BREATHE EASIER Know the signs of lung disease Is it time for a new hip or knee? p. 4 SPRING 2025 livingWell 12 HAVE YOU HEARD? There’s help for hearing loss 8
BE HEART-SMART How to take charge of blood pressure, cholesterol and more. 14 MANAGE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON’S Three types of therapy specifically for you. 6 10 MANAGING MENOPAUSE Is hormone replacement therapy a good option? 7 SWEET SLEEP Find out how Inspire Therapy can help you sleep without a CPAP mask. Kelly Driscoll, RN, MHA, FACHE, President and CEO As the season of renewal and growth unfolds, I want to take a moment to emphasize something that impacts us all: our health. Good health is a foundation for happiness, productivity and overall well-being. That is why our entire team at Faith Regional Health Services is committed to supporting our patients, employees and communities in making healthier choices every day. Embracing better health does not require drastic changes. Just as a garden flourishes with steady care, small, consistent habits can lead to lasting wellness. Simple steps like daily exercise, healthy eating, mental wellness and preventive care can help you grow into your healthiest self. Our goal is to provide the tools, resources and support needed to make these choices easier and more accessible for everyone. Faith Regional Health Services is also experiencing an exciting season of growth with the expansion of two new head and neck care services—Ear, Nose and Throat and Audiology and Hearing Aids—as well as an additional primary care location: Norfolk Family Medicine–Sunny Meadow. These expansions meet not only the evolving health care needs of our patients but also reinforce our goal of offering exemplary care and services and support our Mission. This spring, I encourage you to plant seeds for good health. Whether it is taking a walk in the fresh air, staying hydrated, practicing mindfulness or scheduling a checkup, every step brings new opportunities to flourish. Faith Regional Health Services is here to support and guide you on your journey to a healthier, brighter future. Growing in good health LIVING WELL is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of FAITH REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES. 2700 W. Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701 402-371-4880 frhs.org KELLY DRISCOLL President and Chief Executive Officer SHANTELL SKALBERG Vice President of Business Development, Communications, Foundation and Marketing KAITLYN KOZIOL Director, Marketing and Public Relations CARRIE KRUSE Media Specialist, Marketing and Public Relations Faith Regional Affiliate Hospitals: Niobrara Valley Hospital, Lynch, NE Genoa Medical Facilities, Genoa, NE Faith Regional Health Services Subsidiaries: Faith Regional Physician Services Faith Regional Health Services Board of Directors John Robertson, Board Chair Jacque Collison, Board Vice Chair Tom Schueth, Secretary Brad Dinkel, Treasurer Maryanne Hartzell, MD, Chief of Staff Lane Handke, MD, Faith Regional Physician Services Medical Director Diane Becker Rose Brock Regina Busboom Jason Doele Josh Gossman Steffan Lacey, MD Pastor Leon Rosenthal Preston Sunderman Information in LIVING WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE USA 11 ARTHRITIS FATIGUE Find ways to get your energy back. 2 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
Laurel Wakefield Wayne Pierce Neligh Tilden Wisner NORFOLK Battle Creek Humphrey Family medicine: What is it? If you’re looking for a provider who can take care of your entire family—from your children to your aging parents—then you want a type of provider whose specialty name says it all: family medicine. Comprehensive care Family medicine providers at Faith Regional Physician Services receive training in all areas of medicine, enabling them to care for people of all ages. Our family medicine providers are experts in: • Treating all organ systems and diseases. • Providing preventive medicine to help you maintain your health. • Managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes. • Providing well-woman care, reproductive counseling and family planning. Some family doctors also offer prenatal care and deliver babies. • Caring for you as a whole person, including your mental, physical and emotional health. Faith Regional Physician Services has 11 clinics located throughout Northeast Nebraska, so you and your family can receive high-quality care close to you. Now serving you in 11 convenient locations! We provide same-day appointments for quick care of colds, flu and more. Please call ahead to secure a same-day appointment. For wellness exams, follow-ups, immunizations and nonurgent visits, schedule an appointment in advance. To find clinic information, visit frpsclinics.org. FRHS.ORG 3
If you are experiencing joint pain that prevents you from doing routine activities, sports or hobbies, it may be time for a change. Completely replacing your aching joint is a safe, reliable procedure that can bring you much-needed pain relief. QWhat is total joint replacement? Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure where your doctor removes damaged cartilage and bone from the affected joint and replaces it with artificial parts called prosthetics. The replacement is designed to move just like a natural joint. Orthopedic surgeons most often perform joint replacement on hips and knees. Other joints, such as the shoulder or ankle, are also replaceable. Typically, your orthopedic surgeon will want you to try nonsurgical treatments before choosing surgery. These can include weight loss, low-impact exercise, joint injections or medication. If you have tried some of these options and still have severe symptoms, your surgeon may suggest joint replacement surgery. QHow long is recovery? Your surgeon will want you to walk with assistance the same day as your surgery. This may be challenging, but it will improve your recovery in the long run. In most cases, patients can resume normal daily activities by six weeks after surgery. Tailored to you Faith Regional’s orthopedic surgeons specialize in personalized, safe joint replacement surgery that is designed to restore your mobility, relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Depending on your anatomy and what works best for you, your surgeon is trained in several different surgical approaches and will recommend which one is best for you. Choosing the right surgical approach for you helps ensure a quicker recovery and replacements that last for years to come. One of the newest surgical approaches Faith Regional Health Services offers is robotic-assisted knee surgery. This allows our orthopedic surgeons to provide a joint replacement personalized to you with a surgical plan Out with the old, in with the STRONG WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY individualized to your unique anatomy. Benefits of this include: • Accurate bone cuts to give you a well-balanced, stable knee. • A quicker recovery. • Feedback during surgery to create a customized knee replacement tailored to your anatomy. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons; American College of Rheumatology Take the next step Call today to make an appointment for orthopedic care with Faith Regional Health Services Orthopedics. • Norfolk: 402-844-8158 • Columbus: 402-564-9610 4 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
A tradition of orthopedic excellence Orthopedic providers’ combined years of experience: 130 Total joint replacements in 2024: 759 Percentage of patients that go home the same day: 53% Percentage of patients that go home the next day: 47% John Lammli, MD, and Jared Rickert, DO, use multiple surgical approaches and state-of-the-art equipment to provide each patient with individualized, safe care. They have extensive training and experience with: • Hip, knee and shoulder replacements. • Hip and shoulder arthroscopy. • Hip, knee and shoulder revisions. • Fracture care. • Sports injuries. • Trauma care. Meet Dr. Lammli Meet Dr. Rickert FRHS.ORG 5
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. It significantly impacts mobility, cognition and your quality of life. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in helping you regain function and improve your overall well-being. The Faith Regional Health Services Rehabilitation Therapies team treats Parkinson’s disease with therapy that improves your ability to move, speak and perform daily tasks. Faith Regional is the only outpatient therapy clinic in Norfolk that offers all three Parkinson’s disease therapy programs: PWR!MovesTM, Speak Out!® and LSVT BIG®. Certified, experienced therapists guide each program in all three disciplines: Physical Therapy. Restores physical mobility, strength and overall function. Occupational Therapy. Focuses on helping you develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. Speech Therapy. Diagnoses and treats communication and swallowing disorders. Our occupational, physical and speech therapy teams work together to customize your rehabilitation plan to provide exactly what you need, offering hope and a greater independence for those affected by Parkinson’s disease. Join us If you have Parkinson’s disease, ask your doctor to refer you to Faith Regional Health Services Rehabilitation Therapies. Scan the QR code with your cellphone camera to learn more. Tony Garcia, PT, DPT, Faith Regional Health Services Rehabilitation Therapies, works with a patient. LIFE REDISCOVERED: PERSONALIZED TREATMENT FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE 6 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
How Inspire Therapy is changing lives Call for a consultation To make an appointment with a Faith Regional Health Services Ear, Nose and Throat specialist— Justin Oltman, MD, or Eric Rohe, MD—call 402-844-8275. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera or visit frhs.org to learn more. How does Inspire Therapy work? Inspire stabilizes a patient’s throat during sleep to prevent obstruction. The Inspire implant delivers gentle pulses that move your tongue out of the way each time you take a breath, keeping your airway open while you sleep soundly. No mask or hose is required. Inspire Therapy is the only OSA therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that works comfortably inside your body. The Inspire device is implanted during an outpatient procedure, which typically lasts two to three hours. Recovery is relatively quick, and most patients return to normal activities within a few weeks. After implantation, the device is activated and calibrated during a follow-up visit, where settings are adjusted to optimize treatment. What is Inspire Therapy? Inspire Therapy is a mask-free treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have tried and struggled with CPAP machines. This simple-to-use system has three main components: • Inspire implant that keeps your airway open while you sleep. • Handheld remote that turns on your therapy when you’re ready to sleep. • Inspire app that allows you to share data directly with your doctor. When we sleep, our airway muscles and tongue relax. For people with OSA, the tongue relaxes into a position that blocks the airway. When your airway is blocked, you get less oxygen to your brain, triggering you to wake up to take a breath. This cycle happens repeatedly, causing significant worsening of sleep quality. Sleeping without a mask: FRHS.ORG 7
Know the signs of lung disease Don’t ignore the signs The symptoms of lung disease can be hard to notice at first. For instance, you might think a cough, or another symptom, is just something that happens when you get older. Stay alert for these common symptoms: • Chronic cough. If you’ve had a cough for eight weeks or longer, get it checked out, even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal. • Chronic mucus production. Everyone produces mucus, but if it feels like you have more than usual and it has been going on for a month or more, it could indicate an underlying issue. • Chronic chest pain. Don’t ignore chronic pain in your chest, especially if it hurts worse when you breathe or cough. • Shortness of breath. If you get out of breath even when you aren’t exercising, this is a red flag. Any time you feel that inhaling or exhaling is hard for no reason, it could signal lung problems. • Coughing up blood. This is a clear sign there’s some kind of health problem. The blood could be coming from your lungs or respiratory tract. • Wheezing. Wheezing, or a whistling sound as you breathe, often points to obstructed or narrow airways. Your lungs move fresh oxygen into every cell of your body. Most of the time, you probably don’t even think about breathing. When lung disease happens, it can bring pain and make breathing a struggle. Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid serious illness or even death. Some common types of lung disease are: • Asthma. • Emphysema. • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). • Lung cancer. 8 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
Patients with lung disease should know they are not alone. With the right pulmonology care and lifestyle, they can still lead fulfilling lives.” —Shujaat Khalil, MD, Faith Regional Health Services Pulmonology An ounce of prevention Thankfully, there are things you can do to help prevent lung disease. Here are some of the most important: • Don’t smoke. Smoking causes chronic inflammation and destroys lung tissue. It can lead to lung cancer as well as COPD. • Get regular checkups. Lung disease can go unnoticed for a long time. Checkups can help spot a problem when it’s most treatable. • Exercise. Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your lungs healthy. Exercise strengthens your lungs. • Do breathing exercises. Exercises like taking deep breaths into your diaphragm (also known as “belly breathing”) can help keep your lungs in good shape. Source: American Lung Association Have a concern? If you have questions about lung health, make an appointment with a Faith Regional Pulmonology provider by calling 402-844-8190 or visiting frhs.org. FRHS.ORG 9
There is no one- size-fits-all approach to menopause. Creating a plan tailored to your symptoms, risks and preferences is the best way to ensure results.” —Alex Laudenklos, MD, Faith Regional Health Services OB/GYN Connect to care If you need help managing menopause symptoms, call 402-644-4600 to make an appointment in Atkinson, Norfolk or Wayne with one of our OB/GYN providers, or scan the QR code with your cellphone camera to learn more. Managing menopause symptoms with hormone therapy The transition to menopause isn’t always easy. Menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, officially begins 12 months after your last period. But even before that, the hormone levels in your body begin to fluctuate up and down. These transitional years are called perimenopause. One of the first things you may notice is a change in your menstrual cycle, such as skipping periods or having periods that are heavier or lighter than usual. Menopause symptoms Some menopause changes can be quite challenging. For example, you might experience: • Hot flashes, which are sudden heat sensations in the upper body and face. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes or longer. • Sleep problems. Hot flashes at night, also known as night sweats, can prevent restful slumber. You may also have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. • Vaginal dryness, which can cause pain during intercourse or more frequent urinary tract infections. • Bladder problems, such as needing to urinate frequently or with an urge that’s hard to control. • Mood changes, such as irritability. Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and for some people, symptoms are relatively mild. If any symptoms of menopause are disrupting your life, tell your OB/GYN provider. There are many ways to manage symptoms, and for some, hormone therapy may be the right approach. What is hormone therapy? Hormone therapy is medicine that can help relieve menopause symptoms. It works by replacing some of the estrogen and progesterone your body stops making. There are different ways to receive hormone therapy: • Through a pill, skin patch, gel or spray, the medicines can be absorbed into the bloodstream to treat symptoms throughout the body—such as hot flashes. • A ring, tablet or cream can be used to release small doses of estrogen into vaginal tissues. Because they don’t act on the whole body, these products can be a good option if your main symptom is vaginal dryness. Safe and effective for most For most healthy women, hormone therapy is a safe and effective way to treat menopause symptoms. Talk with your OB/GYN provider about the pros and cons of using hormone therapy in your specific situation. PLUS, THE PROS AND CONS OF TAKING HORMONES 10 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
Ease your arthritis fatigue Arthritis and fatigue often go hand in hand. Arthritis pain can disturb your sleep and sap your energy to the point where you have trouble functioning during the day. Fight fatigue These arthritis fatigue-fighters can help you feel your best. Get your arthritis under control. Inflamed joints and arthritis pain can contribute to fatigue. Working with your rheumatologist to manage arthritis and any underlying conditions is the first step to getting your energy back. Move more. It may seem logical that exercise would add to your fatigue, but that’s not the case. Exercise builds muscle mass and strength, increases circulation, and enhances flexibility, all of which can help combat arthritis fatigue and boost your overall sense of well-being. Get your ZZZs. A good night’s sleep can help ease arthritis pain and help you accomplish your daily to-do list with less effort. To set yourself up, make your bedroom cool and dark, power down your electronics, and go to bed at the same time every day. These healthy sleep habits send signals to your brain that it’s time to hit the hay. Fuel up. For long-lasting energy, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid energy-zapping processed, high-salt and sugary foods. For added support, consider taking a vitamin supplement to help fill in any nutrient gaps in your diet. Talk to your rheumatologist about medication. Some medications for arthritis can cause drowsiness. Talk to your rheumatologist about how to manage side effects from your medication. Ask if there are any medications that might help reduce fatigue. A prescription sleeping aid, for example, can help reduce arthritis fatigue by promoting restorative sleep. Source: Arthritis Foundation Find relief If you are experiencing arthritis pain, make an appointment with Mukund Kumar, MD, at Faith Regional Health Services Rheumatology in Columbus or Norfolk by calling 402-844-8227. FRHS.ORG 11
Get checked If you are having trouble hearing, contact Faith Regional Physician Services Audiology and Hearing Aids. To make an appointment, call 402-644-7250, or scan the QR code with your cellphone camera to learn more. Hearing loss can be a challenge and can take a toll on your well-being, but you’re far from alone. Every person’s hearing loss is different, and the causes vary. Your hearing loss may affect one or both ears, and it may originate from the outer, middle, or inner ear. Often, hearing loss in the inner ear is permanent. It can be hereditary or caused by disease, noise exposure, medication side effects or the normal aging process. Middle ear hearing loss may result from chronic ear infections, problems with the hearing bones or other factors. Hearing loss in the outer ear can be as simple as too much earwax blocking the sound. When to see an audiologist Even when hearing loss is permanent, correct treatment can improve your hearing ability. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start to reduce the negative effects of hearing loss. Hearing better and restoring your quality of life starts with recognizing a hearing problem. Signs include: • Often asking people to repeat themselves. • Muffled sounds. • Turning up the volume on the TV or radio. • Having trouble hearing over the telephone. • Delayed speech and language milestones in children. Hearing loss treatment options The good news? Depending on your needs, our audiologist will work closely with our Ear, Nose and Throat physicians to tailor a customized care plan for you. Depending on the type of hearing loss, some hearing solutions may be more effective than others. Nonsurgical treatments include earwax removal, hearing aids, assistive listening devices to improve signal-to-noise ratio, and medical treatment for illnesses and ear infections. People with more severe hearing loss may benefit from a hearing implant. These surgically implanted medical devices have an external part that sits behind the ear and another part that is surgically placed under the skin and can provide more hearing benefit to patients when hearing aids alone are not enough. Sources: American Academy of Audiology; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; National Institute on Aging; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Can you repeat that? 12 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
Hearing loss is more than just a medical condition—it affects relationships, confidence and overall well-being. The good news is that with the right care and technology, people can reconnect with the sounds that matter most.” —Michael Lazarczyk, AuD, Faith Regional Physician Services FRHS.ORG 13
A heart attack strikes someone every 40 seconds in the U.S. If it happens to you, getting help right away is key to recovery. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of a heart attack. Men and women can experience heart attack symptoms differently. Many of the symptoms overlap, but not all. Get heart help If you aren’t having an emergency but have questions about heart health, make an appointment with the Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute. Scan the QR code with your cellphone camera to find a provider at the location nearest you. Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom for women and men alike. But women are more likely to have other, lesser-known symptoms, such as: Unexplained tiredness. This heart attack symptom is common for women and easy to overlook. Nausea or vomiting. Don’t assume it’s something you ate or that you caught a bug. Back pain. This can show up as upper back discomfort. It’s not always a stabbing pain. In women, it can feel like squeezing, pressure or fullness. Other body pain. Discomfort in the lower chest, stomach, jaw or neck can all signal a heart attack. These symptoms can happen to anyone who’s having a heart attack, regardless of their gender: Chest pain. The classic heart attack symptom is pain coming from the left side of your chest. Arm pain. This can be in either arm or shoulder. Shortness of breath. This can happen with or without chest pain. Feeling weak. This can come with light-headedness, fainting or breaking out into a cold sweat. Jaw, neck or back pain. Don’t write off other upper body pain. It can signal a heart attack too. Sources: American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heart attack FOR MEN AND WOMEN Symptoms for women Symptoms for men and women • Albion: 402-395-3156 • Atkinson: 402-925-2811 • Columbus: 402-564-9610 • Creighton: 402-358-5700 • Genoa: 402-993-2283 If you think you’re having a heart attack, getting care immediately is crucial to reduce damage to the heart. If you experience any of the signs, call 911. • Lynch: 402-569-2451 • Neligh: Faith Regional Physician Services Neligh Family Medicine, 402-887-1313; Antelope Memorial Hospital, 402-887-6264 • Norfolk: 402-844-8284 • O’Neill: 402-336-5122 • Tilden: 402-368-9964 • Wayne: 402-375-7953 14 FAITH REGIONAL Health Services
8 ways to take control of blood pressure Sources: American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention If you smoke, be a quitter. Smoking can have unhealthy effects on your cholesterol levels. Eat hearthealthy foods. Start by limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats. Keep moving. Walk. Swim. Cycle. Enjoy! Manage your weight. If you’re overweight, losing just 5% of your current weight may help. Listen to your doctor. Take cholesterollowering medications, if prescribed. 1. Keep a daily log of your blood pressure readings, taken at the same time each day, to track your progress. 2. Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. That’s about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. 7. Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed. 8. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels and follow your recommended treatment, including medication. 3. Don’t smoke. 5. Maintain a healthy weight. 6. Learn ways to reduce your stress levels. 4. Eat a healthy diet. Limit sodium and alcohol, which raise blood pressure. Krishna Velagapudi, MD, Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute Control your cholesterol FRHS.ORG 15
Q:Will I be able to go home the same day after the knee replacement, or is an overnight stay expected? A: “For many patients, same-day discharge after knee replacement is not only possible—it’s the goal. Thanks to advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia and pain control, we’re often able to help patients recover safely and comfortably at home. Your ability to go home the same day depends on factors like your overall health, mobility and support at home. After surgery, we’ll carefully assess how you’re doing and make sure it’s safe before sending you home.” —Jared Rickert, DO, Faith Regional Health Services Orthopedics Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 FAITH REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES 2700 W. Norfolk Ave. Norfolk, NE 68701 Some heart attack signs are sneaky. Learn what to watch for. See page 14 Q: How can I measure my heart rate at home? A: “The most common way is by feeling your pulse, measuring it for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4. Other options to give you an accurate heart rate include wearables, such as watches, which are very common and inexpensive.” —Eric Rome, DO, Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute Q: I have a torn hip labrum. With total hip replacement, is the labrum removed, or will I continue to have pain? A: “The goal with hip replacement surgery is that you’re pain-free after we replace the hip. When performing the replacement, the labrum is removed from the hip joint. Once removed, it should not continue to cause pain.” —John Lammli, MD, Faith Regional Health Services Orthopedics Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to ask our specialists your questions!
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