It is not a surprise that the fire danger level has gone up to yellow in both Jackson and Josephine counties after we have endured so many continuous days of sweltering heat, but do you know how this affects you? Don’t wait until you find yourself in trouble to be informed. Please take a moment to be aware of what the change means to keep you, your property, your loved ones, and our beautiful community safe. Ignorance is not an excuse this year, after our friends and family in the Phoenix-Talent area suffered so greatly last summer.
A few highlights to note: no fireworks within 1/8 mile of forestlands, campfires only in designated areas, chainsaws are forbidden between 10am and 8pm, and motorized vehicles, including ATV’s and motorcycles, are only allowed on improved roads. We have to not only educate ourselves, but each other. Here is an article from KDRV that details what the changes are:
https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Fire-danger-level-rises-to-High-on-Monday-in-southwest-Oregon-574709601.html
Are You Keeping Your Cool?
You’d literally have to be under a rock to not know we are in the middle of a heat wave in Southern Oregon. Going underground might be the only place to be naturally cool right now. Knowing not everyone can afford air conditioning to stay cool in this persistent heat, Paragon Orthopedic Center is concerned about our citizens, so today we are talking about the help you can get to get keep your cool. In Grants Pass, there are multiple access points along the river at parks, such as Riverside, Tussing, Indian Mary, Reinhart, White Horse, Fish Hatchery, and Schroeder. Also found in Grants Pass are water parks for children at Riverside and Morrison Parks. KDRV has an article that details cooling centers in Medford, Ashland, Talent, and Siskiyou County. Dialing 211 and entering your zip code should connect you with cooling centers in your area, although the line might keep you on hold as there are many people wanting this information right now. Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated, perform demanding tasks early in the day when possible, and do what you can to stay out of the heat. Be safe Southern Oregon!
https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Cooling-shelters-open-as-southern-Oregon-sees-triple-digit-heat-574713451.html
How to Handle the Heatwave
If you haven’t heard, a heatwave is hitting Southern Oregon. Temperatures are expected to exceed 110 degrees around the region on Sunday. Heatstroke is likely if you do not take appropriate measures while out in that kind of heat. Stanford Medicine offered some tips about handling the heat back in 2006, and the wisdom hasn’t changed over the years.
Things to do in the heat:
-Drink LOTS of water (Sports drinks are more concentrated than you think. Dilute them 1:1.)
-Take frequent rest and water breaks if you are out in the heat.
-Fan and provide water to someone who feels faint and move to the shade.
-Check on the elderly and those who do not have air conditioning.
Things NOT to do in the heat:
-Don’t leave anyone in a car, including pets. The risk is not worth it, take the extra time to have your child accompany you, and your dog would be happier at home. Children and animals die unnecessarily this way every year.
-Don’t take salt pills. Doctors no longer advise this to avoid heat stroke. Drink plenty of fluids instead.
-Don’t ignore signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
This article reviews the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and keep water available at all times.
How Do You Know If Your Collarbone Is Broken?
The collarbone is also known as the clavicle and connects your breastbone to your shoulder blade. Broken clavicles are fairly common and seen in many age groups. They usually happen in the young from a sports injury, and in the older ages from falls. Dr. Bents typically sees a few of these every month. Your clavicle is not completely hardened until age 20, so the younger set is at a higher risk of a break. Here is an article about the symptoms, causes, risk factors, and complications of a broken clavicle. There are many variables in the treatment of one because a treatment plan depends on the severity of the break; some some require immobilization, and some require surgery. If pain prevents you from your normal activity, call your healthcare provider to be seen. Dr. Bents is happy to see you at Paragon Orthopedic Center and our staff is ready to help you if you think you need to be seen: 541-472-0603.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-collarbone/symptoms-causes/syc-20370311
Flag Day 2021 is Today! Do You Know What We Are Celebrating?
Here in Grants Pass, the American Legion is having an Open House to celebrate Flag Day from 2pm-5pm today. They are located at 206 NW F Street. Why do we celebrate Flag Day, you ask? Well here are 10 interesting facts that will help you understand why from Fox. One very interesting fact on this site tells us that the Pledge of Allegiance was not written for Flag Day, but for Columbus Day, which in our state of Oregon no longer exists because it was renamed Indigenous Peoples Day by the Senate this past May. Strange times, these are. We at Paragon Orthopedic Center honor our nation’s flag and, taking one day at a time, hope you’ll take a moment to learn something new about today’s celebration.
Paragon Press June Newsletter
Just sent out yesterday to our email subscribers, the June Paragon Orthopedic Center newsletter is here! This month, we are discussing HIPAA. It has become a hot topic when speaking of the Covid vaccine and who can ask whether you have received it. Do you know who is held to the HIPAA standards? Do you know what HIPAA stands for?
Read here:
Hip Pain and Diagnostic Hip Arthroscopy
To piggyback on yesterday’s blog where we explored whether a hip replacement might be necessary for you, here is information right on our Paragon Orthopedic website about hip arthroscopy. This is a tool surgeons use to treat and diagnose for further surgical intervention for your hip problems. In yesterday’s 8 signs whether you need a hip replacement, this comes under #8. Dr. Van Horne and Dr. Bents frequently do these to examine the extent of the issues within your hip joint. MRI’s and CT scans provide some information, but they are not perfect ways of knowing all that is going on within your hip joint. Sometimes, the scope is all that is needed to relieve your pain and get you moving again, but depending on what they see, more surgery might be required. This comprehensive video on our website goes through the prep, incisions and accessing the joint, diagnosis and repairs, and end of the procedure information. It’s less than 5 minutes and can help you understand hip arthroscopy start to finish. Click here to view:
https://www.paragonorthopedic.com/diagnostic-hip-arthroscopy.php
How Do You Know If You Need A Hip Replacement?
Having hip or knee pain affects every part of your life as you move about your day. Even sitting can become painful. Here we will provide eight signs that it might be time to have your joint replaced.
- Completing routine tasks, such as putting on your pants or walking to the car, is difficult.
- Conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or over the counter medicines, are not helping.
- Your pain is chronic and noticeable.
- The pain is taking a toll on you mentally and emotionally.
- You’re noticing side effects from medicines used to treat the pain.
- Less complicated surgeries are unlikely to help.
- Your range of motion has become limited.
- Tests reveal significant damage or advanced arthritis.
Both Dr. Rob Bents and Dr. Jim Van Horne are ready to help you with your hip concerns. Call Paragon Orthopedic Center today for an appointment to talk to someone about whether you might be ready for surgery. (541)472-0603.
To read more details, here is the full article about the 8 signs:
https://www.orthobethesda.com/blog/8-signs-to-know-if-you-need-hip-replacement-surgery/
June is National Dairy Month
We at Paragon Orthopedics Center know milk is not the only way to get your daily calcium, but it is one of the most natural and effective ways to get what you need for strong bones. June is the month chosen to promote milk drinking and if it means strong bone health, then we are all in for this promotion! We love to see you when you’re having a problem with your bones, but we would like to prevent you from going through the hassle of it when we can. Drink milk, get your calcium every day, and strengthen your bones Southern Oregon! Did you know cows were first domesticated 8000 years ago? Read a bit more about this and why this observation is important here:
