Frischer Medical Group

My wife and I had an amazing vacation booked for February. February sure does seem like a long time from now, so of course by then travel will be no problemright? Well, I had put the odds of taking this trip at a lot less than 50-50, and just this morning the decision was made for me: the tour company cancelled the trip. Next February, you’ll find me hanging around the office instead. Travel increases the chance of contracting COVID-19, and of spreading infection. Staying home is certainly the least risky action at this time. When will it be safe to plan vacations again? It depends on where and how, and the answer is constantly changing.

We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and it has changed our world. Predictions about the near future are difficult to make. Still, let’s remember that this isn’t the first time! What can we learn from the Spanish Flu pandemic of 102 years ago?

Like most of you, I’ve been hearing some very funny jokes about the coronavirus. However, last time I checked, there was nothing humorous whatsoever about a lethal pandemic that has changed our daily lives so completely. Isn’t it interesting how we cope with difficulties and stress during these surreal times? It turns out that jokes, gallows humor, and just laughter in general can be very healing - and a legitimate way of dealing with stress, alleviating depression, and improving our general health.

At one point, early on in the pandemic, I found myself actually hoping to get a very mild case of COVID-19, develop antibodies, and be forever protected from getting it again or infecting my loved ones. As it turns out, this looks like it would have been a very, very bad plan. Does a prior infection protect us from a second infection by the same coronavirus? This has enormous implications about the development of an effective vaccine, and it also impacts the likelihood that we will achieve herd immunity.

Have you noticed how much COVID-19 and isolation humor revolves around alcohol use? We are all aware that the pandemic has led to a huge rise in alcohol sales; some estimates show more than a 60% increase. This may, in part, be a sign of a dramatic increase in mental health and particularly addiction issues. Of course, long before this worldwide pandemic, we became aware of the opioid crisis, and long before that, drug and alcohol addiction has existed as a serious and tragic problem.

Is it just me, or does it seem as if we are living in a terrible late night science fiction movie? Today I am writing about the importance of masks and gloves. In our everyday life! This morning I went out on a long hike in our beautiful Santa Monica Mountains with my wifekeeping our distance, and wearing a mask. This is now allowed, but is it safe? Just how do we stay safe during a global pandemic?

The term social isolation is on everybody’s lips. I would argue that it’s far more accurate to refer to it as physical isolation. Yes, physical isolation is sadly still necessary to continue to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Throughout this pandemic, I’m frequently asked about taking various supplements to build up the immune system. Do the many products out there have research and science to support their claims? Can they help us to prevent or minimize the threat from COVID-19? Why do some of us get sick when exposed to a pathogen, while others do not? The answer revolves around a number of variables, including nutrition, sleep, exercise, hygiene, age, and genetics; as well as the absence of recreational drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, stress, and underlying illnesses. Rather than making major changes to our entire lifestyle, many of us look for an easy answer - like taking zinc or vitamin C. But, in the absence of making real changes to the other variables, can supplements help?

We're here (6 feet apart) to keep you safe and healthy at home!

Anxiety is not merely a mental disorder. It affects both our minds and our bodies, so we need to pay attention to both our physical and our mental health. Let’s look at some coping mechanisms to help manage our lives during this unprecedented and challenging time: - Take care of your body with exercise, hydration, nutrition, and sleep. Your body will handle stress far more easily when it is fit and healthy. - Limit your alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and sugar consumption.... - Take a multivitamin if you are unable to consume a healthy, balanced diet. - Take time for yourself every day. Just 20 minutes of relaxation or doing something pleasurable can be restorative and decrease your overall anxiety level. - Practice relaxation techniques including meditation, yoga, tai chi, breathing exercises, massage, music, and walks. - Don’t neglect hobbies and personal interests. - Keep a positive attitude as best you can. - Be assertive rather than aggressive. State your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive. - Work on managing your time. Where possible, avoid activities that you find stressful. Set personal limits. - Keep an anxiety journal. Rank your anxiety on a 1 to 10 scale. Note the events that make you feel anxious (such as watching TV news), and the thoughts going through your mind before and during the anxiety. Note the things that make you feel less anxious. - Be aware of hyperventilation. If you begin to breathe rapidly, exhale into a paper bag and inhale the air within the bag. This increases the amount of carbon dioxide inhaled, which can reduce the urge to hyperventilate. It also helps to reduce dizziness or tingling. - Seek out social support from your community of family, friends, religious organization, etc. Spend time with those you love, over the phone or online.

To our highly valued patients: We are still here to help care for your chronic health conditions, as well as any new concerns. We now offer telemedicine appointments daily.... Please do not ignore your ongoing health issues during these unusual times.

Government cannot contain the COVID-19 pandemic alone. I urge each of you to act now in the very most responsible way. The rate and speed of spread of this disease directly depends on what each of us does in our own lives to distance ourselves from others. COVID-19 was initially recognized as having a far higher fatality rate for the sick and elderly, but new data suggests that even people ages 20-54 are being seriously affected. Please educate yourself about the risks of this disease. Please encourage your friends and family members to go out in public only when absolutely necessary. Please use soap and water, or antiseptic gel. We will only flatten that all-important curve, and change the course of this pandemic, with our individual efforts!

To our highly valued patients: The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and very serious threat. Everyone’s movement has been greatly restricted in an effort to prevent the further spread of this disease, and to flatten the curve. Recent data suggests that everyone can be susceptible, but the severity often rises with age and the presence of other serious illnesses. In response to this health crisis, our office has established new policies. We offer our patients the option of having ...a telephone consultation, a telemedicine video consultation, or if necessary, an office visit with one of us. Routine medical visits will be held over the phone or by video consistent with CDC, State of California, and Los Angeles County directives limiting your need to leave your home. Any of these options can be scheduled through our staff during our usual office hours. During any of these visits your doctor will have access to your records, consult directly with you, and order tests or medicine as needed. Your insurance will be billed as usual. It is our usual practice to carefully sanitize our exam rooms and waiting room. During this epidemic, we are doing so continuously through the day for the health and safety of all of us. In addition, our staff is screening patients on the phone so that we can maintain a safe office environment. It is extremely important to us to always be here for your medical needs. We are 100% dedicated to your health and well-being. We wish you good health. Please stay safe. Frischer Medical Group Dr. Alan Frischer Dr. William Sim Dr. Laura Ryan