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JULY 2021 • ISSUE 185

Top Issues

Affecting Women's Health

Special issue on Women's Health and Wellness. Begins on p. 14

PSYCHIATRIC NURSES One married couple from Utica knows all about mental health challenges: They both work as psychiatric nurses. p. 7

HOME PREGNANCY TESTS: WHEN, AND HOW p. 11 THE TRUTH ABOUT PREDIABETES p. 19

Happy 102 Years of Age! Ilion resident Ellen Ball going strong at new age. She is part of a very exclusive group of the U.S. population. Only 0.0173% of the population makes it to 100. p. 15

Adler said. From 2018 to 2020, nearly eight in 10 nonfatal drowning injuries also occurred among children younger than 5. The data show that the number of pool or spa-related, hospital emergency department-treated, nonfatal drowning injuries fell from 2019 to 2020, but the decline is not statistically significant, according to the CPSC. The lower number of drownings is likely due to limitations on summer activities—including group or public swimming—during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said.

Water Safety Tips

Child Drownings in U.S. Pools, Spas Are on the Rise Higher incidence seen in residential pools

ool and spa drowning deaths among U.S. children are spiking upwards, and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may also mean that fewer kids are getting the swimming lessons that might keep them safe, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warns. On average, there were about 400 reported pool/spa drowning deaths among children younger than age 15 each year from 2016 through 2018, according to new CPSC data. Three-quarters of those deaths

involved children younger than 5, and 83% of those occurred in residential pools. Child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death among U.S. children aged 1 to 4, according to the CPSC. “As we enter the summer months, parents and caregivers must be mindful of the pandemic’s impact on their children’s swimming ability and water safety skills,” said Robert Adler, CPSC acting chairman. “CPSC’s latest report confirms

that most child drownings involve children under the age of 5, whose limited experience around the water due to recent social distancing restrictions could put them at greater risk of drowning,” he added in a CPSC news release. “With fewer children attending swimming lessons during the past year, it is critical to refresh these and other lifesaving skills, while practicing increased vigilance both anywhere children are swimming and during non-swim times as well,”

• Never leave a child unattended in or near water. The designated adult water watcher should not read, text, use a phone or otherwise be distracted while watching children. This advice includes situations involving bathtubs, buckets, decorative ponds and fountains. • If you own a pool or spa, install layers of barriers to prevent an unsupervised child from getting to the water. These measures can include door alarms, pool covers and self-closing, self-latching devices on doors that access the pool and on gates of four-sided fences. • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults. • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim. • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments. Your pool or spa should have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. If you’re not sure, ask your pool service provider about safer drain covers.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

Is a Pandemic Baby Boom on the Way?

merica, get ready for a baby boom. That’s the likelihood anyway, according to a new forecast that suggests a drop in pregnancy and birth rates seen during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic is about to be reversed. “We expect a dramatic rebound soon,” said study lead author physician Molly Stout, maternal fetal medicine director at Michigan Medicine Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, in Ann Arbor. “We’re already seeing signs of a summer baby surge,” Stout added. Using a modeling system based on Michigan Medicine data, her team found that pregnancies rose from 4,100 in 2017 to 4,620 in 2020. Between November 2020 and spring of 2021, though, they dropped by roughly 14%. The researchers attributed the drop to a downturn in conceptions associated with pandemic-related lockdowns that began in March 2020. Now, the modeling system suggests that over the summer and fall of 2021, there will be 10% to 15% more births than would normally be expected, according to the report published online June 3 in JAMA Network Open. While previous media reports have suggested a pandemic-linked

baby boom, they were mostly speculative and not based on data, Stout noted. “What we have shown here is that through modeling of pregnancies within a health care system, we can project birth rate increases and decreases associated with major societal shifts,” she said in a Michigan Medicine news release. Stout pointed out that major societal changes seem to inﬂuence reproductive choices, population growth and fertility rates. She cited the 1918 ﬂu pandemic, the Great Depression in 1929 and the recession of 2008 as examples. “Usually, we see the effects by modeling birth and death rates, only as the changes are occurring,” Stout said. “With this methodology, we can accurately project anticipated birth rates ahead of the actual changes.” Being able to predict upcoming birth trends may help health systems better plan for labor and delivery needs, she said. Experts suggest that the drop-off in pregnancies after pandemic-related lockdowns in March 2020 may owe to several factors. Among those are economic uncertainty; lack of child care or other support systems; the impact on working women; and postponement of reproductive and fertility care.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2021 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: 315-749-7070 • Email: IGHmohawkvalley@gmail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Contributing Writers: Barbara Pierce, David Podos, Deb Dittner, Gwenn Voelckers, Melissa Stefanec, Jessica Arsenault Rivenburg, Daniel Baldwin • Advertising: Amy Gagliano • Layout & Design: Joey Sweener • Office Manager: Nancy Nitz No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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make sure we take care of ourselves whether it’s meditation, reading a book or enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend. Definitely increasing activity because it’s been proven again and again that mental health is affected by the level of exercise. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a gym with a trainer. It can be walks, it can be jumping rope, it can be dancing, it can be going up and down stairs. Accountability is very important. If we find a friend who can join us on a walk or a neighbor, it makes a huge difference in being held accountable and making sure that we can keep doing it.

FDA Approves Diabetes Drug for Weight Loss Aid

egovy, a high-dose version of the diabetes drug semaglutide, has been approved as a new aid to weight loss by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Studies funded by drug maker Novo Nordisk showed that participants who received weekly injections of the drug had an average weight loss of 15% and lost weight steadily for 16 months before leveling off, the Associated Press reported. In comparison, participants who received a placebo had average weight loss of about 2.5%. “With existing drugs, you’re going to get maybe 5% to 10% weight reduction, sometimes not even that,” physician Harold Bays, chief science officer at the Obesity Medicine Association, told the AP. Bays has helped conduct studies of Wegovy and other obesity and diabetes drugs. In the United States, more than 100 million adults — about 1 in 3 — are obese. Dropping even 5% of one’s weight can bring health benefits, such as improved energy, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, but it often doesn’t satisfy patients who are focused on weight loss, Bays said. Bays said Wegovy’s most common side effects were nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Those usually subsided, but led about 5% of study participants to stop taking it. The drug also shouldn’t be given to people at risk for some cancers, because of a potential risk for certain thyroid tumors, the FDA said. Wegovy is a synthesized version of a gut hormone that curbs appetite. That’s a new strategy in treating obesity, physician Robert Kushner, a member of Novo Nordisk’s medical advisory board who heads Northwestern Medicine’s Center for Lifestyle Medicine, told the AP. Novo Nordisk said it also is developing a pill version that should start final patient studies later this year.

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Nelly Y. Kazzaz, M.D.

Cardiologist says pandemic brought extra toll on women’s health, affecting their stress levels, mental health and weight Q: You wanted to speak about women’s health, particularly in the context of heart health and the pandemic. A: I’ve been a practicing cardiologist for 17 years now, but I have seen nothing similar to what we’ve seen in the last year. We’ve had daughters of aging parents, mothers of children who are staying home; we’ve had to take care of everyone else along with taking care of ourselves. So, we noticed the stress levels of a lot of women have increased significantly. Mental health has suffered. Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of ignoring of preventive care, follow-up appointments and treatment of chronic health problems. And that’s along with loss of jobs and health insurance, and the ability to afford doctors and preventive measures and medications. Q: Have you noticed a negative affect on heart health in your patients? A: So, the major issue that we noticed regarding cardiac health is the development of a lot of new bad habits that led to weight gain, decreased physical activity, increased alcohol intake and increased stress levels with bad sleeping habits. We’ve seen increased weight, blood pressure, blood sugars. Q: When you’re seeing a patient you haven’t been able to see in a year due to the pandemic, how do you catch both you and them up to date? A: One of the most important things in our line of work is to know patient numbers. So we concentrate on addressing changes in weight, blood pressure readings, we try to obtain a lipid profile to assess their cholesterol levels. Address their preventative care if possible, life-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

style modification or initiation of treatment. Lately we’ve been making sure we’ve been spending extra time addressing the vaccine, and I do my best to create time to address people’s mental health and see how the last year treated them. I’ve had patients come because that’s the only human contact they’ve had. Q: Do you think enough attention has been paid to side effects of the pandemic: the social isolation, the loss of family and friends, the loss of jobs, the stress, etc. A: We always tell ourselves we have to practice gratitude, but we also have to allow ourselves to mourn the losses. We’ve lost a lot. We’ve lost loved ones, we’ve lost little things that bring us joy and help us enjoy life. Unfortunately, working from home has created easy access to the pantry and fridge. We’re sitting a lot more. I encourage my patients to get up, get dressed every day, to go for a walk when they have a break rather than snack. If there’s one thing we should have learned this year it’s that we’re strong and resilient and able to adapt to quite a bit. So hopefully we can use the coming time with the release of the restrictions to change and adapt in a positive way. Q: What can women do to make up for lost time? A: We have to remember how we missed all the things we took for granted and make sure we enjoy them. We cherish time with family, friends, lending a hand to a neighbor or elderly person in the neighborhood. We need to make sure we do a lot of self care without thinking of it as selfishness but rather understanding that you can’t pull anything out of an empty cup. So, we have to

Q: In terms of heart health, will most patients be able to correct any damage they’ve done this year? A: Absolutely. I always tell patients it’s not about the size. Increasing your heart rate 15 to 30 minutes five times a week is all it takes to increase your functional capacity and improve your cardiac health. We’re not requiring people to run marathons or compete in competitive sport. It’s about making better choices, avoiding mindless snacking and making sure they know their numbers. The best encouragement is knowing that your actions are having a positive effect on your blood pressure or cholesterol readings. I encourage my patients to set small goals, like losing half a pound a week. It’s a small, reasonable goal that adds up to 26 pounds a year if you stay on track. Q: Obesity is a big challenge even in normal years. Do extraordinary circumstances present an opportunity, or more of a challenge? A: One of the big things I talked to my patients about during the pandemic was obesity itself. It was a big risk factor for suffering more severe consequences from the virus. So, in a way that was a kind of encouragement to take obesity seriously if you were also taking the pandemic seriously. Despite the fact that we’ve mostly been concentrating on the people who developed bad habits, there were a significant number of people who developed better habits because they had more time to concentrate on their health and their cooking habits. So definitely the fear of the virus was a motivation to achieve healthier weights and blood pressure, both of which were risk factors for bad outcomes. At the beginning we gave people an excuse because we thought the world was ending, but right now we know that we made it through and we’re in a better place. Now it’s time to focus on the chronic problems and assuming we’re going to live a long, normal life. And that means returning our attention to the number one cause of death, which is cardiovascular disease.

Lifelines

Name: Nelly Y. Kazzaz, M.D. Position: Cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Health Hometown: Amman, Jordan Education: Jordan University Faculty of Medicine (1995) Afﬁliations: St. Joseph’s Health Organizations: American Medical Associates; American College of Physicians; American College of Cardiology Family: Husband, son (15) Hobbies: Ballroom dancing, horseback riding

Not Ready for PostPandemic Mingling?

hile some people may be ready and eager to reconnect with family and friends at social gatherings post-pandemic, it’s OK to feel apprehensive. As restrictions loosen because infection rates are plummeting and more people are getting vaccinated, many people are experiencing feelings that they didn’t expect — such as anxiety about returning to social situations, according to a psych services expert. “For some people, these changes are exciting, and for other people, they’re daunting,” said physician Itai Danovitch, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral

neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. It’s normal to struggle with change, even when it’s positive, Danovitch said. After so many months spent at home, returning to the workplace or attending a family barbecue can cause many to feel worried, anxious or even panicked. “Fear or anxiety is normal,” he said in a center news release. “We feel things for a reason, and anxiety is basically a threat response.” These feelings will vary from person to person. Even one individual’s perception may change from day to day. It is possible to work through

these feelings, Danovitch said. He suggests that people take the time before a social event to think about exactly what parts of the upcoming interaction make them anxious, then strategize about what they can do to work through their concerns. “Think about what factors are within your control,” Danovitch said. “For example, if you have concerns about an upcoming event or a gathering, talk to the host about those concerns early. Get the information you need to make a decision about your comfort level, and don’t be afraid to communicate that decision.” This may mean having to limit the time spent at a social gathering or even declining an invitation. “We need to have honest conversations with each other,” Danovitch said. “It takes a certain amount of bravery and courage to do that, to be honest about how you feel, because there’s risk of being misunderstood.”

These feelings aren’t always a sign of an anxiety disorder, he said. They may just be trepidation or shyness that will be alleviated over time. That’s not the case when anxiety and fear cause dysfunction, impairment or severe distress. For those who struggle with social anxiety to the point where it impedes their lives, Danovitch recommends talking to a primary care provider about care and treatment options. “For example, if you’re so anxious about returning to work, which is a social setting, that you’re not coming into work at all,” he said, “if you are having recurrent panic attacks, or if your anxiety is persistent, pervasive and affecting your function, then it makes good sense to seek professional help. Anxiety disorders are very common, and there are a number of effective treatments available to address them.”

from the list of expensive drugs could be $50 billion a year for each of the next 10 years — or a total of half a trillion dollars. It would easily pay for all of the aforementioned priorities in Biden’s budget and more. But all of this depends on enough members of Congress to stand up to the ubiquitous and powerful drug lobby. Recent senate hearings have exposed the fact that Big Pharma spends far more enriching themselves on stock buy backs than on research and development. The drug industry as always argued it needs high profits to support research and development. The top 15 CEOs earned a combined $470 million in salary. The top three are: Len Schliefer of Regeneron, $135 million; Stan Erck of Novavax, $48 million; and Alex Gorky of J&J, $30 million.

more and more illnesses are being successfully treated at home and for far less. Add cancer to the list. A recent study published in the Journal of Oncology found that patients with cancer, when treated at home, had 55% fewer unplanned hospitalizations and almost 50% lower costs than patients treated traditionally via inpatient or outpatient hospital settings. Total inpatient days and emergency department visits were significantly lower for patients treated at home.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

2020 Leading Causes of Death (COVID-19 Doesn’t Top the List)

OVID-19 was the No. 3 cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Early in the pandemic, naysayers believed COVID-19 would be no worse than the annual ﬂu which was the ninth leading cause of death. Here are the top 10. No. 1, heart disease, 690,882 deaths;

Pharmacy Fraud: 300% Increase Last year’s pandemic and resultant chaos provided some shifty pharmacies with an opportunity to scam unsuspecting consumers and their insurers. One national pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) found fraudulent claims submitted by participating pharmacies increased 300% in 2020 from 2019. The average audited recovery in 2020 increased 70% from 2019. The fraud was concentrated almost entirely in independent pharmacies versus pharmacy chains like CVS or Walgreens. Scheming pharmacies would hire telemarketers to call consumers to inquire about any pain or symptoms they may be experiencing. The unsuspecting consumer would provide their insurance information. The pharmacy would then bill the insurance company for unwanted or unnecessary items such as topical pain creams, expensive vitamins, migraine therapies, etc. Often, the pharmacy would supply the consumer with a generic drug, but then bill the insurance company for a more expensive brand name. This would increase the consumer’s out of pocket cost considerably. 112 pharmacies were fired from the PBM’s network.

2022 Healthcare Budget Here are some of the major

2, cancer, 598,532; 3, COVID-19, 345,323; 4, accidents, 192,176; 5, stroke, 159,050; 6, respiratory disease, 151.637; 7, Alzheimer’s, 133,382; 8, diabetes, 101,106; 9, ﬂu/pneumonia, 53,495; 10, kidney disease, 52,260. Experts believe deaths from COVID-19 are underreported.

healthcare-related priorities being proposed by President Biden for fiscal 2022. 1. Increase Health and Human Services budget by 23%. HHS services include aging, alcohol and drugs, emergency medical services, disabilities, mental health, children and families and public health. 2. Make permanent the rule that those buying coverage on the exchange don’t have to pay more than 8.5% of household income on insurance if their income is above 400% of federal poverty guidelines. 3. Provide $400 million in grants for proposals to expand telehealth and electronic records into rural areas and to integrate the electronic records of rural veterans with private providers and the VA. 4. Expand rural maternity and obstetric management strategies by placing early childhood and development experts in pediatric offices serving high percentages of Medicaid patients.

Drug Prices As frequently reported here (ad nauseam), there are virtually no controls on drug prices. Biden is proposing to merely allow CMS to negotiate prices, (versus set prices like it does for physicians and hospitals), and have Medicare and Medicaid pay for some highly expensive drugs. The federal government negotiates prices on practically everything it buys, except drugs. The potential savings

Telehealth Bill The pandemic will be credited with expanding the use and acceptance of telehealth by providers, consumers and payers. However, some telehealth services were in jeopardy of being terminated by CMS, (no longer paid for), once we were clear of COVID-19. The most important of these temporary services was audio only (by phone) telehealth. A bipartisan and bicameral bill allowing CMS to pay for phone-only telehealth, permanently, is sure to be signed into law shortly. Geographic and originating site restrictions (like calls from the patient’s home to their provider) would be removed. Medicare Advantage plans currently require a video call but that restriction would be removed as well. Prior to the pandemic, the vast majority of providers and payers were highly skeptical of the efficacy and cost benefit of telehealth and its acceptance was slow to say the least. Interestingly, the majority of commercial payers expect they will not raise premiums due to the pandemic or telehealth. One third report they will adjust benefits, primarily for telehealth and mental health.

Hospital at Home Thanks to modern technology, telehealth and remote monitoring, July 2021 •

Care Delayed If you have experienced a delay in the care or services ordered by your provider lately, you’re not alone. A recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association found that 80% of medical groups report a dramatic increase in the number of services, procedures, therapies and drugs that require a prior authorization or approval by the patient’s insurance company. This has resulted in more delays and outright denials of care. Medical groups have added staff just to stay on top and track hundreds of prior authorizations. Fortunately, Congress is well aware of this costly and potentially dangerous practice. A bipartisan bill called “Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act” requires Medicare Advantage plans to adopt electronic prior authorization and several other reforms to speed the process up. Several studies in the past have demonstrated that the added costs associated with prior authorization, for both providers and insurers, often exceeds any savings in unnecessary care. George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Why Positive Well-Being is Good for Your Health

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here is strong evidence that positive well-being can inﬂuence your health, leading to a healthier, higher-quality, and longer life. Having general satisfaction with your life impacts your health in so many good ways. New research shows that being happier just doesn’t make you feel better — it actually brings a host of potential health benefits. Positive well-being means you feel good about what’s happening in your life, you feel a sense of connection to others around you and your life has meaning to you. It’s similar to happiness. Whatever you call it—positive well-being, happiness, optimism— research shows that people with this characteristic have a better immune system, less chronic pain, lower blood pressure, are unlikely to experience a fatal accident and have a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. This makes sense as having a positive sense of well-being promotes a range of lifestyle habits that are important for overall health. Positive people tend to eat healthier diets, with higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They are more likely to be physically active and have better sleep. Positive people are more likely to be living with a partner and experience less hopelessness and loneliness. Also, there is a large body of research showing that happiness is Page 6

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related to a stronger immune system, including a higher likelihood of recovering quickly from illness and disease. A healthy immune system is important for overall health. This reduces your risk of developing colds and infections. In one study, the least happy people were almost three times as likely to develop a common cold compared to their happier counterparts. Also, happy people are more likely to take part in health-promoting behaviors that play a role in keeping the immune system strong. People with a positive outlook tend to produce lower levels of the hormone cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. High levels of cortisol can cause weight gain, disturbed sleep, and high blood pressure. Prolonged stress, causing high levels of cortisol can speed up the progression of certain diseases. Therefore, positive thinking is a key part of effective stress management. Research shows that those with a largely positive mood are better able to cope with chronic pain. This makes sense when you consider that pain is something we experience on both an emotional and physical level. It’s a distinctly sensory event that causes emotional responses of fear and anxiety. When pain strikes, having a positive disposition has been shown to improve resilience, increase tolerance to pain and help one live a high-qual-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

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ity life despite chronic pain.

How to grow positive well-being If you tend to be a pessimist, don’t despair. Here are some strategies to help you develop positive thinking skills. You can develop these skills over time, just like you can develop any other skill. • Listen to how you talk to yourself. Periodically, stop and assess what you’re thinking. If your thoughts are mainly negative, this will directly affect how you feel and your motivation. • Practice positive self-talk. Treat yourself like you would a friend. Be gentle and encouraging. Look closer at your negative thoughts and respond with affirmations about what you’re doing right. • Focus on what you can have versus what you can’t. For example, to eat in a healthier way, look at all the foods you can eat versus all the foods you can’t. It’s hard to stay motivated when you feel deprived. • Let go of negative thoughts. This

doesn’t mean ignoring them. Rather, reevaluate your response to focus on positive feelings and accomplishments. • Have a purpose. We all want our lives to feel like they matter. It can be tricky, though, to figure out what gives your life purpose. By exploring what matters to you and taking action to put it in your life, your life will become more meaningful and satisfying. • Develop connections. Build strong relationships with family and friends. Make connections within your community. Healthy relationships strongly predict both mental and physical well-being. • Experience gratitude. Gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation are strongly and consistently associated with a greater sense of positive well-being. Notice and appreciate what is valuable to you, notice the simple pleasures of every day. If you’re interested in determining your level of well-being, Berkelywellbeing.com offers a free quiz which gives you your well-being profile and suggests how you can increase your positive well-being.

Both Ann Flood and her husband James Flood work as psychiatric nurses.

Married Duo Both Work as Psychiatric Nurses They each took separate paths to the same career Megan Plete Postol

sychiatric nursing brings some unique challenges. Mental illnesses are devastating disorders and they might arguably be some of the most challenging to treat for many reasons. They can be tough to detect, the associated stigma prevents some people from seeking help and the path to recovery is not always clear and uniform. One married couple from Utica knows these challenges well, as they both work locally as psychiatric nurses. Ann Flood, a registered nurse, works as a mental health intensive case manager at the Rome VA Clinic, and James Flood, also a registered nurse, works as a charge nurse in the Mohawk Valley Health System’s psychiatric inpatient unit. Ann became a registered nurse after graduating from St. Elizabeth’s

College of Nursing in 2006. She worked as an LPN prior to that. Working as a psychiatric nurse was her goal. “Psychiatry is where I thrive,” Ann said. “It’s the place I feel like I can give the most and make it matter.” Although they both eventually found their way into psychiatric nursing, their paths getting there were not parallel. Ann always envisioned a career in nursing. Her natural inclinations toward empathy and problem-solving make her well-suited for it. For James, nursing is a second career. He had worked previously as a chef in an upscale restaurant, a career he liked, but the restaurant closed and he made a decision to enter the medical field.

Think You Can Skip That Annual Physical? Think Again

espite calls from some leading health experts to scrap annual physicals because they are a waste of time and money, a new study finds advantages to routine screenings. “While it is disappointing that I can’t tell my patients a visit with me or my colleagues will help them live longer, it is good to know there are proven, measurable benefits,” said senior study author, physician Jeffrey Linder. He is chief of the division of general internal medicine and geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago. To come to that conclusion, the Northwestern team reviewed 32

studies conducted between 1963 and 2021. There is no solid evidence that regular check-ups help adults live longer or prevent major cardiovascular problems like heart attacks or strokes, but they do provide many health benefits — especially for at-risk people — and should continue, the researchers concluded. At-risk people include: ethnic and racial minorities; those overdue for preventive services who have uncontrolled risk factors; low self-rated health; those who don’t have a single source of trusted care; or those who live in regions with poor access to primary care providers. Routine check-ups — not neces-

James studied nursing and graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College in 2015, two months before his 50th birthday. He remembers a devastating incident that occurred long before he chose to become a nurse that guides the care he gives now. He was visiting his mother in the hospital, at the end of her terminal illness shortly before she died when he discovered that one of her caregivers had robbed her wedding band off her finger and broke her hand in the process. “I remember thinking to myself that people deserve better care than that,” he said. “That always stuck in the back of my mind.” Nurses are charged with delivering care in people’s most vulnerable moments, a responsibility that these two nurses do not take lightly. “It could always be someone I love,” Ann said. “I try to deliver the same care I would expect to be delivered to someone that is special to me.” There have been people who have challenged them during their careers, who pushed them to be better nurses. For James, one person in particular was Erin Abrams at Mohawk Valley Health System. “After my wife and my mom who both inspired me to care for people, I ran across some really great people along the way,” he said. “Many people have been helpful, but specific people like Erin have been especially helpful.” Mental health diagnoses are sometimes not well understood and often stigmatized. Both Ann and James have witnessed this in their careers. “If you have cancer, you are going to be on the cancer ﬂoor with people around you, you’re going to get ﬂowers, visitors, phone calls and support,” he said. “In contrast, we have patients for three months at a time that see no one. They have burned every bridge that they have. Their families have given up on them. They have nobody. When they come in, they seek that connection. Many times they have never been dealt with in a fair, trusting way. The system has pushed them around. Their family is gone. A lot of times we are the bridge that doesn’t burn.”

sarily every year — can lead to better detection and treatment of chronic illnesses such as depression and high blood pressure, an increase in vaccinations and screenings for diseases like cancer, and improvement in how patients actually feel after a visit, according to the study published June 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “I was surprised at how many benefits we found when we dug into the data, given the negative messaging around these exams,” said study first author David Liss, research associate professor of medicine (general internal medicine and geriatrics) at Northwestern. “Especially when it relates to patient-reported outcomes. If you walk away feeling healthy, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Liss added in a Northwestern news release. “I think a lot of the critics meant to say ‘Don’t do these annual exams for low-risk patients,’ but the message came out to not do these exams at all, which is problematic,” Liss noted.

July 2021 •

YMCA Holds Live Summer Camp

Social distancing still in practice at the camp By Daniel Baldwin

ive summer camps are happening again at YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, which serves the Rome, New Hartford and Oneida areas. This year’s summer camps will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. between June 28 and Sept. 3. “This year’s camp will be a little different than last year’s,” said Elizabeth Blair, childcare director and summer camp supervisor at the Y. “Just a few added things, but nothing that will change the safety measures. Children still enjoy coming here. Staff still enjoys working here. COVID hasn’t changed the enjoyment of what camp is.” Blair said there was a lot more work involved in the preparation for this year’s camps. With COVID-19 still lingering in the air, the camp’s staff had to do an extra job cleaning and sanitizing all the toys, supplies and rooms. According to Blair, this year’s summer camp attendees still have to wear masks, except when they are outside. The kids will have to socially distance themselves from other campers and constantly wash their hands. Instead of being in one big group, the children are split into assigned groups in an effort to reinforce social distancing. The kids will have to stay in that specific group throughout the entire day. Blair said that she and the YMCA staff are used to the extensive amount of labor, planning and cleaning because the organization ran summer camps live and in-person in 2020, while the pandemic was happening. “We had no cases here of COVID,” Blair said. “We were following the regulations. The families were communicating with us. We had no risk here.” The group of kids that attended last year’s summer camps was between 20-30, according to Blair.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Living Alone Is No Laughing Matter — or Is It?

hen was the last time you laughed until your side hurt? Acted silly? Or felt like a kid again? If you are like me, it’s been a long time. Too long! The pandemic knocked the funny out of my funny bone. But happily, things are changing for the better. Life is opening up and there is plenty of fun to be had for everyone, including those who live alone. Sure, living solo can be serious business, what with all the chores and responsibilities that rest solely on our shoulders, but let’s not forget to laugh a little and enjoy ourselves along the way. “Why focus on fun?” you might ask. Because having fun, letting your hair down, and relaxing means letting go of your problems and worries for awhile. When that happens, you have time to “breathe” emotionally. When you are not occupied with troubling thoughts, your mind is free to wander, which can make room for new insights, understanding, and creativity. You may see things in a different light. And what might seem insurmountable at the moment (a Saturday night alone) can become more manageable. My life was no barrel of monkeys after my divorce. In fact, having fun was a low priority on my to-do list. I was busy trying to put my life back together as a single woman. Finding entertainment wasn’t among my goals. But then I took a trip that

changed everything. A couple of friends, determined to rescue me from my somber existence, coaxed me to join them on a road trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Warning everyone that I would be no fun to be with, I reluctantly squeezed into the backseat of the Volvo. We poked around the island for a few days and then found our way to one of its most charming harbor towns, Oak Bluffs. It’s a magical little place that is home to colorful, whimsical cottages. Oak Bluffs is also home to the Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest platform carousel in America. I stood there admiring it, commenting on the warm patina of its bobbing horses and remarking on how much fun the kids were having. That’s when my friends elbowed me and said, “Oh, come on, let’s take a ride.” After complaining that I was just too old for that sort of thing, they ignored my protests and literally lifted me onto a bright yellow horse. It was so much fun! I loved it! I even grabbed for the brass ring, in hopes of winning a second free ride, but a fresh-faced 11-year-old beat me to it. His joy brought a smile to my heart. Riding that carousel made me giggle and laugh and feel like myself again. It felt foreign and unfamiliar. But more than that, it felt fabulous! I was reminded of how much better my life could be if I just got back on that horse and made having fun more of a priority.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Children?

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recently expanded the emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to adolescents aged 12 – 15. Pediatrician Lorna Fitzpatrick, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield vice president of medical affairs, discusses vaccine. Q: Children are unlikely to have a severe case of COVID-19. Why should they get vaccinated? A. Although most children will Page 8

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not get seriously ill from COVID-19, transmission and serious cases still happen. About one in five new cases of COVID-19 are in children. As activities outside the home resume, that number could rise even higher. Socialization is important for a child’s mental and social health. We want to reintroduce socialization as safely as possible. Q: Will children have different side effects than adults? Should they stay home from school after getting the vaccine? A. Children have had similar

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

“My life was no barrel of monkeys after my divorce. In fact, having fun was a low priority on my to-do list. I was busy trying to put my life back together as a single woman. Finding entertainment wasn’t among my goals.” Back home, I started weaving fun and entertainment into my life. And I encourage you to do the same. Below are a few tips to help you tickle what may be a dormant funny bone: • Hang out with fun (and funny!) people. My sister Anne is the funniest person I know. Opportunities to be with her trump almost everything else on my calendar. We laugh, poke fun at each other, and otherwise just enjoy being together. When I’m with Anne, my cares drift away and life is good. So, take a look at the people you hang out with. While we all need supportive friends with whom we can sort through life’s difficulties, we also need some fun-loving souls. Be sure to connect with them on a regular basis. • Diversify your entertainment. While I love classical music performances and can’t resist a good documentary, those activities don’t invigorate my inner child nor make me chuckle. No, to have fun, I need to dance as if no one’s watching, enjoy a two-scoop ice cream cone, or watch – for the umpteenth time – the 1980 comedy “Airplane!” with Leslie Nielsen. When’s the last time you went bowling, rode a tandem bike, played board games with friends, blew bubbles, or went to a comedy club? There’s no time like the present! • See the humor around you. I’ve also discovered that we don’t have to manufacture our own amusement. It’s there for the taking, if we just

look around. Yesterday, I saw something funny happening right in front of my eyes. A dog was pacing back and forth in the back seat of the car ahead of me, sticking its head out the windows on each pass. It looked ridiculous! I could have observed this scene with indifference, but I decided to enjoy the moment and embrace its inherent humor. Do the same. Pause and enjoy the absurdity that surrounds us. • And ﬁnally, be silly and don’t take yourself too seriously. Oh, come on, you can do it! Let go, let loose. If this year has taught us anything, it has taught us that life is short, time is precious. Join your kids or grandkids on the playground and feel the wind on your face while you pump a swing higher and higher. There’s nothing like a little fun and a good laugh to brighten your day and lift your spirits, whether you live alone or not. So go for it. Grab for that brass ring. And enjoy the ride!

side effects as adults, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, fever and some aches and pains. Your child does not need to stay home after being vaccinated and can continue with their regular activities. But, if they don’t feel well or have a fever after the vaccine, it’s a good idea to let them stay home and rest.

all my children should get vaccinated, and they all are.

Q: Should a parent be concerned about the vaccine affecting their child’s growth or development? A. There is no indication that the COVID-19 vaccine will interfere with a child’s growth and development. Q: What if a child has allergies? A. Currently, the recommendation is that the vaccine should not be given to anyone who has a history of severe or immediate allergic reactions to vaccines. If your child is allergic to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine, they should not get it. Reach out to your child’s doctor for guidance. Q: As a mother, are you comfortable with your children getting vaccinated? A. I am. Each parent should make decisions for their own child. I researched the information, relied on experts, and made the decision that

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite Voelckers to speak, visit www.aloneandcontent.com

Q: What would you say to a parent who is hesitant about vaccinating their child without having access to long-term Lorna Fitzpatrick studies? A. I would encourage them to reach out to their child’s doctor to ask specific questions and share their concerns. I also recommend they seek out reputable, fact-based resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your child’s doctor can help you sort through the information and make an informed decision. Q: Any update on vaccines for children younger than 12 years old? A. The vaccine is currently being studied in children as young as 6 months old. The hope is that it will be just as safe and effective as it is in children 12 and older and receive approval.

Abraham House Executive Director Gina Ciaccia, left, and Assistant Director Kim Todd.

Q A &

with Gina Ciaccia and Kim Todd Leaders at Abraham House talk about the role of the organization in helping terminally ill patients Interview by David Podos Q: There are two Abraham Houses, one in Utica and one in Rome. How long has the Abraham House been operating out of the Utica location and how long out of the Rome location? A: Ciaccia: Our Utica home was established in 1998. The house itself was a gift from A. L. Shaheen, MD, who saw that there was a lack of services in our community for the dying in our area. He wanted a place where the terminally ill could receive care without charge and Abraham House was born. Our Rome home opened in the spring of 2019. Q: What kinds of services are offered at the Abraham House? A: Todd: We are caregivers who offer end-of-life care in our homes, both Utica and Rome locations. We step in when the families of our guests can no longer provide the help their loved ones need, and do not want their loved ones in a hospital or nursing home setting, but rather in a home environment. Q: What are the criteria for someone to receive your services and are there any oversight organizations that assist you? A: Ciaccia: There are two criteria that have to be met. First, someone has to have a terminal illness. Secondly, they must also have a diagnosis of having approximately three months to live. We partner with Hospice Care. They are the provider of our medical care and have medical oversight for our guests. While hospice care provides medical oversight, they do not own us. Abraham House is a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Q: How many staff do you have? A: Todd: We have around 25 staff that includes both the Utica site as well as the Rome site.

Q: What is your operational budget? A: Ciaccia: We have a $750,000 operational budget for the 2021 year.

HOW CAN NY CONNECTS HELP?

Q: How is your organization funded? A: Todd: Much of it comes from our thankful families which is totally voluntary on their part. We also receive some financial assistance from several grants as well as monies from the City Development Block Grant for both Rome and Utica sites. Additionally we hold three fundraisers throughout the year. The biggest fundraiser we have is our annual fall gala held in November. We get anywhere from 500 to 600 attendees. That gala is held in Utica. Q: How do your services contribute to the emotional and psychological health of your guests as well as their families? A: Ciaccia: Our services shift the perspective on death from something people fear and dread to a more healthy holistic experience, first and foremost for our guests as well as their families. We take an enormous burden off the family members. We tell them it’s our turn to serve you and take care of your loved ones. We give both our guests and their families peace of mind. Q: Do you foresee more houses in different locations? A: Ciaccia: We are hoping an opportunity will present itself so we can establish a home somewhere in Herkimer County, but that still is a ways off. For more information about the Abraham House, please go to: gciaccia@ theabrahamhouse.org They can also be reached by calling 315-733-8210.

Free, easy, local access to information and assistance about long term care services and supports… regardless of age, income, or payor source. Get help with community services/supports designed to help people remain healthy and independent for Older Adults, Adults or Children with Disabilities as well as their Families and Caregivers. For answers to all your questions Contact us at 800-342-9871 or call one of the NY Connects partnering agencies at 315-697-5700 (Madison Ofﬁce for the Aging) or 315-427-3122 (ARISE). You may also look for services and support at www.nyconnects.ny.gov

of MADISON COUNTY (800) 342-9871 (315) 427-3122 (315) 697-5700

DRIVERS WANTED We’re looking for dependable people to help us distribute copies of In Good Health: Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper, in offices and other high-traffic locations in the Utica-Rome-Clinton region. Great for active retirees or at-home moms in need of some extra cash. Work only one or two days a month during office hours (9 to 5). Compensation: $11.80/h plus 30 cents per mile. It amounts to about $150 per distribution.The paper is usually distributed at the beginning of the month. Drivers pick up the papers (in bundles of 100 copies) in North Utica and leave copies at various locations, following a list of places we provide. No heavy lifting. Drivers are required to have a dependable vehicle, be courteous and reliable. We audit all areas of distribution.

Call 315-749-7070 for more information. July 2021 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

SmartBites

The skinny on healthy eating Nutritious Great Northern Beans Make Delicious Baked Beans

ver eat something without giving a wit about its nutritional chops? Say, a yummy side that accompanies your main course like no other? Baked beans has always been that side for me. Come summer, it’s all I ever want with whatever’s on the grill. For years, I never thought much about baked beans, other than that they slipped out of a can and tasted delicious! But once I inspected the can’s nutrition label, I realized that while canned baked beans indeed feature some important nutrients, some of the other ingredients — sugar, salt, additives — make them less nutritious and more caloric than they need to be. So I started making my own baked beans with canned Great Northern white beans, a popular bean that’s nearly identical to the hard-to-find canned pea (aka navy bean) that’s traditionally used to make this dish. Like most beans, Great Northerns are your heart’s best friend. They’re chock full of cholesterol-lowering fiber; they’re super rich in folate, a B vitamin that lowers levels of an amino acid associated with greater risk of heart disease and stroke; they’re low in fat and calories (only 200 calories per cup); and

they’re loaded with heart-protecting antioxidants. For vegetarians and those trying to reduce their intake of meat, Great Northerns are an excellent source of low-fat, plant-based protein (about 15 grams per cup), a nutrient we need to build up, keep up, and replace tissues in our body. Although the protein in this versatile bean is incomplete, it can easily be combined with other foods, such as pasta, rice or grains, to yield a complete protein. Despite its small size, this tasty legume boasts a whopping 13 grams of fiber per cup: 50% of our daily needs. Because Great Northerns contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, we reap multiple benefits: improved digestion and elimination, lowered cholesterol and blood-glucose levels, and greater satiety for better weight management. In fact, according to a study published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition,” people who eat beans are less likely to be obese and more likely to have a smaller waist and lower body weight than people who don’t eat beans. Lastly, this nutritious bean is an impressive source of manganese, phosphorous, and iron—essential minerals that support brain and nerve functions, bone and teeth health, and energy production, respectively.

Healthier Baked Beans Serves 6-8

1 tablespoon olive oil ½ onion, diced (about 1 cup) 1 cup tomato sauce 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon Kosher salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 2 15-ounce cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan. Heat olive oil on medium heat in large skillet. Add onions and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until translucent. Turn off the heat and add tomato sauce, mustard, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Stir well, and then gently mix in beans, adding more sauce if preferred. Pour into prepared baking pan and cover with foil. Bake the beans for about 25 minutes and serve. Note: If using dried beans, about 1½ cups will yield the approximate canned amount.

Helpful tips Look for canned beans labeled “Low Salt” or “Low Sodium” and thoroughly drain and rinse before using. Nutrition-wise, canned beans and dried beans are about equal. Cooked beans, whether prepared from the dried state or retrieved from a can, can be covered and chilled for up to 5 days.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

Plant-Based or Low-Fat Diet: Which Is Better for Your Heart?

oping to eat your way to a healthier heart? Diets rich in plant foods may beat low-fat eating regimens for cutting the risk of heart disease and stroke, a new study finds. Saturated fat, the kind largely found in animal products, has long been viewed as the enemy of the heart, since it can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol. In the new study, which tracked more than 5,100 Americans, researchers found that people with diets low in saturated fat did indeed have better LDL levels. But that did not translate into a lower risk of heart disease or stroke, the study found. On the other hand, people who consumed plenty of plant foods — vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts — did have lower risks of cardiovascular trouble. Experts said the findings do not mean that LDL cholesterol, or saturated fat, are unimportant. People who eat a lot of plant foods also tend to have low LDL, and their diets are often fairly low in saturated fat by virtue of limiting meat and dairy. But focusing on saturated fat can “miss many aspects of diet quality,”

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said study author Yuni Choi, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota. Instead, she said, a more “holistic” approach to eating is likely better for heart health. Choi presented the findings at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in June. Studies released at meetings are generally considered preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal. The results come from a long-running study of heart health that began recruiting young U.S. adults in the 1980s. Over 32 years, 135 participants developed coronary heart disease, where “plaques” build up in the arteries and slow blood ﬂow to the heart. Another 92 suffered a stroke. Choi and her colleagues assessed all study participants’ diet histories, assigning them “scores” based on how many plant foods and how much saturated fat they typically ate. Overall, both vegetable fans and those who shunned saturated fat had lower LDL cholesterol. But only plant-rich diets were linked to lower risks of heart disease and stroke. For every incremental increase in those scores, the risk of heart disease

declined by 19%, on average. The risk of stroke, meanwhile, dropped by 29%. That was with factors like smoking, body weight, and income and education levels taken into account. In what may be good news to burger lovers, “plant-based” does not have to mean becoming vegetarian or vegan. Try filling 70% to 80% of your plate with vegetables, beans, whole grains and the like, said senior researcher David Jacobs, a professor of public health at the University of Minnesota. It’s important to eat those foods “close to the way they’re grown,” Jacobs said — rather than buying heavily processed versions. Variety is also key. “You want to have a colorful, beautiful plate,” Jacobs said. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist not involved in the study, agreed that a “predominantly plant-based” diet is the way to go for heart health. “Animal products are not meant to be part of every meal,” said Freeman, who directs cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver. Instead, he encourages patients

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

to consume a wide range of plant foods, in their “natural form.”

Bioactive Compounds Why are plant-rich diets so heart-friendly? It’s not any single magic ingredient, the researchers said. Such diets are typically high in fiber, unsaturated fat and a slew of vitamins and minerals — but the explanation may go beyond those nutrients, according to Jacobs. Unlike animals, he pointed out, plants boast an array of self-generated chemicals that protect them from the environment. And those so-called bioactive compounds may benefit the humans who eat them. Choi said the researchers also want to study the ways in which different diets affect the gut microbiome—the vast collection of bacteria and other microbes that dwell in the gut and perform numerous vital functions. It’s possible, she said, that plantbased diets partly benefit the heart via effects on the gut microbiome.

OMEN'S HEALTH Your result will be displayed by one of these methods: a plus or minus symbol, (plus if you’re pregnant, minus if you’re not), lines, a change in color, or, for some tests, the words “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant.” If the line or symbol doesn’t appear, the test isn’t working properly. Try another. Some tests are more sensitive than others, as the amount of hCG needed to be detected in the urine to produce a positive test result is lower. Several websites discuss the pros and cons of each brand of test; this is helpful if you’ve never tested before. Always check the test’s expiration date and read the instructions carefully before beginning.

When should I take a home pregnancy test?

Home Pregnancy Tests: When and How The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care By Barbara Pierce

hink you might be pregnant? Even when you’re using the best birth control methods, there’s always some chance of getting pregnant. When in doubt, test! It’s as easy as taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test at home. Some tests can accurately detect a pregnancy days before a missed period. HPTs are inexpensive, private and easy to use. Most drugstores sell them over the counter. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99% effective if taken after a missed period. Simply

open the test, follow the instructions and view the results. The tests check your urine for a hormone called hCG. hCG is present only if you’re pregnant. It is released only after a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining. Levels of hCG are low at the beginning of a pregnancy, so the longer you wait to test, the more accurate the result. With most tests, you place the end of a dipstick in your urine stream or dip it in a container of collected urine. A few minutes later, the dipstick reveals the result.

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Timing is very important when it comes to getting an accurate result. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had intercourse. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of hCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days. The earlier you take the home pregnancy test, the harder it might be for the test to detect hCG and you could receive an inaccurate result. Experts recommend you take the test in the morning instead of at night. In the early days of pregnancy, when hCG levels are still building up, your morning urine will have the best chance of having sufficient hCG levels built up for an accurate test. If you take the test at night and it’s negative, you may want to take another in the morning to confirm that you’re not actually pregnant.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests? Experts agree that HPTs can be 99% accurate when used correctly. Washington University School of Medicine online states: “Despite marketing claims that home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate, research over the past decade has shown that up to 5% of them return false negatives. The most common mistake is to test for pregnancy too soon after the missed period.”

The chances of a false-negative are much higher than those of a false-positive. Giving you a positive result when you are not actually pregnant is rare and happens only if you’ve recently been pregnant, are on fertility medications containing hCG, or have a rare medical condition. Giving you a negative result when you are actually pregnant does happens, very seldom, but it does happen. If you get a negative test but think you might be pregnant, repeat the test one week after your missed period. For the most accurate results, repeat the test one week after a missed period, first thing in the morning, or ask your health care provider for a blood test. False negatives also happen if you check the test results too soon, or take the test at night.

Pregnancy signs Could you be pregnant? Even before you miss a period, you might suspect that you’re pregnant. The most common early signs of pregnancy include: • Missed period: A week or more beyond the expected start date • Tender, swollen breasts • Nausea with or without vomiting • Increased urination • Sleepiness If you miss a period and notice some of the above signs or symptoms, take a HPT or see your health care provider.

If my test is positive? If your test is positive, make an appointment with your health care provider. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, with a clinic in Utica, offers pregnancy testing, said Jacquelyn Marrero, media relations director at the organization. “Our pregnancy tests are urine tests. We draw blood only if it’s medically needed or upon the patient’s request,” she said. “We offer a wide range of sexual and reproductive health care services including pregnancy testing and options counseling.”

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July 2021 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Women’s Health Today Women Need to Take Care of Themselves as They Age

s women age, many changes begin to take place within the body and if we look at the whole picture, everything seems to be interrelated. Hormones, weight and body changes, heart health, Alzheimer’s and more are all a part of the aging process for women. Cardiovascular disease is the foremost cause of death for women, leading to one in three deaths per year. As women age, especially through midlife, you should be dedicated to your body and how you feel. Heart disease risk factors worsen throughout menopause through arterial stiffness and can contribute to a long list of symptoms. Symptoms of menopause such as brain fog, belly fat, insomnia, hot ﬂashes, headaches, decreased energy, fatigue, menstrual and sexual irregularities, and dizziness can interrelate with other conditions. Taking care of yourself from a young age by having a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, maintaining physical activity, relieving stress, being active in the community and socially aware, managing appropriate blood pressure and nurturing

a healthy weight through a whole nutrient dense diet will all contribute to a healthier you. Prevention is the key factor in reducing cardiovascular disease as there is no one specific treatment. Women need to be proactive in cardiovascular health and follow up with a primary care provider. You need a provider to listen intently as symptoms can overlap, making a diagnosis harder. Not only is cardiovascular disease a concern for women as they age but so is Alzheimer’s. Approximately two-thirds of those living with Alzheimer’s are women. Some of the numbers may be due to the fact that women tend to live longer than men, but other risk factors do exist. During menopause there are changes occurring in the brain consisting of decreased amounts of grey and white matter, increased plaque levels and how the brain metabolizes glucose at a lesser rate. Add this to cognitive tests, blood pressure readings and a family history and it can suggest risks for Alzheimer’s. During menopause, hormone levels ﬂuctuate. Estrogen decreases

NOT JUST COVERAGE.

and tends to be part of the abnormalities associated with Alzheimer’s. This may also be related to the fact that women tend to have higher anxiety and depression than men, and also greater headache and migraine concerns. Also, women have greater autoimmune issues, some of which attack the brain, such as multiple sclerosis. Therefore, hormones play a delicate role in women’s health from brain energy associated with Alzheimer’s and arterial stiffness associated with cardiovascular disease. So, what is a woman to do? To add to cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s, let’s discuss Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is associated with the endocrine and hormone system of the body and attention needs to be paid to the factors contributing to this disease as well. By maintaining a whole nutrient dense clean diet full of ﬂavor and health benefits, you will be less likely to develop this condition. Foods to include are healthy fats (olive oil, fatty fish such as salmon, nuts, seeds and avocados), whole grains, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables. Be aware of your menopause status by discussing signs and symptoms with your healthcare provider, monitoring your blood pressure, and blood values (blood sugar, HgA1c, cholesterol, lipoproteins, inﬂammatory markers to name a few) and knowing your family history. Prevention is important through lifestyle changes,

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Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner.com or contact her at 518-596-8565.

CONFIDENCE.

At a time when great coverage seems more important than ever, you can count on Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Connect with us today and explore plans with:

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maintaining a whole nutrient dense diet and eating clean, eliminating (as much as possible) exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA), lead, phthalates, parabens, PCBs, ﬂame retardants, pesticides, dioxins, and many more, maintaining a regular exercise program (one that you like) most days of the week, stress reduction through meditation, yoga, emotional freedom technique, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and getting a restful night’s sleep. Making small changes over time add up and support the management of women’s health for years to come. For more information on clean foods and products, go to www.ewg. org for listings of the clean 15 and dirty dozen, food scores and healthy living products.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

OMEN'S HEALTH

Hottest Issues Affecting Women’s Health Lower your risks for the top health threats to women By Barbara Pierce

omen and men aren’t the same, especially when it comes to health. Some health issues affect women differently and are more common in women. To help you take full charge of your heath, we looked at the five issues of most concern to women: heart disease, breast cancer, depression and anxiety, autoimmune diseases, and gynecological and pregnancy issues. And we asked experts what women could do to lower their risks for these issues.

1.Heart Disease

Heart disease is the top health condition threatening women. In the U.S., it causes one in every four deaths among women, killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. Not only is it a killer, it disables many, many women. Symptoms of a heart attack can differ for women. Instead of crushing chest pain, the symptoms in a woman are easy to ignore, including chest discomfort with sweating, pain in arm, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, unexplained anxiety and nausea. You just need to stop doing a few things that may elevate your risk of heart disease or stroke, said physician Cynthia Jones of Utica, board member, American Heart Association. • Manage your blood pressure • Stop smoking • Get active • Control your cholesterol • Control your blood sugar • Eat better

2.Breast Cancer

One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer over

her lifetime. Your individual risk depends on several things: family history, pregnancy history, ethnicity and age. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is second to lung cancer as the leading cause of death for women. There’s no sure way to prevent breast cancer. Kim McMahon, who until recently served as director of communications for the American Cancer Society, advises that you can lower your risk by changing the risk factors that are under your control. • Limit alcohol • Stop smoking • Lose weight if you are overweight • Get active • Avoid the use of hormones Whether you have risk factors or not, it’s important to get a mammogram. Screening can find the cancer before it causes symptoms (like a lump). When found early, it is easier to treat. Regular screenings are the most reliable way to find it early.

Depression and anxiety

Women are more likely than men to experience depression and anxiety. Depression is the most common mental health problem for women and suicide is a leading cause of death for women younger than 60. Depression ranges from mild to major. It causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how you feel, think and behave; you may have trouble doing normal activities, and sometimes feel life isn’t worth living. More than just a bout of the blues, you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Most people do improve with

medication and therapy. Some of the risk factors for depression include family history, death or loss, past abuse, and personal turmoil. An anxiety disorder is more than ordinary worry; it is frequent excessive, persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. It may involve episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety/terror that peak within minutes (panic attacks). Most of these mental health issues don’t go away on their own. A mental health specialist is a good place to begin. The Mobile Crisis Assessment Team is a local resource. “We’re here 24/7 for people who need a little support as well as those who are experiencing a serious mental health concern,” said Kristin Sauerbier, director. They can be reached at 315272-6228 or 844-732-6228. “There’s no charge for our services,” she added. “We’ll talk over the phone or come to where you are.” Referrals may be made to the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Crisis counselors are on call 24/7 to speak with individuals or members of the community.

4.Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system attacks the body. More than 80 serious illnesses include fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Think of it an internal mutiny. Your immune system turns against you. Joints, skin, eyes, liver, pancreas, heart and other organs become vulnerable to attack.

July 2021 •

Cynthia Jones, a family medicine doctor in Utica. It is not known what causes the body to turn on itself. As 75% of patients are women, it is suspected that hormones may be behind the ramped up immune response. Family history and stress factors are also suspects. Autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose as symptoms vary widely. Common symptoms include achy muscles, fatigue, mild fever, joint pain, abdominal pain. To lower your risk, experts suggest eating less sugar and fat, lowering stress, losing weight, and stopping smoking.

and 5.Gynecological pregnancy issues

Common gynecologic problems include heavy periods, abnormal bleeding, menstrual irregularities, urinary tract infections, pelvic pain, fibroids and endometriosis. Irregular cycles or painful monthly cramps can be common issues. Intervention methods relieve symptoms. Complications of pregnancy are rare. It is important to receive health care to decrease the risk of complications.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Between You & Me

By Barbara Pierce

To My 18-year-old Granddaughter Don’t make these mistakes in relationships Dear Crystal: You’ve become an attractive woman. You’re attractive to men, and you’re attracted to men. I’d like to share with you what I know about women and men and relationships. Most of this, I’ve learned the hard way; by making mistakes. I’ve made some really huge, stupid mistakes. However, I do consider them learning experiences, not mistakes. You too will make some of these mistakes. You too will learn from them. You’ll be hurt by caring too much for a man who is not the right man. All you can do is get over it—eat a bunch of ice cream, sign up for a new dating app, whatever—get over it and get on with life. I would do anything to protect you from that kind of hurt. But no one can protect you. Only yourself. This advice might help. First, love and relationships in real life are nothing like in the movies and TV. Real love doesn’t happen quickly. That’s important to keep in mind. Real love doesn’t cause pain. Pain is a symptom that the relationship is not healthy. If you’re in a relationship and are feeling emotional pain, it’s coming

from the uncertainty of the relationship. You aren’t sure if he’ll be there for you tomorrow, or even tonight. That’s why you feel pain. Another thing, look out for a man who pushes you to get involved with him quickly. If he comes on like a whirlwind, claiming you’re the first person who ever really understood him, whoever really loved him, he could never stand to lose you, etc.—these are danger signs. Yes. It’s ﬂattering to hear, but he is danger. He will hurt you. If he pressures you to commit to the relationship early in the relationship and makes you feel guilty if you try to slow things down, run the other way. For many, many reasons. Trust me, I’ve been there. Don’t move in with him or agree to marry him until you’ve known him a year. This seems like a long time when you’re madly in love, but making a long-term relationship last has more to do with compatibility than chemistry. Chemistry is all about the excitement and newness of a new relationship. It doesn’t last. That’s a fact. You’ve got to have compatibility. And you’ve got to feel that he’s got your back, and you’ve got his. He’ll be there for you, when things get tough. Next, run the other way from a

person who blames everyone else for his problems and his feelings. If he doesn’t take responsibility for things for which he’s responsible, he hasn’t grown up and he’s not a good choice for a partner. You’re smart enough to know it’s really a bad idea to get involved with someone who uses drugs or abuses alcohol. Another thing: Be true to who you are. Don’t make compromises to make the relationship work. Don’t betray your own desires. If you give up yourself, in time you’ll regret it and you’ll be unhappy in the relationship. Each of you needs to make time for yourselves, do things separately, to keep your relationship happy. Neither of you should try to get all your needs met by each other. Being everything to one person is too much for anyone. You both need other people in your lives. “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction.” This quote from author Antoine de Saint-Exupery is right on. Words are powerful. Through words, we shape our relationships. Communication is tough, because we talk and we hear through our own perspective. It’s important not to read too much into his words, not to make assumptions from his words. You can’t know exactly what he means. And he doesn’t know exactly what you mean. Much of our frustration with others comes from misunderstanding. Appreciate the strengths of your partner. Accept his weaknesses. Ac-

cepting doesn’t mean being blind to his shortcomings. It just means you stop fighting it. You work around it. “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook,” said psychologist William James. Overlook and keep your mouth shut about shortcomings. Give five positive comments to every negative comment, another psychologist said. I’ve found that’s good advice. Positive reinforcement works well. We’re all suckers for praise. Hearing that someone appreciates something that we do makes us do more of it. And stay positive yourself. Have a positive feeling about the relationship. Think positive; think that your relationship will be good, will work for you and will be lasting. Or as Jamie Lee Curtis said of her marriage of 36 years with Christopher Guest: “What’s the secret to staying married? Don’t leave.”

Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.

New Specialist: Dr. Asad Khalid

Sports Injuries & Joint Pain Orthopedic Specialists

357 Genesee Street, Oneida • 315-363-4651 • www.oneidahealth.org Page 14

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

Most Hospitalized COVID Patients Have Long-Haul Symptoms

Ellen Ball, who lives at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Mohawk Valley in Ilion, turned 102 in May. “Enjoy your family. Have parties. Don’t waste time arguing and fighting. Put family first. And dance. Enjoy life,” she says.

Ilion Resident Happy to Celebrate 102 Years of Age Her secret to long life: Put family first, enjoy life By Jessica Arsenault Rivenburg

hen Ellen Ball came into the world, Woodrow Wilson was president, there were 48 states in the U.S. and gasoline cost 30 cents per gallon. World War I ended less than six months prior and the Spanish Inﬂuenza pandemic was still in full swing. Ball lived through the roaring 20s, the Great Depression and WWII, the civil rights movement, the moon landing and JFK’s assassination. Ellen Ball turned 102 in May. Ball was born May 7, 1919, to Richard and Grace Dutton in Natural Bridge, in Jefferson County. While still young, Ball’s parents moved to Litchfield. It was there that Ball grew up and met Stanley Ball. The two married on Aug. 9, 1940. In 1943 the couple bought the Ball family’s dairy farm in Litchfield, from Stanley’s grandfather. Ellen and Stanley raised four children on that farm — three girls and one boy — all working together as a family to keep

things running. “I didn’t like milking those cows,” Ball says now with a laugh. “I never could get the hang of it.” She was thankful for the college kids Stanley hired to help out during the summer months, and later on, for the milking machine the family installed. “Those cows did keep me busy,” she mused. “I did a lot of running and walking all over that farm chasing after cows.” At 102, Ball is part of a very elite group of people known as centenarians, the title bestowed upon those who live to be 100 and older. According to the 2010 census (2020 results are not yet available), only 0.0173% of the population makes it to 100. In 2012, the United Nations estimated there were 316,600 centenarians worldwide — out of a population of 7.086 billion. Scientists and laypeople alike have long sought the secret to living

so long. According to Ball, the answer is fairly simple: Enjoy life. “Enjoy your family,” Ball said. “Have parties. Don’t waste time arguing and fighting. Put family first. And dance. Enjoy life.” Ball has loved dancing all her life. Square dancing, waltzing or slow-dancing, anything would do. She frequented school dances and church dances with Stanley and friends. Now that her legs don’t move quite like they used to, Ball says she enjoys watching others dance. Deb Farr, director of activities at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing of The Mohawk Valley in Ilion, where Ball resides now, says Ball is known to be a happy person. “She’s been known to say her longevity is due to being a good dancer and a good kisser,” Farr said. “She’s a very happy lady.”

July 2021 •

f you land in the hospital with a COVID-19 infection, there’s a good chance you’ll still be suffering symptoms months later, researchers report. A wide swath of lingering health issues plagued more than 70% of these patients, investigators found. “Early on, we completely ignored the long-term consequences of getting sick with this virus,” said study senior author Steven Goodman, a physician and a professor of epidemiology and population health and medicine at Stanford University. “People were being told this was all in their heads. The question now isn’t is this real, but how big is the problem.” To determine that, his team analyzed 45 studies that were published between January 2020 and March 2021. The studies included more than 9,700 COVID-19 patients. Of those, 83% had been hospitalized. They found that 72.5% of study participants reported still having at least one of 84 persistent symptoms or clinical signs, with the most common being fatigue (40%), shortness of breath (36%), sleep disorders (29%), inability to concentrate (25%), depression and anxiety (20%), and general pain and discomfort (20%). Other problems reported by patients included loss of taste and smell, memory loss, chest pain and fevers. Persistent symptoms were defined as those lasting at least 60 days after diagnosis, symptom onset or hospital admission, or at least 30 days after recovery from acute illness or hospital discharge. If even a portion of these patients require continuing care, they could pose an immense public health burden, said Goodman. “If something on the order of 70% of those coming out of moderate to serious COVID-19 are showing persisting symptoms, that is a huge number,” Goodman said in a Stanford news release. “It’s astonishing how many symptoms are part of what’s now being referred to as long COVID.” The study was published May 26 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Syracuse 60 Strong: Medical Group Showcasing Inspirational Seniors Proceeds from the calendars will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter By Megan Plete Postol

medical group in Syracuse is showcasing resilient seniors in a unique program. The initiative was launched as a contest to find 12 people aged 60 to 69 that exemplify strength and determination to be featured in a calendar and as community ambassadors. “Syracuse 60 Strong is a public service for seniors,” physician Mitchell Brodey, president and CEO of FamilyCare Medical Group, said. “We are looking for 12 inspirational people in their 60s who are strong in mind, body and spirit to appear as ‘pin ups’ on our 2022 Syracuse 60 Strong calendar. Maybe they are running marathons or biking cross country. Maybe they have started a new hobby or given back to a charitable cause. Perhaps they have overcome a chronic health condition. We are encouraging everyone to think of an inspirational ‘60 something’ in their life, a parent, colleague, teacher or friend and nominate them for Syracuse 60 Strong.” Anyone aged 18 or older can nominate a friend or family member who has achieved remarkable levels of fitness, pursued a new hobby or given back to others in some way. Examples of potential candidates are a survivor, a caregiver, a coach, etc. The 12 winning ambassadors of Syracuse 60 Strong will receive a virtual cocktail party, professional photo shoot and compensation for their modeling time. Those who nominate a winner will also be a winner and

receive a $50 gift certificate. All proceeds from the calendars will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter. “After an especially difficult year, we are excited to celebrate the strength and resilience of CNY seniors,” Brodey said. “Syracuse 60 Strong provides an opportunity to uplift the voices and share the stories of some of the community’s unsung heroes.” In addition to appearing on the calendar, the 12 winners will serve as ambassadors, being an example of how to live fully, give back and connect with others. “They will inspire everyone, of all ages, to live a healthy and active life,” Brodey said. Syracuse 60 Strong is sponsored by FamilyCare Medical Group in conjunction with the launch of Salt City Senior Care Advantage IPA, which is a program designed to provide seamless and greater coordination of care for their senior patients. “60 Strong is about saying, ‘I can,’ rather than, ‘I can’t,” Brodey said. “It’s our way to send a message to folks approaching the Medicare age that life in your 60s can be a vibrant and active time. We encourage seniors to get social and get active, to prioritize their physical and mental health, and to keep trying new things.” To nominate an inspirational senior, visit www.Syracuse60Strong. com.

All entries are due by July 26. Entries must include an application form, 200-400-word essay, head shot and full-length photo. Celebrity judges will select 12 winners who exemplify how life after 60 can be a vibrant and active time. Contestants are judged on their commitment to

leading an active lifestyle, community involvement, volunteerism and how they are inspirational to others. Winners must be available Aug. 18 through Aug. 21. Questions can be directed to Syracuse60Strong@SaltCitySCA.com.

Ready, Set, GO! Make Your Women’s Health Appointment Today. It’s important for women of all ages to proactively maintain health and wellness with routine women’s health appointments. These visits are crucial in helping providers to monitor existing conditions and to discover potentially serious conditions before symptoms are present. Bassett Healthcare Network’s experienced gynecologists and other professionals provide education and counseling, preventive care, and screening exams for a wide range of women’s health conditions. Take time for you. Don’t hesitate to visit a Bassett Women’s Health clinic near you. Page 16

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

Call 1-800-BASSETT today to schedule an appointment. Bassett.org/WomensHealth

Neurofeedback at IM of CNY! Ask about our Spring Training Specials!

Heidi S. Puc (MD,FACP,ABIHM) Heidi Baldwin (MS, RMT) Jeﬀery Roy (RPA-C) Call us to learn more about our Neurofeedback Program and start your brain health journey today!

By Jim Miller

A non-invasive way to train the brain and address symptoms and conditions like:

Coping with COVIDExacerbated Tinnitus Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve had mild tinnitus — ringing in my ears — for years, but when I got COVID-19 in January it got worse. Are there any treatments you know of or can recommend that can help? Almost 60

Dear Almost, Unfortunately, new research indicates that tinnitus, a common hearing problem that affects around 50 million Americans, may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly even triggered by it. Here’s what you should know along with some tips and treatments that may help.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (pronounced tinNIGHT-us or TIN-a-tus) is the sensation of hearing a ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or whistling sound in one or both ears when no external sound is present. The sounds, which can vary in pitch and loudness, are usually worse when background noise is low, so you may be more aware of it at night when you’re trying to fall asleep in a quiet room. For most people tinnitus is merely annoying, but for many others it can be extremely disturbing. Tinnitus itself is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some other underlying health condition. The best way to find out what’s causing your tinnitus is to see an audiologist, or an otolaryngologist — a doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat diseases (commonly called an ENT). The various things that can cause tinnitus are: • Hearing loss, which is the most common cause. • Middle ear obstructions usually caused by a build-up of earwax deep in the ear canal. • The side effects of many different prescription and nonprescription medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, certain blood pressure medicines and diuretics, some antidepressants, cancer medicines and antibiotics. • Various medical conditions such as high blood pressure, vascular disease, diabetes, allergies, thyroid problems, ear or sinus infections, Meniere’s disease, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, otosclerosis, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a tumor, an injury to the head or neck, traumatic brain injury, depression,

• Memory Loss • Attention/Focus • Autism • Depression • Anxiety

• Dementia/Alzheimer’s • Insomnia • Brain Injury • Anger Management • Lyme Disease

• Brain Fog • Migraines • Stress/PTSD • Dyslexia • ADD/ADHD

stress and more.

Treatments

While there’s no cure for tinnitus there are many ways to treat it depending on the cause. For example, if your tinnitus is caused by a wax build-up in your ears or a medical condition like high blood pressure or a thyroid problem, treating the problem may reduce or eliminate the noise. Or, if you think a medication you’re taking may be causing the problem, switching to a different drug or lowering the dosage may provide some relief. Or if you have hearing loss, getting a hearing aid can help mask your tinnitus by improving your ability to hear actual sounds. Another good treatment option for tinnitus that can help suppress or mask the sound so it’s less bothersome are “sound therapies.” These can be as simple as a fan or a white noise machine, listening to music or podcasts, or leaving the television on. There are also apps created by hearing aid companies, like ReSound Relief (ReSound.com) or Relax by Starkey (Starkey.com), which allow you to stream customize sounds directly to your hearing aids, or (if you don’t use hearing aids) through Bluetooth audio devices like headphones or speakers to help you manage your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological counseling can also be helpful. Your audiologist or ENT can help you figure out the best treatment options. There are also certain medications that may help. While currently there’s no FDA approved drugs specifically designed to treat tinnitus, some antianxiety drugs and antidepressants have been effective in relieving symptoms. Other things you can do to help quiet the noise is to avoid things that can aggravate the problem like salt, artificial sweeteners, sugar, alcohol, tonic water, tobacco and caffeine. And protect yourself from loud noises by wearing earplugs. For more information on tinnitus treatments, visit the American Tinnitus Association at ATA.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Page 17

FDA Defends Approval of Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease in nearly two decades, in a controversial decision that left the agency defending its reputation and its science. Aduhelm (aducanumab) treats Alzheimer’s by clearing out amyloid beta, a sticky protein known to form plaques in the brains of early-stage patients. It is the first approved Alzheimer’s drug meant to attack one of the suspected root causes of the degenerative brain disease. All other drugs on the market manage symptoms, but cannot slow the disease’s progression. The FDA approved Aduhelm under its “accelerated approval” pathway, which does not require conclusive proof that a drug provides a clinical benefit, physician Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, noted in a media briefing in June. Instead, the FDA can issue a conditional approval if a drug is shown to modify a key process in a disease, and that this change is reasonably likely to help patients, Cavazzoni explained. “We determined this drug favorably modifies a key pathological process, reducing the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s, and that this improvement is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit of the drug,” Cavazzoni said. In granting approval, the FDA ran counter to its own advisory committee of experts, which voted 10 out of 11 against approving Aduhelm, as well as other Alzheimer’s experts that included some of the doctors who ran the drug’s clinical trials in hospitals across the nation. “The FDA’s decision shows a stunning disregard for science and eviscerates the agency’s standards for approving new drugs,” physician Michael Carome, director of health research for Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer watchdog group, said in a statement. “Because of this reckless action, the agency’s credibility has been irreparably damaged.” But other groups such as the Alzheimer’s Association hailed the FDA’s decision as opening the way to more extensive research into chronic brain diseases.

Follow-up trial a condition of FDA approval “This FDA drug approval ushers in a new era in Alzheimer’s treatment and research,” said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association. “History has shown us that approvals of the first drug in a new category invigorates the field, increases investments in new treatments and encourages greater innovation. We are hopeful and this is the beginning — both for this drug and for better treatments for Alzheimer’s.”

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Cavazzoni said the drug’s developer, Biogen, is required to conduct follow-up tests and prove that the drug actually works to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. “We expect this study to be conducted in a timely manner,” Cavazzoni said. “If the clinical benefit is not confirmed or if the study is not conducted in a timely manner, we may, following an administrative process, withdraw this therapy’s approval.” Aduhelm had a rocky journey to approval, with Biogen shutting down a pair of clinical trials when an FDA advisory committee decided that the drug didn’t work well enough to make a difference in patients. Seven months later, Biogen reversed itself and applied for FDA approval of Aduhelm, based on more extensive analysis that showed the drug had some positive effect for patients at higher doses. Groups like Public Citizen accused the agency of colluding with Biogen to promote the drug despite the mixed clinical trial results. “The close collaboration between the FDA and Biogen before and after the submission of the company’s marketing application for aducanumab dangerously compromised the integrity of the agency’s review and culminated in a biased agency assessment of the drug that discounted the results of the negative trial,” Carome said, calling for an investigation of the decision by the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the FDA media briefing, Cavazzoni denied that Biogen had any untoward inﬂuence on the agency’s decision to approve the new drug. “An essential part of our drug review process requires frequent interactions with sponsors, even more so in the case of a very complex data set such as Aduhelm,” Cavazzoni said. “These interactions are an integral part of our work and are necessary to understand the structure of the data, the location of key data points, and specific aspects of study implementation that may impact interpretation of the data.”

Critics say drug is unproven “I am satisfied that the interaction between members of the review team and the sponsor was appropriate and necessary, given our questions regarding the data in this application,” Cavazzoni added. Cavazzoni also thanked the members of the FDA advisory committee that recommended against Aduhelm’s approval, saying that they carefully considered the panel’s feedback. “The data set for Aduhelm was very complex and our review has been thorough,” Cavazzoni said. “We believe the data support accelerated approval, while holding the company accountable for conducting an additional study to confirm the benefits observed in one of the trials, which we fully intend to do.”

Ask The Social

Security Ofﬁce

From the Social Security District Office

Eligibility For Spouse’s Benefits

ocial Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following: • 62 years of age or older. • Any age and have in your care a child who is younger than age 16 or who is disabled and entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit. If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to half the amount your spouse can receive. You’ll also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement

Q&A Q: I applied for a Social Security card for my child at the hospital and the card came back with the first name misspelled. What should I do? A: Contact your local Social Security office to ask for a corrected card. We need to see at least two original documents proving your child’s: • U.S. citizenship. • Identity. We also must see proof of your identity, as the parent. The documents you show us must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. To find out more, go to www.ssa.gov/ ssnumber. There, you can learn what documents you need to fill out and print, and then bring or mail the information to us. You may also want to read the publication, Social Security Numbers For Children, available at www.ssa.gov/pubs. Q: I am nearing my full retirement age, but I plan to keep working after I apply for Social Security benefits. Will my benefits be reduced because of my income? A: No. If you start receiving benefits after you’ve reached your full retirement age, you can work while you receive Social Security and your current benefit will not be reduced because of the earned income. If you

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2021

age, but care for a child and one of the following applies: • The child is younger than age 16. • The child has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefits on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit. For example, Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250. Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and nine months old? If you answered yes to both, visit www. ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to get started today. Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. You can find out more by visiting www.ssa. gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html for more information.

keep working, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. Higher benefits can be important to you later in life and increase the future benefit amounts your survivors could receive. If you begin receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your earnings could reduce your monthly benefit amount. After you reach full retirement age, we recalculate your benefit amount to leave out the months when we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earnings. Learn more about Social Security reading our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www. ssa.gov/pubs/10069.html. Q: Will my eligibility for the Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs be reviewed and, if so, how often? A: If you get the Extra Help, Social Security may contact you to review your status. This reassessment will ensure you remain eligible for Extra Help and receive all the benefits you deserve. Annually, usually at the end of August, we may send you a form to complete: Social Security Administration Review of Your Eligibility for Extra Help. You will have 30 days to complete and return this form. Any necessary adjustments to the Extra Help will be effective in January of the following year. Go to www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp for more information.

Oneida Health Hospital Earns Highest Quality Rating

neida Health Hospital has received a five-star rating for overall quality of care from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in its recently released 2021 hospital rankings annual report. Oneida Health Hospital is one of only seven hospitals in the entire state to receive CMS’ coveted fivestar rating. CMS’ hospital star rankings, which are posted on the government’s “Hospital Compare” website, is a consumer’s guide to hospital quality and considered among the top hospital report cards available. The five-star scale helps patients compare and identify top-performing hospitals for their care. Only 455 of the more than 3,300 hospitals in the nation received a five-star rating. The recent release ranks Oneida Health Hospital among the top 14% of all eligible hospitals in the U.S. with respect to overall patient safety and patient experience. “The CMS five-star rating is a testament to the quality of care our patients receive at the hospital, every day,” says Gene Morreale, president and CEO at Oneida Health. “Our team of medical providers and organizational staff are providing some of the highest quality of care in the region. We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to patient-centered care and teamwork. It is their ongoing commitment that makes our hospital five-star rating possible.”

Oneida Health Hospital in Oneida. The CMS star rating is comprised of more than 50 individual measures addressing health outcomes from five areas of healthcare including mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Of 4,586 hospitals nationally,

The Surprising Truth About Prediabetes If you do have prediabetes, damage to your organs and blood vessels could have already started By Barbara Pierce

on’t let the “pre” fool you — prediabetes is a serious health condition. Prediabetes is just what it sounds like. It means that your blood sugar is pretty high, higher than normal, but not high enough to meet the threshold of Type 2 diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes almost always had prediabetes first. It’s common: one in three adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, according to the CDC. It’s real. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. If you have prediabetes and don’t make any changes, it’s very likely to become Type 2 diabetes. In fact, if you do have prediabetes, damage to your organs and blood vessels could have already started, even before you’re diagnosed with diabetes. “Prediabetes can go undetected for years,” said registered nurse Caroline Jacobus, certified diabetes educator at CNY Diabetes, Mohawk Valley Health System. “Many people have no symptoms at all, while others may have minor symptoms which can go unnoticed.” There are usually no signs or symptoms, but one possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin on

certain parts of the body (the neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles). Other symptoms may include increased thirst, frequent urination, excess hunger, fatigue or blurred vision. It’s reversible. The good news is that you may be able to prevent or delay a diagnosis of diabetes through lifestyle changes, Jacobus added.

What causes prediabetes? Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If you have prediabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes—and Type 2 diabetes down the road.

What are the risk factors? As you can have prediabetes for years and not have any symptoms, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about getting your blood sugar tested if you have these risk factors, explained Jacobus: • Being overweight

13.5%, or 455 hospitals, received five stars; 988 received four stars; 1,018 received three stars; 690 received two stars; and 204 received one star. For more than a quarter of hospitals nationally, 1,181, no information was available.

To learn more about the CMS Star Ratings Program or to compare hospitals in the region, visit Medicare.gov/ care-compare. For more information on Oneida Health Hospital, visit oneidahealth.org.

• Having a history of Type 2 diabetes in your family • Having diabetes during pregnancy or given birth to a baby over nine pounds • Have fallen out of the cycle of getting Caroline Jacobus exercise • Being over the age of 45 • Being African American, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander or American Indian.

“Making these lifestyle changes can lower the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 71%,” said Jacobus. “At CNY Diabetes we have a high success rate in assisting people to lose weight and lowering their blood sugar levels,” said Jacobus.

If I have prediabetes, can I avoid getting full-blown diabetes? “Research shows that people may be able to delay or prevent a diagnosis of diabetes through lifestyle changes,” said Jacobus. “The focus of our program (at CNY Diabetes) is on changing eating habits, weight reduction and getting effective physical activity.” Even loosing a small amount of weight can make a difference, around 5% of your body weight, or 10-14 pounds for a 200-pound person. Regular physical activity means about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. The key is to find activities you enjoy. A little activity every day will make a difference. CNY Diabetes offers a program for people with prediabetes to support the lifestyle changes that are necessary to maintain normal blood sugar control. At this time, the program is through telemedicine and telephone appointments. How successful are these lifestyle changes?

July 2021 •

Why is important to not let it get to full-blown diabetes? “It’s very important that anyone who has significant risk factors see their health care provider and have the blood sugar test performed. Making lifestyle changes now can prevent significant potentially major complications later,” said Jacobus. “There are very serious problems accompany a diagnosis of diabetes, including blindness, kidney damage, amputation, heart attack or stroke.” Taking care of prediabetes does make a difference. If you suspect you may have prediabetes or diabetes, contact your health care professional for a blood test. It’s simple: A blood sample is taken after you fast for at least eight hours or overnight. This test will show your average blood sugar level for the past three months. Most insurances cover this test. To lower your risk of prediabetes, as well as diabetes, eat healthy foods. Choose foods low in fat and calories and high in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Be more active. Lose excess weight if you’re overweight. Stop smoking. For more information on CNY Diabetes, see www.mvhealthsystem. org/diabetes, or call 315-624-5620. A referral from your health care provider is required to make an appointment. They can assist you with this if necessary.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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