Perry Health Pulse

Any organ can fail, given the right circumstances.  We tend to overlook it, but that includes the brain.  As an organ, the brain is susceptible to damage or disease, which can progress as far as failure.  When the brain suffers from damage or disease, the effects cascade throughout the other systems of the body and reduce much more than memory, focus, and attitude.  The effects also start very small, almost unnoticeable, and tend to progress faster and faster.  On the other hand, we have the power to keep our brains healthy through our diets, exercise routines, sleep schedules, social calendars, and mental exercises.  Research is ongoing, but one thing is clear:  good brain health is crucial for healthy aging.On this episode of the Pulse podcast, nurse practitioner Carol Debruhl discusses the importance of brain health, and what we should be doing to promote it.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

We often overlook the importance of sleep when it comes to our health.  Generally, we think lack of sleep leads only to feeling tired, and nothing more.  We think, being unable to sleep is a consequence of stress or aging, and nothing less.  Often times, poor sleep is a lot more complicated than that.When it comes to our health, sleep matters so much that primary care providers go out of their way to ask patients about their sleep patterns.  Research has found that lack of quality sleep increases a person's risk factors for a number of diseases.  AND lack of quality sleep can be caused by a number of health problems.  Sleep is a big piece of our overall health wellness puzzle.On this episode of the Pulse podcast, Dr. S. Das Pamnani shares why sleep is so important, what poor sleep can lead to, and what can be done to help achieve a more restful sleep each night. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast 

Diabetes is not a simple disease.  It comes with a long list of complications and other health problems, including nerve damage, heart disease, retinopathy, kidney damage, and ... strokes.  And in the midst of the pandemic, people with poorly managed diabetes who have COVID face an EVEN HIGHER risk of strokes.On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse, internal medicine physician Dr. S. Das Pamnani discusses the connection between diabetes and strokes, how COVID increases the risk of strokes, and how people with diabetes can reduce their risk of having a stroke.  Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a nurse?  How it's possible to care for family and friends?  Or to keep a straight face when something embarrassing happens?  To lend a hand in helping people recover, and to be with others in their last moments?In honor of Nurses' Week, we are sharing stories from our nurses.  Hopefully these stories give some insight into why nurses do what they do, and why they are so tough and amazing!Learn more at www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Why are antibiotics so important?  How do they work?  Why does resistance to antibiotics matter?  Why don't we have more of them?  Will a superbug cause the end of mankind?On this episode of the Pulse podcast, we are continuing our SpeakUp campaign by discussing everything you should know about antibiotics.  Pharmacist Rena Mathesius and pathologist Dr. Lori Racsa discuss the answers to these questions, and more.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/patients-and-visitors/patients/speak-up/antibiotics

Why go to nutritional counseling?  What can a dietitian tell you that you haven't already heard before?  And how does my primary care provider understand my nutrition when I see them for such a short appointment?On this episode of the Pulse podcast, nurse practitioner Abby Vladika, APRN, shares how she gets to know her patients' nutrition habits, how she determines if nutritional counseling can help, and what the program means for her patients.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

You or someone you know probably has varicose veins. You know, the ugly discoloration or bulging veins on the legs? It's a very common problem. But, its not just a cosmetic issue. Often times, varicose veins are a sign of a disease called venous reflux disease, a problem with blood flow back to the heart. Untreated, venous reflux disease can lead to pain and more severe problems.On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, general surgeon Dr. Mark Williams discusses venous reflux disease, its causes and symptoms, and how it can be treated with medical management or minimally-invasive procedures.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

When it comes to chest pain, one of the most difficult questions is "How do you know when to go to the Emergency Department?" What are the signs and symptoms of something more serious than heart burn? How do you avoid getting stuck with a huge bill if you're wrong? How does COVID-19 affect the heart? Will the lingering symptoms like heart palpitations go away? Listen as Dr. Neal Edelson (Emergency Medicine) and Dr. S. Das Pamnani (Internal Medicine) answer these questions and more about heart attacks, strokes, and COVID-19. This episode of the Perry Health Pulse includes audio taken from the February 17 Zoom event titled "Don't let your heart skip a beat."Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

When you have a heart attack, what happens? What does the EMS crew do? How quickly do you need a procedure? Who are you referred to after a heart attack? What is the best form of prevention for heart attacks? Does COVID-19 damage the heart? On this episode of the Pulse, cardiologist Dr. Thompson and his patient, Donna, discuss heart attacks and everything you hope you never have to find out about heart attacks. Dr. Thompson shares his expert knowledge and offers his best advice for anyone hoping to prevent heart disease from becoming a part of their life.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

With a new year, comes a fresh start, but it can be challenging to sustain a new exercise routine for more than a month a two. Success comes down to planning: how you set goals, track results, and balance different types of exercises.On this episode of the Pulse, personal trainer Lindsay Hart shares suggestions for exercises at home, how to exercise safely, how to set realistic expectations, and how to get the best results. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Changing your lifestyle with a new exercise routine and diet is challenging for everyone--especially during the winter months, and a pandemic. Success is possible, and it starts with S-M-A-R-T goals. Success takes careful planning, frequent reflection, and partnering with apps and programs that work for your needs and personality. On this episode of the Pulse podcast, PE teachers Zach and Sarah Clark share what they teach their students, and how they have been guiding them to stay active and stick to a routine, despite the weather and COVID-19. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

With a new year, many people start planning a "new you." January resets the rules and offers an opportunity to live healthier, but ultimately only about 10% of people succeed.Other people have no choice in the matter. When someone has a heart attack, their lifestyle has to change, immediately. Donna and Joan know what it's like. They each experienced a heart attack under challenging circumstances, and responded by embracing the new routine. Changing lifestyles is difficult for anyone, but Donna and Joan figured out how to make regular activity, healthier eating, avoiding extra treats, and reading food labels feel like second nature. On this episode of the Pulse podcast, they share their stories--of heart attacks and recovery--to help others make smart decisions now, and avoid traumatic experiences down the line.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

What is it about the winter season that makes depression more severe? What can people do to overcome it? Is SAD a real disorder? What causes people to have trouble sleeping? What information should people share with their primary care provider? How do you make up for the lack of social interaction due to COVID-19?These questions and more are discussed and answered on this episode of the Perry Health Pulse, featuring audio of a Zoom event held with licensed clinical social workers Ariel Swanson and Dave Roden. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Mental health means something different when you've been through it, when you've had a personal encounter with depression or anxiety and reached the point of seeking help. From the outside, mental health challenges can be difficult to comprehend, and people who are struggling with depression or anxiety are often given labels--as "weak" or "crazy." It is time to break that stigma. On this episode of the Pulse, three patients from our Senior Behavioral Wellness program volunteered to share their powerful stories, to help others understand what mental health really means, and to encourage those who need help, to seek it. These are very personal, intimate stories, and we appreciate their willingness to be so vulnerable.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/mentalhealth

Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) a real disease? Or are people just "bummed out" during the shorter days? Does decorating for Christmas help if you're spending the holiday alone? Or does it make things worse?How can people get through the stresses of winter, shorter days, and COVID-19 without depression or anxiety?On this episode of the Pulse podcast, Dr. Scott Arbaugh, psychiatrist and Medical Director of Senior Behavioral Wellness (SBW), and Angie Hughes, LCPC and program director of SBW, discuss the "Winter Blues" and what their experience has taught them about coping through the holiday season.

Discussions of health always seem to center around nutrition and exercise. In a broad sense, that is for a very good reason: eating right and staying active will help prevent many diseases. In the end, the process is much more complex than that, and sometimes the specific nutrition needs or exercises are not easy to pinpoint.On November 16, Ashley Kannenberg, RDN, and Adam Varvil, PT, hosted a Zoom Q&A to discuss how nutrition and exercise can help your immune system recover from illnesses such as cold, flu, or COVID-19. They provided a short presentation, and then followed up by answering questions submitted by the participants. For this episode of the Pulse podcast, we are sharing the recorded audio from that event so you can hear what they had to say.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

When you get sick, your immune system automatically kicks in, and other systems in your body start making adjustments to support your immune system. Suddenly, you feel more tired, and you've lost your appetite. Is that your body talking, or the disease? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference. Does it help when you sleep for hours on end or drink a bunch of orange juice or eat bowl after bowl of soup? Or is there something else you should be doing to support your immune system? On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Dr. Anju Patel, pediatrician, discusses how your body reacts to a virus and what you can do to help fight it.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Everyone seems to experience COVID-19 differently. There are at least a dozen possible symptoms, ranging in severity from none to mild to fatal. And those symptoms overlap significantly with cold and influenza, which makes our winter season even more challenging.The best way to help understand COVID-19 is to hear from people who have been through it. After looking at enough first-hand accounts, it becomes even clearer that everyone is affected differently, and anyone can be affected severely. Regardless of age and health conditions, COVID-19 has the potential to do lingering damage.In this podcast, Brittany Sondgeroth shares her personal story about COVID-19 and the many symptoms she experienced, despite being young and healthy, and taking precautions to avoid the virus.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

It has been a long time since doctors made house calls with a small black bag. Today, the bag just isn't big enough to fit a CT Scanner or a chemistry profiler. Technology has and continues to change healthcare at a rapid pace, to the point that doctors rely on technology to assist throughout the entire diagnosing process.Given all of the technology and computer-driven tests, it is no stretch of the imagination to wonder when doctors will be replaced by robots. A quick blood draw and body scan, and the Dr. Roboto will tell you exactly what is wrong and how to fix it.According to real life Dr. Blanford, that day is possible, but not for a very, very, very long time. Even now, testing is not perfect. Different tests have different rates of false positives or false negatives, and people's body don't work exactly the same. What might be a healthy range for one person, might be completely unhealthy in another. And some tests are too expensive or expose too much radiation to be used frequently, so providers narrow down the diagnosis options using other tests first. These are all things that go into the "Art of Medicine," as Dr. Blanford refers to it. Healthcare is far from exact. The piece that technology lacks--and probably will lack for a long time--is intuition and an understanding of the whole picture. Through their experiences and relationships with each individual patient, providers begin to develop a gut instinct that guides them through the diagnosis process to a more accurate result, without putting too much unnecessary stress on the patient's body.On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Dr. Blanford discusses how providers navigate the inconsistencies and imprecision of healthcare while relying more and more on technology. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Unlike most vaccines, the influenza vaccine is never a "one-and-done" immunization. Year after year, the flu virus adapts and changes, and our bodies are left defenseless against a new strain of disease. Fortunately, that strain usually only amounts to a temporary setback in an otherwise healthy and cozy season, but for tens of thousands of Americans each year, the virus is debilitating enough to cause death. The question we all face is simple: does the flu vaccine actually work? For many, the unpredictability of the influenza virus is proof that the vaccine is a waste of time. Perhaps it even makes the symptoms worse. Healthcare professionals have another take on it. On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Infection Control nurse Kathy Blanford and Assistant Health Department Administrator Laurie Geuther share their perspective on the influenza vaccine and how it helps protect others who are more vulnerable to the disease.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

In healthcare, we often spend a great deal of time talking about heart health, so much so that it tends to overshadow another organ that is just as important: the lungs. When diseases occur in the lungs, every system of the body is affected. Like a clogged car filter, diseases like pneumonia, COPD, and COVID-19 put major strains on the rest of the body, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other comorbidities to surface. With enough fluid or phlegm, the lungs may be forced to work so hard that tissue and blood vessels might die. With enough damage, the lungs might never recover.Problems with the heart and circulation tend to make a sudden, dramatic appearance, but problems with the lungs happen gradually. To a large extent, we have the ability to protect our lungs and make decisions that prevent them from incurring irreversible damage. On this episode of the Pulse podcast, internal medicine physician Dr. S. Das Pamnani, discusses a variety of diseases that affect the lungs, how the lungs are affected by smoking, vaping, marijuana, and COVID-19, and what we can do to take better care of our lungs.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Healthcare is not the same as it used to be. Decades ago, you went to your doctor when you were sick or injured--or they came to you--they told you what was wrong, they fixed it, and you did whatever they told you. No questions asked. Today's world of healthcare could not be more different. Now you are encouraged to see your provider even when nothing is wrong, so that nothing becomes wrong. For that to work, you have to SPEAK UP. That means asking questions, volunteering information (no matter how unimportant it may seem), meeting with your provider any time your health changes, and including loved ones in your care who can advocate for you. Ultimately, you need to speak up to your primary care provider so that he/she knows everything going on in your life and can help decide when certain tests or medications are needed. Your provider also needs to know about your health so they can coordinate with all of your other specialty providers and ensure your medications don't conflict and nothing is being missed. That all starts by advocating for yourself when you SPEAK UP.SpeakUp™ is a program in partnership with the Joint Commission, aimed at teaching patients to take an active and proactive role in their personal health and wellness. Patient Advocate and Patient Safety Officer Deb Wood, RN, joined the Pulse podcast to discuss the importance of SpeakUp™, how to speak up, and how it is being implemented at Perry Memorial Hospital.

What is it like to work on a Life Flight crew? The thought process behind providing care on a helicopter is very different from a normal Emergency Room, or even an ambulance. The skills and training, and the ability to adapt quickly, are much more intense. Multiple crews with different equipment and different skill sets have to be ready to answer the call.Dr. Brandon Bleess is the Medical Director of OSF Life Flight. He is actively working to bring a new mindset and mission to emergency services by ensuring people receive the highest level of care before reaching the hospital. Dr. Bleess joined this episode of the Perry Health Pulse to discuss everything that goes into being a Life Flight physician and how the program works.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

Ever wonder what your doctor or nurse practitioner is doing while you're waiting? They don't spend all day seeing patients back-to-back. For primary care providers, there is so much more that goes into the everyday job than you would think, and there is much more to do now than in decades past.For this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, nurse practitioner Karen Nenne discusses everything she has to do behind the scenes to make care for her patients possible. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Back to school means more routine and more energy planning meals, and perhaps more grocery shopping. Do you need to sanitize your groceries to keep COVID-19 (or flu) germs out of your house? Do you need to be concerned about sick food service workers when dining out or using car-side grocery pickup? Does Vitamin C make you immune to viruses?Sometimes, our ways of staying healthy do more harm than good. In our 49th podcast, Registered Dietitians Ashley Kannenberg and Elyse Boroski discuss answers to these questions, and help set people's minds at ease about their food. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

Podiatry involves much more than a fascination with feet. The breadth of podiatry has expanded significantly over the past few decades. In Illinois, podiatrists can treat bones in the lower 1/3 of the leg, and treat non-bone issues up to the knee. The amount of surgery and urgent care needs covered by podiatry, likewise, is growing. According to Dr. Amanda McGuire, podiatry is the perfect balance of treatment and preventative care, with surgery and urgent needs. A broad range of health problems can manifest in the feet and become debilitating, which is where the podiatry specialization comes in. On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Dr. McGuire provides insights into the field of podiatry, what it covers and why it is so fascinating to her. She also delves into the world of wound care and discusses Perry's Wound Care Clinic services.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

Over the past century, immunizations have made it possible to nearly eliminate many pandemic-level diseases, including polio and smallpox. Vaccines give people immunity against deadly diseases, immunity that would otherwise only come from surviving the disease and its horrible effects.As schools prepare to get back in session, it is time for students and parents to start thinking about immunizations. Even with COVID-19 throwing off our normal routines, it is important to stick to the immunizations schedule as much as possible. For this episode of the Perry Health Pulse, we partnered with the Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall County Health Department to give an update and overview on vaccines, including the annual flu vaccine. Guests include Kathy Blanford, RN, Infection Control Nurse at Perry Memorial Hospital, and Elia Larios, Public Health official with the Health Department.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Medicare Wellness Visits are an important step in helping primary care providers understand and guide your overall health. And, they're free. That means once a year, you can help your provider help you. The Medicare Wellness Visit is a comprehensive diagnostic meeting, to see if/how your health has changed in any way, so that the next steps can be taken. The goal is to avoid problems. Avoid diseases. By watching for changes in blood pressure or bone density or checking your chemistry profile, your provider can get a head start on diseases, which means you could find it early, when it is much more treatable, or avoid the disease altogether. On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Abby Vladika, nurse practitioner in the Perry Memorial Family Health Clinic, discusses what is involved in the Medicare Wellness Visit, why it is important, and how the process works at Perry.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org

One hundred years ago, people knew far less about diseases, hygiene, and medicine. Many people were killed by diseases that we have no need to be concerned about today, and pandemics circled the globe on many occasions. In fact, the Spanish Flu of 1918 and polio had many similarities to COVID-19, especially when you look at what people did to avoid those diseases.The practices of social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands has not always been popular or correctly used. But 2020 is certainly not the first time these practices--and others--have been used. On this episode of the Pulse podcast, Infection Control nurse Kathy Blanford joins the discussion to cover the current COVID safety recommendations, and to review how people fought the spread of the Spanish Flu and polio.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Given the Stay-at-Home orders and need to social distance, it is easy to fall into a new, less healthy routine. For many, that routine may involve laying on the couch, watching TV all day, and only getting up to grab a new bag of chips or refill your glass of soda. Whether that scenario applies to you or not, the one thing we are all struggling with is eating healthy.Going to the grocery store is challenging now, and we tend to rush in and out, instead of taking the time to collect ingredients for a recipe or be selective about the quality of our choices. We often rush through the aisles filling our carts with whatever grabs our attention along the way.And once we get back home, the whole concept of pacing goes out the window. Even though we are less active and burning less calories, we often consume the same, if not more, calories. On this episode of the Pulse podcast, registered dietitians Ashley Kannenberg and Elyse Boroski share some tips and tricks of how to enjoy tasty foods while managing portions and quality. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org

We are proud to have generations of families caring for our communities. It is exceptionally special to have generations of nurses caring for patients. In celebration of International Nurses Week and Mother's Day, we interviewed two sets of mother-daughter nurses at Perry Memorial Hospital. Together, these four nurses have nearly 100 years of experience in nursing, and have insights into how the world of healthcare has transformed since they started.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org

Knees are like the tires on a car. You need them to get where you're going. They withstand the most wear and tear each day. You want them to last as long as possible. When they start wearing out, you can feel the difference. And if they aren't replaced the right way, they can wear out again.Comparing the first cars, to now, the concept has never changed. They have many of the same parts, arranged in the same way, all achieving the same goal. It is the same with knee replacement surgery. The purpose and the concept have never really changed. What has changed is the quality of the parts. Cars today are lighter, faster, more durable, etc. Likewise, knee prosthesis are made to fit better, are lighter and stronger. The technology used to perform the surgery is more accurate and helps with each individual case. The surgeon is able to replace the knee with fewer incisions and less tissue damage.According to Dr. Allen Van, all of these things make the process easier and the recovery faster, but at the end of the day, the surgery is only as good as the surgeon. Ultimately, it is the surgeon who chooses where to make an incision. It is the surgeon who decides if someone should undergo surgery at all. All of the technology is an added bonus, an extra layer of quality if the surgeon uses it correctly.On the latest episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, Dr. Van discusses what knee replacement surgery means today, and at what point someone should start talking with an orthopedic surgeon.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org

In Illinois, every hospital has to be prepared to care for victims of sexual assault in the ER. For hospitals without specialized nurses or physicians, they must have a plan in place to transfer care to another hospital that does. It is increasingly important to have SANE trained nurses or SAFE trained physicians on staff in emergency departments, ready to care for patients faced with such personal and invasive care.The role of these individuals is to devote their attention 100% to the victim, to put them at ease, and ensure the hospital experience does not add to the trauma. They are there for support through the entire experience, and beyond. SANE nurses and SAFE physicians are trained to carefully collect important evidence, These individuals are

Some people who live the perfect, heart healthy lifestyle still end up having heart attacks. It is not that healthy lifestyles don't work; those people are exceptions to the rule. Medicine is far from an exact science, but physicians and researchers are learned more and more about heart disease, how to detect it, and how to treat it. All in all, science is allowing more and more people to live beyond heart disease problems.The solutions for heart disease are never "one size fits all." Everyone is different, and everyone requires a personalized plan to combat and avoid heart disease. Research is showing more and more risk factors that lead to heart disease, and more and more problems that tend to coincide with heart disease. Dr. Montevecchi from OSF Cardiovascular is on the front lines of the fight against heart disease, and has first-hand knowledge of the latest research and testing options available. He joins the Pulse podcast for an in-depth discussion of heart disease, what leads to it, and how you can detect and redirect problems early.For more information, visit www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Caregiving for a loved one can be stressful, and mentally and physically draining, no matter how involved you are in the caregiving process. There are things that can be done to help alleviate that stress, free up more time for you, and keep you organized and ready over the long term. Part of that is creating a schedule to get others involved and taking advantage of offers to help. Self care should be a top priority as you work as a caregiver.Another major part is planning. You never know what is going to happen, and health can change on a moment's notice. Do you know your loved one's wishes? Do you have the legal authority to make decisions for them, if they are unable to do so? These are all things to have a conversation about, to be aware, even if you are not a caregiver and your loved one is perfectly healthy. April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It is a time to start having that conversation, and putting together Advanced Directives or Living Wills. Care management departments can help explain the difference and file the needed paperwork. Either way, the first step is the conversation.Marcia Hartwig, RN and Education Coordinator at Perry, joins the Pulse to discuss caregiving tips, how to stay safe amidst COVID-19, and what documents are available to help plan for the unexpected.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Are GMOs safe to eat? There tends to be so much negative hype surrounding GMOs that it is difficult to know what is safe to eat, let alone what is GMO and what is not. And then there is organic produce. Is it worth the higher price tag? What makes it "organic?"Our grocery stores and food options are always evolving. No matter what, the government does and will play a huge role in the food process, especially by inspecting and researching the health effects of various foods. Fortunately, that also means that almost all food in a grocery store is safe (though not necessarily healthy). When it comes to produce and meat, don't worry! Double check the expiration/sell by date, and cook away. Elyse Boroski, Registered Dietitian, joins this episode of the Pulse to share the careful inspection process and discuss the fact and fiction surrounding GMOs and organic foods. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Rumors about food and nutrition tend to spread like wildfire, and over time, certain rumors stick around and become commonplace. Fortunately, modern research and medical knowledge can weigh in on nutrition rumors and help sort out what is true and what is false. In this episode, we explore what the latest research has to say about these nutritional rumors: - Canned food is not healthy because of preservatives - Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar - Eating fat makes you fat - A gluten-free diet is healthier for everyoneAshley Kanneberg, Registered Dietitian and Director of Perry's Food and Nutrition Services department, joins this episode of the Pulse to discuss the fact and fiction surrounding these rumors. Regardless of the rumor, there is one major takeaway for everyone: everything is okay in moderation. The trick is knowing how much or little of something to consume. Even vegetables cause you to gain weight when too much is eaten. Learn more about the Perry Health Pulse by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

Many people who experience heart attacks have no prior symptoms or known risk factors, or at least none they discuss with their primary care provider. People simply don't think they will ever have a heart attack. Until they do. Any heart attack survivor will share a long list of things they wish they had done differently prior to the heart attack to help avoid it. By communicating openly with your provider and following their advice, more people can control the risk factors that lead to heart disease.Controlling the risk factors comes down to three major categories: diet, exercise, and blood pressure. Limit the amount of sugar, salt, bad cholesterol from red meats as much as possible. Get at least 2.5 hours of brisk walking--or even better, jogging--in each week to keep the heart pumping. And get your blood pressure checked often. Your body adjusts to high blood pressure so you don't even realize it is high. Over time, that can lead to hardened arteries that cannot fight plaque buildup.When a heart attack does happen, it is important to know the signs and get it checked out. The more well-known signs include chest pain, pain in the left arm, shortness of breath, and nausea. Other symptoms can include feelings of indigestion that don't go away, excessive sweating, and back or jaw pain.For this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, we recorded a speech by internal medicine physician, Dr. S. Das Pamnani, about the risk factors and symptoms of heart disease. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

No one expects they will have a heart attack, until they have one. Even with a family history, people tend to put heart health on the back burner and plan to deal with it later. Yet a heart attack gives no warning that it is going to happen, or how severe it will be, or whether it will happen at a convenient time and place.One thing is for certain: anyone who survives a heart attack is changed, and wishes they did things differently. There is a lot to be learned from that.For American Heart Month, we interviewed three heart attack survivors about their experiences and their advice for others. For this episode of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, their testimonials are being shared in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others who have a risk of heart attacks, even if they do not know it yet.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

When someone we know is going through a mental crisis, it is difficult to know what to do to help. There are many things people tend to do that could make the situation worse, and many simple things that could make the situation better. When a person is upset--unless you are uncomfortable--simply acknowledging what is going on in a kind way and listening to them can help to deescalate the situation. You might just help lighten the person's load enough that they do not continue to spiral.Or you might be the wrong person for the job. Not everyone has a calming effect on everyone they know. It is okay to acknowledge when you are not right to help someone going through mental health challenges; instead, help them find the right person who can. Remember, when someone is in a crisis, all of their actions are based on protecting themselves, even if it feels personal at times.At the end of the day, you may be able to help in the moment, but remember that professionals are the ones who need to help people with long-term mental health problems. It starts with primary care providers, who have assessment tools and know how to use them, and who have referral options for the right care. The best support you can give someone, beyond the time of a crisis, is to encourage them to seek help, and be patient in finding someone who is the right fit to help.On this episode of the Pulse podcast, Dave Roden from Perry's Senior Behavioral Wellness program, and Stefanie Morris from Perry's education department, both certified Mental Health First Aid trainers, discuss how to support someone going through a mental health crisis.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Each year in the United States, more than one out of every five people experience a mental health disorder. As 'tough' as many people try to act or as composed as they try to present themselves, everyone has a breaking point. Everyone has a threshold of what they can handle, and what goes too far. And it is completely different for everyone. While one person can fight in a war and not experience PTSD, another person could end up in a mental health crisis because their favorite shoes got dirty. What is the difference? One person has been prepared to cope with stress, and the other has a much, much lower threshold.The good news is that coping skills can be practiced. People in any age range can use time when they are not stressed to practice how they will cope when they are faced with stressful situations. There are also healthy coping skills, and unhealthy coping skills, and it is important to understand the difference.For people who do end up facing a mental health crisis, it is important for everyone else to understand how to recognize it, and what to do. Mental Health First Aid is a program that teaches people to be mental health "lifeguards" in the community, to watch for people in crisis and be the go-to familiar faces when someone cannot cope anymore. Just like regular first aid, the idea is to help someone with a crisis and prevent it from getting worse until professionals can take over, or to help get people to professionals who can help avoid problems in the future.Two certified Mental Health First Aid trainers, Dave Roden, LCSW from Senior Behavioral Wellness, and Stefanie Morris from Perry's education department, joined the Pulse podcast to discuss the MHFA program and how it is that people can end up going through a crisis.This episode is the first part of a two-part series. To view other episodes of the Perry Health Pulse podcast, please visit www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

Insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, are pushing more and more of the cost of services onto the consumer. People across the country are experiencing higher premiums, higher deductibles, higher co-pays, and less overall coverage. Hospitals are stuck in the middle, trying to provide quality services for patients while fighting for proper reimbursements on the other end. Meanwhile, Medicare and Medicaid actually reimburse less than the cost of the services provided, so healthcare organizations are losing money on the patient population with the most needs.Our healthcare system is very different from the simple version from 100 years ago. Back then, all of the services and charges could be listed on a piece of paper and patients paid before they left. By the 1990s, patients bills were almost always sent to insurance before any money was requested, and hospitals and patients knew how much they could rely on insurance to cover.Today, the entire system is so much more complex that hospitals have no idea how much insurance will reimbursement, when they will be reimbursed, or if it will happen at all. In many cases, good claims are rejected outright, hoping the hospital doesn't have time to resubmit the claim before the deadline. At the end of the day, insurance providers do not make money by reimbursing for claims; they make money by not reimbursing claims. Increasingly, insurance providers are working hard to avoid losing money, which leaves hospitals with large bills that patients cannot afford to pay.Mario Burnette, Perry's Business Office Director, and Zac Heward, Perry's Business Office Coordinator, joined the Pulse to share their experience with the complicated process on our latest episode.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Knowing when to go to the emergency room vs an urgent care clinic can be tricky business. For the average person, it is almost impossible to self-diagnose something like chest pain--it could be a heart attack, heart burn, a pulmonary embolism, etc. Years ago, if you assumed it was a heart attack and went to the ER, the visit was usually covered by insurance, even if you were wrong. Now, more and more, insurance providers are only covering ER visits that are truly necessary. If it turns out the pain was from heart burn, you could be stuck flipping the bill for all of the highly-trained 24/7 staff.On the other hand, you don't want to go to an urgent care clinic just to be told your condition is severe and you have to go to the ER. And you don't want to have to wait for days or weeks to see your primary care provider if you have that much discomfort or pain.There are a number of differences between urgent care and emergency care that can help you choose where to go: - emergency care is open 24/7, while urgent care usually offers weekend and evening hours - urgent care is first come, first serve (which, at times, could mean a long wait), and emergency care focuses on treating whoever has the greatest need - urgent care generally does not have all of the equipment needed for every test, and the ER is expensive because it doesThere is no perfect solution for everyone's needs, which is why primary care, urgent care, and emergency care all exist and work together. Each addresses a different degree of illness or injury. On this episode of the Perry Health Pulse, Dr. Neal Edelson (medical director of Perry's Emergency Department) and Cory Kramer, APRN (nurse practitioner of Perry Memorial Prompt Care) share their insights and expertise to help you Know Where to Go. Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

Medicare is a huge system with many, many options that all seem confusing. Even after enrolling, you can run into problems, such as deductibles or co-pays that are higher than expected, or perhaps your primary care physician is out of network. For people on limited incomes, this is a serious concern.Never fear. Medicare gives people an opportunity to change plans. From January 1 to March 31, anyone enrolled in Medicare or Medicare Advantage can switch plans instead of waiting an entire year for open enrollment to come around again. There are a variety of reasons to switch, but only a limited time frame to do it. And, being such a big system, it takes time for changes to go into effect.Which plan is best for you? That answer is different for everyone, but the one thing you can do is become familiar with Medicare.gov. It includes information about every plan and helps you manage your health information, and it should be the first stop in determining what plan works best for your income and lifestyle.On this episode of the Pulse, Keith Leitzen, President of Managed Care Partners, shares his expertise with the Medicare process and breaks down exactly what Medicare recipients and their children should know about the enrollment process.

About this time every year, people start creating grand plans for New Year's Resolutions. It certainly is a great time to start thinking about healthcare-related goals. That check-up you've been putting off? Don't let 2020 slip by without doing it. Trying to ignore the pain in your knee? It is time to fix the problem.From newborns to great-grandparents, it is important to be health-conscious and mindful that every decision will affect you later in life. Toddlers start learning nutrition and exercise habits, and develop their perception of doctors as scary or as important. From the teenage years into the 30s, people tend to think of themselves as healthy and avoid going to the hospital. But heart attacks don't just happen for no reason. The signs and causes start early, in the 20s and 30s, and meeting with providers often can help to catch problems and adjust course early. As people age, it becomes even more important to communicate often with providers, schedule screenings even if it is unlikely you have the disease being tested, and stay ahead of health problems as much as possible.The guests for this episode of the Pulse include Dr. John Ibrahim, internal medicine physician in the Family Health Clinic, and Anna Freeman, APRN, nurse practitioner in the Family Health Clinic who focuses on pediatrics. Together, they discuss important health objectives for each age group and the importance of seeking primary care regularly.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

2019 has flown by so quickly that it is difficult to know everything that happened, let alone remember it. Healthcare, especially, changes significantly from year to year, even though many people don't interact with a hospital enough to notice all of the differences. Changes that happen on a national level eventually lead to action on the local level. Sometimes, it is as simple as changing trends in conversation. For example, one of the big trends this year is to talk about the opioid crisis. Lawsuits have been made against pharmaceutical companies, leaders in Washington have started to take note of the statistics surrounding opioid addiction, and grants have become available to help organizations address the problems. This year, many organizations have applied for grants and started working together to create solutions for the problem. On a more local, rural level, hospitals are dealing with the shifting change in services. Knowledge, technology, and Medicare are all continuing to push the focus away from inpatient towards outpatient. Healthcare is faster, easier, more mobile, and cheaper when it can be done on an outpatient basis, or even at a person's own home. As a result, Perry has seen a shift over the past 25 years from 50:50 inpatient/outpatient, to more than 85% outpatient. Changing trends make it difficult to predict volume and hospitals have to devote more time to education about services, rather than waiting until people become sick and need help.Annette Schnabel, President and CEO of Perry Memorial Hospital, joins this episode of the Pulse podcast to take a look at what happened in 2019, and lay out some of the plans for 2020.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

As people age, no one likes the idea of losing their independence. In many cases, the symptoms of aging happen slowly and are never dealt with, because they are considered normal. Falling, bumps and bruises, and forgetfulness should not be considered normal, and could be signs of other health concerns. Paying attention to those signs and seeking help can make a difference of years, and avoid time admitted to a hospital or nursing home.Adult children coming home to visit for the holidays are in a perfect position to assess if their parents need help. When a few months or even a year has passed since the last visit, it can be easy to see the difference in mood, hygiene, or health. Convincing their parents to seek help and answers might be the most challenging part of the process.Home care can be a perfect solution for people with these symptoms, all done in the comfort of a patient's own home. Medical rehab staff can help improve balance and strength, and recommend changes to avoid falling. Skilled nurses can help educate on medications and take steps to keep the patient independent. Colleen Sailer, RN, Director of Perry Home Care, joins this episode of the Pulse to discuss what children should look for during holiday visits, and how to get the home care process started.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

All insurance providers operate differently, and figuring out what is covered or not can be extremely complicated. Even people who call in to make sure something is covered, could end up with a big bill when it's all said and done. In more urgent cases, the entire treatment might be over before you find out if it was covered by your insurance plan.Some organizations, such as Perry, are trying to make the process easier for patients and the billing staff. Certain employees are actually hired to coordinate with insurance through pre-authorizations. They verify that the orders received are going to be covered, track the visits, and work with physicians to ensure everything is charted to ensure the treatment meets the expectations of insurance. They communicate with insurance often to keep the patient and family informed about the process and to let them know if there will be a fee for certain services. Starting even before a patient is admitted or makes their first visit, these staff start the process as soon as possible to stay ahead of any curve balls.On this episode of the Pulse, Michelle Kinnamon and Sara Lucas share their experiences securing authorizations from insurance providers and making the patient experience even better.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

No one considers a colonoscopy fun. In fact, many people are repulsed by the very idea of a colonoscopy, despite the importance of catching colon cancer early. With today's medical knowledge, colorectal cancer can be treated much more easily and effective when it is caught early through a colonoscopy screening.Nevertheless, the colonoscopy is very inconvenient. It includes fasting, drinking a "prep" to clean out the colon, being drowsed or even put under, and spending the rest of the day tired. The colonoscopy takes a mental and physical toll, and that is why many people opt for alternatives, such as Cologuard®.Cologuard® does not require any of those steps. Cologuard® works by checking a variety of DNA samples to see if any colorectal cancer may be affecting the cells in the colon. Cologuard® is a little more likely to give a false positive result. Either way, if the result comes back positive, the next step is to go through the full colonoscopy.Genetics- or chemical-based healthcare is not entirely accurate, and most likely never will be. Having the traditional colonoscopy, which is becoming easier and more efficient every year, comes with a variety of major advantages. On this episode of the Pulse, family practice physician Dr. Arnold Faber and Director of Outpatient Services Lisa Ackerman, RN, shared their experience and expertise about when people should be screened for colon cancer, and which screening is more effective.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/podcast

One plate of food from Thanksgiving dinner, using appropriate serving sizes, can take up all or most of the calories a person should consume in an entire day. Imagine how much extra a person would consume by eating seconds or thirds, multiple desserts, and appetizers before the meal, all while heaping the plate high each time. Of course, there is also hoping the turkey was thawed properly and doesn't sit out too long to grow holiday-ruining bacteria. Handling and cooking such a large bird requires a food safety mindset.Even during the holidays, health should be top of mind. There are always ways to reduce the number of calories without ruining the taste or quality of the food, but the best part is that nothing is off limits. Enjoy the meal, yet don't over do it. Elyse Boroski, RDN, joins this episode of the Perry Health Pulse to discuss the traditional Thanksgiving meal, including calories and nutrition facts, how to thaw, cook, and store the turkey safely, and ways to reduce calories without sacrificing taste.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse

When fall comes around, there are lots of opportunities for people to overeat or eat unhealthy foods. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, watching football games.... For people with diabetes, the tradition and fun atmosphere makes it easy to forget how the food can affect their blood sugars. The problem comes from more than just over-indulging. It comes from waiting to eat to "save room" for the big meal. It comes from stacking a plate high with food, including sugary and carb-heavy options. It comes from partaking in leftovers too soon after the main meal. And it comes from laying around after filling up with delicious food.All of these things can contribute to high glucose, which can be very damaging to multiple systems in the body, and which is not as noticeable as low levels. Instead of risking that damage, consider preparing ahead of time. Find out what food will be available, and make a plan. Schedule times to stop, exercise a little (walking is just fine), and test your blood. After eating, force yourself to wait, to make sure you are really hungry for seconds before rushing back to the buffet. And pace yourself; give your body time to adjust, and make sure your eyes are not bigger than your stomach.It is very reasonable for people with diabetes to enjoy good meals for the holidays, while still being healthy. Bianca Ramira, DNP, nurse practitioner in the Family Health Clinic, joins the Pulse podcast to discuss the problems people with diabetes face during the holidays, and how to be safe and healthy instead.Learn more by visiting www.perrymemorial.org/pulse