Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas produced when uranium in soil breaks down. It is released through rocks, soil and water and can build up in enclosed spaces through cracks in a building's foundation or other openings.

The health hazard comes from radioactive particles released when radon decays. When inhaled, radon can damage the cells in people's lungs. Exposure to radon causes no immediate symptoms, but over time, the long-term threat of lung cancer is significant to everyone. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in more than 21,000 lives each year. It’s also the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy, and this process can damage lung tissue, leading to lung cancer. However, not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years.

Radon can be found all over the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates about one in every 15 homes have elevated radon levels. The highest radon concentrations develop in spaces below ground level without much ventilation: basements, crawlspaces, foundations, sump pumps, and construction joints. Radon can get into any type of building and result in a high indoor radon level.

You and your family most likely get your most significant exposure at home, where you spend most of your time. While radon issues may be more common in some areas, any home can have problems. The only way to know for sure is to test the air in your home. Winter is a good time to test your home for radon because when the windows and doors are sealed tightly, radon levels inside your home can rise.

It's never too late to reduce your risk of lung cancer. Don’t wait to test and fix the problem. Simple and inexpensive do-it-yourself radon test kits and digital detectors are available for purchase at many local hardware stores and online retailers such as Amazon. If you find high levels of radon in your home, the problem can be fixed with radon reduction systems that can reduce levels in your home by up to 99%. Learn more from The American Lung Institute.

About the Author

Adnan Khan, MD, specializes in pulmonary medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan, and performed his residency at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School North Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Khan is currently seeing new patients at Freeman Lung Institute.

Freeman Lung Institute specializes in high-quality care and offers information on the latest treatment and therapy options to help patients live a stronger life. Talk to your primary care physician about radon exposure or call our office at 417.347.8315 for an appointment or visit freemanhealth.com/lung.

=The average American spends one-third of their life at work, so what better place to promote wellness than in the workplace.

As you develop wellness programs in the workplace, consider a whole-person approach. The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) reports that successful workplace wellness initiatives require supporting employees in fulfilling their needs in seven areas:

• Health – Going beyond the absence of mental or physical illness
• Meaning – Knowing your work matters
• Safety – Feeling safe from physical and psychological harm
• Connection – Feeling a sense of belonging
• Achievement – Succeeding at meeting your individual goals
• Growth – Being challenged to use and expand on your strengths
• Resiliency – Viewing life with optimism

Additionally, Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, developed the Six Dimensions of Wellness Model, which includes:

• Occupational – Recognizing personal satisfaction and enrichment through work
• Physical – Recognizing the need for regular physical activity
• Social – Encouraging contributing to one’s environment and community
• Intellectual – Recognizing one’s creative stimulating mental activities
• Spiritual – Recognizing the search for meaning and purpose in our human existence
• Emotional – Recognizing awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings

So, what do you do with this information? What is the first step in developing a program that meets the criteria?

With your CEO’s support, appoint a wellness coordinator and create a wellness committee with system-wide representation. You likely already have several wellness champions ready to support their co-workers.

Find out what employees need to support their wellness journey by providing a needs survey. You may discover that what you thought they want and what they say they want are different.

Consider starting 2022 with a system-wide Fitness Challenge. This is a great way for employees to get healthy through team support and fun competition! A challenge encourages employees to create teams of five to eight. Each team member will then meet the recommended 600 minutes of physical activity per month January through March. All teams who have accomplished this can get their names entered for prize drawings, which could include gift cards, t-shirts, water bottles, etc.

This challenge addresses occupational, physical and social dimensions of wellness. The areas of health, connection, achievement and growth are fulfilled in the challenge, as well.

If you would like help setting up your own challenge, contact Freeman Wellness Coordinator Margaret “Kris” Drake, RN, CHPD, at mcdrake@freemanhealth.com.

The holiday season is upon us again, with lots of indulgent, sugary foods that leave us feeling lethargic, a little fuller around the middle and regretful come January 1. However, the holiday season doesn’t have to be that way, and we CAN have a healthy holiday!

During the holidays and throughout the year, use a mindful approach to eating by focusing on tasting and really enjoying your food. If you don't care for a certain dish, you can kindly pass and opt for the foods that are more to your taste. Enjoy favorite holiday sweet treats in smaller servings and be conscious of your fullness level. Taking a break from a large meal when you’re comfortably full may leave more room for a small piece of dessert.

The holidays are filled with family, parties, traditions and lots of yummy, festive food. Research shows adults usually gain some sort of weight over the holidays. But don’t despair – it’s possible to make smart, healthy decisions while still enjoying yourself. The American Heart Association offers strategies and mindset shifts to beat temptation and get through the holiday season without stress eating, weight gain and digestive issues:

• Get creative with swaps: Cooking at home is a great way to take control of your diet and tweak favorite seasonal dishes. Reduce sodium by replacing salt with herbs and spices, adding more fruits and vegetables to dishes and using low-sodium canned and frozen products. Combine lower-sodium foods with regular versions to help your taste adapt.
• Snack smart: To avoid overindulging at holiday gatherings, prep with nutrient-rich foods that don’t sacrifice taste, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, lean meats, eggs, beans and nuts. Enjoy the satisfaction of making healthy choices and forego the high-carbohydrate snacks and sugary treats.
• Take your time: Don’t rush through meals and slow down when you eat. Enjoy mealtime with family and friends by pausing between bites and savoring your food. Experience the holidays for what they are and find balance between celebration and relaxation.
• Practice gratitude: It can help lower blood pressure, improve your immune system and spur you to eat better and exercise more. Write down five things you’re grateful for and share them with your family and friends. Gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. Aim to enjoy the sweet blessings of life instead of the sweet treats and enjoy lasting healthful benefits.

Instead of focusing entirely on food during gatherings, shift your attention to enjoying the time with your family and friends. Create engaging experiences that involve activities and interactions with others!

We all want to have the capacity to celebrate the holidays with thankfulness without the worry of putting on those extra pounds. Food does play a part in celebration gatherings, but it doesn’t need to take centerstage and sabotage your journey to health. You can get on the other side of the holidays without giving up being healthy.

About the author

Heather Boline, RD, LD, is a Freeman Health System clinical registered dietician. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. A registered dietitian for more than 30 years, she has been with Freeman since 2004.

Freeman Volunteers make a difference in the community by lending patients and visitors a helping hand during their time of need. When you join our team of volunteers, you choose where you would like to work – Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East or Freeman Neosho Hospital. You also select the volunteer position that best suits you. Our goal is to match your interests with our needs.

Volunteer locations include:

• Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute
• Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute
• Freeman Gift Gallery
• Intensive Care Unit
• Information Desk
• Surgery Check-In Desk

Volunteering at Freeman can be very rewarding, and there are many reasons our volunteers love being a part of our program

Helping Patients

People who come to the hospital often have stress or anxiety about their current situation. Our volunteers enjoy greeting our patients and visitors with a smile. Volunteers at the information desk help guide patients and visitors to locations in the hospital. Likewise, our volunteers at Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute provide a calming spirit and listening ear for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Meeting New People

Freeman Volunteers are like a family and support one another. Our volunteers come from all walks of life. We have volunteers who are students, retirees and people who are actively in the workforce. Anyone aged 16 to 90+ can volunteer at Freeman. If you like people and want to help people, this is the program for you.

Helping the Community

When you join the Freeman Volunteer Program you also become a member of the Freeman Auxiliary, which is another way to help the community. Freeman Auxiliary raises money to provide funds for hospital equipment, services, scholarships, community needs and more. Our volunteers in Freeman Gift Gallery help ring up customer purchases, and all proceeds from Freeman Gift Gallery sales support Freeman Auxiliary projects.

Ready to give the gift of your time? Contact the Freeman Volunteer Program Manager at 417.347.4603 or visit freemanhealth.com/volunteer to learn more.

Eating healthy and taking medications as prescribed are only part of the plan. The American Diabetes Association also recommends 30 minutes or more of daily physical activity to help control blood sugars.

Physical activity has many benefits for overall health, such as boosting energy, improving mood, controlling weight, reducing stress and promoting better sleep. It can also be social and enjoyable and help manage other health conditions, in addition to diabetes.

Any physical activity is beneficial, but many people manage blood sugars and weight with simply walking each day. Walking is a great way to exercise for many reasons. It is low impact, it can be done anywhere inside or outside, all ages can take part and it is free! More than half the muscles in your body are designed for walking, which makes it a very natural movement that can be done at any pace.

How can walking help control blood sugars though? Normally the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin when you eat. Insulin acts as a key to allow glucose from the blood stream to enter the body’s cells and other tissues, lowering the blood sugar level. With diabetes, most people develop resistance to insulin making it harder for glucose to enter cells and tissues. Walking and other exercises decrease insulin resistance, improving insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control.

Walking can also enhance weight loss, which can aid in blood sugar control. Walking may help the body burn calories and increase metabolism by building muscle mass. A weight loss of even 7 – 10% can help with insulin response and improve blood sugar control.

Remember to ensure safe physical activity with any exercise, including walking:

• Test blood sugars before and after walking.
• Always warm up before exercise with easy, gentle movements and cool down at the end of exercise by slowing down the activity and stretching the muscles.
• Wear the appropriate clothing for comfort and wear well-fitting athletic shoes to prevent blisters, cuts and sores.
• Prevent dehydration by bringing a water bottle with you.
• Always carry an ID in case of an emergency.
• If you have a fever or have high blood sugars with positive ketones, avoid exercise until feeling better.

November is American Diabetes Month. Learn more about Freeman Diabetes Education or take a free, online Diabetes Risk Assessment at freemanhealth.com/diabetes.

Flu season is right around the corner. Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness, and while everyone is at risk for contracting the flu, some people, are at a higher risk of serious flu complications. This group includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old.

So why get the flu vaccine? Receiving the annual flu vaccine has many benefits. The vaccine has been shown to reduce flu-related illness and the risk of serious complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. Additionally, the flu vaccine is an important preventative tool for the population who are at a high risk. The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so they will not cause illness.

Because COVID is a relatively new illness, we have little information about how flu illness might affect a person’s risk for getting COVID. We do know that people can be infected with flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time. Getting a flu vaccine is the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against COVID-19.

Precautions taken during last year’s flu season including masking and social distancing attribute to the steep decline in flu cases for the 2020 – 2021 flu season. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is anticipating a marked increase of flu cases for the 2021 – 2022 flu season due to relaxed precautions. The CDC is strongly urging any qualifying individual to receive the flu vaccine by the end of October 2021. This allows a person’s body enough time to build up an immune response for the length of the flu season.

Contact your primary care provider for any questions about the flu vaccine or to schedule your flu vaccine. If you do not have a primary care provider, call the Physician Finder Line at 417.347.3767 to find the best provider for you.

Anything can constitute a crisis in the right circumstances, but common crises include job loss, health problems, natural disasters or changes in personal relationships.

When going through a crisis, you may experience:

• Fear and worry about yourself or your loved ones
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Worsening of mental health conditions
• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs

You may be able to use key stress reducers to bring your stress under control. Some things you can try at home include:

• Using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, stretching and meditation
• Engaging in a hobby and trying to do something daily that you enjoy
• Talking to loved ones or friends when stress builds
• Getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet on a regular basis
• Exercising daily and taking time to play with your children and pets

Everyone struggles from time to time. If stress, anxiety or depression interfere with daily activities, though, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.

Any time our emotions interfere with our daily living, our sleep or our ability to enjoy satisfying relationships, it is best to seek support or guidance from a professional. On average, many people delay seeking help for months or years, essentially causing significant life disruption during this period. Some may progress to the point of considering suicide as an option to escape the pain of living.

A person dies by suicide every 11.1 minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is in the top ten causes of deaths for adults and the second leading cause of death for 10- to 34-year-olds. The CDC reports suicide rates increased 33% between 1999 and 2019, with a small decline in 2019.

“No other type of death increases risk of suicide for survivors, impacts everyone universally, and is also the most preventable cause of death,” said Vicky Mieseler, Ozark Center Chief Administrative Officer. “Preventing suicide is everyone’s responsibility. Please join us in becoming an advocate for suicide prevention.  Education and awareness can eliminate suicide as a cause of death for any age group. Learning how to talk to someone and understanding the warning signs of suicide might prevent someone you love from dying by suicide.”

Ozark Center has both in-person and telehealth services, which enable you to have your appointment with your Ozark Center provider on your laptop, tablet or phone. For more information or to make an appointment for either type of service, call 417.347.7600.

If you need immediate help, you can reach the 24/7 Crisis Services hotline by calling 417.347.7070 or texting “REGISTER” to 720.7.TXTOZK. The crisis staff is ready to provide assessments, interventions and referral services for both individuals and families, as well as provide training and consultations to healthcare providers, educators and community leaders. All crisis services are free and strictly confidential.

During Prostate Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded there’s strong evidence good nutrition, and an active lifestyle, can boost your prostate health, reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer and slow its progression.

“For prostate health, a heart healthy balanced diet is a prostate healthy diet. Enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day is a good start,” explained Ashley Southern-Devoe. Nurse Practitioner at Freeman Urology Associates. “Remember to drink coffee, soda, black tea and alcohol in moderation since they can exacerbate urinary symptoms.” 

Eating a variety of colorful foods and increasing intake of anti-inflammatory foods and antioxidants, may go a long way to protecting the prostate and preventing prostate cancer. Recommended changes from the Prostate Cancer Foundation include a diet high in colorful vegetables, low in sugar and processed carbohydrates and moderate in animal-based protein (taking advantage of the health benefits of beans, nuts, soy, and certain fish). Some might refer to this as a version of the Mediterranean Diet. Other healthy foods choices include:

Cruciferous Vegetables

Things like cabbage, bok choy, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Broccoli, often hailed as prostate super food, contains Glucpraphanin, a phytochemical researchers suggest can convert to substances that potentially target and prevent cancer cell growth. Studies suggest that eating cruciferous vegetables can also lower inflammation, which is related to the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Berries

Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are full of antioxidants that help neutralize and remove free radicals from the body.

Fish

Certain cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines and trout provide the “good fats” that don’t trigger inflammation the same way as saturated animal fats such as beef fat. Recently, scientists have begun to see inflammation within the prostate as a dangerous condition that can make it easier for cancer to take hold. Keep in mind, not all fish is created equal. Canned tuna, shrimp, lobster, scallops and “other” fish are more inflammatory than “dark-meat” fish like salmon or red snapper. For those not wild about fish, try replacing animal fat with vegetable fat.

Cooked Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one food that’s been on the list for prostate health for years because the lycopene in tomatoes is a powerful antioxidant. The cooking process makes it easier for men’s bodies to access the antioxidant and send it to the prostate. Tomato paste and juice can help men’s bodies as well. By the way, cooking tomatoes in olive oil, helps the body absorb lycopene.

Green Tea

Green tea is another source of antioxidants which are believed to be anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic. A systematic review of multiple studies published in Medicine® (Baltimore) suggested men who drank seven cups of green tea per day had a decreased risk of prostate cancer.

Living well, with healthy eating and lifestyle habits, can go a long way to reduce prostate cancer risk. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. So, it’s worth taking the time when grocery shopping, preparing meals and going out to eat, to make smart food choices for better prostate health.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) challenges Americans to show their support for men affected by prostate cancer by taking a simple challenge to eat 30 healthy foods during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. PCF’s “Eat It to Beat It” https://www.pcf.org/30foods/ campaign is a national effort to raise awareness about prostate cancer and show that making healthy lifestyle choices can potentially reduce the risk for developing prostate cancer and improving outcomes.

Ashley Southern-Devoe, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, at Freeman Urology Associates, is devoted to providing patients the opportunity to express their concerns and getting their questions answered. The team at Freeman Urology Associates, including Drs. James Frogge and David Anderson, specialize in high-quality care and offering information on the latest treatment and therapy options to help men live a healthier life. For more information about having regular screenings for optimal prostate health, call 417.347.3703 or visit freemanhealth.com/uro.

Breastfeeding is an excellent way to provide babies with the nourishment their little bodies need as they grow. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed for at least a year, with an introduction of solid foods at six months.

Colostrum, mother's first milk, is a concentrated source of nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies. As the baby grows, a mother’s breastmilk changes to meet her child’s nutritional needs, increasing in volume as baby gets older. The content of breastmilk also changes during baby’s growth spurts (increased fat content) and illnesses (increased antibodies), and it even changes from day to night, with milk at night containing more elements that will help baby sleep well. No matter the stage, though, breastfeeding can also reduce a child's risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, colds, gut infections, childhood cancers, diabetes and even SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), just to name a few.

There are also many benefits to breastfeeding for mothers. Breastfeeding promotes faster weight loss, helps contract the uterus back to pre-pregnancy size, helps with postpartum blood loss and can reduce the risk of female cancers. Additionally, breastmilk is free, always available and never gets recalled.

If a mother decides to breastfeed, Freeman Certified Lactation Consultants are available throughout their journey. We offer prenatal breastfeeding classes (currently cancelled due to COVID-19), breastfeeding assistance throughout the hospital stay and outpatient services for any problems or questions that may arise after going home. Our services are available to all individuals, even those who may have delivered at other locations.

For more information about Freeman Lactation Services, call 417.347.1067.

About the author

Rachel Jobe, BS, IBCLC, is a lactation consultant at Freeman.

Healthy workers are safer workers! Led by a board-certified occupational medicine physician, the occupational health specialists at Freeman OccuMed dedicate their careers to improving and maintaining employees’ health at work. Staying healthy and being safe at work leads to fewer accidents, reducing stress and giving employees more time to enjoy life. OccuMed uses evidence-based practices shown to improve outcomes and reduce lost time at work.

OccuMed is committed to patient-focused care, enhancing worker safety by minimizing workplace hazards, and improving job satisfaction by helping employees return to whole health, and to work, as quickly as possible.

"We improve the health of the communities we serve by tailoring a personal plan for employees during the lifespan of their career, from starting as a new hire through to enjoying a retirement full of wellness,” said Kathryn Charlton, Freeman OccuMed Director of Operations. “Over 450 area businesses partner with OccuMed to be their high quality, fair-cost solution for work injury prevention and treatment.”

Freeman OccuMed compassionately cares for employees of diverse work environments at each stage of employment by providing:

• Drug and alcohol testing to support a drug-free workplace.
• Physicals to match workers to jobs they can safely perform.
• Specialty physical exams (DOT, hazmat, forklift, respiratory and more) so employees can enter or remain in a chosen career.
• Timely referrals to other specialties keeping workers on the road to recovery.
• Monitoring for hearing loss, exposure to hazardous materials and respiratory protection programs to maintain OSHA compliance.
• Workers’ compensation injury care, physical therapy and comprehensive case management to rehab injured employees and return them to work.
• Ergonomic evaluations to teach proper body mechanics for lifting and carrying to reduce injuries.
• Telemedicine to enable workers to connect with a physician without having to go to a clinic.

Freeman OccuMed is pleased to welcome Dr. Dennis Estep, Medical Director, who has over 25 years of experience working with area companies and industries and providing care to regional employees. We’re confident Dr. Estep will both enhance OccuMed’s daily operations and future growth. Call Tera Lankard, Employer Relations Manager, at 417.347.6950, to schedule a tour of OccuMed and learn what we can do for your business and your employees.

Three convenient Freeman OccuMed locations:

Joplin
417.347.6625
3201 McClelland Boulevard

Neosho
417.451.2205
336 South Jefferson Street

Carthage
417.359.0625
1500 South Case Street