EXPLORE THE NORTH SHORE

Gooseberry Falls State Park was next on my list. I love the bang-for-your buck that you get with the falls being so close to the parking lot. The falls are stunning and what I consider a must-stop on the North Shore. The last stop for the day was Palisade Head; this is a great spot to get jawdropping views of Lake Superior. Black Beach Municipal Campground is only five minutes from Palisade Head, which was wonderful since I was tired from the events of the day.

My last full day on the North Shore was a dream. I woke up early and hit the Superior Hiking Trail to check out Bean and Bear Lake overlook. The 7.8 mile (out and back) trek was SO worth the views! After the hike, both Brutus and I were exhausted. We crawled into the back of the van, turned on the fans, and took a three hour rest/nap/snack break to prepare for the afternoon. This was my first time visiting Tettegouche State Park. Tettegouche is home to many waterfalls, the most iconic of which is High Falls. Unfortunately, the bridge above had been washed out due to the flooding this spring, so we opted to visit Two Step Falls and Baptism Beach; these did not disappoint.

Cascade River State Park was the final destination on the itinerary and another new-to me park. Similar to Gooseberry Falls, many of the waterfalls are near the campground and parking lot, providing big pay off for little effort. I stayed the night at the campsite and got up early to hike around the park. After getting my fill of stunning waterfalls, I hopped back into my van to begin the drive back to Fargo-Moorhead.

Although I was nervous for my first solo trip and van-venture, I found the experience to be liberating. It was fun to travel solo and I felt safe with the company of my dog and the security features of the Vanna Adventure Van. Minnesota’s North Shore has many incredible spots; I encourage you to explore it!

GGetting a yearly 3D mammogram can grant you peace of mind, or it can detect early signs of breast cancer.

3D mammograms are growing in popularity due to their advanced detection and imaging options. Sanford Health recommends getting screened once per year, starting at age 40. Here are five reasons you should schedule a 3D mammogram:

“Getting annual mammograms starting at age 40 is the really the best option we have for finding abnormalities when they are small”

3D mammograms are advanced breast cancer detection tools that give radiologists better visualization of the breast. 3D mammography is the most effective screening tool for diagnosing breast cancer.

This technology captures multiple images of the breast at different angles. This provides a clearer picture for radiologists to evaluate the tissue and provides doctors with more detailed views of your overall breast health. 3D mammograms help to pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities better than ever before.

3D mammography can identify previously undetectable cancer earlier and reduce the need for additional follow-up tests.

“Getting annual mammograms starting at age 40 is the really the best option we have for finding abnormalities when they are small,” said Melinda Talley, M.D., a breast radiologist at Edith Sanford Breast Center. “It is also important to talk with your doctor to determine if you should begin screening before age 40.”

A 3D mammogram performs particularly well in women with dense breast tissue, which describes the ratio of fat to connective tissue and glands on the 3D mammogram. It only describes how the breasts look on a mammogram, not how they feel. Each woman’s breasts have fat, connective tissue as well as milk ducts and lobules that together are glandular tissue. Dense breasts have higher amounts of glandular and connective tissue and also lower amounts of fatty tissue.

Studies have shown that women with extremely dense breast tissue do have a higher risk for breast cancer than women with lower breast density; experts are unsure why. However, the main concern with dense breast tissue is that it can make cancer more difficult to spot. Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, just like cancer.

Every woman who receives a 3D mammogram screening will also have her risk evaluated. Teams will talk to each patient about her family history and personal risk. If they learn that she may be at a higher risk, they work with her primary care physician to develop a personalized screening plan just for her.

Having a tailored approach to care ensures every woman gets the right breast health screening at the right time. And, if any questionable areas do arise during the screening process, there are a number of diagnostic tools available. These include breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and new contrast- enhanced mammography. These help the radiologist better visualize the potentially cancerous areas.

Digital technology offers several potential advantages over the current film method for mammography. Unlike film images, digital images:

• Can be stored and transferred electronically

• Are less likely to get lost

• Can be manipulated to correct for underexposure or overexposure. This may prevent the need for another mammogram. Allow radiologists to use software to help interpret or read them

• Have a large dynamic range that allows examination of all areas of the breast, despite varying densities

• Have a lower average radiation dose

Many of the mammography machines in use today are digital units, such as the 3D mammograms. The process of getting a digital mammogram is just like a regular mammogram. In fact, the only way you may know what type you get is to ask the technologist working with you. [ aw ]

by Tanya Ferber, MBA, BSN, RN

As we age, our brains change, but Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are not an inevitable part of aging. Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain having an impact on memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms of dementia not to be confused with normal aging of the brain. If you notice any of them, don’t ignore them; schedule an appointment with your primary physician.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life:

This can include forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, asking questions repetitively, increasingly needing to rely on family members for things they used to handle on their own.

Age-Related Change: Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remember later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems:

This can include trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to complete tasks as compared to before.

Age-Related Change: Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: This can include driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

Age-Related Change: Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.

4. Confusion with time or place: People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they forget where they are or how they got there.

Age-Related Change: Getting confused about the day of the week, but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. This may lead to difficulty with balance and trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.

Age-Related Change: Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking and in writing: People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object, or use the wrong name.

Age-Related Change: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: A person living with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.

Age-Related Change: Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.

8. Decreased or poor judgement: Individuals may experience changes in judgement or decision making including poor judgement when dealing with money or paying less attention to grooming and personal hygiene.

Age-Related Change: Making a bad decision occasionally.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: A person living with Alzheimer's disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.

Age-Related Change: Sometimes feeling weary of work, family, and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood or personality: Individuals living with Alzheimer's may experience mood or personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.

Age-Related Change: Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Dementia affects more than 50 million people worldwide, with a new case of dementia occurring somewhere in the world every three seconds. Dementia can also affect individuals under the age of 65. Greater awareness and understanding of dementia are important to challenge the myths and misconceptions that surround the condition.

There is currently no cure for most types of dementia, but treatment and support are available. Our local community has several great resources available: Memory Café of the Red River Valley (memorycareofrrv.com), Family Caregiver Alliance (caregiver.org), Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) – MN/ND Chapter, along with memory care facilities and home care agencies, just to name a few. [ aw ]

Reducing harmful chemicals and toxins from your home shouldn't feel overwhelming. You can efficiently do this by taking small, achievable steps every day.

When we envision a healthy lifestyle, we often think about diet, exercise, sleep, and hydration. Maintaining good health is indeed all about putting in the right ingredients for the body to flourish, but these aren't the only factors we should consider.

We can consume the best produce, drink the purest beverage, or diligently sleep and exercise daily. Still, if we are breathing in particle-packed air, living in a toxic indoor environment, and using products full of harmful chemicals, it will not aid in our wellness. This is why to ensure a healthy lifestyle, we need to know that our home is free from harmful chemicals and toxins.

You do not need to spend much money or undergo a huge lifestyle change to achieve this. With some tips and tricks, you can make this process quick and easy. Here's how you can get started: