficient and a general supplement can ensure that you ’ re covered .
I would not recommend garden variety drug store formulas such as Centrum , as the quality of the nutrients and secondary ingredients are much less in tune with our natural physiology .
Better to consider natural food stores or natural health professionals .
The typical natural food store customer is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this regard , therefore the companies are more competitive and produce better products to impress the market .
This is useful because the form of a nutrient that you take can make a big difference in assimilation and utilization .
I was sent an audio by six people on the same day of a woman with an Aussie accent claiming to be giving advice from a Spanish doctor .
It wasn ’ t all that credible to me but she spoke about gargling , so I did a little research on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gargling with green tea or salt water can be a very useful factor in lowering the risk of viral infection .
Drinking green tea also has important benefits due to the potent green tea catechins .
Please note that these suggestions are provided with the understanding that individual needs may vary ; no protocol can apply to everyone .
Also , breastfeeding mothers should consult with a knowledgeable practitioner for supplementation .
Vitamin C – 1-2 grams three times daily with meals .
For kids above three years of age , 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is well more than would normally be needed .
Vitamin C inhibits inflammasome activation and improves the outcome of upper respiratory infections .
For a variety of reasons , metabolic requirements go up significantly with infection , so double or even triple your dose if you become ill .
Some hospitals are using IV infusions .
Vitamin D – 5000 IU daily with meals .
For children aged one and above , 400 to 1000 is adequate , the higher range being appropriate to regions with less sun .
This is a preventive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the immune system is significant .
Vitamin D supplementation is important generally as vitamin D deficiency is quite common in northern climates .
Zinc – 20 to 25 mg daily for adults .
Children from infancy to three years 3 – 5 mg ; for growing children around 10 mg. is adequate through to the late teens .
Zinc is one of our top anti-viral and immune support nutrients .
It improves the function of white blood cells , an essential aspect of our immune defense and prevents the entry of viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excess cytokine production .
N-acetyl Cysteine – 500 mg twice daily .
This nutrient increases levels of glutathione , the body ’ s master antioxidant .
It protects the energy engine of the cell , as well as various organ systems .
It improves mucous clearance in the lungs , improves lung function , and helps protect against lung damage .
It also disrupts bacterial communities called biofilms .
Quercetin – Quercetin is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables , and is particularly rich in apples and onions , particularly onion skin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dye and the pigment itself is the quercetin .
Simply pour boiling water over onion skins and allow it to sit for thirty minutes , strain then drink it .
Add a little miso and voila !
I ’ m not saying you should do this , I ’ m saying you could do this but , to make a long story short , if its not organic , don ’ t bother !
Absorption of quercetin from onions is twice that of tea and three times that of apples .
Quercetin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current situation , it inhibits the ability of viruses to establish an infection through several mechanisms including preventing their entry into cells and reducing replication of the viruses that do enter .
To achieve benefits , supplemental doses of about 500 mg twice daily with meals are required .
Melatonin – Melatonin is not just for sleep .
No , no , no !
Yes , it can give you wild dreams .
Yes , yes , yes !
Melatonin is a potent inhibitor of NLPR3 ( oops ! )
inflammasones , helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s energy engine , the mitochondria , is antioxidant , and lowers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines .
Melatonin can also prevent lung injury that can be associated with mechanical ventilators .
Melatonin levels fall very significantly with age .
A child can have ten times the level of melatonin as a healthy adult senior .
Is there a relationship between melatonin levels and the far greater impact of the coronavirus on seniors ?
An interesting question .
Even a half to one mg taken in the evening can be a valuable supplement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a teenager , I couldn ’ t get that excited about herbal medicine as the information around any given herb seemed so general and imprecise .
In the many years since , herbal medicine has gained a far greater foothold in research .
So much so that there is a huge and ever expanding world of information on the chemistry and bioactivity of a vast array of medicinal herbs .
So as not to drag this already long article too much further , I ’ m going to simply list some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inflammatory pathways associated with coronavirus , general immune system benefits and antiviral activity .
Formulations based on some or all of these plants may be useful considerations at this time .
Astragalus – Anti-viral , anti-inflammatory Andrographis – A very potent broad spectrum anti-viral .
Rather exceptionally bitter .
Licorice – Anti-viral , anti-stress , improves absorption of nutrients .
Caution : Dose matters as it can stimulate high blood pressure .
Holy Basil – Anti-stress , broad spectrum anti-bacterial , anti-viral , anti-fungal Mentha – Anti-viral , anti-inflammatory Medicinal Mushrooms ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tail , Cordyceps ) – Excellent immune support and anti-viral .
Olive Leaf – Anti-viral , anti-inflammatory , protects the entire cardiovascular system Scutellaria baicalensis – Potent anti-inflammatory and viral inhibition Nettle – Reduces cytokine release and reduces a range of associated inflammatory factors Elecampagne – Prevention and support for lung inflammation Elderberry extract – Despite the controversy , experts agree that Elderberry , at least up to the point of symptoms , has many potential benefits and should not be ignored .
A fairly potent anti-viral herb that also tastes great .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to continue offering appointments via Skype , Face Time , Facebook Messenger video , What ’ s App or phone .
To my experience , online video is as good as in person for first time case-taking and follow-up .
Details for appointments are found on the online appointment system at my website or by phoning the office .
Suitable arrangements will be made for safe pick up or shipping via courier or Canada Post of homeopathic remedies and natural products .
At this remarkable juncture through which we are all passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world be like afterwards , when billions of people have shared such a dramatic , life changing experience – even if they are not impacted personally , but the physical distancing , the time away from work ?
What will change in our values and priorities and what will remain ?
If we can appreciate that we are in some kind of world altering gestation , do we want that to be based on fear or do we want that to be based on love ?
Now is an opportunity if you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to journal , to learn to meditate .
You may wish to check out my free meditation program on the website .
You may also consider reviewing the Regenerative Nutrition series of videos .
It ’ s long , but I suspect you ’ ll have lots of time .
All found under the education category .
May you and your dear ones be safe through this difficult passage .

Neil Tessler, ND, DHANP
Dr. Neil Tessler is a naturopathic physician specializing in classical homeopathy. He is a long-standing Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians, served as president of the Academy for five years, and was editor of the Academy’s international journal for six years. An author, educator, and lecturer, Dr. Tessler is practicing in South Surrey, British Columbia.
Editor: This informative article began as a letter from Dr. Neil Tessler to his patients and friends. One of our advisory board members shared it with me, and I requested Dr. Tessler’s permission to publish it, with hopes that readers will find it helpful during this difficult time. It is not intended to be applicable to all readers, nor did the author intend it to be taken as specific medical advice.
Dear Friends,
I wanted to share my findings after a period of research as well as a number of seminars with top practitioners. Firstly, though, as a disclaimer, it is necessary to say that my presentation here is for general informational purposes and is not meant to promote any preventive or curative measures for the Covid-19 virus. Naturopathic physicians in British Columbia have been designated an essential service and are following very closely the guidelines given out to health care practitioners by the Provincial Health Officer. I’ve left how my office is operating to the end of this paper.
Of course, I’m going to keep this as simple as can be. Much will be repetition from what you may have already learned. Some will be new. Along with all of the necessary personal and social behaviors being promoted by public health authorities, it is certainly worth considering some of the research that may have relevance to the current situation. I’ve also provided plentiful scientific references for those who would like to delve more deeply. This article focuses on naturopathic considerations. In the next article I’ll be discussing what’s been going on in the homeopathy world around Covid-19 and the homeopathic experience in past epidemics.
Just yesterday I learned that my nephew was ill with what has been confirmed to be Covid-19. He has a wife and three young boys, all so far well. Today I spoke with him and questioned him in detail regarding his experience, and believe me, none of us would want to go through it. I then spoke with his wife and reviewed all the measures she is employing to help herself and this was a great discussion. Notably, a number of his work colleagues are ill but have not been tested, which tells us that the true count is well ahead of what is reported.
This also illustrates in several ways the importance of social distancing. We don’t know who is infected until they have isolated long enough to pass through the incubation stage, which can go all the way to three weeks. People feeling fine could be vectors of infection, as could their co-workers or family, so we have to avoid a false sense of security. Control freaks are having a huge healing right now as they finally realize we don’t control much and finally let it go. Nevertheless, we can, with an effort of will, control our behavior.
A Few Points About Covid-19
This is a very infectious and virulent (which essentially means harmful) organism. So it is easily transmitted and easily able to do its dirty work. In the process of infection, once the virus attaches to a cell and then enters, it develops by activating a specific factor in the cellular fluid called an NLRP3 inflammasome. You don’t have to remember NLRP3. In fact, forget I even said it. The important point is that this inflammasome activates the release of a complex family of immune factors known as cytokines that are ultimately responsible for the illness caused by Covid-19.
By now you may have heard the term “cytokine storm”, which refers to an immune system gone wild. Cytokines are a normal part of the immune system, though under various circumstances they can trigger severe local inflammation, as in rheumatoid arthritis. A Cytokine Storm is when too many cytokines are released too quickly, leading to fever, inflammation, and the array of symptoms associated with the illness.
Of course, there are various other intriguing biochemical points around the coronavirus and its interactions in the cellular environment, but enough, as they say, is enough.
Risk Factors
The severity of the infection depends on two main factors. First is the basic health status of the individual. This includes any underlying conditions, the ways in which medications effect immune function, as well as nutritional status. Stress is another risk factor as it has so many harmful effects on the body, including increasing inflammation and depressing immune function. So chill out, get enough rest, breathe deeply, and learn to meditate, as now is surely the opportune time.
The second basic risk factor is age, as many of the most potent defensive and restorative systems within the body are less efficient with age. Age-related health issues such as cardiovascular or respiratory illness, and all of the other wide-ranging biological changes that go along with aging, can be a dangerous combination. I happen to be sensitive to this subject as I qualify for a pension this summer!
So in our review of research with some potential relevance, we have tried to understand how to support our bodies defensive capacity, increase the immune systems ability to kill viruses, prevent viruses from attaching to cells, prevent viral replication within the cell, or reduce the activation of inflammasomes and other cellular factors that lead to serious illness. One of the most interesting things I have learned though, is that virtually everything that has relevance to preventing viral infection, is also relevant to cancer prevention. I have nothing more to say about that here, but wanted to share that finding.
Again though, my initial disclaimer must of necessity be restated: I am not attempting to promote specific preventive or curative treatments for Covid-19, but rather to look at research that may or may not have some relevance.
Basic Nutritional Considerations
A clear conclusion from all of my research is that a plant-based natural food diet, rich in variety and color, is your first, most important line of defense.
Even the elements that give foods their color are potent, antioxidant. and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Some have been shown to reduce inflammasome signals that can lead to a cascade of inflammatory factors. So eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts and seeds.
I would particularly mention broccoli sprouts due to their rich content of sulforaphanes, though broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are all endowed with this molecule. The current novel coronavirus is activated by an enzyme called TMPRSS2. Sulforaphanes, besides dampening inflammation, directly inhibit this enzyme. Green tea catechins also inhibit the secretion of TMPRSS2.
Also legumes, i.e., beans, as well as grains such as millet, buckwheat, quinoa, and rice are all rich sources of macro and micro nutrients as well as a wide variety of phytochemicals, unique plant chemicals with health promoting and anti-aging value.
In fact, inadequate nutrient status is a major risk factor, so it doesn’t hurt to take a high quality multi-vitamin/multi mineral supplement. There are various micronutrients that help maintain strong immune function, such as zinc and selenium. Diet alone can be insufficient and a general supplement can ensure that you’re covered. I would not recommend garden variety drug store formulas such as Centrum, as the quality of the nutrients and secondary ingredients are much less in tune with our natural physiology. Better to consider natural food stores or natural health professionals. The typical natural food store customer is a label reader and a student of quality in this regard, therefore the companies are more competitive and produce better products to impress the market. This is useful because the form of a nutrient that you take can make a big difference in assimilation and utilization.
Gargling
I was sent an audio by six people on the same day of a woman with an Aussie accent claiming to be giving advice from a Spanish doctor. It wasn’t all that credible to me but she spoke about gargling, so I did a little research on this. Lo and behold, I discovered that gargling with green tea or salt water can be a very useful factor in lowering the risk of viral infection. Drinking green tea also has important benefits due to the potent green tea catechins.
Supporting Your Health with Natural Products
Please note that these suggestions are provided with the understanding that individual needs may vary; no protocol can apply to everyone. Also, breastfeeding mothers should consult with a knowledgeable practitioner for supplementation.
Vitamin C – 1-2 grams three times daily with meals. For kids above three years of age, 200 mg. is plenty for kids and that is well more than would normally be needed. Vitamin C inhibits inflammasome activation and improves the outcome of upper respiratory infections. For a variety of reasons, metabolic requirements go up significantly with infection, so double or even triple your dose if you become ill. Some hospitals are using IV infusions.
Vitamin D – 5000 IU daily with meals. For children aged one and above, 400 to 1000 is adequate, the higher range being appropriate to regions with less sun. This is a preventive factor as the influence of vitamin D on the immune system is significant. Vitamin D supplementation is important generally as vitamin D deficiency is quite common in northern climates.
Zinc – 20 to 25 mg daily for adults. Children from infancy to three years 3 – 5 mg; for growing children around 10 mg. is adequate through to the late teens. Zinc is one of our top anti-viral and immune support nutrients. It improves the function of white blood cells, an essential aspect of our immune defense and prevents the entry of viruses into cells. It can also prevent excess cytokine production.
N-acetyl Cysteine – 500 mg twice daily. This nutrient increases levels of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. It protects the energy engine of the cell, as well as various organ systems. It improves mucous clearance in the lungs, improves lung function, and helps protect against lung damage. It also disrupts bacterial communities called biofilms.
Quercetin – Quercetin is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, and is particularly rich in apples and onions, particularly onion skin. Onion skins are used as a dye and the pigment itself is the quercetin. Simply pour boiling water over onion skins and allow it to sit for thirty minutes, strain then drink it. Add a little miso and voila! I’m not saying you should do this, I’m saying you could do this but, to make a long story short, if its not organic, don’t bother! Absorption of quercetin from onions is twice that of tea and three times that of apples. Quercetin has wide ranging values but relevant to our current situation, it inhibits the ability of viruses to establish an infection through several mechanisms including preventing their entry into cells and reducing replication of the viruses that do enter. To achieve benefits, supplemental doses of about 500 mg twice daily with meals are required.
Melatonin – Melatonin is not just for sleep. No, no, no! Yes, it can give you wild dreams. Yes, yes, yes! Melatonin is a potent inhibitor of NLPR3 (oops!) inflammasones, helps maintain the balance of the cell’s energy engine, the mitochondria, is antioxidant, and lowers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Melatonin can also prevent lung injury that can be associated with mechanical ventilators. Melatonin levels fall very significantly with age. A child can have ten times the level of melatonin as a healthy adult senior. Is there a relationship between melatonin levels and the far greater impact of the coronavirus on seniors? An interesting question. Even a half to one mg taken in the evening can be a valuable supplement, particularly for seniors.
Herbal Medicine
When I was a teenager, I couldn’t get that excited about herbal medicine as the information around any given herb seemed so general and imprecise. In the many years since, herbal medicine has gained a far greater foothold in research. So much so that there is a huge and ever expanding world of information on the chemistry and bioactivity of a vast array of medicinal herbs. So as not to drag this already long article too much further, I’m going to simply list some of the most significant herbs with relevance to the inflammatory pathways associated with coronavirus, general immune system benefits and antiviral activity. Formulations based on some or all of these plants may be useful considerations at this time.
Astragalus – Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory
Andrographis – A very potent broad spectrum anti-viral. Rather exceptionally bitter.
Licorice – Anti-viral, anti-stress, improves absorption of nutrients. Caution: Dose matters as it can stimulate high blood pressure.
Holy Basil – Anti-stress, broad spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal
Mentha – Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory
Medicinal Mushrooms (Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps) – Excellent immune support and anti-viral.
Olive Leaf – Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, protects the entire cardiovascular system
Scutellaria baicalensis – Potent anti-inflammatory and viral inhibition
Nettle – Reduces cytokine release and reduces a range of associated inflammatory factors
Elecampagne – Prevention and support for lung inflammation
Elderberry extract – Despite the controversy, experts agree that Elderberry, at least up to the point of symptoms, has many potential benefits and should not be ignored. A fairly potent anti-viral herb that also tastes great.
Clinic Information
During the Covid-19 crisis our office is happy to continue offering appointments via Skype, Face Time, Facebook Messenger video, What’s App or phone. To my experience, online video is as good as in person for first time case-taking and follow-up. Details for appointments are found on the online appointment system at my website or by phoning the office. Suitable arrangements will be made for safe pick up or shipping via courier or Canada Post of homeopathic remedies and natural products.
Last Word
At this remarkable juncture through which we are all passing I ask myself: What will the world be like afterwards, when billions of people have shared such a dramatic, life-changing experience – even if they are not impacted personally, but the physical distancing, the time away from work? What will change in our values and priorities and what will remain? If we can appreciate that we are in some kind of world-altering gestation, do we want that to be based on fear or do we want that to be based on love?
Now is an opportunity if you don’t have kids swirling around you, to journal, to learn to meditate. You may wish to check out my free meditation program on the website. You may also consider reviewing the Regenerative Nutrition series of videos. It’s long, but I suspect you’ll have lots of time. All found under the education category.
May you and your dear ones be safe through this difficult passage.
Dr. Neil Tessler, Surrey, BC (604)542-9759; uniqueholisticsolutions.com
References
Click to view the references for this article


acnlatitudes--2020-04-02--Coronavirus Patients May Still Be Contagious After Symptoms Disappear

Symptoms from a mild case of Covid-19 could be gone , but researchers now warn you may need to extend your quarantine for another two weeks .
Why ?
Studies keep zeroing in on more details of this complex virus .
In a new report , researchers say they found that half of the patients they treated for mild Covid-19 infection still had coronavirus for up to eight days after symptoms disappeared .
The research letter was published online in the American Thoracic Society ’ s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine .
Of course , details like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this field every day .
Advice on the length of time from exposure to symptoms changes , the variety of ways the virus can be shared shifts , the list of key symptoms expands , and the length of time a person could still be contagious changes based on differing factors .
This study is shared as a cautionary report .
Researchers collected samples from throat swabs taken from 16 patients on alternate days and analyzed them .
Patients were discharged after their recovery and confirmation of negative viral status .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that half of the patients kept shedding the virus even after resolution of their symptoms , ” said co-lead author Dr. Sharma , instructor of medicine , Section of Pulmonary , Critical Care & Sleep Medicine , Yale School of Medicine .
“ More severe infections may have even longer shedding times.
” The primary symptoms in these patients included fever , cough , pain in the pharynx ( pharyngalgia ) and difficult or labored breathing ( dyspnea ) .
Patients were treated with a range of medications .
The authors had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Covid-19 patients can be infectious even after their symptomatic recovery , so treat the asymptomatic/recently recovered patients as carefully as symptomatic patients.
” The authors of the study believe the virus may be so contagious because of its ability to spread in patients who are not showing symptoms .
They cite reports of recovered Covid-19 patients infecting those in close contact with them .
“ This warrants us to investigate the ‘ shedding window ’ after the clinical recovery of the patient , ” they wrote .
The researchers emphasized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and recovered from the disease , and that the study looked at a small number of patients .
They noted that it is unclear whether similar results would hold true for more vulnerable patients such as the elderly , those with suppressed immune systems and patients on immunosuppressive therapies .
Source : American Thoracic Society .
“ Some Covid-19 patients still have coronavirus after symptoms disappear.
” ScienceDaily , 27 March 2020 .

Symptoms from a mild case of Covid-19 could be gone, but researchers now warn you may need to extend your quarantine for another two weeks.
Why? Studies keep zeroing in on more details of this complex virus. In a new report, researchers say they found that half of the patients they treated for mild Covid-19 infection still had coronavirus for up to eight days after symptoms disappeared. The research letter was published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Of course, details like this are “moving targets” projected in this field every day. Advice on the length of time from exposure to symptoms changes, the variety of ways the virus can be shared shifts, the list of key symptoms expands, and the length of time a person could still be contagious changes based on differing factors. This study is shared as a cautionary report.
Researchers collected samples from throat swabs taken from 16 patients on alternate days and analyzed them. Patients were discharged after their recovery and confirmation of negative viral status.
“The most significant finding from our study is that half of the patients kept shedding the virus even after resolution of their symptoms,” said co-lead author Dr. Sharma, instructor of medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine. “More severe infections may have even longer shedding times.”
The primary symptoms in these patients included fever, cough, pain in the pharynx (pharyngalgia) and difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea). Patients were treated with a range of medications.
“If you had mild respiratory symptoms from Covid-19 and were staying at home so as not to infect people, extend your quarantine for another two weeks after recovery to ensure that you don’t infect other people,” recommended corresponding author Lixin Xie, MD
The authors had a special message for the medical community: “Covid-19 patients can be infectious even after their symptomatic recovery, so treat the asymptomatic/recently recovered patients as carefully as symptomatic patients.”
Newsweek reported:
The authors of the study believe the virus may be so contagious because of its ability to spread in patients who are not showing symptoms. They cite reports of recovered Covid-19 patients infecting those in close contact with them. “This warrants us to investigate the ‘shedding window’ after the clinical recovery of the patient,” they wrote.
The researchers emphasized that all of these patients had milder infections and recovered from the disease, and that the study looked at a small number of patients. They noted that it is unclear whether similar results would hold true for more vulnerable patients such as the elderly, those with suppressed immune systems and patients on immunosuppressive therapies.
Read more here.
Source: American Thoracic Society. “Some Covid-19 patients still have coronavirus after symptoms disappear.” ScienceDaily, 27 March 2020.


acnlatitudes--2020-04-02--An Anxiety Therapist’s Appeal in a Pandemic

Dr. Tamar Chansky is the founder and director of the Children ’ s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety , and author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety , and Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder .
She is frequently featured on television , radio , and in print media .
Her latest article addresses the impact of COVID-19 isolation and disruption to our normal lives : “ Keep School , Cancel Grades : It ’ s What You Do in a Pandemic : An Anxiety Therapist ’ s Appeal ” I can ’ t learn like this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have Friday when the world is imploding—how do I stop thinking about that ?
Should I ?
How do I meet for my group project when my mom needs to use the computer at night ?
Nothing ’ s normal now—why are we pretending that school is normal ?
My child is on virtual school all day and then homework at night , weren ’ t we trying to get kids off of screens ?
As reports of COVID-19 started to surface in the media in February , I spoke with Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kids about the virus .
My answer back when life still made sense : Parents should tell kids to wash their hands as always , and everything else would be “ business as usual until further notice.
” Well , further notice is here and business as usual—as we are sheltering at home , stores closed , trying to figure out groceries , distance work , and how to make face masks out of old t-shirt sleeves that we aren ’ t already using in place of paper towels—is not only not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COVID-19 has shaken us and our sense of safety and security to the core , shrunk our lives down to the size of our rooms , and at the same time proven the interconnectedness of our collective existence with each fraught vector of our being .
Then there are the kids .
.
.
While the pandemic rages , kids—whom we were already worried about pre-pandemic as nearly half suffer from a psychiatric disorder , the majority with anxiety—are trying their best to do online classes all day , thanks to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who built online instruction essentially overnight .
On some level this is reassuring .
Even in times of extreme uncertainty and disruption , there is structure : School goes on .
But the reality of distance learning—adjusting to those suddenly small screens ( for kids lucky enough to have a screen to call their own ) and zooming into class while the world spins out of control around them hits hard .
Our children are beyond stressed just trying to learn how to work Zoom or Google classroom .
On top of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tests , and grades , just as they always did , but now from an emotionally shaky starting point where everything is turned upside down .
They are scared , having nightmares , trying to process what this means for them—when will they see their friends again , what will their summer look like ?
What happens for college acceptance visits ?
And for college students—when will they ever go back ?
—their belongings and the life they knew quarantined back at school .
Meanwhile , more and more students are feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of friends , coaches , and family members who have the virus .
How can they focus on math facts or chemistry when their mind is racing ahead with fear about that ?
Parents , struggling to keep up with their own adjustments , worrying about groceries , jobs , health , the future , understandably struggle to be reassuring about the state of the world in general , plus : They don ’ t know how online school works .
And what if a child gets a B- in a pandemic ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ move into this time of COVID-19 ’ s impact being felt through unprecedented filing for bankruptcy and unemployment , stressful quarantines , and grieving those who succumb to the virus : No one has time for that .
As a therapist long witnessing the sharp rise in anxiety in children and teens over the years , I am deeply concerned about the lasting impact this crisis will have on our students ’ mental health and well-being .
It ’ s time to step out of the normal , look at the big picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take the pressure off our kids by cancelling grades in this pandemic semester .
Make the semester Mandatory Credit/No Credit .
Harvard Law School did this days ago .
The Chronicle of Higher Education recommended it , too .
The sooner the better .
Do it now and let children ’ s nervous systems do a much needed re-set .
Please read more about this vital issue on Dr. Chansky ’ s website : TamarChansky.com and help spread her message .

Tamar Chansky, PhD
Dr. Tamar Chansky is the founder and director of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, and author of Freeing Your Child from Anxiety, and Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. She is frequently featured on television, radio, and in print media. Her latest article addresses the impact of COVID-19 isolation and disruption to our normal lives: “Keep School, Cancel Grades: It’s What You Do in a Pandemic: An Anxiety Therapist’s Appeal”
I can’t learn like this. How can I worry about the test we have Friday when the world is imploding—how do I stop thinking about that? Should I? How do I meet for my group project when my mom needs to use the computer at night? Nothing’s normal now—why are we pretending that school is normal? My child is on virtual school all day and then homework at night, weren’t we trying to get kids off of screens?
As reports of COVID-19 started to surface in the media in February, I spoke with Business Insider about what parents should be saying to kids about the virus. My answer back when life still made sense: Parents should tell kids to wash their hands as always, and everything else would be “business as usual until further notice.”
Well, further notice is here and business as usual—as we are sheltering at home, stores closed, trying to figure out groceries, distance work, and how to make face masks out of old t-shirt sleeves that we aren’t already using in place of paper towels—is not only not usual, but in many cases non-existent.
COVID-19 has shaken us and our sense of safety and security to the core, shrunk our lives down to the size of our rooms, and at the same time proven the interconnectedness of our collective existence with each fraught vector of our being.
Then there are the kids. . .
While the pandemic rages, kids—whom we were already worried about pre-pandemic as nearly half suffer from a psychiatric disorder, the majority with anxiety—are trying their best to do online classes all day, thanks to the resourceful, heroic efforts of their teachers who built online instruction essentially overnight. On some level this is reassuring. Even in times of extreme uncertainty and disruption, there is structure: School goes on.
But the reality of distance learning—adjusting to those suddenly small screens (for kids lucky enough to have a screen to call their own) and zooming into class while the world spins out of control around them hits hard. Our children are beyond stressed just trying to learn how to work Zoom or Google classroom.
On top of that, they are worrying about their assignments, tests, and grades, just as they always did, but now from an emotionally shaky starting point where everything is turned upside down. They are scared, having , trying to process what this means for them—when will they see their friends again, what will their summer look like? What happens for college acceptance visits? And for college students—when will they ever go back?—their belongings and the life they knew quarantined back at school.
Meanwhile, more and more students are feeling the direct impact of COVID-19, learning of friends, coaches, and family members who have the virus. How can they focus on math facts or chemistry when their mind is racing ahead with fear about that?
Parents, struggling to keep up with their own adjustments, worrying about groceries, jobs, health, the future, understandably struggle to be reassuring about the state of the world in general, plus: They don’t know how online school works. And what if a child gets a B- in a pandemic? Who would console them? As we move into this time of COVID-19’s impact being felt through unprecedented filing for bankruptcy and unemployment, stressful quarantines, and grieving those who succumb to the virus: No one has time for that.
As a therapist long witnessing the sharp rise in in children and teens over the years, I am deeply concerned about the lasting impact this crisis will have on our students’ mental health and well-being. It’s time to step out of the normal, look at the big picture and what’s at stake, and take the pressure off our kids by cancelling grades in this pandemic semester. Make the semester Mandatory Credit/No Credit. Harvard Law School did this days ago. The Chronicle of Higher Education recommended it, too. The sooner the better. Do it now and let children’s nervous systems do a much needed re-set.
What benefit will be gained in the weeks to come by rigidly sticking to curricula and grade expectations crafted in less-apocalyptic times? Or really what is the cost? We mustn’t tend to one crisis by inadvertently stoking another.
Please read more about this vital issue on Dr. Chansky’s website: TamarChansky.com and help spread her message.


acnlatitudes--2020-04-03--Digestive Symptoms a Clue to SubGroup of Covid-19

According to Brennan M.R .
Spiegel , MD , Co-Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Gastroenterology , “ This study is vital because it represents the 80 % or more of patients who do not have severe or critical disease .
This is about the more common scenario of people in the community struggling to figure out if they might have Covid-19 because of new-onset diarrhea , nausea , or vomiting.
” • There is a unique sub-group of Covid-19 patients with low severity disease marked by presence of digestive symptoms .
• These patients are more likely to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a longer delay before viral clearance , and to experience delayed diagnosis compared to patients with respiratory symptoms but no digestive symptoms .
• In some cases , the digestive symptoms , particularly diarrhea , can be the initial presentation of Covid-19 , and may only later or never present with respiratory symptoms or fever .
• Importantly , only two-thirds of people in this study had a fever , meaning it is not even necessary to have a fever to suspect the diagnosis .
• These data emphasize that patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 contact must be suspected for the illness , even in the absence of cough , shortness of breath , sore throat , or fever .
Han , et al.
, Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Mild Severity Covid-19 , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China , Am J Gastroenterol Pre-Print March 30,3030 Read here The American Journal of Gastroenterology is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer .

According to Brennan M.R. Spiegel, MD, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Gastroenterology, “This study is vital because it represents the 80% or more of patients who do not have severe or critical disease. This is about the more common scenario of people in the community struggling to figure out if they might have Covid-19 because of new-onset diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.”
Key Findings:
There is a unique subgroup of Covid-19 patients with low severity disease marked by presence of digestive symptoms.
These patients are more likely to test positive in stool for Covid-19 RNA, to have a longer delay before viral clearance, and to experience delayed diagnosis compared to patients with respiratory symptoms but no digestive symptoms.
In some cases, the digestive symptoms, particularly diarrhea, can be the initial presentation of Covid-19, and may only later or never present with respiratory symptoms or fever.
Importantly, only two-thirds of people in this study had a fever, meaning it is not even necessary to have a fever to suspect the diagnosis.
These data emphasize that patients with new-onset digestive symptoms after a possible Covid-19 contact must be suspected for the illness, even in the absence of cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or fever.
Read the Study-
Han, et al., Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Mild Severity Covid-19, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, Am J Gastroenterol Pre-Print March 30,3030 Read here
The American Journal of Gastroenterology is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.


acnlatitudes--2020-04-01--Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette’s: Audio Release

I ’ ve talked to many people who want to learn about natural treatments for their tics but they can ’ t manage to visually focus on text .
After all , imagine trying to read when your eyes are twitching and rolling , or you have a neck jerk every few seconds so you keep losing your place .
In fact , a tic anywhere in the body can be distracting and disruptive .
For people suffering from tics , it often takes a tremendous amount of time to read something that could otherwise be accomplished quickly .
Members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an audio version of Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette ’ s : A Patient and Family Guide , which was our long-time Amazon best seller .
Last year we let our publisher know that an audio version would be well received , and fortunately they were also thinking along those lines .
I was provided some audio clips featuring different professional readers so I could choose the ideal voice for this book .
I requested Kate Marcin , whose work sounded engaging for family success stories and doctor recommendations , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material .
Soon the project was underway !
The audio version can be ordered now The unabridged audio version is available on Amazon .
The accounts in this classic text are inspiring and informative , and will provide direction for many of you who are not familiar with this book .
With audio books you can easily select sections that are of interest and listen at your convenience .
Consider sharing the audio book as a gift for others you know who avoid reading but are seeking natural answers for tics .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised : “ Whether you ’ re concerned with minor tics or a more serious case of Tourette syndrome , you ’ ll find yourself turning to this book again and again for its enlightening exploration of treatment choices and practical steps toward healing.
” The book continues to be published as Kindle and paperback .
Three versions are now available on Amazon : AUDIO KINDLE PRINT

Sheila Rogers DeMare
I’ve talked to many people who want to learn about natural treatments for their tics but they can’t manage to visually focus on text. After all, imagine trying to read when your eyes are twitching and rolling, or you have a neck jerk every few seconds so you keep losing your place. In fact, a tic anywhere in the body can be distracting and disruptive.
For people suffering from tics, it often takes a tremendous amount of time to read something that could otherwise be accomplished quickly.
The answer? Audio books.
Members of the tic community have repeatedly asked for an audio version of Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette’s: A Patient and Family Guide, which was our long-time Amazon best seller. Last year we let our publisher know that an audio version would be well received, and fortunately they were also thinking along those lines.
I was provided some audio clips featuring different professional readers so I could choose the ideal voice for this book. I requested Kate Marcin, whose work sounded engaging for family success stories and doctor recommendations, but was also excellent for dealing with technical material. Soon the project was underway!
The audio version can be ordered now
The unabridged audio version is available on Amazon. The accounts in this classic text are inspiring and informative, and will provide direction for many of you who are not familiar with this book.
With audio books you can easily select sections that are of interest and listen at your convenience. Consider sharing the audio book as a gift for others you know who avoid reading but are seeking natural answers for tics.
As a State Chapter Tourette Syndrome Association chair advised: “Whether you’re concerned with minor tics or a more serious case of Tourette syndrome, you’ll find yourself turning to this book again and again for its enlightening exploration of treatment choices and practical steps toward healing.”
The book continues to be published as Kindle and paperback.
Three versions are now available on Amazon: AUDIO KINDLE PRINT