Doc Handal Speaks! Listen Up, A Doctor's Insider Tips

Update based on research hopes to improve and optimally stop the spread of infection in hospitals.  The number of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) previously called nosocomial infections is 1 in 31 patients in a healthcare setting! Doc's latest podcast shares insights. Listen Up!

Dementia is an evergrowing diagnosis, in 2050 it is estimated that 152 million worldwide will be living with this neurocognitive impairment. Well, there are many causes including hereditary genes, you can do a lot to avoid such a diagnosis. Doc Handal's current podcast informs you what you can do to deter this condition. Your actions now no matter your age can make a difference.

Caffeine jump-starts your day and puts a bounce in your step. It can help you focus, improve your mood and maybe even help you live longer. It is a natural stimulant! Listen to Doc Handal's latest podcast and learn more about the caffeine breakdown metabolite  7MK is used in Denmark to improve nearsightedness in children, listen up!

Your diet whether vegetarian, pescatarian (vegetarian that eats seafood) or a meat lover, can influence whether or not you were at higher risk for hip fracture. A recent study revealed that women following a certain diet are at 33% higher risk. To learn more about this, by listening to Doc Handal's newest podcast.

Doc Handal's new podcast talks about our skin, the largest organ, and special considerations, if like 2/3 of all Americans, you bathe every day. Listen to this podcast to find out more about the ecosystem, the balance, the need for body odor removal, the presence of bacteria viruses, and fungus as well as the dangers of antibacterial soaps. She explains the need not to upset the process that our skin serves as a barrier and a defense

Every 11 minutes someone dies from suicide in the US! The pandemic increased mental behavioral health challenges. New resources built on the 200 call centers now will allow just dialing 988 to reach the  'National Suicide Prevention Lifeline'. Replacing a 10-digit number. Listen to Doc's latest podcast on this new upcoming launch.

Doc Handal takes to the air with an insightful podcast conversation about repairing your torn skin. Sutures, stitches with needle and thread, staples, and adhesive glue are all possibilities but require considerations. These are a few ways to get  'split' skin back together, if too messy for mother nature. Today in this podcast you'll learn details about sutures, staples (you may be already had a few), and adhesive glue to repair skin trauma.   

As a physician, I must speak out. This podcast is titled Pandemic Fatigue but it could easily have been titled Pandemic - My Opinion! I have blogged often on the topic of the SARS CoV2 virus. This podcast shares my frustration and disappointment with a medical issue so botched in a country that is supposed to be a world health leader. While not an all-out - I did exercise modest control. I have mentioned several issues laypersons must realize. My blogs throughout the pandemic have reflected the objective medical knowledge at the time of posting  Have a listen below or in your favorite podcast choice.  

Doc Handal shares practical uses for a common medicine cabinet item. She includes recipes for its multiple uses from warts to whitening teeth. Do you know how to get rid of the skunk smell on your dog? Listen Up and learn!

A large number of studies. correcting for other factors. isolating sleep as a risk for heart disease Listen Up, as DocHandal shares.

Did you know that no regulations exist in the US to mandate that toxic ingredients don't go into tattoo ink? Don't you want to know, not just presume, that what is injected into & under the dermis layer of your skin is safe? Canadian researchers published, in the medical journal Contact Dermatitis, an analysis of 73 tattoo ink samples collected from suppliers and online retailers, many of which were made in the United States. Findings: most fail to meet industry standards – if the industry standards even existed! Listen to Doc Handal's latest podcast in your favorite format. You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Google, and iHeart radio so you don't miss the next episode. And if you like what you hear, a five-star rating goes a long way.    

So you woke up with a sore throat and a little runny nose. this evening you started coughing and feel feverish. In the past year, your mind would have immediately jumped to COVID-19.  But if you are already fully vaccinated, you might wonder: Should I still get tested for COVID-19? Listen to Doc Handal's latest podcast across your favorite platform. Listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, Radio Public and iheart radio so you don't miss the next episode. And if you like what you hear, a five-star rating goes a long way.      

The prevailing educated guess is that the pandemic will go endemic! Endemic means that there are always people who are infected, who pass the infection to somebody else and then recover. Only 2 ways a pandemic can end either go on to be endemic or virus is eradicated. Over one year ago WHO declared a pandemic. Since that time a few effective vaccines were created and jabbed into the arms of over a billion folks. The vaccines prevent severe illness from the SARS-CoV-2 virus but do not keep one from contracting and spreading the virus. These vaccines also are not as effective against all variants presently known. The more the virus mutates, the more chances it has to outsmart our vaccines.

Latest information objectively presented in Doc's latest podcast. Listen Up, thru your favorite source. Discover what the nonmedical outlets say is only an incomplete picture. Find out what's between the lines, what is real, and most importantly what you need to do. Go to your favorite podcast platform, listen below, or to Doc Handal's website podcast page! You can listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, and iHeart radio so you don't miss the next episode. And if you like what you hear, a five-star rating goes a long way.  

Studies indicate tea tree oil has amazing antiviral properties. Everyone has the SARsCoV-2 on their minds so I must let you in on this wonderful adjunct to my medical care. Have a listen to my latest podcast on this beneficial oil. In the podcast, I refer to this blog for those that wish to read more. Cats and dogs can't be exposed to tea tree oil.

So similar yet so different, flu vs. COVID-19, with you and your medical caregiver deciding earlier than later. This new podcast dives into medical information that you can easily hang on to. Listen Up and help yourself and others.  

 The pandemic has been for about 1 year and we are still learning about this deadly virus. Doc Handal shares the latest information on the duration of immunity and explains how our immune system operates. Listen Up!

There likely will be a time, before the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 arrives, when you will get a test. This pandemic is far from over in this humble physician's opinion. Have a listen to this short podcast and be current on viral testing. FDA approved the saliva at-home test.

There likely will be a time, before the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 arrives, when you will get a test. This pandemic is far from over in this humble physician's opinion. Have a listen to this short podcast and be current on viral testing. 

This short podcast reveals the serious limitations and false security a little dab of ethanol-alcohol based liquid sanitizer can give you. Doc Handal updates you on recent research and debunks the belief that a 'little dab will prevent'.

 There are many considerations everyone must comprehend when enjoying the benefits of this information technology era.  Stop and listen to the salient highlights you must consider, especially since a recent study showed your cellphone is dirtier than a bathroom. Doc Handal gets to the issues.

No spare partsfor eyes lying round,and the longer you live the more you want to see. Prevention is critical and it takes many forms, detailed comphrensive eye exams yearly, wearing safety glasses, blocking harmful blue light from your devices, so listen up as doc Handal focuses on what you need to do. 

The American Heart Association (AHA) has updated the 2008 exercise guidelines for all ages. The 2nd Ed.is chuck full of info but most importantly it emphasizes  'just move'. Listen Up to Doc Handal's new podcast

DocHandal latest podcast lets you in on the important considerations in children of mild head trauma, concussion, and what parents need to know. Warning signs, when to go to the ER, terminology and much more as only Doc can tell you. Some warning signs of mild versus severe types of brain injury are hard to ID. That’s why check out by a physician early is important. Signs include: when a child is not acting as usual, complaints are getting worse especially a. headache, not walking well or unbalanced walking, a speech change, dizziness, excess sleepiness, blacking out or a seizure. Whenever a head injury results from a forceful event – ex.  car accident or fall from a height, an immediate medical exam may be warranted be warranted.  

Recent research suggests we totally rethink our ‘proper’ sleep times. Listen Up to DocHandal’s latest podcast there is surprising information, including more is not always better!

Stress is well worth noting. When anyone is stressed or even approaching a stress level it is time to be concerned. Once a person reaches a  full-blown crisis, your intervention and safety are almost always out the window. A professional is now necessary. Let Doc Handal, in this podcast, share a few easy to pick up tells of mounting stress in yourself and others. Stress effects more than our social world it goes to altering the state of our health.  

At times dietary choices become the lesser of 2 evils either it is calories, fat content, salt, artificial ingredients like sweeteners and dyes. DocHandal’s latest podcast shares scientifically sound food choices wither eating in or out. From soup to dessert and don’t forget wine learn why certain choices are smarter! Learn which is the healthier choice: soup vs. salad, fish vs. meat, tea vs. coffee, hot dog vs. hamburger, red vs. white wine, strawberries or bananas? Please share this podcast with your friends – Smart Food Choices

Yes at least 2 serving a week but lurking in your fish are good omega-3s, high protein with low fat but watch for the environmental contaminants-mercury, dioxins and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Listen as DocHandal let you in some important health facts. Podcast Teaser: Every diet toots eating fish 2/week is healthy, the American Heart Association (AHA) states ‘at least 2 servings of baked or grilled fish each week, especially oily fish.’ Servings are typically a minimum of 3 oz is common quantity (deck card size when cooked) and no more than 6 oz per day. While fish esp. shellfish are high in cholesterol (but lower in total fat than meat/poultry) it is chuck full of omega-3 fatty acids which is good for you on many fronts. Mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon esp. the skin can displace the daily fish oil gelcaps. Now to the dark side of consuming fish. This podcast is about the Mercury (Hg) present in fish along with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins and other environmental contaminants. Learn more about mercury and fish here. Some types of fish may contain high levels of mercury. Shark, swordfish (170ug Hg, tilefish (golden bass or golden snapper) and king mackerel are examples. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing — and young children — should avoid eating potentially contaminated fish.

Every once in a while practical, easy to apply to daily life concepts are arrived at by scientists. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  published (March 19) their deduction regarding airplane travel and illness. Lots happens to the human body on-board and mostly bad. No one knows the true numbers when it comes to deplaning with something you did not get on board with, so much passes undetected. Listen Up! for the distilled findings and more insights in Doc Handal’s latest podcast ‘Healthy  Flying’. Sign into iTunes and write a review! Comments always welcomed!

It is your body and yes doctors are caregivers, but they do not know everything! Do they know what you may want, that you want to hear all possible treatment options, need expectations compared and more – so Listen Up! (iTunes) Doc Handal will again empower you to be your own best advocate.  

Once symptoms of stroke start a stopwatch starts with time lost being brain tissue lost. Timing is everything, quick to stroke center, for a rapid workup to determine extent, type and care of the stroke. The clock starts when symptoms start. 2018 Guidelines for stroke care are: -a blood thinner must be given up to 3-4.5 hours of symptoms starting. -If you are a candidate for mechanical removal of the clot, it should be done as soon as possible but within 6-16 and possibly 24 hours. Decades ago blood thinners (‘clot busters’) were the revolutionary bullet doctors used to reverse strokes caused by a blood clot in the brain. Today there is another method felt to be equally effective and in some cases advantageous. Mechanical removal of the clot in some cases resulted in excellent outcomes – stroke reversal. Presented last month and immediately adopted and published are new guidelines.

Learn what inflammation is, and how to fight the bad type with an anti inflammatory diet. Most important hear how your diet can help avoid a wide range of illness, and compliment conventional medical treatment. The good and the bad choices are straight forward and need to know basics,  listen up as DocHandal relays them easily.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is the dark side of the holiday season. A form of depression relatively common needs to be recognized in its subtleness and addressed. Learn behavioral clues, and plan to intervene from Doc Handal Listen Up or Read on… Holiday stress is a well-recognized condition, we see it in the workplace, at home even on transit. Chiatic world TMI more tan ever The condition is termed ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’. The holiday season is not all laughs and happy thoughts this condition must be ID’ed and meet head on. Behavioral clue – if a known coworker/loved one becomes ‘miserable’ (non stop complaints) the fact you think it or hear it. Causes – ?’s re: job security, children or finance along with increase in alcohol (t’is the season to parties) which is a depressant coupled with poor sleep and over eating Results- interruption of exercise, routine, diet showing up as a decrease performance, increase conflict. Plan acknowledge xtra patience understanding give a mental health day to your self esp. bet Thansgiving NY Wishing all a peaceful low stress holiday

Medicines, chemicals that interact! No matter OTC or perscription, all drugs can interact with food and other medications. Drugs are chemicals that can have no or serious interactions with your body chemistry -learn dangers and prevention from Doc Handal.

A forced retirement policy is illegal for most professions in the US. Fact, we aren't 'what' we used to be! When should doctors retire? Fact, 1 in 4 physicans are over 65 and completed medical training over 35 years ago! Listen Up, as Doc Handal thinks out loud about this potentially life-threatening reality. What are should there be requirements? Who decides when a medical doctor needs to hang up the stethoscope. A podcast you must listen to, as you might be the first person to realize it's time.

How do you get this the most common form of arthritis. Inflammation of joints from too much uric acid in your blood is excruciatingly painful. Listen to key factors about this condition from Doc Handal - as only she can distill the important elements. What is it? What to Do? How to prevent! Medication that can cause 'the gout'.

Learn indepth on this topic, from basics to what can be expected for those with this condition. There are 85.7 million (34%) Americans with high blood pressure,  many undiagnosed and about half of those taking medication not well controlled - so you need to listen up!

We all have skin moles as many as 40 or more. They are not simply all 'dark spots'. Learn about the different types, treatment and much more from Doc Handal when you listen to her podcast.

DocHandal shares what we know and do not know about Alzheimer's Disease (AD) this very common form of dementia. On average a 2 year delay in diagnosing is common, and 20% of folks with AD do not even know they have it! So listen up and make a difference.  

DocHandal shares risks, diagnosis and treatments for this tick acquired disease.Learn from her how to protect yourself from a chronic debilitating disease.

Learn the lowdown in a basic overview of what you need to know to take best of care when it comes to a medical problem 9.3% of Americans have! Want to read more check out this previous blog.

The prevalence of physician burnout starting from medical school training will shock you. Get the specifics and how to recognize this in your medical care setting. Doc Handal Speaks Up!

Doc Handal offers tips for before during and after your healthcare visit. How to share connect and understand is important- learn how easy it can be in this podcast. Get the most out of any medical care encounter!

You can avert skin cancer with a few inexpensive actions. DocHandal shares specific action and the logic behind them. You can't afford not to listen up to this podcast!

An all too common cancer effecting men 3 times more than women. Learn the needed information to recognize and deal with this stubborn cancer-has a 50-80% chance of recurring. DocHandal packs beaucoup data in this short podcast.