Learn more about National Radon Awareness Month (By Wano Urbanos, Chaffee County Public Health)
By now most Americans are aware that radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. For most non-smokers, radon gas is public enemy #1. But what exactly is Radon? Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in the soil, with a release into the air that we breathe. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon…
Spring Cleaning Begins Within: Mind, Body, and Spirit :Spring and Chinese Medicine: Wisdom for Cleansing, Renewal, and Peace of Mind (by Jacqueline Allen, Two Roots Acupuncture) In the Northern Hemisphere, we have officially crossed the vernal equinox and moved into the season of spring. The duration of light each day now exceeds the dark and continues to increase, an…
What the Health Blog- Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Field (By Andrea Carlstrom, Director, Chaffee County Public Health) Now that the public health system is settling into a routine disease control mentality on how we all learn to live with COVID-19 and future variants of it, I’d like to share a few lessons that I have learned (or confirmed) along…
Setting Goals for a Happier and More Satisfying Life (by Mike McHargue, Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator) While we typically consider goal setting around the New Year and possibly now as we exit the Omicron surge and return to more normal activities, it should be a key component of your overall fitness program year-round. Goals provide focus and structure…
How To Be An Everyday Hero For Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Assault (by Jordan Pollack) In 2020, The Alliance served over 600 survivors. We provided over 1,300 nights of emergency shelter and over $100,000 in rental assistance for survivors fleeing their abusive household. Although we are able to help these individuals, we know that people experiencing domestic or sexual…
Learn more about Loneliness Can Be Lethal (by Molly Bischoff)
Loneliness Can Be Lethal (by Molly Bischoff) Did you know, loneliness can have the health effects on a person equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Read that again, 15 cigarettes! (Source: https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20180504/loneliness-rivals-obesity-smoking-as-health-risk) This is a very alarming yet enlightening statement. Thus, your physical health is directly affected by your perceived social interaction with others. Individuals who feel socially isolated…
Learn more about Abuse in Later Life (ALL)
Abuse in Later Life (ALL) “Elder abuse” is a very broad term, covering a wide range of behaviors. Preferred terminology for this type of abuse in the context of The Alliance’s services is Abuse in Later Life. The Alliance works to empower individuals beyond domestic and sexual violence. Abuse in Later Life (ALL) is the willful abuse, neglect, or financial…
Getting Clear on What Health Actually Is Can Help You Clarify Next Steps (by Prita Chanda Klco) I went to the doctor recently for a routine check-up. I was asked to give a “medical reason” (a disease or a problem) for making the appointment. In a system where disease is more billable than health, it’s easy to spend most of…
Learn more about “I Wish They Would All Die”
“I wish they would all die!” (by Mike Orrill) “I wish they would all die!” That’s what an angry friend once said to me when told him I was working with people struggling with drug addiction. “I just wish they would all die! They made their bed, so let them sleep in it. They’re a drain on society and don’t…
Learn more about Anne’s Story: Recovery IS Possible
Announcing Peer Empowered Recovery Community Solutions (PERCS) Formerly known as Ark Valley Recovery, the mission of PERCS is to walk side by side with those who are navigating their own unique recovery journey from addition to alcohol and/or other drugs. Our trained recovery coaches have lived experience in addiction and have a passion for helping others find their own pathways…
Learn more about Laura’s Story–Recovery IS Possible!
Announcing Ark Valley Recovery Our mission is to walk side by side with those who are navigating their own unique recovery journey from addition to alcohol and/or other drugs. Our trained recovery coaches have lived experience in addiction and have a passion for helping others find their own pathways to achieve and sustain their recovery. Their strong message of hope…
Learn more about Andy’s Story–Recovery IS Possible!
Announcing Ark Valley Recovery Our mission is to walk side by side with those who are navigating their own unique recovery journey from addition to alcohol and/or other drugs. Our trained recovery coaches have lived experience in addiction and have a passion for helping others find their own pathways to achieve and sustain their recovery. Their strong message of hope…
Learn more about Opening Up Our Community: The Great Divide (Lori Weckbaugh)
Opening Up Our Community: The Great Divide (By Lori Weckbaugh) As individuals we consciously and intentionally have created safety in the COVID-19 environment that has surrounded us. We have listened and acted in the way that suits our safety plan. What now? Pay attention to the thresholds you are crossing in the coming days, because as you unconsciously do so,…
Learn more about What I Have Learned from Those Who Live on the Streets (by Mike Orrill)
What I Have Learned from Those Who Live on the Streets (by Mike Orrill) Before I retired, I served as a Presbyterian minister for 35 years and during that time formed many relationships with those who were homeless. They taught me so much. One of my greatest teachers–and friend–was a man name Joe, and what he taught me continues to…
Learn more about Attending to Your Well-Being is Community Service (by Priti Chandra Klco)
Attending to Your Well-Being is Community Service (by Priti Chandra Klco) In my last post [link] I offered a definition of health that describes the balanced function of body, mind, and senses, and includes a pleasant feeling of well-being. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge just how powerful a state of well-being is. When you are in a great mood,…
Learn more about Sticking with healthy habits at home (by Rebecca Rice and Bev Orrill)
Sticking with healthy habits at home (by Rebecca Rice and Bev Orrill, Chaffee County Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coaches) During these unprecedented times of social distancing and protecting yourself and others by staying home, it’s important to set and stick with healthy routines. Consider these tips: Plan physical activity breaks • At a minimum, set a timer or reminder to…
Are Your Medications Causing Nutrient Depletions? (by Lucas Smith, Buena Vista Drug) Medications can be very useful to help cure, control, and manage symptoms of diseases that affect a variety of people. The process of developing and using medications has changed over time. Many years ago, medications were often substances derived from plants and other items in our environment. These…
Learn more about How to Communicate in the COVID-19 Health Crisis (by Lori Weck)
How to Communicate in the COVID-19 Health Crisis (by Lori Weck) Fear, panic, and fortunetelling dread are common when we feel unsafe, physically and emotionally, and the frequent news alerts likely have you feeling unsafe. How do you change unconscious reactive responses when you or your family perceive themselves to be in danger? Try using a skill all pilots use…
Learn more about Staying Tick Safe in the Outdoors! (by Monica White)
Staying Tick Safe in the Outdoors! (by Monica White) Have you been hearing about Lyme disease in the news or during conversations with neighbors? Perhaps you, or someone you know, has had an experience with Lyme or one of the many other tick-borne diseases that exist in the US? Whether it’s a brief encounter, or an enduring battle lasting many…
Learn more about A Peer’s Perspective: Good from Bad (by Jill Davis)
A Peer’s Perspective: Good from Bad (by Jill Davis) “When life gives you lemons, order the lobster tail!” – Ziad K. Abdelnour The older I get the more it becomes crystal clear that life isn’t always going to play out the way I’d like. Oh, to be able to avoid the tragedies and traumas that can pummel my otherwise serene…
Getting Clear on What Health Actually Is Can Help You Clarify Next Steps (by Prita Chanda Klco) I went to the doctor recently for a routine check-up. I was asked to give a “medical reason” (a disease or a problem) for making the appointment. In a system where disease is more billable than health, it’s easy to spend most of…
Learn more about 6 Steps to Winterize Your Skin (by Sheree Beddingfield)
6 Steps to Winterize Your Skin (by Sheree Beddingfield) Winter is upon us and with the colder temperatures many people struggle with dry skin. As we heat our homes, the dry air of these Colorado mountains becomes even drier. Here are six steps to protecting and hydrating your skin that should help. 1. Use a non-drying soap in the…
Learn more about How to Have Excellent Family Meetings (by Lori Weckbaugh)
How to have excellent family meetings! (by Lori Weckbaugh) You know that something needs to change, because they are ignoring your message or fighting with you or their siblings. Children become willing to respond to messages for change when they are hearing good news We all want to hear what’s right with us rather than what’s wrong Affirmations build self-esteem…
Learn more about A Peer’s Perspective: The Ritual of Should (by Jill Davis)
A Peer’s Perspective: The Ritual of Should (by Jill Davis) “When the mind is thinking it is talking to itself” –Plato I have been looking forward to the long-awaited film adaptation of Stephen King’s book about Derry, Maine and the sinister entity that has lurked forever in the town. Over the years, so the story goes, there is a ritual…
Learn more about Wonder Why It All Blows-Up? (by Lori Weckbaugh)
Wonder Why It All Blows-Up? (by Lori Weckbaugh) Has this happened to you; you’re out for a leaf-viewing drive, everything seemed fine when you left home, yet a few miles down the road your harmless question (where would you like to have lunch?) silence, a grumpy sound in a sarcastic tone— “How would I know where would YOU like to…
Learn more about What breast cancer screenings do I need? (By Shelley Schreiner)
What breast cancer screenings do I need? October is Breast Health Awareness Month! It’s a great time to get serious about breast health and breast cancer screenings. But knowing what screenings you need when (not to mention paying for them) can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help. The first step in monitoring your breast health is to learn what’s normal…
Learn more about A Good Night’s Sleep (by Ann Casey)
A Good Night’s Sleep A good night’s sleep is vital for every human being to thrive. A night of quality sleep allows us to wake feeling refreshed and energized. When we have a hard time falling asleep or don’t sleep at all, we feel moody, irritable and fatigued. Without a proper bedtime ritual, the quality of your sleep can…
Learn more about Flu Vaccine Myths (by Emily Anderson)
Flu Vaccine Myths Influenza vaccination is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy this winter. There are many myths floating around about the flu shot, and I am going to bust those myths one by one! Myth #1: The flu shot gave me the flu. It is scientifically impossible for the flu shot to give…
Learn more about Creating Fun to Create Change (by Kim Philia)
Creating Fun to Create Change Several years ago, I rescued a brown lab named Charlie, who had many bad behaviors; digging, chewing everything in the backyard, and intense aggression towards other dogs. These bad behaviors developed because he was left in his previous owner’s backyard by himself day and night. Hence, the reason for his undesirable behaviors was isolation and…
Learn more about What? Infant Social and Emotional Development? (by Beth Russell)
What? Infant Social and Emotional Development? Parents around the world want their children to grow up to be happy, secure individuals able to have healthy relationships throughout their lives. Only 80 years ago, most people believed that infancy was not very important in the development of a child. It was thought infants just needed to be fed and kept clean…
Learn more about Can we talk? (by Jill Davis)
Can we talk? It doesn’t take too long to notice that there’s some rough things that go on in life. None of us are immune and all of us have a story to tell. The question that begs asking is this: do you have someone to tell it to? I can remember times where I felt that I had no…
Learn more about Is CBD Right for Me? (by Lucas Smith, PharmD)
Is CBD right for me? As a pharmacist I have had many questions from my community about CBD, marijuana, and other hemp based products. In most of those circumstances I recommend full spectrum hemp oil. Chances are if you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, migraine headaches, loss of motor control, depression/anxiety, or insomnia,…
Learn more about Less Is More (by Ann Casey)
Less is More (by Ann Casey) Many of us commit to working out every day. We’re up by 6am and hit the gym. When we miss a day, guilt sets in as we believe we’re doing our body an injustice. The reality is that after working our muscles hard, they need at least 24 to 48 hours before they start…
Learn more about Feeding Young Kids without Losing Your Mind (by Emily Anderson)
FEEDING YOUNG KIDS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND Feeding small children can be frustrating. They seem to be constantly hungry, except not for the dinner you just spent 45 minutes preparing. One day they love meat but the next they won’t touch it. And let’s not even talk about vegetables! Parents spend the first year of a child’s life very aware…
Learn more about Better Than Jail (by Mike Orrill)
Better Than Jail Recently I had a gratifying experience….I went to Drug Court. No, I wasn’t in any trouble; I was invited by a friend in our county’s probation department. According to our friend Wikipedia, “drug courts are problem-solving courts in which the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, mental health, social service, and treatment communities work together to…
Learn more about “I wish they would all die!” (by Mike Orrill)
“I wish they would all die!” (by Mike Orrill) That’s what an angry friend once said to me when told I was working with people struggling with drug addiction. “I just wish they would all die! They’re a drain on society and don’t offer anything worthwhile. They don’t deserve to live.” The root of such a statement is a misunderstanding…
Learn more about The Gender Revolution (Katie Couric video posted by Mike Orril)
There’s a lot of information out there about transgender issues and this is one of the best video documentaries. It’s a bit long at an hour and a half, but it’s well worth your time. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154790608436005
Learn more about What We Don’t Know about Mother’s Milk (Video posted by Lorraine Redmond)
A 10-minute Ted Talk: What we don’t know about mother’s milk presented by Katie Hinde
Learn more about The Single Best Drink for Your Health (Dr. Mike Evans video posted by Mike Orrill)
Nothing could be more simple or easy. Watch this 4-minute animated video on the incredible health benefits of drinking water.
Hey men, do you want to up your game? One simple thing will get you on your way. Watch this 5-minute animated video on men’s health and the value of walking.
It’s one of the hardest addictions to overcome…..smoking. Watch this 12-minute animated video for a great tip on how to quit.
In some ways, health is a very simple thing that is within reach of everyone. Watch this 10-minute animated video about the one simple thing you can do……and it only takes a 1/2 hour/day. Take some control of your health today and see what a difference this will make in your day to day life.
Learn more about A ReThink of the Way we Drink (Dr. Mike Evans video posted by Mike Orrill)
Drinking…..What’s normal? What’s healthy? How do we navigate what is a socially acceptable but oftentimes risky behavior? Watch this eye-opening 10 minute animated video about the science of alcohol and health.
No one lives without some chronic pain, but for many this pain is debilitating and life-diminishing. Narcotic pain medication (aka Opioids) is often the medication prescribed by doctors. But how does it work, and why can it be so dangerous? Watch this 8 minute video on pain and how opioids impact it by Healthcare Triage and Dr. Aaron Carrol.
Learn more about What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s (Lisa Genova video posted by Mike Orrill)
Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to be your brain’s destiny, says neuroscientist and author of “Still Alice,” Lisa Genova. In this 14-minute TED Talk, she shares the latest science investigating the disease — and some promising research on what each of us can do to build an Alzheimer’s-resistant brain.
This is a startling new understanding about our diet and Alzheimer’s Disease. Watch this 1-minute video from the Mayo Clinic exploring the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Learn more about Opioid Addiction? There’s Hope (Video posted by Mike Orrill)
For those struggling with addiction to (narcotic pain pills, heroin, fentanyl, etc.), there is hope. There is a medication, approved by the FDA, that can help decrease cravings. It’s called buprenorphine (Suboxone) and it is the gold standard in treating Opioid Use Disorder. Some find it controversial saying that it’s just trading one addiction for another. The difference, however, is…
I find the subject of addiction fascinating, and the more I study it the more it clear it becomes that its causes and solutions are very complex. In this 6 minute video Johann Hari suggests that much of what we have learned about addiction may not be the whole story. He suggests that the root cause of addiction is a…
The science is becoming more and more clear…..trauma impacts our health in significant ways, increasing the risk of everything from weight to addiction, especially when those traumas are experienced during childhood. Watch this 9-minute video that explains the science of what happens to the brain in response to traumatic experiences.
Learn more about Vaping: Know the Facts Part 2 (Dr. Tista Gosh video posted by Mike Orrill)
Vaping is almost epidemic, but is it as safe as everyone says? Watch this brief video to learn more.
Learn more about Vaping: Know the Facts Part 1 (Dr. Daniel Kortsch video posted by Mike Orrill)
Vaping is almost epidemic, but is it as safe as everyone says? Watch this 2-minute video from Dr. Daniel Kortsch from Denver Health on the dangers of vaping.
Learn more about Why Do Our Brains Get Addicted Dr. Nora Volkow video posted by Mike Orrill)
Not too many years ago, addiction was seen as a sin, or a moral failing, or a character flaw, and, therefore, the emphasis was on punishment. Science is now showing us a much different picture of addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease, with the emphasis on treatment, just like we do for other chronic diseases. Watch this 6 1/2…
Learn more about Diabetes – Made Simple for You
A 4 1/2 minute video that explains in very simple terms the science of diabetes