From Asthma Management to Cellular Senescence: Addressing Complex Health Concerns and Providing Clinical Insights

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 4-10-2025:

• Dr. Dawn responds to an email about difficult-to-control asthma, recommending quercetin and inhaled cromolyn as mast cell stabilizers, and suggesting Montelukast to address leukotrienes while investigating possible mold exposure as an underlying cause.
• She discusses groundbreaking research on age-related bone deterioration, explaining how osteocytes undergo structural changes with age, and exploring the concept of cellular senescence including potential treatments like quercetin/dasatinib combination therapy, fisetin, and metformin.
• A frequent caller with a history of sepsis, osteomyelitis and eye infections describes newly developed high blood pressure, with Dr. Dawn explaining how oxidative stress from infection can damage endothelial cells, reducing nitric oxide production and suggesting L-arginine, beet consumption, and proper blood pressure measurement techniques.
• Responding to an email about preventing cartilage loss, Dr. Dawn evaluates glucosamine sulfate research, noting key differences between effective and ineffective studies, while emphasizing the importance of achieving healthy body weight as a primary factor in preventing osteoarthritis progression.
• Dr. Dawn provides guidance to an email question about choosing a primary care physician before retirement, recommending selecting doctors established in their practice for 3-4 years and warning against Medicare Advantage plans that limit provider options.
• She addresses an email from someone experiencing persistent fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus reactivation, suggesting additional testing to confirm viral load through PCR rather than relying solely on antibody levels, while exploring alternative causes including long COVID, mold exposure, or autoimmune issues.