Sept 09 Patient Newsletter

Wondering if you should get a flu shot or the swine flu vaccine?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people at high risk for exposure to these illnesses or those who could develop serious complications from them receive these vaccinations. CDC recommendations for seasonal flu include: pregnant women, young children, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung conditions, people 65 and older, people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk should also get a flu shot. Current CDC recommendations for swine flu vaccination include: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers), health-care and emergency medical services personnel, persons aged 6 months-24 years, and persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Healthy people over 65 are the least likely to contract the swine flu because of resistance to the virus due to possible previous exposure.

Wondering how to prevent or treat seasonal or swine flu using a naturopathic approach?

Talk to your Northwest Center doctor at your next visit or schedule an appointment as soon as any of these symptoms appear: fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Early treatment can lessen the duration of illness and decrease the spread of disease.

Dr. Kasra Pournadeali to lecture to the locals on "Good Vitamin vs. Bad Vitamins:"

Wonder what vitamins are right for you, but didn't know who to ask? Have health issues, but are afraid of interactions between vitamins and drugs? Want to maximize your health and vitality, but not sure what to take? With no regulation of vitamin quality, it's buyer beware! In this talk, our own "Dr. P" will help you understand how to make better choices about vitamins. You'll leave knowing what makes a good vitamin good and how to stop wasting your money on the bad.

When: Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 10-11:30 am
Where: The Ken Baxter Senior Center in Marysville
To sign up: (360) 363-8450

Dr. Rebecca Dirks returns appointed to Bastyr University as Faculty:

Our own Dr. Rebecca Dirks, was just this month appointed to faculty at Bastyr University where she will teach Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis to the naturopathic medical students. Competition for the position was very high, but Dr. Dirks's application was ultimately selected. Make sure to congratulate Dr. Dirks on this important appointment as faculty of Bastyr University.

The Mission of the Northwest Center for Optimal Health:

Providing patients and their families safe, effective care in a comforting and welcoming environment, using physicians expert in combining natural and conventional medicine, and who focus on patient education and prevention.