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Managing Colds And Flu

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Flu season starts as early as October and can last through April. For this reason, we recommend that you get vaccinated against the flu if you haven’t done so already. We recommend that you wait a minimum of 2 weeks before getting any other vaccine. Or if you have just received another vaccine, wait 2 weeks before getting the flu shot.

Many may get a cold during the winter months, and for the majority of cold-sufferers, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications are enough to help them recover. But winter sickness can mean something more serious for the 3-11% of US residents that come down with the flu each season, with approximately 200,000 hospitalizations attributed annually to flu-related complications.

Basic Flu Prevention Recommendations

In addition to getting a flu shot, there are other precautions that you can take to lower your risk of contracting the flu or to shorten the duration of any respiratory illness.

Dr. Kaplan offers the following basic flu-prevention steps:

  1. Get a preservative-free flu shot. (We recommend that you wait a minimum of 2 weeks before getting any other vaccine. Or if you have just received another vaccine, wait 2 weeks before getting the flu shot.)
  2. Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
  3. Keep unwashed hands away from your mouth and eyes.
  4. Use a friendly cleaner to wipe down doorknobs, phones, your mouse, and keyboards.
  5. Get plenty of sleep (7-9 hours is optimal for most).
  6. Drink plenty of fluids – water is needed for your body to clear toxins and helps to thin secretions.
  7. Make wise nutritional choices, including limiting your consumption of alcohol, refined carbohydrates, and sugar, all of which lower immune system functioning.
  8. Exercise regularly, preferably outdoors. Exercise is great for an immune system boost.
  9. Take some deep breaths and meditate, it can boost your immune system significantly.
  10. Talk to your provider about whether periodic vitamin IV’s would be right for you.

Homeopathic Remedies and Supplements

Homeopathic remedies and supplements can be very effective in preventing flu infection, & they can be used in combination with other remedies. We have found the following products to be particularly useful in helping to prevent colds & flu. Please check with your provider to see which ones may be right for you.

  • Take 5000 IU’s of Vitamin D3 daily. Have your Vitamin D-25-Hydroxy level checked every 3 months and aim for a level between 50 – 80.
  • Oscillococcinum – ½ a tube a week through the flu season (October – April).
  • Monolaurin – 2 pills twice a day through the flu season.
  • Probiotics– Increase the intake of probiotics. 70-80% of your immune system cells are found in the gut. Certain probiotic strains have been shown to reduce the risk of acquiring common cold infections so take a high-quality probiotic or better yet, include fermented foods in your diet. Ask your provider how to start to include these in your diet or supplement regimen.
  • Take a high-quality multivitamin.

Many of the supplements above are available to buy from our online store. We offer the highest quality supplements from manufacturers that have been vetted. Consumers should always buy supplements from a trusted source as they are not regulated by the FDA. 

Treatment Strategies If You Do Get Sick

At the first sign of winter respiratory problems, there are several products you can take on your own to minimize the seriousness of an infection, including influenza. We’ve listed several below with general instructions.

Please note: if you are sure you have the flu, we usually recommend taking Tamiflu, a prescribed, antiviral medication that the Centers for Disease Control has determined is effective in treating flu. This medication must be started within the first 48 hours of experiencing flu-like symptoms. For personal guidance as to whether this would be helpful in treating your symptoms, please call our office. In any event, if you get sick with a fever of 100.5 degrees or more, please call the office at 703-532-4892, so we can give you our immediate personal assistance.

If you are already taking medication for another medical condition, you should check with your provider before taking any of the remedies described below. We also do not recommend that anyone take all of these products simultaneously, so ask your provider which combination of products would benefit you most.

Herbal Remedies:

Dispel Invasion – Take at the first sign of infection (sore throat, sneezing, fever, chills, or joint pain). Recommended dose: Take 6-8 drops in warm water every 4-6 hours for the first 1-2 days. If taking pill form, take 2 pills 3x/day for 5 days. Patients with Lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases should not take this herbal product.

Sambucol – This product boosts the immune system and supports the respiratory tract. In addition to tablets, Sambucol is available as a cough syrup. Dosage: Take as directed by product packaging.

Monolaurin – This supplement can be taken both as a preventative and treatment method because of its ability to strengthen the immune system and fight infections. Dosage: As a treatment method, take 3 pills, 3x/day or as directed by your provider.

Homeopathic Remedies:

Oscillococcinum – Take at the first signs of flu to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of your illness. It will not make you drowsy, and it has no known drug interactions. Recommended dosage for acute illness: Take 1/2 tube 3 times/day for the first 3-5 days of the flu.

Umcka – Strengthens the immune system and is pleasant tasting and safe for children. Dosage: Take 6-7 drops in water every 3 hrs, but do not take for more than 5 day in a row. Patients with Lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases should not take this product. NOTE: Do not take Dispel Invasion & Umcka simultaneously.

Supplements:

Zinc Lozenges – There is strong evidence that zinc in lozenge form reduces the severity of symptoms of the common cold. Recommended dose: Dissolve in mouth, 3-4 times daily.

Vitamin C – A powerful immune system booster that you can take as soon as you suspect you are coming down with a respiratory illness. Dosage: Take 3000 mg./day during symptoms. People who are prone to nausea should look for a buffered Vitamin C as it is more gentle on the gut and will not cause an upset stomach. For others, we recommend liposomal Vitamin C, which is better absorbed by the body.

There’s a lot you can do to minimize your risk of flu or respiratory illness but prevention from infection isn’t guaranteed. Therefore, if you do develop flu-like symptoms this winter, make sure to see your provider right away to discuss the most effective treatment options available.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

woman talking to physician about prediabetes

Pre-diabetes: Are You at Risk?

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Approximately 37 million people in the United States have diabetes. Over the last decade, statistics show that the diabetes incidence rate (new cases diagnosed) has trended downward. In 2009, approximately nine out of 1,000 adults were diagnosed; in 2019 that rate declined to just under six. Statistics also show that there are more adults living with diabetes (diabetes prevalence) than a decade ago. This may be due to better detection and management of the condition.

These statistics are encouraging, but as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, we must continue to be vigilant in identifying the risk factors.

Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It affects over 96 million adults in the U.S. – that’s 38% of the U.S. adult population! Caused by a condition known as insulin resistance, an abnormal response to glucose regulation, pre-diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as other conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

While the incidence rate of pre-diabetes has remained relatively steady since 2005, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of adults aware that they had the condition. This is good news in that in many cases pre-diabetes CAN be prevented or even reversed, and knowing you have it is key. Dietary modifications and lifestyle changes are the most effective ways to return blood glucose levels to a normal range.

What are some of the contributing factors?

Sugar:

The average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar and 146 pounds of flour per year. Could this have a correlation with diabetes? Yes! Waistlines are increasing because the sugars and refined grains that we consume increase insulin levels causing belly fat (or visceral fat) to accumulate around the organs. Insulin resistance then causes the elevation of blood sugar which increases that person’s risk of developing other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetic eye disease, neuropathy, and kidney disease.

There are several ways to diagnose obesity and determine if one has visceral fat accumulation. A person’s BMI, or body mass index, is one measurement to take into consideration. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight, and while it does not consider lean muscle mass, the measurement is still useful, with a recommended BMI of 25 or less. Waist circumference is another important indicator. Men should aim to keep their waistline circumference under 40 inches, and women should aim for 35 inches or less, with a waist-to-hip ratio (waist circumference divided by hip circumference) of less than 0.8. This reading in particular can be helpful in detecting those we call “skinny fat” – these people look thin but have a potbelly. All of these measurements taken together are good indicators of insulin resistance. The ultimate testing however includes glucose tolerance testing (fasting blood sugar and insulin levels) and/or hemoglobin A1C, which is a blood test that provides information about a person’s average levels of blood glucose over the past 3 months.

Something else to keep in mind is that all calories are not the same. A soda which has approximately 45 grams of sugar and 150 calories, causes a spike in insulin, whereas an apple and handful of almonds with the same amount of calories, does not. A 2007 study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that certain types of carbohydrates, such as wheat and potatoes, up-regulated the genes for diabetes and inflammation in the abdominal subcutaneous fat, as compared to other carbohydrates like rye and corn, even though the caloric value was the same.

Questions? Give Us a Call!

703-532-4892 x2

Sleep:

Sleep deprivation also increases insulin resistance. One study showed that adolescents who slept less than 8 hours per night had an increase in central fat and insulin resistance. Another study recently reported that for every 30 minutes of weekday sleep “debt” the risk of obesity and insulin resistance increased by 18% and 41 % respectively over a year.

Exercise:

Besides lowering the consumption of sugar and flour and improving sleep, what else can we do to improve glucose control? Research is strongly supporting all types of exercise like walking, running, biking, and swimming for the regulation of blood sugar. Weight-training in particular increases lean muscle mass and metabolism long-term and increases a specific type of muscle (white muscle) that has been shown to lower blood sugar.

Digestive health:

Newer studies show that there is a link between the microorganisms living in your digestive system, central obesity, visceral fat, and insulin resistance. Taking a prebiotic (dietary fiber that feeds the good bacteria) and consuming foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and supplements with probiotics, may help reduce insulin resistance.

Here is a summary of some of my recommendations:

  1. Reduce sugars and processed foods, and lower or eliminate wheat products. Avoid at all costs high-fructose corn syrup which has a strong link to insulin resistance. Eat more of a plant-based diet, grass-fed meats, and fish that are high in Omega 3’s, like wild-caught salmon. Be aware if you have a food sensitivity to gluten or dairy as these are highly inflammatory and can add to visceral fat.
  2. Get an activity monitor and aim for 10,000 steps per day. This is a goal, but any amount of extra steps that you can take each day towards this goal can make a difference. Consider getting a personal trainer to help you with a weight-training program, or take a yoga class at least once to twice a week or practice at home.
  3. Create a comfortable sleep routine and climate, and make good sleep a priority. If sleep is poor, then ask your doctor for a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea.
  4. Take a daily probiotic and switch them around every few months. Consider a prebiotic as well, but know that a good plant-based diet feeds your good bacteria too.
  5. Take a few moments to practice deep breathing and meditation. Start a gratitude journal and write down something every day. This lowers stress hormones like cortisol, and thus lowers insulin resistance.
  6. Get your vitamin-D checked and supplement as needed. Take 2 grams of Omega 3’s per day if you don’t consume fish regularly. Other supplements that help reduce insulin resistance include chromium and alpha-lipoic acid and magnesium.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

New study shows that probiotics may improve bone health.

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A new study, published recently in the Journal of Internal Medicine, showed that probiotic supplementation may have a positive affect on bone health in humans. The double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study involved 90 women aged between 75 to 80 years old and had low bone mineral density (BMD). They were randomized to receive daily oral supplementation (1010 colony‐forming units of L. reuteri 6475) or placebo over a 12 month period. The results of the study showed that daily supplementation reduced bone loss in older women with low bone density. While more studies are necessary to back up these results, this study introduces new possibilities for those who are looking for non-pharmacological approaches to treating osteoporosis in the aging population.

To read the abstract, click here.

 

Abdominal pain associated with SIBO

Is SIBO Causing Abdominal Pain And Weight Loss?

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Q: I am 70 years old, and have been fit and active all of my life. Now, I have “functional dyspepsia” resulting in early satiety, upper GI bloating, and belching, with unwanted 30-pound weight loss over 4 years. I’m also weak, exhausted, and sensitive to gluten and dairy. I would appreciate any suggestions. I especially need help in gaining weight. Thank you!

A: Dyspepsia is a common term that is used to characterize abdominal pain in the upper abdomen and chest. If you have been told you have functional dyspepsia, this indicates that there is no identifiable cause of your abdominal pain, a difficult and frustrating situation for a patient.

What you are describing may be a condition called SIBO, which stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Normally, the small intestine contains relatively few bacteria, as most intestinal bacteria are confined to the large intestine. Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, and bloating after eating due to the overproduction of methane and hydrogen gas. It also interferes with normal digestion and absorption of food and can cause inflammation to the lining of the small intestine.

Situations that promote the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can be low pancreatic enzymes, low hydrochloride acid, or other conditions.

I would recommend getting tested for SIBO. The diagnostic test is a breath test. At the Kaplan Center, when called for, the breath test is ordered for our patients and results are normally ready in 3 weeks. If you test positive, treatment includes supplements specific to SIBO, dietary modifications, probiotics, and in many cases a specific antibiotic for SIBO.

I truly hope this is helpful.

– Dr. Lisa Lilienfield

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2