Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / GLP-1 Agonists and Depression, Post-Vaccination Syndrome, and Protecting Older Adults

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GLP-1 Agonists and Depression, Post-Vaccination Syndrome, and Protecting Older Adults · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:02
  Chow, your daily dose of the latest medical and health news from around the globe.
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  I'm your host, Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, a cardiologist based in Toronto.
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  Today, we're diving into some fascinating research on the potential psychiatric effects
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  of a particular class of diabetes medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
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  A recent study has brought interesting insights into the ongoing debate about the
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  neuropsychiatric effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs used to treat type 2
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  diabetes.
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  This research, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that
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  older adults with type 2 diabetes who are newly treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists have a
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  slightly lower risk of developing depression compared to those using DPP-4 inhibitors.
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  The study used Medicare data to analyze 13,711 matched pairs of patients.
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  It found that users of GLP-1 receptor agonists had a 10 percent lower risk of depression
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  compared to those using DPP-4 inhibitors.
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  However, when compared to another class of diabetes drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, the
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  risk for depression was similar between the two groups.
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  It's important to note that while there was a slight reduction in depression risk with GLP-1
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  receptor agonists compared to DPP-4 inhibitors, the incidence of depression was low overall.
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  This finding is particularly significant given that depression is two to three times more
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  common in people with type 2 diabetes.
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  The researchers highlighted the importance of interventions aimed at reducing depression risk
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  in the type 2 diabetes population, especially among older adults who are disproportionately
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  affected by both conditions.
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  They also noted that while there was no significant difference in depression risk
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  between GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, both drug classes may offer similar
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  benefits for reducing depression risk due to their effects on glycemic control, weight
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  reduction, and cardiorenal health.
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  An interesting aspect of the study was the inverse relationship observed between the
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  duration of GLP-1 receptor agonist use and depression risk.
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  Patients who used these medications for at least a year had a 30 percent lower risk of
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  depression than those using DPP-4 inhibitors.
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  However, the researchers caution that these findings should be interpreted carefully, as
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  longer adherence to medication might correlate with healthier lifestyle choices that could
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  also reduce depression risk.
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  This study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, underscores the need for
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  further long-term research to fully understand the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on
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  depression risk.
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  It's also a reminder of the complex interplay between diabetes management and mental health,
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  highlighting the importance of holistic approaches to patient care.
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  For most individuals, the COVID vaccine doesn't cause adverse health effects, but a small
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  percentage experience chronic symptoms that can last for months or even years.
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  Recently, researchers from Yale have made some intriguing discoveries about why certain people
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  develop this condition, which they've named "post-vaccination syndrome," or PVS.
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  In their early findings, the Yale team identified "potential immunological patterns"
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  unique to those with PVS.
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  The hope is that these discoveries will eventually lead to treatments and therapies for
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  those affected.
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  However, co-senior study author Akiko Iwasaki, Sterling Professor of Immunobiology at Yale
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  School of Medicine, cautions that this work is still in its early stages and requires further
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  validation.
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  The symptoms associated with post-vaccination syndrome can be quite debilitating, including
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  excessive fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness.
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  According to the Yale researchers, these symptoms typically develop within a day or two
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  of vaccination and can worsen over time.
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  Co-senior author Harlan Krumholz, a professor of cardiology at Yale School of Medicine,
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  emphasizes that it's crucial for scientists and clinicians to listen to these individuals'
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  experiences, thoroughly investigate the underlying causes, and seek ways to help.
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  He states, "It's clear that some individuals are experiencing significant challenges after
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  vaccination."
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  The study analyzed blood samples from 42 participants showing symptoms of PVS and 22 who
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  did not.
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  Those with symptoms had lower levels of two types of white blood cells.
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  Additionally, people with PVS who had never contracted COVID had lower levels of antibodies
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  against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, likely due to having fewer vaccine doses.
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  Some individuals with PVS also displayed higher levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which
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  is known to assist the virus in penetrating and infecting host cells.
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  This has also been associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID.
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  However, Iwasaki notes that not all participants with PVS had measurable spike
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  protein, suggesting it might be one mechanism underlying this syndrome.
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  The researchers suggest that other factors could increase the risk of post-vaccination
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  syndrome, including autoimmunity, tissue damage, and reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus.
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  Dr.
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  Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at New York University Langone Health and Fox
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  News senior medical analyst, highlights the importance of acknowledging that adverse events
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  can occur with vaccines, as with any medical intervention.
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  The researchers agree that more studies are essential to guide diagnosis and treatment.
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  Krumholz points out that we're only just beginning to understand PVS, and the focus must
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  remain on understanding what these individuals are experiencing through rigorous science,
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  addressing their needs with compassion and an open mind.
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  Dr.
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  Siegel adds that further research is needed to understand the prevalence of prolonged COVID
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  vaccine side effects, how to predict them, and how to treat them.
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  As we continue to explore this complex issue, it's vital to balance the benefits of
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  vaccination with an awareness of potential risks.
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  Pneumonia, a serious respiratory condition, often follows viral infections such as the
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  common cold, influenza, or COVID-19.
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  It affects the lungs, causing inflammation and fluid build-up in the air sacs, which can lead
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  to difficulty breathing and other complications.
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  Young children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia due to
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  their typically weaker immune systems.
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  For older adults, the risk is compounded by the presence of other health conditions that can
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  exacerbate the severity of pneumonia.
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  The Vatican recently confirmed that Pope Francis developed pneumonia following a
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  respiratory infection.
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  This highlights how even a mild viral infection can escalate into a more serious condition like
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  pneumonia, especially in older individuals or those with preexisting health issues.
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  Preventive measures against pneumonia include vaccination, practicing good hygiene, and
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  avoiding smoking, which can damage the lungs and increase susceptibility to infections.
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  Vaccinations, such as the pneumococcal vaccine, are particularly recommended for those at
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  higher risk.
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  Treatment for pneumonia typically involves antibiotics if it's bacterial, or antiviral
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  medications if a virus is the cause.
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  Supportive care, like oxygen therapy and rest, is crucial, especially in severe cases.
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  It's important to consult healthcare providers for proper diagnosis and treatment plans.
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  CNN is reaching out to the public to gather questions about pneumonia.
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  Their chief medical correspondent, Dr.
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  Sanjay Gupta, plans to address these questions in upcoming segments, aiming to provide clarity
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  and information to those concerned about this potentially life-threatening condition.
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  Our final segment today focuses on the health of Pope Francis, who has been in the spotlight
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  due to recent health challenges.
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  The Pope is currently hospitalized at Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, dealing with a series
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  of health issues that have raised concerns worldwide.
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  Let's delve into the details of his condition and what it means for older adults facing
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  similar health risks.
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  Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14th for bronchitis, which is an
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  inflammation of the airways in the lungs caused by a viral infection.
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  This condition makes breathing difficult and has led to further complications during his
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  stay.
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  Unfortunately, the Pope developed pneumonia in both lungs, a more serious condition that can
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  severely impact respiratory function.
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  Over the weekend of February 22nd, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis,
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  requiring oxygen support.
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  The Vatican also reported that he received blood transfusions due to low platelet levels,
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  which are crucial for blood clotting.
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  Despite these challenges, his doctors have noted that he remains alert, continues to work,
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  and is in good spirits, engaging with well-wishers from around the world.
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  On February 23rd, further health updates from the Vatican indicated mild kidney failure,
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  though this condition is reportedly under control.
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  By February 24th, there were slight improvements in his health.
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  According to Dr.
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  Panagis Galiatsatos from Johns Hopkins, this pattern of improvement followed by setbacks is
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  common in older adults facing respiratory infections.
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  Respiratory infections pose a significant threat to older people, whose immune systems
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  weaken with age, making them less effective at combating viruses and bacteria.
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  As people age, their lungs become less elastic, and their breathing muscles weaken, reducing
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  their ability to recover from infections.
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  This is compounded by generally weaker responses to vaccines.
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  Pope Francis's vulnerability is further increased due to a history of severe pneumonia
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  in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one lung.
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  This limits his respiratory reserves, making him more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.
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  Additionally, older adults often have other health issues, such as heart problems and
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  diabetes, which can exacerbate infections.
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  Dr.
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  Andrew Meltzer from George Washington University emphasizes that respiratory
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  infections can escalate quickly in older adults.
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  While younger individuals might recover swiftly, older individuals with weakened immune
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  systems risk developing secondary infections, like pneumonia, if initial infections aren't
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  managed properly.
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  Protecting older adults from respiratory illnesses involves minimizing their exposure to
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  viruses and bacteria.
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  Simple measures include avoiding visits when you're unwell, ensuring good ventilation in
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  their living spaces, and keeping up-to-date with vaccinations.
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  While their immune response to vaccines may be weaker, these measures can still help reduce
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  the severity of infections.
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  As we conclude today's episode, let's reflect on the importance of safeguarding our older
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  loved ones from respiratory infections.
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  The situation with Pope Francis serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities older adults
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  face and the need for preventive measures to protect their health.
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  Thank you for tuning in to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Stay informed and take care of your health.