Health and Wellness – Page 4

Health Matters: Rheumatoid arthritis

Published on September 16, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Old hands — According to the CDC, RA prevalence is believed to range from 0.5 to 1 percent in the general population.

Rheumatoid arthritis is just one of many forms of arthritis that affect millions of Americans every year. RA is an autoimmune disease of the joints, in which immune cells attack and eventually destroy the healthy lubricating tissues that surround joints. This causes painful swelling that can result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

According to the Center for Disease Control, rheumatoid arthritis can begin at any age, although it is more common in patients over 65.

Patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis experience chronic inflammation in many or all joints, while fewer joints are affected in those with mild RA.

There is no cure for RA, but there are treatments that can decrease the severity of symptoms and slow the disease. As is the case with many ailments, the sooner a patient begins treatment, the better. That’s why it’s important to look out for arthritic symptoms such as fatigue, loss of energy, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, and muscle and joint aches and stiffness that are especially noticeable in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Talk to your physician if you experience these symptoms.

Treatment includes medication supplemented with exercise and occupational therapy.

View the entire Best Doctors article to learn more.

Stay safe with MSU police guidelines and resources

Published on September 2, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Preparedness is the first step toward safety in any emergency. The MSU Police Department provides several resources to the MSU community members so they are prepared and informed during an emergency.

MSU Alert on phone — MSU parents and guardians and visitors can also sign up for MSU Alert. Photo courtesy of MSU Police.

New classroom emergency guidelines are being posted in all of MSU’s classrooms as a quick reference for fire, active violence, hazardous materials release or severe weather emergencies. The guidelines apply to MSU staff working in office buildings as well. They offer important information such as rally site locations, how to act during a secure-in-place and guidelines for those with disabilities.Continue Reading… Stay safe with MSU police guidelines and resources

Tips for biking in the academic year

Published on August 25, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

The pleasant weather is a great motivator to commute by bike in the summer, but it can be more difficult to opt for two-wheeled transportation in the academic year with colder temperatures and increased traffic. Fortunately, there are many resources for cyclists at MSU, which earned a bronze Bicycle Friendly University award in 2011.

In addition to the repairs and other services offered at the Bike Service Center, there are eight do-it-yourself repair stations on campus.

Busy Farm Lane in the fall — Get ready for heavier traffic! Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Registered bike commuters can access showers and lockers in IM Circle for free and store their bikes in secure and enclosed bike garages as well. Find out more here.Continue Reading… Tips for biking in the academic year

Visit Olin Health Center for a full range of services

Published on July 29, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Olin Health Center doesn’t only serve students. Faculty and staff can take advantage of the conveniently located center for a wide array of services. The spouse and children of an employee or retiree are also eligible for these services.

Olin Health Center on a summer day — Olin Health Center often schedules same-day services by appointment.

Here are some of the services available to employees:

LIFE:Rx

Have you ever wondered how fit you are? Schedule a LIFE:Rx appointment to receive a comprehensive fitness evaluation, wellness assessment and individualized lifestyle and exercise prescription.Continue Reading… Visit Olin Health Center for a full range of services

Contact Best Doctors for expert medical advice

Published on July 16, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

MSU promotes health among faculty and staff. To ensure that employees receive correct and professional treatment, MSU offers the Best Doctors service to its employees.

Stethoscope — For an expert second opinion, call Best Doctors at no cost to you.

Contacting Best Doctors grants access to one-on-one discussions with Member Advocates and medical record reviews from top specialists across the country.

The recommendations provided by the experts working with Best Doctors can put patients’ minds at ease and even save lives. The medical information given to Best Doctors is completely voluntary and confidential, and with your permission they can consult your own physician. The service is free and operates on your time. Continue Reading… Contact Best Doctors for expert medical advice

Fire up the grill for delicious BBQ

Published on June 23, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

What’s summer without a barbecue? Get out your grill and cook up some savory food to share with family and friends. Residential and Hospitality Services Senior Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski offers a recipe and some tips to make the most of your summer barbecue.

Smokestack Spartan Ribs

Rib Rub:Continue Reading… Fire up the grill for delicious BBQ

Try biking to work

Published on June 11, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Summer is the perfect time for MSU faculty and staff to get into the habit of biking to work.

Biking is a great way to experience the beautiful MSU campus, get exercise, go green and save on gas and parking.

Bikes at College of Engineering — Bikes locked up at the College of Engineering Building. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

“You just see things you don’t get to see when you’re in a car, so I just find it a lot more fun,” said Sustainable Transportation Manager Tim Potter, a year-round bicyclist.

Biking is especially practical because CATA’s Spartan Service, which includes most MSU campus routes and allows MSU regular employees to ride CATA on-campus routes for free, does not operate in the summer. Several East Lansing routes have reduced run times as well. Read about the changes here.

Potter recommends starting with small trips and discovering different routes for beginning bike commuters. The Tri-County Bicycle Association has an updated online map that features bike-friendly streets. The MSU-specific map developed by MSU Bikes is a helpful tool as well.

Do you have too far of a commute to bike all the way to MSU? Try driving to one of MSU’s open summer lots and biking or walking from there! In the summer, lots 89, 91, 83 and 75 are free and do not require a permit. You can also make use of the two membership-based MSU bike garages located inside parking ramps to protect your bike from weather and theft.

There are now eight do-it-yourself bike repair stations on campus and even free lockers.

“You can get an assigned locker inside the IM Circle, which is like a $100 value, for no charge if you commit to being a bike commuter,” Potter said. This allows staff and faculty to shower after a hot commute. Learn how to register for a locker here.

Remember to register your bike. Improve yourself, your wallet and the Earth this summer by leaving your car behind!

Best Doctors offers three great services

Published on May 27, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Best Doctors is available to all members of MSU health plans. They offer three main services at no out-of-pocket costs to you:

In-Depth Medical Review & Interconsultation, where experienced medical professionals can answer any questions you may have about a medical diagnosis or treatment options.

When to call:

You have questions about your existing diagnosis or treatment options.
Your doctor hasn’t given you a diagnosis or you aren’t getting better even with treatment.
You wonder if you really need surgery or other recommended medical procedures.
You want to make sure you are getting the right care from the right medical specialist.

Have a question about a medical diagnosis or treatment options? Ask the Expert.

When to call:

You have any general or specific medical question, and don’t want to rely on the Internet for information.
You have heard about a new treatment option or medical procedure and wonder if it’s right for you.
You are uncertain if the medications you’re now taking are the best options for you.

Need a pediatrician? Want the best surgeon in your area? Looking for a world-class medical specialist? Just contact Best Doctors to Find a Best Doctor, and they will locate the right doctor for you—one who’s nearby and in your health plan.

When to call:

You just moved to a new area and are looking for a doctor.
You believe you need to consult with a specialist.
You would like additional providers you can see about your condition.

To get started, call 1-866-904-0910 or visit their website.

Adrenal Stress and Hypothyroidism

Published on April 29, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Have you recently experienced fatigue and aren’t sure why? The cause could be adrenal gland issues or hypothyroidism. While doctors disagree as to whether adrenal stress is a veritable medical condition or simply related to hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue theory insists that a great influx of stress can actually hinder our adrenal glands from producing hormones that we need. This lack of hormones can lead to a wide variety of unwanted side effects. Albeit, there is not yet enough evidence to support this theory. Similarly, hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland fails to produce the necessary amount of thyroid hormone. Without this hormone, our body produces less energy and we may feel greatly fatigued.

Has chronic fatigue been effecting your lifestyle? You may be suffering from adrenal stress or hypothyroidism.

Often, hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition where the thyroid gland experiences irritation. This inflammation can be due to either a viral infection or antibodies that target and destroy the thyroid gland. It is important to note that hypothyroid symptoms and adrenal fatigue symptoms are largely similar. This means that the two conditions are often misdiagnosed. If you are feeling tired, depressed, cold sensitivity, muscle/joint aches or have experienced poor memory, shortness of breath, chronic yeast infections, low libido, infertility, or weight gain, you may be suffering from adrenal gland issues or hypothyroidism. Treatments require a diligent approach so if you are suspect of the aforementioned conditions, do not hesitate to reach out to your health care provider.

View the entire article by Best Doctors.

If you are facing a medical decision, Best Doctors is here to help. Call 866.904.0910 or visit bestdoctors.com/members.

Greater Lansing Walking and Bicycle Paths

Published on April 20, 2015 by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

As the weather begins to warm up, remember that there are wonderful walking and bicycle paths in our region. In 2014, the Lansing River Trail was expanded to reach into South Lansing’s Holt and Mason districts. If you reside in the South Lansing area, remember to take advantage of the trails on a sunny day by biking this route which crosses Willoughby Road along Sycamore Creek. The trail leads you past the Hope Soccer Fields Complex where the trail joins the Aurelius Road bike lane at Jolly Road. Your trip continues north, passing near scenic Hawk Island County Park and going all the way to Fenner Nature Center and Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, where it joins up with what we know as the Lansing River Trail.

From there you can head either west to the Capitol and Old Town, or east to MSU and enjoy all the campus has to offer on a beautiful spring or summer day. Remember that there are some great MSU walking paths too!