Good Health 2022 by The Oxford Eagle

Good Health

OXFORD

MARCH 2022 A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF OXFORD NEWSMEDIA, LLC

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Oxford Good Health MARCH 2022

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Catherine Phillips, Dr. Kevin Hall, Dr William Strickland, Martha Catlette, PhD. Davis Coen STAFF Rebecca Alexander Maya Martin Jake Davis Amelia Miller Nikki Buford DESIGN Allison Dale

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Contents TABLE OF

5 8 12 16 19

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE

HEART HEALTH

MIND AND BODY

DIABETIC EYE CARE

20 22 24 26

PROTECTING FISCAL HEALTH

FAMILY FITNESS

HEARING

NUTRITION

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE

DEVELOPMENT DELAYS IN CHILDREN DUE TO

EXCESSIVE

SCREEN TIME By DR. CATHERINE PHILLIPS Board Certified Pediatrician

ife is thankfully feeling more like normal as we ease out of the latest COVID surge. Most of us are unmasking, parents are visiting their kids‘ schools,

and extracurricular activities are not so taboo. The loss and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic created a mental health crisis that we now have to face in all areas of medicine, including pediatrics. Board certified pediatrician, Dr. Catherine Phillips

and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Brooke Underwood of Phillips Pediatrics are also seeing a developmental and behavioral crisis, largely secondary to excess screen time during the pandemic. Devices have become a major problem. With less play

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dates and social events, children are spending more time on devices and doing so at a younger age. The developing brain needs to read, learn, and play in nurturing environments. There’s a different sensory effect when playing on a screen, especially with overstimulating shows like

Cocomelon. Toddlers coming in for checkups are losing social skills. They are addicted and socially withdrawn. We encourage families now more than ever to limit screen time. We know most mini millennials will have some screen time so we also ask parents to interact with their

little ones when on a device and to get back to oldies but goodies, like Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse that are backed by public educators. School-aged children and adolescents are also hooked to devices. Some are texting, some on social media, and others on vid-

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eo games. All are addictive but provoke different emotions and behaviors. There’s a sense of anxiety and insecurities provoked by social media. Video games, like Fortnite are addictive, and change the demeanor of children, often making them act out or seem angry. The brain is just not developed for constant stimulation. We are meant to have moments of solitude, to sit with our thoughts, and to use our imaginations when feeling bored. Parents can and should set clear limits with their children and teens. Your children need real life interaction with family and friends, extracurricular activities, academics, and adequate rest. Screen time should not interfere with these things. It is also important to teach your children to treat people on screens and even in video games the same as they would with face-to-face interactions. As we spring forward during this post-pandemic season we must also go back to a time when being with family and friends was normal, putting our devices down, and allowing ourselves to feel alive and thankful that we are all here.

School-aged children and adolescents are also hooked to devices. Some are texting, some on social media, and others on video games. All are addictive but provoke different emotions and behaviors. There’s a sense of anxiety and insecurities provoked by social media. Video games, like Fortnite are addictive, and change the demeanor of children, often making them act out or seem angry.

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HEART HEALTH

Q&A WITH OXFORD CARDIOLOGIST

KEVIN HALL Interventional cardiologist with the Stern Cardiovascular Foundation

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How is this procedure different from open heart surgery? Is it safer? What is the difference in recovery times? TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with severe stenosis or tightening of the aortic heart valve. During this procedure, a new heart valve can be delivered and placed within the diseased aortic valve without the need for open heart surgery. The new heart valve is typically inserted and delivered to the heart through an artery in the groin. It can also be delivered through an artery in either the shoulder or the neck. This is a groundbreaking procedure as historically heart valve replacement could only be achieved by opening the chest and cutting the old valve out and implanting a new valve. Full recovery from surgical open heart surgery can take up to 6-8 weeks or longer depending on the

patient. With TAVR, patients are discharged home on the next day following their procedure. The only visual evidence a person has whose undergone TAVR is a single bandage on their groin. TAVR patients are typically able to resume their daily routines within a few days after discharge with significantly improved quality of life and relief of their symptoms.

Q: A:

How common is aortic stenosis? How serious of a condition is it?

Aortic stenosis is the second most common valvular disease in the United States. It is present in about 5% of the population in patients over 65 years of age with increasing prevalence as patients age. Most patient with a stenosed or tight aortic valve may have symptoms of significant shortness of breath with minimal activity, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, or even passing out spells. Aortic

Most patient with a stenosed or tight aortic valve may have symptoms of significant shortness of breath with minimal activity, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, or even passing out spells. Aortic stenosis is a progressive disease that can ultimately lead to heart failure and death within 2-3 years after the start of symptoms if it goes untreated.

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stenosis is a progressive disease that can ultimately lead to heart failure and death within 2-3 years after the start of symptoms if it goes untreated. The only definitive treatment for aortic stenosis is aortic valve replacement.

What does it mean for people in North Mississippi to have access to this kind of care? How long did they have to travel for it before?

We’re proud to offer TAVR here at Baptist at North Mississippi in Oxford. TAVR opens up a entirely new, minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment option for patients in Oxford and surrounding counties who otherwise would not have any regional option for care at all. Previously, these patients had to travel far distances and sometimes outside

of the state to have this procedure performed. What should people do to keep their hearts healthy? Are there any steps that can be taken to prevent coronary artery disease or other conditions that lead to heart failure? The key to living a heart healthy life is to eat healthy and stay active. I typically will tell my patients if you’re eating mostly on the outside isles of the grocery store then you’re probably doing alright. There you’ll find your fruits and vegetables - the more color variation the better. Also for protein focus on your leaner meat cuts. The middle isles of the grocery store keep cardiologists in business. There you’ll find highly processed sugar foods, high salt/ sodium meals, and meals high in saturated and trans fats which are

the bad fats that can stick to your heart and brain and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Healthy fats are the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found in olive and canola oils, avacodos, and most nuts. For healthy adults who are able, we recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (brisk walk, biking, swimming, mowing the lawn) over the course of a week. Generally aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily 5 days out of the week. If your goal is to loose weight you may need to exercise more. SIT LESS. MOVE MORE. The more hours you sit each day, the higher your risk of metabolic syndrome such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Remember don’t forget the importance of

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ROBERTS WILSON, P.A. diet! The key to weight loss is to burn more calories than you eat. The calories you eat should come from healthy sources. Sit down with your doctor or a nutritionist to assist you in your exercise and weight loss goals.

Q: A:

What kind of new technologies or procedures are in the works for BNM? Will you continue to expand your services?

At Baptist at North Mississippi we continue to expand our capabilities in the treatment of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease. We are at the forefront of advanced procedures and technologies that improve not only the quality of care, but patient outcomes as well. Our team of doctors, providers, and nurses are strong and will continue to grow in our treatment and management of structural heart disease and advanced heart failure therapies. Dr. Hall is a consultative, clinical and Interventional cardiologist with the Stern Cardiovascular Foundation. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hall or anyone in The Stern Cardiovascular Group please call (662) 636-2400.

Local Injury Lawyers OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI • AUTO ACCIDENTS • TRUCKING ACCIDENTS • MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY • SLIP AND FALL INJURIES • WORK ACCIDENTS • WRONGFUL DEATH

(662) 662) 533-9111 WWW.WEGETJUSTICE.COM CALLS ANSWERED 24/7 FREE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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MIND AND BODY

Wellness

THROUGH YOGA

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By MARTHA CATLETTE PhD, PMHNP-BC

What is a four-letter word for a wellness practice that can improve your physical strength and flexibility, help regulate your emotions, enhance mental clarity, and offer peace of mind?

Yoga!

A personal yoga practice can bring all these things to enhance a sense of wellbeing, as well as be enjoyable and make efficient use of your time. Our world continues to bringmore environmental, personal, and global challenges. According to one government survey the coronavirus pandemic turned the lives of millions of Americans upside down and has exacerbated the trend of more and more Americans dealing with mental health symptoms. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/ pulse/mental-health.htm. More

recently many are experiencing thoughts of despair and catastrophe related to the Ukraine crisis. “Feelings people may be experiencing are anger…hopelessness, helplessness, and numbness, because of being overloaded,” states Erin Jones, LCSW, of e.Piphany Concepts. It is essential to our wellbeing that we take responsibility for their own health and wellness by finding ways to cope and manage stress so that we can be present to enjoy our lives rather than in our heads over these external conditions that are out of our control. According to holistic psychiatrist Dr Kayse Budd, “Yoga is a true and legitimate treatment for stress and all conditions that come with it.” It is also growing in popularity not only in our country, but throughout our world. According to Yoga Earth https:// yogaearth.com/about/ 4Worldwide, approximately 300 million people regularly practice yoga. 4Approximately 36 million

Americans practice yoga regularly. 4In the past 5 years alone, yoga practitioners in the U.S has increased by over 50%.

SO, WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is not a religion but is a philosophy, a science, and a way of life that originated over 5,000 years ago in India. “Yoga” is a Sanskrit word that in English translates to “yoke” or “union” Specifically it represents union of body, mind, and spirit. The practice of yoga uses breath, movement (asana), and relaxation (meditation) to help one achieve calmness, clarity, a sense of well-being, enthusiasm towards life, and peace of mind. This is traditionally done on a mat on the floor but can be adapted to the chair, even a wheelchair! In yoga the breath is intimately associated with the body’s energy also known as “prana”. Learning practices to regulate the breath enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The practice of belly breathing (diaphragmat-

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ic breathing) is basic to all yoga breathing techniques. Yoga incorporates certain types of breathing to stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System to calm and restore the body and mind. This directly counters what is going on with the mind and body when stress becomes a chronic state. When we stay in a state of stress, whether extreme or low level, the Sympathetic Nervous System’s Fight, Flight, or Freeze response is always turned on and this leads to health problems such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, digestive problems, low energy, depression, and decreased immunity just to name a few.

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF YOGA?

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), yoga research studies have shown promise for improving symptoms associated with

many health conditions to include stress, anxiety and depression, menopause, low back and neck pain, sleep, headaches, weight loss, smoking cessation, and chronic diseases. Yoga has also been shown to benefit children and adolescents in the areas of anxiety, stress, coping with cancer, and weight loss. Yoga can be different for everybody, and studies are ongoing to determine how to best benefit people according to their condition as well as age and ability. The NIH recommends not using yoga, however, to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. https://www.nccih.nih. gov/health/yoga-what-you-needto-know According to a John Hopkins Medicine online report yoga is often used as an adjunct to traditional medical treatments. If you are choosing a yoga class for this purpose, it is recommended to research the instructor and skill level for the class, rather than randomly

choosing a class to attend. It is very important to have a good fit so that one is not discouraged at the beginning. Another option is to seek out a certified yoga therapist who is trained to work with clients oneon-one and to offer a yoga program based on the client’s needs and abilities. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga Finally, there is additional research evidence that yoga improves quality of life, slows and reverses the aging process, and improves overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility. These are worthy goals for all of us regardless of our age. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/ yoga/introduction.htm How Do I Incorporate Yoga Into My Life? Many people like what they hear about yoga but feel intimidated by the idea of attending a class and tend to compare themselves to others. Yoga does not require fancy outfits or the ability to stand on

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your head! Just take some simple steps to give it a try and you very likely will be amazed at the benefits. According to Brandt Passalacqua in Peaceful Weight Loss through Yoga, “A yoga practice is a pleasant addition to your life. You don’t need natural ability, a lot of flexibility, or a lot of strength to develop a regular yoga practice. Unlike other exercise options, you need very little skill….As long as you can breathe, you can do yoga.” Establishing a regular practice and working at your own pace and skill level is the key to experiencing the full benefit of yoga. What have you got to lose? Stress, overwhelm, sleep disturbance? The Handbook of Wellness Medicine (2020) recommends the following guidelines: 4Try yoga out for yourself and see how it benefits you personally.

4Learn what is available in your community to include lower-cost classes at community centers and libraries. 4Educate yourself on the differences in classes, such as “exercise style” versus restorative and other styles. 4Consider online videos or downloadable classes that you can do at home. This can make it easier to work it into your day and you are more likely to practice regularly. 4Commit to 10 minutes of yoga per day for a week and see if it improves your life. Expand from there. If you think you don’t have the time to bring yoga into your life, that is a sign that you will benefit by starting your own regular practice. Wishing you peace and happiness through yoga- Namaste’ Martha Catlette, PhD, PMHNP-BC, Owner, Green Spot Wellbeing, LLC

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EYE CARE EYE CARE

Q&A ON DIABETIC EYE CARE DR. WILLIAM STRICKLAND,

OXFORD EYE CLINIC

Q: A:

What eye diseases are you seeing in people with diabetes?

Diabetic patients can often show signs of their disease in their eyes particularly if they have Type 1 diabetes or uncontrolled diabetes of both Type 1 and Type 2. It can present with hemorrhages, hard and soft exudates (deposits), macular swelling with edema, swelling of the crystalline lens and

even detached retinas in very severe cases. New unwanted faulty and leaky retinal vessels are especially troublesome and potentially blinding.

Q: A:

How can diabetics protect their eyesight?

The best protection from diabetic retinopathy is regular eye examinations for diabetics, strict control of

diet including reduction in consumption of sugar and starches, maintaining a normal body mass index and regular daily exercise. Should diabetic retinopathy be diagnosed by a primary eye care provider a monitoring schedule with dilated retinal viewing should be maintained along with consultation with a retinal specialist should the condition become moderate to severe.

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What are the early warning signs of eye disease for diabetics?

Early warning signs of diabetes affecting eyes include possible sudden shifting vision and blurred vision, loss of vision in general or peripheral vision, flashes of light and floaters and a red sheen to vision. These can occur individually or collectively.

Q: A:

What happens if diabetic retinopathy progresses?

Permanent loss of vision or blindness can result if diabetic retinopathy is allowed to progress. Mississippi leads the nation in the incidence of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy so proper health and eye care for Mississippians is particularly important and recommended.

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Kevin J. Batte, MD • David I. Bridgers III, MD • Henry P. Johnson Jr., MD • S. Todd Threadgill, MD John H. Webb, MD • Ernest Q. Williams, MD • Leigh Beth Brown, FNP-BC • Carah L. Walker, FNP-BC

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Are there treatments?

There are treatments for diabetic retinopathy but it all starts with good control of the disease itself, including proper food consumption, avoiding obesity and maintaining a regular exercise schedule. Should severe proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy occur such treatments like pan-retinal photo coagulation of the retina (destroying portions of the retina with a laser to save the most vital parts of the retina), oral diabetic medications and/or insulin injections and a strict diet to regulate blood sugar levels will be utilized as well as possible intravitreal injections of anti-VegF drugs (a type of anti-cancer drug given into the eye) might be necessary. Excellent results from these procedures can fortunately be had in many cases if the patient understands how critical it is to saving their sight. Hopefully a patient will heed the advice of their primary care physician as well as their primary care eye doctor in the early stages of diabetes management to avoid having to go to these more invasive procedures.

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ATHLETE HEALTH

STRATEGIES TO SOLVE

STAMINA ISSUES

SUBMITTED

thletes know that energy is vital to their training and performance. But every athlete experiences days or periods when energy levels wane. Lack of energy can compromise performance and derail individuals’ fitness goals, especially if they can’t find ways to increase their stamina. Individuals can try various strategies to improve their stamina. Certain solutions may be temporarily effective, but people who want to commit to a long-term fitness regimen should forgo fads in favor of long-term remedies to improve their endurance. The following are some strategies athletes can try to overcome stamina issues. • Design a multifaceted fitness regimen. Strength training and cardiovascular exercise are often separated, and that can have an adverse effect on stamina. The fitness and wellness retailer Johnson Fitness notes that a healthy combination of strength and cardio training, sometimes referred to as concurrent training, allows the body to perform at its best. When the body is performing at peak capacity, energy levels should not be an issue. • Remember to rest. It might seem counterintuitive to suggest that rest will actually help athletes avoid prolonged periods characterized by a lack of energy. But rest is vital to recovery. The American Council on Exercise notes that rest allows the body

to repair muscle tissue, which is routinely damaged during exercise. Without that time to repair, athletes may feel fatigued when they begin their workouts, and insufficient rest between workouts increases the risk for injury. • Eat before you exercise. Athletes who exercise on an empty stomach may note their workouts tend to start off sluggish, and that’s not a coincidence. The Cleveland Clinic notes that food fuels exercise by providing energy the body needs to get through a workout. Carbohydrates can provide the energy individuals need to make the most of their workout, but men and women who like to exercise in the early morning hours may not reap those rewards. In such instances, a small piece of fruit or granola bar can increase blood sugar levels, which are at their lowest after waking up,

and provide a small yet useful energy boost. • Switch things up. Sagging stamina could be a byproduct of boredom. Experienced fitness enthusiasts know that exercising as part of a daily routine and a routine exercise regimen are not one and the same. Periodically switch up a workout so the body does not grow accustomed to the same exercises and the mind does not grow bored with performing the same exercises. New challenges can reinvigorate a passion for exercise, which should reduce the mental stamina associated with doing the same exercises over and over again. Many athletes confront a lack of stamina at some point. Various strategies can help athletes overcome a lack of energy so they can stay the course and achieve their fitness goals MARCH 2022 • GOOD HEALTH | 19

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HOW PROTECTING TO AVOIDYOUR THE COLLECTION FISCAL HEALTH AGENCY

HOW TO AVOID THE COLLECTION AGENCY

AFTER AN ACCIDENT By ROBERTS WILSON Attorney

ere is what you need to know to avoid being turned over to collections after an accident. First, coordinating between insurance companies and healthcare providers can be an overwhelming task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. The bottom line: If bills don’t get submitted correctly, to the right insurance company, and paid on time, you can be turned over to collections or worse. Ultimately, it is the patient’s responsibility to make sure these bills are submitted and paid on time and a competent personal injury lawyer can help you

with this. Our clients are often surprised and frustrated when an insurance company refuses to cover medical bills that arise from a car wreck or other accident, but there is an explanation. Health insurance companies don’t always pay, because an accident may have been caused by someone else who has insurance coverage for it. And that person may dispute fault. In other words, it is not always your health insurance company’s responsibility to pay first and sorting out who is responsible is what lawyers are here for. Most health insurance companies will have these requirements buried in their policy somewhere and are simply trying to make sure

the responsible parties pay for the care, but they often do a poor job explaining this to their policy holders and things can fall through the cracks. An example of this is after a car wreck, where the victim will have numerous bills from different health care providers that must make it to the “right” insurance company on time, to be paid on time. After a car wreck, the providers you may receive bills from could include the following: 1.Emergency Room Doctors 2.Radiologists 3.Main Hospital 4.Surgeon 5.Anesthesiologist

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6.Physical Therapist 7.Specialists The different insurance companies you may have to coordinate with include the following: 1.Your health insurance 2.Your auto insurance (even if the accident was not your fault) 3.The at-fault party’s insurance. 4.Third Party Insurance 5.Umbrella Policy One of the problems we see is when a billing or coding mistake is made and everyone believes the bills have been submitted correctly and on time, but they haven’t. This catches everyone off guard and if it is discovered after a deadline in the applicable policy, the insurance company may refuse to pay it. Another big problem we see is when providers and insurance companies can’t agree on who owes the bill and how much is to be paid. This causes the patient to lose valuable time and things can fall through the cracks, leaving the patient holding the bag. If you are in an accident involving insurance, it is important to understand these issues or get help from a competent personal injury attorney. Roberts Wilson is an Oxford based attorney who has been practicing personal injury law throughout Mississippi since 2003. His office can be reached at 662-533-9111 or you can learn more by visiting www.WeGetJustice.com. MARCH 2022 • GOOD HEALTH | 21

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FAMILY FITNESS ACTIVITIES

HEALTHY HOBBIES FAMILIES CAN ENJOY TOGETHER SUBMITTED

hanks to increasingly busy weekday schedules that have families running in different directions for work, school and extracurricular activities, weekends are an ideal time to recharge. Too often, however, family members retire to their respective rooms, devices in hand. Kommando Tech says people spend an average of three hours and 15 minutes on their phones each day, with Americans spending 5.4 hours a day using phones. Those statistics do not include how much additional time is likely

spent on devices like tablets or laptops. Chances are phones are being used while lounging on the couch or bed, something that has negative health consequences for many children and adults. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain, loss of muscle strength, weak bones, diminished immune system response, and poor blood circulation, according to the health information site Medline. These fun activities can get kids and parents off the couch on weekends.

TAKE A FAMILY BIKE RIDE

Inflate those tires and tighten your helmet chin straps. A family bike ride is an ideal activity for the family because it is something that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Choose the pace and the terrain based on the age of the youngest and/or oldest rider (flat, easy-to-navigate paths for the very young or the elderly), and enjoy exercise in the great outdoors.

WASH THE CARS

It’s a chore, but it’s one that has the potential for lots of

laughs along the way — and possibly a suds fight. Washing vehicles also is a great way to cool off when the weather is warm.

ENGAGE IN SPORTS TRAINING

Whether the children participate in organized sports or not, set up an obstacle course or fitness circuit in the backyard. Everyone takes turns going through the course. The family can spend time together as everyone gets beneficial exercise.

DO A WALKING TOUR

Educational attractions like museums, zoos, aquariums

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and arboretums are great to visit on weekends. The family will see new sights and learn important information about exhibits, all the while walking a few miles.

VISIT AN AMUSEMENT PARK

Research the nearest amusement park and take a road trip for the day. Hours will be spent walking around the park and going on thrilling rides. Consider discounted memberships or season passes if this is the type of activity the family plans to repeat.

CHECK OUT A DRIVING RANGE

Practice golf swings at a driving range or a virtual driving range. Everyone can compete to see whose drive is the longest. The possibilities for physically active family engagement are endless and beneficial for the body in myriad ways.

ROBERTS WILSON, P.A. Local Injury Lawyers OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI • AUTO ACCIDENTS • TRUCKING ACCIDENTS • MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY • SLIP AND FALL INJURIES • WORK ACCIDENTS • WRONGFUL DEATH

(662) 662) 533-9111 WWW.WEGETJUSTICE.COM CALLS ANSWERED 24/7 FREE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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HEARING

IN DENIAL OF

HEARING LOSS Wearing Hearing Aids for the First Time

By REBECCA ALEXANDER

oo many times this past year I asked people to repeat what they were saying. Masks made it impossible to hear and understand what some people were saying. Asking someone three and four times to repeat themselves really hampered conversation. I found myself cupping my ears to hear TV programs,

or turning up the volume. As the pandemic subsided and there were more in-person gatherings, I found that it was hard to have conversations in crowded rooms and noisy restaurants. Three years ago I had a hearing test and could have worn hearing aids at that point, but I was a bit in denial. “I was too young” I told myself to need hearing aids.

But by 2022 I could tell that my hearing had continued to change and the ringing in my ears was bothering me more too. Finally, I was ready to look for a solution and scheduled an appointment with a local audiologist. After a thorough hearing test to access my hearing, and the source of my hearing loss, the audiogist helped

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me choose a hearing aid that would fit my lifestyle. He also explained how important the service of an audiologist and hearing aid specialist is for continued care. That is something many people do not realize. It is not just about buying hearing aids, but in getting continual care to adjust and manage hearing loss. The day of my hearing aid fitting, I was expecting that I would immediately hear everything clearly and that my tinnitus would go away. My expectations were not completely accurate. It is not like putting on a pair of glasses, and instantly everything coming into focus. It is more like riding a bike, a learning process as the ears, brain work together. The

audiologist explained it takes time wearing them all day for a period of time, gradually ramping up and learning how to adjust them to different hearing situations. I was surprised when I first put them on and how loud normal hearing was, from what I had been hearing. It was like a megaphone. He explained that everyone is surprised when they first put on hearing aids. He then began to educate me about a plan for the first week, to adjust the volume up to normal slowly. It was realization of what sounds I had been missing. My hearing aids pair with my iPhone, and can filter out background noise and focus sound. The noise cancellation button

makes sounds like the washing machine and the dishwasher about 50% less noisy. It is a great feature. Changing the direction of sound, focusing just on someone speaking is another cool tool I am finding helpful. For the first time, I could hear and understand a whole conversation and not ask them to repeat themselves. Volume of the streaming music on my iPhone and TV is at a much lower setting, While the tinnitus did not go away, it is much less noticeable, and there are apps that help as well. I am still adjusting as it is still in my first few days being a hearing aid wearer, but realize a big benefit already in my journey to better hearing. MARCH 2022 • GOOD HEALTH | 25

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NUTRITION

LOCAL GNC OWNER OFFERS NUTRITION WISDOM TO

HEALTH-MINDED COMMUNITY

By DAVIS COEN Photos by Davis Coen

he fascinating backstory of Oxford’s GNC store owner Lindsay Bryant began in California but continued here in

Mississippi when her family relocated when she was six years old. Bryant graduated from both Oxford High School and Ole Miss, and eventually came to work at a Bath & Body Works store down the hall from a GNC (also known as General Nutrition Centers)

location in town. She had already become heavily into fitness and working out, which led to her to also pursue being a trainer. “I was spending tons of money in that store,” said Bryant. “So, when the manager decided she was leaving, she actually called

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her boss and told him she knew who would be perfect to run the store, because I was in there like every other day,” she laughed. Bryant recalled a life-changing incident, after she had been employed for about two and a half months by the Pittsburgh, PA-based company, which specializes in health and nutrition related products, including vitamins, supplements, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, diet, and energy products. She said she came home one afternoon and saw her mother sitting on the couch, with a look on her face like she wasn’t feeling very well. Bryant explained that while she wouldn’t stay with family every night, because she was still in school at the time, that she would every once in a while long for the comforts of her old bedroom and parents’ home cooking. Her mother suffered from a lot of joint pain, because she was born without arms, forcing her to do everything with her feet, including cooking, driving and cleaning around the house. “So, when you’re doing double-duty like that, you have a lot of aches and pains in your knees,” said Bryant. Her mother’s congenital defect was caused by her grandmother taking the drug while she was pregnant called thalidomide, which was commonly given to women in the 1950s and 1960s and caused a range of disabilities in babies including shortening and absence of limbs. “My grandmother didn’t treat her any different. She was treated like a normal kid, and grew up like a normal kid, other than maybe having that little extra edge of; ‘I can’t be as good, I have to be better, because I’ve got to show the world I can do everything,’” type of attitude, Bryant said. To treat the aches and pains, her mother’s doctor gave her 800 milligram doses of ibuprofen, to be taken twice daily, which eventually deteriorated the glands in her stomach that secrete the mucus around the lining, which are supposed to protect it from acids. “Without the protection to the lining she got an

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ulcer and it perforated, and that’s why she was in pain,” she said. Bryant said that her family eventually ended up having to call an ambulance. “They took her to the hospital and they sewed her up, told her she was going to be fine, and then she died from a staph infection in the ICU (intensive care unit) a couple of weeks later,” she said, still with lingering disbelief at the horrific and unexpected outcome; considering she had been active, swam every morning, ate well, and was amazingly healthy otherwise, aside from simply coping daily with the physical strain of her congenital birth defect. “I went into this rabbit hole, of ‘how did my perfectly healthy mom, who was not just a regular person walking this planet, but was like superwoman to me, die from an ulcer?” said Bryant, who then began frequenting the library, and taking out any book she could get her hands on. “I just read, and read and read, and before too long I was an expert on the human stomach, and I figured out that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to learn about how to help people fix things naturally and not with pharmaceuticals, if it could be helped, because something as simple as ibuprofen killed my mom.” Bryant continued to work at the GNC store, located in the same strip mall as the Campus Book Mart and old movie theater off Jackson Avenue, and loved it. In fact, she absolutely loved it so much that she took it over and moved it up the road to its current location at 2214 Jackson Ave. West, in the Goose Creek Mall. The benefits of vitamins and supplements For women, she said, “a lot of us do not get enough protein.” Also, younger women tend to take things for granted and not understand that their muscles will not always just miraculously be there. She said she has women come in every single day that are middle-aged or older, that can’t understand why they’re having so much trouble with losing body fat, or why their hair’s thinning. “It’s because they’ve spent so many years not get-

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ting enough protein,” said Bryant She always tells people, in general: “Look at your diet, and if you’re not getting the amount that you think that you need, get a supplement.” According to Bryant, it’s the easiest way to add something to your diet, and there are many organic ones, and ones without fake sweeteners. “There’s all kinds of good ones,” she said. Bryant stands behind the multivitamin, as far as one that is basically important for everybody. “Anybody that does not have a garden in their backyard and is eating out of it five times a day, needs a multivitamin, because we all have gaps in

our minerals,” she said about the mostly water-soluble vitamins. She pointed out the issue that because all the stuff we get from the grocery is grown on the same plots of land, they are then picked clean. “Back when we all had our own farms and our own gardens, a lot of that was left to die, and it would attract your bugs and your animals, and all the nasty stuff that makes that soil rich, and in turn feeds the plants that come out of it,” said Bryant. She’s also a strong proponent and advocate of fish oil: “Huge on fish oil,” Bryant said, and also made a reference that folks in countries eating more along the lines of the

Mediterranean diet, whether they’re getting more oils from the ocean or elsewhere, are living longer, and having way less chance of heart disease and arterial clogging and hardening. For the people who love to work out, she said one of her favorite supplements is nitric oxide formula. “What they do is they dilate blood vessels, they get more blood and oxygen flowing, and you feel great,” said Bryant, “that’s what we call the pump, you are actually stronger in the gym, it increases your protein synthesis after the workout, so you recover better too.” And another that she supports

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are amino acid supplements. “So many people walk around lacking one or two amino acids - and a lot of times, most of them. And it can affect your sleep, it can affect your recovery, it can affect so many different things,” she said. Bryant, who is huge on probiotics and digestive enzymes, supports a saying that gets right to the point: “If your gut’s not happy then the rest of your body’s not happy.” Also, poignantly, that if you at all think that you're not breaking down food properly, it’s important to replace any enzymes that might have fallen into deficit over the years. “It's also really important to make sure that the gut bacteria is very good and strong,” she said. And, that “if you’ve been on an antibiotic and you don't replace it you need to do that, because if you don’t it increases chances of ending up with immune system issues, digestive issues and urinary tract issues.” Finally, she suggested that one thing most people run just a little low on is Vitamin D. “We see it all the time,” said Bryant, and that it gets to the point where people are having to get 50,000 IUs prescribed from their doctor, it becomes so low. “So if people are not taking a Vitamin D supplement, and not out in the sun every day, that needs to happen.” Striking a perfect balance with the health and fitness community In response to a question to the effect of what the community does to motivate her and drive her to continue pursuing an interest in local health and fitness, she replied

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point blank: “They don’t have to. This is my passion,” she said with a friendly laugh, “they absolutely don't have to do a thing, I want them to feel good.” Bryant said that her second-grade teacher shops at her GNC store. “This community is so beautiful and wonderful about supporting their local businesses and, I feel like they're here for me and I will always be here for them.” The store has athletes from every team come by to shop, including baseball players, football players, tennis players, and track team. “They don't all shop here obviously, but

there’s a portion of each one of them that do,” she joked. She also expressed her admiration for the local student population, calling them “quite athletic” and remarking on the amount of students on campus that work out. She called it “staggering compared to what I think it looks like at other universities. And they love their pre-workouts and they love their creatine, and they love their protein.” It being a franchise, she called the selling strategies of GNC different, in that when you come to a locally owned store the staff will more than likely just want you to get what you

need, and then return because customer loyalty is most important. “As a company they take care of their franchises,” she said, and that it’s easy to reach out to her DFO (Director of Franchise Operations) anytime if needed, and that for the most part the layout of the stores is essentially all that ties them together, because the people that run the stores are really what makes them. “They’re a very good company. There are 150 quality checks that go into every product, they have a wonderful medical advisory board, and they really care what we’re putting on the shelves.”

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Better Means More Better means more time with the people you love. Better means doing more of the things you enjoy. Better means more healthy days. Better means, well, more. With advanced technologies, premier doctors and excellent facilities close to home, the team at Baptist North Mississippi is here to provide you with more of the things you need so life can be its very best. Get better with Baptist. Learn more at baptistonline.org/northmiss.

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