Health and Wealth 11/04/02

* Enemy fire with a Silver Lining.

You know how I like stories with a moral. This one comes from Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul by J. Canfield, M Hansen and S.Slagter. The moral of this one is “What goes around comes around.”

The B-17 Bomber used during World War Two was known as the “flying fortress” because of its heavy artillery load and ability to withstand enemy fire.The Jeannie Marie was one such plane.

Her crew had just completed a mission when a German fighter jets descended on them with a storm of cannon fire .The plane was hit by several shells before allied forces were able to chase the enemy away. The crew had to extinguish a fire on the left wing before the pilot could return to base camp.

Once on the ground, the crew surveyed the damage to the plane. The Jeannie Marie had been hit by seven cannon shells, of which three were still intact. The men realized they had more than the aircraft’s sturdy construction on their side that day.

The cannons had been manufactured in an armament plant in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. The Czech people were forced to provide labor to support the Nazis–a task they despised as much as they did their oppressors.

Of the three shells retrieved from the Jeannie Marie, two were blanks and the third held a note: “THIS IS OUR WAY OF HELPING!"

* STDs more trouble than you think.

1) HPV or the human papilloma virus is the most common STD. Most people do not know that they have the virus. The virus may manifest as a fleshy wart on the genitalia. Removal does not eliminate the virus. Persistence of this agent can cause cervical cancer. 90% of women will clear the virus in 2 years. Condoms help but do not prevent the disease. HPV is invisible and can be all over the genitals. Condoms only protect what is covered. The best prevention is abstinence. The Pap smear is the best screening test in women. Acetic acid can be applied to the male genitalia to expose warts. Often a white color will occur where the warts are located.

2) Chlamydia is a bacteria that can cause infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy in women. The disease can infect the testicle and cause infertility in men. The bacteria can travel up the female genital tract and scar the fallopian tubes. 75% of women and 50% of men have no symptoms. Both men and women can get burning on urination and a discharge form the penis and vagina. Chlamydia cultures can be done in the doctor’s office to detect this disease. A special urine test is also effective in diagnosing chlamydia. Condoms, when used properly, are quite helpful in preventing this disease. Antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline are effective in the treatment of this disease. Sexually active women especially between the ages of 18 to 25 should be screened.

3) Herpes is a virus that cause recurrent blisters on the genitalia. 40 million people in the USA are infected. The first outbreak is painful and subsequent infections are usually mild. Both men and women frequently do not have any sores, yet they can still be infected with the virus and transmit it sexually. Treatment with Valtrex or Famvir or acyclovir can shorten the course or prevent recurrent outbreaks. There is however, no current cure. Condoms are helpful for prevention but since 50% of women shed the virus anywhere on the genitals, it can still be transmitted. This intermittent shedding of the virus occurs without symptoms. Genital herpes can be transmitted to the child during pregnancy so a cesarean section is needed. Valtrex, an antiviral agent, can reduce shedding of the virus by 50%, however, herpes can still be transmitted. Once again, the most difficult part of this disease is that infected individuals often shed the virus all over the genitals without any symptoms whatsoever.

4) The three previously listed STDs are the most common ones seen in the USA. Other common sexually transmitted diseases include syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea, vaginal infections and hepatitis B. If you are diagnosed with an STD, your partner(s) should be informed and see his or her physician. Additionally you should be tested for other STDs including HIV. Finally, condoms are helpful but far from perfect. Condoms will reduce HIV transmission by 85% and help prevent gonorrhea in men. For the other STDs condoms are of unproven value, but probably helpful. Abstinence and a monogamous relationship are your best bets for safety at this time.

* Flu will be flying in your neighborhood.

Inevitably the flu will strike again in early 2003. Unfortunately it kills over 20,000 people in the USA annually. The flu shot consists of dead virus and is best given during the last three months of the year. People over age 50 should receive this valuable vaccine. Additional groups include the following: children between 6 and 23 months, pregnant women in their third trimester during the winter months, health care workers and patients with chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer heart disease etc. Even if you are healthy and under age 50, you still may wish to obtain this vaccination. The flu shot reduces lost time from work. It is also 70% effective in either preventing the flu or reducing the symptoms. One study showed that it reduced the incidence of bronchitis too. Symptoms of the flu include a nonproductive cough, body aches and fever. There is now a test that can detect up to 75% of patients who have the flu if the symptoms are not obvious to your physician. The test detects viral particles in the nasal secretions. Make it a point to get your flu shot now if it’s indicated for you. We have the flu shot available. Call us for an appointment at 847-729-8833.

*Office notes

Dr. Cary Berkowitz,, senior attending cardiologist, is a terrific addition to our group. He is listed in the top ten cardiologists by Chicago Magazine. We are proud to have him on board! As you may already know, we also have a superb lung doctor, Phil Sheridan, an outstanding dietician, Linda Clinton, a caring psychotherapist, Judy Hild, a terrific, certified muscle therapist, Michael Pys, an expert physical trainer and nurse, Jan Kasner, and a knowledgeable and caring nurse practitioner, Donna Wittert. Dr. Sommerfeld expanded his hours in September and recently had a new baby!

Flu shots are now available. Call us to schedule. (847-729-8833) We are also happy to do flu shots at your place of business. Feel free to call us for more information.

Please remember to go to our website at www.advancedvitamins.com if your e-mail address changes. Just click on the apple that says “newsletter” and enter your new e-mail address. Feel free to enter friends and relatives who might like this newsletter. (With their permission of course)

I was thrilled to hear that our Q-Gel (coenzyme Q-10), is slowing the course of Parkinson’s disease. I wrote three years ago that this marvelous vitamin may help to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Liquid Q-Gel (www.DrLipkis.com) is the best preparation because it maintains much higher blood levels than conventional coenzyme Q-10.

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