This Flu Season Might Be One of the Worst Ones Yet: How to Mount a Lasting Defense

Flu season is upon us, and according to data published recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu case numbers and hospitalizations are already at a record high. Adding extra support to your immune system arsenal is crucial, especially during the colder months. In the United States, the winter flu season generally gets underway around December or January but this one started early and has been complicated by the simultaneous spread of other viruses. This year has...

What We Know About the New COVID-19 Variant BA.2

Since the onset of the pandemic well over two years ago, several variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been identified. Variants of COVID-19 – and all RNA viruses, for that matter – occur when there is a mutation in the virus’s genetic makeup. They are a common and an expected part of a virus’s natural cycle. For example, the influenza (flu) virus mutates roughly every year. Last summer, the COVID-19 Delta variant spread through the world at a mind-boggling speed....

Long COVID: What You Need to Know

Most COVID-infected people look forward to the day they can get back to their symptom-free life. However, for some people, that day seems to keep running further away. With over 426,624,859 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (February 2022), enough evidence has shown that some people face long-term health effects from the virus. By now, it’s clear that each person experiences COVID, and its recovery, differently. Most people who catch the coronavirus disease recover completely within a few weeks. However, that is...

Vitamin D and the Immune System | D2 & D3

Vitamin D is a family of fat-soluble vitamins naturally present in many foods. Some people call it the “sunshine vitamin” because the body produces this compound when the skin is exposed directly to the sun. Humans typically consume two types of vitamin D: D2 and D3. Vitamin D3 comes from animal-sourced foods and D2 is man-made, for the most part. Both types are available as over-the-counter supplements, but studies suggest that vitamin D3 might be better for improving vitamin D...

COVID Holiday Celebrations – Minimizing Risks and Gathering Safely

It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since the world learned about COVID-19, a novel and fast-spreading coronavirus that quickly became a worldwide pandemic. As of December 1st, more than 63 million people have become infected with the virus. Global deaths inch towards 1.5 million – with almost 20% stemming from the United States alone, where a recent surge of infections has firmly taken hold of the country’s healthcare system. Now, the holiday season is here, and...

Migraines and Covid-19 | Is Migraine a Symptom?

The stressful atmosphere of the pandemic has triggered migraines for many migraineurs. The migraine brain is sensitive and likes consistency. This disruption in lifestyle has been a trigger for many migraineurs. The blurred boundaries between work and home life is difficult for many people. As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise globally, many people, especially those with medical conditions – including migraine sufferers – worry about their potential risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Here’s what we know so far...

Hand Sanitizer Safety – What You Need to Know

Together with wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, keeping your hands clean is essential for preventing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The CDC and other health agencies recommend washing hands with soap and water whenever possible, scrubbing all surfaces of the hands – including the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails – for at least 20 seconds. But there are times when soap and water are not available. In those cases, hand sanitizers...

Covid (Coronavirus) and How to Fortify Your Body Against It

The coronavirus has disrupted life as we know it and caused much concern and confusion. News reports are constantly updating us on the spread of the virus and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has closely monitored the situation since the coronavirus began spreading between people in America. The first confirmed person-to-person spread of this virus was on January 30, 2020. Previously all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to China. Many people have been infected worldwide and...