20 Sep 2010

Breakthrough Prosthetic System Improves Performance for Persons with Limb Loss

By Mark McLaughlin
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High-Fidelity Interface touted as the closest thing to osseointergration without the surgery.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - biodesigns inc., a company specializing in the most biomechanically advanced upper and lower limb prosthetic systems, is introducing a revolutionary socket - the High-Fidelity Interface - to improve the comfort and functionality for persons with limb loss. The patent-pending design was developed by biodesigns' CEO and chief prosthetist, Randall Alley.

Alley explains that the High-Fidelity Interface was developed in response to patients' complaints that their socket is not fitting snugly or comfortably, resulting in poor positional, operational, and functional control. "A person can have the most technologically advanced prosthetic foot, knee, hand, or arm, but if it doesn't connect to or 'interface with' the body properly, it won't deliver the performance it should and the individual is less likely to wear it and enjoy all the benefits it is intended to deliver," he said.

The High-Fidelity Interface for both upper and lower limb applications offers a radical departure from the traditional model in that it imparts a high level of intrinsic bone control. "The term High-Fidelity refers to the precision with which the interface captures and reproduces skeletal motion," Alley said.

"The High-Fidelity Interface addresses wearers' desire to have a more efficient, better performing and more comfortable socket. In fact, we don't even consider it a socket. The technique mimics many of the benefits of osseointegration (where the connector to the prosthesis is embedded in the bone) - without the surgery," he said. "In our patients' own words, the design not only makes it seem that it feels more like a part of their body, but the perceived weight of the prosthesis is also significantly less."

Feedback

"I've been an amputee for 35 years, and I am very, very particular about the fit and finish of the socket. In fact, when I was asked to try Randy's new interface socket, I thought, okay, I'll agree to have him mold his new and improved, whiz-bang socket?and then I will show him why it won't work on a VERY active amputee. Now when I see Randy, I can hardly talk to him because my mouth is so full of black feathers from eating crow," said Ron Currier, a retired chief of prosthetics at the Manchester, N.H., Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

"In this new technology, there's no more slushy skin. I have more freedom of movement and more stability and better control of the arm," said Chuck Hildreth, Gifford, N. H. who has a left short humeral and right interscapulothoracic amputation.

Both Currier and Hildreth are participating in a clinical study involving the "Luke Arm" developed by famed inventor Dean Kamen's DEKA Research and Development, Manchester, N. H., and the High-Fidelity Interface with DEKA enhancements, as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Revolutionizing Prosthetics program.

High-Fidelity Interface vs. traditional socket design

Alley explains that in traditional socket designs, a patient's soft tissue is simply encapsulated or surrounded by the socket, restricting the amount of control the socket can impart upon the bone buried beneath the soft tissue. He compared it to trying to control the motion of a metal cylinder (the intrinsic bone) within a fluid-filled balloon (soft tissue and associated fluids) by merely wrapping your arms around it.

"This soft tissue 'barrier' allows significant skeletal motion within the interface prior to the interface responding, and hence the prosthesis partially absorbs rather than captures and efficiently transferring this motion. This inner skeletal motion decreases prosthesis stability, the wearer's positional precision, functional range of motion and overall efficiency of movement, thus increasing energy expenditure while concurrently increasing the perceived weight of the prosthesis," he said.

An alternating combination of precise compression coupled with release of tissue is design key

In contrast, the High-Fidelity Interface provides a high level of bone control by optimizing soft tissue flow and applying local and focused compression on the soft tissue overlying the intrinsic bone.

This skeletal stabilization is accomplished by using a series of alternating soft tissue compression and release areas oriented carefully along the long axis of the intrinsic or target bone. A specialized sensor can be used to ensure adequate blood flow at the interfacial boundary where compression occurs.

"In between these longitudinal areas of compression that travel nearly the entire length of the bone are areas or windows - depending on whether the interface is a solid body or an open cage-style interface - where soft tissue can flow out of the way or out of the interface entirely. This allows increased compression on the intrinsic bone, far greater than can be achieved in a traditional hydrostatic (uniform pressure distribution) socket," he said.

He emphasized the compression must be very precise. "That is why I have applied for a patent and why I often employ a blood perfusion sensor to ensure a safe compression level," he said. "Above a certain level, you lose adequate blood flow; below a certain level, you minimize the benefits."

The chief benefits to the patients are increased prosthesis stability and more energy efficiency as the interface preserves motion rather than absorbing it so that more of the wearer's input is converted to prosthetic output. In its most radical version, the exposed skin also eliminates the problem of heat and moisture dissipation, a problem with encapsulated sockets when over the course of a day trapped moisture and heat causes the socket to get hot, sweaty, and slippery.

The High-Fidelity Interface can be used for prostheses in upper and lower limb applications alike, with any control system including myoelectric, body-powered, or hybrid, and with any type of suspension system, from self-suspending to auxiliary suspension to negative pressure and elevated vacuum.

High-Fidelity Interface utilized in advanced research projects

Alley is working closely with Matt Albuquerque, Vice President of Next Step O&P, Manchester, N.H., on the DEKA/DARPA project. "Matt instantly recognized the benefits of the High-Fidelity Interface and it has been a real joy to work beside him refining this design for our DEKA test pilots and mutual patients we have consulted together on" Alley said. Albuquerque noticed the immense change this design had on Hildreth: "It was heartwarming to see a patient go from rarely wearing a prosthesis because it was uncomfortable and didn't give him the functionality he desired to now not wanting to leave home without it and wearing it all day. The High-Fidelity Interface is going to have an incredible impact on the way we fit prosthetics from now on," he said.

Currently biodesigns is licensing this technology to a select number of prosthetic offices. "I will be holding certification courses for the High-Fidelity Interface in the near future and we are currently collecting names of those prosthetists and therapists who are interested in learning this design," Alley said.

Alley is also working with T. Walley Williams of Liberating Technologies, Inc. and Matt Garibaldi of UCSF (University of California San Francisco) on a jig for lower limb applications that will assist in ensuring a more standardized approach and hence quality control for creating an interface in the weight-bearing environment, which has its own requirements and challenges. "We are very pleased with the initial prototype casting jig and will soon be instrumenting it for interfacing with a computer. In this way we will be able to discern more information during the initial impression taking about the limb under weight-bearing and compression that will help us refine the design even further," states Alley. "It is our hope that we gain IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval to initiate a formal clinical study at UCSF that will undertake analysis of energy efficiency, gait quality, including stride length, speed and positional control, perceived prosthesis weight and other factors that will provide some additional answers regarding the benefits of the High-Fidelity Interface."

About Randall Alley

Randall Alley, CP, LP is the creator of the High-Fidelity Interface, the XFrame and ACCI (Anatomically Contoured and Controlled Interface), three  prosthetic interface designs that brought superior biomechanical principles to the O&P field. Alley has contributed to five prosthetic textbooks, is a clinical columnist, international speaker, and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of the Army for his upper limb training of military personnel. Alley received both his bachelor of science in kinesiology and his prosthetic certificate from UCLA, and is a licensed and board certified prosthetist.

About biodesigns inc.

Southern California-based biodesigns inc. is a technology-driven prosthetics company specializing in the most advanced upper and lower limb prosthetic solutions.. The company's proprietary approach utilizes high tech laser scanners, innovative clinical techniques, and the most biomechanically advanced prosthetic interfaces (sockets) available..  biodesigns works with all levels of upper and lower limb patients, but especially caters to highly active individuals who demand more from their prostheses. For more information, visit www.biodesigns.com.

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13 Sep 2010

Grassley Looks for Additional Information from USDA Regarding Salmonella Outbreak

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - September 7, 2010 - Chuck Grassley today requested further information about the process used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture when employees at monitored farms come forward to USDA officials with food safety concerns.

"Americans have enjoyed one of the safest and most abundant food supplies in the world.  Confidence in our food supply is very important.  First and foremost is the safety of the consumer.  But, also, if the consumer doesn't have confidence in our food supply, it impacts the farmer," Grassley said.  "To maintain that confidence, it's important we evaluate and ask questions about where things might have fallen through the cracks so it doesn't happen again."

Grassley's letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack follows press reports about complaints raised by individuals at the facilities involved in the egg recall.

The letter asks if the Department received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns.  Grassley also asks about the Food Safety Inspection Service's responsibilities at the two farms.

In addition, Grassley asked about the procedures in place when concerns are raised in areas of joint jurisdiction, such as the USDA and the FDA in this particular instance.

Here's a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.

September 7, 2010



Secretary Tom Vilsack

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20250



Dear Secretary Vilsack,

The recent egg recalls due to a Salmonella outbreak at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms in Iowa have troubled consumers and weakened confidence in our nation's food supply. When Americans visit their local grocery stores, they should be able to trust that the food they are purchasing to feed their family is safe to consume.

Recent media reports indicate that former company employees reported food safety problems they had observed while working at Wright County Egg. While I understand that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over shell eggs, has issued the egg recall and is involved in the investigation of the Salmonella outbreak, USDA does have primary jurisdiction over egg product safety and has non-food safety employees located at farms including Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) graders.

In light of the complaints raised by these individuals, please answer following the questions:

1) Did USDA receive complaints from company employees and if so, what was done to investigate these concerns?

2) What were the Food Safety Inspection Service's (FSIS) responsibilities in relation to these two farms?  When was the last FSIS inspection conducted?

3) Is there an established process so that USDA employees (such as AMS graders) or company employees and other individuals can report possible food safety violations to FSIS?

4) Is there an established process for USDA employees to report food safety concerns to the FDA when they fall outside of USDA's jurisdiction?

5) What is USDA doing to counter deficiencies in food safety communication within the USDA and between the two agencies?  How are USDA and FDA coordinating to best address food safety concerns and ensure that food safety problems do not fall through the cracks?

Thank you for your prompt response to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator



 

13 Sep 2010

Illinois National Guard Programs Aim to Prevent Suicide, Build Relationships

By readMedia

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Illinois National Guard leaders have identified open discussions and stronger relationships between Soldiers and Airmen among the keys to suicide prevention programs administered by the Illinois National Guard.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, three Illinois National Guard Soldiers have committed suicide and the Department of Defense (DoD) has experienced record numbers of suicides across all services since 2002. As a result, DoD programs to identify causes for suicide and implement preventative strategies have received attention and funding.

One challenge has been getting Soldiers and Airmen to understand that seeking help when dealing with difficult emotional situations will not negatively affect their careers.

Chief Warrant Officer (2) Mariah Peterson, Illinois National Guard Suicide Prevention Program Manager, said she has seen a decrease in the negative stigma surrounding mental health issues.

"Soldiers are learning more and more that the repercussions from seeking help are no longer going to affect their military career," said Peterson. "In order to be an effective Soldier, one has to be both physically and mentally strong."

The Army's Ask Care Escort (ACE) program and the supplemental Shoulder-to-Shoulder training are the only Army-approved suicide prevention training programs, which focuses on building and maintaining positive relationships.

"It is taught by first-line leaders and gives Soldiers the opportunity to open up and discuss the training in an informal setting. Soldiers tend to open up more when they are surrounded by their peers," said Peterson.

During an address to the 132nd General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States Aug. 21 in Austin, Texas, Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard, emphasized more vigilant leadership and better post deployment follow up as among the solutions for stemming suicides.

"The issue of Soldier suicides isn't a deployment problem, it has to do with significant emotional events in their lives, but beyond that, it has to do with their ability to cope," he said.

The lesson is that leaders must be more assertive and involved to help troubled Soldiers before issues mushroom, said Carpenter.

Getting the families of Illinois National Guard members involved, helping them understand help is available and how to get that help are all points of emphasis in Illinois. This part of the mission is spearheaded by the Family Readiness Groups and the Chaplain Corps.

"We spend very little time in our offices," said Col. Daniel Krumrei, Joint Forces Headquarters chaplain, and the command staff chaplain. "We're always out and around counseling Soldiers, assisting commanders and developing relationships. As much as humanly possible our chaplains are available. We're at Soldiers' homes, at hospitals, funeral homes and even jails; wherever we are needed to help the Soldiers manage emotionally stressful events in their lives."

The Strong Bonds Retreats are weekend get-aways for Illinois servicemembers and their spouses designed to help Soldiers reconnect with their families and enhance their marriages, said Chaplain (1st Lt.) Vincent Lambert administers the Army's Strong Bonds program.

"Reconnecting with family after a deployment can be an extremely stressful situation for a Soldier and a chaplain has a special vantage point because we are specifically trained in counseling and many couples want to follow up with us," said Lambert. "The confidentiality a chaplain guarantees is key."

The Air National Guard's suicide prevention program, called the Wingman Project, consists of an interactive Web site available to anyone with Internet access and says that for every one Airman killed in combat, seven Airmen take their own lives. Wingmanproject.org was developed to empower Air Guard members, their families and friends to prevent suicides and train them to recognize the signs of suicide. The site includes training on how to ask the right questions, links and contact information for additional help like the suicide hotline.

The fact that wingmanproject.org is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is especially important for traditional National Guard members.

"The National Guard is, at times, at a disadvantage compared to the Army and Air Force," said Peterson. "We see our Soldiers and Airmen two days out of the month. That is why it is imperative to know your Soldiers and your Airmen. Suicide prevention should not be something that is on the front page one day and forgotten the next; it is knowing your buddy, knowing what resources are available for help, paying attention to what is going on in your Soldiers' or Airmen's lives and not being afraid to talk about it."

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5-11.

For more information please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569.

1st Lt. Dutch Grove.

31 Aug 2010

Governor Quinn Tours Health Care Facilities in Southern Illinois

By Kara Beach
Highlights New Law Benefiting Rural Hospitals; Celebrates Nursing Home Reforms

BENTON - August 28, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today toured several health care facilities in southern Illinois to highlight a new law that will benefit critical access hospitals, especially in rural parts of the state, and nursing home reforms.

"It is critical that all Illinoisans have access to the medical care they need to live healthy lives. It is also very important that our most vulnerable citizens are kept safe when receiving care at a hospital or nursing home," said Governor Quinn. "We must continue to do everything we can, including enacting good legislation, to improve our health care system."

The Governor's first stop was Franklin Hospital, a critical access hospital in Benton, where he met with hospital administrators and local legislators to tour the facility. During his visit, Governor Quinn stressed the importance of newly signed legislation that will make sure citizens in rural parts of the state have access to medical care.

Governor Quinn recently signed House Bill 5765, sponsored by Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton) and Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), which will go into effect on Jan. 11, 2011. The new law particularly benefits smaller rural hospitals, including those that are located throughout southern Illinois where many critical access hospitals are often several miles away from the nearest medical facility and serve large areas of the state. The new law requires critical access hospitals to be reimbursed for outpatient Medicaid services based on cost.

Governor Quinn also today toured the McLeansboro Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, a 43-bed skilled nursing home facility in McLeansboro. During his visit, the Governor highlighted a landmark new law signed in July that transforms Illinois' system of long-term care for frail older adults and persons with disabilities.

The new law remakes the system of admission to nursing homes, ensuring that only those in need of 24-hour skilled care are admitted. The law also strengthens the screening process to prevent residents with violent criminal histories from being placed with vulnerable, older adults.

Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), resulted from strong collaboration between state agencies, members of the Illinois General Assembly, advocates, home and community based service providers, residents and the nursing home profession, led by Governor Quinn's Nursing Home Safety Task Force.

As part of his weekend tour of health care facilities in southern Illinois, Governor Quinn will also visit the Phoenix Foundation of Southern Illinois in Carmi later today to make an announcement that will improve access to medical care for residents living in or around White County.

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30 Aug 2010

ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY DEDICATES $11.5 MILLION HEALTH SCIENCES EDUCATION CENTER

By Jane Kettering
DAVENPORT, Iowa?On Thursday, Aug. 26, St. Ambrose University dedicated its new $11.5 million Center for Health Sciences Education at Genesis, located on the southeast corner of Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park, Davenport. Sen. Chuck Grassley was on hand to participate in the ceremony. Grassley, along with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Rep. Bruce Braley, were instrumental in securing $1.6 million of congressionally directed funding for the facility.

"We are honored that Senator Grassley is with us on this exciting day," said Sister Joan Lescinski, president and CEO of St. Ambrose. "As a result of the wonderful collaboration with Genesis Health System and the generosity of many, this state-of-the-art facility will help prepare even more highly qualified health care professionals to serve our community. And in these challenging economic times, I am also pleased that the construction of this new facility has also provided jobs for fellow Quad Citians."

Construction of the facility, which houses the university's academic programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy, provided 200 jobs and fueled an estimated $20 million impact on the local economy.

Doug Cropper, president and CEO of Genesis Health System said, "The new St. Ambrose Center for Health Sciences Education at Genesis is an investment in the Quad Cities community. We believe in supporting the education of healthcare professionals who will deliver the highest level of patient care."

Along with its Health Services Foundation, Genesis Health System provided more than $3 million in support for the project including the donation of land and site work.

The completion of the center marks an era of major capital projects to support the university's commitment to academic excellence. St. Ambrose has a long history of meeting the community's health care needs by providing quality education with nationally accredited academic programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program offers one of only 28 orthopedic physical therapy clinical residency programs in the nation. Considered a "Best Career" according to a 2009 U.S. News & World Report, recent DPT graduates achieved a 100 percent employment and licensure pass rate.
The Master of Occupational Therapy degree program is the only master's level program in the state of Iowa and recent OT graduates report a 100 percent employment rate. The OT program's assistive technology lab?the only one of its kind in the state?serves disabled Quad Cities residents with individualized equipment and home environment adaptations. Faculty and student assistive technology inventions have consistently won national awards.
The Nursing Department offers a traditional bachelor of science in nursing degree program and one for Registered Nurses (RNs) who can complete their degree while employed, as well as a master of science in nursing administration. Responding to the community's critical need for highly qualified nursing professionals, approximately 75 percent of St. Ambrose nursing graduates remain and practice in the Quad Cities area.
For more information, go to www.sau.edu.

- end -
26 Aug 2010

More Than $2 Million to Iowa

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - August 25, 2010 - Senator Chuck Grassley said that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded four grants totaling $1,868,364 and one cooperative agreement totaling $237,597 to Iowa medical facilities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will distribute the money as shown below.

  • St. Ambrose University in Davenport will receive a $594,000 grant for health care and other facilities from the Division of Grants Management Operations

  • Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines will receive a $495,000 grant for health care and other facilities from the Division of Grants Management Operations· Mercy Foundation in Des Moines will receive a $495,000 grant for health care and other facilities from the Division of Grants Management Operations

  • The University of Iowa in Iowa City will receive a $284,364 grant for pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry research from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  • The University of Iowa in Iowa City will enter into a $237,597 cooperative agreement for human genome research with the National Human Genome Research Institute

Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government.  The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual's ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity administering the funds.

-30-

23 Aug 2010

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Improve Emergency Medical Care in Illinois

By Andrew Mason
Law Ensures High Quality Advanced Critical Care Transportation

CHICAGO - August 21, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to ensure the highest quality of emergency medical transportation for Illinoisans who are critically ill. The new law will establish minimum standards for ambulance services that provide advanced critical care transportation.

"When critically ill patients are being transported to receive the care they need, we must do everything possible to ensure they receive the highest quality of care," said Governor Quinn. "This new law will ensure that the staffs in advanced critical care ambulances are properly educated, trained and licensed."

Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Public Health will establish standards to ensure that those who provide advanced critical care transport have the advanced staffing and equipment needed to properly care for critically ill patients. The standards will include staffing, licensure, education, medical equipment, vehicle standards, and treatment and transport protocols.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will also have the ability to license "reserve" ambulances. This makes it possible for ambulance providers to quickly replace any ambulances taken out of service, and continue to provide emergency medical care. The law also allows IDPH to continue to administer the Illinois' emergency medical technician (EMT) exam, instead of requiring EMTs to take the more expensive national exam.

House Bill 5183 was sponsored by Rep. Donald L. Moffitt (R-Gilsen) and Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) and takes effect Jan. 1, 2011.

"This law will ensure that people are given the best care possible by trained emergency medical staff when critical care ambulance transport is needed," said Rep. Moffitt.

This legislation further amends the Emergency Medical Service Systems Act to authorize IDPH to suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew the license of an emergency medical service professional who has been convicted, pled guilty or pled no-contest to certain felonies. Currently, IDPH can only revoke the license of a felon if the crime was committed while the person was providing emergency medical services.

"I'm thankful that the Governor signed this important law that will ensure the safety and well-being of critically ill patients," said Sen. Koehler.

###
23 Aug 2010

Governor Quinn Announces Enrollment Open for Illinois' Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

By Rick Martin

Encourages Residents Who Have Been Denied Health Insurance to Apply Online or Over the Phone

CHICAGO - August 19, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that enrollment for the Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) will begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Aug. 20. The federally-funded plan will provide coverage for thousands of Illinois residents who have been denied health coverage due to preexisting conditions. Residents can apply online at Insurance.Illinois.gov/IPXP and over the phone at (877) 210-9167. Coverage through the plan will begin Sept. 1.

"I encourage everyone to go out tonight and talk to their families, friends and neighbors who may have a pre-existing medical condition and make sure they call or go online to apply for this important program," said Governor Quinn. "The Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will give uninsured residents throughout Illinois the health care they need."

The federal health reform law, known as the Affordable Care Act, prohibits insurers from basing coverage or pricing decisions on a person's health status starting Jan. 1, 2014.

To provide transitional coverage until 2014 for people who are currently uninsured with pre-existing conditions, the Affordable Care Act appropriates $5 billion to fund temporary high-risk pools in every state. Illinois' share is an estimated $196 million which, in addition to premiums paid by enrollees, will be used to operate the IPXP. The federal government will pay claims and administrative expenses. The program will incur no expense to the state and will cover approximately 5,000 uninsured Illinoisans.

The plan will provide enrollees with comprehensive health care benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care and prescription drugs. The plan will offer a preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance product with a $2,000 annual deductible, 80/20 percent cost sharing, and a maximum major medical out-of-pocket annual cost of $2,350. For prescription benefits, the cost sharing will also be 80/20 percent and the maximum out-of-pocket cost will be $1,600 per year.

"The Affordable Care Act's protection from discrimination based on health status cannot come soon enough for individuals and families who have been denied coverage," said Michael T. McRaith, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance. "The transitional coverage provided by the federally-funded IPXP is an important step as we move toward an Illinois health insurance marketplace with improved performance, accountability and transparency."

Hard copies of the IPXP application will also be available at the Department of Insurance offices in Chicago and Springfield. For more information visit Insurance.Illinois.gov/IPXP or call (877) 210-9167.

A study conducted last year showed that medical bills are a leading cause of personal bankruptcy, linked to more than 60 percent of bankruptcies.

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16 Aug 2010

Knowing when grief needs treatment, from Harvard Medical School

By Raquel Schott

BOSTON?It's normal for to the death of a close friend or family member to bring sadness, mood changes, or trouble sleeping and eating. For some people, though, grief and bereavement can evolve into clinical depression, according to Coping with Grief & Loss: A guide to healing, a newly updated report from Harvard Health Publications.

While most people pass through grief or bereavement without professional help, it's important to seek a helping hand if troubling or long-lasting symptoms of depression begin to interfere with daily life. Talk with your doctor or a mental health professional if you have suicidal thoughts or experience any of these other symptoms of bereavement-related depression:

  • persistent feelings of worthlessness, which is generally felt with depression but not with healthy grief
  • ongoing guilt
  • marked mental and physical sluggishness
  • persistent trouble functioning
  • hallucinations, other than occasionally thinking you hear or see the deceased.

Small studies suggest that psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or both may ease symptoms of depression associated with grief.

Sometimes people feel so mired in grief that months or even years go by with little or no let-up. This may be a sign of complicated grief, a term mental health professionals use when grieving proves especially difficult. Complicated grief combines features of depression with those of post-traumatic stress disorder. Among adults who suffer a significant loss, about one in 11 experiences complicated grief. Symptoms include

  • intrusive, upsetting memories, thoughts, and images of the deceased
  • constant, painful yearning for the deceased
  • an inability to accept the reality of the death
  • frequent nightmares
  • detachment from others
  • desperate loneliness and helplessness, anger, and bitterness
  • thoughts of suicide and wanting to die.

Other reasons to seek professional help include drug abuse, increased use of tobacco or alcohol, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight, experiencing uncontrollable anxiety, and failing to feel somewhat better after a year has passed. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you think you may have complicated grief or depression related to grief or bereavement.

This updated Special Health Report also covers these topics:

  • The health effects of grief
  • A guide to grieving at different stages in life
  • Practical coping strategies

Coping with Grief & Loss is available for $18 from Harvard Health Publications (www.health.harvard.edu), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School. Order it online at www.health.harvard.edu/GLor by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

16 Aug 2010

Red Root Hot Yoga Now Open in Davenport

By Cole Morrow
New hot yoga studio opens in Davenport, Iowa.
Located at 2660 E 53 St #4 Davenport, Iowa
Studio owners, Cole and Nicole Morrow
563-468-7751
www.redroothotyoga.com
Email: berooted@redroothotyoga.com

  • Safe and convenient Location provided with ample parking in front of studio.
  • Open 7 days a week with classes starting at 6:00 AM and as late as 7:30PM. 2-4 classes scheduled per day.
  • Certified instruction and owner is registered with The Yoga Alliance, an international organization that sets the educational standards for yoga instructors and teachers.

"This is a professional hot yoga studio," said Cole. "We use silent, permanently wall mounted radiant heaters to warm the body and surrounding objects. Energy efficient Radiant heat differs from furnace heat, as they do not blow hot air on the practitioner. The heat is equally distributed to each student. We also use fresh air ventilation and humidity control." said Cole

3 levels of classes are scheduled to meet the desires of people new to yoga, as well as the experienced student.  Level 1-2, with temps from 80-85F. This class is geared toward new yoga students. RRHY(Red Root Hot Yoga) 100-110F, for the people that like it hot and slow, and Power flow yoga 85F. " I took all my experiences with hot yoga studios and instruction styles, and put it right here in the Quad Cities. Detailed instruction of postures and proper alignment is provided. Each class is like a yoga workshop" said Cole

The studio has been constructed using holistic thinking. From the fully recyclable yoga floor and mold resistant wall board, to the organic body wash, towels and soaps. " we believe wholeheartedly in taking care of ones mind, body, and spirit to obtain optimal health." said Nicole. " Join us in a non competitive environment. Where you can step away from the everyday stresses of life, gain self confidence, and build both physical, and mental strength." said Nicole.

The studio provides both mens and women's restrooms equipped with showers. High quality mat and towel rental is also provided. "I use only the best quality yoga gear at this studio. I want the people of the Quad Cities to enjoy all that yoga has to offer, with out having to worry about slips and falls. Take some time out for yourself, and come experience all the best that Red Root Hot Yoga has to offer." said Cole.

The Red Root Hot Yoga Studio has made accommodations for people with disabilities. Handicapped people are encouraged to start their own yoga practice here."Just because your in a wheel chair, does not mean you cant practice yoga. There is a space here for you" said Cole.

People interested in taking a class at Red Root Hot Yoga can sign up online via the website, and drop ins are welcome any time. Children are welcome to come to class, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Any other questions or comments can be directed to Cole Morrow on the web, or by phone. "You can call me anytime with your questions or comments. I am available for you." said Cole

Your first class is always free!

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