Doctor Column

Melissa, a three year old, has a history or recurrent ear infections. It’s the weekend, it’s one o’clock in the morning and Melissa is irritable, tugging at her right ear and has a slight temperature. This has been the prelude to a spike of 103 F temperature, crying and piercing screams due to her painful ear infections. Her mother has left over liquid antibiotic medication that the child’s pediatrician prescribed six weeks ago for her ear infections. Her mother thinks it over, “Should I give the baby the antibiotic. Is it safe to do so?”

Diverticular disease is a disease of the large intestine characterized by tiny outpouchings in the wall of the colon called diverticula, which can become inflamed (red, swollen) and infected. This colonic disease affects approximately half of the population over the age of 60 in advanced western countries. It was thought to be a disease of the elderly, but recent reports indicate an increased prevalence in persons younger than 60 years of age. The disease is divided into diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

On July 16, 2022. the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) established 988 as the new, nationwide phone number that connects individuals with the Suicide Prevention and Mental Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a substance abuse-related emergence or if you are at your wits end, you’re encouraged to call or text 988 and speak directly to a trained counselor for advice.

The recent heat wave has placed climate change on the front burners of public health officials across the globe. Record temperatures in many parts of the world has scorched the earth leaving in its wake droughts, fires, famine and deaths. In July of 2022, more than 20 states in America have recorded more than 200 high temperatures breaking heat records in the process. Government and state agencies have issued guidelines to prevent heat related illness.

People are getting mixed signals from the authorities concerning who should get tested, and treated for COVID-19? Also, there is confusion as to when is the best time to be tested for COVID-19? Annabella was delighted to be her sister’s bridesmaid. She had a wonderful time at the wedding, dancing, and chatting with many guests. The next day, she wondered, “Should I get tested for COVID?” She didn’t complain of any symptoms, and decided not to test for the virus.

Gun violence is endemic in the U. S., and is increasing at a lunatic rate. In 2020, a record 45, 222 Americans were shot dead especially from gun murders, and gun suicides. Gun murders accounted for 47% of gun deaths, suicides 54%, and three per cent were due to other causes such as unintentional gun deaths, and those involving law enforcement, according to the CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare, viral, infectious disease that’s related to, and distinct from smallpox, and cowpox. It is caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV). The disease occurs primarily in the tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa, and is exported to other regions. Of particular concern is the surging number of cases since May of this year. The outbreaks have emerged, as of this writing, in forty-seven countries where the disease is not usually found, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Do you have trouble awakening in the morning? Do you nod off during the day? Do you find it difficult to concentrate in the course of the day? If you answered yes to these questions, there are steps you can take to improve your sleep.

Sleep, like food, is a basic human necessity. In 2020, the U. S. Census Bureau counted 258.3 million adults living in the United States. A startling “one third of U. S. adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep,” says the CDC.

Healthy sleep is as essential to our wellbeing as is a healthy diet. A massive one third of American adults get inadequate sleep described as less than seven hours of sleep per night In the mid-20th century, many scientists thought the brain to be fundamentally dormant during sleep. Recent studies paint a picture. of the brain’s vibrant activity.