With all the challenges facing us during the pandemic, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. From home schooling, working at home, retired and not traveling, or not getting out that much, being together too much can create tension between couples and families.
On top of it, new coping habits may be detrimental to one’s health. From eating too much take-out food to drinking too much alcohol, our health can go downhill quickly.
So, let’s look at a few important health-related issues that are top of mind during this pandemic.
Vitamin D
A study done in Spain on 219 patients positive for COVID-19 showed that 82.2 percent of the admitted patients had vitamin D deficiency. It was found that these patients had poor COVID-19 outcomes.1
One of the things I have noticed pretty much with all my patients getting their health blood panels done is that most are vitamin D deficient. We had a very hot summer here in Arizona last year and this prevented us from getting outside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the sun is at 45 to 90 degrees. Cholesterol in our skin is converted into vitamin D from the ultraviolet B rays from the sun during this time of day.
Vitamin D is a pro-hormone, not a vitamin. It is essential for our bone growth and immunity. The blood level range for vitamin D is 30-100ng/mL. Optimal levels should be at about 60-80ng/mL. I found a few patients whose levels were so low they were beginning to show signs of adult-onset rickets. Symptoms included frequent infections, fatigue, and bone pain. Treatment is easy and very inexpensive to resolve vitamin D deficiency.
Andropause
Another issue I’ve seen, which does not help coping as a couple during the pandemic, is low sex hormone production. Andropause, the lowering of testosterone in men, and menopause in women, can start as early as age 30.
Physical symptoms of low testosterone in men are decreased muscle mass, loss of body hair, abdominal obesity, gynecomastia (increase in breast tissue), reduced sexual desire and activity, insulin resistance, and erectile dysfunction.
Estrogen deficiency symptoms in women may be irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, heart palpitations, and vaginal dryness.
Testosterone deficiency symptoms in both men and women can be low libido, lack of motivation, mid-section weight gain, irritability, impatience, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, migraine headaches, decline in executive function thinking, and poor memory recall.
Two to four million men in the United States have hypogonadal production of testosterone. And only five percent of them are actually treated.
Mental Health
Lastly, it’s important to take care of our mental health. With having so many no’s and rules — home schooling, wearing a mask, can’t travel, can’t go out as usual, canceling trips and weddings, etc. — it can feel claustrophobic, restricting, and downright depressing during these difficult times.
Are you feeling depressed, lonely, or sad? Don’t hesitate to call a friend or close relative to vent. Make sure to get out of the house, make some alone time away from your partner, children, or roommate to recharge. Don’t hesitate to contact a psychologist or ask for psychiatric help if you feel you are at your wits end. We offer counseling and have good referrals for mental health.
So, how are you, really? Why not come in and get a health or mental health check-up. And schedule a health and hormone blood draw to see where your deficiencies may lie. We are all vaccinated in our office and are following all health guidelines. We also offer telemedicine appointments.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (480) 306-8111, or visit mesadr.com. Mesa Naturopathic is located at 1955 N. Val Vista Drive, Suite 103, in Mesa.