Falling into the season — immunity, allergies, and a little wine country.
Falling into the season —
immunity, allergies, and a little wine country.
Your monthly health letter from Dr. Brinsky
Happy September! The kids are back in school, mornings finally have a little bite to them, and Napa's grapes are coming off the vine. This month I'm covering how to get ahead of cold and flu season, what's new with this year's vaccines, a quick guide to enjoying harvest season responsibly, and some wrist care for anyone (like me) heading to our new yoga class.
It's crush season in Napa — grapes are coming off the vine, and if a harvest tasting trip is on your fall calendar, here's your doctor's quick guide to doing it well:
🍷 Pace yourself through the flight. A typical tasting flight is 4–6 pours — small on their own, but that adds up to roughly 1–2 standard drinks by the end.
💡 Tip: Recommended weekly intake is under 3–5 drinks for women, 5–7 for men.
💊 Check your meds first. Alcohol can interact with blood pressure medications, blood thinners, and GLP-1s (nausea and low blood sugar risk go up) — if you're not sure, ask before you go.
💧 Hydration is the real MVP. Alternate every pour with water, and eat something substantial beforehand — tasting rooms are notorious for empty-stomach wine.
🌿 Make it a wellness day. A lot of Napa properties now build spa time right into the day — a massage, a soak, a quiet hour to yourself. It's an easy way to turn a tasting trip into an actual reset, not just an outing.
Cold, Flu, or Something Else? A Field Guide
What actually helps in the meantime:
My favorite is Throat Coat.
Though if you're anything like my husband, only your mother's matzo ball soup will actually suffice.
If you're contagious, just call ahead. I'm happy to meet you at your car — I can examine you, run the swabs, and if needed, send you home with medication we keep on hand in the office.
-
There's a new mRNA flu shotThe FDA approved Moderna's mFlusiva — the first mRNA-based flu vaccine — in August 2026 for adults 50+. In trials, it was about 27% more effective than the standard-dose shot at preventing lab-confirmed flu, with more of the usual mRNA side effects (sore arm, fatigue, headache). Early data also suggests a broader immune response across more flu strains, which may mean longer-lasting protection — though that hasn't been proven yet in real-world seasons.
-
How it compares to the high-dose shotStill a great option for 65+ — the mRNA shot isn't a proven upgrade yet, just a promising one to watch.
-
A new COVID booster is coming this fallThe FDA has an updated formula (targeting the XFG variant) rolling out for fall 2026 — a genuine update from last year's shot, not a repeat. Fall is still the right window, especially if it's been 6+ months since your last dose or infection.
-
Limited supply on handI'll have a limited supply of the regular flu vaccine, and possibly COVID vaccine, in the office this fall — just ask if you'd like one. Both are also readily available at your local pharmacy.
-
Due for anything else?Ask me if you're due for any routine one-time vaccines (shingles, pneumonia, Tdap, and the like) — easy to lose track of, easy to knock out at the same visit.
Ragweed Season Is Here Too
If your allergies seem to be flaring again just as pollen counts were supposed to be winding down, ragweed is likely the culprit — it peaks locally from late August through October. Symptoms overlap heavily with a cold, so if it's dragging on past 10 days or worsening instead of improving, that's your cue it's allergies, not a virus.
For sinus and lymphatic drainage techniques that help, check out our allergy post on the blog.
Keeping Your Wrists Happy on the Mat (and Off It)
With our yoga class putting a lot of weight through the wrists — downward dog, plank, chaturanga — this is a great month to talk about wrist health. The eight small carpal bones in your wrist are supposed to glide slightly against each other with movement. When that "joint play" gets restricted, from repetitive strain, an old injury, or just a desk-and-mouse lifestyle, you get stiffness, aching, or pain that flares under load.
Two you can do at home before class:
If wrist pain is limiting your practice or you feel that catching, restricted sensation, this is exactly what OMM is good for — come see us before it becomes a bigger issue.
The recent headlines aren't what they seem. In late July 2026, an FDA advisory committee discussed letting compounding pharmacies make several of these peptides. That's not FDA approval — it just means a pharmacy could legally mix and sell them, with no required clinical trials, standardized dosing, or safety monitoring. Two patient-safety groups (ECRI and ISMP) have publicly said this wasn't based on new science.
What's actually in the vial is often a gamble. When regulators tested seized peptide products, many contained only 5–75% of the labeled ingredient, and some were contaminated with arsenic or lead at levels far above what's safe to inject.
Human data is thin. Most of these compounds are studied in rats. BPC-157, one of the most popular, has appeared in fewer than 30 human subjects — never in a real clinical trial.
"Oral" versions aren't a safer shortcut. Oral peptides are marketed as a gentler alternative, but most peptides get destroyed by stomach acid before they ever reach your bloodstream — that's the same reason insulin still has to be injected. BPC-157 is a partial exception due to its unusual stability, but even there, the evidence only supports local gut effects (ulcers, GI inflammation), not the joint or systemic healing claims it's often sold for. No human bioavailability data exists for the oral form, either.
Side effects are real, not theoretical — joint pain, carpal tunnel, blood sugar problems, and possible cancer-promoting effects have all been seen with growth-hormone-stimulating peptides.
"Research use only" is a warning label, not a loophole. It means the product wasn't manufactured to a standard safe for human injection.
If you're already using one of these, please let me know — no judgment, just want to make sure you're safe, and I'm happy to run bloodwork to check your hormones, blood sugar, and organ function. And if you're looking for evidence-based ways to recover faster and age well, let's talk about what actually has research behind it.
Restorative Yoga
|
Sep
22
|
Restorative YogaA 60-minute practice to help you unwind and reconnect — guided breathwork and meditation, gentle supported postures, and a curated playlist to help you fully let go. Optional hands-on adjustments available with consent. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. 🧘 Please bring a yoga mat.
Sign Up →
|
Feeling Under the Weather?
Same-day and next-day appointments are almost always available — no waiting weeks to be seen.
Book a Visit →📅 Know someone who'd love a doctor who actually has time for them? I'd love to meet them — share this newsletter along with my info, or have them book a free meet & greet directly.
Book a Free Meet & GreetEnjoying your care at Mission Osteopathy? A Google review means the world and helps other patients find their way to us. It only takes a minute! ⭐
Leave a ReviewFalling into the season —
immunity, allergies, and a little wine country.
Your monthly health letter from Dr. Brinsky
Happy September! The kids are back in school, mornings finally have a little bite to them, and Napa's grapes are coming off the vine. This month I'm covering how to get ahead of cold and flu season, what's new with this year's vaccines, a quick guide to enjoying harvest season responsibly, and some wrist care for anyone (like me) heading to our new yoga class.
It's crush season in Napa — grapes are coming off the vine, and if a harvest tasting trip is on your fall calendar, here's your doctor's quick guide to doing it well:
🍷 Pace yourself through the flight. A typical tasting flight is 4–6 pours — small on their own, but that adds up to roughly 1–2 standard drinks by the end.
💡 Tip: Recommended weekly intake is under 3–5 drinks for women, 5–7 for men.
💊 Check your meds first. Alcohol can interact with blood pressure medications, blood thinners, and GLP-1s (nausea and low blood sugar risk go up) — if you're not sure, ask before you go.
💧 Hydration is the real MVP. Alternate every pour with water, and eat something substantial beforehand — tasting rooms are notorious for empty-stomach wine.
🌿 Make it a wellness day. A lot of Napa properties now build spa time right into the day — a massage, a soak, a quiet hour to yourself. It's an easy way to turn a tasting trip into an actual reset, not just an outing.
Cold, Flu, or Something Else? A Field Guide
What actually helps in the meantime:
My favorite is Throat Coat.
Though if you're anything like my husband, only your mother's matzo ball soup will actually suffice.
If you're contagious, just call ahead. I'm happy to meet you at your car — I can examine you, run the swabs, and if needed, send you home with medication we keep on hand in the office.
-
There's a new mRNA flu shotThe FDA approved Moderna's mFlusiva — the first mRNA-based flu vaccine — in August 2026 for adults 50+. In trials, it was about 27% more effective than the standard-dose shot at preventing lab-confirmed flu, with more of the usual mRNA side effects (sore arm, fatigue, headache). Early data also suggests a broader immune response across more flu strains, which may mean longer-lasting protection — though that hasn't been proven yet in real-world seasons.
-
How it compares to the high-dose shotStill a great option for 65+ — the mRNA shot isn't a proven upgrade yet, just a promising one to watch.
-
A new COVID booster is coming this fallThe FDA has an updated formula (targeting the XFG variant) rolling out for fall 2026 — a genuine update from last year's shot, not a repeat. Fall is still the right window, especially if it's been 6+ months since your last dose or infection.
-
Limited supply on handI'll have a limited supply of the regular flu vaccine, and possibly COVID vaccine, in the office this fall — just ask if you'd like one. Both are also readily available at your local pharmacy.
-
Due for anything else?Ask me if you're due for any routine one-time vaccines (shingles, pneumonia, Tdap, and the like) — easy to lose track of, easy to knock out at the same visit.
Ragweed Season Is Here Too
If your allergies seem to be flaring again just as pollen counts were supposed to be winding down, ragweed is likely the culprit — it peaks locally from late August through October. Symptoms overlap heavily with a cold, so if it's dragging on past 10 days or worsening instead of improving, that's your cue it's allergies, not a virus.
For sinus and lymphatic drainage techniques that help, check out our allergy post on the blog.
Keeping Your Wrists Happy on the Mat (and Off It)
With our yoga class putting a lot of weight through the wrists — downward dog, plank, chaturanga — this is a great month to talk about wrist health. The eight small carpal bones in your wrist are supposed to glide slightly against each other with movement. When that "joint play" gets restricted, from repetitive strain, an old injury, or just a desk-and-mouse lifestyle, you get stiffness, aching, or pain that flares under load.
Two you can do at home before class:
If wrist pain is limiting your practice or you feel that catching, restricted sensation, this is exactly what OMM is good for — come see us before it becomes a bigger issue.
The recent headlines aren't what they seem. In late July 2026, an FDA advisory committee discussed letting compounding pharmacies make several of these peptides. That's not FDA approval — it just means a pharmacy could legally mix and sell them, with no required clinical trials, standardized dosing, or safety monitoring. Two patient-safety groups (ECRI and ISMP) have publicly said this wasn't based on new science.
What's actually in the vial is often a gamble. When regulators tested seized peptide products, many contained only 5–75% of the labeled ingredient, and some were contaminated with arsenic or lead at levels far above what's safe to inject.
Human data is thin. Most of these compounds are studied in rats. BPC-157, one of the most popular, has appeared in fewer than 30 human subjects — never in a real clinical trial.
"Oral" versions aren't a safer shortcut. Oral peptides are marketed as a gentler alternative, but most peptides get destroyed by stomach acid before they ever reach your bloodstream — that's the same reason insulin still has to be injected. BPC-157 is a partial exception due to its unusual stability, but even there, the evidence only supports local gut effects (ulcers, GI inflammation), not the joint or systemic healing claims it's often sold for. No human bioavailability data exists for the oral form, either.
Side effects are real, not theoretical — joint pain, carpal tunnel, blood sugar problems, and possible cancer-promoting effects have all been seen with growth-hormone-stimulating peptides.
"Research use only" is a warning label, not a loophole. It means the product wasn't manufactured to a standard safe for human injection.
If you're already using one of these, please let me know — no judgment, just want to make sure you're safe, and I'm happy to run bloodwork to check your hormones, blood sugar, and organ function. And if you're looking for evidence-based ways to recover faster and age well, let's talk about what actually has research behind it.
Restorative Yoga
|
Sep
22
|
Restorative YogaA 60-minute practice to help you unwind and reconnect — guided breathwork and meditation, gentle supported postures, and a curated playlist to help you fully let go. Optional hands-on adjustments available with consent. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. 🧘 Please bring a yoga mat.
Sign Up →
|
Feeling Under the Weather?
Same-day and next-day appointments are almost always available — no waiting weeks to be seen.
Book a Visit →📅 Know someone who'd love a doctor who actually has time for them? I'd love to meet them — share this newsletter along with my info, or have them book a free meet & greet directly.
Book a Free Meet & GreetEnjoying your care at Mission Osteopathy? A Google review means the world and helps other patients find their way to us. It only takes a minute! ⭐
Leave a Review