Why the shift to fall messes with our health

Some of us mourn the end of the summer sun. Others pumpkin spice our lattes if the air cools even a few notches.

Whichever camp you fall into, this week’s newsletter shares some tips for feeling energized + satiated in the coming autumnal weeks.

Your Checkup: 

• Is prebiotic soda the cause of your smelly farts?!
• Election anxiety? Try these proactive coping tips 
• Why you want your next mammogram to be in 3D
• Households can get 4 more free Covid-19 tests
• For our health, restaurant portions are shrinking
• Urologists warn 5 common habits encourage ED
• Related: how OTC + prescription ED meds work
• The questionable effects of melatonin on sleep
• It’ll feel like fall with this cozy cardio workout

Primary Care

Fight fall fatigue!

Extra-sleepy? Health experts in Glamour blame weather whiplash for the jolt to our circadian rhythm.

With the increased dark hours, our bodies have more time to make melatonin + cooler weather makes it easier to regulate body temperature, which encourages longer, deeper sleep. Intentionally staying active during the day can help us cope with the shift.

Head to Glamour for more healthy habit recommendations.

If you're planning to move your workout indoors, Dr. B may be able to help you unlock your HSA/FSA to save on gym, studio or equipment fees! Start a $15 fitness consult.

Night allergies?

According to Well+Good, we can also blame our circadian rhythms for why allergies feel worse at night.

Studies suggest reduced nightly cortisol levels increase symptom severity! Using humidifiers too soon, sleeping on our backs, cuddling with pets + not cleaning bedding/curtains often enough can also be at play. How we clean our space and take allergy meds makes a difference.

Head to Well+Good for specific tips or get prescription relief online.

How healthy are apples?

Haul home a beautiful bushel!

Apples contain a bountiful variety of beneficial gut bacteria. They’re high in pectin—a dietary fiber specifically helpful for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. And they're an excellent source of polyphenols, which can help reduce chronic inflammation + stimulate blood flow (good for blood pressure).

Learn more + dive into fall-forward apple recipes at the New York Times.

If you want to lose weight with affordable prescription treatment + science-backed nutrition support (like this), learn about Shed It, the holistic prescription weight loss program from Dr. B!

Healthcare 911

Providers say claims denials are increasing (Healthcare Dive). According to providers, insurers’ denials for prior authorizations and treatments have increased over two years. The time it takes them to get paid has grown, too. This causes a treatment gap for patients, obviously. A.I. automation hasn’t helped—once expected to speed up processing times, faulty algorithms increased denials, too. Eek.

​​What repeat Covid infections do to your body, according to science (Self). Symptoms may feel like a cold. But experts warn Covid-19 requires a more robust immune system response, which creates more opportunity for the immune system to go awry. Early on, it was thought that repeat infections cause milder illness. Now, studies suggest they increase the risk of severe symptoms or long Covid. Read the article for details, get vaccinated and avoid infection. And if you do get sick, get same-day Covid care online!

That message from your doctor? It may have been drafted by A.I. (New York Times). Hospitals testing A.I. to draft patient portal messages are yielding murky results. On one hand, A.I. messages save doctors precious time. On the other hand, 7% of them “pose a risk of severe harm” to patients unless docs catch + edit out mistakes. Humans write Dr. B emails—always. Check out what we treat online.