The country is facing a crisis of proportions not seen in generations. Covid-19 has affected us all, and the result of the devastation remains to be seen.

The large amount of misinformation that exists on the Internet – which is not only counterproductive but can cause serious harm, and even death – is further complicating matters. A recent survey showed that one in three Americans is misinformed about the virus.

Within the medical community it is very clear: well-informed patients have a better chance of surviving this situation. In other words, getting the best health advice matters.
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In the short term, the reopening of the country will depend on whether infection rates and hospitalizations can be minimized. If not, there will be further unnecessary deaths, overwhelmed health systems, and even more far reaching economic consequences than we have seen so far.

We can minimize the spiral through public support for smart, precautionary measures, like covering your mouth in public, washing your hands frequently, and not touching your face. For the time being, clearly these simple, cost-free, life-saving measures are being ignored.

Put simply, our task is to trust the experts.

Case in point: I recently worked on an initiative to create a free medical guide produced in English and Spanish focused on patients with COVID-19, and the family members caring for them at home.

We studied the key questions for recovery. Do you know how many breaths per minute suggest imminent deterioration? What is the best position to breathe when lying down? Do you know how much liquid you should drink in a day? What signs suggest dehydration? If you are caring for a sick person at home, do you know what precautions you should take to avoid contracting the virus? For this information, see COVID19@home. More broadly, the effort underscored for me the importance of actual medical knowledge, and a deep understanding of the field.

When it comes to medical advice, be sure to look for people who have clearly studied medicine. Doctors have access to the latest research. They will understand best the trends currently happening in the field.

If you do look for information on the Internet, make sure it has been vetted by a medical professional. I recommend some of the major, well-regarded health websites from WebMD or Mayo Clinic. Another great resource are the associations like the American College of Emergency Physicians which helped pull together important tools including the COVID19@home effort. ​

As we all know, doctor’s appointments can sometimes be rushed, so get the most out of them by coming prepared with questions written down and a way to write down the answers.  Before the visit, run the questions by someone you trust, or even with your PCP if you’re going to see a specialist. In short, do your research.

This research should happen well before you visit the doctor. After all, many medical conditions require early intervention. For example, during a heart attack, the cells that make up the heart do not receive enough oxygen from the bloodstream and cannot survive more than 5 to 10 minutes without being damaged.

To correct this lack of oxygenation, most heart attacks require catheterization to visualize the arteries of the heart, identify the injury, and unblock the obstruction that is causing the problem. By postponing a medical consultation, the heart spends hours or days suffering and some die from it.

So be sure to do your research and know when to act. ​

When you’re sick, don’t be passive. Gather material. Get your discharge summary upon being discharged from the hospital or blood test results or Radiology test results and keep those in a file. Particularly speaking, this means that anytime you go to see another doctor if they don’t have your files in their computer system.

This is such a game-changer because doctors don’t have to guess and you are getting the best care for the dollars that you were spending because you get billed the same for that visit if you felt you got the most out of it or didn’t.

When you’re at the doctor’s office, bring a pad and paper, and write down any words or ideas or questions that come to mind.  In moments when so much is happening at once, our memory doesn’t tend to work as well. And again, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and take the lead. My only suggestion is, don’t be offended if you eventually get cut off, if the appointment starts to run over time-wise. Doctors have packed schedules, and there is usually another patient waiting. ​

Every health situation is different. From an accident at home to chronic conditions like diabetes, we need to be prepared and find the best advice that fits the situation.

Considering how peaceful protests have ended with violent police action, and aggressive use of rubber bullets and tear gas, offers another need for public health advice. This is an opportunity to understand how to locate and engage with good advice to save lives. The health of citizens who participate in these types of demonstrations is often at risk. It is crucial to consider certain useful, preventive measures, which could make the difference between life and death.

For protestors, I can recommend some simple measures for protection. These would include: wearing thick material garments, several layers of clothing, ideally anti-ballistic glasses, and even a helmet.

Minor wounds, if they occur, can be washed with soap and water, disinfected with alcohol, iodine, or another antiseptic, and covered with a topical antibiotic and gauze.

Tear gases represent a group of chemicals that aim to produce a disabling reaction by irritating the eyes, lungs, and other organs. Except for those who wear respiratory protection of the highest quality, the rest of the people will be affected.

In case of being exposed to tear gas, flee immediately if you can. Cover your eyes, nose and mouth insofar as possible. Although layers of clothing protect against rubber bullets, they don’t necessarily offer much protection from gases. It can even be a problem that gases remain stuck to clothing after exposure, and should therefore be removed as quickly as possible.

It is hard to believe that we have to talk about protests as a matter of public health. Our job as doctors is to treat everyone, protesters and police, or anyone who enters a hospital. What matters most to us, after all, is that each of these people can see their family again and can live one more day with their health intact.

The point here isn’t about protestors, though. It’s about the value of being prepared and so be sure to get the information about a situation well before you get into that situation.​

Here’s the thing about health advice. Sure, you need to know the advice. But you also need to apply it. It isnever too lateto start acting on good advice, and perfection isn’t everyone’s objective.  Many of us just want to improve healthwise, from where we are now.

Let’s talk, then, about health and diet. The key to success is to focus on short, medium, and long term goals, while making steady and reliable progressions into a new lifestyle.  You don’t go from 0 to 100 overnight and small setbacks, well, they can happen all the time.  Do not punish yourself.  Don’t lose sight of the progress you might have made over weeks, months, even years.

And when it comes to food, it can be a tough issue! Entire cultures have thrived around great cuisine, and many of us love to eat.  So it’s no surprise that so many of us have trouble making consistent changes.  I’m making these changes myself right now.  When we have a busy day, not much time to eat, or don’t feel comfortable cooking, we tend to fall back on fast and easy.  Translation, usually packed with salt and unhealthy ingredients.

How is it possible to have control? Seriously, try cooking at home. Cooking gives the most direct control over what you’re putting into your body. Concerned that you can’t think of recipes, or you get overwhelmed just thinking about going to the grocery store? Consider a meal kit delivery service. There is a great variety available, and you can choose how many vegetarian or seafood or meat dishes you want in a week. Portions are all measured out for you, in advance, and if you want to substitute ingredients for healthier alternatives, you can!

My wife and I are both doctors, and given our schedules, we’ve found the delivery kits to be a total game changer. The key is to act on the advice – do something about it.

In the end, let us remember that our health does not rest. The human body does not care that the world has stopped in recent months. It is critical to get medical attention when you have troubling symptoms. If you decide to go to the hospital, take necessary precautions by covering your face and distancing yourself from others in the waiting room. But – most importantly – never hesitate to go to the right place to be seen by a medical professional. Delays in getting medical care can have catastrophic consequences.

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Author’s Bio:
Dr. Torradas is a bilingual, board certified emergency physician who has worked on the front lines for over 10 years. He has experience in ER’s large and small across the country, including COVID hotspots like New York and California. A graduate of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Torradas completed his residency at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, New York. He currently lives and works outside of Philadelphia with his wife Erica and their newest addition Alma.