OurHealth Lynchburg and Southside Magazine: April/May 2020

trustworthy CARE CLOSE TO HOME

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OurHealthLynchburg.com

April | May 2020

Delivering a Different Dose of

Medicine: THE DEBUT OF

OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside’s

HOW SPECIALTYCARE IS

Changing for the Better Guide

Three D’s

to do during

Spring Cleaning

Defining

What’s Special

Can You Pass the Test of Coronavirus Disease Terms?

How Specialty Care is Changing for the Better.

TIMES

about your

Specialty

April/May

contents

Regular

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THREE D’S TO DO DURING SPRING CLEANING

There’s more to spring cleaning than opening windows.

See what it takes to really deep clean your home — and why it means tossing out as much junk as possible.

DEPARTMENTS 10 11 14 16

The Pulse New People Health Scene Q&A on Health

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ON THE COVER

Delivering a Different Dose of Medicine: The

Debut of OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside’s How Specialty Care Is Changing for the Better Guide

Three local medical providers share notable advancements that have changed how health conditions are diagnosed and/or treated in their specialty.

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WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR SPECIALTY?

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APRIL • MAY

Contents

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QUARANTINE BEAUTY QUEEN

DEFINING TIMES

It’s likely to be a little while before anyone sees the inside of a salon or spa. Here are a few do-it-yourself beauty practices to help you look and feel your best while you’re under lockdown.

You might be surprised to learn that the definitions for words like ‘social distancing’ and ‘quarantine’ have taken on different meanings from those you might have known.

NEW MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM HELPS FILL IN DEMAND CLINICAL NEEDS

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE PART II | IMMUNE SYSTEM

A partnership by Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), Centra Health, and the Johnson Health Center is making entry into healthcare — as a certified professional — quicker than ever.

What Can Our Eyesight Tell Us About Our Health? The ophthalmologists and optometrists at Harman Eye Center share what an eye exam can reveal about your immune system.

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APRIL • MAY 2020

PUBLISHER McClintic Media, Inc. PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION Jennifer Hungate ACCOUNTING MANAGER Laura Bower GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tori Meador

CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS Saju Eapen, MD

Sarah Gregory, PA-C Brad Lentz, DMD Thomas Meyer, MD

CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL Jennifer Lamont EXPERTS & WRITERS Rick Piester

Heather Pippen Dylan Roche Meredith Shaw

Stephanie Wright

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Cindy Trujillo | Senior Media Consultant

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COMMENTS/FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS We welcome your feedback. Please send all comments and/or questions to the following: U.S. Mail: McClintic Media, Inc., ATTN: Steve McClintic, Jr., President/ Publisher/Editor: 303 S. Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Ext. 1 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth websites (websites listed below) and social media updates and emails is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical or health advice of an individual’s physician or healthcare provider as it relates to individual situations. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF YOUR DOCTOR. All matters concerning physical and mental health should be supervised by a health practitioner knowledgeable in treating that particular condition. The publisher does not directly or indirectly dispense medical advice and does not assume any responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves. The publisher has taken reasonable precaution in preparing this publication, however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

Copyright © 2020 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Lynchburg/Southside is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 303 S. Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483.

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The Pulse INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS

NEWPEOPLE

NewsandNotes

Recommendations Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings The Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. Recent studies suggest that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant communitybased transmission.

Virginia “Ginny” Blevins, FNP

Krista Casebolt, NP

James Marcouillier, PA

Timothy Olsen, PA

Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Lynchburg | 434.200.5252 www.centrahealth.com

Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Lynchburg | 434.200.5252 www.centrahealth.com

Centra Medical Group Piedmont Psychiatric Center Farmville | 434.200.5999 www.centrahealth.com

Centra Medical Group Neurology Center Lynchburg | 434.200.3600 www.centrahealth.com

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Moreinformation: For a comprehensive list of COVID-19 information and resources in Virginia, visit www.vd.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

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Rose Taylor-Lewis, DNP Centra Health Lynchburg General Hospital Lynchburg | 434.200.3000 www.centrahealth.com

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The Pulse • NEWS TO KNOW NewsandNotes

2-1-1 Virginia Issues Reminder of Support and Services 2-1-1 Virginia issues a reminder to Virginians of its support and services, especially in times of disaster. By dialing 2-1-1, the free, confidential referral and information helpline can connect people to health and human services they may be seeking out, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you dial 2-11, a trained professional is available to listen to your situation and suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia. Support and assistance is available for food assistance, unemployment resources, temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) benefits, child care resources, tax assistance, health conditions, emotional support, and more.

2-1-1 VIRGINIA provides access to services in the greater Lynchburg community and statewide. All referrals are confidential.

You may also search for these same services on the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA web site, www.211virginia.org.

Government, nonprofit, and communitybased agencies, as well as businesses that provide health and human services to the citizens of Virginia are encouraged to list their services. To list your agency, click on "Update/Add Your Agency" and then click on the “Add New Agency” button.

Moreinformation: 2-1-1 VIRGINIA is a service of the Virginia Department of Social Services provided in partnership with the Council of Community Services, The Planning Council, the United Way of Central Virginia, and the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg.

For More of The Pulse Visit:

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Health Scene HAPPENINGS • WHO’S WHO • TRENDING words and photos courtesy of | CENTRA

A Community Comes Together in Time of Need When a community comes together the way the greater Lynchburg community has, beautiful things happen. In a time of stress local businesses, organizations, and members of the community have responded in a remarkable way. Through donations of medical supplies, meals, and financial contributions Centra has had the honor of seeing what happens when a community surrounds and lifts its own. It’s ironic that at a time when physical distancing is a top priority, people have been “coming together” in more ways than imaginable.

As supply donations streamed in from local businesses like Harbor Freight Tools in Lynchburg, The Centra Foundation, Lynchburg Christian Academy, and the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia, other businesses found innovative ways to lift spirits. Countless meals and snacks delivered from local restaurants, businesses and organizations were a muchappreciated treat. There is not near enough room to recognize all the local businesses and individuals who have contributed time and supplies, but here are just a few that have made a big difference in the care that Centra has continued to provide the community.

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For more information on the continued needs of the Centra medical community, visit www.centrahealth.com/coronavirus or email communityliaison@centrahealth.com.

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8 1) Kids and staff at Caterpillar Clubhouse daycare made get well and Easter cards for patients at Virginia Baptist Hospital who could not have visitors. 2) High school students raised money to donate coffee and donuts to caregivers at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital with discounted donuts from Mama Crockett’s and coffee donated from Lion and Lamb and Chick-fil-A Wards Road. 3) Woodruff’s Pies are donated to caregivers at the Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center. 4) Jefferson Forest High School Boy’s Basketball team could not hold their end-of-season banquet, so they donated their desserts to the Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department.

5) Community members sewed and donated masks to be used for visitors, employees, and non-COVID-19 patients throughout all Centra facilities. 6) Girl Scout Troop 1306 donated cookies and sent in notes of encouragement to caregivers at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. 7) Centra caregivers deliver Easter and get well cards to patients on their units who are unable to have visitors. 8) Local restaurant Small Batch donates barbeque to caregivers at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. 9) Centra President and CEO Andy Mueller wears a personalized mask made and donated to him by retired CNA, 89-year-old Carleen Campbell. 10) Central Virginia Family Physicians donated breakfast to members of the Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department. 11) Supportive chalk messages are written on the sidewalks around Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. 12) The Junior League of Lynchburg has to date, donated over 300 homemade masks to be used across all Centra facilities for visitors and staff. 13) The Centra Foundation donated nearly one million dollars to Centra to purchase new ventilators, digital portable x-ray machines, and public health education campaigns in response to the coronavirus.

14) The Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia donated 3,700 masks and 100 hazmat suits for caregivers at Centra. 15) Saunders Brothers Orchard donated 1500 Phlox plants to caregivers and patients at every unit at Centra’s Virginia Baptist Hospital, Bedford Memorial Hospital, Southside Community Hospital, the Gretna Emergency Department, Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center and Urgent Care, in Forest. 16) Harbor Freight in Lynchburg donates supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. 17) Painted rocks supporting healthcare workers were placed around Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. 18) Liberty Christian Academy donates goggles and protective equipment from their science classrooms as well as snacks and encouragement to an alumna and nurse at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department.

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Questions. Answers.

Knowledge.

Did you know?

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS AND ALLERGIC DISEASES IS LIKELY

BI-DIRECTIONAL. While there is evidence that stress may make asthma and allergic skin disorders worse, it is also likely that the symptoms of moderate to severe allergic diseases are likely

Is there a link between stress and allergies?

Why am I having night sweats?

Why does my dentist take so many x-rays?

The relationship between stress and allergic diseases is likely bidirectional. While there is evidence that stress may make asthma and allergic skin disorders worse, it is also likely that the symptoms of moderate to severe allergic diseases are likely to create stress. For example, a patient with chronic sinus pressure, nasal congestion and drainage or chronic itching is likely to feel bad most of the time, and will not be able to focus. Sleep is also likely to be disturbed as a result.

For these people it is like living with a cold all the time. This can, in turn, contribute to stress. Chronic stress can also affect the immune system and affect one’s ability to fight infections. Stress does not directly cause allergies but appears to make allergies worse by releasing histamines and inflammatory mediators, one of the causes of inflammation. Essentially, stress complicates the control of allergic disease and vice versa.

Night sweats are episodes in which someone suffers from moderate to severe sweating at night. Severe night sweats would likely require someone to get out of bed and change clothes and possibly even their sheets. An overheated room or too many blankets may be a simple cause of sweating at night, but severe symptoms are more likely to be related to a medical condition.

X-rays provide dentists a complete and accurate assessment of a patient’s teeth, roots, and supporting tissues of the teeth.

There are areas that cannot be seen with the naked eye and x-rays help show these areas to determine whether the teeth are healthy. Many people can go for long periods of time without any cavities, but x-rays will often show the first signs of change and help dentists treat an area of decay early. Capturing these changes as soon as possible is critical in managing the health of someone’s teeth.

Saju Eapen, MD

Asthma and Allergy Center Lynchburg | 434.846.2244 www.asthmaandallergycenter.net

TO CREATE STRESS.

For many women, night sweats are a symptom of menopause. There are other hormonal disorders that can cause them, including thyroid disease and endocrine conditions.

They can also frequently occur as a result of infections: bacterial, viral and parasitic.

Malignancies (cancer) can also cause night sweats, as can some neurological conditions (particularly spinal cord conditions/injuries).

Medications are a common cause of night sweats. Antidepressants in particular can cause them, as well as diabetes medications and other types of medications.

In brief, night sweats are something you should bring to the attention of your healthcare provider so they can determine if they are of concern.

Sarah Gregory, PA-C

CVFP – Internal Medicine Lynchburg | 434.947.3944 www.cvfp.net

Also, x-rays show us more than just the teeth! As dentists we are also evaluating the health of the supporting tissues of the teeth, also known as the periodontium. X-rays show the periodontal bone that holds teeth in place and are vital in this evaluation.

Also, x-rays can alert dentists to potential pathology, or disease. We can’t always diagnose pathology solely from an x-ray, but there are things we can see on x-rays in patients with no symptoms that can alert us to a potential problem.

These findings can be benign conditions requiring no treatment, but can also show infection or even potentially more serious conditions like cancer.

Brad Lentz, DMD

Lynchburg Dental Center Lynchburg | 434.384.7611 www.lynchburgdentist.com

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Questions. Answers.

Knowledge.

What is a silent heart attack?

80% Did you know?

One study followed nearly 2000 patients initially free of cardiovascular disease for 10 years and found that eight percent developed evidence of a heart attack;

A “silent heart attack” is a myocardial infarction (heart attack) that occurs without symptoms or perhaps uncommon symptoms such has indigestion, nausea or sweating. Risk factors for a silent heart attack include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol. There are several tests your doctor can perform to detect a silent heart attack including an EKG, echocardiogram, nuclear stress test or MRI. A silent heart attack can put you at risk for subsequent heart attacks, so it is important to do everything you can to control your risks. This includes eating a healthy diet, weight loss, exercise, not smoking and control of your hypertension, high cholesterol and blood sugar.

Thomas Meyer, MD

Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Lynchburg | 434.200.5252 www.centrahealth.com

How do you treat early signs of dementia in a retirement home?

The health and well-being of residents living in senior housing is the first and foremost priority of healthcare providers in these communities. Some early signs of dementia may include short-term memory issues, short attention span, and increased confusion. An important first step is having a medical director in the community, a family practice provider, or a specialist in geriatrics and dementia rule out any other causes of these symptoms. Otherwise, assisted living staff can offer reminders of activity and mealtimes, provide programs of a shorter duration, and redirect a resident who may have lost focus or becomes distracted.

The Heritage Green staff is trained to offer reality orientation and validation techniques best suited to validate the resident’s emotions should they become unable to understand the current reality.

If the resident is diagnosed with dementia, his or her care plan will be reevaluated to make sure they are getting the most appropriate level of care in order to continue bringing joy and quality of life to them.

80 PERCENT

OF THESE PATIENTS WERE UNAWARE OF THEIR CONDITION.* *Journal of the American Medical Associates, 11/10/15

Heather Pippen

Heritage Green Assisted Living and Memory Care Lynchburg | 434.515.1959 www.heritagegreenlyncburg.com

How many treatments will I need in order to see results from laser skin resurfacing?

Laser treatments improve the skin’s texture and tone to rejuvenate the skin by stimulating collagen. This gives an enhanced look to the skin even after one treatment. However, the number of treatments needed for full correction can depend on the condition of the skin when treatments begin, the patient's home skin care before and after treatment, as well as the specific concerns we are addressing. Another consideration is the patient's ability to have downtime, or time to recover. Laser treatments that have little downtime require more treatments to get the same results as lasers with longer downtime.

An aggressive skin resurfacing laser, such as the SmartSkin CO2, may require approximately seven days of social downtime but will typically address concerns with just one treatment. Typically for full correction, a patient will need one aggressive laser treatment or three to five laser treatments with mild to moderate downtime. Laser treatments to fit each patient’s preferences are available.

Stephanie Wright, Master Esthetician

Wyndhust Medical Aesthetics and Hormone Clinic Lynchburg | 434.386.8894 www.wyndhurstaesthetics.com

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Step #1

MAKING YOUR HOUSE A

HEALTHIER HOME

Find times to schedule each part of the home so it makes the most sense.

CLEAN • DECLUTTER • ORGANIZE

Three D’s

Herearejusta fewideastoget youstarted:

To do during

Spring Cleaning Spring is a perfect time to organize your home and

make it that much healthier and more inviting, and it begins with following the three D’s: Declutter, Disinfect and Deep Clean. But there’s more to it than opening windows when you feel a warm breeze in the air. See what it takes to really deep clean your home — and why it means tossing out as much junk as possible.

Pantry: The holidays are a great time to remove items from the shelves. Check expiration dates, donate fresh items that you’re unlikely to eat, toss unidentifiable foods, and rediscover usable items.

Medicine cabinet: If your local law enforcement agency has a Take Back Prescription Day, start clearing out this cabinet prior to the event.

words | MEREDITH SHAW

If you’re getting ready to air out your rooms in preparation for spring cleaning, you may want to try a different tactic this year. There’s more to this ritual than just clearing out the stale winter funk. Instead of treating the surface dust of the home, a real deep cleaning should combine decluttering with disinfecting and organizing. Learn more about how to break it down, which tools can help, and when to let go of your packrat tendencies.

Stop Referring to It As Spring

Garage: Most neighborhoods have trash days when residents can dispose of bulk trash, or schedule it right before a community yard sale.

Cleaning

This isn’t about bringing out your summer clothes and letting the sunlight be your natural disinfectant. You really can’t tackle everything in one season because when you’re going about it the right way, the sheer volume of work would seem too overwhelming. Instead, focus on deep cleaning each section of the home thoroughly and in the process, set the stage for maintenance in the long term. Much like tips for general health and fitness, keeping a status quo is far easier than starting from scratch every single time.

Home office: If your office is stuffed with old documents, make (and pre-pay for) an appointment with a professional shredding service so you have a reason to start sorting. www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

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OurHealth | Connecting You to Trustworthy Care Close to Home

These apps can

HELP YOU

organize, digitize, and generally get rid of junk—and maybe make some money while you do so.

Sortly App: for the hyper-organized, this is a dream app.

Sortly lets you create a visual inventory by taking photos of your items or scanning QR codes. After you input your items, you can sort them into category folders by location (like in the jewelry box or in the garage closet). You can also tag certain items for easy search and include purchase and warranty dates for even more detail.

COST: FREE Download from iTunes, iOS devices only.

Decluttr: Make selling DVDs, CDs, video games, and more the work of minutes— not a whole afternoon— with Decluttr’s barcode scanner, which makes short work of figuring out how much you can sell your items for. All shipping is free, so you can get those space hogs out ASAP, and any earnings can help fund some spacefriendly digital downloads.

COST: FREE, for iOS and Android

Step #2

Map Out Your Decluttering

Criteria

Most of us have a difficult time deciding whether we should keep something or not. Multiply that mental exhaustion over countless items in the home, and it’s easy to see why decluttering isn’t a common practice. One tip is to think everything through objectively before you even start cleaning.

First, determine the best ways to dispose of

everything, including hazardous materials such as old batteries and electronic waste.

Second, decide how you’ll justify keeping certain

items. Ask yourself who is likely to use each item in the home, and if you can’t come up with a concrete answer, then it really should go.

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If you haven’t used your old cake-decorating kit in three years, chances are this year is not going to be a turning point for you.

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Tody: Motivate yourself (and your family members) to clean more often with this smart app.

You can create cleaning tasks and to-do lists by frequency and the app will tell you when a chore is due or overdue, and when something was last cleaned.

COST: $4 Download from iTunes, iOS devices only.

Handy: Sometimes you might need to ask for extra help. This is where Handy comes in. With this app you can schedule a date and time for a cleaning professional to come and tidy up. Plus, track the progress of your cleaning session—from when the cleaner is on the way to when he or she is just finishing up.

COST: FREE, for iOS and Android

www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

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Step #4

It’s Time for a Deep

Step #3 Bring Out

THE TOOLS

The decluttering has to come before the deep clean, because it’s all too easy to let surface problems cloud the real dangers below. That soda spill behind the couch that’s been out of sight, out of mind? The sticky residue on the floor can attract anything from a build-up of bacteria to an army of ants. The same goes for the spills in the back of the fridge that are hidden by expired condiments.

Besides general household cleaners, you can use natural disinfectants like LEMON JUICE and VINEGAR

Hang cookware on cabinet pot racks, store shoes in a tree, and arrange knick-knacks in a bookcase. Shelving can be

to kill off a number of bacteria and pathogens.

Some people use TOOTHPASTE to get out silver tarnish, and Kool-Aid powder to remove the rings on their toilet.

especially handy in a closet or garage because you’re not wasting all that precious wall space to put items front and center (so you’re not constantly upending your closet every time you want to find your favorite scarf).

Organization

TIPS & TRICKS

You can even wipe down metal fixtures with used DRYER SHEETS to give them a nice sheen.

Deep cleaning brings items out in the open and improves the quality of the air you breathe.

It’s no wonder that studies conducted at Princeton University have both showed a strong link between mental health and the state of one’s environment. For example, clutter can make it more difficult to focus on a single task because it distracts and overwhelms the visual cortex.

In addition, house cleanliness has been shown to be strongly correlated with physical health.

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Frustration can be a common feeling even in the cleanest of homes, but it’s only exasperated if the place is a sty.

Step #5

”

Create an Add magnets to garage shelving and tack up smaller tools.

This is where app suggestions can really come in handy: “Hey Alexa, we have seven pairs of pajamas that don’t fit Ricky!”

From the basement to the attic and everything in between, you have a real opportunity to dig into your mess and root out the underlying problems that cause it. Once your home is organized and disinfected, you’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off you.

It all starts with taking the first step in one section of your home, and then working your way out from there.

Use heavy-duty hooks for major items, such as surfboards, rakes, or fishing rods.

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Inventory

If you’ve ever wondered why you have four wine openers and nine old measuring cups, you’re not alone. A meticulous inventory is the best way to stop the endless cycle replacing items you already have.

Employ clotheslines in an attic to store summer hats and winter scarves.

Use shower curtain rings on a single hanger to separate and organize multiple scarves in one place.

Clean

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words | DYLAN ROCHE

OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside’s first annual How Specialty Care Is Changing for the Better Guide brings to light some of the more notable advancements that have changed how health conditions are diagnosed and/or treated across 13 different medical specialties. No matter how in-tune to current events you may be, there’s a good chance you’ll learn something from this Guide because it will likely make a difference in yours or a loved one’s health one day.

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How Specialty Care is Changing for the Better

Guide Breakdown: Most of us have heard the phrase ‘the only constant in life is change’. The lesson learned from this seven-word statement is a valuable one, and perhaps even more important to live by in today’s faster-than-ever-paced world than during any other time we’ve known.

Still, the notion of change can be difficult for many to embrace, even when the change is for the better.

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Fear that’s associated with change often comes down to having a lack of knowledge about something already considered intimidating because of the complicated and negative shape it has been molded into by those we believe we can trust.

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Couple this with the sheer speed and volume of inconsistent information coming at us in so many formats – computers, phones, tablets, television, radio and print – it can not only feel like drinking from a fire hose, but also completely close the door on any chance of considering a different perspective.

There’s perhaps no better example of the uncertainty that stems from misperception and fear of the unknown than when it comes to understanding healthcare. That’s where OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside’s How Specialty Care Is Changing for the Better Guide comes in. This Guide is built upon the format OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside’s is known for — language that’s easy to understand, technical terms that are defined and a friendly tone that encourages a desire to learn more about how positive change has transformed or is transforming 13 major medical specialties our readers want to know more about. Our hope is this Guide will serve as a way to start and keep the conversation going about the services offered by experts who recognize how emotional the topic of healthcare is, and why it’s vital for these professionals to continue reinforcing the message they are allies on the same team as their patients, committed to serving and helping them realize their best health potential.

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Allergy & Immunology » FOR MORE | page 29

How Acupuncture Works, LLC’s Specialty Care is Changing for the Better.

Cardiology PAGE

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Dermatology Endodontics PAGE

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Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology) Gastroenterology PAGE

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Neurology Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) » FOR MORE | page 33

How Johnson Health Center’s Specialty Care is Changing for the Better.

PAGE

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Ophthalmology Physical Therapy PAGE

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Plastic Surgery Urogynecology PAGE

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Urology

» DON’T MISS | page 37

How Gentle Shepherds Hospice’s Specialty Care is Changing for the Better.

www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

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Allergy and Immunology The Role of an Allergist Allergist/Immunologist Immunologist

An allergist/immunologist diagnoses and manages medical conditions involving the immune system such as asthma, anaphylaxix (allergic reaction), rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose) and eczema, as well as negative reactions to drugs, foods, and insect stings. Allergy/ immunology specialists also focus on immune deficiency diseases and problems related to autoimmune disease (a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body), organ transplantation, or malignancies of the immune system.

Cardiology The Role of a

Cardiologist

A cardiologist diagnoses and manages conditions of the heart, blood vessels and circulatory system. In many cases, this means helping patients understand the dangers of heart disease and preventing it through healthy lifestyle practices.

In more extreme cases, this could entail treating heart attacks, heart failure and serious heart rhythm disturbances. Although a cardiologist will diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease, and they may undertake procedures such as the insertion of a pacemaker, a cardiologist is not the same as a cardiac surgeon, who performs heart surgery.

Recommended Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Cardiology

To Use When Researching Allergy/Immunology

American College of Cardiology www.acc.org

American Board of Allergy and Immunology www.abai.org

American Society of Echocardiography www.asecho.org

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology www.aaaai.org

Heart Rhythm Society www.hrsonline.org

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology www.acaai.org

American Heart Association www.heart.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Early evidence provided by a Stanford-led pilot study has determined that an injection of an antibody treatment called etokimab allowed people with severe peanut allergies to eat a nut’s worth of peanut protein two weeks later.

Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), was being developed as far back as the 1980s, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration less than a decade ago as a minimally invasive option for people with aortic stenosis, a condition that prevents their heart’s aortic valve from opening all the way, thus limiting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. A cardiologist can implant a TAVR via a catheter, which is inserted through tiny blood vessels in the leg or a tiny incision in the chest. The cardiologist then guides the catheter along the blood vessels until it reaches the aortic valve, where a small balloon on the tip of the catheter is inflated to set the new valve in place.

Peanut Allergies

“

Researchers are repeating the study with a larger group of participants to better learn who will

benefit from antibody treatment, and scientists also need to determine the appropriate timing and dosing amount of the antibody before it’s

” New Diagnostic/Treatment

made available to the public.

How is this

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

The only existing treatment for peanut allergy is oral immunotherapy, which requires patients to eat tiny, gradually escalating doses of the food-allergy triggers under medical supervision. Desensitizing someone to their allergens with oral immunotherapy takes six months to a year, and can cause allergic reactions along the way. In contrast, 73 percent of people who received the etokimab antibody treatment were able to eat a modest amount of protein 15 days after receiving a single injection.

28

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Faulty Heart Valves

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Before TAVR, a cardiology patient in need of a new aortic valve had only one other option: to undergo open-heart surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Because open-heart surgery, as its name suggests, requires a sternotomy (a surgical incision along the sternum), it can be a risky procedure for older patients or for patients with medical conditions, such as kidney or lung disease, which increases risk of complications.

TAVR, on the other hand, is an effective alternative that is available to patients in all risk categories.

Continued on page

30

What’s Special About

What is...

YOUR SPECIALTY? ACUPUNCTURE WORKS, LLC

S A A T Acupuncture Treatment SAAT Acupuncture [es/ay/ay/tee, akyo,o,pəNG(k)(t)SHər] Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) is a specialized acupuncture procedure for treating food, environmental and chemical allergies including Alpha-gal. SAAT is a form of acupuncture that uses the insertion of tiny needles into the ear for three to four weeks to desensitize the body’s reaction to an allergen.

Acupuncture Works

SAAT

Certified

What is...

Alpha-gal Allergy?

Alpha-gal allergy, also known as mammalian meat allergy (MMA), is a reaction to galactose – Alpha-1,3 galactose (Alpha-gal).

Alpha-gal is specific carbohydrate that is found in all mammals except humans. When a carrier tick bites a human, the tick injects Alpha-gal into the person. This leads to an allergic reaction to all mammal products including foods from any hooved animal such as deer, pork, beef, and lamb as well as medications and personal care products that may contain gelatins or other mammal byproducts.

How is...

Alpha-gal Typically Treated?

Typically, alpha-galallergyis

managed withAntihistamines.

For patientsthathaveastronger reaction,epinephrine may

need tobeusedtopreventa serious allergicreaction.

“

Typically, the patient may

simply have to avoid red meat.

This can be frustrating for patients who previously enjoyed red meat as a part of their diet.

”

At Acupuncture Works, we utilize a treatment called Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT). SAAT is a single auricular (ear) acupuncture procedure that often clears or reduces an allergy reaction, including Alpha-gal, and in only one treatment.

Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT)?

SAATisaunique

innovative acupuncture treatment

forAllallergies includingAlpha-gal Alpha-gal.

AcupunctureWorks isLynchburg’s

EXPERTforSAAT.

SAAT utilizes one needle per allergen. The needle is placed in the exterior part of the ear to reprogram the body’s response to an allergen.

The two-step process uses bioenergetic testing (measuring the energy exchange in cells) to confirm the allergy, and to determine the placement of the acupuncture needle. Then, one exceedingly small intradermal needle is inserted into the specific point on the ear. The needle is covered with surgical glue and a small piece of medical tape and worn for three to four weeks based on the allergen being treated.

Retesting is performed following the removal of the needle to determine whether the allergen has cleared. For food allergies, patients are given instructions on how to introduce those foods back into the diet, if this is the goal.

“

SAAT is the ONLY treatment that has been shown to be successful for long term success in eliminating allergies and prevent a recurrence.

Deborah Farley, LAc Founder | SAAT Certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine

”

This treatment has shown tremendous success in the treatment of Alpha-gal, which is the allergy to all mammal product including red meat.

SERVICES | SOLIMAN AURICULAR ALLERGY TREATMENT | ACUPUNCTURE DESIGNED CLINICAL NUTRITION

114 DUNCRAIG DRIVE | LYNCHBURG | 434.237.0302 f | AcupuntureWorksLLCLynchburg.com www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

29

Dermatology The Role of a

Dermatologist

A dermatologist specializes in conditions related most notably to the skin but also to hair and fingernails or toenails. Some of these conditions are harmful or uncomfortable while others are simply cosmetic. Dermatologists can diagnose and treat eczema, psoriasis, acne or skin cancer, and can help identify why patients are suffering certain reactions of the skin, such as hives or rashes.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

Endodontics The Role of an

Endodontist

An endodontist is a dentist with specialized training in the interior of the tooth and protecting teeth from disease. In fact, they often refer to themselves as “specialists in saving teeth.” Those who experience serious tooth pain will often see an endodontist, who can diagnose what’s wrong and perform the necessary procedure, often what’s commonly known as a root canal.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Dermatology

To Use When Researching Endodontics

American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org

American Association of Endodontists www.aae.org

American Board of Dermatology www.abderm.org

American Dental Association www.ada.org

Skin Cancer Foundation www.skincancer.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Skin Cancer

It was back in the 1930s that Mohs surgery was originally developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, and it was during the 1960s and 1970s that it gained prominence.

“

But this skin cancer treatment continues to be held in high regard today — in fact, it’s what the Skin Cancer Foundation calls the most effective technique for treating basal

Procedural Pain

Root canal treatment is much easier today than in the past thanks to the use of anesthetics — specifically, in the case of endodontic procedures, patients will receive what’s known as local anesthetic, which is injected into the area that needs to be numbed or administered in the form of a gel that’s rubbed onto the location. The most common type of local anesthetic used by dentists, lidocaine, blocks the nerve signals so the endodontist can work without the patient feeling anything.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

In the past, endodontic therapy — that’s the formal name for a root canal procedure — was notoriously painful.

This surgical procedure involves removing layers of cancer tissue so a dermatologist can examine them under a microscope one layer at a time until the cancer is entirely removed.

During the procedure, which is done to preserve a tooth that is badly decayed or infected, an endodontist

”

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, radiation therapy was the go-to treatment for cancer, although it was discovered shortly thereafter that radiation could cause cancer as well as cure it, according to the American Cancer Society. Advances in radiation physics and computer technology over the past 100 years have made it possible to use radiation more effectively, but Mohs surgery continues to be the “gold standard,” in the words of the Skin Cancer Foundation, for BCCs and SCCs.

30

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“

removes the nerve and pulp from the inside of an infected tooth and does a deep-clean of the inside.

”

The American Academy of Endodontics acknowledges that root canal treatment was painful in past decades, but modern anesthetics have put an end to that strife.

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Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

Gastroenterology TheRoleofa

Otolaryngology

The Role of an Ear,NoseandThroat(ENT)

Specialist(Otolaryngologist)

An ear, nose and throat specialist, commonly known as an ENT, also called an otolaryngologist, specializes in conditions of the head and neck. As their title suggests, ENTs deal with ears, noses and throats, but they also work with the sinuses and the respiratory system. A person might go to an ENT for something as simple as a sinus headache or as complex as sleep apnea. Other reasons you might see an ENT are ear infection, tinnitus, allergies, nasal obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux disease and airway disorders.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching ENT (Otolaryngology)

American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery www.entnet.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Chronic Rhinitis

“

The 25 million people who suffer from chronic rhinitis —

an inflammation of the nasal tissue characterized by sneezing, congestion, runny nose and postnasal drip — saw a game changer in

”

The nasal device uses cryotherapy technology to freeze the irritated nasal tissue, thus providing fast and long-lasting relief of symptoms.

How is this

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Gastroenterology

American College of Gastroenterology www.gi.org American Gastroenterological Association www.gastro.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

ENT Health www.enthealth.org

2017 with the release of ClariFix.

Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the digestive tract, which encompasses the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the colon and the rectum, as well as related digestive organs such as the pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.

In short, this is a medical specialty concerned with the breakdown of food, the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of waste. A gastroenterologist can help patients who are fighting colon polyps and cancer, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, peptic ulcer disease, gallbladder and biliary tract disease, and nutrient malabsorption.

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Before the release of ClariFix, people with chronic rhinitis had to rely on short-term solutions that treated their symptoms but did not bring any longstanding relief: common over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines or nasal decongestants, as well as neti pots and nasal sprays.

These required continual administration or use, unlike ClariFix, which is a one-and-done treatment option for this chronic problem.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

In recent years, alternative screening options for colorectal cancer have gained prominence for their ease and noninvasiveness. A fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which uses antibodies to detect blood in a patient’s stool, is deemed the screening test of choice by European Union Guidelines. A similar screening option is the stool DNA tests, which looks for altered DNA in a patient’s fecal matter.

These screenings can be done once a year, and if they come back positive for colorectal cancer, a gastroenterologist can schedule the patient to have a colonoscopy for a more definitive answer.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Before these noninvasive procedures, a colonoscopy was the only way to screen for colorectal cancer. The procedure involves sending a thin tube up inside a patient’s colon to check for polyps or cancer; in addition to being expensive, it requires inconvenient pre-procedural preparation consisting of a bland diet for several days, followed by a liquid diet for a day, then drinking a solution that cleanses the colon by means of diarrhea.

Simple screenings like FIT and stool DNA tests make it practical for more people to get screened annually, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a colonoscopy only once every 10 years for people who do not have increased risk of colorectal cancer.

www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

31

Neurology The Role of a

Neurologist

A neurologist studies and treats a patient’s nervous system, which encompasses the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

Disorders of the nervous system include conditions as simple as a headache or something as serious as Parkinson’s disease.

Neurologists treat epilepsy, neuritis, neuropathy, brain and spinal cord tumors, multiple sclerosis, stroke and muscular dystrophy, among other conditions. These specialists will also work with patients who have neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities and similar chronic conditions.

Recommended

Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) The Role of an

OB/GYN OB GYNSpecialist

An obstetrician-gynecologist, often known simply as an OB/ GYN, specializes in women’s reproductive health. Specifically, the practice of gynecology refers to care of a woman’s reproductive system and organs (her vagina, uterus and ovaries) while the practice of obstetrics refers to care throughout childbearing (pregnancy, birth and postpartum care). An OB/GYN handles fertility issues, family planning, hormone disorders, sexually transmitted diseases and menstruation problems. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends girls begin to visit a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15.

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Neurology

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Ob/Gyn

American Academy of Neurology www.aan.org

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology www.abog.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses www.awhonn.org

There’s still so much progress to be made in restoring mobility to paralyzed individuals, but a major breakthrough in 2018, the Mayo Clinic and UCLA collaborated on spinal cord stimulation to help Jered Chinnock, a man who had been paralyzed from the waist down in 2013, take several steps with a front-wheel walker.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists www.acog.org

Paralysis

“

Dr. Kendall Lee with the Mayo Clinic noted that the study shows the neurons (cells that transmit nerve impulses) below a spinal cord

injury still function after paralysis; when the spinal cord is stimulated by electrodes, as Chinnock’s was, the neurons receive the signal that he wants to stand or walk.

”

Although this breakthrough was not able to treat Chinnock’s paralysis completely, it gives hope that individuals with paralysis can regain function.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Option Different/ImprovedOver

Existing/PastOne(s)?

Prior to this, there was no cure or treatment for paralysis, although rehabilitation through physical therapy, occupational therapy, mobility aids and supportive devices helped paralyzed people live as independently as possible.

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BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Ultrasound

The progress of ultrasound technology has reached a point where 3-D images are more prevalent and widely available for gynecology and obstetric patients. Thanks to this technology, an OB/GYN can get a full view of the anatomy of the uterus and cervix, making it easier to see abnormalities like polycystic ovarian syndrome (also known as PCOS, often characterized by follicles on the ovaries), place intrauterine device (also known as an IUD, a device used for birth control that is put inside the uterus to stop sperm from getting to the eggs) and even diagnose and understand fetal anomalies. Ultrasounds also offer 4-D imaging, which could be likened to a live stream of a fetus inside the uterus, meaning the OB/GYN can see the motion of fetal organs.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Option Different/ImprovedOver

Existing/PastOne(s)?

OB-GYN specialists have used ultrasound since the 1950s, but today’s modern technology is much better than it was even 20 years ago, when ultrasound equipment produced images that were two-dimensional and very grainy — not the best way for an OB/GYN to see what’s happening inside the uterus and cervix. While many expectant parents might be eager to see an ultrasound image that’s more detailed than the blurry outline produced by 2-D technology, medical professionals discourage 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds simply for the sake of seeing the developing fetus. Instead, this technology should be reserved for when there’s suspicion of a medical condition, as these require exposing a fetus to more ultrasound than necessary.

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34

Offering...

What’s Special About

YOUR SPECIALTY? JOHNSON HEALTH CENTER

obstetrics and gynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology [əb’stetriks/ and /,īnə’käləjē] is the specialty of medicine that diagnosis and treats conditions and disorders related to female reproductive health, before, during and after childbearing year.

More Than Just a Doctor’s Visit Women’s health is more than just what we provide in our office.

“

We partner with a

variety of community organizations to provide support to women throughout the various stages of life.

”

A Johnson Health Center provider is available at all times at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital to perform procedures and deliveries. Virtual visits are an option to see your provider from the comfort of

An insurance counselor will meet with you during your appointment to make sure you have access to affordable health coverage. your home.

Check Out all of our

Women’s Health Services What Women’s

Health Services

Are Now Offered at Johnson Health Center?

Johnson Health Center offers a full range of obstetric and gynecological services, including delivery. Our OB/GYN

providers are available to see patients in our office as well as perform procedures and deliver newborns at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. Our services include routine prenatal care, pregnancy testing, family planning services, routine PAP screenings, obstetric and gynecologic ultrasounds, and gynecologic surgery, including laparoscopic and robotic procedures.

Who...

Can Receive OB/GYN Care at Johnson Health Center?

Women’s health services are importantat every stage of her life –frompuberty through menopauseand

We work to make sure women are cared for and healthy even after leaving our office.

beyond.

Brian Assent, MD, FACOG

Most importantly, these services should be accessible to every woman regardless of economic disparity.

“

with Johnson Health Center

William A. Cook III, MD

At Johnson Health Center, we

accept all health insurances and provide a sliding scale based on income

”

for the uninsured and underinsured.

We participate with private insurances, Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare (a health insurance program for military members, their dependents, and retirees).

Virtual Visits

with Johnson Health Center

Molly Jones, DMSc, PA-C with Johnson Health Center

Lynn Olmsted, CNM

with Johnson Health Center

Reginald Puckett, MD

with Johnson Health Center

with your provider are now available!

Call to schedule your appointment.

M. Semiha Uray, MD, FACOG with Johnson Health Center

SERVICES | ROUTINE PRENATAL CARE | PREGNANCY TESTING | FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES OB/GYN ULTRASOUNDS | ROUTINE PAP SCREENINGS | GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY

LYNCHBURG WOMEN’S AND PEDIATRIC HEALTH SERVICES 2402 ATHERHOLT ROAD | LYNCHBURG | 434.455.3260 BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 582 BLUE RIDGE AVENUE | BEDFORD | 540.425.7910

www.jhcvirginia.org www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

33

Ophthalmology The Role of an

Ophthalmologist

Not to be confused with an optometrist, who does vision care and primary eye health care, an ophthalmologist is a physician who provides medical and surgical eye care. An ophthalmologist will treat such conditions as glaucoma, iritis, cataracts and macular degeneration. With a license to practice both medicine and surgery, an ophthalmologist will not only conduct eye exams and diagnose conditions but also perform procedures like LASIK surgery.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

Physical Therapy The Role of a

PhysicalTherapist

Although not strictly a doctor, a physical therapist is a trained and licensed health professional who provides care and guidance that can help alleviate pain, recuperate function and movement, and prevent future issues as a patient either recovers from an injury or manages a physical condition. A physical therapist will examine and assess an individual’s physical abilities to determine their specific needs, looking at movement, posture, balance, gait, heartbeat and other indicators. A physical therapist can then develop a treatment plan and guide a patient on how to do specific stretches and exercises to meet their goals.

To Use When Researching Ophthalmology

Trustworthy Resources

American Academy of Ophthalmology www.aao.org

Recommended

International Council of Ophthalmology www.icoph.org

American Physical Therapy Association www.apta.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Choose PT www.ChoosePT.com

Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism

Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis eye surgery, more commonly known as LASIK surgery, was implemented in the United States and approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the early 1990s, paving the way for ophthalmologists to correct such problems as myopia (nearsightedness) hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (an eye defect that causes distorted images) by reshaping the cornea (front part of the eye) with the use of a laser. LASIK has the capability to improve a person’s vision to 20/25 so that they no longer need glasses or contact lenses. The Mayo Clinic acknowledges that results can vary and will depend on a person’s eyesight before surgery, though people with mild nearsightedness have the most success.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

To Use When Researching Physical Therapy

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Rehabilitation

With the advent of the Kinetisense system — a 3-D motion sensor device and movement assessment software — physical therapists achieved the ability to analyze a person’s posture, measure their range of motion and track physical improvements in an accurate and objective way.

“

This system, which video records every movement, does a complete

functional assessment of all standard physical therapy modules (balance,

posture, range of motion and functional movement) in just three minutes.

Option Different/ImprovedOver

Existing/PastOne(s)?

Before laser surgery, ophthalmologists would use radial keratotomy (RK) to reshape the cornea by making slits with a knife. RK later gave way to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), an early precursor to LASIK that uses the same type of laser.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, PRK is different from LASIK because of the different ways the procedures expose the middle layer of the cornea, known as the stroma. With PRK, an eye surgeon will remove the epithelium (the top layer of the cornea) before using the laser to reshape the eye, whereas with LASIK, an eye surgeon creates small flaps in the cornea, raises the flap, reshapes the cornea with the laser, then lowers the flap after the surgery is over so the cornea can repair itself.

PRK also requires a much longer healing process than LASIK, which usually requires only a few days of recovery afterward.

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How is this

” New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Before this technology, physical therapists could do tests, take measurements and perform screenings, but these subjective observations took lengthy periods of time, were not as precise and were prone to human error. Kinetisense provides a more accurate assessment, thus improving results, and it can be done quickly to provide more time for actual therapy.

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Plastic Surgery The Role of a

PlasticSurgeon

A plastic surgeon is a surgical specialist focusing on both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures that alter the shape, appearance, or function of structures of the body. Plastic surgery procedures can include skin rejuvenation and facial and body contouring that may alter the aesthetic symmetry and proportion of the body and reconstructive treatments of physical conditions caused by trauma, infection, tumors, disease, congenital defects and developmental abnormalities.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic Surgeons www.plasticsurgery.org American Board of Plastic Surgery www.abplasticsurgery.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Wrinkles

A well-liked cosmetic procedure and one of the more popular plastic surgery options, BOTOX® injection, was approved by the FDA in 2002 after researchers discovered that botulinum toxin A could be used to relax the muscles and prevent severe spasms. The botulinum toxin blocks chemical signals from the nerves that cause muscles to contract. By injecting it into the face, scientists could relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.

“

Today, BOTOX® injections are used for much more than simply reducing wrinkles.

”

The noninvasive procedure carries few risks or side effects and can also be used to treat lazy eye, muscle contractures, chronic migraine, bladder dysfunction, eye twitching and other conditions.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Throughout the 1970s, the latest in cosmetic facial surgery was the facelift, according to the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. This procedure, which is still available today, is an invasive surgical procedure where an incision is made along the hairline so that fat or underlying tissue in the face can be repositioned or removed altogether, ultimately with the goal of removing wrinkles and smoothing out the skin. The procedure carries numerous risks, including bleeding, infection, facial nerve injury, poor wound healing and fluid accumulation.

Urogynecology The Role of a

Urogynecologist

Urogynecology is a field of medicine that combines urology with gynecology. A urogynecologist diagnoses and treats conditions or disorders pertaining to the pelvic floor (the muscles, ligaments, connective tissue and nerves that support the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum). According to the National Institutes of Health, one-quarter of women have pelvic floor disorders, which could include urinary incontinence, overactive bladder or pelvic organ prolapse.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Urogynecologist

American Urogynecologic Society www.augs.org

Voices for PFD www.voicesforpfd.org

International Urogynecological Association www.iuga.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Urogynecology innovators Ulf Ulmsten and Peter Petros introduced the midurenthral synthetic sling in the mid 1990s, and it has since become the most common surgical intervention to treat stress urinary incontinence (the unintentional loss of urine caused by stress on the bladder such as coughing, laughing, running or heavy lifting). With this minimally invasive procedure, specially designed needles are used to place a thin strip of mesh under the urethra, which prevents urine from leaking out. The procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes and can be performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

According to Harvard Medical School, the various procedures to treat urinary incontinence before the invention of the midurenthral synthetic sling were invasive, requiring hospitalization, anesthesia and recovery time, as well as posing risk. Women with mild cases of incontinence who wanted to avoid surgery were encouraged to do Kegel exercises or try a pessary (a removable device inserted in the vagina to support the urethra).

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35

Urology The Role of a

Urologist

A urologist diagnoses and treats conditions of the urinary tract as well as the male reproductive system. The urinary tract encompasses the bladder, urethra, kidneys and adrenal glands, and the male reproductive system.

Although a urologist does specialize in the male reproductive system, there are still reasons women see a urologist, such as a urinary tract infection (commonly called a UTI). Men commonly see a urologist because of male infertility, erectile dysfunction or an enlarged prostate, as well as for cancers related to the male reproductive system, such as prostate cancer or testicular cancer.

Recommended

Trustworthy Resources

To Use When Researching Urology

American Board of Urology www.abu.org American Urological Association www.auanet.org

Urology Care Foundation www.urologyhealth.org

BreakthroughDiagnostic/Treatment for:

Prostate Cancer

In February 2020, researchers at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins announced they had made progress toward a urine test to diagnose prostate cancer after noticing cancer-specific changes in urinary RNA and metabolites. With these discoveries, the researchers hope they can develop a simple, noninvasive, reliable test for diagnosing prostate cancer, although further studies must be done to validate their findings before they can proceed.

How is this

New Diagnostic/Treatment

As you can see, the

faceofhealthcare isanever-changing one. Scientists

and researchers are continually making new discoveries that promise better treatment options.

“

Even longstanding perceptions on certain conditions can change, or knowledge that’s been around for decades can move to the forefront when medicine finds a new way to make practical use of it.

”

All of this shows that change isn’t always bad.

In the case of science and healthcare, change canbegood. Change can mean less expense.

Change can mean minimal invasion or inconvenience. Change can mean fewer side effects or less recovery time. Change can mean an increased chance of survival or longevity.

Overall, change can mean an improved quality of life — and that’s a change we can all embrace.

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Different/ImprovedOver Existing/PastOne(s)?

Option

Currently, prostate cancer must be diagnosed with tissue biopsies, which can be invasive and will often miss cancer cells, explains Ranjan Perera, PhD the senior author behind the study and associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University. However, this new research may pave the way for accurate noninvasive testing.

According to the Mayo Clinic, currently a prostate biopsy is conducted using a thin needle that goes into the prostate to collect tissue, which is then analyzed in a laboratory.

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What’s Special About

How...

YOUR SPECIALTY? GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE

HOSPICE Care

Hospice Care [‘häspəs/ /kair] is end-of-life care that treats

the person rather than the disease, addressing a terminally ill person’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs in lieu of curative treatment. Focused on quality of life, care is provided in whatever setting they call home (their own home, a family member’s home, assisted living or skilled nursing facilities).

Support services are provided for the entire family as well.

How do we know What’s New with

Hospice Care Has hospice care changed over the years?

When hospice care came into being in the US during the 1970s, most hospice patients were battling cancer.

Now, more than half of hospice patients have heart, lung or kidney disease, or some form of dementia.

Since 1986, hospice has been 100 percent covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies.

when it might be time for hospice care?

It’s always best to have this discussion as early as possible, when you or your loved one is able to express wishes clearly.

“

Generally, it’s time to consider hospice when your physician tells you that you or your loved one has six months or less to live, when there is rapid decline despite medical treatment, and when you or your loved one wishes to forgo

further medical treatment in favor of living more comfortably.

”

Gentle Shepherd Hospice serves

the Roanoke and Lynchburg regions, including the

surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford,Botetourt andCampbell.Serving partial counties of Charlotte, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Nelson and Pittsylvania.

WE OFFER | PAIN MANAGEMENT | PERSONAL CARE QUALITY OF LIFE CARE | CLINICAL OVERSIGHT EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT FOR PATIENT AND FAMILY | EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH SUMMER GRIEF SUPPORT CAMP FOR KIDS ROANOKE & LYNCHBURG REGIONS | 800.789.0586

www.gentleshepherdhospice.com

Gentle Shepherd is Shaping Hospice Care in

the Region

A little over 25 years ago, Gentle Shepherd blazed a trail for hospice care in the Roanoke, Lynchburg and surrounding communities. The simple statement, We Live to Give, directs the vision, mission and the staff of the only Christ-centered and family-owned hospice in the region.

Family caregivers often bear a heavy burden for several years before their loved one may become eligible for hospice services. They are the real heroes!

Now through a free community program, the Gentle Shepherd Family Caregiver Resource, they have 24/7 access to online educational articles to help manage difficult symptoms and make important decisions, as well as receive tips for caregiving and emotional and spiritual support.

To help families navigate the wide range of emotions in the year after the loved on has passed, Gentle Shepherd also offers extensive grief support services— phone calls, letters, reading materials throughout the stages of grief and support groups for both adults and youth.

Young people are especially prone to feel adrift at the time of the loss of an older loved one. For them, Gentle Shepherd maintains the Healing Hearts support group designed especially for youth.

Gentle Shepherd is also a major benefactor of the annual Camp Braveheart, a weeklong summer camp designed to bring together grieving children and teens from across the country to address their unique emotional and spiritual needs.

Beyond the bedsides of families experiencing the end of life, Gentle Shepherd supports local ministries that serve the most vulnerable and overlooked and offers hope to the suffering in East Africa and other poverty stricken regions of the world.

When families choose Gentle Shepherd for hospice care, in many ways they become united with a higher purpose.

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BEAUTIFUL BODY SELF-CARE • EXPRESSION • CONFIDENCE

QUARANTINE

BEAUTY QUEEN DIY Tips for When You Can’t Get to the Salon or Spa words | DYLAN ROCHE

After several weeks of staying at home during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, you might feel as if you look a little rough around the edges. Not that you have to go anywhere, and everyone you live with is telling you that you look just fine. Still, what would you give for some pampering to clean yourself up?

There’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news is that it’s likely going to be a little while longer before anyone sees the inside of a salon and spa. But the good news? There are a few do-it-yourself beauty practices you can undertake by yourself. Sure, your results might not be as good as the ones you would get with a professional. But as long as you manage your expectations and take plenty of care in what you’re doing, you can still look and feel your best while you’re under lockdown.

And once you’ve mastered these skills, you might find they’re helpful in maintaining your look between salon appointments, saving you both time and money in the long run.

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Here are

FOUR EASIE S WAYS T the

to g ive y our AT-HO self some

M COSM ETIC C E ARE.

1

Tweeze Your Eyebrows

If you have a few stray hairs that have sprung up and made your normally exquisite arches look more unruly that usual, DON’T STRESS — this is one of the easier beauty processes to master. But before you go haphazardly plucking at your brow, take a few moments to do the job properly.

Start by washing your face with warm

water to soften your skin. This will open your hair follicles and make it easier for the hairs to slide out.

the

Tweeze ’s

Do Don’t s

2

Cut Your Bangs

This one is the hardest to master and the easiest to mess up when you’re doing it yourself, but if your bangs have grown to be the length of a curtain and you can’t stand it anymore — well, desperate times call for desperate measures.

However, trimming your own bangs isn’t impossible.

and

DO:

Take a step back after every few plucks to Identify the basic length of your eyebrows.The inside of the eyebrow should start

at a point perpendicular to your nose. The other end of the eyebrow should be at a point the intersects an imaginary diagonal line from the nostril through the outside corner of the eye. If it helps, mark these points with a white eyeliner pencil.

After you’ve marked the start and end points of your brows, use a clean spoolie (the little mascara brush) or toothbrush to pushyoureyebrowhairsin the same direction. This will let you identify any stray hairs outside the eyebrow’s natural shape.

Using a clean pair of tweezers with a fine, pointed end, grip the hair you want to remove and pull it in the direction of growth.

Pull each hair one at a time.

When you’re done, usealoeveragelon the skin around your eyebrows to soothe any irritation.

ensure you’re retaining the proper shape of your eyebrow and that your eyebrows are even.

DON’T:

Don’t get overly ambitious with pulling hairs — having

severely shaped eyebrows was trendy in the ‘90s, but today’s style is a more natural eyebrow.

Focus only on stray or unruly hairs.

Begin with dry hair, as this will give

you the best idea of your hair’s true length.

Use a comb to separate your bangs from the rest of your hair and bring them directly in front of your face.

Gather your bangs and straighten

them so they are perpendicular to the floor.

Hold them between the index and middle finger of your nondominant hand close to where you want the trim to be.

With your hair still gripped between your fingers, lower them so they are

straight down in front of your face. Position your scissors alongside the

hair hanging out from underneath your fingers. This is where you’ll trim.

Remember to start longer — you can always cut them shorter if you want to.

Cutthehairinshort,precisesnips.

Afterward, wash and style your hairasnormal. www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

39

4

Give Yourself a Facial

Rejuvenating your skin isn’t a miracle that can happen only at the spa. With a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, you can treat yourself to a facial that will leave you feeling clean, smooth, tight and glowing.

3

Start by making your facial serum.

Slather it generously on your face, avoiding your eyes and lips.

Clean Up Your Nails

Your natural fingernails are easy enough to maintain, but a manicure and pedicure just feel so good. You want your hands and feet to feel clean, soft and pampered. NOT TO WORRY — you won’t have someone else pampering your hands and feet for you (unless you can talk your partner into doing it), but you can still make them feel clean, soft and pretty. Here’s how.

FACIAL SERUM RECIPE: In a bowl, mix EQUAL PARTS of the following:

HONEY

IT’S ANTIBACTERIAL

LEMON JUICE RICH IN VITAMIN C

OLIVE OIL A MOISTURIZER

To reduce puffiness and dark circles Wash your hands and feet,

and remove any existing polish with acetone. Cut your nails to the desired length with clippers and shape them with a file or emery board.

Soak your hands and feet in warmwaterforfiveminutes

to soften the skin.

Try a Homemade Exfoliation Scrub: After soaking your hands and feet, give them a good scrub with a homemade mixture of equal parts brown sugar and olive oil. This will exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

If necessary, use a pumice stone to remove callouses on your feet. Rinse and pat your hands and feet dry with a clean towel.

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Give your hands and feet a good rub down with lotion or cream. Wait a few minutes to

allow the cream to be absorb.

Use a cuticle pusher to push your cuticle back, then clean

your nails with a cotton ball or Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. This will remove any lotion or other residue on the nails.

Start with a base coat on yournailstocreateaneven surface. After this has dried,

apply a layer of nail polish in your desire color. Allow the polish to dry, then apply another layer.

Finally, apply a top coat that

will give your nails a glossy finish and protect them from any wear-or-tear that your hands or feet might endure.

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around your eyes, use thinly sliced cucumber or tea bags that have been steeped in warm water and allowed to cool.

Did you know?

The ascorbic acid in the cucumber and the tannins in the tea can reduce swelling and discoloration.

Find a comfortable chair or bed to lie down on, placing either the cucumber or the tea bags on your eyes after your head is reclined.

Relax for 20 to 30 minutes in your mask

with your eye covers. If you’re feeling stressed, try listening to classical music or white noise.

Afterward, rinse the mask off your face and dab your skin with a natural toner made from equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.

ON THE WEB

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LIVING

LOCAL • TOGETHER • COMMUNITY

DEFINING TIMES Can You PASS

THE TEST of Coronavirus Disease Terms?

words | DYLAN ROCHE

You might be surprised to learn that the definitions for words like ‘social distancing’ and ‘quarantine’ have taken on different meanings from those you might have known. What’s the reason for the change? The coronavirus disease (COVID-19). And because of the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 continues to have on us, it’s safe to assume any earlier interpretations will be overshadowed by the standard it is known by now.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

There’s that phrase you’ve been hearing a lot lately, whether it’s when you log on to social media, catch up on the news, or talk to a friend over the phone — socialdistancing.

because coming in close contact with others is how viruses are spread, so maintaining distance in social settings

It’s not a new concept by any means, but it has gained ubiquity in recent weeks after countless health experts started encouraging it to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.

social distancing

defines it, (also called physical distancing) means avoiding mass gatherings, remainingoutofcrowdedpublic places where close contact with others may occur, and maintaining distance of approximately 6feet from others whenever possible.

Why? Well,

is an important practice for keeping yourself and others healthy.

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43

SOCIAL DISTANCE in the Age of Coronavirus

This is not the first time health experts have encouraged social distancing — it was previously encouraged during the New York polio epidemic of 1916, as well as the influenza pandemic of 1918 (colloquially known as the Spanish flu), and numerous other health crises.

Today, health experts encourage it as a way of preventing the spread of the novel 2019 coronavirus (also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease known as COVID-19, a respiratory infection marked by fever, fatigue and dry cough.

80

%

Although the World Health Organization reports that

80 percent ofthe people who catchCOVID-19recover safely without any special treatment, one in six people become seriously ill from the disease.

Because the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets a person expels when they speak, cough or sneeze, it’s easily passed from person to person when they are in close contact with one another. It doesn’t even require physical contact — you can simply breathe in these droplets when you are standing within 6 feet of a person. You could also get the respiratory droplets on your skin and clothing, and then become infected if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands first.

Hence why the federal government implemented social distancing guidelines through April 30, with many state and local governments creating even stricter restrictions. It’s why #canceleverything has been trending on social media, as everything from street festivals to sporting events have been rescheduled or dropped altogether. Many businesses have had to change their model of operations, and colleges have had to switch to online classes.

In short, it has meant a change in lifestyle for just about everyone.

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Social Distancing, Quarantining, and Isolating —

What’s the Difference?

If you’re still a little iffy on the meaning of social distancing, particularly with how it compares with other practices that people have talked about in the context of COVID-19, don’t worry — the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably by casual speakers. But in formal contexts, you should note there’s a subtle difference between social distancing, quarantining and isolating.

Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that social distancing means you can go out in public, but when you do so, you should keep the necessary 6 feet between you and other people to reduce the risk of spreading sickness. This applies to healthy people, whether they are at high risk or not.

Then there are those who have likely been exposed to the novel coronavirus or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. These people are expected to quarantine themselves for 14 days, which means they should stay at home and not interact with healthy individuals. If they share a home with others — for example, their family members or roommates — they should do their best to maintain 6 feet of distance, practice good hygiene (e.g. frequent handwashing) and not share items like food utensils or bath towels.

Quarantining is intended to keep a potentially infected

person away from others so that they do not spread the sickness. This

isolation

is different from , which Johns Hopkins Medicine notes is for people who have a confirmed case of COVID-19. Theyarekeptawayfrom

non-infected individuals, either at home or at the hospital, and personal protective equipment should be used by caretakers who interact with them.

All three of these practices are intended to do what’s referred to as flattening the curve. Imagine a bunch of people all exposed to the novel coronavirus at once — there would be sharp rise (or curve) in the number of COVID-19 cases in a short period of time, far exceeding what health care systems can accommodate. When too many people are sick, there are not enough hospital beds, equipment or doctors for all of them.

However, if the virus spreads slowly, the number of cases will rise gradually over a longer period of time; the same number of people might get it, but they will get it over the course of several weeks or months instead of all at the same time. The curve of cases is flatter, not a sharp spike.

Does this

APPLY TO EVERYONE? Everyone is required to practice social distancing. Even if someone is young and healthy, they might be inadvertently spreading the virus to others who are more vulnerable.

But those who are young and healthy shouldn’t be so quick as to think they are invincible against coronavirus, as there is still some risk they could suffer severe symptoms. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on March 16, 2020, showed that 38 percent

of Americans hospitalized for COVID-19 were between 20 and 54 years old and that half the patients who ended up in intensive care were younger than 65.

But it is true that those more vulnerable to COVID-19 are seniors and people with compromised immune systems or other conditions.

8:10

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

eight out of 10 deaths due to COVID-19inthe United Stateshavebeenpeople age 65 and older. Johns Hopkins reports that up to 29 percent of thoseage85andolderwho getCOVID-19will require intensive care.

People with heart disease are also at risk, as overworked lungs mean the heart has to work harder to circulate oxygen. The American Heart Association emphasizes that viral respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 can increase the risk of heart attack in people who have plaque buildup.

Coronavirus also poses a risk of higher infection in people who have chronic airway or lung diseases, such as COPD, asthma or pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, because high blood sugar creates a bodily environment where coronavirus is more likely to flourish, people with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) could be at greater risk.

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45

The Best

Practices for Social Distancing

Even if you grasp the importance of social distancing, it can be a little overwhelming to actually live by it — just what are you allowed to do and what aren’t you allowed to do? More importantly, how are you supposed to cope if you’re not supposed to go out in public? Let’sbreakitdown:

Stay Home When Possible Although you can go out for certain activities (more on that in a second), the main idea of social distancing is to stay home as much as possible. This is why most businesses are allowing their staff to work from home and most schools have switched to online courses.

Stay Connected Because you aren’t going to be getting out as much, download an app so you can visit with friends and loved ones digitally. Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Google Duo, Marco Polo, WhatsApp and Snapchat are all great options because they allow you to see and hear the person, which creates a better sense of connectivity than a simple phone call. Harvard Medical School encourages use of apps like these to relieve feelings of loneliness and isolation. If there’s a senior in your life who is not as adept with technology, be sure to help them download the app and show them how to use it.

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No Large Groups Don’t go to places where large groups of people are gathered, as keeping six feet of distance from others is virtually impossible in these settings. Many states have enforced orders to cancel events that entail large gatherings of people (festivals, marathons, fundraisers) and to close nonessential businesses where people are packed close together (bars, sports stadiums, movie theaters, arcades).

Get Some Fresh Air You can still go outside to walk your dog or exercise, but don’t go in a large group. If you are on a sidewalk or trail, announce yourself as you pass so other people can have plenty of space.

“

Avoid spitting, and ifyouhave tocough orsneeze, do so into thecrook ofyour elbow.

”

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Avoid Unnecessary Errands Avoid errands as much as possible, but you can still go to the grocery store and pharmacy to get necessities.

“

When you go, remember yourSix feetof distance.

”

Some grocery stores may allow a maximum number of people in the store at a time to avoid overcrowding.

Make a Plan Have a plan in place on how you will function if you or someone close to you gets sick.

Stock up on enough medication, food, pet supplies and other essentials (batteries, light bulbs, cleaning supplies) to last you at least two weeks.

Research any delivery services in your area, or determine how a friend or neighbor can bring items to you. For example, they could do your grocery shopping and leave it on your doorstep at an agreed-upon time so there does not need to be any interaction.

Wash Your Hands After coming home from a public place, take care to wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially if you were touching surfaces that were touched by many other people, such as grocery carts, door handles, restaurant menus, elevator buttons or PIN pads.

Don’t Let Isolation Get You Down The American Psychological Association acknowledges that being isolated with little stimulation can take a toll on your mental health. In addition to keeping in contact with others to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, you can further cope by consulting only reliable sources for news updates and by keeping a routine that will help you maintain a sense of order and purpose. Stick with a healthy lifestyle, including eating well and exercising, and improve your daily mood by showering and getting dressed even if you don’t have to go anywhere.

Sourcesof Information: There’s a lot of misleading information out there. Be sure to stay informed by consulting only the most reliable sources on the novel 2019 coronavirus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov

The National Institutes of Health www.nih.gov

The World Health Organization www.who.int

ON THE WEB

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NEW MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM Helps Fill In Demand Clinical Needs A collaboration by Central Virginia Community College, Centra Health and the Johnson Health Center leads to a rewarding career helping others. words | RICK PIESTER

Few industries offer the job opportunities, the stability, and the opportunities for growth as does healthcare.

“

It’s a comprehensive program that's been created to fill an increase of about 34 percent in the number of job openings for trained, certified clinical medical assistants.

”

FRANCIE DYE

Workforce Training Coordinator at CVCC

48

And in Central Virginia, a partnership by Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), Centra Health, and the Johnson Health Center is making entry into healthcare — as a certified professional — quicker than ever.

At the conclusion of a newly revamped, intensive four-month course at CVCC, graduates emerge as a nationally certified medical assistant, ready to fill one of the more than 500 career openings projected for the Lynchburg area in the next six years.

“It’s a comprehensive program,” notes Francie Dye, Workforce Training Coordinator at CVCC, “and it’s been created to fill an increase of about 34 percent in the number of job openings for trained, certified clinical medical assistants.”

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are widely recognized as some of the most important and versatile people working in healthcare. Depending upon where they work, a clinical medical assistant is a sort of hybrid clinical (working in direct patient care) and clerical professional.

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Some may assist nurses in taking medical histories from patients and assisting nurses and physicians in examinations and procedures. On the clerical side, medical assistants may be responsible for maintaining patient files, scheduling patient visits, lab work or hospital admissions, making follow-up calls or getting lab results. While an administrative medical assistant works mostly at the front desk in medical practices, a clinical medical assistant may spend more of his or her time at a physician’s side.

Work environments for clinical medical assistants can include physician offices, family practices, specialty clinics, university or college health centers, outpatient laboratories, hospitals, and even correctional facilities.

Why the Increased Demand?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, from 2018-2028. Dye notes that growth of the aging “Baby boomer” (the demographic term for people born between the years 1946 and 1964 and representing about 20 percent of all Americans) population increases the need for preventive medical services, largely, services provided by physicians. As

A Demand for

MEDICAL ASSISTANTS According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, from 2018-2028.

a result, physicians have a growing need for more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to administer more treatment.

In addition, the healthcare industry is quickly readjusting itself to allow physicians and nurse practitioners to spend more time with patients, and a broadly aging population creates the need for more care. This, in turn, spurs demand for healthcare professionals in many fields.

These factors create almost unsurpassed demand for medical assistants, as many as nearly 155,000 people in Virginia by the year 2028.

“Recognizing these patterns,” Dye adds “our local companies are looking to the college as a source for workforce development - doing what needs to be done to equip people with the knowledge and skills that would be needed for employers in the region.”

The CVCC Program Dye notes that she has received more than 100 inquiries from people expressing an interest in the course. Some people, she says, are starting their working careers and feel called to healthcare occupations. Others are people already working in the field and want to gain more clinical experience to advance their careers.

Entry into the program is competitive. Successful applicants must complete a drug screening and have up-to-date immunization records. They must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, explain their interest in the program in writing, and go through a workplace assessment and personal interview.

Remedial assistance in academic areas is available at CVCC if needed.

The four months of training is divided roughly into four phases: classroom instruction exposing students to medical and administrative tasks that

includes basic life support instruction, followed by completion of a sub-course in career essentials that includes interviewing skills, resume preparation, salary negotiation, and other skills needed to successfully gain and hold a job. A third phase is an on-site work rotation at either a Johnson Health Center site or a Centra Health site. The fourth phase is completion of a national certification examination.

Students are eligible for a generous tuition reduction, a combination of a hefty grant for Virginia residents and additional grants for work in tobacco-dependent localities, and for low-income students. While the total costs of tuition, books and other study materials is just over $3,000, financial assistance can reduce the total student cost conceivably to…zero.

Median starting salary in the region is $30,600, meaning that about half of the professionals in this occupation will earn more, and half will earn less.

“

I just think there’s no better time than right now to begin a career as a credentialed health professional.

Everybody wins: a person gets a great job, we’re building a workforce locally and companies are able to get high-quality candidates to fill vital positions.

”

– FRANCIE DYE, Workforce Training Coordinator at CVCC

For More Information Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, start dates for the CVCC courses are still undetermined.

Anyone interested can call CVCC at 434.832.7607, or email workforce@centralvirginia.edu.

ON THE WEB

CVCC

PROGRAM BREAKDOWN

The FOUR MONTHS OF TRAINING is divided roughly into four phases:

PHASE ONE

Classroom instruction exposing students to medical and administrative tasks.

PHASE TWO

Completion of a subcourse in career essentials that includes interviewing skills, resume preparation, salary negotiation, and other skills needed to successfully gain and hold a job.

PHASE THREE

On-site work rotation at either a Johnson Health Center site or a Centra Health site.

PHASE FOUR

Completion of a national certification examination.

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MORE THAN

MEETS THE EYE What Can Our Eyesight Tell Us About Our Health?

The ophthalmologists and optometrists at Harman Eye Center take us on a journey with H.E. SPEC (Harman Eye Sidekick Specialist), , who shares his insight about what an eye exam can reveal about your

immune system. words | JENNIFER LAMONT

In the first part of our “More Than Meets the Eye” series, we learned how the ophthalmologists and optometrists at Harman Eye Center can tell if your blood pressure is chronically high while testing you for glaucoma or nearsightedness. If heart disease or other conditions have impacted your eyesight, a comprehensive eye exam can reveal what’s happening, especially with new technology.

Like the heart, other organs and areas in your body operate in concert with your eyes. One of those areas is your immune system. Not only do your eyes have unique immune properties, but they also give the eye doctor a front-row seat into your immune system and overall health.

The eyes and the immune system share many traits that make their relationship unique, as well as powerful. They’re also both areas we tend to take for granted. They efficiently ‘do their thing,’ and, usually, we don’t notice them until there’s a problem.

In this issue, “Your Eyes and the Immune System,” Harman Eye Center’s specialist, H.E. SPEC, is back again to show you how it all works. A little sort of fellow, you may remember SPEC from part one in our eye health series. He gives you an inside look into how the eyes and immune system work together, along with a few surprising insights into the eye’s unique immune abilities in preserving vision.

Hi, I’m H.E. SPEC!

I’m here to help you preserve your vision. If your immune system is unbalanced, your eyes can give clues to the docs at Harman Eye Center—even if you don’t notice any vision problems.

Put Your Knowledge to the Test

| page 56

As you follow H.E. SPEC along the illustrative map on page 56, you can test your ‘Eye(Q)’ knowledge with our fun, interactive quizzes. On your way to the finish line, watch out for B. Lind Spot, who likes to throw obstacles in way that can damage your vision.

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51

Did you know?

Many times, eye symptoms—like pain or vision loss—can show up before autoimmune symptoms appear anywhere else.

That’s why an eye doctor is commonly the first to suspect certain autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

The Many Hats Your Immune System Wears

Did you know?

Like a library, your immune system ‘catalogs’ information about every invading germ you’ve ever defeated. If an invader comes around again, your fighters recognize it and know how to beat it quickly. That’s why a new germ can make you very ill. It’s not in your catalog, so there is no defense against it.

DID YOU MISS PART ONE OF THE

More Than Meets the Eye Series?

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE AT www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

52

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Your immune system is multi-talented, performing like an army of soldiers, a tightrope-walker, and even a librarian every single day. Simply put, its job is to recognize, attack and remove foreign invaders (germs or other pathogens including bacteria, viruses and other toxins). If a pathogen slips past your barrier defenses— including your tears, skin, stomach acid and sweat—it activates your immune response.

This coordinated response sets in motion your army of specialized fighters (white blood cells) to defend you and remove the invading pathogens. The resulting inflammation is usually a good thing.

However, your immune system is always performing a balancing act like a tightrope walker. A pronounced tendency in either direction is harmful. Too weak a response to invaders, you’ll get sick. Too big an inflammatory response, your fighter cells can mistakenly attack healthy cells.

Your immune system can also create ongoing, damaging inflammation in your body because of illness, allergies, smoking or other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

The Surprising Connections Between Your Eyes and Immune Health Changes in your eyes can signal changes in your immune system—whether it’s weakened or in overdrive. Besides obvious eye infections, your eyes can show symptoms if you’re fighting an infection elsewhere in your body as well. That infection can show up during an exam as white blood cells (immune fighters) floating in the fluids (vitreous) of your eyes.

“An eye exam isn’t just a test for vision. Many patients don’t realize that, while we’re screening for ocular health issues, we’re also looking for overall health risks. With regular, comprehensive eye exams, we consider your age, family history, and background. If immune system changes are presenting as ocular symptoms, we can catch them early and steer you toward proper health screenings.

This helps preserve not only eyesight but overall health.”

– Dr. David M. Harman, MD, founder of Harman Eye Center.

If your immune system is in overdrive, it keeps attacking the healthy cells of your organs or other areas, thinking they are for foreign invaders. This attack can signal

an autoimmune condition and shows up as inflammation throughout the body, including the eyes.

But, while your eyes can suffer from infections or indicate an infection in other parts of your body, they also have a special relationship with your immune system that protects them from getting damaged by inflammation. This relationship is known as “immune privilege.”

Your eyes, brain, and a few other sites in your body are blessed with immune privilege as protection against your own immune responses. While it doesn’t mean your eyes can’t get infected, it does mean they’re protected from the inflammatory damage (swelling, heat and tissue damage) created by a heightened immune reaction in the rest of your body.

So, immune privilege preserves your vision and brain function, among other vital processes, from being destroyed. It’s this same type of immune privilege that also protects a developing fetus during pregnancy from being seen as something ‘foreign.’

Immune Privilege and the Bugs in Your Eye May Be Key to Treating Vision Loss

What exactly are stem cells?

Stem cells are specialized human cells drawn from donor sites, like blood or bone marrow.

They can develop and change into other types of cells in the human body or repair damaged tissues.

Because your eyes have this protective immune privilege, it creates an opportunity for new types of research and therapies. As we learned in part one of our eye health series, your eyes are windows into the rest of your body. Doctors and researchers can easily examine blood vessels, cells and tissues of the eye without surgery or other invasive measures.

The unique window-like structure of the eye gives researchers the advantage of immune privilege to study how the eyes work within the immune system and create new treatments to prevent vision loss. One promising treatment area is stem cell therapy. Researchers can successfully implant stem cells within the landscape of the

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53

Did you know?

You’re slightly more bacteria than human.

Most adults have an average of 30 trillion human cells and 40 trillion bacteria.

A lot of these friendly bacteria live on every surface of your body, including your eyeballs.

eye to study them without the cells becoming rejected. Because these specialized cells can repair damaged tissue in conditions like macular degeneration, stem cell treatments to restore or improve vision are just on the horizon.

Researchers also study the landscape of the eyes to watch ‘bugs.’ That’s right— your eyes are teeming with bacterial microbes, and these bugs may be vital in treating eye disorders. Like your gut or skin, your eyes have their own microbiome (a community of microorganisms that affect the immune system). They host a collection of microbes that work together as a mini immune system to protect your eyes and vision. If these microbes get out of balance and harmful bacteria take over, your eyes become susceptible to disease and infection.

When is it time to schedule an appointment?

Schedule an eye exam immediately if you experience sudden changes in your vision, including:

Between physical defenses, immune privilege and microbiome protections, your body goes to great lengths to protect your eyes from damage, pathogens and disease.

Despite this, autoimmune disease and an unbalanced microbiome can damage your vision if symptoms go untreated. And because many symptoms are silent, the most important thing you can do to preserve your vision is to get regular eye exams, whether you’re experiencing vision changes or not.

»

Blurring or double vision in one or both eyes

» »

Floaters or spots Dimmed vision, even if it lasts only a few seconds

“Routine eye exams are important for your health—even if you’re not experiencing issues with your eyesight. This is especially true for people who are at risk for other conditions. If you have any type of autoimmune disorder, you should be getting frequent eye exams regardless of age. Everyone else should start scheduling yearly eye exams at age 40.”

» » »

Bright flashes or blind spots

– Dr. David M. Harman, MD, founder of Harman Eye Center.

»

A diagnosis of any kind that may affect your vision (diabetes, autoimmune disorders)

»

Distorted objects Frequent headaches or sensitivity to light

A head injury

A comprehensive eye exam can find undiagnosed, and sometimes surprising, health issues. Because of that, your eye doctor can help you boost your overall health as well as keep you seeing clearly throughout your lifetime.

ON THE WEB

More at OurHealthLynchburg.com

HarmanEyeCenter David M. Harman, MD Founder of Harman Eye Center and Medical Director of Harman Eye Surgery Center.

1.800.476.EYE1 (3931) www.harmaneye.com Harman Eye Center is currently offering telehealth appointments.

Call 1.434.856.0011 to schedule a virtual visit.

www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

55

JOIN SPEC TO

Test Your EyeQ

What area of your eye is the strongest barrier defense you have against foreign invaders?

As you follow SPEC along the path to good health, test your knowledge with our fun, interactive quizzes. On your way to the finish line, watch out for B. Lind Spot, who likes to throw road blocks in the way that can damage your vision.

A – Eyelids B – Tears C – Cornea D – Friendly bacteria E – All of the above

Way to go!

Continue down the path to good health.

IF YOU PICKED ANSWER E:

Your eyelids, tears and cornea are physical barriers while friendly bacteria fight against harmful microbes that land on the surface of your eye from the air or your hands.

YOU ARE CORRECT AND CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH OF GOOD HEALTH!

ROAD BLOCK BUT, IF YOU PICKED ANSWERS A, B, C, OR D:

YOU HIT ONE OF B. LIND. SPOT’S ROAD BLOCKS! Quick, learn the correct answer to continue down the path of good health.

DETOUR AHEAD

Autoimmune conditions that damage the eyes, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), impact men and women equally.

A – True B – False

IF YOU PICKED ANSWER B:

YOU ARE CORRECT AND CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH OF GOOD HEALTH!

ROAD BLOCK

BUT, IF YOU PICKED ANSWERS A:

YOU HIT ONE OF B. LIND. SPOT’S ROAD BLOCKS! Quick, learn the correct answer to continue down the path of good health.

Women are up to 50 times more likely than men to suffer from certain autoimmune conditions that cause vision loss.

Because of their higher risk, women need to schedule comprehensive eye exams, rather than simple vision tests.

DETOUR AHEAD

Great work today friends! Don’t miss my next “More Than Meets the Eye” adventure featured in the June/July issue of OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside.

Hope to see you there!

Can harmful viruses or bacteria affect you through your eyes?

A – Yes B – No C – Only in special circumstances IF YOU PICKED ANSWER A:

YOU ARE CORRECT AND CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH OF GOOD HEALTH!

GOT YOU!

ROAD BLOCK

While some germs can infect just your eyes (like pinkeye), viruses and other bacteria can get through your eyes’ barrier defenses to infect the rest of you.

The most common way is by touching or rubbing your eyes after touching a contaminated surface or person.

BUT, IF YOU PICKED ANSWERS B OR C:

YOU HIT ONE OF B. LIND. SPOT’S ROAD BLOCKS! Quick, learn the correct answer to continue down the path of good health.

DETOUR AHEAD

Which of the following isn’t proven to boost your immune health?

Great work!

Continue down the path to good health.

Most studies don’t conclusively prove that supplements help boost your immune system more than any of the tried-and-true, simple daily habits.

True health comes from moderate exercise, healthy eating, lowering stress and getting enough sleep.

The best thing you can do, however, is to wash your hands frequently with foaming soap and hot water. Hand washing—and not touching your face—is the most effective way to stop viruses or bacteria from infecting your eyes or body.

A – Exercising B – Leafy green vegetables C – Supplements D – Regular hand washing

IF YOU PICKED ANSWER C:

YOU ARE CORRECT AND CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH OF GOOD HEALTH!

ROAD BLOCK BUT, IF YOU PICKED ANSWERS A, B, OR D:

YOU HIT ONE OF B. LIND. SPOT’S ROAD BLOCKS! Quick, learn the correct answer to continue down the path of good health.

DETOUR AHEAD

www.OurHealthLynchburg.com

57

Who Do You

THINK HAS THE

BEST

BEDSIDE MANNER IN Lynchburg & Southside?

A DV E R T I S E R D I R EC TORY 29 Acupuncture Works, LLC 10 Advance Foot Center 11 Alzheimer’s Association 9 American Heart Association 4 Asthma & Allergy Center 15 Bedford County

Nursing Home 55 Billy Craft Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 41 Center for

Neurorehabilitation Services 7-49 Central Virginia 4

Community College 45 Central Virginia

Family Physicians 17 Central Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery 2 Central Virginia Orthodontics

50 Chiro-Med Health Center 42 Dr. James L. Stanley, DDS, PC 60 Gastroenterology Associates

37 Gentle Shepherd Hospice 3 Harman Eye Center 17 Heartland Health

Care Center 19 Heritage Green

Assisted Living 7 Interim Healthcare 33 Johnson Health Center

2020

22 Lynchburg Aesthetics 53 Lynchburg Dental Center 2020

2020

2020

2020

BEST BEDSIDE MANNER AWARDS

COMING SOON!

13th Annual Best Bedside Manner Awards Don’tmiss the

in the December/JanuaryEdition of OurHealth Lynchburg & Southside Magazine.

59 Medical Facilities of America 41 Peace Haven Home

Care Services 50 Rehab Associates 12 Reproductive Medicine and

Surgery Center of

Virginia, PLC 13 Susan G. Komen 50 The Williams Home, Inc 22 Valley View Retirement

Community 42 Virginia Elder Law – The Law Offices of Ron Feinman 19 Virginia Prosthetics

& Orthotics 41 Wyndhurst Aesthetics 55 YMCA