Health & Wellness

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time we can open the lines of communication around a challenging topic, one that people often avoid. At Suicide Prevention Network (SPN), we believe that if people are willing to learn about risk factors and bring empathy to those who are suffering, there is hope. Together, we can provide help and reassurance that there is no need for anyone to feel alone or isolated in their thoughts and feelings.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - PT Revolution is hosting a health talk with professionals on tendons, Wednesday, August 18 at their South Lake Tahoe office at 6:00 p.m.

Do you experience sharp or achy pain in your Achilles, knee, shoulder or elsewhere? You won’t want to miss this!

Join Dr. Alison Ganong and Justin Dorn,DPT as they talk all things tendons:

- Prevention & Maintenance
- What to do when your tendons need a little extra TLC
- Info on PRP & stem cell
- And more

When: Wednesday August 18 at 6:00 p.m.

For the health and safety of staff and patients, and per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations, Barton Health has updated its visitation policy: any visitors to Barton Memorial Hospital, must show proof of full COVID vaccination OR a negative COVID test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their visit.

Any patient within the hospital who plans to have a visitor, should review this important update—we ask that you encourage your visitors to prepare for these changes and allow extra time to complete their verification process.

For fully vaccinated visitors:

A concussion is a type of TBI caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth, as in whiplash. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious if it causes a concussion.

Kids who play contact sports are often at risk for concussion, which can put sports—and life—on hold. Concussions can cause a range of short- and long-term problems, and they can affect thinking and memory, vision, balance, language, and emotions.

A hernia, a hole in the tough layer of the abdominal wall (fascia) is caused by a combination of pressure and an opening/ weakness of muscle or fascia, pushing an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot.

Shoulder pain is often related to rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff stabilizes the ball of the shoulder joint in the socket and is involved with daily shoulder movements. Repetitive lifting and/ or sporting activities can cause injury to the rotator cuff, or it may degenerate as a person ages without a specific trauma/ injury.

Barton Women’s Health welcomes Amy Tomlinson, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN). Specializing in complete women’s care services, Dr. Tomlinson is now accepting new patients.

"Dr. Tomlinson is an exciting addition to our Obstetrics and Gynecology team serving the Lake Tahoe region,” said Dr. Matthew Wonnacott, chief medical officer at Barton Health. "Her experience and passion for integrated care for women is a perfect fit for our growing community and expanding healthcare network.”

Summer in Tahoe is a perfect setting for outdoor activities with family and friends. For some, drinking alcoholic beverages is part of the fun-in-the-sun experience. But excessive alcohol consumption and summer activities don’t mix.

According to the CDC, alcohol relates to 70% of water recreation deaths and 48% of pedestrian fatalities. Alcohol decreases inhibition and impairs mental and physical capabilities, judgement, balance, and vision. It decreases reaction time and increases fatigue. Alcohol can lead to tragic consequences on the water, on the road and in the outdoors.

Women, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, are 33 percent more likely than men to visit a doctor, and 100 percent more likely to have an annual exam. Considering most serious issues like diabetes and prostate cancer can be avoided by early detection and lifestyle management, it’s important for men to participate in general screenings to identify issues needing attention early on.

A Douglas County man has been diagnosed with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome after being exposed to the virus while spring cleaning, according to the Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS).

CCHHS said due to medical privacy no additional information about the case will be released.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by an infection with hantaviruses. HPS is a rare disease with only 14 cases being reported in Nevada, outside of Clark County, since 2005.

Over the past 15 months, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly changed our delivery of health care. As health systems and communities focused on managing the pandemic, people began to forgo their normal preventive care. Additionally, mental health concerns due to isolation and other social changes as a result of the pandemic became apparent. Addressing mental health issues is a high priority for Barton Health and as it is frequently identified as an area of need in our Community Health Needs Assessment.

Spinal stenosis is a very common, but potentially debilitating, condition. Stenosis is a generic medical term for narrowing. Stenosis in your heart's blood vessels can lead to a heart attack. Stenosis in your esophagus can lead to choking, in addition to other instances in the human body. Spinal stenosis occurs when your spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the nerves which travel through the spine, resulting in back and leg pain, numbness or tingling.

Barton Health, in partnership with the state of California and Vail Resorts, will host a vaccination clinic on Friday, May 21 at Heavenly Ski Resort’s California Base Lodge. Appointments are scheduled through MyTurn, the state of California’s universal vaccine sign-up portal. Barton Health is proud to take part in the ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

We have all been under a great deal of stress in the last year. Understanding the role of food and nutrition in brain health can help us cope with stress better and even reduce symptoms of depression, irritability and anxiety.

Foods and nutrients can greatly influence our brain health. Our brains have a unique and complex metabolism and need specific foods and nutrients to function optimally. Many of these nutrients cannot be made by our bodies; they only come from our diets.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, join Barton Psychiatrist, Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, for a virtual discussion on nutrition and brain health on Thursday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Learn about:

- The power of diet and nutrition their role in brain health

- What foods can help maintain your mood, stress and overall mental wellbeing

- Foods to be aware of that can hinder your mental health

The webinar will be hosted via Zoom and advanced registration is required. To register, visit https://bartonhealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vldLn3wMRGyYMJTf-HiGMg.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Mental Health Awareness Month is dedicated to building awareness, breaking down stigma, and providing resources for individuals and families. During the month of May, South Lake Tahoe government agencies, schools, and organizations will shed light on this issue, highlighting available pathways for support and encouraging involvement from community members and groups.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After 11 months of providing the longest-running large scale COVID-19 testing site in El Dorado County, Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is passing the torch and will no longer house the Logistics Health Incorporated test site in its gym.

The El Dorado Office of Emergency Services is relocating its COVID-19 testing center to the airport parking lot. They intend to conduct community COVID-19 testing at the airport/city hall through Fall 2021.

Elevated Fitness is hosting their annual Elevated Fitness Charity Scavenger Dash to benefit Humane Society Truckee-Tahoe. The Scavenger Dash is an exciting outdoor foot and bike race where participants work in teams to solve clues, find hidden objects, and perform fun activities in and around South Lake Tahoe. Top teams win prize bags filled with gifts from local businesses, including clothing, gift certificates, and a membership to Elevated Fitness. All proceeds benefit HSTT.

Location

We have lived through an historical moment. Has it changed you? It has certainly changed me and reinforced my desire for Bliss.

Less is Good
I grew up playing with whatever was available. We would run around the fields, climb trees, build rock & tree forts, and build mud pies. Our imaginations allowed us to create anything out of anything.

Barton Health is expanding its relationship with UC Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento to offer more specialized care to newborns in the Lake Tahoe region.

The arrangement increases Barton’s ability to care for more at-risk newborns by providing increased access to UC Davis specialists and experts including a neonatologist, and neonatal specialists within the pharmacy, respiratory therapy and nutrition departments. Barton team members will have access to education opportunities through UC Davis Health to ensure training and new skill acquisition.

UPDATE: Use these links for appointments.

Sunday (3/21): https://www.calvax.org/reg/6132150932
Monday (3/22): https://www.calvax.org/reg/9410226153
_ _ _

The City of South Lake Tahoe is partnering with El Dorado County in holding a vaccine clinic Sunday and Monday, March 21-22 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The clinic will take place at the South Tahoe Recreation Center at 1180 Rufus Allen Boulevard for those with appointments only.

A year ago, February 2020, Barton Health moved quickly to meet the emerging global public health crisis and prepare for its anticipated arrival in our region. Long days and nights were spent planning to ensure we were prepared to care for this community as well as our team members as best as possible amid the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

The El Dorado County Opioid Coalition (EDCOC) is hosting a free virtual summit, Addressing the Opioid and Overdose Crises in El Dorado County on Wednesday, March 24 from 10 AM to 1 PM. The opioid epidemic has been called the worst drug crisis to hit the US, with 2020 having the highest overdose deaths on record. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from opioid and other drug overdoses, devastating families, and our communities.

There’s a good chance you or someone you know will soon get a COVID-19 vaccine. El Dorado County is in Phase 1B-Tier 1, which allows residents in certain age categories to now receive a vaccine, along with other identified essential worker categories.

This is great news. The more people who vaccinate, the sooner we will again be able to safely engage in more activities. Many people ask how the vaccines do and don’t do, and how they work in our bodies. Here’s an overview.

What each vaccine does