d-mars.com Health & Wellness 57

Health & Wellness Journal HEALTH

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WELLNESS

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MEDICAL

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RESEARCH

April 2016

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SPORTS

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FITNESS

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LIFESTYLE

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Change Your Mindset

New Study Adds Key Piece to Autism Puzzle By d-mars.com News Provider April is Autism Awareness Month.

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PAGES 16-17

Bringing Love Back into the Community

By Dawn Paul When it comes to healing and health, Lover Compton is a familiar and well-respected name in the community and industry.

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science Celebrates 20 Years

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PAGES 12-13

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A New Treatment Option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea By d-mars.com News Provider Al Pierce from South Carolina had always been a snorer, which kept his wife Gail awake night after night.

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Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Inc. Scholarship Luncheon

Torch Lifestyle LLC Is a Health Movement

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.

- Leontyne Price

April 2016 3

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

MR. D-MARS

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

“Change Your Mindset” is the theme for this issue of the d-mars.com Health & Wellness Journal. You may have fallen off the wagon and didn’t stick to some of those resolutions for your health. You can be discouraged about it, or you can do something about it. I want to encourage you to change your mindset when it comes to your health. The change will not happen overnight, but working hard at maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key. You can achieve those health goals, but it all starts with the mind. Change your mindset when it comes to your health. Happy health!

This issue highlights The Health Museum (THM). This year marks the 20th anniversary of this well-known Houston gem.

This museum is Houston’s most interactive science learning center and a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. Located in the heart of the city’s rich and varied Museum District, THM’s mission is to foster wonder and curiosity about health, medical science, and the human body.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Paul

PHOTOGRAPHY

Contents

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rhonda Dallas, B.S., C.L.C., N.C. d-mars.com News Provider

The One Test That Can Improve Your Health Today......................................................................................................................................... 4 Veterans Seek Alternative Treatments to Post-Traumatic Stress.............................................................................................................. 4 New Study Adds Key Piece to Autism Puzzle..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Inc...........................................................................................................................................7 Liver Cancer News....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Bringing Love Back into the Community........................................................................................................................................................10-11 Torch Lifestyle LLC.................................................................................................................................................................................................12-13 The Health Museum Celebrates 20 Years...................................................................................................................................................... 16-17 New Drug Manages Osteoarthritis Pain.............................................................................................................................................................18 Safe Sex: Pillow Talk..................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Nearly 6 Million Americans Have Heart Failure...............................................................................................................................................22 Obstructive Sleep Apnea.........................................................................................................................................................................................26 Nurses Address Global Health Care Concerns.................................................................................................................................................26 Conquering the Top 5 Reasons People Fail at Fitness.................................................................................................................................28

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.”

– George Washington Carver

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April 2016

The One Test That Can Improve Your Health Today

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how secondary findings will be handled before having your genetic test done.

By d-mars.com News Provider

hen you provide just one sample of your DNA, researchers are able to use it to learn more about your health history, assess your chances of contracting certain diseases and even gain a better understanding of the importance family history can play in your health outlook. It sounds futuristic, but it is all very real. It's modern genetic testing, otherwise known as genomic sequencing, and it represents one of the most important tests being used today to improve health outcomes.

To better understand genomic sequencing and how it can help you lead a happier, healthier life, Dr. Richard Sharp, director of the Biomedical Ethics program at the Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine, offers these five things you need to know about this groundbreaking preventive treatment.

different diseases. They can also narrow the set to specifically measure your risk of developing certain cancers. Finally, they can even look at individual genes to determine your risk of developing traditional genetic diseases.

1. Genomic sequencing can be tailored to your specific concern. If you're interested in pursuing genomic sequencing, you have more testing options today than ever before. Researchers can use your sample to analyze a large number of different genes and assess your lifetime risks of developing a whole range of

2. Common fears about genetic testing may be misplaced. "Many patients wonder, 'If I undergo genetic testing and it reveals that I have this risk of developing disease, is it possible that I might lose my job, that I won't find a new job, or I won't be able to get health insurance?'" says Dr. Sharp. Fortunately, laws are in

4. The benefits of genetic testing extend beyond merely analyzing your disease risks. As the science of genetic testing continues to improve, its uses do as well. Today, genetic testing is being used not only to identify a patient's risk of contracting a certain disease but also to understand how the person's body metabolizes drugs, and even to avoid the potential for future negative reactions to certain drugs.

place to alleviate those concerns. In the United States, current legislation protects people from allowing their genetic information to be used against them by employers or insurers.

3. Genetic testing may uncover unexpected information as well. Your test to determine your risk of developing breast cancer may also shed light on your risks for other diseases such as Alzheimer's. These so-called secondary findings may or may not be reported to you based on the lab and clinician you work with, so it's important to discuss

5. Your genetic testing may be covered by your insurance. "Many forms of genetic testing are covered by insurers, although like with any new technology or diagnostic test, there can be gaps in coverage," says Dr. Sharp. "The Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic has been very interested in trying to find ways to demonstrate the value of genetic testing so that a large number of payers will feel comfortable covering that kind of test."

To find out more about genomic sequencing and other research initiatives, please visit the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic. For journalists interested in speaking with Dr. Richard Sharp, please email your request tonewsbureau@mayo.edu. – BPT

Veterans Seek Alternative Treatments to Post-Traumatic Stress body has gained widespread acceptance for a variety of medical and psychological purposes. The idea behind the practice is to heal and restore balance between various systems of the body.

Though there is no conclusive evidence that acupuncture can help in all situations, several studies and many veterans report long term benefits in recovering mental stability.

By d-mars.com News Provider

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ost people can’t imagine being terrified by the sound of a fork falling and hitting the ground. They don’t understand how someone cannot sleep because the fear of recurring nightmares keeps them awake. They’ve never experienced anxiety that turns everyday tasks into impossible chores.

But for thousands of American veterans, these are just a few symptoms that can make their lives unbearable. And while millions are aware of the condition they suffer from — post-traumatic stress or PTS — few are able to grasp the severity of the condition, and medical science is a long way from understanding the neurological causes of PTS. In the news, stories of PTS tend to focus on bureaucratic mishandling, ineffective medications that have severe side effects and the general tragedy of those who are afflicted. However, there is also a side of the story that has to do with hope, strength and love. While a single cure has not yet been discovered for PTS, there are many instances of veterans finding peace and a path to recovery through some non-conventional — and often controversial — means.

ships with other people. Many have found that a powerful way to lessen the anger and hypersensitivity that often prevents them from enjoying normal relationships is through caring for horses.

Grooming, feeding, cleaning the pen and riding the animals helps those who suffer from PTS to return to the trusting and nurturing emotions they learned to suppress due to the stress of combat.

Equine therapy

Acupuncture

The greatest challenge for many who suffer from PTS is to rebuild relation-

This ancient Chinese practice of pushing pins into specific points on a patient’s

Bariatric oxygen treatment This treatment involves a patient entering a pressurized oxygen chamber for about 90 minutes, during which time they can read, watch TV or even take a nap. The theory is by increasing the oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and red blood cells, it will speed the body’s natural healing capabilities and repair neurological damage. Though the treatment is still experimental, many have claimed this treatment is a miracle, and several studies have confirmed its benefits. The Purple Heart Foundation has invested money to make this therapy more readily available to veterans.

Medical marijuana Perhaps the most controversial therapy on the list, there is a fine line between PTS patients being treated with marijuana and abusing marijuana. Nonetheless, as veterans returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, more tales of the benefits of medical marijuana began to emerge,

leading many advocates in both state and federal governments to push for more research and availability.

Meditation Meditation comes in many different forms, but the idea is the same: to create a quiet space in your mind through focusing on something as simple as your breath. Achieving the deep level of relaxation allows many veterans to begin to sort out their traumatic experiences. By no means is it a cure, but results from countless veterans and studies show meditation to be an important part of the healing process.

Because PTS is such a complicated condition that arises from experiences that are unique to each veteran, there may be no such thing as a one-sizefits-all cure. What this means is that each person needs to be treated as an individual, and have a range of treatment options available.

The Purple Heart Foundation is dedicated to doing just that. Through investing in research for therapies such as bariatric oxygen treatment, as well as supporting state-of-the-art programs like the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Fort Hood, the organization is helping veterans live a full and rich life in the country they fought for.

To learn more about how your donation to the Purple Heart Foundation can help veterans with PTS, visit www.purpleheartfoundation.org. – BPT

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April 2016

New Study Adds Key Piece to Autism Puzzle By d-mars.com News Provider

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pril is Autism Awareness Month.

This month raises awareness on Autism. When it comes to biotechnology, ScienceDaily is a great source for information. Where do your eyes focus during a conversation? An innovative study by University of Vermont researchers reveals that for children with autism spectrum disorder, the answer depends on how emotional the conversation is.

The study, published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, shows that children with the developmental disability fixate longer on a speaker's mouth rather than the eyes when the conversation turns emotional. It's the first study of its kind to use eye tracker technology to monitor eye movement during an interactive conversation, and the results could affect the way speech therapists treat the estimated 1 in 68 children who struggle with the social, communication and behavioral challenges caused by autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Using the Mirametrix S2 Eye Tracker system and Skype, the researchers compared the visual attention of typically developing children and children with ASD during a conversation about mundane topics, like what people do when they get up in the morning. Then, the conversation turned to emotions, like what makes the child sad or scared.

"What you talk about really matters for children with ASD," says lead author Tiffany Hutchins, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders. "You just change a few words by talking about what people do versus how they feel and you can have a profound impact on where eyes go for information."

Hutchins' study also shows that a shift away from the eyes towards the mouth by children with ASD was associated with higher autism severity, more limited executive function, and poorer verbal and intellectual ability.

Although it is unclear why children with ASD look at mouths more frequently during emotional conversations, Hutchins theorizes that talking about emotions strains executive function. Emotionally charged topics "likely place high demand on working memory, which, when a threshold is surpassed, makes rendering information from the eye region particularly difficult," she says.

Consequently, the child with ASD may start searching elsewhere for more accessible information.

Talking about emotions is really hard and very draining for children with ASD," says Hutchins. "It's like driving in a snowstorm. Normally, when you drive around in good weather on a familiar route, you go on automatic pilot and sometimes don't even remember how you got somewhere. But for a child with ASD, having a conversation,

especially one about emotions, is more like driving in a snowstorm. In that situation, you are totally focused, every move is tense and effortful, and your executive function drains away. In fact, we found that decreased working memory correlated with decreased eye fixations, so as working memory decreases, then we see fewer fixations on the eyes."

Hutchins' findings are also significant because eye information may be more relevant in conversations about emotions. As a result, children with ASD miss the chance to understand the relationship between facial expressions and underlying thoughts because they neglect the abundance of social meaning given in the eyes, she says.

"It's probably a situation where the poor are getting poorer," Hutchins says. "If I'm asking you to talk about emotions, and that makes you even less likely to look in my eyes when you really need to go there because I'm more likely to be showing other evidence of an emotion like anger with my eyebrows, you are missing even more. It's not that there's no emotional information in the mouth, but during dynamic conversational exchanges they are missing a number of cues that a typically developing child would not."

Participants in the study included 19 typically developing children and 18 children diagnosed with ASD between the ages of six and 12 years of age. During conversations recorded via Skype, the tracking system, using infrared light bounching off the retinas, recorded X and Y coordinates of eye positions.

We were amazed that no one had done this yet," Hutchins says. "We found only two other studies that used eye tracking to look at social attention during actual conversations with other people, but none with autism. Combining Skype with basic eye-tracking technology feels like low-hanging fruit, and it circumvents a lot of the traditional challenges that we've had in the field so when that catches on, I think the implications are that you can do a lot with this technology. I think being first is one of our major contributions."

Hutchins says past studies have relied on social observation in videos or static pictures of people's faces with different emotions, which didn't require children with ASD to engage with someone in an interactive conversation.

"When a child with ASD engages with me, they don't just watch me passively, they have to monitor my engagement, think about what I'm doing, my tone, and my affect to get my full meaning, and that's really different than passively observing something," she says.

Hutchins' co-author, Ashley Brien, a UVM graduate student at the time of the study, is now a speech pathologist at a school district in northern Vermont.

The pair are now considering how the study affects the way speech pathologists work with students with ASD. For example, they say therapists should think about the consequences of telling a child with autism to look intently into

the their eyes.

"Some social skills programs and many treatment goals for children with autism involve trying to get them to initiate and sustain eye-contact during interaction" says Hutchins. Brien adds that the consequences of these practices, like increased anxiety, could be counterproductive. As Brien says, "some of the interventions that are used are not time tested or evidence based, but we're hoping to change that."

For more, please visit ScienceDaily at www.sciencedaily.com.

Journal Reference: University of Vermont. (2016, April 4). New study adds key piece to autism puzzle: Innovative use of eye-tracker technology shows children with autism fixating more on mouth than eyes during emotional conversations.ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 4, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404134228.htm

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Black Nurses Association of Greater Houston, Inc. Scholarship Luncheon

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April 2016

Liver Cancer Deaths on the Rise

New Comprehensive Study Shows Overall Cancer Deaths Down, With Liver Cancer as the Concerning Exception

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By d-mars.com News Provider

ecently, the National Cancer Institute released its Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. Alarmingly, the report shows that liver cancer-related death rates were highest among people who have had hepatitis B and C. This is preventable. There has been a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B since 1991, and new drugs for hepatitis C can cure 90% of cases but many people do not know they have it. Hepatitis C can remain silent in a person’s body for decades with symptoms often emerging in late stages of liver disease.

In addition to hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk for liver cancer, and, for those already diagnosed, reduces the chances for survival. Researchers at last year’s International Liver Congress meeting reported that survival is shorter for patients with fatty liver disease who develop cancer than it is for patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C who develop liver cancer.

In fact, fatty liver disease is emerging as a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States; a recent study found that in a five-year period (2004 to 2009), the annual increase in hepatocellular carcinoma in fatty liver disease patients was approximately 5%.

may suggest liver cancer. To confirm a diagnosis, doctors may use blood tests, ultrasound tests, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiograms. Your doctor may also need to do a liver biopsy. During a biopsy, a small piece of liver tissue is removed and studied in the lab.

With as many as 4 million Americans infected with hepatitis C (75% of them do not know they have it), plus the 30% of Americans who have some form of fatty liver disease (this number is poised to reach 50% by 2030), clearly there is cause for concern.

Liver Cancer Facts and Information What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer is the growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the liver. Cancer that starts in the liver is called primary liver cancer. Cancer that spreads to the liver from another organ is called metastatic liver cancer.

About 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year. Primary liver cancer is one of the cancers on the rise in the United States. Primary liver cancer is about twice as common in men than in women.

What causes liver cancer?

There are several risk factors for liver cancer: • Long-term hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection are linked to liver cancer because they often lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer without cirrhosis.

• Excessive alcohol use.

• Obesity and diabetes are closely associated with a type of liver abnormality

Liver cancer treatment depends on:

called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that may increase the risk of liver cancer, especially in those who drink heavily or have viral hepatitis.

• Certain inherited metabolic diseases.

• Environmental exposure to aflatoxins.

What are the symptoms of liver cancer?

Symptoms may include fatigue, bloating, pain on the right side of the upper abdomen or back and shoulder, nausea, loss of appetite, feelings of fullness, weight loss, weakness, fever, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and the skin).

How is liver cancer diagnosed?

A physical examination or imaging tests

• The liver's condition • The size, location and number of tumors • If the cancer has spread outside the liver • The person's age and overall health A health care professional can advise as to what treatment is best.

The American Liver Foundation is the country’s only nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to promoting liver health, as well as education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease. To find out more about the American Liver Foundation, please visit www.liverfoundation. org.

Source Used: The American Liver Foundation

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April 2016

Bringing Love Back into the Community

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

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hen it comes to healing and health, Lover Compton is a familiar and well-respected name in the community and industry. With a genuine loving spirit, she lives up to her name, providing quality care to those battling mental challenges through Love & Joy Personal Care Homes, Inc. (Love & Joy). Compton founded Love & Joy over 20 years ago in the Greater Houston area as a safe haven, providing care to homeless veterans and those who are mentally challenged to give them a place to congregate with others, while receiving the proper care and medical needs that are suitable for them. Compton does not do this work alone, and her daughters, Shelia Swirczynski, CEO, and Shirley Favors, Administrator, work together with highly skilled staff at Love & Joy to provide the compassion, encouragement, and patience necessary to meet the needs of their clients. The Love & Joy motto is “Bringing Love Back into the Community.” This nonprofit has a genuine and proven commitment to Harris County and the surrounding counties. Love & Joy is an agency that is very necessary when it comes to addressing mental challenges that many members of our community face.

Love & Joy provides quality and efficient home and community-based services to people with mental disabilities, no matter what level. Love

“Love & Joy has more than 25 years of experience providing homeless veterans and those battling mental challenges with a safe place for the proper treatment and care that they deserve. My continuous hope is that we can assist them with the stimulation of their mental growth and integration into society.”

— Lover Compton

& Joy’s commitment to treating each client with respect, dignity, and love is stellar. Known for their dedication and commitment, they have enlisted partners to help improve the quality of life for the clients that they serve.

Love & Joy has a desire to assist clients and their families to be more independent and integrate into the community. Love & Joy supports those with disabilities, so they can have a sense of independence, regardless of their disability. The staff of Love & Joy listen to the needs of the client and their families, and they continue to strive to ensure that the client is a priority.

Lover Compton and Love & Joy Compton has always had the spirit of entrepreneurship. She says, “The desire for being an entrepreneur started early in life for me. At the age of 8, I was befriended by a neighbor who was an entrepreneur. That experience planted the seed of aspiration to have my own business.” Growing up, Compton’s sister and brother-in-law, also entrepreneurs, inspired her to be an entrepreneur as well. “Thinking back now, I was always surrounded by successful entrepreneurs, and I remember realizing that it was possible for African-Americans to be business owners,” she adds.

When Compton graduated from Kashmere High School, she knew that she wanted to help those who were less fortunate. She was business savvy and had a spirit for the community. Compton has a personal history with family members who have battled mental illness. People who suffer from mental illness often are ignored and forgotten, and many times have a difficult time finding and receiving proper services.

“This population needs the most assistance from our community. They are a part of our community, and we cannot continue to turn them away by not

CONTINUED on page 11

Lover Compton spoke to d-mars.com about Love & Joy: Talk about the approach Love & Joy has when it comes to addressing the needs of the mentally ill and displaced.

Love & Joy is a small, but exemplary provider program that offers state-of-the-art treatment and services to the behavioral health and mental retardation community. Love & Joy’s is dedicated to providing quality services, community involvement, protection of rights, and individualized planning and care to our consumers and their families. We are committed to excellence in our field by ensuring effective communication, managing individual services, and mandating proper training to our consumers, so they have the skills necessary to live independent and healthy lives.

Talk about Love & Joy’s clients.

Our clients are family to us. We have clients at our facilities that have been with us for more than 15 years. They feel safe in the environment and know that it is home. They are excited about meeting with the doctors, dentists, psychologists, and many other service professionals who are there to ensure that they receive the best care possible.

Talk about the medical professionals who work with Love & Joy.

Our licensed, well-respected, and trained medical professionals are part of the Love & Joy family. Our medical professionals include pharmacists, dentists, psychologists, nurses, neurologists, cardiologists,

ophthalmologists, and more. The medical staff is experienced and specialized in servicing populations that have all levels of mental challenges. We are committed to working in partnership with our consumers in achieving their employment goals and allowing them to live independently. We have 25 years of care experience working with medically dependent and dually diagnosed individuals with various behavior problems. Our goal is to promote and support independence and community involvement to all persons, regardless of their disability. We are committed to treating each consumer with dignity and respect.

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CONTINUED from page 10 providing them with the quality care that they need and deserve,” Compton expresses.

Seeing a lack of compassion in the industry for those with disabilities, Compton was energetic to open Love & Joy. Compton says, “Even today, there is a lack of empathy for people with mental challenges. They are sensitive to the environment’s tendency to ignore them, and therefore, they seek help from people who they know will assist them.”

Compton feels that the need to help this population starts in our community. “We see, and then do not see this population on a daily basis, and many times do not think twice about how we can give of ourselves to provide assistance to another human being,” she says. Love & Joy’s commitment to the care of those battling mental challenges and their genuine love for what they do allows them to listen and find solutions.

Compton attends Springfield College, and she plans to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services

by August 2016. Always focused on family, Compton decided to attend college later in life to inspire her grandchildren. She says, “I am attending college later in life, and I will be proud to receive my degree later this year. Love & Joy is a successful agency, but I wanted to be an example for my grandchildren.

I want them to witness the importance of having an education. It’s important for them to know that whatever you want to do in life is possible at any age.”

The Love & Joy Staff Sheila Swirczynski, Chief Executive Officer of Love & Joy, takes pride in ensuring that the staff has experience and is specialized in servicing a population of individuals with all levels of mental challenges. She has been an anchor in the organization, helping to expand its reach by continually raising the standard of quality care and exceptional service at Love & Joy. Shirley Perry-Favors, Administrator for Love & Joy, is responsible for

the Consumer Education Program and the Teen Work Program. She strives to assist the clients to achieve their goals, medically and socially, as well as supporting them with community integration. Mrs. Perry-Favors also manages the Teen Work Program by interviewing and hiring teens to work at Love & Joy during the summer.

This program provides them with vocational skills and assists them with the college application process.

Yvonne Jacobs, RN, Director of Nursing, oversees all medical care for consumers. She is responsible for three registered nurses on staff. With several years of experience, she is committed to working in partnership with a team of medical professionals who are dedicated to their clients receiving the best quality health care.

Alaba A. Odutula, Adult Daycare Director, oversees the Day Habilitation Program. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations, and he is dedicated to providing quality service to adults who need daytime supervision and professional healthcare in an active social environment. The Day Habilitation Program is licensed by the State of Texas, and it is structured to cater to all ages, offering music therapy, goal training, social inclusion into the community, special event activities, field trips, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Love & Joy’s Services Include: • Certified medical staff 24 hours a day • Supported Home Living • Minor Home Modifications • Own Home (Respite Optional) • Supervised Living • Foster/Companion Care • Dietary • Hot and nutritional meals, including snacks • Exercise and recreation • Arts and Crafts • Social learning, spiritual activities, and programs • Three recreational trips outside the facility monthly • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Audiology • Dental • Vision • Behavioral Support

Someone who has had a bad experience with adult day care, group homes, and assisted living, how do you let them see that Love & Joy is not going to give them that experience?

We work with you and your loved one to assist with needs, such as assistance with transportation to medical appointments and locating doctors. We hold meetings for general support and provide instructive and useful information. We have a convenient location for ease of submitting documents and a host of other HCS needs. We have immaculate group homes in safe and beautiful neighborhoods that are handicap accessible.

Our Day Habilitation Program is structured to cater to all ages and offers music therapy, goal training, social inclusion into the community, special event activities, field trips, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We take every individual need seriously and strive to provide sincere quality service. Everyone matters, and we treat each client with respect, dignity, and compassion. We assist them with being as independent as possible.

Give details on Love & Joy’s success rate.

Love & Joy has a 100% success rate. As stated before, we have clients that have been with us for more than 15 years. Most clients do not want to leave their home, and some do not leave. Sometimes we have family members that miss their loved one and take them

• Supported Employment • Social Work • Room and Board • Assistance with maintaining all medical appointments • Transportation

Love & Joy’s Partnerships Include: • The United Way • The Home Depot • The Houston Food Bank • The Houston Furniture Bank • Longhorn Steakhouse – Pearland • Olive Garden – Pearland • FedEx Office and Print Center – Letty Robles • TACTICAL TEE’S – Nathaniel Trevino • Chase Dowell Interior Design • Alma Allen – Texas House of Representatives • Lord of the Streets Episcopal Church • Brentwood Baptist Church • Houston Astros • Professional Flooring Supply – PFS • Houston Texans YMCA • The City of Houston

On November 18th, 2014, the $1.6 million dollar Love & Joy facility expansion project designed to house 140 mentally challenged and homeless individuals went up in flames at 85% completion. Determined to continue their devotion to the population without a voice, the Compton family has vowed to rebuild the facility.

Compton’s dream started with one halfway house that grew into 11 homes, one shelter that houses 26 individuals, and one adult day-care facility.

Compton’s tireless efforts and support to the population that she serves is said best in her motto. The Love & Joy motto is “Bringing Love Back into the Community.” When those with mental challenges have nowhere to go, Love & Joy is there.

For more on Love & Joy Personal Care Homes, please visit www.loveandjoy.org.

home to provide care for them until they transition.

This is not something you do alone, but a family-run business, as your daughters are also involved in this business. Talk about you passing on this business knowledge to your daughters.

I raised my children to take pride in giving back to the community to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. I have two daughters that followed me into the business, Sheila Swirczynski, Chief Executive Officer, and Shirley Perry-Favors, Administrator. They have worked diligently to ensure that the legacy of “Bringing Love Back into the Community” will continue for years to come.

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April 2016

Torch Lifestyle LLC Is a Health Movement Have You Been Torched?

By d-mars.com News Provider

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orch Lifestyle LLC is a Houston-based health and wellness company.

The company’s primary focus is meeting clients where they are geographically and physically. They are more than just a health and wellness company, but a health and fitness movement in the Greater Houston area.

Torch Lifestyle provides on-site personal training and other related services at fitness centers, residences, or even your place of business. Their success stories include injury rehabilitation, weight loss, and strength training for senior citizens to professional athletes. Their diverse client roster is made up of people of all ages, physical abilities, and backgrounds. Their genuine passion for fitness and health is strong. They produce real results, helping Houstonians achieve their fitness goals.

Torch Lifestyle’s Services: • Plyometric Strength Training • Weight Loss • Yoga Stress Management • Meal Planning • Rehabilitation • Pilates • Massage Therapy • And MORE!

For more on Torch Lifestyle, please visit www.torchlifestyle.org.

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April 2016

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April 2016

The d-mars.com Health & Wellness Journal Congratulates The

on Its 20 Year Anniversary By d-mars.com News Provider

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his year marks the 20th anniversary of a unique city, state and national treasure, The Health Museum, John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science (THM). This museum offers visitors an immersive experience that is reflective of 21st century medical research and technology. A member of the world famous Texas Medical Center and located in the heart of the city’s rich and varied Museum District, THM is where every visitor learns to foster a healthier ‘you’, through fun and inspiring experiences.

THM currently serves more than 180,000 visitors annually, providing content that is accessible and relevant to a wide range of public audiences. Since THM’s grand opening in 1996, they have seen more than 2.5 million visitors and counting. THM is the most visited health museum of its kind in the country. It is also one of the top public attractions in the Houston area.

TheHealth HealthMuseum: Museum: History History The As a result of the successful 1962 “Victory Over Polio” campaign, sponsored by the Harris County Medical Society and the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a citizen’s committee consisting of George Morse, Oveta Culp Hobby, Morgan Da-

Photos Courtesy of The Health Museum

vis, and Gail Whitcomb recommended that permanent health exhibits be constructed for public display. With funds raised through public contributions to the polio immunization program, along with contributions from physicians and a grant from Houston Endowment Inc., the Harris County Medical Society initiated plans to construct public health education exhibits.

Over the next 21 years, museum patrons enjoyed exhibits and outreach programs within an exhibit hall of another museum. Building a separate institution dedicated to health education had been a dream of the museum’s founders for many years. Following a successful $9.5 million capital campaign, the historic John P. McGovern Building was built in the heart of Houston’s Museum District. Doors opened on March 16, 1996.

The Health Museum continues to shape new directions for visitor experiences that are one-of-a-kind, highly educational, and behavior changing.

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The Leadership TheHealth Health Museum: Museum: Leadership THM’s Board of Directors and Board of Advisors guide the vision, mission, and strategic planning for THM. The group of dedicated individuals hold their leadership role with THM as very important, giving their time and great insight on how THM can fulfill its mission to foster wonder and curiosity about health, medical science, and the human body.

Leadership: Leadership:

Photo by L.C. Poullard

• Brian S. Parsley, Chair • Robert Wolin, JD, Vice Chair • Michael S. Clements, Treasurer • Donald R. Collins, Jr., M.D., Secretary • Denton A. Cooley, M.D., Member Emeritus • Sue Trammell Whitfield, Member Emeritus

in 2008. She is a strong fiscal and programmatic leader who oversees net assets of more than $24 million by developing effective programs with researched-based methodologies. Dr. Johnson’s effectiveness was recognized by the largest association for museums when she was awarded the esteemed Nancy Hanks Award for Professional Excellence out of 5,000 annual museum participants representing 50 countries, including the Smithsonian.

She was interviewed for an upcoming episode of the Travel Channel’s “Mysteries at the Museum,” as she presented facts about the Faith 7 Mercury capsule. She was featured on Radio Disney’s “Backyard” segment and Forbes Magazine. She was selected for the Center for Houston’s Leadership Think Tank (2014). Further, she is the 2015 recipient of the Pierre and Marie Curie Award for Humanities and the Ivy League Charitable Education Foundation Award for one of the City of Houston’s Best Educators.

She has been employed as a senior executive for various types of educational institutions. Prior to arriving at Space Center Houston, Dr. Johnson held the position as Director of Faculty Development for the Art Institute of Houston. In this position, she trained faculty from various disciplines to employ best practices in teaching and to implement strategies to help first year college students to persist in college enrollment.

As head of the Department for Developmental Education at Galveston College, Dr. Johnson’s leadership was the catalyst that launched the department into a synchronized division that was fully funded and staffed with the college’s first ever, developmental education learning community under the Title V – Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grant. She served on the President’s Task Force for Wage Equality, developed the college’s first Associate for Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree program in conjunction with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and organized the gulf coast region’s first Developmental Education Conference.

Her education credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in International Business/

French from Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama), followed by a Masters of Hospitality Management (MHM), and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction (Ed. D.). Hence, she has served in a leadership capacity for informal education, pre-K thru high school, post-secondary and remedial education, and she has impacted thousands of lives in the state of Texas. d-mars.com congratulates The Health Museum on its 20th Anniversary as a dynamic community resource. This health institution has many more successful years to come. For more information on The Health Museum, please visit them on the web at www.thehealthmuseum.org.

TheHealth Health Museum Museum President The President & CEO: Melanie & CEO: Melanie Johnson, Johnson, Ed.D. Ed.D. Dr. Melanie Johnson is an exceptional visionary and change agent for education-focused entities. Dr. Johnson is the first African-American to hold a senior position in the history of The Museum District in Houston. She previously served as the Director of Education for NASA’s Space Center Houston, where she managed a staff of up to 50 educators, counselors, and exhibit staff since her arrival

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April 2016

New Drug Manages Osteoarthritis Pain at Low Doses to Align With FDA Recommendations

about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. – BPT

By d-mars.com News Provider

O

steoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affects approximately 27 million adults each year in the U.S. and is one of the most common causes of disability.1 There is currently no cure for OA and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, such as pain, and improving function.2 OA is a chronic condition and patients are often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for an extended period of time to manage their pain.3 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many professional medical organizations have recommended that NSAIDs be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration to minimize the risk of dose-related serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal adverse events.4-9 Following a review of new safety information, in July 2015 the FDA announced it is strengthening the existing product label warnings for non-aspirin NSAIDs regarding the risk of heart attack and stroke.10 There is an unmet need for OA treatment options that can be given at a low dose to potentially reduce the risk of serious adverse events, including: • Heart attack • Stroke • GI bleeding • Stomach ulcers • Kidney problems11 A newly FDA-approved NSAID, VIVLODEX® (meloxicam) capsules, was specifically designed to align with the FDA’s recommendations. Meloxicam is the second most commonly prescribed NSAID in the U.S.12 VIVLODEX is the first FDA-approved low dose SoluMatrix® meloxicam, developed using a specialized technology to produce smaller drug particles that can be rapidly absorbed in the body. The approval of VIVLODEX marks an important milestone for the millions of Americans who live with osteoarthritis.1 VIVLODEX is a welcome option that offers patients an effective low dose NSAID. “The July announcement from FDA further reinforces the need for treatment at low doses. VIVLODEX is a new lose dose drug product of one of the most commonly used NSAIDs for patients with osteoarthritis pain, a common cause of disability,” said Dr. Byron Cryer, Associate Dean at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Ask your doctor if VIVLODEX is right for you. To learn more about this new treatment option visit, www.VIVLODEX.com.

_______________________

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like VIVLODEX, increase the risk of heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk may happen early in treatment and may increase with increasing doses and longer use of NSAIDs. Avoid taking NSAIDs after a recent heart attack.

Do not take VIVLODEX right before or after a heart surgery called a “coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)."

NSAID medicines can cause ulcers, tears, and bleeding in the esophagus, stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. These events can happen without warning symptoms and may cause death. The risk of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with: a past history of ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines, increasing doses or longer use of NSAIDs, taking other medicines called “corticosteroids”, “anticoagulants”, “SSRIs”, or “SNRIs”, smoking, drinking alcohol, older age, and having poor health, liver disease or bleeding problems.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, if you are pregnant or breast feeding, and about all of the medicines you take because NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact with each other and cause serious side effects.

VIVLODEX should not be taken after 29 weeks of pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Do not take VIVLODEX if you had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin, or any other NSAID medicine.

Life threatening allergic reactions can occur with VIVLODEX. Get help right away if you’ve had swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.

Other serious side effects of NSAIDs include: new or worse high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney problems including kidney failure, low red blood cells (anemia), life-threatening skin or allergic reactions, and liver problems including liver failure. The most common

side effects reported in studies using VIVLODEX were diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal discomfort.

VIVLODEX should be used exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible, and for the shortest time needed for your treatment.

These are not all the side effects reported with VIVLODEX. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about NSAID medicines. Call your doctor for medical advice

1 Neogi T. et al. The epidemiology and impact of pain in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2013 http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23973124.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Osteoarthritis. http://www.cdc. gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm.

3 Hochberg et al. 2012 (ACR OA Guidelines).

4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2005 Public Health Advisory – FDA Announces Important Changes and Additional Warnings for COX-2 Selective and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

5Antman EM, et al. Circulation.

2007;115(12):1634-1642.

6Wilcox CM, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(9):1082-1089.

7ACR Ad Hoc Group. Arthritis Rheum.

2008;59(8):1058-1073.

8Zhang W, et al. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16(2):137-162.

9AGS Panel. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009;57(8):1331-1346.

10 U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

2015 Drug Safety Communication. FDA Strengthens Warning that Non-Aspirin Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can Cause Heart Attacks or Strokes.

11 U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Medication Guide for Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

12 IMS National Prescription Audit, Total Prescriptions, 2010 - 2014.

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April 2016

Safe Sex: Pillow Talk

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By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer

s we are all aware, the rate of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) continues to rise.

It is very important that we still stay abreast of the types and the statistics. We must continue to talk about STDs with our youth and the importance of protection.

Reported Cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases on the Rise, Some at Alarming Rate Reported cases of three nationally notifiable STDs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis – have increased for the first time since 2006, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the 2014 STD Surveillance Report.

The approximately 1.4 million reported

Nearly 6 Million Americans Have Heart Failure: Here’s What You Should Know

L

By d-mars.com News Provider

arry, a 64-year-old father and husband, was diagnosed with chronic heart failure almost 20 years ago. Since his diagnosis, Larry has received several treatments — including various medicines, stents in his heart, and a pacemaker — and made the healthy lifestyle changes his health care provider recommended. Still, over time he was hospitalized several times due to his heart failure and continued to suffer from low energy levels.

He learned about a treatment option called Entresto™ (sacubitril/valsartan) tablets, a one-of-a-kind medicine for certain types of chronic heart failure where the heart is too weak to pump blood the way it should.

“Recently, my healthcare provider and I decided to add Entresto to my regimen, along with lifestyle changes. While everyone's experience with Entresto is different, I have not been back to the hospital since I began treatment, and I am able to have more time to enjoy activities that are important to me, like spending time with my family.”

Unlike a heart attack, heart failure is not just a single episode — it is a chronic

cases of chlamydia, a rate of 456.1 cases per 100,000 population, is up 2.8 percent since 2013. Rates of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis – the most infectious stages of syphilis –and gonorrhea have both increased since 2013, by 15.1 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. In 2014, there were 350,062 reported cases of gonorrhea (a rate of 110.7 per 100,000) and 19,999 reported cases of P&S syphilis (for a rate of 6.3 per 100,000).

STDs continue to affect young people— particularly women--most severely, but increasing rates among men contributed to the overall increases in 2014 across all three diseases.

Young People Still Disproportionately Affected by STDs The CDC’s 2014 data also shows that youth are still at the highest risk of acquiring an STD, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea. Despite being a relatively small portion of the sexually active population, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in 2014 and almost two thirds of all reported cases. Additionally, previous estimates suggest that young people in this age group acquire half of the esti-

mated 20 million new STDs diagnosed each year.

Despite recommendations from the CDC and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women younger than 25, experts believe far too many young people are not tested, and therefore don’t know they are infected.

“The consequences of STDs are especially severe for young people,” said Gail Bolan, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “Because chlamydia and gonorrhea often have no symptoms, many infections go undiagnosed and this can lead to lifelong repercussions for a woman’s reproductive health, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.”

Preventing STDs among youth is a key priority for CDC. CDC encourages the use of expedited partner therapy

(offering treatment to the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea without a prior medical exam) where legally permissible, recommending the most effective treatment options, and providing resources to state and local health departments to support on-the-ground STD prevention efforts.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has implemented a National Coverage Determination to ensure STD screening services are covered under Medicare Part B. Most plans must provide coverage for recommended sexually transmitted infection preventive services without cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act. The Health Resource and Services Administration funds health centers to offer an array of STD prevention services and appropriate treatment.

To reduce STDs, Americans must take steps to protect themselves. For sexually active individuals, testing and treatment according to CDC’s recommendations, using condoms consistently and correctly, and limiting the number of sex partners are all effective strategies for reducing the risk of infection and consequences to health.

For more information on the new analysis and CDC's HIV prevention efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom.

Source Used: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should either take Entresto or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take potassium supplements or a salt substitute; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); lithium; or other medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren.

condition that gets worse over time. When you have heart failure, your heart isn’t able to pump blood the way it should. This means your heart must work harder to deliver blood to your organs. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in your belly, legs and feet. These symptoms can make it hard to do everyday tasks, and when they get worse, they often require people with heart failure to be hospitalized.

“Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization for Americans over the age of 65, and I see many patients being readmitted with severe symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid retention,” said Dr. Hector Ventura, Director of Cardiomyopathy & Heart Transplantation at Ochsner Medical Center. “I talk with appropriate patients about treatment with Entresto because it has been shown to significantly help reduce heart failure hospitalizations and even cut cardiovascular death.”

People living with chronic heart failure should work with their healthcare provider to take proactive measures to manage their condition, which includes eating a balanced diet, getting appropriate exercise, weighing themselves regularly, and closely tracking their symptoms.

Larry wants to help other chronic heart failure patients. “I encourage others living with chronic heart failure to work with their doctor to find the treatment option that’s right for them,” he says.

Learn more at www.entresto.com.

Who should not take Entresto?

Do not take Entresto if you • are allergic to sacubitril or valsartan or any of the ingredients in Entresto • have had an allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat (angioedema) or trouble breathing while taking a type of medicine called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) • take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Do not take Entresto for at least 36 hours before or after you take an ACE inhibitor medicine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Entresto if you are not sure if you take an ACE inhibitor medicine • have diabetes and take a medicine that contains aliskiren

What are the possible side effects of Entresto?

Entresto may cause serious side effects including: • angioedema that may cause trouble breathing and death. Get emergency medical help right away if you have symptoms of angioedema or trouble breathing. Do not take Entresto again if you have had angioedema while taking Entresto. People who are Black or who have had angioedema and take Entresto may have a higher risk of having angioedema • low blood pressure (hypotension). Call your doctor if you become dizzy or lightheaded, or you develop extreme fatigue • kidney problems • increased amount of potassium in your blood

What is Entresto?

Entresto is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of death and hospitaliza-

What should I tell my doctor before taking Entresto?

Before you take Entresto, tell your doc-

The most common side effects were low blood pressure, high potassium, cough, dizziness, and kidney problems. – BPT

tion in people with certain types of longlasting (chronic) heart failure. Entresto is usually used with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other ARB therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about Entresto?

Entresto can harm or cause death to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking Entresto, tell your doctor right away.

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April 2016

A New Treatment Option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Get the Sleep Without the Snore, Here’s How By d-mars.com News Provider

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l Pierce from South Carolina had always been a snorer, which kept his wife Gail awake night after night.

Eventually, she went to her doctor for sleeping pills as a last resort. After explaining why she wasn't sleeping, her doctor suggested that Al's snoring may have been related to an underlying serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

OSA is a common condition, affecting about 18 million Americans (Peppard et al., 2013). It occurs when the tongue and other soft tissues relax during sleep and block the airway. The brain senses a problem and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath. This can happen hundreds of times throughout the night, resulting in poor and unrestful sleep.

"When left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can cause an increased risk in motor vehicle accidents, daytime sleepiness, irritability, weight gain and high blood pressure, as well as more serious complications such as heart disease or stroke," says Dr. Jennifer Hsia of the University of Minnesota-Fairview Health.

At the request of his wife, Al underwent a sleep study and was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a revelation that explained years of sleep troubles. His doctor prescribed him a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, which required him to wear a mask during sleep to keep his airway open.

Though CPAP can be a successful way for many patients to manage their OSA, studies show 40-70 percent of

people are unable to make CPAP work for them (Kushida et al., 2012). Pierce tried multiple masks and machines but none seemed to work. Eventually, he just stopped using it.

New treatments available Fortunately for people like Al, treatment options are expanding. In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new device called In-

spire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, specifically for people with moderate to severe OSA who are unable to use or get consistent benefit from CPAP. In contrast to CPAP, Inspire therapy works inside the body without a mask or hose.

The device is composed of a breathing sensor and a stimulation lead powered by a small battery. Implanted during a short outpatient procedure, Inspire therapy continuously monitors breathing patterns during sleep. The system delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles which gently moves the tongue and other soft tissues out of the airway.

Al was implanted with the device in 2011 as part of a clinical trial studying Inspire therapy. Nearly five years later, he is still using the device all night, every night. His energy levels have increased dramatically and he no longer wakes up feeling tired.

"Using my sleep remote, I simply turn the device on before I go to bed and turn it off when I wake up, then go about my day," Al says of his daily use of the device. "Before Inspire therapy, I didn't know what it was like to feel this good in the morning. Now, I do."

To learn more about Inspire therapy, view important safety information and see if it may be right for you, visit www. inspiresleep.com. - BPT

Nurses Address Global Health Care Concerns Through Virtual Learning By d-mars.com News Provider

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eople are more connected now than ever before thanks to the globalization of technology, international travel, commerce and industry. But this interconnectedness also means that health concerns, which were once limited to a community, can have a global impact. The Zika virus, the outbreak recently declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the latest example of a foreign health issue that quickly raised concern within our borders.

Nurses are using the technology that connects us to prepare for this new reality. Through virtual simulation education, they are learning to care for diverse populations and practicing global health scenarios including epidemics, rare illnesses and other infectious diseases.

"Globalization has changed our approach to health care. Viral diseases can spread rapidly, so we have to be ready," says Dee McGonigle, professor in Chamberlain College of Nursing's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program. "Virtual learning en-

vironments provide valuable, interactive education on best practices for patient safety and disease containment in a realtime scenario that mimics real life."

Dr. McGonigle heads up the college's 3-D Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). During the Ebola outbreak in 2014, she and several colleagues built the Virtual Ebola Treatment Center (VETC) in Second Life, a virtual world created by its global community of users. In Second Life, users - known as residents - are represented by avatars that can walk, run, sit, stand, fly and interact with other residents.

Chamberlain students learned how to admit and care for Ebola patients by practicing scenarios in the VETC within Second Life. Faculty from the MSN Informatics specialty track facilitated and mentored students through the riskfree virtual learning experience.

Like the Zika virus, the Ebola crisis was a wake-up call that proved how quickly disease can spread and how important it is to be prepared. Seemingly overnight, health care professionals and students nationwide were tasked with developing expertise on a disease that was previously of little concern to U.S. citizens.

"Nurses around the world were looking for answers," says Dr. McGonigle.

"We knew we had the opportunity to build a critical training tool to prepare our students to treat Ebola patients."

Chamberlain alumna Kellany Cadogan-Noland, now a clinical learning lab specialist at Chamberlain, utilized Second Life for her MSN Informatics Specialty Track nursing project. Second Life nursing projects are designed to help those who cannot complete them in a real-world situation because of geographic or other limitations.

Cadogan-Noland used the VETC to test potential responses to an Ebola outbreak in the United States. She collaborated with mentors around the country to determine which infrastructures and clinical processes - such as clinical dressing locations for hospital staff were most effective at disease containment. Within weeks of completing her project, the West African outbreak had spread to the United States. CadoganNoland and her team adjusted their VETC strategy to implement and test containment plans as they were announced by the WHO. "I benefitted more from Second Life than I would have through an onsite

project because we could adapt the virtual environment to our learning needs so quickly," Cadogan-Noland says.

"I was able to quickly test scenarios through simulations. We couldn't have accomplished this within such a short timeframe in a brick and mortar facility."

Chamberlain faculty and students can easily adapt their model of virtual simulation education to address other emerging global health issues like the Zika virus, giving nurses like CadoganNoland an extraordinary window to the rest of the world. Dr. McGonigle and other Chamberlain leaders behind the VETC are planning more interprofessional collaboration in the future to explore new innovative applications of the virtual learning experience for their students.

"The quality of virtual learning is continually evolving with enhanced technology and feedback from putting simulation methods into practice," says Dr. McGonigle. "We have so much more to discover with virtual learning. We are just getting started as we use it this to educate nurses who will go on to transform health care worldwide." – BPT

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April 2016

Conquering the Top 5 Reasons People Fail at Fitness By d-mars.com News Provider

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veryone can agree that regular exercise is important, so why do so many people struggle to stick with their fitness goals?

If you've encountered barriers holding you back from committing to a fitness routine, you're not alone. The health experts at the Mayo Clinic offer simple ideas for overcoming the five most common hurdles to fitness commitment. For more ideas visit healthcheckup.mayoclinic.org.

Challenge 1: I don't have enough time to exercise.

Setting aside time to exercise can be a challenge, so it's important to use a little creativity to get the most out of your time.

Squeeze in short walks: If you don't have time for a full workout, don't sweat it.

Shorter spurts of exercise, such as 10 minutes of walking spaced throughout the day, offers benefits too.

Get up early: If your days are packed and the evening hours are hectic, get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week to exercise.

Drive less, walk more: Park in the back row of the parking lot or even a few blocks away and walk to your destination.

Revamp your rituals: Your weekly Sat-

urday matinee with the kids could be reborn as your weekly bike ride, rock-climbing lesson or trip to the pool.

Challenge 2: I think exercise is boring.

It's natural to grow weary of a repetitive workout day after day, especially when you're going it alone. But exercise doesn't have to be boring.

Choose fun activities: You'll be more likely to stay interested.

Remember, anything that gets you moving counts.

Vary the routine: Rotate among several activities - such as walking, swimming and cycling - to keep you on your toes while conditioning different muscle groups.

Join forces: Exercise with friends, relatives, neighbors or co-workers. You'll enjoy the camaraderie and the encouragement of the group.

Explore new options: Learn new skills while working out. Check out exercise classes or sports leagues at a recreation center or health club.

Challenge 3: I'm self-conscious about how I look.

Fitness isn't just about what you look

like on the outside, it's the inside as well.

Remind yourself what a great favor you're doing for your cardiovascular health, or focus on how much stronger you feel after a workout.

Avoid the crowd: If you're uncomfortable exercising around others, go solo at first. Try an exercise video or an activityoriented video game.

Make an investment: Consider investing in home exercise equipment like a stationary bicycle, treadmill or a stair-climbing machine that you can use at home on your own time.

Focus on the future: Praise yourself for making a commitment to your health.

Remember that as you become fitter and more comfortable exercising, your self-confidence is likely to improve as well.

Challenge 4: I'm too tired to exercise.

No energy to exercise? Without exercise, you'll have no energy. It's a vicious cycle. But breaking the cycle with physical activity is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Try a morning workout: Hop on the treadmill or stationary bicycle while you listen to the radio or watch the morning news.

Make lunchtime count: Keep a pair of

walking shoes at your desk and take a brisk walk during your lunch break.

Be prepared: Make sure you have comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothes for exercising readily available at home and in your car.

Challenge 5: I can't afford health club fees.

You don't need a membership at an elite gym to get a great workout. Consider easy and free alternatives.

Do strengthening exercises at home: Use inexpensive resistance bands - lengths of elastic tubing that come in varying strengths - in place of weights. Do pushups or squats using your body weight.

Start a walking group: Round up friends, neighbors or coworkers for regular group walks. Plan routes through the neighborhood, along local parks and trails, or in a nearby shopping mall.

Take the stairs: Skip the elevator when you can and climb the stairs.

Try your community center: Exercise classes offered through a local recreation department or community education are often more budget-friendly than an annual gym membership.

Visit healthcheckup.mayoclinic.org to learn more today. – BPT

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