Author: Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

Center of Gravity – Preventing Falls

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

ps_weebles_playPicture a supermodel in her heels walking heel to toe. Now try it. Do you feel unsteady? When your feet are that close together, or even nearly crossing, it is easy to fall. Your center of gravity is very high. The bulk of the weight is up high with a narrow base. Now think of a Weeble – remember those toys with the rounded bottom wider than the top? They have a very low center of gravity (most of the weight in the bottom). They can tip over on their side and still return to standing.

If you’re ever feeling unsteady when walking, think about your center of gravity. Stand and walk with your feet farther apart. Take shorter steps. Lift your feet to avoid catching on grass, rocks, and other low obstacles.

When someone has fallen or is afraid of falling, you can notice these changes. As we become fearful we widen our stance, bend a little, and shuffle.

  • Arthritis in hips, knees, ankles, and feet can increase falls risk.
  • Dizziness, inner ear problems, or medications that make us dizzy can increase risk of falls.
  • Lack of sleep, getting up at night without light, and medications that make us sleepy can increase risk of falls.
  • Not drinking enough, especially during these hot summer months, can lead to dehydration making us dizzy.
  • Medicines that lower blood pressure can make us feel dizzy when we first stand up or turn.
  • Pets under our feet can be a source of tripping. So can throw rugs.

See the home falls prevention checklist under Resources at www.medsmash.com.

Biblical Application

The location of our faith has similar implications. When all of our knowledge of God is in our head, our center of gravity is high. When our center of gravity is high, it is easy to fall. Small things can whip and blow us about. Do you ever feel battered and blown from all directions?

  • work
  • relationships
  • finances
  • too busy
  • not feeling good

But with prayer, reading the Word, study, focus, faith enters our heart. And then it’s in our gut and our whole being.

As our faith gets deeper and deeper, our center of gravity deepens and we can handle heavy blows from any direction. The bad things still happen, but we can maintain our upright faith and dependence on God.

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 New Living Translation

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 New Living Translation

May you grow deep roots!

Blessings,

Michelle

Healing Our Wounds

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

Image showing granulation tissue filling a woundDo you have any scars?  The body’s primary defense mechanism and largest organ is the skin.  Any breach in the skin’s integrity can allow bacteria and infection into the body, alter the body’s ability to regulate temperature and water storage, and it usually hurts.  The skin is a very sensitive organ.

Any cut, tear, wound results in an influx of parts of the immune system to start healing the wound.

If the wound is small enough, the skin on either side of the cut can rejoin, sometimes without even a scar.

If the wound is larger, the gap is too big to allow the two sides of the skin to reattach.  In that case, granulation tissue forms to fill the gap.  New small blood vessels grow in to the area, fibrin ‘scaffolding forms’ and cells build in around the fibrin.  Then, more small blood vessels are formed, more fibrin ‘scaffolding’ forms, and more cell fill in the area.  This continues until the whole space is filled with granulation tissue.  This appears as a scar.  The space where the wound left a gap that was filled with granulation tissue is noticeable.  That skin will not be or look the same.  Granulation tissue contains fewer cells and blood vessels compared to normal skin.  And, it is only 60-85% as strong as normal tissue.

Biblical Application:

Our interpersonal differences can lead to cuts and wounds in families and groups.  If those cuts can be identified and resolved quickly through skilled communication and love, they can often heal without so much as a scar.

But, when they are left unaddressed or allowed to get worse and worse, the healing process can be messy and less effective than it would have been if handled quickly.  This is not to say that healing is impossible.  Just as the human body is amazing in its resilience, with mediation, healing, communication, and forgiveness, relationships can heal and grow.  They may not look the same, changes may occur, but reconnection and resumed integrity can be achieved.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

May your wounds, your relationships, your faith be strong.

Blessings,

Michelle Fritsch

Timing Is Everything – STROKE

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), also known as stroke, usually comes on quickly without warning. We should all know the warning signs.

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?


S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Take immediate action. When you get to the hospital, a brain CT scan will be done. This is to determine if there is a stroke. It will also determine if it is a stroke from a clot or from a bleed (ruptured vessel in the brain). With quick treatment, stroke damage can be reversed or never happen. However if the timing is delayed, stroke damage can be permanent and debilitating and alter a life forever.

It is better to be evaluated and be fine than to delay stroke treatment. If you take quick action, and stroke is caught early, the clot can be removed or the bleeding stopped.

Strokes can happen at any age. 1/3 are under age 65.

Nearly 800,000 people in the US have a stroke each year.

1 in every 20 deaths is due to stroke.

Your risks are higher if you have –

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle cell disease
  • High cholesterol
  • Family history of stroke

or if you smoke.

If you ever have these symptoms for a few minutes, then they go away, still call 911. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a temporary blockage of a brain blood vessel. It is a huge warning sign that you are at risk for a full stroke. Never ignore these!

If you would like to be assessed for you personal stroke risks contact www.medsmash.com.

Biblical Application

The same is true so many of our actions. God’s timing is impeccable. Sometimes God says ‘Go’ and you should go quickly and not hesitate. Other times God says wait.  Waiting can be hard, but throughout the Bible we are encouraged to wait.

Habakkuk 2:3 ESV

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:14 ESV 

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Ecclesiastes 8:6ESV  

For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Know your stroke warning signs, and act immediately!  Listen for God’s leading in all aspects of life.  His timing is perfect!

Blessings,

MIchelle Fritsch