HEALTH
DIRECTORY
2021
A publication of THE EXPOSITOR
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Coping with stress during uncertain times Stress can affect people’s lives at any moment. Some say that a certain measure of stress can be a good thing that pushes individuals to try their best to overcome obstacles. However, chronic stress is potentially dangerous for the mind and body. 2020 has been a stressful year for many people. A global pandemic that emerged in late 2019 and continued into the new year brought with it many changes — some of which are unprecedented. Concerns about the COVID-19 virus, unemployment, reduced wages, and uncertainty about the future has left many people feeling adrift. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey, the average reported stress level for adults in the United States related to the coronavirus pandemic is 5.9. When asked to rate their stress level in general, the average reported stress for American adults is 5.4. This is higher than the average stress level reported in 2019, which was 4.9, and marks the first significant increase in average reported stress since the survey began in 2007. Pandemic stress mixed with existing stress may require additional coping techniques. • Turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The occasional pep talk can help people manage their stress. Rather than saying “Everything is going wrong,” tell yourself “I can handle this, I have done it before.” Find the silver lining in situations and they may not feel so stressful. • Take things one step at a time. Getting ahead of
yourself by looking too far into the future can compound stress. Focus on the here and now. Make to-do lists and take situations as they come day by day or hour by hour. Situations are often fluid, so worrying about something that is weeks away is often fruitless. • Exercise regularly. Find opportunities to exercise. The Mayo Clinic says exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Physical activity can release your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Exercise also can mimic the effects of stress, helping to condition the body to its effects and buffer the cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems from negative effects. • Seek out social support. Chances are someone you know also is experiencing increased stress loads. Find the time for conversation, video chats or safe, socially distanced meet-ups with friends. Each person can share their unique frustrations and collectively you can work through the stress. • Don’t drown in perfectionism. Trying to be mistake-free can trigger anxiety and stress. Being perfect is impossible and everyone makes mistakes. According to Psych Central, mistake-making can lead to growth and experience, while perfectionism may staunch growth because a person is too afraid to take chances. Not every decision you make will be ideal, but each is a learning experience. Stress is something most people come up against in their daily lives, perhaps more so than ever this year. But stress can be wrangled and minimized.
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F F NO ER W IN G O
Caring That's Connected–
So You Can Stay Home!
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e know that these days, the stakes are high when you or a loved one is sick. That’s why Cookeville Regional is making virtual visits available for the safest possible care. Thanks to the latest telehealth technology, we’re now able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical issues quickly and reliably without the need for an in-person visit, which protects both you and your medical caregivers. This is covered by most insurances, and both current and new patients are welcome to make appointments by calling one of the numbers below.
Cookeville Regional — Virtual care you can count on. + GASTROENTEROLOGY 931-783-2616
+ NEUROLOGY 931-783-4901
+ INTERNAL MEDICINE 931-783-4600
+ NEPHROLOGY 931-783-2902
+ FAMILY PRACTICE 931-783-5848
+ PULMONOLOGY 931-783-2143
+ FAMILY PRACTICE 931-783-4557
+ UPPER CUMBERLAND UROLOGY 931-528-5547
(Walnut Commons)
+ ENDOCRINOLOGY 931-783-2648
+ CARDIAC, VASCULAR & THORACIC SURGERY 931-783-4269 + URGENT CARE CLINIC 931-783-5353 ------------------------------------------+ TENNESSEE HEART 931-881-2039 or 888-352-8031 -------------------------------------------COOKEVILLE REGIONAL
URGENT CARE It’s the Way WeCARE
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cookevilleregionalurgentcare.com
Preventive care and the pandemic Procrastination is not typically considered a good thing. But as the world spent much of 2020 confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, putting certain things on hold became part of the new normal. In an effort to reduce infection rates, public health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization urged people to limit their in person interactions with people outside of their own households. As a result, many of the things people do on a regular basis, including seeing their physicians for wellness visits, were rescheduled. It’s understandable that many people postponed preventive care and wellness visits during the pandemic, but it’s also potentially dangerous. For example, researchers with the Health Care Cost Institute found that childhood vaccinations declined by roughly 60 percent in mid-April 2020 compared with 2019. Other screenings and preventive exams, including mammograms, pap smears and colonoscopies, also declined by significant percentages during the pandemic compared to the previous year. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion notes the power of preventive care is undeniable. In fact, the NCCDPHP points out that, while chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health problems, they’re also among the most prevent-
able. Annual wellness visits and early detection efforts like routine screenings for at-risk populations can uncover problems before they escalate into something more serious. In addition, annual physicals, which are provided free of charge through many health insurance policies, provide great opportunities for doctors to advise patients on their overall health and how to improve it if exams and blood work turn up any red flags. Visiting a doctor during the pandemic As vital as preventive care can be, it’s understandable if people are hesitant to visit their doctors during the pandemic. But patients can take certain steps to calm their nerves about booking preventive care appointments during the pandemic. • Schedule telemedicine appointments. The number of telemedicine appointments has skyrocketed during the pandemic. While the transition from predominantly in-person appointments to telemedicine might have been a reluctant and rocky one at the start of the pandemic, many doctors’ offices have since firmly established their telemedicine protocols. The Mayo Clinic advises patients who have not yet tried telemedicine to contact their doctors’ offices to arrange an appointment. • Inquire about office procedures. Doctors try to keep patients healthy, not get them sick. Various medical or-
ganizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, have provided thorough checklists to help physicians prepare their offices to welcome patients during the pandemic. Patients can ease their concerns by contacting their doctors’ offices and asking them about their pandemicrelated protocols. • Don’t hesitate to make requests. There’s no such thing as being too safe from COVID-19, so patients can work with their doctors to calm their fears even further. Ask to pay copays over the phone and request that the front desk call you when the doctor is ready so you don’t have to sit in the waiting room. Preventive care is an important component of health care, even during a pandemic.
Family Foot Center
Providing podiatric care in the Upper Cumberland since 1988
1-800-955-FEET • www.familyfootcentertn.com
Our podiatrists, Stephen Chapman, DPM, Dwayne A. Jacobus, DPM, and R. Greogry Walters, DPM specialize in medical and surgical care of the foot and rear foot. We accept most insurance plans and have four different locations available to help serve your needs. Some of the most common conditions we successfully treat every day are: • Ingrown Nails • Heel Pain • Hammer Toes
Dewayne Jacobus, DPM
Cookeville Office
120 Walnut Commons Ln., Suite A Cookeville, TN 38501 Phone: (931) 528-1331
• Bunions • Plantar Facitis • Toenail Fungus • Sprains • Wound Care • Diabetic Foot Care
Stephen J Chapman, DPM
Crossville Office
58 West Avenue Crossville, TN 38555 Phone: (931) 484-9002
Personal Growth Counseling
R. Gregory Walters, DPM
Livingston Office
417 E. University Street Livingston, TN 38570 Phone: (931) 823-3668
Smithville Office
520 West Main Street Smithville, TN 37166 Phone: (931) 879-9011
NHC HOMECARE The Name You Trust For Quality HomeCare
1. Do you excel in the workplace but find your personal relationships chaotic and unfulfilling? 2. Do you put up with too much because you don’t want to be alone? 3. Do you ever feel alone even in a crowd? 4. Do you hesitate to ask for the things you need? 5. Do you lack self-confidence so much you avoid change that you believe would be good for you 6. Do you have trouble forgiving yourself for past mistakes? 7. Do you feel limited because of a poor self-esteem? 8. Have there been invalidating experiences/people in your life that make you feel less that you really know you can be. 9. Are you hypersensitive so that you find yourself feeling hurt by the attitudes or behaviors of others? If you have answered yes to two or more of the above questions, YOU might benefit from a 16-week therapy group. Personal Growth Counseling-offers the following therapy groups for women, life Skills, Self-esteem, Eating Disorder and Others upon request Groups limited to 7-10 participants
509 North Cedar Ave • Cookeville, TN 38501 931-520-8435 PersonalGrowthCounseling.net
◆ Quality Home Care Provided Per Physicians Orders ◆ On-Call 24 Hours a Day Skilled Nursing Services
Speech Therapy Services
Home Care Occupational Therapy Aide Services Services Physical Therapy Services
Medical Social Services
456 Vista Drive, Sparta, TN 38583 931.836.2713 • mynhchomecare.com Lora Swift, RN Director of Services
Even though most children with COVID-19 exhibit mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, some can get severely ill, requiring hospitalization and intensive care.
Get the facts about COVID and kids
As 2020 unfolded, the world learned just how quickly the novel coronavirus COVID-19 could spread. The World Health Organization noted that, by September 2020, nearly 30 million people across the globe had contracted the virus, and that was before the resurgence of the virus in mid-fall. While the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions are among the people most vulnerable to COVID-19, children are not immune to the virus or its potentially deadly consequences. The Mayo Clinic reports that children of all ages can become infected and ill with COVID-19, but most children who are infected typically do not become as sick as adults. Furthermore, some may not show any symptoms. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association says that children younger than age 14 are less likely to become infected with COVID-19. Nick Davies, an epidemiologist and mathematical modeler at the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, published a study with other researchers in Nature Medicine. Using data from China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and South Korea, Davies found the risk of catching COVID-19 for children and teens (under age 20) was half that of people older than 20. Still, contraction rate models and corresponding ages of children vary around the world. Even though most children with COVID-19 exhibit mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, some can get severely ill, requiring hospitalization and intensive care. Some children have even died after COVID-19 infection. That is why doctors and other health professionals urge parents not to minimize the threat posed by COVID-19. Development of MIS-C The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health partners continue to look into a rare but serious medical condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome
in children (MIS-C),which is associated with COVID-19. This condition can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, eyes, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal organs. Doctors do not know what causes MIS-C, but many children diagnosed with it also had the virus that causes COVID-19. MIS-C can be serious, and even deadly. It may leave lasting scars on the lungs, and can lead to more severe illness down the line, says Rachel Graham, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Unwitting carriers Children may not know they have COVID-19 because they are asymptomatic. Even if they do not feel or look sick, they can still transmit the virus to others, including vulnerable people in their families. Kids are more likely to transmit illnesses, according to health experts. They have a higher tendency to interact with each other
and touch different objects and body parts, which only underscores the importance of exercising caution when letting children interact with others outside their households. Infants and health-compromised children at risk The CDC notes that babies under age 1 might be more likely to have severe illness from COVID-19. Children of other ages with underlying medical conditions might also be at increased risk of severe illness. Underlying medical conditions that can put children at greater risk include diabetes, asthma and heart disease since birth. In addition, children who receive immunosuppression therapies may be vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19. Fever and cough are the most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children. Families must remain diligent, learn to recognize symptoms and ensure their children practice social distancing. Hometown Friendly Service Hometown People Hometown Smiles Professional: Highly experienced staff of healthcare professionals to serve you. Friendly: We get to know you so that we can serve you better Fast: We know your time is valuable Local: Nearly all our staff was born and raised right here! Locally owned: Your $’s stay right here and are NOT sent off to corporate headquarters Specialized: Pharmacy is our only business Competitive: Insurance co-pays are the same everywhere!
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How to combat dementia and memory loss Alzheimer’s Disease International says that there were approximately 50 million people living with dementia in 2017. Experts predict that number will roughly double every 20 years, highlighting just how pervasive dementia is across the globe. Dementia describes symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities. The Mayo Clinic says dementia can become so severe that it interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia, though there are other causes as well. Dementias can result from frontotemporal lobar degenerations, vascular disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy Body disease. Depending on the cause, some dementia symptoms may be reversible. For example, medical professionals have discovered a link between insulin resistance and the development of dementia. Insulin resistance, which results from eating too many carbs and sugar and not enough fat, is a major factor that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease, according to The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. Some scientists now refer to Alzheimer’s as “Type 3 diabetes.” Cutting out sugar and refined carbs and adding lots of good fats may prevent and even reverse pre-dementia in many aging adults. Using an animal model, researchers at Temple University Health System discovered that a drug blocking inflammatory molecules known as leukotrienes can reverse tau pathology, the second most important lesion in the brain in patients with Alzheimer’s. This can bring hope that medication may help reverse Alzheimer’s instead of just mitigating symptoms. Other ways to prevent or reverse dementias involve preventing the brain pathology that occurs. For example, reducing the risk of stroke can prevent vascular dementias. Dementia risks linked to infections and
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immune disorders may be lowered by making dietary changes or taking appropriate medications for conditions. The Mayo Clinic also says nutritional deficiencies, such as dehydration and not getting enough vitamins B1, B6 and B12, can cause dementia-type symptoms. Dementias linked to heavy metal poisoning also may be resolved with treatment. In addition, people can take proactive approaches to preventing aging of the brain even if they aren’t yet suffering cognitive decline. A proactive approach can include: • getting adequate sleep; • controlling stress levels; • getting thyroid and reproductive hormone levels checked and treated, if necessary; • exercising daily, aiming for at least 30 minutes; • Eating healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fatty fish, coconut oil, olive oil, whole nuts, eggs, and some seeds; and • reducing consumption of sugar and processed carbohydrates. Combatting dementia can involve an array of strategies aimed at helping people reduce their risk and possibly even reverse course.
Cedar Hills offers all the amenities of home plus comfort, companionship, convenience and security. • WEEKLY housekeeping/laundry/linen • COMPLETE medication supervision • 24/7 staff supervision • Recreational programs • 3 MEALS DAILY in elegant dining room 1250 Cedar Hills Dr. Cookeville, TN
Jenene Jones, Executive Director
(931) 526-9108
Don’t delay emergency and specialty care Get the care you need close to home
Ascension Saint Thomas Highlands
Specialties:
It is important to continue to take care of your health at this time. From the routine to the unexpected, count on compassionate, personalized care from Ascension Saint Thomas care teams in Sparta. And because we’re more than emergency care, we’ll connect you to the follow-up specialty care that’s right for you.
• Primary care • 24/7 emergency care • Cardiology • General surgery • Orthopedics • Foot and ankle surgery • Behavioral health • Imaging • 3D mammography screenings • Physical therapy
We have strict safety precautions in place and are fully prepared for your safety while in our care. Ascension Saint Thomas Highlands 401 Sewell Drive, Sparta, TN 38583 GetSTHealthcare.com © Ascension 2021. All rights reserved.
Your care is our calling.
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Learn more about the effects of pandemics
Much of the globe was introduced to an assortment of new terms throughout 2020. Phrases like “social distancing” or “flatten the curve” were commonly used, but these were all preceded by the utterance of the word “pandemic.” What is a pandemic? The World Health Organization defines a pandemic as a “worldwide spread of a new disease.” The word pandemic comes from the Greek words “pan” (meaning “all”) and “demos” (“people”). When a new disease emerges, most people lack the natural immunity to fight off illness, so the disease can spread rapidly between communities — and eventually around the world. A pandemic differs from an epidemic in that an epidemic is the spread of disease in a community or region over a specific amount of time. Epidemics often grow into pandemics.
Facts and figures about pandemics According to HealthCareers.com, the most lethal pandemics in history were the Spanish flu of 1918 and the Black Death. The Spanish flu lasted two years and claimed 50 million lives, according to the United States National Archives. In the 14th century, a bubonic plague pandemic referred to as “The Black Death” caused the deaths of between 75 and 200 million people over a period of five years. In comparison, as of October 2020,
more than 1.1 million people have died of the COVID-19 disease worldwide, according to NBC News and Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. Prior to COVID-19, the most recent pandemics occurred with the outbreak of the Hong Kong flu in 1968-69, the H1N1 Swine flu of 2009-2010, and the Ebola outbreak of 20142016. The WHO says that most viral pandemics have been caused by influenza viruses. Addressing pandemics The National Center for Biotechnology Information indicates that globalization increases the probability of a pandemic. Urbanization, travel, trade, and humananimal interaction all lead to elevated pandemic risk. However. thanks to the science of epidemiology and the development of new medicines and therapies, professionals have helped to reduce death rates due to pandemics. Health experts say one of the most efficient measures to help reduce the risk of pandemic infection is the simplest — the practice of social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says social distancing means keeping a safe distance between oneself and others who are not from the same household. Many diseases spread among people who are in close contact (within about six feet) for prolonged periods. Global pandemics are nothing new, but the public still needs to be vigilant and do their part to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
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How to take a more active role in your personal health
The role individuals play in their own health care became more prominent in 2020. As a global pandemic forced people from all walks of life to prioritize their personal health each time they left their homes, many individuals sought ways to take a more active role in their health care. Proactive health care has long been touted by medical professionals, though many people still don’t take such recommendations to heart. In fact, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that as much as 75 percent of health care spending in the United States is reactive in nature, meaning that money is going toward treating conditions and diseases rather than preventing them from occurring in the first place. Taking an active role in your own health care is easier than people may think. And the benefits of such a proactive approach are numerous, including a reduced risk for various diseases. • Schedule annual physicals. Annual physicals are one of the simplest and most effective ways for individuals to take active roles in their personal health. Many health insurance plans cover annual physical exams at no cost to policy holders, and these examinations can uncover issues even when individuals are not feeling any symptoms. Annual physicals also provide great opportunities for individuals to discuss diet and healthy lifestyle
choices with their physicians in relaxed settings. • Learn about the preventive services that are right for you. Individuals should speak with their physicians about which services are recommended for individuals in their situations. Screening guidelines are often agebased, but they also take personal history and family history into account. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends all adults between the ages of 50 and 75 be screened for colorectal cancer, but the frequency of those screenings will depend on each individual’s personal risk and which screening test they choose. • Embrace physical activity. The DHHS notes that regular physical activity increases a person’s chances of living a longer, healthier life. In addition, the CDC says regular physical activity reduces a person’s risk for chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various types of cancer, and even mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Access to fitness facilities may be limited or unavailable during the pandemic, but that should not deter people from exercising regularly. Walking, jogging, hiking, and cycling are great forms of cardiovascular exercise that have been linked to a host of health benefits. A proactive approach to personal health is simple and effective, potentially helping people reduce their risk for a variety of diseases and conditions.
How to avoid spreading illnesses at home
Family companionship invaluable. Spending time together with loved ones is an important component of daily life. However, when an illness affects one person of the household, that highly coveted closeness can put others at risk. Infectious diseases are equal opportunity hitchhikers. Should a person be waylaid by influenza, strep throat, mononucleosis, or COVID-19, casual contact may be all it takes to pass the illness to someone else. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that COVID-19 is primarily spread from person-toperson among people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet). Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or possibly be inhaled through the lungs. Other viruses and bacteria spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching one’s own mouth, nose or possibly the eyes. Keeping household members safe when one person is ill can be challenging, but it is possible. These steps can help keep everyone in a household safe, particularly from virulent diseases. • Wash your hands. This is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. As frequently as possible, wash your hands, but especially after touching frequently used items or before and after preparing and eating food. • Disinfect surfaces. Target areas that are frequently touched by all members of the household. Such surfaces include doorknobs, stairway railings, bathroom and kitchen faucets, the refrigerator door, light switches, and cabinet knobs. Make sure to keep the disinfectant visibly wet on the surface for the “dwell time” recommended on the label instructions to fully kill the germs. • Consider color coding. Use microfiber cloths, which don’t harbor germs like porous sponges do, with different colors for cleaning each room of the house to prevent the spread of germs from one area to another. • Keep your distance. Sick individuals should stay away from others as much as possible. Now might be the time to use a guest bedroom for spouses who normally share a bed. Designate a separate bathroom for healthy individuals. Do not touch hands, hug or kiss others while you are ill. Kaiser Foundation Health Plans also suggests hygiene techniques like coughing or sneezing into a tissue or sleeve to trap the virus. • Use personal bath towels. Do not share towels and linens with others while sick. Now is the time for a personal bath towel or bathrobe for showering and drying hands, offers Meridian Health. It can be difficult to avoid spreading disease when one member of a household is sick. But with proper hygiene and diligence, illnesses can be contained.
We care about your eye care, because we care about YOU. When you step into our office, nothing is more important than ensuring your eyes are healthy and your vision is the best it can be. Your sight is one of the most treasured ways through which you experience the world around you. And, it would be a shame to not fully enjoy the beauty of the Upper Cumberland.
Dr. Hudson is dedicated to providing you with the best eye care experience possible. From her training at Harvard and Vanderbilt, to the personal care she invests in each patient, to our new facilities designed to provide the best technology, it’s clear: our vision is improving your vision.
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