Healthy LifeTimes 2021 by Mountain Times Publications

COVID-19: a look back since March 2020

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

A year like no other A look back at COVID-19 since March 2020 COMPILED BY MOSS BRENNAN

From mask wearing and limited dining to deaths and pandemic fatigue, COVID-19 has affected almost every aspect of the High Country since March 2020 — almost a full year. Here are the headlines from that first COVID-19 case to the first vaccine that show how COVID-19 has impacted the High Country since its start on March 3, 2020.

MARCH 2020: NORTH CAROLINA IDENTIFIES FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the first person in North Carolina has tested positive for COVID-19 on March 3. “I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur.” A week after the first case, Cooper declared a state of emergency for North Carolina. This activated the Emergency Operations Center “to help agencies coordinate from one location and makes it easier to purchase needed medical supplies, protect consumers from price gouging and increase county health departments’ access to state funds.” “The health and safety of North Carolinians is our top priority. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that North Carolina is prepared and responding to this virus, and this order helps us do that,” Cooper

PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN People enter the Lentz-Eggers Gym at Watauga High School to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shot on Jan. 16, 2021.

said. “Though we are still in the early stages in North Carolina, time is a valuable resource and we must work together to slow the spread while we can.” Five days later, Watauga County saw its first positive case in a Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse employee who had recently traveled overseas. “We have been preparing should we see a positive case of COVID-19 in our community. Now that we have a positive case, we will continue to work diligently to protect the public’s health,” said Jennifer Greene, health director of AppHealthCare, the district health department for Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties. “It is our top priority, and we will work to keep the community informed.” After that, Watauga County saw multiple cases over the next few weeks with another on March 18, March 24, March 26 and March 28. Despite cases

in Watauga County, no cases were reported in Avery or Ashe counties, still. Meanwhile, education at all levels was moving to fully remote learning with Appalachian State not allowing students to return after spring break. On March 25, less than a month after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the state, the first resident in North Carolina died from the virus. The person was in their late 70s and had underlying medical conditions, according to NCDHHS. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones,” Cooper said. “This is a stark warning that for some people, COVID-19 is a serious illness. All of us must do our part to stop the spread by staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing.” For the first time AppHealthCare announced multiple cases

of COVID-19 on March 31. One person was a resident who had a travel history while the other was a non-permanent resident.

APRIL THROUGH AUGUST: THE SUMMER THAT WASN’T While Watauga County was up to its seventh case by April 3, Ashe County was announcing its first. This case was a close contact to someone with known travel history and is recovering at home. AppHealthCare identified close contacts, who have been in quarantine. “We have been preparing should we see a positive case of COVID-19 in Ashe County,” stated Jennifer Greene, Health Director at AppHealthCare, at the time. “Now that we have a positive case, we will continue to work diligently to protect the public’s health. It is our top priority, and we will work to keep SEE COVID-19 ON PAGE 3

COVID-19 CONTINUED ITS PRESENCE INTO 2021 As of Monday, Feb. 8, according to dashboard data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the total number of coronavirus cases were reported as 799,279 lab-conﬁrmed cases of COVID-19. NCDHHS reported that deaths in the state attributed to the virus had crested 10,000-person mark by mid-February, as 10,376 people have passed away in connection with COVID-19 statewide. Vaccine dissemination ramped up as 2021 got under way in an effort to eradicate the virus, as the NCDHHS COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard reported that a total of 1,390,947 doses had been administered statewide as of early February, with 1,250,584 doses administered through NC providers and 140,363 doses administered through the federal long-term program.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

HEALTHY LIFETIMES By the end of the month, one of the youngest people to die occured when 19-year-old Appalachian State student Chad Dorrill died from complications related to COVID-19. “It is with the deepest sadness that I share with you that one of our students, Chad Dorrill, has died,” App State Chancellor Sheri Everts wrote. “The hearts of the entire Appalachian community are with Chad’s family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult and painful time. Tributes shared by friends and loved ones show the positive impact Chad had on the communities he loved and called home, which included App State and Boone.”

COVID-19 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

the community informed.” The cases were slowly starting to rise in Ashe County with the third case announced on April 8 in an Appalachian State student who lived in Ashe. The next day, Appalachian Regional HealthCare system announced its first case in an employee who did not provide direct patient care. The rest of April saw a slight increase in cases for both Ashe and Watauga counties, but still no cases in Avery County — one of the few counties with no cases at that time. Meanwhile in early April, Cooper announced restrictions related to capacity in stores and a stayat-home order limiting non-essential travel. By the end of April, more than 10,000 North Carolina residents had tested positive for the virus and more than 300 had died, according to NCDHHS. By the time May rolled around, Watauga and Ashe counties were still seeing their case counts rise. On May 14, AppHealthCare announced the largest case increase when it was reported 16 contractors at Appalachian State tested positive for the virus. Four days later, Avery County Health Department reported its first positive case in the county — the last county in North Carolina to report a positive case. “As our counties start opening back up, it’s important to remember that COVID-19 is still here,” Toe River Health District Health Director Diane Creek said. “We are blessed in Avery County to have a strong community. Your public officials and county leadership have been working tirelessly to prepare for the impact of this virus. Community members can do their part by continuing to follow the guidelines, and remember that we’re all

OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER: COVID-19 CASES SOAR IN THE HIGH COUNTRY, BUT VACCINE APPROACHES

INFOGRAPHIC COURTESY NCDHHS The COVID-19 Dashboard, such as this one, became a recurring reference point on the website of and in regular press conferences featuring the NC Department of Health and Human Services, who designed the tool to keep citizens abreast of the trends and statistics for the virus’ proliferation in North Carolina.

in this together and to support one another.” Appalachian State announced in May that the majority of classes would be virtual, students would not have a fall break and would not return to campus after Thanksgiving. On May 26, AppHealthCare reported the first COVID-19 related death in Ashe County resident in their late 70s who had underlying health conditions. By the end of May, North Carolina was nearing 1,000 deaths related to the virus, according to NCDHHS. June and August saw more cases with Watauga County surpassing 100 cases on July 8. At the end of July, a COVID-19 testing event held at Watauga High School had over 500 participants.

SEPTEMBER: COVID-19RELATED DEATHS SPIKE IN HIGH COUNTRY On Sept. 4, 2020, Avery County Health Department announced a resident in their late 60s had died from COVID-19-related causes. Less than a week later, on Sept. 10, 2020, AppHealthCare reported the first three deaths in Watauga County in residents at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation. Five days later, AppHealthCare announced its fourth death in Watauga County related to the Glenbridge outbreak. “We extend our deepest condolences, prayers and sympathies to the families during this difficult time,” Greene said. “Each life in our community is so valuable and we share in sadness about this loss.”

By October, hospitals were seeing increasing hospitalizations due to the virus. In Watauga County alone, more than 300 people were active with COVID-19 on Oct. 7. Meanwhile, on Nov. 23 Toe River Health District reported five deaths occurring over the course of a three-day span in the county, sending the death toll in the county related to the virus into double figures at 11 individuals. A potential light at the end of the pandemic tunnel started to emerge by November, as news of a vaccine was making the rounds. Near the end of November, Moncef Slaoui, the head of the US government’s effort to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, told CNN that vaccines could start in December. Meanwhile, health officials continued to urge citizens not to gather in large numbers for holiday events, instead advocating that if gatherings did occur, that people do so only with members of their immediate household, recommending that gatherings meet outdoors if possible, and continue

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the practice of the 3W’s of wearing face coverings, waiting/standing six feet apart, and frequent hand washing. In December, vaccines received Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, and allotments were on their way across the nation. Toward the close of December, AppHealthCare and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System was notified it would be receiving its first allotment of vaccines. A week after the first shipment, ARHS had administered more than 600 doses. “We feel so fortunate to be able to begin vaccinating our frontline workers who are taking care of COVID patients each day,” said Chuck Mantooth, president and CEO of ARHS. “Protecting them means they will stay healthy and continue to be available for the community.” At the conclusion of the year 2020, a total

of 83.7 million cases of had been confirmed worldwide, with more than 20 million in the United States alone. More than 539,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been diagnosed in North Carolina. Locally, the close of 2020 saw 1,323 positive community cases in Avery County, with 21 reported deaths in the county, while Watauga County reported 2,825 positive tests and 17 deaths among residents and Ashe County reported 1,334 positive cases with 33 deaths, according to AppHealthCare. By January 2021, AppHealthCare and ARHS were able to host mass vaccination events to vaccinate residents of the High Country, as hospitalizations statewide began to slowly decrease, and Avery County announced the purchase of a pair of mobile units to be utilized to bolster vaccination efforts in the county.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines: A scientiﬁc marvel BY LUKE BARBER

Vaccine develop is truly a marvel to behold. As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the nation, with a total 27,288,483 confirmed cases and 471,765 deaths as of early February, the development of the COVID-19 vaccine has provided an answer to one day effectively end the pandemic. If history is any indicator, it has become apparent that vaccine development has increased in efficiency and has brought on a much faster end to modern pandemics and the viruses that cause them. The Spanish Flu, or the H1N1 flu, was one of the worst pandemics in American history. It lasted from 1918 to 1920 and caused between 20 million to 100 million deaths, but from this period in time is where we get much of the methodology for vaccine development. Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization were also set up around this time to track and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These lessons have been applied through the 20th and 21st centuries. “What we learned from the flu pandemics in the 1950s and 1960s, was that there was improvement in immunology and diplomacy. (Scientists) were able to understand the immune response to this infection. That is when most of the vaccines were developed, especially between the 1918 and the 1950s flu epidemics,” explained Dr. Michael Opata, an associate professor of biology at Appalachian State University. These developments during the century has greatly improved the efficiency at which vaccines can be developed. The first cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019, and the World Health Organization first noted a spate of pneumonia-like cases occurring in the country on Jan. 9, 2020. It was at this time that the WHO referred to these cases as a new strand of coronavirus. COVID-19 belongs to a family of coronaviruses to which other acute respiratory syndromes are related, such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The spread of SARS began in 2003 in Zhongshan, China, causing 744 deaths and 8,098 recorded cases across 37 countries. While no vaccine for SARS, also known

PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN Fay Farmer, 87, receives her second COVID-19 vaccination at a Feb. 6 mass vaccination event held at Watauga High School.

as SARS-CoV, exists at this time, cases of the virus ceased to be reported in 2004. Similarly, no commercial vaccine is available for MERS, but cases continue to be reported even though no major outbreak of the virus has been declared since 2015. The virus, also known as MERSCoV, was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and spread to 22 diﬀerent countries, causing 659 deaths out of 1,879 symptomatic cases. Nevertheless, the knowledge obtained from the vaccine development eﬀorts for MERS and SARS was of high value for COVID-19, according to a scientific paper published in the Journal of Infectious Disease and Therapy in June 2020. The prior knowledge is a part of the reason why after the first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported in February of 2020, the first vaccine to be available was announced by Pfizer on Nov. 9. The company submitted a request for emergency use authorization to the Food and Drug Administration soon after, and the SEE VACCINES ON PAGE 6

COVID-19 VACCINE CANDIDATES

PHOTO BY LUKE BARBER The vaccine clinic at the Avery County Agricultural Extension buzzes with activity on Thursday, Jan. 21.

As of Feb. 8, The New York Times reports that there are currently 67 COVID-19 vaccines under development worldwide, and 20 have reached ﬁnal testing stages. There are three phases of clinical trials that a vaccine candidate must go through before being approved. The following are several vaccines under study from various companies and education institution, as well as the clinical phase they are in. Approved: Pﬁzer, Moderna Phase 3: Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, Oxford-AstraZeneca Phase 2: Inovio Pharmaceuticals, ImmunityBio, Finlay Institute of Vaccines Phase 1: Israel Institute for Biological Research, Valneva, Providence Therapeutics Pre-clinical: Massachusetts General Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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The irreversible eﬀects of tobacco use

dentistry and oral cancer is frequently overlooked in relation to tobacco use

in comparison to other major diseases such as lung cancer.

Yates described dental disease, periodontitis and oral cancer as “silent killers.” Healthy gum tissues are normally pink, with no additional symptoms such as bleeding, swelling or sensitivity. Tobacco use can exacerbate some unfavorable mouth conditions including staining of the tongue, bad breath and tooth discoloration. Heat and carcinogens from smoking tobacco aﬀect the gum tissues and smokeless tobacco there are little pieces of silica which microscopically cut tissues and allow nicotine to enter the tissues. According to Yates, it is a common misconception that vaping products are safer in comparison to smoking or smokeless tobacco products. However, vaping poses the same risks as smoking.

the FDA approved for emergency use on Dec. 18, 2020. In clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine was proven to be between 90- to 95-percent effective, while the Moderna vaccine was shown to be 94.5 percent effective. The first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine were allocated to hospitals and other healthcare establishments that had the proper freezing units to keep the vaccine at negative 70 degrees Celsius, whereas the Moderna vaccine was shipped to health departments in more rural areas since the vaccine did not require as strict temperature constraints. Both vaccines require two shoots to be effective, with the second shot administered 28 days after the first shot has been given. “Most of the vaccines will protect you from showing symptoms,” Dr. Opata added. “Once you are given the first shot and it induces the immune response, then you are given a booster shot so that the immune cells that are generated in the first shot are increased and produce more antibodies. When

you are exposed to the virus, you already have antibodies that will neutralize the virus. That means you will not get sick. Once the virus is neutralized, it is easier for other immune cells to remove it.” Once the vaccine rollout was under way in December, health care workers and those on the front-lines of the pandemic were the first group to be administered the vaccine. By January, the next group to be given the vaccine were people age 75 years and older. To help complete the vaccination of this age range, the federal government contracted with CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens to administer vaccines to nursing home residents and staﬀ. On Jan. 14, individuals 65 years and older became the next group to be eligible for the vaccine, and the state of North Carolina has recently announced the next targeted demographics. On Feb. 24, the state will move into the next phase of the vaccine rollout by administering vaccines to teachers and school staﬀ, including principals, childcare providers,

bus drivers, custodial staff, cafeteria workers and other education workers. Additional essential workers will be eligible for the vaccine in March. This group includes manufacturing workers, grocery store clerks, college and university instructors and support staff, farmers, restaurant workers, mail carriers, court workers, elected officials, homeless shelter staff, public health workers, social workers, firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, public transit workers, as well as other groups. As a result of the vaccine effort in the High Country, as of mid-February, Watauga County has administered a total of 8,738 vaccines, with 6,149 of those being first doses and 2,589 being second doses. In Avery County, 3,406 total vaccines were administered administered, with 2,704 being first doses and 702 being second doses. In Ashe County, the story is much of the same, as 3,381 total doses have been administered, with 2,627 being first doses and 754 being second doses. These

BY BAILEY LITTLE

According to data presented by the Centers for Disease Control, tobacco use causes more than 7 million deaths per year worldwide. The CDC also predicts that if the pattern of smoking globally does not change, more than 8 million people a year will die from diseases related to tobacco use each year by 2030. Tobacco usage is one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the U.S. and smoking accounts for approximately 20 percent of deaths, according to the American Dental Association. Dr. Joel Yates of Joel Yates, D.D.S. in Jeﬀerson provided some insight about how use of tobacco products wreaks havoc on oral health. Yates mentioned that

VACCINES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

request was approved on Dec. 11, 2020. Typically, the process for creating a vaccine for a new disease is separated into three phases of clinical trials that can take up to two years or longer to complete. However, for the COVID-19 vaccine, the process was sped up through Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership initiated through the federal government to facilitate and accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. “Typically, it takes about six months (for the FDA to approve a new vaccine) because of the process, the paperwork and making sure the studies had enough of a sample size to demonstrate that what they are seeing is true. Based on the need for this vaccine, it may (was) a little bit shorter,” Opata said. The next vaccine to be approved after Pfizer’s was the Moderna vaccine, which

SOURCE: TRUTH INITIATIVE, BASED ON CNC DATA

“Even though you are just taking in what most people perceive to be a steam or a mist, it is an irritant to the tissues in your mouth that can lead to the same detrimental eﬀects of smoking tobacco,” Yates said. Yates said he has seen patients who chewed tobacco for 20-30 years and quit experience the healing of gum tissues after one year of ceasing use of the products. However, often routine use of chewing tobacco causes irreparable damage. “If someone is using smokeless tobacco and their gums have eroded away from their teeth, there is really no way to make that come back,” Yates said. This irreversible eﬀect can lead to tooth loss because the tissue that holds the teeth in place becomes heavily infected. People who smoke and

consume alcohol simultaneously, have an increased risk of oral and throat cancers. According to Yates, the risk of cancer almost doubles. At Yates’ dental practice, staﬀ always identifies patients who use tobacco products and provide them with cessation resources. A state-sponsored cessation program is available at www.quitlineNC.com which provides people with a plethora of free resources. There are also medications available to help people lessen or cease use, such as Chantix, which aid in cravings and withdrawal symptoms. A toll-free number operated by the National Cancer Institute is available at (800) QUIT-NOW. By calling this number, people will be connected directly to their state’s tobacco quit line.

numbers were updated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Despite the High Country receiving relatively large allotments of the vaccine early on, in recent weeks (from Feb. 1 to 12) vaccine shipments slowed to a trickle, with establishments like the Avery County Health Department and AppHealthCare only receiving 200 vaccines during that span. However, for second dose vaccines, High Country health departments have been receiving dosage amounts similar to the initial amounts in order to eﬀectively vaccinate first dose recipients. One of the primary reasons for the small amount of first doses is due to NCDHHS deciding to allocate more doses to mass vaccination clinics at Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte Motor Speedway. In all, a total of 2,021,075 vaccine doses have been allotted to the state by the federal government, as well as 301,800 total vaccines that have been allowed to long-

term care facilities through the federal government’s program. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna have committed to delivering a total of 200 million doses by the end of March which, in order to do, each company will have to ramp up its manufacturing of the vaccines. Avery County and the Avery County Health Department are administering vaccines at its vaccine clinic at the Avery County Agricultural Extension at 661 Vale Road. The county has set up a vaccine appointment call center, which can be reached at (828) 733-8273. Watauga County shares a health department with Allegheny and Ashe counties, under Appalachian District Health. Residents of all three counties may fill out a vaccine interest form on the health department’s website, and someone will call them to set up an appointment if they fall into the current vaccine phase. The health department has also set up a COVID-19 call center, which can be reached by calling (828) 795-1970.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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Saving lives amid the opioid epidemic BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

More than 12,000 individuals in North Carolina have died from opioid-related conditions from 1999 to 2016, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. When being prescribed an opioid, dangerous side-effects and untimely addictions can occur, more specifically with drugs such as morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and others. Going more in depth, opioids are defined as pain-relieving drugs that all have a similar effect on the brain. They reduce the pain signals reaching the bran and affect the areas controlling breathing and emotion. “Depending on how much you take and how you take them, if your body has more opioids than it can handle, there can be serious risks and side effects,” says NCDHHS. When given a high dose of an opioid, the brain may need to be rewired, calling for a higher level of the drug and creating a dependance, ultimately leading

North Carolinians are continuing the ﬁghting against the opioid epidemic.

to addiction. Illicit opioids include heroin and synthetic fentanyl, often obtained illegally and a big factor

in drug overdoses. Worldwide, nearly 450,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the years between

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tion. The epidemic causing tidal waves across the United States and the world in general has seen a decrease in recent years, however. The CDC reported that the opioid-involved death rate has decreased by two percent while prescription opioid-involved decreased by 13.5 percent. Heroin related deaths have decreased by four percent and synthetic overdoses have decreased by 10 percent. In attempt to bring an end to the epidemic, the CDC has set an Overdose Data to Action plan which began in 2019. This is a three-year cooperative agreement that focuses on how drug overdoses change and evolve over time. This plan hopes to encourage health care departments to take the appropriate steps to slow down and stop the epidemic. With the agreement and cooperation, funds will be distributed to support state, territorial, county and city health departments in order to possess more accurate and comprehensive overdose data.

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Exercise, diet keys to bone health BY MOSS BRENNAN

One of the most common injuries — especially during the winter — that Dr. Ronald Benfield of Ashe Orthopedics sees are ankle fractures, especially with all the snow and ice the area has seen lately. In the elderly, Benfield said he typically sees hip fractures especially during the winter when people aren’t as active. “Activity is number one on the list to keep people bone healthy,” Benfield said. “Exercise helps build strong bones and I would underline that several times.” When it comes to activity, Benfield said the best kind is one that fights against gravity. Runners, for example, have more bone density than swimmers since their exercise is constantly fighting against gravity, Benfield said. “The pounding stimulates the bone production and thickness,” Benfield said. “Whereas when you’re in a swimming pool, you’re not fighting a lot of gravity so you don’t stimulate the bone forma-

SOURCES OF CALCIUM • Tofu (calcium fortified) • Soy milk (calcium fortified) • Green leafy vegetables (e.g., broccoli, brussels sprouts, mustard greens, kale) • Chinese cabbage or bok choy • Beans/legumes • Tortillas • Sardines/salmon with edible bones • Shrimp • Orange juice (calcium fortified) • Pizza • Bread • Nuts/almonds • Dairy products (e.g., milk, cheese, yogurt) Source: National Institute of Health tion centers with weight like you would if you did a different type of exercise.” The National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases, Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best types of exercises to keep bones healthy. Some of the weight-bearing exercises include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and danc-

PHOTO BY BAILEY LITTLE Ashe Orthopedics, located in Jefferson, provides services including joint replacements, fracture care, steroid injections and consultation to optimize bone health in the area.

ing. Weight resistance exercises include lifting weights. Since COVID-19 has caused a lot of people to stay home more, Benfield recommends working out at home and finding ways to get some distance in as well. Benfield said he has mapped out a course where he lives to get exercise on a regular basis. “You can get tired of doing stuﬀ in the house, you just have to be a little bit more creative,” Benfield said. “(Exercise is) good for your

emotional side as well. It sort of treats the doldrums of being stuck in the house, either from the COVID-19 or for the ice and snow.” If a bone does get injured, Benfield said the best way to get it fixed is a thorough exam. “I’ve been in this business for 35 years, and I still can’t look at an arm and figure out if it’s broken or not,” Benfield said. “I tell patients my X-ray vision is down for that day.”

Benfield also recommends a good diet of calcium to keep bones healthy. For middle-aged people, Benfield said the recommended daily intake of calcium is about 1,500 milligrams. Along with calcium, a good diet of vitamin D is also a way to keep bones healthy. Benfield said between a good diet of vitamin D and calcium along with exercise, bones will have an increased strength and be less susceptible to infection.

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Diet may be key to managing health conditions BY ANDREW COLE

In a world of fast-food, on-the-go living, our daily nutrition may be the furthest thing from our minds. For many, the idea of dieting can be intimidating and meal-prep can come across as a time-consuming chore. However, before you pull into your next drive-thru or reach for the next cheeseburger and fry combo, consider that your diet not only has the ability to affect your energy levels, but can also help manage chronic health conditions in the future. “Your diet is what fuels you throughout your day, so in terms of people eating well and eating balanced I think that they probably feel better and have good energy levels,” said Leslie Roberts, Wellness Manager for the Appalachian Regional Health System. “A healthy diet can also help control and manage a lot of chronic conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It’s essential in trying to help us feel our best, manage our weight, or trying to manage other chronic conditions that we may be living with.” Even though good nutrition and a balanced diet are key to combating chronic health issues and improving our overall well being, one should consider that everyone’s body differs before jumping into a new dietary routine. A good nutritional plan should cater to one’s personal needs. Depending on health issues, a plan that may be good for one individual may not be good for the other. “What aspect of your diet are you trying to focus on? If they are saying I want to improve my diet but their overarching goal might be something related to diet like weight loss, improving their A1C, or better diabetes management, then it opens up the door for a different kind of dialogue

PHOTO BY KAYLA LASURE Chad Wunderlich picks potatoes to buy from Mountain Roots Farm at the Boone winter farmers’ market.

PHOTO BY KAYLA LASURE Elizabeth Herman looks at vegetables from Against the Grain farm at the Boone winter farmers’ market.

vs. something that is as broad as diet along,” said Roberts. The road to improving our nutrition begins with pinpointing what it is we want to change about our diet and overall health. Online resources such as myplate.gov have since replaced the food triangle we studied in our youth, and can help individuals looking to make changes to their diet plan out well rounded meals. “At the end of the day it’s really about trying to build your day of eating around having a base of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, lean proteins, water intake is important, and really trying to watch the amount of sugars and refined carbohydrates, fats and oils that you’re taking in,” said Roberts. “Myplate.gov is a great resource to start out really basic and get some ideas about ways that you can start incorporating healthy eating into your day.” In similar fashion to starting an exercise regimen, it is important to start small when beginning any new nutritional or dietary journey. “With my clients, once

times a week. Though making changes to one’s dietary habits

they determine what it is that’s driving them to me in the first place, I really encourage small changes and not trying to do a complete diet overhaul. Because what you’re trying to do is something that’s sustainable. You want it to be something that you’re going to be able to stick with long term,” said Roberts. “So, I really encourage people to just start with some small changes, and what I’ve seen is that time and time again, is that when we’re able to make those small changes, a lot of times we’ll start to see some big benefits.” For those interested in dietary changes, but have concerns regarding the cost of dietary changes, there are steps one can take to improve their diet while not breaking their bank. Some money-saving tips include eating fruits and veggies that are in season, seeing what is available at your local farmers market and substituting meats with protein rich beans, legumes. Individuals should also consider planning their meals out each day, this will help mitigate the urge to swing through the nearest drive-thru multiple

may seem costly or time consuming, eﬀects of a well-balanced diet and

good nutritional habits may save you more in the longrun health-wise.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

10 - Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Better nutrition for good health BY DEREK HALSEY

Being human beings that are dependent on the nature that surrounds us, tied to the need to replenish our bodies regularly or face certain demise, eating food that is nutritious is an essential element of good health and longevity. And, humans in this modern era sometimes experience the dichotomy of being able to eat various processed foods that taste good and will keep them alive until the next day yet in the long run will shorten their life. That is where nutrition comes into play. Eating healthy food helps your body work better and feel better. It is fascinating to think about the hit-and-miss experiments that early humans must have experienced when trying to figure out which plant life was good to eat and which would kill you or make you ill. Back in the day, mistakes were made, therefore oral traditions and the teaching of the young led us to proper diets. Millennia later, the scientific method has enhanced our knowledge of how certain foods interact with our bodily systems. Food traditions that have arisen around the world for thousands of years from a myriad of diﬀerent cultures have also taught us about various foods and its preparation.

Sometimes, however, history intervenes and that was the case with this past year of 2020 and well into 2021. In our case, a pandemic due to the novel COVID-19 virus hit the world and some of the results of this social upheaval included the shelves in our grocery stores being bare, a run on gardening seeds, plants and products that happened because people under lockdown sought to grow their own food, and anxiety and depression leading to bad habits, including the food we ate. More than a year into this pandemic, however, with new vaccinations on the way and positive attitudes slowly rising up, people are starting to reclaim their lives. A part of that phenomenon is the increase in the desire to live well by eating well and that is why nutrition is as important as ever. There is one person that has consistently encouraged good eating habits and continues to teach High Country citizens about good nutrition and that is Margie Mansure of the NC Cooperative Extension of Watauga County. Mansure’s position as an extension agent in the Family and Consumer Sciences wing of the NC Extension service focuses on Nutrition and Foods. Mansure grew up in Texas but has lived in Boone since 1991. Working with the Watauga

County NC Extension service, she is thrilled that new organic farms have risen up here in the High Country in recent years and that the area’s food-to-table restaurant scene is alive and well. “The NC Extension service has been around for over 100 years, based at North Carolina State University,” said Mansure. “The idea for the organization is to bring different ideas to growers and different people involved in the agriculture and food industry. What I do is to try and encourage people to buy their foods locally and to eat healthy. We have various agents that work with the farmers and give them technical support and let them know how to grow different crops. We have a lot of young farmers around here, just trying it out. We even have an agent who is trained in growing organically.” A lot of what Mansure does in her daily work schedule it to teach High Country residents how to cook healthy using fresh foods. Unfortunately, the pandemic affected the ability of her classes to be held in-person early on, but she is beginning to host them again and to make video classes as well. “A lot of folks have gained some weight as a result of the lockdowns and the closing of restaurants,” said Mansure. “Bad eating

habits can be a way of coping with stress and anxiety. But, the best thing to do is to simply make healthier choices; including keeping unhealthy foods out of your house so you are not tempted to grab things within easy reach if you are bored. Surround yourself with healthy foods.” Sometimes, if not most of the time, the rules for healthy eating are easy and well-known. So, encouragement is the key. “I made a video not long ago with chef instructor Robert Back of the Caldwell Community College about how to make a heart healthy chicken pot pie,” said Mansure. “For instance, we used filo pastry instead of rich pastry, and made it using the mediterranean diet as our guide. We encourage smaller portions of meat and more healthy plants in our recipes. Portion control is also the key, whether it is used when you cook or when you actually eat. Putting smaller portions of meats in stir fried dishes, for instance, can help as well as you don’t realize you are eating a smaller portion. We also encourage you to use high protein beans such as pinto beans, black beans and garbanzo beans as your protein source in a number of delicious meals.” One thing that got shut down by the pandemic was Mansure’s

Diabetes: Prevention, maintenance and support BY BAILEY LITTLE

In order to take charge of their health and improve their lifestyle, many people take it upon themselves to monitor and limit their sugar intake. However, for those that suﬀer from diabetes, this often becomes a matter of life and death. As presented in data by the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. According to information in North Carolina’s Guide to Diabetes Prevention and Management for 2020, presented by the NC Diabetes Advisory Council, nearly

one-half of North Carolinians have diabetes. The annual healthcare cost of diabetes in North Carolina is estimated to surpass $17 billion by 2025, according to information provided by the NCDAC. Appalachian Regional Healthcare provides a 3-month Moving Forward program for those recently diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance. The program includes education about the patient’s condition, one-on-one assessments with their Certified Diabetes Educator, group educational classes and support and coordination with

medical providers. Additional information about this program can be found at www.apprhs.org/moving-forward-with-diabetes/. Diabetes Free NC provides information about prediabetes, testimonials from diabetes patients of all ages and invites people to join their program. As defined by the CDC, prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. According to information provided by Mayo Clinic, classic signs and symptoms that suggest

the move from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, excess hunger, fatigue and blurred vision. Mayo Clinic and other health professionals urge those who are concerned about diabetes or notice any type 2 diabetes signs or symptoms to see their healthcare provider. At the time of the appointment, patients should ask their doctor about blood sugar screening if they are at risk for diabetes. The program oﬀered by Diabetes Free NC has free and low-cost options available and is described as convenient, guided and powerful.

in-school healthy eating classes for students that she hosted in the area’s educational institutions. Hopefully, those important classes will return with the next school year. Mansure also realizes that when the pandemic ebbs and restaurants begin open at full capacity again, many folks will celebrate by going out to eat in high numbers. “Well, the first time you go out to a restaurant, there is nothing wrong with ordering whatever you want to eat, just to celebrate,” said Mansure. “After that, go to places that don’t serve such large portions, or if you do, be prepared ahead of time to share your meal with somebody or go ahead and ask for a to-go box so you can have a great lunch tomorrow. Try to ignore the notion of, ‘It tastes so good, I might as well eat all of it now.’ Overall, look for healthier choices on the menu when possible.’ As for looking into which restaurants participate in the local farm-to-table scene, check out the website highcountrygrown.org. Mansure also suggests getting recipes from a website devoted to the mediterranean diet called medinsteadofmeds.com. You can also watch Mansure’s cooking videos at watauga.ces.ncsu.edu/ cooking-with-margie/.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Mountain Times Publications -

Fighting cancer through prevention BY LUKE BARBER

Thanks to modern advances in medical technology and healthy lifestyle trends, death rates from cancer have dropped by 26 percent during the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Yet in Watauga County, one in five deaths are cancer-related, as recorded by AppHealthCare’s 2017 Community Health Report, which stresses the importance of knowing what causes cancer and what one can do to prevent it. The CDC reports that the downward trend in cancer deaths is related to three significant factors: the reduction in cigarette smokers, which is down from 42 percent of adults in 1964 to 14 percent of adults in 2018, the promotion of healthy diets and lifestyles to reduce obesity and the early detection of cancer by cancer screenings. Deborah M. Shook, who is the nursing director of Oncology at the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center in Watauga County, says that these critical preventative efforts, such as avoiding using tobacco products, following a healthy lifestyle, avoiding sun exposure and getting routine cancer screenings, can keep one cancer-free later in life. “There are several preventative measures that can be taken to help decrease the chance of developing cancer. One of the primary preventive measures is don’t use tobacco. In addition to lung cancer, smoking is linked with other types of cancers including, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreatic, bladder, cervical and kidney cancer. People who use chewing tobacco are at risk for cancer of the mouth and pancreas. Even if you don’t smoke but are frequently around people who do, the exposure to secondhand smoke may increase risk for lung cancer,” Shook said. Shook recommends that people who need help quitting can ask their doctor

PHOTO BY KAYLA LASURE Amy Freeman, Debbie Shook and Anna Sobol work at the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center in Boone.

about certain products designed to help people quit smoking, as well as what other strategies there are. Additionally, they can contact QuitlineNC, which is North Carolina’s telephone service that helps people quitting smoking and using tobacco, at (800) 784-8669. In addition to quitting tobacco use, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce one’s risk for cancer, although healthy choices do not necessarily guarantee caner prevention. The same decisions that Shook says can help reduce one’s risk for cancer can also help minimize the risk for heart attack and stroke. The choose include eating plant of fruits and vegetables, avoiding obesity, limiting processed meats, avoiding alcohol or only drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight while being physically active. While these measures are beneficial to anyone looking to live a long, happy and productive life, cancer can develop in an individual for various reasons. One reason is environmental, as is the case with skin cancer, which is among one of the most common kinds of cancer. To reduce the risk for skin caner, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, avoid tanning beds and sunlamps and be sure to cover the skin at

times of the day when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Another reason for the development of cancer is genetic, as Shook explains. “Cancer starts when a normal cell undergoes damage to its genetic material. Some cancers are caused by

inherited genetic mutations but the vast majority of cancers are caused by acquired genetic damage. Inherited cancers tend to cause cancer in younger people. Cancer tends to occur in older people because the longer you live the more time you have

to accumulate cancer causing damage. Certain cancers occur more commonly in children and young people like certain leukemias. Others occur almost exclusively in older people like myelodysplastic syndrome. In many cancers the incidence of occurrence increases with age but can occur in any age,” Shook said. Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases, in which the body’s cells begin to divide abnormally and can spread to surrounding tissue, causing abnormal growths or tumors. If left untreated, the mutated cells can interfere with the body’s functions and potentially lead to death. There are more than 100 types of cancers. Common types include breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer, bladder cancer, melanoma of the skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer,

kidney and renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, endometrial cancer and pancreatic cancer, among others. Preventable cancers make up 42 percent of cancer cases and 45 percent of cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Shook says that detecting cancer early in the process is critical. “Cancer screenings are very important to help detect cancer before a person has any symptoms. Screening tests are available for several types of cancer including breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal (colon) cancers. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk. People should talk with their physician about the type of screenings that are right for them based on their cancer risk and age,” Shook said. For more tips on how to reduce the chance of developing cancer, visit cancer.org.

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HEALTHY LIFETIMES

12 - Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Why you still need to keep an eye on the ﬂu BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

In the year of 2020, the world was taken by surprise when the COVID-19 pandemic was introduced, spreading fast and wide. The main virus to be aware of and take precautions against was no longer the flu. However, the influenza virus has not disappeared, and taking measures to protect yourself is essential in today’s society. The flu is defined as a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly to COVID-19, the flu can cause mild to severe illness, affected individuals differently. However, the flu has a shorter incubation period and is caused by different viruses. Since there are many similarities between the two viruses, it is important to get tested for both so you can take the correct steps in fighting it. In North Carolina, there have been five flu-related

FILE PHOTO This year, it is more important than ever to get a ﬂu shot to help reduce the strain on the healthcare system.

deaths since September 2020. This is unusually low for flu season, but it doesn’t come without precautions. Since March of 2020, people have been going out less, social distancing themselves from others and quarantining to protect themselves from getting sick.

What happens if the world goes back to past practices? Cases will spike in both COVID and the flu. The CDC predicts that flu cases will rise in the upcoming months as things begin to reopen and people become more comfortable with safety and vaccinations.

The NCDHHS and CDC both highly recommend getting the yearly flu vaccine, especially in the midst of the current pandemic. “Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu,” says the

CDC on their website. “A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.” Many who are at risk of infection from COVID-19 are the same people most at risk for the flu. During the fall and winter months, peaking in December and February, the flu is most adamant. Though this flu season has seen unusually low cases, the viruses circulating are still enough for transmissions. The vaccines for this flu season have been updated to match the viruses expected to circulate throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Though this vaccine will not protect against the novel coronavirus, it can still place safety measures for your immune system. To find a flu vaccine near you, visit vaccinefinder.org. For more information on the flu in North Carolina, visit

FLU FACTS The flu can cause mild to severe complications. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and body aches and more. Here are some facts about the flu to help in future prevention. • The flu spreads through tiny droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk • On average, 8 percent of the U.S. population gets infected with the flu • Children and those ages 65 and older are most at risk of getting the flu virus • After being exposed, symptoms of the flu begin to occur about 2 days after • The easiest way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine every year

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Mountain Times Publications -

Limiting sun exposure helps avoid skin cancer 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

FILE PHOTO 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.

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 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.” 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.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

14 - Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

BE FAST when responding to a stroke BY KAYLA LASURE

Recognizing the warning signs of a stroke and calling 911 immediately can make the diﬀerence between a strong recovery and disability or even death, according to the American Stroke Association. Strokes are the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, the organization stated. The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System explains that a stroke 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 during a stroke. Abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost — such as speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is aﬀected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. Watauga Medical Center emergency room department nurse Gina Howell, RN, advised that those experiencing stroke symptoms should not drive themselves to the hospital, nor should a loved one drive someone exhibiting signs. They should call 911 so an ambulance can get the patient to a hospital quickly. Watauga Medical Center is certified by The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. Howell said this means the hospital is capable of treating stroke patients with medications such as Alteplase, a drug given to patients who are having an ischemic stroke

BE FAST Appalachian Regional Healthcare System uses the acronym BE FAST to recognize the signs of stroke: Balance: Sudden loss of balance and coordination Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing, or blurred vision in one or both eyes Face: One side of the face droops or is numb Arm: Sudden weakness or numbness of any arm or leg Speech: Sudden Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech Time: Call 911 immediately, and note the time symptoms started and present within a certain time frame. Alteplase can be used to treat a blood clot that could be causing a stroke. However, WMC can only administer the drug within four hours of the patient experience stroke-like symptoms. Howell said administering the drug anytime after four hours would present risks of additional bleeding or death. This is why many medical professionals use the acronym BE FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time). These are all symptoms and signs to monitor if you or someone you know may be having a stroke. Common stroke symptoms are facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden loss in coordination. “Strokes act fast,” Howell said. “If you see people exhibiting these kinds of symptoms, get them help and get it fast. The quicker that they get to the hospital, the quicker we can help them try to get back to

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Strokes are the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to American Stroke Association — a division of the American Heart Association.

a normal life.” The American Stroke Association stated that Ischemic Strokes (clots) occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed. These account for 87 percent of all strokes. Hemorrhagic Strokes (bleeds) occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. The two types of weakened blood vessels that usually cause hemorrhagic stroke are aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. The American Stroke Association stated that the most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is uncontrolled high blood pressure. TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attack) are often called “mini strokes,” and are caused by a serious temporary clot, according to the American

Stroke Association. Howell said WMC treats roughly 150 ischemic patients a year, about 25 to 30 patients a year with a hemorrhagic stroke and 30 to 60 patients with a TIA. Most patients are 62 and older, she said. According to the American Stroke Association, up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by not smoking, making healthy food choices, getting enough physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and treating conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. While some stroke risk factors are within ones control — such as not smoking and eating healthy — other factors are not so easily controlled. These elements include age, race, family history, gender

and prior stroke history. The American Stroke Association stated that the eﬀects of a stroke depend on several factors, including the location of the obstruction and how much brain tissue is aﬀected. There can be physical challenges along with communication, emotional and behavioral hurdles. “It’s very frustrating, especially for people who have always be independent,” Howell said. “Now maybe they can’t unbutton their shirt or something like that. That’s when rehab comes in.” The American Stroke Association stated that rehabilitation and support a survivor receives can greatly influence health outcomes and recovery. Appropriate, quality rehabilitation with a strong team specially trained to meet a patient’s needs improves the chances for the best possible recovery. Stroke survivors can receive rehabilitation services via an inpatient rehabilitation facility, a skilled nursing facility, long-term acute care facility, a nursing home, an outpatient clinic or a home health agency. The organization recommended that stroke survivors who are able to participate in three hours of therapy five days a week and who are medically stable should receive care from an inpatient rehabilitation facility. For more information about stroke services at Appalachian Regional Healthcare system, visit apprhs.org/stroke. More information about strokes from the American Stroke Association can be found at www.stroke.org.

Dental health extends beyond the gums BY IAN TAYLOR

It may be easy to think that teeth are an isolated part of the body that have no bearing on the rest of the body’s health, but that is not the case. Proper dental hygiene is just as important as eating right, exercising and getting proper nutrients, according to the Mayo Clinic. Not only can your teeth make an impact on the rest of the body, the rest of the body can have an impact on the teeth. Good oral hygiene is not just about the teeth though; keeping gums and the rest of the mouth healthy are also paramount to good overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can contrib-

ute to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth complications and pneumonia. This is all due to bacteria that is normally swept away by good hygiene practices. Diabetes can be worsened by poor oral health, while also making poor oral health harder. According to the Mayo Clinic, research shows people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling blood sugar levels. At the same time, diabetes reducing the body’s resistance to infection puts the gums at risk. Other diseases that can have a negative impact on oral health include HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. The American Dental Association pro-

vides recommendations for dentists to give to their patients about home oral health. General recommendations to all patients are to brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth daily, eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks and to see a dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease. The ADA also recommends for patients with an increased risk of gum disease to consider using mouth washes or toothpastes with proven antimicrobial activity. At the same time, lifestyle choices can also aﬀect oral health. The ADA recommends that patients drink fluoridated water, stop tobacco use and avoid oral piercings.

FILE PHOTO Joel W. Yates Jr. D.D.S. and his practice win the awards for Best Dentist and Best Orthodontist at the 2020 Ashe County Best of the Best awards.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Mountain Times Publications -

You are not alone Mental health resources available in times of need BY IAN TAYLOR

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness and 17 percent of youths experience a mental health disorder. The message from NAMI that goes along with the statistics is simple, “You Are Not Alone.” To say mental health is important can be an understatement, according to Appalachian State University Counseling Center Director Christopher Hogan. “It’s so important because it permeates pretty much every aspect of our lives,” Hogan said.

WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS? According to NAMI, which was founded in 1979 and is now the nation’s leading voice on mental health, a mental illness can be defined as a “condition that aﬀects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood.” Conditions include anxiety disorders, certain developmental disorders such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, schizoaﬀective disorder and schizophrenia. NAMI notes that most mental health illnesses are not the result of one event, with research suggesting multiple, linking causes such as genetic, environment and lifestyle influences.

IDENTIFYING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NAMI has a list of

PHOTO BY IAN TAYLOR The Appalachian State University counseling center is just one of many locations where people can receive help for mental health issues.

common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents on its website. Identifiable symptoms include: excessive worrying or fear, feeling excessively sad or low, confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning, extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria, prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger, avoiding friends and social activities, diﬃculties understanding or relating to other people, changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy and changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite. According to NAMI, various communities and backgrounds might view seeing, hearing or believing things that are are not real diﬀerently based on their beliefs and experiences. Some people within these communities and cultures may not interpret hearing voices as unusual, however NAMI notes it as a sign of a mental health issue. The list goes on as potential mental health issues can manifest them-

selves in many diﬀerent ways. Hogan said that common ways to take care of your mental health are to get regular sleep, regular meals, connecting socially and activity. He noted that even if there’s no sign of a mental health issue, people should still be doing those things regularly, but if something is getting in the way, there is a problem. “We’re a ‘doing’ culture and it can be easy to get busy and forget to do the things someone enjoys doing,” Hogan said. “When we do these things and make these changes, but are still ‘stuck,’ that would be the time to seek professional help.”

GETTING HELP Treatment for mental health issues can vary as much as the issue and no matter what the mental health issue is, a licensed professional is available who can help. A local option is Daymark Recover Services, located at 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite B in Boone. Daymark oﬀers help with numerous mental health and other issues.

Daymark also oﬀers a 24/7 crisis line at (877) 4922785. More information about Daymark’s Watauga center can be found on their website at www. daymarkrecovery.org/locations/watauga-center. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many have turned to online therapists, with websites such as www. betterhelp.com providing counseling through means that are not in-person. To find local help and set up an appointment with a therapist in your area, www.psychologytoday.com can point you in the right direction. The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at (800) 950-6264. If any immediate danger is present, NAMI recommends calling 911 and speaking to police if necessary. The organization added that notifying the operator of the psychiatric emergency is important, as they can put you in touch with oﬃcers who are trained in crisis prevention or to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The National Suicide

Prevention Lifeline, (800) 273-8255, is available around the clock. The lifeline is not only for those

who are having suicidal thoughts, but also those who know someone who is.

Get Health Insurance or a Medicare Supplement

Alan Cockerham with Miller Insurance and over 29 years experience offers a full line of Life, Health, Medicare Supplements. Different companies to meet different needs. Medicare Supplements can be applied for at any time of year. There are changes that may be important to you. Please call 336-846-3200 for a one-on-one appointment or email alan@millerinsurance.org downtown West Jefferson.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Live to be 100, see like you’re 20 BY GRAYSTONE EYE

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, as 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. Our 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 eye’s 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: a 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, our schedulers will make arrangements for your procedure at the Graystone Eye Surgery Center or hospital and will provide you with 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 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

Eyes on the prize Maintaining proper eye health a window to overall wellness BY JAMIE SHELL

Healthy eyes are a trait often taken for granted by those with good vision, but for many individuals, especially as they age, detrimental vision issues can be a matter not of “if,” but “when.” Most of us at one point or another will have some type of age-related eye disease or form of vision impairment. As we get older, there are higher risks for developing a number of eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, low vision and dry eye. According to osteopathic physician and ophthalmologist Dr. Sara Creekmore with Western Carolina Eye Associates, a number of symptoms bring patients with concerns in to visit. “Blurry vision, headaches, floaters, and eye irritation are the most

PHOTO SUBMITTED Dr. Sara Creekmore and her fellow professionals at Western Carolina Eye Associates have ofﬁce in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.

common concerns bringing people to the eye doctor,” Creekmore explains. “Routine eye exams are key to detecting hereditary eye conditions,

and in particular the silent disease of glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to blindness if undetected and untreated, and it is usually symptom-free until permanent vision loss occurs. The damage is so gradual, that the brain compensates for it until it is in the severe stage, at which vision loss is permanent.” To prevent deteriorating conditions to the eye, professionals recommend scheduling a regular eye exam where trouble can be detected prior to its escalation with a variety of techniques depending on the patient’s specific needs. “People may not realize that the eyes are a window into one’s general health. It is the only place in the body where we can visualize blood vessels and nerves during our routine exam. SEE EYES ON PAGE 17

there is no discomfort, and you will be awake through the entire procedure. This is an outpatient procedure; 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. 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!

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR EYE HEALTH Dr. Sara Creekmore recommends a number of steps that individuals can take to maintain good overall eye health over the course of time. Among the recommendations are: • Avoid smoking and tobacco. • Wear eye protection, especially when mowing or doing yard work or mechanical work such as grinding, but also for play such as nerf or paintball. It is good to have safety glasses on hand for these common tasks. “I can’t tell you how many injuries I see every year that are totally preventable. Losing an eye this way is devastating to an individual,” Creekmore states. • Be intentional about drinking water and substituting water for sodas. • Eat healthy by avoiding prepared foods and shopping from the outside edge of the grocery store. • Wear sunscreen daily and sunglasses with UV protection, as well as wide brimmed hats. The skin around the eyes can develop sun damage and skin cancer so take precautions. • Avoid looking at the sun directly and other sources of UV light, such as when welding. • Whether skiing, hiking, fishing, or engaging in motor sports, consider how to protect your eyes from the sun, as well as unexpected debris or branches. • Don’t skip routine exams with your family doctor. Ultimately what’s good for your overall health is good for your eyes. • Manage stress. Headaches are a common manifestation of stress, but stress can also be a trigger for eye conditions like central serous chorioretinopathy. “I recommend finding healthy ways to manage stress like exercise, meditation, and hobbies,” Creekmore adds. “There really is something for everybody, even if your scope of exercise needs to be restricted. I encourage patients to find something that makes life more fun and lifts their spirits.”

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

EYES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Blood vessels in the eye can show signs of atherosclerosis, inflammation as in vasculitis, and emboli. As far as cancer, the eye is a site of metastatic disease. The eye can also be a primary site for tumors including melanoma. Having eye screenings regularly can help detect these issues early and can potentially be life or sight saving. As a general rule, it is good to be aware of changes in vision and have an exam. Oftentimes we are addressing a need for glasses or later in life cataract surgery, but sometimes eye symptoms are a clue that something more pressing is going on,” Creekmore notes. “Diabetes is one example. A few other conditions include macular degeneration, which aﬀects the quality of central vision and may cause a blurry or blacked out quality to the center part of the vision, retinal tears or detachments can cause vision loss in part or all of the peripheral vision and may begin with symptoms of new floaters, flashes of light, and shadows in the vision. These are typically painless changes so sometimes they are ignored, but retinal problems like these respond best when they are

PHOTO COURTESY REED SAXON Seven-year-old Megan Garvin waits for a pre-operative exam before undergoing intraocular lens implant eye surgery.

discovered immediately. Failure to treat can cause permanent vision loss.” To diagnose and treat patients’ eye conditions, eye professionals use a variety of tests and procedures to determine what ails someone and ways to best treat their particular needs. “We are able to examine the eye better than any other organ in the body because we can look inside this organ and see whether the parts look healthy or not. To do this, we use a combination of hand held lenses, prisms and magnification to examine a tiny spherical

organ inside and out,” Creekmore says. “Sometimes changes in the eye are so small, that our routine microscopic exam is inconclusive. In these cases where we suspect certain diagnoses but cannot see them, we have some very high tech non-invasive imaging and functional testing to assist the process. Common testing includes OCT imagining, a painless study that provides the equivalent of looking at histology slides of living tissue. By examining the layers of the retinal tissue and other eye structures in real time, we can detect pathologic changes and that helps direct

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our treatment plan.” Creekmore also recommends that exams and visits to the eye doctor aren’t only for adults, as children also have susceptibility to some eye diseases or ailments that should not go unchecked. “It is important for kids to be screened for childhood conditions like amblyopia and strabismus because these eye conditions can cause failure of proper development and lead to permanent vision loss if untreated,” Creekmore explains. “Screening is usually done in part by pediatricians at a child’s wellness check, but if there is a family history of lazy eye or if a child seems to have trouble seeing, have crossed or turning eyes or other eye symptoms, an eye doctor can evaluate these concerns in more depth. Sometimes kids need ongoing treatment with a combination of glasses, patching therapy and sometimes surgery to maximize their visual potential. I have patients who didn’t get treated for these conditions and therefore have limited sight in one or both eyes. With greater awareness we can help our kids get their best vision by evaluating and treating early.” One often-overlooked factor in maintaining proper eye health is a good night’s sleep, which, as with

the body, provides the energy and necessary rejuvenation to help all parts of the body to maintain its maximum functionality. “Sleep is that weird thing we all need to do to function well,” Creekmore states. “Just imagine a car that isn’t firing on all cylinders. When you are exhausted, coordination becomes impaired, including the eyes. It may be harder to focus on reading or driving because the eyes are struggling to stay aligned and open. Lack of sleep can also make eyes feel dry and cause blurred vision.” Dr. Creekmore, along with associate Dr. Daniel Krontz with WCEA, perform advanced small incision and refractive cataract surgery and eyelid surgery at Cannon Memorial Hospital, as well as Watauga Medical Center and Ashe Memorial Hospital, operating up to three days a week and performing hundreds of surgeries locally each year for residents of all three High Country area counties. Creekmore and WCEA oﬀers same-day appointments and walk-ins for pressing or more urgent eye needs. Residents may reach the center by calling the following locations: (828) 8987770 (Banner Elk), (828) 264-0042 (Boone) and (336) 246-3937, or find them online by clicking to www.wceapa.com.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR HEARING IS CRITICAL TO YOUR OVERALL HEALTH? Hearing loss affects more than 48 million Americans, according to several major studies, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, compared to those with normal hearing. Hearing loss develops slowly. Our brain’s own ability to compensate and adjust to gradual hearing changes makes hearing loss difficult to recognize. That’s why it is extremely important to have annual hearing evaluations. Call us today schedule your FREE hearing screen and take the first steps towards a healthy life! Call Us Today - 1-800-581-5082 855.966.4040 | Visit Us At - NCBELTONE.COM DR. TRINA BEDSAUL

Winston-Salem • King • Mt. • Yadkinville • Boone • West Linville ••SpartaWilkesboro Sparta • WikesboroAsheville Asheville• •Marion Marion Winston-Salem• •Elkin Elkin• •Kernersville Kernersville • King • MtAiry Airy• •Mocksville Mocksville • Yadkinville • Boone WestJefferson Jefferson•Linville

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

18 - Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Hearing loss: What is best for you? BY KAYLA LASURE

The most common causes of hearing loss in the patients coming to Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat typically result from age, ear infections, inherited traits, trauma to the ear or are noise induced, according to Mary Markovich. Markovich serves as the director of audiology at Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat, and has practiced in the field for 12 years. While many of the agency’s patients are older in age, the practice also sees pediatric populations for hearing loss. The agency stated that hearing loss is the third most commonly reported physical condition, following arthritis and heart disease. About two to three out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears – 90 percent of which are born to hearing parents. According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults aged 20-69, with the greatest amount of hearing loss in the 60 to 69 age group. When asked what age do most people notice that they’re developing hearing loss, Markovich said it can range from 50 years old on up depending on the lifestyle that they patient has led. She said the majority of her agency’s patients that first notice hearing loss are men as they are typically in occupational or recreational activities that are more noise induced. When seeing adolescent patients who listen to music through earbuds, Markovich said Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat asks them to be aware of how loud their music is in their ears and how long they’re wearing the earbuds. She advises listening to music through speakers rather than with earbuds in the ears. She also cautions parents that if they can hear the music coming out of the earbuds, that means it’s too loud and the sound level should be turned down. Markovich advised that anyone experiencing ear symptoms — such as ringing of the ears,

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE RIDGE EAR, NOSE AND THROAT A hearing test — or an audiology evaluation — can be conducted to help patients learn to extent of their hearing loss.

dizziness, ear pain or pressure — should call their oﬃce to have a hearing test. Research has shown that prolonged hearing loss can lead to early on set of dementia as people withdraw from their normal daily activities and their quality of life decreases, Markovich said. It takes a patient an average of seven years to seek treatment for hearing loss, according to Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat. “We’re seeing that patients who wait beyond seven to 10 years once they know they have hearing loss, once they do get hearing aids that they’re not as likely to experience the benefit of the hearing aids because their brain has lost some of its ability to process its speech clearly,” Markovich said. NIDCD provides a quiz for patients between the ages of 18 to 64 to help them determine whether or not it would be beneficial for them to participate in a hearing test. Questions include whether the participant feels frustrated when talking to family members because of a diﬃculty hearing them, or if they have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others. To take the quiz, visit

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/doyou-need-hearing-test. If a patient is found to have hearing loss and the use of a hearing aid would improve their quality of life, Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat can help a patient find what’s best for them. Markovich said she tries to fit her patients with rechargeable hearing aids, as the majority are older and dexterity can be an issue in handling small batteries. Many hearing aid types are Bluetooth compatible these days, and can connect to phones with Bluetooth capabilities for phone calls or listening to music or audio books. When adjusting to the use of hearing aids, Markovich said patients become really aware of their surroundings. They be start to hear sounds they haven’t heard in a long time, and she said patients are encouraged to wear them as much as they can to become used to the sounds. “If you think about a hearing individual, they hear all of these sounds that are in their environment like fan noises, walking on a creaky wood floor, motor running, refrigerator noises,” Markovich said. “These are all sounds that hearing individu-

als hear on a daily basis. Since they hear it all the time, their brain naturally tunes it out. For patients wearing hearing aids for the first time, it can be a lot of information coming through that their brain needs to hear to eventually tune it out.” NIDCD suggests that patients who are becoming familiar with a hearing aid should learn to adjust the aid’s volume and to program it for sounds that are too loud or too soft. The organization stated that patients should work with an audiologist until comfortable and satisfied with a hearing aid. Markovich said many insurance companies — like Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare — are providing some type of hearing aid benefits that Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat encourages community members to look into. “We’re here to help people hear better, live better and breath better,” Markovich said. “We’re here to improve the quality of life for our patients here in the community.” More information about Blue Ridge Ear, Nose and Throat and hearing aid options can be found at blueridge-ent.com.

HEARING LOSS TREATMENTS, DEVICES There are a number of devices and aids that can improve hearing loss. The following information is from the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: • Hearing aids: electronic instruments worn in or behind the ear. They make sounds louder. Things sound different when wearing a hearing aid, but an audiologist or hearing aid specialist can help with adjustment. To ﬁnd the hearing aid that works best, it may be beneﬁcial to try more than one. Ask an audiologist or hearing specialist if a trial period could be possible with a few different hearing aids. • Cochlear implants: 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 the hearing loss is severe, a doctor may recommend a cochlear implant in one ear or both. • Assistive listening devices: these include telephone and cell phone amplifying devices, smart phone or tablet “apps,” and closed circuit systems (induction coil loops) in places of worship, theaters and auditoriums. • Lip reading or speech reading: an option that can help people with hearing problems follow conversational speech. People who use this method pay close attention to others when they talk by watching how the speaker’s mouth and body move.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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Staying in touch The importance of keeping seniors in mind during the pandemic BY ANDREW COLE

Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, being social has become a challenge for many. Most public events have made the switch to virtual, schools have switched to online and our face-to-face contact with our peers has become limited. Remembering to keep in touch with our elderly loved ones during these challenging times, however, may play a key factor in their overall well being. “Socialization is huge,” said Billie Joe Lister, Director of the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center. “Our socialization is something, as retiring or aging adults, we tend to neglect, and that has been so strongly correlated with health outcomes. Socialization is something that is easy to overlook because it doesn’t seem like it would be that important, but it is extremely important.” To encourage social distancing, many in-person events have been replaced by virtual events which take place on platforms such as Zoom and Facebook Live. As a

result, seniors unfamiliar with the new technology may be left out of their social circles. To avoid this type of isolation, families with elderly loved ones should remember to keep in touch regularly, either by phone or perhaps by scheduling a time to see each other from a distance. “We recognize that all of our seniors are going to be comfortable with handling technology, but almost all of them have access to telephones and we encourage them to call the senior center, we encourage them to call their friends, their neighbors and their families,” said Lister. “Taking walks outside and even just saying hello from a distance to your neighbor, it can mean a whole lot.” Many organizations are currently oﬀering programs for seniors that can help combat isolation. For example, seniors in need of someone to talk to can call the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry’s isolation hotline at (866) 578-4673. The organization’s “One Hope” program matches volunteers with seniors 65 and up with someone to chat with. Other institutions such as the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center oﬀers programs such as a drive-thru meal program, phone calls, virtual classes for exercise, crafts, cooking and a book club. For more information about these programs call Lois E. Harrill

MORE INFORMATION List of Local Senior Centers: Robert E. Harrill Senior Center: (828) 265- 8090 Ashe Services for Aging: (336) 246-2461 Avery County Senior Center: (828) 773-8820 Senior Center at (828) 265-8090. “Unfortunately, we can’t give them the touch that they need, but we can certainly oﬀer a conversation, well wishes, and reminders about health related things,” said Lister. “Just give them somewhere to go that’s safe and comfortable. In a time when they are so afraid to go in public, finding that safe outlet is very important as a way to have some connection to other people.” Other socially distant activities families with seniors should consider is taking advantage of the region’s local parks and greenways. Getting your loved ones outside for a walk or even a picnic in the park is a great way for them to stay active, while also experiencing human interaction at a safe distance. Seniors or their families looking for safe, socially distant opportunities to engage in should reach out to their local senior center or recreational facilities for a list of events or programs.

FILE PHOTO Regional resources such as the Middle Fork Greenway are perfect for seniors looking to get outside during the pandemic while also maintaining their social distance.

Learning the subtleties of dementia and Alzheimer’s The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” are often used interchangeably. However, the Alzheimer’s Association notes it is important to understand the subtle distinctions that make dementias unique.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA?

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia is a general term that refers to a decline in mental ability that’s severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. There are many types of dementia, which describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. Types of dementias can include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, among others.

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE? Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease caused by complex changes in the brain after its cells have been damaged. The

People with dementia may struggle with short-term memory and everyday tasks like paying bills, cooking for themselves and remembering appointments.

Alzheimer’s Association notes that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Symptoms tend to gradually worsen over time.

Most types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, aﬀect memory and thinking skills. However, depending on the dementia classification, they manifest themselves in diﬀerent ways. Before doctors can diagnose a type of dementia, they must see that at least two of the following core mental functions are significantly impaired: • Memory • Communication and language • Ability to focus and pay attention • Reasoning and judgment • Visual perception People with dementia may struggle with short-term memory and everyday tasks like paying bills, cooking for themselves and remembering appointments. Alzheimer’s disease in particular causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Alzheimer’s symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for normal signs of aging. However, the Alzheimer’s Association

urges people who notice any of these 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease to report them to their physicians immediately. • Memory loss that disrupts daily life • Challenges in planning or solving problems • Diﬃculty completing familiar tasks • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships • New problems with words in speaking or writing • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps • Decreased or poor judgment • Withdrawal from work or social activities • Changes in mood or personality Any changes in memory, communication and cognition should be addressed by a professional. There are subtle distinctions between dementias, and getting a diagnosis right early on can help doctors design an effective treatment plan. Learn more at www. alz.org.

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Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Hematology and Oncology Clinic in North Wilkesboro When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the decisions you make about your cancer care or that of a loved one will be some of the most important decisions you will ever make. The team at Wake Forest Baptist’s Hematology and Oncology Clinic in North Wilkesboro is here to help you understand the cancer diagnosis and the treatment options available.

home but those in rural locations may not have that option. Hematology and Oncology-Wilkes is proud to provide expert cancer care locally.

CARE CONNECTED TO AN NCI-DESIGNATED CANCER CENTER

A TEAM APPROACH With nearly 40 years of cancer care experience, James Atkins, medical oncologist at Hematology and Oncology-Wilkes, takes a patient-centric approach to care and customizes each patient’s treatment plan to achieve the best outcome for the individual. The Wilkes medical oncology team oﬀers access to the latest cancer therapies and clinical trials, cancer screenings, on-site chemotherapy, PET imaging, lab and pharmacy services. The cancer team in Wilkes also works closely with other Wake Forest Baptist cancer specialists in radiation, gynecologic and surgical oncology to ensure patients have broad access to innovative treat-

935 State Farm Road Boone, NC 828.262.3886

PHOTO SUBMITTED With nearly 40 years of cancer care experience, James Atkins, medical oncologist at Hematology and Oncology-Wilkes, takes a patient-centric approach to care and customizes each patient’s treatment plan to achieve the best outcome for the individual.

ments and techniques.

A NEED FOR CANCER CARE IN NORTH WILKESBORO Hematology and Oncology-Wilkes opened in August 2020, giving patients in North Wilkesboro and the surrounding communities

108 Doctors Drive Boone, NC 828.406.1925

access to world-class cancer care. Wake Forest Baptist recognizes the importance of oﬀering access to convenient, high-quality cancer care so more patients can receive care closer to home. On average, 85 percent of those diagnosed with cancer will seek care close to their

The Wilkes cancer program is part of the Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) network. The CCC is the only center designated by the National Cancer Institute in the Triad and western North Carolina, and is one of only 51 in the country. This designation recognizes deep expertise in patient care, research and clinical trials. As an academic medical center, Wake Forest Baptist often provides patients earlier access to the latest cancer treatments. Two notable areas of advancement are Precision Medicine and clinical trials. Precision Medicine is changing the landscape of cancer treatment, allowing more precise and targeted therapies for patients meeting certain criteria. Using the latest DNA sequencing technology, an experienced team of oncologists and geneticists can identify the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor

and tailor treatment to specific cancer mutations with the goal of providing the best individualized cancer therapy for each patient. Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center conducts hundreds of research studies each year in an eﬀort to improve health. Clinical trials represent the cutting edge of medicine and are the best way for researchers to find new ways to detect, slow, treat and prevent cancer. A clinical trial today could be the standard of care in the future. Dr. Atkins has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program with the Harry Hynes Award for his clinical trial work and community research in rural areas. Dr. Atkins will continue this work and help expand clinical trial access to those in Wilkes and surrounding counties through this new clinic. Being treated at Hematology and Oncology-Wilkes means you have access to a team of physicians, nurses and staﬀ who take pride in treating their patients with compassion while working to achieve the best outcome for each patient.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

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Get good sleep for good health BY DEREK HALSEY

On Feb. 7, an amazing sports event happened when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs played in Super Bowl 55. By the time the end-game whistle was blown, the Buccaneers had beaten the Chiefs by 31 to 9. While all Super Bowls represent a bit of sports history, many of the stories that came out of this game in particular centered on Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Not only had Brady just won his record-breaking 7th Super Bowl, he also set the record for the oldest player to ever take the field in the season-ending competition with his age of 43. Yes, Brady’s health regimen does consist of massive, specialized exercise and healthy eating habits as he fights the onslaught of age. But, another important component of his health routine involves a lot of sleep. According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that focused on the sleeping habits of Brady, the football hero seems to

view sleep as a form is recuperative medicine. That is backed up by the book, “The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance,” which Brady wrote with the help of his long-time personal trainer Alex Guerrero. According to the Chronicle, Brady is in bed by 8:30 pm and is up by 5:30 pm every night. And, Brady takes the time to stick to the oft-suggested act of turning oﬀ all digital communication a half hour before his head hits the pillow. Consistency with this schedule is as important as the hours kept in a state of snooze. Brady has been sticking to his regimen for many years now. When it comes to the rest of us, however, oh what a diﬀerence a year makes. Stress is harmful to good sleep. And, about a year ago, our article on sleep health concentrated on many of the same pro-sleep beliefs and suggestions that are standard for the subject matter. Then, 2020 and early 2021 happened. The last 12

months have seen the onslaught of a COVID-19 virus pandemic that led to deaths, countrywide peaceful marches to demand racial equality that some took advantage of to encourage riots in our streets of cities across the country, 10 million jobs lost due to the pandemic one year later, a large earthquake here in North Carolina, comets in the sky, a contentious presidential election and the attack on the capitol building in Washington, D.C. Recently, the National Sleep Foundation released a special article on December 28, 2020, titled “Sleep, Immune Health, and Vaccination.” “Sleep not only increases your immune system function, it also has been shown to play a role in improving antibody responses to vaccinations,” said the article by the National Sleep Foundation. “This means getting enough sleep before and after you are vaccinated can help vaccines work in your body.” According to the article, not only should you improve your sleeping habits for overall gener-

al health, you should specifically adhere to smart sleep practices as you approach your all-important and possibly life-saving vaccinations. After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, your body quickly responds to its new job of resisting the diesase, so it is in your favor to embolden your system to do its work. Proper sleep is a part of a successful plan to fight and hopefully eradicate the COVID-19 virus. As with normal times, there are temptations to try and take sleep medicines to cure our insomnia. But, both pharmaceutical and natural sleep medicines are capable of causing negative consequences and reactions, some of which can be dangerous. Therefore, always consult a doctor or sleep therapist when experimenting with sleep medicines as picking the right one is a necessary process. Medications taken by older Americans not related to insomnia can also aﬀect sleep patterns, so consult your doctor for advice on dosage, combination issues and more.

TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP Here are five suggestions for better slumber as provided by the National Sleep Foundation; • Try to sleep the recommended number of hours a night for your age group. The National Sleep Foundation has sleep duration guidelines, which you can find at thensf.org. In a nut shell, the NSF recommends 7-9 hours of sleep for adults and 7-8 hours for adults over 65. • Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. It’s important for your body to have a regular sleeping schedule. • Set a relaxing bedtime routine, such as listening to calming music, reading a book or taking a warm bath. Sometimes white noise can help, as in the sound of a fan set on low or an app that provides the soothing sounds of nature. • Create a sleep-friendly bedroom. Turn off electronic devices an hour before bed and sleep in a cool, dark room. • Exercise regularly. A low-impact fitness program, like walking, swimming or yoga, is helpful for improving sleep.

The beneﬁts of exercise BY DEREK HALSEY

In a normal world, during ordinary sanguine times, exercise is crucial to good health when it comes to humans. We inhabit physical bodies that are a system in motion that responds to movement and positive activity. This is true for young people and for older folks as well. When you meet folks who have successfully lived into old age, the tried and true adage of “You have to keep moving” rings true. Since our last Healthy Times publication, however, we have experienced an unusual period in our history, to say the least. The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to oﬃcial lockdowns and self-isolation as the pandemic has led to millions of infections and almost half a million deaths. People have had to adapt, both to the airborne novel illness and to staying healthy during a period when health clubs

have had to temporarily close and even time in the great outdoors has met restriction. When thinking of all that we have had to endure, the concept of exercise is as important as ever, for both our physical well-being ad our mental health as well. Train 4 Life JC gym and physical fitness center located in Boone, was aﬀected by the lockdown just as most other business. Shut down for more than three months, the facility tried to keep their clients in motion by creating home-based plans for exercise. Now open again, albeit with restrictions, many local Boone folks are ready to get back into good shape as new vaccines appear on the horizon to fight the pandemic. The owner of Train 4 Life gym is Boone-native Jodi Cash. Cash’s father was an orthopedic surgeon and that led her into the same field. As a young person who had no other concept of living any-

where else but the High Country, Cash was ready to leave and explore other areas. As her college years unfolded, she also realized that she would take a diﬀerent route than her father and would focus on the front end, preventative side of health. Cash achieved a bachelor’s degree in biology and then came back home to Appalachian State University in Boone where she earned her Master of Exercise Science degree. During the three-and-a-half month layoﬀ, Cash and the folks at Train 4 Life created exercise plans for clients, held Zoom sessions and even held outdoor workouts in a local parking lot. Now, more than a year into this pandemic, there is a move for folks to be pro-active during this new normal period when it comes to their health and regular exercise is an essential element to feeling good and fighting disease. “When I was in my junior

year of college, I started looking at exploring more preventive medicines and looked into some immunology research and I decided that I wanted to pursue the preventive approach to health,” said Cash. “I wanted to keep people healthy instead of waiting until they were sick to treat them. That is when I went into the Exercise Science route and concentrated on wellness instead of the medical treatment route.” Yes, getting up out of the chair and doing a brisk walk after dinner is a great way to get the blood flowing and starting on the path to wellness. But, the human body is a complex entity and there are many approaches to exercise that can benefit people in many diﬀerent ways. Cash has not only owned Train 4 Life JC gym since 2018, she also oﬀers personal training and health coaching. “When we finally re-opened, there were a lot of people chomp-

ing at the bit to get back into a regular routine of working out again,” said Cash. “For those why still exercise at home, I will send them specialized workouts to do each week. I motivate them by emailing them a different workout each week. I will try and challenge them to do different things, like a core workout or an upper body workout in addition to their regular workouts to try and keep it interesting.” Exercise and good physical health also leads to good mental health. “While staying at home with kids and doing remote learning, or there were changes in their jobs; if some people did not have exercise equipment at home or were not used to running or biking outside, a lot of people fell off the wagon and weren’t doing much of anything,” said Cash. “I found that that led to a huge SEE EXERCISE ON PAGE 22

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Holistic healing BY DEREK HALSEY

Holistic medicine and treatments represents a widely used way of achieving good health. Simply put, many believe that the holistic approach of treating an ailing human body is centered on the notion that sub-systems exist inside every aspect of your body that work together to make up your whole, overall health system. Some of the top hospitals in the U.S. have added alternative medicines and treatments to their western medicine approach. Examples of holistic treatments include acupuncture, meditation, ayurveda, biofeedback, homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, body movement therapy, yoga, tai chi, herbal medicines, reiki, qigong, biotherapy, hypnosis and electromagnetic therapy. The advancement of western medicine along with the basic principles of exercise and good nutrition still rule the day when it comes to good health in this country. But more and more, western medicine and holistic approaches have blended together and many view that is a positive movement. During this pandemic when the COVID-19 virus led to lockdowns, jobs lost, anxiety and depression, some folks got away from regular exercise, good nutrition and positive thinking. When that happens, not only do our bodies suffer, but the health of our brain is affected as well. The effect of our mind on our physical self has always been under-rated. The choices of foods we eat and whether we exercise or not is made by our minds, of course, but our brain also can affect what happens to our physical bodies. Jodi Cash is the owner of Train 4 Life JC gym and physical fitness center located in Boone. With a master’s degree in exercise science from Appalachian State, she is also a personal trainer and health

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climb in anxiety and depression and they quit worrying about their diet. But now, getting back into a routine gives you accountability. My clients tell me that

Some of the top hospitals in the U.S. have added alternative medicines and treatments to their western medicine approach.

coach. Her main professional thrust is to get folks healthy so that they can prevent illness before it happens, which is a similar approach with the holistic field. Cash, also adds holistic medicines, supplements and theories to her overall encouragement for good health. “I think the holistic side of things is about looking at how your whole body functions together,” said Cash. “For instance, when you get up and exercise and you get your blood pumping and your body moving, some people tend to eat better to support what they are doing. There are a lot of diﬀerent diets out there, but the main thing to me is to eat a lot of whole foods and getting the best that you can from your nutrition. But, even after saying that, I think we need various supplements because of the way our food is processed and the toxins that we come into contact with every day. Supplements can help to oﬀset

some of that, and extra vitamins can help your immune system. I think it can also be good to switch up your regimen. During the winter months, I will take extra zinc and vitamin D and C, while in the summer months I’ll stick with a multi-vitamin.” Cash believes that what fuels a lot of your body’s immune system happens in your gut. “Exercise, nutrition and supplements are all related,” said Cash. “Over 70 percent of our serotonin, which is our feel-good hormone, is produced and stored in your gut and not in your brain. So, a healthy digestive tract also helps with mental health. I think stress management looks diﬀerent for everybody. Sometimes medication is essential to help people to get on the right mental track. But, medication is not the only answer. I tell people that you can’t just take a pill and expect it to work by itself. If you are experiencing anxiety and are super stressed, you should

also look into what you are doing to help your cortisol levels, cortisol being your stress hormone. Look at what you are eating and learn how it aﬀects your cortisol levels.” For instance, high-intensity exercise is beneficial, yet it can also raise your cortisol level, so it is good to know what to do counteract that boost in your stress hormone. “That is why you need yoga and stretching, or it can be listening to diﬀerent podcasts or going for a hike, or meditation or spending time with friends,” said Cash. “Acupuncture can be helpful as well. For me, massage therapy is very helpful. I also have a chiropractor that I go to that I really like who comes from a holistic back ground. If I go in with a knee pain, he will look at everything and sometimes figure out that the cause may be with my hip alignment. Or, when my stress levels are really high and my adrenal glands are on fire, then parts of

my body will be out of alignment because of how I deal with that stress. All of this added up is when you really see how it all comes together.” Mainly, Cash believes that a positive outlook on life is essential when it comes to physical health as well as mental health. It is all connected. You are what you eat. You are what you think. You are what you say. “Mindset is everything,” said Cash. “My clients get so tired me of hearing me say it. You can exercise all day long, but what and where is your mindset? If you are coming in here and beating yourself up because you can’t lose that ‘COVID ten’ pounds that you want to lose quick enough, that is not good. You have to come in here and approach it from the standpoint of, ‘I am so grateful that I can exercise. My body is strong, and I can do this.’ Your thoughts, whether negative or positive, can have a big impact on people.”

it can help them if they have that accountability of someone there asking them, ‘Hey, did you do the workouts that I emailed you?’” Whatever motivates you to exercise regular is a good thing, whether it is self-motivation, a Zoom class, a friend or partner

that you workout or walk with, or the routine of a trip to the gym. “I work with a lot of women and the idea of building their strength does a lot for them mentally, psychologically, it helps with stress and anxiety, it helps with their sleep and balancing hormones and it will

help to build up your immune system. There is a tendency to be in this pandemic bubble and use all of the hand sanitizers and disinfectants, and we all need to do those things. But, when you stop moving, and stop using your body, your immune system won’t get any better, either. Anything

that you can do at this point to build up your immune system, whether it is taking supplements and diﬀerent vitamins, or your overall nutrition and exercise routine, just keep moving. Then, when you do get a vaccine, your immune system will be strong and that will be super helpful.”

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Mountain Times Publications -

Accepting the award for Best Veterinarian is, back row from left: Dr. Howard Johnson, shown with Animal Hospital of Boone staff, Tucker Robinson and Harley Craddock. Middle row: Emily Sloan, Amy Beaird, Nik Daughtery, Callie Eller, Vicki Lyons, Dr. Liz Watson and Dr. Keith Chesnutt. Front row: Danielle Lewis, Kaytlynn Shoemaker, Christy Powell and Joanna Burkett.

Healthy pets: Seeing the vet once a year is key BY MOSS BRENNAN

One of the biggest issues Associate Veterinarian Elizabeth Watson of the Animal Hospital of Boone talks to her patients about is lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and is typically transmitted through a tick bite. “We’ve noticed a real uptake and rates of exposure (to lyme disease),” Watson said. “About 15 to 20 percent of dogs in the area are exposed to lyme disease. Of those, a very small percentage actually get sick.” Watson said that while dogs may not get sick after being exposed to lyme disease, it’s important to have good tick and flea control not just in the summer but winter as well. Watson said ticks will come out even during the winter if there is a stretch of warmer days. If a dog does get sick, the most common symptom is joint pain, a fever and flu like symptoms. “There’s a more serious issue that can occur when dogs get kidney disease,” Watson said. “That’s probably only about one to two

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY • Keep your pet at a healthy weight. • Exercise your pet. • Feed your pet a balanced, nutritious diet. • Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least once a year to make sure your pet is healthy and to help detect problems earlier. • Vaccinate your pet against potentially deadly diseases such as distemper, parvo, panleukopenia and rabies. • Keep your pet free of parasites (ﬂeas and ticks, heartworm, etc.) – consult your veterinarian for the best product for your pet. • Spay or neuter your pet. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association person of dogs that get that, but that can be really dangerous.” One of the keys to make sure a pet is healthy is to get an exam each year that way if a pet was exposed to a disease, it can get caught earlier. Some concerning symptoms pet owners should look for include mobility changes, coughing, sneezing or a change in appetite.

To keep a pet healthy, Watson recommends a good diet. “I would recommend to everybody to talk to their vet about what kind of dog or cat food to feed their animal,” Watson said. “There’s been a real trend lately to feed grain free foods, but for dogs in particular, we know that there can be some negative side eﬀects to that.” Watson said that there is some concern that grain free food can cause heart damage. Other issues from grain free foods could be coughing and a decreased energy level. Watson also suggests people should not feed their pet “people food.” Often, Watson said they will see dogs who are sick after eating people food. Watson said she is also seeing an increase in heart worm in animals. “Heart worm prevention is something that we recommend now in Watauga County,” Watson said. “It’s definitely something that’s completely preventable.” Watson said heart worms happen when a mosquito that’s positive for heart worm bites an animal.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Keith Chesnutt and Kaytlynn Shoemaker look over a cat at the Animal Hospital of Boone.

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expert cancer care now in Wilkes WAKE F

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ST BAPTIS T RE O

COVID-19

care for life Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated center in western North Carolina, now offers expert cancer care at Wilkes Medical Center. • Diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood-related disorders • Chemotherapy, lab, pharmacy and imaging — all on-site • Access to the latest treatments and clinical trials • Experienced oncologist and care team • Newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility Leading cancer care is now close to home.

HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY – WILKES 1370 West D Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 336-903-7900 | WakeHealth.edu/HemOncWilkes NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

The National Cancer Institute ofﬁcially designates select cancer centers in America as “Comprehensive” for meeting the highest possible standards. Research shows that choosing an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center could increase your long-term survival rate by up to 25%.

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