All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

It’s flu season, and that means millions of Americans, especially seniors, are heading to doctors and pharmacists to obtain their annual flu shots.  Although proven effective in combatting influenza, because shots administered improperly can over penetrate, resulting in damage to shoulder muscles and tendons, being vaccinated with the annual flu vaccine can lead to serious complications. Seniors with reduced body mass are particularly vulnerable.

Shoulder injury that results from the faulty administration of vaccines is known as Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration, (or “SIRVA”).  SIRVA injuries can occur when vaccines are injected too deeply or are given at the wrong angle or too high up on the shoulder.  Underweight patients such as seniors with low body mass may be at an increased risk.

Frequent symptoms of SIRVA include pain at the injection site, stiffness, weakness, tingling, and loss of the shoulder’s range of motion.  Such injuries are often diagnosed as rotator cuff tears, bursitis, tendonitis, or adhesive capsulitis.  In rare cases, surgery is required to correct the damage.

Fortunately, for those individuals who experience shoulder pain related to vaccine administration and who seek treatment from a doctor, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is available to provide compensation, including an award for pain and suffering, out of pocket expenses and lost more.  In addition to the flu vaccine, compensation is available for shoulder injuries caused by most other vaccines, including tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, and the HPV vaccine.

Enacted by Congress in 1986, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (also known as the vaccine court), is a federally funded, no fault compensation program, designed to provide monetary damages to people who have suffered a vaccine injury.  Under the Vaccine Program, individuals can file a legal claim with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  Special Masters from the court decide if the claim is eligible to receive compensation.  Because attorney’s fees and costs are paid for by the Court, filing a claim for compensation should come at little to no financial cost to the injured party.

According to Vaccine Attorney Leah Durant, many well-meaning healthcare providers are unaware of the damage that can result from the faulty administration of a vaccine. When deciding whether to pursue a claim for compensation for a vaccine-related shoulder injury, obtaining prompt and proper treatment is critical. For some, steroids and physical therapy may help promote recovery. Other more serious injuries may require costly surgical procedures or rehabilitation. Anyone who experiences shoulder pain shortly after a vaccination should seek immediate medical attention. According to Durant, this is not only important to allow for proper diagnosis and treatment, but may also help support any future legal claim for compensation.

Since suffering her own shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, Durant has worked to advocate for individuals diagnosed with SIRVA or other vaccine-related injuries.  According to Durant, her personal experience with this type of injury helps her to relate to clients who experience the high level of pain and suffering associated with adverse vaccine reactions.

Because filing a claim for vaccine compensation involves complex legal and medical principles not found in traditional tort litigation, finding a vaccine attorney that focuses exclusively on vaccine litigation claims is key.   Vaccine attorneys like Durant and others are capable of representing clients in all 50 states.  Because of provisions established by the law, petitioners in vaccine claims are never required to travel to the Court in Washington, DC in order to pursue their claims.

“This is really about awareness for individuals who experience illness or injury following a flu shot or other vaccine,” says Durant.  “The vaccine court provides a means of help for injured parties, but it is critical that people understand what symptoms to look for, and where to go to seek prompt medical treatment.  At this point, most people are unaware of their rights or that compensation may be available.  Our biggest challenge is making people aware of the program and helping them obtain the resources they need.”

Additional information is available from the Health Resources and Services Administration at 844-789-2047, info@vaccinelaw.com and www.vaccineshoulderinjury.com.

srmedia by — January 18, 2017 in Health & Fitness

Diabetes, a leading cause of death nationally, is the subject of free presentations this month in Tacoma on how to prevent and manage the disease.

The 40-minute sessions are scheduled for Jan. 9 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St., and on Jan. 12 from 12:10 to 12:50 at the County-City Building’s seventh-floor conference room.

Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center, a program of the county government, is hosting the presentations in collaboration with American Diabetes Association.

According to experts on prevention and treatment of diabetes, more than 29 million Americans have the disease, and 25 percent of them don’t know it. In addition, 86 million people are living with health conditions that increase the risk of becoming diabetic and having other chronic diseases, including kidney failure and adult-onset blindness.

As recently as 2013, diabetes was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United may be underreported, said officials who also noted that about 20 percent of all healthcare spending in the U.S. is for people with diabetes.

“There’s good news and bad news,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources.  “The bad news is that more than a third of all adults have prediabetes.  The good news is that with planned diet, exercise and medications, people can tremendously cut their risk of developing diabetes or live a vibrant life with diabetes.  We know what works.”

Untreated or ignored diabetes has serious medical consequences such as heart disease, stroke, vision problems, blindness, kidney disease and amputations, Van Valkenburg said

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to survive.  For people with type 2 diabetes, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and medicines to lower blood sugar can help prevent or delay complications.

More information about this month’s presentations is available at 253-798-4600.

 

srmedia by — January 3, 2017 in Health & Fitness

The holidays are a tough time of year for anyone to stick with a healthy diet. For the estimated 29 million Americans with diabetes, it can be an even greater challenge.

“Schedules and plans change due to holiday events, parties, vacations, travel and so on,” says Dana Sindelar, clinical dietitian and certified diabetes instructor with MultiCare’s Diabetes Services. “And the fallout can last from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.”

Sindelar offers some simple-to-follow tips to help those managing diabetes have an enjoyable, healthy holiday season.

 

Keep an eye on the basics.

 

“Living with erratic blood sugar control during this special time of year is not enjoyable and can lead to an unhappy holiday season,” Sindelar says.

So make an extra effort during the holiday season to:

  • Eat consistently.Shoot for balanced meals and snacks throughout the day in controlled portions.
  • Exercise daily.If you don’t have time for your usual routine, try fitting in two or three shorter workouts during the day, such as two 10-minute walks.
  • Keep stress down.Plan ahead as much as possible, and learn to say “no.” You don’t have to go to every party you’re invited to.
  • Monitor your glucose and take routine medications.Your glucose level provides you with valuable information. For example, testing after eating a “suspect” food (like holiday candies and cookies), may show that a small portion of these goodies is OK.

 

Stay on track at parties

 

“The key word here is planning,” Sindelar says. “This takes time, but if you make it a priority, the payoff can be huge.”

Try to:

  • Eat consistently throughout the day. Skipping meals can cause overeating later or low blood sugar reactions.
  • Use the plate method of meal planning:Fill a quarter of a 9-inch plate with a protein, another quarter with a starch (whole-grain bread, rice or pasta), and half the plate with raw or steamed veggies or salad.
  • Be wary of cocktails.They can cause high or low blood sugars.

 

Travel wisely

 

Planning ahead is also important when traveling for the holidays.

  • Bring sufficient medication with you, if required, and be sure you have a place to store it appropriately (for example, a refrigerator for insulin).
  • If your trip includes air travel, pack foods to take with you. If the flight includes a meal, request a diabetes-friendly version.
  • If you are driving, avoid “road food.” Pack a cooler with quick and easy items, such as deli meat, string cheese, fresh fruit and crackers or bread. Once you arrive at your destination, eat and take medications on a regular schedule.

 

 

MultiCare Health System, which contributed this article, is not-for-profit healthcare organization with services throughout Pierce County, south King County, and Thurston and Kitsap counties.

Contributing Author by — December 27, 2016 in Health & Fitness

Physical activity and exercise are good for you – at every age. For older adults, being physically active is vital to health and the ability to remain independent. Even those who are frail or suffer from the ailments and disabilities common among elders can improve their health with moderate levels of activity.

Exercise is medicine. It can help you control your body weight, your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels. It can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and strengthen your muscles and bones to combat osteoporosis and reduce the risk of falling. It can also improve your brain function and help prevent or slow the progression of memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. Physical activity may even help you sleep better.

With these benefits well established, why doesn’t every older adult exercise regularly? Some think that it’s too late to start or they’re afraid they don’t have the stamina required or that exercise will be harmful in some way. Others are concerned about the cost to join a gym or the need for special equipment. It’s never too late, and in fact you are putting your health at risk by not exercising regularly.

Getting started can be intimidating for anyone who hasn’t been active in a long time but starting slowly with low-level activity for brief periods is unlikely to be harmful for most people. As we age, it is always indicated to have a physical exam, get clearance from your doctor.  The physical therapist can determine the safest plan of activity. For many, the only equipment you need at first is a pair of comfortable shoes with non-skid soles.

 

What kind of exercise is best for elders?

 

There are four types of exercise that address the four primary areas in which older adults lose ground when they are inactive. A program that incorporates all four types can help maintain these capabilities or even reverse losses:

  • Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase breathing and heart rate and improve the health of the heart, lungs and circulatory system. The best choices for elders are walking, cycling, swimming, stair climbing, and dancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults over the age of 65 get 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, again the level of activity is best determined by the physical therpist.  After about six weeks at that level of aerobic exercise, most people report reduced fatigue and improved breathing.
  • Strength exercises that work all the major muscle groups – legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms – help prevent loss of bone mass, build muscle, and improve balance. Strength training, per the therapist, with weights or resistance bands is important in avoiding falls and making it easier to get out of a chair, lift a bag of groceries, open a jar, or climb a flight of stairs. The CDC recommends strength-training workouts at least twice a week.
  • Balance exercises are key to avoiding falls and the injuries that result. According to the CDC, more than 2.5 million older Americans are treated in emergency rooms every year for the injuries resulting from falls. Yoga, tai chi, and similar exercises help improve balance.
  • Flexibility, or stretching, exercises help the body stay limber and improve freedom of movement, making it easier to do everyday things like bend over, reach a high shelf, or look over your shoulder when driving.

Older adults can achieve good general fitness in as little as thirty minutes a day. It’s important to incorporate all four types of exercise or activity in your routine. You can start slowly and build your endurance, strength, balance and flexibility gradually. Regular exercise or physical activity will reduce the risk of illness, injury and infirmity, increase your mental capacity, and improve your overall well-being. Put simply, staying active will make you feel better.

 

Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, who wrote this article, is a geriatrician and founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house-calls practice in the San Francisco, Calif. area.

Contributing Author by — December 13, 2016 in Health & Fitness