Merrimack Valley Magazine

Wellness Wednesday – 8/5/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Your Good Health is Your Most Important Asset

by Pentucket Medical

Did you know that in the United States, Americans use preventative health care services about half the recommended amount? Despite the benefits of preventative health care services, many of us choose to go without them.

Seven out of 10 deaths are attributed to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. These diseases are often preventable and with regular screenings be identified in the early stages.

Recommended steps to being your healthiest are annual physical exams, age-appropriate screenings, immunizations as needed as well as engaging in lifestyle choices that include physical activity, sleep and a healthy diet. Learn what you can do by checking out these Health Preventive Guidelines below:

Click here to view Men’s Health Guidelines

Click here to view Women’s Health Guidelines

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WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

How Lockdown May Have Changed Your Personality 

Everyone’s experience with quarantine and COVID-19 has differed. Some were forced into months of unbroken solitude, others trapped for weeks on end with an estranged spouse. Some welcomed the quarantine as it has allowed for less hectic schedules and more personal time.

Whichever way the lockdown played out, there has been one near universal aspect to the past months – it abruptly disrupted our daily routines and living arrangements in ways that would not normally occur.

For much of psychology’s history, one’s personality was considered set in stone, at least beyond early adulthood. Research over the last few decades, however, has led to a consensus that, while personality traits are relatively stable, they are not completely fixed. Instead they continue to evolve through life and in response to major life events.

In my own personal experience, I’ve been feeling less stressed due to less driving around, but I’m also more introverted. Many others have reported similar feelings, as isolation leaves plenty of room for personal time and introspection.

Still, it’s very difficult to say exactly how much people will change because of quarantine and in what ways. This is partly due to the lack of longitudinal data, but also because people’s experiences of lockdown were so different.

 

Okinawan Practice of Sitting On the Floor is Linked to Health and Longevity

Okinawa, Japan, is one of the 5 blue zones where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives and is home to the world’s longest-lived women.

In Okinawa, people traditionally sit on the floor to read, eat, talk and relax instead of sitting in chairs, though this practice is dying out among younger generations in Asia.

Okinawan centenarians sit and get up from the floor dozens or hundreds of times per day. This exercises their legs, back, and core in a natural way as they get up and down all day long. Sitting on the floor also improves posture and increases overall strength, flexibility and mobility.

Studies correlate the ability to sit and rise from the floor without support with a longer life expectancy. Sitting on the floor also develops musculoskeletal fitness.

 

Wellness Wednesday – 7/1/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Childhood Through the Eyes of a Pediatrician


by Dr. John Maddox
Pentucket Medical – Haverhill


As I reflect on my 20 years of being a pediatrician during these uncertain and apprehensive times, encounters with children continue to bring joy. 

Reviewing a child’s growth chart with a family is a particular delight. There is such fascination in the question “How tall will I be?” Whether the answer is four-ten or six-ten, the essential question is “What is my full potential, and how can I reach for that?”  

Like rings of a tree that testify to years of abundance and adversity, height and health require the right mix of nature and nurture. While DNA and diet are important, every child needs supportive relationships within the family and the community to weather tough times and resiliently thrive. 

Transcendent of daily headlines and stresses, it is a privilege to be part of each young person’s journey, hopeful for all that lies ahead.

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WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

An Unlikely Aid in the Fight Against Skin Cancer

The Butantan Institute in Brazil may have found an unlikely aid in the fight against skin cancer. A recent study described by Scientific Reports indicates that proteins in the saliva of ticks successfully treated skin cancer in horses.

The protein is Amblyomin-X, which has been studied at the Butantan Institute for more than ten years and shows significant antitumor potential. It has already been approved in preclinical toxicity testing.

In the first phase of the study, spontaneous tumors in five horses were treated for 30 days with Amblyomin-X. Control tumors (not treated with the compound) maintained their shape and grew in size, whereas tumors treated with Amblyomin-X shrank and, in some cases, even reached remission up to two months after the treatment ended.

None of the five treated animals developed any adverse reactions. At the end of the treatment, the tumors were surgically removed for histopathological analysis. The researchers found no trace of tumoral characteristics.

 

Need Better Sleep? Time to Break Out the Tent

Falling asleep quickly and deeply requires some conditions that are hard to find in modern life: peace and quiet, natural lighting, and fresh air.

Science suggests that your internal clock is determined primarily by your exposure to natural light. The sun provides the short-wave blue light that rouses us in the morning and the long-wave reddish or orange light that signals the approach of bedtime. A 2017 study showed that a weekend of camping can shift your internal clock nearly an hour and a half closer to where your sleep cycle should be.

Additionally, fresh air (specifically air with lower CO2 levels) promotes more restful sleep and even better mental performance the next day.

These factors, combined with limited screen time, are essential ingredients for a more restful and beneficial sleep. Although camping this summer is limited by COVID-19, a fun tent-out in the backyard can be a fun way to promote better sleep.

Wellness Wednesday – 6/3/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

COVID-19 and Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome

Dr. Paula Boulanger, Pediatrics, Pentucket Medical

There has been a lot in news lately about a newly identified syndrome that is thought to be related to COVID-19 called Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome, which is a very serious condition for children. This news is alarming for parents to hear during a time when there is already so much anxiety around this pandemic. Because this virus is novel to humans, scientist and medical professionals are still learning about how it affects people and how best to treat the disease. However, the vast majority of children who experience illness from COVID-19 have only had mild symptoms; children rarely have serious illness.

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome is similar to a condition called Kawasaki disease. The symptoms include prolonged fever, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue and can cause cardiovascular compromise. Children who have this syndrome can get very ill requiring intensive care in the hospital. The good news is that there are medications and supportive care that can help these patients.

Our best defense against COVID-19 is still prevention. Even when the stay at home order is lifted in Mass., it will be important to continue to practice social distancing, wearing a mask in public and frequently washing hands.

If you are concerned your child may be sick, you should call your child’s pediatrician. Our providers at Pentucket Medical Associates have resources available for our patients including same day virtual visits and in person visits for sick children at the Respiratory Illness Clinic located at the PMA Express Care in Lawrence. We are all in this together.

Pentucket Medical
www.pmaonline.com

 

Meat CSAs and Local Farms in Mass. Experience Exploding Demand Due to COVID-19

Mass. farmers are seeing a significant increase in demand for locally sourced food due to the public’s concerns about disruptions to national supply chains, as well as fears of potential exposure to COVID-19 when shopping at grocery stores.

For the most part, Community-supported agriculture (CSAs) and farmers welcome the business, but the surge in demand brings along a host of challenges.

Ramping up labor alone has been a challenge, Boston.com reports. Understandably, many workers still don’t feel comfortable returning to work because of the virus, and restrictions on travel and shipping have inhibited networking between farms.

Still, farmers are working long hours, often 12 hours a day, with workers adjusting to meet rising demands during the pandemic. For many farms, the demand for goods and services have doubled, and even tripled, since the pandemic began.

It’s unknown if the surge will last beyond the days of COVID-19, but farmers across the Commonwealth are preparing themselves for whatever the future holds.

Walking is the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health

Movement, and especially walking, is not only a great way to exercise, but it has also shown to be a highly effective mood-booster, OutsideOnline.com reports.

An emerging body of science supports the idea that walking, particularly in nature, has positive effects on the brain.

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Sitting is the new cancer.” Science suggest that this is more than just a provocative exaggeration; the human body is built for regular movement. Considering this, sedentary life counterintuitive for physical and mental wellbeing. Sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy, leading to a decline in muscle volume and strength. Moreover, long periods of inactivity can have lasting effects on the brain. Lower levels of physical activity have been associated with declines in openness, extroversion and agreeableness, suggesting a “detrimental” pattern of long-term personality change.

Contrastingly, standing leads to immediate changes in blood pressure, blood flow and metabolic rates. Walking only builds upon these changes, from the production of new molecules all the way to behavior.

You can read more about the benefits of walking, and even meditative walking, here.

Wellness Wednesday – 2/5/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Aspirin and Cardiovascular Disease

By Kenneth Adams, MD, Cardiologist, Pentucket Medical

The old standard line…..”take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning.”

Turns out this has some truth about aspirin but not completely so.

Two concepts to understand before we continue. Primary prevention means doing things to prevent the onset of a disease. Secondary prevention means you already have a disease and are trying to do everything to stop it from getting worse.

For many years, we thought aspirin was appropriate for primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent information has raised some questions about this.

There is absolutely no question that aspirin is helpful in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. Aspirin is one of the first medications we give when coronary artery disease first strikes and it is an important part of ongoing therapy for CAD.

Primary prevention is another story. Aspirin for years was recommended for primary prevention of CAD. It may have some benefits in that regard.  However, a clinical trial study called ARRIVE demonstrated that while aspirin can help in primary prevention of CAD, the benefit may be negated by side effects such as bleeding.

The same result  was seen in another clinical trial called ASCEND. This focused on patients with diabetes who are generally more at risk for CAD.  There was clearly a benefit of aspirin for primary prevention but it was counterbalanced by bleeding risk.

What do we take from this?  The use of aspirin for primary prevention (preventing CAD) is not an automatic move but must be tailored to the individual patient. It is an important discussion to have with your health care provider.

 

WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

Kids Who Spend More Time in Nature Become Happier Adults

According to GreenChildMagazine.com, a new study out of Denmark found that spending time in nature is notably better for your mental health.

After studying nearly one million people across three decades, researchers found that “children who grew up with the lowest levels of green space had up to 55% higher risk of developing a psychiatric disorder independent from effects of other known risk factors.”

You can read the full story here, and you can view the study here.

Eat Fermented Soy Products Like Natto And Live Longer

A higher intake of fermented soy products, such as tofu, miso and natto, is associated with lower risk of an early death, says OutlookIndia.com.

The National Cancer Centre in Japan found that a higher intake of fermented soy was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality, but total soy product intake was not associated with all-cause mortality.

To read more, click here.

HEALTH IN THE VALLEY

If You Like Chocolate, You Won’t Want to Miss this Presentation 

Do you have a sweet-tooth for chocolate but worry about its side effects? Northern Essex Community College Professor Michael Cross is here to ease your concerns.

Despite the potential side effects of overindulging, chocolate consumption comes with a wide range of physical and mental health benefits, argues Cross, a self-proclaimed chocolate lover and a chemistry professor at Northern Essex Community College. He will explain all this and more during his upcoming lecture “Chocolate: The Secret Indulgence,” which will be offered at 11 a.m. on Feb. 8, at the Merrimac Public Library. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Cross was profiled in the January/February edition of Merrimack Valley Magazine. Read the article here.

For more information on the Merrimac Public Library Program, call Tracy Shaw, assistant youth services librarian/adult program coordinator, (978) 346-9441

For additional information on this program, please visit the Speakers Bureau website or contact the group at speakersbureau@necc.mass.edu or at (978) 556-3862.

 

Wellness Wednesday – 1/1/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

Heartburn? GERD? Indigestion? What does all of this mean?

Ahmer Ibrahim, MD, Gastroenterologist, Pentucket Medical

GERD is an acronym for Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. This is a health issue in which acid from the stomach goes back up (refluxes) into the esophagus.

Typically, acid, produced in the stomach, should remain in the stomach. Its lining is designed to resist damage from normal amounts of stomach acid.

Drugs such as aspirin or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, naproxen, etc) can decrease the stomach’s defenses against acid, leading to damage and ulcers.

Heartburn is the most common sensation or symptom that occurs with GERD. It is a burning sensation under the breastbone that occurs with acid reflux. Indigestion (or dyspepsia) is the sensation of queasiness, nausea after eating, burping, or regurgitation (bringing up food previously eating, often with a burp). This can have many causes, from overeating to gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), or even more serious diseases. Often an EGD (Upper GI Endoscopy) may be necessary for diagnosis.

Treatment

GERD / Heartburn / Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated with medications.

Most people with these symptoms reach for OTC antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, Zantac (ranitidine) or Pepcid (famotidine) for acid reflux.

Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix (pantoprazole), Aciphex, and Dexilant are sometimes prescribed due to being longer acting and stronger.

However, none of these medications, even Over the Counter (OTC) , should be used long term (more than 2 weeks) without consulting a doctor.

This is because these medications work so well they can mask a more serious disease, such as Barrett’s Esophagus, caused by chronic GERD (occurring over many years), and is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Should you be experiencing any of these symptoms and they occur more than a few times a week, schedule a visit with your doctor to come up with a treatment that works for you.

 

The Hottest Health Trends For 2020

Pullman Hotels & Resorts and Healthista hosted the second annual Pullman Prescribes Wellness Trends Event, an exclusive breakfast at its London St Pancras hotel, to announce the key wellness trends for 2020.

All trends for 2020 shared the common theme of wellness infiltration, as the wellness industry becomes increasingly entrenched in our everyday lives, influencing our choices in more ways than ever before.

According to Healthista, daily coffees will be infused with CBD, the number of people following plant-based diets will rise and male stresses and anxieties will be at the forefront of the mental health conversation.

To read the full list of 2020 predictions, click here.

Tips To Avoid Scammers During 2020 U.S. Census

In March of 2020, U.S. citizens over the age of 18 will be filling out the newest census survey.

The U.S. Census Bureau released tips to help avoid scammers who are phishing for information to the census survey period. The bureau said census workers will never ask for your social security number, your bank account or credit card or for money. If someone asks for these, it might be a scam.

“Number one issue is phishing scams by email,” said Micky Devitt, a research consultant with the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. “The census will never be asking you information through email or text. If you’re receiving an email asking for personal information, that’s not the U.S. Census. Financial information is not necessary to the census, it’s not one of the questions being asked so that’s a big red flag. ”

To read the full story by 3NewsNow.com, click here.

HEALTH AROUND THE VALLEY

My Granddaughter’s Vision Problem Drives Home The Importance Of Early Intervention

By Clare Gunther, chief advancement officer of Lowell Community Health Center
This is my granddaughter, Evelyn, sporting her new glasses. Isn’t she the cutest kid ever?
Evie turned 2 in October and got her first pair of glasses in November after being diagnosed with Amblyopia — more commonly called “lazy eye.” Her mom, Anne, became concerned that one of Evie’s eyes wasn’t tracking as they were coloring together. Anne knew that amblyopia runs in the family. So, off to the eye doctor they went.
Why am I telling you Evie’s story? I certainly don’t miss a chance to talk up my grandchildren! It also brought home to me just how vital our new Eye Care Center is for the families we serve. Not only can we educate parents about the value of early eye exams, but we can also provide the solution when a problem is identified. It’s just one reason why I love working at the Health Center.
Thanks to early detection, chances are good that Evie’s vision will be corrected by the time she hits age 4. And Evie loves her new glasses, probably because they help her see the world more clearly. For a busy toddler, this helps foster learning, imagination, and wonder.
For many patients here at the Health Center, MassHealth pays for one eye exam and a pair of glasses per year. It doesn’t cover the cost of a spare set of specs or options like thinner, lighter frames or transition lenses for people with light sensitivity. Even when a family has private health insurance, they might forego the added expense of vision coverage, making the out-of-pocket cost of glasses difficult to afford.
As we enter this season of giving, I hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift to the Health Center. Your donation helps pay for services that aren’t covered by insurance, but which families need to get, and stay, healthy.
Giving is easy. You can make your donation online or send a check to Lowell CHC, Attn: Advancement, 161 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Or give me a call at 978.746.7891.

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