Health and Wellness 33

Study Available For Adults Living With Someone Recently Diagnosed With COVID-19

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be a surge of cases in parts of the United States.

Many of these cases may occur when people catch the virus in their communities and bring it home, where it can spread to other members of their household. Some doctors are currently enrolling individuals for a clinical study to determine whether an investigational oral medicine may be able to help prevent that household transmission. Clinical studies are research studies performed with volunteers that aim to evaluate if investigational treatments are safe and effective for people.

Unvaccinated adults living with someone who is symptomatic and recently tested positive for COVID-19 may be able to enroll in a clinical study, called MOVeAHEAD, which is evaluating an investigational oral antiviral medicine to help prevent COVID-19 infection within households.

The MOVe-AHEAD clinical study is being conducted at over 50 sites across the U.S. To take part in the study, individuals must be 18 years or older and cannot have confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Individuals are not eligible to participate if they have received a COVID-19 vaccine or have previously had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, potential study participants must live with an adult or child who:

* Tested positive for COVID-19 in the last five days; and

* Currently has at least one symptom of COVID-19, such as fever or difficulty breathing

For a household to qualify for the study, there can be only one household member with symptoms of COVID-19 and a positive test. Other criteria apply. Once accepted, participants will be in the study for up to 35 days and have six visits to the clinic, with one of the visits being virtual by telephone. Those enrolled in the study will receive study-related care at no cost and may receive reimbursement for study-related time and travel.

"Through this clinical study, people have an opportunity to potentially help uncover new medicines that may help prevent COVID-19 transmission."

For more information on this clinical study, visit CovidMoveAhead.com.

This sponsored article is presented by Merck.

Source: BPT

"There is a continuing need to investigate new therapies to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19," said Dr. Fabian Sandoval, president & CEO of the Emerson Clinical Research Institute. "In particular, we need to focus on people living with SARSCoV-2-infected individuals because

they're at higher risk of becoming infected and continuing the spread due to their close proximity to these individuals for extended periods of time."

Getting Outside To Ease Your Mind

By

Physical activity and time outside are two wonderful gifts for your body and mind; they're proven to reduce stress and anxiety and offer a greater sense of well-being. L.L.Bean recently partnered with Mental Health America to share 10 ways getting outside can boost your energy, mood, and state of mind.

Set aside just 10 minutes.

Just 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity outdoors twice a day can significantly benefit your mind and body.

Set yourself up for success.

Plan for moments in the day when you typically have the most energy. If you enjoy morning walks, for example, set out everything you need the night before so you don't have to think about it in the morning.

Treat it as a treat.

Outdoor activity isn't a chore or an

obligation; it's a well-deserved break in your day. You're treating yourself to fresh air, more focus, a healthier body and a better mood.

Give yourself a goal.

Maybe your goal is to try a new yoga flow, walk a new trail or try a new style of workout. That's plenty to focus on for now. Just making this time for yourself counts as a win.

The outdoors is your playground.

Step outside and take in all the

possibilities. Practice meditation or strength exercises right on your front step or in your backyard, or take a walk or jog around your neighborhood or local park.

Do what feels good.

"Moderate or vigorous activity" can mean a lot of things - it doesn't have to mean running a marathon or lifting heavy weights. Safely choose an activity you love and embrace the feeling.

Stay mindful.

One of the great benefits of time outside is that it arouses a feeling of awe - a sensation of being in the presence of something bigger and more powerful than us. Savor that feeling and be present for the taste of air on your lips, the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the feeling of the ground beneath your feet.

Notice the benefits.

As you cool down from your activity and get ready to head back inside, notice how you feel. Is your head clearer, your focus sharper? What about your mood - are you less stressed? Fully absorb the benefits of movement and think about what you need to do to make it most effective.

Change it up if you need to.

Do you find you are too tired at the end of the day to head outdoors? Next time, try it first thing in the morning. Are you having trouble staying focused or motivated? Team up with a friend so you can keep each other on track (and keep each other company).

Have patience with yourself.

According to Mental Health America, it takes an average of 66 days for a behavior to become automatic - so if it doesn't feel natural or routine for you right away, you're not alone. Every time you go outside, you're doing something good for yourself and taking care of your physical and mental health.

This piece is brought to you through a partnership between L.L.Bean and Mental Health America aimed at helping more people to uncover the wellness benefits of time spent outside. To learn more about these efforts, visit Explore L.L.Bean.

Source: BPT

CRNAs Provide Patients With Continuous, Compassionate Care

By d-mars.com

Provider

When patients hear that they'll need anesthesia to undergo surgery or a procedure, they'll likely start to worry. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, 88% percent of patients experience preanesthetic fear, and in some cases that fear even causes anxious patients to cancel surgeries.

A recent American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Foundation study on public perceptions of anesthesia found that adults worry more about their children receiving anesthesia than themselves.

"AANA study respondents reported, however, that an in-person discussion of the anesthesia delivery plan could reduce those concerns," said AANA President Dina F. Velocci, DNP, CRNA, APRN. "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists provide this with holistic, patient-centered care before, during, and after anesthesia delivery."

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States. They make up more than 50% of the U.S. anesthesia workforce and specialize in airway management, intubation, advanced patient assessment, and patient safety. Beyond administering safe anesthesia, they enhance the patient experience.

Nurse anesthetists spend time with patients before, during, and after surgeries, providing continuous, holistic care with compassion. They are committed to patient safety and are members of one of the most trusted professions, according to Gallup. This trust and dedication to patient care have been a hallmark of CRNA anesthesia delivery since the profession started when nurses provided anesthesia to wounded soldiers on the Civil War battlefields.

"CRNAs are highly educated and skilled anesthesia experts who deliver specialized care to all patients - from infants to seniors - for every type of procedure in all types of facilities," said Velocci. "Every day, CRNAs show up as health care leaders who are able to provide in-the-moment personalized care in mindful ways that address the patient's needs physically and emotionally."

This is true in the operating room as well as in health care systems. With years of critical care practice before entering nurse anesthesiology training, CRNAs have a hands-on understanding of how health care is delivered from start to finish, allowing them to calm patients' fears of anesthesia and surgery, leading to better post-procedure outcomes.

"CRNAs are always at a patient's side from the moment we meet the patient in pre-op, through their surgery, and in post-op," said Velocci. "Patients can rest assured that a CRNA is serving as their advocate during surgical procedures."

Experienced anesthesia providers

As advanced practice registered nurses with specialized education and clinical experience in anesthesia delivery, CRNAs are trained to handle all aspects of anesthesia care. CRNAs have a minimum of 7 to 8½ years of clinical experience and training before they are licensed to deliver anesthesia. They are qualified to make independent

judgments regarding all aspects of anesthesia care based on their education, licensure, and certification. CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals with critical care experience before beginning formal anesthesia education.

Because of the rigorous academic and clinical requirements for their recertification, CRNAs are well versed in the latest advancements so that patients receive the best, safest care possible.

Where do they practice?

Where do they practice?

Nurse anesthetists collaborate with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, physician anesthesiologists, and other qualified health care professionals to provide anesthesia.

You'll find nurse anesthetists at hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, dentists' offices, the military, public health service, and veteran health care facilities.

In rural areas, CRNAs are crucial to providing medical care, providing more than 80% of the anesthesia in rural counties. Half of U.S. rural hospitals use a CRNA-only model for obstetric care. Because of the presence of a CRNA to provide safe pain management, patients are saved long drives of 75 miles or more to access the care they need.

The value of CRNAs

CRNAs know what works, what does not, and what needs to be done to improve the U.S. health care system. They see firsthand the results of racism and inequality, poverty, violence, substance abuse, unequal education, and inadequate mental health care. Nurse anesthetists are critical thinkers who approach these health care issues with the patient care continuum in mind.

CRNAs are also efficient and cost-effective. CRNAs deliver anesthesia, avoid duplication of services, promote efficient anesthesia providers' utilization and reduce cost. As the U.S. continues to experience limited health care resources, CRNAs are vital to continuing anesthesia in all settings.

"CRNAs provide courageous, compassionate care wherever they are needed," said Velocci. "Without nurse anesthetists, patients would lose their primary advocate, and our country would lose part of its largest health profession."

To learn more about the role and duties of CRNAs, visit AANA.com.

Source: BPT

Experienced anesthesia providers

The value of CRNAs

Experiencing These Symptoms? It’s Time To Think Migraine

“I’m fine,” is a phrase Kelsey Voskamp, a Colorado resident, used many times in her life while pushing through what she thought were just headaches. Like many others who are misdiagnosed or undertreated, Voskamp didn’t realize she experienced a neurological disease called migraine and didn’t know how to explain to her family, and even her doctor, how debilitating her migraine attacks were.

By d-mars.com News Provider

Migraine can have a large impact on a person’s life. But putting on a brave face to push through the symptoms isn’t a solution.

Why do so many people hesitate to seek care for their migraine symptoms?

There are a variety of reasons why people with migraine are underdiagnosed and undertreated. Oftentimes, people experiencing symptoms such as light and sound sensitivity, and nausea with a significant disabling headache don’t recognize it as a migraine.

The recent OVERCOME study, presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society revealed that among those who experienced these migraine symptoms, approximately half hesitated to seek care, and even fewer received a diagnosis and received the treatment they needed.

“I didn’t realize there was a name for what I was experiencing un til I spoke with my doctor,” said Voskamp, “Having the right diag nosis can make all the difference.”

Think Talk Treat Migraine

Eli Lilly and Company launched Think Talk Treat Migraine to em power people with migraine and their doctors to have better conversations that can lead to proper diagnosis and care. The next time you have a head ache, remember to THINK, TALK and TREAT migraine, a simple al gorithm to help guide conversations about the impact of migraine with your doctor:

1. THINK MIGRAINE

A migraine is more than a bad headache. According to the National

Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it’s a complex neurological disease, typically characterized by severe throbbing, recurring pain that frequently occurs on one side of the head, and other extremely debilitating symptoms that can impact one’s ability to complete daily activities or are accompanied by sensitivity to light, and/or nausea.

If these are symptoms you experience, think migraine. Ask your doctor about migraine if your headaches have limited your ability to complete activities if you’ve experienced nausea with a headache and/or are sensitive to light.

If you experience at least two of these symptoms with your headaches, there is a greater chance you might have a migraine.

2. TALK MIGRAINE

Due to migraine, Voskamp sometimes has to miss work and shares with her doctor that she feels like she is not fully functioning because of symptoms that impact her day. A short discussion with your doctor can determine if you need medication(s) to help relieve headache attacks or reduce their frequency.

Talk with your doctor about how headaches have impacted your life. Be sure to point out key symptoms that are bothering you:

• Headaches limit your normal daily activities – especially if it has happened any day in the last three months

• You push through headaches on a regular basis

3.

Working with your doctor to treat migraine based on your individual symptoms can make all the difference. The level of migraine treatment that your doctor recommends depends on the impact on daily activities:

• If you have a headache accompanied by an impact on your daily activities, sensitivity to light, and/or nausea one or more days per month: acute treatment could be recommended.

• If you have a headache accompanied by the impact on your daily activities, sensitivity to light, and/ or nausea four or more days per month: acute and preventive treatment could be recommended.

Following the diagnosis of a migraine, it’s important to treat early and effectively for best results, according to the American Headache Society. For more information on the Think, Talk, Treat Algorithm and other tools and resources on migraine, visit ThinkMigraine.com.

Think Talk Treat MigraineTM is a trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

VV-OTHR-US-DEL-0841

©Lilly USA, LLC 2022. All rights reserved.

TREAT MIGRAINE

How Religion and Spirituality Play a Role in Mental Health Recovery

Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Contributing Writer

Religion and spirituality are both rooted in understanding how a relationship with one’s higher power influences the meaning of life. Though both religion and spirituality are closely related, they play differing roles.

Religion is a structured, collective belief system, and spirituality is within an individual based on personal beliefs. If you practice religion, you have spirituality, however, someone who has spirituality may not necessarily ascribe to a religion. Either way, they both can have a positive influence on mental health by helping individuals through tough times and generating forgiveness, purpose, and peace. If you do some digging, you will find research that suggests that religion and spirituality reduce suicide rates, substance abuse, and other behaviors that convict people from making poor decisions.

Religion offers the benefits of the community providing social connections with others, a sense of belonging, and trustworthy and safe social interactions. Another benefit is that rituals provide predictability

and structure, time to rest at special times of the year, and helps to cope with difficult life transitions. Lastly, religion teaches forgiveness, gratitude, and compassion, life lessons, principles, and guidelines to live by such as doing the right thing.

Sometimes mental health problems arise genetically and other times situationally. In either case, an individual can feel burdened with trouble coping with daily life. Mental and emotional challenges should always be addressed with a therapist and/or a psychiatrist, however, spiritual beliefs help individuals grow and progress to reach their highest potential and find meaning and purpose in life.

Recovering from mental illness is a process of integrative care focusing on mind, body, and spirit. Physical health, exercise, psychotherapy, healthy eating, and spirituality are all a part of holistic care. Integrating spirituality in mental health care achieves wellness for the mind and aids in the recovery process.

You can visit Allen Counseling Group on the web at www.AllenCounselingGroup. com. For questions, email Tami@ AllenCounselingGroup.com or call 713-597-4499.

Like and follow the Allen Counseling Group on social media:

FB: @AllenCounseling2017

IG: @AllenCounselingGroup

Twitter: @CounselingAllen

Staying Socially Active May Enrich Mental Fitness

By d-mars.com News Provider

When you think about exercise, you likely think about the physical health benefits of working out. Many people exercise regularly to lose or maintain weight, improve muscle tone and strength or increase flexibility.

For seniors, physical activity can help them stay mobile and, as a result, stay independent for longer. However, the benefits of exercise go beyond the physical and can potentially enrich your social life and mental state.

Staying social as you age

Loneliness is a common problem for seniors and can have serious consequences on their overall well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of adults over 65 are socially isolated. Older adults are more likely to live alone and lose friends and family as they age. The CDC also reports that social isolation in adults 50 or older has been associated with higher risks of dementia, depression, anxiety and other health problems.

While these facts may be grim, there are many ways to combat loneliness, including

group exercise. Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal in her book The Joy of Movement, explains that endorphins (the feel-good hormone) released during exercise also help us bond with others. If you've ever played team sports or regularly attended yoga or other group fitness classes, you've probably felt a camaraderie with those around you.

Programs like SilverSneakers by Tivity Health offer many types of group activities that make a difference in the lives of seniors. The company's 2021 Annual Member Survey revealed that 88% of members said that the program improved their quality of life and 52% made new and valuable friendships by participating.

To further improve seniors' social engagement, the program has partnered with Stitch, the world's largest social community helping older adults create enriching social connections. The platform is now available to SilverSneakers members in participating health plans and allows them to connect around shared interests, like traveling, books, and physical activities, virtually and in person.

SilverSneakers Annual member survey found that depression among participants is 64% less prevalent than the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services national benchmark.

Also, according to the CDC, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, and improves your ability to think, learn and problem solve. This way, exercise works as a form of mental enrichment, an essential component of senior health.

optimized for ease of use, user engagement, and social connection. Whether you want to learn how to meditate, try a new recipe or understand the latest smart home technology, you have plenty of live interactive group class options to choose from.

Improving your quality of life doesn't have to be difficult, and you don't have to do it on your own. "This year, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're celebrating both our foundation in senior fitness and our expansion to a healthy lifestyle program that offers members a range of virtual and in-person opportunities to stay healthy and connected," said Tivity Health President & CEO Richard Ashworth. "We know that health is more than physical, and we are proud to provide seniors with the tools to stay healthy both in person and at home."

Boost your brain health through exercise

Boost your brain health through exercise

Movement and activity can also improve your mood and prevent mental health and mood disorders. The

Mental enrichment comes in many different forms, such as doing crossword puzzles or sudoku or learning a new hobby or activity. You can work out your muscles and your brain by taking up a new exercise class, such as trying Tai Chi, water aerobics, or a dance class.

The virtual learning platform offers mental enrichment activities specifically designed for seniors with a wide range of online classes through a video platform

To find out if you're one of the 18 million seniors nationwide eligible for SilverSneakers, visit www. silversneakers.com. To learn more about SilverSneakers and other programs available to members, visit Tools.SilverSneakers.com.

Source: BPT