Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-16-20

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18 I HEALTH I December 16, 2020 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE @MIDRIVERSNEWS MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM A recent survey found that young adults who may be kept apart from their families this holiday season are feeling high levels of anxiety. (Source: Adobe Stock) health capsules By LISA RUSSELL Holiday stress coming from a different source this year The rush of holiday activities that are an annual source of anxiety for most people – shopping, baking, parties, cleaning, giftwrapping and more – has been replaced by a different type of stress this year: the fear of getting COVID-19 or giving it to someone you care about. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation health-tracking poll conducted in October, two-thirds of Americans are worried they or their family members will get the virus. That stress is perhaps being felt most keenly among younger adults, many of whom live away from home and are facing the cold reality of celebrating the holiday season alone for the first time. A recent CDC Household Pulse Survey shows that those between the ages of 18 and 29 report the highest levels of anxiety and depression symptoms of any age group; between Sept. 30 and Oct. 12, the latest survey dates available, nearly half reported symptoms of one or both conditions. However, young people won’t have a monopoly on anxiety this holiday season. For many others, too, the loss of the gatherings and traditions surrounding the holidays will undoubtedly increase depression and cause extra stress on top of what has already been a very anxiety-inducing year. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a number of commonsense tips to help prevent unhealthy levels of stress this holiday season: • Stay active. Physical activity can boost your mood, both in the short and long term. Even a 10-15 minute walk can help when you feel anxious or sad. • Address loneliness. Make an effort to call, text or video chat with those who are important to you. Staying occupied every day is also helpful – an occupied and engaged mind is less likely to dwell on feelings of loneliness and sadness. • Eat and drink well. Food impacts mood, so make sure to eat healthy most of the time and watch your intake of holiday treats. Also remember that while alcohol might lift your mood and reduce stress in the moment, it actually increases anxiety and depression over the long term. • Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can heighten negative emotions and cause unnecessary added stress. • Keep expectations realistic. Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to COVID-19 … and these differences have the potential to cause disappointment and disagreements. Have a clear and frank discussion with family up front. Wash U study identifies potential early COVID-19 treatment Scientists worldwide have been searching diligently for possible COVID-19 treatments that could be given in the virus’ early stages, to prevent people from becoming more seriously ill. A research team at Washington University in St. Louis has identified one drug that may help to meet this urgent need: the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine. UMSL team awarded new funding to combat ‘poly-drug’ overdose crisis As the drug addiction crisis continues throughout Missouri, the state is set to receive $25 million in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in each of the next two years. That total will include nearly $2.8 million for the University of Missouri – St. Louis. These funds will help on a number of fronts in the battle against addiction and overdose, according to Associate Research Professor Rachel Winograd, who leads the addiction science team at UMSL’s Missouri Institute of Mental Health. While much of the money will be used to obtain doses of the opioid overdose-reversing medication naloxone and to hire the personnel required to distribute it effectively, the new funding will also enable more focus on the rising problem of stimulant use, mainly methamphetamine and cocaine, Winograd said. “These are not strictly opioid grants anymore, which is good because most people who use opioids don’t only use opioids,” Winograd said. “This is a poly-drug overdose crisis, not just an opioid overdose crisis.” Sold under the brand name Luvox among others, fluvoxamine is an antidepressant which has been prescribed since the mid- 1990s, and is used primarily to treat those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In a preliminary study conducted between April and August in the St. Louis area, the Wash U. scientists found that fluvoxamine seems to prevent some of the most serious COVID-19 complications and make hospitalization, along with the need for supplemental oxygen, less likely. During this “contactless” study, 152 patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were attempting to recover at home received either fluvoxamine or a placebo along with monitoring supplies. After 15 days, none of the 80 patients who received fluvoxamine experienced serious worsening of their symptoms. Meanwhile, six of the 72 patients given the placebo (8.3%) became seriously ill, with four needing to be hospitalized. “Most investigational treatments for COVID-19 have been aimed at the very sickest patients, but it’s also important to find therapies that prevent patients from getting sick enough to require supplemental oxygen or to have to go to the hospital. Our study suggests fluvoxamine may help fill that niche,” said Dr. Eric Lenze of the Wash U School of Medicine. To help address prevention, for example, the Missouri Institute of Mental Health is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters for the first time. It has added a partnership with local nonprofit The T, a St. Louis area health education and resource center. Some funding will also support expansion of the Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis’ EPICC project – Engaging Patients in Care Coordination – which connects people who have recently survived an overdose to treatment and recovery resources. Winograd added that the COVID-19 pandemic has also increased the challenge for combatting the drug crisis. It has disrupted supplies, making these dangerous drugs even more volatile and unpredictable. It also has increased the stress and feelings of anxiety that can lead people to begin using drugs in the first place, while creating more barriers for people seeking treatment. “People are getting left behind, and it’s not any specific entity’s fault,” she said. “It’s just the reality of how our society is structured and our society’s response to this pandemic.”
FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM December 16, 2020 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I 19 Long-Term Care difficult to navigate? Give us a call at 636-978-8850 to explore Long-Term Care options! At LaMarche & Associates, we offer Long-Term Care solutions that: • Are NOT “Use It Or Lose It” • Can be used for In-Home Care or Facility Care • Have no rising annual premiums • Can be paid in a variety of ways 9101 Phoenix Village Parkway O’Fallon, MO 63368 Office: (636) 978-8850 focusedfutures.com Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM). AEWM and LaMarche & Associates are not affiliated companies. MUSICAL THEATRE CAMPS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES sprIng classes january 11 - april 18 Over 40 camps including singing, dancing, acting, puppetry, comic book designand more. Sharpen skills. Learn something new. Put on a show! regIster today! 636.449.5775 | StagesStLouis.org O’Fallon Nutrition Your Local Choice For Natural Products Since 2002 • Vitamins & Minerals • Digestive Health • • Mood & Memory Support • Essential Oils • • Immune Support • Weight Loss & Sports Nutrition • • Pain & Joint Support • Keto & Paleo • CBD Products • • Mushrooms • Protein • Herbs • Teas • Wholesome Snacks • “IMMUNE SUPPORT SUPPLEMENTS ARE OUR SPECIALTY!” CURBSIDE SERVICE AVAILABLE 8648 Mexico Rd. • O’Fallon, MO (Near intersection of Hwy K & Mexico Rd) 636.240.5283 Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7 • Sat 10am-5pm • Sun 12-5pm O’Fallon Nutrition wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Page 1: Vol. 17 No. 22 • December 16, 202
Page 4 and 5: The Best in Steaks, Seafood, Pasta
Page 6 and 7: 6 I OPINION I EDITORIAL We believe
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Page 14 and 15: April Showers We are committed to h
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Page 24: I bring you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY

Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 12-16-20

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