Newsletter
Helios August Covid-19 Update
Masks, Masks, Masks
Masks help protect you and those around you. Indeed, masks have been shown to reduce your risk of getting sick with Covid-19. In similar situations, people wearing masks became ill at half the rate rate of those unmasked. What is curious, for people wearing masks, is that it did not stop them from being exposed. Mask wearers developed antibodies, to Covid-19, however, without getting ill. Generally, asymptomatic COVID19 occurs in 40% of those exposed. Wearing a mask increases this to 80%! This is similar to a vaccine effect. No illness yet still developing antibodies. Wearing masks as much as possible is just as important to you as those around you.
“Masks do more than protect others during COVID-19: Reducing the Inoculum of SARS-CoV-2 to Protect the wearer”
Antibody Testing
Helios is no longer endorsing Abbott Laboratory testing provided by Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp. Positive results from these labs may not indicate immunity or be falsely negative. We do offer an expanded antibody profile by Vibrant America that tests for the Spike Protein Antibody and the most protective antibody to “the receptor binding domain”. The cost of this test is $154 which includes the lab draw and processing fee. This tests for exposure, antibodies, and immunity to Covid-19.
Active Covid-19 Testing
Nasal Swab Covid-19 testing (molecular testing) To test for actively shedding virus go to any of these locations near Boulder:
AFC Urgent Care in Louisville
Rocky Mountain Urgent Care in Boulder
Boulder Community Health Urgent Care in Boulder, Superior, and Gunbarrel
Free testing site located at Water World in Westminster
Reduce your Risk of Covid-19
Wear a mask. The vast majority of infections are spread through the air.
Stay six feet away from people.
Go outside. Sunlight rapidly deactivates the Corona virus. Outdoor air circulation also decreases your risk.
Ventilate shared areas: air filters, open windows, fans, open windows in cars.
Reduce time inside with other people in public areas.
Get a flu shot. Flu shots have been shown to reduce your risk of other flu-like illnesses as well as the flu. This year’s strain is a more virulent one. The preservative-free shot will be available at Helios in early September. Call now to schedule yours. 303-499-9224
There are many potentially protective nutrients and herbs for Covid-19, for more information see the following video by Dr. Brunschwig. Contact our Apothecary for a full list!
A Message From Todd Nelson.
Creating Your New Normal Detoxification Program:
A 10 Day Online Program to Revitalize
Your Health and Your Life!
We want to invite you to participate in a potentially life changing event!Please click the link below for more information and a message from Todd Nelson D.Sc., Naturopath.
So, are you ready to jump start your weight loss, recharge your energy, reduce pain and inflammation, overcome digestive and gut issues, reset clean eating and reduce chronic disease risk? YES!
This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!
Class time is by donation! (Typically $350.00) Please enter your information on the website and we will reach out to you to accept your donation and order the Detoxification Kit.
You must sign up and order the Detox Kit by August 17th
1st class is the evening of August 24th
You will start the Detox Program August 25th
Patient Portal, Flu Vaccines, and COVID-19 updates
Helios is now back to our original business hours. We are still focusing on telehealth (phone or video) appointments for the safety of our patients and staff. There are rare instances when in-person visits are more appropriate. In-office appointments must be approved by provider prior to scheduling. Masks are mandatory for all staff and patients of Helios. In an effort to maintain a clean, safe environment the office is cleaned frequently and three high power medical-grade air purifiers are running continuously. You can reach us by phone Monday through Friday or through our Patient Portal anytime.
We are happy to announce that our patient portal and electronic medical record system are up and running. We assure you that the benefits of this patient portal will be worth taking a few minutes to activate your account. Please contact the staff at Helios by phone or email to request your login information then visit Power2Patient.net to update your account! Here a few examples of the many things you can do on the portal:
Send messages and questions directly to Helios practitioners and staff
Order Supplements
E-sign documents
Request medication refills
View lab results
Schedule appointments for consultations and infusions (if your order is up to date)
That means no more phone tag, voicemails, or long hold times! ; )
Flu Vaccinations
We have ordered this year’s flu vaccinations and they will arrive soon. Once again we will have Fluzone preservative-free vaccine for kids & adults and Fluzone High Dose for adults over 65. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to get your flu shot.
Chinese Medicine for your Sanity & Immunity
Keeping your sanity while optimizing your immune system is the name of the game these days. Stress, worry and anxiety deplete our reserves and dampen immune response. A simple yet powerful application of acupuncture and customized herbal medicine can help you remain balanced and healthy when the world is beyond our control.
For overall health maintenance a monthly session of acupuncture shows an increase in heart rate variability which is direct measure of a decrease in physiological stress. As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, I blend nutritional advice, acupuncture, supplements and herbal medicine in order to help you heal and STAY well!
One herbal supplement that needs to be on everyone’s shelf encapsulated and on everyone’s dinner plate are various water-extracted mushrooms. Duanwood Reishi is royalty as far as immune support, as it balances immune response instead of it running full throttle and wearing itself down. Our apothecary also sells a 5 Mushroom Blend that includes reishi that delivers support to your heart, lungs, liver and brain. They are a non-negotiable choice for support during COVID-19.
I look forward to helping you dial up your chill-factor, while invigorating your immunity.
Warmly,
Margaret Hampton, DACM
Electronic Health Records Coming to Helios!
Helios is going digital!
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are coming to Helios July 3rd. Prior to your next appointment you will receive an email invitation to register for your patient portal. If you would like to get registered sooner than your next appointment, or do not have an appointment soon, please call the office and we can send your invite. Please complete the registration for the patient portal so that you are able to easily;
Send us messages
-Receive messages
-Complete or update your health information
-View lab results
-Access your medical records
-Request medication refills
-Schedule and view upcoming appointments
Please watch for the invitation from Helios, this may end up in your spam folder, do not forget to check there too! If you are having trouble signing up for the portal, or have not received your invitation please call the office.
We are excited to offer this service for our patients. We know that EMR will improve your experience as a patient with us and allow you easy access of your medical information.
ZINC SUPPLEMENTS ARE IN!
As you know, Helios has had a major shortage of zinc supplements since the onset of COVID-19. We are happy to announce that all zinc supplements are now BACK IN STOCK!!
Zinc Picolinate 50mg & 30mg
Zinc Lozenges (2 kinds)
Zinc A.G. (G.I friendly)
Zinlori (G.I supportive)
Zinc Drink Solution
Zinc Sulfate Solution (diluted)
Unfortunately, Perque Potent C Guard Buffered Vitamin C Powder is still on back order. However, we do have limited stock of Perque Potent C Guard Tabsules - 1000 mg Ascorbic Acid in two sizes (100 & 250 tablet)
We are still limiting the purchase of these products to TWO per customer.
A Free Webinar presented by Helios’s own Margaret Hampton, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Thursday, June 4th @ 12pm:
Practical Tools for Wellness during COVID-19
“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.”
Quarantine, a viral pandemic and an economic melt-down are putting our entire beings to the test. We are wading in an ocean of uncertainty of both the present and the future, with our very lives under threat of survival. This is the most challenging era for the human race since the last World War. And true to the experience of wading in the ocean, sometimes waves come that topple us over and that are too big to manage, but they always recede. This is an opportunity for pause to prepare and reassemble our mental and physical state of being.
During our time together, I am committed to giving you tools to support your physical and emotional self. These will include:
· Nutritional Guidance: based on the ancient wisdom acquired from thousands of years of sophisticated scientific observation there are critical methods to understanding what foods to eat as well as how to prepare them to optimize your immune system and digestive function.
· Supplements: The hard work has been done for you to sort out which supplements are necessary, in what form are they optimal, and how you can take them to give your body the added support to ward off illness.
· Stress, Sleep & Anxiety Managing techniques:
o Breathing exercises that can shut off your neurological “fight or flight” mechanism
o Acupressure points
o Essential oils that work directly on the amygdala to promote wellness and balance.
I sincerely look forward to spending time with you, answering any questions you may have, and arming you with knowledge to navigate these trying times.
Please RSVP: Margaret@yourempoweredwellness.com. Details will be emailed at a later date upon receipt of your RSVP.
All services returning to Helios
*FACE Masks Required for all in person visits*
Practitioner visits will remain primarily via phone or video chat. We are using secure google meet. Ask for instructions if you’d like your appointment to be video in lieu of phone.
Blood draws appointments: Appointments are available the mornings if Monday, Wednesday, Friday. These will be spaced to avoid patients overlapping. Wednesday afternoons will be the only day of the week that we do the Covid-19 Antibody Testing. Please call to schedule more than one day in advance.
-Contact us when you arrive, wait in your car and Ashley will call you when she’s done prepping for you blood draw.
Acupuncture with Margaret Hampton will begin Friday May 15th. She will also be spacing appointments appropriately.
CIMT ultrasounds resume Once a month starting Tuesday afternoon May 19th.
Wavi brain scans resume one day a week.
Women’s routine physical exams with Deb Breakell resume Monday, June 1st.
For those choosing to do their annual appointment by video chat or phone, We recommend You do your annual blood tests prior to your appointment so as to be able to discuss the results at your appointment.
Please see our summary of safety procedures below.
As Colorado transitions into this new phase of "Safer at Home", we at Helios want to update you with how we have moved forward with appropriate safety measure.
Temperature
100.4 or higher = Stay at home and call the office for guidance
99.2 or higher = check & record your temperature twice a day for 7 days
Telemedicine
Phone/video appointments preferred for general patient population and required for patients exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms or who have traveled in the past 2 weeks
Covid-19 screening questionnaire
Completed prior to scheduling an in-office appointment (provider visit, infusion or lab work)
Cleaning
The office is cleaned regularly
Chairs & exam surfaces are sprayed with alcohol between each patient
Distancing
No waiting in the lobby
Call the front desk to notify us that you’ve arrived and remain in your car
The front desk will call you back to tell you when to come inside
No more than 3 patients at a time in the infusion suite
Empty chair maintained between patients
Face masks
Staff and patients are required to wear a face mask at all times
If you don’t have a mask of your own, we have a limited supply for patients to purchase
(one mask per visit.)
Hand Sanitizer
Available in every room of the office
No touch check-out and payment
No contact Apothecary purchasing available
Orders and payment taken over the phone
Orders can be shipped or picked-up – arrange with Jesse
To pick-up: call from parking lot, order will be bagged and placed in the cooler at the north facing door
Covid-19 Testing Options
Several testing facilities are available to perform molecular PCR nasal swab testing for those who have symptoms of Covid-19:
Several testing facilities are available to perform molecular PCR nasal swab testing for those who have symptoms of Covid-19.
AFC Urgent care- 1335 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville. Go to afcurgentcare.com to complete a form. A health practitioner will contact you to determine if testing is needed and how to proceed.
National Jewish Hospital- Denver. Go to njhealth.org to complete screening.
Zip Clinic Urgent Care- Westminster and Aurora. Go to zipclinic.com to start the screening process.
Advanced Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine- Brighton. Go to advergent.com or call 303-558-0509.
Boulder Community Hospital does NOT do curb side testing - The Covid-19 hotline number is 303-415-8180
Boulder Medical Center- must complete a telemedicine or in-patient appointment with a provider. Call 303-440-3001. Hours are Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
King Soopers announced they are launching free COVID-19 drive-thru testing in partnership with Colorado State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Stay up-to-date for up coming free testing sites at: www.krogerhealth.com.
The next location is University of Colorado Auraria Campus 5th Street Parking Garage 1351 5th Street, Denver, CO 80204
In the coming weeks, there will be an at-home Covid-19 test kit that patients can collect samples at home available through Pixel by Labcorp. It needs to be ordered by your physician.
We will keep you informed when this test becomes available.
COVID-19 ANTIbODY TESTING
Serological tests (blood draw) for SARS-CoV-2 are not used for the diagnosis of Covid-19, but rather are intended for individuals who may have had COVID-19 symptoms and are no longer symptomatic. The tests determine the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and can help to identify individuals who have been exposed to the virus.
There are 3 labs performing this test:
VIBRANT AMERICA is a comprehensive panel developed and validated according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) requirements. This test looks specifically for IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies and 4 viral antigens of Covid-19. This can help evaluate those who were exposed to the virus and whether they have mounted immunity against this virus.
*This test is offered at Helios Integrated Medicine.
LabCorp offers separate tests for each of the three major classes of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG, IgA, and IgM). Results are available within 3 days after the date of specimen pick up.
Quest labs is offering an IgG antibody test. It may indicate prior Covid-19 infection which may have resolved as well as the potential for protective immunity.
*These tests can be done at Helios or a Labcorb/ Quest Draw site.
TREATING COVID-19
Necessary Items:
• Thermometer
• Pulse Oximeter
• Peak Flow Meter (if you have asthma)
Recommended Supplements:
• Vitamin C: Take 500mg up to every hour during peak symptoms. You will tolerate many times more vitamin C when ill, than when you are well. Decrease dose if diarrhea results.
• NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine): 600mg Take 3-4x daily, best on empty stomach
• Liposomal Glutathione: 400 mg Take 2 squirts swish & let it linger in mouth 2x daily
• Zinc: 15mg 2x daily, with food
• BHI’s Flu Plus – Take up to 10 tablets sublingually 10x daily during peak symptoms (homeopathic)
• Boiron’s Oscillcoccinum - Take entire tube, up to 10x daily during peak symptoms (homeopathic) • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): 500mg (1-2 pills) 4x daily for fever over 100.4 degrees F.
Call Healthcare Professional:
• For fevers over 100.4 degrees F.
• Pulse Oximeter reading that is less than a 90% oxygen level
• Peak Flow Meter reading below personal baseline
• Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
Integrative COVID-19 Prevention
PREVENTING COVID-19
Suggestions:
Breathe through your nose
Get a Pulse Oximeter - for reading oxygen levels (90% or higher is normal)
Get a Peak Flow Meter - To check that you are at your baseline (for those with asthma)
Recommended Supplements:
Vitamin C: 1000-3000mg taken in 3 doses throughout the day (decrease if diarrhea occurs)
NAC (N-Aceytl-Cysteine): 600mg Take 2 capsules at bedtime & on empty stomach
Zinc - 30mg daily Taken with food
Call Healthcare Professional:
• For fevers over 100.4 degrees F.
• Pulse Oximeter reading that is less than a 90% oxygen level
• Peak Flow Meter reading below personal baseline
• Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
If any worsening of symptoms please call your healthcare provider