Watch out for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Watch out for seasonal affective DISORDER (SAD)

This is the season when days are shortest, with only 10 hours of sunlight. Have you noticed an unwelcome change in your mood, not related to the things that typically create distress in your life? It might be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that is triggered by reduced exposure to sunlight.

Depression can interfere with quality of life in many subversive ways: it can cause you to feel lethargic, down for most of the day, discouraged, with defeatist thinking, or loss of interest in things that you usually enjoy. SAD, its chilly weather cousin, can also lead to oversleeping, craving of carbs, and unexplained fatigue. 

There are several causes of SAD; your biological clock may be disrupted by reduced exposure to sunlight. It may also be caused by a drop in Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, due to lack of exposure to the sun.  Low levels of Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” is also suspected of contributing to this drop. Our internal circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness changes so gradually, in response to the shifting balance of light and darkness as the seasons change, that it is easy to overlook incremental changes in our mood. January is a good time to become mindful of any lull we may feel in our energy and emotional availability. 

Good news: several remedies for SAD are readily available.  If you can, adjust your schedule to include as much outdoor time as possible.  Vitamin D supplements are often helpful. Several common antidepressant meds work by increasing your level of Serotonin. Make a deliberate choice for a self-nurturing activity you may have neglected, even if you’re not in the mood. Consider chocolate. For people who already experience depression, SAD is an unwelcome addition, and counseling can help. 

Best of all, spring is coming.

Lynn Schlossberger LPC

For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, visit: http://bit.ly/ohcc_SAD

What is Diabetes?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or cannot use its own insulin as well as it should, resulting in a build-up of sugars in the blood referred to in diabetes as "sugar."

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) is the most severe form of this disease. It usually develops in children and teenagers, but people of all ages can develop type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas, it becomes known as an autoimmune disease. The islet cells are responsible for sensing glucose in the blood and producing the right amount of insulin to cover blood glucose. Once the insulin-producing cells are destroyed, a person can no longer make their own insulin. Without insulin, the sugar stays in the blood and builds up, and as a result, the body's cells starve. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart and can also lead to coma and death.

Type 1 Symptoms:

• Rapid and unexplained weight loss

• Extreme weakness and fatigue

• Blurred vision

• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

• Increased thirst

• Extreme hunger

• Unusual irritablity

• Unpleasant breath odor

• Itchy skin

• Increased urination (bed-wetting may occur in children who have already been toilet trained.)

Type 1 diabetes is treated by taking insulin injections or using an insulin pump or other device. This outside source of insulin now serves as the "key" to bring glucose to the body's cells. Deciding on the daily dose of insulin to take can be a complicated balancing act. Taking too much insulin will drop a blood sugar to a dangerously low level known as hypoglycemia (life-threatening). However, taking too little insulin will increase blood sugar to a dangerously high level, known as hyperglycemia.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes typically develops after age 35) is the most common form of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can produce some insulin, but often not enough to cover total glucose intake. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to those of type 1 diabetes. But the onset of type 2 diabetes is usually slower, and the symptoms are not as noticeable as those for type 1 diabetes.

The treatment plan for type 2 diabetes typically includes diet control, exercise, home blood glucose testing, and in some cases, oral medication, and/or insulin.

How Do We View Diabetes?

At Open Health Care Clinic, we view diabetes as a "Self-Management" disease. We understand how someone develops diabetes can differ from person to person.

How Do We Treat Diabetes?

We individualize treatment based on our patient's current living conditions, needs, affordability, and fears related to diabetes. We teach patients the importance of daily blood glucose checks and exercising to decrease cellular resistance. We also provide a hands-on demonstration of how to count carbohydrates and read a food label effectively. We take time to learn our patient's response to their medication, encouraging their thoughts and suggestions while building their individualized treatment plan. Our goal is to individualize each patient and provide them with the latest diabetic technology, including an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor.

What Makes Us Different?

Christie Cooper, FNP-C

We take pride in building a lifetime rapport with each patient in their diabetic journey, starting with their initial visit. We schedule weekly visits to help maintain and improve blood glucose results, decreasing the overall insulin needs while watching the Hemoglobin AIC decrease. We enjoy teaching lifetime diabetic principles while watching our patients apply the knowledge to their daily lives. We strive to provide our diabetic patients with direct access to care/management seven days a week, 24 hours a day, enabling them to self-manage their diabetes.

Christie Cooper, FNP-C

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

now Offering drive-thru flu shots

Drive-Thru Clinic Services:

• Flu Shot

  • Must be 18 years and older

• Flu Testing

  • Must be 12 years and older

• COVID-19 Testing

  • Must be 2 years and older

Insurance and Payment Options:

• Most Insurance Accepted

• Medicaid

• Medicare

• Sliding Fee Scale

Hours

• Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Location:

3905 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. 70806

---

fight the flu - Get your flu shot today!

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a virus that is easily spread through the air when we breath. While the impact of flu varies from year-to-year, it places a substantial burden on the health of people in the United States each year. It can lead to hospitalization or sometimes even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there were 400,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths in the United States related to the flu last year.

The flu virus circulates year-round, but we typically see an increase in flu transmission during the fall and winter months. Increased flu activity can last as late as May. Because there are several different strains of the flu virus, each flu season is different.

Because of how easily the flu virus spreads and the serious complications that can be caused by the flu, receiving an annual flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself against the flu. The flu vaccination is safe and has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even flu-related deaths.

After receiving the flu vaccine, some people may experience mild symptoms including fever, soreness, and fatigue. People can often mistake these symptoms for the flu; however, the flu vaccination CANNOT give you the flu! The symptoms you may experience are due to your immune system working to build a resistance to the flu. 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ongoing, it is important now more than ever to receive a flu vaccine this year.

Jason Kraemer, BSN, RN

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ongoing, it is important now more than ever to receive a flu vaccine this year. COVID-19 and the flu are both viruses that are easily spread through the air and can cause severe respiratory complications. Across the United States, peopled diagnosed with both COVID-19 and the flu, often experiencing more severe complications.

If you haven’t already done so, get your flu shot today!

Open Health is now offering drive-thru services so that you can receive a flu shot, flu test or COVID-19 test from the safety and comfort of your car. If you have questions about the following services and information, please call us at 225-655-OHCC (6422).

Jason Kraemer, BSN, RN - Nurse Manager

Open To Vote

Why Does Your Vote Matter?

One vote compared to millions of other votes may sound useless to some. Although, if everyone were to think their vote didn’t matter, then there would be no voters at all. A single vote may not change the course of an election, but an accumulation of the same vote is very meaningful to the outcome. Voting is your civic duty, meaning as a U.S. citizen, you have the freedom to share your voice and to make choices that will benefit you and your community for years to come. Your vote can create the change you want to happen and defend the rights you already have. Your vote can decide how our tax dollars are spent and how government spending is divided. Your vote matters because those who don’t have a voice depend on you. Be Informed & Be Open To Vote.

2020 Presidential Election Voting & Registration Schedule

Register to vote at: http://bit.ly/ohcc_votingregistration

---

Voting During Covid-19

Safe Voting Options in Louisiana for COVID-19:

• Mail-In Voting

  • October 30, 2020 is the deadline request a mail ballot from registrar (other than military and overseas).

  • November 2, 2020 is deadline for registrar to receive voted mail ballot (other than military and overseas).

To Learn More About Mail-In Voting Safety:

• Early Voting

  • Early voting starts on October 16, 2020

  • Early voting ends on October 27, 2020

Extra Safety Measures for Voting at the Polls:

• Make sure to wear a face covering or mask.

• Keep your face covering or mask over your mouth and nose the whole time, especially if you are indoors.

• If your polling place is at a high-risk facility, considered casting your vote early or by mail.

• Make sure to stay six-feet apart when waiting in line and try to stay away from large crowds.

• If possible, vote by yourself. Try to avoid bringing children and people who are high-risk for COVID-19 such as, people with underlying health problems and elders.

• If you are casting your vote on paper, bring your own ink pen.

• Sanitize your hands before and after casting vote.

• Bring bacterial wipes to clean surfaces that multiple people have touched when voting.

• If you are high-risk for COVID-19, consider early voting or mailing in your vote.

• If you are feeling sick, showing COVID-19 related symptoms, or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please plan to vote in-person after you have confirmed you are negative for COVID-19.

More information on COVID-19 safety measures:

---

2020 Presidential Candidates

Quoted statements are directly from Donald Trump’s campaign website.

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/

Quoted statements are directly from Howie Hawkins’ campaign website.

https://howiehawkins.us/

Quoted statements are directly from Joe Biden’s campaign website.

https://joebiden.com/

Quoted statements are directly from Jo Jorgensen’s campaign website.

https://jo20.com/

---

Polling Information

How to Prepare for the Polls:

1. Check Your voting registration before heading to the polls. Make sure your name is spelled correctly, your home address is up-to-date, and any other noticeable errors are fixed.

2. Make sure to read your sample ballot. Sample ballots provide information to registered voters, which include:

   • Polling location

   • Polling place times

   • A picture of what the actual ballot will look like

   • Voting Instructions

   • Candidates

   • Additional information

3. Remember to bring a photo I.D. with a signature, such as a driver’s license or a United States military photo I.D. If you do not have an official photo I.D., you may show your voter registration card to Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to receive a special Louisiana I.D.

4. Voters are expected to NOT wear any type of clothing or accessories to promote a specific campaign such as, campaign pins, t-shirts, hats, etc.

5. Don’t forget a mask or face covering and bring hand sanitizer or wipes!

6. If you are voting early, please visit http://bit.ly/ohcc_earlyvoting for early voting locations.

Find Your Polling Place:

Mobile COVID-19 Testing

Drive-UP Mobile Testing Is Now Open

Criteria For testing

• Showing a temperature of 99.5 F or higher

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Been in contact with someone who has COVID-19

  Doctors Order NOT Required

Time & Locations:

We currently do not have any mobile testing dates scheduled, however you can drive-thru our permanent testing site located near our main clinic in mid-city at 3905 Convention St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

Call (225) 655-6422 for any questions or concerns.

Page updated: 11/24/2020