Coastal Direct Primary Care

12/30/2025

We received a shipment today and are now well stocked with azelastine nasal spray for cold, flu, and covid prevention!

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2838335

12/30/2025

Azelastine for the win!

This just one study, but when I weigh the risk vs benefit of using azelastine to prevent catching a cold, the flu, or COVID, it's worth it for me! More studies are needed to confirm these results, but we are seeing A LOT of coughs, colds, some flu and, yes, some COVID.

"The spray also appeared to help against other respiratory viruses. Rhinovirus, which often causes colds, was the most common non-COVID infection detected.

Only 1.8% of azelastine users tested positive for rhinovirus compared to 6.3% of placebo users, translating to about a 71% lower risk of infection.

Overall, 8.4% of azelastine users had at least one laboratory-confirmed respiratory infection during the study, compared to 18.8% of placebo users."

Researchers say people using a common allergy nasal spray, azelastine, were 69% less likely to contract COVID-19. Participants in the trial were additionally 71% less likely to catch the common cold than placebo users.

12/30/2025

Oooh, these look tasty! No sense bringing in the new year with a hangover! Try these mocktail recipes and wake up feeling fresh!

These holiday mocktail recipes offer festive flair and zero processed sugar. Each recipe is dietitian-developed and uses whole fruits, teas, herbs, and spices to create layered flavor without relying on syrups.

Ginger-Fig Apple Tea-ni
Winter Mocktail Mule
Orange-Vanilla Sparkler
Rosemary-Cherry Spritzer
Spiced Chai Nog

These holiday mocktail recipes deliver sparkle with no processed sugar, emphasizing whole-food ingredients for clean, layered flavor. Perfect for parties—get the recipes!

12/30/2025

Do You Have These Unusual Physical Traits?

Morton’s Toe

Morton’s toe, named for the American orthopedic surgeon Dudley Joy Morton, who first described the condition in the early 20th century, is a trait in which the second toe is longer than the big toe. It’s often genetic, caused by the relative lengths of the bones in the foot. A study of American college students found that 42.2% of participants had longer second toes, with 45.7% of men and 40.3% of women reporting the trait. Other studies around the world report a wide range of prevalence, from just 3% in one Swedish study to a whopping 90% in a study of the Indigenous Ainu population of Japan.

https://interestingfacts.com/rarity-of-physical-traits/

12/28/2025

There are estimated to be upwards of 2,000 varieties of fruit grown around the world. While we’re likely all familiar with apples, oranges, and bananas, there are also hundreds of fruits you may never have heard of, let alone tried for yourself.

With 2,000 varieties of fruit grown around the world, there are bound to be a few you've never heard of — perhaps including the ones on this list.

12/27/2025

A fitter, stronger you is possible. Sign up for this month-long email series and learn how to start a muscle-building routine, no matter what shape you’re in. You’ll also receive Life Kit’s weekly newsletter.

If your New Year's resolution is to start resistance training, Life Kit is here to help. Sign up for our Guide to Building Strength and get a month of expert tips on how to create a lasting routine.

12/27/2025

Just a quick reminder that Chef AJ’s FREE 3‑Day January Jumpstart is starting soon and you don’t want to miss it.

https://programs.chefaj.com/january_jumpstart

12/26/2025

Be careful if you like raw oysters.

A Maryland resident is among 64 people sickened by a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella from raw oysters. 🤢🤮

A Maryland resident is among 64 people sickened by a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella from raw oysters.

12/26/2025

Friday Funny. Have a great weekend.

12/23/2025

Coastal DPC is closed until Monday, December 29th, at 9am.

For established patients only, if you have an urgent matter that cannot wait until Monday, please call Dr. Chris.

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

12/23/2025

Randomized controlled trial. The gold standard.

Azelastine is available over the counter. Not just for covid, also flu and other viruses. Get some now! Flu is on the rise....

A common nasal spray may lower the risk of getting Covid-19, a new study shows. Dr. Leana Wen discusses what this all means as coronavirus cases rise.

12/20/2025

There appears to be three strains of flu circulating, and case numbers are rising.

Please, if you're sick, stay home so you don't spread what you have to others. That will get you on the naughty list! 🎅

Remember, wash your hands often and try to keep your hands away from your face.

Three flu viruses are currently making the rounds in the U.S., with a new variant driving most cases.