Medical Directory - June 2020

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DIRECTORY June 27, 2020

SUPPLEMENT TO:

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SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

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make the results of your test available to others so you can make connections with relatives and learn from their ancestry research, which will help you build your family tree. These paid services provide access to billions of historical records, such as birth, death and Census records, property records, news articles, photos and more.

Do it Yourself If you’re looking for more

searching. You’ll also need some basic technological savvy, as online genealogy programs use a common file called a GEDCOM file that can be exchanged between programs. Each online platform has its own user interface, so use the site’s how-to videos to get started.

If you’re stuck on a part of your family tree for which you just can’t find the data you need, you can even hire an expert to tackle those parts of the project for you.

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Working from home? Great time to start an exercise plan If you’re working from home during the pandemic, there’s never been a better time to start an exercise plan.

You have more control over your schedule and you can start good habits now that will hopefully become routine by the time you’re back to working outside the home.

Don’t just jump in without a plan, however. Here are some tips to help those who are establishing a new exercise regimen find success. As always, discuss your plans with your doctor first.

Assess your fitness level. Both the Mayo Clinic and WebMD recommend conducting a basic assessment of your fitness level before getting started. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking your pulse before and after walking a mile, timing a one-mile walk or 1.5-mile run, noting how many pushups you can do at one time and how far you can reach forward while sitting on the floor with your legs in front of you, as well as measuring your waist and calculating your body mass index.

Set a goal for your exercise plan. What would you like to accomplish? Reduce your BMI? Run a 5K? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or 75 minutes of

vigorous physical activity per week. Set a realistic goal based on your current level of fitness and your commitment to exercising. Set small, measurable benchmarks for yourself, even if it’s just walking for 30 minutes three times a week.

Setting unachievable goals or impossible milestone can set you up for defeat quickly. You should start slow and gradually increase the weights you use and the time you spend exercising, but increase by no more than 10% each week.

Choose your exercises.

HHS recommends doing strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. You can accomplish this with a single set of each exercise, using weights or resistance bands. Choose your weight or resistance band level by determining which one tires your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

Include a variety of activities in your workout so you don’t get bored. For example, you can get your cardio one day by running, and another by biking. Look for fun, creative ways to exercise, such as an online dance fitness class.

In the end, what’s important is making a plan you can stick with. You will likely have setbacks on your fitness journey. Be prepared to keep yourself motivated and keep working toward your goal.

Set a goal for your exercise plan.

What would you like to accomplish?

Reduce your BMI? Run a 5K?

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The importance of nurses Nurses play a monumental role in the health care setting.

They use their knowledge to assist in life-threatening situations and act as advocates toward patient safety and trust. Their presence is varied and valuable and should be respected and applauded throughout your community.

A nursing professional isn’t limited to practicing in a clinic or hospital. In fact, many with RN or LPN qualifications accept jobs that place them in unique settings across the globe.

Experts hold positions for schools and summer camps, as traveling aides and hospice nurses who help patients find comfort in their final days. Find out why nurses are so significant in health care, as suggested by the Roseman University of Health Sciences.

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Improve Outcomes Nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) are shown to have a vital presence in health care settings. A report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that hospitals with more BSN-prepared nursing professionals have lower patient mortality rates, shorter average patient stays and reduced health care costs.

Other studies report that their role also leads to lower instances of: • Incidence of pressure ulcers.

• Postoperative deep vein thrombosis.

• Hospital-acquired infections.

Nurses are not only responsible for monitoring progress and administering medications during their daily duties, but they also become trusted advocates for patients.

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Garner Trust with Patients Nurses are not only responsible for monitoring progress and administering medications during their daily duties, but they also become trusted advocates for patients. Because those under care rely on having someone to talk to regarding their symptoms and concerns, nursing professionals quickly become supporters.

Doctors generally make their rounds once a day.

Nurses, however, deliver hour-to-hour care throughout their workday. This often leads to a wholesome

Education Nurses are also excellent at educating both patients and their caregivers about how to make healthier decisions.

While most information is given during a hospital stay, once a patient is released, they are armed with more knowledge for living better at home.

Nursing professionals are also advocates of informing their communities about lifestyle risks. They often provide advice about the importance of regular checkups and being adamant about screenings and regular exercise.

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enjoyable.

• Consider the flooring.

New flooring can protect against damage and make an area more conductive to working out. Rubber mats can offset echoes and reduce the noise of running on a treadmill or setting down heavy weights.

• Use space-saving equipment. A home gym space will likely not be as expansive as the space inside a traditional fitness center.

Thankfully, many activities do not require a lot of space or equipment. Classic exercises like squats, lunges, push ups, and sit ups require little gear but still produce results. Figure out which equipment you like the most and invest in two or three key pieces. Dumbells of various weights, a medicine ball and a yoga mat can be all you need to create a versatile, effective workout. A TRX system and a door-mounted pull-up bar also are great space-saving options.

• Have a TV hookup. A home gym may benefit from a smart TV that you can use to stream workout videos or catch up on the latest news while running the treadmill or using the stationary bike.

A home gym is beneficial year-round, and can be especially valuable when social distancing guidelines are put in place.

Providing direction, answers, and support for an improved quality of life.

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How to design fitness room at home People exercise for many different reasons. Exercise can improve one’s appearance, reduce the risk for illness, alleviate stress or anxiety, and even help pass some time. Exercise is often a social activity, but in the wake of social distancing guidelines issue in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many people have found themselves looking for ways to exercise at home.

Building a home fitness room has never been a more timely project, and such a project can continue to provide rewards even when life returns to some semblance of normalcy.

Here’s how to successfully stock a home gym.

• Find a dedicated space.

A home gym will be limited by the amount of space that can be devoted to workouts. Possible fitness room locations include a spare bedroom, a garage, a basement, or an enclosed patio. Measure the space so you can pick and choose equipment that will fit.

Leave some floor space empty for movement exercises or mat activities.

• Keep the space bright.

Darkness can sap energy levels, so invest in mirrors and adequate overhead lighting to make the space inviting. Natural light can make the exercise area more

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Easy ways to keep your immune system strong The immune system is a powerful component of the human body. The immune system recognizes when viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders enter or compromise the body, and then takes action to prevent illnesses from taking over.

The average person can help his or her immune system do its job more effectively by making the immune system as strong as it can be.

Harvard Medical School says that diet, exercise, age, and psychological stress may affect immune system response.

Certain lifestyle choices can promote a strong immune system.

Get adequate sleep Doctors believe sleep and

immunity are closely tied. A study of 164 healthy adults published by the National Institutes of Health found those who slept fewer than six hours each night were more likely to catch a cold than people who slept for more than six hours. Aim for adequate rest each night to keep your body in top form.

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables supply the powerhouse antioxidants that are essential for protecting a body against free radicals. Free radicals may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Serve fruits and/ or vegetables with every meal to ensure you’re getting enough antioxidant-rich

foods.

Consume fiber and fermented foods Fiber can help feed the gut microbiome, which is linked to a robust immune system. The microbiome also may prevent harmful pathogens from entering the body through the digestive tract. Data also suggests that eating more fermented foods can further strengthen and populate healthy bacteria in the gut.

Exercise regularly.

Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, advises the American Heart Association.

Thirty minutes of exercise each day can go a long way toward keeping the body

healthy. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. Exercise causes changes in antibodies and white blood cells.

These antibodies and white blood cells circulate rapidly, so they may detect illnesses earlier than they would if you do not exercise. Body temperature also rises during exercise, which could naturally prevent bacteria from growing.

Try to minimize stress

According to Simply Psychology, when people are stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced, making people more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system.

Limiting stress through meditation and breathing exercises, or trying to remove stressors from one’s life, may help.

A healthy immune system is vital to fending off or recovering from illness.

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(989) 872-8131 Harvard Medical School says that diet, exercise, age, and psychological stress may affect immune system response. Certain lifestyle choices can promote a strong immune system.

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How to stay positive while social distancing As recently as late February, much of the populations of the United States and Canada were living life as they normally would. A few short weeks later, when COVID-19 began to affect a greater number of people, many businesses grinded to a halt. Schools were closed to students, and governments instructed people to stay home as much as possible.

“Social distancing” quickly became part of the general lexicon, with people in many cities and towns staying six feet apart from others when venturing into the public, but mainly staying at home.

While it is still too soon to determine the lasting impact of COVID-19, the psychological effects of social distancing were apparent almost immediately.

According to Dr. Adam Kaplin, M.D. PhD., a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, anyone who has had some trauma in the past may discover that social distancing rekindled previous traumatic feelings. Emily Roberts, a New York-based psychotherapist, says any form of isolation can be devastating to a person’s mood because they are left with their own thoughts.

Various strategies can help to ease the potential psychological burden of social distancing and give people a new perspective on their situation.

Focus on the positives Look at what you have gained rather than lost from social distancing. This may translate to more time with the family; opportunities to exercise more; time to engage in a hobby; or

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chances to finish up projects around the house.

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Scott M. Behnan, DDS, MS

118 North Hanselman St. • Bad Axe, MI 48413 •

989.269.6811

Get fresh air Where laws allow, make time daily to get outdoors, even if it’s for a short jaunt around the neighborhood.

Seeing new sights can be good for the mind, and exercise also is good for the body.

Establish a routine A routine helps anyone feel more in control, which is helpful when so much of the consequences of COVID-19 are beyond individuals’ control. Psychology Today recommends rising and going to bed on your typical schedule, eating meals at regular intervals and making time for different activities each day.

Reach out to people Social distancing does not mean you have to cease being social. Contact friends or family on the phone, through video chats or even speak with them at a safe distance in person. If you need professional help, many therapists now offer telehealth therapy sessions.

Turn off the news Take a break from the constant onslaught of information. This can reduce stress and anxiety and allow the brain to focus on positive thoughts and ideas.

Express gratitude Give thanks for what you have each day and try to help others who may be less fortunate than you.

Social distancing has been a trial for everyone involved.

Certain strategies can help turn grief into gratitude.

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Safety first before mixing prescription, otc drugs Billions of people across the globe take medications each day. Certain medications can help people with potentially debilitating or even deadly conditions live normal lives, while others can help people overcome relatively minor issues like muscle aches or seasonal allergies.

The American Heart Association notes that mixing drugs can produce unexpected side effects. This can make it dangerous for people already on prescription medications to use overthe-counter drugs for issues like headache or seasonal allergies.

Understanding the potential interactions between their prescriptions and common prescription and over-the-counter medi-

cations can help people stay safe.

• Antihistamines: Antihistamines are widely used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold or seasonal allergies, such as runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. The AHA notes that, when taken along with blood pressure medication, antihistamines can contribute to an accelerated heart rate and cause blood pressure to spike. The AHA also cautions people taking sedatives, tranquilizers or prescriptions to treat high blood pressure or depression to consult their physicians before taking antihistamines.

• Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators relax and open the airways in the lungs and are used to treat various

Understanding the potential interactions between their prescriptions and common prescription and over-the-counter medications can help people stay safe. lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or

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COPD. These drugs make it easier to breathe and are available via prescriptions.

But patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and/or diabetes should discuss the potential interactions between bronchodilators and other medications they may be taking with their physicians.

• Cordarone: According to Drugs.com, Cordarone is used to treat potentially deadly abnormal heartbeats. Cordarone can cause severe problems that affect the lungs, thyroid or liver, and can be dangerous when combined with other drugs.

For example, the AHA notes that patients who take more than 20 milligrams of Zocor, a drug used to lower “bad” cholesterol and potentially to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack and other conditions, while also taking Cordarone are at risk of developing rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition marked by the breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney failure or death. The AHA also says that Cordarone

can inhibit or reduce the effects of the blood thinner Coumadin.

• Nicotine replacement products: People taking prescriptions for depression or asthma should consult their physicians before taking any nicotine replacement products. The Federal Drug Administration notes that doctors may want to change dosages of patients’ current medications before recommending they take any nicotine replacement products.

The FDA also advises people to speak with their physicians before trying these products if they have diabetes, heart disease, asthma or stomach ulcers; have had a recent heart attack; have high blood pressure but do not take any medication for it; or have a history of irregular heartbeat.

Drug interactions can complicate treatment of various conditions. People currently on medication are urged to speak with their physicians before taking any new medicines, including over-the-counter drugs.

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What to do when considering nicotine replacement therapy Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it’s something millions of people have already done. That reality should provide hope to current smokers who recognize the potentially deadly nature of their habits and want to quit.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, is the most commonly used family of quit smoking medications. In an effort to reduce the urge to smoke, NRT gives patients small, controlled amounts of nicotine, but none of the other dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes.

While NRT has proven highly effective at helping many people overcome their urges to smoke, the Federal Drug Administration notes it’s vital smokers speak with their physicians prior to using an NRT product.

While these products can be purchased over-thecounter, that does not mean they cannot pose a threat to certain people who are smoking.

• Pregnant women should pause. Pregnant women understandably want to quit smoking the moment they learn they’re pregnant, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that women who smoke while pregnant are more likely to give birth too early.

Babies born prematurely miss important growth that happens during the final weeks of pregnancy, and such children may be born with issues such as low birth weight, breathing and feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, and problems with hearing or eyesight. Pregnant women who want to quit

smoking should only begin NRT if their doctors approve.

Quitting cold turkey might be difficult, but it could be the healthiest option for pregnant women and the children they’re carrying.

• Consider your current health. The FDA also recommends people with various preexisting conditions speak with their doctors before beginning NRT. Such conditions include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or stomach ulcers. In addition, people who have recently had a heart attack and those with high blood pressure that is not controlled with medication must speak with their physicians before beginning NRT. The same goes for anyone with a history of irregular heartbeat and smokers who have been prescribed medication to help them quit smoking.

Smokers whose doctors give them the green light to go forward with NRT should not hesitate to report side effects, even if the treatment is working. While quitting smoking is a worthwhile goal, it’s important to pay attention to your body and remain on the lookout for potentially harmful side effects of NRT, including: • nausea; • dizziness; • weakness; • vomiting; • fast or irregular heartbeat; • mouth problems with the lozenge or gum; or • redness or swelling of the skin around the patch that does not go away.

The presence of any of these symptoms, or any other irregularities NRT patients notice, should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately.

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Keep your baby sun-safe Spending time outdoors is a summertime tradition for people of all ages. Sunny summer afternoons may be especially cherished in 2020, when people across the globe have been forced to spend more time indoors as they adhere to social distancing guidelines implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Parents of infants may be extra excited to get outdoors this summer. Chances to get out and about don’t come around very often for parents of infants, and those chances may be even more rare as social distancing guidelines remain in place. But before parents rush out the door to soak up some summer sun, it’s imperative that they take steps to protect their tiny tots from UV rays.

Avoid exposing infants to the sun The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that infants’ skin is especially sensitive to the sun, so the organization advises parents to shield children six months and younger from the sun rather than using sunscreen.

Instead of applying sunscreen to their infants, parents should keep them out of the sun entirely. Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are especially intense. When taking infants out in their strollers, make sure they are shaded at all times and avoid walking on the sunny side of the street.

Dress babies for the sun The SCF advises parents to dress their babies in brimmed hats and lightweight clothing that fully covers their arms and legs.

Dressing babies for the sun may seem like common sense, but the SCF notes that researchers at the University

of Miami found that only 43 percent of parents consistently cover their babies with hats, and even fewer (40 percent) cover babies with long-sleeved shirts and pants when going out in the sun.

Consider sunglasses Sunglasses are another way parents can protect their children from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

Sunglasses can be an alternative for parents whose infants keep taking off their hats, as many baby-sized sunglasses are equipped with elastic straps to keep the glasses on. Sunglasses may be vital because the melanin in infants’ eyes is still forming, and that development can be adversely affected if infants’ eyes are exposed to UV rays.

Use sunscreen at 6 months The SCF advises parents to begin applying sunscreen to their infants when their children reach six months of age. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The SCF notes that sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices because these physical filters do not rely on absorption of chemicals and are therefore less likely to cause a skin reaction. The SCF also advises testing the sunscreen on your baby’s wrist before applying it all over the body. This can indicate if the product irritates the child’s skin and needs to be replaced, or if it’s safe to use.

In the rush to get outside, parents should make sure they don’t forget to take every step necessary to protect their infants from UV exposure.