We all experience stress, and we all know that stress is responsible for a host of physical ailments. But could the stress you’re feeling be causing your stomach pain? And could that belly pain be a peptic ulcer? Read on to learn more about peptic ulcers, if stress causes them, and what you can do to lessen the chance of getting them. 

Q: What are peptic ulcers? 

A: Peptic ulcers are sores in the inner lining of the stomach or upper small intestine. They form when the digestive juices produced by the stomach erode or eat away the lining of the digestive tract. Peptic ulcers may form in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or just below the stomach, at the start of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers). 

Q: What causes peptic ulcers? 

A: The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and frequent use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

Some studies have shown that emotional stress can make a person more likely to develop peptic ulcers, but it has not been determined if stress causes ulcers. 

Q: What are the symptoms? 

A: Symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include a burning, aching or gnawing pain between the belly button and the breastbone, and belly pain that is temporarily relieved by taking an antacid. Symptoms can also include back pain, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Some people have no symptoms. 

Q: How are they diagnosed? 

A: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Your doctor may do some simple tests (using your blood, breath or stool) to look for signs of H. pylori infection. You may have an endoscopy to check the inside of your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. 

Q: How are peptic ulcers treated? 

A: To treat peptic ulcers, most people take medicines that reduce acid in the stomach. If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll also take antibiotics. You can help your ulcer heal by quitting smoking and limiting alcohol. Using medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen may increase the chance of your ulcer returning. 

Q: Can peptic ulcers be prevented? 

A: There are some things you can do to decrease your chance of a peptic ulcer.  

• Minimize your use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. 

• Don’t smoke. 

• Limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.  

If you are experiencing symptoms of a peptic ulcer, please consult with your physician to find out for sure what your medical condition is and receive proper treatment.  

We all experience stress, and we all know that stress is responsible for a host of physical ailments. But could the stress you’re feeling be causing your stomach pain? And could that belly pain be a peptic ulcer?

Zanesville, Ohio (Aug. 4, 2022) – Genesis HealthCare System received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This award recognizes Genesis’ commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. 

“This award is important to us, as it demonstrates our commitment to high-quality stroke care,” said Bryan Bjornstad, M.D., Board-certified Neurologist with the Genesis Neurology Group. “By following the American Heart Association’s evidence-based guidelines to diagnose and treat strokes, we can continue to provide that care for our patients, saving lives and preserving brain function.”

The Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll is an additional component of the award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 80% compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.” 

To learn more about stroke care at Genesis, visit genesishcs.org/services-search/neurosciences/stroke-care.

Demonstrates High-quality Stroke Care for Patients

Have you seen or tried the flavored powders and drops you can add to water? According to some of the claims, they not only taste good, some have the power to turn regular H2O into a kind of magic health elixir.  

But is it true—or are they all wet? Take the quiz below to find out how they stack up and if they’re safe to use.  

Have you seen or tried the flavored powders and drops you can add to water? According to some of the claims, they not only taste good, some have the power to turn regular H2O into a kind of magic health elixir.

The importance of sleep on your physical well-being 

Some people believe they need less sleep than the average person. While this may earn you bragging rights, it’s not good for your health. Sleep is not just the absence of being awake; it’s an active process that promotes good cognitive and physical health. While you’re sleeping, your body is doing important work, such as forming pathways in your brain that help you learn and create memories and removing toxins that accumulate while you’re awake. Sleep also helps your body support your immune system, repair cells and tissues and maintain a healthy balance of hormones. 

We aren’t getting enough sleep  

Sleep deprivation is a serious public health problem. Roughly one out of three adults do not get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Here are a few ways sleep deprivation can be harmful: 

• Heart disease. Sleep helps your body repair the wear and tear on your heart and blood vessels. When you don’t get enough sleep, it raises your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. 

• Diabetes. Lack of sleep can lead to higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, increasing your risk for type 2 diabetes, which, in turn, raises your risk for heart disease. 

• Immune dysfunction. Without a robust immune system, you can’t properly fight infection and prevent disease and without adequate sleep, your immune system can’t do its job. 

• Obesity. Sleep deficiency can lead to obesity, which is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea which also raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes. 

• Injury and accidents. Sleep deprivation can lead to deadly accidents and mistakes. Driver sleepiness plays a role in about 100,000 car accidents each year. 

How many hours of sleep do you need each day? 

• Newborns 14 -17 hours    

• Infants 4-12 months 12-16 hours  

• Toddlers 1-2 years 11-14 hours    

• Preschoolers 3-5 years 10-13 hours    

• School age 6-12 years 9-12 hours    

• Teens 8-10 hours   

• Adults at least 7 hours  

The importance of sleep on your physical well-being. While you’re sleeping, your body is doing important work, such as forming pathways in your brain that help you learn and create memories and removing toxins that accumulate while you’re awake.

Do you know your blood pressure reading? For most of us, we can’t rattle off the number. That is until our doctor tells us it’s too high. Over 50% of Americans have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, but you don’t need to become part of that statistic. 

The American Heart Association considers any reading over 120 systolic or 80 diastolic prehypertension. Anything above 130/80 is considered hypertension. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed, take steps to prevent your blood pressure from rising. 

“Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke, vision loss, heart failure, heart attack, kidney disease and sexual dysfunction. People with low blood pressure are 25% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease,” explained Kendra L. Connell, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner with the Genesis Group.

Lowering your blood pressure doesn’t need to be difficult. Incorporate these habits into your life today to ensure a healthy heart for years.

Healthy diet

Eating nutritious food is one of the easiest ways to lower blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends using the DASH diet to stop hypertension. This diet consists of foods full of potassium, calcium and magnesium, natural nutrients that help control blood pressure. Most importantly, the DASH diet reduces sodium intake.

Regular exercise

According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderately intensive weekly exercise lowers high blood pressure. These activities could be as simple as 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week. Enroll in a dance class, swim team or other exercise groups. The important thing is that you’re moving.

Cut down on caffeine 

In short, caffeine can cause spikes in blood pressure. For those with hypertension, cutting down on caffeine is a good idea. Avoid drinking caffeine before checking your blood pressure for optimum results. If you’re struggling with hypertension, limit caffeine to two cups of coffee a day. It’s best to drink fewer than four cups a day even if you have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

 
Avoid smoking

Smoking tobacco constricts arteries, which raises your blood pressure over time. If you want to avoid hypertension, work on quitting the habit. Smoking also causes a temporary spike in blood pressure, so avoid smoking before getting checked.

Limit or avoid alcohol 

Studies show that overconsumption of alcohol is associated with hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends that men should have no more than two drinks a day and women should have one drink a day at most. Limit your alcohol intake to a minimum to avoid high blood pressure.

Manage stress

Although we’re never be able to live a completely stress-free life, learning how to lower stress is vital. Spend time taking care of yourself. Say no when you can, and track stress triggers. Develop plans for dealing with stressful situations and ask for help when needed.

Speak with your doctor

Tracking your blood pressure is the first step to lowering it. Pay attention to the numbers. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, speak with your primary care doctor. They’ll be able to offer advice tailored to your situation.

Here’s how and why you should lower your blood pressure.

Enjoy this delicious pasta salad that is a good source of protein and rich in antioxidants.

Ingredients:
 

6 ounces cooked whole-wheat penne pasta, kept warm
• 1 cup of cooked corn
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1/2 pound medium shrimp (cooked and peeled)
• 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Directions:

Use medium shrimp (about 36 to 40 shrimp per pound), cleaned and deveined. Cook shrimp with one tablespoon of olive oil in a hot skillet. The shrimp is fully cooked when it’s pink in color and opaque. This takes approximately four to five minutes, depending on the size. Remove from skillet.

Cook pasta according to directions. Combine pasta, corn, tomato and shrimp in a large salad bowl. Stir vinegar, salt, pepper, basil and red pepper flakes together in a cup. Add the remaining tablespoons of olive oil, pour over the salad and toss gently.

Serves 4

Nutritional information (per 8 oz serving)

• Calories: 240
• Total fat: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 1.70 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 270 mg

Enjoy this delicious pasta salad that is a good source of protein and rich in antioxidants.

Learn more about our new facility and Tisha Babcock, the Coshocton Facility Administrator.

Private rooms. Warm, inviting, open spaces. Calming colors and plenty of windows allow sunlight to brighten the interior. Nursing stations centrally located on units. These are just a few benefits our patients and visitors noticed the day the new Genesis Hospital opened on Saturday, June 27, 2015.

The day was historic as years of planning and construction came to fruition in a modern facility designed around the needs of patients. “When we began to plan the new hospital, we talked with patients, their families, doctors, nurses and others in the community,” said Matt Perry, President & CEO of Genesis HealthCare System. “We wanted to know what they wanted in a hospital – what was important to them. Their input drove how we designed everything, from the main lobby to surgery to every detail of patient rooms and more.”

An example of this approach is evident in the Genesis Cancer Care Center. Patients receiving chemotherapy sit in comfortable chairs in an area that overlooks the beautiful Gorsuch Fitness Trail.

Each chair has heated massage options to provide comfort. Instead of having patients make trips around the center to see members of the care team, the care team comes to them in the chemotherapy area.

Even with all these physical improvements, perhaps the most important feature of the new hospital was how our staff redesigned over 400 patient care processes that dramatically improved their ability to provide each patient the very best, highest quality care. After all, our dedicated team of healthcare professionals are Genesis, and we were determined to provide a facility design that enabled them to provide you the very best care.

Building a future in Southeastern Ohio

“The entire team of healthcare professionals at Genesis is committed to caring for you like family to exceed your expectations every day.”

While Genesis Hospital has been the largest construction project in Genesis’ 25 years, it is not the only one by far. Several new facilities have been built, each designed to meet the needs of the people in their community. The Genesis Perry County Medical Center opened as a 24/7 Emergency Department in Somerset in 2018.

All of Genesis’ orthopedic providers moved into the new Genesis Orthopedic Center located on Bell Street in Zanesville in December 2021. Patients see their orthopedic specialists, have therapies and even visit the Orthopedic Walk-in Clinic without traveling from building to building.

Genesis is set to open a new facility in Coshocton – the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center – in early 2023. The center will feature a 24/7 Emergency Department; an overnight observation unit, physician specialists such as surgeons; an outpatient surgery center; physical, occupational and speech therapies, a lab draw center and more.

“Healthcare has gone through tremendous changes in the last 25 years. Genesis has evolved through the years to meet the challenges and fulfill our Mission: We serve our community by helping each person achieve optimal health and well-being by providing compassionate, exceptional and affordable healthcare services,” said Matt. “The entire team of healthcare professionals at Genesis is committed to caring for you like family to exceed your expectations every day.”

Building a future in Southeastern Ohio.