Dr. Emily O'Rourke 
Hypothyroidism is common for several reasons. First and foremost is the Standard American Diet, which contains large amounts of sugars and other sweeteners, gluten and dairy. All of these negatively affect the thyroid. Second is our water, which in many places has been fluorinated to protect our teeth. However, fluoride is toxic to the thyroid. … Read more
Any respiratory virus has the potential to become a pandemic. We have had influenza pandemics in the past, and we are always worrying about an influenza pandemic, but this is the first pandemic since 1918. The 2018-2019 influenza season was really bad with hospitals packed to capacity, but it did not reach pandemic level proportions. … Read more
Is “manopause” real, and do the benefits of testosterone replacement outweigh the risks? Testosterone levels decrease by 1-3% per year starting at age 30 in men. When testosterone falls, men experience fatigue, loss of bone and muscle mass with an increase in fat, inflammation, joint pain, depression, irritability and loss of libido (interest in sex). … Read more
Many women (and their doctors) are afraid of hormone replacement therapy. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study followed over 160,000 postmenopausal women taking premarin (horse estrogen) and medroxyprogesterone (synthetic progestin) for fifteen years, and this combination resulted in a slight increase in the rates of heart disease and breast cancer. Premarin alone showed a decrease … Read more
It’s allergy season again (does allergy season ever end in Hampton Roads?) If you suffer from allergies, you may be miserable with itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, sinus headaches, earaches, dizziness, and fatigue. You may also get frequent colds, ear infections, and sinus infections. If you have asthma, allergies can cause … Read more
I know that many people do not get an annual flu shot. Some people hate to get it because they feel sick afterwards. Others are just frustrated that even after getting a flu shot, they still get the flu. Let me share some information about the flu shot and why I get one every year … Read more
The virus which causes COVID19 can produce severe inflammation called a cytokine storm, which can then set off a chain reaction which results in thrombosis (tiny blood clots), which can damage all of the organs in the body. This process is known as DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation). As we age, we become more prone to … Read more
I have received many questions about azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. These medications have been on the news, and some politicians and reporters are touting them as miracle cures. At this time, these medications are being used experimentally for treating COVID19, mostly on hospitalized patients with severe disease. The studies which have been done are small with … Read more
Hampton Roads, Virginia is one of the top two regions of the country for Allergic Rhinitis. Tucked between the ocean and the mountains with a temperate climate, allergens swirl through the area all year long. Many people experience a flare of their allergy symptoms during one or more seasons, but some people have symptoms year-round. … Read more
