Latest Healthcare News Today—December 9, 2022

While surging influenza and RSV cases are continually spiking in the nation, predominantly affecting children and older adults alike, COVID-19 is another alarming issue yet again after it showed a spiking rise in cases.?

In the report of CBC news, over the course of two weeks, another 41 persons in Saskatchewan died from COVID-19. This is according to the province's most recent Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program situation report, November 20 and December 3.??

Only one was under the age of 60, while the other 40 cases were people of old age above 60.???

During the same time frame last year, no influenza-related deaths were documented. However, currently, there have been 795 more COVID-19 fatalities this year than there were at this same time last year, only amounting to 776 cases.??

This is the reason why CNN news advised the public once more that face masks are once again prominent due to the triple threat of COVID-19, the flu, and RSV.??

Health officials advise people to take preventative measures to safeguard themselves, including getting vaccinated, washing their hands frequently, and in some cases wearing masks.??

"During this rise of this tridemic, if you will, there has been a lot of 'dust off your mask' focused on patients who are at higher risk of the complications of all of these illnesses - older people, individuals with any underlying illness, anyone who has immune compromise. Put your mask back on,'" said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases professor and the organization's medical director.??

Even though there are still other respiratory viruses in circulation during this stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, masking advice based on an individual's risk has been at the forefront of public health discussions.?

But this is not only a threat to humans. Your canine friends may well also be at risk. A new report from the Upper Michigan Source warned the public that a very contagious canine flu is spreading across the nation. Despite the limited number of cases in Michigan, one U.P veterinarian advises owners to be vigilant.??

The typical symptoms include a cough, decreased appetite, and fever. Since it can only spread from dog to dog, humans cannot contract or spread the virus. According to veterinarians, there is no reason to be concerned; the virus is being watched in Michigan.??

The easiest approach to stop the spread of the canine flu is to keep your dog at home if they are experiencing symptoms. Although there is a vaccine for the canine flu, most dogs do not require it.? Only do so if you intend to take your dog to kennels, shows, or other locations where many dogs will be in close proximity to one another.?

Meanwhile, a new healthcare breakthrough published in Medical News Today has found that Vitamin D may protect the brain against aging and the possible risk of dementia. ?

A new observational study has been released that looks into the presence of vitamin D in the brain and its possible effect on cognitive results. Individuals with higher vitamin D brain levels performed better on cognitive tests. It was previously unknown if vitamin D existed in the brain.??

But despite the findings, the precise effect of vitamin D on cognitive function is still not entirely understood. We can hope in the fact that researchers found greater levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower incidence of dementia in older adults.?

What is sure is that if you want to protect your brain, you will need to stop or eat moderately highly processed foods. A news report published by Insider reported that dementia risk might rise in people who regularly consume highly processed meals like hot dogs and cereal bars.? ?

Recent studies have shown that a diet high in processed foods can have negative effects on mental health.??

Results from a study of over 10,000 middle-aged adults were published in JAMA Neurology on Monday, and they showed that those who got more than 20% of their daily calorie intake from ultra-processed foods had an elevated risk of cognitive deterioration over a 10-year period.?

Recent reports show that if we are to protect our bodies from outside diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, we must also take care and be mindful of what we feed our minds. Both mind and body work together to arrive at holistic health. That being said, the healthcare industry is being challenged to serve both the welfare and health of the body and mind.?

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