Well, I for one cannot believe that it is 2010 already.  If there's one unmistakable fact of life, it is this: time flies whether you're having fun or not.  So, live your life.  Enjoy yourself.  Don't get too bogged down in all the junk that you see on TV.  Watch the news for 30 seconds and you'd think the world was coming to an end.  Well, it isn't...so, in 2010, make it a point to enjoy life just a little bit more. 

Fevers: Not a Bad Thing...a Good Thing

Since I started writing this newsletter two years ago, I have occasionally made it clear that fevers are actually a good thing.  Part of the body's immune response, a fever is simply the term used to describe the body raising its temperature.  The purpose is to fight viral and bacterial threats; the idea to raise the temperature to a degree that those foreign invaders cannot thrive.  Weaken the invader by raising the temperature and then blast it with immune cells.  Pretty simple...most of the time very effective. 

However, despite common knowledge that fevers are part of the body's natural immune response, we've been trained - as a society - to think that fevers are bad.  If you have a fever, you need to get rid of it, right?  Especially in kids, right?  Well, actually the answer is no for the above stated reason.  If you take something to lower your temperature, you are weakening the body's natural defense and allowing whatever caused the raise in body temperature to thrive.  And you no longer have to take the 'ol cheero-quack-tor's word for it. 

The University of Michigan medical center - in an attempt to better educate you and put your mind at ease - has released an online fact sheet concerning the myths of the fever.  I have included the link below for you to reference.  Essentially, it denounces the idea that fevers are harmful - specifically in kids.  If the temperature goes beyond 108 - that's when you need to worry.  Fortunately, rarely (if ever) is anybody going to be exposed to the environmental temperature necessary to cause the body temperature to raise that high. 

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_feverpho_hhg.htm

As a physician, I operate under the assumption that if the body is functioning properly, I'll pretty much trust that whatever it is doing - no matter how I feel - is the right thing.  So, if you are concerned about a fever, go get an upper cervical evaluation to make sure that your body is functioning properly.  If it is not, then we'll do what needs to be done to correct that problem.  If the body is functioning properly, then let the fever stand - I promise you've got one for a good reason. 

Be Careful With Drinking Tap Water

I often use Dr. Mercola's website to get my brain stimulated to write a newsletter.  I came across an interesting article recently about drinking water that you get from the tap in your home.  FYI - the US laws regulating tap water is over 35 years old - a bit outdated, wouldn't you say?  There are 91 contaminants regulated by the law, but there are over 60,000 (SIXTY THOUSAND!!) chemicals used in the US.  Do you remember that movie, "Erin Brockovich," about the community that had their water contaminated and subsequently were stricken with dozens and dozens of illnesses - many of them life threatening?  Check out the link below to familiarize yourself with that story. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/

Anyhow, the point I really want to make to you is that you need to be drinking filtered water.  Go get a filter.  They're as cheap as 10 bucks at Walmart for one of those pitcher type ones.  Drinking water is very important, but the quality is as important as the quantity.  To read more about the issue...http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/05/That-Tap-Water-Is-Legal-But-May-Be-Unhealthy.aspx

Thinking good things for you, as always,

Dr. Chad