Your Health March 2021

Your

Health Daily Journal media

MARCH 2021 | In this issue:

PANDEMIC LONELINESS: HIGHER RATE FOR WOMEN Prevent dry skin during the winter season Safety tips for spring cleaning

PAGE 2 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

Women have higher feelings of loneliness, social issues due to COVID-19 pandemic

By Adam Harringa Mayo Clinic

Social distancing guidelines have reduced the spread of COVID-19, but lockdowns and isolation have also created or aggravated other well-being concerns, reports new research. Mayo Clinic investigators found a significant increase in loneliness and a decrease in feelings of friendship during the pandemic. The study, published Feb. 20 in the journal Social Science & Medicine, also showed disproportionate negative effects among women and those with poorer health.

The researchers say that while physical distance is important during the pandemic, distance within and among relationships can cause undue harm to a person's mental health and well-being. The decision to close businesses and schools, and cancel social gatherings and events while effective at slowing the spread of disease can have unintended social, mental, financial and

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INCREASED FEELING: The pandemic has caused higher feelings of loneliness for everyone, but women’s sense of loneliness has seen a higher increase than men.

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substance abuse issues.

"A conscious effort should be made to make meaningful social connection with others," says Jon Ebbert, M.D., a Mayo Clinic internal medicine physician and senior author of the study.

"During times of social strain and stress, it is important to not only be helpful to one another, but also be present."

To measure changes during the pandemic, the researchers compared survey results from 1,996 patients who completed a questionnaire in February 2018 and again during the stay-athome orders throughout much of the U.S. in May 2020. The questions were split into six areas of support: emotional, logistical (helping with daily tasks), friendship, loneliness, perceived rejection and perceived hostility.

Women reported higher levels of loneliness during the pandemic, compared to men. The researchers hypothesize that one contributing factor could be

that women's employment was significantly more likely to have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. unemployment data.

"The workplace is often a place of social networking and support. Furthermore, as jobs transitioned from the workplace to the home setting, this could have further strained social connections for women," says lead author Lindsey Philpot, Ph.D., a health services researcher and epidemiologist in the department of medicine at Mayo Clinic.

The largest change was a decrease in friendships, followed by an increase in loneliness.

"Personal connection comes in many forms. We may be observing that during an infectious pandemic, women may suffer a greater burden of loneliness," Ebbert says. "All of us should remember to focus on friendships to remain resilient during significant changes in social struc-

ings, chatting with colleagues between meetings," Philpot says. "Physical distancing requires us to be more intentional about reaching out, connecting, and spending (virtual) time with others. So consider scheduling a virtual coffee date with a friend, joining or hosting an online trivia night, or picking up the phone and calling a family member or friend."

People in a lifetime relationship made up 77% of survey respondents. Of the respondents, 63% were women, 78% said they were in good or very good health, and the average age was 60.

Study co-authors all from Mayo Clinic are Priya Ramar; Daniel Roellinger; Barbara Barry, Ph.D.; and Pravesh Sharma, M.D. The research was supported

by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery.

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It's not all bad news, though, as there was an increase in emotional and logistical support, and a decrease in perceived hostility, the team found. However, those who had poorer health to begin with said their emotional support decreased. The researchers did not observe any changes in perceived rejection.

"Individuals with more health problems may experience the greatest negative impact on emotional support during significant social change when these may be times they need it the most," Ebbert says.

The researchers say their findings are supported by the stress buffering hypothesis, which concludes that social relationships can be a buffer during stressful times.

"Prior to physical distancing directives, we benefited from passive social interaction interacting with fellow parents at basketball practice or PTA meet-

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10 tips for winter dry skin relief I don’t have to tell you that the Fergus Falls region we live in is frigid and windy during the winter. Even in the mildest winters, our cold, dry winter air can lead to skin that is itchy and flaky, and hands ALLISON that can be- GODDARD come raw, red Lake Region and chapped. Healthcare Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to relieve winter dry skin.

10 quick tips for dry skin relief 1. Use a humidifier to add much-needed moisture to the air.

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FINDING RELIEF: Winter can be harsh on people’s skin. The article provides 10 quick tips to help relief dry skin during the winter season.

Bringing dermatology care closer Your skin covers you from head to toe and there are countless reasons to care for and protect it.

It’s why we’re excited to welcome board certified dermatologist Dr. Allison Goddard to Lake Region Healthcare. Dr. Goddard provides a broad spectrum of dermatology care for people of all ages. Her expertise includes treating everything from aging skin to skin conditions and skin cancer.

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FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 5

2. Use fragrance-free laundry detergents and avoid fabric softeners.

3. Try not to scratch. If your moisturizer isn’t providing relief, try a cold pack or compress to relieve the itchy spot.

4. Our hands are usually the first place that dry skin shows up. Wear gloves when: going outdoors; washing dishes or doing things that require your hands to get wet; working with chemicals or greasy substances.

5. If you’re using hand sanitizer because of COVID-19, wait until your hands are completely dry, then apply a moisturizer.

6. Limit yourself to one 5-10 minute bath or shower daily; bathing more than that can strip away much of the skin's oily layer and cause it to lose moisture.

7. Wash with warm, not hot water, and a mild cleanser.

Gently pat your skin dry.

8. Apply moisturizer after get-

ting out of the bath or shower.

9. When shaving, use a shaving cream or gel. Try leaving it on your skin for several minutes before starting.

10. Read ingredients on skin care products — deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners, and products that contain fragrance can irritate dry skin.

Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients: • Jojoba oil • Dimethicone • Glycerin • Hyaluronic acid • Lactic acid • Ceramides • Sunflower seed oil • Petrolatum • Shea butter

When to seek help for your dry skin If you’ve tried all of the tips above and your skin is still itchy, dry and rough — or if your skin

is getting worse — it may be time to see me. Excessively dry skin can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

I can diagnose what’s causing your dry skin and create a treatment plan for you. Treatment for dry skin can strengthen its outer layer leading to: • Being more comfortable and preventing further skin damage.

• Reducing your skin’s sensitivity.

• Lessening your risk of developing a skin infection.

A few words about sunscreen You may think that sunscreen is only important during the summer months. However, snow reflects the sun’s rays back at us, actually increasing our need to use sunscreen in the winter. My advice is to use sunscreen at all times when you’re outdoors, regardless of the time of year to protect

you from developing sunburn, wrinkles, premature aging and cancer.

Spring is just around the corner Spend some time with the 10 tips for winter dry skin right now so that this spring your skin will be ready for those short sleeves and shorts we all want to put on.

About Dr. Goddard Dr. Allison Goddard practices dermatology at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. Her areas of professional interest include complex medical dermatology and integrative dermatology. She has broad experience in procedural dermatology which includes removal of benign and malignant skin lesions. She also offers a variety of noninvasive procedures to help you maintain healthy and youthful skin.

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PRH acquires quick response vehicle to improve emergency services For Your Health

In an emergency time is of the essence. Thanks to a Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act grant awarded by Grant County to the Prairie Ridge Healthcare (PRH) Ambulance Services, their team will be able to offer faster responses to area residents utilizing a new “quick response vehicle.”

Ambulance services across the nation utilize these vehicles as a supplement to their ambulance service to get a paramedic on scene to give the best patient care possible as quickly as possible. The closest hospital can be 20-30 minutes away at times and having what is referred to as an “intercept” by a paramedic can benefit patients by giving them lifesaving interventions and treatments that can only be done by paramedics.

“This vehicle will be available in response to 911 calls across Grant County in addition to the Elbow Lake calls. It will allow a paramedic to quickly and safely get to the scene to assist other ambulance services like Ashby and Hoffman with higher level medical interventions while still keeping the Elbow Lake Ambulance available for other calls,” according to PRH emergency medical services (EMS) manager Aric Risbrudt.

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE: The quick response vehicle is equipped with special lights for safety while driving to and responding at the scene of an emergency.

The quick response truck will make assistance for potential COVID patients in the rural areas safer for responders and more timely for patients. It will be stocked with the proper equipment to enable the paramedic to be the first on scene for all positive and potential COVID-19 calls, responding to the need while waiting for EMS services to arrive. When dispatch sends out a call that potentially involves COVID, the EMS staff meet at the garage and get into their safety

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gear, which takes time. Prior to the pandemic, first responders would assist the patient until EMS arrived. However, when the potential for COVID is present, not all first responders are equipped to respond safely. The quick response truck will carry isolation gear, including a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), so the paramedic can safely get to the patient and help them while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Risbrudt said law enforcement and Grant County emergency management supported the idea of a quick response vehicle knowing that getting a paramedic to the scene quickly and safely enhances the level of patient care in our rural area. With their support, Grant County commissioners allocated some of the county’s CARES Act funding toward the project to help make it happen.

Other benefits of the vehicle include the ability to use it to respond to fire assist calls since fire gear will also be kept in the vehicle, and to assist law enforce-

ment calls for “standbys.” These are situations such as a high-risk warrant where there is potential for injury to either party involved.

By using the quick response truck instead of the ambulance for standby requests, the ambulance is kept in service for 911 calls. It will also be utilized for community outreach education, such as CPR class and first-responder class, allowing the paramedic teaching to still be able to respond to calls during this time.

“The addition of this quick response truck to our EMS services is truly going to save lives and improve emergency response throughout Grant County,” said PRH CEO Danielle Lesmeister. “I want to thank Aric and the other PRH leaders who worked on this grant request, as well as the Grant County law enforcement, emergency management, and EMS and fire entities throughout Grant County for their support on this project and their partnership serving the emergency response needs of our communities,” she added.

FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 7

Safety tips for spring cleaning S

pring is here (fingers crossed)! It’s that time of year where the weather is getting nicer and we start to clean the house.

It feels good to get some fresh air inside after all the windows and doors have KAYLEN been closed PODJASKI through the win- OSPTI ter time. During Column this time it is important to make sure you protect your body as well as maintain a safe environment to prevent injury.

Here are five tips and tricks for you to consider this spring: 1. Warm up before cleaning: Performing a gentle warm up such as walking can help prepare your muscles for the tasks

ahead and help prevent injury.

2. Start small, pace yourself: It is okay to start with the smaller rooms and work your way up. Take breaks throughout the day in order to give your body enough rest.

3. Be careful moving heavier pieces of furniture: If you are uncomfortable moving an item make sure to get help before attempting to move it. Make sure to use your legs and not your back when lifting, even if the item is lighter.

4. Keep your areas clean: Having a lot of clutter can cause increased risk of tripping and falling when moving around your house. It is important to keep cleaning supplies to the side as well as minimize cords throughout the house that are in open areas.

5. Drink plenty of water: As we

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get cleaning it is easy to get side tracked. It is important to get enough water throughout the day in order to boost your energy and prevent dehydration.

Whether it’s rearranging furniture, standing on a chair to dust

ceiling fans, or getting rid of old boxes, remember these tips! Protect yourself and others to have a safe and healthy spring!

Kaylen Podjaski is a physical therapist for Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy Inc.

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