Dr. Paula Estwick, MD

28/02/2026

🚨 SAHARAN DUST ALERT: Health & Car Care! 🏜️🇧🇲
​Bermuda is currently blanketed by a dense plume of Saharan dust! 🌫️💨 From our lungs to our cars, here is how to handle the haze:
​🩺 FOR YOUR HEALTH:
​LIMIT heavy outdoor exercise. 🏃🏾‍♀️🚫 High particulate levels can trigger coughing or shortness of breath. 😮‍💨
​MASK UP if you’re sensitive! 😷 An N95 is best for filtering these fine desert particles. 🏜️
​RECIRCULATE your air! 🔄 Set your car and home AC to "recirculate" to keep the dust out of your living space. 🏠❄️
​HYDRATE! 💧 Dust is incredibly drying for your throat and eyes. 👁️✨
​🚗 FOR YOUR VEHICLE:
​🛑 STOP! Do NOT use your windshield wipers or a dry cloth on that "rusty" film. 🙅🏾‍♀️
​THE RISK: Saharan dust is abrasive silica (fine sand). Wiping it dry will scratch your paint and glass! 📉😱
​THE FIX: RINSE thoroughly with a hose first 🚿🌊 before using any sponge or soap. 🧽🧼
​Stay safe and keep that Bajan/Bermudian shine! ✨🇧🇲🙏
​ WellnessTips AirQuality IslandLife ProTip SaveThePaint BWS 🏜️📈🚗

28/02/2026

From misty nights to dusty days... Bermuda’s air is telling a story right now! 🌫️🌍
​While we’ve been seeing plenty of liquid aerosols (mist) due to our 90%+ humidity, there’s a new traveler in town: Saharan Dust. 🏜️💨
​This dense plume traveled thousands of miles from the North African desert, sweeping through the Caribbean before being pulled north toward us by the anticyclonic winds of the Bermuda-Azores High. 🌀✨
​What to notice today: 👁️
​The "Foggy" Haze: That overcast, milky appearance isn't just clouds; it's fine particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere.
​Vibrant Sunsets: Expect the sky to take on a dull orange or deep red tint as the dust scatters the longer wavelengths of light. 🌅
​Dusty Surfaces: Don't be surprised if you find a thin film of "African soil" on your car or outdoor furniture this weekend! 🚗🧼
​Health Note for my sensitive followers: 🩺🩹
High dust concentrations can lower air quality. If you have asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions, you might feel a bit more irritation than usual. It’s a good day to limit heavy outdoor exertion and stay hydrated! 💧🙏
​Stay safe and keep an eye on the Bermuda Weather Service for the latest visibility and air quality updates. 🇧🇲📈
​ Meteorology DustPlume BWS IslandLife

25/02/2026

𝗩𝗨𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡

The currently known and documented risk factors for vulvar cancer come from research that, in many cases, is decades old. Based on the existing literature, the following factors are recognized:

𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Smoking

• Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN & dVIN)

• Lichen Sclerosus

• Lichen Planus

• Increased Age

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

These factors are important, but they do not tell the full story.

𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

Much of what we “know” about vulvar cancer risk is built on outdated, limited, and often incomplete research. Many studies are small, decades old, or focused on narrow populations. As a result, the current list of risk factors likely represents only a partial picture.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲

There is growing belief — supported by patient experiences, clinical observations, and emerging patterns — that additional risk factors exist. However, without modern, large‑scale, and inclusive research, these cannot yet be formally recognized or added to medical guidelines.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Without updated research:

• Patients are left without accurate information

• Clinicians may overlook important risks

• Early detection opportunities are missed

• Entire communities remain under‑educated and under‑served

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲

The risk factors we list today are real, but they are not complete. New, robust research is desperately needed to fully understand what puts someone at risk for vulvar cancer — and to ensure that prevention, diagnosis, and treatment finally catch up to the realities patients are facing.

25/02/2026

Independent pharmacists have voiced their concerns over Allshores restricting certain prescriptions to one network, citing the loss of established knowledge of,

22/02/2026

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for early death and poor health. Yet many who suffer from hypertension are not even aware they are at risk.

22/02/2026

Nature’s "reset button" in full effect. 🌬️🍂

​Watching the island landscape transform over these couple of weeks is a masterclass in survival. What looks like "death" is actually a sophisticated biological defense.

​Between the salt necrosis dehydrating the tissue and the mechanical stress of wind whipping, these plants have entered a phase of stress-induced deciduousness. 🧂🌀

​It’s called thigmomorphogenesis; a plant’s way of strategically shedding its foliage and thickening its core to survive the "whip" of the storm. 🛡️🌱

​In medicine and in life, letting go of the "battles" that drain our bandwidth isn't a sign of weakness. It's a tactical choice to protect our peace, strengthen our roots, and wait for the new season of growth. 🔋🧘🏾‍♀️

​Nature doesn't over-explain, it just recovers. 📈✨

​ IslandDoctor LongevityMedicine NatureHeals

18/02/2026

Reposted from Little steps lead to big moments 💗

From sandy trails and national parks, to cobblestone streets and golf courses, there's no shortage of natural beauty, adventure, and heritage within 21-square-miles. 🇧🇲

Looking for a cool way to explore the island by foot? Join the every Sunday at 7am, with a new location every week. Learn more through the link in our bio.

17/02/2026

Reposted from Healthy habits are the first “prescription” for lowering blood pressure.

Eating less salt, enjoying plenty of fruits and vegetables and adding movement to your day can help keep your BP in a normal range. Talk with a health care professional about your numbers and the plan that works best for you.

09/02/2026

Reposted@westindianamericans Benito Bowl 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡

08/02/2026

✨Autism Sunday✨

As a mom to an autistic tween, I’m learning every day that puberty doesn’t come with a manual. 💙

There are big emotions, big questions, and moments where we’re both figuring it out as we go.
But perfection was never the goal.

What our kids need is patience.
What they deserve is understanding.
What helps them thrive is love, consistency, and a community that sees them fully. 🧩

Autism Sunday is a reminder to slow down, honor their experiences, and build spaces where autistic individuals feel safe, respected, and included; in faith communities, in schools, in public spaces, everywhere.

Different needs.
Different strengths.
Different ways of being human.
All worthy of dignity and belonging.

💙 Infinite love.
💙 Infinite understanding.
💙 Infinite acceptance.

No one really prepares you for autism and puberty. 💙
It comes with questions, big emotions, and learning as we go.

Our kids don’t need perfection.
They need patience, guidance, understanding, and love. 🧩
And so do we as parents.