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WKU announced Friday that two professors will participate in statewide programs that seek to develop innovations in health-related fields including a rapid test for the coronavirus.

Moon-Soo Kim, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, is collaborating with Southeast XLerator Network to develop a rapid test for the coronavirus.

The availability of a simple, rapid and portable device for detecting SARS-CoV-2 will allow for rapidly tracking sources and the spread of COVID-19 virus and the early treatment of infectious diseases, Kim said in a press release. We will combine a recent molecular diagnostic tool and microfluidic technology, aiming for developing a simple and rapid point-of-contact method.

Jason Crandall, associate professor of Exercise Science & Kinesiology and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging, is participating in the University of Louisvilles LaunchIt program to educate young entrepreneurs.

Crandall is also involved in Bingocize, a program that combines bingo with exercise in order to keep senior citizens physically and mentally healthy.

Crandall secured a $2,500 grant for the course and plans to expand the program to cater to children with disabilities and corporate training exercises.

Bruce Schulte, Associate Vice President for Strategy, Performance and Accountability and Executive Director of the WKU Research Foundation, said the work that Kim and Crandall are doing is important to the goals of the university.

Both faculty members have been active researchers with external grants facilitated through the Office of Research and Creative Activity, Shulte said in an announcement. Their recent endeavors also include applied research with the potential for commercialization, which is a component of WKU's Innovation campus.

Michael Collins can be reached at michael.collins527@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @mjcollinsnews.

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WKU professors take part in statewide programs including developing a rapid test for COVID-19 - College Heights Herald

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes significant and sudden changes in mood that involve episodes of mania and sometimes depression.

There is no cure for bipolar disorder, so patients must learn to manage their symptoms through a combination of medication and therapy.

As with any mental health condition, treatment for bipolar disorder is best guided by a health professional. And with the right combination of meds and therapy, people with bipolar disorder can learn to control their impulses and lead a fruitful life.

Daily prescription medication is a part of almost every bipolar treatment plan. Medication is typically prescribed alongside therapy, as an initial treatment option.

It can take two to six weeks to see the full effects of any psychiatric drug. About 40% of patients with bipolar do not adhere to their medications, resulting in exacerbated symptoms. Even if you feel your mood is stable, you should never stop taking medication prescribed for bipolar disorder without the supervision of your care provider.

"It's important to work with your prescribing physician, usually a psychiatrist, and maintain consistent communication about any symptoms you might be experiencing," says Myra Altman, MD, Vice President of Clinical Care at mental health wellness platform Modern Health.

The first line of treatment for bipolar disorder often ends up being a mood-stabilizing medication, says Christine Crawford, MD, a psychiatrist and Associate Director of Medical Student Education at Boston Medical Center

In fact, about 50% of people diagnosed with bipolar take a mood-stabilizing medication.

Contrary to popular belief, the goal of mood stabilizers isn't to numb your feelings, but to keep them from swinging too far in either manic or depressive directions. They also help with impulse control.

While researchers are still unsure exactly how mood stabilizers work, it is thought they decrease abnormal brain activity. These drugs stabilize and calm areas of the brain that have become overstimulated and active as well as prevent this state from occurring.

Common mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid) and sodium valproate (Depakote).

Some people, especially those with type II bipolar, experience more depressive episodes than manic episodes. Therefore, in addition to mood stabilizers, these individuals may be prescribed an antidepressant or antipsychotic medication. About 34% of bipolar patients are on antidepressants.

A 2018 paper in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders noted that there is some concern over whether antidepressants can cause people with bipolar disorder to experience rapid cycling, meaning they have four or more manic depressive episodes a year. This is why doctors prescribe antidepressants in addition to other medication and not as a primary treatment.

Based on a 2018 review published in the International Journal of Bipolar Research, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) a class of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) are considered more stabilizing for people with bipolar disorder than tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor).

For more information, read about how antidepressants work.

Antipsychotics are the second most common form of medication used to treat bipolar disorder after mood stabilizers. Those who experience more intense manic episodes characterized by high energy and impulsive decision-making may be prescribed an antipsychotic medication.

These medications control dopamine activity in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by your body that allows you to experience pleasure. By controlling dopamine activity, medications can limit the intensity of the risk/reward impulses a manic episode can cause.

Common antipsychotics include:

If you have another mental health condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder, in addition to bipolar disorder, you may also be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication.

A 2015 medical review published in Lancet Psychiatry assessed the data of 40 separate studies. It found that 45% of people with bipolar disorder will also experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime.

Anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepines family such as clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium) may be prescribed to work with a mood stabilizer, like lithium, to control anxiety if you have bipolar.

Side effects of medication will not only vary across individuals but also depend on which combination of drugs you are taking, Altman says. Potential side effects might include:

More serious issues, such as kidney damage, can be longer-term side effects of these medications.

"Your doctor will be able to help adjust or alter your treatment if you are pregnant, nursing, or face a change in your medical condition that might impact your medication plan," Altman says.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, refers to treatment techniques that involve speaking to a mental health professional in order to better understand one's feelings, symptoms, and how to address them.

"Therapy is a very important part of all psychiatric patients," says Crawford. "If you have manic episodes that have resulted in significant consequences in your life, therapy can help you work through that."

Common forms of psychotherapy used to treat bipolar disorder include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that focuses on awareness and cognition, says Crawford. CBT is effective for people who have bipolar disorder because it encourages them to understand how their thought patterns relate to feelings, emotions, and then translate into actions.

For example, CBT can help someone identify symptoms of a depressive episode, like feeling worthless. While normally that feeling may cause someone to stay in bed and thus, reaffirm the belief they're worthless CBT encourages a patient to choose an alternative coping mechanism to respond to that emotion like journaling.

A 2017 data analysis published in PLoS One compiled results from 19 randomized controlled trials and compared participants with bipolar who received CBT treatment in addition to medication with participants in control groups who did not receive CBT but still received medication. The analysis concluded that CBT was moderately more effective than medication alone in improving depressive symptoms, mania severity, and lowering the relapse rate.

Family-focused therapy (FFT) allows people with bipolar to incorporate family members or significant others into the treatment process. This helps loved ones become more knowledgeable about symptoms, side effects, and ways they can help.

Crawford believes family-focused therapy to be incredibly important. "Think about it like a three-legged stool. For some people, the three legs would be social support [like family], medication, and therapy. If you don't have all three legs in place and they aren't [each] structurally strong, things aren't going to be that great for the patient."

Plus, Crawford says, "Having social support just makes a person feel more connected and less isolated. We know that people who have more social support tend to have better outcomes."

For example, a 2019 review published in Focus found that people with bipolar disorder who underwent family-based therapy in addition to individualized treatment experienced fewer relapses or losing control of symptoms required fewer hospitalizations, and experienced fewer symptoms of depression than people who received individualized therapy alone.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is designed to help people improve their moods by understanding and working with biological rhythms like their sleeping patterns. It helps patients develop techniques to consistently take medications and manage symptoms during stressful life events. It also reduces disruptions in sleep and appetite patterns that may trigger symptoms by encouraging a patient to sleep more or eat better.

A 2007 medical review published in Dialogues of Clinical Neuroscience analyzed the results of two studies involving a total of 468 patients with bipolar disorder. It found that in both studies, IPSRT, alongside medication, reduced the number of episodes over two years.

For those who find medication and therapy are not alleviating their symptoms, other treatment options are available. These include:

"Whenever there is a concern about keeping a person safe or concern that they may cause other people harm, that can be considered a cause for hospitalization," Crawford says.

If someone with bipolar is experiencing an episode of intense mania or depression, this can impair their judgment and put them at risk of harming themselves or others. For example, mania can cause thoughts of self-harm and result in high-risk behaviors, such as spending a lot of money, taking recreational drugs, and having unprotected sex. That's when they should consider submitting themselves to a hospital.

Hospitalization removes people with bipolar from an environment where they place themselves at risk. Hospitalization can also provide opportunities for meeting with a therapist and receiving a thorough mental health assessment by a team of professionals.

If a person is hospitalized for bipolar, they will stay until their symptoms stabilize. This could take anywhere from a few days to a week or two according to Crawford.

Day treatment programs are for people with bipolar disorder who don't need to be hospitalized but still require acute care.

These programs, which take place at dedicated mental health rehabilitation or hospital facilities, provide a full day of therapy and medical treatment. Day programs sometimes integrate group therapy or holistic wellness treatments.

The length of day treatment programs varies depending on the patient and their symptoms.

No lifestyle change can act as a substitute for treatment from a medical professional. However, some research indicates certain lifestyle choices can improve bipolar disorder outcomes.

Avoid smoking and using controlled substances as they may make symptoms of bipolar disorder worse. A disrupted sleep cycle can also trigger bipolar episodes.

A 2016 paper published in Translational Psychology studied a group of 50 teenagers who worked out for 20 minutes on a stationary bike. After the exercise, the participants underwent an MRI. Results found that in the 30 teenagers who had bipolar disorder, the brain centers that control attention and impulse control both improved, at least temporarily. This indicates exercise may temporarily relieve symptoms of bipolar.

Data on how exercise impacts bipolar is conflicting because it appears that people with bipolar disorder may be more likely to live a sedentary lifestyle, and therefore, would benefit from more exercise whether or not they have bipolar.

Nutrition also plays a role in bipolar symptoms. A 2012 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found strong evidence that omega 3 nutritional supplements can help treat depressive symptoms of bipolar though not symptoms of mania.

There is some clinical evidence that alongside medication and therapy, a healthy diet with healthy fats, vitamin D, folic acid, and zinc may enhance feelings of control in those with bipolar.

While bipolar disorder is a lifetime condition, that doesn't mean that those affected can't live a fulfilling life. Proper treatment can help one enhance their quality of life and manage their symptoms. Most treatments for bipolar disorder include some combination of medication and therapy, but It's important to speak with a doctor to find the right treatment plan for you and your goals.

As Altman says, "Just because you have been diagnosed with bipolar, does not mean you need to be defined by your condition."

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How to treat bipolar disorder with medications and therapy to get the help you need - Insider - INSIDER

The short- and long-term impacts of the space environment on the human body is still a great unknown, and one that a number of research groups are trying to get to the bottom of. The results of an interesting experiment in which muscled-up mice were sent into space has shed some new light on the matter, revealing that these brawny rodents could retain their muscle mass in low-gravity when engineered to lack a certain protein.

While there is a lot we dont know about human physiology and space, we do know that weightlessness can cause bones to lose calcium and muscles to lose mass as they atrophy. Weve seen a few inventive approaches to counteract this process and ensure the health of astronauts, including skin-tight body suits and human centrifuges, but the authors of the new study have instead sought answers by diving into genetics.

The team was led by Professor Se-Jin Lee at The Jackson Laboratory, who more than two decades ago discovered a protein called myostatin that limits muscle growth in mice and which could be turned off to allow for considerable muscle gains. As it turns out, this protein plays the same role in a number of species including humans, spawning a number of research projects geared towards developing a form of exercise pill to tackle obesity and other health problems.

Last December, Lee and his team launched 40 mice into space for a 33-day stint living aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This included a group of regular mice, a group of so-called "Mighty Mice" engineered to be missing the myostatin gene, and another group that were given a compound called ACVR2B/Fc that inhibits not just myostatin, but a protein that complements it called activin A.

These were compared to similar groups of mice kept on Earth in conditions replicating those on the ISS, but without microgravity. Unsurprisingly, the regular mice lost considerable mass during their stay on the ISS, between eight and 18 percent of weight in individual muscles and 11 percent of their bone density, compared to the regular mice on Earth.

Meanwhile, the group engineered to lack myostatin maintained their muscle mass and the group receiving the ACVR2B/Fc compound actually gained muscle mass and exhibited an increase in lean body weight of 27 percent, compared to the same group on the ground which gained 18 percent lean body weight. Both of these groups of mice also showed an increase in bone mineral density.

Using molecular analysis, the researchers also delved into the differences between these groups of mice, revealing large differences in protein levels, expression of dozens of genes and signaling pathways linked to muscle and bone maintenance.

The team hopes improving our understanding of muscle mass and bone density in this way, along with the different factors that influence them, can guide the development of specialized exercise programs for astronauts traveling into deep space. Additionally, this kind of research could lead to new therapies for people with limited mobility on Earth who suffer from ailments like muscle atrophy and bone fragility.

The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Source: The Jackson Laboratory

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Engineered "Mighty Mice" sent to space retain their mass in low gravity - New Atlas

Bishop Edwards (CFA23) moving within his 14-foot square during instructor Liz Ronckas improv dance class at FitRec September 3. The yellow tape grid is there to ensure physical distancing.

Campus & FacilitiesNo locker rooms available, no pickup games, and masks on are among many changes

For starters, forget about locker rooms. Show up in your gym clothes. Masks are required and physical distancing strictly enforced. And dont expect to find a pickup game when and if the B-ball courts reopen to informal recreationyoull be shooting baskets by yourself.

Preparing a giant facility like the Fitness & Recreation Center to reopen during a pandemic requires lots of careful planningand some hard decisions.

We are asking people to come dressed and ready for their activity, use the facility for the allotted time, and exit immediately after, says Tim Moore, executive director of FitRec, which normally serves more than 6,000 people a day at this time of year. If youre going through the building to get to a PE class, we have a traffic pattern set up. Youll go in and out of certain doors. You cant come early and hang out.

Students with physical education and academic classes in the building returned September 2, and for the moment theyre the only ones allowed inside. FitRec staff will be assessing the numerous precautions theyve put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That will help them prepare for the return of students for club sports and informal fitness and recreation later this month. And only sometime after that will faculty and staff be allowed back in, during limited hours.

Capacity is limited to 40 percent of normal. There are occupancy limits for every space. And youll need to reserve your time, even for an informal workout. There will be limits of 90 minutes for swimming and general recreation, to allow staff time for scheduled 30-minute cleaning periods. Overall hours will also be shortened.

Everything that we do will be different, Moore says, as it is with I suppose every other program, every residence hall, dining hall, whatever. It will be a different experience.

To enter FitRec you are going to need to swipe in with your BU ID and show a green badge from the Healthway portal, as well as wear a face covering. Youll use a hand sanitizer station as soon as you entermore than 50 have been set up. And you need to keep your mask on throughout your workout no matter what youre doingwith the lone exception of swimming.

If youre not registered for a class scheduled in FitRec, you will not be permitted in. And if you are registered, youre going to get in only for that class, and once the previous class has left. Swiping IDs on entrance will also facilitate contact tracing, in case there has been a COVID exposure.

FitRec is asking people in PE classes to bring two masks, so they can put a fresh one on when they leave.

Classes will be de-densified, and physical distancing, disinfection, and personal hygiene protocols will be strictly enforced. In classroom situations theyre requiring six feet between desks, but in classes with physical activity, they have taped out 14-foot-by-14-foot boxes on the floor. Every protocol will meet, or more often, exceed state standards for fitness clubs. Some gymnasium courts will be taken over with fitness machines to allow that physical distancing.

We are asking people to come dressed and ready for their activity, use the facility for the allotted time, and exit after.

We operate in a high-touch environment in Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance [PERD], so we are going to try to limit the amount of touch points, Moore says. We are going to have to sanitize or disinfect any touch points that are used, on equipment, floors, mats, machines, dumbbells, you name it. And we are going to depend on the user to be a part of that cleaning community. Every time you touch something, you need to clean it off, before and after.

Numerous signs and other visual aids, such as arrows on the floor, throughout FitRec will help users figure out how to navigate the new normal. Additional staff will be on the front lines cleaning, giving directions, making sure everyone is wearing their masks.

Bring a full bottle of water. The drinking fountains will be shut off, although bottle-filling stations will be available. Avoid bringing personal items as much as possible, since the locker rooms are not in use. The water to the showers has been shut off, and there is no towel service. The day lockers outside the locker rooms may become available later in the semester.

Toilets and sinks will be available for those who need them, but everyone is urged to use the facilities at home before coming to FitRec, again to encourage physical distancing and fewer surface touching.

The 34 club sports teams will likely have only no-contact practices, at best, because of course there will be no games with other schools. Travel and competition are off the table for the foreseeable pre-vaccine future. And some teams, such as the golf and equestrian teams, will not even practice because its necessary to travel to a golf course or a stable. And club sports participants will need that green badge on their Healthway app to participate.

Intramural sports will all be conducted remotely, using e-sports. Registration is underway here.

Cash payments have been eliminated to reduce risk of viral transmission. Payment can be made online by credit card.

Adult instruction in the areas of Aquatics, Dance, Outdoor Programs, Fitness, Mind/Body, and Sports will be unavailable until further notice, as will the BU FitWell Center at the Blackstone Community Center on West Brookline Street in Boston. In-person group exercise, in-person personal training, and all in-person private lessons are discontinued until further notice. Personal training is done online only.

Even later this fall, when its hoped that faculty and staff will be allowed to return, no alumni or community members will be permitted to use FitRec.

Some programs and facilities are simply shuttered until the pandemic passes: there are no performances in the Dance Theater, and the climbing wall and Sailing Pavilion are shut down. Spaces are no longer being rented out for functions, workshops, or local school events.

Until things get back to normal, users are encouraged to visit the FitRec website for updates and to follow the How to Keep Moving series to maintain their exercise regimens.

We hope down the road, if everything progresses in a positive way, we are going to be able to go back and look at how we can serve the community more thoroughly, Moore says. But its going to take time. We ask people for their patience. Wed like to have all of our members back right now, but we need to do it as safely as possible.

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Like Everything Else, FitRec Will Be Different This Fall - BU Today

Sep. 4--Gavin Perrin has his work cut out for him this semester. The Susquehanna University sophomore is taking a hefty 22 credits in a demanding accounting program. But as he planned to head back to campus this month, the pandemic permitting, Perrin was thinking about the fun stuff: seeing all the friends he made last year, moving in with his new roommates, playing sports.

It's a far cry from Perrin's high school days.

"I was that type of kid in high school who would rather be anywhere else," Perrin said.

It's not that his high school was a bad place. The difference is him: "I feel like a new man."

Between his junior year of high school and his freshman year of college, Perrin lost more than 200 pounds. At 5-foot-10, the 19-year-old from Turbotville, Northumberland County, is down to 230 pounds. He says he feels healthier, more confident.

Perrin accomplished that through a lot of hard work that included diet change and exercise. But it probably wouldn't have happened so quickly without another strategy that's used to help only a small number of the estimated 4.5 million American children and teenagers with severe obesity: bariatric surgery. That's despite growing research that it is an effective, safe way to deal with a health problem that has reached epidemic proportions. Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, liver disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and many other health problems, even among teens.

The American Academy of Pediatrics in December came out in support of bariatric surgery as an "evidence-based effective treatment of severe obesity" and said greater access to the surgery for pediatric patients ages 13 and older "is urgently needed." There is no authoritative count of how many of these surgeries are performed each year on teenagers, but estimates range from 450 to about 1,600. Most experts agree it's less than 1% of the youngsters who might benefit.

"It's definitely underutilized," said Elizabeth Parks Prout, medical director of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program, a joint effort with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "We're not treating everyone who needs treatment, unfortunately."

Most teens who undergo bariatric surgery, like Perrin, have the gastric sleeve procedure, in which 70% to 80% of the stomach is permanently removed. Not only is the size of the stomach greatly reduced, but, especially significant, the surgery also affects hormonal balance, including the production of ghrelin, often referred to as the hunger hormone.

Surgery along with lifestyle changes result in a 20% to 30% average weight loss for adolescent patients, Prout said. Lifestyle changes alone aren't effective for long-term obesity treatment, many experts say.

A growing body of research shows there are few post-bariatric surgery complications, though many programs recommend nutritional supplements in response to concerns about postsurgery deficiencies.

Money, not safety, is one reason few teens get this surgery. It's not unusual for insurers to turn down adolescents for the surgery, according to the AAP, especially children from low-income families and children of color who may be stymied by complex, and at times costly, insurance appeals, or inconsistent coverage policies. These families may also lack access to a bariatric surgery program near them.

Some parents and patients fear going under the knife for something they might think could be handled without surgery. In addition, doctors involved in bariatric programs say other physicians often hesitate to refer younger patients, in part due to misunderstanding about the surgery.

"It's a surgery to help you to be able to be effective in the changes in your diet and exercise," Prout said. "The surgery is not a cure. The surgery is a tool for change."

Ann Rogers, director of the Penn State Surgical Weight Loss Program, said she thinks the stigma of obesity can extend to its treatment.

"Obesity isn't a choice. It's not a lifestyle people want to embrace," Rogers said. "It's a chronic and recurring medical condition, just like cancer. So if we have medical therapies that are designed to treat medical problems, we should use them."

Lyndsey Gibb, 17, said she's always been "a bigger kid," at least since she was a toddler. "It was something that continued to get out of control as I grew when I hit the teenage years. That's especially when it got bad," she said.

The Dillsburg, York County, teenager tried various diet and exercise programs and went to multiple nutritionists, but nothing ever kept the weight off. Then a couple of years ago, her father had bariatric surgery. As her dad shed weight, she noticed other changes in him. He was more confident, less self-conscious about what he wore, less restricted in the things he would do. She decided she wanted that for herself.

Gibb had her surgery last December at Hershey Medical Center with Rogers. Since then, she's lost 115 pounds and intends to shed an additional 60. Her BMI went from almost 53 to 36. (Severely obese is considered to start at a BMI of 35 to 40.)

"I definitely feel a lot better, more so confidence-wise than health-wise," Gibb said. "Health-wise, I feel like I can do more, but just being more comfortable with what I look like and what I can wear makes me feel a lot better."

Gibb said she is excited that she can now wear stylish brands like Simply Southern that she always liked but that didn't come in her old size. She gave up riding horses because of her weight. She thinks that could be an option again. Just walking is more enjoyable.

She's beginning her senior year at Northern York High School. COVID-19 permitting, she's looking forward to the prom. Growing up in a rural area, Future Farmers of America is an important activity for her. It involves speaking in front of large groups of people.

"It will help if I feel better about how I look," she said. "I'll be more confident in what I'm doing, and hopefully I can even be better at what I'm doing because of it."

To those who would say she was too young to have this kind of surgery, she has a ready answer.

"What am I waiting for in my life? I've dealt with this for how many years now? My dad got it when he was 40-something years old. It's either I live with how I am and continue to go up and down, or give this a shot and be able to improve my quality of life sooner."

Perrin started his battle with weight at a young age, too. From ages 4 to 15, he participated in a medical weight-loss clinic program where he was given nutrition counseling. Finally, he was told there was nothing more they could do for him. By the time he got to the CHOP bariatric program, his BMI was 65.

"I had high blood pressure. I was borderline diabetic. Even walking around, my feet would burn up. I'd get tired really quick. I did try to play sports, but I couldn't last," Perrin said. "My size definitely bothered me. I could tell from a young age there were these differences, and I wasn't the same as everybody else."

Eating in public places made him feel self-conscious. "Even if they're not looking at you, you felt as if all eyes were on you."

In elementary and middle school, he had temper problems. He thinks his weight had something to do with it.

In high school, he found himself not wanting to go most of the time. He didn't ask anyone to the prom, and no one asked him.

He was a sophomore when he entered CHOP's program. He spent about a year in the presurgery program, which included education and lifestyle changes like a high-protein diet, vitamins, and medication. He had his doubts, given his past experiences. But for the first time, the pounds started coming off -- and staying off. He also was no longer prediabetic, and his blood pressure returned to normal.

"I thought, 'These are people I can trust.'"

By the time he arrived for freshman year at Susquehanna University, Perrin was very different from the kid who underwent weight-loss surgery.

"No one knew me. I could kind of reinvent myself," Perrin said.

After taking charge of his body and his health, "I felt like I could really talk to anybody. I didn't have trouble going out and meeting new people."

The high schooler who preferred to stay in his room became a college student who set goals of meeting as many people as he could. He was a regular at the campus gym. He joined the rugby team and played pickup basketball.

Last month, classes at Susquehanna started online, and Sept. 20 is his back-to-campus day. His roommates will be waiting. He's got a new job as an academic coach for freshman business students. Perrin's ready for whatever the future might bring.

"As long as coronavirus doesn't get in the way," he said, "I think these next couple years are going to be the best time of my life."

(c)2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at http://www.inquirer.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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For teens with severe obesity, bariatric surgery works but is rarely used. Experts say that needs to change. - Reading Eagle

A Pierce Middle School health and physical education instructor has been named Waterford School Districts Teacher of the Year.

Jeff Stevenson, who has been teaching in the district for 12-years, was awarded a two-year lease for a vehicle of his choice from the Suburban Collection Ford dealership in Waterford on Friday. He chose a 2020 Ford Mustang GT.

Stevenson began his teaching career in Waterfords elementary schools before moving to Pierce Middle School in 2015. He was nominated by students and coworkers for the award, who praised his commitment and enthusiasm to teaching wellness.

Pierce Middle School Teacher of the Year Jeff Stevenson, and his wife Shelly, surrounded by Waterford Foundation Board of Directors, Waterford School District superintendent, Pierce Middle School Principal, and several students who nominated him for Teacher of the Year.

Hes developed fitness programs for students after school as well as staff and student wellness teams. In his time at Waterford, hes also coached a wrestling team, boys and girls track and cross country teams. Hes taught physical and health grant classes across the country and has served as a presenter at SHAPE Michigan and at Ford Field.

John Stevenson (left), Waterford's Teacher of the Year, and his wife Shelley pose in front of their new2020 Ford Mustang GT with Laurie Moses, sales associate and Jeff Huvaure, general manager of Suburban Ford of Waterford.

Stevenson also acts as the districts advisor for Fuel Up to Play 60, a national nutrition and exercise program supported by the NFL and the National Dairy Council.

The annual award is sponsored by the Suburban Collection and the Waterford Foundation for Public Education.

PONTIAC The putts kept dropping always a sign of good things on the golf course much to the delight of Troy Athens girls golf coach Dan Cooper.

A Clarkston man was killed and his stepdaughter injured in White Lake Township on Monday evening when a large tree fell from the side of the r

Waterford Towsnhips Planning Commission has decided not to recommend a proposal from Redwood Living to build 103 new apartments on the northe

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Middle school health instructor named Waterford Teacher of the Year, awarded new car - The Oakland Press

By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM Pelham Parks and Recreation has released its fall program guide which features a variety of recreation opportunities for residents to occupy themselves with over the coming months.

The guide details the departments offerings for this autumn including sports, fitness classes and special activities that are accessible for all members of the community. New activities available include adult basketball and Pickleball.

Pelham Parks and Recreation aims to improve the quality of life and provide essential services in the form of increased health and wellness, special interest, and arts and culture programming for youth, families, seniors, and all that live in Pelham, said Director of Pelham Parks and Recreation D. Tyrell McGirt.

As the Pelham Senior Center is closed due to safety concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the city felt it was more important than ever to provide recreation and entertainment for the citys active seniors.

We want to keep them healthy, connected and engaged during these unprecedented times, said Assistant Director Alicia Walters. We will continue to be creative and provide a variety of programs, such as virtual exercise, drive-up musical entertainment and small groups, all while focusing on health and safety.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

I have attended all of the senior programs offered during COVID, Tillie Landers said. I enjoy coming to these programs because I get to see my old friends. We have a wonderful time together, even if we are social distancing. If it wasnt for these programs, I would be sitting at home feeling very lonely.

City leaders and the Parks and Recreation Department are working together to be able to provide a wide array of activities for the citys residents, while staying healthy during this pandemic a priority.

We are constantly monitoring local health trends and recommendations from health experts. Should we have to limit what were offering for safety reasons, we will communicate that on our website and social media platforms, McGirt said.

For more information about activities and events provided, the fall program guide is available at Pelhamalrecreation.com.

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Pelham Parks and Recreation releases fall activity guide - Shelby County Reporter - Shelby County Reporter

You'll be able unlock more features on the new Fitbit Sense if you subscribe to Fitbit Premium.

If you're an avid Fitbit user, you've probably come across Fitbit Premium, a personalized subscription service in the Fitbit app on iPhoneand Android. For a monthly price, Fitbit Premium gives you access to guided workouts, meditations, advanced health insights and sleep tracking, along with other tools to help you reach your fitness goals. If you're thinking about buying one of the newly announced Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3 or Fitbit Inspire 2 smartwatches when they launch later this year, Fitbit Premium could allow you to access some of their helpful features, like stress sensing within a guided meditation.

Here's everything you need to know about Fitbit Premium -- including price, free trials, classes and features -- to help you determine if the monthly fee is worth it for you.

Read more: The best home exercise equipment for 2020

Fitbit Premium isFitbit's monthly subscription service that unlocks extra fitness features, classes and health insights for your wearable and its app. It launched in 2019. Fitbit is in the process of being acquired by Google.

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Fitbit Premium costs $9.99 per month, or $80 for a year.

At the start of coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines back in March, Fitbit began offering a 90-day free trial for new Fitbit Premium subscribers. That free trial is still available.

To redeem your free Fitbit Premium trial, open the Fitbit app. In the lower-right corner, tap the Premium tab. The trial is only valid through the English version of the app, and only for new Premium users.

You'll still need to enter a payment method, and cancel it before the end of the trial to avoid getting charged a subscription fee.

If you're not eligible for the 90-day free trial, you might still be able to redeem a 90-day trial of Fitbit Coach, which offers personalized video workouts and coaching. Fitbit Coach is available in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

Read more: Best smart home gym: Peloton, Mirror, Tonal and more

Fitbit Premium's extra programs aim for health coaching.

Fitbit Premium includes the following features that are not part of the nonsubscription Fitbit app:

Workouts: Access more than 150 guided video and audio workouts from fitness brands like barre3, Daily Burn, Popsugar and Yoga Studio by Gaiam. You can search workouts by difficulty, and choose a workout plan based on your goals.

Guided programs: Find step-by-step guided programs on topics such as mindful eating and sleep improvement.

Health and fitness stats: Track activity, weight, sleep and nutrition with your Fitbit and see your progress in the app.

Advanced insights: Get personalized insights like your Sleep Score breakdown and a Wellness Report of your Fitbit stats. You'll also get guidance based on those insights, like a bedtime checklist to improve sleep.

Mindfulness activities: Find a library of guided audio tracks and sounds to help you calm your mind for sleep, stress reduction and body positivity.

Premium challenges: Get motivated to achieve your goals with challenges like Get Fit Bingo. Invite friends who aren't Premium subscribers to participate, too.

Read more: 5 best Peloton alternatives

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No, but Premium will unlock more of the health capabilities of the upcoming Fitbit Sense. The Sense includes an electrodermal activity sensor that you can press your palm against to get a reading of your overall stress. You'll be able to see the reading in a new free EDA app, but Premium members will get a new set of mindfulness and meditation features that use the sensor, too. You'll also be able to use many of the watch's other new sensors (like an SpO2 pulse oxygen sensor) free, but if you want long-term analysis, you'll need Premium.

The Fitbit Sense will include a six-month free trial of Premium, and the Fitbit Inspire 2 will come with a year-long free trial -- so you should have plenty of time to figure out if those features are worth paying for in the long term.

If you own a Fitbit and are looking to mix up your workout routine, it doesn't hurt to give the Premium 90-day free trial a try -- especially if you aren't quite ready to return to the gym or your other workout classes. Whether or not you want to pay $9.99 a month depends on how much you like (and actually use) the subscription's offerings, and your own budget.

It's not difficult to find free workout classes on Instagram, subscribe to free fitness YouTube channels, or find meditation apps and sleep tips online. But if you want all of your workout and health information consolidated in your Fitbit app, Premium may be helpful.

For more workout tips, check out our list of home workout options, and our list of the best face masks for working out.

Read more:
Is Fitbit Premium worth it? Here's everything the subscription includes - CNET

When The Recovery Project first opened in Clinton Township one of its biggest hurdles was spreading the word that a provider of progressive and effective neuro rehab therapies was improving the lives and functionality of patients with spinal cord and other neurological injuries.

Now that it's an established clinic seeing about 100 to 150 patients a month the company has announced it is expanding.

As our organization continues to find ways to further elevate care and service for our clients, we are excited to unveil this expanded space in Clinton Township, as the clinic celebrates 17 years in operation, said Charlie Parkhill, co-founder of The Recovery Project, in a news release Thursday. While the pandemic has shifted how we first envisioned utilizing this wellness suite, our commitment to progressive, effective, evidence-based therapies remains the same, and were eager to safely welcome clients to experience this new space for themselves.

Originally, the additional 1,700 square feet of clinic space was reserved for the organizations variety of wellness programs such as Be Well Yoga, PWR! and Moves Rock Steady Boxing. However, given the current pandemic restrictions on clinic capacity, the new wellness suite is temporarily being utilized for client treatment, with three private treatment rooms for clients and their physical therapists to work one-on-one. Additionally, with the additional square footage, the clinics speech and massage therapy services can spread out and utilize the clinic floor more effectively.

Our entire staff is thrilled with the expansion, said Heather Whiteman, MPT, Clinton Township clinic supervisor. More space equates to more opportunities for our team and the clients we serve. Once its safe to do so, we look forward to hosting traditional wellness classes in person for our clients to utilize the space to its full potential

As for the work that goes on inside -- what makes the Recovery Project unique is that it helps patients with a variety of conditions from hip replacements and degenerative muscle disease to spinal cord injuries.

Mary is one example. After receiving her Parkinsons disease diagnosis during the summer of 2014, she immediately took action. By September of that same year she was engaged in the physical and occupational therapy programs at The Recovery Project.

Since then, she has maintained annual physical and occupational therapy regimens, working closely with The Recovery Project staff to determine new goals and new exercises. During her most recent round of therapy treatment, she complained of rigidity and stiffness, so her therapists focused more on exercises to improve posture and flexibility. She also wanted to improve cognition, so her therapists worked in dual-task training to improve cognitive functionality. She also does cardio interval training to improve strength and blood flow to the brain, which improves cognition.

Between therapy sessions, Mary has also been very active in The Recovery Projects ongoing wellness programs for individuals with Parkinsons diseaseincluding PWR! classes, which offer exercises specifically meant to combat the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. She has also been involved in personal training through The Recovery Project at the conclusion of her physical therapy programs.

With her proactive, motivated mindset and innovative, evidence-based therapies, she said she has noticed remarkable improvements in her day-to-day well-being.

In addition to the Clinton Township clinic expansion, The Recovery Project launched their Virtual Wellness classes this summer, with the same innovative programs typically available in-clinic now offered completely online and designed to be done at home.

The classes that we teach virtual primarily involve movements of their body in different directions in varied postures. Some examples include marching, lunges, reaching and boxing,

Parkhill said. The majority of our classes do not require equipment. We do have some that use tools from their own home such as a strap, hand weight, exercise band, etc. We will be adding a cardio class that will involve interval training on individuals home aerobic/exercise equipment like a treadmill or bike.

With sessions offered throughout the week, clients can participate in instructor-led workouts from the safety and comfort of their home.

For more information visit therecoveryproject.net.

Read more here:
The Recovery Project expands its Clinton Township facility - Iosco County News Herald

How three equine athletes returned from injury to the show ring

At some point in your horse care journey, youve likely ridden a beautiful round, brought your horse in from turnout, or unloaded him from the trailer and realized something was off. Maybe it was a lame step or the slightest bit of swelling but, either way, it prompted a call to your veterinarian. If you were lucky, the root cause was something minor that would resolve with time off and anti-inflammatories. With the more challenging cases, however, you and your veterinarian might have pursued further diagnostics to determine the cause.

After reaching a diagnosis and settling on a treatment plan, you began the arduous process of healing and rehabilitation. This stage can be trying for even the most patient equestrian. But, with a good equine care team and some time, it can be smooth and fruitful.

To see what effective rehabilitation looks like, we found three real-life examples of equine athletes that made full recoveries from their injuries. Well share each ones diagnostic challenges, rehab modalities, and recovery details.

Chanel, a 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare competing in Western pleasure, had been struggling for years with a nagging intermittent left front lameness. Her owner and veterinarian managed this with routine coffin joint corticosteroid injections for about two years. However, the injections ultimately proved to be ineffective at keeping Chanel completely sound and comfortable, so she was referred to Carrie Schlachter, VMD, Dipl. ACVSMR, who founded and designed Circle Oak Equine Sports Medicines rehabilitation and fitness programs and also founded Animals In Motion, a practice that focuses on integrative sports medicine, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.

The case was pretty routine, says Schlachter. We nerve-blocked (used local anesthesia to numb and pinpoint the painful area) her foot, then we X rayed the area, and the X rays showed some mild abnormality in her coffin bone. We recommended an MRI so we could look at the area more deeply.

The MRI showed that Chanel actually had two injuries to her left front foot. The first was mild coffin bone bruising and remodeling in the area we had been looking at radiographically, Schlachter says. But, on the opposite side of the foot, she also had a collateral ligament injury. Collateral ligaments are located on either side of most joints.

This was the aha! moment, she says: Without the MRI I wouldnt have known about the collateral ligament injury so, because the owners were willing to do the MRI, I was not only able to confirm my diagnosis of the bone bruising and remodeling but I was also able to see the reason for it.

Chanel had likely been compensating for the collateral ligament injury by bearing more weight on one side of her foot, creating the bruising in the coffin bone. The injections helped initially because they suffused the area with steroids, reducing inflammation and allowing her to continue working soundly for a brief period.

With a diagnosis in place, Schlachter recommended putting Chanel in a bar shoe to support and stabilize the collateral ligament and the coffin bone. She and her team also injected the coffin joint and the collateral ligament with autologous protein solution (a biologic therapy that stimulates the bodys production of anti-inflammatory mediators and growth factors) and treated the area with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (believed to improve new blood vessel growth, recruit mesenchymal stem cells, and have pain relieving effects).

Schlachter also recommended for Chanel a controlled exercise program, which she modifies to meet the needs of different injuries and disciplines but typically involves:

Two months post-diagnosis, Schlachter reevaluated Chanel. At that point she was 80-90% better, so we allowed her to be walked under saddle for the next two months, she says. When we looked at her again at the four-month mark, she was 100% sound, so we started her on some trot work.

Once she was sound at the canter, Chanel began working back into training. Eight months post-diagnosis she was still sound and back in the show ring. She is now free of bar shoes, and her only maintenance since recovering has been a round of hock and sacroiliac joint injections to manage normal wear and tear.

Chanel was a wonderful patient, Schlachter says. She is the picture perfect example of what a good diagnosis, good treatment, compliant owners, and a well-behaved horse can do.

Melissa King, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR, is an associate professor at the Colorado State University (CSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, where she specializes in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation. King treated JR, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred who had shown as a four-star eventer. From repetitive use in his job, JR developed an insertional lesion in his deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT, which runs from the knee down the back of the leg and around the navicular bone, attaching to the coffin bone) and a second, discrete tear at the pastern level. This article continues in the August 2020 issue of The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. Subscribe now and get an immediate download of the issue to continue reading. Current magazine subscribers can access the digital edition here.

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The Journey Back: Three Horses Go From Rehab to Recovery - TheHorse.com

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