Stress, COVID Racial Disparities, Vitamins, OTC Meds “November is the 2020 of 2020”

Filmed live at the Hive, Atlanta, Georgia, on November 4, 2020. Yes, it’s the day after the 2020 election and we don’t yet know who will be the president for the next term. This is producing stress for many, no matter who received your vote.

Dr. Bater discusses the role of stress in healthcare racial disparities. She also talks about the latest research on over-the-counter (OTC) medications being repurposed to treat COVID.

Did you know that women and people of color receive LESS pain medication (underdosing) than other patients? One example is sickle cell disease – an extremely painful condition that more common in African Americans in the U.S. compared to other ethnicities.

Did you know Black babies are 3x less likely to die if cared for by a Black physician? Systemic racism in healthcare may cause complaints to be overlooked.

COVID is the “petri dish” that shines a light on systemic racism in healthcare. Chronic stress leeches disease-fighting vitamins from the body. These factors also increase COVID risk factors: obesity, hypertension, pollution, dense living without good ventilation, access to COVID test and healthcare in general.

What about those vitamins and OTC medications? Zinc & Vitamin D deficiencies are risk factors for bad health outcomes. Famotidine/Pepcid equivalent seems not to help. If you’re taking a biologic medication (e.g., for psoriasis), keep taking it!

SLEEP IS MAGIC!!! Make it a priority. Take melatonin if you need help with sleep. It’s also an anti-viral. Exercise regularly, practice preventive healthcare (get your annual flu vaccine!). Keep wearing your mask.

Buzzy and VibraCool are FDA registered 510(k) cleared to Control pain associated with injections, venipuncture, IV starts, cosmetic injections and the temporary relief of minor injuries (muscle or tendon aches, splinters and bee stings). Also intended to treat myofascial pain caused by trigger points, restricted motion and muscle tension.

Dr. Amy Baxter, MD, bio & more pain relief options here: https://paincarelabs.com/resources/power-over-pain/

Dr. Amy Baxter directs innovation, invention, and strategy for Pain Care Labs. Accomplishments include international thought leadership on pain management and acute opioid reduction, multiple NIH SBIR Fast-Tracks, eight issued patents, multiple first author textbook chapters and journal publications, and successful 510K FDA clearances. After graduating from Yale University and Emory Medical School, as a double-boarded pediatric emergency physician, Dr. Baxter founded PEMA Emergency Research, created and validated the BARF pediatric nausea scale cited in fifty studies, and founded Pain Care Labs. Recognition includes Forbes Ten Healthcare Disruptors, Inc. Top Women in Tech to Watch, Top 10 Innovative and Disruptive Women in Healthcare, a Wall Street Journal “Idea Person”, and the Most Innovative CEO of 2014 from Georgia Bio. National and international lecturing highlights include MakerFaire, AARP, and TEDMED. On Homeolux Board of Directors. Also known for turning down Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank.