healthguide - the dalhart texan

HealthGuide

Dalhart welcomes new physicians

CareNet offers ultrasounds

Preventing injuries in young athletes

Daily steps to a healthy heart

Health screenings every woman needs

HealthGuide2 • Friday, April 19, 2019 thedalharttexan.com

DHCHD welcomes new physicians

Karah Cloxton, MD Natalie Hobdy, MD Walter Gadberry, MDKarah Cloxton, MD comes to Dalhart from

Point Pleasant, West Virginia and will provide family practice and obstetrics services at High Country Community Rural Health Clinic. Cloxton attended medical school at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine after earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton. In West Virginia, she worked as the hospitalist and as an obstetrician, providing women’s health services including care for antepartum patients, laboring patients, deliveries and postpartum care.

Natalie Hobdy, MD joins Dalhart Family Medicine Clinic as family practice obstetrics provider from Athens, Texas.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at Tulane University studying medicine at Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

While working in Athens, she served patients of all ages as a family practice doctor as well as women seeking obstetrics care.

Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District and Golden Plains Community Hospital announce the addition of Dr. Walter Gadberry. He is a general surgeon and comes to us from comes to us from Prosper, Texas.

Sharing his time between Dalhart and Borger, Dr. Gadberry brings over 20 years of experience in general surgery, and will be able to perform colonoscopies, hernia repairs, gallbladder removals, appendectomies and other general surgeries.

Smoking has been linked to many different illnesses. It’s widely known that cigarette smoke can impact respiratory and cardiovascular health, but there may be a new reason to quit, particularly for those plagued by chronic inflammation.

Researchers at Sweden’s Umea University, in collaboration with researchers

in the United States, found that nicotine strongly activates immune cells to release DNA fibers decorated with pro-inflammatory molecules called neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs. Continuous exposure to NETs can harm tissues and may explain why smokers are vulnerable to inflammatory diseases.

NETs have been implicated in several inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, cancer and small vessel vasculitis.

This evidence presents yet another reason why people should quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, or never begin smoking at all.

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HealthGuidethedalharttexan.com Friday, April 19, 2019 • 3

The effects of caffeine on the bodyCaffeine is a vital component of many

people’s daily routines. A morning cup of caffeinated coffee provides the boost people need to get out the door and on their way each morning.

The history of caffeine and its use in beverages is mired in mystery and myth, though the U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that the historical origins of caffeinated tea and coffee are relatively recent. The USNLM indicates that coffee did not become widespread in Europe until the 18th and 19th centuries, remaining something of a luxury until somewhat recently. And while England’s love of tea is widely known, caffeinated tea did not become common in Britain until the 18th century.

While it might have taken its time to take root in many cultures across the globe, there’s no denying the prevalence of caffeine in the 21st century. A bitter substance that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, caffeine can be found in coffee beans; tea leaves; kola nuts, which are used to flavor sodas; and cacao pods, which are vital to the creation of many chocolate products.

Many people get their caffeine from beverages, and the amount of caffeine such people consume may depend on which beverages they choose. For example, the USNLM says that an eight-ounce cup of coffee typically contains anywhere from 95 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. A 12-ounce can of soda is considerably less caffeinated, containing about 35 to 45 milligrams of caffeine on average. The extra boost people get from sodas might be due to sugar, as sodas are notoriously high in sugar.

Caffeine has various effects on the body, some of which are beneficial. For example, the USNLM notes that caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can help the body get rid of extra salt and water by increasing the need to urinate. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system, providing that morning boost of energy that so many coffee drinkers rely on every day.

But not all side effects of caffeine consumption are beneficial. Because it increases the release of acid in the stomach, caffeine

can sometimes contribute to upset stomach or heartburn. In addition, caffeine can interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body, though the organization American Bone Health notes that such interference may only occur among heavy coffee drinkers who consume upwards of four cups of coffee per day.

The USNLM notes that most people can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day without suffering any ill effects. But exceeding that amount may contribute to a

number of unwanted side effects, including restlessness, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, dehydration, anxiety, and rapid or abnormal hearth rhythm. It’s also important to recognize that some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, so what’s good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander.

Caffeine plays a vital role in many people’s lives, and understanding its effects can help people make smart decisions regarding their caffeine consumption.


Health screenings every woman should getRoutine wellness exams are essential for

women who want to maintain and/or improve their health. Women may not be familiar with all of the screening options that can keep them on the right track.

Preventative health screenings can shed light on risks for certain diseases and provide insight into patient behaviors that may be harmful. Screenings also may help save a life.

Healthy diets and daily exercise are hallmarks of healthy people, but routine wellness exams are just as important. The following are some screenings women should include in their health and wellness routines.

· Blood pressureDoctors will typically test blood pressure

at every visit. Women whose blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg can go every two years between blood pressure readings up until age 20, advises The American Heart Association. Adults 40 or older, or those with conditions that put them at risk for hypertension, should go annually or as advised by a doctor.

· Cervical cytologyThe American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists recommends routine pelvic examinations with cervical testing that includes Pap testing and HPV testing. Consult with an OB-GYN for testing frequency, which depends on age.

· CholesterolCholesterol levels alone are not

indicative of one’s overall health. However, a complete cholesterol test can determine a person’s risk for heart disease. If levels are consistently normal, this test may only need to be performed every five years, advises the National Institutes of Health.

· MammogramMammograms screen for breast cancer.

Given the risk of false positives, debate continues as to how frequently women need these screenings. The most recent guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task

Force says mammograms are recommended starting at age 50, and should occur every two years. The American Cancer Society advises starting at age 45 and having a mammogram annually through age 55.

· Blood-glucose testThe National Institute of Diabetes and

Digestive Kidney Diseases says women should be screened regularly for prediabetes or diabetes beginning around age 45. Women can speak with their physicians to determine how often they should receive these screenings.

· Osteoporosis screeningsBone density can be measured starting

at age 65 or earlier if a woman has a high fracture risk, states Regis College.

· Skin examinationThe American Academy of Dermatology

suggests speaking with a dermatologist about skin exams. Self-examinations should be routine, but dermatologists may recommend more formal tests to women who meet certain criteria.

Women should speak to their doctors about personalized screenings based on family history and other risk factors.


The effects of stress on your bodyStress affects people of all ages from all

walks of life. Though work is a primary source of stress for many people, a recent survey from the American Psychological Association found that stress is more than just work-related.

In its 2017 “Stress in America” survey, the APA found that the future of the nation, money and violence and crime were significant sources of stress for more than half of survey participants. That’s a dangerous notion, as the Mayo Clinic notes that the effects of the stress on the human body are considerable. Though everyone experiences and responds to stress differently, these are some of the more common effects of stress, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Mental side effectsStress can have an adverse effect on

mood and has even been linked to depression, which the World Health Organization reports is the leading cause of disability across the globe. People suffering from stress also may experience anxiety, restlessness and feelings of being overwhelmed. In addition, stress can compromise a person’s ability to focus, adversely affecting a person’s ability to complete their work-related tasks. That’s not insignificant, as 61 percent of respondents in the 2017 “Stress in America” survey reported that work was a significant source of their stress.

Physical side effectsStress affects more than the mind,

manifesting itself physically in various ways. The Mayo Clinic reports that common physical side effects of stress include headache, muscle tension or pain, including chest pain, fatigue, and a change in sex drive. Upset stomach also may be a byproduct of stress. People dealing with stress may even have trouble sleeping.

Behavioral side effectsBehavior also can be affected by stress,

which may cause some people to abuse drugs or alcohol. Some may even turn to tobacco,

either becoming a smoker or smoking more if they’re already smokers.

Smoking has been linked to a host of negative physical side effects, including an increased risk of developing cancer. Angry outbursts, social withdrawal and overeating or undereating are some additional potential side effects of stress on the body.

Coping strategies can be highly effective at alleviating stress and its negative side effects. Learn more about such strategies at www.stress.org.

Brief breaks during the work day can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on a task. A 2011 study published in the journal Cognition found that brief mental breaks can improve focus on a prolonged task.

The study’s authors tested participants’ ability to focus on a repetitive computerized task for 50 minutes under various conditions. The control group performed the task without breaks or diversions. The switch group and non-switch group memorized four digits before performing the task and were directed

to respond if they saw one of the digits on the screen while performing the task.

The switch group was the only group to be presented with the digits twice during the experiment, and both groups were tested on their memory of the digits at the end of the task. Most participants’ performance declined considerably over the course of the 50-minute task.

However, the performance of those in the switch group did not decline at all, as the two brief breaks to respond to the digits allowed

them to maintain their focus throughout the experiment. The researchers behind the study concluded that the switch group’s performance was steady because the brain is built to detect and respond to change, and its performance will actually suffer if it must maintain prolonged attention on a single task without taking a break.

Professionals with a lot on their plates may see their performance improve by taking frequent mental breaks throughout the workday.

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806.244.5668

Dr. Randy Herring

Dr. Matt Turner

Dr. Nathan Vermedahl

Dr. Karah Cloxton

Dr. Natalie Hobdy

806.244.5668

Dr. Randy Herring

Dr. Matt Turner

Dr. Nathan Vermedahl

Dr. Karah Cloxton

Dr. Natalie Hobdy

Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District is proud to offer full obstetric care. With two new family practice obstetricians, all of our doctors can provide the full spectrum of women’s healthcare services. Our general surgeon can perform gynecological procedures,

including hysterectomies. We are proud to serve the women of our community at every stage of life.

Daily steps to keep your heart healthyHeart disease is a formidable foe. According

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease accounts for nearly 25 percent of all deaths in the United States each year.

Issues relating to the heart affect both men and women, and an estimated 15 million adults in the U.S. have coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease. And heart disease is not exclusive to the United States, as the Heart Research Institute says that every seven minutes in Canada someone dies from heart disease or stroke.

Such statistics are disconcerting, but they can serve as a wake-up call that compels people to prioritize heart health. Fortunately, heart disease is often preventable and people can employ various strategies to reduce their risk.

· Stop smoking right now. One of the best things to do to protect the

heart is to stop smoking. The Heart Foundation indicates that smoking reduces oxygen in the

blood and damages blood vessel walls. It also contributes to atherosclerosis, or a narrowing and clogging of the arteries.

· Eat healthy fats. When eating, choose polyunsaturated and

unsaturated fats and avoid trans fats as much as possible. Trans fats increase one’s risk of developing heart disease by clogging arteries and raising LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Read food labels before buying anything at the store.

· Keep your mouth clean. Studies show that bacteria in the mouth

involved in the development of gum disease can travel to the bloodstream and cause an elevation in C-reactive protein, a marker for blood vessel inflammation. Brush and floss twice daily, and be sure to schedule routine dental cleanings.

· Get adequate shut-eye. Ensuring adequate sleep can improve heart

health. One study found that young and middle-age adults who regularly slept seven hours a night had less calcium in their arteries (a sign of early heart disease) compared to those who slept five hours or less or those who slept nine hours or more.

· Adopt healthy eating habits. Changes to diet, including eating more

fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, can help you lose and maintain a healthy weight, improve cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure - leading to a healthier heart.

· Embrace physical activity. Regular moderate exercise is great for the

heart. It can occur at the gym, playing with the kids or even taking the stairs at work.

A healthy heart begins with daily habits that promote long-term heart health.


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Keeping the pulse of Dalhart

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Care Net of Dalhart gearing up to offer ultrasoundsCare Net of Dalhart is gearing up to be able to

offer their pregnant clients an ultrasound as part of their services.

Care Net Board President Rebecca Siebert announced at the center’s annual banquet in February that the center had received an ultrasound machine from a center in Oregon. In addition to the donation of the machine, a donation was also made to cover the expense of shipping the machine to Dalhart.

It was announced at the February banquet that Dr. Nathan Vermedahl volunteered to serve as the center’s new medical director. The center also has Sue Foster to serve as the ultrasound technician.

The next step was to calibrate the machine. Wednesday, volunteer technicians conducted trial ultrasounds on volunteer patients.

“This is to see how the machine works and what it measures,” center director Roxie Hughes said. “The old machine didn’t measure anything. It was just a picture.”

The center has not conducted an ultrasound since May 31, 2018.

Providing ultrasounds will serve for educational purposes for the clients at Care Net and not for diagnostic purposes.

“This is more of a ‘hey there actually is a baby inside you and you need to start taking care of it,’” Hughes said.

The goal Wednesday with practice ultrasounds was to determine if the machine needs calibrated.

“If it does need calibrated, we will have to someone come down to do that,” Hughes said.

Once the machine is up and running, the center plans to have one day a month scheduled for ultrasounds. Hughes said that will hopefully begin in May.

Last year, Care Net served more than 145 families and had 739 visits to the Dalhart facility, as well as 41 self-administered pregnancy tests. The facility also provides material items, such as clothing, formula, blankets, wipes and cribs, for families in need, and was able to provide 35 new car seats.

Care Net of Dalhart is located at 105 East Third. For more information, call (806) 244-1783.


Strategies to reduce young athletes’ injury riskSports can make a profound impact on the life

of a young person. Stanford Children’s Health, a Bay Area-based pediatric and obstetric health care system that offers comprehensive clinical services, notes that children who participate in sports experience a range of physical, emotional and interpersonal benefits.

Improved vision, a reduced risk of obesity, the development of motor skills, and the development of social skills are just a handful of the many ways kids can benefit from sports.

Athletes’ parents typically recognize such benefits, but that likely doesn’t prevent them from being concerned about the children’s risk of suffering sports-related physical injuries, particularly for young athletes who compete in contact sports.

While it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of injury entirely, regardless of which sports kids play, there are some strategies athletes and their parents can take to reduce that risk.

· Make sure young athletes get their physicals.

Recreational and scholastic sports leagues typically require athletes to get physicals before they’re allowed to compete. Kids who participate in more loosely organized leagues should get a physical before each season even if the league does not require them to do so. These examinations can uncover problems such as irregular heartbeat that may make kids vulnerable to injury or illness. When these issues are discovered, athletes, their parents, their physicians, and their coaches can then work together to develop a plan to protect kids without preventing them from participating in their favorite sports.

· Open and maintain a dialogue with coaches before and throughout the season.

Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organizations that works to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries, recommends parents meet with coaches before the first practice of the season to inform them of a child’s medical history with asthma or other medical conditions that require special attention. If kids develop nagging injuries

during a season, whether it’s during competition or not, parents should report them to the coach directly, as kids may be hesitant to do so on their own.

· Warm up and stretch before games. Many coaches are fully aware of the

importance of warming up and stretching before games. But parents can still keep an eye out to make sure kids do this prior to competition, as Safe Kids Worldwide notes warming up and stretching helps to prevent sports-related injuries by releasing muscle tension before kids begin physical activity.

· Encourage young athletes to hydrate and

stay hydrated throughout competition. The NCAA notes that the consequences

of dehydration are severe and can include increased core temperature and heart rate, decreased blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, general fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps. Hydrating before competition and staying hydrated throughout a game can help athletes maximize their performance and minimize their risk of injury and muscle cramps.

Young athletes benefit greatly from participating in sports.

Parents and coaches can help kids capitalize on those benefits by encouraging them to employ various strategies designed to reduce their risk of injury.


Questions to ask when your doctor prescribes a new medicineThough few people may want to take

medicine each day, prescription drugs prolong lives and help people manage conditions that might otherwise make it difficult to live life to the fullest.

A 2017 survey from Consumer Reports found that 55 percent of people living in the United States take a prescription medicine. The survey also found that those who take prescription drugs use an average of four such medications. That figure might alarm some people, especially aging men and women whose bodies might be more susceptible to conditions that are often treated with medication.

There’s no denying that prescription drugs can save lives. But patients have a right to explore their options when doctors prescribe them medications, and asking the right questions when doctors suggest medication can help them decide if prescription medicine is their best option.

To help patients make the best decisions regarding their healthcare, the National Institute on Aging advises people to ask their physicians these questions when being prescribed a new medicine.

· What is the name of the medicine, and why am I taking it?

· Which medical condition does this medicine treat?

· How many times a day should I take the medicine, and at what times should I take it?

· If the prescription instructions say the medicine must be taken “four times a day,” does that mean four times in 24 hours or four times during the daytime?

· How much medicine should I take?· Should I take the medicine on its own or

with food? Should I avoid certain foods and beverages when taking this medicine?

· How long will it take this medicine to work?

· Will this medicine cause problems if I am taking other medicines?

· Can I safely operate a motor vehicle while taking this medication?

· What does “as needed” mean?· When should I stop taking the medicine?· What should I do if I forget to take my

medicine, ?· Can I expect any side effects? What should

I do if I have a problem?· Will I need a refill, and how do I arrange

that?When discussing medications with a

physician, it’s imperative that men and women be forthcoming about any other medicines they might be taking under the guidance of other doctors.

In addition, men and women should tell their physicians about any over-the-counter medicines or vitamins and supplements they are taking. Sharing such information can prevent potentially serious complications from arising.

Medicine saves lives every day. Smart patients can help medicine do its job by learning about their medications and discussing them openly and honestly with their physicians.


How audiologic rehab can help people with hearing lossHearing is easily taken for granted. Unless a

person has experienced temporary or permanent hearing loss, it can be hard to imagine a life in which hearing is compromised or completely lost. But that is precisely the life hundreds of millions of people across the globe live every day.

According to the Hearing Health Foundation, 360 million people across the globe suffer from hearing loss. Within the United States, the number of people with hearing loss doubled from 2000 to 2015.

Coping with hearing loss can be difficult. Hearing loss sufferers may feel disconnected from family and friends because they can’t engage as fully in conversation as they once did. In addition, adjusting to simple pleasures like listening to music after hearing loss can be difficult.

Audiologic rehabilitation services can help people adjust to hearing loss. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association notes that the following are just some ways that

audiologic rehab can help people adjust to hearing loss.

· Rehab helps families understand their loved ones’ hearing loss.

Audiologic rehab will help people and their families adjust to hearing loss by discussing that loss with family. Family members are often frustrated by conversations with relatives who have hearing loss because many simply don’t understand what their loved one is experiencing. Audiologists may play a recording for families that simulates their loved one’s hearing loss so they can understand exactly what their relative is going through. That can help family members become more patient as people adjust to hearing loss.

· Rehab can help people understand their hearing aids.

Audiologists explain how hearing aids work and how to maintain them. Various hearing aids are available to people with hearing loss, and

audiologists will be able to explain how each type works and answer any questions patients have now and in the future.· Rehab can help people with hearing loss and their families communicate more effectively.

Audiologists can provide tips on how to improve families’ listening and how to communicate more effectively. Such tips can make it easier to transition to life with hearing loss.

· Rehab can teach those with hearing loss to use visual cues.

People without hearing loss may not recognize it, but the ASHA notes that everyone uses his or her eyes to get visual cues about what people are saying. Rehab can help people with hearing loss fine tune these skills to make up for their loss of hearing.

Audiologic rehab can help people adjust to life after hearing loss. Learn more at www.asha.org.


The connection between eating and energyThe connection between energy and eating

is significant. A healthy diet and approach to eating can vastly improve energy levels, while a poorly planned diet that lacks nutrition can contribute to feelings of fatigue and increase a person’s risk for various ailments.

The Harvard Medical School notes that different kinds of foods are converted to energy at different rates. That’s why some foods, such as candy, provide quick boosts of energy while foods such as whole grains tend to supply the body with energy reserves that it can draw on throughout the day.

It’s not just what people eat but how they eat that can affect their energy levels. In addition to choosing the right foods, men and women can try the following strategies as they look to eat to boost their energy levels.

· Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoiding the traditional three-meals-per-

day approach may help improve energy levels, especially for people who tend to eat sizable meals once, twice or even three times every day. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the metabolisms of people who do not eat regularly will slow down, as the body absorbs and stores more of the food it eats. Those stores include cholesterol and fat, which can be unhealthy and contribute to weight gain. However, by eating small meals more frequently, one’s metabolism speeds up and more calories are burned. The body recognizes more food is soon on the way and, as a result, it does not need to store as much cholesterol and fat as it would if meals were eaten less frequently.

· Avoid a big lunch. The Harvard Medical School notes that,

while the reasons are unclear, research has indicated that the circadian rhythms of people who eat big lunches indicate a more significant drop in afternoon energy levels than the rhythms of people who eat smaller midday meals. Men and women who eat big lunches and find their energy levels waning later in the workday can try to eat smaller midday meals to boost their energy.

· Be careful with caffeine. The foods people eat are not the only

components of their diet that can affect their energy levels. Caffeinated beverages can provide a temporary boost of energy as well. However, men and women who drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to boost their energy levels should avoid doing so in large amounts after 2 p.m. That’s because caffeine can cause insomnia, and insufficient sleep can dramatically affect energy levels.

· Choose the right snacks. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may

compel some people to snack. The Academy

of Nutrition and Dietetics notes that snacks are important as long as they’re the right snacks. Avoid snacks that are just empty calories in favor of foods that contain protein and fiber-rich carbohydrates.

Such snacks, which may include fruits such as apples and fresh berries or protein sources like nuts and Greek yogurt, can provide lasting energy. It’s also important that men and women not snack to fill themselves up, but rather to quell any hunger pangs and get an energy boost between meals.

The foods people eat and when they eat them can have a dramatic impact on their energy levels.


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