I seem to have lost a week in a blur of christmas parties, overflowing inboxes, overbooked clinics, carols and mince pies. And I am harbouring yet another Respiratory virus. They are persistent this year, with coughs lasting weeks. I was asked if colds last longer as you age. I can’t find any evidence this is the case. Illnesses last longer in those in poor health and at the very extremes of age but there’s no reason for differences in illness duration of 40 somethings vs 20 somethings.
Nutrition is of course a major determinant of health and immune funcion. A plant based diet is associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation in COVID-19. Plant-based diets provide micronutrients, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response. Plant-based diets are also anti-inflammatory, and support a healthy microbiome. There is little data on diet pattern and viral illnesses other then COVID-19, an area that needs further study. Despite having grumbling illnesses for weeks I’ve not had a single day off work. I’m convinced it’s the plants!
The world feels chaotic and unpredictable. Just this week Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have taken Alleppo and Assad has fled to Moscow; South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, before having to backtrack in the face of parliamentary opposition and mass protests; and United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on the street in Manhattan. The images coming out of Palestine and Lebanon are relentlessly horrifying. I read an article which asserted that indeed the world is getting more violent. One in 6 people live in an area of active conflict. This is not what I expected as I grew up, with the promise of increasing democratisation and peace.
I spent most of the week at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting. It was a great mix of catching up with colleagues, discussing projects, and learning from the latest research. It’s an exciting time in the world of COPD with real hope for new treatments and a transformation of care over the next few years.
Medical conferences are not always comfortable spaces. I wrote about my ups and downs in a thread. Thankfully 2024 was a definite up.
I wrote this 🧵on the other place in the run up to #BTSWinter2024. The conference starts today, so I’m copying it over here. On belonging, joy, fear, imposter syndrome & how to enjoy medical conferences. 💙 1/n
drlj 