Dr. Sofija Volertas

You can actually be allergic to cold!🥶 #coldurticaria is your #allergy cells triggered by cold, or rewarming from cold. ➡️typically you get hives (itchy, red rash, welts) 🛑rarely, can even cause #anaphylaxis when you get whole body symptoms (can’t breathe, 🤮, 💩, pass out)

🍯 is one of the best treatments for cough! Studies show it is better than dextromethorphan (cough syrup!) 🫐has antioxidants (flavonoids) 🦠anti microbial properties (naturally protects the hive from microorganisms) 🧫 anti inflammatory (⬇️ IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha)

No more lectures in medical school? Thrilled to be part of @UNC_SOM leading the way in #MedEd! Attendance to "class" M-F is required but will no longer be lectures! It is actually worthwhile to be in this flipped classroom. Learn more about the issues: npr.org/sections/health-shot…

Fun 🌸 fact: loratadine is one of the weakest #allergy pills. When getting approved in trials, the more effective dose made people sleepy. To get the “non-drowsy” indication, they cut the dose in half. So, you’re buying a non-drowsy, less effective, pill 🤷‍♀️

📑 article summarizing difficulty sustaining innovative changes in #healthcare & how incentives (the system makes more $$ when ppl are sick) further hinder these advancements. We can’t let the old comfortable ways interfere with #change for the better. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam…

There is uncertainty in #telehealth - ❓s about changing laws, reimbursement, & lack of data (simply bc it hasnt been gathered/released) But! “We should never let a good crisis go to waste” 3/

Clinicians have figured out how to deal w/ inefficiencies in a way that (somewhat) works. It takes a lot of effort to rethink the way we deliver care. Add that to administrative pressure to continue to perform at high volumes, its easier for many to rely on traditional models 2/

My SoMe is an echo chamber: everyone says how wonderful #digitalhealth is In clinical practice amidst various generations of clinicians in multiple fields, entrenched in academic behemoth, Im forced to confront that so many docs and systems dont WANT to change #MedTwitter 1/

Daylight savings☀️…makes us sicker⁉️ The week after shift to DST, research shows 💔24% ⬆️ risk of heart attack 🚗6%↗️fatal car accidents 🧠strokes⬆️ by 8% ☹️11% ↗️ in depressive episodes 🦠3% ⬆️ digestive and immune issues Sleep matters #MedTwitter #MedEd #healthy #wellness

Yup - Atlanta is similar to NC, we are already starting our pollening!

Smart watches, rings &smart scales personalize data&empower patients to understand their health (win!). Yet docs will need to understand #digitalhealth tools’ (that they might not even use) and potential impact on devices (like pacemakers) they’ve used for yrs without a thought!

Smart watches might interfere with defibrillators⁉️New #digitalhealth tools may get in the way of traditional med devices!😱 medscape.com/viewarticle/988… #MedTwitter #hitsm #hcsm #hit #HealthIT #mHealth #MedEd

Pollen Alert‼️ 2-3 wks earlier this yr, the🌸has started in NC‼️Woke up w/ the pollen covered car NC Dept of Air Quality @NCPollen already monitoring levels, typically they start March 1😱🤧 Start those nose sprays! #pollen #allergies #pollenpocalypse #MedTwitter #AIMedEd

Fascinating information as we learn how the brain controls immune system and inflammation throughout the body. Well-being really does make you more well! #immunology #MedTwitter #gratitude