PT360 - August 2017

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A ugust 2017

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Our July camping trip was full of adventure at Olympic National Park. We hit the beach, lakes, and waterfalls, all of it spectacular. We took my trusty inflatable paddleboard out on a lake, where my copilot directed us to a beach half a mile from our takeoff. Aye aye! Fifteen minutes later, I wished I had brought shoes for a land return. The wind had picked up to such an extent that there were 1- to 2-foot swells on the lake on the way back. My daughter likened the swells to a ride at Disneyland. I kept positioned perpendicular to the swells when the wind was high, then paddled furiously toward shore in the moments when it died down. Our short paddle that day ended up being a ‘3-hour tour’ against a steep headwind. In that time, my daughter stayed calm, opted to lay down and nap on the board, and I focused on good body mechanics and staying steady, both in balance and nerves. When my very worried husband spotted us getting close, he helped us offload at a dock. He was worried sick that we had been in danger. My daughter and I were puzzled. I knew I could do it, and so did she. I was just not so excited to have to keep paddling, and was enthused at the prospect of being closer to a fire and a glass of wine. We arrived at our last camp ahead of my husband. This campground was packed like sardines, and I had a trailer back in, which I’d only done once. My stomach sank. I wondered aloud where my husband was to help park, and my daughter asked me, “Do you believe in yourself?” I paused. “Well, yes, I do, but I’m kind of nervous about this.” She responded “Well, I believe in you. You got this, Mama.” So I did. I managed to avoid all obstacles, and felt proud of my small accomplishment. Despite (even more!) challenges, we had a great time, and made more great memories. The best one, though, was knowing my daughter had utter faith in me, in stormy conditions and on bad days and when I was not so sure of myself. I wish the same for you. Even when you don’t have F rom T he D esk O f Shelly Coffman

T he D octor ' s O rders Are You a 'Difficult' Patient?

What happens if you are labeled a “difficult” patient on your medical file? It depends on who you ask. According to a 1996 TV episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld,” you might get calls in the middle of the night and be denied service by every doctor in town. Poor Elaine. Real life isn’t that dramatic, but people still harbor fears about speaking up or questioning their physician because they dread the difficult label. What if your doctor alters his care approach? What if he withholds certain information because he fears being antagonized? Besides, no one wants to walk into a doctor’s office and fear that their presence is dreaded. No one likes to feel like they are high maintenance. One study done by Health Affairs found that most people want to participate in “shared decision-making” with their physicians, but they feel concerned about being labeled as difficult, because it could lead to problems down the road. The crazy thing is, 40 percent of the subjects had incomes of over $100,000. If they felt concerned, there’s a good chance people of all income levels feel the same way. If you talk to some physicians, they will tell you that being a curious and investigative patient is a good thing, even if it makes you just a little difficult. But there is a balance in all things. Talk to a doctor outside the office, and they will be happy to give you examples of how not to treat the person providing you with physical care.

your own short cheerleader, be that person for yourself. It’s pretty magic.

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- Shelly Coffman

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news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety. WHY IS THE NEWS SO NEGATIVE? As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized, news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material such as crime and accidents. At a basic level, for something to be “newsworthy” — negative or not — it needs to be the exception to the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world. HOW TO FIGHT THE NEGATIVITY It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at all. Advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories, or take a break from news altogether. That’s when no news can become good news. You might be asking yourself, “Does it really matter if my doctor thinks I’m difficult?” The answer is no. The goal of a patient should be to not be a patient anymore, not to become friends with the doctor. There is one label occasionally given to patients you should try to avoid: noncompliant. This is doctor-speak for patients who don’t take their medications or follow medical recommendations. It’s a hairy, red-eyed monster of a problem. Experts estimate around 50 percent of patients don’t follow doctor’s orders. Dr. Danielle Ofri, author and NYU medical professor, said she was studying the topic of noncompliance and decided to try a nonclinical experiment. She prescribed a small group of students with daily doses of Tic Tacs and instructed them to take the “medicine” every day for a week. When they met to review the exercise, no one had taken their medicine every day. She says compliance is paramount to a patient’s health, but she also warns doctors to be compassionate. “Doctors and patients need to work together to figure out what is reasonable and realistic,” she says. So, really invest in your time with your physicians. Respect their expertise. But in the end, are you one antagonistic question away from getting passive treatment? No; a good physician’s level of care doesn’t increase or decrease based on their annoyance level.

For instance, one nurse shared a story on AllNurses.com about how one long-term patient would repeatedly yank her vent tubing off her trach because she knew it would get a faster response than pushing her call light. One time, she almost removed her trach entirely in the act. It’s humorous in retrospect, but at the time, it was dangerous. You probably aren’t participating in that kind of behavior, but this example highlights the attitude every doctor dreads: patients who not only have to be handled differently, but demand to be. If that isn’t you, you are just fine asking difficult and persistent questions. Dr. Rebecca Fox, MD, wrote a blog on PhysiciansPractice.com called “Why I’m Thankful for My Difficult Patients.” These patients make her a better physician and “have changed my perspective on patient care,” she says. The people who take the most time and ask the most questions are probably those who need the most help, and they are the most rewarding for her to heal. There’s a chance the problem isn’t you at all. If a doctor makes you feel too nervous to ask questions, you probably aren’t at the right clinic. David Williams, president of The Health Business Group, says, “There’s really no reason that people should settle for a primary care physician relationship where they feel intimidated. I would encourage people to shop around for someone who will take them seriously and engage with them with the right tone and at the right level.”

T he E ffects of N egative N ews They Say Ignorance Is Bliss ... But Is It Healthy?

It’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BAD NEWS

A study by Psychology Today found that people who watch negative news feel worse about pre-existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world — they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world around you. As you consume threatening

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C ure for the C ommon C old ? Echinacea Might Be the Herb You're Looking For

tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, and any autoimmune diseases are also advised against taking echinacea.

Echinacea was a very trendy herb in the late 1980s, but it fell out of popularity as the public went on to the next big thing. However, there are many reasons why this fantastic herb should have a place in everyone’s medicine cabinet. The active substances in echinacea can boost immune function, helping relieve pain and reduce inflammation. While an outright cure for the common cold remains elusive, research from the University of Maryland Medical Center shows that echinacea might be the herb you need to get back on your feet faster. Clinical trials show that participants who took a dose of echinacea via a pill or a tincture right when they began to feel sick reduced the length of their cold by one to four days. Fifty-eight percent of participants avoided experiencing a cold altogether. Echinacea tea is also extremely beneficial in treating a cold. Another study followed people with early cold or flu symptoms, such as runny nose, sore throat, or fever. The study found that participants who drank several cups of echinacea tea throughout the day for five days experienced shorter periods of sickness than those who drank tea without echinacea.

The effectiveness of echinacea is helping

the herb quickly become one of the most popular holistic supplements in North America. Just be sure you speak with a doctor before giving anyone in your family a new supplement.

Due to the way echinacea interacts with the immune system, individuals on medication that suppresses the immune system should not take any form of echinacea. People with diabetes,

CUCUMBER COLD SOUP A vocado and

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, juiced • ½ cup cold water • 1 clove garlic • ¾ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper 4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. 5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. 6. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

• Olive oil • 2 medium ripe avocados, halved • 1 large cucumber, halved • 6 stalks spring onions • 1 jalapeno

T ake A B reak !

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados

with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot.

3. Grill vegetables until everything is grilled or slightly charred. Once

grilled, remove and place on platter to cool.

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Are You a 'Difficult' Patient? Page 1 Ignorance Is Bliss ... Is It Healthy? Page 2 Cure for the Common Cold? Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup Page 3 When You Hit a Wall, Climb It Page 4 I nside T his I ssue

W hen Y ou H it a W all , C limb I t

Rock climbing may be daunting, but you don’t have to have supernaturally chiseled back and arm muscles to do it. And you should do it: Research shows that, far beyond being a prime tool for building muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance, climbing can improve your memory, reduce stress, and help your brain become more effective at solving problems. It would be unwise, however, to just pick a mountain and start clambering up. The first thing you’ll need is guidance. Somebody has to show you the ropes — literally. Whether that means a friend well- versed in the ways of ascension or a professional guide is up to you. The easiest way to get help is just to head over to your local indoor climbing gym, walk up to the front desk, and tell them you’re a newbie. They’ll be happy to set you up with some rental equipment and an experienced instructor. Indoor wall climbs are completely safe and relatively easy. They’ll have routes available for every skill level, allowing you to escalate difficulty at your own pace. How to Get Started in the Challenging World of Rock Climbing

Let your trainer or friend give you the lowdown on climbing lingo. First, you’ve got your harness, a belt that loops around your legs and waist that has attachments to connect to a rope. Metal carabiners will link the rope to your harness. Then, you’ve got your ever-vital belay, a metal doohickey used in belaying — go figure — or rappelling. Belaying is the process of one climber securing the rope for another as they ascend. Rappelling is simply a fancy word for sliding carefully down the rope back to earth. Spend some time on the sidelines, observing the veteran climbers. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask anyone who might be around. The climbing community is well-known for welcoming new participants. They’ve all been where you are.

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