If you’re experiencing back pain, you’re certainly not alone. Ranging in severity from a muscle ache to a shooting pain radiating down the leg, back pain is one of the most common reasons that people visit their healthcare provider. A study conducted by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute reports that “some 16 million adults – 8 percent of all adults – experience persistent or chronic back pain, and as a result are limited in certain everyday activities.” Over time, these limitations can restrict our capacity to interact physically, socially and emotionally, causing frustration and sometimes even depression. “Back pain need not be something you just have to live with,” says Dr. David Lloyd, neuroradiologist with Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Vascular and Interventional Specialists of Prescott. “The vast majority of cases of back pain are treatable. Sometimes patience is required, but we have many tools at our disposal to help you feel healthier and more comfortable.” A neuroradiologist is a physician who is also a radiologist, specially trained in imaging such as MRI and CAT scan. This imaging is frequently necessary to properly diagnose the cause of your back pain and to plan how to treat it. Causes of back pain are extensive, but most commonly include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, compressed nerves, and even fractures. Lloyd stresses that depending on the diagnosis, there are many minimally invasive choices when it comes to relieving the pain. “Minimally invasive refers to procedures outside of what we typically think of as surgery,” he explains. “It does not require general anesthesia, avoids large incisions, and the recovery is much more tolerable. In almost all cases, the patient requires no inpatient stay at the hospital and is back to performing normal activities of daily living within a few hours of the procedure.” Steroid injections, epidural steroid injections and selective nerve blocks are among the most typical procedures. For compression fractures of the spine, which are most often found in osteoporosis patients, vertebroplasty is a highly effective procedure. A cement-like material is injected into the broken bone, stabilizing the fracture. Lloyd states that most patients experience pain relief and the renewed ability to go about their daily activities almost immediately. “The wonderful thing about the procedures I perform is how quickly and effectively most patients receive pain relief,” Lloyd says. “Obviously, magic pills don’t exist, and relief of back pain can remain elusive, but most patients receive a significantly improved quality of life shortly after receiving the needed procedure. It’s very satisfying to see a patient who was struggling with unrelenting pain be able to engage in a more fulfilling lifestyle and overcome the discouragement he or she was feeling.” Talk to your healthcare provider to see if a referral makes sense for you. Vascular and Interventional Specialists of Prescott can be reached at (928) 771-8477.

Staying the course during the unpredictable events of 2020 was a challenge for non-profit organizations across the globe. Holding true to one’s mission and vision while focusing on new and effective ways to reach the community was a common theme. The experience at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) was no different. As the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality in early 2020, families in our community started to suffer tragic losses. Many of our neighbors faced unemployment. When schools closed, parents became full-time teachers in addition to keeping bills paid and food on the table. The list goes on. At YRMC, decisions were made to shift our community outreach priority to the families, children and young adults we serve. We felt it was one of the many ways we could stay consistent with our communities’ needs. In 2020, YRMC made charitable donations to the Humboldt Education Foundation’s Hungry Kids Project, Boys to Men Mentoring – North Central Arizona, Prescott Police Department’s Shop with a Cop, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona and Yavapai Big Brothers, Big Sisters, among many others. In addition, YRMC’s continued sponsorship of GoNoodle for teachers, children and their families became more important than ever. Many of our local teachers have found that GoNoodle’s fun, enriching online content brings movement and mindfulness into the classroom, boosting students’ productivity, improving behavior and helping to build confidence and community in the classroom. However, during the months when schools were closed, more and more of our local parents started to rely on GoNoodle’s resources – including the videos, downloadables, and parent-focused blogs. GoNoodle became a refreshing and welcome addition to the school curriculum while parents were teaching their children at home. Just a few clicks can initiate a family dance party, offer the calming effect of a mindfulness video, or bring engaging information on how to stop the spread of germs. Screen time is turned into active time on laptops, phones and televisions. In fact, in 2020, there was a 187% increase in GoNoodle home usage in Yavapai County. Teachers continued to find creative ways to incorporate GoNoodle into their long-distance instruction as well. Even in 2020, teacher usage and the number of schools using GoNoodle grew. YRMC is pleased to have had the opportunity to help make our local parents’ and teachers’ days a bit easier – and perhaps our local kids’ days a bit more fun – during the COVID-19 pandemic through our continued sponsorship of GoNoodle. It’s one of the many ways we try, every day, to live out our commitment to the health of our communities.  

Sleeves Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine gives voice to healthcare heroes from Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. The video series features YRMC physicians, nurses, radiologic technologists, support staff and other members of the YRMC team, sharing their experiences of caring for the community during COVID-19. Sleeves Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine includes these dedicated YRMC team members and more: An Emergency Department registered nurse describing the heartbreak of watching long-time married couples say what could be their last goodbyes as one of them is hospitalized with COVID-19. Her words: “It touches a place in your soul that no one else can really understand.” A cardiac rehabilitation nurse recalling the emotion of watching one of her patient’s leave the hospital after battling COVID-19. A physician answering the question, “Can the COVID-19 vaccine give you the virus?“ Several YRMC team members talking about their personal experiences with the COVID-19 virus. “These are only a few of the candid comments from the YRMC family who participated in the Sleeves Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine video series,” says Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “Each of these individuals has sacrificed – and in many cases risked their personal health – to care for the community during the pandemic. To a person, they all express their willingness to do this as part of their commitment to their profession and the health of the community.” Follow Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center on Facebook for the latest Sleeves Up for the COVID-19 Vaccine videos. You can also view the videos on YRMC’s YouTube page.

If you have ever had a ‘gut feeling’ about something, you’ve sensed a connection that science is proving true: your gut communicates with the rest of your body.  Specifically, research shows that the gut microbiome, or the collection of bacteria that live in the digestive tract, influences a host of bodily functions, including cholesterol metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure, and more. Recent studies suggest that an imbalance in the number and diversity of gut bacteria may even contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a group of conditions that includes atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.  As we learn more about the important role the gut microbiome plays in preserving health and triggering disease, a whole new box of tools for treating and preventing CVD may result. The Gut Microbiome Our bodies host trillions of bacteria that live on and within us, with the largest concentration of bacteria found in the lower digestive tract.  These tiny organisms maintain the health of the lining of gut, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system, and can trigger or reduce inflammation throughout the body.  Research suggests that the number, diversity, and balance of different families of bacteria have a direct influence on cardiovascular health.  Phillip Tran, DO, Cardiologist at Yavapai Regional Medical Group, is enthusiastic about these discoveries.  “We know there are several known and common risk factors for CVD, including smoking, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity.  Abnormal gut flora is now being considered another major risk factor.  This may open up exciting new modalities for treating and preventing CVD.” Inflammation Inflammation results from a complex series of immune reactions in the body that can be triggered by a host of conditions.  Dr. Tran states, “Chronic inflammation is a root cause of cardiovascular disease.  An important factor in reducing inflammation in the body appears to be maintaining a healthy population of the bacteria that protect and feed the lining of the gut.” When bacterial populations are healthy and diverse, the lining of the gut, which prevents pro-inflammatory, disease-causing substances from entering the body, remains intact.  However, when bacterial populations shift, either through dietary changes, stress, medications, or other causes, the gut lining itself can become damaged and inflamed, thus allowing disease-causing substances to enter the blood stream.  This condition, often called leaky gut, may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and TMAO Some of the most interesting medical research done in the last few years relates to the discovery of a potential link between gut bacteria, diet, increased CVD risk, and a chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide, or TMAO.  Dr. Tran describes the connection.  “TMA, or trimethylamine, is produced by certain gut bacteria when people regularly consume red meats.  TMA is converted to TMAO in the liver, and research suggests that TMAO may increase inflammation in atherosclerotic plaque, decrease the elimination of cholesterol from the body, and indirectly promote increased cholesterol production.  Foam cells, which are the cholesterol-filled cells found in plaque, may also increase in number and size under the influence of TMAO.” Several studies from the US and Europe have demonstrated that blood levels of TMAO are often linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  Higher levels of TMAO have also been measured in people suffering from heart failure.  Keeping in mind that these correlations do not prove that TMAO causes cardiovascular disease, researchers continue to study this intriguing connection. Prebiotics and Probiotics Several studies have shown that food and supplement-based pre and probiotics may reduce total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and inflammation. Prebiotics are plant fibers that feed the health-promoting bacteria living in the gut.  These fibers may be one of the reasons why a high fiber, plant-based diet is strongly linked with better blood cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and reduced CVD risk. Probiotics include beneficial bacteria, yeasts and fungi, many of which are produced from the fermentation of a variety of foods.  Probiotics can be taken as supplements or eaten as a natural part of fermented foods.  Some common, probiotic-rich fermented foods include yogurt (dairy or plant based), sauerkraut, kimchi (a spicy Korean condiment), kefir, and kombucha (a type of fermented tea). Dr. Tran thinks we need more research to clarify and prove the benefits of taking probiotic supplements to prevent or treat CVD.  He states, “Although many studies suggest that probiotics can favorably alter serum lipids, some human studies examining the benefits of probiotics on serum lipids have shown conflicting results.” Many researchers concur, stating that the science is new and will take time to determine what types and blends of probiotics might be therapeutic for certain conditions, and in what form probiotic supplements should be consumed for the best outcomes. Steps to Improve Gut and Cardiovascular Health Dr. Tran suggests the following steps to improve the health of your gut and possibly reduce your risk of CVD. Maintain healthy intestinal flora by eating a diet rich in high fiber, plant based foods, and by regularly consuming healthy fermented foods. Take antibiotics with caution and care as they kill all bacteria and can promote the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the gut.  Supplement with prebiotics and probiotics whenever you take antibiotics. If you have cardiovascular disease, talk to your cardiologist about the potential benefits of pre and probiotics.  While the science is not yet clear, boosting a healthy population of gut bacteria may reduce inflammatory processes that trigger cardiovascular conditions.