Your Health May 2021

Your

Health Daily Journal media

MAY 2021 | In this issue:

PREVENTING BONE, JOINT PAIN TO ENJOY SUMMER ACTIVITIES Avoiding heat stroke during the summer Talking about tick season

PAGE 2 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

Talking about tick season Along with summer comes tick season in Minnesota. Many ticks can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that can harm humans, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, in 2018, there were 950 confirmed Lyme Oliver disease cases and 496 confirmed or probable cases of anaplasmosis in Minnesota.

Jon Oliver with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health answers questions about the outlook for this year’s tick season in Minnesota, including types of ticks, where they are most prevalent, what people should do to avoid them and what to do if they find one on themselves. : Will there be a lot of ticks this year? : 2021 is shaping up to be a bad year for ticks but this may change due to ongoing dry weather. A lot of adult deer ticks were active early in the spring and this may correspond to high levels of activity among the very small immature ticks. On the other hand, dry weather and drought conditions will limit tick activity and reduce population numbers, especially for deer ticks. Parts of the

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state having a very dry season may see fewer ticks later on this year. : What types of ticks are most common in Minnesota? : Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and American dog ticks (“wood ticks”; Dermacentor variabilis) are common in Minnesota and both commonly bite people and pets. Although both species can potentially transmit diseases, deer ticks are more concerning because they are often infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. : Where are ticks most prevalent? : Deer ticks require a refuge with a high humidity level, such as the forest leaf layer, so they are most often found in forested areas. Deer ticks are spreading and becoming more common. They are now found in every forested county in the state. Even in prairie areas, deer carry deer ticks to patches of forested habitat, so people should be vigilant for ticks after visiting any forested area in Minnesota.

Adult deer ticks are active in the spring (April through June) and the fall (September through November) when temperatures are above freezing and there is no snow. Immature nymphs are considered more of a disease risk because they are smaller and harder to notice, so they often remain attached and

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CHECK FOR TICKS: According to Jon Oliver with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 2021 currently looks like a bad year for ticks. feed for longer. They are mostly active in May through July in Minnesota. : What can people do to avoid getting ticks on themselves and what should someone do if they find one? : Tick-borne diseases are more easily prevented than cured. Insect repellents that contain DEET are also effective at repelling ticks. If you spend a lot of time in tick habitats, it may be worth treating a suit of clothes with permethrin, a repellent/insecticide that works on ticks. The bacteria that cause Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases usually take hours to enter your body after a tick attaches to feed. Daily tick checks will greatly reduce your chance of getting Lyme disease even if you are bitten.

If you find a tick biting you, use tweezers to grab the tick by its mouthparts where they enter your skin. Pull the tick straight off. Avoid crushing its body. After a tick bite, be mindful of your body’s health.

If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms, visit your doctor and tell him or her about the tick bite. : What are you doing to advance research on ticks?

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: With the goal of enhancing human health and reducing human exposure to tick-borne diseases, my research focuses on the interactions of ticks and the bacteria they carry as well as the distribution of ticks on the landscape of the Upper Midwest. New pathogens are discovered relatively often in Minnesota’s deer ticks and our lab is working to find out how and where new diseases arise. Ticks also have a varied and diverse microbiome that includes both symbiotic bacteria that help the ticks and pathogens that cause disease.

How the pathogens and symbionts interact, as well as how these bacteria affect ticks’ ability to survive and spread, are open questions that we are working to answer. In the future, scientists may be able to manipulate ticks to limit their spread to new places or their ability to carry and transmit pathogens, such as the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

Jon Oliver is an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. His areas of expertise include vector-borne diseases, infectious diseases, ticks, mosquitoes and Lyme disease.

FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 3

Avoid heat stroke on hot summer days For Your Health

Summer weather draws many people outside. Warm air and sunshine can be hard to resist, even when temperatures rise to potentially dangerous levels.

Sunburn may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of spending too much time soaking up summer sun. But while sunburn is a significant health problem that can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer, it poses a less immediate threat than heat stroke, a wellknown yet often misunderstood condition.

What is heat stroke?

Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency and the most severe form of heat illness that results from long, extreme exposure to the sun.

During this exposure, a person’s built-in cooling system may fail to

produce enough sweat to lower body their body temperature, putting their life at risk as a result. Heat stroke develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment. If not treated immediately, heat stroke can prove fatal.

Are some people more at risk for heat stroke than others?

The elderly, infants, people whose occupations require them to work outdoors, and the mentally ill are among the people with an especially high risk of heat stroke. Obesity and poor circulation also increase a person’s risk of suffering heat stroke.

Alcohol and certain types of medications also can make people more at risk for heat stroke.

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

One person may experience heat stroke differently than another. In addition, because it develops so

rapidly, heat stroke can be hard to identify before a person is in serious danger. But Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that some of the more common heat stroke symptoms include: • Headache.

• Dizziness.

• Disorientation, agitation, or confusion.

• Sluggishness or fatigue.

• Seizure.

• Hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty.

• High body temperature.

• Loss of consciousness.

• Rapid heartbeat.

• Hallucinations.

Can heat stroke be prevented?

The simplest way to prevent heat stroke is to avoid spending time outdoors in the sun on hot days. If you must go outdoors, do so when temperatures are mild and the sun is low, such as in the early morning or evening.

In addition to being wise about

when you spend time in the sun, you can do the following to prevent heat stroke.

• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and sports drinks that can help your body maintain its electrolyte balance, when spending time outdoors. In addition, avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda and tea as well as alcohol.

• Wear lightweight, tightly woven and loose-fitting clothing in light colors.

• Always wear a hat and sunglasses when going outdoors, and use an umbrella on especially hot days.

• Take frequent drinks during outdoor activities and mist yourself with a spray bottle to reduce the likelihood of becoming overheated.

Heat stroke is a serious threat on hot summer days. Because heat stroke can escalate rapidly, people must be especially cautious and mindful of their bodies when spending time outdoors in the summer.

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PAGE 4 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

SUMMER IS SHORT IN MINNESOTA, DON’T LET PAIN STEAL A SINGLE DAY

W

hat are you looking forward to this summer? Biking, golfing, fishing, hiking, going to the beach or heading out on vacation?

Minnesota summers are made for getting outside and enjoying the short but Glynn sweet season.

If bone or joint pain is holding you back from the activities you love to do, the Orthopedics and Joint Care team at Lake Region Healthcare can Rott

help.

In this article we’ll answer some of the questions we receive most often about how our team can help people suffering from sports injuries to those considering hip and knee replacement.

What are some reasons people see Lake Region Healthcare’s Orthopedics and Joint Care team?

We see a wide variety of people who are dealing with pain— some from acute injuries like fractures, sprains, dislocations and muscle tears. We also see those with long-standing chronic issues in their knees, hips, backs and shoulders that have come from months, if not years and decades of being active. We

Stress?

Anxiety?

Depression?

For more information about services or to take a free condential online screening, log on to www.lmhc.org For appointments, please contact our ofce at 218-736-6897.

Safe & Condential Visits

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STAYING ACTIVE: Biking is one of the many activities that people enjoy during the summer months in Minnesota. Don’t let bone or joint pain prevent you from enjoying time on two wheels.

PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL & SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES If you have concerns about your child’s development or concerns with their skills we can help. Whether it’s gross motor skills of walking, running, and jumping or fine motor skills with how they hold a crayon or ability to draw shapes or communication.

Others may have a hard time understanding them when they talk.

We also address self-regulation skills with children identifying emotions and helping with strategies to manage those emotions.

We are able to provide in depth evaluations in these and help them gain those skills if needed.

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FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 5

How does a person know when it’s time to see a doctor about their bone and joint pain?

As people continue to have birthdays—which we can all relate to—things don’t always work quite the same as we remember, sometimes even from one year to the next. You may feel a twinge with that first swing of the golf club or the first time you cast a lure into the lake.

But, if what you’re feeling is more than a twinge and you find yourself not doing something you’d like to do because it might make your bones or joints hurt, it is time to come see us.

If your pain is controlling your life, come see us because we can probably make a change that’s going to make you feel a whole lot better.

What are the options and treatments you provide?

There are a lot of options available for treating injuries and bone and joint issues. They can range anywhere from a few visits with a physical therapist or an occupational therapist, to potential injections or some sort of bracing treatments. We have a great team of physical therapists and a great team of athletic trainers that help us with brace fittings and activity modifications. We have a musculoskeletal radiologist, which you don’t usually find at a hospital the size of Lake Region Healthcare. We have a team of podiatrists who do wonderful work and take care of all kinds of foot and ankle problems. We also have a wellness hub at Lake Region Healthcare that has great programs for getting people moving and active again.

Even though we’re surgeons, surgery for the most part is something we look at as, “Gosh,

we’ve tried everything else there is to try, and surgery is what ultimately is going to fix this problem.”

If someone needs surgery, what are the options available?

If surgery is needed, we have less invasive options that minimize swelling and pain afterward. We can provide arthroscopic fixes for sports injuries, be it ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair or dislocated shoulders. We also have unique ways to administer anesthesia that allow for less sedation after surgery.

What types of surgical options are there for joint replacement specifically?

We have a Joint Care Center with a highly trained dedicated team for those needing joint replacement surgery. We provide knee replacement and partial knee replacement surgery, as well as both traditional hip replacement and the anterior approach to hip replacement.

The anterior approach to hip replacement allows the joint to be replaced from the front of the hip. This lets the surgeon move muscles along the natural tissue planes. This approach often results in quicker recovery, less pain, and more normal function after hip replacement.

School in Jamestown, ND, Dr. Rott went on to obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, MO.

About Dr. Glynn

Originally from Fergus Falls, Dr. Glynn received his under-

graduate degree in Medical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. His orthopaedic surgery residency was done at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He completed a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at SOAR (Sports Orthopedics and Rehabilitation) in Redwood City, California.

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How long does it take to get in to see a sports medicine or orthopedic specialist?

Our team can see people the same day or the next day. We have express appointments that are really an advantage when you’re looking at a sports injury, or an athlete that needs to be seen right away, or for anyone who has had enough of their bone and joint pain. We can get people on the right track with the right treatment, right away.

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A graduate of Jamestown High

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PAGE 6 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

Talking to children about vaccines

By Deb Dietrich Mayo Clinic

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 1215 years. So parents and caregivers may be getting even more questions from children about whether vaccines are safe and how vaccines can help end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Educate yourself so you know the facts and can help put your kids at ease. Start by talking about the amazing work your child's body does to stay healthy. Explain that your child's body is strong and does a great job of keeping him or her safe from germs.

Here are some tips for answering common questions children may have about vaccines:

Why do I need vaccines?

When you get sick, you are given medicine to help you feel better. Vaccines are like medicine put into your body to keep you from getting sick in the first place. Vaccines are recommended throughout your life to help prevent you from getting illnesses. For example, you get a flu shot each year.

These vaccines help protect people around you, especially grandparents and other family members with medical conditions.

How do vaccines work in the body?

Vaccines help your body build up the ability to fight off viruses.

Vaccines may not stop you from getting viruses, but if you do get sick, the vaccine may keep you from becoming seriously ill or developing complications due to the illness. And that may be a lifesaving benefit of vaccines.

If I'm healthy, why do I need vaccines?

Even if you are healthy, you can't predict or know in advance

if you will get sick. You also can't predict or know how severe the illness will be. Vaccines don't just protect you. They also protect your family, friends and your community.

Why do most vaccines come in a shot?

Most vaccines are given as a shot because if you ate or drank them, your stomach would think they're food and digest them. When they are given as a shot, the medicine stays strong and helps your body keep germs from making you sick.

Sometimes — as with the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines — multiple doses are needed. The first shot will get your immune system producing some antibodies to fight off the virus, but a second shot is needed to get your body into full defense mode.

Are vaccines safe?

All vaccines must undergo intensive safety monitoring. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has carefully reviewed all of the authorized and recommended vaccines. The FDA is responsible for reviewing all safety data from clinical trials to determine if the expected benefits of vaccination outweigh potential risks.

For your child, you could distill this as follows: All possible measures have been taken to make sure that no harm will come to those who get vaccinated. Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world have received vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. The delay in getting COVID-19 vaccines for younger children provides time for scientists and doctors to study the vaccine in kids your age.

Will I get sick from vaccines?

Some people will have side effects, but they are generally mild.

These side effects are your body's way of responding to the vaccine

and building up your immunity against viruses. It is common to have some minor pain, redness and swelling on the arm where the shot was given, and tiredness.

Headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea can also be side effects throughout the rest of the body. Some people have no side effects. If two doses are required, the side effects may be more intense after the second dose.

Could the vaccine make me unable to have children in the future?

There is no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems, which are problems trying to get pregnant.

If I am vaccinated for COVID-19 can I do X, Y and Z?

It takes your body a few weeks after you are vaccinated to build immunity, so it is still possible to get the virus. There are still many more people who need to be vaccinated, and this will take time.

Be patient, wear a mask, wash your hands and continue to practice social distancing. But getting vaccinated is an important step in stopping the pandemic and returning to normal.

Why can't younger kids get vaccinated for COVID-19?

COVID-19 vaccines will likely be available to younger children in the future. Fortunately, younger children are not as vulnerable to COVID-19 and its effects. People more vulnerable include doctors, nurses, older people and those with chronic health conditions, and they needed to be vaccinated first. In addition, vaccine experts know vaccines work well for adult bodies and want to make sure it's the same for kids.

Tips for teens on talking to peers about COVID-19 vaccines

It is likely that your teen has talked about COVID-19 vaccines with peers. Hesitancy to get vaccines can stem from fear and the unknown. Encourage your teen to learn the facts, using information from reputable resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System.

Here are some facts about COVID-19 vaccines your teen can share and discuss, should he or she have peers who are hesitant to get vaccinated: • Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from getting sick.

• Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 helps others in the community.

• More vaccinations for COVID-19 mean a change to return to normal.

• While the development of the COVID-19 vaccine happened quickly, it did not skip necessary safety steps.

• People of color are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19.

• Clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine included assessing safety and effectiveness included people of various diversities.

• COVID-19 vaccine side effects are temporary and do not mean you're sick.

• If you have allergies, you can still get the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems.

• If you've already had COVID-19, getting vaccinated will add extra protection.

• The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you are protected.

• Vaccines can't save lives unless people get vaccinated.

Additional thoughts Finally, praise your child's bravery to get vaccinated, and continue to be open and honest, so he or she knows to reach out to you with further questions or concerns.

FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 7

20 warnings signs of stress For Your Health

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KNOW YOUR STRESS: Stress is a part of daily life. Learning to recognize signs of stress can help people overcome it and reduce the risk of various conditions.

7. Ringing, buzzing or “popping sounds.

8. Frequent blushing or sweating.

9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet.

10. Dry mouth and/or problems swallowing.

11. Frequent colds, infections and/or herpes sores.

12. Rashes, itching, hives, and/or “goose bumps.”

13. Unexplained or frequent “allergy” attacks.

14. Heartburn, stomach pain and/or nausea.

15. Excess belching and/or flatulence.

16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control.

17. Difficulty breathing and/or frequent sighing.

18. Sudden attacks of life-threatening panic.

19. Chest pain, palpitations and/or rapid pulse.

20. Frequent urination.

Stress is a part of daily life.

Learning to recognize signs of stress can help people overcome it and reduce their risk for various conditions.

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Stress affects so many people and infiltrates so many parts of daily life that it can be tempting to write it off as harmless or just a normal part of being human.

But the negative effects of stress are significant, and persons who can recognize that are in a good position to find healthy ways to cope with their stress.

The American Psychological Association notes that stress can take a considerable toll on a person’s mind and body. Chronic stress, which is a constant stress experienced over a prolonged period of time, can increase the risk of hypertension, heart attack or stroke. In addition, the APA notes that chronic stress causes the muscles in the body to be in an essentially constant state of guardedness, which can potentially contribute to tension-type headache and migraines. And these are just two of the many ways the body is adversely affected by stress, which the APA says also has been linked to problems with the gastrointestinal system, nervous system and reproductive system.

Since stress can contribute to such unpleasant and potentially life-threatening side effects, it’s important that people from all walks of life learn to recognize the warning signs of stress. The American Institute of Stress lists the following among its 50 most common signs and symptoms of stress.

1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain.

2. Gritting, grinding teeth.

3. Stuttering or stammering.

4. Tremors, or trembling of lips or hands.

5. Neck ache, back pain and/ or muscle spasms.

6. Light headedness, faintness and/or dizziness.

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When an injury or bone and joint pain stops you in your tracks—our team of orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists and schedulers cares enough to get you in right away.

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