Month: June 2020

2020-06-17T14:31:58

(BPT) – With nearly 50 million outpatient surgeries performed in the U.S. each year and the increasingly complex nature of the procedures, patients need to consider several important details when having surgery without an overnight stay in the hospital.

Updated fasting restrictions, removing jewelry to reduce the risk of burns and asking about regional blocks for non-opioid pain control when undergoing anesthesia are a few important factors that could lead to increased satisfaction and safer outcomes, according to Dr. Mary Dale Peterson.

“Complex procedures like total knee replacement, cardiology procedures and spine surgery used to be done almost exclusively in hospitals, but now we have the ability to do them in an outpatient setting, which can include ambulatory surgery centers or in the hospital,” said Peterson, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “These settings are less expensive and now reimbursed by Medicare. As a result, even more elderly patients are able to have outpatient surgery.”

Since outpatient surgery is increasingly popular, it’s more important than ever for patients to have safe anesthesia care in all settings.

The ASA offers the following tips to ensure a successful procedure and smooth recovery:

1. Check qualifications. Before you schedule a procedure, be sure your anesthesia care will be led by a physician anesthesiologist, and that the other physicians and providers involved in your outpatient procedure are qualified. If your surgery is being performed in an ambulatory surgery center, it should meet the standards of quality care by a national accrediting organization such as The Joint Commission or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Also be sure to ask what emergency protocols the ambulatory center has in place.

2. Stop smoking. The healthier you are, the faster you recover. That includes being as active as possible, eating right and getting good sleep. Most importantly, stop smoking before surgery. Even a few days makes a difference and one month is better. Smoking increases the risk of complications after surgery. Decreasing those risks is even more important when recovering at home instead of the hospital, where care is readily available.

3. Learn about your anesthesia options. Before your procedure, talk with your physician anesthesiologist about newer techniques, including local or regional anesthesia such as nerve blocks — instead of sedation or general anesthesia — to make recovery easier and benefit from the opioid-sparing pain relief they provide. Other alternatives to opioids also help ease pain during and after surgery without being addictive. Some patients go home with pumps that provide small amounts of pain-relieving medication when needed. Others may receive an anesthetic that works on a time-released basis to ease incision pain for several days. Let your physician anesthesiologist know if you have health issues that may affect anesthesia, such as sleep apnea, and if you have had nausea or vomited after previous procedures, or are especially anxious about surgery.

4. Ask when you should stop eating and drinking. People having outpatient surgery generally assume they must stop eating and drinking the night before surgery, but this is not always the case. Most patients can have clear liquids like water or black coffee up until two hours before their procedure unless they’re pregnant or if they have certain health conditions, such as diabetes or a gastrointestinal issue. Ask what you can eat and drink and how long before surgery you need to stop.

5. Remove permanent jewelry. Surgeons use electrical tools during procedures, including to make incisions, putting you at risk for burns if you are wearing jewelry — an issue some physician anesthesiologists report seeing during outpatient procedures. Ask whether you will need to remove your ear or nose rings, navel stud or other permanent jewelry.

6. Don’t go alone. Be sure someone is available to drive you home from the outpatient facility and, ideally, stay with you afterward.

Every surgery is different because each patient is different. Be sure to discuss these topics, as well as any issues or concerns you have, with your physician anesthesiologist before your outpatient surgery.

To learn more about outpatient surgery, visit https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/preparing-for-surgery/procedures/outpatient-surgery/ and review Preparing for Surgery: an Anesthesia Checklist.

2020-06-16T10:13:17

(BPT) – It’s not always easy to be at home with kids day after day, but with a little creativity, you can beat cabin fever. Whether you’re in your own backyard or venturing out, there are plenty of things you can do to have fun together. Make sure to choose activities that are age-appropriate and that follow your current local guidelines for social distancing.

Here are just a few things to try.

Get out in nature

Visit nearby parks or scenic areas for fresh air and exercise. Choose locations that aren’t crowded, so social distancing isn’t difficult. Bring toys for the kids, like balls, kites, hula hoops, scooters or bikes.

Play tourist

Pretend your car is a tour bus. Let Mom or Dad play tour guide first, modeling what to say (serious and/or funny). Drive by picturesque or unusual locations and make up the “tour” as you go along. Then let your kids take a turn narrating the “sights” as you drive.

Plan a celebratory parade

Have a friend or family member with a birthday, anniversary or graduation to celebrate? Plan a drive-by parade with a few other family groups in cars, complete with signs, streamers and balloons. Honk, wave and sing as you slowly pass their home.

Enjoy a treat with the family

Take a tour to find the best shake, burger or kids meal toy.

For example, Sonic Wacky Pack Kids Meals come with a fun toy for kids. Through Aug. 2, kids age 3 and older will receive a collectible Hot Wheels Monster Truck exclusively at Sonic with their meal. Check out SonicWackyPack.com for free, downloadable activity packs that include coloring sheets, puzzles and games to entertain the kids while stuck at home.

Contactless ordering and payment are easy using the Sonic app: Just create and pay for your order in the app, drive to your nearby Sonic, and check in when you arrive via the app. A Sonic Carhop brings out your meal when it’s ready.

Make washing the car an event

If there’s a touchless car wash nearby, young children will have a blast being in the car during the washing process. Turn up their favorite songs while you sit back and watch the suds and water do their work. Or you could involve the kids in washing the family car in your driveway.

Go on a scavenger hunt

Whether you’re walking or driving through the neighborhood, play “I Spy” or hunt for specific items — like a red car, a blue house, a large dog — or search for signs, rainbows or teddy bears in neighbors’ windows (a trend sweeping the nation while people are staying home).

Make the most of your own yard

You’d be amazed how much kids can appreciate their own yard, with just a little help.

• Create an obstacle course using large cardboard boxes, hula hoops, cones or other items from your garage.
• Make bubbles with 1 part dish soap to 3 parts water, adding a little sugar (1-2 teaspoons). Stir the mixture gently. Use pipe cleaners or cut out the bottom of plastic water bottles to create wands.
• Use sidewalk chalk to draw hopscotch and other games, plus pictures and hopeful messages for neighbors walking by.
• Find veggies or flowers your kids want to grow and involve them in gardening projects.
• Dig through your garage for neglected toys and games. When did your kids last play badminton or croquet? Or make your own games, like jump rope, cornhole or horseshoes, using household items. Search online for tips on crafting homemade games.

Take a trip down memory lane

Scour your memory and ask grandparents about outdoor games from when you (or they) were children. Have grandparents explain how to play their games via phone or FaceTime. Then, video kids playing the games for the whole family to share!

Spending time together, outside or in, creates special memories your kids will treasure as they grow up — making all your efforts worthwhile.

2020-06-16T13:35:00

(BPT) – Stress is a common part of anyone’s life, and individuals have long sought natural remedies to alleviate it. Surveys have shown that Americans are turning to plant-based diets for reasons such as improving overall well-being and mood, and with good reason. Many fruits and vegetables contain specific wellness-boosting properties, with the cream of the crop touted as superfoods. Sweet cherries are certainly among them.

A growing number of studies published on the benefits of sweet cherry consumption supports these findings. Researchers from around the world, including the USDA, have identified a host of benefits including effects on certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even gout. And they’ve also uncovered qualities that can help boost stress response.

Here are four top reasons to reach for sweet cherries in times of stress:

1. Make stress eating healthy eating

According to Harvard Medical School, persistent exposure to stress may result in the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases appetite. People under stress often turn to comfort foods that are high in fat or sugar, and the associated relief can create a feedback loop that leads to overeating and weight gain.

If stress eating is an issue, reach for sweet cherries. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition of 2002 shows that cherries are rock stars when it comes to their glycemic index of just 22 (on a scale of 0 to 100, with less than 55 considered low) and a glycemic load of just three (below 11 is low). The former number indicates how sugary a food is, while the latter adjusts for serving sizes. Plus, about 2.5g of fiber in each cup of sweet cherries means glucose is released more slowly, helping to stabilize sugar levels. Crunchy, cold and sweet, fresh cherries make an ideal snack fresh from the fridge or frozen.

2. Take the pressure off blood pressure

Stress can influence factors that contribute to hypertension. For instance, stress can encourage the nervous system to produce hormones that constrict blood vessels (vasoconstrictors) and make it more difficult for blood to circulate, causing blood pressure to rise and increasing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Eating sweet cherries has been associated with lower blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic measures. Consuming sweet cherries is correlated with a decrease in vasoconstrictors, but even better, the fruit increases the effectiveness of compounds that help widen blood vessels for easier blood flow.

3. Reduce inflammation

In times of stress, the body will instigate a “fight or flight” response and produce stress hormones, redirecting resources from other functions. With prolonged stress, that continuous state can create an inflammatory response and introduce the potential for chronic diseases.

Research shows that the dark red of sweet cherries comes from anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties that rival NSAIDs like ibuprofen. These powerful antioxidants have been shown in studies of sweet cherry consumption to help reduce oxidative stress that contributes to inflammation.

4. Get a good night’s sleep

Stress and sleep are closely intertwined. When experiencing stress, sleep can be interrupted or cut short as anxious thoughts rise to the surface. At the same time, prolonged sleep disruption can increase stress, as the body has insufficient time to recharge and repair.

Sweet cherries are a good source of tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, compounds that have a hand in regulating sleep cycles and contributing to feelings of well-being. Experts suggest enjoying a serving of the fruit about an hour before bedtime to benefit.

Stress-free snacking all summer long

While sweet cherries are available year-round in various forms — dried, frozen, canned — there’s something particularly satisfying about fresh sweet cherries. Don’t let stress-induced snacking get the best of you! When the cravings call, protect your health and reach for a summer treat, like sweet cherries, that is both good for you and tastes great.

2020-06-15T17:01:00

(BPT) – The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most disruptive event in the history of K-12 education, closing 120,000 schools and affecting 55 million students in the U.S.

And educators have been challenged like never before. According to a survey commissioned by University of Phoenix, K-12 teachers often felt overwhelmed and under-supported. Teachers reported spending almost as much time prepping for virtual teaching (3.13 hours) as they spent actively teaching (3.97 hours), and less than half (47%) felt that available training was good or excellent.

Having too much information could be as taxing as not having enough, making it difficult to determine which tools were best. Forty-one percent of teachers felt overwhelmed by the many resources provided to help them navigate virtual learning.

During the next 90 days, schools and teachers will develop their resources for teaching this fall.

“Most schools are beginning their preparation by learning from what they experienced when schools closed — what were they prepared for, and more importantly, where they fell short,” says Pam Roggeman, dean of the college of education at University of Phoenix. “There are a number of learning and communication tools available that provide methods and space for education to happen, but tools are only as good as the teachers who are managing them.”

Roggeman offers tips for educators preparing for the upcoming year.

Conduct a needs assessment of yourself

“Before diving into the sea of free resources, apps, etc., first decide what you already know and then what you need to know to better serve the needs of your students,” advises Roggeman.

Stay positive, she says, and be open to adapting to changing needs and circumstances. Be willing to readjust plans when something isn’t working.

Learn from peers

Talk to colleagues, sharing notes about what worked this past term, and what didn’t. Explore articles and resources from educators who faced similar challenges.

“Tap into one of the best free resources — your peers,” says Roggeman. “Take this time to learn what sound distance learning looks like.”

Collaborate with administrators and school counselors to focus not only on teaching methods, but also supporting the mental wellness of students during this uncertain time.

Use resources designed in response to current circumstances

For example, the Virtual Teaching Academy, taking place June 26–July 1, is a free resource for K-12 educators, leaders and administrators who are seeking expert guidance and tangible insights on best practices for navigating the upcoming school year.

The Academy is hosted by The Alliance for Virtual Learning, a new initiative spearheaded by University of Phoenix and Blackboard — a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and engagement — that unites a network of educators, experts and administrators who are shaping the blueprint for new education models that combine the best of virtual and classroom teaching.

Virtual Teaching Academy attendees will acquire necessary insights to create a blueprint to help their schools and districts prepare for the uncertain school year ahead.

Create a plan to stay connected to parents regardless of technology access level

During this challenging time, parents and teachers rely on each other to educate their kids — the parent-teacher relationship is crucial for success of a child’s virtual education. Make a plan to stay connected with even the least technologically well-equipped homes.

“Technology is a tool for the educational process, not the answer to good distance learning,” says Roggeman. “Many districts are dealing with how to reach all students, which includes solving access issues such as no Wi-Fi in the home or homes whose only ‘screens’ are cell phones.”

Creative thinking is key to helping families bridge the digital divide. Find low-tech ways to deliver curriculum and feedback, using telephone and mail communication, television and books. Help parents find internet access and ways to use a cell phone to access content.

Focus on the needs of each student

Every student has a different home situation and unique learning needs, which requires teachers to approach virtual learning with flexibility and empathy. Despite distance, many of the same best practices apply as in-classroom teaching:

• Connect with students
• Give meaningful academic feedback
• Diagnose learners’ individual needs
• Address the needs of the “whole” child

Creating a plan for the upcoming school year is crucial in these uncertain times. By utilizing resources like the Virtual Teaching Academy and focusing on individual student needs, teachers can help students be more successful in their education — even at a distance.

2020-06-15T12:09:00

(BPT) – Pets helped us cope with the pandemic by easing stress, fighting depression and loneliness, giving us reasons to exercise and play, and just being great companions. Now that stay-at-home orders are lifting, America’s pet care community is sharing an infographic to help people transition pandemic pets to a lifelong part of the family.

2020-06-15T11:01:01

(BPT) – Crises and upheaval have a way of bringing out the best — and, sometimes the worst — in society. That’s why, during this month focused on Elder Abuse Awareness and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to protect the online information of senior and vulnerable friends and loved ones.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has seen an increase in online extortion attempts as state governments have issued “stay-at-home” orders in response to the crisis. That comes at a time when The Better Business Bureau says fraudsters are targeting older populations in particular.

“Our elderly population are the wisest and most treasured members of our communities,” says DJ Johnson, Charles Schwab’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Risk Management. “However, they’re at a higher level of risk, not only due to possible physical complications with the virus, but also by being targeted by online scammers who have increased their efforts to defraud this susceptible group. As the senior population is confronted with challenging decisions, whether about visiting stores for groceries or isolating themselves from loved ones, criminals can prey on vulnerability from several fronts.”

Scammers have deployed several methods intended to trick individuals into sending money, disclosing personal information or downloading malicious software. At Schwab, teams are trained to pay attention to behavioral cues that might be the result of an attempted scam.

Awareness of scams targeting seniors is key

While fraud can come in many forms, here are a few specific schemes that can be more targeted at the senior population:

Emergency scams: Schemers misrepresent themselves as a family member requesting money for care, or requesting supplies to “stay afloat.”

Social Security: Scammers pose as someone from the Social Security Administration requesting payment or personal information to prevent benefits from being suspended or reduced.

Investment scams: Fraudsters promote investments in companies that claim to prevent, detect or provide a cure for COVID-19.

So now, more than ever, it’s important to stay informed in order to detect signs of fraud. Added isolation can increase vulnerability to falling victim to a scam.

Tips:

• Consult with family members and friends prior to acting on a request for funds.
• Assign a trusted contact.
• The Social Security Administration is not suspending benefits and will never request payment to receive them.
• Perform extra due diligence when making investment choices. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake websites

People are turning to the internet for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and to purchase goods that either cannot be found in stores or as an alternative to shopping in person.

To take advantage of this, fraudsters set up websites to offer goods or services, such as protective gear (gloves and face masks), cleaning products, vaccines, testing kits and home delivery services. They then use these sites to collect payment and personal information with no intention of delivering the goods and services. This data is used by the fraudsters, or sold to other criminals on the dark web.

Tips:

• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or coronavirus.gov, or contact your physician for information regarding COVID-19.
• Avoid visiting pages offering cures or vaccines.
• Go directly to websites by entering a trusted URL address into your browser.
• Avoid using phone numbers for companies found through general web searches.
• Read site reviews regarding product delivery and purchases. The reviews may indicate if a site is selling counterfeit products.

Phishing

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails or texts purporting to be from reputable sources to persuade individuals to reveal personal information, such as login credentials.

Tips:

• Be suspicious of any email or text that requests your personal information.
• Hover over links to check validity, or visit websites directly by entering a known URL address into your internet browser before logging in or accessing material.
• Help ensure a website is secure before entering personal information.
• Do not click or download suspicious or unknown attachments, and be wary of attachments even from people you know.

Impersonations

Impersonation fraud schemes are used by impostors to obtain personal information and request fraudulent payments. The scam may begin with a phone call, email, computer pop-ups, text or other communication. Fraudsters are employing pandemic-related robocalls, claiming to be associated with charities, insurance companies or businesses offering products or cures. Some calls even offer cleaning services for your home. Impostors may pretend to be government officials and try to capitalize on the extended tax-filing date and proposed economic-stimulus checks.

Tips:

• Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.
• Hang up if you do answer a call that’s unusual. Don’t press any buttons because this could lead to more calls.
• Don’t supply personal, account or payment information, especially if you feel you’re being pressured.
• Never send money in response to a robocall or social media message.

For information on more ways to educate and protect yourself and your elderly family members from cybercrimes, visit schwab.com/schwabsafe/security-knowledge-center.

2020-06-15T10:13:09

(BPT) – Looking to get away this summer while social distancing? With annual traditions such as camps and sporting events cancelled, the best way to seek relief and recharge with your loved ones may be to “Get On Board” for a summer on the water. Recent data suggests that interest in fishing and boating has grown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent Harris poll, 1 in 5 Americans said they’re more likely to try these activities than they were prior to the pandemic. And among parents, the statistic is 1 in 4.

Numerous marine dealers across the country are reporting strong spring sales with consumers eager to get on the water, and Discover Boating, the nation’s consumer boating resource, is seeing record growth in consumer web traffic and boat searches, signifying a high demand for close-to-home recreation.

With boating restrictions lifting nationwide and the COVID-19 response dictating where and how far people can travel, boating and fishing are ideal activities to de-stress and unwind, while naturally allowing you to abide by social distancing guidelines.

“The outdoors is a welcome remedy to stress and anxiety,” said Dr. Sue Varma, a nationally recognized psychiatrist. “Being in nature supports each of the four ‘M’s of mental health: mindfulness, mastery, meaningful engagement and movement. In particular, being on the water encourages mindfulness by helping you get away from distractions, it supports mastery by teaching you a new skill, it provides meaningful engagement through quality time with others you may be quarantining with, and it promotes physical movement by getting you outside without requiring a strenuous workout. From a psychiatrist’s perspective, it’s a smart way to follow social distancing guidelines while prioritizing your health and wellness.”

There are several easy ways to go boating or fishing, whether you’re ready to buy a boat, test the waters aboard different vessels, or seek solace fishing on water or ashore. Here are tips from Discover Boating to help you find your way to the water this summer.

Purchase your dream boat. Chart your own course to boat ownership by visiting DiscoverBoating.com, where you’ll find a boat finder and loan calculator tool to help determine your budget and identify the different types of boats that fit your lifestyle and interests. The site can connect you with manufacturers whose boats best fit your needs and wants, plus learn about new boat shopping processes during COVID-19.

Join a boat club. Find a boat club near you to access a variety of boats. You’ll pay a monthly fee and be able book your time on the water online. Most boat clubs take care of docking, cleaning, maintenance, and boat training courses, which all follow new CDC and social distancing guidelines.

Rent a boat. Rental options are available on most waterways and provide hourly, daily or weekly access to a variety of boat types. Rental outfitters give tutorials on operating a boat, provide safety instruction and offer suggestions on destinations.

Share a boat. Another rental option is peer-to-peer boat rentals. You can search by location or type of boat. Peer-to-peer rental services have tens of thousands of different boats available across the nation. You simply connect with the owner, find out what sort of gear is aboard the boat and included in the rental, and other details, and then hit the water. Most arrangements for boat sharing are made on an app or via computer, minimizing personal contact and eliminating the need to enter an office. You can also inquire with the owners about their boat cleaning and sharing procedures to ensure a healthy transaction.

Go fish. There are thousands of bodies of water where you can cast a line. TakeMeFishing.org is an all-in-one resource to help anyone get started fishing in minutes. Features on the site include how-to guides, an interactive map of places to fish near you, and water access updates to help you fish safely while social distancing. You can even purchase your fishing license on the site.

Whether you’re ready to purchase a boat or simply test the waters this summer, all marine businesses have new standard operating procedures following CDC guidelines to ensure the well-being of boaters and their staff. This includes personal protective equipment, socially distant classroom and on-water training, and enhanced sanitation protocol of boats.

Visit DiscoverBoating.com for a host of resources and tips for getting on the water, boat shopping, safe practices amid the pandemic, public access maps and more. Planning to “Get On Board” this summer? Use the social media hashtag #TheWaterIsOpen to share your boating and fishing moments.