Bi-Stone Medical Guide

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM

(254) 729-2014

Joshua Warren, MD, Adult & Child Psychiatrist

Cody McMahan, MD, Adult Psychiatrist

DIETITIAN (254) 729-3281 ext. 2148

Meradith Stein, RD

SPECIALTY CLINIC

(254) 729-3281 Ext. 2320

LMC CHF CLINIC (254) 729-3281 Ext. 2316

LMC WOUND CARE CLINIC (254) 729-4329

Erin Holland, FNP-C (254) 729-3281 ext. 2381

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Hanu Ancha, M.D.

(254) 729-3281 ext. 5034

CARDIOLOGIST (254) 399-5400

Sherwin Attai, MD, Second Tuesday

Veronica Rosalez, NP, fourth Tuesday

PODIATRIST Tyler Kearney, DPM, (979) 776-6060

DERMATOLOGIST (254) 537-1265

James Mason, MD, Second Monday

UROLOGIST (254) 741-6113

Stephen Stimson, MD, Third Tuesday

MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING

625 McClintic Drive, Groesbeck (254) 729-4330

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Jeffrey Blasick, D.O., (254) 224-8062

Every Friday except the fourth Friday

NEUROSURGEON (800) 793-9106

Jonathan Friedman, M.D.

NEUROSURGEON Steven Zielinski, MD, (254) 732-3987

ONCOLOGIST/HEMATOLOGIST

First Wednesday Tom Harris, MD, (254) 399-0741

CHIROPRACTOR

Monday, Wednesday, Friday Steven Huffman, DC,(254) 729-4322

SLEEP MEDICINE Chris Matlock, MD, Thursdays (254) 537-6160

CARDIOLOGIST

J. Phillip Myatt, M.D., Abdul Keylani, MD (254) 235-9355

Third Thursday, Fourth Wednesday

PODIATRIST Eduardo Orihuela, DPM, (979) 776-6060

First, Third and Fifth Wednesdays

ENT & ALLERGY

Thomas A. Salzer, M.D., (979) 764-3090

Second and Fourth Mondays

ADVANCED PAIN CARE

Every Tuesday, (512) 244-4272

Performance pointers that can help student athletes avoid injury

Professional sports teams often note that injuries are part of the game. That notion is never too far from professional athletes’ minds, but it can be a harsh reality for student athletes to confront, especially if they have never before been sidelined by injury. Though there’s no foolproof way for athletes to avoid injury, student athletes and their families can consider these preventive measures to reduce their risk of being sidelined.

• Use diet to athletes’ advantage. A healthy diet benefits people from all walks of life, and it can be especially beneficial for student athletes. Precisely what defines a healthy diet depends on variables specific to the athletes, such as age and gender, but Nemours Childrens Health notes that balance is vital for teenage athletes. Avoid cutting back on carbohydrates, which provide fuel for young athletes. When choosing carbs, opt for fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of sugar-laden options like candy bars. The latter can provide a quick energy burst but then cause an energy crash that makes athletes feel fatigued. In-game fatigue can increase risk of injury. In addition, calcium and iron can be vital to young athletes looking to avoid injury. Calcium helps strengthen bones while iron carries much-needed oxygen to athletes’ muscles. Protein is important for athletes, but Nemours notes that most teenage athletes who eat healthy diets already get ample protein. As a result, protein powders and shakes are not necessary for teenage muscle growth.

• Make a good night’s rest part of athletes’ routine. A good night’s rest is vital for student athletes, as it ensures they aren’t playing tired. Tired athletes have slower reaction times and that can increase injury risk. Adequate sleep also benefits athletes’ performance. A 2015 study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that athletes who increased their nightly sleep from seven to nine hours experienced significantly improved performance after doing so.

• Emphasize the rules of the game. The rules of the game aren’t in place solely to encourage fair play. Rules also are designed to keep athletes safe. For example, student athletes who play contact sports, including football and soccer, should be taught proper ways to tackle so they can avoid injuring themselves and others. Coaches can reinforce these lessons during practices and even games if the need arises.

• Prioritize offseason conditioning. Rest and recovery is vital for any athlete, but especially student athletes whose bodies are still growing and changing. Offseasons have largely fallen by the wayside, but parents can protect their student athletes by encouraging them to avoid year-round competition. During periods when student athletes aren’t competing, they can forgo in-season workout routines to reduce their risk for overuse injuries while also improving their conditioning through cardiovascular workouts. Running on a treadmill, using an elliptical machine and/ or swimming are great activities that make it easy for student athletes to keep their bodies in shape as their muscles and joints recover from the season.

Limestone Medical Center, Groesbeck Celebrates 50 Years of Service

By Alexandra Cannon

The Limestone Medical Center (LMC) celebrated an important milestone on Thursday, June 1; 50 years of serving the medical needs of Groesbeck and neighboring communities.

“It has been an honor to serve our hospital over the years, and our hospital is doing quite well,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Larry Price. “A lot of rural hospitals have been having difficulties that we don’t have, and that’s due to the work of our employees, our staff. They are the lifeblood of this organization. We also have community support and I can’t say enough about our community. It’s just a great place to be.”

Over a charcuterie-style lunch spread in the LMC Board room, hospital staff and members of the community enjoyed a trip down memory lane, looking through binders of photographs and newspaper clippings that highlighted the hospital’s journey from inception to the present day.

Price has spent his entire career with LMC, starting as a Radiology Director 41 years ago and eventually working his way into administration. While he can’t speak to the benefits of larger hospitals, he is proud of the personalized care LMC is able to provide.

LMC is proud to celebrate the milestone of 50 years in business, serving local medical needs and providing personalized care to the community they consider family.

“The citizens that we serve are our loved ones, our friends, ones we see at ball games, go to church with, see at the grocery store. Our patients are more than a number to us.”

LMC built and moved into the current building in 2009, and in recent years has added the on-site Family Medicine Clinic, the Rettig Clinic in downtown Groesbeck, the Kosse Community Health Clinic, and the Rucker Clinic in Mart, which they took over earlier this year.

“We have a lot of long-tenured employees: Dr. Rettig has been here 33 years, Dr. Hughes has been here 31, a lot of our department heads have been here 15 years plus, so it just helps. We have the best staff and very little turnover. You’re only as good as your people, and we’ve got very good people.”

In the five decades that LMC has been operational, the hospital has seen growth in many areas, including facilities, staff, and services offered.

“When I first came here we had 38 employees, now I think we’re up to 272. It is my understanding that we are the second largest employer in Groesbeck, with the school being the first. What has changed the most since I started is the technology. We have state-of-the-art equipment in this hospital that I never would have thought we’d have in Groesbeck, and that is thanks to the hard work of our Foundation, and our Hospital Board who makes very good financial decisions.”

Price also shared details about the quality of care and ways that LMC works to accommodate local patients.

“We’ve come a long way. Wound care is huge for us, our rehab department has a great reputation- physical, occupational and speech therapy. We have a behavioral health program, and we have quite a few specialists who come from Waco and Bryan College Station. Those specialists (cardiology, urology) coming here really help our patients because a lot of them aren’t able to travel to Waco or Bryan College Station.”

In addition to providing the best care for patients, LMC also offers opportunities to students pursuing the medical field.

“Currently we partner with GISD for their CNA program, and some months ago we donated a hospital bed to their program. Recently, we hired three of the CNAs that were in their program, so it’s kind of homegrown staff and we hope to extend that out. We also partner with Navarro College on their nursing and phlebotomy students, and work with various universities including the University of Texas Arlington and Tarleton, who send their students here to shadow some of our departments like physical therapy.”

Though the 50th Anniversary Reception was largely a laidback, come-and-go celebration, a few distinguished guests were in attendance. John Henderson, CEO of Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH) oversees rural hospitals across the state, of which there are 158, and advocates for Medicaid, good policy, and improved payments for rural hospitals at the State Capital. TORCH also assists rural hospitals with education on policy and provides various trainings.

“It’s a big deal for any organization to be around for 50 years- schools that have been around for 50 years, that matters; a hardware store that has been around for 50 years, that matters, but schools close on Christmas Day, and you can’t buy paint on Sunday,” Henderson said. “What makes a hospital different is that you’ve actually been here 24/7, 365, taking care of whatever and whoever walks in that door. I think that’s pretty remarkable.”

How to overcome mental fatigue

Fatigue and exhaustion are often discussed in terms that characterize the physical effects that they have on the body. However, mental fatigue can be just as draining as physical exhaustion, even if its symptoms are not as evident as achy muscles or tired feet.

The online medical resource WebMD notes that mental fatigue typically arises when individuals focus on mentally challenging tasks for extended periods of time. Many individuals also experienced mental fatigue during the pandemic. Pandemicrelated restrictions forced individuals across the globe to confront a number of unforeseen, unexpected challenges, including a sudden shift to remote work and school closures that forced working parents to juggle the rigors of their careers with the difficulties of remote learning. That upheaval contributed to prolonged mental fatigue for many individuals.

Much like athletes need routine breaks from exercise to let their muscles recover, individuals need to look for ways to give their overworked minds a chance to recuperate from fatigue. Each person is different, but these strategies can help people overcome mental fatigue.

• Take breaks from the news. Overconsumption of news is one potential contributor to mental fatigue. That’s especially so in the digital age, when the latest headlines are never further than a smartphone away. The Johns Hopkins Women’s Mood Disorders Center notes that limiting news consumption during stressful times can be an effective way to reduce symptoms of stress, including mental fatigue.

• Schedule time to relax. The pressure to feel as if you should always be doing something, whether it’s working, taking care of your family or tackling a to-do list around the house, can contribute to mental fatigue. Schedule time to relax and make a concerted effort to keep that time open. Avoid using scheduled relaxation time to work on household chores or check work emails. Instead, use this time to do something you find genuinely relaxing, even if that activity feels like you’re doing “nothing.”

• Spot the signs of mental fatigue. Another way to overcome mental fatigue is to learn to recognize its symptoms. Recognition of these symptoms allows individuals to use them as alarm bells that alert them when it’s time to take a step back and unwind. WebMD notes that mental fatigue symptoms include mood-related issues like increased irritability or anger; difficulty concentrating that makes it hard to finish tasks; zoning out; difficulty sleeping; and engaging in unhealthy behaviors, including overconsumption of alcohol.

The signs of mental fatigue may not be as instantly recognizable as the symptoms of physical exhaustion. But mental fatigue can be just as dangerous as physical tiredness if left unchecked.

Summer safety tips

Summer is synonymous with relaxation and fun in the sun. The easygoing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety concerns that run the gamut from heatrelated illnesses to bug bites to water play injuries. Though no one wants to rain on their own summer parade, keeping these safety tips in mind can ensure the coming months are as safe as they are fun.

• Safeguard against the threat of heat-related illnesses. Sizzling summer days pose a significant threat if the proper measures aren’t take to avoid heat-related illnesses. According to the National Safety Council, heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body loses excessive water and salt, and heat stroke, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes is marked by the body’s inability to control its temperature, can escalate rapidly. The NSC identifies individuals who work outdoors, infants and young children, people who are 65 and older, people who are ill, and people who are overweight as those most at risk of heat-related illnesses. Such illnesses are entirely preventable, and the CDC recommends remaining indoors in air conditioned rooms, drinking plenty of fluids but avoiding alcohol, wearing loose and lightweight clothing as well as a hat, and replacing salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks.

• Apply sunscreen. Long days in the summer sun may be a great way to relax, but it’s imperative that individuals apply sunscreen before going outside and then reapply it throughout the day as necessary. Sunburn is not only unpleasant, it also increases a person’s risk for skin cancer and affects the body’s ability to cool itself, which can increase the risk for heat stroke.

• Protect against mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more than a mere nuisance. Mosquitoes can carry an assortment of viruses, including Zika virus and West Nile virus. And though such viruses are often thought of as a problem for people in faraway lands, the NSC notes that the Aedes mosquito, which is a known transmitter of the Zika virus, has appeared in various regions of the globe, including the continental United States and popular vacation destinations like Mexico and Central and South America. The NSC recommends that everyone, and especially individuals who work outdoors, apply mosquito repellant before going outside and to continue to do so as necessary throughout the day. In addition, clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin may help to repel mosquitoes.

• Exercise caution around water. The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of one and four. Though children might be most vulnerable to water-related accidents and death, adults also must exercise caution when around the water. The NSC recommends individuals avoid the water, be it in a lake, river, ocean, or pool, unless they know how to swim. Individuals also should never swim alone and only swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. When swimming at a private residence, children should never be allowed to swim unless an adult is supervising. Adults also should avoid alcohol when swimming.

Summer is a season to relax, but it’s also a season when safety should be a top priority for people of all ages.

Hydrating is key in summer heat

Summer is a season to enjoy some fun in the sun, but it’s imperative that people remember to take steps to reduce their risk for heat illness. Those measures should include efforts to hydrate and remain hydrated throughout the day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that water will almost always help people remain hydrated even when they’re working in the heat. But food also plays a vital role in preventing heat illness, as the CDC notes eating regular meals can help to replace the salt lost through sweat. It’s also important that individuals avoid energy drinks and alcohol when spending time in the hot summer sun. Many energy drinks contain more caffeine than standard servings of coffee, tea and soft drinks, and excessive caffeine consumption can contribute to dehydration. The same can be said for alcohol, and the CDC reports that consuming alcohol within 24 hours of working in the heat can increase the risk of heat illness.

Signs of stress in children

The global pandemic sparked by the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 caught many people off guard. Life changed seemingly overnight, causing a host of unforeseen consequences that people were still confronting months after the pandemic began.

The pandemic has proven stressful for many people, and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions notes that should not come as a surprise. According to the CDC, fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming. Public health actions, such as the social distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak, can increase anxiety and stress. That’s even true among children, millions of whom have been separated from their friends and forbidden from participating in extracurricular activities for several months.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that children may not recognize that they are stressed. That makes it imperative that parents learn to recognize the warning signs that stress is affecting children. The USNLM says increased stress can manifest itself both physically and emotionally.

Physical symptoms

The physical symptoms of stress can mimic symptoms of other conditions, so parents should not jump to any conclusions before consulting their children’s pediatricians. In addition, the CDC says not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. However, there are some physical indicators that may be warning signs that a child is stressed.

• Decreased appetite or other changes in eating habits

• Unexplained headaches or body pain

• New or recurrent bedwetting

• Nightmares

• Sleep disturbances

• Upset stomach or vague stomach pain

The CDC also notes that children may confront stress by using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Behavioral symptoms

According to the CDC, children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. So the ways in which adults are responding to the pandemic could be affecting their children’s behavior. Some of the behavioral symptoms to look for include:

• Excessive worry or sadness

• An inability to relax

• New or recurring fears, such as fear of the dark, fear of being alone and/or fear of strangers

• Clinging behaviors, such as an unwillingness to let their parents out of sight

• Anger, crying or whining

• Inability to control emotions

• Aggressive or stubborn behavior

• Going back to behaviors present at a younger age

• Avoidance of things enjoyed in the past, including family or school activities

• Irritability or acting out, especially among teens

• Difficulties with attention and concentration

Many people, including children, have had to deal with heightened stress levels during the pandemic. Parents who recognize signs of stress in their children should consult their kids’ pediatricians immediately.

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Tips to avoid bringing job stress home to the family

The lines between work and home life can easily become blurred. Such lines became even more blurry during the pandemic, when many children did not attend school in person while their parents worked from home exclusively. Such situations made it hard for everyone to differentiate between working hours and family time.

Prior to the pandemic, many professionals had already begun to check emails while on vacation, whiles others fielded questions from the office on sick days. Stress comes with the territory for many working professionals, and that stress has the potential to trickle down into family life if parents are not careful.

According to the Australian Psychological Society’s “Stress and Well-being Report,” 31 percent of people cite work as a leading cause of stress. In addition, 92 percent of all serious work-related mental health condition claims were attributed to mental stress. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America indicates 40 percent of people experience persistent stress or excessive anxiety in their daily lives, much of which is attributed to work.

Each profession has its share of stress-inducing situations, and no parent wants to bring work-related stress home at the end of a long day at the office. The following are a handful of strategies parents can embrace as they try to keep work-related stress from affecting their home life.

• Create a buffer zone. Heading straight home with stressful problems still on your mind may result in taking those problems out on the family. If you repeatedly leave work feeling stress or anxiety, build in an opportunity to unwind between work and home. Consider heading to the gym for an hour or taking a walk in a park to calm down. Make sure children and your spouse realize this decompression time is about ensuring stress does not come home with you at the end of the day.

• Create a routine for disconnecting. If you go home directly after work, create a system to calm down and unwind there. Sena Moran, a Florida-based mental health counselor, suggests mindful breathing, listening to relaxing music or some other activity that creates a system for disconnecting from work.

• Turn off notifications. When you’re home, focus on home and avoid work. That may require turning off work email notifications on your phone or putting a company laptop away and out of sight.

• Build more exercise into your day. A study by researchers at the University of Florida found participants who took at least 10,900 steps each day were less likely to take out stress on family members compared to participants who took only 7,000 steps. Exercise can help reduce stress and releases feel-good endorphins. Exercise paired with adequate sleep can improve self-regulation skills.

• Try a new job. While not an answer for everyone, moving on to a new career or even a different position can tame work-related stress and help improve relationships at home. Some people find scaling back hours may help them find balance as well.

Stress at work doesn’t have to come home at the end of each day. Various strategies can ensure stress stays at the office.

Emergency Services

• 24-hour physician staffing

• 24-hour emergency dept.

• Level IV trauma designation

• Chest pain accredited.

Surgical Services

• Outpatient surgery

• Surgery suites

• Recovery room

• Endoscopy/GI suite

• 24-hour anesthesia

• Orthopedics

• Spine surgery

• ENT

• General surgery

Intensive Care

• Intensive care unit

• Vent management

Diagnostic Imaging Services

• Diagnostic radiology

• General and vascular ultrasound echocardiography

• Mammography

• Fluoroscopy

• Nuclear medicine

• CT

• MRI

Medical Specialties

• Internal medicine

• Family medicine

• General surgery

• Podiatry

• Pathology

• Radiology

• Neurosurgery

• Oncology otolaryngology/ ENT asthma/ allergy

• Orthopedics

• Pediatrics

Acute Care Services

• Med/surg unit

• Telemetry monitoring

• Capabilities

Cardiopulmonary Services

• EKG

• Pulmonary function testing

Rehabilitative Services

• Outpatient rehabilitation

• Physical therapy occupational therapy

• Therapeutic exercise

• Electrical stimulation

• Cold packs

• Ergonomic evaluation/training

• Swing Bed

• Manual therapy

• Hand therapy

• Wellness

Other Services

• Pharmacy

• Laboratory 24-hour service

• Cytology lab

• Health education

• Case management/utilization review

• Chaplain services/ Volunteer program

• OP Infusion Services