Ebola now, Love Later?

It is a hard line to draw.  When do I hug a stranger who wants a hug, or spray them with disinfectant?  I think these days it would be easy to disinfect first then hug later.  But I am not too sure that is what we are called to do.  From the fear of Ebola contaminated people running around rampant in the streets, to Christ sacrificing Himself for the world, there is a large disparity in associated actions.

I had a patient ask me this morning “What is the real story? Is this hype too, like Avian Flu, or SARS, or Swine Flu?  Or is this real?”

Real.

“What is the bottom line?”

50% of people who get it have died, but they aren’t as healthy as you or I.  But they might be healthier than the average American.  I cannot say for certain.  But the real question is, with that knowledge, are you able to act like Christ?  In the image of Him?  Are you willing to be Loving before scared?  I think it is necessary, even now, to put yourself and your family second.  We live in a bubble of protection, and we sometimes fail to realize how significant that bubble is, until Ebola shows up.

Shep Smith from FOX News thinks you shouldn’t care about Ebola at all… I totally disagree with him.  Kind of like Rush Limbaugh in this Excerpt, I feel as though Shep might have been put up to this by somebody.  Even though FOX is known to NOT side with this current government, it seems to me somebody pressured this belief on him.  Anyways, the point of my article…

Think of the message of Love that Christ brought.  Did He asterisk His statement to Love One Another in John 13:34?  The asterisk saying – “well, this only applies to periods of time when there is little risk from leprosy, or the plague, or Ebola.  Just love one another when everything is very comfortable.”

Lets sit back and picture the world when these words were spoken.  A world with no understanding for micro-organisms, or very little knowledge of their exact method of distribution.  The amount of fear over disease was significant at the time.  Yet, the words were spoken, to exist as timeless truth regardless of the state of the world.  Thus, they still apply right now.

Treat each other as Christ would treat you.  Don’t look at somebody with a cough as a concern, or a hurdle, or someone to avoid.  This is the furthest from Love that there is.  Even in the presence of real danger, we are called to love.  But lets take the real danger in context.  There is no EBOLA here, yet.  And there might never be.  Maintaining close control of contact lists will provide the CDC with better odds at keeping this highly contained, so far it hasn’t been that impressive, but I expect that this will change.  As the attention to their mistakes continues to grow and travel media channels.  Security will tighten, and we should see improvement in the control.

That being said, there are still opportunities for this virus to be leaked.  Air travel is the greatest source of risk right now.  As if there is one way that we could imagine seeing this virus jump over geographic boundaries, it is contamination on an airplane.  Otherwise, just be alert to media announcements, and all should be good.  And all along the way.  Treat each other with love.

Be well and Be blessed!  – Dr. E

Workout of The WEEK

With all this EBOLA Talk this week, I think we need something to de-stress.  And this is exactly what you need.  A hard workout.  Now, if you have never read my exercise posts, or come to one of my exercise talks… well…. shame on you.  If you have, well done.

The point of most of my talks are quite simply this –

  • More of your workouts should be low time and high intensity, like todays.  Some distance or endurance is ok, but you would be hard pressed to find an Exercise Phys Journal these days not publishing articles on greater health benefits from the Intensity training.
  • This high intensity training brings about more growth hormone and testosterone.  Both come with a premium these days, especially thanks to high stress living.
  • Functional movements make sense.  Using machines that DO NOT mimic normal life make little sense.  Elliptical machines should be used only during a period of recovery from injury, otherwise you should run.  Cannot run without pain you say?  Then go to Natural Strides and get fixed.  Seriously.
  • Lastly – develop habits you can sustain.  Quitting and starting your exercise plan every other month, gives you NO BENEFIT AT ALL.  Stop, think, and reflect.  Is this you?  If so, fix it.

Towne Lake Area – CrossFit Towne Lake (join today, don’t balk at $155 a month… balk at $50,000 in heart disease meds when it is all over).

Woodstock, Marietta – The Garage – same deal, get signed up.

Canton – CrossFit Bridgemill, and if that is off your path, I have more I can recommend.

Anything East, Hickory Flat, and beyond… – CrossFit Silos, you’ll see me there adjusting on Tuesday and Thursday AM’s, so it might just be perfect for you.

OK, the WORKOUT –

6 – 100M Sprints, rest 2.5 minutes between each.

Then – 4 sets of 20 Burpees as fast as possible, rest 2.5 minutes between each set.

All it takes for fitness is effort.  Nothing creative, nothing expensive.  Trust me.

Be well and Be blessed! – Dr. E

burpee1

 

Photo courtesy of Spartan Race.

EBOLA UPDATE

As you probably know, the plane that carried the nurse from Cleveland to Dallas, made its way to Atlanta before being decontaminated.  This means that individuals who flew from Dallas to Atlanta, or from Atlanta onward, on that plane, are at risk of developing symptoms.

I imagine Atlantans were on that plane, and I imagine they are in the community, and around others.  The chance of them catching this virus is very low.  But what about the one person who sat in Amber Vinson’s seat?  Is he/she here?  In Woodstock?

You see, I can begin to start this off, and I can freak you out big time.  The reason we need to stay focused on this, is because tomorrow, if someone is coughing in your face, you might want to be concerned.  Today its ok, but tomorrow it might not be.  Its easy to contain an outbreak to a limited area in Africa, where massive travel from region to region is unknown for most.  Granted there is an URBAN setting where this outbreak is occurring over there, but still, they do not process anywhere near as many flights as we do.

I am calling for awareness.  There are times to build our immunity through exposure to illness, and there are times to let that immune system lie in wait, til it is called forward.    Have you read my FULL ARTICLE with steps to assist prevention?  It might be wise to take this serious.

Here is the CNN Update:

Ebola

Week 3 – Planning

By Dr. Mark Richards

I’m sure you’ve heard  the saying “if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” Well this has shown itself true throughout this experience. The first time around Amanda and I had planned out all our meals for each week. Every Saturday night we would make a list of each dinner we were going to make and then shop for what we needed on Sunday. It really worked great. It solves that daily question of “what’s for dinner?” It seems like such a simple question, but it would always cause us all sorts of grief trying to figure it out. Having it set ahead of time really is nice just for the sake of not having to figure it out on the fly. There were a few other reasons though, that it really helped us.

Logistically it just works. If we know we’re going to need some chicken for dinner we can get it out ahead of time and not have to do that whole microwave defrost thing which I really hate doing. We can plan meals around our schedule, nights we know we’re busy we can do something simple, like salad. Nights I’m home, we can do more complex meals, that require more of a time commitment.

It also helps keep you on the right direction with this diet. There are certain meals we have that may have a higher glycemic load, usually because of tomatoes, which we will have once in a while. For example if we do taco night and have salsa or straight tomatoes on our taco salad we will know not to eat our berries or green apple during the day. Also, if we are planning vegetable lasagna, we won’t do that the day after, we’ll space it out. We would also try to put a very low glycemic meal the day after and/or before having a meal like that. So it allows to have those foods, but ensures we don’t over do it.

Another great thing that we’ve noticed from planning ahead, is that we are more willing to try new things. Its hard, for us at least, to try a new recipe spontaneously. Usually when the dinner decision has been left to that night, we’ll go with something familiar and easy. Its good to have familiar and easy recipes that fit this diet, but at the same time certain foods can get old really quick on this diet. Adding variety has definitely helped us.

I think the best part of having meals planned though, is that it helps avoid temptation. For Amanda and I, that time of day leading up to dinner, usually between 4-5 pm is when we are at our weakest. The cravings, if they come, come at that time of day. If dinner hasn’t been decided yet, it leaves us extremely vulnerable to making a poor decision.

The first three weeks of this second 60, we hadn’t planned our meals. It was evident. Like I said last week, it didn’t feel like we had a great week diet wise. It felt that way again this past week. I think it really comes down to the fact that we didn’t plan our meals. We did sit down and plan this coming week. So I’m expecting a great week. My weight didn’t change from last week. So I’m still at 206 lbs. I’m not too bothered by that though, because every day I’m feeling smaller, even if the scale doesn’t show that, my clothes certainly do. I know I’m on the right path. Thanks for reading.

-Dr. Mark

Ebola – This is For Real.

As we move into the next phase of the Ebola crisis, Ebola in America is a crisis, we are moving into the question of “do I really need to be concerned or is it another Avian Flu story”.  This is not Avian flu.  If you have read my least common denominator theory in prior daily sprouts, you understand where I come from in my opinion of public health decisions.  (brief discussion on that below)

The opinion that ALL of public health decisions are made in light of the weakest in our society, not the strongest.  Weak/Strong as it relates to our immune systems more than anything else.  Do you know that some people can map a virus so quickly, that they don’t ever have a symptom from a new exposure, compared to someone else who might be laid up for over a week from the very same virus?  This is heavily due to prior exposures, as well as the affinity of an immune system for mapping that type of protein shell.  I was fortunate in my chicken pox, in that I had one pock.  In other areas, I have not been so fortunate.  We are all unique, and in that uniqueness, the one thing we really want, is a Titanium immune system.

So, will a titanium immune system be enough for Ebola?  That is the question.  Can it be enough?  Well, lets take a look at this virus, and look at what it has been doing and figure it out.  The BBC news article on Ebola suggests it is the deadliest viral outbreak of our time… it is.  SO if it is so deadly in West Africa, will it be less deadly here?  I believe so, but still… if it is anywhere near as significant as what has happened there, it will be the worst thing to hit America…. ever.

This Graph – http://www.healthsprout.com/ebola-stats-september-2014/ shows the percentage of deaths to be roughly 50% of those infected.    Which suggests that we would be quite fortunate to keep our death rate of infected individuals to 10-20%.  Ebola is contracted through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.  Because of the coughing and vomiting that occur with Ebola, there is plenty of expressed bodily fluid.  There are a few key points that help understand transmission.

First – people are not infectious until they are symptomatic, and incubation can take up to 21 days, or as few as two.  I like this illustration that is labeled as Ebola Virus replication, but in reality it is the method of all VIRAL replication.  The first time I heard a lecture on viral methodology, I likened it to the Borg and Captain Picard of Star Trek.  Take over, don’t kill, the cell… assimilation… resistance is futile.

Ebola Virus

Second – this virus was first discovered in 1976.  The world has been able to keep it under control for this long.  Please don’t panic, but, this is no Avian or Swine flu.  This is for real.  Those are manufactured for fear out of nothing.  Also remember, this is a virus.  There is no miracle treatment.  We don’t have any great drug to give you.  My recommendations below start with NOT getting it, but then being prepared if you do.

Next – consider the impact of the news that now that we have one dead Texan, we also have one diseased healthcare worker who helped that Texan :

Texas Reports Positive Test for Ebola in a Health Care Worker

On Friday October 10, a healthcare worker at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who provided care for the index patient reported a low grade fever and was referred for testing. The health care worker had been self-monitoring for fever and symptoms.

The hospital and patient were notified of the preliminary positive result. In addition, CDC has interviewed the patient to identify any contacts or potential exposures in the community.

The CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services remain confident that wider spread in the community can be prevented with proper public health measures including ongoing contact tracing, health monitoring among those known to have been in contact with the index patient and immediate isolations if symptoms develop.

Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a sick person or exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated. The illness has an average 8-10 day incubation period (although it could be from 2 to 21 days) so CDC recommends monitoring exposed people for symptoms a complete 21 days.  People are not contagious during the incubation period, meaning before symptoms such as fever develop.

CDC tests results will be shared when confirmatory tests are done, following appropriate patient notification.  – http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/s1012-texas-health-care-worker.html

When around infected people, healthy people will get this virus.  It WILL happen, and it will kill.  We need to be prepared to NOT get it first and foremost.  The best ways not to get it:

1. No airplane travel, and not into areas where infection is showing up.  It is impossible for public health policies to track all contacts.  Of course if you need to fly, you need to fly.  But be wise.  Bring a mask in case there are people coughing in your vicinity.  As much as I NEVER EVER talk about hand sanitizers… shoot, I tell my kids to purposefully not sanitize.  But the reason I do, is so that they can have TITANIUM immune systems when they get around something like this.  I have been training their systems to MAP quickly, so that they can be prepared for something like this. But we certainly don’t want this test if we can avoid it.  Therefore be ready to act to protect yourself.  Its ok to be very precautious now.

2. If you enter an area where there has been a report of an infected person, avoid all individuals who display symptoms of sickness.  Coughing could be a very bad thing for you.  Act with caution.

3. Eat little or no sugar.  You want an immune system that rocks?  Stay away from the sugars.  Period.

4. Eat a diet rich in immune system boosting nutrients.  Green leafy vegetables, and variety of berries being careful not to overdo the fruit.  Supplement to keep the nutrients high, Juice Plus is a good start.

5. Sleep, rest.  Be sure to keep your immune system prepared.

6. Maintain your nervous system.  The value of an atlas adjustment is INCREDIBLE when considering the immune system.  If you have family that travel, now is the time to refer them in for care. Regular care to maintain their immune systems.

6.  BE RESPONSIBLE – if you go into an area where an infected person is known to be, and you come in contact with ANYBODY who is coughing, displaying cold symptoms.  Then consider yourself a risk.  Should you develop any symptoms of a cold within 21 days, then take yourself out of the population.  This is the way you stop a growing outbreak.

The least common denominator rule suggests that the public health care policies are driven to protect the weakest in our society.  My point for you, is that you should always consider that there is a difference between the strongest and the weakest.  If you want to be safe, keep yourself and your family on the strong side.  I think this is more important now, than ever before.

I don’t want to strike fear.  We can all beat this, but we need to be smart.  I just want to be sure that I do my part to help, and you do your part to be safe.  Be well and Be blessed – Dr. E

Ebola Stats – September 2014

This table is from the CDC web site updated September 2014
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

Table: Chronology of previous Ebola virus disease outbreaks

 

Year Country Ebolavirus species Cases Deaths Case fatality
2012 Democratic Republic of Congo Bundibugyo 57 29 51%
2012 Uganda Sudan 7 4 57%
2012 Uganda Sudan 24 17 71%
2011 Uganda Sudan 1 1 100%
2008 Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire 32 14 44%
2007 Uganda Bundibugyo 149 37 25%
2007 Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire 264 187 71%
2005 Congo Zaire 12 10 83%
2004 Sudan Sudan 17 7 41%
2003 (Nov-Dec) Congo Zaire 35 29 83%
2003 (Jan-Apr) Congo Zaire 143 128 90%
2001-2002 Congo Zaire 59 44 75%
2001-2002 Gabon Zaire 65 53 82%
2000 Uganda Sudan 425 224 53%
1996 South Africa (ex-Gabon) Zaire 1 1 100%
1996 (Jul-Dec) Gabon Zaire 60 45 75%
1996 (Jan-Apr) Gabon Zaire 31 21 68%
1995 Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire 315 254 81%
1994 Cote d’Ivoire Taï Forest 1 0 0%
1994 Gabon Zaire 52 31 60%
1979 Sudan Sudan 34 22 65%
1977 Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire 1 1 100%
1976 Sudan Sudan 284 151 53%
1976 Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire 318 280 88%

 

Pizza Crust

Grain/Sugar Free Pizza Crust:

2 cups almond flour

2 eggs

1/2 – 1 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp. Italian seasonings

1/8 tsp. garlic powder (optional)

pinch of salt

4 tsp olive oil

Combine all ingredients together and let rest 5 minutes.

Stir dough, it should be as thick as cookie dough, if it isn’t add more almond flour a tablespoon at a time until it is.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper

Place half the dough in a mound on one half of the sheet and the rest of the dough in a mound on the other half.

Cover with plastic wrap and using your hand or a small rolling pin push/roll the dough into a circle (mine were about 8 inches each).

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes or until barely brown. Add desired toppings and bake 5-10 more minutes until golden.

Week 2 – Support

My wife Amanda and I did our first straight-60 right before starting this one. Eric and his wife Laura were doing it along with us, but other than that, we were pretty much on our own. We are only 2 weeks in, but I can say I prefer doing it with a group. I realize I don’t see the group all the often, and don’t usually eat any of my meals with the group either, but knowing the group is there, others going through it with us, just helps.

I’ve enjoyed talking to those of you I see around at the office or at Crossfit, and hearing how you are doing. It helps keep me focused, and there’s more accountability with the group. If you are doing this on your own, don’t get me wrong, it is completely possible to do this alone but its going to be harder. I would recommend getting into our group, but if that’s not possible for some reason try to get someone to do it along with you, to hold each other accountable, and to share your successes, temptations, and slips (if you have any).

Learning the why of all this is really crucial, which is why I’ve enjoyed the classes so far. The first time through, I knew the goal of healing my hormone receptors and hormone levels but having the classes has kept that information more on my mind in my food choices.

The food aspect of this diet is obviously the most difficult part. A great thing happened this past week, as a result of doing this with a group. While talking about the diet at Crossfit Bridgemill, Amanda and I were telling someone how we had tried 2 pizza recipes, and both were a major fail. Another woman, who had previously done the straight-60, over heard this and (THANK GOD) she told us she had a pizza crust recipe that she really liked. So we tried the recipe the following night, and it was awesome (not by traditional pizza standards, but compared to the other recipes we tried, it was awesome) and it only took about 10  minutes to make.  Besides all the motivation, accountability, and knowledge from being in the group, being able to share recipes  alone is worth it.

So, its good to be in a group, in community, to have and give support.

This week wasn’t my best week. The stresses of life were very evident, and when I’m stressed I want to eat. This week showed me that I still have a lot of work, mainly my emotional responses and desires for certain food. I think I went into this 2nd 60 a bit over-confident, so this past week was a good reality check to know I’m still learning and in the process of creating new, better habits. I dropped 2 lbs. since last week, so that puts me at 206 lbs. I’m getting so close to that initial goal, but even that is far from where I need to be. Thanks for reading.

-Dr. Mark