T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2019

2 DESTINATION HEALTH Mad about melons At last! Melon season is fast approaching. That means soon you’ll be treating yourself to one of summer’s true delights: a ripe, juicy, sweet melon. Besides tasting oh-so-good, melons are good for you. They are rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the im- mune system. Cantaloupes are an especially good source of this antioxidant that helps lower your risk of cataracts. Some melons are also an excellent source of vitamin A, which helps night vision, and potassium, which can help keep blood pressure in a healthy range. Melons are also low in calories and sodium and are saturated fat- and cholesterol-free. PICK SMART Of course, to truly enjoy melons, you want to select the ripest you can find. Here are some signs of ripeness: ●  ● Ripe cantaloupes have a dull yellow background with raised netting. These melons should be fragrant, and the blossom end (which is opposite of the end with the small dent) should yield a bit when pressed. ●  ● Honeydew melons turn from green to a creamy white to yellow as they ripen. Avoid buying green ones, but FACE DROOPING. Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven? ARMWEAKNESS. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? A SPEECH DIFFICULTY. Is speech slurred or hard to un- derstand? Can the person repeat back a simple sentence? S TIME TO CALL 911— even if the signs go away. Getting fast treatment may help limit dam- age to the brain. T F Get the support you need Rehab ser vices and a suppor t group help peop l e r e c o v e r f r om a b r a i n t r auma Wellness SUDDEN: ■  ■ Numbness or weakness, espe- cially on one side of the body. ■  ■ Confusion. ■  ■ Difficulty seeing with one or both eyes. ■  ■ Trouble walking or dizziness. ■  ■ Severe headache. Other stroke SYMPTOMS Act F.A.S.T. Know the sudden s i gns of s t roke Interested in the support group? Anyone who’d like more information about A Stroke Ahead—or T.J. Samson’s rehabilitation team—can call 270-659-5650 . You’ve had a stroke, and you’re ready to leave the hospital. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed, wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?” Emily Grinstead, a physical therapist in T.J. Samson’s Rehabilitation Department, has an an- swer for you: Join T.J. Samson’s new neurological support group for people who have had a stroke or suffered some other type of brain trauma. Started in April, the first goal of the support group—called A Stroke Ahead—is to offer a sup- portive environment for survivors of brain trauma and their family and caregivers. “We’re very excited about it,” says Grinstead, who will be one of several T.J. Samson staffers leading the group. “Our goal is to be a good re- source for the community, to let them know what kind of help is available in this area. Also, meet- ing others in a support group lets them know that they’re not alone.” A RETURN TO INDEPENDENT LIVING Anyone who has been treated for brain trauma at T.J. Samson knows they’re not alone.The various experts in the Rehabilitation Department are there to help brain trauma survivors regain as many skills as they can through services such as: Physical therapy. “Usually the main things physical therapy addresses after a stroke are balance, walking and dizziness,” Grinstead says. “The goal is to get someone safely moving around on their own so that they eventually don’t need someone else to assist them.” Speech therapy. “Speech therapy helps people who have trouble finding words or understanding words,” Grinstead says. After a stroke, people also often have prob- lems swallowing.That actually can make eating dangerous—if you can’t coordinate all the muscles involved in swallowing, you’re in danger of aspirat- ing fluid or food into your lungs. “That’s probably one of the most common prob- lems a speech therapist works on, especially early in treatment,” Grinstead says. Occupational therapy. This type of therapy is about relearning activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing and other activities that involve using fine motor skills. Occupational therapy can also help people re- train muscles so that they can engage in hobbies they previously enjoyed. According to Grinstead, she’s seen more than one patient who, through oc- cupational therapy, was eventually able to return to the golf course. “We want to help survivors get back to doing the things they did before their brain trauma,” Grinstead says. a creamy white one will ripen on a countertop in a few days. ●  ● Ripe watermelons should be yellow (not white) at their pale side—that’s where they rested while growing— and heavy for their size. Buying a halved watermelon? Look for one that is firm, brightly colored and free of white streaks. You can keep melons at room temperature for up to a week or until they’re fully ripe. Then refrigerate cut melon in a tightly covered container and eat within five days. Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American Institute for Cancer Research; University of Wyoming Extension Service