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COVID-19 Transmission and Understanding Exposure Risks

2022-09-08T09:47:25-04:00September 1st, 2022|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a series of questions around factors that can determine a lower or higher risk of COVID-19 transmission. These questions are designed so you can assess your risk of exposure and possible transmission in various settings, as well as the likelihood that you were infected if you had recently been around a person with COVID-19. If multiple factors indicate you could be in a higher transmission risk scenario, you  may consider adding more preventative actions or take steps outlined for what to do if you were exposed. As always, you should [...]

Finding Your Balance Could Lower Your Risk of Death

2022-07-07T10:18:52-04:00July 5th, 2022|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|

A new study out of Brazil shows that being able to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds is linked to having a lower risk of death over the next seven years. Researchers have found that people who were middle-aged or older who could not perform the 10-second standing test were almost four times as likely to die of any cause in the coming years. While it has been known that falls are a major cause of injury and death worldwide, this new study has shed light on falls not being the only problem of having poor balance. Improving [...]

Exercise for Both Physical and Mental Health

2022-05-10T12:56:22-04:00May 2nd, 2022|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health|

It is well known that exercise is important to maintain physical health, but new studies have shown that the benefits of exercise extend to mental health as well. Researchers looked at 15 existing studies that contain data on exercise and depression and have found a correlation between depression risk and physical activity. Even when someone wasn’t exercising as intensely or as often as advised by the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were still significant mental health benefits. The 15 studies used, which included over 191,000 participants total, found that people who did half the recommended amount of physical [...]

Falling by the Wayside? Falls Prevention in Dialysis

2022-05-06T16:08:10-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Dialysis, Fact Sheet, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Laura Plantinga, PhD, Bernard Jaar, MD, MPH, and C. Barrett Bowling, MD, MSPH Why are dialysis patients at particular risk for falls? Studies show that approximately one-quarter of dialysis patients fall every year, meaning that they are about three times more likely to fall in any given year, compared to the general population. While older age certainly plays a role, there are several other factors that put dialysis patients — regardless of age — at higher risk for falls. In fact, most falls probably result from a combination of factors, usually a combination of long-term “predisposing” risk factors [...]

To Change or Not to Change?

2022-05-06T15:16:44-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

By Dr. Stacy Ogbeide, Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist www.stacyogbeide.com “Why is change so hard?” I hear this statement often from the patients I see in primary care. From taking a medication as prescribed to starting an exercise program – change is hard. Having a chronic health condition like Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can be difficult because, like many other chronic health conditions, CKD is heavily influenced by lifestyle and behavior modifications. What is a person to do? “I just need to do it.” “I will change when I want to change.” “I will start next week.” “I want [...]

Wellness and Mental Health While Living with Rare Disease

2022-05-09T13:15:48-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health, Stress Management, The Kidney Citizen, What Causes Kidney Disease|

  By Maya Doyle, MSW, PhD Cystinosis is a rare lysosomal storage disorder (1) that is typically diagnosed in childhood and typically results in kidney failure and progression to dialysis and/or kidney transplant. In the United States, a disease is considered rare if it is affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are approximately 7,000 rare diseases affecting between 25 and 30 million Americans – this means 1 in 10 people may be affected by a rare condition (2). The experience of a rare condition can be very isolating because of the [...]

New Medicare Initiative to Cover Costs of OTC COVID-19 Tests

2022-05-10T12:53:34-04:00April 22nd, 2022|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

Beginning April 4, 2022, Medicare now covers the cost of up to eight over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests per calendar month for Part B and Medicare Advantage participants. It is important to note that Medicare will not cover OTC COVID-19 tests for patients who only have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage, but they may still be eligible for free tests through other programs. Medicare will cover the costs of these tests until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) comes to an end. Patients can get the tests through any participating pharmacy or health care provider. A partial list of participating pharmacies [...]

Living With Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN)

2022-04-12T12:31:54-04:00April 12th, 2022|Categories: eNews, Mental Health, Physical Health, Resources|

Living with diabetes can be a challenge all on its own, in addition to the complications that can come with it. Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is a common type of diabetic neuropathy that occurs in one-fourth of those with Type II Diabetes and is characterized by feelings of pins and needles, prickling, tingling, numbness, or shooting pain, most commonly in the feet. The American Chronic Pain Association has many PDPN resources for both patients and caregivers. There is a PDPN Conversation Guide, which can help patients communicate with their healthcare provider about the location, specific feelings, and severity of their [...]

How to Care for Yourself When You’re a Caregiver

2022-03-08T13:03:13-05:00March 8th, 2022|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Stress Management|

Being a caregiver is a huge responsibility – whether you’re a parent, spouse, or sibling, being fully responsible for the well-being of someone else can be a full-time job. When you also need to juggle work or raising children as well, it is no wonder that the caregiver’s needs are often what gets neglected. Studies have shown that no matter the age, sex, race, or ethnicity of the caregiver, all are more likely to be sleep-deprived, unable to exercise regularly, and have poor eating habits.  They are also less likely to keep up with doctor’s appointments for themselves or allow themselves [...]

Identifying Health Misinformation

2022-03-08T13:00:47-05:00March 1st, 2022|Categories: eNews, Immunizations, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health|Tags: |

Over the last two years, people have been exposed to a lot of information, from many different sources, regarding COVID-19. There are many reputable sources for health information, such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). However, there has been a recent rise in health misinformation, which caused confusion about vaccination and other public health measures, such as masking and social distancing. Although health misinformation is not new, with more people having access to the internet and various social media platforms, it has spread in recent years at an unprecedented rate. In order to keep yourself, [...]

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