“Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”
George Eliot
On a roll
Only recently, Margo Price “was a country underdog just trying to keep enough gas in the tank to get to the next gig,” but by the end of 2016, she was one of the genre’s most celebrated new artists with gigs on late night television and at major festivals around the world. Don’t miss her performance at Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park this Thursday, Aug. 1st. The Dawes with Margo Price concert will start at 6:30pm (5:15pm gates open), with a $50 general admission ticket price. For more information and tickets visit meijergardens.org. Go here for the story.
Precious cargo
National Heat Stroke Prevention day is July 31, 2019, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reminding everyone to “look before you lock.” It takes just 10 minutes for a vehicle in the sun to heat up by 20 degrees and become potentially deadly for a child left locked in a car. Go here for the story.
Tick tock
If despite your best prevention efforts, a tick still attaches to you, there’s a right and a wrong way to remove ticks. Don’t use matches or the tip of a cigarette to burn off ticks. This could cause them to transmit bacteria more quickly. The correct way to remove a tick is to lift it gently with thin forceps or tweezers. Here are more tips.
Fun fact:
A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. You’re welcome.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is an update on the June partial building collapse at Lee Middle and High School. District Superintendent Kevin Polston separates the facts from the fictions of the incident and the aftermath. Also, Kent County recently adopted an extensive Strategic Plan that not only sets out its mission and vision but also a set of values that will drive its priorities and goals. With us is both the county’s lead administrator and Wyoming’s own representative on the County Commission.
First In Focus is Godfrey Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston, who’s summer took a hard turn in June with the collapse of a portion of the Lee Middle and High School complex of buildings. Recently, he has held a series of meetings to inform parents, the general public and the school district community about the collapse as well as where the district goes from here, both in the short and long term. We invited him into our studios to reach out to our WKTV audience with the information. See the In Focus Video here.
County Administrator Wayman Britt and County Commissioner Harold Voorhees on the set of WKTV Journal In Focus. (WKTV)
Then In Focus is Kent County’s new Strategic Plan, set to cover the years 2019 to 2023 and designed to establish and detail the county government’s, “mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities and goals.” With us is County Administrator Wayman Britt, who after serving as county controller was promoted to the dual role of administrator and controller in early 2018, also joining us is County Commissioner Harold Voorhees, whose District 8 is — as he likes to say “entirely within the City of Wyoming”. See the In Focus video here.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Most people think about going to their primary care provider’s office when they are sick, but did you know it’s also recommended to visit your health center, on average, once per year when you are healthy? This is commonly called a “yearly physical” or “annual preventive visit.” The goal of this visit is to promote health and prevent disease. There are several diseases we can either prevent or catch early before they cause you problems — and most of these don’t have any symptoms, meaning that you feel fine and might not know that something is wrong.
This includes:
High blood pressure
Diabetes or Pre-diabetes
High cholesterol
Certain cancers, such as cervical, breast, or colon cancer
Certain sexually transmitted infections
Coming in for a yearly physical is also a great chance to make sure you are up-to-date on the recommended vaccines (such as your yearly flu shot, tetanus booster, or pneumonia vaccine), and talk to your primary care provider about any other recommended screenings based on your age and risk factors. For example, did you know all baby boomers are advised to be screened for Hepatitis C? This is a virus that can be silent for years but ultimately cause liver damage or even cancer. The good news is we have a cure, and all it takes is a simple blood test to detect it.
At your annual physical, you and your primary care provider will together come up with a plan to ensure you stay healthy and work on any areas that might be holding you back or hurting your health.
Over time, the more you get to know your primary care provider, the more comfortable you will feel seeking help if something does go wrong. And believe it or not, the better your primary care provider knows you, the better care they will be able to give you.
Summer is a great time to schedule an appointment for your yearly physical. Call your health center today!
I once had a patient I’ll call Laura who taught me the power of goal-setting and running.
I always knew goal-setting could be an effective motivator and used this in my personal life to get through school, medical training, fitness goals, to help my kids, and so forth, but had not explored how to utilize the power of a goal for healthy aging for others.
I remember seeing Laura for her annual physical, and she told me she had been through a rough time in her marriage, did not like her job, had stopped working out, gained weight, ate without planning or thinking, and did not feel attractive or energetic.
When asked what goal she had for herself at a date in the future, she said she wanted to be hot. She defined ‘hot’ as fit, back in her old clothes, and able to run and exercise like when she was 40.
My next question was, “How badly do you want this?” She told me she knew she wanted this.
In the past she had been a runner, and knew the River Bank Run was coming up. She told me to expect great things and left with her shoulders back and a smile.
More than a year later, while rushing through a busy day, I went around the corner fast in the hallway. I almost ran into a woman I did not recognize, and excused myself. It was Laura, and she laughed when she realized I did not recognize her. I looked closer and my chin dropped.
Laura had achieved her goal. She looked fit, had lost a significant amount of weight, and had a big smile on her face. She said, “I did it, I am hot!”
In the intervening year, she had gone online to the River Bank Run website, and used its planning tool to train for the race.
She had not run in years, and took the first several months slow, working on her endurance, and being careful to not get too impatient. She took note of warming up, stretching and improving her core strength to avoid injury, and even visited a local trainer to make sure she was being smart.
Once she built her base, she started working harder, and at the same time did research on a healthy diet for her workouts and made sure she had plenty of complex carbs like brown rice, Ezekiel bread, sweet potatoes and oatmeal.
Running most days helped her sleep improve, and on busy days she would even run indoors at 8 or 9 at night. Her mood improved, she made better choices in her personal and professional life, and began to fit into her old clothes again. The image of being hot at 50 kept her going, even on days she did not feel like running. She always felt better after a run.
Race day came and she finished in a respectable time. She lost 55 pounds, regained her self-respect and liked herself again. She was ready to enjoy her 50th.
I loved her story as it shows what a goal can do to motivate someone. Not only did she achieve her goal, but felt better and better each day. And not only did she change her outside, but her inside as well.
With exercise and weight loss come a healthier blood vessel system with smooth walls and a lower chance of building up plaque. This lowers the chance of dementia, stroke and heart attack.
Her bones increased in density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis and fracture. The weight loss also lowered her risk of many cancers, namely breast and uterine cancer.
Most of all, Laura took care of herself.
Even if running is not your thing, we encourage all people to set a life goal. Think of a key event in your life — a birthday, a child’s wedding (or your own), retirement, or a dream vacation. Write it down, talk about it, make a plan on how to achieve that goal, and get busy.
As a dangerous heat wave descends upon the Midwest, and in advance of National Heat Stroke Prevention day on July 31, 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reminding everyone to “look before you lock.” This national campaign urges drivers to develop a routine habit of checking their backseat before locking their car and walking away. Outside of crashes, heatstroke is the number one vehicle-related killer of children in the United States. Vehicle heat stroke occurs when a child is left in a hot vehicle, allowing their body temperature to rise rapidly and often fatally. In the 20 years from 1998 to 2018, 772 children died of heatstroke in hot cars. Already in 2019, 21 children have died in hot cars.
As temperatures outside climb, the interior of vehicles rapidly reach dangerous temperatures. It takes just 10 minutes for a vehicle in the sun to heat up by 20 degrees and become potentially deadly. This means in the forecasted 95-degree heat, the interior of a vehicle can reach a lethal 115 degrees in the time it takes to run into the bank or gas station.
Children are significantly more sensitive to heat stroke than adults. Infant and children’s body temperatures rise three to five times faster than that of adults experiencing the same temperatures. When a child is trapped in a hot vehicle, their body temperature will rise rapidly. Heat stroke begins when the core body temperature reaches 104. A core body temperature of 107 is fatal.
Make it a habit to look in the back seat EVERY time you exit the car.
ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach.
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension
If you are a bystander and see a child in a hot vehicle:
Make sure the child is OK and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
If the child appears to be OK, attempt to locate the parents or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over the PA system.
If there is someone with you, one person should actively search for the parent while the other waits at the car.
If the child is not responsive or appears to be in distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child—even if that means breaking a window. Many states have “Good Samaritan” laws that protect people from lawsuits for getting involved to help a person in an emergency.
Know the warning signs of heatstroke, which include red, hot and moist or dry skin; no sweating; a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse; nausea; confusion; or acting strangely. If a child exhibits any of these signs after being in a hot vehicle, quickly spray the child with cool water or with a garden hose—NEVER put a child in an ice bath. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
More than half (54%) of all vehicle-related heatstroke deaths in children are caused by a child accidentally being left in the car, and 26% are from a child getting into a hot car unsupervised. It only takes a few minutes for a vehicle to reach dangerous temperatures. Take time to develop a vehicle safety routine for your family and prevent tragedy.
While only a few tick species infect people with diseases, the rising popularity of many outdoor activities and the spread of residential developments has upped the odds that one of those creepy parasites might latch on to you.
“Luckily, ticks don’t fly, jump or fall from the sky,” vector-borne disease expert Stephen Wikel said. He’s a professor emeritus of medical sciences at Quinnipiac University’s Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine, in North Haven, Conn.
“They generally move from grass to a living host, and crawl upwards, looking for a warm, moist area to feed. Ticks also have incredible anti-detection defenses. For example, their saliva is loaded with antihistamines, anticoagulants and other inhibitors that prevent wound healing, and dampen pain and itch responses; unfed nymphs are so small, they can be mistaken for freckles,” he said.
So, how can you avoid becoming a tick’s next meal? Wikel recommends the following preventive steps:
Protect your ankles. Wear long pants tucked into high socks when doing yard work. Wrap duct tape—sticky-side out—around where the pants and socks meet so that crawling ticks get stuck on the tape.
Dress properly. Use clothing, tents and other gear treated with repellent, such as permethrin. This repellent kills ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and mites. These products are available online or at sporting goods stores.
Wear repellent. Apply topical insect repellent that contains less than 40 percent DEET. Children should use repellent that contains no more than 30 percent DEET, Wikel said.
Conduct tick checks. “Tick bites are painless, so if you are in an area with ticks, perform a thorough tick check and remove ticks immediately,” he advised.
Don’t forget pets.”The neurotransmitter blockers in anti-tick treatments and flea collars are very effective in keeping ticks from biting pets,” said Wikel. “When pets come indoors, check for crawling ticks to prevent them from getting off your pet and on to you.”
Create a tick-free zone. You can make your yard less attractive to rodent, deer and other tick-carriers. Keeping lawns trimmed and creating barriers between your yard and the woods with wood chips, mulch or gravel can eliminate tall grasses where ticks crawl. Remove wood piles and stones where mice, chipmunks and squirrels may hide. These little critters keep tick larva and nymphs circulating in nature.
Hike carefully. Stay in the center of hiking trails to avoid contact with vegetation.
If despite your best prevention efforts, a tick still attaches to you, there’s a right and a wrong way to remove ticks, Wikel cautioned.
Don’t use matches or the tip of a cigarette to burn off ticks. This could cause them to transmit bacteria more quickly.
The correct way to remove a tick is to lift it gently with thin forceps or tweezers. It’s also a good idea to use a magnifying glass while removing a tick, Wikel advised.
If you can remove the tick intact, you can bring it to your doctor’s office or local health department for identification.
If you develop symptoms within a few weeks after a tick bite, make an appointment with your doctor, advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Warning signs of tick-borne diseases may vary from person to person, said Wikel. Symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, may include: fever and chills, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches.
People with Lyme disease may also develop joint pain, he said.
“Many people think a sign of Lyme disease is a bull’s-eye rash, but rashes don’t always occur,” said Wikel.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the joints, the heart or the nervous system. When diagnosed early, on the other hand, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. This is the case for most tick-borne disease, Wikel said.
Researchers say they’ve genetically modified a species of ivy to filter out harmful pollutants. Other common houseplants are likely next. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
A common houseplant to help keep your home’s air cleaner and safer?
Scientists report they have genetically altered pothos ivy to filter certain hazardous chemicals from household air.
Many people use HEPA air filters to reduce levels of allergens and dust particles in their homes. But the molecules of the chemicals benzene and chloroform are too small to be trapped in these filters, the University of Washington researchers explained.
Chloroform is present in small amounts in chlorinated water. Benzene—a component of gasoline—can accumulate in homes through showering or boiling water, or by keeping cars or lawn mowers in attached garages, the study authors noted.
Both benzene and chloroform exposure have been linked to cancer.
“People haven’t really been talking about these hazardous organic compounds in homes and I think that’s because we couldn’t do anything about them,” study senior author Stuart Strand said in a university news release. He’s a research professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering.
“Now we’ve engineered houseplants to remove these pollutants for us,” Strand said.
The researchers genetically modified pothos ivy to remove chloroform and benzene from the air around it. The altered plants produce a protein called 2E1 that transforms chloroform and benzene into molecules the plants can use for growth.
When placed in glass tubes with either benzene or chloroform gas, the modified plants reduced chloroform levels by 82 percent after three days, and the gas was almost undetectable by day six. Benzene levels dropped by about 75 percent after eight days, the researchers said.
These lab tests used much higher levels of the gases than would be found in homes, but it’s likely that the plants would lower home levels of the gases as fast, or even faster, the study authors said.
The researchers said they’re now adding another protein to pothos ivy that can break down formaldehyde, a gas found in many wood products and tobacco smoke.
The research was published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Based on new findings, scientists suspect people are more likely than first thought to develop a red meat allergy if they’re bitten by a tick. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Certain tick bites can cause a red meat allergy—and now scientists are shedding new light on the condition, known as alpha-gal syndrome.
Alpha-gal is a sugar found in most mammal blood, but not in humans.
“Our original hypothesis was that humans developed the allergy after being exposed to alpha-gal through a tick that had fed on a deer, dog or other small mammal that has alpha-gal,” said researcher Scott Commins.
When people develop an allergic immune response to alpha-gal, it can lead to a red meat allergy, explained Commins, who is an associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.
“This new data suggests that ticks can induce this immune response without requiring the mammal blood meal, which likely means the risk of each bite potentially leading to the allergy is higher than we anticipated,” he said in a university news release.
In this study, scientists did a series of laboratory experiments with human immune cells and saliva from four species of ticks: Lone Star, deer, Gulf Coast and American dog. Some had fed on blood containing alpha-gal, others had not.
As expected, saliva from Lone Star and deer ticks that had recently fed on blood containing alpha-gal caused an immune cell reaction. But saliva from ticks that had not recently fed on blood also triggered a reaction, the findings showed.
“These results suggest that more tick bites than we initially suspected could pose a risk for developing red meat allergy,” Commins said.
However, no saliva from the Gulf Coast or the American dog ticks caused a reaction, according to the report.
The study was presented Saturday at an American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology meeting, in San Francisco. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
There is no treatment for alpha-gal syndrome, other than avoiding foods and products that cause a reaction, the researchers noted.
Scrutinizing what you eat—and how much—will play an outsized role in shaping your metabolism in your mid-30s and beyond. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Your metabolism rate determines how fast you burn calories. That can influence how fast you lose weight—and how easily you can gain it.
After age 25, metabolism naturally slows by 5 percent every decade.
So if you eat as much in your 40s as you did in your 20s, you’re going to add extra pounds—especially if you exercise less and lose muscle. In addition to weight training to maintain muscle, these tips from the American Council on Exercise can help.
Stick to well-spaced meals at the same times each day. This lets your body know to expect fuel at regular intervals and prevents it from conserving calories and adding to fat stores.
Calorie cutting is important if you need to lose weight, but reducing your intake to starvation levels also puts your body in conservation mode, slowing down metabolism.
So rather than speeding up weight loss, starvation ultimately slows it. And that’s why it’s so easy to regain lost weight when you start eating normally: Your metabolism tends to stay slow.
Dehydration can lead to a 2 percent drop in the number of calories burned, so drink at least eight glasses of water throughout each day and even more when you sweat a lot.
Watch the alcohol. Besides adding empty calories to your diet, processing alcohol diverts the liver from burning fat.
Also consider milk and other dairy choices for their calcium, a mineral involved in fat metabolism.
Dairy also delivers whey and casein—proteins that help build and preserve muscle. Remember that the more muscle you have, the more calories it takes to maintain it.
Finally, keep the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness on an even keel by getting enough sleep—at least seven hours a night.
Otherwise, you might find yourself craving sugary, fatty and starchy foods. Plus if you’re sleep-deprived on a regular basis, your body may not burn calories efficiently.
Here in America, it is not uncommon to live far away from our loved ones. Unfortunately, the distance away from each other can end up creating a bit of a problem when it comes time to help out a loved one or relative, especially with care planning.
The challenges with distance and care services
The challenge of long-distance care involves more than just making sure a relative gets to the hospital or local clinic for needed appointments. It also likely includes:
Managing health demands
Becoming familiar with all of a relative’s medical contacts and history
Managing details for assisted living
Managing financial reporting and tax-related paperwork
Keeping insurance companies informed
Obtaining medical supplies
Regularly helping the relative informed of the above items
No surprise, the tasks can quickly develop into a full-time job, and that’s where the challenge sits the most — how to manage all these moving pieces from far away.
Carefully selecting providers
The necessity of contracting for help tends to be a given in many cases. While many resources may be available, those arranging for distance care must carefully evaluate who they select as a care provider. Elder abuse typically happens through loss of personal assets and finance by those providing care. The opportunity to take advantage of someone happens all too often when there’s free access to a home and someone’s personal information.
The importance of accountability
Rarely used, the second step recommended by many care providers involves an accountability system on the caretaker chosen. Unfortunately, this approach represents extra costs that many refuse to agree to when planning care. One resource who retains the ability to cut through red tape chatter and implement care quality control protections very quickly tends to be an attorney.
Stay involved
Third, those arranging care should remember to stay involved. Quality care involves the human factor of connection, love, friendship and communication. Families who remain in touch, visit, and who keep an eye on things provide the best care and protection for a loved one. Long distance care arrangements may be challenging, but the goal frequently outweighs the work in the end.
At Vista Springs, we take great pride in delivering the best possible care to those who live further away from their loved ones. We strive to make our communities a second family to those who can’t be with theirs on a regular basis. Please contact us today to find out how we can provide the highest level of care to your loved one.
Ah, yogurt. A simple staple food, around for hundreds of years, has somehow gotten complicated.
You can now peruse the yogurt section for hours, reading labels as you try to choose the best option. Do you go Greek? Regular? Drinkable? Full-fat or fat-free? Flavored or plain? Grass-fed? Non-dairy?
Do I even need yogurt?
It’s enough to frustrate you into skipping that section altogether.
It’s true—there are more options than ever before. But options are a good thing as long as you know what to look for.
The bottom line: Yogurt can be a great food to incorporate daily.
It’s an excellent source of probiotics, those beneficial bacteria for gut health, and it packs plenty of protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and B12.
Yogurt is made from milk and then fermented with live bacteria cultures that feed on the lactose, the sugar in milk. For those with lactose intolerance, this makes it easier to digest.
Greek yogurt is made when traditional yogurt is strained longer to remove the whey. It’s thicker than traditional yogurt, with higher protein, fewer carbs and less calcium.
Kefir yogurt is a drinkable yogurt made with kefir grains for the bacteria culture. It’s often 99 percent lactose-free and it’s the best source of probiotics.
Personal preferences on flavor and nutrition goals should steer your choice.
Here’s a guide on what to look for when working through the yogurt aisle:
Simple is better
When possible, go for plain. The ideal yogurt does not have any added
ingredients beyond the milk and bacteria cultures. Anything flavored is
bound to have added sugars or artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Keep in mind, yogurt naturally contains sugar, which means anything over 8 to 12 grams of sugar would come from added sugars. For many flavored brands, you might as well be having a bowl of ice cream with the amount of sugar added.
Doctor it up
For most, plain yogurt will not do the trick. Start with the plain and add your own ingredients.
Top favorites include fresh or frozen fruits, nuts and seeds, granola and honey. Yogurt is also great in smoothies, used in place of sour cream or mayo, or used to make salad dressing or veggie dips.
Lactose intolerance
If you have lactose intolerance, you should be able to tolerate most yogurts. However, those with more severe lactose intolerance may want to look for yogurts that are labeled lactose-free.
Several brands have a lactose-free variety. This means you do not have to cut it out completely.
Grass-fed or organic
My rule of thumb: “You eat what you eat eats.” In other words, the
nutritional quality of any animal product can be affected by what the
animals has been fed.
Grass-fed products will ensure the animal ate a natural diet, which could improve the nutritional quality of the milk. Organic will also ensure there are no added antibiotics or hormones. It’s also better for the environment.
If you’re OK with spending a little extra, go for grass-fed and organic items.
Low-fat or full-fat
While it is true that whole milk is high in saturated fat—and saturated fat increases cholesterol—findings suggest that full-fat yogurt does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whole milk yogurt can be enjoyed in moderation by some, while others may prefer low-fat for reducing calories.
Dairy-free variety
For those who choose to follow a vegan diet or have dairy allergies or intolerances, dairy-free yogurt is a nice option. These items still provide beneficial probiotic bacteria and are an easy snack.
The drawback is that the yogurts made from nut milk generally do not have protein and most non-dairy yogurts are loaded with sugar. If you choose to go this route, opt for unsweetened.
As paddleboarding becomes more popular, safety experts are reminding families about the inherent risks of water sports. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Summertime in Michigan means beach time, but trips to the beach aren’t always fun in the sun.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3,500 people die each year from drownings unrelated to boating. An additional 332 people die each year from drownings in boating-related incidents.
Among those who drown, about 1 in 5 are children younger than age 14.
“When people are swimming in a lake, they need to remember to not go in past their level of comfort,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “If you can’t touch the bottom, then you’re out too far.”
You should also take waves into consideration.
“If you’re just barely touching the bottom, a wave can come and sweep you off your feet,” she said.
Water hazards
Stand anyplace in Michigan and you’re never more than 85 miles from at least one of the Great Lakes. On any afternoon, there’s a sure route to fun and recreation.
But U.S. Coast Guard crews are quick to remind beachgoers about the need to respect the water.
“Even though they may be a good swimmer, there are obstacles on Lake Michigan such as waves, rip currents and rocks under the surface of the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Castonia of Coast Guard Station Ludington.
And it’s not just swimmers who need to be cautious.
With the recent popularity of stand-up paddleboarding, the Coast Guard is seeing more people who need to be rescued after falling off their boards.
“When operated outside of a designated swimming area, paddleboards are considered a vessel under Coast Guard regulations,” Castonia said. “When outside of those areas, paddlers over the age of 12 must have a life jacket onboard. They aren’t required to wear it, although the Coast Guard recommends everyone on a boat or paddleboard to always wear a life jacket.”
Paddlers age 12 and under are required to wear a lifejacket when paddling outside of swimming areas, Castonia added.
Sunny days
The water isn’t the only thing that creates hazards. Exposure to the sun can also be dangerous.
“While at the beach, people should wear sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “Wearing sunglasses, a hat, having a coverup and a beach umbrella will protect people against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.”
People should also avoid staying at the beach in direct sunlight for too long, especially during the peak UV hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Staying hydrated will also help ensure your trip to the beach is safe.
“Drink lots of water before going to the beach and while at the beach,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “You should avoid sugary drinks at the beach because the more sugar you drink, the more dehydrated you can get.”
Healthier snacks such as crackers, pretzels, fruits and vegetables should also be part of your beach basket on a hot summer day.
“The heat is on (oh yeah) … The heat is on, Burnin’ burnin’ burnin’ … It’s on the street, Woo, hoo … The heat is on”
Glen Frey, lyrics from the song “The Heat is On“
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Be smart, beat the heat
The heat is on, but Kent County has some common advice: spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment; stay in the shade with a good breeze or air flow to decrease felt temperatures; remain well hydrated by drinking water — as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body; and, finally, know the signs of heat exhaustion and watch out for each other. For the complete story, visit here.
Here Comes the Sun
The 25th annual summer season of D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops continues in July and while it may be late to make plans for Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to the Beatles at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 19, you can be early for Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown and More at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 25-26. For a complete preview story, visit here.
Hot, sleepless, nights
If you were up all night due to the heat, you might ache all over the next morning and your lack of sound slumber might be to blame. Cant do nothing about the heat, but knowledge is power. For the story, visit here.
Fun fact:
67 degrees
In general, the suggested bedroom temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. Source
Think vaping is a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes? Not likely. New research suggests e-cigarette vapor contains heavy metals. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
If you think that “vaping” is a safe alternative to smoking, research suggests you might be inadvertently inhaling unsafe levels of toxic metals.
Scientists say the tiny metal coils that heat the liquid nitrogen in e-cigarettes may contaminate the resulting vapor with lead, chromium, manganese and nickel. The finding raises the possibility that e-cigarettes are not harmless to users.
“We analyzed 15 metals in e-liquid from the refill dispenser—before the liquid meets the heating element—in the vapor, and in the remaining e-liquid in the tank after vaping,” explained study author Pablo Olmedo. He’s an assistant scientist with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health’s department of environmental health and engineering, in Baltimore.
“We found that the metal concentrations were generally higher in the tank and aerosol compared to the refill dispenser,” said Olmedo. That suggests that the heating coil is the smoking gun, he added.
But study co-author Ana Maria Rule pointed out that their team also found “the presence of some metals in some of the liquids even before they are in contact with the coil.”
That could mean that “in addition to the metal coil, other factors could play a role in e-cigarette metal exposure, such as the voltage used to heat the coil,” said Rule, also an assistant scientist at Hopkins.
Unlike traditional smoking, vaping works by heating liquids that contain nicotine. The liquid passes through a heating coil, producing a vapor that proponents claim is free of much of the carcinogens associated with burning tobacco leaves.
Given that a recent U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse survey found that one in six high schoolers has vaped in the past month, the finding could have broad public health implications, the researchers said.
In the Hopkins study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, investigators recruited 56 vapers in the Baltimore area to see whether the heating process introduces toxins into what is inhaled.
The researchers used the vapers’ own e-cigarette devices when examining the chemical content of e-liquid, vapor and residue.
Tested chemicals included: aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, titanium, tungsten, uranium and zinc. Prior research has linked prolonged inhalation of such metals to lung, liver, heart and brain damage.
Chronic exposure may also depress immune system function and raise the risk for certain types of cancer, the researchers said.
The team found that e-liquid exposed to heating coils produced a vapor containing significant amounts of chromium, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc.
Highly toxic arsenic was also found in both the e-liquid and the heated vapor among a subset of 10 vapers, though how that metal got into the unheated e-liquid remains unclear.
The team also noted that toxic metal levels seemed to be higher among vapers who changed their heating coils more often, suggesting that new coils may produce more toxins than older ones.
Regardless, Rule said, vapers should know that “as far as we know, all current electronic cigarettes use a metallic coil to generate the vapor, so not vaping is the only way to avoid or mitigate this (toxic) exposure.”
As for whether vaping is safer than smoking or worse, Rule said the team “did not set out to compare e-cigarettes to cigarettes.”
But Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine with the University of California, San Francisco’s Center for Tobacco Control, Research and Education, said it’s important to understand that e-cigs “have an entirely different toxicological profile” than cigarettes.
“So the risk profile is going to be different,” Glantz said. “The assumption has been that at least e-cigarettes aren’t worse. But this suggests they have something in them that isn’t even in standard cigarettes that’s worth being worried about.”
That worry was echoed by Patricia Folan, director of the Center for Tobacco Control at Northwell Health in Great Neck, New York.
“Considering the list of metals, toxic materials and lung-damaging materials found in e-cigarettes, these products are not a healthy product for teen consumption,” she said.
“I guess the question is, do we really want to promote and advertise these products and take a chance on damaging the health of our youth, without knowing their health effects and without regulation?” Folan asked.
We all want to go on vacation during the summer months, and there’s no reason why the whole family can’t go on the trip. While traveling with a senior during the holidays or during the summer is more complicated than going on a vacation alone, it’s going to be worth it when you can share the memories you’ve made for years to come.
Make sure your loved one is on board
Ensuring that your family member is prepared for the trip ahead is an essential step to a smooth vacation. Being upfront about what to expect will help everyone be ready for the good and bad of traveling. Don’t frighten them with the experience, but be honest.
It’s also important to make sure they actually want to go. Some seniors are content to stay at home and avoid traveling, so don’t let your excitement and wishes overrule their own. You don’t want to force anyone on a vacation that they don’t want!
Find the right mode of transportation
It’s important to take into account how you will be traveling, as each mode of transportation has positives and negatives that will affect seniors differently.
Traveling by plane
Airports can be loud and confusing, and some seniors who are wheelchair-bound or struggle with mobility might find air travel especially difficult. You never want the difficulties of travel to overtake the joys of a vacation. However, if you need to get someplace far away or out of the country, it may be the best option to avoid a long trip.
Traveling by car
A road trip somewhere closer to home can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can be found in a crowded airport, but a car ride comes with its own complications. A long car trip can be very tiring on elderly family members, and the constant jostling can be painful. But for shorter distances or for seniors who want to avoid the crowds at an airport, it can be a good idea.
Traveling by boat
Cruises are a very popular mode of travel and vacation that your loved one might be interested in. While fun for all ages, cruises are especially great for seniors because the trip isn’t as stressful as traveling by plane or car might be, and they have a room to relax in if they get overwhelmed. However, if your loved one gets motion sickness or seasickness, it might not be the best option.
Propose some activities for all ages
Odds are you aren’t only taking mom or dad on your vacation with you. Your spouse, siblings, or kids may be joining you. Because you might have a range of ages, it’s important to plan activities that not only one age group will enjoy. The grown family may love a trip to the museum or a historical site, but your kids may be bored. On the other hand, while your kids might love a water park, it may not work for your senior loved one.
Think of activities that will keep everyone’s interest, or if you do have specific things in mind that might not be all-age friendly, don’t spend an entire day at those locations. Finding fun for all ages isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile.
Keep senior safety in mind
Just as you would remember sunscreen and bug spray for your kids, it’s important to remember the things that your senior loved one needs as well, such as:
Medications—get a schedule of when they need to take medicines, and keep them close by even while in a plane or car.
Allergies—if you are planning on staying outdoors, find out their allergies and have a plan for when they act up. Don’t forget about food allergies as well!
Healthy foods—Bring along energy-boosting foods that can help seniors regain some stamina.
Sun protection—Make sure you bring along plenty of water for everyone to drink, and that your loved one is getting plenty. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or stroke, as elderly people are susceptible to the heat.
Plan well in advance
If it’s just you and your family on a vacation, it can be fun to have a loose schedule without many activities planned to see where the day takes you. When you are traveling with an older family member, it’s usually a better idea to have a plan. Make sure there are plenty of breaks planned in between activities to give your senior loved one time to adjust to traveling and regain some energy after a lot of activity.
Be patient, it’s difficult for elderly people to travel and disrupt their daily routine. Try and keep some things the same, like eating at the same time as usual and waking up at the time your loved one is used to getting up.
There are lots of things to enjoy during the summer, and there’s no reason why your elderly family members have to stay home and miss out on family vacations. As long are you are clear, take their opinions and wishes in mind, and plan ahead, you are sure to have a family vacation that will lift everyone’s spirits.
If you were up all night and you ache all over the next morning, your lack of sound slumber might be to blame.
New research found that sleep loss delivered a double whammy to the brain that all but guaranteed greater levels of body pain.
“Activity in the somatosensory cortex, previously associated with the location and intensity of pain, was enhanced following sleep loss,” explained study author Adam Krause.
And “in two regions called the striatum and the insula, sleep deprivation decreased the activity associated with pain (relief),” he added. These regions control the release of dopamine, often called the “feel-good” hormone.
Krause is a Ph.D. candidate with the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
During the study, 25 healthy, young participants got the normal eight hours of sleep one night. A week or so later, the same group underwent a night of no sleep whatsoever.
After each session, all the volunteers underwent “thermal pain sensitivity” tests, followed by MRI scans to monitor brain activity while their legs were exposed to uncomfortable levels of heat.
After a full night of sleep, most participants reported feeling heat discomfort at about 111 degrees Fahrenheit.
But after a night of no sleep, that pain threshold dropped to 107 degrees F.
Brain scans pinpointed the neurological basis for the uptick in pain sensitivity following sleep loss.
The research team then surveyed 60 adults (average age 38) over a 48-hour survey period. All had reported experiencing pain during the survey period, and all were asked to keep sleep diaries and report mood and anxiety levels, as well as rank pain intensity when experienced.
“We found that reductions from one night to the next in the quality of the sleep, rather than just the quantity—total hours asleep—predicted worse pain the following day,” Krause noted.
“The optimistic takeaway here is that better sleep can help manage and lower pain. (It’s) a natural analgesic that we can all pick up in repeat prescription each night, if we choose,” he said.
“It is our hope that this research especially encourages health care systems to bring sleep closer to the center of treatment. If we can improve sleep conditions in the setting in which patients are most often in pain—the hospital ward—perhaps we can reduce the dosage of narcotic drugs and clear hospital beds sooner,” Krause suggested.
The findings were published recently in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Monika Haack is an associate professor of neurology with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Human Sleep & Inflammatory Systems Laboratory in Boston. She expressed little surprise at the findings.
“There is very strong evidence to date—and the current study supports this again—that short or disturbed sleep, either in clinical (settings) or in the general population, increases our experience of next-day pain,” Haack said.
“And a number of studies, including the current study, have shown that sleep is a stronger predictor of pain than pain is a predictor of how we sleep,” she added.
“I think the most important and novel finding of the study is that the authors found a biological basis, neuronal brain structures, that correspond to the pain sensitivity increase observed after sleep loss. Only if we understand the biology and mechanisms underlying this relationship will we be able to develop target- or mechanism-specific strategies to prevent pain-processing changes associated with short or disturbed sleep,” Haack concluded.
Study shows a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats such as olive oil and nuts had little effect on body weight or waist circumference compared to people on a low-fat diet. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
An eating plan that includes healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts isn’t likely to cause weight gain, a new study finds.
That’s good news for people who’d prefer to try the Mediterranean diet—which includes healthy fats—over a diet that’s low in fat. And the study authors suggest that current health guidelines may be creating an unnecessary fear of these healthful fats.
“More than 40 years of nutritional policy has advocated for a low-fat diet, but we’re seeing little impact on rising levels of obesity,” said study lead author Dr. Ramon Estruch, of the University of Barcelona in Spain.
“Our study shows that a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats such as olive oil and nuts had little effect on body weight or waist circumference compared to people on a low-fat diet. The Mediterranean diet has well-known health benefits and includes healthy fats, such as vegetable oils, fish and nuts,” Estruch explained in a journal news release.
However, he also pointed out that not all fats are created equal. “Our findings certainly do not imply that unrestricted diets with high levels of unhealthy fats such as butter, processed meat, sweetened beverages, desserts or fast-foods are beneficial,” Estruch added.
The study included more than 7,400 women and men in Spain, aged 55 to 80. The study participants ate one of three eating plans: an unrestricted-calorie Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil; an unrestricted-calorie Mediterranean diet rich in nuts; or a low-fat diet meant to avoid all dietary fat.
All the participants had type 2 diabetes or high heart risk. More than 90 percent were overweight or obese, the study authors noted.
After five years, total fat intake fell from 40 percent to 37 percent in the low-fat diet group, and rose in both Mediterranean diet groups, from about 40 percent to 42 percent. The percentage of proteins and carbohydrates decreased in both Mediterranean diet groups, the findings showed.
People in all three groups lost some weight: an average of almost 2 pounds (0.88 kilograms) per person in the olive oil group, 1.3 pounds (0.60 kg) in the low-fat diet group, and 0.9 pounds (0.40 kg) in the nut group, the researchers said.
Waist circumference did increase slightly in all three groups, though less so in those on the healthy fat diets. The low-fat group had an increase of about a half-inch (1.2 centimeters) per person. The olive oil group saw an increase of about one-third of an inch (0.85 cm), and the nut group only saw an increase in waist circumference of 0.14 inches (0.37 cm), the study authors reported.
The report was published June 6 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
“The fat content of foods and diets is simply not a useful metric to judge long-term harms or benefits,” Dariush Mozaffarian, professor in the School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University in Boston, wrote in an accompanying commentary.
“Energy density and total caloric contents can be similarly misleading. Rather, modern scientific evidence supports an emphasis on eating more calories from fruits, nuts, vegetables, beans, fish, yogurt, phenolic-rich vegetable oils, and minimally processed whole grains; and fewer calories from highly processed foods rich in starch, sugar, salt, or trans-fat,” Mozaffarian explained.
“Dietary guidelines should be revised to lay to rest the outdated, arbitrary limits on total fat consumption. Calorie-obsessed caveats and warnings about healthier, higher-fat choices such as nuts, phenolic-rich vegetable oils, yogurt, and even perhaps cheese, should also be dropped,” Mozaffarian wrote.
With the dead of summer comes hot, humid days — and the need to get plenty of water in you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
In anticipation of several days of possible temperatures in the 90 degree plus range and high humidity, of Kent County on Tuesday released a statement from the county’s emergency manager including some advise.
Some predictions have daytime temperatures near and surpassing 90 degrees on Wednesday, July 17, with predicted highs of 95 degrees Thursday through Saturday.
“We collectively waited much of the year in anticipation of warm weather, but this week may be a little too warm for comfort,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County Emergency Manager, said in supplied material. “It will also be very humid, which will increase the discomfort. It is important to be aware of the dangers heat can present to residents, and pets, so we can stay safe and remain as comfortable as possible.”
In the county’s statement, residents are encouraged to follow several simple tips:
Spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment.
Stay in the shade with a good breeze/air flow to decrease felt temperatures.
Remain well hydrated by drinking water (more than usual) which can help the body’s natural process for adapting to higher temperatures, as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body.
Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion (which can include weakness, cold and clammy skin, darker than normal urine, significant sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea, among others) is a strong indicator it is time to get to a cooler environment, drink some cold water, and rest, according to county health officials.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency with signs such as confusion, disorientation, the absence of sweating, high body temperature, rapid pulse/heart rate, and others.
Cooling centers will be open throughout this event for residents to go and rest from the heat. Most cooling centers will be open during the day while the temperatures are hottest (nighttime temperatures this week will be much more tolerable, in the mid 70’s). For locations and hours of cooling centers, please call 211 and a United Way representative will assist you in locating the closest cooling center.
“Remember, this week is a good time to slow things down a little, stay out of the sun, and make sure the people around you (and yourself) are coping during this heat event,” Lt. Hunt said. “Also, please remember your family pets! Pets that live outside will require shade and lots of cool water, but residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for cooler temperatures.”
Knowledge is Power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
Kofi Annan
(From right) Kentwood City Commissioner Emily Bridson, State Sen. Winnie Brinks, Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club.
Pink Tax. Don’t get it? Get it!
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females. For the complete story and link to Podcast, visit here.
Watch out for Kentwood roadwork
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. The City Commission approved the resurfacing and maintenance program, which includes improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $1.4 million. For the complete story and a map, visit here.
(Our) Government Matters
Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. For the story and a link to the video, visit here.
Fun fact:
81 cents on the dollar
In 2018, the ratio of women’s to men’s median weekly full-time earnings was 81.1 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percent since 2017. Source
Pasta made from zucchini noodles—zoodles, as they’re called—has about a quarter of the calories you’d find in regular noodles. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Want to get more veggies into your diet but feeling bored with the same old side dishes?
Making noodles from vegetables is the answer. They’re a great substitute for high-calorie, low-fiber traditional pasta and work just as well as a base for your favorite sauces.
While it’s possible to use a sturdy vegetable peeler to turn carrots or zucchini into noodle-length strips, a tool called a mandoline will cut your prep time in half. Just be aware that the mandoline blade has very sharp edges. You’ll want to hold the pusher accessory as you run the length of your vegetables across the blade. In addition, wear a thick kitchen glove to protect your fingers.
Zucchini is perfect for the mandoline because it slices easily. You can make the following sauce ahead of time. It yields enough for another meal.
Zucchini Noodles With Marinara Sauce
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Red chili flakes to taste 2 28-ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup white wine or broth, any variety 1 basil sprig 2 large zucchini 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive, safflower or grapeseed oil 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Brown the garlic in two tablespoons of oil for two to three minutes. Add chili flakes, the tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, salt and black pepper and stir. Next, add the wine or broth and the basil. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 30 to 40 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
Wash the zucchini. Cut off the stems and discard. Insert the fine tooth blade into a mandoline and tighten the screw to hold it in place. Press the pusher into the center of the first zucchini and hold the pusher as you run the vegetable over the surface of the mandoline to form the noodles. Repeat with the other zucchini.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the tablespoon of the oil of your choice. Add the zucchini noodles and cook two to three minutes, stirring often until they soften. Top with marinara sauce and toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.
The motto of the Kent County Sheriffs Office’s just-started Pink Patch breast cancer awareness effort has a simple, stated goal: “Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope.”
The program offers pink Sheriffs Office patches for a $10 donation with the proceeds going to Gilda’s Club and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund.
“We have sold 150 patches in the last 2 weeks which has raised $1,500,” Sgt. Joel Roon, Kent County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said last week to WKTV. “The reception from the community has been amazing. Our clerks have heard many inspiring stories of people who were motivated to buy a patch because of a personal story.”
And thanks to the program being registered with the national Pink Patch Project, the local effort is event getting out-of-the-county requests.
“We have even received a few out-of-state requests which we’ve obviously accommodated,” Sgt. Roon said. “Local interest with officers from other agencies has also been evident and very exciting.”
The goal of the Sheriff’s Office program is to “raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection.”
According to a flyer distributed by the Sheriffs Office about the program, here are a few sobering yet hopeful facts: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime … Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, but there are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the country.”
Patches are available for purchase at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 701 Ball Ave. NE, and two substations: the North Sector office at 790 17 Mile Road NW and the South Sector office at 8557 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
For questions about the patches, contact deputies Mandy Bernal-Hill at 616-632-6228, Joy Matthews at 616-632-6224 or Jordan Peters at 810-223-1732.
First-time parents are barraged with safety tips from every side.
Lock the cupboards! Cover the outlets! Block the stairs! Lock the windows! Kiss knick-knacks goodbye!
As it turns out, all of that well-intended advice is valuable. Every one of those warnings makes sense.
But home safety isn’t just for new parents, or parents of tiny tots. Until all your kids are grown, Hanna Jaworski, MD, a pediatrician at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, is a strong proponent of regular reviews of your home based on the ages of your children.
“What gets infants and toddlers in trouble is obviously different than for older kids,” Dr. Jaworski said. “We need to use common sense when talking about safety at home. Gates, locks, covers—they’re all smart. But kids are smart, too—and curious, at every age.”
Taking a few minutes to think about what your kids are into now should give you clues about potential pitfalls in and around your house. Be mindful that:
Infants who can’t move themselves well are vulnerable to suffocation.
Mobile babies can fall down stairs or hit sharp corners.
Toddlers might drink or eat anything they can reach, and they can climb into a tub of water.
Preschoolers are often intrigued by electrical outlets and might try to stick something in the plug openings.
Elementary-age kids want that “thing” off a shelf that’s too high and don’t always think about consequences to actions.
Kids of all ages might forget about traffic if a ball flies into the street.
Tweens may think sports stunts or online friends are safe.
Safety for “littles”
Being a parent who is actively engaged with your child is the most important safety measure you can take.
“You could have everything in the house maxed out for safety, but if you aren’t watching the kids, or engaged with them where they are at risk, something is going to happen,” Dr. Jaworski said, citing baby gates as an example. “Yes, you put the gate up, but did you see your toddler pulling on it or bumping against it? If not, it could dislodge the next time he comes through.”
In her pediatric practice, after-hours calls often require emergency room visits because kids have ingested something.
“For example, a child swallowing a single magnet might not be a big deal, but it must be checked, because if it turns out to be two or more, those magnets will want to go together. That can be deadly,” Dr. Jaworski said. “Or, if the casing on that button battery was compromised in any way, the acid it contains is awful. Not that it happens every day, but it happens.”
Jaworski also encourages parents to look for the hidden dangers in the house.
According to Consumer Products Safety Commission statistics, between 2011 and 2013, 21,700 children required emergency room visits due to tip-overs from furniture and/or TVs. Between 2000 and 2013, the Commission reports 360 child deaths from falling furniture and TVs. The agency notes that the reported number of fatalities “should be considered incomplete, due to a time lapse in reporting to the (Commission).”
Knowing the actual number is even higher, to lose even a single child to a preventable accident such as furniture or TV tip-overs is one too many.
Kids can open drawers of a dresser to climb, for example, or reach and pull. Jaworski advises parents to buy inexpensive straps or bracket systems designed to secure furniture to walls.
Talk to your pediatrician about toys, positioning devices and activity seats. Most doctors try to be in tune to what’s out there.
Jaworski noted that after several years off the market, baby walkers are back on the scene.
Before going out and buying the latest thing or putting your child into a thing, find out if your pediatrician is familiar with any risks. You can also monitor the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s constantly updated childrens product safety warnings and recalls to check the products you see.
Safety for “bigs”
Once again, Dr. Jaworski stresses common sense and your presence as the key factors in keeping kids safe.
“Street safety becomes a concern when your child learns to ride a bike, for example,” she said. “Can that same child safely play in the living room without you? Probably yes. Should you have a watchful eye and ear for your elementary kids playing outside? Absolutely.”
It’s important to know your child, because they are so different.
“I have a son who would leap before he looks,” Dr. Jaworski said. “And he’s curious about nature. I know he would wonder what that leaf tastes like. Would he be at risk for eating a toxic plant? Probably not, but because I know he’s curious about it, I’m going to be watchful over what he wants to eat in the yard.”
Your goal as a parent is to help your kids learn to be good decision makers.
“You can’t protect them forever,” Dr. Jaworski said. “You can’t be everywhere. But when you’re engaged, you’re creating a powerful combination: your presence and the teaching moments that come from being there. I hope my son would think, ‘Mom said this leaf might make me sick, I better not try it.’ It’s those opportunities that lead them to stay safe when you are not there.”
Safety for tweens and teens
Jaworski’s advice to parents of older kids is to zero in on independence-related dangers. If you have a 14-year-old daughter who is on the Internet a lot, who is she talking to, what is she doing? If they are going to drive soon, is your family culture one that always buckles up? What about texting?
It’s also critical to know your kids’ friends and be clear about personal safety. Keep an open relationship. It is not OK to drink alcohol, for example, but if they’ve been at a party drinking, it’s more than OK to call for a ride.
Yes, it’s mostly about you being engaged. It’s easy to get busy with work, chores and demands. But taking a “T” for time out and assessing whether you are prioritizing safety at home just might be the best thing you can do for your family today.
WKTV Journal In Focus podcast on the Pink Tax and other gender discriminatory policies, with (from right) Emily Bridson and guests State Sen. Winnie Brinks and Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females.
Visiting our studios, each with unique perspectives on the subject, are Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson; State Sen. Winnie Brinks, who, among her many duties in Lansing, serves on the Health Policy and Human Services committee; as well as Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club, a club which has the stated goal of, quote, “Enhancing the cultural, civic, education and social opportunities of Kentwood women.”
Regular episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times).
An Asian tick newly introduced into the United States has the potential to infest a wide swath of the country, researchers say.
It could carry with it numerous diseases that threaten humans.
The Asian longhorned tick “could spread all the way from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada,” said study author Ilia Rochlin, an entomologist with the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology in New Brunswick, N.J.
This highly adaptable pest originated in regions of China that share a similar climate to much of the United States, Rochlin said.
Huge swaths of land along the Eastern seaboard, the Midwest and the South would provide highly suitable habitat for the bloodsucking parasite, Rochlin’s computer models predict.
The tick has already been found in nine states—eight on the East Coast, and Arkansas.
“The first real detection occurred in New Jersey in 2017,” Rochlin said.
This tick is not yet known to have infected any humans in North America, but it is linked to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, an emerging tick-borne virus in China, South Korea and Japan.
Thrombocytopenia syndrome is fatal for 10 percent to 30 percent of people infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thrombocytopenia syndrome is very similar to the tick-borne Heartland virus, which already is transmitted in the United States, Rochlin added. It’s possible the Asian longhorned tick could serve as a vector for Heartland virus as well.
The populations of this tick can grow rapidly once it finds a suitable habitat, said Thomas Mather, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease.
Mather recounted a recent trip to a park in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs in New York City, during which he dragged a length of tick-grabbing cloth called a “flag” along the parking lot to see how badly infested that area had become.
“Within seconds our flag was covered in larvae,” Mather said. “We were surprised at how abundant they were.”
For this new report, Rochlin studied climate data from places where the Asian longhorned tick is already established, including East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
He then used climate data from North America to estimate likely suitable habitats for the tick. They include:
Coastal areas from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada to Virginia and North Carolina on the East Coast.
A large inland stretch of land from northern Louisiana up to Wisconsin and into southern Ontario and Quebec.
A westward extension that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.
Coastal areas from southern British Columbia to northern California on the West Coast.
Warmer temperatures to the south, cold winters to the north and dry terrain in the west make the rest of the United States less suitable, Rochlin said.
The Asian longhorned tick reproduces asexually, allowing its populations to grow rapidly and rendering moot any insect control efforts that would target its mating cycle, Rochlin said.
Mather said the ticks employ an “ambush” strategy to help find fresh sources of blood. Its larval ticks, thirsty for blood, hang out in tight clumps on the tips of tall grasses.
“They’re all clumped there, ready to get onto something,” Mather said.
“Not just one or two get onto something—they all get onto something,” he continued. “If there were 75 or 80 larvae on the tip of a blade of grass and our flag went over the blade of grass, there would be 65 of them on my flag.”
Severe infestations can threaten livestock, weakening them by depleting their blood supply.
Mather is concerned that pets will make the Asian longhorned tick’s spread more likely.
One of the ticks was found recently on a dog in Colorado that had traveled there from a New Jersey “hot zone,” Mather said.
“What if it had gone to Seattle instead, which has a more permissive climate according to this model?” Mather said. “The number of emotional support animals flying on domestic airline carriers in the United States has more than doubled in the last year or two. Not just people are moving around, but pets are, and most of the reports of longhorned ticks so far have come from pets.
“The group sitting on the front line are pet owners and veterinarians,” Mather continued. “They need to be aware of the potential of them picking up and moving these ticks throughout the country.”
Rochlin’s study was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
It’s a vicious cycle: Start a diet. Crave all the foods you cannot have. Fail. Feel guilty. Gain more weight. Start another diet…
According to Kristi Veltkamp, a dietitian at Spectrum Health, there’s good reason why diets don’t work.
“I cannot tell you how many people have said to me, ‘If I would just have been happy where I was before I started dieting,’” Veltkamp said. “Many people gain more weight with diets. There’s a constant desire there to lose the weight, but diets keep setting you up for failure.”
Thankfully, Veltkamp is here to help.
Here are her top 5 tips for how to lose weight … no dieting necessary:
1. Become more aware of when you are truly hungry and when you are full
“Most people don’t really listen to their bodies when they’re eating,” Veltkamp said.
There might be food in front of you, so you eat it all. Or you’re stressed or hurting, so you emotionally eat to distract yourself and cover the pain. Or you’re at a party where everyone’s eating, so you do, too.
She urges people to create a scale for their hunger, where 0 is starving and 10 is stuffed. You should eat at a 3—not too hungry and not too full. Also, remember that hunger is a physical feeling. Try to focus on when you are truly hungry and when you want to eat for other reasons.
To be more aware of when you’re full, she urges slowing down and focusing on eating. It takes most people 20 minutes to recognize when their stomach is full. Put your fork down between bites, sit down, reduce distractions (like television, driving or working) while eating. At home, put a small portion on your plate, and if you’re still hungry, go back for more. At a restaurant, put half of your serving in a box right away, split a meal with someone, or simply divide your food on your plate to give yourself a stopping point to check in and see how full you are.
2. Create a distraction box or list of things to do besides eating
It’s tough to combat the urge to emotionally eat.
“When you’re not hungry, and you want to eat, food is a distraction from what you’re really feeling,” she said.
So Veltkamp suggests creating other distractions besides food. Figure out your most vulnerable place for eating when you’re not hungry (for most people, it’s the room with your television). In that room, keep a box with things you can do, or that will create a distraction, when you want to emotionally eat: nail polish, bubble wrap, knitting, crocheting, adult coloring books, Sudoku, crossword puzzles or journal.
3. Be realistic
Have a realistic view of eating and willpower. If you want a cookie,
don’t deny yourself. Eat one, not 12. Or eat something special once a
week, not every day. Enjoy it, and don’t feel guilty about it. If you
fail and binge, forgive yourself and move on.
4. Plan ahead
Planning meals and surrounding yourself with healthy food sets you up
for success. Veltkamp said if you have planned and shopped for meals
and snacks, you’re less likely to run out and grab fast food or
unhealthy comfort foods.
Do weekly food prep on the weekends so healthy meals are easy to throw together during your busy times. She recommends Pinterest or Yummly to find recipes.
Surround yourself with healthy snacks that combine protein and carbs, such as crackers and cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, trail mix, granola bars, string cheese, hard boiled eggs, or her personal favorite—dark chocolate covered almonds.
Also, she urges people to plan for troublesome scenarios like restaurants and social situations. Look up restaurant menus before you go to plan what you will order. Think about what you will eat at a party before you go. Pick one dessert you want the most and eat that—not everything.
5. Respect yourself
Respect, not accept, where you are. Veltkamp sees many people who
keep bashing themselves and punishing themselves for failed diets. A
healthy mindset can help lead the way to a healthy body.
“If you can start to respect yourself, you can give yourself more freedom to get on with the non-dieting approach,” she said. “Guilt and shame just leads to more over-eating.”
Can’t sleep at night? Perhaps genetics is to blame.
In a new study, dozens of gene regions linked to insomnia have been pinpointed—and researchers also report a link between insomnia and heart disease.
American and British investigators analyzed data from more than 450,000 people in the United Kingdom—29 percent of whom reported frequent sleeplessness—and identified 57 gene regions associated with insomnia.
Those links were independent of known insomnia risk factors such as lifestyle, caffeine consumption, depression or stress.
“Our findings confirm a role for genetics in insomnia symptoms and expand upon the four previously found (genetic regions) for this condition,” said study lead author Jacqueline Lane. She’s a researcher at the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
“All of these identified regions help us understand why some people get insomnia, which pathways and systems are affected and point to possible new therapeutic targets,” Lane added in a hospital news release.
Researchers also found evidence that increased insomnia symptoms nearly doubled the risk of coronary artery disease. They were also linked to depression and a reduced sense of well-being.
“Insomnia has a really significant impact on millions of people worldwide. We’ve long known there’s a link between insomnia and chronic disease. Now our findings suggest that depression and heart disease are actually a result of persistent insomnia,” said co-lead author Samuel Jones. He’s a research fellow at the University of Exeter in England.
Lane said these results open possibilities for future medications.
“All of these identified regions are possible new therapeutic targets for insomnia,” she said. “And 16 of these regions contain known drug targets.”
This in turn could have an effect on heart disease, as “the new causal relationships indicate the potential usefulness of insomnia therapeutics as possible treatments for coronary artery disease and depression,” Lane said.
The study was published online recently in Nature Genetics.
Insomnia affects 10 percent to 20 percent of people worldwide, and studies have suggested that about a third of the risk of insomnia is inherited.
Previous research has suggested that insomnia increases the risk of anxiety disorders, alcoholism, major depression and heart disease, but little has been known about the mechanisms involved in that increased risk.
ByKatie Vinkovich, COA, Grand Rapids Lions Club Vision Clinic
Did you know that digital devices can negatively affect your vision? On average, Americans spend seven or more hours a day looking at their screens. Digital devices give off a high-energy blue light that can contribute to many eye-related problems. This overexposure to blue light can lead to sleep problems, blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches, among other things.
The average millennial spends nine hours per day on devices such as smartphones, tablets, computer monitors and flat-screen TVs which also emit blue light. Healthy eyes allow you to use technology comfortably for longer periods of time. Lack of comprehensive exams means that you may have unknown eye problems that can hold you back from using technology to its fullest.
Below are ways to limit blue light exposure and prevent future problems:
Turn off devices at least one hour prior to going to bed.
Maintain a comfortable distance away from devices, use the zoom feature to see small print instead of bringing devices closer to your face.
Turn down your screen brightness to reduce glare.
Schedule an eye exam.
Ask your eye care provider or optician about blue light filtering lens options for glasses.
City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner, on set at WKTV Journal In Focus.
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is “Plan Kentwood”, the City of Kentwood’s ongoing update of its Master Plan — including possible development areas all across the city — as well as Kent County’s Veterans Services office, which is often the first and best place for county veterans and their families to turn for information and assistance.
First In Focus is the City of Kentwood’s update of its Master Plan. Through a series of community engagement efforts called “Plan Kentwood”, the city is gaining public input to help shape a long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation in the city. On the list of discussion topics are development near and along the extension of Breton Avenue south of 52nd Street, as well as the Division Avenue and 28th and 29th streets business districts. With us from the City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner.
Then In Focus is Kent County Veterans Services, which operates under Kent County administration. Veterans Services either directly or indirectly assists veterans with a wide range of issues including disability claims, service records, and easing connection with needed social services and other government agencies. With us is Martha Burkett, the recently hired director of Veterans Services, who also brings a unique history, set of skills, and vision for her office. For the In Focus video, visit here.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Ginger is an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, but its most salient property is gingerol, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Zesty ginger is more than just a great way to dress up your favorite recipes. It contains a potent immunity booster—its active compound gingerol is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compound.
Ginger is also a source of vitamin C and the minerals potassium and magnesium.
Ginger root is inexpensive and easy to find in the produce aisle of your local grocery store. Look for a piece that’s firm and smooth. It may have many nubs, but they shouldn’t be shriveled.
The skin should be a light brown and fairly smooth. Ginger keeps well for up to a few weeks in the produce bin of your fridge. Keep it wrapped in a paper towel and change the towel whenever it gets damp.
Many people peel ginger with a spoon, scraping off the skin with an edge. But a veggie peeler works too and may be faster.
When a recipe calls for minced ginger, after peeling, make horizontal slices and then cut each slice into matchsticks and cut the match sticks into tiny pieces.
For grated ginger, you could use a mini food processor or, even better, a microplane—just run one trimmed end of a piece of ginger across the metal mesh and let the ginger and its juice fall into a bowl.
Ginger is perfect for jazzing up salad dressings and marinades and for making an herbal tea.
For a simple main course, try it in this tasty vegetarian stir fry:
Ginger Stir Fry
2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 cups sliced mushrooms 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons minced ginger 2 cups cooked brown rice 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame oil, then the vegetables and the ginger. Cook three to four minutes, stirring often, until the veggies soften. Add the rice and the soy sauce and toss well. Serve immediately.
Local State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, July 8, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall.
Other topics of conversation were Kent County’s budgeting process and the status of recycling in Kentwood and throughout the county.
The state budgeting process “is slower than in previous years and slower than I’d like to see,” Sen. MacGregor said, explaining that currently there are three budgets that are yet to be reconciled: budgets offered the State Senate, the House of Representatives, and by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — whose budget he described as “spending money we don’t have.”
Sen. MacGregor also gave a state-level view of the continuing funding uncertainties — some say “funding crisis” — surrounding the state’s mental health services. Citing continued deficits, the state is moving to dissolve West Michigan’s current mental health funding system.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on June 28, announced that it will not renew Lakeshore Regional Entity’s state contract to manage Medicaid benefits for mental health services after it expires Oct. 1. Sen. MacGregor said MDHHS will establish another regional publicly managed care plan, another so-called PIHP (pre-paid inpatient health plan). The LRE manages Medicaid funding distribution to mental health authorities in Kent County as well as Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason and Lake counties.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting will be Aug. 12 at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
Regular brushing and flossing can save your teeth into old age.
Could it also save your brain?
The bacteria involved in gum disease might play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, new research suggests.
DNA from the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is more often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, said lead researcher Jan Potempa, a professor at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky.
P. gingivalis is one of the causes of periodontitis, the most serious type of gum disease.
“The DNA can be found in the Alzheimer’s brain, but less frequently at a lower level in the brain of people who died at the same age from causes other than Alzheimer’s,” Potempa said.
Alzheimer’s-affected brains also contain higher levels of a toxin secreted by P. gingivalis called gingipain, he said.
Potempa and his colleagues think the bacteria and its toxins might be connected with Alzheimer’s disease, a suspicion supported by their research involving laboratory mice.
Researchers infected the mouths of mice with P. gingivalis and found that the bacteria did spread into the brain. The infection appeared to increase production of amyloid beta, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s, and also caused inflammation in the brain.
The researchers also found that a drug targeting gingipain blocked movement of the bacteria into the brains of the mice.
The experimental drug, known as COR388, reduced the amount of P. gingivalis in mouse brains, with an accompanying decrease in amyloid beta production and brain inflammation, researchers reported.
A phase 1 clinical trial is underway to see if COR388 can prevent Alzheimer’s, researchers said. The company Cortexyme Inc., based in San Francisco, developed the drug and is supporting the research.
There are several routes by which P. gingivalis could get into the brain, Potempa said. It could be carried through the bloodstream, by cell-to-cell infection, or through the nervous system.
“There a lot of nerves going into our mouth which have direct connection to the brain,” he added. “If the bacteria gets into these nerves, it can translocate directly into the brain.”
If this theory of Alzheimer’s disease proves true, then it could be that the amyloid plaques that are thought to disrupt brain function might actually be the brain defending itself against infection, Potempa said.
“Beta amyloid has an antibacterial function,” he said. “It’s not just there to form the plaques. It can kill the bacteria. These beta amyloid plaques may be essential for defending the brain against bacteria.”
About 46% of adults 30 and older have gum disease, with about 9% having very severe disease, Potempa said.
You can avoid gum disease by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly to remove plaque between teeth and visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, according to the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
This study is part of a growing field of research looking into whether viral or bacterial infections might be associated with Alzheimer’s, said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association.
Another well-respected research team is investigating possible links between herpes virus and Alzheimer’s, he said.
“It’s actually receiving a lot of attention over the past couple of years. If you’d have asked me three years ago, I would have said it’s a fairly fringe idea,” Fargo said.
But a direct cause-and-effect relationship has yet to be established between any infectious agent and Alzheimer’s, Fargo said.
He said it’s possible that bacteria like P. gingivalis are found at higher levels in Alzheimer’s brains because those brains are weakened and less able to defend against infection.
“As the brain gets sick with Alzheimer’s disease or with something else, it becomes less able to fight off these things,” Fargo said.
Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research Center, agreed that the link between bacterial infection and Alzheimer’s is still “quite speculative.”
“I certainly wouldn’t worry a group of readers that this is the cause of Alzheimer’s, or if you’ve got gum disease you’re more likely to develop dementia later in life,” he said.
Petersen said the mouse evidence is interesting, but still a step removed from Alzheimer’s in humans. Research on animals does not always produce the same results in humans.
“That would argue this is plausible but again, it’s genetically engineered mice and it’s kind of far from human reality at this point,” he said.
Potempa presented his research recently at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Association of Anatomists, in Orlando, Fla. Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The winter winds have come and gone. Spring has brought new life to the world and summer is finally here. That means a whole new array of safer activities for aging adults is beckoning.
From playing board games in the park to catching a sporting event, the sky is the limit for fun, activities for assisted living community members.
Don’t be stuck indoors during the summer months. Take the opportunity to get out and enjoy the warmer weather; it is good for the soul, mind, and body. The following seven activities will have you wishing that it was summertime all year round.
1. Head to a sporting event
Summer is the perfect time to watch a sporting event. It could be
something as exciting as attending a grandchild’s first soccer game or
watching your favorite professional sporting team in action.
2. Go fishing
Fishing is a low-impact and safe activity for aging adults. The hours will melt away as you spend time with friends and family fishing off the dock at your favorite lake or pond.
3. Play a board game at the park
Did you know that many cities and state parks have designated areas for board games? Some parks even have chest boards built directly into their park tables. Round up a group of your friends and head to the park for a day spent outside playing your favorite board games.
4. Become a local tourist
Are you tired of being indoors? Do you like seeing new sights? If so, take a boat or bus tour of your city. You’ll be amazed to discover your city through a new pair of eyes. The best part about this fun summer time activity is that you can enjoy it with your fellow assisted living community members, family, friends, or on your own.
5. Volunteer at the library
The library is the perfect excursion for an aging adult. It provides the unique opportunity to read to the next generation of little scholars. Volunteering at a local library will also give you the opportunity to spend your day both inside and out, as you enjoy reading your favorite childhood stories to an eager audience.
6. Enjoy some pool time
Feeling adventurous for the day? Don your favorite swimming trunks and head to the pool. Spending time at the pool can be both relaxing and therapeutic. Whether you decide only to sit on the edge with your feet hanging in the water or choose to participate in low-impact water aerobics, your day at the pool will certainly leave you with a smile on your face.
7. Have a picnic
Pack a picnic for an afternoon spent enjoying the company of your friends and family. Picnics are a timeless summer tradition. Aging adults will feel young again when they feel the grass between their toes and ward off any ants from the chocolate dessert. This fun summer activity is the perfect way to spend an afternoon enjoying the company of your loved ones.
Are you ready to make 2019 your best summer yet? Keep these seven fun activities in mind, call your family and friends, and prepare to enjoy the summer months like never before.
Kids can start becoming couch potatoes as early as age 7, a new study reveals.
A review of 27 studies published between 2004 and 2018 in different countries found high rates of decreasing physical activity among children and teens.
While many teens quit playing sports, overall activity starts to decline during early school years among kids who were once active, said study author Irinja Lounassalo. She’s a doctoral student in sport and health sciences at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.
So, “being physically active in childhood and adolescence may be of high importance since it can postpone the time of becoming inactive later on,” Lounassalo said.
While the percentage of inactive people increases with age, certain groups actually increase their activity levels in adulthood and old age.
“In the future, special attention should be paid to these individuals who increase their physical activity, because it is important to understand how potential lifelong inactivity could be turned into activity,” Lounassalo said.
Among children and teens, parental support for an active lifestyle helped increase activity. For teens, less time in front of the television was associated with regular activity.
For adults, quitting smoking brought increased activity. And among older adults, regular activity was associated with a lack of chronic illnesses, a lower death rate and good physical functioning.
“Since physical activity behavior stabilizes with age and inactivity is more persistent behavior than activity, interventions should be targeted at children early in life before their habits become stable,” Lounassalo said.
Parents can help by supporting physical activity in the schools and extracurricular sports clubs for kids, she said.
“Building publicly available sport facilities and safe bicycling and walkways might help in increasing opportunities for being active regardless of age, nationality, gender or educational level,” Lounassalo said.
The study was recently published in the journal BMC Public Health.
Hormone replacement therapy can be a good option for many women as they struggle through menopause.
It’s used not only as an aid to reduce hot flashes, but also as a medicine to replace hormones and help women improve their overall health.
Hormones are safe for many women, but not all, so it’s important to separate the facts from the myths to make sure you’re well informed.
You probably already know that menopause is a time when most women experience a variety of body changes and symptoms. In fact, 80 percent of women will experience at least one symptom and 45 percent will have significant distress from symptoms.
These are pretty significant numbers.
It’s also important to know that, during menopause, body changes in women can cause more than just sleep issues and mood swings.
The risk of heart disease in women surpasses the risk in men within five years of menopause, and the risk of diabetes and obesity in women climbs rapidly. In addition, many women gain 10 pounds or more of belly fat during this transition.
The facts are scary, but the more you know about the changes happening to your body, the more you can do to stay healthy during menopause.
Risks and rewards
Menopause symptoms and body changes are a result of estrogen loss.
Estrogen affects many cells in the body, including your brain, bones, liver, skin, vagina and uterus. Research over the years has given health care professionals valuable insight into who should and should not take estrogen.
A large study performed by the Women’s Health Initiative included 110,000 women who were randomly selected to take estrogen or to not take estrogen. The results taught doctors about the safety and effects of estrogen in women, and it also showed us that not all women have the same risks.
The timing of estrogen treatment is a key factor in a woman’s risks.
If a woman starts taking estrogen early in menopause, her risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity decreases.
However, if a woman is already at high risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes or obesity, and she then begins taking estrogen later in menopause, her risk for all of these issues becomes higher.
You can see why it’s important to talk to your physician about taking hormones before you make any decisions.
Estrogen in the system—versus estrogen in the vagina—is very different is terms of effects and risks.
Vaginal estrogen barely, if at all, goes into the blood. It stays in the vagina and greatly improves the vaginal and bladder symptoms of menopause. These symptoms include dryness, difficulty in achieving orgasm, pain with sex, bladder urgency and some forms of incontinence.
So, who cannot take systemic estrogen? A woman who:
Is more than 10 years from her last menstrual period.
Already has heart disease.
Has previously had a stroke.
Has migraines with significant visual issues.
Had a prior blood clot in the deep veins of her legs or lungs.
Had breast cancer.
Most of the estrogen I prescribe is bio-identical, which means it is identical to the estrogen made by the ovary.
The estrogen I prescribe is FDA-approved, which means there are safety checks and consistencies not found in compounded hormones. When I prescribe hormone medication, I do not receive any financial gain from any of the manufacturers.
Estrogen prescription medicine can be given in the form of a patch, spray, or pill. (More good news: Many estrogen medicines are covered by insurance.)
My goal in prescribing estrogen medicine is my patient’s safety first, and then reducing her symptoms and improving her quality of life.
Another important hormone study, the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study trial, found that women who took patch estrogen had a lower risk of gaining belly fat and sugar cravings, and they saw significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
Cindy’s story
One of my patients, who I’ll call Cindy, is a good example of someone
who experienced menopause symptoms but didn’t know what to do about
them.
In the beginning, Cindy felt she’d been on auto pilot for years.
She felt blessed to have the life she had always wanted—she graduated college, landed a good job at a bank, fell in love, got married, had two children. She loved her busy life and felt lucky to rarely get sick or need a doctor’s visit.
At her yearly exams, she was always told to watch her weight and her cholesterol. She would think, “Watch them do what?” and then she’d rush out of the office to pick up the kids and start dinner.
It was all very uneventful, and Cindy liked it that way.
Life continued in this same pattern for many years—until Cindy’s periods started becoming very irregular.
She also noticed she was more tired than normal, and she began to experience night sweats. She was having crazy mood changes. Even worse, she noticed her spring clothes didn’t fit when she went to put them on after a long winter. She craved sweets (not normal for her) and she couldn’t remember things.
She began to wonder what was happening. She didn’t think these changes were normal.
Cindy and her family had enough, so she called her doctor.
Her symptoms prompted a referral to Spectrum Health Medical Group’s Menopause Clinic, where we talked about why these things were happening and what could be done to make her feel better.
Cindy’s history was good overall: no smoking, no migraines, no diabetes, and no blood clots in her legs or lungs. Her cholesterol was slightly high, but she didn’t have any signs of heart disease and she always had regular mammograms.
The first step to relieve her symptoms: Add some healthy habits back into her life. She needed regular sleep, adequate water intake, vitamins, less sugar, more exercise, meditation and gratitude.
She was also a perfect candidate for estrogen prescription therapy, so we talked about her options. She chose estrogen in the form of a patch prescription bio-identical estrogen, which she would need to change twice a week.
Cindy had never had a hysterectomy and still had her uterus; therefore, to be safe, she had to take progesterone along with the estrogen.
I prescribed Prometrium, which is bio-identical progesterone dissolved in peanut oil in a capsule that she would take every night.
Within two weeks, Cindy was experiencing fewer night sweats and hot flashes. After one month with hormone replacement therapy, she was sleeping better, she felt like exercising, she was motivated to make better food choices and she had lost weight.
Most importantly, she felt like herself again—and her family noticed.
HPV—one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases—has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country.
In several studies, it’s also linked to the nation’s leading cause of death—cardiovascular disease.
There are more than 150 strains of HPV, including the ones responsible for cancers of the cervix, penis, anus and the back of the throat.
In a study published earlier this year in Circulation Research, researchers found that Korean women infected with these “high-risk” strains of HPV were 22 percent more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than women not infected with the virus.
The risk was calculated after adjusting for other common cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking, physical activity and body mass index.
A 2011 study also connected HPV with heart attacks and strokes in women.
“But at this stage, we’re not completely clear on what the link is,” said Dr. Christine Jellis, a cardiologist at The Cleveland Clinic.
Jellis said HPV may encourage chronic inflammation in the body, which can contribute to atherosclerosis, or the hardening of fatty plaque along the lining of arteries.
“But there may be some other social factors that make people both more prone to developing coronary artery disease—atherosclerosis—and also HPV,” she said. “At the moment, we don’t have that information but this … definitely warrants further evaluation.”
The link between HPV and cardiovascular risk is not restricted to women.
A 2017 study of mostly men tied HPV to an increased risk of stroke in people who received radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Dr. Tomas Neilan, the lead author of that study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, said the results show HPV infection has consequences beyond the cervical lesions and cervical cancer typically associated with the virus.
“Specifically, and importantly, this also has implications for men beyond transmission” of the virus, said Neilan, director of the cardio-oncology program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
HPV is such a common virus that an estimated 80 percent of the population will be infected at some point in their life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. Most infections go away on their own, but those that don’t can lead to certain types of cancer.
That’s where prevention can help, Neilan said.
HPV vaccines, which have been available for females since 2006 and for males since 2009, have proven effective in decreasing HPV incidence and preventing precancerous growths or infections.
The CDC recommends all girls and boys get two doses of the vaccine before they turn 13. Children who start the vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need a third dose for complete protection.
Jellis hopes to see more research about the HPV connection to cardiovascular disease, as well as other types of studies that look beyond the factors already known to contribute to heart attacks and strokes.
“We certainly see patients who don’t have any of the traditional cardiovascular risks, but they still have atherosclerotic disease,” she said. “So, whether they have additional genetic factors or additional lifestyle factors, for those patients, maybe these other things like a presence of HPV will end up being the reason why they are at higher risk.”
