With all of the changing guidance, mandates, and testing innovation, there is a lot going on in our world. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on Spikevax, lower urinary tract symptoms, and how simple it is to walk your way to respiratory health. What do you think about these important issues?
Spikevax
It is now official. Spikevax is here! Yes, that is correct the FDA has lifted its emergency use authorization for Moderna’s vaccine which now has the trade name, Spikevax. This comes five months after full approval was granted to Pfizer’s vaccine which received the trade name, Comirnaty. With the rapid spread of the Omicron subvariant, BA.2 (How many of you knew Omicron was named BA.1?) one has to wonder how many shots the powers that be will want us to receive? Nuff said about that.
LUTS
LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms), caused by BPH in men, appear to respond positively to Saw Palmetto products made with a hexane extracted process, currently unavailable in the US. Dr. J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC, a professor of urology at Queen’s University, and a research chair in urologic pain and inflammation at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Ontario Canada reviewed a study done by Stephen B. Strum, MD FACP. The conclusion being there is evidence of the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in the treatment of mild to moderate LUTS if the extraction process leads to a product similar to the hexane extracted product used in Europe currently. This is worth investigating.
Respiratory Health
The Respiratory Health Association was established in 1906 in an attempt to stop a most prominent health threat, tuberculosis. Since then, the association has addressed asthma, COPD, lung cancer, tobacco control, and air quality. Its mission is to prevent lung disease. Respiratory health is taken for granted by those who do not suffer from any respiratory issues. Every article one reads regarding ways to maintain respiratory health emphasize not smoking and exercise as two of the principal ways to maintain respiratory health. I wonder how many times over 30 years in practice I have told patients that. We see so many respiratory pathogens as a result of poor lung health. It is sad, yet as a provider, we cannot stop talking the talk.
Walking Your Way to Health
Walking is the easiest exercise there is. No required equipment except for appropriate clothing for the environment you walk in and good footwear. Improving cardiovascular fitness, maintaining or losing weight, strengthening bone and muscles, increasing energy levels, and decreasing stress are just a few benefits of a regular walking routine. All it takes is for you to get up and walk. Why then don’t more people walk? Although there are many reasons (excuses) the reality is most Americans are lazy. We are creatures of habit and American habits are TV and social media. It feels good to be healthy. If you are feeling mildly guilty right now or have a sudden urge to walk around the block, good! Staying as healthy as we can have a ripple effect on our loved ones and society as a whole.
I have rambled enough on this blog. Thank you to all who use Industry Lab as your laboratory. We do appreciate it.
President/CEO Industry Lab Diagnostic Partners