by Kristi Jain | Jan 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
We are almost at the end of January. How did you do? Although the date has come and gone, are you aware that the second Friday of January is referred to as “Quitters Day?” The initial enthusiasm of making resolutions fades rather quickly and it becomes apparent that many abandon their resolutions.
ATTAINABLE
We hear it repeatedly every year. Dry January, keto, more gym time, less social media time and making time for things that are truly important. Failure occurs when we don’t make our goals attainable, then we feel defeated when we don’t measure up. If we set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely, we might enjoy greater success.
GYM RAT
I’ve been going to the same gym for over 35 years. This is not a new resolution for me. It is a large facility and over the years I’ve seen many of the same old faces and even more new ones. I’ve acquired friends from different generations and all fitness levels which I appreciate.
BENEFITS FOR ALL
John and I have a fairly large social network. We get together with some people in their young 20’s, we have friends deep into their 80’s along with many in between. There is so much to learn from intergenerational friendships. Often when making friends, we tend to look for people in our own age group because we assume they will share common views and experiences.
NOT
This is not always true. Connections are made when like-minded people, regardless of age find each other fun, interesting and enjoyable. You don’t need your birth year tattooed across your forehead when deciding who you like spending time with. The older generation brings often forgotten social skills, wisdom and experience while the younger generation might be more adept in the digital age and technology.
BETTER HEALTH
Whatever age group you work or socialize with, keep in mind the those with strong social connections may have a lower risk of many health problems including depression, high blood pressure and unhealthy weight. Friends can boost your happiness, lower your stress, improve your confidence and help you cope. Www.mayoclinic.org says studies have shown that older adults who have close friends and a healthy social network are likely to live longer than their peers who have fewer friends.
HAPPY AND HEALTHY
A great way to get and stay healthy and happy is to reconnect with old friends as well as make new ones. Pick up the phone, write a letter, send a text or drop them an instant message. Reach out and take time to reconnect. The fact is that when spending time with friends or loved ones, neurochemicals like endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin are released into your bloodstream elevating your mood and optimizing your hormonal response to stress.
HDD
We invite all of our friends from multi-generations to be mindful of their physical, mental and emotional health. If diagnostic ultrasound is indicated by your healthcare provider, call your friends at HDD at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Jan 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
We are halfway through January! My how time flies. My mom used to say, “The best thing about January is that it eventually ends.” The freezing temperatures, wind, snow, darkness and generally unpleasant weather days bring a whole host of surprises.
FUN TIMES
Like most, you might enjoy some of those fabulous surprises including scaly itchy skin, chapped lips, flyaway hair, crispy soles on your feet and crunchy cuticles just to name a few of the pleasantries. So many issues to conquer and so many products to remedy them. What is best?
PRODUCT
Yes, here is another YouTube reference. I am an insomniac so in the wee hours when sleep evades me, I put in my air pods and usually find something informative that YouTube can offer. Recently I learned about the benefits old fashioned petroleum jelly aka Vaseline.
THE BENEFITS
Vaseline has many uses from improving skin hydration to promoting wound healing and can be used in your ultrasound exam which I will address shortly. According to a 2016 review article, Vaseline prevents more than 98% of water loss from the outer layer of the skin. This type of water loss is known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL.) Have you heard of slugging? It is a skincare technique the involves putting a thin layer of Vaseline on your face as the final step of your skincare routine. It creates a protective layer that prevents water loss and dehydration. It allows other products to penetrate skin more effectively as well as promotes an environment that helps your skin repair itself. Dr. Dawn Davis is quoted in an article from www.mayoclinic.org saying “Petroleum jelly sits on top of the skin like a greenhouse roof, so it’s like insulating the skin so that is doesn’t lose heat and so it doesn’t lose moisture.”
BACK THAT TRUCK UP
Do we really want to put petroleum products on our skin? The answer is yes. It is generally safe to use on your skin as long as it is fully refined. The FDA regulates petroleum jelly as an over-the -counter drug. It is considered safe and effective when it is 30-100% concentrated. That being said, it is not for everyone. If you have oily or acne-prone skin you might want to avoid using it on your face as it can cause increased breakouts and possible skin irritation.
VASELINE AND ULTRASOUND
Suffice it to say, Vaseline is that ubiquitous medicine chest staple that has a thousand uses and has a place in most homes, hospitals and medicals offices. If you have had an ultrasound test, you know that ultrasound gel is applied to the transducer so it may glide easily over the skin. Although ultrasound gel is the gold standard medium for ultrasound, petroleum jelly will obtain clinically satisfactory results when ultrasound gel is not available.
HDD
That being said, HDD is the gold standard is diagnostic ultrasound. If you and your provider determine whether an ultrasound test is necessary to aid in your diagnosis, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Jan 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
We made it! As much as I love to see the holidays come, I love to see them go. We tend to make unhealthy choices during this time. January is the month when we well-meaning resolutioners commit to better health, fitness, diet, prevention and lifestyle.
YOUTUBE
This week’s blog has absolutely nothing to do with ultrasound, however I ran across a YouTube reel that I found interesting. I believe it is important to share with you because it has to do with healthcare. It pertains to skin cancer and things that you may not be aware of.
THANKS DOC
The short bit of information came from Dr. Annette Bosworth who said she can actually spot basil cell carcinoma on a random stranger while simply out shopping. That this kind of cancer is less deadly and your doctor should be able to recognize it immediately. It is melanoma that we need to worry about.
ACRONYM
In the dermatology world they use an acronym of A B C D and E that teaches us what they are looking for.
- A stands for asymmetrical. It is not an equal shape on both sides.
- B is the border. It is generally not smooth and it changes.
- C is color. It is not one color throughout the lesion and can go from a light brown to even a black inside the lesion.
- D is for diameter. Over 6 millimeters is where it can get dangerous. It is about the size of an eraser on a pencil.
- E is for evolving which means the shape and color evolve over time which means get checked!
I DO NOW
In my youth, I didn’t think much about going to the dermatologist. I do now. I have 2 friends who had melanoma. Thankfully they are both still around to talk about it. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer appearing as a new spot or change in an existing freckle or mole. Any abnormalities should get checked. Over 95% of skin cancers can be successfully treated if they are found early.
GOLDEN GLOW
That beautiful Coppertone glow is more popular than the pasty white look, however it comes at a cost. A suntan does not indicate good health. Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged and mutate, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Remember, a “base tan” is already a sign of skin damage.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…
How do we reduce the risk of skin cancer? Practice sun safety by using sunscreen religiously, cover your skin during sun exposure, and avoid the intense UV rays of indoor tanning.
HDD
High Desert Diagnostics can’t help you with the diagnosis of skin cancer. However, we can help in the diagnosis a variety of conditions because ultrasound shows the structures inside the body. The images help with diagnosis and treatment for many diseases and conditions. Call us at 505-350-3397
by Kristi Jain | Dec 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
The 2024 holiday season is history. I hope it was happy and healthy. It can be hectic yet magical for some. It can be a lonesome time for others. This season was a happy yet busy time for me. So busy in fact that New Year’s Day is creeping up when I realized I don’t have a fresh 2025 blog. A recycle from last year will have to do. I hope it gives you some healthy reminders.
2025
Happy new year!!! How many of us made a new year resolution for 2025? I for one, will raise my hand. Interestingly enough, they sound like some I’ve made in the past. Seriously, who doesn’t want to lose a few pounds, save money, plan a trip, get a job you don’t hate, work out more, and get it better health? Do you have the courage it takes to make a change?
RESOLUTION VS INTENTION
After the meditation portion of a yoga class I attended, the instructor gave her thoughts about the new year and the idea of resolutions. She said, she prefers not to say the word resolution. It implies what you were doing was not good enough. She prefers the word intention.
NO ONE IS PERFECT
If you live a relatively healthy lifestyle, but occasionally fall off the wagon I’d say you have good intentions. Keep up the good work. If you are a junk food junkie, lazy, with an addiction or two, look on the bright side, there is always tomorrow. Remember, no one is perfect.
COURAGE
Since we are on the subject of “no one is perfect”, I’d venture to say many of us lack the courage to be imperfect. Chew on that one for a minute. I listened to Brene Brown on YouTube this week, she is a research professor at the University of Houston. She has spent many years studying courage, vulnerability, empathy and shame. A question she asks is, “Do you have the willingness to step into the arena of vulnerability?”
JUDGEMENT
So many people are afraid of the judgment of others at one time or another. Heaven forbid, what if we aren’t good enough, smart enough, thin enough, successful enough, important enough or attractive enough? Are we busy judging others as well as ourselves?
NUMB
Brene Brown goes on to say that we are the most in debt, obese, over medicated and addicted society in US history. I get it. Life is hectic. Is it any wonder we need to numb ourselves a bit, then end up with an addiction to something that actually made us feel good for a time? The numbing effects of substance can be devastating on your mind, body and soul.
MAKE GOOD CHOICES
Make choices that will help make you happy, healthy and well. Not necessarily resolutions, but intention and courage could be the key a better and healthier you. Today is a great day to start! If High Desert Diagnostics can help, call us at 505-350-3397.
by Kristi Jain | Dec 24, 2024 | Uncategorized
It is finally here! For many, the crescendo of the entire year has arrived. All of the carefully orchestrated plans have fallen into place. Now we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It may be gift overload and credit card debt or quiet, simple and peaceful. Whatever your situation is, will it meet your expectations?
WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?
Remember to recognize that along with expectation can come disappointment. Disappointment is a normal human reaction when expectation doesn’t align with reality. Occasionally it is beyond our control but often we set ourselves up to be disappointed. How do we avoid this?
WHAT I REALLY WANTED…
That package gets ripped open in anticipatory elation because I know it is exactly what I asked for and had my heart set on for Christmas this year. “You shouldn’t have! You didn’t. Wow, underwear and socks again. Gee thanks.” Take heart. Perhaps it won’t be that bad. Maybe you’ll get jammies again, another scarf or perhaps that coveted 2025 desk calendar. Many expectations are higher than reality.
A FEW YEARS BACK
A few years ago around Christmas time, my daughter asked me if I remember the gift she gave me the previous year. Admittedly, I had no clue. Coincidentally, she didn’t remember my gift to her either. She did remind me that for a time, when we ran out of original gift ideas, we exchanged gift cards in the identical denominations. How original. In her early adulthood, I believe she is wise beyond her years. She suggested we forgo the obligatory, perfunctory exchange of material gifts. Instead we will share a special meal, bake cookies, spend time together and make memories. That is a perfect gift in itself that we have exchanged for the past several years.
MR. GRINCH
It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!” Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
-Dr. Seuss
TIME
Whether you produce that expensive, perfectly orchestrated Pinterest Christmas experience or you anticipate a simple celebration with a cozy fire, good food, family or friends, make it count. Along with unconditional love and acceptance, time is one of the most important gifts you can give.
“Time is free yet priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
-Harvey MacKay
HDD
First and foremost this holiday season, above all else, take time to love, appreciate and nurture yourself. If you aren’t whole and well, you can’t be expected to be present and available for others. When you have the gift of good health, you have the greatest gift of all. From all of us at High Desert Diagnostics, we wish you the very happiest holiday season!
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