| Walk With the Doc It’s flu season again and I have scheduled special influenza (flu) vaccination days this year on September 23th and September 30th. If either of these dates accommodates your need, just call for an appointment. Regardless of where you choose to receive your flu vaccine, be sure to get vaccinated before October. The flu is a serious illness. In an average year over 49,000 deaths are attributable to the flu. Even in the very healthy it often comes with weeks of fever, cough, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches and fatigue. Although flu viruses can be detected year-round, the likelihood of getting flu is usually low until October. As shown in the figure below, December through March have been the peak flu months in previous years. Getting a flu shot helps minimize your chance of getting the flu and the chance that others will get the flu from you. Flu vaccines help prevent outbreaks and save lives. For more information about the 2016-2017 flu season visit Flu.gov. Nancy Neighbors, MD Why Community Immunity is Important When enough people get immunized against the flu, most are protected because there is little opportunity for an outbreak. Even those who are not eligible for certain vaccines - such as infants, pregnant women, or immune compromised individuals. - get protection because the spread of flu is significantly reduced. This is known as "community immunity." In essence, when you get a flu shot, it not only benefits you, it’s a gift from you to the most vulnerable in our community. Learn more about your part in helping provide “Community Immunity.” Is Laughter The Best Medicine? Laughter has many of the same effects as exercise. Laughter can enhance your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles, improve your immune system, reduce negative thoughts, help deal with depression and anxiety, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Laughter makes it easier to cope with difficult situations and connect with others in your life. While laughter isn’t likely to receive FDA approval in the near future, anecdotal data suggests that a good laugh has health benefits. Interest in the health benefits of laughter began with Norman Cousin's memoir, “Anatomy of an Illness.” Cousins, who was diagnosed with a painful spine condition, found that a good dose of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He discovered that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep. Groucho Marx once commented that “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.” While credible long term scientific studies are lacking, there is a case for giving laughter a try. Virtually all studies of laughter and health report positive results. Also in laughter’s favor, there are probably no negative side effects. No doubt, the relationship between humor and health is a complex one and one day science will determine the connection. While I believe laughter is good medicine, I don’t believe it will protect you from the flu. Get vaccinated! Quotes To Live By “Exercise is one step forward. Bad diet is two steps back. You can’t compete with what you eat.” “Food is the most abused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant.” “Our bodies are our gardens – Our wills are our gardeners.” ~William Shakespeare |