In Good Health: WNY #105 - July 2023

Health, shares her experience of having a total knee replacement.

“There had been many sleepless nights (which is common postsurgery) and times when I felt I was taking two steps forward and one step back,” she writes. P. 9

Interview with physician John Fudyma, University at Buffalo.

Older Population: Median Age in U.S Is Now 38.8

Baby boomers push median age of Americans up as births decline

The American population is older than it used to be, according to new U.S. Census data.

With fewer young children, more baby boomers and even more centenarians, the country's median age is higher — at 38.8 — and the share of people aged 65 and up more substantial, the report showed.

Among the most notable numbers is that the share of people 65 and older grew by more than one-third between the 2010 census and the 2020 census, and that the number of people reaching age 100 grew from more than 53,000 to more than 80,000. Meanwhile, millennials became adults or aged into their 30s, and fewer children were born between 2010 and 2020.

What does that all mean?

“Many more people who have the genetic makeup and environmental exposures that increase one's chances of getting to 100, but who would have otherwise died of what are now readily reversible problems, are able to fulfill their survival destiny,” Thomas Perls, a longevity expert and professor of medicine at Boston University, told the Associated Press.

The share of men living into old age is also larger, which can be attributed to improvements in medical care.

Some of the declines in younger people are attributed to women having babies later and to birth rates slowing during the 2007 to 2009 Great Recession and not recovering.

“In the short run, the crisis of work-family balance, the lack of af-

fordable child care, stresses associated with health care, housing and employment stability, all put a damper on birth rates by increasing uncertainty and making it harder to decide to have and raise children,”

Philip Cohen, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, told the AP.

The 2020 data was delayed by nearly two years as the Census Bureau began a new privacy protection method that obscures respondent identity. The agency also had some trouble gathering information because of the pandemic, the AP reported.

The United States now has 331 million people. Those aged 65 and up comprised 16.8% of the U.S. population in 2020, a share that is still lower than other countries like Japan, Greece and Italy.

White people are the oldest cohort, with a median age of 44.5. Median age for Asian people was 37.2. Black Americans had a median age of 35.5. The youngest were Hispanic people with a median age of 30.

Age also varied by state, with Maine showing a median age of 45.1. Puerto Rico had a median of 45.2. These facts are attributed to baby boomers aging out of the workforce and people leaving Puerto Rico because of hurricanes and government mismanagement, the AP reported.

It matters that the country is

getting older because there will be fewer working-age adults to support older Americans on Social Security and Medicare.

“In the long run, immigration is the only way the United States is going to avoid population decline,” Cohen said.

Healthcare in a Minute

Healthcare in a Minute

ing from the pandemic are struggling to break even.

By George W. Chapman

By George W.

OB-GYN Exodus

It should come as no surprise that OB-GYNs in states with restrictive or confusing abortion laws are considering moving to states that won’t interfere in the care between doctor and patient. The Kaiser Family Foundation published an article about what is happening in Idaho, which just passed a restrictive abortion law. Seventy-five of 117 Idaho OB-GYNs surveyed by the Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Healthcare indicated they were considering leaving the state. Of the 75, 73 said it was because of the newly passed restrictive abortion law. Rural hospitals, typically staffed with minimal OB-GYN physicians, may be forced

Rise to Health

The American Medical Association (AMA), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and Race Forward are collaborating as “Rise to Health” to mitigate the barriers that must be overcome to achieve health equity among us all. Barriers such as cost, access, isolation, housing and food security and racism, all impede health equity. The three organizations representing providers, payers, pharma and numerous professional societies and associations are combining their heretofore disparate efforts in the battle against impediments to equity and establish a set of common measurements and goals. Hopefully, Rise to Health will address our fragmented healthcare system which frustrates providers and consumers alike.

to close maternal services, forcing pregnant women to travel hundreds of miles out of state to deliver. OBGYNs provide a lot more health services to women besides maternal care. So, their departure from states with restrictive abortion laws will have a far greater impact on women’s overall healthcare than anticipated. A research paper published in February found 76% (3 of 4) current and future (residents and medical students) OBGYNs won’t even apply to work in states with restrictive abortion laws. The threat of potential fines and even imprisonment was too much of a deterrent.

study by J.D. Powers based on 32,656 interviews, customer satisfaction with commercial insurance plans is declining especially among Gen Y and Gen Z generations. Particularly low scores were given to customer service and communication. Only 17% of those who identified their health status as poor or fair were assigned a case manager. Care fragmentation (multiple providers and several prescriptions) usually leads to high costs, poor outcomes and increased patient frustration. Other scores that declined from previous studies were in coverage and benefits and provider choice. Low scores from new members indicate a need for insurers to do better job of onboarding or how to access benefits and navigate our complicates and fragmented healthcare system. Interestingly, digital health tool usage remained low.

business (private physicians and hospitals), a 70% decrease in urgent care business a 1% decrease in emergency room business. (The decrease in non-emergent visits in ERs is a good decrease.) The pandemic was probably a major cause for the 200% increase at retail clinics as consumers got used to getting vaccines and COVID-19 testing there, so primary care usage at these locations grew by association and convenience. Being associated with a drug chain like CVS or Walgreens further enhanced the convenience, continuity of care and one-stop shopping. Ninety percent of retail health clinics are owned by six huge corporations with CVS being the biggest. Believe it or not, the second largest operator of retail clinics is grocery giant Kroger. So, you can see your doctor, get a vaccination, get tested, get your prescription and grab a dozen eggs all in the same place. Most retail clinics are in the Southwest and Midwest.

Monitor BP by Phone

The CDC estimates almost half of adults have hypertension. Engineers at UC San Diego have developed a simple clip that works with your smartphone camera and flash. It costs less than $1. It is so cheap it could be handed out by providers to their patients so they can easily monitor their blood pressure at home without the hassle of cuffs and BP monitors. The product is not yet available as the engineers are working on making the clip as user friendly as possible.

Healthcare in the Metaverse

Caring for Resistant Elderly Parents

You want to help but your 80-plus-year-old parents are resistant. They are confused or believe you are interfering or they are afraid of losing their independence. Possibly all the above. It is the dilemma confronting most family caregivers. Negotiation and dispute resolution may be the answer. Researchers at Northwest University conclude the very same negotiation and dispute resolution tactics that work for businesses can work for families. 1) Determine the clinical, personal and financial issues.

2) What are your parents’ positions?

3) Lay out what are you willing to do as caregiver. 4) Find common ground. 5) What are your parents’ fears? Both real and perceived. Mitigate everyone’s emotions. 6) Ask questions, don’t present parents with edicts. 7) Agree you are all on the same team. 8) If all fails, seek third party help from social workers, family psychologists or case managers. Above all, don’t let the relationship with your parents devolve into resentment.

Customer Satisfaction Declining

According to a recently released

Retail Clinic Usage Soars

Over last five years, retail clinics have experienced a 200% increase in business. Compare that to a 13% decrease in traditional primary care

Ever since Facebook introduced the metaverse (a digital world using virtual and augmented reality headsets) cash-rich CVS has filed for a trademark to sell their products in the metaverse. The pharmacy giant will begin to transition some in-store services like primary care, nutrition and wellness counseling to virtual. As they do so, a lot of people will lose their jobs as they plan to close 900 stores. CVS revenue last year was a staggering $304 billion. Meanwhile, cash-strapped hospitals still recover-

Cost of Care Up 5.6% This Year

The average annual increase in the cost of care since 2021 is 4.8%. According to the Milliman Medial Index, healthcare now costs a family of four just over $31,000 this year. It’s $7,221 for an individual. Healthcare inflation tends to lag six months to a year behind general inflation, so 2024 costs will probably go even higher. Driving costs up are supply chain problems, cost of drugs, labor shortages, ransomware attacks and catching up on the backlog of procedures postponed during the pandemic. Milliman expects employees will bear 60% of the increases. As discussed in an earlier column, commercial insurers are recoding record profits.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

Another Reason to Hate Mondays: Higher Risk for Severe Heart Attacks

Monday can be a downer as folks leave weekend play behind. Now, researchers say Monday might also be the most common day for deadly heart attacks.

Doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland determined this by analyzing patient data in Ireland, though they can't determine the reason why.

Past research has suggested it might have to do with circadian rhythm — the body's sleep-wake cycle.

“Someone is admitted to hospital due to a life-threatening heart attack every five minutes in the U.K., so it's vital that research continues to shed light on how and why heart attacks happen,” said Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation.

“This study adds to evidence around the timing of particularly serious heart attacks, but we now need to unpick what it is about certain days of the week that makes them more likely,” Samani said in a heart foundation news release. “Doing so could help doctors better understand this deadly condition so we can save more lives in future.”

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 10,500 patients across Ireland, in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, who were admitted to a hospital between 2013 and 2018 with the

most serious type of heart attack.

The ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) happens when a major coronary artery is completely blocked.

The study found a spike in rates of STEMI heart attacks at the start of the working week, with rates highest on a Monday. However, they also found higher-than-expected rates of STEMI on Sunday.

In the United Kingdom, more than 30,000 people are admitted to the hospital with STEMI each year, requiring emergency assessment and treatment to minimize damage to the heart. Typically, this involves an emergency angioplasty, a procedure to reopen the blocked coronary artery.

“We've found a strong statistical correlation between the start of the working week and the incidence of STEMI,” said cardiologist Jack Laffan, who led the research at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. “This has been described before but remains a curiosity. The cause is likely multifactorial, however, based on what we know from previous studies, it is reasonable to presume a circadian element.”

The findings were presented in June at the British Cardiovascular Society annual conference. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

SERVING WESTERN NEW YORK

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto

Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Brenda Alesii, Ernst Lamothe Jr., George Chapman, Catherine Miller, Amanda Jowsey

Advertising: Anne Westcott, Amy Gagliano, Pam Roe

Layout & Design: Angel Campos-Toro Office Secretary: Allison Lockwood

permission of the publisher. The information in

intended

complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

The Summertime Blues: Are you feeling lonely?

Summer has finally arrived. Woo hoo!! Time for barbecues, picnics, festivals and fun!

For many people, the summer months provide welcome relief from the soggy transition from winter to spring. Out of the gloom, summer emerges with longer, brighter and warmer days filled with the promise of travel, socializing, and connecting with friends and family.

So why are you feeling so lonely?

As it turns out, the arrival of summer isn’t embraced by everyone. If you live alone and feel socially isolated, summertime can pose a real challenge. It’s easy to feel like an outsider, looking in on other people’s fun-filled days and activities.

After my divorce, I had bouts of the blues and spent too much time alone. I let my relationships with friends and family drift away and my world became very small and quiet.

Sometimes the loneliness would overwhelm me and I’d lose my oomph for doing much of anything. I became a spectator, rather than a participant, in life.

Feel familiar?

Eventually my phone stopped ringing and the weekends stretched out before me like a long, lonesome highway. Without companionship, a beautiful summer day left me feeling heartbroken.

I knew something had to change.

An attitude adjustment was in order. Specifically, I needed to remind

myself that my life is in my hands — that I’m responsible for how lonely (or not) I am, and that I’m in charge of how large or small my life is.

So what did I do? I picked up the phone, called a girlfriend, and made plans for us to get together. Then I picked up the phone again and left a text message for my sister, asking her to give me a call.

And I didn’t stop there.

The next day, I worked up the nerve, rehearsed a few words, and made a third call to a neighbor who also lives alone. I asked if he wanted to take a walk later that evening. He asked for a rain check, but that was OK. We made plans to take a walk the following week, which gave me something nice to anticipate.

I then shifted to my computer and sent out a few “Hi, it’s been too long!” emails to friends, inviting them over to see (and admire!) my newly installed patio garden. I wanted to share it. And to show it off. Why not, right? It’s rewarding to hear “oohs” and “aahs,” and sometimes we need to create our own opportunities for positive feedback.

I was on a roll, and it was illuminating to see how easily I could change my circumstances by doing just a few small things — by converting my newly adjusted attitude into action.

Within weeks, my phone was ringing again, emails and texts were arriving, and I had entered a few

Signs Your Toddler Might Have ADHD

Spotting ADHD early can ensure children with the condition get the help they need sooner rather than later.

But how can parents know if the behavior they're seeing in their child is a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or merely the mercurial mood and behavior swings of a toddler?

An expert at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore offers some guidance.

"Research shows that children with ADHD have abnormal brain development, meaning that ADHD has a biological basis that often makes it a lifelong condition," Mark Mahone, director of neuropsychology, said on the institute's website. "We want to catch ADHD early because it has such a profound effect on learning and academic development. Chil-

dren whose symptoms begin in early childhood are at the highest risk for academic failure and grade repetition."

The team at Kennedy Krieger was among the first to study preschoolers' brains for signs of ADHD using neuroimaging. The researchers found that children with ADHD have a smaller caudate nucleus, a brain structure associated with thinking skills and motor control.

Up to 40% of children have significant attention problems by age 4. ADHD is the most common mental health disorder among preschoolers. About one in 11 school-aged children have an ADHD diagnosis.

Mahone encourages parents to pay close attention to their toddler's behavior.

Look for these specific signs: Your child dislikes or avoids activi-

social events into my calendar. Life felt better!

Part of what motivates me when I find myself in a slump is a passage I found in a sweet little book called “Living Alone and Lovin’ It,” by Barbara Feldon.

In one particularly helpful chapter on loneliness, she recounts a heart-to-heart she had with an “older and very wise friend” named Leo. She was brooding about being lonely and shared how much she wanted to feel loved and protected again, the way she felt when she was a child.

Leo responded quite bluntly: “But you’re not a child and don’t have a child’s needs. A child is in danger without company because it’s helpless, but an adult has access to any need imaginable: food, medicine, companionship. All an adult has to do is pick up the phone…”

Good friends can be such a help! Especially when they tell it like it is. Barbara was energized by Leo’s no-excuses straight talk, and indirectly so was I. As adults, we can

exercise choices; we can choose to stay in a slump or choose to pick up the phone.

My prediction should you start to reach out? Little by little your world will expand, with one connection spawning another, and another, and yet another.

Before you know it, your feelings of loneliness will lessen and you'll be on your way to banishing the summertime blues!

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

ties that require paying attention for more than one or two minutes. He or she loses interest and moves on to something else after only a few moments.

Talking a lot more and making more noise than other children of the same age can also be an indicator. So, too, can climbing on things when told not to do that.

Children with ADHD may not be able to hop on one foot by age 4. They are nearly always restless, constantly twisting in a seat or kicking their feet. They insist they must get up after being seated for just a few

minutes.

Kids with ADHD may warm up to strangers too quickly or fearlessly get into dangerous situations. They can be aggressive with playmates or get injured by moving too fast.

"If parents observe these symptoms and have concerns about their child's development, they should consult with their pediatrician or another developmental expert," Mahone said. "There are safe and effective treatments that can help manage symptoms, increase coping skills and change negative behaviors to improve academic and social success."

5 Things You Need to Know About Men’s Health

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

Men’s health encompasses everything from physical, mental and social aspects. Health challenges can include chronic conditions to acute illnesses. Men are also at risk of suffering from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression and anxiety. These risks range from lifestyle choices such as poor diet, stress and lack of exercise to biological and genetic factors.

“In general, men often have a higher percentage of chronic diseases such as obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease and elevated rates of cancer,” said physician John Fudyma, interim division chief of general internal medicine at the University at Buffalo Medical Department.

Fudyma, who is affiliated with Erie County Medical Center, discusses five aspects of men’s health.

1.Myths

One of the most overall common myths that patients share with their physician is that they feel healthy so there is no need to see a doctor. However there is a clear distinction between feeling well and being healthy.

“Men have a tendency to ignore their health,” said Fudyma. “They tend to wait until they have symptoms. For some reason, men sometimes think it is a sign of weakness to go see the doctor or talk about mental health and depression. We have to make it more acceptable to talk about your feelings.”

2.Risk factors

Several risk factors increase the chances of developing health

problems.

Twelve percent of men 18 and older are in fair or poor health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, more than 50% of men older than 20 have hypertension.

Colon cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers around. Colorectal cancer occurs when there is beyond control growth of abnormal cancerous cells in the colon. The colon is a tube-like structure in the large intestine connecting to the small intestine, which removes water, few nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in 23 men develops colorectal cancer during their lifetime.

“Men should consider getting screened at 45 and even as early as 40 if they have any family history,” said Fudyma.

3.See a physician

All men should have a yearly wellness visit to screen for potential diseases. Bloodwork to check cholesterol levels and screen for diabetes is important.

“Regular screenings can help us detect conditions such as diabetes and cancer. Even something like knowing your BMI and talking about your family history will create an accurate patient profile and help us if any chronic conditions are on the horizon,” said Fudyma.

He also suggested people find out more about the new respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, or RSV. It is a vaccine which prevents infection by respiratory syncytial virus. The

RSV vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo were both approved for medical use in the United States in May 2023. Older adults, in particular those with underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems, are at high risk for severe disease caused by RSV.

4.Smoking and drinking

Tobacco kills more than eight million people each year and more than seven million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use, according to the World Health Organization. Around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

“If I could tell people one health tip, it would be telling them to either never pick up smoking or vaping or quit immediately,” Fudyma said. “The risk of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease significantly increases if you are a smoker. You also increase your risk of stroke.”

He also warned men about drinking too much.

“Men have a tendency to increase their alcohol intake more than

National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses Chooses Buffalo for National Convention

Four-day event will headquarter at M Hotel on Walden at Galleria Drive Oct. 11-14

Aparty and vendor market in celebration of WNY “healthcare heroes” will be on tap to lead-off the national convention of licensed practical nurses when it brings its chapter members to Buffalo this October.

This will be the first time for this type of gathering in Western New York, which will convene on the 75th anniversary of the national chapter’s founding.

“We are so excited to be the host organization that brings together, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and healthcare workers from all corners of the U.S,,” says NYS Chapter President Renee Likong. “What’s more, we happen to

be doing this on the 75th anniversary of the founding of our national organization by Lillian Custer, in 1948!”

Oct. 11, a Wednesday, will be the kickoff party to the convention where the entire ballroom and access hallways will be filled with exhibits, food sampling, beverage tasting, shopping, apparel, jewelry makers, crafters, and entertainment aimed at the healthcare industry. It will be called “Nurses’ Night — Celebrating ALL our Healthcare Heroes” and will take place from 5 – 9 p.m.

The four-day convention will provide continuing education credits. National motivational speaker Tiffiney L. Hall, a guest appearance by Eileen Gunther (who promoted safe

staffing ratio for New York) and an excursion to Niagara Falls.

LPNs that are interested in attending the conference may register at nalpn.org.

Tickets for the Oct. 11 Nurses’ Night – Celebrating All Healthcare Heroes will be available for $9.50, a link for purchase is up on www. NursesNightofCelebration.com .

The event is open to all healthcare workers from doctors to nurses to caregivers, first responders, to facilities people and their friends.

For more information, contact Paul Maurer at Paul@PDMMarketingMedia.com, Amy Coddington at amylcodd@gmail.com or Renee Likong at nyalpn@gmail.com .

normal. There is a difference between having one drink a day and deciding to have four at a time,” Fudyma added.

5.Early detection

Early detection is one of the greatest tools to prevent severe illness and death. By screening regularly, physicians can decrease the extent and severity of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancers. “Prevention in general is essential when it comes to diseases,” said Fudyma. “That is why it is important to stay up to date on your immunization, especially something as simple as a flu shot when the season comes. We could make an impact if more people get vaccinated.“

Health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have made recommendations, based on scientific evidence about various ailments. Talk to your doctor about prostate health, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, diabetes, depression, sexually transmitted diseases and other screenings.

YOUR SUPPORT

Enjoy reading In Good Health newspaper? The paper is free to you but very expensive to produce and distribute. Keep the publication going. Consider supporting the publication. If you are a reader, please become a paid subscriber.

If you’re a nonprofit, a medical practice or organization, consider advertising. You will get a great deal of exposure since the paper is everywhere for the entire month. We will even design your ad at no charge.

For more information, send an email to BuffaloHealthNews@gmail.com

— Type “Support” on the subject line.

Physician John Fudyma, interim division chief of general internal medicine at the University at Buffalo Medical Department. He practices at Erie County Medical Center.

Drug Shortage Leaves Pharmacists Scrambling

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Depending upon the drug, many people who take medication must wait three or four days to fill their prescriptions at their local pharmacy. Those who rely on mail order pharmacies may receive their medication mere days before they’re out of drugs instead of weeks in advance.

The American Society for Health-System Pharmacists recently stated that there are more than 300 medications experiencing a shortage, representing the highest level since 2014.

The ASHP states on its website (www.ashp.org) that reasons for the shortage include product quality, deviations from good manufacturing processes and supply chain problems.

Since it is not affiliated with a chain, Parker Pharmacy in Buffalo addresses the problem by calling around — not a strategy typical of chain stores, according to Parker’s pharmacist Barb Madison.

“Being independent, I can find several different wholesalers,” she said.

This has helped her prevent turning patients away. She has only a few medications that have been difficult to obtain.

Unfortunately, independent pharmacies are struggling. Madison said that an

average of 10 close per day nationwide. This can potentially make it more difficult for patients to find what they need.

Like others like her, Madison has expanded into different revenue streams to sell to help keep the pharmacy open, such as a large gift area.

“People told me the chain stores weren’t getting antibiotics in four days during the beginning of the pandemic and I had it,” Madison said. “I have a wholesaler who emails me at the beginning of the week about shortages and what’s available so I can get it. It’s all about who you deal with. Chains have their own warehouses, so they’re stuck.”

Sometimes patients call independent pharmacies looking for their medication, such as Faris Pharmacy in Rochester.

“We have people calling every week trying to find medication — multiple people,” said pharmacist Kaleigh Gregory.

If their suppliers do not have it in stock, the pharmacists cannot obtain it readily for their customers.

One example of a drug shortage

affecting hospitals is Stadol, used for labor and delivery patients. Several types of chemotherapy drugs are among those difficult to obtain.

If there aren’t alternatives, that becomes a difficult issue for patients. Many want to stay on the medication they’re using, but if it’s not available, they may have to accept side effects they don’t want.

Another strategy is talking with different suppliers to find medication. However, prices vary among suppliers. This has caused increased spending for the hospital or pharmacy. Patients with insurance should still see the same copays.

Eventually, this strategy can lead to higher premiums as insurance companies recoup their costs.

Lack of raw materials and workforce issues may be part of the reason that drugmakers aren’t supplying enough. However, some drugmakers cease production of what they deem less popular medication. Or if a drug is approved for multiple uses, it becomes scarce as physicians prescribe it at higher rates than ever and manufacturers don’t keep up with demand.

List of Drugs Affected

American Society for Health-System Pharmacists states on its website that the drug class-

Cancer Centers Say Drug Shortages Are Impacting Patient Care

A new survey of cancer centers find that chemotherapy shortages are affecting most of them, prompting last-minute changes in treatment for numerous types of cancer.

About 93% of the centers surveyed said they were experiencing shortages of the drug carboplatin, while 70% were short on cisplatin. Together, these platinum chemotherapies can treat and even cure cancers, including lung, breast, prostate and many leukemias and lymphomas.

“This is an unacceptable situation. We are hearing from oncologists and pharmacists across the country who have to scramble to find appropriate alternatives for treating their patients with cancer right now,” physician Robert Carlson, chief executive officer at National Comprehensive Cancer Network, said in a news release on the widespread shortages.

“We were relieved by survey results that show patients are still able to get lifesaving care, but it comes at a burden to our overtaxed medical facilities. We need to work together to improve the current situation and prevent it from happening again in the future,” Carlson added.

The whole oncology community needs to work together on solutions, NCCN said, as it also called on the federal government, pharmaceutical industry, cancer treatment providers and insurance companies to do their part.

“The causes and solutions to the recurrent anti-cancer drug shortages that deprive oncology patients of optimal therapy are multiple and fixable. Effective solutions require a whole of oncology effort if they are to be successful,” the statement read.

In the survey, NCCN polled 27 NCCN member institutions across the United States from May 23 to 31.

es in short supply include “local anesthetics and basic hospital drugs albuterol solution, common oral and ophthalmic products, and ADHD treatments are affecting large numbers of organizations and patients. Chemotherapy drugs, often without alternatives, are increasingly in short supply and have returned to the list of top-five drug classes affected by shortage.”

The ASHP lists on its website (www.ashp.org) the medications in short supply:

MAIN: 90 degrees of flexion, or bend in your knee measured by a goniometer, is an important milestone to surpass in the first few weeks after total knee replacement surgery. Once achieved, the long-term goals are to bend the knee beyond 115 degrees and regain normal strength in the leg muscles.

A Knee Replacement Is Not for Wimps

Starting a new summer with a new knee: My experience having a total knee replacement surgery

In spring of 2022 I visited an orthopedist due to recurring knee pain thinking I needed a minor surgical meniscus repair. After an hour and a couple of X-rays I was told that the meniscus was not the issue. I had osteoarthritis and would eventually need a total knee replacement.

They would begin to treat me conservatively to postpone surgery. After all, I’m in my 50s and knee replacements are for old people, right?

We tried physical therapy and pain medication. The pain progressed and I could barely walk. Cortisone shots were tried with little relief. Finally, my surgeon agreed that I was a current candidate for total knee replacement surgery, despite my young(ish) age. As we talked about scheduling the surgery I was told the earliest date was nearly eight months away!

Apparently, our post-pandemic medical world left a backlog of people waiting for elective surgeries. While knee replacement is technically an elective surgery, my pain had increased quickly and it seemed pretty mandatory to me.

While I knew I was in capable hands with my first surgeon, I decided to seek a second opinion to see if I could shorten that wait.

We are fortunate in our area to have an abundance of great orthopedists in our midst. Taking the recommendation of a friend I transferred my care to orthopedic surgeon Keith Stube of the Western New York Knee Center.

Stube not only had a surgery date months sooner, but also recommended gel shots which would give me relief while awaiting surgery. Done. I scheduled surgery and changed my physical therapy

By Catherine Miller

regimen from conservative treatment to pre-operative treatment.

“The focus when conservatively managing knee pain is on reducing pain and inflammation to allow patients to return to moving around more comfortably,” said physical therapist Bernard J. Ryan, owner of Ascend Physical Therapy, “Once a candidate for a total knee arthroplasty, the emphasis shifts more toward strengthening and range of motion to maximize mobility and strength heading into the surgery.”

As Ryan told me, performing daily exercises to gain strength and motion is important. So that is what I focused on, right up until the day of surgery.

“The stronger you are going into surgery, the stronger you’ll be coming out of the surgery!” he said.

The following are things I was not aware of prior to considering a total knee replacement surgery: You will likely go home the day of your surgery

My surgery was at 11 a.m. I was home by 7 p.m. I had to hit the “markers” before being allowed to leave the hospital, namely walking a few steps with a walker, climbing a few stairs, etc. Once done, I was sent home with a notebook of information and all necessary medications. I was tired, nauseous and grateful to be home.

Stube called me a few hours later to check on my condition. I felt more than comfortable being back home knowing I still had medical oversight.

Physical therapy will start immediately after surgery

My first visit to PT was two days after surgery. The toughest part was bending my knee to get into the car. Once there Ryan took measurements of the extension and bend of my surgical knee. While I was able to fully extend the leg, my bend was limited and painful. As Ryan said, “Regaining range of motion and working through stiffness after surgery can be difficult. It becomes paramount to break down scar tissue and adhesions to gain full flexibility of the knee early on post operatively.”

During PT my rehab team monitored progress and shared milestones with my surgical team.

Keep ahead of the pain

This was suggested by two family members who also had surgeries. Keep a list of medications and times taken. Keep up on pain meds, as well as laxatives to keep yourself comfortable. And ice ice baby! Elevation and icing the knee are pretty much what your world revolves around at the onset. Keeping the swelling at bay allows you to walk more each day. Remember, a new knee is a prothesis and your body is in repair mode.

Do your homework. But not too much

Your medical team has done this before. Ask them about what to expect as they are the best providers of medical information.

My surgical facility called me prior to surgery to tell me what medical equipment would be sent home with me (a walker and an ice machine) and what other items may come in handy (a shower chair and cane). They provided additional

information when I pre-registered. A quick search on the internet provided additional insight on total knee replacements and contained blogs and support groups where post-surgical patients shared their stories.

While some of this proved useful, the caveat was that some of the internet information is not relevant to your situation or indicative of your experience. It’s best to get medical information from medical providers.

After two months I was ready to return to work. There had been many sleepless nights (which is common post-surgery) and times when I felt I was taking two steps forward and one step back, but I finally felt I was moving forward with recovery.

Stairs were still challenging, but my range of motion was great and I still continue my daily exercises. The best part is that the pain that was there every step I took last summer is now gone.

It was a long post-surgical period but definitely worth it. I attribute much of my knee replacement success to Stube and his group, the surgical team at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and the folks at Ascend Physical Therapy. Thanks to them I have a more mobile summer to look forward to.

INSET: Physical therapists Bernard J Ryan, left, and Shawn Conrad, oversee the physical therapy group at Ascend Physical Therapy in Buffalo.

Catherine Miller is a contributing writer for In Good Health magazine. She lives in Buffalo and has been a freelance writer in the WNY area for over twelve years.

Weight Loss

10 Things That May Help You to Lose Weight

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

1.Avoid over-compensating for exercise.

“When someone exercises, it makes someone hungrier and want to eat more,” said Mary Jo Parker, registered dietitian. “That’s compensating for expending calories through exercise. A lot of times, someone exercises and gets sucked into a reward cycle. Now they think they can feel freer to eat.”

2.Stay patient.

“Some people want to see results right away,” Parker said. “If they’re exercising at the same time, they could slow progress as they’re building muscle while losing fat. People get discouraged. If they want to see more immediate results, they’ll see more through cutting calories and exercise will help maintain weight loss.”

3.Count calories.

“Butter, oil, salad dressing and dips are calorie dense,” Parker said. “Minimize the extra, added calories.”

This includes caloric beverages also.

4.Focus on produce.

“I typically recommend people emphasize

things with the lowest calorie density, like filling up on vegetables,” Parker said. “Get 11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, considering a serving is a half-cup.”

5.Shift eating away from fat and carbs.

“The first thing I talk with them about fat since it’s over double the calorie content of protein,” Parker said. “As a nation, we consume too many carbs and most of the time, I’d say it’s from processed foods and sweets and baked goods. Look at ways to trim that as well as checking how lean proteins are and making sure they’re as lean as they can get. Fatty fish is an exception.”

6.Maintain a healthful diet.

“I’m always counseling on health as well as weight loss,” Parker said. “I don’t want people to cut calories in places where they’d get a great nutritional benefit, like nuts and fatty fish, but people need to watch portions. Weighing and measuring works in terms of altering people as to how much they’re consuming.”

7.Stay hydrated. “Drink enough water or other healthful non caloric beverages,”

Parker said. “Many times, people are thirsty, not hungry.”

Oftentimes, craving sweet or salty foods means thirst, not hunger.

steady walk around the block. Everyone’s body is different.

“That’s why it’s really important to personalize it. You can read recommendations and follow any type of diet plan for endurance and weight loss. But, at the end of the day, you have to listen to your body and listen accordingly to perform optimally.”

10. Stay realistic.

8.Establish healthful habits.

“The beautiful thing about weight loss and behavior changes is that the brain is plastic,” Parker said. “We have old habits that are difficult to break but we can make new habits. We can create new circuitry.”

9.Find out what works.

“You have to listen to your body; everybody is different,” Parker said. “I’ve worked with people who are elite professional athletes to weekend warriors and those who are just trying to lose weight by a slow,

“It’s important for people to know that even if they’re genetically predisposed to carrying more weight, it’s not a lost cause,” Parker said. “They really have to have a concerted effort on changing behaviors and having realistic expectations. Burning a fraction of a pound up to two pounds of fat a week is a reasonable goal. Depending on the size of the person, you’ll have other tissue burn as well but you want the majority of the tissue to be fat; you don’t want to lose muscle tissue.”

That’s why consuming sufficient protein is important.

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Weight Loss

Wear Weight to Lose Weight

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Most people working on losing a significant amount of weight see prompt results when they first begin their efforts.

With minimal effort such as walking each day or engaging in a short workout, the pounds seem to melt off at first.

As they progress in their weight loss program, it seems to become harder and harder to lose weight. Even though they stick with their healthful, reduced calorie diet and exercise regimen, their weight loss plateaus for two reasons.

First, they’re adding muscle while reducing fat so they may not see dramatically smaller numbers on the scale as they progress. Second, their body does not have to work as hard to carry around as much weight as when they first started losing weight. That’s where wearable weights can make their fitness activities more dynamic, especially when the body

goes into “starvation mode,” storing calories rather than burning them.

“There are compensatory mechanisms when you cut back on food,” said Mary Jo Parker, registered dietitian in private practice in Williamsville. “I want patients to eat as much as they can and still be able to lose so they don’t have that starvation mechanism. Exercise helps keep weight loss moving, especially if they’re building muscle with resistance training.”

In addition to carrying hand weights such as kettle bells and dumbbells to bodyweight movements like squats and lunges, wearing weights can help. Donning a weighted vest while engaging in activities like running or calisthenic movements increases the work level of the muscles involved.

It mimics the effect of their heavier body weight, forcing their muscles to work harder.

Light Exercise: Not Enough for Weight Loss

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

You’re walking every day yet the number on the scale won’t budge.

What gives?

It’s likely that you’re not causing a calorie deficit, when your body is burning more calories than you’re eating, which forces it to burn stored energy (i.e. the jiggle around your tummy and love handles).

To get into a calorie deficit, you need to eat right and move more. The type of exercise chosen makes a difference.

Many people wanting to lose weight enjoy walking. Joe Fox, personal trainer, certified functional strength training coach and owner of TrainSMART Personal Training in Buffalo, lauds walking for its benefits to joint mobility and low back health. However, “walking is in the category of exercise that are least efficient for burning fat,” Fox said. “Walking is fabulous but not the best way to lose fat and build muscle.”

Taking leisurely stroll around the block helps manage stress and is certainly better than doing nothing. However, it’s no calorie torch. Most smartphones come equipped with a fitness app that can help determine calories burned by activity based

upon your weight.

“The way you maximize fat burning is by building muscle, building bone and even changing the shape of bone,” Fox said. “The five most important things to do are: lifting really heavy weights; being very explosive; having high time under tension; taking short rest periods between sets; and really high intensity.

“The problem with that is those five things are also most highly correlated with risk of injury. That’s why it’s so important for somebody to make sure that they have the proper form, biomechanics or technique so they stay safe and not injure themselves as they build muscle bone and change the shape of bone.”

Activities like lifting free weights or kettle bells and high intensity interval training burn calories efficiently. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly to maintain the same weight, including resistance exercise. To lose weight, one will need to move more and decrease caloric intake.

“Relying on exercise alone for losing weight is futile unless they’re doing 60 minutes of hard exercise

“One of the best ways to increase bone density, which includes lean muscle mass, is to walk with a weight vest,” said Joe Fox, personal trainer, certified functional strength training coach and owner of TrainSMART Personal Training in Buffalo. “It can be a pretty safe way to add bone density and lean muscle mass.

“One of the things we’re learning is that building lean muscle mass may be dramatically more important than we ever thought. I learned fairly recently that lean muscle mass acts as a sink for glucose. It literally is perhaps the single best thing you can do to get your body to not build belly fat, regulate sugar in your body, glucose and to regulate your triglycerides. It’s huge. There’s a ton of relatively new science.”

He advises wearing a vest that is weighted to 5% of body weight and gradually increasing the vest’s weight. Avoid using heavy weights on wrists and ankles, as these can cause too much stress on the joints.

It’s best to try on the devices in the store rather than purchasing them online (unless they’re returnable) to ensure a comfortable fit. Feeling wearable weights shifting during exercise is not ideal. Some wearable weights provide pockets to gradually fill as the user’s tolerance and strength increases. This can increase the usable life of wearable weights.

Fox advises selecting a vest that allows freedom of movement.

“I’m a short man and it’s often too long,” he said. “If I were going to squat with it, it fits my hip and changes the biomechanical movement pattern.”

This can raise the risk of injury.

five days a week,” said Mary Jo Parker, registered dietitian in private practice in Williamsville. “It’s a lot of work to do it with exercise alone. It’s working harder than a person would have to. The truth is, from the studies that have been done, diet trumps exercise when it comes to weight loss. It’s not hard to chip away with extra calories if they look at how they can save calories.” Consuming a post-workout shake, protein bar or sports drink? If

all you’re doing is a light workout, you need none of these — just water. If your body has worked out hard, Parker recommends consuming a serving of fiber-rich carbohydrate, such as a piece of whole fruit, a whole grain food or even a treat, plus a lean protein serving.

“Greek yogurt afterwards can work well,” Parker said. “We talk about chocolate milk as a great recovery drink because of its sugar and protein.”

Joe Fox, personal trainer, certified functional strength training coach and owner of TrainSMART Personal Training in Buffalo.

Mary Jo Parker, registered dietitian in private practice in Williamsville.

A slow stroll with a dog on the park is always a healthy thing to do but it probably won’t cause people to lose weight.

Most Americans Don't Know What 988 Suicide Crisis Hotline Is For: Poll

Only 13% of American adults understand the purpose of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline nearly a year after its widely publicized launch, a new survey from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows.

“There is an opportunity and a need for state and local leaders to launch inclusive awareness campaigns in the months ahead,” lead researcher and Pew senior manager Tracy Velázquez said in a statement, CNN reported.

“The federal government's most recent investment into 988 shows a commitment to building a strong crisis care infrastructure in the country — one that is critically important, given the many people experiencing mental health and substance use issues,” Velázquez added.

The 988 line began last year after it was changed from 1-800-273-TALK. It was previously called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Pew surveyed more than 5,000 adults in April, finding that once people knew about the 988 crisis line, about 7 in 10 said they were somewhat or highly likely to use it.

Respondents also had some concerns about where calling the line might lead them. About 2 in 5 of those surveyed worried that calling 988 would lead to police arriving at their home, being forced to go to the hospital, being charged for services they couldn't afford or having other people learn about the call.

Race played a part in the results: Twice as many white people as Black people were aware of the 988 line. College-educated respondents were more aware of the line than those with a high school degree or less.

Call volume has increased in the past year, with 160,000 more calls, chats and texts in April 2023 than the previous April, which were also answered more quickly than with the previous hotline.

Calls increased 52%, chats increased 90% and texts answered increased 1,022%, CNN reported.

Q & A with

By Brenda Alesii

Tucked away on Amherst Villa Road in Cheektowaga, the site of the former Flying Tigers Restaurant that thrived here many years ago, sits the headquarters for Mercy Flight. The agency also operates bases in Batavia, Olean, Springville, Hamlin and Niagara and Orleans counties.

Established in 1981, Mercy Flight, a nonprofit organization, provides both ground and air medically-directed transportation in a safe, rapid, cost-effective delivery service.

In Good Health recently spoke with Alden resident Scott Wooton, executive vice president at Mercy Flight. A University at Buffalo graduate, Wooton has been with Mercy Flight for some 15 years.

Q. What types of medical delivery services does Mercy Flight utilize and how expensive is it for a patient, as your motto declares, “when minutes matter”?

A. We have a variety of vehicles, including helicopters, fly-cars and ambulances. Our aircraft main-

tenance hangar is located at our headquarters. If long-distance air transport is required, we work with a jet charter company.

When people call us, it often happens during the worst times of their lives — an accident, an illness, any type of emergency. I want to emphasize that we provide care in a compassionate way and offer our services regardless of one’s ability to pay. We don’t want to make already stressful situations worse by having patients worry about how they are going to pay for our services. So, we offer a very generous charity care program to our patients.

Q. Why do people call Mercy Flight?

A. It could be something as simple as experiencing shortness of breath or it could be an obviously life-threatening event. We deal with a lot of traumatic situations. For instance, if there is a serious car accident in an outlying area or if an individual is experiencing a life-threatening illness like an ab-

dominal aortic aneurysm for example, where out-of-hospital time has to be minimal, we will be contacted. The patient needs rapid transport and the highest level of care, and to be taken to a hospital that’s designed to handle such cases.

We strive to have all three of our air bases open 24/7/365 and our ground ambulance crews work virtually nonstop.

Q. What type of medical personnel are on board the copter, plane or ambulance?

A. Our team works in a tandem of care. Our ambulances are staffed with EMTs and paramedics according to the desired level of service. In the helicopter, in addition to the pilot, a registered flight nurse and flight paramedic are on board. Each of those individuals needs years of critical care experience before he or she can fly. The bar is set high for pilots as well — they are required to have at least 2,000 hours of flight experience in helicopters. Ninety percent of our pilots are military-trained. The others are civilian-trained.

Q. What area does Mercy Flight serve?

A. We cover all eight counties of Western New York and three counties in Northwest Pennsylvania.

Q. How is your company funded?

A. Primarily fee-for-service. We bill insurance companies for the level of ambulance service provided. And as a nonprofit, we are able to accept charitable contributions. We couldn’t do all we do without donations. We have a robust charity program for uninsured or under-insured patients, who are often experiencing one of the most difficult hardships of their lives.

Q. I understand you have a fundraiser planned for September, among others.

A. Yes, our BASH fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 23 at Buffalo RiverWorks. It’s a huge production and a lot of fun. Presented by WestHerr, the event features food tastings from about a dozen local restaurants for VIPs, live music, fireworks and an opportunity to meet our crew and get a better idea of how we help people.

In addition, we greatly appreciate our other fundraisers throughout the year, including the Alden Car Show and the Riding Lions Motorcycle run.

Q. Are you hiring?

A. Yes. Please visit www.mercyflight.org and click the “Join Our Team” tab. There is nationally a shortage of EMTs and paramedics, so we always encourage people to get involved in EMS and join our mission.

When minutes matter —Mercy Flight’s executive vice president talks about an organization that’s called when crises happen

Scott Wooton

We have a variety of vehicles, including helicopters, fly-cars and ambulances

By Anne Palumbo

SmartBites The skinny on healthy eating

Move Over Prunes, It’s Kiwi Time!

Every once in a while, I come across information about a certain food that takes me by complete surprise. I read it and whisper, “Who knew?” I consider friends and family who might benefit from this goldmine of information. And then, I can’t shut up about it.

That’s what happened with kiwis.

Oh, I knew they were beneficial all right — I just didn’t realize they had this particular benefit.

In a word, kiwis are “nature’s broom,” helping to unplug sluggish bowels with each delicious bite!

According to a recent study at Mayo Clinic, eating two kiwis per day was as powerful as prunes at increasing stool frequency and reducing straining. Physician Michael Camilleri, a gut motility specialist at the Mayo Clinic, said the sugar, fiber and other nutrients in kiwis can produce a laxative effect by increasing the water content and volume of stools.

Multiple studies also suggest that kiwis cause less gas, bloating and abdominal cramps than prunes.

Maybe that’s why kiwi-rich New Zealand is one of the happiest countries in the world: few are struggling with blocked bowels! As for here, well, so many are struggling with constipation, it’s our leading digestive complaint.

What’s no surprise is how high

these furry little fruits are in vitamin C, with one kiwi providing over 60% of our daily needs (more than an orange). Although widely known for its immune-boosting capabilities, vitamin C is also our skin’s best friend, creating derma-firming collagen, along with offering protection against age-accelerating sun damage. Research suggests that people who eat more vitamin C have fewer wrinkles.

Lastly, kiwis support heart health in impressive ways. They’re remarkably low in sodium, cholesterol and calories (only 44 per kiwi); they’re a good source of fiber, potassium, and folate (all associated with a lower risk of stroke); and they’re loaded with antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by gobbling up damaging free radicals.

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

WHO Says No to Artificial Sweeteners for Weight Loss

Skip artificial sweeteners if you're trying to lose weight, warns the World Health Organization (WHO), noting the sugar substitutes aren't effective for shedding pounds and may also cause harm.

Long-term use of sugar substitutes may cause "potential undesirable effects," according to new WHO guidance. This can include an "increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults,” CBS News reported.

Consuming foods and beverages with ingredients like saccharin or sucralose or adding them to foods "does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children,” the WHO said after completing a systematic review.

Among the artificial sweeteners WHO officials considered were ace-

sulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives, according to the news report.

“People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages," said Francesco Branca, WHO director for nutrition and food safety.

Artificial sweeteners "are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value. People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health," Branca added.

These recommendations do not apply to people who already have diabetes, according to the review. That group was not included in the review.

Dressing:

Helpful Tips

Choose plump, unblemished fruits that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Firm kiwis, stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight, take about 2-3 days to ripen. To hasten the ripening process, place kiwis in a paper bag with an apple or banana. Ripe kiwis can last up to 4 weeks in the fridge. For optimum health benefits, go ahead and eat the skin (but not if you have a history of kidney stones).

COLORFUL KIWI SALAD WITH SAVORY DRESSING

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons balsamic or red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper

¾ teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup olive oil

Salad:

4-6 kiwis, peeled (or not), sliced into half-moons

3 cups strawberries, quartered

1 cup blueberries

6-8 cups salad mix of choice

½ cup feta or gorgonzola crumbles

In a tightly covered container, shake dressing ingredients until well blended.

Cut all fruit as directed above.

To assemble individual salads, first place greens in salad bowls and drizzle on a little dressing. Then, add cut fruit and drizzle on a little more. This method keeps the lettuce crisp and the fruit bright. Garnish with cheese of choice.

This isn't the only time these artificial sweeteners have raised concerns. Recently, erythritol, an ingredient in the stevia sweetener Truvia, was singled out because of potential harms.

Cleveland Clinic researchers found months ago that people with

higher blood erythritol levels were at greater risk of heart attack or stroke and of dying prematurely. The study, involving 4,000 people, also found that the sugar substitute made it easier for blood clots to form. Those findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

OMEN'S HEALTH

Heavy Periods? Check with Your Physician

Extreme bleeding can cause iron deficiency, chronic anemia and fatigue. It can even cause issues with mental health and cognition.

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Women with abnormally heavy and painful menstruation should not ignore the issue.

Most women experience a period that lasts two to seven days and expel two to three tablespoons of blood over that timeframe.

Minimal cramping or managing cramping with over-the-counter medication is normal. However, extremely painful, debilitating cramps are not. The latter can cause women to take sick leave.

“This is our bread and butter as OB-GYNs: managing folks who have this issue,” said physician Elana Tal, in general obstetrics and gynecology at UBMD Obstetrics & Gynecology. “We have a lot of treatment options. Because this is a quality-of-life issue, a lot of times those treatment options can be preference-based. Once we realize it’s not something serious, treatment can range from medication to minor or major surgery.”

Tal is a clinical assistant professor at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo.

For example, extreme bleeding can cause iron deficiency or chronic anemia. Women may experience chronic fatigue. It can even cause issues with mental health and cognition. More serious conditions could also cause their period problems.

Many women delay seeking help for heavy periods. If care providers minimize their concerns, women may think they’re “being wimps” for speaking up and asking for help. Beyond stoicism, they may also fear

a diagnosis of cancer or a disease in their reproductive system.

“It can be a sign of precancer, cancer, fibroids, tumors that aren’t cancer in the uterus, polyps,” Tal said.

She said that care providers rely on the patient’s account of how many pads or tampons she uses to estimate if she is experiencing heavy periods. The visit may include a thorough history, pelvic exam, blood work and ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries.

“There’s no need to suffer,” Tal said. “Historically in our patriarchal society, there’s been some messages that periods are a ‘woman’s lot in life’ and something they have to suffer through and that’s not true. If your periods really bother you, you can take control of your health and advocate for what you need from a healthcare clinician.”

She encourages women to seek a second opinion if they feel their provider is not listening to them.

The thought of various treatments may prevent them from seeking help. Treatment for heavy periods does not always mean surgery. Non-hormonal medication, hormonal medication and other approaches may solve the problem. As to which is appropriate depends upon other health factors and the patient’s preference.

Heavy periods do not often indicate a serious issue. In fact, “most likely, there’s nothing seriously wrong and there’s a treatment that can give them relief,” said Carol Peterson, physician and assistant professor at URMC.

How Healthy Is a Vegan Mom’s Breast Milk?

Vegan moms can breastfeed their children and not worry that their breast milk is missing essential nutrients, a new study finds.

Researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands tested the milk of vegan mothers, finding it contains sufficient levels of vitamin B2 and carnitine.

“The maternal diet greatly influences the nutritional composition of human milk, which is important for child development. With the rise of vegan diets worldwide, also by lactating mothers, there are concerns about the nutritional adequacy of their milk,” said lead researcher, physician Hannah Juncker.

“Therefore, it would be important to know if the milk concentrations of those nutrients are different in lactating women consuming a

vegan diet,” she added in a medical center news release.

Vegan diets are limited to plantbased foods. This type of eating includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, soy, nuts and nut butters but no animal-sourced foods.

Although vitamin B2 and carnitine are found in highest concentrations in animal products, they were not missing in vegan moms’ breast milk, challenging assumptions that breastfed infants of these mothers may be deficient in these nutrients.

The study used a technique that separates a sample into its individual parts and analyzes the mass of these parts.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important for enzymes involved in many biological pathways. A shortage can lead to anemia and neurological problems in infants, the study

“It’s important to pay attention to this because most of us don’t have lifestyles that can sustain four to five days of cramps and misery,” she added.

Very heavy periods could also indicate fibroids, endometriosis or cancer. Even these more serious diagnoses can potentially be treated. But the first step is to seek help from a provider.

“Talk with your doctor and figure out what’s going on,” Peterson said. “You can take medication that help decrease the flow. We have lots of ways to treat heavy periods. You may have a form of hemophilia, which is treated in a different way. Some just have very heavy periods but can be treated.”

For very heavy bleeding, tampons and pads may need changing more than is convenient. Washable period underwear can also provide an additional barrier of protection against leaks.

Menstrual cups and disks require less frequent attention and are reusable, saving money and landfill space. Using a cup can also help women know exactly how much they’re bleeding as some cups include measuring marks. This infor-

mation can be helpful when talking with a healthcare provider.

Women should discuss with their healthcare provider how to address heavy periods and how treatments relate to their other health concerns and any medications.

authors noted.

Carnitine is involved in energy metabolism, and shortages can mean low blood sugar and potentially heart and brain dysfunction, the researchers said. Previous studies have found that people with vegan diets have lower carnitine intake and plasma concentrations than those

who are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal foods.

Although the study found lower serum free carnitine and acetyl carnitine concentrations in the mothers following a vegan diet, it saw no notable difference in human milk carnitine concentrations.

Physician Elana Tal, in general obstetrics and gynecology at UBMD Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Veozah: Non-hormonal Hot Flash Drug is FDA Approved

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

As of June 1, the FDA approved the first drug in its class to treat menopausal hot flashes. Veozah (fezolinetant) is an oral medication indicated for moderate to severe hot flashes.

If Veozah is classified as a “tier 2” medication, most insurance will cover it with a moderate co-pay for patients.

Barb Madison, pharmacist at Parker Pharmacy in Buffalo, thinks that insurance companies could classify it “more as a cosmetic thing than quality of life” and not even cover it.

That would mean that it could cost as much as $660 out of pocket to quell hot flashes and night sweats.

But for those who could afford it, the cost may be worth it.

“It’s a quality of life issue,” said Michelle Chin, a physician with Rochester Regional Health. “Some women have terrible hot flashes and are up all night. It’s embarrassing. It’s not fun when work colleagues say, ‘Are you OK?’ because your face is flushed. It’s so exciting to launch this drug. Women with hot flashes and night sweats have been suffering quite a bit.”

Although hormone therapy is well tolerated for some women, others do not want or cannot have it. Hormone therapy has been linked with an increased risk of breast can-

Could a Nitroglycerin Patch Ease Hot Flashes?

Anew study on using nitroglycerin patches to help women with frequent hot flashes caused by menopause has delivered mixed results.

The benefits of wearing these patches — long used as chest pain medication — were modest. They also were short-lived, with any benefits appearing to wear off over time, according to researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Still, this approach to finding new treatments may be helpful.

“The bottom line is that our study doesn’t allow us to recommend nitroglycerin skin patches as a strat-

egy for consumers to suppress hot flashes in the long term,” said lead author Alison Huang, an internal medicine physician at UCSF Health and a clinical epidemiologist.

“But our study suggests that there may be promise in this overall approach to treating a common condition in midlife women. The menopause field is still lacking in effective treatment approaches that don’t involve hormones,” Huang said in a UCSF news release.

Huang’s team tested the benefits of continuously wearing a nitroglycerin patch for menopausal women experiencing at least seven hot flashes a day.

cer and cardiovascular disease.

Colleague Olivia Higgins, physician, added that the introduction of Veozah “shows how there is more discussion in the media and among people about the importance of how hot flashes interrupt quality of life. More research is going into how to improve this for women. There are multiple options beyond hormonal therapy.”

Higgins works at Rochester Regional Health. She likes the opportunity to offer more choices to patients, especially one that is so effective as Veozah.

Chin said that by week one, those taking Veozah experience a 50% reduction of hot flashes and that continues to improve by week 12. The diversity of the trial, both in the ethnicity and BMI of the participants, bodes for a much broader

efficacy than trials that include fewer types of women.

“After 12 weeks, the women who’d been on placebo switched to Veozah and they also had the benefit of reducing their symptoms,” Chin said. “The placebo effect is 30% of patients seeing a difference. I like the crossover study.”

Higgins encourages anyone interested in Veozah to discuss their health issues and other medications with a healthcare provider to determine what is best for them.

Treating hot flashes is “definitely a big part of my practice,” said Carol Peterson, physician and assistant professor at URMC. “Some people tolerate them nicely, but about 40% of women find them very bothersome.”

She said that Veozah is a different class of medication than previous drugs used to treat hot flashes. It works by interrupting the pathways in the brain related to hot flashes, which is a different mechanism for reducing hot flashes.

“We have tried many other options in the past,” Peterson said. “Other drugs are marginally helpful. Antidepressants can help, and depression is often a side effect of menopause. This seems to be the most effective with the least side effects. It seems to be very effective for women who don’t want estrogen.”

Veozah is contraindicated for women with liver disease or liver problems. Patients are monitored for liver function.

Sleepiness is another side effect. Many menopausal women struggle with sleep. Some women experience nausea and gastrointestinal upset.

This study enrolled 141 women aged 40 to 62 who were in late menopausal transition or postmenopausal. The women wore either the nitroglycerin or placebo patches for 24 hours a day, recording their hot flashes at weeks five and 12. The researchers found that the benefits of nitroglycerin compared to placebo did not extend past 12 weeks. Some women also experienced headaches.

“Nitroglycerin has been used for decades to treat chest pain in patients with coronary disease because it can increase blood flow to the heart when used for only 12 hours at a time,” Huang said.

“But lab studies suggested that if nitroglycerin is used continuously, it could prevent or suppress the type of rapid, increased blood flow under the skin that causes sensations of heat and flushing during hot flashes during menopause,” she added. “In

this line of research, we repurposed a medication that has been used for close to a century for a different indication.”

Those symptoms, including intense flushing and sweating, are common in menopause. More than two-thirds of menopausal women in the United States experience them, sometimes for years.

Hormone therapy can be highly effective at reducing or suppressing these symptoms. Yet, that comes with risks, including for some cancers, and women have long asked for alternatives.

Most treatments for hot flashes target brain mechanisms. This one was targeted at blood vessels throughout the body.

The trial was supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, with the findings published June 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

All About CycleSyncing

Hacking your menstrual cycle for optimal mental, physical, and emotional wellness

By Amanda Jowsey

Periods are often something we simply live with and don’t care to understand if we practice safe sex and responsible family planning.

But all women, whether knowingly or not, are deeply affected by the hormonal fluctuation that regulates their cycle. It impacts mood, relationships and lifestyle choices every day.

If you feel like you are trapped on the mental, physical and emotional roller coaster of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and you’re not having a great time, cycle-syncing might be your way off the ride.

The cycle-syncing method is the practice of changing your diet, exercise and lifestyle habits to align with the stages of your menstrual cycle.

By doing so, you can meet the hormonal needs of your body and live a happier and healthier life. Think of it like making friends with your period.

Symptoms of PMS include mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, nausea, headaches, irritability and depression. For some, these are so severe that it can lead to premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

PMDD causes extreme mood swings that can disrupt work and damage relationships. Symptoms include extreme sadness, hopelessness, irritability or anger. Six million women worldwide struggle with this condition.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome may also be caused by an imbalance in reproductive hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms of PCOS include menstrual irregularity, excess hair growth, acne and obesity.

Better understanding the role of these hormones allows us to combat the corresponding symptoms, or even syndromes, that we may experience because of their fluctuation throughout the month.

But how exactly is cycle-syncing done? How do you know what the different stages of your cycles are and how do you know what stage you’re in?

There are four main stages of the menstrual cycle and specific fluctuating hormones in each stage that can impact our mental, physical and emotional wellness.

Keep in mind, not everyone’s cycle is the same and this information can vary based on the individual. But there are ways that we can regulate these phases and make the most of them, as well as best prepare for the next stage during the one that we’re in.

The average cycle-syncing formula looks like this:

Menstrual phase (days one-five)

• Primary active hormones: estrogen and progesterone dip

• MBS (Mind, Body Spirit): low energy, low sex drive, increased appetite, headaches, cramps, body aches

• Lifestyle tweaks: Rest and reflect. Practice gentle movements like walks and yoga. Focus on protein, iron and magnesium rich foods. (Yummy salads with dense, leafy greens and hard-boiled eggs)

Follicular phase (days six-14)

• Primary hormones: estrogen and progesterone rise

• MBS: increased energy, stronger libido, more confidence

• Lifestyle tweaks: Try new things and schedule events and outings. Try higher intensity or new workouts. Eat lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber (Fish, poultry, avocados, seeds and nuts)

Ovulatory phase: (days 15-17)

• Primary hormones: estrogen, testosterone and progesterone all rise

• MBS: extreme confidence, high libido, high energy

• Lifestyle tweaks: High impact workouts. Honor your beauty and sexuality. Big movement activities (dancing, hiking, climbing, running, lifting, etc.) Eat cruciferous veggies, magnesium rich foods, and lighter carbohydrates (salads, whole wheat pastas and vegetable-rich soups)

Luteal phase (days 18-28)

• Primary hormones: Estrogen plummets. Progesterone rises

• MBS: Introversion, decreased energy and libido

• Lifestyle tweaks: Gentle movement like yoga and stretching, light cardio. Lots of veggies, berries, healthy fat (seeds and nuts, avocado, olive oils) and proteins (fish, poultry)

Maria McKendry, physical therapist and functional health practitioner at Synergy Nutrition and Wellness in North Tonawanda has a passion for helping her clients tap into their natural ability to heal and thrive.

Her techniques have helped clients who suffer from their menstrual cycles, as well as those who suffer from a range of conditions like acid

reflux, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue and inflammation, obesity and diabetes.

Clients who come to see her usually present with two issues, McKendry explained: Toxins and pathogens built up in the body and the lack of adequate support coming into the body to promote drainage and nutrition.

“We were designed perfectly and our bodies know how to heal once the dysfunction is removed and our natural healing ability is turned on. To achieve optimal healing, one must support the mind, body and spirit by taking a holistic approach. This is what we do at Synergy Nutrition and Wellness. Our mission is to change the health care paradigm and challenge Big Pharma, Big Food, Big Ag.”

Cycle-syncing aligns women with the different phases of their cycles so they can live in harmony with their bodies. It teaches them to harness the power of each phase to maintain balance overall. Its formula will look a little different for everyone. McKendry gives examples of what we should consider when trying to make our cycle-syncing plans.

“In terms of exercise, you just have to ask your body how it feels. I teach my patients to learn how to listen to their bodies and decide what type of workout is best for them during their phases,” she said. “A little movement is better than nothing

in my opinion. There is great healing in just stretching for five minutes on certain days versus lifting heavy weights. Listen to what your body can handle. I encourage movement in all phases to keep the organs, tissues and cells functioning to enhance drainage and nervous system regulation.”

“Seed cycling can be very helpful as you work on the root causes of your symptoms. During the first half of your cycle, eat flax and pumpkin seeds to boost estrogen and during the second half, eat sunflower and sesame seeds to boost progesterone,” she added. “Always focus on fresh, nutrient-dense whole foods as well.”

McKendry helps to treat women who suffer from issues like PMS, PMDD and PCOS, infertility, menopause and more.

“In 100% of those cases, the underlying root causes were toxins and pathogens. We have the tools to remove them and most importantly we have the knowledge of how to do it effectively and with compassion,” she explained.

She highly recommends cycle-syncing and believes it is extremely helpful while working on the underlying root cause of symptoms.

“My question as a practitioner would be why are you struggling with your cycle? That’s my job. To get to the root cause, find out why you have these symptoms and help you heal,” she said.

Maria McKendry, physical therapist and functional health practitioner at Synergy Nutrition and Wellness in North Tonawanda. Her techniques have helped clients who suffer from their menstrual cycles. Photo provided

The cycle-syncing method is the practice of changing your diet, exercise and lifestyle habits to align with the stages of your menstrual cycle.

By Jim Miller

Can I Collect Social Security from My Ex-Spouse?

Dear Savvy Senior,

Is it possible to collect Social Security benefits from my ex-spouse? We were married for 12 years but have been divorced for almost 20 years now.

Never Remarried

Dear Never,

Yes, depending on your specific circumstances, you may very well be eligible for divorced spouses Social Security benefits. Here’s what you should know.

Who’s Eligible?

A divorced spouse can collect a Social Security retirement benefit on the earnings record of their ex-husband (or ex-wife) if you are at least age 62, were married for at least 10 years, are unmarried, and are not eligible for a higher benefit based on your own earnings record.

In order to collect, your former spouse must also be at least 62 and eligible for Social Security benefits. But he doesn’t have to be receiving them in order for you to collect divorced spouse’s benefits, as long as you’ve been divorced for at least two years.

Even if your ex is remarried, it won’t affect your right to divorcee benefits, nor will it affect your ex’s retirement benefits or his current spouse’s benefits.

Benefit Amount

A divorced spouse can receive up to 50% of their ex’s full Social Security benefit, or less if they take benefits before their full retirement age, which is 66 for people born in 1945-1954 but is gradually increased to age 67 for people born in 1960 or later. To find out your full retirement age and see how much your benefits will be reduced by taking them early see SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/ planner/agereduction.html.

Keep in mind though, that if you qualify for benefits based on your own work history, you’ll receive the larger of the two benefits. You cannot receive benefits on both your record, and your ex’s work record too.

To find out how much your retirement benefits will be, see your Social Security statement at SSA.gov/ myaccount. And to get an estimate of your ex’s benefits, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. You’ll need to show your marriage certificate and divorce decree to prove your marriage lasted at least 10 years along with his Social Security number to get it.

Other Factors to Know

You also need to be aware that working can affect your divorced spouse’s benefits. If you start taking benefits while working, and are un der full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit, which is $21,240 in 2023. In the year you reach full retirement age, however, the annual limit increases to $56,520 and the reduction lowers to $1 for every $3 above that limit. See SSA. gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf for more details.

Another factor that can reduce your divorced spouse’s benefits is receiving a pension from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes (like a government). This is a rule know as Government Pension Offset (see SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/gpo-calc.html) which can reduce your benefits by twothirds of the amount of your pension.

Divorced Survivor’s Benefits

You also need to know that when your ex-spouse dies (and if you were married for 10 or more years), you become eligible for divorced survivor benefits, which is worth up to 100% of what your ex-spouse was due.

Survivor benefits are available to divorced spouses as early as age 60 (50 if you’re disabled). But if you remarry before 60, you become ineligible unless the marriage ends. Remarrying after age 60 will not affect your eligibility.

Also note that if you are receiving divorced spouses benefits when your ex-spouse dies, you will automatically be switched over to the higher paying survivor benefit.

For more information visit SSA. gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ applying7.html and click on “Benefits for Your Divorced Spouse.”

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July 8th & 9th , 2023

H a n d m a d e F i n e A r t s a n d C r a f t s

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JULY 8TH & 9TH, 2023

IN THE HISTORIC CORN HILL NEIGHBORHOOD

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS

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WESTERN NEW YORK CHAPTER

Want Better Sleep? Try Working Out

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“Exercise helps us sleep deeper and can improve sleep quality,” said Soda Kuczkowski, sleep health educator and certified sleep coach and founder and owner of Start with Sleep, LLC in Buffalo.

Exercising regularly helps mitigate the effects of stress, which can make a big difference in falling asleep and staying asleep. Exercise helps regulate stress hormones, the kind that may interfere with sleeping well. Whether aerobic exercise (jogging, spinning, tennis or any activity that sustains an elevated heart rate) or anaerobic exercise (lifting free weights, performing body weight exercises, using weight machines or doing isometric movements), exercise helps the body manage stress better.

Physical activity can also affect core body temperature. Although sleep experts recommend a cool environment to promote good sleep, exercise can affect body cooling as well, if timed right. Intense exercise can lower the body’s temperature about two hours afterwards. Kuczkowski recommends avoiding vigorous, high intensity exercise any closer to bedtime than two hours, as it can help people stay awake.

“Light stretches and yoga are encouraged as an alternative,” she said.

The meditative aspects of yoga can provide mental and emotional calm. Of course, hot yoga or Bikram yoga would represent exceptions,

early 70 million Americans are living with a sleep disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’re one of them, consider your activity level. Engaging in little physical activity during the day can lead to less restful sleep at night.as these involve raising the body temperature by performing yoga in a very hot room. Stretching can help improve comfort and relaxation once in bed.

Misol Kwon, Ph.D. and registered nurse research project assistant and data analysist at UB, also advised timing exercise to end two to three hours before bedtime. However, exercising earlier in the day may be better for those struggling to sleep well.

“We want the body to wind down,” she said. “We don’t want to produce hormones that make us excited. It’s better to exercise in the morning when the sun is out. It helps the circadian rhythm to get in synch with the lights. It helps you have a good night’s sleep.”

The circadian rhythm refers to the body’s natural sleep/wake cycle, which in part receives cues from sunlight to awaken and darkness to feel ready to sleep. Exercising too close to bed may signal the body to induce wakefulness, which is ideal earlier in the day.

Light exercise such as walking the dog are likely just fine immediately before bed.

Anyone who experiences an ongoing lack of restful sleep should improve their sleep schedule by going to bed and rising at the same time every day and exercising earlier in the day. If the issue persists, they should seek help from a healthcare provider to rule out any other health issues and to obtain advice on what else to do to improve sleep. The provider can also recommend a sleep specialist if needed. Before beginning a new exercise regimen, ask a healthcare provider what is right for you.

The Social Security Office

Ask From the Social Security District Office

Celebrate Your Independence With Social Security

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very July, we take pride in celebrating our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped provide financial independence to millions of hardworking people. We have useful online tools like the Social Security Statement (statement) and our benefits estimator tool that help people not yet receiving benefits. The statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be entitled to includes personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on different ages you want to begin receiving benefits. These tools can help you plan for financial independence in retirement.your claim.

Already receiving benefits? If so, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:

• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).

• Get an instant benefit verification letter for Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Start or change your direct deposit (Social Security beneficiaries only).

• Check your information and benefit amount.

• Change your address (Social Security beneficiaries only).

• Request a replacement Medicare card.

Don’t receive benefits? You can get the most out of your online experience if you have a personal My Social Security account. You can:

• Get your statement instantly.

• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).

• Find out if you qualify for benefits.

• Appeal a decision we made on

Q&A

Q.: Will my retirement benefits increase if I wait and retire after my full retirement age?

A: Yes. You can increase your Social Security retirement benefit in two ways:

• You can increase your retirement benefit by a certain percentage if you delay receiving retirement benefits. We will add these increases automatically from the time you reach full retirement age until you start receiving benefits or reach age 70.

• If you work, each additional year you work adds another year of earnings to your Social Security record. Higher lifetime earnings may result in higher benefits when you do retire.

For more information, visit www. ssa.gov/pubs to read, print, or listen to our publication, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.” You also can use our “Retirement Estimator” at www.ssa.gov/estimator to determine your estimated future benefits.

Q.: Will my Social Security disability benefit increase if my condition gets worse or I develop additional health problems?

A: No. We do not base your Social Security benefit amount on the severity of your disability. The amount you are paid is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. If you go back

• Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season.

• Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI.

You can create your personal My Social Security account at www.ssa. gov/myaccount.

With so many services and helpful information available online, we are here for you when it’s convenient for you. Be sure to tell friends and family about all they can do at www.ssa.gov.

to work after getting disability benefits, you may be able to get a higher benefit based on those earnings. In addition, we have incentives that allow you to work temporarily without losing your disability benefits. For more information about disability benefits, read our publications “Disability Benefits and Working While Disabled — How We Can Help.” Both are available online at www.ssa. gov/pubs.

Q.: My grandfather, who is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), will be coming to live with me. Does he have to report the move to Social Security?

A: Yes. An SSI beneficiary must report any change in living arrangements before the 10th day of the following month. If you do not report the change, your grandfather could receive an incorrect payment and have to pay it back, or he may not receive all the money that he is due. Failure to report a change to us could result in the deduction of a penalty from his SSI benefits. Your grandfather also needs to report the new address to us to receive mail from us. You can report the change by mail or in person at any Social Security office or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can get more information by reading “Understanding SSI” at www.ssa.gov/ ssi.

Zip Lining Away

Thrill-seekers have local options to get their adrenaline rush while working up a sweat

Anyone searching for a unique adventure that provides plenty of thrills while also offering a recreational exercise option for people of all ages may be intrigued by the growing popularity of zip lining.

Utilizing a suspended inclined cable pulley system, zip lining entertains and exerts everyone from children to senior citizens.

The cardiovascular workout gets your blood pumping from having to use various muscles as you seek to meet the adrenaline rush that each journey from one point to another provides.

There are a handful of different destinations locally that offering zip lining, with most of the locations preferring you make reservations as a group. The team concept helps allow for people to work together and meet the challenge that zip lining offers participants in a scenic environment that gives everyone a chance to exercise while enjoying the great outdoors.

What a rush

Participants who have taken the plunge to enjoy the recreational ride offered from zip lining almost always reference the adrenaline rush they experience.

“It’s maybe hard for some people to understand, but that rush and the thrill and pure excitement I get from zip lining is like nothing else I’ve experienced,” said Annette Harrison, a 22-year-old from Buffalo. “It’s

By Daniel Meyer

awesome! I think the views you get before, during and after also play into your adrenaline because it’s something that I find heightens my sense of sight and I better appreciate the world around me as I’m doing it and then for a few hours afterwards.”

Peter Bishop was someone who previously believed he was afraid of heights, meaning he regularly avoided riding roller coasters or any other amusement park rides or any recreational activities that involved elevated experiences. His recent zip lining experience in Buffalo changed all of that.

“I was deathly afraid of pretty much anything that meant my feet were not firmly planted on the ground,” said Bishop, a 32-year-old resident of Lancaster. “But some co-workers told me about the zip lining they did earlier this year at Buffalo Riverworks and I figured if they wanted to do it again that I would suck it up and give it a try. I’m so glad I did! I quietly conquered my fear of heights because zip lining is safe and just gives you a tremendous thrill. I plan on becoming a regular there and there are some other zip lining courses I can’t wait to try out with my wife and our son.”

Get your blood pumping

Sky High Adventure Park in Ellicottville allows adventure seekers to have fun while experiencing a decent workout as zip liners navigate a creative combination of ladders, ropes,

bridges and tightropes before safely securing themselves for a zip lining ride to another section of the park.

“Make no mistake about it, it’s a really good time and you can work up a pretty good sweat while doing it,” said Dawn King, a 47-year-old from Lockport. “There’re different skill levels and I was pretty impressed with myself going from the beginner course to one of the more advanced courses this year. I’ve only done it five times; I think I’m pretty good. I love that you can take your time and go at your own pace to help build up your confidence.”

The self-guided experience offered at Peek’N Peak Mountain Adventures in Clymer allows participants to climb cargo nets and rope ladders as they strategically navigate various zip lines over the course of three hours.

“It’s really something else and probably the most fun I’ve ever had while getting my blood pumping,” said Jim Kennedy, a 55-year-old resident of Cheektowaga. “I used to run marathons and half-marathons, but some injuries over the last few years put an end to that. Zip lining gives me a chance to get moving and exercise and it’s just a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors and spend some quality time with my friends.”

The views are spectacular

Buffalo Riverworks, Sky High Adventure Park, Peek’N Peak Mountain Adventures and Niagara Zipper

all provide their own special glances at Mother Nature, granting zip liners of all ages the opportunity to avoid the hustle-and-bustle of normal everyday life and truly appreciate the world around you.

“You really haven’t lived if you haven’t been able to take the time to soak up the spectacular view of the Erie Canal basin gorge,” said Harrison. “I’m only in my early 20s and while I’ve already done a lot of traveling around the country for someone my age, the visuals you see as you glide about 40 miles an hour over that section of the gorge on the Niagara Zipper are something that is truly extraordinary. I highly recommend zip lining at any of the local outdoor courses and just soaking up everything you see along the way.”

“When you are about 100 feet in the air and zipping in between those historic silo mills at Buffalo Riverworks you almost have a moment of tranquility where everything in life is paused,” said Bishop. “Plus they have that really cool Indiana Jones inspired rope-bridge that makes you think you are actually a character in that movie and then later on you zip right into the mouth of the shark painted on the one silo. It’s just an incredible experience and it’s kind of a shame more people don’t know about zip lining or haven’t taken the time to make reservations and actually done it. It really is the ultimate adventure for anyone no matter what your age is or what kind of shape you are in.”

Fitness in the Parks: 500 Free Outdoor Fitness Classes Across WNY

Independent Health, the YMCA of Buffalo

Niagara and the Jamestown Area YMCA offer a wide range of outdoor exercises this season –at no charge

By Amanda Jowsey

The average cost for a group fitness class ranges between $30 and $50; the cost of a personal trainer ranges from $60 to $75 an hour.

But don’t spend your extra money this summer trying to find rewarding ways to stay in shape.

Take advantage of Fitness in the Parks instead.

The program is free and sponsored by Independent Health, the YMCA of Buffalo Niagara and the Jamestown Area YMCA.

“Fitness in the Parks is currently running in 26 park locations across Western New York,” said Kimberly

Harris, marketing specialist with Independent Health. “Popular class locations include Delaware Park and the Outer Harbor in Buffalo, the ADPRO Sports Training Center and Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, and Day Road Park in Lockport. In total, we’re offering more than 500 classes this summer with 16 different class types.”

Class types include barre, beginners qigong, boot camp, cardio interval, cardio kickboxing, Centergy (a yoga-pilates style class), core and more, fusion, kickboxing, kids yoga and story time, pilates, walking club and Zumba, among others.

All Fitness in the Parks classes are free, taught by a YMCA-certified instructor, and registration is never required. Classes will be offered through Aug. 31. All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. These classes give you all the health benefits of outdoor exercise with the additional perks of participating in group fitness. One study published in the National Library of Medicine found several health benefits of community-based exercise events like these.

In addition to the physical health benefits, the study found that regular participation in these events can reduce social isolation and loneliness and contribute to a greater sense of emotional and mental well-being. The study also found that “social reward and support in exercise are associated with positive exercise experiences and greater performance outputs.”

Separately, Independent Health is the official health and wellness partner of Outer Harbor. As such, it also sponsors the free fitness classes that are offered at Wilkeson Pointe. Since this is not part of Fitness in the Park, the company relies on third-party vendors to offer the programs. These vendors include Soma Cura Yoga, Nickel City Sweat, Boxstar Training and others.

Independent Health, through its

partnership with Outer Harbor, also sponsors the bike and kayak and water sport rentals at Wilkeson Pointe and Lakeside Bike Park.

According to Michelle Carbery, senior corporate wellness specialist at Independent Health, Fitness in the Parks is the largest and longest running outdoor fitness program in Western New York.

“It’s the perfect way for the entire community to get fit and active while enjoying the outdoors and our beautiful parks,” Carbery said. “No matter your age, it’s important that you take the steps to make sure you are maintaining and managing your own health and well-being. Getting regular physical activity helps us maintain muscular strength, a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.”

Full Schedule

To see the full schedule of Fitness in the Parks, go to: independenthealth.com/ fitpark

For a lineup of additional related events sponsored by Independent Health (not part of Fitness in the Parks), go to: buffalowaterfront.com/outer-harbor

Photos submitted by Independent Health.