Genesis Orthopedic Center

Zanesville, Ohio (Feb. 24, 2022) – Several community organizations partnered in 2021 to offer free mammograms to those who couldn’t afford one due to lack of insurance, being under-insured or not having the ability to pay. Beginning in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and ending in December, the program was a success, with 81 women completing their mammograms.

“I am grateful for this partnership that enables us to make a difference for women in the community,” said Pebbles Thornton, Director, Genesis Cancer Services. “Breast cancer is highly treatable if detected in its earliest stages through mammography. We are pleased to be a part of a program that saves lives.”

Genesis HealthCare System, Coconis Furniture, WHIZ TV, the Muskingum County Community Foundation, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Project, Radiology Associates of Southeastern Ohio, and several donors joined together in the effort. The free mammogram program will be offered again in October 2022.

Community organizations partner to offer the lifesaving screenings

Your knees are supposed to do only one thing: bend. But even with just that singular function, knees are among the most injured, most age-susceptible joints in your body. Your knees are sandwiched between the ground and your center of gravity. Whenever you take a step, your knees absorb some of the force placed on your legs. That force can vary, depending on whether you’re walking or running and the amount of cushion in your footwear. Multiply that force by every step you’ve ever taken over the span of years, and some degree of knee deterioration is inevitable as you age.

Let’s look at how you can help make sure your knees stay strong and flexible throughout your life.

The impact of exercise

Taking care of your knees is vital to both your mobility and your quality of life as you get older. The key to maintaining healthy knees is strengthening the muscles that support the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstring and calf. Stronger muscles help cushion your knee and promote better alignment of the bones in the joint.

There are muscle-strengthening exercises you can do in your home, such as straight leg raises while you lay on the floor. Also, wall squats, which allow you to brace your back against a wall for support, can be helpful; just remember to focus on good form and repetitions. For cardio activities, opt for low-impact exercises that take the stress off your lower joints. Choose biking or swimming as opposed to running. Those activities allow you to strengthen your muscles without the wear and tear on your joints.

Body weight also plays an important role in knee health. The more you weigh, the more stress you put on your joints. As with all fitness regimens, it’s important to pair exercise with a nutritious diet that allows you to maintain a healthy weight.

When to see a doctor

“Most knee treatments can have you back on your feet the same day, and surgery is typically a last resort.”

Knee pain or swelling that persists for weeks or that becomes intense enough to interfere with your daily activities, means it’s probably time to schedule an appointment with your physician.

If it’s a sharp pain that comes on suddenly, or an annoying pain that persists for more than a few weeks, seek medical treatment. Any mechanical symptoms, such as catching, locking or giving out, should be looked at right away.

“If you end up needing medical treatment for a knee injury, there are many options available,” said Corey Jackson, D.O., orthopedic surgeon with the Genesis Orthopedic Group. “Most knee treatments can have you back on your feet the same day, and surgery is typically a last resort.”

Treatment will always depend on the issue. Anti-inflammatories can be taken orally. Other treatments include steroid injections, viscosupplementation injections that can help to restore the lubrication between bones in the joint, and physical therapy options. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor if your problem doesn’t resolve. The sooner

you see a doctor, the sooner he or she can identify the problem and formulate a treatment plan.

Knees are among the most injured, most age-susceptible joints in your body.

Let’s talk vinegar! What do we really know about it other than it tastes good on a salad and cleans tile nicely? There’s been talk throughout history back to Hippocrates, circa 420 BC, of vinegar’s medical benefits, from treating wounds to, more recently, polishing up the GI tract. Sounds wonderful, but is it correct? Let’s find out!  

Let’s talk vinegar! What do we really know about it other than it tastes good on a salad and cleans tile nicely?

Sitting Too Long is Harmful for Your Health

Too much sitting is harmful — even if you exercise regularly. “Research shows that being sedentary outside of physical activity (for example, running or going to the gym) raises your risk of developing many serious health conditions, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers,” said Stephen Ulrich, M.D., Perry County Family Practice, New Lexington, OH. It also shortens your life expectancy.

It’s easy to understand how we’ve become so sedentary. We can hit the drive-thru at the bank or coffee shop or take the elevator rather than walk up the steps. Many of us spend hours in front of a computer during the workday and a TV screen in the evening. In fact, the average person spends at least nine hours per day sitting. That’s more than half of your waking hours.

We should ALL increase our standing and walking time during the day. In fact, if you are overweight, you should try to increase the amount of time you spend in non-exercise physical activity by two and a half hours a day. While that may sound a bit overwhelming, when you break it down into short intervals throughout the day, it’s not. Taking frequent standing and moving breaks can quickly add up.

You burn 30% percent more calories when you stand versus when you sit. And the accumulation of muscle contractions required to move throughout the day uses more energy than a continuous period of dedicated physical exercise.

Here are a few tips to help you get moving:

· Get up every 30 minutes when you are on your computer. Take a break for several minutes to stand, stretch and move about.

· Do chores standing up, such as folding laundry, when you’re watching TV.

· Stand when you’re talking on the phone.

· If you work in an office, encourage your colleagues to stand during meetings.

· Take a short walk during your lunch break.

· Use a fitness tracker to track your steps throughout the day and set increasing goals for yourself.

Too much sitting is harmful — even if you exercise regularly. But the average person spends at least nine hours per day sitting.

Mitesh Parekh, M.D., Member of InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program

Zanesville, Ohio (Feb. 18, 2022) – Mitesh Parekh, M.D., a urogynecologist with Genesis Urogynecology, has been recognized by Medtronic, a medical device company, as a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program. This recognition is awarded to physicians for demonstrating exemplary use of the InterStim™ system and a commitment to patient care for those suffering from symptoms associated with overactive bladder, fecal incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention.

“The Genesis Urogynecology team is pleased to receive this recognition from Medtronic,” said Dr. Parekh. “Being a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program demonstrates our commitment to helping our patients live a happier, healthier life.”

Requirements for the recognition include the physician must be board-certified in urology, obstetrics and gynecology or urogynecology; establishing a branded care pathway, completing Medtronic education courses, and implanting a minimum of 100 patients with the InterStim™ system, among others.

InterStim™ is a sacral nerve stimulation therapy that re-establishes communication between the brain and bladder or bowels. It can regulate the sacral nerves’ function, so they can interpret signals from the brain and pass them on to the surrounding pelvic floor muscles. This enables a return to normal bladder and bowel function.

To learn more about Dr. Parekh and the services he offers, call the Genesis Urogynecology office at 740-454-5678.

Mitesh Parekh, M.D., a urogynecologist with Genesis Urogynecology, has been recognized by Medtronic, a medical device company, as a member of the InterStim™ Center of Excellence Program.

With so many skincare products available, including cleansers, moisturizers and cosmetics, it can be challenging to know which products to choose. Even if you know your skin type - normal, oily, dry or a combination of the two, a product can still irritate your skin.  

Sometimes, a skincare ingredient can trigger a reaction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require the ingredients used in cosmetics to be listed on the product label so consumers can avoid substances that have caused reactions in the past. 

Before you slather your skin with your latest purchase to moisturize, tint or add a pleasant fragrance, see if it passes the skin test.   

To test a skincare product, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the following tips: 

• Apply the product to a test spot twice daily for seven to 10 days. Choose a small area on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow where the product won’t be rubbed or washed away. Use the normal amount you would use as if you were applying the product regularly. 

• Leave the product on your skin for as long as you would normally. If you’re testing something that you would usually wash off, like a cleanser, keep it on your skin for as long as the instructions say. 

• If after seven to 10 days you don’t have a skin reaction, such as red, itchy skin, go ahead and use the product. 

• Keep in mind that some ingredients, such as retinol and glycolic acid, can irritate your skin, particularly if your skin is sensitive. This is normal and temporary. 

• If you develop a skin reaction, gently wash the product off as soon as possible, and don’t use it again. If your reaction to a product is severe and not relieved with cool compresses or petroleum jelly, you may need to seek medical attention. 

Sometimes, discovering the cause of skin irritation is easier said than done. If it is difficult to pinpoint the exact ingredient causing your skin to react, talk to a board-certified dermatologist who can help.  

Before you slather your skin with your latest purchase to moisturize, tint or add a pleasant fragrance, see if it passes the skin test.

Heart healthy recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Three Ways. Cauliflower contains unique plant compounds that may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. You’ll find Italian, Mexican and Indian-inspired versions within this roasted cauliflower recipe.