TAVR Turns Nine Months Old!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program has been up and running since November 2016, and is making a positive difference for local patients. Initially, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the program for high risk patients. “These were patients in their upper 80s with multiple medical comorbidities, like severe renal failure, previous open heart surgeries and at very high risk,” said Jose Torres, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. TAVR Open to More People The FDA has now approved TAVR for patients who are at moderate risk. “These are patients in their late 70s and early 80s,” said Dr. Torres. “They have some comorbidities—early kidney dysfunction, some heart failure, or some past open heart surgeries.” Although everyone wants to have a less invasive procedure these days, the minimally invasive TAVR procedure is not intended for younger patients. “The younger, lower risk patients usually need a mechanical valve, which may require a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass,” Dr. Torres said. “At this time, the life expectancy of transcatheter valves is not comparable to mechanical valves in younger, healthier patients.” TAVR: Heal at Home TAVR is helping keep local residents home instead of going to Phoenix, which is a good thing for patients and their families. “Prior to starting up our valve clinic, we were sending out about 20 patients a year to Phoenix to get the transcatheter valves. So, it is definitely a good procedure to have in the community,” explained Dr. Torres. “We do have an older community. A lot of patients are a little bit sicker and their health isn’t as great as it used to be. Driving to Phoenix is just a big hassle for them.” Local Dewey resident and recent TAVR patient Linda Thompson likes that she can have her healthcare closer to home. “I would not have gone to Phoenix if they didn’t have TAVR up here; it’s just too hard on my family and once you have trust in your doctors up here, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” she said. TAVR Changed Linda’s Life Linda had open heart surgery two years ago and developed valvular stenosis after it. She was on oxygen and could barely walk up a flight of stairs or participate in activities she enjoyed, such as playing Bunco with her friends and working in her garden. Because of her complications, Linda was not a good candidate for a repeat open heart surgery—it was too risky for her health. However, after TAVR, Linda said, “The doctors were very confident and very caring and told me there was hardly any risk with it. I had no pain from it at all. Right after it, I felt like a healthy person again.” Dr. Torres said, “The YRMC administration and cardiovascular physicians are very focused on developing a service line to help the community, whether it is from coronary artery disease, aortic valve disease, or mitral valve disease, so we are pushing ourselves and the institution to be on the forefront of structural heart disease.” 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called TAVR Turns Nine Months Old! and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/tavr-turns-nine-months-old/.CaptchaSubmit
Good News from the WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center is pleased to share this story about the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit. Our thanks to YRMC HealthConnect contributors Laura Norman, Executive Director of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation, and Cindy Brown, Development Manager of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation. Community support and donations have made something vital happen. We can’t wait to share the one-month outcome data from the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit! Here it is, ‘by the numbers’: At the end of exactly four weeks of operations, the CSU has served 160 patients. The highest volume we have seen in a 24-hour period was 13. One big surprise in the utilization data so far: weekends have been slower than weekdays. But the numbers don’t tell it all. Who are the people who have come to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, reaching out a hand for help? “The most common presenting issues have been intoxication, or suicidal thoughts, or a combination of both,” explained Shawn Hatch, LCSW, CCS, AADC, Chief Clinical Officer of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic. It may be difficult for some of us to understand what a crisis means, and how darkness and pain may be overwhelming those who come to the CSU. Here is one story of how we made a difference to a western Yavapai County resident who had not previously been served by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic: When a woman in her 30s entered the CSU, she was experiencing severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts. She lacked sleep, and she had not taken prescribed medication. She voiced her concerns and uncertainty about being at CSU, at which point staff reassured her repeatedly that she was in a safe place. Ultimately she voiced that she felt better knowing there is a place like this. She now knows where to go should this happen again. This is powerful testimony to the value that CSU has in our local continuum of health and mental health care. Thank you for your support of this critical work. If you are a part of a congregation or civic group that would like to have someone from the Clinic come and speak on this life-saving program, please email Cindy Brown. Take a virtual tour of the Crisis Stabilization Unit on our YouTube channel. Feel free to share with family and friends! Questions? Contact us: West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation 3343 N. Windsong Dr. Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (928) 445-5211 ext., 3634 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Good News from the WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit! and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/good-news-wygc-crisis-stabilization-unit/.CaptchaSubmit
YRMC Physician Helps Patients Manage Pain
Riding a horse … hiking a mountain … climbing a flight of stairs, chronic pain can restrict people from their favorite activities as well as their day-to-day routines. Steven R. Galper, MD, Pain Medicine Physician, Psychiatrist and Neurologist at YRMC PhysicianCare, taps into this as he works with people experiencing chronic pain. Getting to know the patient and his or her journey is critical to addressing chronic pain, according to Dr. Galper. He draws on the advice of the founding father of modern medicine, Sir William Osler, who encouraged physicians to, “Just listen to your patient; he is telling you the diagnosis.” Listening to Learn About Your Pain During their first appointment, Dr. Galper listens as patients describe their pain, its cause and how it has been addressed in the past. “Pain management improves lives by giving structure to a treatment plan,” said Dr. Galper. “I ask new patients, ‘What is the pain stopping you from doing?’ The patient could respond, ‘I want to ride my horses, but I can’t tolerate it because sitting kills my back.’ Okay, let’s get to work on that.” Together, Dr. Galper and the patient identify an objective, functional goal that will assist in measuring progress. For example, returning to horseback riding three times a week, for one hour per ride, in six months. Dr. Galper also conducts a full neurologic physical exam. Many people who suffer from chronic pain have never undergone such an exam. Depending on what he learns from the neurologic exam, Dr. Galper may recommend blood work and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the patient. With all of the information in hand, Dr. Galper collaborates with the patient – and his or her primary care provider – to create a comprehensive treatment plan. While they are individualized to each patient, all of Dr. Galper’s care plans include three important components: Mind-Body Work – Cognitive behavior therapy – a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment – takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem solving. The goal of cognitive behavior therapy is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind an individual’s difficulties. Movement – Building strength is important to managing pain. Depending on the patient’s resources and other factors, Dr. Galper recommends physical therapy or provides exercises for patients to pursue on their own. Medicine – To address a patient’s medical needs, Dr. Galper may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for inflammation; a neuropathic medication for nerve pain; and a muscle relaxant for spasm prevention. Dr. Galper does not prescribe opiates as a first-line medication for patients with non-cancer pain. “If you think about pain, it is biology, environment, nature and nurture,” said Dr. Galper. “You live at this intersection of what’s going on in people’s bodies and what’s going on in their minds. Some pain starts in your body and some pain is caused by what’s happening to you emotionally. It feels the same, but the thing is emotional pain should not be treated with opiates.” An Exceptional Medical Background While this is a challenging fork in the road, it suits Dr. Galper and his multidisciplinary background as a board certified pain medicine physician, psychiatrist and neurologist. It also suits the many patients he’s helped overcome chronic pain during his career. “You’ve got to meet people where they are and work with them,” he said. “Because, their pain is very real.” For an appointment with Dr. Galper, speak to your primary care provider or other physician. If you would like more information, contact Dr. Galper’s office at (928) 445-1232. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called YRMC Physician Helps Patients Manage Pain and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/yrmc-physician-helps-patients-manage-pain/.CaptchaSubmit
Garlic Tricks – YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen
Peeling and separating garlic cloves is easier than you might think! Rita Carey Rubin, Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian and host of Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Your Healthy Kitchen shows you how the “pros” do it. Rita recently hosted a cooking demonstration at a Dorn Organic Home in Prescott. The group had lots of fun preparing homemade soups and learning knife-handling basics. The mini-lessons included how to safely and easily prepare garlic, carrots, onions and potatoes. The Dorn Organic Home was a perfect setting, with a comfortable, energy efficient and environmentally aware design. In this video, Rita explains how she peels and prepares garlic: Click here to enjoy more YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen videos and recipes. Your Healthy Kitchen is one of the many ways that Yavapai Regional Medical Center, your local not-for-profit healthcare provider, meets the health education needs of our community. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Garlic Tricks – YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/garlic-tricks-yrmcs-your-healthy-kitchen/.CaptchaSubmit
Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You?
Jack took up smoking in high school, quickly accelerating to a pack-a-day habit. It was his own high school-age children who finally convinced him to quit for good. A smoke-free decade later, Jack feels healthy but he worries about the possibility of lung cancer due to his 34 years of smoking. “This isn’t uncommon,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “People who have a history of smoking and current smokers worry about a lung cancer diagnosis.” People like Jack were the motivation for YRMC’s recently launched Lung Cancer Screening and Care program. The comprehensive program includes lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The screenings produce detailed images of the lungs and may reveal extremely small nodules—an indication of lung cancer in its early stages. LDCT is available at the Imaging Services Department at YRMC East in Prescott Valley, Prescott Valley Medical Imaging and Prescott Medical Imaging. “It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of lung cancers could be cured if they were discovered at this early stage,” Sterling said. “LDCT is for people before they begin to experience symptoms.” Who should consider LDCT? YRMC recommends speaking to your healthcare provider about LDCT if you have concerns about your smoking history and if you are: 55 to 77 years old A current smoker A former smoker who quit in the last 15 years Someone who has a smoking history of at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years If the results of your screening are normal, you’ll undergo another LDCT in 12 months. If the screening detects potential cancerous nodules, YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program includes top medical professionals. These radiologists and pulmonologists as well as a procedural pulmonologist and cardiothoracic surgeon collaborate to diagnose and treat lung cancer. YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program also includes a clinical navigator who is available to assist and support people at all phases of the program. To find out if LDCT is right for you, speak to your physician. Visit our website for information on Lung Cancer Screening and Care at YRMC or call our clinical navigator at (928) 771-5454. Also, check out the free Respiratory Wellness Classes YRMC offers for people throughout our communities. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You? and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/is-lung-cancer-screening-right-for-you/.CaptchaSubmit
YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride
If you’ve spent any time at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, you’ve probably heard the sound of a hand bell throughout the halls twice a day. The bell heralds the arrival of the snack cart, and the ringer is a member of the snack cart volunteer team, serving hot coffee, juices, fruit, yogurt and other goodies to visitors and staff at the hospital. On any given morning, you might be served by YRMC volunteers John Peters and Richard McBride. The duo often resembles a comedy team more than hospital volunteers. Employees and visitors who purchase snacks from the cart can’t help but join in the banter and good-natured teasing. But don’t let the lightheartedness fool you. They take their job very seriously. “A big philosophy we have is that we go the extra mile,” says Peters, “Let’s say that you have a nurse caring for a patient in one of the rooms in ICU. I know one nurse in particular who always wants a bag of cheddar popcorn and a string cheese. I’ll get her badge from her, ring it up and take it back there to her station.” Peters and McBride are particularly proud of their dedication. “Our record for uninterrupted service is 79 weeks without missing a day,” says Peters. A snowstorm prevented the volunteers from coming in on the 80th day. When asked why this dedication is so important, Peters responds, ”I really can’t explain it. I’m sure it’s this way for all the other volunteers. It’s just a sense of good feeling that you’re providing a service.” Peters describes the camaraderie and friendship as an added bonus to volunteering at YRMC, including getting to know the staff and fellow volunteers, learning about their families, grandchildren and travels. As McBride picks up the hand bell and starts down the hall to ring their arrival, Peters sums it up this way, “Volunteering is a wonderful experience. Period. It’s the only way to explain it.” The YRMC Volunteer Services Department welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the snack cart as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information, call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/yrmc-volunteer-spotlight-john-peters-and-richard-mcbride/.CaptchaSubmit
The Truth About Babies and Juice
Is fruit juice a staple in your little one’s diet? If your child is 12 months or younger, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a diet that’s free of fruit juice. The new recommendation – the first change on this subject since 2001 – is linked to rising childhood obesity rates and concerns about dental health. “Fruit juice contains lots of sugar,” said Jennifer Tidroski, DO, Pediatrician at Ponderosa Pediatrics in Prescott. “It’s better to introduce children to delicious whole fruit, which has fiber and is an important part of a healthy diet.” When can children have fruit juice? Here’s a guide to fruit juice consumption for children after their first birthday and as they grow: One to three years old – Limit fruit juice to four ounces a day. Four to six years old – Four to six ounces of fruit juice a day is the recommended limit for children in this age group. Seven years and older – Fruit juice intake shouldn’t exceed eight ounces a day. For youngsters, fruit juice should not be served in a way that allows the child to sip the juice throughout the day. Fruit juice contains carbohydrates and long-term exposure can lead to tooth decay. Another good reason to limit young children’s fruit juice consumption? “They may be less likely to crave soda and other sugary drinks when they reach their teen years,” Dr. Tidroski said. If your child does not have a doctor, contact Ponderosa Pediatrics in Prescott at (928) 778-4581. New patients are currently being accepted. For more about Ponderosa Pediatrics, visit our website and follow us on Facebook. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called The Truth About Babies and Juice and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/the-truth-about-babies-and-juice/.CaptchaSubmit
YRMC’s 2017 Florence Nightingale Winner
This year’s recipient of Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Florence Nightingale Award is an amazing nurse. Lisa Steinbrink (pictured left in the photo) practices her nursing profession with the care and compassion that her patients deserve. Lisa has grown into her nursing career here with us at YRMC. She started at YRMC in March of 2006 as a Nursing Assistant. She approached her position with kindness and care. She was eager to learn and better the care of our patients. Lisa made it a priority to be sure that her patients had good hygiene, assistance with nutrition and caring support. She cross-trained as a Unit Secretary soon after to help ensure that the orders of the physicians were accurately processed for staff to follow. An Excellent Mentor Lisa became a Registered Nurse with us in the fall of 2010. She brought the same compassion, caring and work ethic she displayed in her nursing assistant position to her newfound nursing career. Since then she has grown and blossomed into an amazing leader on the Medical-Surgical-Telemetry Unit at YRMC West. She is a Charge Nurse and a Mentor to her Medical-Surgical-Telemetry family. She has excelled in the growth and development of her fellow nurses on the unit by leading the Clinical Ladder group. She educates new staff members during Hospital New Employee Orientation to help ensure they have a successful start in their new career with YRMC. And the Award Goes to… Lisa deserves to be a Florence Nightingale Award recipient not only because of her strong drive for improving nursing education and patient care, but also for upholding the YRMC Mission, Vision and Values. She represents her unit’s empathy statement by treating all her patients as if they were part of her family. We believe that if Florence was still with us today, Lisa would be having coffee with her discussing what other great things we could do as nurses to better our patient outcomes. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called YRMC’s 2017 Florence Nightingale Winner and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/yrmcs-2017-florence-nightingale-winner/.CaptchaSubmit
New Breast Surgeon Joins YRMC PhysicianCare
Breast surgeon Michael G. Macon, MD, has joined Yavapai Regional Medical Center PhysicianCare at 7700 E. Florentine Road in Prescott Valley. Dr. Macon graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, Dr. Macon completed residency training in General Surgery at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. After his residency training he served in the U.S. Army in operations Just Cause and Desert Storm. Dr. Macon is a Certified Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and belongs to the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Macon enjoys motorcycle and bike riding as well as being a grandfather. Dr. Macon is currently accepting new patients. Call (928) 442-8740 to schedule an appointment. YRMC PhysicianCare is pleased to accept most insurance plans including Medicare. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called New Breast Surgeon Joins YRMC PhysicianCare and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/new-breast-surgeon-joins-yrmc-physiciancare/.CaptchaSubmit
NAZ Suns Go Pink for The BreastCare Center at YRMC
On Friday, March 3, the Northern Arizona Suns and The BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) team up to support excellent breast care programs for our community. The Northern Arizona Suns will take to the court in pink jerseys to Share the Care as they take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The game starts at 7:00 pm at the Prescott Valley Event Center. The doors open at 6:00 pm. Join the fun and the first 1,000 people will receive a pink ribbon courtesy of The BreastCare Center at YRMC. After the game, you’ll have the chance to take home a player’s pink jersey when the Northern Arizona Suns auction them off. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer screening through the YRMC Community BreastCare Fund as well as other individual services to support women throughout our community. Pull on a pink shirt, head to the game and Share the Care! Purchase tickets online or at the Prescott Valley Event Center box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called NAZ Suns Go Pink for The BreastCare Center at YRMC and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/naz-suns-go-pink-for-the-breastcare-center-at-yrmc/.CaptchaSubmit
TAVR Turns Nine Months Old!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program has been up and running since November 2016, and is making a positive difference for local patients. Initially, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the program for high risk patients. “These were patients in their upper 80s with multiple medical comorbidities, like severe renal failure, previous open heart surgeries and at very high risk,” said Jose Torres, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. TAVR Open to More People The FDA has now approved TAVR for patients who are at moderate risk. “These are patients in their late 70s and early 80s,” said Dr. Torres. “They have some comorbidities—early kidney dysfunction, some heart failure, or some past open heart surgeries.” Although everyone wants to have a less invasive procedure these days, the minimally invasive TAVR procedure is not intended for younger patients. “The younger, lower risk patients usually need a mechanical valve, which may require a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass,” Dr. Torres said. “At this time, the life expectancy of transcatheter valves is not comparable to mechanical valves in younger, healthier patients.” TAVR: Heal at Home TAVR is helping keep local residents home instead of going to Phoenix, which is a good thing for patients and their families. “Prior to starting up our valve clinic, we were sending out about 20 patients a year to Phoenix to get the transcatheter valves. So, it is definitely a good procedure to have in the community,” explained Dr. Torres. “We do have an older community. A lot of patients are a little bit sicker and their health isn’t as great as it used to be. Driving to Phoenix is just a big hassle for them.” Local Dewey resident and recent TAVR patient Linda Thompson likes that she can have her healthcare closer to home. “I would not have gone to Phoenix if they didn’t have TAVR up here; it’s just too hard on my family and once you have trust in your doctors up here, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” she said. TAVR Changed Linda’s Life Linda had open heart surgery two years ago and developed valvular stenosis after it. She was on oxygen and could barely walk up a flight of stairs or participate in activities she enjoyed, such as playing Bunco with her friends and working in her garden. Because of her complications, Linda was not a good candidate for a repeat open heart surgery—it was too risky for her health. However, after TAVR, Linda said, “The doctors were very confident and very caring and told me there was hardly any risk with it. I had no pain from it at all. Right after it, I felt like a healthy person again.” Dr. Torres said, “The YRMC administration and cardiovascular physicians are very focused on developing a service line to help the community, whether it is from coronary artery disease, aortic valve disease, or mitral valve disease, so we are pushing ourselves and the institution to be on the forefront of structural heart disease.” 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called TAVR Turns Nine Months Old! and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/tavr-turns-nine-months-old/.CaptchaSubmit
Family History of Heart Disease? A Healthy Lifestyle Changes Genes to Reduce Your Risk
By Rita Carey-Rubin. If you have a family history of heart disease, here’s some good news: a healthy diet and lifestyle can actually influence your genes and reduce your risk of disease. According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can turn off disease-causing genes, and may cut your risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in half. Scientists at the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed data from four large studies involving over 55,000 people. They developed a lifestyle score based on whether people smoked; if they ate a diet featuring fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains and nuts; if they exercised at least once a week; and whether or not they were obese. Lifestyle scores were then compared to a genetic score based on 50 genes associated with heart disease. What these researchers discovered was remarkable. People who inherited the genes for CVD from their parents had double the risk of developing heart disease; but a healthy lifestyle cut their risk in half. Conversely, people with ‘good’ genes (no family history of CVD), lowered their genetic protection and doubled their risk of disease if they smoked, had a poor diet, were inactive and/or obese. Thanks to advances in genetic research, scientists can now observe the direct effects that diet, exercise, stress, and other lifestyle habits have on our genetic code – the unique cellular operating system we inherit from our parents. In 2008, Dr. Dean Ornish demonstrated how healthy lifestyle choices influence cancer-causing genes in a small population of men with early stage prostate cancer. Ornish and his team analyzed the effects of a plant-based diet, regular exercise, stress management and peer and family support on 500 genes known to either promote or protect against prostate cancer. Remarkably, healthy habits turned off the genes that stimulate cancer growth, and turned on genes that help the body to stop cancer in its tracks. Other studies have demonstrated that healthy lifestyle choices can also turn off genes that promote inflammation, weight gain, obesity, and even depression. In spite of advances in medicine, CVD is still the number one killer of adults in the United States, and people with a family history are doubly at risk. However, research is proving that the lifestyle choices we make everyday can influence the genes we inherit, and possibly change the course of disease. Each month, at the YRMC Pendleton Center in Prescott, the Reversing Heart Disease Support Group meets to explore the diet and lifestyle strategies that Dr. Ornish and other prominent physicians recommend for preventing, treating and reversing cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 3-4 pm and is free to anyone in the community. For more information, call Rita Carey Rubin at 928-771-5794. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Family History of Heart Disease? A Healthy Lifestyle Changes Genes to Reduce Your Risk and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/family-history-of-heart-disease-a-healthy-lifestyle-changes-genes-to-reduce-your-risk/.CaptchaSubmit
Good News from the WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit!
Yavapai Regional Medical Center is pleased to share this story about the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit. Our thanks to YRMC HealthConnect contributors Laura Norman, Executive Director of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation, and Cindy Brown, Development Manager of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation. Community support and donations have made something vital happen. We can’t wait to share the one-month outcome data from the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit! Here it is, ‘by the numbers’: At the end of exactly four weeks of operations, the CSU has served 160 patients. The highest volume we have seen in a 24-hour period was 13. One big surprise in the utilization data so far: weekends have been slower than weekdays. But the numbers don’t tell it all. Who are the people who have come to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, reaching out a hand for help? “The most common presenting issues have been intoxication, or suicidal thoughts, or a combination of both,” explained Shawn Hatch, LCSW, CCS, AADC, Chief Clinical Officer of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic. It may be difficult for some of us to understand what a crisis means, and how darkness and pain may be overwhelming those who come to the CSU. Here is one story of how we made a difference to a western Yavapai County resident who had not previously been served by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic: When a woman in her 30s entered the CSU, she was experiencing severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts. She lacked sleep, and she had not taken prescribed medication. She voiced her concerns and uncertainty about being at CSU, at which point staff reassured her repeatedly that she was in a safe place. Ultimately she voiced that she felt better knowing there is a place like this. She now knows where to go should this happen again. This is powerful testimony to the value that CSU has in our local continuum of health and mental health care. Thank you for your support of this critical work. If you are a part of a congregation or civic group that would like to have someone from the Clinic come and speak on this life-saving program, please email Cindy Brown. Take a virtual tour of the Crisis Stabilization Unit on our YouTube channel. Feel free to share with family and friends! Questions? Contact us: West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation 3343 N. Windsong Dr. Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (928) 445-5211 ext., 3634 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Good News from the WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit! and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/good-news-wygc-crisis-stabilization-unit/.CaptchaSubmit
The Living Well with Diabetes Support Group at YRMC
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, he or she may need to make lifestyle adjustments. However, with the right education and support, it can be very manageable, according to Andrea Klein, Certified Diabetes Educator and Director of Preventive Medicine and Wellness at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). In fact, Klein says that complication rates have actually decreased in recent years because of new treatment options, such as apps, meters that talk to phones and more types of medications than ever before. Treatment can be customized to just about anyone’s needs and situation. Here in the Quad-City area, the Living Well with Diabetes Support Group is a valuable resource for people living with diabetes who want to keep up with the latest information on how to stay healthy. Co-sponsored by YRMC and the American Diabetes Association, the group offers education and encouragement to local residents with diabetes and their spouses and caregivers. “There are two vital pieces of advice I give my patients,” Klein says. “First, the most important thing you can do is to educate yourself. And the number one thing to understand is how food choices and activity affect blood sugar levels.” Klein’s second piece of advice is, ”Even if you do everything that every book says, diabetes does progress. Let go of the guilt. It’s not your fault. You might eventually need to go on insulin for instance, but it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.” The Living Well with Diabetes Support Group meets once a month. The spectrum of topics includes eating well, fitness, stress management, dental health, vision, glucose monitoring and foot care. Guest speakers often attend and give expert advice. Klein says that the group is valuable to a patient’s success because, “They realize they’re not alone. They realize that they can learn from each other, as well as from the team that’s running the group.” Bev Hinton has been coming to the group for ten years. “It’s been a great support system in many ways, not just the diabetes,” she says, “I love it. It’s a wonderful resource.” The Living Well with Diabetes Support Group meets every third Tuesday, most months, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the YRMC Wellness Center Community Education Room, 930 Division Street, Prescott. For more information, call (928) 771-5794. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called The Living Well with Diabetes Support Group at YRMC and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/the-living-well-with-diabetes-support-group-at-yrmc/.CaptchaSubmit
YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride
If you’ve spent any time at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, you’ve probably heard the sound of a hand bell throughout the halls twice a day. The bell heralds the arrival of the snack cart, and the ringer is a member of the snack cart volunteer team, serving hot coffee, juices, fruit, yogurt and other goodies to visitors and staff at the hospital. On any given morning, you might be served by YRMC volunteers John Peters and Richard McBride. The duo often resembles a comedy team more than hospital volunteers. Employees and visitors who purchase snacks from the cart can’t help but join in the banter and good-natured teasing. But don’t let the lightheartedness fool you. They take their job very seriously. “A big philosophy we have is that we go the extra mile,” says Peters, “Let’s say that you have a nurse caring for a patient in one of the rooms in ICU. I know one nurse in particular who always wants a bag of cheddar popcorn and a string cheese. I’ll get her badge from her, ring it up and take it back there to her station.” Peters and McBride are particularly proud of their dedication. “Our record for uninterrupted service is 79 weeks without missing a day,” says Peters. A snowstorm prevented the volunteers from coming in on the 80th day. When asked why this dedication is so important, Peters responds, ”I really can’t explain it. I’m sure it’s this way for all the other volunteers. It’s just a sense of good feeling that you’re providing a service.” Peters describes the camaraderie and friendship as an added bonus to volunteering at YRMC, including getting to know the staff and fellow volunteers, learning about their families, grandchildren and travels. As McBride picks up the hand bell and starts down the hall to ring their arrival, Peters sums it up this way, “Volunteering is a wonderful experience. Period. It’s the only way to explain it.” The YRMC Volunteer Services Department welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the snack cart as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information, call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called YRMC Volunteer Spotlight: John Peters and Richard McBride and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/yrmc-volunteer-spotlight-john-peters-and-richard-mcbride/.CaptchaSubmit
Volunteer Spotlight: Don Packard, PAWS Pet Therapy Program
Anyone who owns a dog or other pet knows the calming effect they can have. When we pet our animal friends, stress and worry often seem to melt away. Scientific studies have now proven this to be true. Pets can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. In addition, petting an animal can release endorphins that have a calming effect and can enhance healing. In keeping with our Vision of treating the whole patient — body, mind and spirit — Yavapai Regional Medical Center offers visits from specially trained therapy animals through the Pets Are Warm Support (PAWS) program. YRMC accepts dogs who are certified through Pet Partners, a national organization that evaluates and tests all animals to ensure that their health, skills and aptitude meet rigorous standards. Visits from PAWS pets can reduce boredom, increase socialization and communication, and provide comfort, especially for those patients who are missing their own pets at home. PAWS program volunteer Don Packard brings Sailor, his beautiful Australian Shepherd, to YRMC every Tuesday. “Of course I’m giving back, but there’s more to it than that,” says Packard, “It gives me satisfaction seeing these folks who don’t get to see dogs. It does their heart good, and it does mine too.” Patients aren’t the only people who enjoy the therapy pets at YRMC. The staff looks forward to their regularly scheduled visits as well. “He’s a therapy dog for everybody,” says Packard, “The staff really likes him too. He’s well known. ‘It’s Tuesday and Sailor’s here!’ That’s what they say.” You can take a preliminary quiz to see if your dog may have the right temperament to be a therapy dog at petpartners.org. If you’re a patient at YRMC and would like to arrange a PAWS visit, check with your caregiver first, then call Volunteer Services. In Prescott, the phone number is (928) 771-5678. In Prescott Valley, call (928) 442-8678. YRMC Volunteer Services welcomes inquiries about volunteering for the PAWS program as well as a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. For more information call: Volunteer Services, YRMC West, Prescott: (928) 771-5678 Volunteer Services, YRMC East, Prescott Valley: (928) 442-8678 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Volunteer Spotlight: Don Packard, PAWS Pet Therapy Program and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/volunteer-spotlight-don-packard-paws-pet-therapy-program/.CaptchaSubmit
Reducing the Need for Blood Product Transfusions
Imagine you’re scheduled for joint replacement surgery. Would you prefer that your orthopaedic surgeon use safe and effective medical and surgical techniques that are designed to prevent anemia, decrease bleeding and improve the outcome of your procedure? And what if you had an unexpected hospitalization? Would you want the hospital to honor your wishes regarding the transfusion of blood products? The answer to both questions is no doubt yes. That’s why Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has employed a leading-edge practice called Patient Blood Management (PBM) since 2012. PBM reduces the need for blood transfusions and preserves the availability of blood, which can be in short supply. Blood transfusions are necessary at times, but they do carry risks, including: increased rates of infection; complications to the kidneys, lungs and heart; and higher complication rates. “Some people are surprised that YRMC – a regional healthcare system in Arizona – is regarded as a worldwide leader on PBM,” said Dale Black, Coordinator of Patient Blood Management at YRMC. “But, once they meet YRMC’s forward-thinking leadership and excellent medical team, they understand.” PBM was introduced to YRMC by accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon Pierre Tibi, MD, FACS, Medical Director of The James Family Heart Center at YRMC. A renowned PBM leader, Dr. Tibi is president-elect of the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM). This international organization includes physicians and other healthcare providers dedicated to promoting effective PBM strategies. YRMC operates the only PBM program in Arizona recognized by SABM. What does that mean to YRMC patients undergoing heart, orthopaedic and other surgeries who want to utilize PBM strategies? It’s good news, according to Spencer Schuenman, DO, of Granite Orthopaedics and a member of YRMC’s Orthopaedic Surgical Services, which has been recognized for exceptional quality by leading U.S. quality assessment organizations. Dr. Schuenman began applying PBM principles in 2013. “In the first three years I used PBM, I performed 1,385 procedures,” he said. “The first year, I only used four units of red blood cells. The second year, I only used one unit. And in 2016, I did not use any red blood cells. These statistics speak for themselves regarding the effectiveness of PBM in helping ensure the best patient outcomes.” For planned procedures, the PBM process begins before patients are hospitalized. They work in partnership with their respective physician to prepare for surgery. The doctor and patient discuss when to temporarily discontinue prescriptions, such as blood thinners or over-the-counter medications like aspirin. The physician may recommend diet changes as well as prescribe iron and vitamin supplements. These steps can boost the red blood cell count for people with anemia or help prevent the condition while they’re hospitalized. YRMC healthcare professionals at all stages of care – from the operating suite to the patient bedside – employ PBM strategies to reduce blood transfusions. Those may include: following meticulous surgical techniques that reduce bleeding; minimizing the frequency as well as the volume of blood draws; salvaging blood lost during and after surgery to wash, filter and re-infuse with red blood cells before returning it to the respective patient; and utilizing special machines and medications to reduce the need for blood transfusion. PBM can also play a role in controlling healthcare costs. Blood transfusions are the most commonly billed hospital procedure at an annual cost of $10-15 billion nationwide. The average cost of a single unit of blood is $1,500. Want to learn more about PBM? Contact YRMC’s Dale Black at (928) 771-5109. Also, check out YRMC’s website and Doctors and Patients: The Patient Blood Management Collaboration, an annual symposium sponsored by YRMC. The symposium brings together medical leaders from throughout the world to present and discuss the latest science on PBM. In 2016, the symposium became a global event as people worldwide joined the symposium’s first ever live stream. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Reducing the Need for Blood Product Transfusions and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/reducing-the-need-for-blood-product-transfusions/.CaptchaSubmit
Gwen Rhodes Loves Cardiovascular Nursing
By Bridget O’Gara. You could say Gwen Rhodes’s heart was stolen by cardiovascular nursing early in her career. “I saw that you can fix a patient’s heart and they can go home, play with their grandchildren, pet their dogs and pick up their healthy, productive lives,” said Gwen. “It felt good.” While attending Coconino Community College’s Nursing Program, Gwen worked as a nurse’s aide—a good way to experience the hospital environment and explore all the nursing profession offers. An astute instructor detected Gwen’s love of cardiovascular nursing. Soon, Gwen was trained as a telemetry monitoring technician – or “tele tech” – and was observing patients’ heart rhythms. Gwen’s love of learning earned her an academic achievement award in science from Coconino Community College. While she describes it as a nice “kumbaya” moment, the recognition was confirmation both of the joy that learning brought Gwen and her dream to pursue a nursing career. “As I was taking my prerequisites for the nursing program, I began to see how it all fit together,” Gwen said. “I would learn something interesting in my anatomy and physiology class and then pick up something else in my biology class and think, ‘Oh, these two are connected.’” A Career with Heart After earning her nursing degree in 2006, Gwen forged a path to her goal: the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). She accumulated valuable experience caring for patients in a Telemetry Unit and an Intensive Care Stepdown Unit (SDU). After that, she transferred to the ICU and then she began training to care for patients in the CVICU of the hospital at which she worked. “I really wanted to be in the CVICU, but you can’t be trained to recover hearts until you have at least one year of Intensive Care Unit experience,” she said. In 2012, Gwen and her family moved to the Quad Cities—a homecoming of sorts. Gwen and her husband – who had moved to the community with his family as a teenager – lived in Prescott for the first five years of their marriage. When they returned, Gwen began working nights in the CVICU at The James Family Heart Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). That’s where she learned of YRMC’s plans to launch a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program in November 2016. This would make The James Family Heart Center at YRMC among a relatively few in Arizona to offer the revolutionary procedure. TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure for people with severe heart valve disease who are too ill to withstand open heart surgery. It’s performed through extremely small openings either through the groin or the lower portion of the heart. Cardiac interventionalists and cardiothoracic surgeons repair the aortic valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, they insert a replacement valve into the aortic valve’s place. Once the new valve is expanded, it pushes the damaged valve leaflets out of the way and the tissue in the replacement valve takes over the job of regulating blood flow. All of this is done without opening the chest. “I love bedside nursing so when I heard about TAVR and the TAVR Patient Navigator position the hospital was filling, I was unsure about leaving the clinical side,” said Gwen. An interview with YRMC’s TAVR planning team and a conversation with Pierre Tibi, MD, Medical Director of The James Family Heart Center at YRMC, gave Gwen the encouragement she needed to pursue the job. Today, Gwen continues to “recover hearts,” but as the TAVR Program’s Patient Navigator. TAVR Expands Heart Care While Gwen’s title may include “TAVR,” the scope of her work is much broader. YRMC’s TAVR Program is part of an excellent Heart Program designed to connect people who need heart care services to a cardiologist for ongoing heart care. “I’ve talked to TAVR Patient Navigators from other hospital programs and most of them only work with TAVR patients,” said Gwen. “At YRMC, we’re committed to helping people who should be under the care of a cardiologist find the heart care they need.” This broader vision of heart care comes to life through YRMC’s Echocardiography (ECHO) Alert Program. An ECHO exam uses sound waves to track the heart’s activity and detect blockages. Developed by YRMC team members Tricia Perey and Jose Zuniga, RDCS, of YRMC’s Cardiopulmonary Laboratory, the ECHO Alert program notifies Gwen when a YRMC patient receives an abnormal ECHO. “This is important because heart valve disease doesn’t get better,” she said. “It’s like wear on a tire. You can’t build up tread.” TAVR Tuesdays Another aspect of Gwen’s job is organizing the TAVR Clinic, which takes place each Tuesday at YRMC. Gwen coordinates the test the patient needs. This may include blood work, CT chest scan, echocardiogram, pulmonary function test or other exams. These results are provided to YRMC’s TAVR team – cardiac interventionalists and cardiothoracic surgeons – so they can determine if the individual is medically eligible for TAVR. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently restricts TAVR to people considered too high risk for traditional valve replacement surgery. For that reason, most TAVR candidates are in their 70s or 80s and often have other complicating medical conditions, such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “Our goal is to be able to inform the patient if he or she is eligible for TAVR that same Tuesday,” Gwen said. And, for people who are TAVR eligible, Gwen is their go-to source for information, questions and support. “People who need TAVR are medically fragile,” she said. “It’s great they’re able to remain close to home for this procedure.” And after they get to know Gwen, they’ll be glad someone with such a big heart is there to help them navigate the journey. Related: Pillow Encourages Heart-to-Heart Conversations 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. 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Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You?
Jack took up smoking in high school, quickly accelerating to a pack-a-day habit. It was his own high school-age children who finally convinced him to quit for good. A smoke-free decade later, Jack feels healthy but he worries about the possibility of lung cancer due to his 34 years of smoking. “This isn’t uncommon,” said Mary Sterling, Director of Imaging Services at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). “People who have a history of smoking and current smokers worry about a lung cancer diagnosis.” People like Jack were the motivation for YRMC’s recently launched Lung Cancer Screening and Care program. The comprehensive program includes lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The screenings produce detailed images of the lungs and may reveal extremely small nodules—an indication of lung cancer in its early stages. LDCT is available at the Imaging Services Department at YRMC East in Prescott Valley, Prescott Valley Medical Imaging and Prescott Medical Imaging. “It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of lung cancers could be cured if they were discovered at this early stage,” Sterling said. “LDCT is for people before they begin to experience symptoms.” Who should consider LDCT? YRMC recommends speaking to your healthcare provider about LDCT if you have concerns about your smoking history and if you are: 55 to 77 years old A current smoker A former smoker who quit in the last 15 years Someone who has a smoking history of at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years If the results of your screening are normal, you’ll undergo another LDCT in 12 months. If the screening detects potential cancerous nodules, YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program includes top medical professionals. These radiologists and pulmonologists as well as a procedural pulmonologist and cardiothoracic surgeon collaborate to diagnose and treat lung cancer. YRMC’s Lung Cancer Screening and Care Program also includes a clinical navigator who is available to assist and support people at all phases of the program. To find out if LDCT is right for you, speak to your physician. Visit our website for information on Lung Cancer Screening and Care at YRMC or call our clinical navigator at (928) 771-5454. Also, check out the free Respiratory Wellness Classes YRMC offers for people throughout our communities. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Is Lung Cancer Screening Right for You? and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/is-lung-cancer-screening-right-for-you/.CaptchaSubmit
The Power of PET-CT
Imaging technology that both measures how quickly a tumor is growing and pinpoints its exact location is now available in Yavapai County at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) East in Prescott Valley. “This is the most advanced imaging technology of its kind available,” said Mary Sterling, YRMC’s Director of Imaging Services. Top Technology The “Time-of-Flight” (TOF) technology, as it’s called, combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) in a single imaging unit. The job of the PET scan is to detect molecular activity within the body for diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The CT scan precisely locates the cancer. A remodeled area adjacent to Imaging Services on the first floor of YRMC East in Prescott Valley will house the new PET/CT unit. It will include a room with comfortable chairs and blankets, where patients can relax before exams. “PET is a nuclear medicine procedure,” said Sterling. “This means patients receive a small amount of radiation called a radioisotope before exams. They need a comfortable place to relax for an hour before the procedure. This helps us to get the best scan possible.” PET-CT Helps Cancer Patients During its first year at YRMC East, the PET-CT technology will be used to: Diagnose and stage all types of cancers. Monitor treatment progress in patients who have undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy. To learn more about YRMC’s comprehensive imaging program, visit Imaging Services, The BreastCare Center at YRMC, Prescott Medical Imaging and Prescott Valley Medical Imaging. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called The Power of PET-CT and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/the-power-of-pet-ct/.CaptchaSubmit
Garlic Tricks – YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen
Peeling and separating garlic cloves is easier than you might think! Rita Carey Rubin, Diabetes Educator, Registered Dietitian and host of Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s Your Healthy Kitchen shows you how the “pros” do it. Rita recently hosted a cooking demonstration at a Dorn Organic Home in Prescott. The group had lots of fun preparing homemade soups and learning knife-handling basics. The mini-lessons included how to safely and easily prepare garlic, carrots, onions and potatoes. The Dorn Organic Home was a perfect setting, with a comfortable, energy efficient and environmentally aware design. In this video, Rita explains how she peels and prepares garlic: Click here to enjoy more YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen videos and recipes. Your Healthy Kitchen is one of the many ways that Yavapai Regional Medical Center, your local not-for-profit healthcare provider, meets the health education needs of our community. 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Garlic Tricks – YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen and is located at https://yrmchealthconnect.org/garlic-tricks-yrmcs-your-healthy-kitchen/.CaptchaSubmit
Enjoying the Best Grains for Diabetes – Your Healthy Kitchen
If you have diabetes, should you stop eating bread, rice and pasta? While everyone with diabetes (and pre-diabetes) benefits from eliminating processed grains from their diet (foods like white rice, cold cereals, white bread and snack foods), some individuals benefit from avoiding whole grain products as well. Others can lose weight and normalize blood sugar levels while still enjoying grains. However, if you eat grains, it’s important to be picky about the type and portion size of the grains you choose. Individuals who have difficulty losing weight and controlling blood sugar levels sometimes benefit from eliminating all grains, including whole grains, from their diets for a while. Whole and processed grains contain an easily digested type of starch that can trigger spikes in blood sugar levels after meals, leading to weight gain and many of the complications of diabetes. Some people find that they can add whole grains back into their diets after they reach their weight and blood sugar goals. Others with diabetes can maintain good health while still enjoying grains, but find that it is important to eat only whole grains, and in moderate quantities. Serving grains as a side dish, or about ¼ of a meal, is a helpful strategy that lends itself to healthy weight management and blood sugar control. So what are whole grains and why are they nutritionally superior to processed grains? All true grains, including rice, wheat, barley and corn, are seeds that come from different types of grasses. A whole grain consists of three basic components: an outer layer called the bran, a starchy center called the endosperm, and a tiny, oil-packed germ, which is the part of the seed which sprouts and grows into a new plant. There is also an area just under the Bran, where many important nutrients are stored. These nutrients include magnesium, B vitamins, and some important phytochemicals, like beta-carotene, which protect plants and humans from disease. When you enjoy whole grains, you benefit from every part of the grain, including all of the fiber and the nutrients that the grain stores. When you eat processed grains, like white rice or products made with white flour, you only consume the starchy center of the grain: missing out on the fiber, healthy oils, magnesium and other nutrients which actually help you maintain good blood sugar control. For most people with diabetes, it’s almost always best to eat whole, intact grains rather than products made with whole grain flours. Whole grain flour products (like whole wheat bread, or whole grain pastas, cereals, and crackers) do contain some fiber and important nutrients, but people often find that their blood sugar levels spike (or go too high), even after eating foods made with whole grain flour. Because the grains in modern-day flours are ground into very fine particles, it doesn’t take much time to digest and convert the starches in the flour to sugar – resulting in a spike in blood sugar levels after meals. Flour-based foods are also more likely to increase insulin levels in our blood, which contributes to weight gain (in the belly) and some of the other complications of diabetes. However, whole, intact grains take a little longer to chew and digest and this results in a slower conversion of starch to sugar and lower blood sugar and insulin levels after meals. Most Americans eat four basic grains – rice, oats, wheat and corn – but there are many healthier varieties available in most markets today. For example, barley is an economical whole grain that is an excellent substitute for rice. This humble grain contains more fiber and essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc and B vitamins than white and brown rice. Barley also has a low glycemic index and does not raise blood sugar levels as much as brown rice after meals. Barley can be used in place of rice in many dishes, including risottos, pilafs, salads and soups. Check out this YRMC Your Healthy Kitchen video and try Barley with Grilled Vegetables for a healthy and delicious side dish. Quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat are not true grains (quinoa and amaranth are related to spinach, while buckwheat is related to rhubarb) but they are the best grain-like foods to eat if you have diabetes. They each contain more protein, fiber and other important nutrients than most grains and don’t seem to raise blood sugar levels as much as true grains. While these pseudo-grains seem new and strange to most of us, people around the world have been eating them for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Quinoa makes a delicious pilaf or hot cereal, and can also be used in grain-based salads and soups. Cream of Buckwheat cereal is an excellent, healthier option to Cream of Wheat or Malto-Meal, and toasted buckwheat pilaf (kasha) is a centuries-old Eastern European dish. Try popped amaranth as a delicious topping on yogurt or hot cereal! If you have diabetes and/or are struggling to lose weight, experiment with different diet patterns to see what works best for you. Avoiding or reducing grains at meals can lead to rapid improvements in health for some individuals. However, it is important to follow a healthy diet that is sustainable in the long run. If you eat grains, be sure to choose only whole grain products and keep your portion to about ¼ of your plate. Remember to check out all of our cooking videos at YRMChealthconnect.org and follow us on Facebook at YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen! 00Share with your friendsYour NameYour EmailRecipient EmailEnter a MessageI read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. 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