Health & Wellness

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. In 2024, approximately 310,720 women were diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer and though rarer, approximately 2,800 men received the same diagnosis.

While there isn’t one magic solution to prevent breast cancer, certain lifestyle practices, early detection, and swift treatment can help reduce the development or the spread of this disease.

When we visit the hospital, it’s easy to overlook the dedicated efforts that ensure our quality of care. Behind the scenes, countless professionals work tirelessly to enhance the patient experience and uphold the safety and quality of the care we receive. Their commitment to healthcare quality makes a meaningful difference in our journey to health.

Quality in healthcare means delivering timely, safe, and effective care. It also involves engaging patients and empowering them to take an active role in preventive care and managing their health conditions.

The Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids provides a monthly "Did You Know" column that covers subjects local parents, families, and residents will find useful. This month, the focus is on Substance Use Prevention Month.

DID YOU KNOW that Prevention strengthens protective factors and reduces risk factors in individuals, families, schools, communities, and society?

DID YOU KNOW that Prevention helps us get ahead of substance use and mental health challenges so that youth, families, and communities can thrive?

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Members of the community are coming together to find peace, solace, and connection amidst nature’s tranquility at the first Health in Community, a women's grief retreat, from Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Zephyr Cove, Nevada at Camp Galilee.

Nicole Gordon is hosting the event with Shannon Leibel leading gentle yoga and breathwork.

This retreat is for women who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in persons aged 10 to 34. Studies show that approximately 15 percent of adolescents have thought about suicide within the past year. Rates in adults tend to be lower, at about 5 percent. Luckily, not every thought leads to suicidal actions, but that leaves the difficult question of when to be very worried versus just concerned.

Start the conversation

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Carson Valley Health has announced the addition of a dedicated cardiology team to the CVH Cardiology Clinic and Cardiac Catheterization Lab in Gardnerville.

Along with board-certified cardiologists, Carson Valley Health has a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory, or cath lab, as part of the imaging services offered at the newly expanded hospital.

Our 2nd Annual Walk during Suicide Awareness Month will be held Friday, Sept 13, at 7 p.m. at Heritage Park. This event is free and open to those who are grieving a lost loved one. There will be a path of illuminary to walk with (or without) our therapy horses.

We look forward to a powerful and supportive evening to hold space for hurting people. As this event is free, and donations are appreciated to help cover costs. Thank you for your support.

— Julie Baker, Founder
Visit us at www.healingarenas.org

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting a presentation on September 12, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cowork Tahoe.

This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and those in our community safe.

Bodyweight training goes back thousands of years as the chosen training method for the Greeks, Romans, and United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams. Outside of being used in the training of the world’s greatest warriors, bodyweight exercises are a key component of many of the best fat loss and muscle gain workouts available.

Kids are back at school and as they settle into new routines, this time can also be a great time for the family to focus on a few health-related benchmarks:

See Your Provider
Make sure a yearly check-up with your family provider is on the calendar to monitor your child’s overall health and development. If your child plans to play a winter sport, you can get any required release forms signed at the same time.

Get Vaccinated

Working up a good sweat when you exercise lets you know you're working hard, but it's also a sign you're losing water — water that needs to be replaced. Dehydration, a dangerous loss of body fluids, should be considered during hot days, especially with extended sun exposure.

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - The Smile Dental Services Mobile Dental Services Van is heading to Alpine County August 22-23 in Markleville. They understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find a dentist in the area, so they’re bringing the dentist to you!

ASmile Dental Services is dedicated to ensuring each patient receives not only the best care available but also the education necessary to maintain good oral health throughout their lives. They invite you to visit them and learn how we can help you achieve your oral health goals.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a free wellness webinar on pickleball injuries and prevention with Dr. Kyle Swanson of Tahoe Orthopedics & Sports Medicine on Thursday, July 18 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. To register, visit HERE.

Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing sports, that people of
all ages can play. But as pickleball surges in popularity, so does the
risk of injury. Join orthopedics specialist, Dr. Kyle Swanson, to learn

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado Smiles Dental Van is coming to the Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club in July to serve children ages 0-18 with Medi-Cal insurance. Services provided are X-rays, exams, cleanings, sealants, and restorative services like fillings and extractions.

Please sign up by using the QR code on the flyers above or by clicking the following links. Sign up at least 2 weeks before the screening date. We are looking forward to serving the SLT community.

English:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Learn about teen substance abuse, how to support your teen in recovery, and other important tools as the Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK) hosts a guest speaker on Wednesday, June 5 from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the South Tahoe High School Student Union

Tahoe Forest Health's Jonathan Lowe, PMH-APRN, will be giving a presentation on "Understanding Teen Substance Use and Tools to Support their Recovery."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. It’s a fun, social way for people of all ages to be active. But the recent boom in popularity has brought a rise in pickleball-related injuries. Here’s how to stay safe while enjoying yourself on the pickleball court.

Get in the Game

While it’s common to joke about wine-drinking culture, relying on alcohol to cope with family demands and work stress is no laughing matter.

Drinking a glass of wine can provide relaxation and enjoyment at first, because alcohol affects neurotransmitters such as dopamine (the pleasure neurotransmitter). However, alcohol has a disruptive effect as your body breaks it down, so unwinding with a glass at night might result in fragmented sleep and frequent waking. Lack of good sleep may make you tired and irritable the next day, fueling daily stressors.

Social media can have positive and negative effects on children and teens. While it can contribute to spaces of community and self-expression, social media has been shown to lead to low self-esteem, disordered eating, and depression. Research shows that the effects these media exposures have on mental health are closely related to how and why they are engaging with the content they are seeing and posting.

April, Occupational Therapy Month, offers an opportunity to understand the unique, holistic approach that occupational therapists bring to healthcare. Occupational therapy (OT) started in the early 20th century with a focus on improving people’s lives by allowing them to complete meaningful occupations. Most people think of an occupation as “work,” however, an occupation encompasses everyday activities, jobs, sports, hobbies, and roles, like being a parent.

Partnership Douglas County is hosting a community Naloxone Training at Kahle Community Center on Wednesday, April 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdose, has been instrumental in saving countless lives. This training is open to the public and will provide access to expert instruction for this life-saving tool. No registrations or questions asked.

Colorectal cancer is among the most common types of cancer. It arises from abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the colon or rectum, forming polyps that can become cancerous over time. While it is a potentially deadly disease, early detection through preventative screenings can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe community has many hard-working individuals who continue to put the health and welfare of our youth as their top priority. Drug and alcohol prevention, for many of us, is the foundation for overall youth success. Drug and alcohol-free youth lead to healthier, happier, and more productive adults. Students who abstain from experimentation, are more likely not to use or abuse drugs or alcohol in the future. Plainly stated, prevention is the key to more positive and successful lives overall.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has earned a spot on Newsweek World's Best Hospitals 2024 List for the fourth consecutive year. The list is determined by data prepared by Statista Inc., the respected global data research firm, and rates all hospitals on important quality and safety measures. Barton is proud to feature this achievement among a list of accolades pointing to high-quality care, consistently performing above average among hospitals nationwide.

Our winter wonderland not only provides an abundance of opportunities for enjoying outdoor recreation but also presents opportunities for injury. Take steps to keep safe on the slopes, while clearing snow around your home, walking on ice, or anything else this winter.

Prepare your body: Get in shape and condition your muscles. Warm up and stretch before each activity. Begin with a slow and easy session.