Taking nutritional vitamins C, D and zinc doesn’t eradicate want for vaccination, mask-wearing and bodily distancing
Pricey Dr. Roach: You acknowledged in a latest column that there isn’t a proof to assist taking nutritional vitamins D, C and zinc when treating/stopping COVID-19. I lately spoke to an infectious illness physician who informed me that docs are giving this very vitamin “cocktail” to hospitalized sufferers with COVID. Numerous sources say having these vitamin ranges optimum in your physique does certainly struggle and stop sickness, together with COVID.
Whereas it’s undoubtedly not the equal of medicine and vaccines for therapy/prevention, is it not true that these nutritional vitamins and minerals are essential to sustaining the physique’s immune system? Are you able to shed some gentle on this? There are such a lot of misconceptions surrounding COVID-19.
Okay.C.
Research have checked out whether or not giving these therapies improves outcomes in COVID-19, and the reply has been that they don’t appreciably enhance outcomes similar to lowering the chance of needing a ventilator or dying. Physicians should still prescribe them, since there isn’t a danger of hurt at cheap doses, and the research could not have had the ability to indicate smaller advantages. Physicians who’ve been treating this illness for the reason that starting of the pandemic need to have one thing they will provide, even with out clear proof of profit. There are definitely theoretical the reason why these therapies can assist the immune system. Very extreme deficiencies of those vitamins are related to immune system weaknesses.
I might be very cautious about recommending these for therapy when there may be not robust proof for profit, as a result of I are not looking for folks to assume they don’t have a necessity for vaccination, mask-wearing and applicable bodily distancing. Nutritional vitamins C and D and zinc are usually not very efficient for therapy or prevention, if in any respect.
I do know you didn’t point out these, however since you probably did point out many misconceptions about COVID-19, I wished to reiterate that there’s robust proof that ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine could be poisonous, particularly at excessive dosages, and no good proof that they’re useful (not less than on the time of this writing), so I like to recommend strongly towards these till/until additional research present profit.
Pricey Dr. Roach: I appear to have a problem with nightmares. They’re very vivid, and I get up feeling extra drained than after I went to sleep. Oddly, they solely occur when I’m sleeping on my again. Individuals who have noticed me after I sleep have indicated I usually hyperventilate whereas I’m having considered one of these nightmares. If I could make myself sleep on my aspect or my abdomen, I appear to have the ability to sleep by way of the evening with out challenge. Does sleeping place really matter in relation to nightmares? Ought to I see my physician?
N.E.
The affiliation of sleep place with nightmares has been evaluated for the reason that time of Freud. I discovered proof that sleeping on the again is related to a better frequency of nightmares than aspect sleeping, however left-sided sleepers have extra nightmares than right-sided sleepers. In not less than one case report, the individual with nightmares solely on his again was discovered to have obstructive sleep apnea, and his nightmares improved when began on CPAP remedy.
When you’ve got danger elements for sleep apnea (similar to being obese) or further signs (morning headache, loud night breathing, falling asleep simply through the day), I might undoubtedly talk about together with your physician.
Dr. Roach regrets that he’s unable to reply particular person letters, however will incorporate them within the column at any time when potential. Readers could electronic mail inquiries to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu