Page 7 - Adelante Magazine October 2022

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BY: DANIEL PEARCE, D.O., FCOI, AAHIVMS

MONKEYPOX

SLOWING DOWN?

MONKEY POX SLOWING DOWN? ends about March so the mechanism is groups. Wouldn’t you think that if one group
Some feel it is because people are less risky unclear. took the medications more often you would see
in terms of going to parties where close contact a difference in their pressures and choles-
is expected. Many of my patients tell me that IS A HIGH SALT DIET ASSOCIATED WITH terols? The mechanism is a mystery. The
they are holding back till the vaccine and meds EARLY DEATH? researchers recommend a repeat trial to
are widely available and have more infor- In general, if a population uses more salt, then confirm the results.
mation. I think this is a wise choice. In fact, I the death rate might go up. But it depends on
have not seen any suspected MPox (new the amount of potassium taken in to counteract DOs (OSTEOPATHS) ARE ON THE RISE
name) for about a month. I have the forms to the sodium. When I went to osteopathic school in 1977
report it and am ready! In general, high salt intake raises the blood there were 8 schools; now there are 38. They
pressure a little. For salt sensitive people who are graduating a large number of physicians.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT (HRT) OR have high blood pressure (hypertension) it MDs outnumber DOs still but the gap is
HORMONE AFFIRMING THERAPY? raises the pressure by much. Here is my narrowing. Osteopaths were similar to Chiro-
After it became popular to help women in suggestion: If you have a blood pressure cuff at practors until most of the MDs went to World
menopause with symptoms, a little estrogen home, check your pressure a few hours or the War II and then the DOs had to learn and
was prescribed to relieve those symptoms. We next morning after some salty food, like pizza practice all that MDs do. I have worked in ICUs,
were told this is HRT, replacing the estrogen and see if you are one of those who are nursing homes, Emergency Departments, and
the tired ovaries were not putting out. There sensitive to salt; your pressure rose high been on staff at over 15 hospitals in my 42-year
was then evidence that HRT may contribute to compared to other days. If so, then minimize career. We are called, “Doctor,” and are physi-
breast cancer, strokes, and heart attacks so your salt intake and consider using a salt cians.
women were urged to come HRT. Now we substitute available next to the salt at the Recently when orienting to work at a new clinic
know that a little estrogen for a shorter period grocery store. management taking over the old Riverside
may outweigh the risks to relieve symptoms. Borrego clinics, a staff member was handing
I have heard people who are transgender use SUGAR SUBSTITUES PROMOTE HEART out badges that said MD on them. I looked at
the term, HRT. I see that this is correct in the ATTACKS AND STROKES? my DO tag and said as a joke, “No thanks, I
sense that we are replacing their incorrect, This large French observational study showed don’t want to be demoted!” Of course, one is
natural sex hormones with the correct that artificial sweetener use was associated not superior to the other. I, as do a few of my
hormones. I do like the term Hormone with these two cardiovascular events. Most DO colleagues, treat my HIV, Opiate Use
Affirming Therapy since we are affirming with reported that they got their sweeteners from Disorder, and Transgender patients with
the hormones what sex they are, not what their drinks. My advice is to drink water and use the manipulation for painful body areas. I think
native hormones or body parts are incorrectly least amount of sugar you can since sugars DOs and Chiropractors, or DOs and MDs are
expressing (gender). This is a cousin of the and simple carbohydrates put on fat quickly. quite different but to the patient the difference
term, Gender Affirming Surgery, where the Don’t forget that sugary drinks include fruit may be small, they just want to feel better
surgery is affirming the expression of their true juices with “natural” sugars that our body can’t
sex by modifying the incorrect body expression handle without it building up body fat. Keep those questions coming and be safe!
(gender) of their incorrect sex. I like to think of
Sex as who one is in their mind. You will see POLYPILL PREVENTS A SECOND HEART dpearce@western.edu
Sex and Gender mixed up frequently. I have a ATTACK Daniel Pearce, D.O., FACOI, AAHIVMS
hard time using the term, Sex, since it also The Polypill (aspirin, ramipril (like benazepril Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Loma
refers to a type of intercourse. Our vocabulary and lisinopril), and atorvastatin) were given to Linda University School of Medicine Adjunct
needs some work! If you think I am off, tell the people after a heart attack. This was true even Professor of Internal Medicine and HIV, Touro
editors so we can have a slow dialogue since if the persons were taking the ingredients or University California College of Osteopathic
Medicine and Midwestern University Arizona
this comes out monthly. their sister drugs already. This made it easier to College of Osteopathic Medicine HIV, Hepatitis
take (1 instead of 3 pills) and they took it more B,C, Transgender, Suboxone Specialist,
FLU ASSOCIATED WITH STROKE often than the control patients took their Borrego Health (Riverside, San Bernardino, San
So the hypothesis is that a flu shot might medications. Surprisingly, there was not much Jacinto) Member, Coachella Valley Clinical
prevent flu and a stroke. This stroke prevention difference between the blood pressures or Research Initiative
lasted longer than the flu season which usually cholesterol levels in the control or the polypill REFERENCES: Medscape®
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