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BEHAVIOR Hand washing: The most well-established way to prevent respiratory infections such as influenza and coronavirus is frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water. Scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer: Handwashing with soap and water is the best way to reduce germs, but if they are … Read more
Achieving better sleep can lead to many health improvements. This list of suggestions for better sleep is not meant to be implemented in its entirety. Instead, pick three to four changes to implement to improve sleep quality. Minimize or Avoid Stimulants *Avoid alcohol (wine, beer, and hard liquor) within 3 hours of bedtime. *Avoid caffeine-containing … Read more
Stress is an integral part of everyday living. While stress by itself is not inherently a negative experience, prolonged stress can be quite harmful to the immune system, the adrenals, and the heart. Each individual’s reaction to the same stressor can be positive or negative. Using the Life Stress Questionnaire will help you to determine … Read more
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), often referred to as “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry,” is a cornerstone herb in Ayurvedic medicine, India’s traditional healing system, for thousands of years. In the realm of functional medicine, ashwagandha has gained significant attention due to its classification as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are unique plant compounds that help the body adapt … Read more
During a time of heightened potential infection from cold, flu, or COVID, favorably modulating immune function and healthy lifestyle factors can be an important strategy for not only reducing the chance of infection, but for potentially reducing the severity of and sequelae from infections. Since healthy lifestyle factors have a large effect on immune function, … Read more
Acute or chronic stress can trigger an overactive sympathetic nervous system, resulting in high oxidative stress and decreased melatonin production. The immune system functions at its best in the parasympathetic state so when it switches to a sympathetic state, the body is vulnerable to disease. Chronic release of hormones such as cortisol, catecholamines and neuropeptides … Read more
Brain fog, a common and frustrating symptom characterized by a feeling of mental sluggishness, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and a general lack of mental clarity, is a frequent complaint that functional medicine aims to address. Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on symptom management, functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying root causes … Read more
