With the ongoing devastation in LA, it feels inappropriate to say “Happy New Year” with my usual exclamation marks. On a more tempered note, I hope you are healthy, content, and ready for a year that will challenge our resilience. As we navigate 2025 and beyond, I hope we all remember one thing: kindness is free. Here a snippet of the stories and topics in this month's newsletter: - Alcohol is making headlines in public health. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines will be revised this year, and there’s no consensus on how much (or if any) alcohol is safe to consume. Stay tuned for more on that debate. However, everyone agrees that excessive drinking is unsafe.
- Whooping cough is on the rise. The good news: it’s treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early. That means recognizing the symptoms, including the characteristic “whoop” of the cough.
- Stress is a sneaky culprit that worsens many health conditions. Managing it effectively can be a critical part of your care. Paul Folger, a journalist with ulcerative colitis, shared how he balances a demanding career and his health, plus his creative outlet that helps him de-stress.
- When former Viking Randy Moss shared his bile duct cancer diagnosis, journalist Ben Henry broke it down for KSTP viewers, including the intricate surgery Moss underwent. Behind the scenes, a surprise expert pinch-hit while on vacation—proof that margaritas are the ultimate thank-you currency!
- Menopause can be more disruptive than you think, affecting everything from sleep to career success. Joanna Strober founded Midi Health to change the game for women everywhere. We crossed paths at HLTH, and after our podcast, I’m sure you’ll find her as inspiring as I do!
- The latest guidelines suggest that Vitamin D may not reduce fall risk or fractures for most adults. Does that mean it’s time to ditch the supplements? Not so fast—there’s more to the story.
Let's dive in. FYI…links are red, underlined, and bolded. |
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Alcohol: EXCESSIVE DRINKING |
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According to current U.S. guidelines consuming more than 7 alcoholic drinks per week for women and up to 14 for men is considered “excessive” drinking. But there's excessive (binge drinking) and then there's really excessive (high intensity drinking) – and the risks are significantly different. During a KSTP segment between Thanksgiving and New Year's, (not sure viewers were thrilled with my timing) I explained the differences and why high intensity drinking poses an immediate health risk to the drinker and those around them. |
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In 2024, whooping cough cases – also called pertussis – increased across the United States with more than 6 times as many cases in 2024 and higher than any year since 2012. This awful cough can last from 4 weeks to 4 months (that's a bummer) but the good news is that it's a bacterial infection that is treatable with antibiotics. So don't wait it out because “its just a cold.” Also, whooping cough is SO infectious that household contacts of patients should be treated EVEN IF they don't have symptoms and EVEN IF they've been vaccinated. Here's the segment with more information about symptoms and treatment. |
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BREAKING FROM THE STRESS OF BREAKING NEWS |
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Stress can worsen or exacerbate almost any medical condition. This doesn’t mean that your symptoms are “in your head” but it does mean that having a healthy outlet for your stress is an important part of your treatment plan. Paul Folger is a journalist/news anchor on KSTP-5 (ABC) who has ulcerative colitis – and lots of stress. He was my guest on Speak Up For Your Health to talk about how he's navigated having this condition while having a successful career in broadcast news. One of his stress mediators is his very own online (free) magazine, Always Tasteful. I hope you check it out! |
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Randy Moss & Bile Duct Cancer |
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Former Minnesota Viking Randy Moss shared that he had been treated for bile duct cancer. This is much less common than pancreatic and liver cancer so KSTP journalist Ben Henry did an “explainer” to help educate viewers about the diagnosis and the complicated surgery Moss had called a Whipple Procedure. He'll also receive chemo and radiation. Prognosis? It could be as high as 90% and may be one of the lucky ones. Here's the behind the scenes story to explain why David gets a shout out in the image: Ben called me to see if I could provide a medical opinion on this topic, but I had a better idea. I recommended that David do the interview since he is a gastroenterologist and a liver expert. Did I care that we'd just come in from the beach in Puerto Rico and David was taking a nap? Nope. I woke him up, gave him 20 minutes to prep and then treated him to margaritas! Love him! |
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MENOPAUSE: Treat, Don't Suffer |
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Peri-menopause and menopause can cause more than just hot flashes. Brain fog, insomnia, and mood changes can profoundly impact women’s personal and professional lives, especially when they go undiagnosed and untreated. Joanna Strober is the CEO of Midi Health, a virtual women's healthcare company she founded after having her own frustrating experience finding the help she needed. The company's services are covered by most insurers and care is coordinated with your local provider (if you have one!). I met Joanna at HLTH in Las Vegas and interviewed her on Speak Up For Your Health. Joanna totally ROCKS and after you listen to the podcast we did together, I suspect you'll agree! |
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Vitamin D Supplementation: TO TAKE OR NOT TO TAKE |
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About 50% of adults take a supplement containing Vitamin D. But, the US Preventive Services Task Force (the group that guides prevention recommendations) does not recommend that pre- or post-menopausal women or men take vitamin D and calcium to decrease the risk of falls and reduce fractures. WHAT?! Does this mean everyone should discontinue these supplements? Absolutely not – and the devil is in the details. What I explained in this KSTP segment is that these recommendations DO NOT EVEN APPLY to people with a history of osteoporosis or fracture, an increased risk for falls or a vitamin D deficiency. |
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Thanks for reading. You can find previous editions of ArcHealth on my website. |
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Until next month, Archelle |
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P.O. Box 91
Hopkins, MN 55343, USA |
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This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. |
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