LifeTimes
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
2 - Mountain Times Publications
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Stroke signs and symptoms
BY IAN TAYLOR
North Carolina finds itself in the United States’s “Stroke Belt,” which is a group of states in the southeast region which have shown to have an unusually high incidence of strokes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The North Carolina Stroke Association adds to that, grouping North Carolina in with South Carolina and Georgia to create the “Stroke Buckle,” where the death rates from strokes are significantly higher. The Stroke Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, certified by The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center via their website, is working to educate the public on stroke prevention and recognition. According to the APPRHS, “A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. Brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. Abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost, i.e. speech, movement and memory. How a stroke
BE FAST To help recognize the signs of strokes, remember “BE FAST.” B — Balance: sudden loss of balance or coordination. E — Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes. F — Face: One side of the face droops or is numb. A — Arm: Sudden weakness or numbness of any arm or leg. S — Speech: Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech. T — Time: Call 911 immediately, and note the time the symptoms started. For more information, visit apprhs.org/services/stroke.
PHOTO BY THOMAS SHERRILL Fast medical attention, such as that offered by Watauga Medical Center, is key to helping someone who may be having a stroke.
patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.” Thankfully, strokes are both preventable and treatable, although people need to know the signs or symptoms of a stroke to
help themselves or people around them. Signs of a stroke include sudden loss of balance or coordination, sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes, one side of the face droops or is numb, sudden weakness or numbness
of any arm or leg and sudden confusion and trouble speaking or understanding speech. If you or a loved one show any of these signs, APPRHS instructs to call 911 immediately. According to APPRHS,
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has partnered with APPRHS to provide Telestroke services at Watauga Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital. By collaborating, 24/7 access is now available to talk to stroke experts in
a real time video consultation, allowing emergency room physicians to receive on-demand consultation. To learn more about stroke prevention and healing, visit apprhs.org/services/stroke. Watauga Medical Center is located at 336 Deerfield Road in Boone. For questions or more information on Watauga Medical Center, call (828) 262-4100. Cannon Memorial Hospital is located at 434 Hospital Drive in Newland. For more information or questions about Cannon Memorial Hospital, call (828) 7377000.
Healthy bones make a healthy skeleton BY LUKE WEIR
The skeleton inside you is craving calcium, vitamin D and exercise to stay strong and healthy, according to the National Institute of Health. “Bones support your body and allow you to move,” the NIH said on its website. “They protect your brain, heart, and other organs from injury.” Bones are composed mostly of two materials: a protective protein called collagen, and a strong, hard mineral called calcium,
TIPS FOR HEALTHY BONES Follow these recommendations from the National Institute of Health to make sure your skeleton stays strong: • Get enough calcium • Get enough vitamin D • Exercise frequently, especially weight-bearing activity • Avoid alcohol and tobacco according to the NIH. It’s well-known that milk
and other dairy products are a good source of calcium, but vitamin D is a crucial component that helps the body absorb calcium from the food it ingests, the NIH said. Egg yolks and fatty fish like salmon and tuna are good sources of vitamin D, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D, making it a solid source of two crucial components to health bones, according to the NIH. The NIH said smoking hurts bones, as well as the heart and lungs, and may cause the body to absorb
less calcium from its diet, and the same can be said for alcohol. In addition to avoiding smoking, the NIH recommends exercise to build bone strength. “Since bones are living tissues just like your muscles, they respond to physical activity by growing stronger,” the NIH said. “This stimulates your bones to increase the production of new bone tissue.” To help build a healthy skeleton inside you, the NIH recommends weight-bearing exercise, from a simple walk to jog-
ging, lifting weights, playing tennis, climbing stairs, jumping and dancing. At least one hour of physical activity is recommended to build healthy bones, according to the NIH. Additionally, some research has suggested that the consumption of carbonated soft drinks is associated with lower bone density, but results have been mixed, and additional research is needed to confirm such findings, according to studies published in the U.S. Library of Medicine. Greg Schuster, practice
manager at Schuster Physical Therapy in Jefferson, said he frequently sees patients with orthopedic issues. Weight-bearing exercise and healthy lifestyle choices were Schuster’s keys to maintaining a sturdy skeleton, corroborating the NIH recommendations discussed above. Regardless of where someone is in the walk of life, Schuster said it is never too late to care for your body by eating healthy and exercising to build and maintain a healthy skeleton.
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
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Caring for the progression of Alzheimer’s BY IAN TAYLOR
Alzheimer’s is progressive mental deterioration that can occur as early as middle-age, and become more and more devastating as time goes on. The most common cause of premature senility, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. There is no known cure for the disease, with the progression of a diagnosed person’s mental lapses building a burden of care on those around them. A great challenge and show of love is needed as being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, or just the person diagnosed, can be time consuming and draining. The Alzheimer’s Association offers general guidelines for caring for people during the different stages of the dreaded disease.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES FOR CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE IN THE EARLY STAGES • Safety First: Is there an immediate safety risk for the person with dementia to perform this task alone? If there is no immediate risk of injury or harm, provide encouragement and continue to provide supervision as necessary. • Avoid Stress: Prioritize tasks or actions that do not cause unnecessary stress for the person with dementia. • Make a positive assumption: Assume that the person with dementia is capable of completing the task. If you sense frustration, try to identify the cause of the frustration before intervening. • Create a Help Signal: Identify a cue or phrase that you can
SLOWING THE PROGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER’S There are a few things that people can do to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, they include: • Getting regular physical exercise. • Switching to a heart-healthy diet. • Remaining socially active. • Staying mentally active by playing games, gaining new hobbies or learning a new skill.
PHOTO SUBMITTED In addition to a wide range of activities for senior citizens, the Avery County Senior Center offers support for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as those who provide care for them.
use to confirm if the person with dementia is comfortable receiving support. • Talk it Over: The best way to determine how and when to provide support is to ask directly. Ask the person with dementia what they need or the frustrations they may be experiencing. • Work Better Together: Find activities to do together and keep the conversation going about expectations for how you will provide support.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES FOR CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE IN THE MIDDLE STAGES • Changes in behavior: Changes in behavior can be some of the most distressing for caregivers and family members. During
the middle stages, people may experience depression, anxiety, irritability and repetitive behaviors. As the disease progresses, other changes may occur, including sleep changes, physical and verbal outbursts, and wandering. • Communication: As people with Alzheimer’s gradually lose their ability to find words, express thoughts and follow conversations, they also have more difficulty understanding others. Communication changes during the middle stages include trouble finding the right word, repeating questions, losing the train of thought, reverting to a native language and relying on non-verbal communication. • Daily care needs: Eating, dressing and grooming will become more challenging as
dementia progresses. This loss of independence and privacy can be a very difficult transition for the person with dementia; your patience and sensitivity will go a long way in helping him or her through it. • Activities that provide meaning: In addition to enhancing quality of life, activities can reduce behaviors like wandering and agitation. • Driving: During the middle stages of the disease, a person with Alzheimer’s will need to stop driving. • Other safety concerns: Early in the middle stages, it will become too difficult or dangerous for a person with Alzheimer’s to be left alone. Preventing wandering becomes a crucial part of care, and safety precautions will
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need to be taken throughout the person’s living environment. • When someone with Alzheimer’s progresses to the late stages of the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends that the person be placed in a care facility as needs may exceed what a caregiver can provide at home. For more information on the disease and caregiving, visit www.alz.org. Various resources in the High Country to help provide assistance to those with the disease and caregivers. The High Country Caregiver Foundation provides a variety or programs to assist caregivers and people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Programs include support groups for caregivers and a Day Break program for care recipients. The Day Break program gives care recipients a social setting while also offering a respite for caregivers. For more information on these programs, as well as what else the High Country Caregiver Foundation has to offer, visit www.highcountrycaregiverfoundation.org.
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HEALTHY LIFETIMES
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Live to 100, see like you’re 20 Age doesn’t have to stop you from seeing clearly, especially with the many improvements in technology during the past several years. Routine eye and vision examinations are an important part of preventative health care. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms; as a result, individuals are often unaware that problems exist. Many systemic diseases can manifest in the eye, and frequently the eye may be the first place in the body that shows these signs; therefore early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions are essential for maintaining good vision and eye health. Detection of cataracts is also essential in their early stages, to follow progression and determine when surgery will be needed. Many people have heard of cataracts, and may have even been diagnosed with them, or had surgery to remove them; but most aren’t sure what they really are. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which helps with focusing, and is found right behind your iris — the colored
part of your eye. Cataracts are a normal part of aging, but left untreated, they can cause gradual loss of vision or even blindness. The surgeons at Graystone Eye can help restore vision with laser assisted cataract surgery, which is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. Our LENSAR laser’s imaging system provides your surgeon with a detailed, reconstructed 3-D view of your eye. This advanced imaging, combined with the LENSAR laser, reduces the potential for human error and provides more precise measurements and incisions. Undergoing laser assisted cataract surgery can result in a better visual outcome, as the procedure is tailored specifically for you. Cataract surgery with a basic lens implant is typically covered by insurance when declared medically necessary by your ophthalmologist. Choosing to have cataract surgery is the first step in improving your vision; but equally important is selecting the best intraocular lens (IOL) that fits your lifestyle and vision needs. In addition
to standard lens implants historically used for cataracts, Graystone Eye also offers Advanced Technology Lenses. The staff is dedicated to assisting patients in understanding their lens options, while also taking everyday activities into consideration. Both traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery use ultrasonic energy to divide the natural lens into segments, for removal. Laser assisted cataract surgery allows this division to be made quicker, with less ultrasonic energy and causing less strain on the eyes delicate tissues. So what is expected? Your doctor, optometrist or you will schedule a consultation with the Graystone Eye specialist who will perform your surgery. A comprehensive eye and vision examination will include: patient medical history, visual acuity, preliminary tests, keratometry, refraction, eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement, and an overall eye health evaluation. If surgery is needed, schedulers will make arrangements for your procedure
at the Graystone Eye Surgery Center or hospital and will provide you detailed instructions along the way. The surgeons of Graystone Eye always consult with your medical doctor if there are questions regarding your general health, prior to surgery. (An important bit of information: Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery is only available at the Graystone Eye Surgery Center; sadly, the hospital does not offer that technology at this time.)
What happens on the day of surgery? You will report to the surgery center or the hospital at your scheduled time, and will receive all the necessary medications and anesthetics needed for your procedure. Cataract surgery is performed by a special ultrasound procedure called “phacoemulsification,” which allows the surgeon to remove the cataract through a very small incision. Usually, there are no sutures involved. The cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial SEE SURGERY ON PAGE 6
Healthy eyes for healthy lives BY CARL BLANKENSHIP
Eyes do more than let you see. Vision is a critical part of our day-to-day lives, but the eyes are the only part of the body you can simply see into. “The eyes are the only part of the body you can actually look into without having to do any surgery,” Dr. Penelope Copenhaver, an optometrist with Western Carolina Eye Associates said. “We can see live tissue, we can see blood flowing, we can see parts of your neurologic system.” Copenhaver said specifically patients are examined for diabetes, blood pressure issues, cholesterol issues, and other conditions that might have spread to the eye such as infections. Patients are often referred to other health care providers due to issues discovered via eye examinations. Those referrals include physicians of different specialties, including subspecialties of eye doctors. Copenhaver said glaucoma and macular degeneration are two of the main causes of vision loss and blindness. You often would not notice glaucoma until it has
FOR HEALTHY EYES
FILE PHOTO Mayland Community College Nursing instructor Vicki Caraway gives students free rudimentary eye exams as a part of a Healthy Halloween event in Newland.
already progressed “The earlier you can treat them, the more likely you’ll have better vision for the rest of your life,” said. “They’re our leading causes of blindness and sometimes there are just times we can’t control it.”
Both glaucoma and macular degeneration can result in vision loss over time. Copenhaver said any sudden changes in vision, pain, double vision, flashes of light, floaters and discharge are immediate
causes for concern, and advised staying as healthy as possible is healthy for your eyes, including a good diet, exercise and wearing sunglasses appropriately. SEE EYES ON PAGE 6
• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise. • Schedule regular eye exams. • Pay particular attention to development in children. • Wear sunglasses in bright environments. • Practice good hand hygiene when dealing with eyes. • Avoid sleeping in contact lenses. • Avoid tobacco use. • Wear safety glasses/goggles for any activity with projectiles. • Keep harmful chemicals out of reach of children. • Wear cosmetics that do not use known irritants. • Keep lids and lashes clean by carefully removing makeup. • Keep brushes clean and throw away old/contaminated products. • Avoid using cosmetics when there is concern for eye infection. • Avoid wearing contacts when there are symptoms of eye infection • Schedule regular primary care exams to check for hypertension. diabetes and high cholesterol, all of which may lead to blindness if left unchecked.
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Blue Ridge Ear, Nose, and Throat’s team serves the High Country and works together to address your individual needs. Services include:
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
SURGERY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
PHOTO COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN WEIBULL Regular eye exams can aid treatment for visual impairments and detect disease.
EYES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
While vision loss or other changes can be a cause for concern that results in a visit to an eye doctor, the eyes are also fragile can be damaged by other means. Infections can be caused by poor hygiene when handling the area around the eye as well as materials entering it and not using contact lenses correctly. You should wear pro-
tective glasses or goggles whenever there is debris or objects that can strike your eyes. There are some instances when this may seem obvious like playing racquetball, working in a shop or shooting a gun, but you should also wear eye protection when doing simple tasks around the home like mowing the lawn and gardening, because there is still potential for material to strike your eyes. Copenhaver said poor
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diet can cause diabetes and result in inflammation of the eye in addition to the litany of other health effects associated with diabetes, and advised against diets high in sugar. Copenhaver also confirmed carrots are, in fact, good for your eyes, just like your mother told you. It’s not the carrot itself that’s good for them though. “We need the vitamins in the carrots,” Copenhaver said.
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lens (the IOL you have chosen) allowing the vision to become clear once again. Nearsightedness and farsightedness can also be corrected during this surgery if advanced technology lenses were selected. Since cataract surgery is performed under local anesthesia, there is no discomfort and you will be awake through the entire procedure. This is an outpatient procedure;
Pain Medicine Palliative Care Pastoral Care Post Acute Care Pulmonology Radiology
therefore the eye is usually patched for a few hours after the surgery, and patients are discharged home with postoperative instructions.
What happens after my surgery? Following surgery you will have post-operative visits with your Graystone Eye surgeon or local optometrist. This care includes monitoring the healing eye, answering questions, changing medication as needed, and providing additional vision care as appropriate.
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Normal daily activities are generally resumed quickly after surgery, but every patient heals differently. If new glasses are needed, those will be ordered by your eye care provider 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery date. At Graystone Eye, your vision is our focus, and our mission is to preserve the gift of sight. With laser assisted cataract surgery, you can have peace of mind knowing you have the latest technology available to treat one of your most valuable senses your sight.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
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Mountain Times Publications -
Do not sleep on Sleep Apnea BY COLIN TATE
There are many “silent diseases” afflicting our nation, and one that is present nationwide in which the death toll is increasing is also one you can do something about. Sleep Apnea affects one in five adults in the United States, according to ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, a company that produces sleeping devices that alleviate snoring and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Additionally, one in 15 people experience OSA, and the nightmare disease is found in 25 percent of middle-aged men. The biggest sign of sleep apnea is snoring, which is a result of a person’s tongue and throat tissues relaxing, narrowing one’s airway to breathe. “Your breathing and circulation slows down,” said Dr. Joel Yates, DDS. “It’s your body’s time to relax. Normally, your brain tells you to breathe. Everything is fine. Whenever those muscles relax, there’s nothing keeping our airway open. In people with Sleep Apnea, that airway gets closed, and they have trouble breathing.” According to Yates, OSA can cause memory problems, weight gain, impotence, headaches and more. When this happens during sleep, the oxygen in the blood decreases, the heart races and the brain panics, causing a person to startle awake, according to ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. And, once a person has Sleep Apnea, they have it for life, Yates said. Yates mentioned two solutions to combat OSA. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy is the best option according to Yates. This involves a machine that sits on one’s nightstand, as a hose with a mask connects to a person’s face, providing
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SALON SERVICES INCLUDE: PHOTO COURTESY OF PROSOMNUS® SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES OSA is a medical condition where the tongue and soft tissues close off the airway and stop air from entering the lungs. When this happens during sleep, the oxygen in the blood decreases, the heart races and the brain panics, causing a person to startle awake, according to ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.
SIGNS OF SLEEP APNEA According to ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, Sleep Apnea symptoms include: • Inconsistent breathing during sleep • Snoring • Hypertension • Depression • Obesity • Gasping, choking or coughing during sleep • Extreme sleepiness throughout the day • Lethargic feelings • Morning headaches • Lack of interest in hobbies • Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning • Irregular heart beat • Trouble concentrating or remembering pressure that keeps the airway open. This solution is 100 percent effective, Yates said. However, Yates added that only 60-70 percent of people can tolerate the machine, as many find it noisy and struggle with claustrophobic fears. That’s where dentistry is getting involved. “With patients that have mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, we can make a device that repositions your lower jaw forward while you sleep,” Yates
said. “That helps keep the airway open.” Both solutions can range in price from $1,500$3,000, according to Yates. However, Yates added that some medical insurances will help with the cost. If left untreated, the results from OSA are alarming. According to ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, 70 percent of heart attack patients have mild OSA, 86 percent of obese type 2 Diabetic patients suffer from Sleep Apnea, 43 percent
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Blue Ridge Insurance Service, Inc. of patients with mild OSA have Hypertension, Sleep Apnea results in 100,000 car accidents annually and those suffering from OSA are four times more at risk for a stroke. With these alarming statistics, Yates is attempting to get the word out to the High Country on the importance of treating OSA. “Being from a small rural area, information is key,” Yates said. “I want my patients, and people who aren’t my patients, to understand the severity of the disease and to get help somewhere. Sleep apnea kills people. It can take 20 years off your life. Everyone wants to live longer. Anyway that I can help somebody live longer, I want to do.”
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Don’t miss your shot
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Vaccination is critical for avoiding the flu
BY LOGAN PARKS
From late fall to early spring, medical professionals throughout the country tackle the influx of patients all demonstrating a familiar set of symptoms: Body aches, fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. The flu affects millions of Americans each year, and while most people recover in a matter of days, it can still pose serious risks for those young and old. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is estimated to be widespread across the country as of the first week of February. For the 2018-2019 • flu season, which roughly started around October of last year, 34 pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC. Additionally, the highest flu-related hospitalizations are among adults 65 years and older. PHOTO SUBMITTED Danielle Mahaffey, chief Yearly immunization with the flu vaccine is recommended physician executive for Appaby medical professionals to all individuals six months of lachian Regional Healthcare System, oversees medical staff age and older. Those with chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure and emphypractitioners across the High sema are especially urged to receive the vaccine. Country. Mahaffey offered insight into the onset of this year’s flu season, as well as under control. Mahaffey, like throughout the country. how it compares to previous just about every medical pro“The vaccine that we adyears. fessional in the country, conministered this year was pro“Influenza is a serious tends that hand-washing and duced prior to getting into the condition,” Mahaffey said. covering your mouth while influenza season,” Mahaffey “Unfortunately, individuals sneezing or coughing are two said. “What we do, worldwide, die from it every year.” of the best ways to prevent the is we look at the trends of the According to Mahaffey’s spread of influenza. Beyond influenza strains that we’re data, there have been 52 hand-washing and covering seeing in other parts of the influenza-related deaths in your mouth, Mahaffey urged world because they kind of the state during the past year the importance of getting vac- give us a hint of what we may alone. She explained that cinated for the flu every year. see when it comes to our flu children, pregnant women, “The flu vaccine allows your season.” the elderly and those with body to build antibodies,” MaThe CDC then takes that information and predicts what chronic medical conditions haffey explained, adding that face the highest risk during if someone around you forgets strain is likely to pose the greatest risk, then manufacflu season. For children, their to cover their mouth or wash tures a vaccine based on that bodies have yet to encounter their hands, your body is the virus and develop any prepared if it comes in contact information. “We typically have a varied sort of baseline immunity. with the virus. response to how well that vacOlder patients and those with Each year, a different chronic illnesses also struggle vaccination is administered in cination is actually matching up with what we’re seeing in with the flu due to a comproanticipation of what strain is mised immune system. predicted to spread. Mahaffey the community,” Mahaffey With the risks of this noted that a number of factors said. Whether or not the vaccine condition in mind, prevengo into determining which is a perfect match for a partion methods are essential in vaccination will be manuticular year’s influenza strain keeping the spread of the flu factured and disseminated
WAYS TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM CONTRACTING THE FLU Want to avoid catching the flu virus? Taking the following precautions will go a long way in keeping yourself and loved ones healthier in the height of flu season. • Get your flu vaccine. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. • Try to avoid close contact with those who are sick. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours and after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you think you might have the flu: Walk-in appointments are available at the health department and the vaccine is available at local healthcare providers and pharmacy locations. For more information about the flu, click to www.flu.nc.gov or www.cdc.gov/flu.
IS IT THE COMMON COLD OR THE FLU? When symptoms first appear, it may be difficult to tell if you’ve contracted the flu or a less serious case of the common cold. The two viruses are similar, so if you start to feel any of the following symptoms, it’s recommended that you visit your doctor and get tested for the flu: • Fever, feeling feverish or chills, although not everyone with the flu will have a fever. • Cough • Muscle or body aches Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Headaches Some people may have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, though these symptoms are more common with children than adults. does not necessarily mean it’s ineffective, though. “What’s important is the influenza vaccine itself is certainly recommended because even if you don’t have complete synergy with the strains that we’re seeing in the community, studies have shown that individuals who have the vaccine will end up having milder cases of influenza — even if the strains don’t match up completely,” Mahaffey said. One of the greatest misconceptions about the flu vaccine is that it can give someone the flu, and Mahaffey said that this is nothing more than a myth. “We’ve done a lot of studies to show that it does not,” she said. “What studies show is there’s no increase in the incidents of the flu with people who got vaccinated.” Instead, those who demonstrated flu
symptoms after receiving the vaccine were most likely already exposed to the virus prior to getting vaccinated. Throughout flu season, weekly information is sent to medical centers in the High Country to keep everyone up-to-date with how the virus is affecting the local area, as well as throughout the state. In addition, Mahaffey is able to access information from previous years to compare this year’s flu season with others. “In 2018, the High Country had a lot higher incidents than the previous year,” Mahaffey said, adding that the flu season also came earlier last year. For the 2018-19 flu season, the increase of flu frequency came a bit later. “In January of last year (2018), we had high levels of flu, whereas we’ve just really started seeing a significant
increase in flu here in our community and throughout the state in the last two weeks (during mid-February 2019),” Mahaffey explained. “Now, we are on the rise with flu right now,” she added. “So, it’s hard to say without being able to have a few more weeks whether we’re going to peak out and this is going to be the maximum of what we see, or whether we’re going to start to continue to see an incline over the next couple of weeks.” Whether flu season begins losing steam or continues gaining momentum, prevention methods are still critical in order to avoid contracting the virus before the season comes to an end. Mahaffey mentioned that although the flu poses more risks for children, pregnant women and the elderly, those who fall outside of those categories aren’t necessarily in the clear. “Just because you’re a young, healthy adult doesn’t mean that this can’t affect you profoundly,” she said. “I strongly encourage everyone to understand the risks associated with this illness, consider getting the flu vaccine every year and stay away from others if you do get sick.” For more information on the influenza virus, including weekly updates, visit the CDC website by clicking to https:// www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ summary.htm.
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HEALTHY LIFETIMES
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Cancer: the disease that affects everyone BY THOMAS SHERRILL
One out of five: That’s how many deaths in Watauga County are due to cancer, according to AppHealthCare’s 2017 Community Health Report, the most recent report available. When it comes to cancer, most Americans are touched by the disease, in one form or another. Polls show that a majority of Americans themselves have, or have an immediate family member affected by cancer. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and a report produced by the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, there will be 315 new cancer cases in Watauga County in 2019. Out of those, lung/ bronchus, female breast, prostate and colon/rectum cancers are the most common. Out of those project-
SEBY B. JONES REGIONAL CANCER CENTER In 2018, approximately 450 newly diagnosed patients and 1,600 visits a month occurred at Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center in Boone, according to Debbie Shook, director of nursing for Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center “Appalachian Regional Healthcare System uses a multidisciplinary approach for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers,” Shook said. “Through advanced technology and a team of oncology-trained, caring and compassionate professionals will diagnose and treat your cancer. Treatments include radiation, chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal treatments. Cancer patients visit the Cancer Center multiple times during the course of their treatment.
FILE PHOTO An image showing cancerous cells.
ed cases, 113 will be fatal. “In the High Country, the most common types of cancer are breast, prostate, lung, bladder and melanoma (skin cancer),” said Debbie Shook, Director of Nursing for the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center. “The Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center treats those, as well as
colorectal, thyroid, lymphoma, head and neck cancers, liver and pancreatic.” According to AppHealthCare’s 2017 Community Health Report, cancer was the second-leading cause of death in Watauga County in 2016, barely behind diseases of the heart. “More years of life were lost due to cancer mortality than from any other cause of death during this (20122016) period,” the 2017 Community Health Report stated. The overall cancer mortality rate for Watauga County men is higher than women and has stayed
steady during the last 10 years. The 2017 Community Health Report notes that while cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Watauga County, the mortality rate has been on the decline and is lower than the state average. “The good news is that many cancers that were once deadly are now treatable,” Shook said. “Cancer screening with early detection has helped to catch cancer early and treatment options following national guidelines have improved survival.” Cancer is the name given
to a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide abnormally, without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues, in many instances creating growths or tumors. With trillions of cells in the human body, cancer can form anywhere and can spread. The mutated cells, if left untreated, interfere with the body’s functions and can eventually lead to death. There are more than 100 types of cancer, some of the more common types including breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma of the skin, non-Hodgkin lympho-
ma, thyroid cancer, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer and pancreatic cancer. The main factor when it comes to who is affected by cancer is DNA, but several risk factors can influence who is affected. Factors such as age, use of tobacco, excessive alcohol drinking, obesity, prolonged exposure to sunlight, diets low in vegetables, calcium and fiber, and many more. Preventable cancers make up for 42 percent of cancer cases and 45 percent of cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. For tips on how to reduce the chance of cancer, visit www.cancer.org/healthy. html.
Avoiding sun can lead to avoiding skin cancer BY STEVE BEHR
The recent wet and cold weather may not have people thinking about skin cancer, but the bright sunshine that the summer brings can cause havoc on skin if not properly treated. With the summer weather comes trips to the beach, taking hikes in the mountains and of course, the return of the boys and girls of summer playing baseball and softball. While a little sunburn may be a little painful, a few days inside usually allows enough time for it to heal. Working on a dark tan may look good at the beach, but it can also
cause skin cancer. Dr. Maggie Sparks, a Boone Dermatologist, said skin cancer can be tough to detect since it doesn’t always have obvious symptoms. She also said that if something that could be changing or if a wound or something that is abnormal appears, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. “Skin cancer often has no symptoms,” Sparks said. “A person may not have any kind of pain or symptoms that would let them know that cancer is developing. But, they could have a growth that doesn’t heal. It could be bleeding or not. There are a lot of types of
different growths that could be benign or could be cancerous, so symptoms aren’t always very helpful.” Sparks added that wrinkles and loss of elasticity of the skin are signs that skin cancer may be developing. Moles and wounds that don’t heal right away are also signs of a skin problem. Sparks said the biggest cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun, so it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. The best way to prevent it is simply stay out of the sun. But that is not always possible. People work in the sun, play in the sun and carry on day-to-day chores
in the sun. There are ways to minimize any damage while being in the sun. Sparks recommends heavy sun screen, at least with a 50 rating and if possible, use sunscreen that has a 70 rating. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and a hat can also protect the skin. North Carolina has a southern latitude, which means the sun tends to last longer during the day, especially in the summer. Sparks also recommends that summer baseball, softball and athletic leagues schedule events and games SEE SKIN ON PAGE 13
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
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early in the morning or into the night. The hours of 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. are the times when the sun is at its peak. “Since we’re up in the mountains, it’s not boiling hot like down the mountain,” Sparks said. “People don’t often know how strong the sun is because it’s not as hot than it is down in Charlotte. But it’s still a lower latitude, and the farther south you go, the higher risk there is.” Sparks also advises against going outside just to get a tan. “Probably the very best thing to do for skin health is to not tan,” Sparks said. “I’m talking about both artificial tanning, like in a tanning bed, as well as natural tanning in the sunlight. Both have been linked to cancer and we know now that one bad sunburn has been linked to a serious type of skin cancer, which is melanoma.”
PHOTO BY STEVE BEHR Watauga 12-under all-star Chase Greer waits for a throw at first base in the Will Dicus tournament. Youth baseball players can be exposed to sunlight while playing during the day.
Sparks said melanoma is more serious that people realize. She said there has been “kind of an epidemic of melanoma.” Sparks said 10,000 people die of a melanoma every year. She said women tend to get melanomas on their legs, while men tend to get them on their backs. Sparks added that melanomas can be caused by exposure to the sun or by heredity.
“There is also a dysplastic mole and that is a mole that is irregular to look at and then when it’s biopsied, it’s irregular under a microscope, but not cancer yet, but it can turn into a melanoma,” Sparks, who said people who have a dysplastic mole have a stronger chance of getting a melanoma. It’s another reason why people, especially those who
are at risk, should be aware of the chances of developing a melanoma. “Having a full skin exam is just a great idea for every person,” Sparks said. “Especially once you reach puberty. It’s kind of rare to have more serious types of skin cancer before puberty, but really from 13 to 14 on up until 100, it’s a good idea to have a skin exam.” Sparks said it is also a good idea for fair-skinned people to get a skin exam at least once per year. “Here in the High Country we have so many people of Scottish and Irish descent who are very fair skinned with the light eyes and hair color, and those skin types have the highest incidents of skin cancer, in particular of a melanoma,” Sparks said. “The red-headed, fair skinned individuals, they are more at risk of getting a melanoma.” The sun’s rays are still going to shine during all seasons of the year. Just taking a few precautions can help insure that it can be done safely.
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HEALTHY LIFETIMES
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Tackling the opioid crisis in the High Country BY KAYLA LASURE
North Carolina is experiencing an opioid epidemic after decades of prescribing the drugs at higher rates, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Working in the Watauga Medical Center and Cannon Hospital emergency departments, John Bednar explains that in years past physicians were widely encouraged to aid chronic, noncancer pain with opioids. He added that in the late 1980s through the 1990s it was taught that the risk of opioid addiction was around 1 percent if they were prescribed by a physician. Opioids are drugs that can occur naturally in plants or can be synthetically manufactured. According to Bednar, several common opioids include the following: fentanyl, oxycodone — this includes
Percocet and Oxycontin, hydrocodone — such as Vicodin, Norco and Lortab, tramadol — like Ultram — and the illegal drug heroin. Opioids act on pain and pleasure receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, Bednar said. These substances can relieve pain as well as produce a sense of euphoria or a “high.” According to Bednar, using opioids for just one day results in about a one in 20 chance of continued opioid use one year later, five days of use has a one in 10 risk and 15 days of opioid use has a one in five risk of continued use one year later. As a general rule in the emergency department now a days, Bednar said non-opioid treatments are often considered when possible. If opioids are ordered or prescribed at all, even for acute pain, it
is often for only three days or less. Opioids are not typically prescribed from the emergency department for chronic pain, he said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that prescription opioids can be used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are often prescribed following surgery or injury. The problem lies in the addictive nature of the substances, the subsequent misuse after someone becomes addicted and the threat of the drugs being mixed together. The CDC reported that data from law enforcement indicated that much of the synthetic opioid overdose increase may be due to illegally or illicitly made fentanyl — a drug that can be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Sometimes fentanyl is illegally added to other drugs with or without the user’s knowledge, thus making
LOCAL RESOURCES FOR OPIOID MISUSE Below are some of the resources people can use to assist with opioid misuse. Other organizations that may be able to offer information on resources include Watauga Substance Abuse Prevention, OASIS, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Behavioral Health Crisis Triage Team and High Country Community Health. Stepping Stone of Boone (828) 265-7078 643-L Greenway Road, Boone www.steppingstoneofboone.com Daymark Recovery Services (828) 264-8759 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Unit B, Boone www.daymarkrecovery.org McLeod Addictive Disease Center (828) 263-8171 160A Den Mac Drive, Boone www.mcleodcenter.com/medication-assisted-treatment/ boone North Wilkesboro Comprehensive Treatment Center (336) 790-4270 200 Northview Plaza, North Wilkesboro www.acadiahealthcare.com/locations/mountain-health-solutions-wilkesboro Synergy Recovery of North Wilkesboro (336) 667-7191 118 Peace St., North Wilkesboro www.synergyrecovery.org the drugs more lethal. NCDHHS reports that from 1999 to 2016 more than 12,000 North Carolinians died from opioid-related overdoses. The state adopted an Opioid Action Plan in 2017 with plans to reduce the oversupply of prescription opioids, cut down the diversion of prescription drugs and the flow of illicit drugs, increase community awareness and prevention efforts and expanding treatment and recovery systems of care. This plan currently is set to go through 2021. The Appalachian District Board of Health adopted a comprehensive opioid action resolution in fall 2018 that is aligned with the same strategies of the N.C. Opioid Action Plan. AppHealthCare — serving Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties — is using this plan as a guide for a broad spectrum of work in the community, said AppHealthCare Health Director Jennifer Greene. With the help from grant funding and collaborative work with local agencies, AppHealthCare has
started work toward these strategies. “We have discussed this a lot as a community,” Greene said. “The first thing we do in public health is try to connect the dots, and understanding the complexity of this problem means that we really have to hear from a lot of different perspectives.” Part of the work was set in motion with the Watauga County Opioid Summit in May 2018, an event where various agencies were invited to explain how they fit into the problem-solving puzzle when talking about the opioid epidemic. From here, AppHealthCare joined the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office in applying for grant funding for harm reduction strategies. These strategies include the planning for a syringe exchange program, the addition of a corrections treatment specialist at the Watauga County Detention Center, the attempt to make naloxone easier to access and the creation of a peer support specialist position that will operate as a Post Overdose Re-
sponse Team. Plans for a local needle exchange program started in early 2018. The program would collect used and potentially contaminated syringes from people who inject drugs and exchange them for free sterile syringes to reduce the reuse or exchange of potentially contaminated needles and the spread of communicable diseases. Logistics of this program is still being worked out with local officials. The corrections treatment specialist at the jail is acting as a social worker with inmates to increase treatment and recovery support for those involved in the justice system. This position can help inmates obtain resources such as substance abuse treatment, as one of the commonalities among those cycling in and out of incarceration was substance use. Greene added that AppHealthCare is also working to get naloxone — a medication designed to reverse a drug overdose — into “the hands of as many people as possible.” For more information on naloxone, visit savealifenc. com. Once someone is revived from an overdose, AppHealthCare hopes to be able to provide a Post Overdose Response Team to help that person navigate treatment options. A peer support specialist was brought onto the district health department to be the initial person for the PORT. The PSS is trained to respond in the case of an non-fatal overdose to help connect the person to desired resources, such as treatment, harm reduction services or recovery groups. Local agencies continue to collaborate together to find solutions to combat the opioid epidemic. As it has been said multiple times by various agencies in the past year, “it takes a village.”
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Mountain Times Publications -
Healing the body and mind
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Holistic healing practices provide additional healthcare options BY SYDNEY WOLFORD
Maybe pills haven’t quite helped to ease a stomach ache. If you’re at a loss for another remedy, holistic healing could be an aid. Natural and holistic healing practices are typically regarded as a separate entity from Western healthcare. However, Dr. Torrey Gorla of Blue Ridge Acupuncture and Integrative Health in Boone, breaks that notion. Gorla takes into account a patient’s symptomatic concerns — such as weight gain or insomnia — runs tests, then searches for a cause of the symptoms and aims to lessen or eliminate the cause. “We’re asking why they have it,” Gorla said. “Knowing what they have
AT-HOME COLD REMEDIES The following are a list of natural, at-home remedies for the common cold as suggested by www.mayoclinic.org. • Hydrate — Water, juice or clear broth helps loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. Coffee, caffeinated sodas and alcohol can worsen dehydration. • Rest — Give your body time to heal itself. • Gargle saltwater — one-fourth to one-half teaspoon salt dissolved in an eight-ounce glass of warm water can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Children 6 years and younger are unlikely to be able to gargle properly. An alternative could be ice chips to soothe a sore throat. • Take in warm liquids — Warm lemon water with honey, chicken soup, hot tea or warm apple juice can be soothing and may lessen congestion by increasing mucus flow. helps us assess what’s going on and how to perceive the testing and treatment. But we want to know why they have it, and if we can get at why they have the problem.” Depending on the cause of the symptoms, BRAIH offers several services to help eliminate the cause. One of the services is acupuncture — “a method
of encouraging the body to heal itself,” BRAIH stated. In acupuncture, Gorla would apply thin needles to site-specific regions of the body according to the location of what he found was the root of the problem to a patient’s symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration included acupuncture as an exam-
Eating healthy BY SYDNEY WOLFORD
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat and poultry have long been regarded as staples of a healthy diet. But what does that mean? The phrase “everything in moderation” doesn’t only refer to sugary sodas or a bag of potato chips — Laura Shroyer, registered dietician nutritionist and licensed dietician/nutritionist in the Department of Clinical Nutrition in Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, said eating a wide variety of foods is important. “When I think of healthy eating, it means consuming a variety of foods that provide nutrients you need to maintain overall health, make you feel good and give you energy,” Shroyer said. “I have two kids; this is my disclaimer: We enjoy
ple of nonpharmalogic complementary therapies for pain management in a May 2017 draft revision of “FDA Education Blueprint for Health Care Providers Involved in the Management or Support of Patients with Pain.” A factor of healing in any sense, Gorla said, is for the patient to play an active role in their healing. People should prioritize their health in a preventative sense as well. In terms of preventing common cold and infection, Gorla said it is important to eat whole foods, ensure the patient is sleeping properly, make sure vitamin D levels are sufficient, and Gorla also puts his patients on a multivitamin, which is available in the BRAIH pharmacy. Gorla attributes sticking
to this plan to his seven days of absence over the course of his 18 years working. When it comes to treating people once they get sick, Gorla said Chinese herbs — a mainstay of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years — can treat the cold. Patients can meet with Gorla to recommend Chinese herbs through BRAIH. “The foundation of medicine when it comes to chronic or recurrent health problems, regardless of conventional or alternative — I don’t even believe in those words, actually. Because the reality is there is one medicine: that which works and that which is safe. And if it’s not safe and effective, then it shouldn’t be done. If it’s safe and effective then we should proceed
with treatment.” Other holistic practices, or complementary and alternative medicine, available in the High Country include naturopathy, reiki, reflexology and many other practices. Reiki is a form of energy healing, the Johns Hopkins Medicine website stated. Reiki is done by placing hands just off of the body or can be done further away as a form of prayer. The Reiki practitioner transmits “universal life energy” to the client and is believed to encourage healing, reduce pain and create a relaxing feeling, the Johns Hopkins Medicine website stated. Reflexology is believed to help reduce stress by applying pressure to SEE HEALING ON PAGE 17
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Shroyer’s department utilizes www.choosemyplate.gov, and she and her clients use My Fitness Pal — an app in which the user logs their food intake and meals. Additionally, Hoesten recommends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at www. fda.gov, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www. cdc.gov, the American Heart Association at www.heart.org, the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at eatright.org.
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food. It’s a social aspect of life. Of course we go out and enjoy ice cream and enjoy a doughnut every now and then. … Do we do that every day? Absolutely not. It’s all about moderation and serving size.” Serving size is an issue that Shroyer said is prevalent among her clients. Shroyer suggests using food labels as a tool to determine the proper serving size for a food and following the label as closely as possible. “If it says 15 chips or 10 crackers or two cookies,
really try to stick to that,” Shroyer said. “Put it on a plate instead of taking the whole bag.” Mark Hoesten, registered dietician and licensed dietician/nutritionist in Boone with Novant Health in Winston-Salem, also emphasized the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, and that there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of sugar every now and then. “We tend to demonize SEE EATING ON PAGE 17
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Mountain Times Publications -
Shaking off the stigma
BY COLIN TATE
With a stigma that often leads to neglected and undiagnosed illnesses, mental health is often under the radar. However, AppHealthCare has a goal of increasing the use of evidence-based screening tools for depression and referrals to treatment. According to AppHealthCare, one in five adults in North Carolina have a mental health condition. Many health disparities begin early in life, according to AppHealthCare. Adverse Childhood Experiences — potentially traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being — range from physical, emotional or sexual abuse to parental divorce or the imprisonment of a parent or guardian. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness, according to NAMI. Located in Boone, NAMI High Country envisions a
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The course is designed to build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. To look up nearby courses or become an instructor yourself, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
FILE PHOTO From 2017 to 2018, 1,953 out of 3,074 eligible patients were screened by AppHealthCare for depressive symptoms.
cross cultural community in the High Country where compassion and understanding exists for everyone. NAMI High Country aims to make the High Country a safer space for those experiencing mental illness by ending the stigma associated with it, according to the NAMI High Country website. This goal is maintained through NAMI’s programs, such as the Peer-to-Peer
EATING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
some foods and make other foods a ‘cureall,’” Hoesten said. “You can gain weight eating grilled chicken steamed broccoli and brown rice. There is no food that I would say absolutely exclude from your diet. If you like burgers, have one every now and then. But the rest of the time, have healthier foods.” The notion of “cure-all” foods, such as a superfood — a food regarded as being beneficial, such as berries — can be confusing for people, Shroyer said, because if you’re eating a plant-based diet
HEALING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
certain parts of the foot. Reflexology focuses on different parts of the foot
educational program, Family-To-Family classes, the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group and NAMI In Our Own Voice presentations. For more information about NAMI High Country, visit namihighcountry.org. AppHealthCare increased the number of individuals trained in Question, Persuade, Refer, Mental Health First Aid, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
and other evidence-based training programs to address mental and behavioral health issues. Additionally, Perinatal Mental Health workshops are offered by AppHealthCare to both community members and providers, increasing the awareness of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders by giving providers education around how to identify and properly
treat PMADs, according to AppHealthCare. PMADs affect up to one in five women during pregnancy or the first year after the baby arrives. AppHealthCare is also continuing to focus on screening more individuals with new grant funding, new hires and the use of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment depression, alcohol and substance use screening tool. According to AppHealthCare, SBIRT is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce and pre-
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vent problematic use, abuse and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. SBIRT consists of a healthcare professional assessing a patient for risky substance use behaviors using standardized screening tools, a healthcare professional engaging a patient showing risky substance use behaviors in a short conversation and a healthcare professional providing a referral to brief therapy or additional treatment to patients who screen in need of additional services. AppHealthCare has also integrated standardized screening tools for depression into multiple clinical and non-clinical areas to increase the number of eligible individuals — older than age 12 — to 70 percent who are screened routinely for depressive symptoms and receive brief intervention services or who are referred to treatment. From 2017 to 2018, 1,953 people were screened out of the possible 3,074 eligible patients. For additional information on mental health organizations, services and more, visit apphealthcare. com.
comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you’re already eating “super” foods. A plant-based diet is anything that grows from the ground, Shroyer said, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, herbs and spices. “There’s not one food that is better than the other,” Shroyer said. “A lot of fruits and vegetables have the same nutrients, but a lot of them are special in their own way as well.” Having a healthy, varied diet is something that Hoesten said can decrease the chances of onset of certain diseases or can increase the body’s resiliency. For example, if someone’s immediate family has a history of heart disease or diabetes, it
puts that person at a higher risk for heart disease or diabetes. But if that person exercises regularly and eats healthy, the likelihood of having that disease “goes down dramatically,” Hoesten said. While healthy eating is attributed to possible disease prevention, it can also be helpful in preventing the common cold and flu. Shroyer said that fruits and vegetables have antioxidants and phytochemical, which help to fight certain diseases and infections. If someone wants to start making healthier eating habits to prevent disease, to lose weight of for “a whole host of reasons,” Hoesten said that people wanting to create healthier eating habits should
make alterations little by little. “If they are drinking 12 sodas a day, they are probably aware that is not a good place to be,” Hoesten said. “Make baby steps. How about we go from 12 to 11? Make small steps that are doable and then build on that. Making huge changes is usually not how most of us succeed.” Another key to success, Hoesten said, is to not try out a diet solely because it worked for a friend. Diets are never onesize-fits-all because everyone is different, Hoesten said. However, the core of a healthy diet for everyone is consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, reducing portion sizes if necessary and doing what works for you.
corresponding to different organs and systems of the body, the Mayo Clinic website stated. Because of this, reflexologists use charts to guide which parts of the foot they will apply pressure. Complementary medicine as defined by
the CDC is any medicine used in addition to standard treatments. Alternative medicine as defined by the CDC is any medicine used instead of standard treatments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website stated that patients
should talk with their doctor before starting a complementary or alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicines may make standard cancer treatments not work as well, the CDC stated.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
AppHealthCare offers resources for tobacco addiction BY MACON ATKINSON
Reading e-cigarette liquid labels in 2019 can almost feel like picking an ice cream flavor: cotton candy, watermelon, vanilla, even pumpkin spice. But despite the new variety of flavors to choose from, the outcome — nicotine addiction — remains the same. While AppHealthCare has consistently named nicotine and tobacco addiction a top health priority in previous community health reports, the department has renewed its efforts in the High Country for 2018-2021 with an added emphasis on addressing e-cigarette usage. According to AppHealthCare’s 2017 community health report, nearly one in five people in Watauga County smoke — an average of 19 percent compared to 9 percent of all North Carolinians. But since 2016, there has been a particularly noticeable trend in nicotine addiction: e-cigarettes, such as Juuls, have become increasingly popular, especially with young adults. According to a 2019 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.5 million more students reported vaping in 2018 than in 2017. In that one year, the number of high school students using e-cigarettes grew
NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE? NC HealthSmart Health Coaches Support Line: 1-800-817-7044 NC Tobacco Use QuitLine (Offered in Spanish and English): (800) QUIT-NOW American Lung Association: (800) LUNG-USA American Cancer Society 24-hour/day line: 1-800ACS-2345 Quitline for Pregnant Smokers: (866) 66START National Cancer Institute: (800) 4CANCER
SOURCE: TRUTH INITIATIVE, BASED ON CNC DATA
from 11.7 percent to 20.8 percent, and use among middle school students grew from 3.3 percent to 4.9 percent.
In a February 2019 statement, CDC Director Robert Redfield said this trend “threatens to erase progress” in addressing
youth tobacco use. “It’s putting a new generation at risk for nicotine addiction,” he said. “Despite this troubling trend,
we know what works and we must continue to use proven strategies to protect America’s youth from this preventable health risk. Youth use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe.” While nicotine and tobacco treatment can feel like an uphill battle, AppHealthCare and the state of North Carolina offer resources to help along the way. Alleghany, Watauga and Wilkes counties have registered to use the CATCH My Breath program, an evidence-informed curriculum designed to teach middle and high school students about the possible dangers that e-cigarettes pose. Northwest Tobacco Prevention Coordinator David Willard
said the program is free for schools to use, thanks to a CVS Caremark grant that the CATCH organization received. For more information about CATCH My Breath, visit www.catch. org/lessons/catch-mybreath-high-school-program-overview. Through the Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist training program, AppHealthCare has also trained 26 local practitioners as tobacco treatment specialists in Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Alleghany and Wilkes counties. These specialists can assist with treatment in conjunction with QuitlineNC’s free, confidential tobacco treatment program that uses a variety of support methods to help those who want to quit. QuitlineNC includes an interactive, web-based tobacco treatment program, which can be combined with online or telephone coaching. Quitline also provides two-week starter kits of nicotine patches for Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and eight weeks of nicotine patches for uninsured residents who use tobacco. Their services are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. To get access to these resources, visit www.quitnownc.org or by calling the North Carolina QuitLine at (800) 784-8669.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
Mountain Times Publications -
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Hearing loss: A common condition BY ANNA OAKES
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, age-related hearing loss is among the most common conditions affecting older adults: Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Difficulty hearing can not only be inconvenient or burdensome — it can be dangerous. It can make it hard to understand and follow a doctor’s advice, respond to warnings or hear phones, doorbells or smoke alarms. Most commonly, age-related hearing loss arises from changes in the inner ear as people age, but it can also result from changes in the middle ear, or from complex changes along the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain, according to the NIDCD. Certain medical conditions and medications could also be a factor. Many people who experience hearing loss have a combination of both age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. The NIDCD advises that noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by longterm exposure to sounds that are either too loud or last too long, damaging the sensory hair cells that allow you to hear. “Once these hair cells are damaged, they do not grow back and your ability to hear is diminished,” the NIDCD states. Conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes can contribute to hearing loss, as well as medications that are toxic to the sensory cells in your ears. Scientists don’t yet know how to prevent age-related hearing loss, the NIDCD says, but you
HIGH COUNTRY HEARING PROFESSIONALS Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat 870 State Farm Road, Suite 101, Boone 200 Hospital Avenue, Jefferson 436 Hospital Drive, Suite 240, Linville (828) 264-4545 blueridge-ent.com Alps Mountain Affordable Hearing Aid Center 245 New Market Centre, Boone (888) 989-7179 alpsmtnaffordablehearing.com Beltone Hearing Care Centers 643 Greenway Road, Suite J-6, Boone 434 Hospital Drive, Linville 412 Backstreet, West Jefferson (800) 581-5082 ncbeltone.com Best Value Hearing Care Center 838 State Farm Road, Boone (828) 449-8135 180 Chattyrob Lane, West Jefferson (336) 649-3078 bestvaluehearing.com
HEARING TREATMENTS AND DEVICES IMAGE: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Types of hearing aids are displayed.
IMAGE: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS This image diagrams the inner ear.
can protect yourself from noise-induced hearing loss by protecting your ears from sounds that are too loud and last too long. Potential sources of damaging noises include
loud music, firearms, snowmobiles, lawn mowers and leaf blowers. You can protect your ears by avoiding loud noises, reducing the amount of time you’re exposed to loud
noise and using ear plugs or ear muffs. If you think you have a hearing problem, seek advice from a health care provider. An otolaryngologist is a
Hearing aids are electronic instruments you wear in or behind your ear. They make sounds louder. To find the hearing aid that works best for you, you may have to try more than one. Be sure to ask for a trial period with your hearing aid and understand the terms and conditions of the trial period. Work with your hearing aid provider until you are comfortable with putting on and removing the hearing aid, adjusting the volume level and changing the batteries. Cochlear implants are small electronic devices surgically implanted in the inner ear that help provide a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing. If your hearing loss is severe, your doctor may recommend a cochlear implant in one or both ears. Bone-anchored hearing systems bypass the ear canal and middle ear, and are designed to use your body’s natural ability to transfer sound through bone conduction. The sound processor picks up sound, converts it into vibrations, and then relays the vibrations through your skull bone to your inner ear. Assistive listening devices include telephone and cell phone amplifying devices, smart phone or tablet “apps” and closed-circuit systems (hearing loop systems) in places of worship, theaters and auditoriums. Lip reading or speech reading is another option that helps people with hearing problems follow conversational speech. People who use this method pay close attention to others when they talk by watching the speaker’s mouth and body movements. Special trainers can help you learn how to lip read or speech read. Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat and neck. An otolaryngologist, sometimes called an ENT, will try to find out why you’re having trouble hearing and offer treatment options. He or she may also refer you to another hearing professional, an audiologist. An audiologist has
specialized training in identifying and measuring the type and degree of hearing loss. Some audiologists may be licensed to fit hearing aids. A hearing aid specialist is someone who is licensed by your state to conduct and evaluate basic hearing tests, offer counseling and fit and test hearing aids.
20 - Mountain Times Publications
HEALTHY LIFETIMES
Wednesday, February 27, 2019