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Embrace the silence

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

When was the last time you stopped to appreciate a few minutes of silence? 

 

Pause and think about it.  

 

Instead of filling time by turning up the music or watching the latest viral video, find time today to welcome the quiet. 

 

According to Piedmont Healthcare, taking time to be still can help you become more productive. They offer three main mental and emotional benefits of practicing silence: 

  • Clarity 

  • Time to recognize and address emotions 

  • Improved decision making 

  •  

The Mayo Clinic recommends meditation to find fast relief from stress to feel calm and balanced. Meditation doesn’t have to involve closing your eyes. A type of meditation called open awareness is described by Harvard Health as selecting a task, like eating or working outside, and paying attention to your body while breathing and engaging your senses. Focus only on the task at hand. Encourage outside thoughts to pass by, like clouds moving through the sky. 

 

Take time to pause with these activities: 

  •  Turn off the radio while driving. 

  • Cook without the TV in the background. 

  • Meditate while on a walk. 

  • Keep your lunch break free from social media. 

  • Connect spiritually. Many religious traditions encourage stillness.

  • Try a mindfulness app to enable quiet time and reflection. 

 

Practicing silence can also result in physical changes. When your mind feels settled, your body will as well, encouraging relaxation and healing.  

 

This doesn’t mean you have to take 20 minutes a day to find solitude. Start by taking a few minutes to find quiet time, perhaps in the morning, before bedtime or even when you’re trying to meet your daily step goal. Embracing silence will help you feel refreshed and bring the best version of yourself to your day. 

 

 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Embrace the silence

Instead of filling time by turning up the music or watching the latest viral video, find time today to welcome the quiet.

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Genesis HealthCare System Surgery Celebrates Milestone for 5,000 Robotic-assisted Surgeries

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

The Genesis HealthCare System Surgery Team recently surpassed 5,000 robotic-assisted surgeries. Robotic-assisted surgery is when a specially trained surgeon operates robotic arms to move instruments in ways that human hands cannot and to reach into tiny openings. The advantages of robotic-assisted surgeries are smaller incisions, pinpoint precision, faster recoveries, lower infection rates and shorter hospital stays. Genesis offers robotic-assisted surgeries for a variety of specialties, including general, thoracic, urology and gynecology surgeries.

“Robotic-assisted surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery,” said Stuart Chow, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., F.A.C.S, Medical Director of Trauma and Robotic Surgery Programs at Genesis HealthCare System. “Genesis has been performing robotic-assisted surgery for over a decade and added a second surgery robot in 2022. It’s exciting that our community hospital can offer this innovative technology to our patients. Genesis ranks in the top 3% of all hospitals for utilization of robotic-assisted surgeries with the DaVinci Xi system.”

Genesis HealthCare System Surgery Celebrates Milestone for 5,000 Robotic-assisted Surgeries

The Genesis HealthCare System Surgery Team recently surpassed 5,000 robotic-assisted surgeries.

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How bad vaping is for you

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Vaping has gained popularity as a "safer" alternative to smoking, but it’s far from harmless. Here’s why you should think twice before taking a puff. 

 

What’s inside your vape? 

Vaping liquids often contain nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. According to the American Lung Association, while these might sound harmless, when heated, they can break down into toxic substances like carcinogens (chemicals known to cause cancer) and diacetyl (chemical linked to “popcorn lung”). These chemicals can cause lung damage, inflammation and other serious health issues. 

 

Lung damage and respiratory risks 

Vaping is not without its dangers to the lungs. It can cause inflammation, reduce lung function and lead to a condition called "popcorn lung," which results from inhaling a chemical called diacetyl, found in some flavored vapes. Over time, this can make it harder for your lungs to fight infections and may lead to chronic respiratory issues. 

 

Nicotine addiction 

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Even if you’re not a smoker, vaping can lead to nicotine addiction. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, this can increase your heart rate, raise blood pressure and put you at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. 

 

Teen vaping crisis 

Vaping is particularly popular among teens, many of whom believe it’s safe. But nicotine can affect brain development, impairing memory, attention and learning in young people. 

 

The bottom line 

While vaping might seem like a safer option, it still carries significant health risks, including lung damage and addiction. Protect your health and avoid the risks. Your body will thank you. 

 

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Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

How bad vaping is for you

Vaping has gained popularity as a "safer" alternative to smoking, but it’s far from harmless. Here’s why you should think twice before taking a puff. 

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Setting goals are roadmaps to success

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Maybe you want to run a marathon, write a book, or lose a few pounds. Regardless of what you desire, setting goals and planning is the best way to achieve them. Not sure where to start? SMART goals could be what is missing in your life.  

 

What is a SMART goal? 

SMART goals are a popular method for setting goals. SMART stands for: 

  • Specific – A bad example of a goal is to say I will get in better shape. A good example is to say I will exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.  

  • Measurable – Instead of saying, I will improve my cardio fitness, say I will cut 2 minutes off the time it takes me to do a 5K. 

  • Attainable – Once you reach a certain age, a five-minute mile becomes unlikely. As will a six-minute and so on. Make sure the goal you set is something you can do with practice, time and effort. 

  • Relevant – Is the goal important to you at this point in your life? According to an article on the Harvard Health website, if the goal is not important to you, then you are much less likely to follow through to achieving it. If you have two young children and work full-time, you may need to wait a while before training for a marathon. 

  • Time-bound – Do you have time in your life to achieve your goal? Also, set a date for when you will achieve it. If it is to take two minutes off your 5K, include whether that is in six months, one year, etc. 

 

SMART goals can be used for almost any type of goal, from fitness to nutrition to work and personal. You can find more information about SMART goals in numerous places. You may want to start with this article on the Harvard Health website. 

 

If you decide to set a SMART goal to get in shape, please start by contacting your doctor to make sure you start with an appropriate workout. 

 

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Setting goals are roadmaps to success

Not sure where to start? SMART goals could be what is missing in your life.

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Can you influence your metabolism?

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Social media influencers promote all kinds of products and lifestyles. What if you could influence your metabolism, as in speed it up? Then you could burn more calories, which could help you lose weight.  

To learn more, take our quiz.  

 

If want more information on why sleep matters, take our “Is Sleep Important?” quiz.  

Before starting any exercise program, please consult with your doctor.  

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Can you influence your metabolism

What if you could influence your metabolism, as in speed it up? To learn more, take our quiz.  

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Can we prevent Alzheimer’s?

emily.griffin
Submitted by emily.griffin on

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease currently impacts over 6.7 million Americans? The Alzheimer’s Association defines the disease as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s can progress to eventually disrupt daily tasks.  

As an expert in his field, we contacted Even F. Wang, M.D., Board-certified in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. He practices at Genesis Neuroscience Center. 

Dr. Wang explains that dementia is a category of neurological diseases, and Alzheimer’s falls under that category. 

 

Symptoms 

“I find that people with Alzheimer’s don’t realize they’re experiencing symptoms,” said Dr. Wang. “It’s usually a spouse or a child who notices behavioral changes indicating an issue.” 

Symptoms include: 

  • Increased memory loss 

  • Personality changes 

  • General confusion 

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the above, it’s important to make an appointment with a primary care provider. From there, you may be referred to a neurologist.  

Dr. Wang said that neurologists can run tests, including mental status examinations, spinal taps and MRIs, to rule out other reasons for memory loss. From there, doctors can determine whether you may have Alzheimer’s and discuss treatment options.  

 

Treatment  

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, it's being heavily researched internationally. With a better understanding of the disease comes better treatment. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, available treatments may temporarily improve or stabilize memory and thinking skills. Other medications can help manage specific symptoms of Alzheimer’s, like behavioral problems, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.  

“There is a lot of excitement in our field surrounding Alzheimer’s treatment,” said Dr. Wang.  

In July of 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration traditionally approved the first medication proven to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. 

 

Prevention 

There are many risk factors that increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. Some of them, like age and genetics, are out of your control. Symptoms usually appear after 65, and the risk increases as you age. That does not mean that Alzheimer’s is a normal part of aging, according to the CDC. While things like multitasking may slow with age, memory and knowledge, remain stable and can even improve with age. 

Scientists currently know of more than 70 genetic variations associated with Alzheimer’s. The National Institute of Aging states that just 10 years ago, scientists only knew of 10 variations. The research continues to improve our understanding of the disease. Furthermore, those who develop Alzheimer’s don’t always have a family history of the disease. Those who do have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s still have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those who don’t. 

Diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking increase your chance of developing Alzheimer’s. “Living an active lifestyle and keeping an active mind are ways to reduce or delay your risk of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Wang. “Letting your brain rest by getting enough sleep is another good practice.”  

 

Here are things you can do to delay Alzheimer’s: 

  • Quit drinking alcohol and smoking 

  • Correct hearing loss 

  • Maintain a healthy weight 

  • Get enough sleep 

    • The Sleep Health Foundation recommends seven to nine hours for adults 18 through 64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and older. 

  • Manage your blood pressure and blood sugar 

  • Be physically and mentally active 

 

As Dr. Wang said, delaying Alzheimer’s comes back to leading a healthy lifestyle. Making your health a priority now can make a big difference down the road.  

If you or a loved one think you may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to begin a treatment plan that is right for you.  

Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Wang explains that dementia is a category of neurological diseases, and Alzheimer’s falls under that category.

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Restored: Muscle cars and torn muscles

Taking a worn-down, broken muscle car and transforming it into a flashy fresh ride takes time, skills and finances, but John Rusinko and his wife Haddi say it’s worth it. They spend retirement side by side, saving vintage vehicles from rusty fates by restoring them into gorgeous, roaring rides. 

Last year, John’s attention broadened from restoring muscle cars to restoring muscle when he was thrown from his lawn mower after sliding down a steep hill on his property.  

“I believe that’s when I hurt my hamstring,” he said. “A month later, I went hunting and fell.” 

For the next several months, John lived with a sharp, stabbing pain. An MRI revealed a partially torn hamstring muscle. Despite steroid injections and physical therapy, the pain remained. Then he met Brenton Bohlig, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist at Genesis Orthopedic Sports Medicine, who recommended a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. 

Brenton Bohlig, M.D.

Brenton Bohlig, M.D.
Fellowship-trained and Board-certified
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
Genesis Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Accelerate healing by fueling up  

PRP treatments use the patient’s blood cells to accelerate healing. To create the platelet-rich plasma, a sample of whole blood is usually drawn from the arm and then placed into a device called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins until the platelets separate and become concentrated within the blood’s plasma. This platelet-dense precious plasma can fuel and accelerate healing when injected directly into an injured area.  

“Using platelet-rich plasma harnesses the body’s natural healing ability,” said Dr. Bohlig. The injection utilizes the patient’s blood as the activating agent, so patients sidestep adverse reactions that may come with medications or foreign substances. 

“It’s a more natural way. Harnessing the proteins and growth factors that promote healing lets your body do what it’s meant to do. We simply direct where the healing takes place. It’s wonderful to see how this treatment benefits people with partially torn tendons and ligaments,” Dr. Bohlig said. 

PRP injections deliver results 

On the day of the injection, Dr. Bohlig told John not to anticipate results for about six weeks. John waited patiently, and relief came right on cue. 

“Within the seventh week, I was walking fine. Before, it felt like someone had stuck a knife in me and never pulled it out, but after those six weeks, I had no pain. All because of my blood,” he said. “No medications, no therapy, just my blood.” 

Guiding patients on the road to recovery 

With his hamstring healed, John returned to living his best life. He remains pain-free more than a year after the PRP injection. He hunts, chops wood and cares for his land. On most days, John uses his restored hamstring to twist and turn around the vehicles he and his wife enjoy restoring.  

For Dr. Bohlig, success stories like John’s fuel his desire to restore people to their best quality of life. “It’s great to see people return after treatment,” he said. “Where there was a grimace on their face from pain with certain movements, there’s now a smile as they show off what they can do. I’m thrilled that we can provide the care they need on the road to rec

Restored: Muscle Cars and Torn Muscles

Taking a worn-down, broken muscle car and transforming it into a flashy fresh ride takes time, skills and finances, but John Rusinko and his wife Haddi say it’s worth it.

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Portion control and power walking

A few years ago, Tim Lewis of Coshocton, Ohio, had trouble doing most things. He was morbidly obese, suffered from emphysema and had trouble sleeping. He was constantly out of breath and could barely walk from room to room in his house.  

Tim knew he had to do something about his health because he is a single father to a preteen daughter.  “It was hard for me to go to school and athletic events and fun things she enjoys, like shopping,” he said. “I had to find a way to take better care of myself, so I could take care of her.”  

A Transformation Takes Root

Unfortunately, his health was so poor that Tim suffered two heart attacks in the summer of 2021. After the second heart attack, he had stents put in at Genesis Hospital, which he said helped with his breathing. After his discharge, Tim was worried about recovery. “I knew I needed to eat better and exercise to get back on track, but I didn’t feel like I had the energy to do anything. I felt so fragile,” he said.  

Then he noticed something that turned out to be the key to a complete transformation in his health and life. “I got home and saw that I’d lost 20 pounds during my hospital stay. I was happy about it but couldn’t figure out how it happened.”   

At his first check-up with Christy Zigo, APRN-CNP, Nurse Practitioner at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group in Coshocton, Tim told her about his fear of not being able to recover fully.  

Zigo took the time to discuss his treatment, recovery plan and the future at length. Reassured about many of his concerns, Tim asked how he could have dropped 20 pounds so quickly.  

“When Tim came to the office, he was motivated to improve his health and unsure how he had made such progress while in the hospital,” said Zigo. “I explained that while in the hospital, Genesis dietitians planned his meals to follow the portion, caloric and nutritional guidelines for his illness. In a nutshell, portion control.” 

Christy Zigo APRN-CNP

Christy Zigo, APRN-CNP
Nurse Practitioner
Genesis Heart & Vascular Group

Half his size and completely whole  

At home, Tim adopted the hospital menu. “Portion control and encouragement from the Genesis nurses and specialists worked wonders for me,” said Tim. He also started walking daily. He was so dedicated to following both regimens that he lost 190 pounds in 13 months. “Walking is my number one hobby now,” he said. He leaves his house every day before noon and walks a few different routes he’s created throughout the city of Coshocton.   

Since he started working with the Genesis Heart and Vascular team, Tim said that everything has improved for himself and his daughter. He feels better, and she is happy to have a more active dad. “I want to tell my story to everyone,” he said. “I am so grateful to Genesis for getting the ball rolling for me.”   

Portion Control and Power Walking

A few years ago, Tim Lewis of Coshocton, Ohio, had trouble doing most things. He was morbidly obese, suffered from emphysema and had trouble sleeping. He was constantly out of breath and could barely walk from room to room in his house.

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Nursing professor becomes the patient

Pamela Sealover is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is also the proud owner of one goldendoodle named Daisy. Pamela is a nursing professor at Ohio University Zanesville and has worked there for 25 years.  

Not long ago, she noticed concerning symptoms. Pamela called the Genesis Breast Care Center and immediately got an appointment. The team at the Breast Care Center diagnosed her with breast cancer and developed a plan for Pamela to treat the disease and win.  

“I had confidence in Genesis because of the excellent care they gave my husband during his cancer treatment,” Pamela said about her treatment plan.  

 

Bilateral diagnosis  

At the Genesis Breast Care Center, she was diagnosed with a slow-growing tumor in the right breast and a more aggressive tumor in the left breast. The care team at the Breast Care Center advised Pamela to start with chemotherapy for 24 weeks, and after the treatment, they would determine the next steps.  

Shyamal R. Bastola, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Hematologist/Oncologist at the Genesis Cancer Care Center, cared for Pamela during her treatment. Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer. It was the best option for Pamela. The length of chemotherapy varies from person to person. With the help of the Cancer Care Center, Pamela began chemotherapy soon after her diagnosis.  

“A lot of students I had in class were taking care of me at the Cancer Care Center,” Pamela said. “I knew I was in good hands.” On her last day of chemotherapy, Pamela’s coworkers celebrated with her. They performed a skit visible from the Cancer Care Center’s windows. It brought smiles to everyone’s faces.  

 

Advanced treatment  

After Pamela went through chemotherapy, she had a bilateral mastectomy. Dr. Bastola scheduled a follow-up appointment to make sure the procedure had removed all the cancer. The results showed there was one lymph node that was still positive for cancer. The best solution to get rid of the cancer was radiation.  

Radiation therapy damages the genetic material of cancer cells, which stops their growth. This is one of the common treatments provided at Genesis. Radiation therapy can also be used for other types of cancer.  

Pamela and her doctors discussed the possibility of reconstructive surgery while she was preparing to get her bilateral mastectomy. After radiation and procedures, Pamela had reconstructive surgery.  

 

“If something is not right, get to a doctor to check out what is wrong and how to proceed.” 

Reconstruction of her life  

Today, Pamela is doing great and has recovered from her battle with breast cancer. Pamela gets screenings every six months at the Cancer Care Center to ensure there are no returning cancer cells. She also takes an anti-estrogen pill. These can help stop the growth of future cancer cells.  

Pamela was a part of the Genesis Celebrate Life National Cancer Survivors Day event for cancer survivors and supporters in June 2024. She told her story to those in attendance and stressed the importance of scheduling an annual mammogram to make sure there are no signs of breast cancer. And she has advice for others when it comes to listening to your body.  

“If something is not right,” said Pamela, “get to a doctor to check out what is wrong and how to proceed.” The faster a medical professional can identify the problem, the quicker it is to develop a treatment plan.  

“At the Genesis Cancer Care Center, we make a cancer treatment plan that is catered to you,” said Dr. Bastola. “We are happy Pamela is doing well, continuing to live her life to the fullest and bringing awareness to early symptoms of breast cancer.” 

 

Pamela Sealover

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer. It was the best option for Pamela.

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It’s personal: Your body, your cancer care

“I’m the duckbilled platypus of my family,” Sherry Sims said with a giggle. “I have body parts no one else has.” Sherry further explained her humorous self-description by saying she has strong legs that can easily press 200 lbs. and a tiny upper body that can’t manage a pull-up. 

Although comfortable with her differences, there was a family trait Sherry tried to avoid. Two maternal aunts battled breast cancer. One of them passed away from the disease. “I always knew cancer was possible,” she said, “but you never think it’s going to happen to you.” 

Due to her family medical history, Sherry religiously performed monthly breast self-examinations. “I never even thought of missing an annual mammogram,” she said.  

That is, until COVID-19 swept the country. “I almost ignored a yearly mammogram because of COVID-19. However, when it was time for my mammogram, I figured if they’re brave enough to offer the screening, I should be brave enough to get one,” Sherry said. “If I had waited another year, I don’t know what my prognosis would have been. It could have been a totally different outcome.”  

Sherry’s mammogram revealed a suspicious shadow on her right breast, so she received a biopsy at the Genesis Cancer Care Center. The result was a diagnosis of ER-positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. 

Empowered Choices  

Once diagnosed, a nurse navigator explained three surgery options to Sherry and her husband. She could have the tumor removed (a lumpectomy), the entire breast and tumor removed (a mastectomy), or both breasts and the tumor removed (a double mastectomy). She didn’t want to worry about reoccurring cancer, so she chose a double mastectomy without reconstruction.  

A specialized surgeon at the Genesis Cancer Care Center removed a golf-ball sized tumor buried deep in Sherry’s chest wall. The surgical team also gathered tissues from the cancerous tumor to submit for genetic testing. 

“Based on the results, Sherry’s cancer cells are not sensitive to chemotherapy,” said Shyamal Bastola, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Hematologist/Oncologist at the Genesis Cancer Care Center.  

“The results also revealed that Sherry’s cancer has a phenomenal probability of being cured with hormone therapy.” With that evidence-based knowledge, Sherry began a daily hormone therapy regimen that will last a minimum of five years. 

“In some ways, it would be more appropriate to call this hormone therapy, ‘anti-estrogen therapy,’” Dr. Bastola said. “Because estrogen receptor positive (ER positive) breast cancers feed on estrogen, we use the treatment to drastically decrease that female hormone within the body.”  

An individualized approach  

Feeling grateful for hormone therapy and the attentive, expert care she received, Sherry said she’ll never forget the people at the Genesis Cancer Care Center. “These people are like my family now,” Sherry said. “They treated me how I wanted to be treated.” 

According to Dr. Bastola, Sherry’s phrase, “They treated me how I wanted to be treated,” holds the key to Genesis’ successful, compassionate cancer care. “We want to give each patient a personalized approach,” he said. “Everyone’s priorities and concerns are different. For example, some women feel scared about losing their breasts, and others don’t care or don’t want them anymore.”  

Dr. Bastola continued, “We strive to meet our patients where they are and do our best to treat them as individuals. That’s the great advantage of care at Genesis. Our care is much more personal.”

Sherry Sims

Sherry’s mammogram revealed a suspicious shadow on her right breast, so she received a biopsy at the Genesis Cancer Care Center.

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