Your Health_November 2020

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NOVEMBER 2020 | In this issue:

NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK What is a ‘diabetes diet?’

Lake Region Healthcare expands psychiatry services

PAGE 2 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

Lake Region Healthcare expands psychiatry services amid increases in pandemic-related mental health needs For the Journal

ways,” Huber said. “People have lost loved ones, lost jobs, housing, insurance. We've had to social distance ourselves, worry about kiddos in school, change how we do things. I think we're dealing with a lot of uncertainty and we're still in the first wave of the pandemic,” she said.

According to Huber, it's a good idea to seek professional mental health help if you, or a loved one find yourself struggling to get day-to-day tasks done, whether this is at home or at work. If you are currently being treated for anxiety or depression or another mental health condition, and notice things are getting worse, she says this is an indicator it’s time to check in with your provider.

In addition, she said emergency services are available for those who are in distress or suicidal with the emergency department which is open 24/7 as well as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-2738255.

About Huber, Wawin and Loeffler: Huber received her medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in

Lake Region Healthcare is expanding to meet the growing mental health needs of the area with the addition this month of two new providers in the psychiatry department.

Dr. Jackie Huber, Dr. Paul Wawin and nurse Hubert practitioner, Genie Loeffler are joining the team of psychiatry professionals at the Fergus Falls main clinic.

Already in significant demand, mental Wawin health services are an even greater need as the impacts of isolation and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic take their toll. “The Loeffler pandemic has impacted people in so many

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Grand Forks. She completed UND’s psychiatry residency training program in Fargo.

Her past experience includes work as a direct support professional for the Red River Human Services Foundation and as a donor care specialist for United Blood Services in Fargo. In 2012, she served as a student intern for the UND School of Medicine SEARCH program in Hettinger, North Dakota. She has also served as a mentor for at-risk youth through the UND School of Medicine Youth Mentoring Program and as a rehabilitation services & emergency department volunteer at Sanford Health in Fargo.

Huber said she chose to practice psychiatry because “despite advances in research, behavioral health remains complex, imprecise, and mysterious. But it is also very important in maintaining overall wellness. She treats depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and trauma and stressor related disorders.

Wawin received his medical degree from the Medical University of the Americans in Nevis, West Indies, and completed his residency at Memorial University Faculty of Medicine in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Canada.

He has served as a contracted psychiatrist at several hospitals in Canada over the past several years. Prior to receiving his medical degree, Wawin operated a private psychotherapy practice in Nova Scotia, Canada, and served in both chaplaincy and social work roles at hospitals in that region.

When asked about choosing

to join the team at LRH, Wawin said when he came for an onsite visit and met the psychiatry team, he was “inspired by the opportunity to join such a high-quality group of providers and staff.”

Wawin says he chose to practice in the field of psychiatry because many people who are suffering with mental illness are forgotten or face very significant challenges. He said “when you can help them, you can really make a significant difference in the trajectory of their lives. It’s so exciting when proper treatment results in a new hope.”

Genie Loeffler received her Master of Science in nursing from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Minnesota State University in Moorhead and both a licensed practical nursing and associate’s degree in nursing from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and of Minnesota Nurse Practitioners.

She has worked in psychiatric nursing since 2005, working initially at Prairie St. John’s and the state of Minnesota’s Community Behavioral Health hospital. She has worked as a nurse at Lake Region Healthcare’s Bridgeway Behavioral Health inpatient unit for the past 13 years and has served as Bridgeway’s clinical coordinator since 2013.

To schedule a psychiatry appointment either in-person or through a virtual visit, call 218739-2221.

FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 3

National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 6-12

By Mayo Clinic

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION: National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 6-12 in 2020. enza vaccine is that you have to get the actual vaccine to the strain that’s active.” This year’s flu strains include H1N1 A and a new subtype known as H3N2.

There’s also a new B strain called Brisbane.

Tips for avoiding illness

Bhide offers these tips for staving off the flu and other illnesses, regardless of the season: • Wash your hands thorough-

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ly and frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is particularly important before leaving the bathroom, eating, or touching your face.

• Avoid others who are sick, and stay home from work or school if you are ill.

• Keep your vaccines up to date. Aside from the seasonal flu shot, the most important vaccines, she says, include mea-

DAILY JOURNAL

sles, mumps and rubella and the combined tetanus diphtheria and cellular pertusis (whooping cough) booster, or Tdap.

Due to the unpredictability of the flu season, which is typically from October to March, there is no specific date by which you should get your vaccine. The only advice is that the vaccine should be administered as early as possible to be able to take effect before exposure to the virus.

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Have you had your annual influenza vaccination? If not, this National Influenza Vaccination Week may be the perfect time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention selected the week of Dec. 6-12 to highlight the importance of flu vaccines through the holiday season and beyond. Mayo Clinic internal medicine specialist Dr. Vandana Bhide says influenza can be a serious and potentially deadly virus that causes fever, coughing and muscle aches. The flu also can lead to other complications, including pneumonia, bronchitis and, potentially, death.

“Many people who get the flu will have a fever, experience muscle aches and feel the need to stay home from work or school for a few days. Certain people can develop serious complications. The vaccine can help avoid these issues,” says Bhide.

“People always ask me why do I have to get a flu shot every single year as with other vaccines, you can just get a booster shot every once in awhile,” says Bhide. “With influenza, because it can change year to year, and the immunization is very specific to the strain, you have to get the vaccine every single year.” She adds, “The important thing to know about the influ-

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What is a ‘diabetes diet?’

By Mayo Clinic November is National Diabetes Month, which makes this a good time to learn more about preventing and treating diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar. The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood.

Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.

The two types of chronic diabetes conditions are Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, although it often appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, also can develop at any age, although it's more common in people over 40.

Prediabetes means you have a

higher-than-normal blood sugar level, but it's not yet high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy, causing high blood sugar levels that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health.

Three healthy lifestyle choices can both treat and reduce your risk for prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

These are eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.

Eating a healthy diet, sometimes referred to as a "diabetes diet," simply means eating the healthiest foods in moderate amounts and sticking to regular mealtimes. It's a healthy eating plan that's naturally rich in nutrients, and low in fat and calories.

Key elements are fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A diabetes

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FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 5

COVID-19 expert explains what soap does to SARS-CoV-2 virus

By Mayo Clinic Health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to drive home the message that excellent hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent illnesses, such as COVID-19.

Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, explains what soap does to SARSCoV-2, and other viruses and bacteria. . Why is washing your hands with soap and water the best? . Your hand has oils on it, and viruses stick to that oil. They have an electrostatic charge to them. But when you’re washing with soap, soap has things that decrease surface tension in them so you are physically rubbing by friction and washing away that virus. It is the most effective thing we know to do.

That’s why surgeons, for example, scrub their hands so very carefully before they go into an OR. It works, and it works really well.

When washing your hands, follow these steps: Wet your hands with clean, running water — either warm

Q A

DAILY JOURNAL

SUDS ATTACK: With the COVID-19 pandemic, handwashing has become vital to helping prevent the spread of the virus. Dr. Gregory Poland from the Mayo Clinic explains what soap does to SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

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or cold.

Apply soap and lather well.

Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

Rinse well.

Dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry them. . What about hand sanitizer? . Second best is hand sanitizer. If you have mucous or dirt on your hands, hand sanitizer cannot penetrate that; whereas, soap literally washes that away.

Dr. Poland says when using hand sanitizer, it's important to use enough of it. He says a lot of people put a dime-size drop, when they need a quarter to a half dollar size amount of product.

If you use a hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60% alcohol. Follow these steps: Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand. Check the label to find out the appropriate amount.

Rub your hands together.

Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

PAGE 6 | FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM

Raising awareness for epilepsy and seizure disorder awareness

By Mayo Clinic Epilepsy is a neurologic disorder that affects 3 million Americans and nearly 65 million people worldwide. Unprovoked seizures that affect people of all ages are a hallmark of epilepsy. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

Education and awareness are key to effective treatment and quality of life for patients with epilepsy.

"Epilepsy is often considered a pejorative term by many people because it seems to convey a certain sense of negativity or stigma.

The truth is epilepsy and seizure disorder are technically the same thing, and with the right treatment, patients can have a good quality of life," says Dr. Joseph Sirven, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.

Not all seizures are the same

A seizure is an abnormal elec-

trical communication, almost like a power surge, that occurs in the cortical neurons in the brain. The cause of the surge may vary. "Oftentimes, it can be something as common as prescription medication.

But a head injury or a big shock to the system, such as with a stroke or a brain tumor, can cause the imbalance, too. There are a lot of different possibilities," says Sirven.

As the population ages, doctors also are finding neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, can contribute to seizures.

The biggest misconception around epilepsy is that all seizures are the same.

"Seizures can present in so many ways. Most people, when they hear the word seizure, think of a big convulsion and falling down very dramatically," explains Sirven. "In reality, only a percentage of patients have what are known as

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HEAD ROOM: With November being National Epilepsy Awareness Month, the Mayo Clinic offers some insight into the disorder. grand mal or tonic-clonic seizures.

One priority area is seizure preThere are a lot of other possibili- diction. ties, too, such as people who may “This is a huge focus because stare and may not respond, or they one of the things that people may lose vision for a moment or complain about the most is that develop a certain repetitive trem- there’s no prediction as to when or." the next seizure is going to occur.

And if they knew when a seizure New advances in care is going to occur, they would be Over the past few decades, able to do something about it,” significant advances have been says Sirven. made in treatments for patients Also, scientists are working on with seizures and epilepsy. treatments to address seizures "People with epilepsy have caused by an immunological conmany options today. As a comprehensive epilepsy center, dition.

“We’re uncovering more about Mayo Clinic has the ability to antibodies circulating in the body offer patients all the options that are leading to seizures in available, from medications and some people, ” says Sirven.

“We are devices, which are like pacemakbeginning to look at treatments, ers for the brain, to surgery," says which are going to be very differSirven.

Epilepsy surgery is curative for ent from the current anti-seizure up to 80% of patients, he adds. drugs. These are going to be all "When we know where a per- about calming the immune sysson's seizures are coming from tem down and trying to reduce and determine we can safely re- inflammation in the brain.”

For the safety of our patients, sect it, or bypass the areas, surgery can lead to complete sei- staff and visitors, Mayo Clinzure freedom, and that is huge." ic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to Future focus As the incidence of epilepsy COVID-19 or recorded in a noncontinues to rise, researchers are patient care area where social disworking to find new ways to man- tancing and other safety protocols were followed. age and treat the condition.

FERGUSFALLSJOURNAL.COM | PAGE 7

Tips for parents and caregivers with children at home during COVID-19 pandemic

By Mayo Clinic With schools closed and more parents and caregivers working from home, it can be challenging for children to understand all the changes being required because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, says it’s important for families to share information and make decisions to help their children feel more comfortable at an uncertain time.

“Right now, information is changing rapidly. It can feel very overwhelming to children,” says Ardon.

The mother of three shares some tips for helping families manage:

Use age-appropriate language “I think as a family, how you talk about COVID-19 depends on the ages of your children and who’s in your family,” says Dr. Ardon.

Take social distancing, for instance. “I think it’s hard to explain the idea of social distancing to a young child. I think it may be helpful for parents to think about this idea that we’re doing something to help others,” she says.

As a mother of three, Ardon says this approach is what worked for her. “So in my house, I explained to my two girls, who are very much interested in going outside the house, going places, eating at restaurants, going to the movies, that we’re go-

ing to stay at home now because it not only helps keep germs out of our house, it also helps protect people in our community.”

Acknowledge kids' personalities and feelings

"Different personality types may lend themselves to being a little bit more anxious or worried about things, but talking about feeling is important, even as adults," says Ardon. "We want to make sure our kids know that they can be safe to come with us with whatever emotion they are feeling. It's OK to feel a little anxious. It's OK to be a little scared.

It's OK to not know what's going to happen."

Make a social media and screen time plan

"I would encourage families to think about what that screen time looks like for them and for those individual children within their families. Though social distancing may be driving us to use our phones, our iPads and tablets to talk to other folks, it may be that social media is not the best place for children to be spending a lot of time. Maybe it's spending more time with an interactive game, or a more educational TV show or movie time as a family. As a family, you should make those decisions."

Check the CDC website for additional updates on COVID-19.

For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.

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HELP AT HOME: With children staying at home due to school closures and more, the Mayo Clinic offers tips on how to manage their free time.

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The stresses of this pandemic may have brought on feelings you’ve never felt so strongly before like being depressed, anxious, overwhelmed or even panicked. It’s OK to let it out, to reach out for help. We’ve added three new psychiatric providers to our team, making it easier for you to see someone to get a complete diagnostic assessment and the medical treatment recommendations you may need. And, we can see you right away, because we know what a big step it is to stop pretending.

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