RSS Feedhttps:// RSS Feeden{46646551-BA95-43FE-929D-1776ECE808B4} Mammography Provides the Best in Breast Imaging<p>Life is busy and as women, we&rsquo;re juggling a lot of responsibilities. All too often, our own health falls to the bottom of the &ldquo;to do&rdquo; list and is not a top priority. <a href="" target="_blank">Utah women continue to rank among the lowest in the nation</a> for getting their annual screening mammogram. </p> <p>While some women say they don&rsquo;t have enough time, others are fearful of what the results will be. But a screening mammogram is still the most effective way to find breast cancer early &mdash; when it&rsquo;s the most treatable.</p> <p>3D mammography, or breast tomosynthesis, is a relatively new breast imaging procedure that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration five years ago. This technology captures layered images of the breast from several angles. Similar to turning pages in a book, physicians are then able to use these layered images to examine the breast tissue more accurately &ndash; one layer at a time. </p> <p>"It improves our ability to catch cancer early," explains <a href="/find-a-doctor/c/cardall-seth-y/" target="_blank">Seth Cardall</a>, a radiologist at <a href="/locations/utah-valley-hospital/" target="_blank">Utah Valley Hospital</a>. "It also reduces the chances of people having to come back in to get a second screening."</p> <p>As Dr. Cardall suggests, the accuracy of 3D mammograms often eliminates the need for a second screening appointment, something that can save women the worry and hassle associated with a false positive screening. </p> <h3>Early Detection</h3> <p>Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer, and 3D mammograms detect cancerous tissues earlier than any other procedure. Research has shown 3D mammography detects 41 percent more of invasive breast cancers, which are usually those that have spread outside of the milk duct into surrounding, healthy tissue. It makes the fine details more visible, helping the physician make a more accurate diagnosis and reducing the number of additional tests or biopsies needed. </p> <h3>Are 3D Mammograms for Everyone? </h3> <p>All women who should be undergoing a standard mammogram are also eligible for a 3D mammogram. If you&rsquo;re 40 or older, you should have one every year. Those worried about increased risk (exposure to radiation, etc.) will be happy to know the x-ray dose, compression, and overall patient experience of a 3D mammogram is similar to that of the traditional 2D. </p> <p>While 3D mammography can be used for routine screening mammography, research suggests that it may be particularly effective for women with dense breast tissue. Clinical studies have shown, however, that all women can benefit from 3D mammography &ndash; regardless of age and breast type or density.</p>Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{54FB02D9-2A29-45A2-98CB-F961CCB31090} Research Teams Receive Intermountain Stanford Grant Award<p style="margin-top: 0in;">&ldquo;The Intermountain-Stanford grant program is part of an exciting collaboration between Intermountain and Stanford that began almost two years ago and is focused on advancing clinical care best practices, education and training and clinical research in heart disease, cancer, and other conditions. The purpose of the grant award is to spearhead and accelerate research between the two organizations and support innovative projects in research, patient care, and medical education&rdquo; says Laura Kaiser, Intermountain Healthcare&rsquo;s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;">&ldquo;Our collaboration will foster those scientific discoveries that have potential to improve patient care in both institutions,&rdquo; says David Larson, MD, MBA, co-chair of the Intermountain-Stanford Collaborative Committee and Stanford University School of Medicine&rsquo;s Associate Professor of Pediatric Radiology and Associate Chair of Performance Improvement in the Department of Radiology.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;">The seed grants, up to $75,000 each, were awarded to projects that will be jointly led by principal investigators from Intermountain and Stanford, and will take effect on November 1, 2016. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;">The seven selected projects focus on genomics, machine learning, biomarkers and epidemiology, biomarkers closer to basic science research, networks of care, infectious disease, and telemedicine. Although they&rsquo;re from diverse clinical areas, all the studies are designed to improve patient care. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;">Following are the names of the grant recipients and their project titles: </p> <ul> <li style="color: black;">Whole-genome DNA sequencing of stage-3 colorectal cancer &mdash; Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, Intermountain precision genomics; James Ford, MD, associate professor of oncology and of genetics at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Baseline assessment of hand hygiene practices and ICU microbiology &mdash; Bill Beninati, MD, Intermountain critical care medicine; Arnold Milstein, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Developing a precision-based approach for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the community &mdash; Kirk Knowlton, MD, Intermountain cardiovascular medicine; Francois Haddad, MD, clinical associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Translational approaches to the mechanisms of septic cardiomyopathy &mdash; Samuel Brown, MD, Intermountain critical care medicine; Euan Ashley, MRCP, DPhil, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Implementation and evaluation of graduating from pediatric to adult care &mdash; Aimee Hersh, MD, department of pediatrics, University of Utah and Intermountain&rsquo;s Primary Children&rsquo;s Hospital; Korey Hood, PhD, clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Impact of donor-derived BK virus infection and immune recovery in kidney transplant recipients &mdash; Diane Alonso, MD, Intermountain transplant services; Benjamin Pinsky, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pathology and of infectious diseases at Stanford.</li> <li style="color: black;">Development and implementation of a digital health-care program for patients with atrial fibrillation &mdash; Jared Bunch, MD, Intermountain heart-rhythm services; Mintu Turakhia, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford.</li> </ul> <p>&ldquo;We are privileged to collaborate with the Stanford University School of Medicine, a premier medical school and worldwide leader in science and research,&rdquo; says Raj Srivastava, MD, MPH, co-chair of the Intermountain-Stanford Collaborative Committee and AVP of Research at Intermountain Healthcare. &ldquo;We are excited to see these initial projects launch, foster new scientific collaborations focused on improving patient care, and set the stage for the healthcare transformation potential from the Intermountain-Stanford grant program.&rdquo;</p> <p>Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of&nbsp;22 hospitals,&nbsp;185 clinics,&nbsp;a Medical Group with some 1,300 employed physicians, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare through high quality and sustainable costs.&nbsp; For more information about Intermountain, visit <a href=""></a>, read our blogs at&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/jquam/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/KPUUBBS3/"></a>, connect with us on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/jquam/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/KPUUBBS3/"></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;on Facebook at <a href=""></a>.</p>Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{D2735230-9D56-4D01-BBB7-4E01F89D9BD8} Diabetic Diet: Food Is Not the Enemy <p>An estimated <a href="" target="_self">422 million people are living with diabetes</a> in the world today &mdash; a number that&rsquo;s expected to grow significantly in coming years due in part to lifestyle choices and diets that are heavy in sugar and other unhealthy foods.</p> <p>If you have diabetes, watching what you eat is by far one of the most important ways you can stay healthy. The goal should be to avoid spikes in your blood sugar (blood glucose levels). Some people think that means completely avoiding sugar and carbohydrates, which isn&rsquo;t entirely accurate. In fact, people typically need 40-60 percent of their calories to come from carbohydrates. But the amount and consistency of carbohydrates in a diabetic diet makes the biggest difference in controlling blood glucose levels.</p> <p>As a diabetic, you can and should eat a wide variety of foods. So instead of focusing on eliminating certain foods from your diet, work to eat more vegetables and fruits and less fats and sugars &mdash; and pay close attention to portion size. For example, it&rsquo;s probably okay to eat peaches, melons, and dried fruits if you&rsquo;re careful not to eat too much. These basic healthy eating practices are key, along with establishing a regular exercise routine. Establishing lasting healthy behaviors is much more important than focusing on how much weight you need to lose right now and the foods you should eliminate from your diet.</p> <p>Be care about certain foods if you&rsquo;re diabetic. Again, this doesn&rsquo;t mean you should entirely eliminate these foods from your diet; it just means you should be more mindful about how often you eat them, and watch portion sizes more carefully.</p> <p>Here are a few examples, along with suggestions for what you could try instead.</p> <h3>Fatty Meat</h3> <p>Meat is a good source of protein, which should be part of a balanced diet. However, people with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, which means they should <a href="" target="_self">avoid eating fatty meats</a> such as red meat, processed meat that&rsquo;s high in sodium, or any meat that&rsquo;s fried or breaded.</p> <p>Seafood and chicken are a great source of protein and are often lower in saturated fats. Also consider plant-based protein such as peas, beans, and soy.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: </strong><a href="" target="_self"><strong>How the Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <h3>White Rice</h3> <p>A diet high in whole-grain foods &ndash; such as healthy rice options &ndash; has been associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke. White rice and some pasta are particularly high in carbohydrates, which can easily cause a spike in blood sugar.</p> <p>In fact, even if you aren&rsquo;t diabetic, <a href="" target="_self">white rice can actually increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes</a>. In a 2010 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers showed that participants who ate more than five servings of white rice per week increased their risk of type 2 diabetes by 11 percent.</p> <p>If you love the taste and texture of rice, try whole-grain rice, brown rice, or even Basmati rice, which are more nutritious and don't lead to the same blood sugar spikes as white rice.</p> <h3>Breakfast Pastries</h3> <p>We all occasionally hear the call of toaster pastries, doughnuts, and bakery delights in the morning, but if you&rsquo;re diabetic and want to keep your blood sugar levels in check, use caution. These sweets tend to be brimming with extra sugar and they're usually made from processed white flour, which means they're high in carbohydrates and sodium.</p> <p>Remember portion control. It may be okay to have a couple bites of that maple bar, but avoid eating the entire thing. Instead, try a whole-grain English muffin or a brown-rice cake that's been topped with peanut butter and low-sugar jam. This combination offers the sweetness you crave without added fat, sugar, carbohydrates, or sodium.</p> <h3>Melons and Bananas</h3> <p>Fruits are packed with fiber and essential vitamins, which makes them very healthy. However, some fruits &mdash; such as melons, bananas, and peaches &mdash; contain more natural sugar than others, which is what diabetics need to watch out for. Eating too much of these sweet fruits can cause blood-sugar spikes.</p> <p>If you're craving something fresh and healthy, <a href="" target="_self">try grapefruit, apples, and berries</a>, which are lower in natural sugars.</p> <h3>Fruit Smoothies</h3> <p>A delicious smoothie might seem like a great idea for quick refreshment, but it may not be a great idea if you suffer from diabetes. A large smoothie can contain up to 92 grams of carbohydrates and 510 calories. They&rsquo;re also full of sugar &ndash; in some cases, more than what you&rsquo;d find in a can of soda.</p> <p>If you really want a smoothie, try making one at home using fresh fruits and vegetables. That way you can control every ingredient in the drink, and you can even add extra vegetables like spinach and kale for a superfood boost.</p> <p>Smoothies are another example of the importance of portion control. If the craving for a tasty peach smoothie is just too much, try only drinking a little and sharing the rest.</p> <h3>Trail Mix</h3> <p>The trail mix varieties at your local grocery store typically contain a mixture of milk chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts. The nuts are a great source of protein, but only in moderation. The dehydration process used to make dried fruit generally causes the natural sugar in the fruit to become very concentrated, which can lead to unwanted blood sugar spikes. Again, portion control. We can&rsquo;t say that enough.</p> <p>If you're looking for a simple snack, try making your own low-carb trail mix with walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, coconut, and peanuts. Eating a handful of this homemade trail mix each day may also help to <a href="" target="_self">reduce problems with blood glucose</a>.</p> <h3>French Fries</h3> <p>The American Diabetes Association suggests that even though starchy foods like potatoes are a source of fiber, vitamins and minerals, they should be avoided when they&rsquo;re mixed with added sodium or fat. That&rsquo;s pretty much the definition of a French fry.</p> <p>Trading your French fries for a side salad may not seem glamorous, but it&rsquo;s the best way to watch your health and your waistline. Even in places where French fries are the normal side dish, it's usually possible to ask for a change, and most restaurants will be happy to meet your requirements.</p> <h3>Diabetic Diet: The Bottom Line</h3> <p>Eating healthy can be delicious and rewarding. Food is not the enemy. In fact, if you&rsquo;re diabetic, it&rsquo;s even okay to have the occasional dessert. Just remember that most healthy people don&rsquo;t eat more than one small dessert a day and allow only 150-200&nbsp;discretionary calories once in a while. So instead of completely avoiding that smoothie, save part of it for later.</p> <p>The bottom line is that you don&rsquo;t have to feel deprived all the time, especially if you practice mindfulness techniques. By learning to experience dining with all of your senses, your enjoyment of food can be substantially enhanced. Such techniques help you indulge your need for culinary satisfaction and actually make it a lot easier to stop eating when the time is right.</p> <p>Try this. Eat a small piece of chocolate while slowly sipping a cup of hot mint tea, savoring every sip. This experience can be enjoyed much more than gobbling down a maple bar (25 calories vs. 350 calories). It can also help you to appreciate and enjoy healthy foods as much or more than decadent ones.</p>Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{0FEA7CD1-6786-4531-8E17-525F10E84C63} What You Need to Know<p><b><i>Is the flu really that big a deal?</i></b></p> <p>Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide each year.&nbsp; And influenza can be deadly.&nbsp; In the United States, about 20,000 people die every year from influenza and influenza-related complications.&nbsp; Flu season typically peaks in the winter, but can extend from the late fall to the late spring.&nbsp; Flu symptoms make people feel miserable and often cause affected individuals to miss school or work.&nbsp; (In fact, if you are experiencing flu symptoms, it is strongly encouraged for you to stay home from school or work, as the influenza virus is very contagious and you are likely to transmit the infection to close contacts).</p> <p>Flu symptoms typically come on quickly, and usually include fever, cough or sore throat, and body aches.&nbsp; Some patients may experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.&nbsp; Often, patients say they feel like they have been run over by a freight train!&nbsp; Symptoms and complications are often worse in people at the far ends of age (infants and the elderly) and people with chronic medical conditions, but even young and healthy people can get severe infections.&nbsp; &nbsp;To prevent influenza and influenza-related complications, an annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone.</p> <p><b><i>But I got a flu vaccine last year!&nbsp; Why do I need another one?</i></b></p> <p>Flu is easily spread through the air.&nbsp;Since we have to breathe, what can we do to prevent catching the flu?&nbsp; The easiest way is to get an influenza vaccination.&nbsp; Unlike many vaccines that are once-in-a-lifetime or spread out many years apart, the influenza vaccine is one that you should get every year.&nbsp; Why is that?</p> <p>The influenza virus is sneaky.&nbsp; Multiple strains of influenza are constantly circling the globe combining and recombining in new forms in humans, swine, and birds.&nbsp; Each year, several new strains make it to the United States, and because our bodies have not seen these precise flu strains before, our immunity from previous years does not protect us completely.&nbsp; Some years, the new strain is similar enough to the old strain that we have some protection and the flu season is mild.&nbsp; Other years (such as with the so called H5N1/Avian flu and swine flu a few years ago) the dominant strain is different enough that it causes a large number of severe cases.&nbsp; A new flu vaccine is produced every year to protect against the new strains circulating around the United States.</p> <p><b><i>The yearly production of flu vaccine is a marvel of modern science</i></b>.</p> <p>Every spring, the strains of flu that are circulating in other parts of the world are studied and the 3 or 4 most common strains are selected to create that year&rsquo;s flu vaccine.&nbsp; The flu vaccine is incubated in eggs and mass produced over a period of months.&nbsp; The finished vaccine is most often available in the US in late September or early October.&nbsp; The purpose of getting the vaccine is to stimulate your body to produce antibodies against the strains of flu that are predicted to cause the flu that year.&nbsp; While your body&rsquo;s immune system is making the antibodies, you may feel a little under the weather, but symptoms are not nearly as bad as a case of the flu.&nbsp; You will have maximum protection about 2 weeks after getting your flu shot.&nbsp; Contrary to what some people say, the flu shot cannot give you the flu, as the influenza virus components have been inactivated or weakened.</p> <p>With the exception of people with serious allergic reactions to the flu vaccine and people with certain medical problems, everyone should get the flu vaccine every year.&nbsp; This is by far the most effective way to avoid symptoms for yourself and protect those around us who cannot receive the vaccine.&nbsp; Regardless of vaccine status, it is important to practice good hygiene.&nbsp; During flu season (and year-round) it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, avoid touching your eyes and mouth, and cover your cough with the crook of your elbow (not your hands).</p> <p>Flu vaccines are currently available in pharmacies and medical practices throughout Utah.&nbsp; Get your vaccine today!</p> <p><b><i>Drat!&nbsp; I missed my flu shot and now I am sick.</i></b></p> <p>What should you do if you miss your flu shot and come down with a case of the flu?&nbsp; Effective treatment is available, but it MUST be started in the first two days of symptoms for it to be effective.&nbsp; After the second day, it really doesn&rsquo;t do much good.&nbsp; Hours count and the faster treatment can be started, the better.&nbsp; That is where Intermountain Connect Care can really be a great help. &nbsp;Simply log in and you can be evaluated by our telemedicine healthcare providers and a prescription, if appropriate, can be called to a pharmacy close to you.&nbsp; At some times of year, such as when influenza rates are low, your provider may wish for you to get an influenza test prior to deciding on treatment.&nbsp; At other times of year, such as during peak flu season, testing may not be necessary.</p> <p>Intermountain Connect Care is available 24/7/365 to provide medical evaluation and treatment services.&nbsp; Connect to or download our mobile app for Android or iOS through your app store.</p>Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{E16E3E8D-E31B-4514-84CF-0881C84D81A2} Failure Patients Get Personal Help to Prevent Another Hospital Stay<p>The transition cardiac care manager is a new position at the hospital that will focus on helping CFH patients be successful as they begin making the lifestyle changes needed to keep their disease under control. And hopefully, that will prevent them from returning to the hospital.</p> <p>&ldquo;This has huge potential especially because heart failure is a diagnosis where lifestyle makes a tremendous difference in how well a patient recovers,&rdquo; says Joe Mitchell, RN. &ldquo;A lot of times patients don&rsquo;t realize how much better they&rsquo;ll feel if they follow the recommendations day to day.&rdquo;</p> <p><a href="" target="_blank">CHF is a chronic condition</a> where the heart does not pump blood as well as it should. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs and rapid heartbeat. It can&rsquo;t be cured, but a person can live for years with proper treatment and management.</p> <h3>What the Transition Cardiac Care Manager Does</h3> <p>As the new transition cardiac care manager, Joe meets with high-risk CHF patients while they&rsquo;re still in the hospital to start the education process. He then makes at least one follow-up visit to patients&rsquo; residences to ensure their transition to the new lifestyle is going well. Joe&rsquo;s position is the first of its kind in the Intermountain system.</p> <p>In a patient&rsquo;s home, Joe verifies the right medications are being taken properly or explains the complicated dietary guidelines that need to be followed. He also assists in communicating concerns back to the patient&rsquo;s primary care physician or other specialist.</p> <p>&ldquo;I want to be viewed as their guy on the inside who can help decipher the code of healthcare. I&rsquo;ll guide them through the transition from the hospital to home and then make sure they&rsquo;re in touch with the right people who can help them from then on,&rdquo; says Mitchell, who also works with patients treated at American Fork Hospital.</p> <p>Amber Kayembe, director of Care Management for Intermountain in Utah County, says Joe works with patients for 30 days after they leave the hospital. He then make sure the person&rsquo;s primary care physician is able to provide the necessary support moving forward.</p> <p>&ldquo;Joe is key to encouraging patients and family caregivers to assume a more active role in their care. By putting this position in place, we&rsquo;re hoping to reduce re-admissions, reduce cost and increase the patient&rsquo;s outcomes and satisfaction with life,&rdquo; says Amber.</p>Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{A227F074-184A-4784-B112-A1E09D39F2E4} Immunizations to Get Before You Turn 65The process that Medicare funds vaccines can be complicated because the U.S. Legislature needs to vote in any new services to be paid by Medicare Part B; so because Congress hasn&rsquo;t had that vote, some vaccines are covered only by Part D Medicare. <div>&nbsp; <p>After you are 65 and older and are covered by Medicare, some vaccines are paid for by your Part B benefit (two pneumococcal vaccines and your yearly influenza vaccine). Others are only covered by Part D benefit and cannot be provided in your doctor&rsquo;s office, including Zoster/shingles vaccine, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine) or tetanus vaccine. You have to get those Part D vaccines at a pharmacy that provides vaccines, such as <a href="">Intermountain&rsquo;s Community Pharmacies</a>.</p> <p>The good news is if you get those Part D covered vaccines while you are 60-64 years old, you can avoid those Medicare hassles. You can get the vaccines in your doctor&rsquo;s office, and they should be covered by your commercial health insurance.</p> <p>So, it is best to get up-to-date on all your adult vaccines before your health insurance transitions to Medicare.</p> <h3>4 immunizations you need to get before turning 65:</h3> <p> </p> <ol> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Zoster</strong></span><span style="text-indent: -27pt;"><strong>:</strong> After we have chickenpox, the virus still lives in our bodies throughout our lives. When our immune system gets older and doesn&rsquo;t control the virus as well, it can come back as a painful skin disease called &ldquo;Shingles.&rdquo; The Zoster Vaccine reminds our immune system how to protect against the virus and can reduce rate of people getting Shingles as they get older.</span></li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Tdap</strong></span><span style="text-indent: -27pt;"><strong>:</strong> We need tetanus boosters on a regular basis; so it is good to get one in the 60-64 year old time frame to make sure we have insurance coverage for it. We also need to have a pertussis vaccine one time when we are an adult to protect us and infants and children we know (like our grandkids) from getting Whooping Cough (or the 100-day cough) that can still be fatal for many infants even with modern medical intervention.</span></li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Flu</strong></span><span style="text-indent: -27pt;"><strong>:</strong> Seasonal influenza shots are recommended for everyone, regardless of age. Individuals over 65 years old actually have two choices: the regular flu shot, or &ldquo;high dose.&rdquo; High-dose (brand name Fluzone High-Dose) vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make an antibody) contained in regular flu shots. The additional antigen is intended to create a stronger immune response (more antibodies) in the person getting the vaccine.</span></li> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pneumococcal</strong></span><span style="text-indent: -27pt;"><strong>:</strong> Individuals that are at higher risk for pneumococcal disease (those over 65 years of age, or individuals who smoke or have asthma) are encouraged to receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.</span></li> </ol> <p>Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against diseases, limiting discomfort and potential risks not to mention being cheaper and easier than treating the illness itself. Not only does it protect you, but protects loved ones and others around you that are within close contact.&nbsp; See your doctor or health care provider for more information on which vaccinations are recommended for you. You can also see your local <a href="" target="_blank">Intermountain Community Pharmacy </a>for information. Find locations at&nbsp;or by calling 800-442-4053.</p> <p>Additional Resources:</p> <ul> <li><a href="" target="_blank">What vaccines are recommended for you?&nbsp;</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Community Protection:&nbsp; Winning the Vector Battle</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Immunization Action Coalition</a></li> <li>Specific Disease/Immunization Web Page Resources: <ul> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Shingles</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Tetanus</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Diphtheria</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Pertussis</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Influenza</a></li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Pneumococcal</a> </li> <li><a href="" target="_blank">Pneumonia</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Need a vaccine?&nbsp;<a href="" target="_blank" style="display: inline !important;">Intermountain Healthcare Pharmacies</a>&nbsp;and click &ldquo;locations&rdquo; or call 800-442-4053.</li> </ul> </div>Wed, 02 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{9F0C5910-A2DA-4DC3-B0DC-1B9F052748E5} Benefits of Recovery – It Does Your Body (AND YOUR GAME) GoodThe competitive soccer and athletic world continues to apply more pressure and increasing demands on young athletes. &nbsp;There&rsquo;s continual pressure to practice more frequently and longer in duration to keep up with the demands so each athlete and team can reach their highest potential. &nbsp;Unfortunately, this can take a toll on athletes and not allow their bodies adequate time to recover. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> The key message to take away: As an athlete, you should be using recovery techniques constantly throughout the season, as well as at the end of a season. So, what does it mean to recover? This refers to the actions and techniques used to maximize your body&rsquo;s repair. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> There are three main systems in our body that benefit from recovery: structural, hormonal, and neurological.<br /> <br /> <strong>Active Recovery:</strong> Active recovery is usually classified as a low-intensity workout or workout that&rsquo;s easier than your normal routine &mdash; a slow jog, an easy bike ride, stretching, etc. However you choose to unwind from a competition or season can be unique to you. &nbsp;Let&rsquo;s discuss briefly the benefits of stretching and the differences between a dynamic stretch and static stretch. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> A dynamic warmup and stretch allow the muscle tissue to warm up and lengthen simultaneously, whereas a static stretch is commonly known as a &ldquo;hold and stretch.&rdquo; &nbsp;<br /> It&rsquo;s suggested that a dynamic stretch be used prior to a workout or practice, and static stretching be used after your workout or practice. &nbsp;Identify areas that are less flexible than others. Target those areas, but don&rsquo;t neglect the areas that aren&rsquo;t currently &ldquo;on fire&rdquo; or causing pain. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> Some athletes approach stretching as a waste of time or fail to do it because it hurts. &nbsp;Stretching might be somewhat uncomfortable on sore, tight muscles, but shouldn&rsquo;t be painful. Allow enough time in your stretch to give your muscle the chance to become more elastic. &nbsp;A gentle static stretch can be held between 20-40 seconds. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <p><strong>Passive Rest:</strong> Rest is vital to your body&rsquo;s recovery. It&rsquo;s recommended that athletes get between 7-10 hours of sleep. &nbsp;This valuable time gives your body a chance to recover on many fronts. It allows muscle tissue to replenish needed nutrients and mend damaged tissue. &nbsp;It also allows time for mental recovery. &nbsp;An athlete who is well-rested will have more energy and better focus. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Hydration:</strong> We often think of hydrating prior to a game or practice or only when it&rsquo;s hot outside. &nbsp;But staying hydrated during recovery is important so your body can adequately regulate the temperature of your body, transport nutrients throughout your body to give you energy, digest food, and so on. &nbsp;Approximately 90% of the fluid in your blood is water. &nbsp;Muscle contains approximately 75-80% water. &nbsp; An easy way to check if you&rsquo;re hydrated is to monitor the color of your urine. &nbsp;The lighter the color, the more hydrated you are, and obviously the darker the color the less hydrated you are. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Nutrition: </strong>It takes time and effort to plan a healthy balanced diet. &nbsp;By replenishing these essential nutrients, our body has what it needs to repair damaged or depleted tissues after the season. &nbsp;Whether you&rsquo;re trying to recover from a season, single game, or on the road without the benefit of your own stash of go-to snacks and food, planning ahead will ensure you have quality nutrients as well as comfortable food your body likes. At TOSH we have two sport dietitians from the TOSH Nutrition Program who can give you guidance individually, or as a team. Call them at 801-314-4038 for an appointment. &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /> <strong><br /> Psychological Rest:</strong> Young athletes have a lot to focus on during the season. &nbsp;Outside of soccer, they have their school work, friends, chores at home&hellip;all of which are very important. &nbsp;However, on top of that their focus goes to the field several days a week and the demands rise from there. &nbsp;Athletes need downtime to relax, refocus, and retool mentally. &nbsp;They&rsquo;ll come back more focused and driven to take the next step in their skill level. &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Hydrotherapy: </strong>Using ice baths initially after practices and games is beneficial to cool tissue and slow inflammation. &nbsp;A contrast bath, which is the use of alternating warm and cold water, can increase blood vessel pumping to move unwanted swelling from an area and bring needed nutrients to the area to mend damaged tissue.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Please consider taking the time to make recovery a priority in your training regimen. &nbsp;The idea that &ldquo;more is better&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t always the case when dealing with young athletes who need adequate time to rest and recover physically and mentally. &nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> If you have any questions, please contact me at or at 801-314-4111. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> Remember, TOSH offers a free injury assessment clinic for athletes. If you&rsquo;re dealing with an injury and need to be seen by a certified athletic trainer or physical therapist at TOSH, please call us today at 801-314-4040.</p>Wed, 02 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0600{BB37C4BF-C892-4A69-9310-CE3B22C60E6D} Healthy Dose of Fear is Normal<p>At its most basic level, &ldquo;fear is a relatively normal response to situations that commonly result from a loss of control or perceived danger,&rdquo; says <a href="/find-a-doctor/w/woozley-jon-b/" target="_blank">Jon Woozley</a>, Physician Assistant with <a href="/locations/utah-valley-heart-and-lung-surgical-associates/" target="_blank">Utah Valley Heart and Lung Surgical Associates</a>. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a response that has kept the human race alive through its entire history.&rdquo;</p> <h3>So what causes fear?</h3> <p>When we are frightened, the nervous system responds with a &ldquo;fight or flight&rdquo; response. This causes a number of changes in the body, helping us stay alert and ready to respond to perceived or real threats to our safety.</p> <p>One of the natural responses to fear is the release of two chemicals that stimulate the heart: epinephrine and norepinephrine. These chemicals result in increased blood pressure and increased heart rate, which prepares the body to perform its natural defensive role when threatened.</p> <h3>Is fear healthy or unhealthy?</h3> <p>&ldquo;Fear is a normal response,&rdquo; says Woozley. &ldquo;All humans and most animals experience fear. This response can be paralyzing for some people. Others can learn to be super efficient and effective with this response.&nbsp; Many examples are in the stories of numerous Medal of Honor recipients.&rdquo;</p> <h3>So what&rsquo;s the correct dose of fear?</h3> <p>Well, there&rsquo;s no set standard. Just as people perceive fear and threats differently, their take on fear will vary. The goal is to remain functional without overexposure to the stress related to fear.</p> <p>It&rsquo;s not clear what the long-term effects of fear are, but <em>long-term stress</em> can take its toll on the heart and the mind. Our response to fear lasts until the danger has passed, but our bodies often respond in similar ways to stress, particularly lasting mental stress. The increased blood pressure levels and pulse rates resulting from mental stress put a strain on the heart and can be detrimental to overall health.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="/blogs/2015/02/stress-and-heart-disease/" target="_blank">Stress and Heart Disease</a></strong></p> <p>So while fear may be temporary, and can get the heart pumping and the mind racing, long-term stress may cause lasting health problems.</p> <h3>How can I be better at responding to fear?</h3> <p>Because fear affects the heart, it likely won&rsquo;t come as a shock that improving your body&rsquo;s ability to respond to fear comes down to simple heart-healthy behaviors like proper diet, regular exercise that gets the heart pumping, and reducing stress.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="/blogs/2014/08/6-tips-to-better-manage-your-stress/" target="_blank">6 Tips to Better Manage Your Stress</a></strong></p> <p>&ldquo;A healthy heart will be more effective and efficient within the fear pathway,&rdquo; says Woozley. &ldquo;It will improve initial response to fear as well as recovery from fearful episodes.&rdquo;</p> <p>So go ahead and enjoy that scary movie. But maybe try getting in some exercise before.</p>Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{16D31E24-E1E3-4ED9-A856-77AB714E9E24} Healthcare Featured At the Health IT Summit<p>Greg Poulsen, Intermountain Healthcare&rsquo;s Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer, spoke on the topic of data being used to improve clinical quality and care. The presentation was part of the Health IT Summit in Washington D.C. </p> <p><em>Healthcare Informatics</em> detailed Poulsen&rsquo;s talk at the conference and how it relates to data driving healthcare change. Poulsen took the audience through a history lesson as he detailed Intermountain&rsquo;s journey away from the fee-for-service payment model.</p> <p><strong>RELATED</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="" target="_blank">Predictive Analytics Important At Intermountain Healthcare</a></p> <p>The fee-for-service model has customers pay the hospitals and clinics per the services rendered. The result can lead to excessive care being administered. The healthcare system in the United States has been moving slowly away from this to evidence-based care &ndash; which lowers cost and focuses on population health.</p> <p>The Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Medicaid changes have accelerated a process that Intermountain started decades earlier.</p> <p>&ldquo;Those in APMs [alternative payment models] will be far more rewarded than those who stay in fee-for-service. And that&rsquo;s a good thing. It&rsquo;s a tough thing but a good thing,&rdquo; said Greg Poulsen in a quote in the article. </p> <p>Poulsen also highlighted how chronic illnesses have drastically changed down through the generations. Evidence-based care, through data utilization, can be used to tackle the ever-changing landscape of illnesses and disease. </p> <p>The article can be viewed at <em>Healthcare Informatics</em> <a href="" target="_blank">website</a>.&nbsp;</p>Fri, 28 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{97DF80D7-D01F-4630-9E26-6916AEC2E702} Years of Progress in the Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer<style> </style> <p class="Default">But much of the progress we&rsquo;ve made could be lost, if we abandon our vigilance in screening. Despite scientific advances, one sobering fact remains: ALL women are at risk of developing breast cancer. One in eight women will eventually be diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease.</p> <p class="Default">And just because you don't have a family history of breast cancer, it doesn't mean you&rsquo;re not at risk. Seventy-five percent of women with newly-diagnosed breast cancers have no family history or any other significant risk factors, like the breast cancer gene.&nbsp;Although the incidence of breast cancer increases as you get older, age isn't necessarily protective; 20 percent of all breast cancers occur in women under 50.&nbsp;</p> <p class="Default"><strong>RELATED POST:</strong> <em><a href="" target="_blank">What You Need to Know About Breast Exams</a></em></p> <p class="Default">There is only one test that has been shown in multiple clinical studies to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer: screening mammography.&nbsp;To save the most lives, Intermountain Healthcare and I stand with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiologists, and the American College of Surgeons in recommending that women begin annual screening mammography at the age of 40. </p> <p class="Default">Although this is contrary to the some recently-published, controversial guidelines, our recommendations are supported by the results of multiple clinical trials and other scientific studies.&nbsp;Thousands of lives would be lost if women didn&rsquo;t start annual mammography screenings at age 40.</p> <div style="position: relative; display: block; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="//" style="position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p class="Default">In addition to traditional film screen and 2D mammography, here are six detection and treatment advancements that have improved patient care in the past 25 years. These advancements can save lives, provided women get screened in time to take advantage of them:</p> <ol> <li><strong>3D mammography, </strong>also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, is a type of mammogram that improves radiologists' ability to detect breast cancers that may be obscured by overlying tissue. It is acquired along with a 2D digital mammogram, but only adds a few seconds to the overall exam time. It also reduces the number of women called back for additional tests.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>MRI, </strong>the most sensitive imaging exam in the detection of breast cancer, is reserved for women with a greater than 20&ndash;25 percent lifetime risk of developing the disease. It also is helpful in defining the extent of disease in women already diagnosed. Because it results in more false positive interpretations, it&rsquo;s used primarily in women who fit certain risk criteria.</li> <li><strong>Non-surgical, or image-guided needle biopsies </strong>have replaced open surgical biopsies in the diagnosis of breast cancer. &nbsp;For the most part, only those women with breast cancer or high-risk lesions undergo surgery.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Sentinel lymph node biopsies, </strong>performed at the time of cancer surgery,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>allow surgeons&nbsp;to biopsy just one lymph node for diagnosis, instead of &nbsp;removing all of the axillary lymph nodes.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Advances in pathological testing of tumor markers&nbsp;</strong>has greatly improved diagnostic accuracy, often determining which patients will benefit from chemotherapy and what sort of treatments may be most beneficial.</li> <li><strong>Targeted chemotherapy </strong>personalizes the care we offer each of our patients, so they don&rsquo;t receive more or less treatment than they need.&nbsp;</li> </ol> <p class="Default">Any woman &mdash; regardless of her age &mdash; with a breast lump or other concerning symptoms should consult her primary care provider for a clinical breast exam. This may be followed by a mammogram, ultrasound, or both. Other worrisome symptoms include skin changes/itching involving the nipple-areolar complex, clear or bloody nipple discharge, thickening, or a change on self-examination. Don't ignore these signs.&nbsp;</p> <p class="Default"><strong>RELATED POST:</strong> <em><a href="" target="_blank">Know What the Breast Cancer Gene Means to You</a></em></p> <p class="Default">Far too many women still die from breast cancer. By detecting it at its earliest, most-treatable stage, the death rate will continue to plummet. We do not yet have the knowledge to prevent cancer, but we certainly have the tools to minimize its impact. And the best tool we have is screening mammography. If you&rsquo;re 40 or older, and haven't had a mammogram in over a year, schedule one today. It may save your life.&nbsp;</p> <p class="Default">To continue the downward trend in breast cancer deaths, we must ensure that screening continue to be covered by insurance. A congressional mandate that requires insurance carriers to provide annual screening benefits, starting at age 40, will expire on December 31, 2017, unless our representatives act to extend it. Be proactive: Let your government leaders know you support insurance coverage for annual screening beginning at age 40. When the time comes, and the issue is on the congressional docket, let your voice be heard!</p>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600