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Treva Lind

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A&E

Astrocytes: Sleeping under the stars takes new meaning

Star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes appear to play an essential role in sleep, a new study at Washington State University Spokane found. Researchers in the Sleep and Performance Research Center published a study showing that astrocytes communicate to neurons to regulate sleep time in fruit flies and suggests it may do the same in mammals, including humans.
A&E

Mega-dosing vitamin D: Doctor-prescribed 50,000 IU vitamin D may be right for some patients

Today, you can grab over-the-counter vitamin D with dosages typically from 600 international units to 2,000 IU. For people with a severe vitamin D deficiency confirmed in tests, some health care providers are prescribing a mega-dose: 50,000 IU vitamin D taken once a week for six to eight weeks. Medical groups say it’s typically safe, under physician supervision, to get levels back to a normal.
News >  Family

Support group launches for “kinship” caregivers

More than 43,000 people in the state care for a relative’s child younger than 18 – as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and older siblings – some temporarily and others for the long haul. In Spokane, a new support group is forming so kinship caregivers can meet to share ideas and frustrations, with the first session scheduled Nov. 14.
News >  Health

Study: Helping low-income obese patients lose weight

Using a free phone app, low-income obese patients in a Duke University study achieved clinically meaningful weight loss in a year-long focus including regular coaching from primary care providers. Locally, CHAS in Spokane and Heritage Health in Coeur d’Alene have started low-cost patient programs for weight loss, with ongoing dietician counseling and access to exercise facilities.
News >  Family

Arc-sponsored conference focuses on looming issues for the disabled

A Thursday public forum will address the challenges facing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, along with break-out work sessions on community solutions. Titled “A Courageous Conversation,” the session includes a talk by Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc, a national organization with over 600 chapters that serves people with disabilities.
News >  Family

Uncovering shame holds power to heal

Nichole Mischke didn’t set out to tell stories of pain and shame, much less her own, until last November, when the former KHQ reporter publicly shared for the first time about her eating disorder, and found healing.
A&E

Documentary examines the need for diversity in bone marrow donations

Vanessa Shafer of Liberty Lake had a life-saving medical procedure in July 2017 thanks to a donor who lives nearly 3,000 miles away in Boston. Shafer, 29, received stem cells for leukemia treatment through a national marrow donor program, and she is now cancer free. Her donor, a 25-year-old woman, almost forgot she signed up for the Be The Match.org online registry program about three years before getting a call.
A&E

Handling Halloween safety

Costumes. If children are heading outside for trick-or-treating, look for costumes that are bright, reflective and have a length short enough to ensure a kid won’t trip. If a costume needs a wig, make sure it’s flame-resistant. Glow-in-the-dark. If a costume doesn’t have glowing qualities, add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags. Small attachable lights are another option. Stores such as REI sell armband ones for runners or $10 clip-on lights that blink.
A&E

Keeping Halloween fun for those with special needs

Some families face fears around the Oct. 31 holiday in relation to childhood diabetes, food allergies, autism or mobility issues. In some cases, parents just dread all that sugar. But there are ways to bring spooktacular activities to kids with different abilities.
A&E

Win the war on sugar

Worried about the candy struggle with kids? Consumers will spend about $2.6 billion on Halloween candy this fall, based on a survey by the National Retail Federation. Here are some ideas to add some balance and control to that mixed bag of candy.
A&E

Jump ahead of this flu season

Get flu shots early – Spokane Regional Health District suggests as soon as possible – well before the influenza season hits hard this winter. Spokane had its first hospital case related to the illness last week.
News >  Family

Long-term care program seeking volunteer advocates

SNAP, which runs the Eastern Washington Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, says it needs to bolster the number of volunteers who advocate for seniors in assisted-living care facilities. The program usually has between 36 and 42 people, but is down to about 29 ombudsmen, so more volunteers are needed to help residents who might have issues while living in various long-term care facilities across a five-county area. Training starts Oct. 12.
News >  Family

Spokane Elder Resource Team sets senior planning workshops

A series of senior planning workshops begin next week at two library locations. The free sessions are open to the public and led by the professional networking group Spokane Elder Resource Team. For the “Plan Well, Age Well” fall series, SERT members will offer tips for smoother transitions as people age – from downsizing to financial planning.
News >  Family

Rebooting goals as empty nesters

Have you sent your last child off to college or other adventures this fall? Beyond all that quiet in the home, and likely a few tears, what now? Perhaps it’s time to spread wings much like your kid is, a sort of empty-nest bucket list: Go on a cruise, cycle in Europe, learn golf as a couple, or remodel the kitchen. Other parents invest new-found time into volunteering, a hobby, or new work opportunities.
A&E

Paying attention to teen depression

The Mayo Clinic, along with American Academy of Pediatrics researchers, suggest teen depression is more common than most people realize. In fact, the pediatrics group this past spring issued new guidelines calling for yearly depression screening for all youth between the ages 12 and 21.
A&E

Recovering community: Recovery Cafe in Peaceful Valley serves up support and social connections

Since opening February 2017, Recovery Cafe in Peaceful Valley has served up support and social connections for people who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. A program of the Spokane nonprofit Community-Minded Enterprises, the cafe is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. three days a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, including a noon lunch. Food and other cafe services are free.
News >  Family

Gifting action for Grandparents Day

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day each year as a time to recognize grandparents. As more people older than 50 are staying active with fitness, those elders likely would embrace both family time and an invite to go walking or cycling.
News >  Family

Let’s talk: How to hold family meetings

Far from the workplace, the agenda requires an informal check-in regularly. All corporate voices are heard down to the 3-year-old. It’s the family meeting – what more therapists and parent education groups suggest for anchoring relationships in the sea of busy schedules.