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MVHEALTHNEWS.COM
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ISSUE 175
Page 16
Addressing Alzheimer’s Delving into dangerous cause of dementia Spiritual Health
See pages 5-7
‘Milk & Honey’ column explores the eternal conflict between man’s hedonism and God’s grace Page 14
Breakthrough treatment for prostate cancer Page 16
Toxic relationship Before tossing down too many shots, be aware of the dangers of alcohol.
Students enter the COVID-19 era
The ‘New Normal’ means nothing is quite the same as schools reopen. See pages 8-9
Rice Noodles
Here’s why beloved Thai noodle dish has skyrocketed in popularity. See ‘SmartBites’, Page 19
September 2020 •
Meet Your Doctor
Anthony M. Orio Syracuse Orthopedic Surgeons connect with joint replacement specialist.
Page 4
Breaking up is hard to do Relationship experts Michael Kalil and Dulak Eghigian explain what the top reasons are for couples breaking up.
Page 12 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
Major insurers double profits — Will we get premium rebate?
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he short answer is: don’t hold your breath. A recent article in the New York Times by Reed Abelson explained. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) caps what commercial insurers can retain as profits. For small businesses and individuals, insurers must rebate “profits” over 20% of premiums. Profits include operating costs as well. For large businesses, insurers must rebate profits over 15% of premiums. Second quarter profits for major national insurers this year are almost double the second quarter profits of last year. Reported second quarter 2020 profits are $3 billion for CVS/Aetna, $2.3 billion for Anthem and $6.7 billion for United. COVID-19 claims, (most are Medicare), are easily offset by the dearth of claims from elective surgeries, emergency rooms and office visits. The Trump administration is well aware of these excess profits which by any measure are expected to continue throughout 2020. Washington has “encouraged” the insurance giants to rebate anticipated excess profits or reduce premiums during this fiscal year instead of waiting to calculate year-end results. Industry observers predict: OK, good luck with that. Before issuing any rebates, insurers are granted a three-year grace period following any fiscal year to be sure they have calculated all claims. In the meantime, individuals and businesses are struggling to pay their premiums and healthcare providers are struggling with the devastating negative impact of the virus on their bottom lines and staff.
Unrestricted profits
As discussed above, the ACA caps profits on insurance lines of business. Written 10 years ago, the ACA does not restrict profits on other lines of healthcare business now owned and operated by the largest commercial insurers. Carriers have purchased or started up their own clinics and have merged with major drug retailers. Retailers like Walmart have even
jumped into the insurance and clinic fray. To date, the current administration and a lot of politicians have provided mostly lip service to effectively controlling drug costs. A bipartisan bill written up in Congress last year, allowing Medicare/Medicaid to negotiate a couple dozen drug prices for starters, has yet to be presented to the Senate for a vote.
Telemedicine’s future
COVID-19 is already considered
Mobile crisis assessment team accredited
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he Neighborhood Center, Inc. recently acquired a national accreditation with the American Association of Suicidology. “The accreditation speaks to our evidence-based practices and standardized approach to provide the best care possible to our clients,” said Kristin Sauerbier, program director of the MCAT. To obtain accreditation, The Neighborhood Center passed a strenuous “desk” audit in which policy, procedures, staff training, protocols and workflows were all reviewed to ensure best practices. MCAT is available to anyone seeking crisis intervention services in Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie, Otsego, Delaware and Chenango
counties. For crisis services, call 315-7326228 or 844-732-6228 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no fee for MCAT services. MCAT is a contracting partnership of The Neighborhood Center, Inc. and the Oneida, Herkimer, Schoharie, Otsego, Delaware and Chenango Departments of Mental Health, working collaboratively with a number of community agencies and resources. It takes referrals from individuals in crisis, their families, law enforcement, school personnel or the general community. For more information about The Neighborhood Center, go to www. neighborhoodctr.org.
a “black swan event” similar to other significant life changing occurrences — like both world wars, 9/11 and the launching of the personal computer. Up until the virus, telemedicine was ever so slowly being incorporated into the delivery of healthcare. Since the virus, telemedicine use has skyrocketed. Consumers are happy with the convenience and no copay. While some providers may still prefer office visits to virtual visits, all are happy with the enhanced reimbursement for telemedicine visits which, so far, are equal to an office visit. The billion-dollar question is: Will enhanced reimbursement continue? The key is, what will Medicare do? (Commercial carriers tend to follow suit.) Right now, the enhanced reimbursement is authorized in 90day segments. The current temporary 90-day authorization ends Oct. 31. I’m sure all provider group lobbyists (AMA, AHA, etc.) are pushing for permanency. Their efforts must be working. CMS chief Seema Verma recently commented, “Reversing course would be a mistake.” While it remains to be seen what ultimately happens, the signs are good for permanency. Verma noted that 9 million Medicare members have used telemedicine since the pandemic. Medicare paid providers $9 billion for telemedicine services in March and April this year versus only $60 million in March and April 2019. The virus has exposed and compounded our embarrassing lack of a national health policy. It’s been every state for themselves. Consequently, due to the lack of a national health policy providing some consistency across state lines, the governors from four western states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada, are collaborating to improve, standardize and coordinate telemedicine access and coverage for their collective populations.
Veterinarians flourishing
As we postpone or even cancel healthcare due to the ongoing pandemic, physicians and hospitals will continue to endure the financial strain. Quite ironically, veterinarians are flourishing. Unlike human care, trips to the vet are way up. A recent Associated Press story describes this phenomenon.
Vet offices and animal hospitals are scrambling to increase staff, phone lines and office hours to accommodate the average 18% surge in pet care. According to pet health insurer “Trupanion,” July business was up 28% over last July. Industry observers and vets themselves attribute the increase in business to more people working from home, pets as emotional support, increased pet adoptions from shelters and price. Pet care is still primarily cash on the barrel head, so veterinary offices and hospitals are much more transparent with pricing as a third-party insurer is rarely involved, which normally introduces price confusion.
Private practice success
About half of all physicians are still in private practice. Despite the negative financial ramifications due to the pandemic, social media consulting firm PatientPop got enough physicians in private practice to respond to its survey. One of the survey questions asked for their non-financial indicators of success. Sixty-seven percent answered success meant a positive patient experience; 35% said effective patient communication; 30% thought strong or positive online reviews; 27% considered a high ranking in online searches to be an indicator of success; while 23% said their high performing website was an indication of success. When asked what frustrates them the most, 49% said dealing with the myriad of insurers with their different fees, regulations and coverages; 33% said collecting what is owed them; 31% are frustrated with patient no shows and cancellations (exacerbate by the pandemic); and 31% said dealing with compliance and related expenses. 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.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Anthony M. Orio Joint replacement surgeon with SOS, a former quarterback in college, talks about hip, knee replacement, says he sees more young people having the procedure done
Survey: Majority of U.S. adults lose sleep due to reading
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new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) shows a majority (66%) of U.S. adults report losing sleep due to staying up past their bedtime to finish a book. The survey also found that women (71%) are more likely to lose sleep due to reading a book than men (61%). If you find yourself losing track of time while reading, it may be time to change up your nighttime routine, according to AASM. Sleep experts recommend setting a bedtime alarm to remind yourself that it’s time to put the book down for the night. “It can be tempting to try and squeeze in one more chapter of a great book, but everyone should make it a priority to get enough sleep to wake feeling refreshed and alert,” said AASM President Kannan Ramar. “Consistently waking up feeling unrefreshed, or struggling to stay awake throughout the day, is a warning sign that either you are not getting enough sleep, or you may have an untreated sleep disorder.” If you are unsure about how many hours of sleep you should be getting, the AASM’s website — SleepEducation.org. — can help identify the appropriate bedtime based on your schedule and age. The personalized calculation can help you keep a routine that will provide adequate, healthy sleep, so you can finish your next novel without nodding off.
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Q: What kinds of joint replacements do you perform at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists? A: Routinely, I’m doing hip and knee replacements. Traditionally, 20 to 25 years ago these procedures were mostly done on elderly, individuals over 65. And obviously we continue to do those, but as people have become more active throughout their lives, we’re starting to do them on patients who are much younger who have significant disease in their hips and knees. In a knee replacement we’re basically replacing the ends of the bones. You sort of develop arthritis on the ends of your bones. We trim off the ends of the bones and replace them with metal caps that are cemented into place. The reason we perform these procedures are pretty much so we can get back to the activities of daily living and do it pain free. A lot of these patients have severe pain, discomfort, disability, trouble doing even basic things around the house. Our goal is to restore function, eliminate pain, and get them back to doing the things they like to do. Q: You mentioned seeing a lot more young patients. What’s that usually from? A: So obviously there’s always the risk of individuals developing post-traumatic arthritis as the result of an accident or injury, which can happen at a much earlier age.
There are other issues like inflammatory arthropathies, some diseases in the hip like avascular necrosis of the hip. Essentially the blood flow to the ball joint of the hip jointed is blocked and the head of the ball essentially dies of necrosis. So we see some patients in their 40s come in who develop it for reasons we don’t fully understand. So the predictable operation there is typically to replace their hip. Q: A lot of these procedures are done minimally invasively now. How complex a joint replacement can be done that way now? A: I think the words “minimally invasive” are in the eye of the beholder. There are people who will say it, others who will practice it. What I tell patients about surgery and the size of the incision, I say I’ll do the smallest incision possible to do the surgery effectively. Obviously the more complex the pathology, the less likely minimally invasive comes into it. You need to be able to see more to perform it effectively. So I would say the word “minimally invasive” and “complexity” within the total joint world doesn’t really exist.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
Q: What’s the longevity of joint replacements now, and have you ever had to replace the same joint twice on the same patient? A: Yes. So, the number 100%, in my opinion, does not exist
in the surgery world. There’s always a risk of things happening inter-operatively, after surgery, years after. Some of the things that may occur may require revision surgery. Some prostheses placed in the mid-90s may be wearing out. At that point, depending on how functional the patient is, what their goals are, revising the implants that are already in there becomes an option. But the possibility of operating on the same joint more than once always exists. If you’re replacing a young male or female’s hip in their 40s, even if they get 20 years out of it, they’ll only be in their 60s. Obviously, the younger patients are when they get something done, the more likely it is that they’ll need a revision at some point. Q: When you say “revision surgery,” what are we talking about? A: It’s a broad term. So that could mean, in a knee replacement for example, that the metal on the femur and tibia are fine, but the piece of plastic between them has worn down and needs to be swapped out. Other times you may need to take everything completely out and put all new stuff back in. You treat it accordingly. Q: You were a quarterback in college. Do you think that gave you more of an appreciation for orthopedics? A: Yeah. I think within all the subspecialties of medicine, a lot of former college athletes find their way into orthopedics. As kids, teenagers, college athletes, you tend to develop relationships with orthopedic specialists. So, then, if you end up going into medicine, you lean on life experiences and relationships. I also think it’s second-to-none in terms of your ability to see a problem, fix it and then watch the patient recover over the course of weeks or month. Q: What kinds of interventions do you perform prior to replacements? A: Most of our practice is non-operative. Patients are usually sent to physical therapy, and we try to see if physical therapy, along with anti-inflammatories, can alleviate, improve or even strengthen someone’s status. For the patients who haven’t improved, the next rung on the ladder would be some kind of injection therapy. In the knee sometimes we use gel injections. Some people, for the rest of their lives, get by with just injections every few months or years. And then when all that fails, the pain’s terrible, life is bad, we talk about surgery. All of these procedures are completely elective.
Lifelines
Name: Anthony Michael Orio, M.D. Position: Joint replacement surgeon with Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (since August 2019) Education: Northeastern University; Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Noteworthy: Four-year starting quarterback at Northeastern University Hometown: Berlin, New Jersey Affiliations: Crouse; Upstate; St. Joseph’s Organizations: Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons Family: Wife; two sons (Anthony Jr., Colton) Hobbies: Spending time with family, college football, and country music
Alzheimer’s
Twilight Zone If Alzheimer’s or dementia touches your life By Barbara Pierce
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f Alzheimer’s or dementia touches your life, the Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York is there for you. “We’re still here for you. COVID-19 has impacted us in so many ways. But we’re still working; working differently, but we’re here,” said Kristen Campbell, director of programs and services, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter. Campbell Dementia is the term for a group of symptoms that impact memory, impair thinking, cause loss of reasoning and loss of communication abilities. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is the term for a group of symptoms: memory loss, impaired thinking, and loss of reasoning. There are few things that scare me more than getting dementia. It’s a terrible disease.
Being in the life of a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is a life-impacting experience. It’s tough for everyone involved, especially the caregiver. It’s a long, stressful, and intensely emotional journey. And you’re going through grief, watching the person you love slip away. As he/she gradually deteriorates and starts to lose abilities, you are simultaneously caring for them and battling your own sadness about losing the person you loved. The Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York has a wide variety of ways they help anyone whose life is impacted by Alzheimer’s or other dementia, including a 24-hour helpline, individual consultations, support groups, and education. “We’re continuing to offer all of our services through the pandemic,” said Campbell. “We’re connecting with people by phone and webinars.”
24-hour helpline
“The service that is most important to people is our 24-hour helpline,” she added. “It’s often a gateway to our other services — the way people get connected us.” “We’re here for free, around-
the-clock help at 800-272-3900; we’re available in any crisis.” “Anyone can call; the person doesn’t have to have a diagnosis,” she continued. “We often get calls from people who want guidance so they can reduce their risk. Also from people who see the warning signs and are concerned about themselves or someone else.”
Care consultations
Care consultations assist individuals with dementia and their families solve immediate problems and plan for the future. These meetings include assessing needs and developing plans. “We don’t teach or tell you what to do, but coach you and your family to find solutions. And it’s free,” said Campbell. “My parents both had Alzheimer’s. I can’t imagine how I could have gotten through it without the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Susan Madigan of Naples, Florida.
Education
The Alzheimer’s Association offers free online education programs, on topics including the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, diagnosis, communication, living with Alzheimer’s and caregiving techniques. Programs are delivered through an easy-to-use online system. “We help people prepare, help them learn what to expect,” Campbell said. The more you learn about
this disease and how it will progress over the years, the better you’ll be able to prepare for future challenges, reduce your frustration, and have reasonable expectations. Lisa Whitby of Port Charlotte, Florida has been dealing with her husband’s Alzheimer’s for several years, with the help of her local Alzheimer’s Association. “The most helpful thing to me was learning what I could expect. And I learned how to handle what might come up. They gave me the book ‘Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers,’ and it’s so valuable.”
Support groups
Many caregivers find support groups immensely helpful, allowing caregivers to vent in a confidential environment to people who understand what one another is going through. Participants share resources, share challenges and what works, offer support when facing a difficult time. Respite care: Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers can receive respite funds, if they meet eligibility requirements of the program. Online community: ALZConnected® is a free online community for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, family members and friends can ask questions, get advice and find support.
RECONNECT WITH YOUR HEALTH. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we’re here to care for communities across Upstate New York. And a big part of that is helping people take care of themselves. If you’ve been holding off on scheduling appointments or addressing ongoing health concerns, now’s a good time to reconnect with your doctor. So focus on your health and move forward with confidence, knowing that we’re with you every step of the way.
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Alzheimer’s Risk factors for Alzheimer’s, other dementias By Barbara Pierce
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e don’t know much about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers believe there is no one single cause. It likely develops from multiple causes, such as age, genetics, lifestyle and environment, explained Kristen Campbell, director of programs and services, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter. Age is the biggest risk factor, she said. While age increases risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer’s. Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older. After age 65, the risk doubles every five years. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly one-third. Scientists have identified other factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While risk factors like age and heredity can’t be changed, and Alzheimer’s and other dementias are not preventable, you can reduce your risk by treating and managing these medical conditions, advised Campbell. — Heart conditions: The first risk factor is heart conditions. “What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health,” stressed Campbell. Strong evidence links brain health to heart health. This makes sense, because the brain is nourished by one of the body’s richest networks of blood vessels, and the heart is responsible for pumping blood through these blood vessels to the brain. When they occur as early as in adolescence, heart health risk factors — like high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight — can influ ence late-life memory and cognition, especially in African Americans. — Obesity: Being overweight in
early adulthood increases the risk of dementia. Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excess weight is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular problems — all of which increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive problems. If you’re overweight, not physically active, and have the gene that predisposes you to Alzheimer’s, you’re going to have a higher probability of developing it, say experts. Increasing your physical activity and losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk factors. — High blood pressure: Anything related to blood flow, like high
blood pressure, can be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. High blood pressure may damage the small blood vessels that supply brain cells with oxygen. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Your doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and medications that are an excellent way to help reduce your numbers. — Type 2 diabetes: The link between Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s is fairly strong for many reasons. Controlling the high blood sugar associated with Type 2 diabetes through diet, lifestyle changes and medication will lower your risk. — Hearing loss: Hearing loss doesn’t appear to cause the physical brain changes that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, but may be responsible for — and accelerate — dementia, which could make Alzheimer’s symptoms even more severe. Research found that the worse Join #TeamAlpine someone’s hearing loss was, the more in our first annual likely they were to develop dementia. Join #TeamAlpine in our first annual — Depression and anxiety: EviRelay For Life Golf Tournament dence shows depression and anxiety September 19th Little Falls Municipal Golf Course – 9:00am Tee Off may be risk factors. Because these mood disorders can elevate levels Four Person Teams $300/Team of the stress hormone cortisol, one Includes Greens Fees, Breakfast, Chicken BBQ Lunch, Unlimited theory is that chronically high levels Alcoholic and NA drinks, Golf Shirt and Gift Bag! Golfers Needed! Sponsors Needed!
of cortisol can damage the brain. Interestingly, antidepressant medications are being researched as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s. Some antidepressants have anti-amyloid (a protein associated with Alzheimer’s) properties. — Hypothyroidism: Having an underactive thyroid gland — older women have the highest risk — may not cause Alzheimer’s disease, but it can lead to memory problems that may accelerate the symptoms of dementia. Common symptoms of thyroid trouble are fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and sensitivity to cold. Thyroid treatment is effective so don’t hesitate to see your doctor about any symptoms. — Sleep apnea: People who have sleep apnea can stop breathing numerous times throughout the night, disrupting oxygen flow to the brain and other organs. One study found that older people with sleep apnea had much higher levels of amyloid-beta, the protein involved in plaque buildup in the brain. Another study found that people with irregular breathing during sleep showed signs of developing Alzheimer’s at an earlier age. Researchers believe that treating sleep problems could help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. — Gum disease: Gingivitis and periodontitis — gum disease — indicate the buildup of harmful bacteria in your mouth, and they’re mobile. These bacteria can travel to the heart and brain and cause inflammation. Gum disease is extremely common; nearly half of all American adults have some form of it. Fortunately, it’s also easy to prevent and treat. Be religious about flossing, get regular teeth cleanings and checkups every six months. — Vitamin deficiencies: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause cognitive impairment. It is seen in people who chronically use drugs that help reduce stomach acid. Talk to your doctor about your diet, your prescriptions, and your risk of deficiency; blood tests can spot trouble. “It’s so important to work with your doctor to monitor and treat any health problems,” Campbell said.
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Alzheimer’s
The flip side While devastating, there is good news about Alzheimer’s disease By Barbara Pierce
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here are several positive trends in regard to Alzheimer’s disease. People are less likely to experience dementia and Alzheimer’s disease today than they were 20 years ago, and those who do may develop it later in life. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in 10 persons over age 65 has a form of dementia, or 10%. The percentage increases dramatically with advanced age: for those over 85, 32% have dementia. This is a 30% decline over 10 years, though the total number of persons with dementia increases as the population increases. When people do get dementia, they get it at older and older ages. New research shows that, after age 65, most people spend at least a dozen years with good cognitive abilities. And, over the past decade, that time span has been expanding. Currently, only 4% of persons aged 65-74 will develop dementia. “These declines are because people are making lifestyle changes that decrease their risk,” said Kristen Campbell, director of programs and services, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter. Lifestyle interventions play a big role. “What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health,” she stressed. “Taking steps to manage cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and exercising, no matter how late in life, improves your chances of staying sharp as you age.” Other research suggests that people who get the flu and pneumonia
vaccinations have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. Campbell said she was excited to learn of this and other new research through the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2020. This annual meeting is the premier forum for presentation of the latest Alzheimer’s and dementia research. “This year the conference was virtual, and at no cost, so I was able to join,” she said. “I was so impressed by the sheer number of researchers working on this. It’s amazing what they’re finding.” Other data reported at the conference shows that a blood test can determine changes in the brain years before symptoms appear. The test measures abnormal versions of the tau protein — which is found in Alzheimer’s — and may be able to diagnose Alzheimer’s without additional confirmation from an autopsy or a PET (positron emission tomography) scan. A PET scan is expensive and often not covered by insurance. This blood test could become available in a few years. An interesting fluke of the Alzheimer’s world: There are aged people whose brains are full of the protein plaques and tangles that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s. However, a research study showed these individuals showed no signs of dementia; they thought and remembered as well as their plaque and tangle-free peers. This research looked at what predicts resistance to cognitive impairment in the elderly. They found there were two facets of successful cognitive aging. First, toxic plaques and tan-
City Dwellers Motorcycle Club Ride for Autism benefits Kelberman Center
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he City Dwellers Motorcycle Club recently donated $5,500 to The Kelberman Center to support programs and services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. The money was raised through a motorcycle ride and event where over 150 people participated. Celebrating the occasion are, from The club prides itself on commit-
ment to their families, club and good work throughout the community. CWSI also contributed significantly to the fundraiser, and Full Throttle BBQ in Yorkville provided lunch that day. The Kelberman Center, an affiliate of Upstate Caring Partners, Inc., provides state-of-the-art programs and services for children and adults with ASD and their families, with locations in both Utica and Syracuse.
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gles don’t always lead to dementia because some persons are resistant to the destructive proteins. These individuals had a unique form of the proteins, different from both persons with no pathology and persons with dementia.
Predictive factors
The other thing researchers found was that paid work engagement and life satisfaction predicted less cognitive decline. Another study found a childhood rich with intellectual stimulation may help the brain resist the onslaught of Alzheimer’s disease decades later. No doubt, the picture for Alzheimer’s is changing. Campbell reminds us of the warning signs of dementia: — Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly relying on others for things they used to handle. — Challenges in solving problems: Difficulty developing and following a plan, working with numbers, following a familiar recipe, keeping track of bills, difficulty concentrating. — Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Like driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list, etc. — Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, the passage of
time; forgetting where they are or how they got there. — Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: Having vision problems, difficulty with balance, trouble reading. — Problems with words: Trouble following a conversation, or getting lost in the middle of speaking; having trouble naming familiar objects (e.g., calling a “watch” a “handclock”). — Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: Putting things in unusual places, losing things and being unable to find them. — Decreased or poor judgment: Poor judgment when dealing with money, paying less attention to grooming. — Withdrawal from work or social activities: Changes in the ability to follow a conversation and withdrawing from hobbies or social activities. — Changes in mood and personality: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious, or upset when out of their comfort zone. “If you see any of these changes in yourself or a loved one, reach out to your primary care physician,” said Campbell. “Or call our 24-hour helpline at 800-272-3900.” “These changes could be caused by an infection, medication side effects, or something you can treat.” For more information, see https://www.alz.org/centralnewyork or call 315-579-3050.
Specialists in Integrative Oncology, General Integrative Health & Wellness, Acute Tick Bites & Treatment of Lyme Disease.
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Page 7
Kids’ Health The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
‘New Normal’ comes to classroom Back to school has different feel due to impact of COVID-19
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o, how many have started the traditional back-to-school shopping for new clothes, shoes, back pack, paper, pencils, calculators, and so much more? Some of you may actually be asking “Why?” especially since the school year will likely be starting out differently than we are accustomed to due to the “New Normal” caused the COVID-19. How do you prepare your children and yourself for the next few months? Let’s look at it this way. You Dittner had actually been teaching at home the last months of the school year. No, it wasn’t easy, but the teachers really came through with navigating the online classroom with success. Handling the teaching responsibilities is not new to you the parent though as you have been teaching your children since they were born. It may not be the same formal academic education that children receive in school settings, but the continued support that you provide aids in the child’s development. Home education can consist of critical life skills such as cooking, cleaning, balancing a budget, problem solving, personal growth, physical activities, and responsibilities for pet care. Students need to engage in activities on their own and not with the constant reinforcement of a parent. Engaging children in a variety of activities that include reading, writing, math problems, and thinking skills outside the classroom will keep them focused and progressing appropriately.
Math skills can come in many forms. In the kitchen, following a recipe requires the measurement of ingredients especially if needing to serve more than the recipe calls. Is there any loose change in the house? Have your “student” sort, count, add and roll. Playing simple board games can include “paper” money that needs calculating, counting spaces to move, and “buying” items. As the student gets older, maintaining a bank account, saving, and learning about financial wellness becomes imperative.
Reading is fundamental
Reading skills develop by supplying books of interest or a new age-appropriate novel series. Possibly each evening set aside time where everyone picks up his or her own book and reads. If you have a young child just starting to learn to
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read, take turns reading every other paragraph, for example, or have children read to each other. Ask a question or two about something just read as this will aid in comprehension. Reading recipes, the directions for a board game, or following along on an audiobook help in flexing the reading muscles. Writing skills may be utilized by the student emailing their teacher, writing a letter to a grandparent or aunt and uncle you are unable to visit, making grocery lists, journaling or writing in a diary, making a to-do list of what needs to be done throughout the day, and creating a gratitude list
Ophthalmologist joins LFH medical staff
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orna Grant, a board-certified surgical and medical and surgical ophthalmologist, has joined the Little Falls Hospital medical staff. With training in complex cataract and lens implant surgery, Grant specializes in laser, cataract, lens implant surgery, and glaucoma care. Grant completed her residency and chief residency in ophthalmology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She has fel-
(315) 927-4035
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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.
Health News in Brief
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that can be shared at dinner. It’s important to think outside the box when it comes to education. Doing worksheets or using another app is not always necessary. Young children need play, building things, exploring the yard or woods behind the house, and painting pictures. Even as children get older, they need to create and explore their own interests both on and off screens. Online education from Google Classroom and Zoom meetings finished out the school year and may well begin the upcoming year. It may be helpful to create a space consisting of a cozy nook for a desk and chair or a simple table where assignments can be done. There is no right or wrong space — it’s what works best for the family. One of the most important aspects is to stick to a routine just like one in school. Home routine will be more condensed and consist of a shorter “school” day since there is no travel to and from school, no changing classes in the hallway or chit-chat at the lockers. When a student’s work is done for the day, it’s done. Consider video chatting with friends to work on projects so as not to isolate. Change things up and make it interesting.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
lowship training in the diagnosis and treatment of retina and vitreous disease, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders and hereditary retinal disease. In addition to expanding her practice at LFH, Grant continues to provide surgical and medical eye care with CNY Eye Physicians & Surgeons in Utica.
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Rome Memorial Hospital earns 3-year CT accreditation
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ome Memorial Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology. “We are proud to be recognized by the American College of Radiology for our expertise in CT imaging,” said medical imaging director Sharon Carson. “The ACR accreditation reflects the quality of our radiologists and technologists who work together to provide world-class care to our patients.” ACR accreditation is recognized as the gold standard in medical imaging. It represents the highest level
of image quality and patient safety. During the accreditation process, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. Board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in these fields award accreditation only to facilities meeting ACR practice parameters and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation. CT scans provide detailed images of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. It is a common diagnostic tool for many medical conditions such as stroke, cancer, internal injuries or appendicitis.
s d i K Corner
Help kids navigate school in pandemic era
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his school year comes with special challenges for kids as the United States grapples with a coronavirus pandemic, but experts say parents can help their children navigate the tough emotional terrain. Whether returning to a school building, continuing online learning or adjusting to a hybrid school environment, it is normal for children and adolescents to have some stress or anxiety about going back to school, said Samanta Boddapati, a child clinical psychologist and prevention coordinator at Big Lots Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Fears of getting sick or following school safety protocols for COVID-19 may make the transition even more difficult. In a survey of parents by Nationwide Children’s, two out of five said they had concerns about their kid’s social and emotional well-being. Very young children can suffer from separation anxiety about being away from family and in new environments. For these children, experts recommend making a special goodbye part of your routine and reminding your child when you will see each other again. Some kids like a transitional object — an item that reminds them of mom or dad while at school. Older children being in a classroom might be uncomfortable.
“Maintaining a routine is important, especially for families who are continuing to do online learning fulltime. Create a part of your child’s day that is structured and a part of their day that has some flexibility,” said Parker Huston, a Nationwide Children’s pediatric psychologist. The hospital’s experts offer these tips for parents and caregivers: • Tell your child there are a lot of unknowns, but that you and others are there to help them. • Discuss fears and talk through options and alternatives. • Model coping skills to your children, so they know how to respond to unknowns and build resilience. • Help them understand special procedures in schools such as wearing a mask and undergoing temperature checks. • Find out what resources are available at school for your child, such as social-emotional support or counseling. “A certain amount of stress is normal, but parents, caregivers and educators should look out for drastic changes in functioning or behavior,” Huston said in a hospital news release. “Sleep changes, mood changes, inability to engage with social environments or friends, increased anxiety about things that they maybe weren›t nervous about in the past are changes you want to talk to your child’s pediatrician about.”
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Men’s Health
Learning about life in fast lane Racing principles can be applied to real life
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Around the turns we went. Down the straights we picked up speed; there is nothing like the sensation of speed. Nothing in the world can compare — fast, we went, hurling, faster, faster! Nothing could possibly be more incredible than those hot laps Denny gave me!” Maybe you recognize Enzo’s reaction as he joyfully experiences hot laps in “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. The book and the movie are narrated by Enzo, a bright, philosophical dog, with a strong bond with his owner, Denny, an aspiring Formula One race car driver. Enzo learns from Denny not only the art of racing a car but also the art of living. The best parts of the book and movie are the wonderful insights Enzo offers — some about dogs, some about racing, and a lot that is relevant to our lives. Enzo understands that the strategies useful for success on the racetrack parallel the strategies to successfully get through life. • “When I’m in a race car, I’m the creator of my own destiny” In racing, your car goes where your eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will meet that wall. The driver who looks down the track as he feels his tires break free will regain control of his vehicle. Ideally, a driver is master of all that is around him. Ideally, he controls the car so completely that he corrects a spin before it happens; he anticipates all possibilities. But we don’t live in an ideal world. Sometimes the odds aren’t in your favor. Unexpected things happen, mistakes happen, incidents with other drivers happen, and a driver must react to make the best of things. • “Your car goes where your eyes go.” Simply another way of saying that you make your own destiny. A driver has to predict the road ahead and plan ahead for the best. Our successes and our failures are brought on by no one but ourselves. We are
responsible for everything happening to us. It’s easy to blame other things — situations, other persons, the universe, God — for what is happening in your life. It’s harder to take responsibility. On the track, unexpected things happen — like rain. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” of course refers to Denny’s ability to race in the rain. That’s not easy to do, on the track or off.
Dangerous when slippery
Drivers are afraid of the rain, because it’s an unpredictable element. “Rain amplifies your mistakes and water on the track can make your car handle unpredictably,” says Denny. “When something unpredictable happens, you have to react to it. If you’re reacting at speed, you’re reacting too late. And so drivers should be afraid.” Rain skews the performance responsibility more toward the driver and less toward the car.
“It’s believing that one’s car is merely an extension of one’s body. About believing that the track is an extension of the car, and the rain is an extension of the track, and the sky is an extension of the rain. It is about believing that you are everything,” says Denny. Sometimes we wish that our lives will be perpetually clear — that we will be protected from the worst storms. But as we know, that isn’t the case. Most of us will suffer our share of downpours. A driver must have faith — In his talent, his judgment, the judgment of those around him, and physics. A driver must have faith in his crew, his car, his tires, his brakes, and most of all, himself. Likewise, we have to have faith in ourselves to get through the rain. We have to trust our selves and our ability to get through whatever. And we need a crew, a support system, and a community. You can be the fastest car on the track, but if you have no pit crew, you aren’t going
anywhere. You can be the most talented racer, with the best equipment, but if your fellow racers don’t respect you that wall comes awfully fast. It’s essential to have friends and family that support you, the kind that will keep your car rolling through all the ups and downs. • The race is long — to finish first, first you must finish.” Another good lesson: There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose. • And my favorite insight from Enzo. He believes in reincarnation; his goal is to come back as a person. “Here’s why I will be a good person,” he says. “Because I listen. I cannot speak, so I listen very well. I never interrupt to change the course of the conversation. People do this constantly. It’s like having a passenger in your car that suddenly grabs the steering wheel and turns you down a side street. Learn to listen! Pretend you’re a dog like me and listen to other people.”
Yoga Shown to Relieve Anxiety, Study Shows
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oga improves symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, a condition with chronic nervousness and worry, suggesting the popular practice may be helpful in treating anxiety in some people. Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, a new study found that yoga was significantly more effective for generalized anxiety disorder than standard education on stress management, but not effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the gold standard form Page 10
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of structured talk therapy that helps patients identify negative thinking for better responses to challenges. “Generalized anxiety disorder is a very common condition, yet many are not willing or able to access evidence-based treatments,” says lead study author, physician Naomi M. Simon, a professor in the department of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. “Our findings demonstrate that yoga, which is safe and widely available, can improve symptoms for some people with this disorder and
could be a valuable tool in an overall treatment plan.” For the study, 226 men and women with generalized anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to three groups — either CBT, Kundalini yoga or stress-management education, a standardized control technique. After three months, both CBT and yoga were found to be significantly more effective for anxiety than stress management. Specifically, 54% of those who practiced yoga met
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
response criteria for meaningfully improved symptoms compared to 33% in the stress-education group. Of those treated with CBT, 71% met these symptom improvement criteria. However, after six months of follow-up, the CBT response remained significantly better than stress education (the control therapy), while yoga was no longer significantly better, suggesting CBT may have more robust, longer-lasting anxiety-reducing effects. The results were published online Aug. 12 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Men’s Health Sperm Counts Can males be responsible for infertility? By Barbara Pierce
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en’s sperm have been decreasing in number and getting worse at swimming for some time now, many experts say. And it’s getting worse. “Male infertility is a global population health concern,” said Dr. Ruben Pinkhasov of Upstate Urology at Mohawk Valley Health System, Utica. “There are an estimated 48.5 million couples with infertility issues worldwide.” Infertility is a common issue. Out of 100 couples in Pinkhasov the United States, about 12 to 13 of them have trouble becoming pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When pregnancy fails to occur within one year of regular unprotected intercourse, this is considered infertility, Pinkhasov said. However, whether male infertility has actually been falling, therefore causing infertility in more couples, is hard to estimate, added Pinkhasov. He said this is because the definition of what male infertility is varies significantly and data is underreported. The causes of male infertility: — When a couple has difficulty conceiving, the woman often carries the burden of infertility. However, she is not necessarily the cause, said Pinkhasov. Males often share responsibility. Men are solely responsible in about 20% of infertile couples and contributory in another 30% to 40%. “Male infertility can be due to a variety of conditions,” he said. Some of these conditions can be identified and are reversible, such as obstruction of one or both of the ejaculatory ducts, or the production of little or no sex hormones, or un-descended testicle(s). Other conditions are identifiable but not reversible, and in many cases, the cause cannot be found.
What if infertility is issue?
“A couple attempting to conceive should have an evaluation for infertility if pregnancy fails to occur within one year of regular unprotected intercourse,” Pinkhasov said. An evaluation should be done before one year if infertility risk factors are present, such as a history of un-descended testicles, female age of 35 years or older, or the couple questions the male partner’s fertility potential.
In addition, men who question their fertility status, despite the absence of a current partner, should have an evaluation of their fertility potential. Pinkhasov said treatments for male infertility have been successful. Identifying and treating those conditions that are treatable may improve the male’s fertility and allow for conception through intercourse. Even for azoospermic patients, where there is no sperm in a man’s ejaculate, many causes are treatable and fertility can be restored. The patient may have active sperm production restored, or could have sperm production induced with treatment, he added. Detecting those conditions for which there is no treatment will spare couples the distress of attempting ineffective therapies. If specific corrective treatment is unavailable, it still may be possible to employ assisted reproductive techniques such as retrieving sperm from other parts of the body. For good pregnancy rates, sperm retrieval is used with in vitro fertilization, the process of combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish for fertilization. This combined sperm and egg are called an embryo. The embryo is transferred to the uterus for development. Alternatively, couples dealing with infertility issues may wish to consider therapeutic donor insemination or adoption, Pinkhasov said. Therapeutic donor insemination is a form of artificial insemination that uses donor sperm from an anonymous or known third-party donor. The donor sperm is inseminated into the woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation, allowing her to conceive. To produce healthy sperm, the MayoClinic.org offers these suggestions: — Maintain a healthy weight. Obese men are more likely to have a low sperm. — Eat a healthy diet. — Prevent sexually transmitted infections as they can cause infertility in men. — Manage stress. — Get moving. — Don’t smoke. Smokers are more likely to have low sperm counts. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit. — Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to reduced testosterone production, impotence and decreased sperm production. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. — Some medications can contribute to fertility issues. Talk with your physician. — Watch out for toxins. Exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxins
can affect sperm quantity and quality. If you must work with toxins, do so safely. — Stay cool. Increased scrotal temperature can hamper sperm production. Although the benefits have not been fully proved, wearing loose-fitting underwear, reducing sitting, avoiding saunas and hot tubs, and limiting scrotum exposure to warm objects, such as a laptop, might enhance sperm quality. — Chemotherapy and radiation
therapy for cancer can impair sperm production and cause infertility that might be permanent. Ask your doctor about the possibility of retrieving and storing sperm before treatment. Sperm deteriorate with age, especially after age 50. — Have sex every two or three days. Frequent sex makes sperm more active and healthier. This suggestion comes from the UK National Health Service.
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Men’s Health ‘We’re breaking up … now what?’ Take a look at reasons why couples split By Barbara Pierce
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ophia wants a divorce from Joseph because he dashed out of town to live with another woman. Daniel wants to divorce Edna after she ran off to a Schenectady hotel, then scurried around Albany with her lover. The above information is from divorce records of 1910 as reported by familysearch. org. Divorce was rare then. Punishment was doled out to the person to blame for the breakup. The winKalil ner was allowed to remarry; the loser had to wait for his or her ex to die before remarrying. The stories in these ancient files are sad and heartbreaking. And revealing. They offer a window to how much has changed — and how little. The rate of divorce has continued to grow; it’s approximately doubled since the 1990s, just 30 years ago. For people aged 65 and older, it’s roughly tripled in the same period of time. Marriage rates have declined slightly while the number of people living with a romantic partner grows. More people cohabitate than marry. Among adults aged 18-44, 59% have lived with a partner at some point in their lives. Either way, living together or married, many couples do break up. Google addresses why couples break up and you’ll get a variety of reasons. “There isn’t one main reason people get divorced,” said attorney Michael N. Kalil, who specializes in family law in Utica. “You can have two good people who are just going in different directions and it’s not working out.” The Law Offices of Michael N. Kalil help couples transition more smoothly into the next chapter of their lives through experienced mediation services. “Many couples choose to end
their relationships for a variety of reasons. While infidelity can be one of the reasons, it does not seem to be the most common,” added Stephanie Dulak Eghigian, executive director of Empowered Pathways in Utica. Empowered Pathways offers conflict coaching services, mediations, community circles, and women’s employment services through phone and video conferencing. Whether it’s financial, a disconnect from one another, or couples can’t deal with their differences, the reality of life is that a great number of marriages and cohabitations Eghigian do end. The reasons are as diverse as the reasons that people fall in love.
No fault in New York
“Ten years ago, New York state became a no fault state,” said Kalil. “This means that if the relationship is ‘broken down’ for six months or more, that’s the only reason needed for divorce.” This means that you no longer have to state a reason for your divorce. The only requirement is that you state that the marriage has irretrievably broken down for six months or more. “If one of the partners says the marriage is broken down, that’s the end of the marriage,” he added. Divorce and separation bring up weighty issues: custody and support of children, financial decisions about property, assets and debts, and the emotional impact of adapting to changing circumstances, to name a few, explained Kalil. “The realities are that your economic situation will change immediately,” he said. “There will be two households to support, two rent or mortgage payments; two cable bills. Everyone’s economics are going to change.” To negotiate these issues, you will need the help of an attorney or a mediator to help you arrive at
reasonable outcomes. “There are many reasons for using resolution for a separation or divorce,” said Eghigian. “Mediators will help couples through the difficult process, but will never make decisions for them. They allow people to choose what is right for their situation.” “Mediated agreements can often be reached in a much shorter time frame than would be seen in court. Mediation fees are typically low cost. The overall process is less expensive through mediation,” she added. “Mediation is kind and gentle, more cost effective, and more time effective,” agreed Kalil. “Court battles are not the best way. The adversarial nature of the courtroom tends to lay the groundwork for ongoing conflict rather than healing and closure. “Through mediation, you create your resolution as opposed to a judge saying this is the way it will be.” “With regards to couples who live together without marriage, they
need to enter into the ‘partnership’ in much the same way as you would enter into a business transaction,” said Kalil. “Legally speaking, those assets and debts in the man’s name are his, and what’s in the woman’s name is hers, unless they agree otherwise. In a marriage, the assets and debts acquired during the marriage are all marital assets and debts, and will be divided 50% each. If you don’t marry, unless you contract otherwise, there is no division as each keeps what they’ve acquired.” Divorce or a break up should not only be seen as an ending. In fact, for many, it’s an opportunity to start over with a fresh take on life. For more information about the divorce and custody mediation services of Kalil, see https://www. kalillaw.com/ or call 315-235-1012. For more information on Empowered Pathways, see https:// www.empoweredpathwayscny.org/ or call 315-724-1718.
MVHS announces merger of medical staffs
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fficials from the Mohawk Valley Health System recently announced the merger of its two medical staffs: Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare medical staff and St. Elizabeth Medical Center medical staff. The medical staffs will become one, unified MVHS medical staff on January 1. “This is the first time in the history of health care in our community that the medical staff of all the hospitals in this region area will be Page 12
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working as one, unified group,” said Waleed Albert, president of the FSLH medical staff. “This is a very historic time. Discussions and work toward this merger have been happening for quite some time. And while there was some reluctance and hesitancy when we began, over time, as we got to know each other from “the other side,” it became more apparent that the establishment of one MVHS medical staff was the right thing to do to strengthen medical care in our
community which will ultimately benefit our patients and community members.” This merger will not only help to improve patient care in the community, but it brings MVHS another step closer to being ready to move into the new, regional medical center in 2023. “We all believed that it was very important for the two medical staffs to come together prior to moving into the new regional medical center so that we could begin streamlining
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
departments and sharing best practices with each other,” said Sushma Kaul, president of the SEMC medical staff. An integration committee of the medical staffs will begin work in September to outline the process to elect new medical staff officers and to implement the set of bylaws that were approved for this new medical staff to work within.
Men’s Health
Spirits among us Alcohol: the good, the bad, and the ugly By Barbara Pierce
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lot of us drink. Too many of us drink a lot. And many of us were drinking more to cope with the stress of the pandemic. Alcohol sales in stores and online were up over 500% at the end of April. With all this boozing going on, are there any health risks associated with drinking? There’s no question that drinking too much every day leads to an increase in health risks, say experts. “Excessive drinking can increase the risk for liver disease, obesity, breast cancer, depression, suicide, accidents and a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, stroke and heart attack,” according to Kristy Smorol, communications director, American Heart Association, Syracuse. “Alcohol also can lead to harmful mistakes with prescription drugs, dehydration and poor sleep. It also affects brain functions such as memory, balance and rational thinking,” she added. “Alcohol use is one of the most important preventable risk factors for cancer, along with tobacco use and excess body weight. Alcohol use accounts for about 6 percent of all cancers in the United States. Yet many people don’t know about the link between alcohol use and cancer,” according to Kim McMahon, communications director, ACS, Northeast Region. “Alcohol increases the risk of breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, stomach, and mouth/pharynx/ larynx cancers. The more you drink, the more you increase your risk,” she added.
“For breast, colorectal, oral and stomach cancers, the increased risk is seen at even low levels of regular drinking. Even one glass of wine or other alcohol on a daily basis can increase the risk of this cancer,” McMahon added. Also, people who are alcohol dependent have compromised immune systems, reducing the body’s ability to fight off infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The more you drink, the higher your risk for these health problems. Long-term alcohol abuse damages most every part of the body: weakens heart muscles, contributes to high blood pressure, and raises the risk of stroke. It can lead to changes in the functioning of the brain. It causes a range of digestive problems, including liver damage. “If you’re pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol you can drink,” said April Owens, executive director of the Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network in Utica.
“Scientists have concluded that there is no known safe level,” she said. “One drink can hurt and do severe damage to the developing infant.” Alcohol is one of the most popular psychoactive substances in the world. It can have powerful effects on your mood and mental state as it is a depressant.
Learn your boundaries
How much is too much? That depends on a variety of factors, including your weight and gender, experts say. According to the ACS, it is best not to drink any alcohol. People who choose to drink should limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women. The main ingredient in all alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which is the substance that makes you drunk. Alcoholic drinks contain different percentages of ethanol, but in general, a standard size drink of any type
— 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor — contains about the same amount of ethanol (about half an ounce). Of course, larger or “stronger” drinks can contain more ethanol than this. Overall, the amount of alcohol someone drinks over time, not the type of alcoholic beverage, seems to be the most important factor in raising health risks. Most evidence suggests that it is the ethanol that increases the risk, not other things in the drink. If you may be drinking an amount at which health risks outweigh the potential benefits, there are ways to cut back on your alcohol consumption: — First, keep track of your intake; there are apps for this that may help you drink less. — Next, set limits. Try slowly cutting back. — Keep alcohol out of the house. If this is unrealistic, keep it out of sight. Out of sight often means out of mind. — When you’re out, alternate alcoholic drinks with sparkling water. Adding a lime or garnish can make it feel more special. — Eating before or with alcohol slows the absorption of alcohol, and it can also make you feel full, so you may drink less. — Avoid temptations and triggers. Avoid places where it’s all about drinking. Instead, do things you enjoy, like going on a hike or attending events where alcohol isn’t the main attraction. Remember, changing patterns takes time. If these tips don’t help you cut down, or if you drink excessively on a regular basis, consider Alcoholics Anonymous or seeking the help of a therapist with expertise in substance abuse problems.
Pizza Study Shows Body’s Resilience to Pigging Out
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ver felt guilty for that occasional binge on high-calorie, fatty foods? Relax: A new study of folks overindulging on pizza finds that if you’re healthy and you don’t ‘pig out’ regularly, your body deals with it just fine. British researchers looked at the effects of eating until not just full, but so full that the participants could not take another bite. Then, they tested the b––lood of the 14 healthy young men who participated in the study to determine whether there were any changes in blood sugar, blood fats, insulin and other hormones. The team discovered that even when the men had eaten double the amount of pizza that it would take to make them comfortably full, their blood tests showed no negative con-
sequences. “I think that’s the really remarkable thing here, that we have a huge capacity to overeat and, despite that huge capacity, the body does really quite well at controlling blood sugars and blood fat after that meal,” said study author James Betts, a professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Bath’s Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism. Betts said it was notable both that the body’s response kept blood sugar and lipids under control after such a big meal, and that it was possible for participants to consume so much excess food. When eating until full, they averaged the equivalent of a large pizza. When eating until maximally full, they ate about two large pizzas, Betts said. “We expected people to eat more
when they were asked to go beyond full, but we expected that to be slightly more,” Betts said. “We were really amazed that it was almost exactly 100% more.” The study was published online recently in the British Journal of Nutrition. Betts and one of his co-authors stumbled upon the idea for the study while traveling to a conference. The only open airport restaurant was a McDonald’s, so they each got a McMuffin breakfast sandwich. “We ate those and enjoyed them and said, ‘Oh, I could eat another one,’” Betts said. “That prompted a discussion of ‘How many do you think you could eat?’ and ‘What would be the physiological responses to eating more and more?’” While researching during the
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long flight, they discovered there had been no previous studies about eating beyond full, Betts said. They chose pizza because it tastes good, so people would keep eating. Its high fat and carbohydrate content offered a big challenge to the body, Betts said. Typically, blood sugar and blood lipids increase in response to how much a person eats, Betts said. A small meal will result in fewer changes than a medium meal, for example. Yet, after overeating, blood sugar was no higher than after a normal meal. Blood lipids such as triglycerides were slightly higher, even though fat consumption was double. Insulin, which is released to control blood sugar, was 50% higher than normal. Hormones that increase feelings of fullness changed the most.
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Spiritual Health Milk & Honey
By Brooke Stacia Demott
With Christ, everything becomes anew T he mechanisms of change are small, and dull to the naked eye. Truly, it’s our collective addiction to sensationalism that leads us to believe that only a monumental event — one that brings all passions and possibilities to a heartfelt crescendo — could be the catalyst for revision. But it’s in quarter turns of the heart that change is wrought, and not in grand leaps of DeMott public policy. Transformation is a quiet process. Yet humanity is undeniably emotive, craving not only an outlet for passionate demonstration, but also mutual validation in this desperate need to understand the angst that marks the human condition. Rage, lust, jealousy, passion and revenge indwell the sin-ravaged hearts of men, erupting in a cultural outpouring that bleeds into every facet of human expression. But change doesn’t begin in the explosion; it begins in the mind of the man who designs the detonator. Real change happens in the dark. An affair, for instance, doesn’t begin with a sexual encounter. It begins with a discontented sigh, a stoking of the coals of dissatisfaction with the same old spouse, day after day. It takes form when you allow the internal, secret praises of a coworker to rise above those of your own husband or wife. It progresses when you linger on those thoughts, rolling them around in private hours until you begin to seek out ways to be around that person a little more than usual. An affair begins in the quiet places of contemplation — the act itself is the final step in a calculated journey away from your marriage bed. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 The heart of man is described in the bible as deceitful, and beyond
our ability to rightly judge, because our consciences are scorched by original sin. We are, consequently, able to convince ourselves that the wicked lusts that we pursue are somehow virtuous — because desire seeks to satisfy itself. But sin leads to death — death of our relationships, our God-given identity, and our ability to fulfill the Lord’s desired purpose for our lives. But God does a remarkable thing in the lives of those whom he has called out of the world and draws to himself. He fashions a powerful change in our own hearts that is cultivated in veiled mystery, and does the single most impossible, miraculous work in a human life that could be imagined. The great wonder in all of Christianity is that by the unpredictable movement of the Holy Spirit, God calls the dead spirits of fallen man to life. By the breath of this second birth, Jesus infuses the believer with desires that seek to serve God above all selfish pursuits, suffocating his former longings with good riddance. “There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you’re from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.’”
Born of the spirit
Jesus replied, “Truly, I tell you, unless one is born again, he can’t see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time?” Jesus answered, “Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. “So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Portion of John 3) The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind. Its unexpected, quiet, and invisible presence is seen only in the movements of the hearts it touches. And while some of changes it brings into our lives are painfully subtle, others are intensely painful.
A seed planted in the ground must first die in order to bring about new life. In the same way, when the life of Christ is born in us, it puts to death our former, sinful desires. But not all at once; the Spirit of God and the fallen flesh declare bitter war on one another — but these battles are not waged in blazes of glory. They are fought in quiet places of decision. You were once ruled by desire; but now, when your eyes wander toward a beautiful woman who is not your wife, your conscience is pricked, and you forsake that lingering gaze. It’s when you hesitate before telling a lie to save face, and choose instead to tell the uncomfortable truth. It’s finding the courage to speak out against unrighteousness, when it’s far more advantageous to keep your thoughts to yourself. Truly, we are all dead to knowledge of the righteousness of God until his Holy Spirit moves over us, as he once moved over the surface of barren waters to bring forth life — and brings us back. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and behold, the new
has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 No amount of judicial restraint on abortion, sex trafficking, or racism will fundamentally change the human condition. While we should seek laws that hold criminals accountable, we must recognize that the world has exhausted every effort to wrestle down man’s iniquity by both brute force and democratic incentive, accomplishing nothing but the verification of this solemn truth: There is no possible way to legislate the sin out of man. Unregenerate men are so driven by wickedness, that we couldn’t write laws fast enough to keep up with the creative depravity that waits to tear them down. Law alone isn’t enough. Actions are born of desire — in order for actions to change, we need more than external regulation. We need new hearts that desire to keep the law. • Brooke Stacia DeMott is a columnist with In Good Health newspaper. Got a question for Demott? Feel free to email her at brooketo@aol.com. The beliefs and opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this newspaper or any other agency, organization, employer or company.
Alzheimer’s Association to Continue Support Groups
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ased on the guidance from local public health agencies, the Alzheimer’s Association Central New York chapter has transitioned its support groups from in-person meetings to gatherings that take place remotely. Staff- and peer-led groups will meet at their regularly scheduled times, but using telephone and online meeting services. “The health and safety of our constituents, volunteers and staff remain our driver as we address Page 14
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the COVID-19 outbreak and as we continue to pursue our mission, today and in the longer term,” said Catherine James, the CEO of Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York chapter. “Alzheimer’s Association operations will continue, and we will re-evaluate these measures on an ongoing basis and resume in person engagements as soon as we are able, based on public health guidelines.” Support groups are open to all caregivers of individuals living
with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Some groups have specialized audiences, including spousal caregivers and individuals living with early-stage dementia. To obtain instructions on how to join a group by phone or online, call 315.472.4201 and dial extension 228 at the prompt. Moving groups to a virtual environment means that peer support is available on a more frequent basis. “Our groups had previously been organized geographically and
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
resources local to that area will still inform each group,” James said. “But the nature of how we are operating right now allows us to offer a group to whomever needs one, whenever they need it. Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. Alzheimer’s Association support groups provide an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, and coping strategies.
Breakthrough discovery to transform prostate cancer treatment An executor’s guide A to settling By Jim Miller
novel formulation of the prostate cancer drug abiraterone acetate — currently marketed as Zytiga — will dramatically improve the quality of life for people suffering from prostate cancer, as pre-clinical trials by the University of South Australia show the new formulation improves the drug’s effectiveness by 40%. Developed by Professor Clive Prestidge’s Nanostructure and Drug Delivery research group at UniSA’s Cancer Research Institute, the breakthrough discovery uses an oilbased oral formulation that not only enables a smaller dose of the drug to be effective, but also has the potential to dramatically reduce possible side effects, such as joint swelling and diarrhea. Despite Zytiga being the leading formulation to treat prostate cancer, lead researcher, physician Hayley Schultz, says the new formulation will ultimately provide a better treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with one in six at risk of diagnosis before the age of 85. In 2019, more than 19,500 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Australia. Globally, prostate cancer cases reached 1.28 million in 2018. “Many drugs are poorly water soluble, so when they’re ingested, they enter the gut but don’t dissolve, which means that their therapeutic effect is limited,” Schultz says. “This is the case for Zytiga. Here, only 10% of the dose is absorbed, leaving the other 90% undissolved,
where it simply passes through the body as waste. “On top of this, patients taking Zytiga must fast for two hours prior to taking the drug, and another hour after taking the drug to achieve predictable absorption. And as you can imagine, this can be painstakingly inconvenient. “Our new formulation changes this. By using oils to mimic pharmaceutical food effects, we’re able to significantly increase the drug’s solubilization and absorption, making it more effective and a far less invasive treatment for patients.” The new formulation uses very high levels of abiraterone acetate dissolved within a specific oil and encapsulated within porous silica microparticles to form a powder that can be made into tablets or filled into capsules. Applied to human treatment, it could reduce the dose from 1000mg to 700mg per day, without the need for fasting. Professor Prestidge says if the team can secure funding, clinical trials in humans could be just two years away. “Based on our knowledge of this drug’s pharmaceutical food effect, we hypothesize its absorption in humans will be extensively improved using this technology”, Prestidge says. “Anything we can do to contribute to the development of a commercialised product to improve the lives of patients, is invaluable. “This novel formulation is flexible enough to be adopted by thousands of different medicines; its potential to help patients of all kinds is exponential.”
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loved one’s estate
Dear Savvy Senior, My aunt recently asked me to be the executor of her will when she dies. I’m flattered that she asked, but I’m not sure what exactly the job entails. What can you tell me about this?
Inquiring Niece Dear Inquiring, Serving as the executor of your aunt’s estate may seem like an honor, but it can also be a lot of work. Here’s what you should know to help you prepare for this job. As the executor of your aunt’s will, you’re essentially responsible for winding up her affairs after she dies. While this may sound simple enough, you need to be aware that the job can be time consuming and difficult, depending on the complexity of her financial and family situation. Some of the duties required include: • Filing court papers to start the probate process (this is generally required by law to determine the will’s validity). • Taking an inventory of everything in her estate. • Using her estate’s funds to pay bills, including taxes, funeral costs, etc. • Handling details like terminating her credit cards and notifying banks and government agencies like Social Security and the post office of her death. • Preparing and filing her final income tax returns. • Distributing assets to the beneficiaries named in her will. Be aware that each state has specific laws and timetables on an executor’s responsibilities. Your state or local bar association may have an online law library that details the rules and requirements. The American Bar Association website also offers guidance on how to settle an estate. Go to AmericanBar.org and type in “guidelines for individual executors and trustees” in the search bar to find it.
Get organized
If you agree to take on the responsibility as executor of your aunt’s September 2020 •
estate, your first step is to make sure she has an updated will and find out where all her important documents and financial information is located. Being able to quickly put your hands on deeds, brokerage statements and insurance policies after she dies will save you a lot of time and hassle. If she has a complex estate, you may want to hire an attorney or tax accountant to guide you through the process, with the estate picking up the cost. If you need help locating a pro, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (naepc. org) and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) are good resources that provide directories on their websites to help you find someone.
Avoid conflicts
Find out if there are any conflicts between the beneficiaries of your aunt’s estate. If there are some potential problems, you can make your job as executor much easier if everyone knows in advance who’s getting what, and why. So, ask your aunt to tell her beneficiaries what they can expect. This includes the personal items too, because wills often leave it up to the executor to dole out heirlooms. If there’s no distribution plan for personal property, suggest she make one and put it in writing.
Executor fees
As the executor, you’re entitled to a fee paid by the estate. In most states, executors are entitled to take a percentage of the estate’s value, which often ranges anywhere from 1% to 5% depending on the size of the estate. But if you’re a beneficiary, it may make sense for you to forgo the fee. That’s because fees are taxable, but Uncle Sam in most states doesn’t tax inheritances. For more information on the duties of an executor, get a copy of the book “The Executor’s Guide: Settling A Loved One’s Estate or Trust” at Nolo.com. 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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Grandparents are raising millions of kids, and it’s tough About 2% of U.S. children — 2.9 million — are now being raised by their grandparents, according to study
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early 3 million children in the United States are being raised by grandparents, and life has placed these kids on a rocky road toward adulthood, a new study reports. These children are much more likely to have experienced traumatic events that will influence their development, according to the report
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published online Aug. 3 in the journal Pediatrics. For example, children in grandparent-led households are six times more likely to have had a parent or guardian serve time in jail, and four times more likely to have lived with someone who has a drug or alcohol problem, the researchers found. By school age (6 to 17 years),
these kids are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and they are five times more likely to be found to have ADHD during preschool (ages 3 to 5), the findings showed. The stats show a “history of adversity” for these kids, leaving them with “potentially less opportunity” than kids raised by their parents, said senior researcher, physician Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Northwell Health›s Cohen Children›s Medical Center, in Manhasset, Long Island. However, some prominent people have shown that being raised by a grandparent can be the launching pad for success — among them presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, comedians Carol Burnett and Jamie Foxx, and musicians Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and 50 Cent. “Not everyone is going to turn out to be president of the United States, but we should be careful about painting with a broad brush,” Adesman said. “Grandparents who step in and care for their grandchildren are doing amazing work. It’s vital they assume these responsibilities when the need arises, and they should all be commended given the challenges they have.” About 2% of U.S. children — 2.9 million — are being raised by their grandparents. To find out more about them, Adesman’s team analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, a regularly conducted federal study of health trends among U.S. kids. The researchers compared just over 2,400 grandparent-headed households against over 78,000
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
households headed by parents between 2016 and 2018. Besides having a parent in jail or with a substance abuse problem, other adverse experiences that were more common among kids being raised by their grandparents included: • Having their family torn apart by divorce or separation (more than four times more common). • Observing physical violence between parents or adults (more than four times as likely). • Being a victim of or witnessing neighborhood violence (more than twice as likely). • Living with someone who was mentally ill, suicidal or severely depressed (twice as common). And children being raised by grandparents were more than six times as likely to have experienced three or more of these traumatic events, the study found. The grandparents are helping raise these kids in very difficult circumstances, Adesman noted. “We found grandparents had lower education, lower household income and a greater proportion of them were single caregivers,” he said. “Those all represent additional potential challenges to grandparents raising their grandchildren.” The good news is that grandparents appear to be up to the task. “When we looked at measures of coping and asked how well they’re handling the day-to-day responsibility, we found the grandparents were coping just as well in terms of their parenting after properly controlling statistically for many of the underlying sociodemographic differences,” Adesman said.
Health in good
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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: $11.10/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.
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LFH awards scholarships to local students Little Falls Hospital, a subsidiary of the Bassett Healthcare Network, recently awarded the Frederika Vickers Conrad and Dr. Joseph W. Conrad Scholarships to six students from the Little Falls and Dolgeville areas. Dr. Sue Conrad Quinby and Roger P. Quinby established the scholarship fund in 1973 in memory of Frederika Vickers Conrad and her husband, Dr. Joseph W. Conrad. The Quinbys specified that the income from this fund must be used to award a scholarship to those persons interested in pursuing a career in medicine, paramedicine, nursing, laboratory, technical work, hospital administration or any allied health field, to be determined and approved by the scholarship committee of the LFH Board of Trustees. The 2020 Scholarship Winners are, from left front to back, Candice Sabatino, attending Elmira College majoring in physical therapy; Emily Gehring, attending Le Moyne College majoring in nursing; Leah Shepardson, attending Siena College majoring in nursing; Seth Rosario, attending Virginia Military Institute, majoring in biology; and Hanna Stack, attending Utica College; majoring in biology. Also celebrating the occasion is Tony DeLuca, chairman of scholarship committee.
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Dance Injuries Jump in United States
ance-related injuries treated at U.S. emergency departments increased by nearly one-quarter in recent years, a new study reveals. Between 2014 and 2018, there was a 22.5% rise in such injuries, with more than 4,150 cases seen in ERs nationwide during that time. Strains and sprains accounted for almost half of the injuries, according to the National Athletic Trainers› Association. “Before the pandemic hit, we saw a disturbing trend that the frequency of dance injuries requiring medical attention was increasing,” said Joshua Honrado, an athletic trainer with NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, in New York City. “The use of in-house medical
professionals, such as athletic trainers, in performing arts studios and organizations [is] likely to positively impact the need to visit the emergency room, which can be costly to the family and can slow down urgent response to other critical care in the emergency room,” Honrado said in an association news release. In the study, knees (23%), ankles (16%) and feet (10%) were the most common locations of injuries, and were diagnosed as sprain/strains (43%) and fractures (10%). Ankle sprain/strain, knee sprain/strain and knee dislocation were the most common types of injuries, the researchers said. Nearly all patients were treated and released, with only about 2% admitted to the hospital.
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U.S. Women More Likely to Skip Meds Than Men
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n the United States, many women with chronic medical conditions aren’t filling prescriptions or are trying to make their medications last longer due to the cost, a new study finds. Not filling prescriptions, skipping doses, delaying refills or splitting pills may put their health at risk, the study authors noted. For the study, researchers collected data on patients in 11 high-income countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Among U.S. patients, one in four younger women (aged 18 to 64) reported cost-related non-adherence to their prescriptions compared with one in seven younger men. The researchers found that the largest disparities between men and women occurred in the United States
– 54%, compared to 33% in Canada and 17% in Australia. “Prescription drug coverage systems — like those in the U.S. and Canada — that rely on employment-based insurance or require high patient contributions may disproportionally affect women, who are less likely to have full-time employment and more likely to be lower income,” said lead researcher Jamie Daw. She’s an assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, in New York City. “The disparities we found in access to medicines may produce health disparities between men and women that should be further explored,” Daw added in a university news release. The findings were published online Aug. 3 in the journal Health Affairs.
New Trend: Zoom Meetings Driving Surge in Face-Lifts
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eoples whose only contact with the outside world is Zoom are taking a close look at themselves and flocking to plastic surgeons for face and eye lifts, the New York Times reported in August. “I have never done so many face-lifts in a summer as I’ve done this year,” Diane Alexander, a plastic surgeon in Atlanta, told the Times. She had done more than 250 procedures from May 18 through the end of July. “Pretty much every face-lift patient that comes in says: ‘I’ve been doing these Zoom calls and I don’t know what happened but I look terrible.’” “This is the weirdest world I live in,” Alexander added. “The world is shut down, we’re all worried about global crisis, the economy is completely crashing and people come in and still want to feel good about
themselves.” The trend is surprising in a bad economy, because cosmetic surgery isn’t covered by insurance and procedures can cost up to $25,000 for a full body makeover, $3,300 for eyelid surgery and $10,000 for breast lift and enhancement, the Times reported. Patients report they’re using money they would have spent on travel, concerts, sports tickets and the like. Physician Lynn Jeffers, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told the Times that the nationwide “demand is definitely busier than what we had expected,” though she added: “What we don›t know is if the pent-up demand is transitory, and will go back to normal, or will even dip.”
Another COVID Hazard: False Information
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e careful that the COVID-19 information you›re getting is accurate and not opinion masquerading as the real McCoy, says the American College of Emergency Physicians. Watch out for bold claims and instant cures touted on social media or by friends. Get health and medical information from experts like the ACEP and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the physicians’ group says. “A troubling number of purported experts are sharing false and dangerous information that runs counter to the public health and safety guidelines endorsed by ACEP and the nation’s leading medical and public health entities,” said physician William Jaquis, president of the college. “This kind of misinformation can not only be harmful to individuals, but it hinders our nation’s efforts to Page 18
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get the pandemic under control,” he added in a college news release. You should know that there is no cure or vaccine for COVID-19. Scientists keep learning more about the virus and how to treat it. COVID-19 can be spread by anyone even people who don›t think they›re infected. About 40% of those infected don’t have symptoms, but can spread the virus. The virus isn’t harmless, and its long-term effects are still being studied. Without a cure, the best defense is making smart choices and safe behaviors, the college says. “There are still many questions about COVID-19, but we know these three simple steps offer the best protection that we have until a vaccine is developed: cover your face, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing,” Jaquis said.
Ask The Social
Security Office
From the Social Security District Office
View lifetime earnings with My Social Security
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id you know you can see your work history online all the way back to your first job? Your earnings history is a record of your progress toward your Social Security benefits. We keep track of your earnings so we can pay you the benefits you’ve earned over your lifetime. This is why reviewing your Social Security earnings record is so important. If an employer didn’t properly report just one year of your earnings to us, your future benefit payments could be less than they should be. Over the course of a lifetime, that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in retirement or other benefits to which you are entitled. It’s important to identify reporting problems as soon as possible. As time passes, you may no longer have easy access to past tax documents, and some employers may no longer exist or be able to provide past payroll informa-
tion. While it’s your employer’s responsibility to provide accurate earnings information to us, you should still review and inform us of any errors or omissions so you get credit for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes. You’re the only person who can look at your lifetime earnings record and verify that it’s complete and correct. The easiest way to verify your earnings record is to visit www.ssa. gov/myaccount and set up or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. You should review each year of listed earnings carefully and confirm them using your own records, such as W-2s and tax returns. Keep in mind that earnings from this year and last year may not be listed yet. You can find detailed instructions on how to correct your Social Security earnings record at www.ssa.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf.
Q: I’m trying to figure out how much I need to save for my retirement. Does the government offer any help with financial education?
nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or any other kind of institution, you must notify Social Security right away. Learn more about SSI reporting responsibilities at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.
Q&A
A: Yes. For starters, you may want to find out what you can expect from Social Security with a visit to Social Security’s retirement estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. The Financial Literacy and Education Commission has a website that can help you with the basics of financial education: www.mymoney.gov. Finally, you’ll want to check out the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which offers educational information on a number of financial matters, including mortgages, credit cards, retirement, and other big decisions. Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov.
Q: My grandmother receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. She may have to enter a nursing home to get the long-term care she needs. How does this affect her SSI benefits?
A: Moving to a nursing home could affect your grandmother’s SSI benefits, depending on the type of facility. In many cases, we have to reduce or stop SSI payments to nursing home residents, including when Medicaid covers the cost of the nursing home care. When your grandmother enters or leaves a
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2020
Q: Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments paid only to disabled or blind people?
A: No. In addition to people with disabilities or blindness, SSI payments can be made to people who are age 65 or older and have limited income and financial resources. For more information, read Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000. html.
Q: I pay my monthly premium directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider. Why can’t I also pay my income-related monthly adjustment amount directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider?
A: By law, we must deduct your income-related monthly adjustment amount from your Social Security payments. If the amount you owe is more than the amount of your payment, or you don’t get monthly payments, you will get a separate bill from another federal agency, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
The nutritious perks of whole-grain rice noodles By Anne Palumbo
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popular takeout during normal times, pad Thai — a beloved Thai noodle dish — has skyrocketed in popularity, according to recent surveys. In our house, we certainly love its bold, savory flavors and variety of textures! Rice noodles play a key role in this tasty dish, and while there are many varieties available, most restaurants use white rice noodles.
Much like regular pasta that is made from refined flour that’s been stripped of its nutrient-dense bran and germ, white rice noodles are made from rice flour that has undergone a similar process. A stickler for whole grains whenever possible, I now make my own pad Thai with whole-grain brown rice noodles. The good news is, these healthier noodles are easily found at the local
grocery store. The even better news is, they rock with some valuable nutrients that their refined cousins have left behind. Fiber is one of those important nutrients. Well known for its ability to keep us regular, fiber helps us in other ways that truly deserve a shout-out. From stabilizing blood sugars to lowering cholesterol, from keeping us satiated to reducing the risk of dying from certain diseases, this workhorse nutrient should be consumed daily. An average serving of brown rice noodles dishes up an impressive 3 to 4 grams. Phytonutrients and antioxidants, whose consumption, according to the USDA, promote good health by slowing or preventing free-radical cell damage that may lead to cancer and certain diseases, abound in whole grains like brown rice noodles. The intact whole-grain kernel also teems with a variety of other beneficial nutrients: B vitamins, several minerals, healthy fats and even some protein.
Healthy Pad Thai with Whole-Grain Rice Noodles 8 oz. whole-grain pad Thai rice noodles 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar (or agave syrup) 3 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce 2 teaspoons fish sauce (optional) 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks (or, protein of choice) 1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips and strips halved
2 cups snow peas 1 cup matchstick carrots 2 cloves garlic, minced 5 green onions, whites minced, greens sliced into 1-inch pieces 1 cup fresh bean sprouts (optional) 2 eggs (optional) ¼ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped Cook noodles according to package directions, drain. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, Sriracha sauce, and fish sauce; set aside. Heat oil in a wok or large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until cooked through, about 8 minutes, stirring throughout. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in pan. Add bell pepper, snow peas, and carrots and sauté 5-6 minutes; then add garlic, green onions, and bean sprouts and sauté 1 minute more. Push veggies to edges of pan and crack eggs in center. Cook and scramble until eggs have cooked through. Return chicken, add noodles and sauce, and toss everything together; cook 1-2 minutes. Serve warm, topped with chopped nuts.
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.
We did it.
Twice.
Oneida Health is ranked among America’s Top 2% of Hospitals for Patient Safety & Experience
Visit oneidahealth.org/awards to learn more
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