BI-STONE MEDICAL GUIDE Produced by Bi-Stone County Publishing
WINTER 2021
The Mexia News, The Groesbeck Journal, The Teague Chronicle and The Fairfield Recorder
Bi-stone Medical Guide • 1
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Proudly serving Texans in your community with quality in-home healthcare services
Texas Home Health Group delivers in-home home health services to help patients reach their optimal levels of health.
Texas Home Health Group holds the HomeCare Elite® distinction in Waco and has a 4.5-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Texas Home Health Hospice provides compassionate end of life care in the comfort of home.
Home Health services include: • Skilled nursing • Rehabilitative therapies • Assessment and observation • Teaching and training • Health procedures • Management and evaluation
Hospice services include: • Symptom management • Palliative care • Coordination with spiritual care • Bereavement counseling
Texas Home Health Hospice is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner and is recognized by the We Honor Veterans program.
Home Health: 8300 Central Park Drive, Suite A Waco, TX 76712
(254) 755-6179
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(254) 756-0404
Equal opportunity provider of healthcare services.
Bi-stone Medical Guide • 3
Going Farther
for Your Health Come visit our Groesbeck location! Medical Arts Clinic
625 McClintic Drive, Groesbeck, TX 76642 Why should you visit a neurosurgeon?
• Have you experienced a change in your neurologic functions including worsening headaches or changes in your vision, hearing or coordination? • Have you suffered ffered from a concussion or head injury? ff • Are you suffering ffering from lower back pain or neck pain that ff travels down your arms or legs? We may be able to help.
Jonathan A. Friedman, MD Neurosurgeon
www.txbsi.com – (800) 793-9106
At Groesbeck LTC Nursing and Rehabilitation, we provide for more than just physical needs, we strive to develop a personal relationship with each resident and family that we serve.
607 Parkside Drive Groesbeck, TX 76642 Phone: (254) 729-3245 • Fax: (254) 729-3788
www.groesbeckltc.com
Now offering a secure unit for residents requiring additional assistance due to Alzheimer's or Dementia.
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From Aches to X-Rays We’ve got you covered! DOT Physicals Flu Testing Lab Services Laceration Repair OCC-Med Sports Physicals Minor Injuries • X-Rays Common Illnesses Drug & Alcohol Testing Select Prescription Refills
Open 7 Days A Week Walk-Ins of All Ages Welcome Primary Care Appointments with Dr. Simmons Available, call for details. (254)562-2500 • TejasUrgentCare.Com
M-F 8am-7pm • Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 12pm-6pm We accept Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare and most commercial insurance plans Bi-stone Medical Guide • 5
SERVICES OFFERED:
BEHAVORIAL HEALTH PROGRAM Outpatient Ext. 2200
RADIOLOGY
SPECIALTY CLINICS Ext. 2320, 5034 - Diagnostic X-Ray and Cat Scan LABRATORY - Wound Care Ext, 2848 - Bone Density Testing Ext. 2240, 5006 - CHF Clinic Ext. 5034, 2320 - General and Vascular Ultrasounds - Gastroenterology PHYSICAL THERAPY - Echocardiogram - Cardiology Ext.PROGRAM 2300, 5035 GASTROENTEROLOGY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - Mobile MRI - Occupational Therapy - Dermatology UrologyMonday, Wednesday, Friday CHIROPRACTOR (254) 729-2014 Hanu Ancha, M.D. (254) 729-3281 ext. 5034 - Speech/Language Therapy Nuclear Medicine Steven Huffman, DC,(254) 729-4322 RADIOLOGY Scopes Greg BlBEHAVORIAL dell, MD P.E.T.S. Psychiatrist HEALTH PROGRAM -aisLMC 6255008 McClintic Drive, Groesbeck (254) 729-4330-SPECIALTY CLINICS Outpatient Ext. 2200 IV Therapy Ex. 2251, Joshua Warren, MD, Adult and Child Psychiatrist CARDIOLOGIST (254) 399-5400 SLEEP2320, MEDICINE Chris Matlock, MD, Ext. 5034 - Waco Surgical Group THERAPY -Tuesday Diagnostic X-Ray and CatSURGEON Scan SLEEP MEDICINE Sherwin Attai, MD, SecondRESPIRATORY ORTHOPEDIC Thursdays (254) 537-6160 LABRATORY - Wound Care Ext, 2848 Ext. 2232, DIETITIAN 729-3281 ext. 2148 2220 Veronica Rosalez, NP, fourth- Tuesday Ext. 2220, Bone Density Testing Jeffrey5004 Blasick, D.O., (254) 224-8062 Ext.(254) 2240, 5006 Sleep Studies - CHF Clinic Ext. 5034, 2320 - Inpatient Rehab Meradith Stein, RD EveryRehab FridayUltrasounds except the fourth Friday SWINGBED -Cardiopulmanary - General and Vascular CARDIOLOGIST J. Phil ip Myatt, M.D., (254) 235-9355 RADIOLOGY - Home Sleep StudiesHEALTH (Watch Pat) BEHAVORIAL PROGRAM Gastroenterology Ext. 2320, 5034 PHYSICAL THERAPY PODIATRIST Tyler Kearney, DPM, (979) 776-6060 Third Thursday, Fourth Wednesday -Stress Tests - Echocardiogram CLINICS (800) 793-9106 SPECIALTY Outpatient Ext. - Cardiology Ex. 2251,NEUROSURGEON 5008 2300,Ext. 5035 SPECIALTY CLINIC Ext. (254) 728-3281 23202200 Mobile MRI Jonathan Friedman, M.D. - Occupational Therapy DERMATOLOGIST (254)- 537-1265 - Dermatology Urology Ext. 2320, 5034 PODIATRIST Eduardo Orihuela, DPM, (979) 776-6060 - Diagnostic X-Ray and Cat Scan - Speech/Language Therapy -Monday Nuclear Medicine Scopes LABRATORY Fi r st, Thi r d and Fifth Wednesdays James Mason, MD, Second LMC CHF CLINIC (254) 729-3281 Ext. 2316 Wound Care Ext, 2848 NEUROSURGEON Steven Zi e l i n ski , MD, (254) 732-3987 - LMC P.E.T.S. - Bone Density Testing - IV Therapy Ext. 2240, 5006 - CHF Clinic Ext.ENT5034, 2320Thomas A. Salzer, M.D., (979) 764-3090 & ALLERGY - Waco Surgical Group ONCOLOGIST/HEMATOLOGIST LMC WOUND CAREMEDICINE CLINIC (254) 729-4329 UROLOGIST (254) 741-6113 RESPIRATORY THERAPY SLEEP - General and Vascular Ultrasounds Gastroenterology Second and Fourth Mondays Wednesday Tom Harris, MD, (254) 399-0741 PHYSICAL THERAPY Chelsea Yerger, FNP-CExt. - (254)2232, 729-32812220 ext. 2381 Stephen Stimson, MD, Third Tuesday Ext. 2220,First5004 - Echocardiogram - Sleep Studies Ext. 2300, 5035 SWINGBED - Inpatient Rehab - Cardiology -Cardiopulmanary Rehab - Home Sleep Studies (Watch Pat) - Mobile MRI 2320, 5034 - Occupational Therapy - DermatologyExt. Urology -Stress Tests Ex. 2251, 5008
SERVICES OFFERED:
MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING
SERVICES OFFERED:
- Speech/Language Therapy - LMC P.E.T.S.
- Nuclear Medicine
SLEEP MEDICINE Ext. 2232, 2220 - Sleep Studies - Home Sleep Studies (Watch Pat)
RESPIRATORY THERAPY Ext. 2220, 5004 -Cardiopulmanary Rehab -Stress Tests
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- Scopes - IV Therapy - Waco Surgical Group SWINGBED - Inpatient Rehab Ext. 2320, 5034
The only five star rated skilled facility in Freestone County!
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254-739-2541
A Limestone Medical Center Clinic
206 N Narcissus Kosse, TX 76653 • 254-375-7001 Come see our great service providers Limestone Medical Center, FamilyCenter, Medical Center, Retting Limestone Medical Center, Family Medical Rettig Family Healthcare, & Family Healthcare and now.... Community Health Kosse Community Health Care Clinic are allthe part Kosse of the Limestone Medical Center family! Care Clinic, all part of the Limestone Medical Center family!
Both KCHCVisit providers areuscertified medical for DOT physicals. any of today for yourexaminers health needs.
Sissie Roark, FNP
Heather Flippin, FNP-C
Walk-ins Welcome Call for Apt. 254-375-7001
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Bi-stone Medical Guide • 7
125 Newman St. Fairfield, Tx 75840
SERVICES OFFERED AT FMC RADIOLOGY MRI (Mondays) Mammography CT Ultrasound Nuclear Medicine
CARDIAC PULMONARY REHABILITATION and RESPIRATORY THERAPY
NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING By appointment only IV INFUSION THERAPY
LABORATORY Full service for all types of specimens
PHYSICIANS & MID-LEVEL PROVIDERS Joseph Berger, DO Michael Jenks, MD Mark Waweru, MD Darryl White, MD Tonya Basque, RN, FNP Kayla Farmer, RN, FNP Stacy Gallegos, RN, FNP Veronica Harris, RN, FNP Jack Runyan, PA, PhD
OUT PATIENT SURGERY General Surgery Orthopedics GI
LEVEL IV TRAUMA CENTER (ER) Staffed by qualified physicians 24/7/365
INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE Skilled Nursing Care/Postacute Care/Rehabilitation (Swing Bed)
VISITING SPECIALISTS Mondays Thomas Salzer, MD (ENT)-1st/3rd APPTS: (979)680-8808
Tuesdays Wednesdays David Allen, DPM John Bawduniak, MD (General (Podiatry)-1st/3rd Surgery/GI)- 2nd/4th APPTS: (903)675-1337 APPTS: (254)865-2166 Paul Epsy, MD (Urology)-2nd/4th Steven Zelinski, MD APPTS: (254)202-7900 (Neurosurgery)- 3rd John Ellis, MD (Orthopedic APPTS: (254)732-3967 Surgery)-2nd/4th APPTS: (254)741-1400
Fridays Lance Ellis, MD (Orthopedic Surgery)-2nd/4th APPTS: (254)340-4131 Rachel DeVaney, MD (Cardiology)- Every Friday APPTS: (903)595-2283
FREESTONE HEALTH CLINICS 734 W Commerce St. Fairfield, TX 75840 (903)389-2181 7 A.M to 6 P.M (M-F) 604 Main St. Teague, TX 75860 (903)389-2181 8 A.M to 5 P.M (M-THURS) 8 A.M to 12 P.M (FRIDAY)
NEIGHBORS CARING FOR NEIGHBORS Visit www.freestonemc.com
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How exercise can help you live longer There are many reasons to get in shape. Weight loss is a prime motivator, as is reversing a negative health effect, such as high cholesterol or increased diabetes risk. Routine exercise also can improve life expectancy. WebMD says exercise keeps the body and brain healthy. That’s why exercise should be an important component of daily life no matter one’s age. Research published in the journal Immune Aging found that how people age is 75 percent lifestyle and only 25 percent genetics, which underscores the importance of the lifestyle choices people make.
Cardiorespiratory fitness Many health experts say that cardiorespiratory fitness may be just as valuable a metric to determine overall health as blood pressure and lipid levels. People with a high aerobic capacity can deliver oxygen to tissues and cells efficiently to fuel exercise, according to data published in 2014 in the journal Aging & Disease. In a study involving 11,335 women, researchers compared V02 max, also known as aerobic capacity, in women with mortality data. Women who were fit from a cardiovascular perspective had a lower death rate from all causes, irrespective of the women’s weight. Manage stress and mood Exercise has direct stress-busting benefits that can promote longevity. The Mayo Clinic says physical activity can increase the production of endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good neurotransmitters. In addition, exercise can imitate the effects of stress, helping the body adjust its flight or fight response accordingly, and help them cope with mildly stressful situations. While engaged in exercise, people may forget about their problems as they are focused on the activity at hand.
Improve bone health Strength training and physical activity can stave off the effects of frailty and osteoporosis, which affects bone strength. A study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine in 2017 found that hip fractures are associated with diminished quality of life and survival among the elderly. One in three adults aged 50 and over dies within 12 months of suffering a hip fracture, and older adults have a five- to eight-times greater risk of dying within three months following a hip fracture. Building muscle strength, balance and bone density through exercise can reduce falls and frailty, helping to prevent fracturerelated health risks. Addresses sarcopenia The health and wellness resource Healthline defines sarcopenia as the loss of muscle mass specifically related to aging. Doctors once considered this muscle loss inevitable, and it can affect stamina and lead to weakness. However, new indications suggest that exercise is the main treatment regimen for sarcopenia, particularly resistance training. This is designed to improve muscle strength and help balance hormone levels by turning protein into energy for older adults. These are just some of the ways exercise can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. Bi-stone Medical Guide • 9
Palestine Family Medicine
Palestine General Surgery
903.731.5030
903.731.5030
4002 S Loop 256 Suite B Palestine, Tx 75801
4002 S Loop 256 Suite A Palestine, Texas 75801
Jose Tovar, MD
Palestine Orthopedics
Ro-Jon Grogans, MD
Marco Peterson, MD
Palestine Cardiovascular Associates
4002 S Loop 256 Suite B Palestine, Texas 75801
126 Medical Dr. Palestine, Texas 75801
903.731.0509
903.731.5030
Miguel Castellanos, MD
Robert Launikitis, MD
OB/GYN Associates of East Texas
Russell Kelly, MD
115 Medical Dr. Palestine, Texas 75801
903.723.8554
Danny Bowman, MD
Hilary Currie, MD
Robert Blackwell, MD
Sherry McIlwain, WHNP-BC
Quality. Compassion. Local.
903.322.1080 10 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
Rebekah Shultz, MS, RN, CNM
How adults can take active roles in their health care Adults play a significant role in their own health care. Adults focused on getting fit may visit various fitness facilities before signing up for a membership, and individuals who want to improve their diets may spend countless hours poring over healthy recipes and the latest trends in nutrition. Such research pays dividends, and the same commitment can be applied to choosing the right health care services. Adults who are enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance plans may feel as though their options are limited in regard to their health care services. However, there are many ways for patients to get more out of their health care plans. • Shop around for a primary care physician. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when perusing lists of in-network primary care physicians provided by insurance companies. Such lists can seem endless and it can be hard to distinguish one physician from another. Adults in need of new primary care physicians can ask neighbors or family and
friends who live nearby for recommendations. It’s important to put the time in when choosing a primary care physician, as people who are comfortable with their physicians are more likely to schedule annual wellness visits or book appointments when they aren’t feeling well. Such visits can be life-saving. • Schedule annual wellness visits. Annual wellness visits are very important, even for health-conscious individuals who are not experiencing any signs of illness or injury. Regular checkups and screenings can uncover health problems even when no symptoms are present, potentially saving patients’ lives. For example, Hackensack Meridian Health reports that mammograms have reduced breast cancer mortality in the United States by 40 percent since 1990. Many insurance providers cover annual physicals at no cost to the patient, and screenings can catch diseases early when they’re at their most treatable and treatment is less expensive and less time-consuming. • Be a prepared patient. Prepare a list of questions prior to a scheduled doctor’s appointment. Jot questions down as they come to you in the weeks leading up to the appointment and don’t hesitate to ask questions during the visit. • Be open and honest with your physician. Concealing behaviors from your physician will negate some of the benefits of visiting the doctor. For example, if you live a largely sedentary lifestyle but tell your doctor you’re physically active, he or she won’t offer advice on how to make exercise a bigger part of your life. Being open and honest with a physician enables the doctor to give the best medical advice. Taking an active role in their health care is a great way for adults to improve their overall health and can help them reduce their risk for illness. Bi-stone Medical Guide • 11
The role different vitamins play
A nutritious diet is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. When it’s part of a health regimen that includes routine exercise, a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables can help people reduce their risk for various illnesses, including chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Many adults have known about the value of fruits and vegetables since they were youngsters and their parents repeatedly told them how important it was to eat healthy foods. Despite those early lessons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that less than 10 percent of adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables. That’s unfortunate, as fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins that benefit the body in myriad ways. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that vitamin deficiency occurs when people do not get enough of certain vitamins. Recognizing the many functions vitamins serve may compel adults and adolescents to include more fruits and vegetables in their diets. • Vitamin A: The USNLM notes that vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections. • Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function. Though the National Institutes of Health notes that isolated vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon, a deficiency has been associated with various conditions, including a weakened immune system and dermatitis cheilitis, a condition marked by scaling on the lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth. • Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps the body absorb iron and maintains healthy tissue. In addition, vitamin C plays an integral role in helping wounds heal. Vitamin C deficiency impairs bone function, and Merck notes that in children that impairment can cause bone lesions and contribute to poor bone growth. • Vitamin D: The USNLM notes that 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine three times per week is enough to produce the body’s vitamin D requirement for people at most latitudes. It’s hard to rely on food to supply ample vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium that is necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. • Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps the body form red blood cells and utilize vitamin K. Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli are good sources of vitamin E. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that a vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve and muscle damage, potentially leading to muscle weakness and vision problems. • Vitamin K: Vitamin K helps to make certain proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. The T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard notes that the main type of vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale and spinach. Vitamin K deficiency is rare, but it can lead to bleeding, hemorrhaging or osteoporosis. Vitamins are crucial to human beings’ overall health. Eating ample amounts of fruits and vegetables is a great and delicious way to avoid vitamin deficiency. 12 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
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The long-term effects of COVID-19 As the end of winter draws near, much of the world is marking its one-year anniversary living under COVID-19-related restrictions. That’s certainly not a milestone worthy of celebration, and many people across the globe would insist it’s felt like much more than a year since their lives were first affected by COVID-19. By the time the calendar finally turned from 2020 to 2021, tens of millions of people across the globe had been infected with COVID-19. According to Worldometer, which manually analyzes, validates and aggregates data from thousands of sources in real time, by early January 2021 there were more than 87 million documented cases of COVID-19 and nearly two million virus-related deaths across the globe. Nearly 62 million COVID-19 patients recovered from the virus by early 2021, but many of those people may suffer from long-term health effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is actively working to learn more about the potential long-term effects associated with COVID-19. Because of the relative infancy of the virus, it’s impossible to know just how long the longterm side effects in recovered patients will last. However, the CDC notes that the following are some of the most commonly reported long-term symptoms, which have been documented to linger anywhere from several weeks to even months after recovery. • Fatigue • Shortness of breath • Cough • Joint pain • Chest pain In addition to those symptoms, the CDC notes that some people who have recovered from COVID-19 have reported experiencing difficulty with thinking and concentration as well as depression. Recovering patients also have reported symptoms like muscle pain, headache, intermittent fever, and heart palpitations. More serious long-term complications are being investigated by the CDC. Such complications have thus far appeared to be less common, though the CDC cautions that more research and time is needed to determine clinical care for COVID-19 as well as how many people may ultimately experience these symptoms. • Cardiovascular: Inflammation of the heart muscle • Respiratory: Lung function abnormalities • Renal: Acute kidney injury • Dermatologic: Rash, hair loss • Neurological: Smell and taste problems, sleep issues, difficulty with concentration, memory problems • Psychiatric: depression, anxiety, changes in mood As the world continues to combat COVID-19, public health agencies like the CDC are learning more about the virus, including some long-term side effects that could affect patients after they have recovered. 14 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
The various health benefits of yoga Health-conscious individuals can do many things to improve their overall health. As medical researchers continue to uncover new things about how to achieve optimal health, one practice dating back to ancient times remains a highly effective way to take care of the human body. Though there’s no written records regarding the origins and invention of yoga, the practice is believed to date back to ancient India. The earliest written record of yoga is “The Yoga Sutra of Pantañjali,” a collection of aphorisms that historians believe was compiled sometime between 500 BCE and 400 BCE. Despite its age, yoga has not been studied extensively by medical researchers. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, many studies looking into the health effects of yoga
have included only small numbers of people and have not been of high quality. As a result, the NCCIH can only say that yoga shows promise in regard to helping people manage or overcome certain health issues, but not that it has been proven to do so. Though yoga may need to be studied more closely and extensively, many people who include it in their regular health care routines report feeling better both physically and mentally for having done so, and that may not be a coincidence. A 2004 comprehensive review of yoga’s use as a therapeutic intervention published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology indicated that yoga targets unmanaged stress, which has been linked to chronic disorders like anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and insomnia. In addition to that review, the NCCIH notes that research has suggested yoga can: • Relieve low-back pain and neck pain • Relieve menopause symptoms • Help people manage anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with difficult life situations • Help people quit smoking • Help people who are overweight or obese lose weight • Help people with chronic diseases manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. It’s important that anyone considering making yoga part of their health care routines recognize that there are various forms of yoga, some of which are more physically demanding than others. So it’s best if individuals speak with their physicians before trying yoga so they can find the type that aligns best with their current levels of fitness. Bi-stone Medical Guide • 15
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 preventable. 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 organizations, 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 pandemic-related 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. 16 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
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 2014-2016. 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. Bi-stone Medical Guide • 17
The importance of rest Regular exercise has been linked to a host of health benefits. People who exercise regularly can lower their risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and routine exercise can improve mood and potentially delay the onset of cognitive decline. As vital as physical activity is to a healthy lifestyle, there is such a thing as too much exercise. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, rest is an important part of training. Without ample rest, the body does not have time to recover before the next workout. That lack of rest not only adversely affects performance, but also increases a person’s risk for health problems, including injuries that can sideline athletes for lengthy periods of time. Committed athletes may have a hard time recognizing when they are pushing themselves too hard, and the line between perseverance and overdoing it can be thin. Many athletes credit their ability to push themselves mentally and physically with helping them achieve their fitness goals and thrive as competitors. But it’s vital that athletes learn to recognize the signs that suggest they’re exercising too much. The USNLM notes that the following are some signs of overdoing it with an exercise routine. • An inability to perform at your established level • Requiring longer periods of rest between workout sessions • Feeling tired • Feeling depressed • Experiencing mood swings or irritability • Difficulty sleeping • Feeling sore muscles or heavy limbs • Suffering overuse injuries such as runner’s knee, achilles tendinitis, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis • Loss of motivation • Getting more colds • Unintended weight loss • Feelings of anxiety The USNLM urges anyone experiencing these symptoms to rest completely for between one and two weeks. After that period of rest, the body should be fully recovered. However, if any of these issues linger after two weeks, seek the advice of a health care provider. A health care provider may recommend additional rest and/or conduct a series of tests to determine if an underlying issue is causing any of the aforementioned symptoms. Rest is as vital to an effective exercise regimen as proper technique, ensuring the body has ample time to recover and reducing the risk of overuse injuries. 18 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
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The Teague Chronicle 319 Main Street, Teague (254) 739-2141
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ONLINE & IN PRINT! The Mexia News 214 N. Railroad, Mexia (254) 562-2868 www.themexianews.com
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The Groesbeck Journal 115 N. Ellis, Groesbeck (254) 729- 5103 www.groesbeckjournal.com
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20 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
Big Smiles All Around
Gentle and friendly dental care for the whole family.
This beautiful, spacious home is located in a quiet, convenient, community of Fairfield. Private personal care home, with 24 hour staffing with experienced, professionally trained and caring attendance.
Gonzalez Family Dentistry Nathan T. Gonzalez, DDS • Robin L. Cholopisa, DDS
300 N. Sherman, Mexia
254-562-5347
Our patients’ smiles say it all! Friendly & Welcoming Staff
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Kare-Inn, LLC
An Assisted Living Personal Care Home
Fairfield, Texas
903-644-KARE (5273) kare.inn50@gmail.com
An alternative to Nursing Home Living
Family Dentistry Tom W. Fox Jr. D.D.S.
Orthodontic • Cosmetic • Restorative Dentistry • Implants Monday - Thursday 8am - 5pm
110 N. Bonham • Mexia, TX 76667 (254) 562-2881
Bi-stone Medical Guide • 21
As always, our first priority is keeping you and your families safe. We have been actively monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and are continually making adjustments across the state in order to be available to our policyholders and member families. Please be patient and know that we are always here for you all.
Travis Cherry
P.O. Box 400 • Fairfield, TX 75840 O 903-389-4125 • M 903-388-4550 • tcherry@txfb-ins.com 22 • Bi-stone Medical Guide
Maybe an apple a day keeps the doctor away..
But when you have to go to the doctor a good book can make a wait fly by! Bristol Hospice - Pathways is graciously committed to our mission that all patients and families entrusted to our care will be treated with the highest level of compassion, respect and quality of care.
Come check out the great selection that we have to offer!
7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year
Same great service, same great company
We are Here for you!
115 Park Place Boulevard, Suite 100 | Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: (972) 923-2436 | Fax: (972) 923-0043 www.bristolhospice-pathways.com
305 E. Rusk St. • Mexia, TX 76667
254-562-3231
Hands on care of your loved ones is our specialty and our pleasure!
We are proud to be the new hands and faces in long-term health care in Freestone and Limestone County.
Windsor Healthcare Residence
1025 W Yeagua St, Groesbeck, TX 76642 (254) 729-3366
The Manor Healthcare Residence 831 Tehuacana Hwy, Mexia, TX 76667 (254) 562-3867
Fairview Healthcare Residence 601 E Reunion St, Fairfield, TX 75840 (903) 389-4121
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“Making Communities Healthier.”® Our priority is to provide quality care close to home for all our patients • Emergency Department (with Limestone County’s only accredited Chest Pain Center) • Surgical Services • Rehabilitation Therapy Services • Laboratory Services • Imaging Services (including MRI, Mammogram and CT) • Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
254.562.0408 • Fax: 254.562.7904 • ParkviewRegional.com 600 South Bonham 24 • Bi-stone Medical Guide Street • Mexia, TX 76667