Sound News

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

How Colds, The Flu & Covid 19 Affects Hearing

It’s been well over 2 years, and the Covid 19 variants are still wreaking havoc in our area. For the most part, the new variants just present with “cold-like” symptoms but the rate of infection spread is typically higher than the common cold. Unfortunately, once you start to exhibit symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, sinus pressure, post nasal drip, etc., you already have Covid 19 and more than likely you have spread the germs to others. Many individuals are taking in home rapid tests and are commonly “negative” for a few days before the result is positive. In my opinion, this is reason enough to frequently wash your hands, don a mask (when in large in group events), and get vaccinated. Unless you physician recommends otherwise, vaccinated individuals typically experience a significant reduction of Covid 19 symptoms and the recovery time is generally less.

Upper respiratory viruses often create fluid buildup in the middle ear, leading to congestion, pain, muffled sound, and secondary infections. The flu virus has been known to affect the auditory nerve,

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

which can cause permanent hearing loss. Similar to the flu, COVID-19 has shown an alarming ability to attack the hearing and vestibular systems, although the exact reason is still under investigation. Patients with long-haul COVID are at increased risk. Luckily, serious hearing damage from viral infections is rare, though the temporary effects are uncomfortable — stuffiness, dizziness, tinnitus, and ear infections could put a damper on your future holiday plans.

If you have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo during a bout of COVID 19 and these symptoms are continuing to “linger” I would contact your hearing healthcare professional for a complete hearing and dizziness evaluation. Protect your hearing by supporting your health!

Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always available to answer your questions about hearing health. His offices are located in Toms River, Manahawkin, and Whiting and can be reached by calling 732-818-3610 (Toms River/Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com.

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

What Is The Best-Selling Memory Supplement?

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Recently, I was asked what the best-selling memory herb is.

The truth is that there are many herbs and supplements marketed for memory and cognitive function, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the best-selling.

So, my answer is it’s the one that people can remember the name of: Lion’s mane!

Known botanically as Hericium erinaceus, it has gained a lot of attention and has been clinically studied in recent years as a dietary supplement due to its potential cognitive benefits, so it’s definitely a strong contender for the title of “best-selling herb for memory.”

Did you know that lion’s mane mushrooms got their name because they look like a lion’s mane? That’s right, these shaggy mushrooms have long, flowing tendrils that resemble a lion’s mane. So the next time you see a lion’s mane mushroom, you can imagine a lion wearing a stylish hairpiece made of mushrooms!

Several studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may improve cognitive function, memory, and concentration. For example, a 2010 study found that lion’s mane extract improved cognitive function in elderly Japanese men and women. More recently, a 2019 study found that lion’s mane extract improved cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The neuroprotective properties come from the compounds called erinacines and hericenones that can stimulate the growth and regeneration of nerve cells in the brain, and protect them from damage. Some studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

As for mood improvement, a 2013 paper outlined how lion’s mane extract reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, at least in menopausal women who were the study participants.

Some people who have Alzheimer’s also take a popular medication called Namenda® and you may wonder if lion’s mane interacts with it. The way the herb works and the drug works are completely different so I’d say it’s probably fine but definitely ask your physician to be sure.

While not on the topic of brain health, one other useful potential benefit of lion’s mane right about now is its ability to boost the immune system! Animal studies have shown that lion’s mane extract can increase the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages. This action helps your body fight off infections and diseases.

Lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom that is sold as a dietary supplement and it is even in my own Memory Script which is patented. The mushroom is also eaten as a food, similar to portobello and shiitake mushrooms - you can cook with it!

Lions mane has undoubtedly gained a lot of attention in the health and wellness community. As a reminder, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive health. So, if you want to improve your memory, don’t forget to exercise your brain along with your body! I’ve written a longer version of this article in case you’re interested and I have more information at suzycohen.com

PHARMACIST, INC.

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Government: Continued From Page 9

In concert with the launch of the New Jersey Partnership for Student Success last year – which will continue to recruit coaches and mentors to accelerate student learning in FY2024 – the Governor is announcing additional funding for the recently-announced high-impact tutoring and RAPID learning acceleration professional development initiatives.

The Administration has already committed over $20 million in State and federal funding for these programs. The Governor is now proposing an additional $10 million in ARP State Fiscal Recovery Funds for the tutoring program and a continued commitment of $2 million for professional development in the FY2024 budget.

In addition, the Governor’s budget proposal includes $1 million for the expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) and International

Baccalaureate (IB) courses in New Jersey, as well as $500,000 for wraparound supports and additional class offerings for students in Dual Enrollment (DE) courses in New Jersey, which will allow our students to take more college-level courses in high school to better prepare them for higher education. The expansion of these courses will be targeted to help students from low-income communities by increasing their opportunities to gain college credit in high school – making a higher education more accessible to students who may not have previously felt college was within their reach. These targeted expansions are based on recommendations from the Wealth Disparity Task Force.

Teacher Shortage

As part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to address the shortage of educators in New Jersey – an issue currently seen around the nation – the Governor also proposes over $20 million in new investments and other supports to help ensure our state has the trained and dedicated workforce necessary to provide top-quality education to public school students.

This includes $10 million in stipends to support student teachers while they work and study, and $5 million to waive certification fees in an effort to help bring more qualified and diverse individuals into the education profession.

An additional $2 million will go towards a Culture and Climate Innovation Grant opportunity to help districts support educator quality of life, while $1 million will go towards a public awareness campaign to help encourage interest in teaching and raise the profile of the education profession. $1 million in funding will aim to develop local partnerships to help train paraprofessionals and offer tuition assistance to those seeking to become teachers.

Similarly, the budget proposal includes $800,000 for a teacher apprenticeship program and maintains funding for the Men of Color Hope Achievers program and the Minority Teacher Development program to help support a diverse educator workforce.

Additional Highlights

Municipal aid and school aid funding combined represent more than 42% of the entire FY2024 budget proposal. This funding will not only help schools keep up with rising costs, but will ultimately help keep property taxes from significantly increasing.

Additional highlights include: $80 million for capital maintenance and emergent needs in traditional school districts and charter schools; $250 million for Schools Development Authority projects, drawing from the $1.9 billion appropriated to Schools Development Authority (SDA) from the Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund last year; $3 million to implement a community schools pilot program; and a continuation of $420 million in funding to support Extraordinary Special Education aid that helps defray the cost of educating students in special education classes.