The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the third human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. The patient is a resident of Middlesex County in her 60s who was confirmed with WNV by testing completed by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. The patient was hospitalized during her illness but has returned home.

“The unusually warm weather we have had recently has prolonged the mosquito season,” said DPH Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “Risk of infection will continue until we have a hard freeze and is greatest during warm and humid days. That means it continues to be important for people to take steps to avoid mosquito bites including using repellents, using clothing to reduce exposed skin, and moving indoors when you notice the mosquitoes biting you.”

There have been two other cases of WNV infection in people this year: a resident of Bristol County in his 50s and a resident of Hampden County in his 60s. Both individuals were hospitalized during their illnesses. There have been no deaths this year from WNV.

In 2016, there were 16 human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)], or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitos. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitos away from your skin.

Southcoast Health today announced that it is offering free mammograms for uninsured individuals during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Screenings are offered at all 10 Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers across the region.

Statistics show that one in eight women over the age of 40 will develop breast cancer. Since patients are less likely to experience symptoms during the early stage of breast cancer, when tumors are small and most treatable, early detection and regular screenings are a necessity to reduce advanced stage diagnosis and often improve treatment outcome. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that it is very important for women to follow the recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. The ACS recommends that women receive a regular, annual mammogram beginning at age 40.

Data also shows that individuals without health insurance are less likely to have regular breast cancer screenings, significantly reducing their chances of early detection. That is why Southcoast Health is offering this important screening, at no cost, to any uninsured individual during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Appointments are required. To schedule a free mammogram during the month of October, call central scheduling at 800-276-0103. Massachusetts residents will also have the opportunity to speak with Patient Financial Services for guidance on how to apply for health insurance. Rhode Island residents without insurance are welcome to take advantage of the free screenings, but will not qualify for financial assistance.

Southcoast Health is a primary provider of breast health services in the region. Southcoast Breast Imaging Center is designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, is certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers by the American College of Surgeons, and offer 100 percent digital mammography services at all of their sites throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

The Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers are located at:

DARTMOUTH
Southcoast Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road

FALL RIVER
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue

Borden Medical Building
300 Hanover Street

HealthFirst Family Care Center
387 Quarry Street, Suite 104

New Boston Medical Center
373 New Boston Road

Truesdale Clinic
263 Stanley Street

NEW BEDFORD
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
874 Purchase Street

WAREHAM
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street

Southcoast Health at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way

Southcoast Health today announced that it is offering free mammograms for uninsured individuals during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Screenings are offered at all 10 Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers across the region.

Statistics show that one in eight women over the age of 40 will develop breast cancer. Since patients are less likely to experience symptoms during the early stage of breast cancer, when tumors are small and most treatable, early detection and regular screenings are a necessity to reduce advanced stage diagnosis and often improve treatment outcome. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that it is very important for women to follow the recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. The ACS recommends that women receive a regular, annual mammogram beginning at age 40.

Data also shows that individuals without health insurance are less likely to have regular breast cancer screenings, significantly reducing their chances of early detection. That is why Southcoast Health is offering this important screening, at no cost, to any uninsured individual during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Appointments are required. To schedule a free mammogram during the month of October, call central scheduling at 800-276-0103. Massachusetts residents will also have the opportunity to speak with Patient Financial Services for guidance on how to apply for health insurance. Rhode Island residents without insurance are welcome to take advantage of the free screenings, but will not qualify for financial assistance.

Southcoast Health is a primary provider of breast health services in the region. Southcoast Breast Imaging Center is designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, is certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers by the American College of Surgeons, and offer 100 percent digital mammography services at all of their sites throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

The Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers are located at:

DARTMOUTH
Southcoast Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road

FALL RIVER
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue

Borden Medical Building
300 Hanover Street

HealthFirst Family Care Center
387 Quarry Street, Suite 104

New Boston Medical Center
373 New Boston Road

Truesdale Clinic
263 Stanley Street

NEW BEDFORD
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
874 Purchase Street

WAREHAM
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street

Southcoast Health at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way

Finally some good news on the overdose front: New Bedford drug overdoses are down 9% in the first eight months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.

According to the New Bedford police statistics, there were 378 drug overdoses in New Bedford from 1 January to 30 September in 2016 compared to 416 total overdoses in the same period in 2017. That’s a decrease of 38 or 9%.

This is a stark contrast to 2016 where New Bedford saw a 75% increase in overdoses compared to 2015. New Bedford had 679 drug overdoses (42 of them fatal) in 2016 compared to 389 overdoses (25 of them fatal) in 2015.

This will mark the first decline in drug overdoses in New Bedford in a long time. There hasn’t been a decline fatal overdoses in Massachusetts since 2010.

Ao far in 2017, New Bedford did see an increase of fatal overdoses from 25 to 26 likely due to potent synthetic opioids. Fatalities in New Bedford nearly doubled from 2014 to 2015, jumping from 27 confirmed deaths to 48. Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Fentanyl is the reason behind most overdoses and likely the reason for the slight increase in New Bedford.

Fentanyl was found in 75 percent of the 1,374 opioid deaths in Massachusetts in 2016 and carfentanil, a drug 10,000 times more potent than morphine and used on elephants, has found its way into Massachusetts. Carfentanil is approximately 100 times more potent than Fentanyl, which can be lethal in the 2-milligram range. These two drugs are likely to be the main cause of most drug overdoses going forward and even causing overdoses in first-responders.

Here’s a look at a fatal amount of each drug:

Considering the significant increase in Narcan use over the past few years, one could assume the overdose numbers would be much lower and the overdose deaths much higher without the life-saving drug. How many times have you read about a person overdosing and being saved with Narcan multiple times? Here’s an example of a 47-year old New Bedford woman overdosing on heroin twice in a 24-hour period. I’ve even written an article titled ‘Narcan, stabilize, release and repeat – Massachusetts solution to the opioid epidemic‘. While saving lives, Narcan will boost the overdose numbers are addicts continue to use after being saved.

Reduced numbers of people overdosing in New Bedford for the first three quarters of 2017 is excellent news. We may have finally hit a wall and turned a corner. Let’s hope this victory is used to motivate health officials to push for further successes. We’ve had a decade of steep increases in drug overdoses, let’s hope this news is the beginning of a decade of major yearly decreases.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has been detected in a mosquito in Westport. The mosquito, collected Aug. 14, is the first case of EEE virus detected this year. Especially considering the close proximity to New Bedford, residents are urged to take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, cover up and consider reducing outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.

West Nile was discovered in mosquitoes last month in Marion and Fairhaven.

It’s been about six months since I learned that I have sleep apnea – a sleep disorder that causes me to stop breathing throughout the night that can be deadly or cause long-term health issues.

I recently wrote about the causes and diagnosis of it and thought I’d share the things I’ve learned about the disorder since being diagnosed.

1. CPAP machines are the most effective initial and long-term treatment – CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and is what most physicians will use to treat someone diagnosed with sleep apnea. It’s an amazing machine that provides initial pressure through a mask to open your airwaves and increases the pressure when you have an apnea. My CPAP came with a humidifier and it is lightweight to take with you when you travel. My life was miserable without it – I would wake up with head ringing several times a night. I was also having low oxygen levels during my sleep test, so the machine is literally saving my life.

My CPAP machine even came with an iPhone app that allows me to track my results to include duration, how good my mask seal is, the number of apneas I’m having per hour and more.

2. In most causes sleep apnea is curable by losing some weight – if you are obese or even just a little overweight and snore, you should talk to your doctor about sleep apnea, especially if you wake up with headaches and feel tired during the day. Gaining weight can cause your airways to get blocked while you sleep thus the apneas. Losing weight is considered the best way to cure your sleep apnea and preferable to surgery.

3. Surgery should be considered a last resort– in some cases, sleep apnea can be caused by a blockage in your airways. Surgery can help, but there are dangers to removing tissue from your throat. My doctor reported that surgery was 50% effective with her patients – half of those that decided on surgery had long-term adverse issues like trouble with swallowing. The risk-reward of surgery can be dramatic so my doctor suggested surgery be a last resort. A CPAP machine, losing weight, a dental mouthpiece and even acupuncture should be considered first before considering surgery.

4. Dentists have some success with treating sleep apnea – through my research I’ve learned that dentists can produce a mouthpiece that can keep your airways open while you sleep. If you fall asleep easily and nothing seems to bother you, it’s something to consider. For me, sleeping with a mouthpiece isn’t my first choice as I’m a light sleeper. It’s something I will strongly consider if losing weight doesn’t resolve my sleep apnea.

5. Sleeping on your side is best for people with sleep apnea – every health care professional that I talked to from doctors to acupuncturists told me to sleep on my side. When you sleep on your back your tongue and head position can restrict your airway. It can be the main reason someone even has sleep apnea.

Consider sleeping on your side with a pillow to your back and/or one near your chest. Manufacturers even sell pillows specifically designed to help with sleeping on your side. I find sleeping on my side with a CPAP machine has helped significantly reduce my apneas. I’ve gone from 40+ per hour to 4-6 per hour, which is considered normal.

6. Finding the perfect mask can take time, but it is critical for those with a CPAP – I went through three different categories of masks before I found the one for me. I started off with a nasal-only style mask and when that didn’t work out for me I switched to a partial-mask (nearly a full mask), but it turned out I was more of a mouth breather when sleeping. Finally, I settled on a full mask that covers both my mouth and nose. The key is don’t settle for the first mask you try. Once you find the perfect mask, you’ll find yourself having a better night’s rest.

Have sleep apnea and tips to share? Post them in the comment section!

This article is sponsored by Cape Medical Supply – New England’s premiere provider of sleep therapy service and orthopedic bracing solutions

Resources

• WebMD – Sleap Apnea
• American Sleep Apnea Association 
• Mayo Clinic – Sleep Apnea 

The New Bedford Farmers Market season officially opened Monday, June 12. Until the end of October, you can find your favorite farmers and other local food vendors Mondays at Brooklawn Park from 2-6pm, Thursdays at Custom House Square from 2-6pm, and Saturdays at Clasky Common from 10am – 2pm. (The Clasky Common market is opening a month earlier this year.) The Farmers Market season ends October 30.

“We are excited to begin our third year,” said Mass in Motion New Bedford Director Kim Ferreira. “By far, the newest addition to this year’s market is the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which is a dollar-for-dollar matching program for all SNAP recipients.”

A program of the Department of Transitional Assistance, HIP will provide all SNAP recipients with a 1:1 match when they purchase local produce from participating vendors. The money will immediately be returned to their SNAP card and they will be able to use it to purchase other SNAP-eligible items.

“HIP will help SNAP recipients purchase more locally grown fruits and vegetables, simultaneously supporting our local farmers and the local food economy,” said Ferreira. “This program provides SNAP recipients with greater flexibility and incentive to use their often limited SNAP dollars to purchase fresh produce, and subsequently rewarded with additional SNAP dollars to purchase other items.”

As Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) reports, “If every household in Massachusetts spent $20 more on local food per month (and $20 less on non-local food), $234,768,540 more local income would be generated per year and 3,876 local jobs would be created in the State.”

The New Bedford Farmers Market will feature 18 vendors this year, across its three locations – including four new vendors! New vendors include Apponagansett Farm selling local produce, The French BrewDog Bakery selling dog treats, The Boston Brown Bread in a Can Baking Company, and People’s Pressed, Inc. selling cold-pressed juices.

Farmers and vendors will sell an array of locally grown vegetables and fruits, eggs, chicken, grass-fed beef, locally-landed fish, jams, prepared foods, fresh juices, dog treats, honey baked goods, and other specialty items.

The market continues to accept SNAP benefits, WIC coupons, Senior Farmers Market coupons, credit cards, debit cards, and cash.

“The New Bedford Farmers Market is grateful to its 2017 Farmers Market sponsors, including, Bristol County Savings Bank, Edible South Shore & South Coast, Hawthorn Medical Associates, and the New Bedford Credit Union, as well as to the Mayor’s Office, Office of Planning, Housing & Community Development, and the City Councilors for their ongoing support of the farmers market, and to the Marion Institute for acting as fiscal sponsor,” said Ferreira.

The New Bedford Farmers Market is managed by Mass in Motion New Bedford; visit their website to sign up for the weekly farmers market e-newsletter to find out about weekly offerings and special events. You can also visit Mass in Motion New Bedford’s website to learn more about the farmers and vendors attending each market, and for more details about HIP.

Mass in Motion is a statewide movement led by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and supported locally by the Office of Mayor Jon Mitchell, that helps local communities increase opportunities for residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play.
You can learn more about MiM NB by visiting their website at massinmotionnewbedford.org or liking the New Bedford Farmers Market’s Facebook page @newbedfordfarmersmarket.

The City of New Bedford and Jeff Costa, a personal trainer in yoga, fitness and meditation, invite the public to ‘Meditate in the Park,’ a program running Friday afternoons from June 2 through July 7.

Each Friday from June 2 through July 7, Costa will host the program at the park at Custom House Square from 4:10 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The public is invited to the twenty-minute sessions of quiet and community, an opportunity to unplug at the end of the week. The City has partnered with Costa to offer the program to residents and the Department of Personnel has reached out to City employees with information on this program, which has been incorporated into the overall wellness program offered to employees.

“Evidence continues to accumulate in support of the individual and collective benefits of meditation. Studies suggest that many stress-aggravated conditions – anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders, and more – may be helped by this simple practice,” said Costa. “And there is even research to suggest the existence of a ripple effect of well-being in the surrounding environment when groups of people meditate together.”

Costa is a highly respected retreat leader, teacher trainer, group instructor and personal trainer in yoga, fitness, and meditation. He also serves on the New Bedford Human Relations Commission and is a proud resident of downtown New Bedford.

There will be three farmers’ markets in New Bedford in 2017. Details on each:

New Bedford/Brooklawn Park Farmers’ Market
Ashley Blvd & Brooklawn St-Brooklawn Park, Ashley Blvd. Entrance, New Bedford, MA 02745
Dates & Times: June 12 to October 30 – Monday, 2:00pm – 6:00 pm
WIC & Senior Coupons Accepted
EBT-SNAP Accepted

New Bedford/Clasky Common Farmers’ Market
Pleasant St & Pearl St-Pleasant Street between Pearl and Pope Streets, New Bedford, MA 02740
Dates & Times: June 17 to October 28 – Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
WIC & Senior Coupons Accepted
EBT-SNAP Accepted

New Bedford/Downtown Custom House Square Farmers’ Market
Barker’s Lane-Custom House Square, New Bedford, MA 02740
Dates & Times: June 15 to October 26 – Thursday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
WIC & Senior Coupons Accepted
EBT-SNAP Accepted

There are 11 farmers markets planned for the south coast MA area. Details: https://www.newbedfordguide.com/11-amazing-south-coast-massachusetts-farmers-markets-for-2017/2017/05/15

Here’s a great link to find other Massachusetts farmers’ markets: https://massnrc.org/farmlocator/map.aspx?Type=Farmers%20Markets

Each year the American Heart Association – Southern New England has its “Heart Walk” to raise awareness for America’s #1 killer. In spite of the overwhelming amount of information out there, heart disease continues to be the nation’s largest health concern.

Making sure that the proper information is reaching the community is important in a world of information overload. However, that is just the beginning. Being inspired and motivated is a major element in helping people forge ahead when it comes to improving their heart health, especially when we all struggle with food cravings or just not feeling like we have enough energy to exercise.

The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk is a superlative event to hear the proper information from some of the area’s most qualified and knowledgeable medical experts. A time to hear inspiring anecdotes from those who have made significant changes in their lives to improve their health. A time for you to inspire others to make that change.

With an eye on the future of the nation’s health, their 2020 Impact Goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent. With that in mind the American Heart Association has drawn up a “Life’s Simple 7.” These are, essentially, 7 risk factors in your life that either make you or break your heart health.

How does this tie into the Heart Walk? These seven risk factors are seven reasons to participate in the walk!

__________________________________________________________

In a world full of challenges to our health and well-being, it can be difficult to find the time and resources to take care of ourselves—and those we care about. Do you wish that you could make a heart-healthy difference, today, —for yourself, your colleagues, and your loved ones, but you aren’t sure where to begin?

You and those you care about can get healthy—and you can start right now—with Life’s Simple 7 and the My Life Check Assessment from the American Heart Association. These free online tools can help individuals to privately evaluate their heart health, learn more about seven risk factors for heart disease, and take action to make simple changes that can both improve quality of life and save lives.

Challenge Yourself
Take the My Life Check Assessment online, today. The assessment is quick and easy! Visit mylifecheck.heart.org/PledgePage.aspx to do yours.

Challenge Your Colleagues
You can foster a healthy workplace by challenging colleagues and employees to take the health assessment. Remember, results are private and individual.

Challenge Those You Care About
Share the Life Check Assessment with those closest to you. Anyone can take the assessment.

Learn the Simple Seven; Take Small Steps to Decrease Your Risk
Get active. Control cholesterol. Eat better. Manage blood pressure. Lose weight. Reduce blood sugar. Stop smoking. Learn about these 7 risk factors, and how to take small steps toward controlling risk. Share the Simple 7 with everyone you know: /mylifecheck.heart.org/Multitab.aspx?NavID=3&CultureCode=en-US

How To Participate
Want to participate in the Heart Walk alone, or with family and/or friends? The 2 or 3 ½ Mile Walk takes place at UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, May 13th from 8:00am-1:00pm. The 2 mile walk is a special “heart and stroke survivor” route and there is the alternative 3.5-mile walk route. The event will include free health screenings, entertainment, cardiovascular advice from experts, giveaways, a kids’ zone, and healthy snacks. The Kids Heart Challenge, a ½ mile obstacle course for kids ages 5-12, will also be kicked off after the Heart Walk.

The 2016 Heart Walk drew more than 9,000 participants and raised over $800,000 for the fight against heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association uses the funds raised through the Heart Walk to finance cutting-edge scientific research, conduct public and professional educational programs and advocate for public health. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts alone, the American Heart Association funded more than $36 million in scientific research last year.

Register your team to walk with your community at the Heart Walk! There is no minimum donation to participate. Raise at least $100 and earn an official Heart Walk t-shirt!

Registration: 8:00 AM
Walk Start: 9:00 AM

For more information on Heart Walk teams, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please call 401-228-2335 or visit SNEHeartWalk.org Go directly to the Facebook Event Page here