Items tagged with 'health'
Now is a good time to get a flu shot
So, now is a good time to get a flu shot.
Maybe seem a little early? It's not, really. And even if it was, getting a flu shot early is a good thing. You can help yourself and others by getting the jab, which needs to be repeated each year because the mix of flu viruses in circulation changes each season.
Here's a website that can point you toward where to get the shot. Many pharmacies now offer the flu vaccine right in the store -- they have little waiting areas and everything -- and you often don't even need an appointment, but call ahead to make sure. And the flu shot is free under many health plans (be sure to bring your health plan card).
Getting the vaccine doesn't offer full protection, but if you do end up getting the flu it can lessen the severity. And this part is important: getting the shot can be beneficial not just to you, but also the people around you because it makes it less likely you'll spread the virus. Example: There have been multiple studies indicating that vaccinating young people -- kids, especially -- ends up being a good way of protecting seniors from the flu.
Gym options for downtown Albany / around the Empire State Plaza?
Meredith reaches out to us via the electronic mail (links added):
I know that you've had questions about local gyms before, and I know that downtown Albany remains a gym desert, apart from a couple nice but decidedly diminutive downtown office-building options that offer community memberships (e.g. Omni Fitness). I keep hoping that before the weather again turns too crappy/cold for running outdoors to be palatable, some fitness entrepreneur will notice that there are actually a large and growing number of humans living in Center Square/downtown/surrounding areas, and that we, too, might like to have even a low-frills chain gym within walking distance, such as sprout like mushrooms in the suburbs. (Seriously, what is it about Albany? We used to have a couple Ys -- particularly awful ones, compared with the fitness temples in the 'burbs -- but even those have been gone for years now. Even wee little towns elsewhere have gyms; why not here?!)
But whining aside, here's my question for you: I heard rumors last year that a gym was coming back to the Empire State Plaza. The Times Union reported back in December that the rumors were true. ... [D]o you know anything?
We checked with the state Office of General Services for an update on gym developments at ESP, and a spokesman said there wasn't anything new to add to that report from late last year. It is worth noting that the ESP hosts outdoor post-work fitness classes ("Fitness on the Plaza"), though the current season just ended. And there are also lunchtime fitness classes run by Empower State Plaza Fitness weekdays in a rehearsal room at the Egg.
It's been about four years since the gym at the Steuben Club in downtown Albany closed. But the neighborhood has a growing residential population. And a lot of space there is currently in the process of being opened up and repurposed (including, potentially, the old Steuben building).
So... Maybe one of these developers can get together with one of the local chains or orgs and work something out. It sounds like there might be growing demand.
Got a suggestion for Meredith about gym options? Please share.
Checking out the Saratoga Ninja Lab
If you've ever watched the television show American Ninja Warrior and thought "I could do that" -- -- here's your chance.
The show -- on which ultra-fit competitors run through a punishing obstacle course -- has inspired an entirely new type of workout, and now you can try it locally.
Bat in the house? Capture it.
A state Depatment of Health video about how to capture a bat in a home.
From the folder marked "flying mammals and did you just see that... no, over there... oh, crap" and an Albany County press release:
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today is reminding residents to protect themselves from rabies by safely capturing any bat found in their home and bringing it to the Albany County Department of Health to have it tested for the disease and avoid any unnecessary vaccinations.
The County Department of Health has received multiple calls in recent months from residents concerned about potential exposure to rabies due to contact with bats, which is typical during the spring and summer months. ...
County residents are encouraged to use the below steps to safely capture any bats in their homes so they can be tested for rabies in a lab. If you are unable to trap it, you should be vaccinated at the Albany County Department of Health at 175 Green Street, Albany, NY 12202.
• Use caution
• If indoors, close all windows, room and closet doors, turn on the lights and wait for the bat to land.
• While wearing heavy gloves approach the bat slowly and carefully and cover the bat with a pail, coffee can, or similar container.
• Slide a piece of cardboard or lid under the container to trap the bat inside and tape the container shut.
Residents can "batproof" their home with polypropylene bird netting, fly screening, sheet metal, wood or various caulking compounds to close or cover openings that allow entry for bats to roost. House bats can pass through crevices as thin as a pencil.
As the press release notes, a small percentage of bats have rabies, but it's hard to tell which ones do by appearance and the consequences can be serious.
There's a new type of tick in New York State
There's a new type of tick in New York, the state Department of Health announced Tuesday: Haemaphysalis longicornis -- the "longhorned tick." DOH says it was found in multiple locations in Westchester County. From the press release:
While the longhorned tick has transmitted disease to humans in other parts of the world, more research is needed to determine whether this can happen in the United States. Regardless, New Yorkers should continue to take steps to protect themselves, their children and their pets against ticks and tickborne diseases that are present in New York State.
This tick is also a concern for the New York State agricultural industry and may pose a threat to livestock. Farmers should continue to work with their veterinarians to check their animals, particularly cattle, sheep and horses, for exposure to ticks and to ensure their parasite control plans are up to date and working. Symptoms of tick-borne disease in cattle include fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, weakness and labored breathing.
That photo on the right compares deer ticks (top) and longhorned ticks (bottom) with poppy seeds (middle) for scale. (Click on the photo for a larger version -- we figured no one needed to see that up close unless they wanted to.)
Scanning that New York State Department of Health report that argues the case for legalizing recreational marijuana
photo: Ryan Bushby via Wikipedia (CC BY 2.5)
The New York State Department of Health released its report on regulated marijuana Friday -- and it argues for legalizing recreational marijuana. Here's a chunk for the report that largely sums up the argument:
The positive effects of regulating an adult (21 and over) marijuana market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts. Harm reduction principles can and should be incorporated into a regulated marijuana program to help ensure consumer and industry safety. Legalizing marijuana could remove research restrictions in NYS, which will enable the State to add to the knowledge of both the benefits and risks. In addition, NYS would be one of the largest regulated marijuana markets. As such, there is potential for substantial tax revenue in NYS, which can be used to help support program initiatives in areas such as public health, education, transportation, research, law enforcement and workforce development. Tax revenues can also support health care and employment. Finally, legalization of marijuana will address an important social justice issue by reducing disproportionate criminalization and incarceration of certain racial and ethnic minority communities.
Whatever the political machinations at work surrounding this report, it is a remarkable document. Pretty much anyone over the age of, say, 20, has grown up with government/law enforcement/schools warning against the dangers of pot. And in this report the state Department of Health essentially says, yeah, pot has some downsides, but they're probably not as bad as they've been made out to be and our society would be better off it we made it legal and kept an eye on it.
Anyway, we read through the report and pulled out handful of highlights -- about potential benefits, opioids, mental health, criminal justice, and tax revenue -- for easy skimming...
A booming global industry, human blood, and an Albany strip mall
The blood coursing through all our veins -- or, specifically, a portion of that blood -- has become a key component in a booming industry.
Products made from blood plasma are worth more than $100 billion annually worldwide. Much of that plasma comes from the United States. It's used both here and abroad for all sorts of life-saving treatments.
Now that global industry is looking to expand to... a strip mall in Albany.
And that's prompted some concerns.
A good gastroenterologist?
Anonymous emails:
I have a bad case of persistent acid reflux. I've tried the over-the-counter medicines and they help, but I'd like to see a gastroenterologist to put together a better long term plan. I also want to get checked out in case there's something even more serious going on. Can anyone recommend a good gastroenterologist? Thank you!
As with any health-related Ask AOA question that we get, we're always keen on hearing about doctors who are good listeners because that's a recurring theme in both questions and suggestions.
So, know of a good local gastroenterologist to suggest to Anonymous? Please share. And a sentence or two about why you're recommending that doctor can be a big help.
photo:Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)
A sharp turn for the flu season
For a while this winter it felt like everyone was sick -- and the flu, especially, was really cranking.
But the path of this season's flu trend took a sharp turn in recent weeks. Check out the the graph above from the state Department of Health most recent influenza surveillance report (it covers up to the week ending March 3). The red line is the current flu season, compared to the three previous seasons.
After a sharp rise in lab-confirmed cases through January and the first part of February, the number has since sharply fallen. But as you can see, this season has still been intense, with about double the number of lab-confirmed cases as in recent years.
Influenza is still "widespread," according to DOH. So, you know the deal -- wash your hands, cover your cough (preferably not with your hand), and stay home if you're sick. (Let's hope the number cases keep falling -- every now and then there's a double-peak flu season.)
And this season has been a good reminder that it's worth making the effort to get a flu shot at the beginning of each fall. Getting the jab can not only help you avoid getting the flu, it can lessen the severity if do catch it, and it can help reduce the spread to the people around you.
Registration is now open for the 2018 Freihofer's Run for Women in Albany
The 5k course map.
This year's Freihofer's Run for Women is June 2 and registration is now open. The entry fee for the 5k is $25 for the first 500 registrants online. The fee increases by $5 increments monthly starting in April leading up to the race.
This is the 40th year for the Freihofer's Run for Women. It draws all sorts of runners, including some high-level competitors seeking the $10,000 first-place prize. Last year more than 3,200 women participated with times that ranged from 15:49 to 1:18:58.
The course for the 5k starts near Albany City Hall, heads up Washington Ave, winds through Washington Park, and then returns back on Washington to finish near the start.
Race day also includes a junior 3k (registration $15) and a free kids run.
Leading up to the race, there's also a training program with beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. It's a 10-week program and it starts in March. Registration for that is $55.
Yep, this flu season continues to be bad
That red line is the weekly number of lab-confirmed influenza cases reported in New York State this winter, compared to the previous three winters. / graph: NYS DOH
So the flu is kind of being a jerk this winter.
The number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in the State of New York continued to climb sharply during the most recent surveillance period*, the state Department of Health reported Thursday.
The Cuomo admin says the weekly number of lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations for the flu was the highest on record since reporting began in 2004. The previous record had been... the week before.
Even though it's later in the season, public health agencies are still urging people to get a flu shot if they haven't so far. Here's a site that can you help find a place to get the jab -- be sure to check before heading out, though, because supplies are running low at some places. There are some early indications this season's flu shot doesn't match up well with one of the main types of flu in circulation this year, but it's still better than nothing.
Beyond that:
+ Wash your hands.
+ Cover your mouth when you cough, preferably not with your hand.
+ If you're sick, stay home if you can. (This is an example of how paid sick time could help everyone.)
Influenza is kind of like weather -- there tend to be general trends, but it's hard to predict exactly what course it's going to take. Let's hope the pattern shifts soon.
Get a flu shot. Cover your cough. Stay home if you're sick.
This graph is from the NYS DOH's weekly influenza surveillance report.
This winter's flu season is continuing to crank up here in New York State.
The latest surveillance from the state Department of Health reports a 50 percent increase in the number of lab-confirmed flu cases during the week that ended January 27. Every region of the state showed an upswing in positive results for flu, and every county in the state is now pegged as having influenza activity in the highest category. (It's been a relatively strong flu season across the nation.)
That graph above depicts the number of lab-confirmed cases across the state this season (red line) compared to the previous three seasons. And, yep, the flu is taking a big swing at us this time up.
Influenza is kind of like the weather. There are general seasons and patterns, but it's hard predict exactly what course it's going to take. So it's still worth getting a flu shot -- even though it's February and even though it takes a few weeks for your body to fully respond to the jab.
Here's a site that can point you toward where to get the shot. Many pharmacies now offer the flu vaccine right in the store, but call ahead to make sure there are still supplies in stock. And it's free under many health plans.
Getting the vaccine doesn't offer full protection, but if you do get the flu it can lessen the severity. And getting the shot can be beneficial not just to you, but also the people around you because it makes it less likely you'll spread the virus.
And beyond the shot:
+ Wash your hands.
+ Cover your mouth when you cough (preferably not with your hand).
+ Stay home when you're sick, if you can. And employers should do the right thing in this regard, too.
The flu is cranking up in New York, and it's still worth getting a shot
The number of lab-confirmed cases of influenza around the state this season (red) line compared to the last few seasons. / graph: New York State Department of Health
The number of influenza cases around New York has taken a sharp upswing in the last few weeks. And the state is asking people to take precautions. From a Cuomo admin press release:
Each winter requires a new flu shot because the versions of flu virus in circulation changes from season to season. It take about two weeks for your body's immune system to fully respond to the jab. And though the vaccine doesn't necessarily offer full protection, it can lessen the severity in people who do end up getting sick with the flu.
It's become easier in recent years to get a flu shot. You can get one at a primary care doctor's office, sure. But many pharmacies and clinics now offer them, too. And many health plans cover them so they're either free or low cost.
Getting a flu shot can be beneficial not just to you, but also the people around you. In fact, it's this group protection that might be one of the most valuable things about getting the jab. (There's a famous public health case study from Japan in which school children were vaccinated for influenza and it appears to have had a very large positive effect for elderly people.)
Also: Wash your hands regularly. Cough in your elbow. And if you're sick, stay home if you can.
There's still time to get a flu shot
The number of confirmed flu cases in New York State by week for the last four flu seasons (including the current one). / chart: NYS DOH
There have now been confirmed cases of influenza in 54 of New York's 62 counties, the state Department of Health reported this week. That total includes all four of the core Capital Region counties.
It's still early in the flu season, and who knows for sure what direction it's going to take -- it's kind of like the weather that way. So it's still a good time to get a flu shot. (And a new shot is required each year because the flu changes from season to season.) From DOH:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts studies each year to determine how effective the vaccine will be in protecting against influenza-related illness and while the effectiveness can vary from year to year, studies show that the vaccine remains the most effective way to protect public health. Additionally, studies show that the influenza vaccine can make the illness milder in certain cases where an individual was vaccinated but still contracted influenza.
Where to take a couples massage class?
Jessica asks:
My husband has requested a couples massage class for Christmas, but I'm having trouble finding one through the internet. Most searches only point me to Couples Massages, but not Classes. Can anyone on AOA recommend one? One we can do on the weekend is preferable.
We can see the knot to be worked out here, finding a class rather than a massage itself. But maybe some of the places of that offers courses in massage therapy also have classes for couples. (And if not, maybe there's an opportunity for a new class.)
So, got a suggestion for Jessica? Please share! And a sentence or two to go along with suggestion can be helpful.
Earlier: Ask AOA: A good acupuncturist and/or massage therapist?
photo: Flickr user Jason Bagley (CC BY-SA 2.0 - cropped)
A good acupuncturist and/or massage therapist?
Melissa emails:
I would love to hear who the aoa community recommends in regards to body healing and mind healing.
We hear from Melissa that she's specifically interested in acupuncturists and massage therapists. (And for the mind healing part of her question, we had a question about therapists not too long ago.)
So, have a good person or place to recommend? Please share! And sentence or two about your recommendation can be helpful.
photo: Flickr user Marnie Joyce (CC BY 2.0)
Life expectancy in New York State by county
New York counties by estimated life expectancy. Green is roughly the state average -- yellow below, blue above. (There are two clickable maps after the jump.)
Life expectancy at birth was a little more than 80.36 years in New York State in 2014, according to a new study out this week.
That was good for 6th best in the nation. And it's up 73.19 years in 1980.
Those estimates are from a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine this week looking at how life expectancy varies across counties in United States. And as the researchers reported, there was wide variation -- some 20 years of difference between the high and low ends.
Here's a good interactive map of the numbers. And here are a few articles in the popular press about the overall study -- at FiveThirtyEight and The Atlantic.
New York counties didn't exhibit such a wide range, but there were some differences.
How New York's House members voted on AHCA
photo: Martin Falbisoner via Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The big national news on Thursday was the House of Representatives vote on the latest version of the American Health Care Act, the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The bill narrowly passed 217-213.
When the day started, there was a little bit mystery about how the Capital Region's two Republican reps would vote. But first John Faso, and then Elise Stefanik, fell into line with the Republican leadership and voted in favor of for the bill.
Statements: Tonko | Stefanik | Faso.
The potential effects of the bill aren't entirely clear -- the Republican leadership in the House pushed it through before the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office could make its estimates -- but it's a big departure from the Affordable Care Act and probably means millions fewer people with health care coverage. [NYT] [Vox]
If you spent any time on Twitter Thursday, you probably saw people vowing political payback for Congress members who voted for the bill. John Faso, in particular, was catching a lot of heat of there. And considering his relatively narrow victory last fall -- he won 54-46 -- he's looking like a prime target for Democrats aiming to flip seats in 2018. Will all that anger and dissatisfaction translate into voter turnout and action next year?
Here's how New York's Congressional delegation voted, along with the percentage of the vote each member got during the 2016 general election...
Spring is back, and so are ticks (ugh)
The average annual number of reported Lyme disease cases by county between 2011-2015. (Please see the important notes below about these numbers.)
This part of the country -- the whole Northeast, really -- is a hot spot for Lyme disease. The map* above depicts the average number of Lyme cases** reported in each county each year between 2011-2015 -- the numbers are published by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There's a larger, clickable national map after the jump if you'd like to explore further.
New York is tagged as a "high-incidence state" for Lyme by the CDC -- it had the 13th highest rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 people across the three years 2013-2015. (Vermont had the highest rate, and Massachusetts the fifth.)
Here's info from the state Department of Health of ways to lessen the risk of being bitten by a tick and what to do if you are. (And don't forget about taking precautions for your dog, too!)
Advice for finding mental health support groups?
K emails:
Could anyone offer advice at finding mental health support groups? Or where various AA groups meet?
We're hoping that maybe there are some local orgs that serve as central hubs for this sort of information.
Have a suggestion for K? Please share. And a sentence or two explaining your suggestion can be a big help.
Saratoga County ranked as the "healthiest" county in New York State
The state's counties coded by how the ranked for health outcomes in the rankings. / map: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Saratoga County is the "healthiest" county in the New York State, according to rankings out this week from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Specifically, Saratoga ranked #1 in health outcomes -- "how long people live and how healthy people feel while alive."
The rankings also look at factors that feed into health, and Saratoga ranked #3 overall for those.
Here's how the Capital Region core counties stacked up compared to to Saratoga and each other.
It's still flu season
Noted: Influenza continues to be "widespread" around New York State, according to the state Department of Health's latest weekly surveillance report. (It covers the week ending February 25.) All 62 counties reported cases, and almost all of them did so at levels that qualify for the highest activity category.
On the upside, the number of positive lab tests for flu cases from across the state peaked in early February and has been declining bit by bit the last few weeks. But the number of positive cases in sections of upstate -- including the Capital Region -- has continued to climb during February.
Influenza is kind of like the weather. It tends to follow some large-scale patterns, but ultimately you can never really be sure what's going to happen exactly. Last year's flu season in York State peaked in March, which is a bit on the late side. And the 2013-2014 season had two peaks: one in January and another in April.
And, of course, the flu is a very specific illness (or to be more precise, a specific group of viruses). It doesn't include colds, stomach bugs, and whatever the hell that cough was that once it got a hold of you wouldn't let go that seemed to be everywhere around the holidays.
So, uh, you know, keep washing your hands and coughing into your elbow. And if you're really sick and can stay home, do so.
Good physical therapist for back problems?
Jennifer emails:
Any chance you can ask your readers for suggestions on a good physical therapist for the lower back? I have been to a few different places around town over the years and seem to always get stuck with folks fresh out of school with little experience.
In addition to physical therapy, we're curious if there are other things -- like maybe specific yoga or other exercise classes in the area -- that people have have found helpful for back problems. (Of course, you'd always want to check with your doctor ahead of time to make sure any sort of other exercise wouldn't make the problem worse.)
So, got a a suggestion for Jennifer? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a specific therapist or program can be very helpful.
Indoor swimming for adults during the winter?
Brooks emails:
Could you help me find a place where adults can swim in the winter? I live in Colonie and I know about the Ciccotti Center, but it's way out of my price range.
Sometimes it's hard to get exercise during the winter because of the weather, but it's worth the effort -- you'll feel better for it, about yourself and about winter.
So, got a suggestion for Brooks? Please share! And sentence or two about why you're recommending a place can be a big help.
photo: Flickr user Thomas R. Stegelmann (CC BY 2.0)
A good primary care practice or doctor?
Nate emails:
I have been living in Albany for nearly five years and still have yet to find a good primary care/family practice/internal medicine physician. I have gone to two different practices and still have yet to find a doctor who doesn't treat you like a filler in between appointments and whose office staff is not outright rude and hostile.
I have found that the PAs, nurses, and office staff in the office are as important as the doctor, especially since they are often tasked with important things such as prescription refills, something my current doctor's office has repeatedly made mistakes on.
We've had this question come up before, but we looked through the archive and it's been years since the last similar question about this type of doctor. And things change.
Also: It's worth highlighting Nate's point about the importance of the other health care providers and staff in a practice beyond the doctors. They can make a big difference.
So, got a doctor or practice to suggest to Nate? Please share! And just a reminder that a sentence or two about why you're recommending a practice or doctor (good listener, on-time appointments, and so on) can be a big help.
photo: Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?