Author: D. Bents

Australia is just now finishing up their winter season and it can be a preview of what might happen here in Southern Oregon this flu season. The Wall Street Journal covered this issue and we will give you the highlights to help you decide if the flu shot is a good idea for your health.
-How bad might this season be? Doctors are expecting more influenza cases than in the past two years.
–Why? The precautions utilized for COVID-19 have mostly been dropped and we are doing more in-person socializing. We also have lower levels of natural immunity as a result of the isolation measures, so your immune system might not be as prepared to defend against a flu bug.
–When is flu season? Typically, it starts in October and finishes in May, but this can vary.
-What precautions should I take? Get vaccinated, wash hands frequently, cover your coughs/sneezes, and stay home if you don’t feel well.
–Can I get the flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 booster? Yes, as long as you are eligible to get a booster at that time.
-How much does the flu shot cost? While they are typically fully covered by insurance, out-of-pocket cost ranges from $20 to $75.
-Are there new strains this year? Australia saw the strain named H3N2, which is a subvariant of Influenza A.
–What are flu symptoms to watch for? Fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, headache, body aches, GI distress, and/or shortness of breath. The symptoms of COVID and the seasonal flu look similar, so it is important to get tested for both viruses if you feel sick.

Read more from the WSJ article here:
When to Get Your Flu Shot and Other Advice for This Flu Season – WSJ

Have you ever thought about how to have a healthier Fall season? The CDC has a list of things to consider as we head into the shorter, cooler days of the year. Here is a sampling of their suggestions to get you thinking:

• Make healthy choices when grocery shopping and at meals. Who is in charge of your meals: you, or the food? Take charge of your health and choose more fruits and vegetables over chips and candy.
• Keep bacteria and viruses at bay by keeping your hands clean through frequent washings. Sing the A-B-C’s (20seconds) while lathering, then rinse.
• Consult your healthcare provider about COVID and seasonal flu vaccines, asking if they are a good idea for you.
• Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
• STOP SMOKING. It wrecks your health in so many ways and your body will thank you if you do. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help.
• Move more; sit less. It sounds easy and it can be. Park farther away from the store. Walk around the house during commercial breaks. Take a walk and enjoy these cooler mornings we’re having in Southern Oregon. It is recommended to get 150 minutes of aerobic activity every week.

Find more inspiration here:
Strategies for a Healthy Fall | CDC

Paragon Orthopedic Center would like to remind Southern Oregon that as kids get back into sports, especially at the high school level where practices can be intense, be sure to warm-up the muscles that will be engaged and treat minor injuries early to avoid bigger problems.  The Cleveland Clinic has a great article about the most common sports injuries, causes, what to do if you have one, and most importantly, prevention.  The acronym RICE is a good one to keep in mind if you have an injury and the article goes over this method you can do at home to recover.  Here is this great link:
Sports Injuries: Types, Treatment and Prevention (clevelandclinic.org)

We’re losing two of our wonderful employees who are off to do other great things. Paragon Orthopedic Center thanks you for your hard work!

Don’t think that vaping is harmless or safer than cigarette smoking.  When vaping, you are still inhaling toxic chemicals that adversely affect your body.  It is well known that cigarettes harm your bones, as well as many other systems of the body.  A study done by the American Journal of Medicine in 2021 showed how people who vape have an increased likelihood of fragility fractures, or fractures that occur from a fall less than standing height.  These types of fractures are most often heard associated with osteoporosis.  Further research is ongoing, but there is no denying that you introduce unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals into your body when you vape, and that is something to consider when thinking about the health you would like years from now.
Vaping Hurts Your Bone Health More Than You Think (msn.com)

 

The two joints that are most often braced are the ankle and the knee.  When you get an injury, you might want to have information in your head now about whether or not you need a brace, and we are here to help.  Braces range from the simple, like a sleeve, to the complex, with hinges and hardware that are adjustable.  They provide temporary support and stability meant to decrease pain and give you confidence in that joint.

Here are some key points that you might not know.  Knee injuries differ from ankle injuries in that the pain is frequently related to muscle control, so a brace won’t necessarily help.  Consider how a brace limits how your muscles would normally engage in activity.  Braces allow your muscles to weaken while they are immobilized, so you might wear a brace for strenuous activity, but not for everyday activities in order to keep the surrounding muscles from getting too weak.  Another consideration is whether your injury might have done permanent damage that requires surgery.  If you are having swelling that won’t decrease, pain that is persistent, you heard a pop at the time of injury, &/or you have lost full range of motion, you should seek an orthopedic surgeon’s assessment.

After your injury, you might try a brace for support and pain relief, but listen to your body and if the pain persists, something doesn’t feel right, or you have questions, call Paragon Orthopedic Center for a consultation.  541-472-0603

To brace or not to brace: What’s best? – Mayo Clinic Health System

If you’re in Paragon Orthopedic Center this month, make sure you tell Leanna and Amanda happy birthday! We hope your birthday month is full of joy and great memories Amanda and Leanna!

While Paragon Orthopedic Center encourages healthy habits, we also recognize that it’s okay to indulge in moderation every now and then.  Today, if you’re a fan of the chocolate chip cookie, you will be pleased to know that it is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day.  Yes, August 4th is the day to reflect on its accidental history and learn a few facts about this delicious treat. The chocolate chip cookie’s invention dates back to 1938 and remains one the most popular cookies.  How do the chocolate chips keep their shape and why don’t chocolate chips melt all over the place?  Because they have less cocoa butter than chocolate bars.  Visit your favorite bakery and they might be giving them out for free in honor of the day!  This article from Newsbytes will give you more information and even a recipe, if you’d like to make your own at home.
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day: History, facts, recipe, and more | NewsBytes (newsbytesapp.com)

The need for more medications increases with age as our bodies become less efficient, healthy, and/or capable.  You might have multiple doctors who might not be in sync with your various prescriptions.  Here’s the problem with that:  1-as we age, we can be more sensitive to side effects and the more medications you’re on, the more chances of increased side effects, 2-it is easier for a doctor to prescribe something new than to take all of your meds into account, and 3-the expense of all those prescriptions can take a chunk out of your monthly budget.  Have you considered asking about cutting back on them?  Ask your clinician to deprescribe to possibly reduce a dose or eliminate medications that are not needed.  It is good to have your healthcare provider take a good look at everything you are taking to make sure they are: 1-helpful, 2-still necessary at the current dosage, and 3-not combining to cause side effects that affect your daily living.  Paragon Orthopedic Center encourages you to be an active participant in your health; be educated about what you are taking and why.  One more thought is to consider non-drug therapies.  Instead of taking something to help you sleep, cut back on caffeine.  Instead of taking pain medications, try acupuncture or neurofeedback.  Before making any changes, always discuss your medications and desires with your healthcare professional.  National Public Radio has an article that goes into this subject in more depth:
Too Many Medications? It Might Be Time To Ask Your Doctor About Deprescribing : Shots – Health News : NPR

Exciting news!  Four orthopedic surgeons will be joining Dr. Bents next month!
Paragon Orthopedic Center