To get a flu shot or not to get a flu shot, that is the question

Image Courtesy of CDC

To get a flu shot or not to get a flu shot, that is the question

This following post is for those people who are on the fence regarding the flu vaccine.

The flu can be serious, especially among children, the elderly, and people with certain chronic health conditions (i.e. asthma, cancer, heart disease or diabetes to name a few). 185 children passed away in the 2017-2018 flu season. Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season. Not to forget us adults, but those who were 65 years and older account for more than half (~58%) of the reported influenza-associated hospitalizations.

There are so many arguments to get the flu vaccine. I will name a few:

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu. The Flu vaccine reduces the likelihood of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40 to 60%. 
• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of hospitalization for children, adults, and the elderly from the flu.
• Flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of cardiac problems among people with heart disease.
• Flu vaccine help pregnant women and after they deliver. Which also protect their newborns.

The flu shot does not give you the flu. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches may occur, but that is not the flu. Studies have been done where some people got either the flu shot or a saline shot. Surprise! surprise! There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat. So even getting a salt-water shot can give you fever.

There are several reasons why someone might get flu symptoms, even after they have been vaccinated against flu.

• Some people can become ill from other respiratory viruses besides the flu. The flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not other illnesses.
• It is possible to be exposed to the flu, shortly before getting vaccinated or 2-weeks after getting the vaccine.
• The influenza virus is different every season. The ability of the vaccine to protect you depends largely on the likeness between the flu shot and the flu causing the illness.

All in all, the flu vaccine saves lives. Has very little side effects. It is crucial for children, adults, and the elderly to get vaccinated. Flu is preventable!

Too little Too Late... Not with Sleep Deprivation

Image courtesy of Healthline.com

Too little Too Late... Not with Sleep Deprivation. Many people around the world sleep less than the appropriate numbers of hours (Refer to my post from November 13, 2018). We know that about 40% of us do.

However, not many people know that sleep deprivation can cause serious health issues. Not just issues with focus, but other parts of our bodies. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that insufficient sleep was associated with an unhealthy lifestyle among children and teenagers in this study.

We know that too little sleep all around the world can cause poor diets, more screen time, and more children/teenagers that are obese or overweight. It does not only stop there, but poor decision making and lapses in memory can also be affected. Parents (and other adults) your sex drive may also be affected.

It is never too late to increase your amount of sleep. It may even save your life. I leave you with this:

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Stay tuned till next blog when I discuss about the flu shot and why you should get it.

How Much Sleep Do I Need

How much sleep do we need? This is a question I get a lot from my pediatric and adult patients. We know a child requires more sleep than adults, but how much? 

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine & American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines to help everyone with this question. The figure above shows the appropriate amount of time for sleep that is needed.

I know I need 7+ hours of sleep and my goddaughter should have 10-13 hours of sleep. This is great. Now you know how much sleep you should be getting.

What happens if I don’t get that amount? Well, some of us feel and act like the Walking Dead or The Night of the Living Dead. But, there is so much more effected by sleep deprivation, like:

·         Trouble with thinking and concentration

·         You’re more accident prone

·         High prone for memory issues

·         Mood changes

·         Weakened immunity

·         Increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, & gaining weight easily

A study from 2010 in the journal of Sleep found that those adults who sleep less than 7 hours per night have a 12% increased risk of death. Sleep is definitely what the doctor ordered for everyone. I leave you with this: 

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. ~ Irish Proverb

Stay tuned till next blog when I discuss further about the above effects of sleep deprivation (when we get too little sleep).