RSS Feedhttps:// RSS Feeden{C87BF8CC-A640-4A1D-9B0F-4DC788064376} Ways to Creatively Combat Summer Boredom<p> A common mistake parents make is providing their children with quick attention grabbers such as a movie or video game. But this is only a short-term fix. Instead, think of new, creative, innovative activities to stretch your child&rsquo;s imagination. Summer can be a time for your child to learn, grow, and discover through play. </p> As parents you can help your children get out of the slump of summer boredom and hone in on their creativity. When armed with some information and clever ideas, you can help make summer fun again for your children.<br /> <br /> A great way to stimulate your child&rsquo;s imagination is by asking open-ended questions. Allow enough time for your child to come up with a solution. When you let children come up with their own solutions to boredom, you help them develop important problem-solving skills. But just in case they are having a hard time coming up with something on their own, here are a few ideas to keep summer interesting.<br /> <br /> <strong>1. Obstacle Course</strong><br /> <br /> An obstacle course is a great way for children to be able to plan, create, and execute a fun activity. It is a way for children to be physically active, and engage in outdoor play. Obstacle courses can be easily created from items found in your home and yard, and can be adapted for children of varying ages and abilities. It is also a great way to involve friends and neighbors in a friendly competition.<br /> <br /> <strong>2. Scavenger Hunt</strong><br /> <br /> There are many ways to get creative with a scavenger hunt, but most important, it is a way for children to creatively be involved and engaged. Simply create a list of items for your child to locate. This can be a specific list of items, or it can be a description where children then use their creativity to find the items that match the description -- something round, something green, something rough. This can be done in the house with simple items or in nature and around the yard. <br /> <br /> Another variation for a scavenger hunt is to hide just one special item and set up a list of clues, which will lead you there. This can be more time consuming, for both you and your child, but it can also be rewarding as children work to solve the clues and eventually find the item.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. Idea Jar/Craft Box</strong><br /> <br /> This can be a creative activity for the beginning of the summer to plan for future summer activities. When the children help make and plan these activities, they take more pride in and are more excited about participating in them. Create an idea jar where you write different activities on craft sticks. When your child wants something to do, or is just feeling bored, they can pick a craft stick. <br /> <br /> Crafts are something that most children enjoy. Whether the crafts are simple or more complex, most children take great pride and satisfaction in their creations. Preparing craft kits takes some time and preparation to gather materials and assemble the kits, but it is a creative way to combat boredom and foster imagination.<br /> <p><strong>4. Lemonade Stand</strong> </p> A lemonade stand can be an exciting way to earn some money over the summer, and it teaches responsibility, work ethic, how to handle money, and even math and science skills by measuring and making the lemonade. They'll be learning and having fun at the same time. This becomes more of a learning experience for children if you have them earn the money to purchase supplies, or take out &ldquo;a loan&rdquo; then pay you back. Just a tip -- make sure they have plenty of ice; no one wants to buy warm lemonade on a hot summer day!<br /> <br /> <strong>5. Make A Movie</strong><br /> <br /> This is a creative way to beat summer boredom! We live in a technology-based society; children from a young age begin to understand how to operate all the gadgets. Why not let them use technology in a creative, imaginative, and exciting way. They can start by writing a script, then move on to casting, costuming, and filming. This can be a great way to involve friends and neighbors as well. To celebrate when it&rsquo;s finished, host a red carpet movie premiere and invite the participants.<br /> <br /> Beating summer boredom can take some preparation and imagination. Creativity is not something that always comes easily; in fact, it takes work. An important part of encouraging your child to combat boredom is to practice the art of creative thinking yourself. Have fun, get involved and embrace your &ldquo;inner child.&rdquo; As you do, your children will get more enjoyment and satisfaction out of the summer!Thu, 16 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{70A1602E-7478-48FB-BADD-7B341FA62DEE} Population Health the Holy Grail?<strong>What is Population Health? </strong>In simplest terms, Population Health is just what it says: providing for the health of a population. This is the work of Public Health Departments and is also what insurance companies have aimed to provide. In the context of healthcare reform, what we mean by Population Health is for healthcare provider organizations (healthcare systems, hospital organizations, physician groups) to take on the financial accountability for the health of a population. A payer, such as a health insurance plan, contracts with a provider organization to pay a set dollar amount for a covered population (such as a group of employees). The provider organization accepts financial accountability for the health of the population. A covered population can also be a defined group of Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, where the provider organization takes on financial accountability for members of the group. In this instance, the government will typically pay an insurance company a set amount of money for a given list of individuals. The insurance company then in turn contracts with providers (typically a healthcare system) to accept accountability for the health of all the individuals in the population.<br /> <br /> <strong>Who will Population Health help?</strong> If done well, Population Health will benefit everyone: individuals within the population, physicians who participate in these models, hospitals, and those who pay the bills, whether that is taxpayers (for government programs) or employers and individuals (for commercial insurance). All may benefit because this model aims to truly improve the health of the individuals included in the population&mdash;and to do it more cost-effectively compared to the current fee-for-service model.<br /> <br /> <strong>How will Population Health deliver on these promises?</strong> In and of itself, a provider organization&rsquo;s adoption of a Population Health model does not necessarily mean much. Two additional elements must be in place for the model to realize its enormous potential of better health, better care, and greater affordability. First, the provider organization must be thoroughly committed to achieving these aims and not merely see Population Health as a model to generate more revenue. Second, the provider organization will have to develop and deploy a challenging set of new competencies. <br /> <br /> In the Population Health model, patients will have more effective support to keep themselves healthy and to manage chronic illnesses. Also, the definition of &ldquo;patient&rdquo; will expand to include participants before they have a healthcare need. This will both improve health and save money. Physicians will have convenient access to more data &mdash; including costs and a more complete view of the patient&rsquo;s care history among different providers, hospitals, and clinics. This will enable them to treat patients much more effectively across time and locations rather than being focused on a single visit or series of visits related to a particular medical problem. Additionally, physicians will be paid for helping patients optimize their health, versus the fee-for-service model, which pays providers based on the volume of services provided. The new model shifts the focus to the quality of care and the outcome of better health, rather than on the quantity of care.<br /> <br /> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Is Population Health the Holy Grail? Not necessarily. Adopting such an approach requires a lot of work and a lot of change for healthcare organizations. But for those committed to improving health and affordability, Population Health represents the most promising model.<br />Thu, 16 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{064DBFB5-A5AF-44E7-B766-CC054719178A} Ring Injury Sidelines TV Talk Show Host Jimmy Fallon – Are You at Risk for Ring Avulsion?<p class="p1">The injury &ndash; called ring avulsion &ndash; occurred when Fallon tripped on a rug at home and snagged his ring on a countertop as he fell. The digit was bent completely sideways and required six hours of intricate surgery, including a vein transplant from his foot. Doctors were able to save the finger.</p> <p class="p1">Although Fallon made the injury seem like it wasn&rsquo;t a big deal, ring avulsion can be serious, resulting in possible amputation of the finger.</p> <p class="p1"><strong>Here&rsquo;s what happened.</strong></p> <p class="p1">&ldquo;My ring got caught on the countertop, got stuck there, and pulled my finger off!&rdquo; explained Fallon during his <a href="" target="_blank">Monday evening broadcast</a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;I&rsquo;m getting up and my finger is sideways. It looks completely fake, like a cheap horror movie where you see a broken finger &ndash; that&rsquo;s what it looks like.&rdquo;</p> <p class="p1"><strong>The Three Grades of Ring Avulsion</strong></p> <p class="p1">&ldquo;When a standard wedding ring is caught on something, chances are the skin and tissue will fail long before the ring,&rdquo; said Bill Gowski, MD, a hand and microvascular surgeon at <a href="" target="_blank">TOSH &ndash; The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital</a> in Murray, Utah.</p> <p class="p1">&ldquo;In a ring avulsion, the ring acts like a tourniquet and pulls tissue or skin off the finger. The injury can range from discoloration of the finger due to internal damage of the tissue, or complete removal of skin and tissue from the bone, known as de-gloving,&rdquo; added Dr. Gowski.</p> <p class="p1"><strong>Low Grade</strong> &ndash; The finger received some trauma and may experience swelling. However, there is blood flow to the finger, so treatment typically involves placing a splint and letting the injury heal.</p> <p class="p1"><strong>Medium Grade</strong> &ndash; During the fall, the artery in the finger was stretched and the inner layer of the artery is damaged, causing the blood to clot and restrict blood flow into the finger. Treatment would require an artery graft to replace the damaged one and restore blood flow to the finger.</p> <p class="p1"><strong>High Grade</strong> &ndash; The ring may actually de-glove the finger bone, removing skin and tissue completely off of the bone. In this instance, amputation is highly likely.</p> <p class="p1"><strong>Life After a Ring Avulsion Injury</strong></p> <p class="p1">If you suffer a ring avulsion, you should go to the emergency room so the injury can be evaluated and graded appropriately. You may be referred to a hand specialist who can evaluate and provide the best treatment option based on the grade of the injury.</p> <p class="p1">People who suffer a medium grade injury should get back 80% of the sensation in the finger, but physical therapy may be required to get back the full range of motion in the finger.</p> <p class="p1">&ldquo;In many cases, having a stiff finger long term is a likely outcome,&rdquo; said Dr Gowski. &ldquo;Jimmy may have trouble playing the guitar like he used to. The extent of recovery is typically dependent upon the severity of the initial injury. With therapy and the passage of time, he may be able to get the finger back to normal, but at the very least I would expect some minor deficits in motion and/or sensation.&rdquo;</p>Wed, 15 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{2E934BCA-7EA6-44E7-9BF6-3EC0A7235E44} on the Rise Between Utah and France Healthcare Systems<p>The U.S. health care system is often compared to European systems in unflattering terms, yet European countries are also under increasing pressure to increase their quality of care and efficiency. Many are looking to the United States for innovative, proven solutions. There is much that we can learn from each other. A newly formed collaboration involving Utah&rsquo;s Intermountain Healthcare and the French government is providing one vehicle for that learning. </p> <p>Last February, senior leaders from Intermountain were invited to France to meet with that nation&rsquo;s top health care officials, including the French vice-minister of health, senior government health policy leaders, physicians, and the leader of health insurance for the Paris region. At these meetings, French officials were keenly interested in how medical services are provided in Utah and in adopting many practices used here. </p> The rest of this article can be viewed here: <a href="" target="_blank"></a><br />Wed, 15 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{AD797964-FE91-4E3C-97AD-656267FD1885} Pace - An Introduction to Abnormal Heart RhythmsThe heart has a built-in electrical system, which consists of a pacemaker and a set of specialized structures that distribute the electrical signal to the heart muscle. Each time the pacemaker fires, the electrical signal is sent to every cell in the heart and tells them to beat in a precise sequence. The heart&rsquo;s pacemaker continuously monitors the body&rsquo;s activity level, and adjusts the heart rate according to the body&rsquo;s needs. While we are sleeping, the heart rate can slow to as slow as 40-50 beats a minute, and with exercise, can go as fast 180 to 200 beats a minute. Most of the time, we are hardly aware of this amazing organ pumping away in our chests, keeping us alive and monitoring us continuously. However, in some cases, the electrical system in the heart can act up. Instead of our usual, regular heartbeat, the heart can beat too slowly, too quickly or in a different sequence than usual. This is what cardiologists refer to as an arrhythmia. Fortunately, most arrhythmias are not dangerous; some, however may be dangerous or even life threatening. Electrophysiologists are cardiology specialists who deal with heart rhythm disorders. If you are diagnosed with an arrhythmia or experience palpitations, you may be referred to an electrophysiologist for evaluation and treatment.&nbsp; <p>There are many different types of arrhythmias. Some may be completely asymptomatic, whereas others can manifest with palpitations, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and rarely, loss of consciousness or even sudden death. SVT: Supraventricular Tachycardia&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>SVT:</strong> or supraventricular tachycardia, is a medical term for a fast heart rhythm that originates in the heart&rsquo;s upper chambers, or atria (hence supraventricular because the arrhythmia comes from above the ventricles). No one knows exactly why some people get SVT and others do not, but we know that there are a few types of SVT.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>AVNRT and AVRT:</strong> extra loops of electrical circuitry in the heart AVNRT, or A-V Node Reentrant Tachycardia, and AVRT, or atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia, are two common types of SVT. Both are caused by an electrical &ldquo;short circuit&rdquo; when the electrical signal starts spreading to the heart, but then ends up going around and around in a loop, making the heart beat quickly. People often experience palpitations because of the rapid heart rate and the irregular sequence of contraction of the atria and ventricles. The episodes usually last from one to several minutes. The episodes can come on at any time, and patients often find that they can break the episodes on their own by holding their breath or bearing down. AVNRT and AVRT are not dangerous rhythms, but can cause very bothersome symptoms such as palpitations, lightheadedness and weakness. Fortunately, this rhythm can be easily treated with either medications or using a catheter-based procedure that is extremely effective in eliminating this rhythm.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>AT:</strong> An alternate pacemaker takes over AT, or atrial tachycardia, is caused by a different area of the atria taking over the hearts pacemaker function and beating very quickly. There is no loop of electrical activity, but a different focus in the heart starts acting up. The symptoms can be very similar to AVNRT or AVRT, and again, either medication or catheter ablation can be very effective.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Atrial Fibrillation: A growing epidemic</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias that cardiologists treat. There are more than two million people in the United States with this condition, and that number is expected to double over the coming decades as the population ages. In atrial fibrillation, the atria have no single pacemaker. Their electrical activity is completely chaotic, beating almost 600 times a minute. As a result, the rate of the ventricles can be very rapid. People with atrial fibrillation may be symptomatic, but many people experience palpitations from the rapid rate, or shortness of breath, fatigue, or passing out. Some people experience short bursts of fibrillation (called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), and others have it for longer periods of time (called persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation). The longer your atrial fibrillation is untreated, the greater the odds that your fibrillation will become persistent or permanent.&nbsp; </p> <p>Atrial fibrillation is important not only because of the symptoms it causes, but also because when the atria are fibrillating, blood flow through them can be sluggish and non-uniform. This is a risk factor for forming clots in the atrium, which can dislodge and cause a stroke. Your physician can determine how high that risk is, and whether you should go on a blood thinner. In addition, you may need to take a medication to control your heart rate, or an antiarrhytmic medication to prevent the atrial fibrillation. If you cannot take an antiarrhythmic, or the atrial fibrillation is very bothersome to you, your electrophysiologist can do a procedure called a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to control your atrial fibrillation. At McKay-Dee, cardiologists use both traditional catheter ablation to perform this procedure, as well as a novel technique called cryoballoon isolation, a proven technique that makes the procedure shorter.&nbsp; </p> <p>The more we learn about atrial fibrillation, the more we learn that it is related to other medical conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, obesity and sleep apnea are all associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation. Your cardiologist or electrophysiologist will discuss managing these important medical conditions with you.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Ventricular Rhythms</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Unlike SVT, which originates in the upper chambers of the heart, there are abnormal rhythms that originate in the lower chambers, the ventricles. Most common are PVCs, or premature ventricular contractions. These are extra heart beats that come from the lower chambers. They are commonly felt as &ldquo;skipped beats&rdquo; or &ldquo;extra heart beats.&rdquo; PVCs for the most part are not dangerous, however, too many PVCs can actually weaken the heart. If you have very bothersome PVCs, or if you have a lot of them, you may need to be evaluated more thoroughly. As with other arrhythmias, you can be managed with either a catheter-based procedure or with medications.&nbsp; </p> <p>Ventricular tachycardia is a continuous series of ventricular beats. This rhythm can be dangerous, since in some patients the heart does not pump blood to the brain and other organs; in this case the patient will lose consciousness, or can even die. Fortunately, ventricular tachycardia is not a common arrhythmia. It occurs most often in patients with preexisting heart disease. If you have had ventricular tachycardia, or if you have a history of heart disease, you may be referred to an electrophysiologist. Ventricular tachycardia can be treated using catheter ablation. In some cases where the risk of recurrent ventricular tachycardia is high, your electrophysiologist may discuss implanting an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) device. This device is implanted under the skin near your shoulder, and it monitors your hearts rhythm. If it detects a dangerous rhythm like ventricular tachycardia, it can shock your heart into normal rhythm.&nbsp; </p> <p>Ventricular fibrillation is a completely chaotic rhythm with no organized electrical activity or organized contraction of the heart. Because the ventricles are the main pumping chambers of the heart, ventricular fibrillation results in immediate loss of blood flow. Patients with ventricular fibrillation will suddenly lose consciousness and require immediate CPR and an electric shock delivered through a defibrillator to survive. Ventricular fibrillation can be caused by heart attack, among other causes. When someone &ldquo;drops dead&rdquo; of a heart attack, it&rsquo;s often because of ventricular fibrillation. This is why when you see someone collapse suddenly, it&rsquo;s so important to start CPR right away and get an external defibrillator, since the only way to treat ventricular fibrillation is using an electric shock, or cardioversion, to convert the heart to a normal rhythm.&nbsp; </p> <p>The vast majority of all heart arrhythmias can be easily and effectively treated. With new advances and technology in the field of electrophysiology, you can now start with medications or opt for a catheter-based procedure to treat your arrhythmia in most cases.&nbsp; </p> <p>Hopefully, you never have a heart rhythm problem, but if you do, you can rest assured that the providers at McKay-Dee Heart Rhythm Specialists are trained in the latest techniques, technologies and procedures in electrophysiology, and we are always willing and able to help you. </p>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{8217EA8C-18B6-4975-92F4-1D1986F7D7CF} Diagnosed to Doctor - A Physician with personal experience<em>Every physician gathers experience and knowledge in their field, but few receive personal experience in their specialty. I&rsquo;ve been on both sides of the endoscopy table. My story includes sacrifice, empathy, positivity and family; but above all, it&rsquo;s a story of brotherly love.</em>&nbsp; <p>In a way, I began my gastroenterology career many years before med school. I was in Frankfurt, Germany, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when I first experienced several symptoms that I now provide medical care for: I felt extremely fatigued, suffered abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant, had bright orange urine and jaundiced skin. Something was clearly abnormal. After a week in a Frankfurt hospital, physicians ruled out viral hepatitis and began suspecting Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a longterm, chronic disease that attacks bile ducts and can eventually deplete liver function. Thankfully, the disease progresses slowly, so I completed my mission with only a few bouts of nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice.&nbsp; </p> <p>Once physicians in the United States confirmed the PCS diagnosis post-mission, I more fully comprehended the meaning of the acronym. I learned that the disease affects men more than women; and that only six out of every 100,000 people have it. For any football fans, I found out that PSC is the same autoimmune disease that Chicago Bears football great Gary Payton died from. Plus, I began to seriously consider the complications and consequences associated with the disease, like infections, liver failure, and bile duct and colon cancer. Most dramatically, I realized that a new liver was the only sure way to beat the disease &hellip; But I wasn&rsquo;t ready for a liver transplant &hellip; yet.&nbsp; </p> <p>After a few more years, I completed my bachelor&rsquo;s degree, married my sweetheart and moved to Phoenix, Ariz. to attend medical school. I instinctively felt compelled to study the same anatomy being annihilated in my own body &ndash; knowing that my personal experience would someday instill a tremendous amount of empathy for future patients. By the time I reached my second year in med school, my trusted physician explained that the PSC had progressed significantly. With scarred bile ducts and an impeded liver, I wasn&rsquo;t considered sick enough to qualify for a liver transplant from a deceased donor, but I was at an ideal stage for a living donor transplant. That&rsquo;s when an immeasurable amount of love poured in.&nbsp; </p> <p>To offer someone else a vital organ is an awe-inspiring gift. Several friends and family members volunteered their livers in my behalf. It turned out that both my younger sister and brother matched my blood type; and since my brother&rsquo;s body size complements mine, the physicians deemed him as the best donor match.&nbsp; </p> <p>My brother Kyle is five years younger than me, and growing up as the only boys in our family, we&rsquo;ve always been best friends. By providing me with a little more than half of his liver, he became more than my best friend &ndash; he became a type of personal savior. A savior is described as an individual who does something for a person that the person can&rsquo;t do for themselves. I couldn&rsquo;t grow or provide myself with a new liver, and would have died without my brother&rsquo;s intervening gift. Every day, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his sacrifice and brotherly love.&nbsp; </p> <p>Approaching the transplant, I felt deep concern about my brother&rsquo;s health. Removing the liver comes with great risks, and sadly, there have been similar cases when the healthy donor died and the recipient lived. That became my darkest nightmare. On the other hand, my brother&rsquo;s main concern focused on me and my health; as he knew that transplanting the liver is one of the biggest and most involved abdominal surgeries in existence.&nbsp; </p> <p>Nevertheless, our faith overcame our fear. The transplant took place at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. by a fabulous team of physicians and medical staff. With their medical expertise, and with much prayer, fasting, and support from family and friends, the transplant proved successful. It took my brother about three months to fully recuperate his energy, and about that same amount of time for his liver to regenerate to normal size. Amazingly, I missed more than a month of med school and still walked with my class at graduation.&nbsp; </p> <p>On Dec. 1, 2014, we celebrated the ten year anniversary of our transplant. Looking back, it&rsquo;s obvious that the event stands as a pivotal and defining moment in my life, as well as my brother&rsquo;s. I believe we are stronger brothers, friends and physicians because of this trial.&nbsp; </p> <p>After the transplant, both my brother and I became gastroenterologists; as it seemed natural and necessary to share our knowledge and experience with others in similar circumstances. Today, we feel blessed to serve patients who we relate to on a variety of levels &ndash; emotional, mental and physical. We relate to the worrisome thoughts that come at night, we understand the family conversations that focus on health, and we foresee many questions patients ponder. We&rsquo;ve felt similar fears, and also similar joys that come with medical care. I know that this empathy makes us better physicians, and I marvel at the many times our experiences provide benefit for others.&nbsp;</p> <p>For example, I recently cared for a single young woman, less than 30 years old, who was at risk for colon cancer. Best practice protocols recommend removal of the colon in high risk situations; and if it&rsquo;s low risk, patients have the choice to either remove the colon or continue with a vast number of random biopsies in six months. The thought of having her colon extracted, and therefore being permanently attached to a bag in order to remove bodily waste, left my patient sobbing tears of despair. And, oh, how I could relate to her initial shock and worries.&nbsp; </p> <p>A few years after my transplant, I too needed a colectomy (due to ulcerative colitis, a common consequence of PSC). I empathized with this young woman&rsquo;s fears, and pacified some of them. In sharing my story with her, I assured her that an active lifestyle can continue even when a person is required to wear a bag of bodily waste near the front of the abdomen. As the conversation progressed, the young woman&rsquo;s tears dried, she began to breathe more deeply and her head wrapped around the concept. She realized she could still experience a relatively normal, high quality life; and she walked away from the appointment with hope.&nbsp; </p> <p>My wise brother notes that some people receive trials in life, while other people choose them &ndash; but either way, we all face difficulties. He&rsquo;s spot on. In our circumstance, he chose to become a living liver donor, while I received the lot of recipient &ndash; either way, we both faced something difficult. I&rsquo;ve found the most rewarding results come by transforming trials into beneficial experiences for others. And bottom line, that&rsquo;s why I dedicate my time and talents to metamorphosing the brotherly love given to me into brotherly love and the best quality healthcare for the patients I serve.</p>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{97BFF2AB-836F-4A50-83BE-B8F6B48F3C91} Tips to Keep You Safe in the Great Outdoors<p>Crews from the Intermountain Life Flight air rescue programs are kept busy every summer helping people who&rsquo;ve become stranded on a ledge or are injured from a fall while in the backcountry. </p> <p>Their advice: &nbsp;Follow the Boy Scout motto of &ldquo;Be Prepared&rsquo; &ndash; it just may save your life. </p> <p>Here are four safety tips from Life Flight paramedic Cathie Cooper you should consider before heading out into the wilderness and beyond:</p> <p><strong>1. First and foremost: </strong>Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back so that in the event of injury or illness they know where you are and when to seek help.</p> <p><strong>2. Make wise decisions before you head out</strong></p> <p>-Ask yourself: Are you in proper physical condition for the trip?</p> <p>-Plan to stay hydrated - take water (maybe even a water filter).</p> <p>-Wear proper clothing and footwear.</p> <p>-Pack the "<a href="" target="_blank">10 Essentials</a>".</p> <p>-Know how to find the safest route if you&rsquo;re hiking; avoid hazardous terrain.</p> <p>-Know the weather forecast for the area.</p> <p><strong>3. Consider the consequences of the decisions you make while you&rsquo;re in the backcountry</strong></p> <p>-Always stay with your group &ndash; don&rsquo;t wander off alone</p> <p>-Be cautious when jumping or running on rough terrain, or when swimming</p> <p>-Avoid risky situations, like off-trail traveling or scrambling</p> <p>-Control your ego &ndash; you don&rsquo;t have to prove yourself to anyone by doing something stupid</p> <p>-Be responsible for yourself, partners and children</p> <p><strong>4. If you have a problem, remember that a rescue may take a while &ndash; so pack food, water, clothing and other resources you may need. Here&rsquo;s why: </strong></p> <ol> <li>It takes time for search and rescue teams to deploy</li> <li>Other factors that may delay a rescue include weather, terrain, and time of day or night</li> </ol> <p>Just like the Boy Scouts, being prepared before entering the backcountry may mean the difference between life and death.</p>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{FB591E23-6663-4F2D-810F-3AC5B4B0DAA2} or FLU Why the Difference MattersCough, congestion, body aches, fever. These are some of the most common symptoms seen in primary and urgent care offices, especially in the so-called &ldquo;cold and flu season&rdquo; of the winter months. Patients young and old feel miserable, but wonder if they should even make the expensive, time consuming and often less than productive visit to the doctor. Here are some key markers to distinguish between a regular cold or the influenza virus, and tips to prepare for the season ahead.&nbsp; <p><strong>The Common Cold</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Viruses are microscopic infectious organisms that are generally very contagious. There isn&rsquo;t just one virus that causes the common cold, but rather an entire group such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, and metapneumovirus. Such viruses are associated with a variety of symptoms like runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, fever and body aches. To date, medical science has produced very limited treatment options for colds. Most over-the-counter medications have, at best, modest effects on symptoms. Antibiotics don&rsquo;t treat colds and vaccines to prevent the cold don&rsquo;t exist. Luckily, for us, our immune system is our greatest defense against the common cold.&nbsp; </p> <p>A typical cold will last on average three to 10 days. The majority of the symptoms are actually not caused by the infection itself, but rather our body&rsquo;s immune system trying get rid of it. Most cold viruses will go away if we are patient and give our bodies time to fight them. Secondary bacterial infections are possible, such as ear infections, sinus infections and pneumonia. These are usually the culprits when someone with a cold abruptly gets worse or remains sick beyond the typical 10 days of a regular cold. At this point, an antibiotic can be helpful and it may be time to see your physician.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Influenza</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>In contrast, there are some viruses like influenza that are much more aggressive and even fatal. Influenza, or flu, is generally characterized by a sudden onset of high fever (102 to 103 F), body aches and cough. Flu can cause all of the same symptoms as cold viruses, but typically to a much greater degree. Flu is a truly miserable experience for anyone who contracts this illness. Similar to cold viruses, there isn&rsquo;t a cure. Different from cold viruses, there are options for treatment and prevention. Flu is an often misunderstood illness. Here are five ways to understand the flu a little better.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>1. FLU DOES NOT CAUSE VOMITING &amp; DIARRHEA</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Influenza is a respiratory illness. Although people can have vomiting and diarrhea, this is neither typical nor common. This common misconception can lead people to misunderstand what flu is really like, when to seek care, and what flu vaccination prevents. Acute vomiting and diarrhea is frequently caused by a virus, but it&rsquo;s not the flu virus.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. FLU CAN BE FATAL</strong>&nbsp; </p> <p>Estimates of annual flu-associated deaths in the United States since 1976 range from a low of about 3,000 people in 1986-87 to a high of about 49,000 people in 2003-04, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Certain people are at higher risk for complications from flu including older people, infants, children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical problems (heart disease, asthma, diabetes, etc.). However, it is possible for people in great health to get flu and end up very sick, hospitalized, and possibly pass away within a matter of days. This is tragic. Flu is a serious illness that deserves the attention we give it each year.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>3. Flu Is Preventable</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Vaccination is the best way to way to prevent flu. Each year, vaccines are produced to protect against three to four flu virus strains, based on previous years, previous epidemics and what the CDC predicts will be active. Annual vaccination is necessary because flu virus is remarkable for its high rates of mutation, making it difficult for our immune systems to protect against new variants.&nbsp;</p> <p>Vaccines are available in different forms, including shots and nasal sprays. Selecting the vaccine that is best for you is something to discuss with your physician. Vaccination is recommended for anyone age 6 months and older. Vaccines typically become available in October, and early vaccination is recommended to allow your body time to produce immunity prior to flu outbreaks. Vaccination is effective. It is estimated to reduce mortality by 41 percent (as high as 75 percent reduction for those previously vaccinated, but as low as 9 percent for those being vaccinated for the first time).&nbsp; </p> <p>The most common reasons patients decline to be vaccinated are 1) &ldquo;I never get the flu,&rdquo; and 2) &ldquo;The flu vaccine makes me sick.&rdquo; To the first point, flu can affect anyone, even if a patient has been lucky so far. To the second, post-vaccine symptoms are actually an immune response, showing that they are producing immunity to the virus, and thus will be protected. This response is generally much less than they would experience if they actually got sick.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>4. TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>As mentioned above, doctors don&rsquo;t have any good treatments for cold viruses. We do, however, have a few anti-virals that are useful for influenza. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) are recommended for severe infections (hospitalization, pneumonia), individuals at high-risk of complications, and others deemed appropriate by physicians. Treatment must be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset to be effective. Although these are not curative drugs, their use has been shown to reduce duration, severity and complications of influenza. If you think you have the flu, seek care early.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>5. FLU IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>We don&rsquo;t really know why flu comes back each winter, year after year. It typically starts abruptly, peaking within 2-3 weeks, but then lingers for a few months. We do know that the virus is carried in respiratory secretions, and spread by things like coughing and sneezing. Close contact, less than 6 feet, is usually required, but viruses can live on skin and other surfaces and spread through contact with these. People are thought to be contagious one day before and up to five days after symptoms start. Flu is very contagious. If you get sick, seek care, but otherwise, stay home. Frequent hand washing and covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing is necessary to reduce spread of this pesky virus.&nbsp; </p> <p>Please remember, cold and flu season is coming. The time to get ready is now. Colds are generally mild, require little to no treatment, and go away with the help of our miraculous immune system. Flu is a more serious respiratory viral infection for which there are preventative and treatment options available. Get vaccinated, but if you get the flu, see your doctor to discuss testing and treatment. </p>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{4B4BA792-2BAB-4FD4-B936-9FC0AC549229} Cancer - Proper Screening Saves LivesOriginally pioneered in the early 1900s by Greek physician Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou, the Pap smear picks up mild, early changes that can be treated years before the human papiloma virus, or HPV, actually causes cervical cancer.&nbsp; <p><strong>What exactly is a Pap smear?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many patients confuse a Pap smear with a a pelvic exam, which is when a speculum is placed in the vagina and a healthcare provider checks the size and shape of the uterus and ovaries. A Pap smear or cervical cytology is a test that requires a healthcare provider to sample cells on the cervix using a flexible brush after a speculum is placed. So, a woman may have a pelvic exam in the emergency department or physician office without having cervical cancer screening. It is important to review your records or ask your healthcare provider if you are up to date on your Pap smear.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>HPV is very common. Nearly all sexually active people are exposed to it at some point in their lives. It is spread by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It can be spread even when the infected partner doesn&rsquo;t have any signs or symptoms. While condoms can decrease the chance of infection, there are areas that are not covered by a condom so complete protection is not guaranteed. Even if a woman has just one sexual partner, her risk of HPV infection is about 10 to 20 percent. Symptoms can develop years after the exposure, so it is often difficult to know when infection occurs.&nbsp;</p> <p>Certain high-risk types of HPV (16, 18, 45, 31, 33, 52, 58 and 35) account for 95 percent of cervical cancers. Most HPV infections are temporary and the immune system can clear the virus. However, a small percentage of women will have a persistent infection lasting two years or longer and these are more likely to lead to severe changes on the cervix or cancer. Having a suppressed immune system, the HIV virus or smoking cigarettes all increase the risk of having a persistent infection more likely to lead to cervical dysplasia.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>When do I need cervical cancer screening?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>In the past, cervical cancer screening recommendation was to have a Pap smear yearly. <strong>For most patients, the new recommendations are:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Start screening at 21 years of age (regardless of age of first intercourse). Cervical cancer before this age is very rare.&nbsp;</p> <p>- 21-29 years of age, cervical cytology (Pap smear) without HPV testing every three years&nbsp;</p> <p>- 30-65 years of age cervical cytology (Pap smear) PLUS high-risk HPV testing every five years is preferred; another option is to have a Pap more frequently (every three years) without high-risk HPV testing.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Why the Change?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Large-scale studies sow that normal Pap smear results in patients younger than 30 or in older patients who don&rsquo;t have high-risk HPV have such a low chance of developing cervical cancer that they can go 3-5 years until their next cervical cancer screening. Studies show that yearly Pap smears double or triple the interventions such as biopsies or procedures to remove part of the cervix without preventing cancer of the cervix.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even with mildly abnormal results, 90% of adolescents and 75% of adult Pap smears will normalize. Screening women less than 30 years of age for high-risk HPV is therefore not helpful because it so often resolves and testing might lead to increased unnecessary interventions.&nbsp;</p> <p>Don&rsquo;t forget, screening tests are for patients who are not having any symptoms. If you are having irregular periods, bleeding after intercourse, bleeding after menopause or other concerns, these symptoms need to be evaluated even if the most recent Pap test was normal. Make an appointment if you are having problems.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What if my test is abnormal?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>For some women, an examination with a colposcope (an instrument that allows a closer look at the cervix) and a biopsy maybe recommended after an abnormal Pap. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) describes the extent of the abnormality of the cells. CIN 1 is mild, CIN 2 indicates moderate changes and CIN 3 means severe changes that are more likely to lead to cervical cancer.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Special Circumstances</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>For women who have had a hysterectomy with removal of their cervix and no history of CIN 2 or higher, there is no need for future screening and HPV testing. Such women with a history of CIN 2 or higher should continue to be screened. Women who have had their uterus removed but not the cervix should continue routine cervical cancer screening.&nbsp;</p> <p>In addition, women who have risk factors for cervical cancer need more frequent cervical cytology screening. Such factors include:&nbsp;</p> <p>- A suppressed immune system (following organ transplant or on medication for systemic lupus erythematous)&nbsp;</p> <p>- Being exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero&nbsp;</p> <p>- An HIV infection&nbsp;</p> <p>- Previously having CIN 2 or CIN 3 or cervical cancer&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>When can I stop having Pap smears?</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>After age 65, screening can be discontinued if a woman&lsquo;s last three Pap smears were normal (or last two Pap smears show negative high-risk HPV testing in the last 10 years) and she doesn&rsquo;t have a history of severe changes in her cervix (CIN 2 or 3). Women with a history of CIN 2 or CIN 3 need screening for 20 years regardless of age.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fighting HPV</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>In addition to regular screening, women can proactively fight HPV and cervical cancer. The recommendation is clear that boys and girls should receive the HPV vaccine at 11-12 years of age. If men and women under the age of 27 have not yet received the vaccine, they should. The vaccine provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. For now, Pap smear screening recommendations are the same for women who have received the vaccine.&nbsp;</p> <p>Anything that disrupts your immune system from fighting off viruses could allow HPV to cause more problems. For instance, smoking quadruples a woman&rsquo;s risk for cervical cancer. By maximizing your nutrition, rest and general health, you can do your part in fighting HPV.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Don&rsquo;t neglect your gynecologist!</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Even though you likely won&rsquo;t need to have Pap smears as often as in the past, yearly exams are still recommended for many reasons. Schedule your appointment today!</p>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600{B133A34B-DA72-46D4-BBFA-0BD85F16D056} Will Experience Back Pain, but What Can be Done<p>Whether working in the garden or shoveling snow, back pain can happen at any time of the year.&nbsp; It is important to know what to do and what to expect.&nbsp; For many people back pain is a constant thing, there is help for those individuals as well.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> <p>Most low back pain is acute, or short term, and lasts a few days to a few weeks. It tends to resolve on its own with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. The majority of acute low back pain is mechanical in nature, meaning that there is a disruption in the way the components of the back (the spine, muscle, intervertebral discs, and nerves) fit together and move.</p> <p> </p> <p>A recent poll found 40 percent of Utahns had no idea where to go when their back isn't feeling well, and bed rest is often a bad idea. Doing nothing sometimes does not help, laying in bed is sometimes the worst thing you can do for a back problem.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>What to do when you experience a back injury?</strong></p> <p>Get in to see your doctor or physical therapist soon after the injury. Treatment started quickly after the injury has a better chance for quicker results. Most of the time bed rest is one of the worst things you can do after a back injury and leads to longer more severe pain.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>What causes of back pain?</strong></p> <p>There are many causes of back injury however it is very common to occur when lifting something with poor body mechanics. There is usually a combination of factors related to flexibility, core strength, and general posture. People who get back pain vary from elite athletes with high demands on their back, to sedentary individuals who lack the strength and posture to properly support their spine.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Do most people need an MRI for their back pain?</strong></p> <p>Your doctor can determine the need for an MRI however, an MRI is not necessary for the vast majority of people suffering from back pain. Imaging often does not show the cause of back pain and treatment is typically best determined by a physical exam.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What can be expected when someone is treated for back pain?</strong></p> <p>Therapists will identify motion restrictions as well as areas of weakness in supporting muscles. Treatment often consists of the therapists proving techniques to restore joint mobility as well as specific exercises targeted at the core muscles.&nbsp; Early restoration of joint mobility has been shown to yield very positive improvements. Posture and proper instruction in lifting mechanics is very important as well.&nbsp; For a sudden bout of low back pain resolution can often be expected between 4-6 weeks</p> <p><strong>What can People do to prevent back pain?</strong></p> <p>Weight management and keeping a good fitness level is important. Maintaining proper lifting techniques and avoiding repetitive bending and lifting through the back is also important.&nbsp; Back braces should never be worn long term as they create dependency and weaken the muscles making it more likely to have a more serious injury.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="" target="_blank">TOSH Back and Neck Center</a> in Murray can help. It's kind of an InstaCare for back and neck pain patient. The center tries to see most patients within one to two days. The idea is to get people in immediately, diagnose their pain and get them the help they need in less time.</p> <p> </p> <p>Staffed by a nurse practitioner, a physical therapist and an educational psychologist, the TOSH Back &amp; Neck Center uses a multi-faceted approach to evaluate and treat patients. Rapid, triage-style assessments help determine the source of pain, and patients can then immediately transition to the appropriate spine care specialist who establishes a plan for pain management through medication, physical therapy and education. Because the center is located within TOSH, patients are able to obtain same-day or next-day access to the facility's state-of-the-art diagnostic services, including X-ray, MRI and CT scanners.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>Mon, 13 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0600