By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Do adolescents have psychological health problems during this epidemic viral season? For many of you who have worked with young people, psychological health problems, especially emotional disorders, are common among adolescents. The epidemiology of emotional disorders is greatly influenced by stressful events. No one will disagree this is a very stressful time for our kids; months of … Continue reading How Do You Coach Adolescents with Depression and Anxiety During this COVID-19 Season?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Our immune system is pretty complex. In our previous discussion, we learned about the lymphatic system, the lymphocytes, the T and B cells, the antibodies, interferons, phagocytes, the active and passive immunity. As I have alluded before, it is not an easy system to understand. It would not hurt to go back to the last two weeks’ … Continue reading Graphic summary of our Immune System

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP To continue our conversation from our last edition, let us explore the two types of immunity. This is a continuation of our Immunity Lesson 101. There are two types of immunity that protect us from infection: active and passive system. Active immunity – for those of us who are parents, you have known this active system for … Continue reading The Immune System – Part II

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP With the COVID 19 epidemics, there has been tremendous interest in understanding the virus and how our immune system work. Our CDC has extensive, detailed information on the Corona virus. But for those with a positive testing, the response to the invasion of this virus varies. At this point, there is no specific answer to the question … Continue reading The Immune System –Lesson 101

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP When will this viral season end? It depends on whom you talk to. Most politicians want to be optimistic and hope it would come and go. However, working in a hospital, the reality check is on a daily basis; we were told to plan for at least another 12 months before we can conduct business as usual. … Continue reading Adapting to the New Normal

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP During the COVID-19 lockdown, my young friend Sarah, an intelligent, Master-prepared, fervent catholic, wrote this thought-provoking piece on Limbo for her Journal Club. I asked Sarah’s permission to share with you. I hope you will savor this very amazing piece of reflection on Limbo. Here in my apartment, my life has been put on hold. So, I’ve … Continue reading Are we in Limbo?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP By now you are totally well-informed of the signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and what to do when you experience major changes in your respiratory system. These are the people that would be hospital bound and they would be under either acute observation or intensive care management. But what if you have symptoms that are … Continue reading Sensible Advice from a Nurse in the UK –If You Get Covid-19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP During the COVID 19 viral season, one of the challenges is not able to exercise. Oh, do I miss my gym routine. 4 months ago, when I was doing my daily gym routine, I would count the hour, or minutes, and hope that hour of Zumba would finish quickly. Now that the lockdown is in place, getting … Continue reading You can do it!

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Knowledge is power; in this viral season, knowledge is not only power, but a peace of mind. The question about how safe it is to get takeout food from restaurants has been on my mind. This Sunday April 26, 2020 I got my answer from the LA Times. The article on “Can I catch COVID from food?” … Continue reading COVID 19 and Food

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Image you are a physician and you have a robust private practice in Beverly Hills. One day Governor Cuomo from New York called you and said: “Can you help me with one of my COVID 19 hospitals in New York City?” Without a minute of hesitation, you signed up to battle the deadly virus at the front … Continue reading Corona Kindness

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Did you have fun reading the characteristics of COVID 19 from last week’s posting? Great if you feel you know a little more about this hot topic. This week, I will present to you information that might be floating around that are not evidence-based. Knowing that is not true is just as important as accessing information that … Continue reading True Or False – A Personal Story Verifying News on the COVID 19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP I am sure my story is not unique. I know on a daily basis you receive from friends and families updates on the COVID 19 virus, offering advice and health tips. Many links are from reliable sources such as the CDC or renowned Universities. However, there are plenty of quotes from sources that may or may not … Continue reading True Or False – A Personal Story Verifying News on the COVID 19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP By now most of us who live in California have a taste of what it is like to be lock-downed in the confines of our home. This virus spares no one – the rich, the poor, the famous, the lonely, the old and the young. For most of us, this is a novel, universal health crisis that … Continue reading Surviving the Lockdown – Lessons Learned from Aging Seniors

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Given that the COVID 19 has visited our country, directives from the health officials are to maintain social isolation. If you are sick, stay home and don’t spread the germs to others. Sick contact contributes to community spread. Now that we are advised to stay indoors, many of us have to give up our gym routine or … Continue reading Why Exercise Boosts Up Your Immunity

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP This week, I am going to devote my message to the seniors because the experience of “cold feet” is quite different between age groups. Younger folks will have “cold feet” when they become indecisive when they face a major life-changing milestone. You probably have heard of having “cold feet” before their wedding. Well, for us, old folks, … Continue reading How to Take Care of Your Cold Feet?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP I always wonder if there is a scientific base for being happy and how it affects our body. My curiosity brought me to look up the topic and found these very interesting facts. How does our body react to joy? Without digging into complex research, these few simple sentences positively affirm the value of being happy. The … Continue reading A Healthier You – Savor Small Pleasures

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Growing up in a Chinese family, the expression of love was not always verbal; “I love you” had not been uttered explicitly by my parents. Nor was it in their culture or tradition that they would openly praise the children for a job well done. As a matter of fact, the approval came from perhaps a smile, … Continue reading An Everyday Valentine Message – How to Say I Love You

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP It seems like 2020 was ushered in in the blink of our eyes, I just realize this is my second article in 2020.To my dear Salesian Families, I wish you the very BEST in 2020. Following the past tradition, I present to you the first homework from our Provincial Care Ministry. I begin with this simple question: … Continue reading Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One