Treva Lind

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News >  Health

Pregnancy and COVID-19: What we do and don’t know about the impact of the coronavirus

Thu., Jan. 27, 2022

Dr. Gretchen LaSalle, a Spokane family doctor who follows COVID-19 trends, is well aware that pregnant women and their babies face more risks and potential adverse effects from the virus. The women can have more severe symptoms and risks of miscarriages, early births and a low percentage of stillborn births.

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A life of order: Widow Angela Johnstone of Spokane finds silver lining as Kondo organizer

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 25, 2022

When Angela Johnstone, 60, first read books on a popular household tidying system, they captured her beyond the how-to of organization. For her, it was cathartic to use author Marie Kondo's methods for discarding some items, yet categorizing and storing other possessions based on meaning, workflow and goals.

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Brighter days: If winter blues are a struggle, try these tips to keep the season from getting you down

Thu., Jan. 20, 2022

Shorter days and longer nights can bring on the winter blues or seasonal mood changes. You're a bit down, more tired, less motivated – unless it's food – and you want to eat. Some people suffer from a more debilitating depression called seasonal affective disorder. There are self-help remedies.

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Frugal new year: Ideas to help offset the rising costs of housing and food

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 18, 2022

Spokane experts offer strategies to spend less, even save a bit, despite recent consumer inflation. Use free budget tools and tap resources from your library, neighborhood trade groups and food preservation tools offered by the WSU Extension office in Spokane.

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Going the distance: Spokane volunteer courier Jim Mansfield, 84, covers quarter-million miles to deliver life-saving blood

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 13, 2022

Longtime Spokane blood center volunteer Jim Mansfield has far surpassed going the distance – covering more than a quarter-million miles to be exact. In June, the Vitalant blood courier hit the milestone of 255,000 miles driven for the nonprofit in 22 years of service delivering donated supplies from Spokane to rural hospitals.

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Draw of the outdoors: More RVs built in boom help restock dealers and consumer shows, and buyers are trending younger

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 10, 2022

RV sales boomed during the pandemic, clearing out some dealers' lots here and nationwide. But industry leaders say both a push to manufacture more units and winter's slowdown equate to some improved inventory now despite backlogged orders. That bodes well for upcoming shows.

News >  Health

An uneasy interaction: WSU researchers say cannabinoids are found to interfere with how medications metabolize in the body

Thu., Jan. 6, 2022

WSU researchers looked at cannabinoids – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) – along with the cannabinoids' major metabolites in users' blood and found that they interfered with two families of enzymes in the body that help metabolize prescribed medications.

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Trust or will? How to navigate what’s best for your family

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 4, 2022

Two types of legal documents can outline what your wishes are for after you die, yet few people understand the pros and cons of either a revocable living trust or a will. Generally, a revocable living trust or a will can provide instructions on how to distribute assets after death. They have differences, though.

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Pandemic lessons: Local health leaders describe what we’ve learned since 2020

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 30, 2021

Our world, nation and community have approached nearly two years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic. We’ve learned more about how the virus spreads, who is more at risk and what science can do to bring vaccines. Looking closer, there are other lessons learned.

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Furry festivities: Give the gift of safety for pets during the holidays

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 24, 2021

Dogs and cats get curious – or frenzied – over package deliveries, wrapped gifts and alluring toy-like items dangling from a tree during the holiday season. Pet-friendly reminders can keep safety in mind, with tips from the American Kennel Club, State Farm Insurance and PEMCO Insurance.

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UW study: Cataract surgery associated with lower risk of dementia

Wed., Dec. 22, 2021

Based on data over time of more than 3,000 study participants, older adults who underwent cataract surgery had nearly 30% lower risk of developing dementia from any cause compared with those who didn't. This lowered risk persisted for at least a decade after surgery.

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Mentoring memories: Spokane woman believes in time with girls as gift of giving

Mon., Dec. 20, 2021

Gifts of time and giving touched Mary Carpenter, a Spokane clinic supervisor, author and single mom. She's sought to carry that forward mentoring girls met through her daughter's school, counselors and church. Many are in low-income households or foster care. Carpenter seeks to open up experiences for them.

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Healthy aging: Fighting low metabolism, spicy rebellion, hormones and other body changes

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 17, 2021

Aging brings on the inevitable, like wrinkles and gray hair. Inwardly, advancing years cause other unwelcome changes, but you can put up a fight. Suddenly, you can't eat spicy foods. Your metabolism hits the brakes. It's tougher to lose weight. Yes, this happens with age as the organs get older and we slowly lose muscle mass.

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Holiday driving hazards: Five safety tips around busier roads and impaired drivers in winter

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 14, 2021

As the holidays ramp up, drivers also can count on a rise in traffic from more shoppers, delivery trucks and celebrators – all potentially navigating slippery roads. Plus, the driver next to you might be more fatigued and distracted this time of year, or intoxicated. Add ice or snow to the equation.

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Webinar offers ‘Sandwich Generation’ families advice for the holidays

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 12, 2021

Prestige Senior Living plans a free webinar at 11 a.m. Wednesday with holiday-themed tips geared to the “Sandwich Generation” – people who care for both children and their aging parents. Anyone can register ahead for the session as a service provided by Coeur d'Alene's Prestige Assisted Living.

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Double shot season: Doctors say it’s safe to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time

Thu., Dec. 9, 2021

Nationwide, experts are urging Americans to get all the vaccines they're eligible for this winter, including if it's the first coronavirus vaccination or booster dose and the flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are safely given simultaneously. 

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You better watch out: Experts offer tips to avoid scams this holiday season – or any time of year

Mon., Dec. 6, 2021

Scammers find new targets this season among people in a holiday rush or with their guard down. Tactics include draining gift cards, sham charities, package thieves and false goods or services. Don and Tina Frogner of Spokane don't want rushed holiday travelers to have their bad experience.

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Helping hands: Ms. Wheelchair Idaho receives support of friends in GoFundMe for adaptive vehicle

Thu., Dec. 2, 2021

Devyn Burdett prefers being independent, from driving for errands to advocating for people with disabilities. In March 2020, the Coeur d'Alene resident lost use of her legs. Her paralysis was thought to be caused by transverse myelitis, a rare neurological disorder.

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Matters of the heart: New American Heart Association guidelines focus on balanced eating patterns vs. strict diet

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 25, 2021

While most Americans will indulge for Thanksgiving, what really counts are daily eating habits to reduce heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association has a new dietary guidance, last updated in 2006, which offers 10 heart-healthy eating patterns to use daily.

A&E >  Food

A few tips can help families avoid Thanksgiving food coma

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 23, 2021

We’ve joked about the heavy eyelids – or food coma – after the Thanksgiving meal. A snooze isn't unusual following an abundance of holiday eating and drinking along with big loads of simple carbohydrates. Kerri Ferraioli, a nutritionist for the food sensitivity test company YorkTest, has some tips to help avoid that lag.

A&E >  Food

Thanksgiving trends: More travel, TikTok turkeys and some brine for that bird this holiday season

UPDATED: Mon., Nov. 22, 2021

Thanksgiving trends this year include recipes for brined poultry along with a new turkey take using TikTok. That's just the bird. For people, both Friendsgiving plans and an uptick in travel are expected. For 40 years, Butterball has offered its Turkey Talk Line to call in with poultry questions at (800) 288-8372.

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It wouldn’t hurt to keep a backup container of pet food

Thu., Nov. 18, 2021

With spot shortages of some pet foods, it wouldn't hurt to have a backup container. Several U.S. agencies say the occasional supply chain issues for certain pet foods aren't going to be significant, but a regional veterinary expert offers some tips in case you're in a pinch to feed man's best friend.

News >  Health

Pandemic pivots: Pharmacy closes and dog food’s out of stock – what now?

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 18, 2021

With supply chain disruptions and some emptier store shelves these days, people shouldn't get down to that last pill, drop of over-the-counter medicine or cup of pet food. Plus, pharmacies are stretched by some staffing and supply issues. There's no need to hoard, regional health experts say. 

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Northwest Autism Center hosts Giving Tree project

Mon., Nov. 15, 2021

The Northwest Autism Center has launched a Giving Tree project to collect gifts for children and adults with developmental disabilities who live in residential care homes. The project provided more than 600 gifts to adolescents and adults in the past two seasons.

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Grief support: ‘Surviving the Holidays’ offers coping tools after a loved one’s death

UPDATED: Sun., Nov. 14, 2021

After the death of a loved one, the loss can feel magnified during the holidays as friends and family gather. Yet, you aren't alone in your grief. That's at the core of GriefShare, a program that offers a seminar, "Surviving the Holidays." Two sessions are free of charge and scheduled at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.