Healthy LifeTimes 2022 by Mountain Times Publications

LifeTimes

COVID-19: a look back since March 2020

Page 2 • Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

COVID-19 still impacting life as vaccinations continue BY MOSS BRENNAN

t started in March 2020 and closing in on March 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. In Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties, more than 160 people have died from the virus — with the overwhelming majority of them unvaccinated. “The large majority of individuals who are dying or getting severely ill from COVID-19 are unvaccinated,” AppHealthCare Health Director Jennifer Greene said. “The vaccines provide a lot of protection from severe illness, hospitalization and death. This is outlined further by CDC. For individuals who are fully up-to-date with their recommended COVID vaccinations, including a booster, they have additional support against severe illness, hospitalization and death. This is even more important for older adults and people with underlying health conditions.” Greene said that overall, the vaccines have been more about preventing people from getting very sick and dying from a disease or illness and not necessarily preventing every single case. “We know no vaccine is 100% effective at preventing the disease itself and there will be a certain amount of virus circulating, similar to what we experience with the flu,” Greene said. “The COVID-19 vaccines were developed to protect

FILE PHOTO

School nurse Kristen Davis administers a COVID-19 vaccination to 13-year-old Melvin Cervantes, a Parkway student, during Back 2 School Fest.

against severe outcomes like hospitalization and death and were developed using decades of scientific research. To know that we have a vaccine available that remains very effective at preventing severe outcomes from the COVID-19 virus, we hope people will decide for themselves and their families to get vaccinated.” Over the next few months, Greene said she hopes to see COVID-19 decrease to a level that is

manageable and doesn’t disrupt our daily lives as much. “We will likely see a shift to focus less on individual case numbers and more on preventing severe outcomes and supporting those individuals and settings (like nursing homes, homeless shelters, etc.) who are at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death,” Greene said. “We will be shifting our strategy to align with best practice at this point

in the pandemic response. Like many other illnesses that are reportable communicable diseases, we will use a variety of tools to understand COVID and its impact in our area. This will mean relying more on surveillance tools like monitoring reasons for emergency department visits, using wastewater surveillance, and watching for clusters of cases in high risk settings.” Greene said there is starting to see a decline of

cases, and if patterns hold, Greene said they expect the decline to continue. “We expect that COVID-19 will be a virus that remains with us, but the way we approach it will shift,” Greene said. “We recognize the fatigue that many have expressed around the ongoing waves of the virus, so our focus is going to be on helping educate our community and link them to needed resources like testing and vaccinations. Though our

case investigation monitoring will continue, it has already begun to shift so we are prioritizing our outreach in the most effective manner.” AppHealthCare will continue to focus its efforts on giving people information to make decisions about their help. “Though we have learned quite a bit from the past two new variants, Delta and Omicron, we are better prepared and can see that vaccinations have been a key element to help reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Thanks to a community effort and contribution of many organizations in our counties, many people have gained additional protection through vaccines,” Greene said. “We do have the tools to deal with COVID-19 so we encourage people to get vaccinated and boosted if they are eligible and regularly practice other prevention measures like getting tested and staying home when sick, wearing a face mask in indoor public settings while we have high transmission as we do today and washing hands often.” A COVID-19 call center from AppHealth Care is available for anyone who would like to learn more or simply ask questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. More information on COVID-19 can be found at covid19. ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/ frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccinations.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Mountain Times Publications • Page 3

Opioids, an epidemic and a solution BY NEAL FALVEY NEAL.FALVEY @AVERYJOURNAL.COM

ccording to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the state is still experiencing an opioid epidemic despite further control and parameters against the drugs. Clinically, opioids are utilized in the treatment of severe pain and are prescribed on an as-needed basis. Opioids are drugs that can occur naturally in plants or can be synthetically manufactured. Several of the common opioids include the following: fentanyl, oxycodone, this includes Percocet and Oxycontin, hydrocodone, such as Vicodin, Norco and Lortab, tramadol, and the illegal drugs heroin and fentanyl. The NCDHHS notes that “From 2000-2020 more than 28,000 North Carolinians lost their lives to drug overdose. This epidemic is devastating families and communities. It is overwhelming medical providers and is straining prevention and treatment eﬀorts.” “To tackle this health crisis, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is working to connect people with preventative healthcare, substance use disorder treatment and community supports. This is a complex issue requiring partnership from many sectors and is an eﬀort that needs to be support-

Attorney General Josh Stein announced on Feb. 4 a $573 million settlement with a consulting ﬁrm that helped push the opioid pandemic.

ed through funding and resources to be successful. Learn more below about how North Carolina and its partners are working to reduce drug overdose deaths.” Session Law 2015-241, Section 12F.16 created the Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee to develop and implement a statewide strategic plan to combat the problem of prescription drug use in North Carolina. With the leadership of the NC DHHS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and support from the National Governors Association and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a group of more than 150 stakeholders worked together to develop the 2016 N.C. Strategic Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse. While opioids and their counterparts can be a

life-stabilizing drug with cus on polysubstance use as numerous benefits to well as centering equity and catastrophic injury and lived experiences to ensure pain, they are also a highly addictive substance that can hinder a life to the utmost degree. Opioids have found itself in an unusual predicament where doctors and patients feel the drug has superb use and eﬃciency, yet the underlying issues surrounding it has provided unstable ground leading to dependence and unsuitability. NCDHHS reports that, “North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan was released in June 2017 with community partners to combat the opioid crisis. The plan with an update to the OAP 2.0 in June 2019 and again to become the Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan (OSUAP) 3.0 in May 2021 to continue to address the issue.” “North Carolina’s OSUAP 3.0 updates the 2019 plan to include a broadened fo-

that the strategies address the overdose epidemic are led by those closest to the issue. The plan focuses on four priority areas to address the epidemic.” The four areas of focus are center equity and lived experiences, prevention, reduction of harm and connectedness to care. The North Carolina Department of Justice has responded to the crisis with multiple legislative responses. These include The Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act, The Synthetic Opioid Control Act and The Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Enforcement (HOPE) Act. The three recent laws were drafted by Attorney General

Josh Stein’s oﬃce and sponsored by Representatives Greg Murphy and Craig Horn, Senators Jim Davis and Tom McInnis, and other members of the North Carolina General Assembly. The NCDOJ has also oﬀered a three-pronged solution to the epidemic fortified around prevention, treatment and enforcement. To get help, get involved and to get facts the NCDOJ suggests www.morepowerfulnc.com Although the opioid epidemic has continued throughout the preceding years, plans of action and assistance programs have been implemented thoroughly by North Carolina representatives.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Hearing clearly and how to protect against damages BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

HOW LOUD IS TOO LOUD?

o hear clearly is to open your mind to the world around you, communicate with friends and family and take in the sounds you love most. Hearing loss can press pause on these things, leaving you with long-term damages. Hearing loss is defined as any part of the ear not working in the usual way. This includes the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, hearing acoustic nerve, and auditory system, according to the CDC. Many common causes of hearing loss are related to age, ear infections, inherited traits and trauma to the ear.

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.

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. In children, many will have symptoms such as delay

Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) are generally safe. A single very loud noise or long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. Here are average decibel ratings for a few familiar sounds: • Normal conversation: 60 to 70 dBA • Lawnmowers: 80 to 100 dBA • Motorcycles and dirt bikes: 80 to 110 dBA • Music through headphones at maximum volume, sporting events, and concerts: 94 to 110 dBA • Sirens from emergency vehicles: 110 to 129 dBA • Fireworks displays: 140 to 160 dBA in speech, unclear speech, not following directions and

asking for repetition when being spoken to. 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 CDC, in babies, signs of hearing loss come when they do not startle at loud noises, do not turn to the source of a sound after six months of age, do not say single words by the time they reach one year of age and more. Hearing screening can tell if a child might have hearing loss and is easy and not painful. The CDC recommends that all babies should be screened for hearing loss no later than

one month of age. NICD recommends protecting your hearing by avoiding exposure to loud sounds, moving away from the noise or turning down the volume on anything you’re listening to. When these options aren’t possible, hearing protectors—earplugs or protective earmuﬀs—can help. Hearing protectors are wearable devices that can lower the intensity of sound that enters your ears. Increasing technology, therapy, hearing devices, implants, surgery and more are all ways to help with hearing loss. If you or your child are experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss, speak with your local doctor and find the best option for you.

A leading cause of funerals Smoking, as well as smokeless tobacco pose major health risks

lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberBY DAVID ROGERS PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEVELAND CLINIC, CREDITED TO GETTY IMAGES culosis, certain eye diseases, Smoking and society smoker death and smoke health DAVID.ROGERS@ and problems of the immune danger concept as a cigarette burning with people falling MOUNTAINTIMES.COM system, including rheumaas victims in hot burning ash as a metaphor causing lung toid arthritis.” cancer risks with 3D illustration elements. n “Dr. No,” Sean ConNo matter how much nery lights up at the “The Good, The Bad, and The According to the Centers Tom Hanks’ tobacco-chewpoker table and first Ugly,” Clint Eastwood has a for Disease Control and ing character in “A League utters those famous cigar in his mouth. Prevention, “More than 16 of Their Own” provides words, “Bond, James Bond.” However alluring Hollymillion Americans are living effective dramatic and even Then there is “Pulp Fiction,” wood has made smoking with a disease caused by comedic contrast in the stowhere Uma Thurman and tobacco products, whether smoking. For every person rytelling, the use of smokeJohn Travolta sit at a restau- conjuring up thoughts of ro- who dies because of smoking, less tobacco products carries rant table, smoking cigarettes mance, sex, wealth or power, at least 30 people live with significant health risks, too. throughout their conversafew lifestyle habits are more a serious smoking-related Whether snuffed, dipped, tion. During all of the “Mexdestructive to the human illness. Smoking causes juiced, chewed, dissolved or ican standoff” at the end of body. cancer, heart disease, stroke, heated, smokeless tobacco

products’ usage, according to the American Cancer Society, is the leading cause of mouth, tongue, cheek, and gum cancer, as well as cancer of the esophagus and a significant contributor to pancreatic cancer. “The most harmful cancer-causing substances in smokeless tobacco are tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs),” says the ACS. But the dangers of smoking tobacco products do not end with the man or woman choosing the personal lifestyle. “Secondhand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults and 400

deaths in infants each year. Secondhand smoke causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth,” reports the CDC. The late, best-selling American author of political fiction in the 1960s, Fletcher Knebel once said, “Smoking is the leading cause of statistics.” Considering what the CDC reports about smoking tobacco and the health risks, Knebel’s words ring true.

Mountain Times Publications • Page 5

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

We’re Here To Keep You Healthy. We’re here for you and your family when you need us the most. Your health is an essential part of your well-being; and Ashe Memorial Hospital is committed to delivering patient-centered, high-quality health care through a variety of services. We encourage you to schedule your appointments and procedures and not delay your care. Ashe Memorial Hospital is pleased to be home to Mountain Hearts Wellness Center, which is committed to helping the community live an active lifestyle. The fitness center is open to the public and offers an indoor pool and a variety of aerobic and strength training equipment to help you achieve your fitness goals.

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Page 6 • Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

You are not alone BY IAN TAYLOR

ccording 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 NAMI High Country President Michael Tanner, but having access to mental health resources has been a problem for a while. “If you get a physical injury

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.

or a physical illness, you know exactly what to do — you go to the emergency room, you go to urgent care — there is no barrier to finding physical service,” Tanner said. “When

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it comes to mental health services, most people just don’t have a clue.”

Identifying Mental Health Issues

NAMI has a list of common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents on What is its website. Mental Illness? Identifiable symptoms inAccording to NAMI, which clude: excessive worrying or was founded in 1979 and fear, feeling excessively sad is now the nation’s leading or low, confused thinking voice on mental health, a or problems concentrating mental illness can be defined and learning, extreme mood as a “condition that affects changes, including uncona person’s thinking, feeling, trollable “highs” or feelings behavior or mood.” of euphoria, prolonged or Conditions include anxstrong feelings of irritaiety disorders, certain debility or anger, avoiding velopmental disorders such friends and social activities, as ADHD, bipolar disorder, difficulties understanding borderline personality disor relating to other people, order, depression, dissocia- changes in sleeping habits or tive disorders, eating disor- feeling tired and low energy ders, obsessive-compulsive and changes in eating habits disorder, post-traumatic such as increased hunger or stress disorder, psychosis, lack of appetite. schizoaffective disorder and According to NAMI, schizophrenia. various communities and NAMI notes that most backgrounds might view mental health illnesses are seeing, hearing or believing not the result of one event, things that are are not real with research suggesting differently based on their multiple, linking causes beliefs and experiences. such as genetic, environSome people within these ment and lifestyle influcommunities and cultures ences. 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 themselves in many diﬀerent ways. Appalachian State University Counseling Center Director Christopher 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. In 2021, a group of mental health advocates banded together in Watauga County to create the Community Mental Health Project. Spearheaded by the NAMI High Country and the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, the project works to compile mental health resources that are available. The Community Mental Health Project can be found

at wataugaresources.weebly.com. 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) 492-2785. 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) 2738255, 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.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Mountain Times Publications • Page 7

Keeping bones healthy involves healthy diet, exercise BY MATTARAE STASKEL

ur bones are a largely significant part of our bodies. They give our bodies structure, protect our internal organs and essentially hold everything together. Throughout your life, your bones are constantly changing. According to the Mayo Clinic, your body continually breaks down old bone as new bone is made. Younger people produce more bone faster than bone that is broken down, and subsequently have a higher bone mass. Around age 30 is typically when bone mass is at its peak, and after that bone mass decreases. There are many factors

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.

that play a role in our bone health, such as age, gender, certain medications, family history, race, eating disorders and hormone levels, according to Mayo Clinic.

While some of these things are uncontrollable, there are several things that we can do to reduce risk. Getting enough calcium through your diet is a great

way to improve bone health according to the Mayo Clinic. And while dairy products are a source of calcium, there are a lot of other foods such as almonds, broccoli, kale and

soy products that are also good sources. Talking to your doctor about calcium supplements is also an option. Vitamin D is essential for your body in order for the

calcium to take eﬀect in your system. Like calcium, there are several foods that are a great source of vitamin D, such as oily fish, like salmon, tuna, and trout, mushrooms, milk and eggs. Exercising regularly is another great way to preserve your bone health, as well as your overall health. Mayo Clinic recommends weight-bearing exercises – like walking, jogging and climbing stairs – to slow bone loss. Quitting smoking – or never starting to begin – is another way to preserve bone health according to the National Institutes for Health. Tobacco use is directly correlated with countless health issues, as well as osteoporosis and bone fracture.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Making healthy eating achievable for everyone BY MARISA MECKE MARISA.MECKE@ MOUNTAINTIMES.COM

lthough most people are familiar with the advice to “eat fruits and vegetables,” or a “high fiber, low carb” diet, eating healthy can be more challenging in practice. Finding and preparing delicious and healthy foods can be diﬃcult and in some cases require changing lifelong habits. A common misconception is that eating healthy is expensive, but in the High Country there are many opportunities for aﬀordable and healthy groceries. According to a 2012 study conducted by the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, healthy foods actually cost less than less healthy foods (defined as foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugar, and/or sodium that contribute little to meeting dietary recommendations). The study said that, when measured on the basis of edible weight or average portion size, that grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are less expensive than most protein foods and foods high in saturated fat, added sugars and/ or sodium. High Country residents are fortunate to live in a region filled with farmers and local food producers, so healthy, fresh and reasonably priced foods are available with the added bonus of being grown locally. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market, sponsored

FILE PHOTO

The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is open through the spring into the fall, and during the winter it transitions to the Winter Market hosted at the Watauga County Agricultural Extension Ofﬁce.

by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, not only offers affordable fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, baked goods and more at the market, but also accepts SNAP/EBT as well as WIC. Additionally, the market offers a Double Up Food Bucks program which doubles the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at the farmers market to help people buy healthy local food. Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture also operates the High Country Food Hub, an online farmers’ market

which has pick up locations across the High Country. This online market can help shoppers plan healthy meals ahead of time to pick up ingredients and also oﬀers Double Up Food Bucks, doubling the value of federal nutrition program money. To learn more about the High Country Food Hub, order groceries and find pick up locations, visit www. highcountryfoodhub.org. While buying healthy foods aﬀordably can be a challenge, figuring out what foods to prepare for meals and snacks is another barrier many find

in their health journey. In the High Country, there are groups and companies making this more simple. Clean Eatz in Boone is owned by App State alumnus Ben Harmon and offers convenient meal plan assistance. With pre-prepared meals made with nutrition in mind, Clean Eatz menu offers meals priced from around $5 to $8, and besides offering meal planning assistance it also provides lifestyle planning for clients to strategize for healthy habits. Clean Eatz can be found at 273 Boone Heights Drive in

Boone and more information about its services and menu can be found online at www. cleaneatz.com/locations/ boone-nc. For those looking for a doctor or licensed professional to help assess their dietary health and make realistic, actionable plans for their future health, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System provides registered dietitians and nutritionists who can provide medical nutrition therapy for a variety of conditions including diabetes, renal disease, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders

and obesity. According to ARHS’s website, a doctor’s referral is required, and appointments focus on nutrition assessment, nutrition goal setting and developing individualized nutrition plans. For more information about ARHS’s nutrition therapy services, visit apprhs. org/nutrition. Changing to a healthy lifestyle can be intimidating, but in the High Country there are a variety of professionals, services and programs that can make eating healthy an achievable goal for anybody.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Dental health essential to general health, well-being BY MOSS BRENNAN

t 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, as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention state that oral health is “essential to general health and well-being.” 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. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can contribute 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. The three oral conditions that most aﬀect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease and severe tooth loss, according to the CDC. Related to cavities, more than half of children will have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth by age 8, according to the the CDC. While cavities can cause the teeth loss, so can smoking. According to the CDC, people who smoke are three times more likely to lose all of their teeth. Diabetes can also 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

PHOTO BY TERESA ROARK LAWS

Dr. Joel Yates is no stranger to winning Best of Ashe Awards. He was voted Best Dentist and Best Orthodontics Ofﬁce again for 2021.

TIPS FOR GOOD ORAL HYGIENE The Mayo Clinic recommends the following tips for good oral hygiene: • Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush using ﬂuoride toothpaste. • Floss daily. • Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and ﬂossing. • Eat a healthy diet and limit food with added sugars. • Replace your toothbrush every three months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn. • Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. • Avoid tobacco use. 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 provides 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 tooth-

paste, 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.

Accepting the award for Best Dentist(s) are back row left to right, Jhonda Miller, Molly Roark, Tracy Edmisten, Kait Greenwood and Nora Parker; front row Dr. Christopher Gordon and Dr. Danielle Gordon of Gordon Dental Group.

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Diabetes and general health diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance. The program healthy lifestyle includes education about contains multiple the patient’s condition, components, that one-on-one assessments when put together with their Certified Diabetes FILE PHOTO Educator, group educationequate to an overall better Sugar and carbohydrate intake needs to be taken into confeeling for the body and al classes and support and sideration for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. mind. Managing sugar and coordination with medical carbohydrate intake is one of Preparation is more than in North Carolina’s Guide providers. those variables that contribimportant when following to Diabetes Prevention and There exist two versions of ute to the lifestyle. However, diabetic guidelines. Tracking Management for 2021, preDiabetes, both with variances for individuals with diabetes, and supervising one’s blood sented by the NC Diabetes and commonalities. Type 1 it can become a far more sugar content will always Advisory Council, nearly Diabetes is often a genetic deciding factor. be vital to executing proper one-half of North Carolinians disorder that is generally Individuals diagnosed with medical functions. Securing have diabetes. illuminated earlier in life. the diabetic condition need not logical decisions with respect The annual healthcare cost Type 2 Diabetes is ordinarily view the disease with a grim to one’s blood sugar is paraof diabetes in North Carolina a diet-based disorder that outlook. Diabetes is a very mount to coping and living a is estimated to surpass $17 accumulates over time. manageable health situation more than regular life. billion by 2025, according to The Type 1 disorder results to both monitor and regulate. Data from the Centers information provided by the in a deficient pancreas organ, Keeping up with a healthy way for Disease Control states NCDAC. in which the immune system of living, including diet and that diabetes is the seventh Appalachian Regional attacks the insulin producexercise, is a simple and viable leading cause of death in the Healthcare provides a ing cells in the body. Type 2, method to eﬃcient manageUnited States. 3-month Moving Forward which is more common in the ment practices. According to information program for those recently United States, is largely caused

BY NEAL FALVEY

NEAL.FALVEY@AVERY JOURNAL.COM

by lifestyle where one’s body is producing insulin but not enough to be eﬀective. While both conditions differentiate themselves, a few tactics have been proven to aide in each of the diseases. A balanced diet, managing blood sugar, exercise and following doctor’s instructions will help with both variations of 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. Additional information about this program can be found at www.apprhs.org/ moving-forward-withdiabetes/.

Prioritizing nutrition for a healthier lifestyle BY MATTARAE STASKEL MATTY.STASKEL@ MOUNTAINTIMES.COM

hen it comes to overall health, the way we eat is one of the first things that comes to mind. In the journey to become a healthier person, improving our diet is at the top of the list. Most people know how to eat healthy, however it is quite diﬃcult in this day and age. With countless processed foods to choose from at the store, typically costing much less than fruits and vegetables,

sticking to a healthy diet can be a challenge. Dr. Melissa Gutschall, a professor of nutrition and graduate program director at Appalachian State University, says that the key to improving your diet is to take small steps and set attainable goals. “In order for it to be successful, and maintainable, (it) definitely needs to be slow change, but making food and health a priority,” Gutschall said. Even if that just means being more mindful of drinking enough water to stay hydrated, or just adding a few more fruits and vegetables to your diet a week, these little things matter

in the long run. According to Gutschall, it is important to think of your diet as a form of disease prevention, as well as a way to make sure that your body is healthy physically and mentally. This also directly aﬀects your immune system, which is essential, especially now, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues on. In terms of your mental health and your nutrition, it’s as simple as drinking enough water so that your body is hydrated to achieve a clear mind and focus. Gutschall said that the nutrients that we get from eating well are involved in our brain function and the synthe-

sis of our neurotransmitters. Gustchall also spoke on the connection between our gut health and our mental health. “It’s absolutely connected,” she said. According to an article from Harvard Medical School, when our gut health is poor, it impacts our brain, and can cause anxiety, depression and stress. With busy schedules and the need for instant gratification, eating healthy can be diﬃcult when there are so many options for quick and easy processed foods. Not to mention the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables. Gutschall mentioned that

the fruits and vegetables we eat don’t necessarily have to be fresh and in season – there are so many diﬀerent kinds that we can rely on. Canned and dried fruits and veggies are a great alternative and can provide a quicker and more convenient option. Gutschall says that it’s okay to still enjoy your favorite foods, but first and foremost, our bodies have nutrient requirements that are important to meet. It is important to choose foods that are dense in nutrients that we need, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

“They’re more bang for their buck,” Gutschall said. “Versus foods that are energy dense, which have a lot of calories, but don’t give us much more but sugar or fat.” Another way to ease into a healthier diet is to think ahead rather than making quick and convenient decisions about what to eat. Meal prepping for the week or freezing meals for later are great options to make healthy meals that you don’t have to stress about. “We need to think about it as an investment in health for the long term,” Gustchall said. “I’m big on very small steps that can fit into a person’s lifestyle.”

Mountain Times Publications • Page 11

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Alzheimer’s disease BY MATTARAE STASKEL MATTY.STASKEL@ MOUNTAINTIMES.COM

lzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, is a progressive disease that results in the loss of higher cognitive function according to a section on Alzheimer’s disease in Magill’s Medical Guide. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, with 60-80% of dementia cases being Alzheimer’s. The disease mostly affects people over the age of 65, however it can develop in people across many age groups. Proteins in the brain are unable to function properly when someone is affected with Alzheimer’s disease. When that happens, the work of brain cells, or neurons, is disrupted and they eventually are unable to connect to each other, causing them to die. When this happens, parts of the brain such as the hippocampus, temporal lobes and prefrontal cortex are affected that involve memory and cognition. According to Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s can cause problems with memory, thinking and reasoning, making judgements and decisions, planning, performing familiar tasks and changes in personality and behavior. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s at this time, there are medications and treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease. Mayo Clinic states that there are preserved skills

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

that those with Alzheimer’s hold onto as their symptoms with the disease worsen. Some of these skills include reading, telling stories, singing, dancing, listening to music, drawing, and other crafts. Alzheimer’s is not a preventable disease as the exact cause is unknown. There are steps, however, that can be taken that can reduce risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and other foods that are low in saturated fat, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, and not smoking are ways that could help reduce risk.

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 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. What are the symptoms of dementia?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 shortterm 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

Page 12 • Mountain Times Publications

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Your Health is Precious to Us!

BOONE DERMATOLOGY CLINIC

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

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Mountain Times Publications • Page 13

Page 14 • Mountain Times Publications

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Boone Dermatology tells the ABCDE’s of Melanoma BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

ith the winter months coming to an end soon, many children and adults will be heading outdoors to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful rays of sunshine. Spring sports are getting into gear in many local high schools and parks and recreation programs, walks in the park with your dog will become more frequent and good old-fashioned porch swinging will be a go-to when you’re looking for a breath of fresh air. The skin is the largest organ on a human body, acting as armor and protection for the body’s functions. However, when the skin is not protected properly, rising risks of skin diseases can aﬀect you. According to Dr. Brittain Tulbert at Boone Dermatology, the practice utilizes numerous primary prevention strategies to help patients in the community prevent skin cancer. Primary prevention strategies are aimed at preventing skin cancer from developing. Boone Dermatology strives to educate patients about the appropriate use of sunscreen, encourage patients to avoid prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen or sun protective clothing, discourage patients from getting blistering sunburns and warn patients about the significant dangers of indoor tanning. According to the National Cancer Institute, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main

lesion looks diﬀerent on each side B. Borders – The borders of the lesion appear irregular as opposed to sharp C. Color – The lesion has a dark black color, or a multicolored appearance D. Diameter – The lesion is larger in size than a pencil eraser E. Evolution – The lesion is changing in color or enlarging in size “I recommend patients use daily sunscreen to decrease the risk of skin cancer,” Tulbert said. “Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light puts patients at increased risk of skin cancer. UV light is further subdivided into UVA, UVB PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CDC and UVC. Fortunately for Making sure you keep an eye on moles and spots can prevent long-term damage in regard us, the Ozone layer of the to skin cancer. atmosphere blocks virtually all of the UVC light. UVA types of skin cancer are in appropriate patients in large number of moles. and UVB both penetrate the squamous cell carcinoma, order to detect and remove • A family history of skin atmosphere and contribute basal cell carcinoma, and precancerous lesions, and cancer. to the development of skin melanoma. Melanoma is to find skin cancer as early • A personal history of cancer. For daily sunscreen much less common than as possible.” skin cancer. use, I recommend a broad the other types but is much Tulbert said there are • Older age. spectrum sunscreen with more likely to invade nearnot set frequency of visits Skin cancer can be treated a SPF of at least 30. Many by tissue and spread to oth- for skin cancer screenin a variety of ways, accord- patients may already be er parts of the body. Most ings. Most adults benefit ing to Tulbert. familiar with the acronym deaths from skin cancer are from one every year, while “Virtually all skin canSPF. SPF stands for Sun caused by melanoma. patients with extensive cers are associated with Protection Factor.” “At Boone Dermatology damage or a history of skin increased sun exposure Trisha Vanacore, a Medwe routinely educate our cancer may require screen- and UV light exposure,” ical Aesthetician at Boone patients about the early ings every six months. Tulbert said. “Basal cell Dermatology who has been signs and symptoms of melAccording to the CDC, carcinoma and squamous in the industry for 20 years, anoma and non-melanoma anyone can get skin cancer, cell carcinoma are caused stated that in her practice, skin cancer. Every patient but people with certain char- by long-term, chronic sun many patients come in to is informed about the ABC- acteristics are at greater risk damage. Melanoma, while learn how to best take care DE’s of Melanoma,” Tulbert including those who have: also caused by chronic sun of their skin. said. “We also encourage • A lighter natural skin damage, may also be caused “We also do a variety of our patients to do periodic color. by acute, intermittent UV diﬀerent procedures. They skin self-examinations, as • Skin that burns, exposure.” are not only skincare but we approximately 50% of mela- freckles, reddens easily or At Boone Dermatology, also do CoolSculpting which nomas are identified first by becomes painful in the sun. Tulbert said each patient is is freezing fat cells to help the patient. We recommend • Blue or green eyes. educated on the ABCDE’s of for body contouring. We and perform regular total • Blonde or red hair. melanoma. do anti-aging facials, laser body skin examinations • Certain types and a A. Asymmetry – The resurfacing of the skin, laser

hair removal, vein removal, permanent cosmetics for tattooing and cosmetic aesthetics.” Vanacore stated that many patients come in for informed and constructive opinions and to learn how to best protect their skin. “We want people to not only protect their skin from the sun, but we want them to also look and feel their best with the skin they have,” Vanacore said. In regards to that perfect summer tan, the CDC also states that a tan does not indicate good health. When the skin produces more melanin from UV rays, the change in the skin’s color is a sign of injury instead of health. When protecting yourself outdoors, exposure to the fresh air and sun can be beneficial in improving your health and overall wellness. Having little or no sun exposure can put a person at risk for low levels of vitamin D, according to the CDC. Make sure you take any measures to protect yourself from harmful exposure. The main symptoms of skin cancer, melanoma specifically include asymmetrical moles and spots that have irregular shapes with two parts that are differentiating in looks, irregular borders of the skin, uneven skin color, a mole or spot that is larger than the size of a pea and a mole or spot that has changed during the past few weeks or months. Talking to your doctor about warning signs is crucial in early diagnosis and protection.

Mountain Times Publications • Page 15

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The ﬂu is still here; what you need to know BY CHANDA RICHARDSON

FLU SYMPTOMS • Fever or feeling feverish/chills • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue (tiredness) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

CHANDA.RICHARDSON@ ASHEPOSTANDTIMES.COM

ith the ongoing and ever-changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been filled with worry surrounding the highly transmissible virus as multiple variants continue to arise. However, despite an alarming number in cases, the influenza has still been lurking in the shadows, aﬀecting many lives. Taking precautions against both viruses is essential in protecting yourself and those around you this flu season. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reported that from Oct. 1, 2021 to Jan. 29, 2022, there have been between 2,100,000

FILE PHOTO

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

– 3,600,000 flu illnesses estimated along with 980,000 – 1,600,00 flu-related medical visits, 21,000 – 42,000 hospitalizations related to the flu and 1,200 – 3,500 flu deaths. Flu season reaches its peak in February of each year, rising progressively from December and January. On Dec. 29, 2021, the CDC recommended that the public, along with the COVID-19 vaccines, receive their annual flu vaccination. “Flu vaccination has

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many benefits yet early data suggest the number of people who have been vaccinated so far this season is down, especially among certain higher risk groups such as pregnant people and children,” said the CDC in a press release. “Lower vaccination rates and reduced population immunity resulting from historic low flu activity since March 2020 could lead to widespread flu, with more serious illnesses. With ongoing COVID-19 activity, hospitals could

possible, washing your hands often, staying home when you’re feeling sick and taking general hygiene measures. Many of those who are most at risk for COVID-19 are also the most at risk for transmission of the flu. To find a vaccine near you, visit vaccinefinder.org.

be further stressed this both the flu and COVID-19, winter.” social distancing when While there are many diﬀerent flu viruses, flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses that research suggests will be most common. According to the North Carolina Department The service you expect from of Health and Human Services, the flu virus can the people you trust be easily transmitted and should be prevented when measures can be taken. 125 Wade E. Vannoy Dr • West Jefferson, NC They recommend conwww.AGONC.com tinuing to wear a mask to prevent transmission of

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Page 16 • Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Preventative maintenance, early diagnosis key in battling cancer People who use chewing tobacco are at risk for cancer of the mouth and pancreas. Even if you don’t hen it comes smoke but are frequently to cancer, around people who do, the most Amerexposure to secondhand icans are smoke may increase risk touched by the disease, in for lung cancer,” Shook one form or another. said. Polls show that a majoriShook recommends that ty of Americans themselves people who need help quithave, or have an immediting can ask their doctor ate family member aﬀected about certain products deFILE PHOTO signed to help people quit by cancer. According to vital statis- In order to prevent breast cancer, it is important to engage in smoking, as well as what preventative behaviors, and get screened when irregularities other strategies there are. tics from the North Carooccur. Many months are designated throughout the year to lina Department of Health raise awareness for various forms of cancer. The color pink is Additionally, they can conand Human Services, tact QuitlineNC, which is emphasized in the month of October to raise awareness for cancer ranked as the high- breast cancer and prevention. North Carolina’s telephone est overall cause of death service that helps people among state residents in Carolinians. in 1964 to 14 percent of quitting smoking and using 2019, as 19,693 North CarThanks to modern adults in 2018, the promo- tobacco, at (800) 784olinians passed away from advances in medical tion of healthy diets and 8669. cancer, with a total of 217 technology and healthy lifestyles to reduce obesity In addition to quitting deaths occurring among lifestyle trends, death rates and the early detection of tobacco use, a healthy diet the High Country counties from cancer have dropped cancer by cancer screenand regular exercise can of Avery, Ashe and Watau- by 26 percent during the ings. help reduce one’s risk for ga counties that year. past 20 years, according Deborah M. Shook, cancer, although healthy NCDHHS data also to the Centers for Disease nursing director of Oncolchoices do not necessarily indicates that in 2019, Control. ogy at the Seby B. Jones guarantee cancer preventhe final full year prior to According to AppalaRegional Cancer Center in tion. The same decisions the impact of the global chian Regional Healthcare Watauga County, says that that Shook says can help COVID-19 pandemic that System’s most recent these critical preventative reduce one’s risk for cancer developed in America in Community Health Needs eﬀorts, such as avoiding can also help minimize the early 2020, cancer had a Assessment published in using tobacco products, risk for heart attack and particularly significant im- 2019, there were 604 cases following a healthy lifestroke. The choices include pact on the mortality rate, (per 100,000 population) style, avoiding sun expoeating plant of fruits with the disease noted as of cancer reported in Avery sure and getting routine and vegetables, avoiding the leading cause of death County from 2013 to 2017, cancer screenings, can obesity, limiting processed for individuals age 45 and and the rate for this time keep one cancer-free later meats, avoiding alcohol or older. period was 477.2 compared in life. only drinking in moderIn terms of the impact of to the North Carolina rate “There are several ation and maintaining a cancer upon ethnic groups, of 470.2. In 2019, cancer preventative measures healthy weight while being the disease was recorded was ranked as the secthat can be taken to help physically active. by NCDHHS to be the ond-leading cause of death decrease the chance of While these measures leading cause of death overall in Avery, Ashe and developing cancer. One are beneficial to anyone in the state among AfriWatauga counties. of the primary preventive looking to live a long, can-American, American The CDC reports that a measures is don’t use tohappy and productive Indian and non-Hispanic downward trend overall in bacco. In addition to lung life, cancer can develop in patients in North Carolina, cancer deaths is related to cancer, smoking is linked an individual for various and the second leading three significant factors: with other types of cancers reasons. One reason is encause of death (closely the reduction in cigarette including, mouth, throat, vironmental, as is the case trailing heart disease) in smokers, which decreased larynx, pancreatic, bladder, with skin cancer, which White, non-Hispanic North from 42 percent of adults cervical and kidney cancer. is among one of the most

BY JAMIE SHELL

EDITOR@ AVERYJOURNAL.COM

common kinds of cancer. To reduce the risk for skin cancer, 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 several cancers, eﬀective treatment is available. For these cancers, early detection saves lives. For example, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) website, almost 99 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the earliest stage survive the disease, whereas only 27 percent survive if the disease is diagnosed in the most advanced stage. For more information on how to reduce the chance of developing cancer, click to cancer.org.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Mountain Times Publications • Page 17

Symptoms and signs of strokes death rates from strokes are significantly higher. ccording to The Stroke Center of the Centers for Appalachian Regional Disease Control Healthcare System, certified and Prevention, by The Joint Commission for someone in the United States Primary Stroke Centers as has a stroke every 40 seconds an Advanced Primary Stroke and someone dies of a stroke Center via their website, is every four minutes. working to educate the public A group of states in the on stroke prevention and Southeast which have recognition. shown to have an unusually According to the App high incidence of strokes, Regional, “A stroke, or ‘brain the “Stroke Belt,” is the attack,’ occurs when a blood epicenter for strokes in clot blocks an artery or a America, according to the blood vessel breaks, interCenters for Disease Control rupting blood flow to an area and Prevention. The North of the brain. Brain cells begin Carolina Stroke Association to die and brain damage adds to that, grouping North occurs. Abilities controlled Carolina with South Carolina by that area of the brain are and Georgia to create the lost, i.e. speech, movement “Stroke Buckle,” where the and memory. How a stroke

BY IAN TAYLOR

patient is aﬀected depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.” Thankfully, strokes are both preventable and treatable, although people need to know the signs or symptoms of a stroke to help themselves or people around them. Signs of a stroke include sudden loss of balance or coordination, sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes, one side of the face droops or is numb, sudden weakness or numbness of any arm or leg and sudden confusion and trouble speaking or understanding speech. The risk of a stroke increases with age, according to the CDC, but there is always a risk for anyone. High blood

pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes To help recognize the signs all increase the chance for of strokes, remember “BE a stroke, and one in three FAST.” adults in the United States B — Balance: sudden loss have at least one of the condiof balance or coordination. tions, according to the CDC. E — Eyes: Sudden trouble If you or a loved one show seeing or blurred vision in one any of these signs, APPRHS or both eyes. F — Face: One side of the instructs you to call 911 face droops or is numb. immediately. A — Arm: Sudden weakness Wake Forest Baptist Medior numbness of any arm or leg. cal Center has partnered with S — Speech: Sudden multiple regional hospitals confusion, trouble speaking or including the Watauga understanding speech. Medical Center, Cannon T — Time: Call 911 immediately, and note the time the Memorial Hospital and symptoms started. Ashe Memorial Hospital to For more information, provide Telestroke services. visit apprhs.org/services/ By collaborating, 24/7 access stroke. is now available to talk to stroke experts in a real time video consultation, allowing to receive on-demand conemergency room physicians sultation and stroke suﬀerers

BE FAST

WHO TO CALL To learn more about stroke prevention and healing, visit apprhs.org/services/stroke. Watauga Medical Center is located at 336 Deerﬁeld Road in Boone. For questions or more information on WMC, call (828) 262-4100. Cannon Memorial Hospital is located at 434 Hospital Drive in Newland. For more information or questions about CMH, call (828) 737-7000. Ashe Memorial Hospital is located at 200 Hospital Avenue in Jefferson. For more information or questions about AMH, call (336) 846-7101.

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Page 18 • Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Dream of a Future Without Glasses or Contacts? you? iLASIK, or laser in-situ raystone iLASIK – keratomileusis, is one of the Poor eyesight can most commonly performed have a negative elective procedures in the impact on many country today and works for areas of your life, hindering people who are nearsighted, daily tasks such as driving, farsighted or have astigmacooking and shopping – and tism. It is ideal for patients limiting your ability to do the under age 45 who just need things that you enjoy most. distance correction. Using the Vision correction surgery Intralase femtosecond laser, (refractive eye surgery) is an a flap is created in the outer increasingly popular way to layer of the cornea exposing treat nearsightedness, farthe tissue underneath. The ulsightedness, astigmatism and tra-precise VISX CustomVue presbyopia. These procedures laser then gently reshapes the allow people the freedom cornea to the desired curvafrom glasses or contacts – ture, allowing the cornea to drastically improving life in focus light properly, and the many ways. With numerous flap is returned to its original advancements in vision location. The entire iLASIK correction technology, how procedure is painless and do you know which vision takes less than 10 minutes per correction option is best for eye, with dramatic improve-

BY GRAYSTONE EYE

ment in vision within the first 24 hours. The technology used in the iLASIK procedure is so safe and eﬀective, that all branches of the U.S. military and NASA allow the iLASIK treatment for their servicemen and women. Have you been told in the past that you are not a candidate for LASIK? With advancements in vision correction technology, you may now have other options: Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), or Lens Replacement Surgery, involves replacing the natural human lens with an artificial lens to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Very similar to modern cataract surgery, the human lens is replaced to reduce dependency on

glasses and contact lenses. RLE is often a better choice for individuals in their 50s or older, as many of these people can have the beginning of a cataract. Once the human lens has been removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant, a cataract can never form – eﬀectively addressing two problems with one, as the implant will last a lifetime. Our modern multifocal lens implants are able to correct both distance and near vision, eliminating the need for reading glasses or bifocals. The Visian Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) is an implantable contact lens that works with the eye to correct vision. Unlike traditional contact lenses that go on the surface of the eye, Visian ICL is surgically inserted into the eye, where it provides excellent quality of vision for

a wide range of correction needs. The FDA’s recent approval for a toric version of ICL expands the use to also correct astigmatism. The device does not replace the natural lens. Although similar to cataract surgery, the natural lens is not removed during the Visian ICL procedure. The ICL is implanted into the posterior chamber of the eye behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. Because the lens is implanted into the eye, it is suitable for many patients who might not be candidates for iLASIK and is designed to remain in the eye indefinitely – without maintenance – for a lifetime of clear vision. So how do you know which vision correction procedure is best for YOU? R.E. “Trey” Oursler, III, MD, Graystone Eye’s

board certified and fellowship-trained refractive surgeon, will personally perform an extensive exam to determine which vision correction option is best for you. In practice for over 23 years, he has performed thousands of vision correction procedures and is consistently listed in the Top 50 Visx® LASIK surgeons in the country. Are you ready to take that first step to visual freedom? Contact us today at (828) 304-6611 or visit www.graystonelasik.com to schedule a FREE consultation to see which vision correction procedure will help you reach your full visual potential. Our iLASIK suite is located in Hickory; however, you are welcome to book your FREE consultation at our Hickory, Lenoir or Boone location.

Maintaining healthy eyes for good eyesight ters for Disease Control and Prevention. Routinely getting aintaining an eye exam is important healthy eyes for diagnosing eye diseases is not someearly so that there is a higher thing that we chance of treating them and commonly think about, as preventing them in the future. most eye problems are not Aside from getting your surface level and can be easily eyes checked, there are a few overlooked. other things that you can do According to the National to maintain eye health. Eye Institute, the best thing to Lutein, xeazathine, vitamin do in order to maintain good C, vitamin E and zinc are eye health is to get a dilated all nutrients that have been eye exam. A dilated eye exam linked to reducing risk of checks visual acuity, depth eye diseases according to the perception, eye alignment American Optometric Associand eye movement. ation. These can be found in During an eye exam, your foods such as kale, spinach, eye doctor can find signs fruits and nuts. of high blood pressure and Exercising is important diabetes according to the Cen- for your overall health, but is

BY MATTARAE STASKEL

also a way to lower your risk of other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol that can eventually be linked to eye diseases. Being aware of your family’s eye health history, wearing sunglasses and other protective eyewear, and not smoking are all important aspects of lasting eye health. Another aspect of our eye health that is becoming more of an issue is looking at screens constantly. Digital eye strain is an eye issue that is becoming more common and stems from the excessive use of laptops, tablets, and phones according to the AOA.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Mountain Times Publications • Page 19

Get moving in the High Country for healthy exercise BY MARISA MECKE MARISA.MECKE@ MOUNTAINTIMES.COM

xploring the Boone Greenway, taking a hike in the mountains or just PHOTO BY MARISA MECKE walking down the street, High The pools at the Watauga Community Recreation Center Country residents have no shortage of options for getting hosts swimming competitions, water aerobic classes, open swims and more year round. active. Although staying active seems like obvious meeting the center’s physical said, doing exercises to keep advice to live a healthy life for activity guidelines for aerobic core strength and leg strength most people, the benefits to physical activity, whereas only can help prevent injuries exercise extend far beyond about 23% are meeting those and make recoveries much what most realize. guidelines and guidelines smoother. Stephen Poulos, director of for muscle-strengthening The CDC’s website states the Watauga County Parks & activity. that regular, moderate exerRecreation Department, said “I always tell people, if you cise can slow the loss of bone that a shockingly low pertake better care of yourself, density that comes naturally centage of adults are getting the chances of recovery, or with age, lower the risk of hip enough exercise. coming back [from illness fracture and protect muscles, According to the Center for or injury] quicker are a lot joints and bones no matter Disease Control and Prevenbetter,” Poulos said. Especial- what age the exerciser is. tion, about 53% of adults are ly with senior citizens, Poulos Additionally, the CDC says

that regular exercise can help prevent a select number of cancers. Reduced risk of cancer has been found in adults who regularly exercise, according to the CDC, for the following cancers: bladder, breast, colon (proximal and distal), endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung and stomach (cardia and non-cardia adenocarcinoma) cancers. Beyond physical benefits, Poulos said exercising can have mental benefits. Whether it’s shaking oﬀ the stress of the day or creating routines for seniors experiencing memory loss, exercise lends itself to mental benefits. According to the CDC, regular exercise can improve thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years old and reduce short-term feelings of anxiety for adults as well as

reduce risk of depression and help with sleep. Poulos said that some exercisers, whether they have weight loss goals or are simply looking for pointers on how to use machines, hire a personal trainer. For those who aren’t sure where to get started with fitness or are intimidated by all the diﬀerent machines in a gym, hiring a professional can help orient people within a gym space and create confidence to have continued, consistent and enjoyable workouts. Making exercise a lifestyle habit is important, Poulos said. Regular exercise, even just a bit a day, is integral to overall health. While he is a proponent of the Parks & Rec department’s new recreation center which opened in 2021,

Poulos said getting exercise can be as easy as getting outside in the neighborhood or getting some weights and exercise bands for the living room. The Watauga Community Recreation Center oﬀers free classes to members, and Poulos said that working out in a group and having a community space to exercise is another way to make exercise not only a habit but a lifestyle. Community-based teams are also a good way to get outside while meeting new people or spending time with friends. Whether it’s regular training or meeting up every week or so for a game, Poulos said that joining a recreation team like volleyball or basketball is a great way for people to not only get active, but have fun.

HEALTHY HEARING IS HEALTHY LIVING DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR HEARING IS CRITICAL TO YOUR OVERALL HEALTH?

Dr. Trina Bedsaul

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 | Visit Us At - NCBELTONE.COM Winston-Salem • Elkin • Kernersville • King • Mt Airy • Mocksville • Yadkinville • Boone • West Jefferson • Linville • Sparta • Wilkesboro Asheville • Marion

Page 20 • Mountain Times Publications

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Young at heart: how to take care of loved ones BY CHANDA RICHARDSON comfort and care while

also making sure they are aking care of loved and given opportuloved ones can nities to participate in the be one the most community. bittersweet expeAt Generations Ashe in riences a person can have. West Jefferson, their goal When dealing with age, includes connecting peomany want what’s best for ple, embracing challenges friends and family, making and enriching Lives from them the most comfortable generation to generation. they’ve ever been and giv“Here at Generations ing them incredible years Ashe, our mission is as they live out their life. lived out every single Many senior care centers day through those we are in the High Country have blessed to serve,” said the the goal of giving residents senior center in a state-

ment. Senior Centers are often looked at as the stereotype nursing home where many go to live out the rest of their days. However, a senior center can be a newfound home for those looking for assisted living. Many have different events to participate in, daily activities, Holiday celebrations and more. Caregiving can be challenging for those in the field, but each caregiver has a purpose to fulfill

MORE INFORMATION List of Local Senior Centers: • Robert E. Harrill Senior Center: (828) 265- 8090 • Generations Ashe: (336) 246-2461 • Avery County Senior Center: (828) 773-8820 • Margate Health and Rehab: (336) 246-5581 • Forest Ridge Assisted Living: (336) 846-1008 • Deerﬁeld Ridge Assisted Living: (828) 677-2446 the lives they look after, making sure every day was as great as the last. At some point, support from family, friends and local programs may not be enough. People who require help full-time might

move to a residential facility that provides many or all of the long-term care services they need,” said the National Institute on Aging. “Facility-based long-term care services include: board and care

homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities.” All of the senior care facilities have the same goal of creating an active and comforting environment for those in need. 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.

Key to keeping a pet healthy means visiting the vet BY MOSS BRENNAN

ne 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

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 According to the American Kennel Club, outside PHOTO SUBMITTED of lyme disease, ticks can Keith Chesnutt and Kaytlynn Shoemaker look over a cat at also carry anaplasmosis and the Animal Hospital of Boone. bebesiosis. Babesiosis can be present a stretch of warmer days. that, but that can be really with a wide range of sympIf a dog does get sick, the dangerous.” toms, from sudden and most common symptom is According to the Amerisevere shock, high fever, joint pain, a fever and flu can Kennel Club, treatment and dark urine to a slowly like symptoms. for lyme disease in dogs progressing infection with “There’s a more serious usually includes antibiotics more subtle clinical signs, issue that can occur when for at least 30 days. Treataccording to the American dogs get kidney disease,” ment can also include other Kennel Club. Watson said. “That’s therapies aimed at resolving One of the keys to make probably only about one to or relieving specific sympsure a pet is healthy is to two person of dogs that get toms. 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 grainfree 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.

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Mountain Times Publications • Page 21

The rise of holistic treatment in the Western world ing on prevention. The continuous enhancements of clinical medicine in association olistic mediwith advancements in gencine, widely eral health knowledge still misconstrued provide the best option for as old-world the majority of disease and remedies, takes its shape wellness issues, however from the entirety of body more and more holistic and mind. Wellness as approaches have been a whole can incorporate integrated into modern many different practices Western medicine. and treatments infusing Common examples of the conditions of the body, contemporary holistic mind and spirit. treatments include acuThe epicenter of holistic puncture, herbal remedies, treatment revolves around massage therapy, yoga, the connection between meditation, aromatherapy, these three elements of hypnosis, energy therwellbeing. A core principle apy and a multitude of of this approach includes other traditional Eastern treating the cause of one’s medicine techniques and ailments, not just releasing natural biomedicine supthe symptoms and focusplements.

BY NEAL FALVEY

NEAL.FALVEY@ AVERYJOURNAL.COM

One of the more common misconceptions of holistic treatments is the notion that alternative approaches can outright replace the need for modern medicinal practices and pharmaceuticals. Holistic techniques and remedies ought to be considered complimentary in its sincerest form, rather than substitutive. While holistic medicine may not be an encompassing methodology for cancer or malaria, there are a number of clinically tested ailments that can be improved by holistic means. Some of the prevalent issues that can be addressed are anxiety, depression, chronic pain, headache along with men-

tal and emotional trauma. The World Health Organization reports that, “During the last decade, use of traditional medicine has expanded globally and has gained popularity. It has not only continued to be used for primary health care of the poor in developing countries, but has also been used in countries where conventional medicine is predominant in the national health care system. With the tremendous expansion in the use of traditional medicine worldwide, safety and efficacy as well as quality control of herbal medicines and traditional procedure-based therapies have

An often-overlooked health adversary Health professionals estimate as many as 1 billion people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea BY DAVID ROGERS

noring has been laughed oﬀ as a character trait, depicted in cartoons and movies as something to laugh at. In reality, it is far from amusing since it is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea and estimated to aﬄict as many as one billion people worldwide. The ramifications can be dire. According to a 2012 bulletin from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Sleep Apnea: What is Sleep Apnea,” the condition may increase the risk of heart

attack, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heart beat, obesity, and even motor vehicle collisions, among other health concerns. Left untreated, death may be accelerated. A recent report from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine describes at least one classification of sleep apnea as “... a hidden health crisis in the United States.” It estimates that undiagnosed sleep apnea cost the U.S. some $150 billion in the U.S., projecting that the disorder aﬄicts 29.4 million American men and women. The estimated costs, says the AASM report, is $87 billion in lost

productivity each year, as well as causing millions of dollars per year in work-related and automobile accidents. Again according to the report, total health care and medication costs related to undiagnosed sleep apnea add up to $30 billion a year. Generally, says research from the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. “If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea,” says a Mayo Clinic description on its website.

FILE PHOTO SUBMITTED

Acupuncture involves thin needles inserted into the body and SEE HOLISTIC ON PAGE 22 is a holistic healing method used by West Wellness in Boone.

There are three basic classifications of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), or a mix of the two. Obstructive sleep apnea, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the most common form of the disorder, occurring when the throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Mixed or “complex sleep apnea syndrome” occurs when someone has symptoms of both OSA and CSA. SEE APNEA ON PAGE 22

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Page 22 • Mountain Times Publications

HOLISTIC

tional medicine.” Holistic, traditional and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 complementary medicine varies between regions and depends become important concerns on regional attitudes, history, for both health authorities and culture and philosophical viewthe public. Various practices of points. traditional medicine have been When analyzing holistic, developed in different cultures traditional, integrated and in different regions without a complementary remedies and parallel development of interna- techniques, the WHO referenctional standards and appropriate es sample size, control groups, methods for evaluating tradiassessment, evaluation and

APNEA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

The signs of both primary classifications sometimes overlap, but the symptoms of sleep apnea are: • Loud snoring • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person • Gasping for air during sleep • Awakening with a dry mouth • Morning headache • Diﬃculty staying asleep (insomnia) • Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia) • Diﬃculty paying attention while awake • Irritability Obstructive Sleep Apnea According to the Mayo Clinic, factors that increase the risk of this form of sleep apnea include: • Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea. Fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing. • Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways. • A narrowed airway. You might have inherited a narrow throat. Tonsils or adenoids also can enlarge and block the airway, particularly in children.

• Being male. Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than are women. However, women increase their risk if they’re overweight, and their risk also appears to rise after menopause. • Being older. Sleep apnea occurs significantly more often in older adults. • Family history. Having family members with sleep apnea might increase your risk. • Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea. • Smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than are people who’ve never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway. • Nasal congestion. If you have diﬃculty breathing through your nose — whether from an anatomical problem or allergies — you’re more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea. • Medical conditions. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease are some of the conditions that may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke and chronic lung diseases such as

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES research as key ingredients to efficacy, safety and sufficiency to alternative treatments. Holistic approaches to prevention, recovery and treatment have gained popularity in each passing year, thus providing a larger platform for both availability and effectiveness. A study conducted by the Federation of Holistic Therapists in 2018 found that the most popular holistic therapies are reflexology,

massage therapy and aromatherapy. When it comes down to topical and ingestible holistic herbal treatments the WHO states that, “A place for traditional herbal remedies in the health care system will be established only if recommendations for their use are based on studies that make them credible and acceptable. Thus, studies with herbal medicines must satisfy the same

criteria of efficacy and safety as do the drugs that are products of the modern pharmaceutical industry.” The rise in popularity of holistic, traditional, alternative and complementary approaches to medicine will not only continue to change the market for techniques and methodology but will also provide increasingly diverse options for individuals who suffer from ailments.

asthma also can increase risk. Central Sleep Apnea Some of the CSA risk factors are similar to OSA, including: • Being older. Middle-aged and older people have a higher risk of central sleep apnea. • Being male. Central sleep apnea is more common in men than it is in women. • Heart disorders. Having congestive heart failure increases the risk. • Using narcotic pain medications. Opioid medications, especially long-acting ones such as methadone, increase the risk of central sleep apnea. • Stroke. Having had a stroke increases your risk of central sleep apnea or treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. The Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic and numerous neurologists and sleep specialists all agree: if you have any of the above symptoms, don’t discount them. Complications from sleep apnea are serious: • Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible, making severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely.

You might have diﬃculty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. People with sleep apnea have an increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents. You might also feel quick-tempered, moody or depressed. Children and adolescents with sleep apnea might perform poorly in school or have behavior problems. • High blood pressure or heart problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. Having obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). Obstructive sleep apnea might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. If you have heart disease, multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) can lead to sudden death from an irregular heartbeat. • Type 2 diabetes. Having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. • Metabolic syndrome. This disorder, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and an increased waist cir-

cumference, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease. • Complications with medications and surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. People with sleep apnea might be more likely to have complications after major surgery because they’re prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs. Before you have surgery, tell your doctor about your sleep apnea and how it’s being treated. • Liver problems. People with sleep apnea are more likely to have abnormal results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). • Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep anyone who sleeps near you from getting good rest. It’s not uncommon for a partner to have to go to another room, or even to another floor of the house, to be able to sleep. There are diﬀerent treatments for sleep apnea. If you suspect you might be suﬀering from the disorder, see your doctor. A sleep study might be recommended, and if detected, a probable visit to a neurologist or sleep specialist to help manage it.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Mountain Times Publications • Page 23

Hidden costs Lack of adequate, regular sleep impairs faculties, increases health risks COMPILED BY DAVID ROGERS

leep is often the first thing to go when people are pressed Routinely failing to get a good night’s rest can have a profor time, and the found effect on a person’s overall well-being. rationales are endless: gotta get to work, must get this report read, need to read the WebMD examines the imSleep plays a critical role in newspaper, have a game to portance of sleep holistically thinking and learning. Lack play, my favorite movie is on and devotes a large section of of sleep hurts these cognitive TV tonight, kids to feed, had information to the topic: processes in many ways. to work overtime, a final exam “You know lack of sleep First, it impairs attention, tomorrow and must study... can make you grumpy and alertness, concentration, reaSleep is when the body foggy. You may not know soning, and problem solving. heals itself and strengthens what it can do to your sex This makes it more difficult itself. life, memory, health, looks, to learn efficiently. “Numerous studies have and even ability to lose Second, during the night, found that insufficient sleep weight. Here are 10 surprisvarious sleep cycles play increases a person’s risk of ing — and serious — effects a role in “consolidating” developing serious medical of sleep loss,” says the Webmemories in the mind. If you conditions, including obesity, MD introduction. It goes on, don’t get enough sleep, you diabetes, and cardiovascular enumerating details. won’t be able to remember disease,” says the report “Get 1. Sleepiness Causes what you learned and experiSleep,” on the Harvard Med- Accidents enced during the day. ical School website. “Lack Sleep deprivation was a 3. Sleep Deprivation of adequate sleep over time factor in some of the biggest Can Lead to Serious has been associated with a disasters in recent history: Health Problems shortened lifespan.” the 1979 nuclear accident at Sleep disorders and chronSeparately, the National Three Mile Island, the masic sleep loss can put you at Institutes of Health maintain sive Exxon Valdez oil spill, risk for: that sleep is as important the 1986 nuclear meltdown • Heart disease for good health as diet and at Chernobyl, and others. • Heart attack exercise, that “... good sleep But sleep loss is also a big • Heart failure improves brain performance, public safety hazard every • Irregular heartbeat mood, and health.” day on the road. Drowsiness • High blood pressure Dr. Marshika Brown, a can slow reaction time as • Stroke sleep expert at the NIH, says much as driving drunk. The • Diabetes there is more to sleep than National Highway Traffic According to some estijust the hours spent in bed. Safety Administration estimates, 90% of people with “Healthy sleep encommates that fatigue is a cause insomnia — a sleep disorder passes three major things,” in 100,000 auto crashes and characterized by trouble she explains. “One is how 1,550 crash-related deaths a falling and staying asleep much sleep you get. Another year in the U.S. The problem — also have another health is sleep quality—that you get is greatest among people condition. uninterrupted and refreshing under 25 years old. 4. Lack of Sleep Kills sleep. The last is a consistent 2. Sleep Loss Dumbs Sex Drive sleep schedule.” You Down Sleep specialists say that

sleep-deprived men and women report lower libidos and less interest in sex. Depleted energy, sleepiness, and increased tension may be largely to blame. For men with sleep apnea, a respiratory problem that interrupts sleep, there may be another factor in the sexual slump. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2002 suggests that many men with sleep apnea also have low testosterone levels. In the study, nearly half of the men who suﬀered from severe sleep apnea also secreted abnormally low levels of testosterone during the night. 5. Sleepiness Is Depressing Over time, lack of sleep and sleep disorders can contribute to the symptoms of depression. In a 2005 Sleep in America poll, people who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety were more likely to sleep less than six hours at night. The most common sleep disorder, insomnia, has the strongest link to depression. In a 2007 study of 10,000 people, those with insomnia were five times as likely to develop depression as those without. In fact, insomnia is often one of the first symptoms of depression. Insomnia and depression feed on each other. Sleep loss often aggravates the symptoms of depression, and depression can make it more diﬃcult to fall asleep. On the positive side, treating sleep problems can help depression and its symptoms, and vice versa. 6. Lack of Sleep Ages Your Skin

Most people have experienced sallow skin and puﬀy eyes after a few nights of missed sleep. But it turns out that chronic sleep loss can lead to lackluster skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. In excess amounts, cortisol can break down skin collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic. Sleep loss also causes the body to release too little human growth hormone. When we’re young, human growth hormone promotes growth. As we age, it helps increase muscle mass, thicken skin, and strengthen bones. “It’s during deep sleep — what we call slow-wave sleep — that growth hormone is released,” says sleep expert Phil Gehrman, PhD. “It seems to be part of normal tissue repair — patching the wear and tear of the day.” 7. Sleepiness Makes You Forgetful Trying to keep your memory sharp? Try getting plenty of sleep. In 2009, American and French researchers determined that brain events called “sharp wave ripples” are responsible for consolidating memory. The ripples also transfer learned information from the hippocampus to the neocortex of the brain, where long-term memories are stored. Sharp wave ripples occur mostly during the deepest levels of sleep. 8. Losing Sleep Can Make You Gain Weight When it comes to body

weight, it may be that if you snooze, you lose. Lack of sleep seems to be related to an increase in hunger and appetite, and possibly to obesity. According to a 2004 study, people who sleep less than six hours a day were almost 30 percent more likely to become obese than those who slept seven to nine hours. 9. Lack of Sleep May Increase Risk of Death In the “Whitehall II Study,” British researchers looked at how sleep patterns aﬀected the mortality of more than 10,000 British civil servants over two decades. The results, published in 2007, showed that those who had cut their sleep from seven to five hours or fewer a night nearly doubled their risk of death from all causes. In particular, lack of sleep doubled the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 10. Sleep Loss Impairs Judgment, Especially About Sleep Lack of sleep can aﬀect our interpretation of events. This hurts our ability to make sound judgments because we may not assess situations accurately and act on them wisely. Sleep-deprived people seem to be especially prone to poor judgment when it comes to assessing what lack of sleep is doing to them. In our increasingly fast-paced world, functioning on less sleep has become a kind of badge of honor. But sleep specialists say if you think you’re doing fine on less sleep, you’re probably wrong. And if you work in a profession where it’s important to be able to judge your level of functioning, this can be a big problem.

Page 24 • Mountain Times Publications

HEALTHY LIFETIMES

Wednesday, February 23, 2022