Medical Lake City Council Position 1
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Ask the doctors: Misophonia is somewhat common, not widely known
Dear Doctors: Ever since I was little, I have absolutely hated the sound of other people chewing. Whenever I try to explain this to someone, they think I’m overreacting or even making it up. Is this something you have come across before? Does anyone know why it happens?
Living in zero gravity causes many changes to body
Dear Doctors: Our 11-year-old son is fascinated with those astronauts who are stuck on the space station. He asks about a lot is how being in space for that long affects the human body. Do you know what the latest research says about that?
Ask the doctors: Norovirus hits hard and fast, is difficult to eradicate
Dear Doctors: I got sick with a stomach bug, and it was so bad that my girlfriend insisted on me going to our local urgent care. They said I had norovirus. It lasted for three days, and it was miserable. Where does norovirus come from, and how can you avoid getting it?
Ask the doctors: Increased walking can lessen depression
Dear Doctors: I saw on TV about a study that says walking helps if you are depressed. I would like to know how the research was conducted and how this conclusion was reached. I get to feeling low every few months and would be happy if taking up walking could help.
Ask the doctors: Lifestyle changes helpful for gut microbiome
Dear Doctors: I just moved to a new city for a job. It has been overwhelming, and my diet and workouts went off the rails. Then I got sick and had to take antibiotics. I can tell that my gut microbiome is messed up. What’s the best way to heal it? I’d rather avoid probiotics.
Ask the doctors: an essential vitamin, B12 available in many forms
Dear Doctors: I was surprised when a blood test at my annual checkup found I’m low in B vitamins, especially B12. My doctor gave me a shot, and the fatigue that I had been feeling went away. Why is B12 so important? What kinds of foods do you need to be eating to have enough of it?
Ask the doctors: Time spent outdoors helpful to guyt microbiome
Dear Doctors: I know that high-fiber foods keep your gut microbiome healthy. But I just saw on the news that spending a lot of time in nature is also really helpful. Do you know if that is true? One of my goals for 2025 is a better gut microbiome, so as a hiker and gardener, I sure hope so!
Ask the doctors: Get COVID-19 booster, though it’s now considered endemic
Dear Doctors: I just got the new COVID-19 booster, and the nurse said hardly anyone is getting the updated shot this year. I’m not surprised because after years of headlines, COVID-19 is gone from the news. I’m also hearing it’s getting harder to track. Do you know why? Are people still getting sick?
Ask the doctors: Knee replacement can help with range of motion and pain
Dear Doctor: I’m a 53-year-old woman, and I’ve always been athletic. I’m in a soccer league and have a grinding pain in my right knee. I’ve had knee injuries before, and now I’m told I might need a partial knee replacement. Why would that be? What does it entail?
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to our monthly letters column. Flu season in the United States peaks during December, January and February, so please take precautions. We recently wrote about several common respiratory illnesses, including influenza, whooping cough, COVID-19 and pneumonia. We also discussed how to protect those around you when you’re ill. If you missed any of these, or would like a refresher, check out our archives. And now, your letters.
Ask the doctors: Eye dryness often increases as we age
Dear Doctors: I am 72 years old and have started to have problems with dry eyes. It’s not all the time, but at some point each day, my eyes will suddenly get very dry. It’s even hard to blink. What causes that? Those lubricating drops help, but only for a little while.
Ask the doctors: Research suggests quercetin linked to red wine headaches
Dear Doctor: My husband and I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. I prefer red wine, but it always gives me a bad headache. It happens from even half a glass, so I know it’s not a hangover. I thought it was the sulfites, but I hear there’s a new theory. Do you know what that is?
Ask the doctors: Protect yourself, others by staying home with the flu
Dear Doctors: My sister and I are roommates, and we are both back to in-person work. We keep getting sick because co-workers with the flu won’t stay home and aren’t careful. I doubt we are the only ones wishing for a code of good behavior for when you’re sick. Can you talk about that?
Ask the doctors: Cheers to sleep and time when you’re hung over
Dear Doctor: My wife overindulged on her birthday and wound up with a pretty fierce hangover – headache, nausea, brain fog, the works. She got so much weird advice that it got us to wondering, what exactly is a hangover? Are there any remedies that actually work?
Ask the doctors: Cycling offers many benefits with low impact
Dear Doctors: My company provides perks for involvement in its wellness program. I’ve decided to start biking the 4 miles (with a few hills!) to work. Do you think it’s a good choice? Any advice for getting started?
Ask the doctoros: Brown fat plays role in regulating body temperature
Dear Doctors: I was very interested to read your column that talked about the fat around your organs, and how when you have too much, it is bad for your health. I have also heard of something called brown fat, and that it’s actually a good thing. Can you please explain?
Ask the doctors: Readers respond
Hello, dear readers, and welcome to a bonus letters column. We recently focused on strategies for healthful eating and drinking during the holidays. Several of you had previously shared your own creative approaches, and we’re happy to pass them along.
Ask the doctors: Curbing drinking during holiday season
Dear Doctors: I just turned 36, and I’m feeling the effects of drinking more than I used to. My boyfriend and I both have big families, so during this time of year, we have wall-to-wall holiday parties. Last year we did dry January, but this year we want to try a dry-ish December. How do you do that but still have some fun?
Ask the doctors: Lifestyle changes can help lower cholesterol numbers
Dear Doctors: I had my physical last fall, and it included some blood tests. One of them showed that my cholesterol levels rose a bit since last year. My doctor says that if they keep rising, I should consider using meds to control them. What is cholesterol? Can you lower it naturally?
Ask the doctors: Pneumonia vaccine available to adults older than 50
Dear Doctors: I just turned 57, and my doctor is now saying that I should get vaccinated for pneumonia. The only time I ever had pneumonia was one time when I had a bad case of the flu. Why isn’t he talking about a flu vaccine? I would like to understand the thinking here.