Tag Archives: health

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s first in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccine

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Mercy Health Saint Mary’s became the first health facility to require the COVID vaccine in order to work at its facilities. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Those working for, contracting with, or conducing business at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 21.

Trinity Health, the parent organization to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, recently announced effective immediately, the national health system will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19.  The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide. 

 

This includes roughly 24,000 Trinity Health Michigan colleagues working across five Saint Joseph Mercy Health System hospitals, three Mercy Health hospitals – such as Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and two employed medical groups – IHA and Mercy Health Physician Partners. Along with the hospital located in downtown Grand Rapids, there is a Mercy Health Southwest Campus in Byron Center, Mercy Health Physician Partners in Wyoming, Mercy Health Southeast Lab in Kentwood and several other Mercy Health locations in and around Grand Rapids.

Trinity Health is the second known healthcare organization to announce the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Henry Ford Health System in Detroit made a similar announcement in June. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s is the first known health organization in Grand Rapids to require COVID vaccines. Officials from both Spectrum Health and University of Michigan Health – West (formerly Metro Health – University of Michigan Health) stated while encourage team members to get vaccinated, the vaccines are optional and not mandated.

Spectrum Health officials said nearly 70 percent of Spectrum’s on-site team members have been vaccinated.

“We continue to practice active infection control measures, including heightened cleaning protocols, masking n all clinical areas and a daily symptom survey for all on-site team members,” according to a hospital statement. “Additionally, we continue to monitor positivity and vaccination rates in the community and amount our team members.”

Since December 2020, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, Trinity Health has strongly encouraged vaccination for all colleagues and within the communities its various Health Ministries serve.  To date, the health system estimates that nearly 75 percent of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.

“As a faith-based health care system we have pledged to protect the most vulnerable, those that have a high risk of developing severe health complications if they were to contract this deadly virus,” said Rob Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan and Southeast Regions.  “We are grateful to all colleagues working inside our hospitals, and specifically those navigating the frontlines.  We understand that not everyone will agree with this decision, but after listening to their feedback, and after careful consideration, we know this to be the right decision.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 331 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States. The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death, with more than 99% of COVID-19 deaths today occurring in unvaccinated people.

“As a trusted health care leader within Michigan communities, our patients and colleagues look to us to keep them safe,” said Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, PhD, MD, chief clinical officer of Trinity Health Michigan.  “There is widespread acceptance of the vaccines and their effectiveness within the medical community.  The science is clear – vaccines protect against infection and they help save lives.”

Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring them to submit proof of vaccination by Sept. 21, 2021. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually, but if so, employees will also need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented, and approved.  Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will have their employment terminated.

In Love and Health: Our local farmers markets provide a fresh outlook on health

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Greens like kale, spinach, collards, or darker colored lettuces promote brain health. (Photo courtesy Southeast Area Farmers Market)

By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love & Health Chiropractic

Here in West Michigan, farmers market season is in full swing. Have you been to the Kentwood Farmers Market? It takes place at 4900 Breton Ave. SE on Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30. In Wyoming, the Metro Health Farmers Market, also take place on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5900 Byron Center Road SW. We all know that we should be eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. And there’s no time like now to get started on building a healthy habit.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health publication, The Nutrition Source, eating lots of vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some cancers, reduce eye and digestive problems, and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Eating apples, pears, and leafy greens might even help you lose weight.

You can go bananas trying to figure out which fruit or vegetable provides the exact vitamin or mineral you need. Or you can simply eat a wide variety from the nine different fruit and vegetable families. Next time you stop by the farmers market, choose a variety of types and colors to give your body all the kinds of nutrients it craves. There’s a lot to be said for fresh, local produce. When produce is picked green to accommodate long shipping distances, it loses nutritional content. In fact, eating quick-frozen local produce is probably more nutritious than eating fresh produce shipped thousands of miles from California or South America.

Fruit for your lungs. Veggies for your brain.

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of attention to respiratory illness. British researchers found that people who ate fruit, even if they smoked, had much stronger lungs. Seems the extra vitamin C the fruit eaters ate reduced harmful free radicals and helped their bodies repair tissue damage. Researchers at John Hopkins University discovered that tomatoes and fruits, especially apples, slowed lung decline.

Closer to home, a Chicago Rush University Medical Center team found that people who ate one to two servings of leafy green vegetables each day experienced fewer memory problems and cognitive decline. In fact, people who ate 1.3 servings of greens like kale, spinach, collards, or darker colored lettuces each day had brains that were about 11 years younger compared to those who didn’t.

As I chiropractor, I love sharing how adjusting the spine helps all of the body’s organs to function better. And I love seeing my patients regain strength and mobility—and experience less pain. But I also love seeing patients who eat the healthy foods that support the work that I and the rest of their healthcare team provide.

 

Like I said, there’s no better time to start building a healthy habit than now—and there’s also no better time to visit your local farmers market.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

In Love and Health: If you have a brain, you’re at risk for Alzheimer’s

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There are lots of purple ribbons as June is Alzheimer’s and Brian Awareness Month. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Dr. Erik Johnson DC
Love and Health Chiropractic

Are you seeing purple? If yes, that’s because June is designated as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Those purple ribbons remind us of the fight against Alzheimer’s dementia. Everyone is at risk for Alzheimer’s. However, you can take action to reduce that risk.

While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, physicians can prescribe medications that can address its symptoms. And, as a chiropractor, I can’t help but point out the value of chiropractic adjustments. The brain and the spine work together to message and manage the entire body. An aligned spine can better relay the messages that the brain sends to the various organs and body parts. Many of my colleagues have reported success in supporting the journeys of their patients with Alzheimer’s.

What else can you do? Diet has been shown to be a big factor in brain health. Some experts are even calling Alzheimer’s disease Type 3 diabetes. Studies have found that some cases of Alzheimer’s disease were triggered by a form of diabetes in the brain. An Alzheimer’s gene variant, APOE4, seems to interfere with brain cells’ ability to use insulin. As a result, those brain cells seem to eventually starve and die. Mayo Clinic researchers have even tested an insulin nasal spray that has been developed to improve Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day will be June 21. (Alzheimer’s Association)

While treatments like this are wonderful, wouldn’t it be even better to reduce risks for the disease? That’s where choosing foods that do not lead to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes come in to play. In addition to avoiding sweets and carbs that wreak havoc on blood sugar levels, choose fatty fish, leafy greens, eggs, and legumes. When you make your stop at the farmers market this summer, stock up on strawberries, broccoli, squash, and avocados. In between meals, snack on trail mixes that include chia and flax seeds. Cook with extra virgin olive oil and don’t be shy about using lots of fresh garlic.

When you eat healthier, you’ll not only reduce your risks for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but you’ll also improve your overall health. These other suggestions for reducing risk of Alzheimer’s from the Alzheimer’s Association do the same: Physical and mental exercise, smoking cessation, getting plenty of sleep, enjoying the company of friends and family, and avoiding head injuries.

Back to the color purple. If you see an extra flourish of purple ribbons this month, they may also be promoting the Alzheimer’s Association’s Fight Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day® campaign, taking place on June 20, the summer solstice. “The day with the most light is the day we fight®.” For information, visit ALZ.org.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

Pandemic provides reminder of importance of recognizing signs of stroke

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Because of limited contact with family due to COVID, more people fell victim to strokes, a leading cause of death and disability. (Pxhere.com)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

When COVID-19 kept families apart, it meant fewer opportunities for loved ones to notice the signs of stroke. And so, more people fell victim to one of the leading causes of death and disability.

The pandemic contributed in several ways to an increase in fatal strokes in the United States last year, said Dr. Jeffrey Fletcher, who specializes in neurocritical care, neurology and vascular neurology for Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

Despite the complications of COVID-19, the most important aspect of stroke treatment has never changed, he said: Every second counts to limit the risk of brain damage and death.

“It is essential to recognize the signs of stroke and call 911 to get to the hospital as soon as possible,” he said, “because time is still brain.”

May is Stroke Awareness Month, an appropriate time to emphasize the importance of recognizing the signs, which can be memorized by the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.:

  • B-Balance (Is the person having trouble with balance?)
  • E-Eyes (Does the person have blurred or double vision?)
  • F-Face (Does the face look uneven?)
  • A-Arm (Is one arm or leg suddenly weak?)
  • S-Speech (Does speech sound strange?)
  • T-Time (It’s time to call 911)With early data showing a significant increase in stroke deaths in 2020, stroke remains a leading cause of death in the United States, bumped down to No. 4 only because of COVID- 19. But Fletcher noted that, even among survivors, stroke takes a huge toll as the leading cause of disability.The devastating effects of stroke are another argument to be vaccinated for COVID-19, he said. There is moderate evidence that contracting COVID-19 increases the risk of stroke – and strong evidence it can contribute to more severe stroke outcomes.“In terms of stroke prevention, there’s a lot you can do by limiting risk factors and leading a healthy life,” Fletcher said. “That would include things that mitigate the chance of getting COVID, such as following public health measures, including immunization.”Acknowledging recent concerns about very rare blood clots among people who received vaccines, Fletcher said, “the risk of stroke with COVID is 1,000 times greater.”

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Fletcher remains optimistic about the future of stroke care. Technological advances mean doctors are able to treat more strokes than ever. But for that to be possible, patients must arrive as soon as possible at a comprehensive stroke center like the one at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

“It gets back to recognizing what B.E. F.A.S.T. means,” he said. “Calling 911 can be the difference between death, severe disability and recovery.”

To learn more about recognizing the signs of stroke, plus the resources for stroke survivors and their caregivers, visit the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health website.

COVID vaccines are available at several locations

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The COVID-19 vaccination effort continues with Kent County Health officials urging everyone to get vaccinated. (U.S. Government).

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For Dr. Adam London, the Kent County Health Department health officer, nothing underscores the need for people to get vaccinated than the more than 200 people hospitalized for COVID, of which 50 are fighting for their lives.

“We all want to get back to life as we want it to be as quickly as possible and the COVID vaccine and the vaccination is the best way to do that,” London said during a recent PSA for the Health Department. “We all want to see our restaurants full, we want concerts and ballparks and classrooms full. We want to get back to work and back to life as we want it to be here in West Michigan. The power to do that is your hands.”

London said the best way to accomplish these goals is for people to get vaccinated, and for those already vaccinated, to encourage or help others to do the same.


There are several places where residents can get vaccines such as the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, which is a partnership between the Kent County Health Department, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health – St. Mary’s. Vaccines are available through all the hospitals, Spectrum Health, Mercy Health – St. Mary’s, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

Also many pharmacies located at Family Fare, Meijer, CVS, and Walgreens, are giving vaccines.

 

London noted that the vaccines are safe and and effective and are held to the highest standards before being approved. More than 75 percent of people 65 or older have received vaccines and that group is having the fewest number of new cases, London said.

The groups that are driving up the resurgence are the 20s and 30-year-olds, London said. In the twenty-something group, there is a 22 percent vaccination rate and in the thirty-something group, there is about a 32 percent vaccination rate.

 

“We need to do what we can to get these numbers down,” London said. “We are seeing more than 400 new cases of COVID diagnosed everyday in Kent County.”

For those unable to navigate the internet or schedule appointments online, they can call 2-1-1 for assistance. 

For more about COVID cases in Kent County, visit the Kent County Public Health Department’s website.

Medical Moments: Women’s Health

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By Dr. Afriyie Randell
WKTV Community Volunteer

March was Women’s History Month and with that in mind, this is a good time to highlight the everyday women’s journey through healthcare.

Most young women are healthy and are not seen for regular checkups, however even as a young adult routine exam are essential. Same goes for men. By the time you are 18 years of age you should have had one or more encounters with a health care professional to monitor your growth, been seen for a sick visit, or even received a vaccine.

 

You should visit your health care provider from time to time even if you are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

1.     Assist you in getting to know your provider just in case you may become ill

2.     Encourage a healthy lifestyle

3.     Screen for Medical concerns

4.     Go over Family and Past Medical history 

5.     Update Vaccinations

6.     Assess your risks for future medical problems

7.     Physical Exam

8.    Obtain routine lab work

These visits could help you to avoid medical conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes that are often obtained from labs in the early stages without evidence of symptoms. Not to mention high blood pressure is checked regularly at these visits.

 

There are of course more specific times when you should see your provider especially between the ages of 18 and 39.

You may be screened for alcohol misuse as early as 18-years-old with too much drinking being seen as greater than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week.

Screening for mammograms begins at 40, while screening for colon cancer begins at 50 but should be considered sooner if someone in your family has or has had it/

Cholesterol screening should start at 20 if you have known risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity or family history.

Go to your dentist twice a year or yearly.

Receive a flu shot every year. Also consider the COVID 19 vaccine as well as get up to date with all other vaccines.

Cervical Cancer screenings begin at age 21 and as per provider recommendations thereafter usually ranging from three to five years depending on your age.

Always remember to take good care of your health.

Medical Moment: March is Colorectal Cancer

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By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

Just how deadly colorectal cancer can be came to light with the death of actor Chad Bostwick, best known for the movie “The Black Panther.” After a four year battle, Bostwick died on Aug. 28, 2020.

Per the Centers for Disease Control, colorectal cancer, also known as color cancer, bowel cancer, and rectal cancer, affects both women and men and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, approximately 140,000 people in the U.S. get colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it. 

The American Cancer Society predicts that 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women with develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime.

Regular screenings for cancer can improve or save your life. These screenings began at age 50 are essential for preventing colorectal cancer. If you are 50-75, get screened regularly.

Symptoms include various gastrointestinal issues that include: diarrhea, constipation, right red blood during bowel movements, black stool, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and feeling that your bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement. You may have unexplained weight loss along with fatigue or tiredness. Men may experience unexplained iron deficiency while women may experience unexplained iron deficiency after menopause. A lump in the abdomen or back may be felt on exam by a medical provider.

Please keep in mind that most of these symptoms may also be indicative of other illnesses so please see your primary care provider if symptoms are present for longer than four weeks. 

Spectrum Health announces new visitor restrictions

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Spectrum Health Medical Center will be revising its visitor policy effective this Wednesday. (supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As a result of significantly increasing numbers of patients admitted with COVID-19 and the increase in community positivity rate, Spectrum Health has revised its visitor policies to reduce the number of people in its Grand Rapids and regional hospitals and outpatient care sites.

Effective Wednesday, March 31, adult patients are allowed one adult family member or guest per patient. This must be the same person for the patient’s entire hospital stay. The following exceptions will apply:

  • Labor and delivery obstetrics patients are allowed two adult visitors. These must be the same two people for the patient’s entire hospital stay.
  • Patients with COVID-19 are not allowed in-person visitors, however the care team will work with patients and families to coordinate virtual visits.
  • Emergency department patients are limited to one adult guest per patient.
  • Adult radiology and laboratory patients at the hospital or outpatient care sites are not allowed guests except for those patients here for an obstetric ultrasound or those who need assistance with activities of daily living or have cognitive impairments. These individuals will be allowed one adult guest.
  • Adult patients at Spectrum Health physician offices and surgery centers are allowed one adult family member or guest for surgical sedated procedures, but no visitors unless the patient needs physical or cognitive support.  Patients may contact office staff for extenuating circumstances.
  • Pediatric patients under the age of 21 are allowed two adult family members (parent or guardian or their designee only) per patient stay.
  • For pediatric outpatient services, physician offices and surgery, pediatric patients are allowed one family member or guests per patient visit.
  • Pediatric radiology patients are allowed one adult family member per patient.
  • Pediatric hematology and oncology clinic and infusion center patients are allowed one adult family member per patient.

The new restrictions apply to the following Spectrum Health hospitals and nearby physician offices and ambulatory care sites:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center
  • Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
  • Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial
  • Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Pennock
  • Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital
  • Spectrum Health United Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital
  • Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital

In addition, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all visitors will be screened and are required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose to enter the hospitals and outpatient facilities. Spectrum Health dining rooms continue to be closed to visitors. Hospital food service will be available in the cafeteria through to-go orders.

More information about visitor restrictions can be found here. Spectrum Health’s COVID-19 resource center can be found here.

Area pastors show love by getting the COVID vaccine

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Area pastors line up to get the COVID-19 shot at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic. (supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Leaders from 50 Kent County congregations volunteered to roll up their sleeves last week to show their communities they are walking the talk on the COVID vaccine front, each getting “a shot of love” at West Michigan Vaccination Clinic at DeVos Place, which is a collaborative effort of Kent County, Spectrum Health, Mercy Health and Vaccinate West Michigan.

“Whatever your faith tradition, the principle of love thy neighbor is pretty consistent across centuries,” said Pastor Charlie Selmon, Jr. of Wellspring Church. “Getting a vaccine, just like wearing a mask, is about showing love for ourselves, our neighbors, our elders, and our children. It is about protecting the sanctity of human life.”

This Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., the Kent County COVID-19 Church Task Force will ve sting a COVID-19 Vaccine Rally and Registration Drive. The event will take place at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 510 Franklin St. SE. The purpose of the rally is encourage resident in high priority zip codes based on COVID-19 incidents and other socially vulnerable index factors are registered to receive the vaccine.

Local pastors roll up their sleeves to get their shots and encourage others to do so. (Supplied)

At 4 p.m., more than 200 volunteers will canvass select census tracts in the 49507 zip code going door-to-door to ensure that every adult resident has the opportunity to register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is the first of 10 scheduled drives across Kent County to help ensure that the most vulnerable members are vaccinated. Those attending must follow the instructions of the medical safety team and adhere to the safety guidelines of local state and national health departments.

“As a physician, and as someone who has lost loved ones to COVID-19, I urge you to consider getting the vaccine as a way to help us defeat this deadly virus,” wrote TaLawnda Bragg, MD, attending physician at Spectrum Health. In the recent blog post, she said, “I am eager to do whatever I can to help halt the scourge of this virus in our community.”

 

Until now, access to the vaccine has been limited to essential workers and select, high-risk demographics. With the national supply of vaccines expanding quickly, outreach to the broader community is underway. Starting April 5, the vaccine will be offered to all Michiganders age 16 and older according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In Kent County more than 86,885 residents or 16.8% of the population have been vaccinated.

“Over 2.7 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we are well on our way to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders age 16 and up,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We will continue to focus our efforts on removing barriers to access for our most vulnerable to exposure and those at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. These vaccines are the way we are going to end this.”

According to Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer, Dr. Adam London, “faith leaders have been providing essential counseling and care for vulnerable people throughout this pandemic; they are now also helping us as volunteers. Their level of commitment and support for our community has been extraordinary.”

This Tuesday, the Kent County COVID-19 Church Task Force will be hosting the first of many Vaccine Rally and Registration Drives. (Supplied)

Local faith leaders expect enthusiastic participation at vaccine sites in the weeks ahead.

“We understand in the 21st century that individual health and public health go hand in hand,” said Rev. Khary Bridgewater, Coordinator of the Kent County COVID-19 Church Task Force. “Faith leaders know that we must protect the individual health of our most vulnerable citizens if we all want to share the blessings of a healthy community.” 

Medical Moments: Knowing the signs of dementia

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By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

In past 100 years, the average life expectancy of a man in the United States has gone from 40 to 77 with women going from 40 to 88. With the average life expectancy continues to increase so does the likelihood of older adults suffering from four or more chronic diseases.

Amongst these chronic diseases, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia reign supreme. Although both disorders are common, they are not a result of “just getting old”. In other words “getting old” doesn’t necessarily mean you will get dementia.

Mild dementia: In early stages of dementia your loved one may not experience any symptoms though changes in the brain are present. Family members or spouses may notice small abnormalities that are indeed so small that one may dismiss them as normal forgetfulness. This can include forgetting a meeting, loosing your keys, or misplacing an item.

Moderate dementia: In moderate dementia signs of memory changes are more evident. Ability to maintain ones household is more difficulty because bills aren’t being managed. Forgetfulness in regards to managing medication and eating is apparent. Next the individual requires more assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, remembering addresses and hygiene.

Severe dementia: In severe dementia, constant supervision is required. Loosing control of bowel and bladder may be present. Personality changes are noticed. Speech starts to decrease and the ability to recognize loved ones wane. The individual is unaware of his/her surroundings and is unable to communicate their needs.

Dementia effects the patient and the family. The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated to be nearly $350,000. Learn to recognize early and late signs will allow for your love one to be cared for appropriately and always contact your health provider with questions. 

In Love and Health: Be smart about brain safety #ChangeYourMind

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Dr. Erik Johnson
Love and Health Chiropractic

Did you know that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? According to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, 58,500 Michiganders will experience a brain injury during 2021. Ranging from mild to fatal, brain injuries happen to people of all ages. Those due to congenital abnormalities or from degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s are called acquired brain injuries. The kind of brain injuries that you can help prevent are traumatic brain injuries—TBIs.

 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services found that 30% of TBIs in Michigan are caused by car crashes. TBIs can happen if you are in an automobile accident, you fall and hit your head, you dive into shallow water, or you’re hit by a hard ball during sports activities. One type of TBI you’ve probably heard of, a concussion happens when you bump or receive a hit to your head that moves your head rapidly back and forth.

The CDC has put together this list of ways you can prevent traumatic brain injuries:

On the road

  • Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
  • Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Wear a helmet when you ride a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or use an all-terrain vehicle.



Tots and tykes

  • Install window guards to keep young children from falling out.
  • Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
  • Go to playgrounds with soft material like mulch or sand under swings and slides.
  • Never shake a baby or child.



Playing sports

  • Wear a helmet when you play sports—contact sports, skating or skateboarding, running bases, riding horses, skiing or snowboarding.
  • Jump in first to check water depth in rivers and lakes. Obey “no diving” warnings at pools.



As you age

  • Review your prescription and over-the-counter medicines—can they make you dizzy or sleepy? 
  • Ask your healthcare provider about vitamin D.
  • Do exercise, like tai chi, to strengthen your legs and improve your balance. 
  • Get a vision check-up at least once a year. 
  • In your home, remove trip-and-fall hazards like small rugs; install grab bars by the tub or shower and next to the toilet; put railings on both sides of stairs; and keep your home well-lit, including nightlights. 



If you or a loved one experience a hit to the head followed by nausea, unsteadiness, headache, or difficulty concentrating, go to your primary care doctor, urgent care, or emergency room right away. Prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death—or a life lived with severe impairments.



Depending on how serious a TBI is, recovery can be a slow and painful process. Those with serious brain injuries may survive, but never completely recover. A report on the National Institute for Health website states that traumatic brain injuries provide “a unique target of opportunity for complementary and alternative medicine.” The report explored modalities like acupuncture, meditation, and mindfulness.

When one of my patient’s sons was seven years old, his brother accidentally threw a screwdriver at his head. After emergency surgery and nine days in a Grand Rapids hospital, doctors said he might never be able to read or walk very well. During each of those nine days, his chiropractor visited and gave him gentle adjustments. After discharge, the little fellow began music therapy. Throughout high school, he was first-string quarterback—and graduated as valedictorian. Today, he is a successful architect.

That said, the best course of action is to take care of your noggin. Buckle up! Wear a helmet! Avoid falls! In other words, use your brain!

 

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

Medical Moments: Reducing your alcohol intake

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By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Community Contributor

Social isolation has effected us in so many different ways. Some have chosen to take advantage of this pandemic to spend time with family, focus on themselves or take a vacation, while social isolation and other COVID-19 related life changes has lead to an increase in use and abuse of alcohol.

Social media outlets have made memes about “quarantinis” and COVID drinking, making light of a truly serious condition. Unwinding with a “quarantini” or a glass of your favorite spirit might seem like a good way to cope with the stress of this pandemic, but for some people, too much alcohol is a problem.

Quarantini memes make fun of a serious concern.

Consuming alcohol can weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections leading to depression, anxiety, obesity and liver disease. In addition, excess alcohol many lead to such conditions as hypertension (high blood pressure), strokes and heart attacks. ti also could lead to increase susceptibility to contracting COVID-19.

Instead of going down the road of the misnomers of alcohol abuse, let’s take a look at what happens when you actually stop abusing alcohol.

 

1. Improved health with decreased sicknesses. Alcohol impacts your immune system’s ability to fight off disease.

2. You will dodge accidents and fatal injuries. Even cutting back your drinking by a third can lower the number of injuries and sick days.

3. Your heart gets healthier. Reducing your alcohol intake may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and nay decrease your chances of stokes and heart attacks.

4. The liver heals. The live is responsible for helping your blood clot along with breaking down fats, proteins, and sugars.

5. Weight loss. Alcohol accounts for so many empty and non-nutritional calories.

6. Ease depression and anxiety. Alcohol is actually a downer working as a depressant to slow down vital bodily functions.

7. Decrease your cancer risk.

8. Improve your libido. In women, reducing alcohol use may improve vaginal lubrication and in men, it may decrease erectile dysfunction.

 

9. Restful nights/daytime sleepiness. Alcohol disrupts rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage that is essential in learning and making or retaining memories.

10. Clearer thinking. As mentioned above, reducing your alcohol intake increases your ability to retain and make memories.

Always be mindful of your alcohol intake and drink responsibly. 

Medical Moments: Seasonal Affective Disorder

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By Dr. Afriyie Randle
WKTV Volunteer Contributor

While some may enjoy all the winter activities, there are others who are facing some of the darkest periods of the year.

These are people who may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that is related to changes in the season. SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. For most, it starts in the fall and well into the winter months although some can have the verse of Spring and Summer Affective Disorder.

This past year has been one like no other with stress brought on by the COVID pandemic, an election and unprecedented movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement which may have further complicated those dealing with SAD.

Not able to adhere to exercise routines or to take a trip to sunny or warmer climates or just having access to the therapist presents obstacles.

Don’t brush off your feelings as a case of the winter blues or just being in a funk. If you find you are losing interest in what you enjoy doing, can’t focus or are even having suicide thoughts, make sure to tell someone.

It is normal to have some sad days but if those days outweigh the good, then you should talk to someone. Remember, you matter. 

Volunteers sought for West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, can get vaccine if accepted

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The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is seeking volunteers. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Hoping to push yourself up in the line for the COVID vaccine? Well the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place maybe able to help.

The Clinic, which is operated by Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan, is seeking community volunteers in non-clinical roles to support the vaccine clinic.

According to officials, when the vaccine is available for the clinic to open at full capacity, approximately 150 volunteers are needed per 4-hour shift. Volunteers may assist with greeting clinic attendees, providing directional assistance, escorting attendees who need help, sanitizing and organizing supplies, performing temperature checks and more. Volunteers need not have prior healthcare experience.

To begin the volunteer process, community members ages 18 and older are asked to complete this survey with Kent County Emergency Management, which is partnering to assist with volunteer management at the clinic. Additionally, volunteers must not have any felonies or misdemeanors within the last ten years, have a valid driver’s license with no suspensions in the past five years, and not had a fever or symptoms of the COVID-19 virus for at least 14 days prior to volunteering. The survey will include authorization for a routine background check. Upon completion, eligible volunteers will receive a confirmation email and instructions for signing up for available shifts.

“Vaccinating our community is a huge undertaking. Just as our organizations are working together, we believe that the West Michigan spirit in so many of our community members will draw people to this volunteer opportunity,” said Dr. Adam London, administrative health officer at the Kent County Health Department. “We are all in this together, and we believe the COVID-19 vaccine provides great hope for us to be able to return to normal and enjoy being with our families and friends again.”

Volunteers who sign a commitment promising at least  20 hours of service  at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic will become eligible for vaccination as a health care volunteer and part of critical infrastructure. These vaccinations will be made as soon as reasonably possible given the limitations of available vaccine supply and clinic schedule.

Volunteers will not receive pay for their time or travel; however, they will receive free parking in designated nearby parking structures and light refreshments will be provided.

Volunteers will receive training for their role immediately prior to their shift. Also, all volunteers will be required to wear a mask for their entire shift and must complete the CDC Facilities COVID-19 screening survey within four hours prior to the start of their shift.

Clinicians who are interested in volunteering are invited to complete the survey and may serve as general support volunteers. At this time, clinical roles are being staffed through partnering healthcare organizations and healthcare education partners. Should clinical volunteer shifts become available, clinical volunteers may be contacted with opportunities to fulfill such assignments.

As vaccine clinics expand and open within all west Michigan counties and with a focus on historically underserved communities, additional volunteer opportunities will arise here and with other vaccine providers.

For more information, click here.

Metro Health opens new office on East Beltline

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Metro Health Beltline is located at 1310 E. Beltline Ave. (Supplied)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s newest outpatient office is now open, bringing more services, including heart and vascular specialists, to East Grand Rapids, Cascade and surrounding areas.

Metro Health Beltline, at 1310 E. Beltline Ave. SE, just north of Lake Drive, replaces a smaller clinic on Cascade Road. All the providers from that office are relocating to the East Beltline site, and their phone numbers will not change.

The building’s modern design emphasizes a patient-centered concierge atmosphere. Nurse triage spaces provide convenient access for walk-in patients. The office is equipped with technology that allows self-rooming and self-checkout to reduce patient wait time and promote safety.

“As we enter a new world of healthcare delivery, this office is an example of Metro Health’s commitment to finding new and innovative ways to deliver quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Rakesh Pai, Chief Population Health Officer and President of the Medical Group.

At 30,500 square feet, the office is Metro Health’s largest primary care site. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 providers and 55 staff, caring for between 400 and 500 patients a day.

The office’s comprehensive services include family practice, sports medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health and diabetes education. Additionally, with adult and pediatric heart and vascular specialists, patients will have the choice of seeing their cardiologist at the main hospital or the East Beltline location. Heart and vascular services offered include chest x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG / ECG), stress echocardiogram exercise or medication, graded exercise tests (GXT) and continuous portable telemetry monitoring.

With two patient care levels, the building also includes on-site x-ray and laboratory services. The office is open 7am to 5pm weekdays, with walk-in visits accepted. Call 616-252-1500 or visit Metro Health’s website for more information.

“We’re all looking forward to maintaining a relationship with our existing patients in this new location, where they will have convenient access to a wider range of services,” said Dr. Edwin Kornoelje, Metro Health Beltline Site Director. “At the same time, we look forward to adding new patients to the Metro Health family.”

Administration of COVID vaccine has started, Catholic bishops release statement on vaccine

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Video courtesy Kent County Health Department

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“I feel awesome,” declared Mary Wisinski, the first person at the Kent County Health Department to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Distribution of the Pfizer vaccine is underway with the Kent County Health Department administering its first vaccine on Friday, Dec. 18, to Wisinski, the the department’s immunization program supervisor.

“This is an incredible day,” she said. “we’ve been working so hard to battle this virus, and some days, it felt like it got the best of us. This isn’t one of those days. This gives us hope — we’re going to beat this.”

Because Wisinski will lead the health department’s team of immunization nurses in administering the vaccine, she was among the first group deemed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to receive the vaccine.

“Stay Positive, Stay Heroic, Stay Healthy” is what the sticker from the Kent County Health Department says. (Photo courtesy Kent County Health Department)

The Kent County Health Department received 1,950 doses on Dec. 17 and will be administering those doses to individuals in the highest risk groups. which also includes Kent County area medical first responders.

Area Hospitals, such as Metro Health — University of Michigan Health, also began administering doses to its frontline healthcare workers. Metro Health began on Friday.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses that are administered 21 days apart. Most agencies, such as the Kent County Health Department, will receive its second does within three weeks.

Vaccines receive support

Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last week, received support from seven Catholic bishops in Michigan included Most Rev. David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids.

The statement, which can be found at the Diocese of Grand Rapids website, states “It is morally permissible to receive the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Neither of these vaccines have used cell lines originated in tissue taken from aborted babies in their deign, development and production. However, both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine did use such a cell line in the confirmatory testing. This connection to the abortion is very remote, however, it is important to keep in mind that there are varying levels of responsibility. Greater moral responsibility lives with the researchers than with those who receive the vaccine.”

The statement goes on that the Congregation for Doctrine of Faith indicates that it is morally permissible to be vaccinated if there are not alternatives and there are serious health risks as in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

For the full statement, click here.

Tracking the availability of the vaccine

As part of a consortium of West Michigan health departments and other health organizations, the Kent County Health Department announced the site VaccinateWestMI.com. The site is designed to provide information about vaccine availability, local distribution plans, safety and efficacy, and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

Metro Health begins employee COVID-19 vaccinations

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health started distributing the Pfizer vaccine this morning. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

At 6 a.m. today, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health began to vaccinate its employees with the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.

“This vaccine will provide much-needed protection for our employees , who serve on behalf of our community on the front lines of the pandemic,” said Metro Health – University of Michigan Health President and CEO Dr. Peter Hahn. “This is a breakthrough moment. This is how we start to turn the tide in our long battle with COVID-19.”

One of the first Metro Health staff to be vaccinated, Dr. Gabriel Pedraza, director of critical care at Metro Health, agreed with Hahn.

“I am going to fee a lot more comfortable treating my patients, my COVID patients,” Pedraza. Pedraza said he trusts the Center for Disease Control and knows that the Federal Drug and Food Administration would not have approved something that would put people at risk.

“Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there,” Pedraza said. “I have looked at some of the data. I trust the CDC. I trust the FDA. They are not going to release an unsafe vaccine.

 

A Metro Health – University of Michigan staff person shows her vaccine record. (Supplied)

“This is a big moment for our country and for us and I really highly recommend that we all get vaccinated. I did. I do what I preach and I think it is very important that we all do that. I recommend that everyone can, get vaccinated.”

The Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved by the FDA on Dec. 11. Shipments of the vaccine, which is made in Kalamazoo, started leaving the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Airport on Monday. The vaccine arrived at Wyoming’s Metro Health – University of Michigan Health on Thursday.

“This generation’s greatest minds have been working tirelessly on vaccines from almost the moment the pandemic began,” he said. “Soon we will have to do our part, by being vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to each of us.”

Hahn praised the historic scientific effort and rigorous evaluation that made a vaccine available this year. 

Metro Health’s initial shipment was 975 doses, with more anticipated on a regular cadence over the weeks to come. Metro Health’s Human Resources team collected input from its own Infection Prevention experts and clinical leaders, along with guidance from the CDC, to develop tiers of vaccine distribution based on risk of exposure and role in daily operations.

 

“As vaccine supplies grow, we look forward to extending the vaccine’s protection beyond our walls by following the guidance of public health experts,” Hahn said. Hahn and other leaders plan to receive the vaccine as soon as they meet the distribution criteria.

 

“As an ICU physician and healthcare leader, I will urge everyone to do the same,” he said. 

Metro Health awarded Leapfrog hospital safety grade A rating

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health received an “A” rating from Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade. (WKTV)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is realizing its vision of taking health care to a better place as proven by the recent award of an “A” rating by the Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade.

“We are honored to receive an A rating from the esteemed Leapfrog Group,” said Stacie Bommersbach, Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “The dedication and commitment of our staff are what led to this achievement.”

For the last 20 years, the Leapfrog Group has given ratings to hospitals for their efforts to take “giant leaps forward in the quality and safety” of health care for the communities they serve. This nonprofit leader reviews more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide for their commitments to patient safety and reducing errors, infections and injuries.

The Hospital Safety Grade is the only independent ratings program that focuses exclusively on how hospitals work to keep their patients safe. Patients and families more than ever turn to the Hospital Safety Grade to make their healthcare decisions. A study by the Altarum Institute found, when given the choice of selecting a hospital based on safety or cost, consumers will choose the safer hospital 97 percent of the time.

“Keeping our patients safe has been a top priority during this pandemic,” said Bommersbach. “This honor demonstrates the tremendous team effort in place at Metro Health to continually improve the care our patients receive.”

Please visit metrohealth.net/covid-19-updates for the most up-to-date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

New Kent County ad campaign calls on residents to stay home for the holidays

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By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern

Thanksgiving day is just around the corner and the Kent County Health Departments’ new campaign urges families to stay home this holiday season.

 

The “I love you so” campaign will run on local TV and radio stations, cable networks, print and digital platforms, including local minority-owned outlets, through the end of the year. The campaign is built on the message “I love you SO I’m staying home,” Though this is a tough message they urge residents to make their health and the health of the families the top priority this holiday season.

Thanksgiving will look a bit different this year, instead of gathering in person, the Kent County Health Department suggests that gatherings take place virtually. As shown in their campaign, families can meet virtually as they share their Thanksgiving meals virtually allowing for a safe holiday.

Though it may be difficult to not see loved ones during the holiday season, it is also important to protect them from the spread of the coronavirus, according to Kent County Health officials and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke during a press conference on Nov. 19. Currently, Kent County is seeing more than 500 new coronavirus cases each day, the Kent County Health Department reported. Over the past eight weeks, there have been ten times as many cases and local positivity rates are at the highest they have ever been since the start of the pandemic. 

“This really is a ‘tough love’ message for our community,” said Kent County Health Department director, Dr. Adam London. “We all want to get together to celebrate with family and friends, but those gatherings are the perfect places for the virus to spread.

“We are asking everyone to make their own health and the health of their loved ones their top priorities this holiday season.”

The “I love you so” campaign is in partnership with Spectrum Health, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and Metro Health. As cases continue to rise there has been tremendous stress on hospitals and health care providers.

 

“This is a difficult moment,” said Josh Leffingwell, partner at Well Design Studio, the agency that led the creative development of the campaign. “There is so much emotion tied to telling someone you love that you’re not going to join them for a holiday celebration. We wanted to give people the language to use with their friends and family. It’s a simple message: ‘I love you so much that I’m willing to miss our holiday gathering to help keep us all safe.’”

The $250,000 public education campaign, funded with CARES Act dollars, launches with Thanksgiving-themed ads across all media this week. The new ads will launch before the December holidays and will run through the end of the year.

Metro Health restricts visitors from all locations

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As the number of cases and positivity rates of COVID-19 continue to climb in the community, Metro Health – University of Michigan has made the decision to further restrict visitors from the hospital and outpatient locations. The revisions are intended to help prevent the spread of illness and protect patients, employees and the community.

Effective Thursday, Nov. 19, no visitors are allowed in the hospital or offsite locations. Please see the grid below for guidance and exceptions. Note: DPA means durable power of attorney and ADL means activities of daily living, a term used to describe fundamental skills that are required to independently care for oneself such as eating, bathing and mobility.

For updates on Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, visit metrogr.org.

Separating fact from fiction: the longterm health impacts from COVID-19

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Dr. Conor Mullin

By Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

WKTV is committed to providing factual information about COVID-19. We have partnered with Metro Health – University of Michigan Health to present questions about COVID-19 and to help dispel the misinformation being spread through social media.

Dr. Conor Mullin, a physician at Metro Health Southwest, answers this week’s question.

Question: What long term health impacts are people experiencing who have had COVID-19? 

Mullin: The long term health consequences of this virus are unknown and we will have to wait to see with time. We can infer from other similar viruses that in 6-12 months, there is likely to be a surge in autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

  

There is a specific debilitating disorder affecting younger adults called ADEM which causes permanent and irreversible stroke-like symptoms caused by brain tissue inflammation. In the pediatric world, we have seen in increase in a syndrome that is comparable to Kawasaki disease, where there is potential for damage to the coronary arteries around the heart, that may cause heart attacks or even death.

Personally, I have seen some patients, especially younger folks, who have continued to have lung and breathing issues two months after the initial infection. This is most likely caused by scarring damage to the lungs. Whether these patients recover is yet to be seen. These patients were young and healthy and did not have pre-exiting conditions.

One of my colleagues also had a younger patient die of a heart attack a few weeks after recovering from COVID-19. He also had no prior known cardiovascular disease.

The short answer is that there are some isolated cases of very severe outcomes and time will tell how widespread and severe the long term outcomes will be.

If you have a COVID-19-related question, please email it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

Wyoming hosts annual health and wellness expo Saturday

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

As the weather is getting warmer, we are all looking at healthier activities. One place to check that out is Wyoming Community Health and Wellness Expo set for Saturday, April 13, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop SW.

The event, which will be from 1 – 3 p.m., will feature local health organizations that will be sharing services and local resources with community members.

“Spring is a great time to focus on health and wellness as the weather warms and outdoor activities begin,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “This community event is a great way to connect the community with local resources focused on health and overall well-being. The Health and Wellness Expo gives everyone an opportunity to sample, explore and try something new.”

The Expo will include activities for all ages such as free blood pressure checks and yoga and Zumba demonstrations.  

If you miss the Wyoming expo, about 10 days later, the City of Kentwood will be hosting its 20th Annual Spotlight on Seniors Health & Fitness Expo, set for April 23, at the Kentwood Recreation Department, 355 48th St. SE. The free event, which is from 8:30 a.m. – noon, offers more than 70 vendors along with free breakfast and lunch. 

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Retire?

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

The Baby Boomer generation officially arrived on the doorstep of retirement age back in 2011, and an estimated 10,000 people are now retiring daily. But while 65 is understood to be the age of retirement, many aging adults are choosing to delay retirement living. Given the unclear nature of retirement age, many people are struggling with the question of when to make the leap. Here are five factors to consider when deciding when to retire:

1. Your Health

Taking a hard, honest look at your health can be difficult, but knowing exactly what is happening with your body and mind should be a priority when considering retirement. If you’re hale and hearty, working for a few more years could mean more savings for a long and enjoyable retirement, but if your health is less than ideal, it may be worth it to retire earlier than later in order to get started on all the experiences you’ve put off until you had the time. In addition, keep in mind the health of your spouse, friends, and family members: you may not want to work through their healthy years, regardless of how much longer you’re able to.

2. Your Finances

While some experts are questioning the four percent rule, and it may not apply to some people’s specific situations, it still offers a basic guideline for how to plan your finances for retirement. The four percent rule states that in your first year of retirement, you should budget 4% of your savings for your annual spend; for every subsequent year, budget 4% with inflation factored in. You should also include any investments into your calculations, and keep a sharp eye on the markets – investment returns can be critical during the first ten years of retirement.

3. Healthcare Costs

$275,000: that’s Fidelity’s estimate for how much a retired couple will spend on healthcare over the course of their retirement. While that number may be shocking, it’s also a very real part of the costs of retirement, and something you need to plan for. Ensuring that you have the insurance and the savings to deal with general health care as well as any health issues that may arise is crucial to choosing a time to retire.

4. Social Security Benefits

Another factor to consider is the possibility of social security benefits. If you were born after 1943, you can expect an eight percent increase in benefits for each year you work after 65; if you choose to retire earlier, benefits are reduced. Increases cease at age 70, so waiting to claim benefits until then would yield maximum benefits. But be strategic: depending on other factors retiring at 70 could be unrealistic or even impossible.

5. Your Family

While the decision of when to retire is highly personal, you should also factor in the important relationships in your life. Be sure to have clear and honest discussions with your spouse or significant other as to what you want your retirement to look like. Retirement living can take the shape of traveling or relaxing, being with family or spending time on personal goals, and if you and your spouse have different visions of retirement, you may want more time for planning.

 

Your health, personal finances, investments, and relationships all factor into when you retire, and the truth is that there’s no longer a single age at which people can expect to retire. Talk with your family, doctors, and financial advisors on what time works best for you.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Sidestep these menu minefields

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Did you know that the extra calories in a typical restaurant meal can mean a gain of two pounds a year for those who eat out just once a week? (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

 

People with food allergies aren’t the only ones who need to be aware of menu minefields when eating out. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important that you don’t fall prey to these temptations.

 

It’s not only supersized meals that can be your diet downfall—restaurant meals, in general, have jumped in size. If you’re not careful, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that the extra calories in a typical restaurant meal can mean a gain of two pounds a year for those who eat out just once a week.

 

And, year after year, those pounds can really add up.

 

At breakfast, say no to over-the-top omelets. Eggs are healthy options at any meal, but dishes that smother them in cheese, sausage and other high-saturated fat ingredients can turn a simple 80-calorie egg into a dish with more than 1,000 calories.

 

Steer clear of oversized meat portions. A 3-ounce lean filet is a good once-in-a-while choice, but that tempting 16-ounce slab of prime rib delivers 1,400 calories even before you add in all the trimmings.

 

Pasta-and-protein dishes can more than double the calories of either a simply sauced dish of pasta or a broiled chicken breast, and even more when smothered with cheese or cream sauce.

 

A “personal” pizza sounds like a sensible serving, but it can come with far more calories than one gooey slice, especially if topped with an assortment of cured meats.

 

Chicken wings are one of the worst bangs for your buck because 75 percent of the calories come from fatty skin and breading, and provide little protein.

 

If you crave any of these dishes, make them at home where you can control ingredients and portion sizes.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Metro Health Receives State Approval to Perform Elective PCI

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metro health building

 

Metro Health has received approval from the state of Michigan to perform Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or PCI, services in its cardiac catheterization laboratories at Metro Health Hospital.

 

Metro announced today that it has received approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to perform this life-saving service, restoring blood flow through heart vessels by using catheters with balloons and stents, without on-site Open Heart Surgery (OHS) services. The decision clears the way for Metro Health to expand services for its patients throughout West Michigan.

 

For more than a decade, Metro Health physicians have been performing the procedure on the most critical patients, those suffering a heart attack when they enter the hospital. Now, Metro Health will be able to offer this service to its patients who enter the hospital with chest pain or other conditions prompting diagnostic procedures which lead to elective, or scheduled non-emergent, PCI.

 

Previously, Metro Health patients requiring elective PCI had to be transferred to facilities that also offered back-up OHS services. A change in state regulations, prompted by quality data showing that PCI programs without OHS services in other states and Europe have quality indicators as high as those programs with OHS services and acceptance of the practice by the American College of Cardiology, made it possible for MDHHS to approve the Certificate of Need, or CON,  request.

 

“Being able to offer elective PCI to our patients without transferring them to other institutions is a win for patient care and something patients have asked for,” said Paul Kovack, a cardiologist at Metro Heart and Vascular. “This decision will help us keep patients in their medical home and provides choice to patients. Additionally, it will cut down on unnecessary duplicate testing, costly ambulance transfers and delays in care, making care more timely and less costly.”

 

The MDHHS decision comes after a long effort to update Michigan PCI regulations to mirror those of other states and countries that have long allowed elective PCI without OHS backup.

 

“The CON process is valuable in holding down costs for Michigan residents, but it can be challenging to update regulations to reflect new medical research,” said Michael Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health. “It is a delicate balancing act to keep up with medical advances and hold down healthcare costs. We are pleased with this patient-driven decision and know that Metro Health patients will benefit from this update and our ability to provide the services they need, when they need them.”

 

PCI, also known as angioplasty, is a non-surgical procedure that uses a thin flexible tube, or catheter, to access blood vessels in the heart which are narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, and reopen them. The procedure is performed by an interventional cardiologist who gains access to blood vessels in the heart through the femoral artery in the groin or the radial artery in the wrist. A small balloon is then inflated to push away the plaque, thus opening the blood vessel for blood flow, and a stent can be placed to keep the plaque pushed to the walls of the blood vessel, thus maintaining the blood vessel open for blood flow.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 600,000 deaths each year.

 

The PCI procedure lasts from 30 minutes to several hours and provides patients with a number of benefits:

  • Increased blood flow through the blocked artery
  • Decreased chest pain
  • Increased ability to be physically active

Metro Health hosts free screenings for peripheral artery disease Saturday

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peripheral_arterial_diseaseCold feet. Cramping in the legs. Legs falling asleep. These are all signs of peripheral artery disease or PAD.

 

This Saturday, Oct. 1, Metro Health Hospital will be hosting free screenings for PAD. The screenings are painless, usually involving taking a person’s blood pressure in the arms and ankles, with the screenings taking about 30 minutes. Screenings are available from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. Space is limited and registration is required. To register call, 616-242-4880 or visit metrohealth.net/pad.

 

“Peripheral artery disease is where there is blockage and plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the legs,” said Dr. Fadi Saab,  who specializes in cardiovascular disease at Metro Health, during a recent interview. Saab said the same can happen in the arteries to the heart or brain with people having PAD being a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

 

People who have PAD usually have other health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, Saab said. Those at-risk include those over 50 with diabetes, those who are obese or those who have a family history of heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, other circulatory problems and a family history of PAD also put patients at advanced risk. Those who are African-American and Native-American also are at a higher risk.

 

The free PAD screenings can help high-risk patients learn about the disease early enough so they can make lifestyle changes to help their circulatory system. The goal is to detect issues early enough in patients to reduce the risk of amputation.

 

legs_of_womanAnyone experiencing leg cramping or pain with walking or leg pain at rest should get screened. Slow-healing wounds or sores on legs or feet also call for a screening.

 

Results will be provided to the participant to take back to their physician for further review. For more information, visit the Metro Health website.

It’s time to get active with Wyoming’s first Health & Wellness Expo

Community Health, Food, Health, Kids Activities, Our Cities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

CH & W ExpoWith spring just around the corner, a time when many people take advantage of the warmer weather and head outdoors, the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the first ever Wyoming Community Health & Wellness Expo Saturday, March 5.

 

“Spring is a great time to focus on health and wellness,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming. “This event was created to inspire the community to prioritize their well-being, and connect them to local resources.

 

The free event will run from 1 – 3 pm. at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. About 20 different businesses, clubs and organizations from the Wyoming area will host tables and hand out samples, coupons, and other goodies. Fitness demonstrations, nutritious snacks, speakers, and health screenings will be some of the activities.

 

The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department will be offering a sampling of its fitness programs such as yoga, Zumba and line dancing, said Valarie Mester, a recreation programmer for the department.

 

“We offer a number of programs through our offerings at the senior center and through our youth and family programs,” Mester said, adding this is a chance for people to try these programs and see what they are like.

 

Also on hand will be Shape for Life Studios, 1290 36th St. SW. Through its partnership with the recreation department, Shape for Life Studios offers spin classes and personal training. Mester said the studio representatives will be bringing in spin bikes for participants to try. Another recreation department partner is Metro Health, which will be providing health information.

 

Several other city departments will be at the expo such as the city’s water department, which will be covering the topic of clean water, and both the fire and police departments will be on hand to talk about related health and safety issues.

 

“It’s really about getting people more active, thinking about the food that they are eating and making sure they are visiting their physicians for regular check ups and screenings,” Mester said.

 

While a brand new event, Mester said organizers are expecting between 200 to 400 participants this year which is based on the number of current participants in the Parks and Recreation Department’s programs.

 

“The event is free and open to anyone, both residents and non-residents,” Mester said.

 

For more about the Wyoming Community Health and Wellness Expo or other programs offered by the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or call 616-530-3164.