By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator For the past few weeks we have explored the basics of diabetes; what is diabetes, how the body metabolizes food, glucose and insulin production. We also discussed the risk factors of diabetes. This week, we will explore another concept in the management of diabetes: insulin resistance. I found a good article from Renewed Vitality. So sharing … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part VII) – Insulin Resistance

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Over their lifetime, US adults overall have a 40% chance of developing type 2 diabetes. But if you’re a Hispanic/Latino American adult, your chance is more than 50%, and you’re likely to develop it at a younger age. Diabetes complications also hit harder: Hispanics/Latinos have higher rates of kidney failure caused by diabetes as well as … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part VI) -Diabetes Affects Hispanics/Latinos More – From CDC

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Risk factors Factors that may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes include: Being overweight or obese is a main risk. Fat distribution. Storing fat mainly in your abdomen — rather than your hips and thighs — indicates a greater risk. Your risk of type 2 diabetes rises if you’re a man with a waist circumference … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part V): Abstracted from the Mayo Clinic

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator What happens in diabetes when your insulin stops working? One could stop making insulin, slowdown in its production or fail to use its own insulin. For example, glucose cannot enter the cells where it’s needed, so the amount of glucose in the bloodstream continues to rise. This is called hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). When blood sugar … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part IV): When Insulin Stops Working

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Last week we discussed how insulin open the receptors in the cells to allow glucose to be used or stored in the cells. This week let us examine the balancing act of the rise and fall in insulin and blood sugar. Our blood sugar rises and falls many times during the day and night. It depends … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part III): Understand the Balancing Act of Glucose

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The prevalence of Diabetes type II in our country prompted me to invest our coming weeks to the understanding of what diabetes type II is about, why it happens, and how to manage this condition. Last week we briefly reviewed what the condition is and what are some of the presenting symptoms. I am always curious … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II (Part II): Digestion of Food and Production of Insulin

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator More than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it. On a personal base, I never had to worry about blood sugar 10 years ago. … Continuar leyendo Diabetes Type II

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The hypothesis that children have stronger immunity against COVID 19 infection is very interesting and rather convincing. Any parent could tell you that children tend to get sicker with common colds. Some of those common colds are caused by seasonal corona viruses. Another theory is that because children are so frequently infected with theses common respiratory … Continuar leyendo Why Children Have Fewer Cases of COVID Infection? Part II

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Looking at this graph, almost everyone agrees it is time to go back to “normal activities”. Data is from 3/26/2021. For children, going back to school seems like a logical step; kids benefit so much from interacting with other kids as part of their normal growth and development. However, in many parents’ mind, going back to … Continuar leyendo Why Children Have Fewer Cases of COVID Infection?

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator This is the last discussion from the excellent article authored by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer, hope you have come to a better understanding the importance of sleep and benefited from his tips on getting a good night sleep. Mindfulness Meditation and Sleep Mindfulness meditation can be a useful component … Continuar leyendo Sleep and Brain Health Part V

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator We continue abstracting from  Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer’s outstanding article on sleep and brain health. Medications and Sleep Sleep medications, thought helpful in some situations, tend to be overprescribed. Unsurprisingly, people often want a quick fix to a problem that really requires an intentional change in behaviors. Sleep medications … Continuar leyendo Sleep and Brain Health Part IV

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Abstracting from Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer, let us continue to explore the topic of sleep and thought disorders. Sleep and Thought Disorders Some researchers point to a potential correlation between lack of restorative sleep and thought disorders like schizophrenia (a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in … Continuar leyendo Sleep and Brain Health Part III

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator I hope you enjoyed the first part of the  publication by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer on Sleep and Brain Health. This week we will examine the stages of sleep, and how sleep affect the mood disorders. Sleep Architecture Deep stage sleep comprises three of five stages of sleep. Each night, … Continuar leyendo Sleep and Brain Health Part II

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator It is essential to understand the role of sleep in promoting brain health. I am sure most of you have personal experience of not getting a good night sleep and its consequences. I have been trying to find a good article that articulates the topic well. I found it. This publication by Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, … Continuar leyendo Sleep and Brain Health

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator We have ample time on hand to watch TV during the COVID lockdown. Something good came out of this opportunity; I heard of the new book from Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN reporter. What captivated me of one of the key points from his book is the nutritional value of blueberries. So I went … Continuar leyendo Brain Health

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The catastrophic 2020 COVID epidemic has interrupted our life and rendered us helpless in many ways. Looking back, I am determined that this virus would not rob me of the joy of perseverance and determination to make adjustments in life. Yes, I can and had composed my life during the viral season. I should not be … Continuar leyendo COVID Lockdown – A New Opportunity to Compose Your Life

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator All of us who experienced this global pandemic since January 2020, we welcome the light at the end of the tunnel – a vaccine that works to boost up our immune system to fight the COVID-19 virus. This is a remarkable scientific achievement. How does mRNA vaccine work? Even for those of us who work in … Continuar leyendo COVID-19 Vaccine : Sharing My Personal Experience with Vaccination in 2021

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator If you’ve had an ischemic stroke or TIA, your doctor may recommend medications to help reduce your risk of having another stroke. These include: Anti-platelet drugs. Platelets are cells in your blood that form clots. Anti-platelet drugs make these cells less sticky and less likely to clot. The most commonly used anti-platelet medication … Continuar leyendo Stroke – Preventive medications

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stroke is key to immediate rescue and survival. The following guidelines from the Mayo Clinic provides you with precise information you need. Your knowledge could turn into a life-saving opportunity for at risk stroke victims. A stroke occurs when there’s bleeding into your brain or when … Continuar leyendo Stroke – First Aid

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Knowing your stroke risk factors, following your doctor’s recommendations and adopting a healthy lifestyle are the best steps you can take to prevent a stroke. If you’ve had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), these measures might help prevent another stroke. The follow-up care you receive in the hospital and … Continuar leyendo Stroke – Prevention

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator My first Care Ministry article in January of 2020 was “Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One”. The answer is very clear this year and probably unanimous; if you choose other than health, you probably would not be here to answer this question. The COVID 19 pandemic has shown us if we do … Continuar leyendo Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One in 2021

Abstracted from Mayo Clinic By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Risk factors Many factors can increase your stroke risk. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include: Lifestyle risk factors Being overweight or obese Physical inactivity Heavy or binge drinking Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine Medical risk factors High blood pressure Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure High cholesterol Diabetes … Continuar leyendo Stroke – Risk Factors and Complications

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The content for this week on stroke might be a little bit more technical. But a little more information might enhance our understanding of the condition so that we are more aware of our symptoms when they occur. Abstracted from the Mayo Clinic. Causes There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) … Continuar leyendo Stroke – Causes

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Stroke is a topic that we have not explored in the past. Therefore, for the coming weeks, we are going to spend time to understand stroke; its signs and symptoms, causes and care of a stroke patient. From the Mayo Clinic on Stroke A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is … Continuar leyendo Stroke – Signs and Symptoms

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator What amazes me about watching news reporting is that they always begin with a personal story, state the problem and ends with how that problem affects that person. I love that format. Hence, imitation is the best type of flattering; I will use the general tips from the Mayo Clinic that I shared last week, and … Continuar leyendo Prevention of Falling – Real Life Tips

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Sharing this educational article with you from the Mayo Clinic – Sheila Kun RN Falls put you at risk of serious injury. Prevent falls with these simple fall-prevention measures, from reviewing your medications to hazard-proofing your home. Fall prevention may not seem like a lively topic, but it’s important. As you get older, physical changes and … Continuar leyendo Fall prevention: Simple tips to prevent falls

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator I was a first generation immigrant, landed in Los Angeles in 1969 as a college student. Vivid in my mind was the exposure to a new culture that was so foreign to me. In an era without Google, my learning curve was bumpy. I worked in the Classified advertising department of a major newspaper; I remembered … Continuar leyendo Teaching the Kids My “H” words

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator The Salesians chose becoming “upright citizens” as part of our strenna for year 2020. I have been scratching my head to find stories that I can elicit the interests of my grandchildren and to illustrate the theme of the strenna. After many contemplated moments, I decided to search through my life experience and share with you … Continuar leyendo The Stories of Becoming Upright Citizens

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator Budgeting is in everyone’s mind due to the sinking economy during this COVID season. However, if you know how to shop and become a smart consumer, you will not only save money but have healthy choices for your purchase. For this week, I am not writing as a nurse, but as a housewife who shares good … Continuar leyendo Eat healthy and Save Money- Healthy Menu for $5 a Day

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator I was watching CNN on their special on Michelle Obama, the former First Lady and her work. One of her passions was for the children to eat healthier food. She converted part of the garden in the White House into a community farm. Unfortunately, even with her clout, celebrity status and passion, her efforts to combat … Continuar leyendo Strategies to Combat Obesity – Final Thoughts

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCPSalesian Cooperator “Knowing the situation or problem without intervention is a futile exercise.” I totally agreed. This was the reaction from my husband Louis when he read about the contributing factors of childhood obesity. Little did he know that Anet Piridzhanyan, MS, RDN has a lot to say about how to approach the problem. Multiple strategies and components … Continuar leyendo Strategies to Induce Lifestyle Changes In reducing Obesity

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator Yes, we get it, children with obesity are at risk for associated complications. But what are the factors that contribute to obesity? Some environmental factors need to be considered: having one obese parent increases the risk of obesity by two to threefold and up to 15-fold if both parents are obese. Other considerations include ethnicity … Continuar leyendo Factors that Contribute to Obesity

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator One of the benefits of working in an academic setting is the opportunity to grow by attending Grand Rounds. Recently I attended an excellent presentation on lifestyle modifications for the pediatric patient with obesity by Ms. Anet Piridzhanyan, MS, RDN. She presented updated data on obesity with nutritional considerations. I thought I would break it … Continuar leyendo Children with Obesity

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator I can speak with certainty that the following scenario has happened to many of you – my office mate came to work one day, soberly depressed. In an almost disgusted voice, she lamented: “I cannot believe this is true; I could not zip up my dress this morning. And there is more than one dress … Continuar leyendo The Unintended Health Consequences of COVID

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator Three months ago, if you asked me if I knew of any friends or relatives who were tested positive for COVID 19, hospitalized or dead from this viral season, my answer was no. It seemed that the epidemic season was a hoax, to quote some earlier commentators on the subject. 3 months later, in September … Continuar leyendo A Friendly Reminder

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator If you ask parents what are the latest challenges they have beginning the fall school year, no doubt, back to school is one of the major concerns. With so many of us affected by changes to school activities, our wellness focus this week is on resources for parents, care takers and those who need to … Continuar leyendo Back to School During the COVID Season

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator Wellness  is an essential theme in coping with the viral season.  Our hospital has posted this write up from Dr. Christina Zhang, a pulmonologist specializing in sleep and a pediatrician. She has given me permission to share the write up on quality sleep with you. As we have explored the topic of sleep before, we … Continuar leyendo Coping with COVID Viral Season -Revisiting Quality Sleep

By: Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Salesian Cooperator The research data from China on depression and anxiety of youth from 12-18 are still very vivid in my minds; 30 to 40% of the participants reported depression and anxiety. Hence I was seeking answers from you regarding the solutions to these emotional issues. Since I have yet heard from my Salesian Families, I resorted … Continuar leyendo How Are the Youngsters Coping with the COVID Viral Summer?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP This is my response. I thought a picture is worth a thousand words. What is yours? Your homework assignment from the Care Ministry this week: please email our Care Ministry your intervention and plans in working with adolescent depression and anxiety during this COVID season. We love to hear from you: kunlouis@gmail.com   Continuar leyendo How Do You Coach Adolescents with Depression and Anxiety During this COVID-19 Season? Part II

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Do adolescents have psychological health problems during this epidemic viral season? For many of you who have worked with young people, psychological health problems, especially emotional disorders, are common among adolescents. The epidemiology of emotional disorders is greatly influenced by stressful events. No one will disagree this is a very stressful time for our kids; months of … Continuar leyendo How Do You Coach Adolescents with Depression and Anxiety During this COVID-19 Season?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Our immune system is pretty complex. In our previous discussion, we learned about the lymphatic system, the lymphocytes, the T and B cells, the antibodies, interferons, phagocytes, the active and passive immunity. As I have alluded before, it is not an easy system to understand. It would not hurt to go back to the last two weeks’ … Continuar leyendo Graphic summary of our Immune System

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP To continue our conversation from our last edition, let us explore the two types of immunity. This is a continuation of our Immunity Lesson 101. There are two types of immunity that protect us from infection: active and passive system. Active immunity – for those of us who are parents, you have known this active system for … Continuar leyendo The Immune System – Part II

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP With the COVID 19 epidemics, there has been tremendous interest in understanding the virus and how our immune system work. Our CDC has extensive, detailed information on the Corona virus. But for those with a positive testing, the response to the invasion of this virus varies. At this point, there is no specific answer to the question … Continuar leyendo The Immune System –Lesson 101

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP When will this viral season end? It depends on whom you talk to. Most politicians want to be optimistic and hope it would come and go. However, working in a hospital, the reality check is on a daily basis; we were told to plan for at least another 12 months before we can conduct business as usual. … Continuar leyendo Adapting to the New Normal

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP During the COVID-19 lockdown, my young friend Sarah, an intelligent, Master-prepared, fervent catholic, wrote this thought-provoking piece on Limbo for her Journal Club. I asked Sarah’s permission to share with you. I hope you will savor this very amazing piece of reflection on Limbo. Here in my apartment, my life has been put on hold. So, I’ve … Continuar leyendo Are we in Limbo?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP By now you are totally well-informed of the signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and what to do when you experience major changes in your respiratory system. These are the people that would be hospital bound and they would be under either acute observation or intensive care management. But what if you have symptoms that are … Continuar leyendo Sensible Advice from a Nurse in the UK –If You Get Covid-19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP During the COVID 19 viral season, one of the challenges is not able to exercise. Oh, do I miss my gym routine. 4 months ago, when I was doing my daily gym routine, I would count the hour, or minutes, and hope that hour of Zumba would finish quickly. Now that the lockdown is in place, getting … Continuar leyendo You can do it!

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Knowledge is power; in this viral season, knowledge is not only power, but a peace of mind. The question about how safe it is to get takeout food from restaurants has been on my mind. This Sunday April 26, 2020 I got my answer from the LA Times. The article on “Can I catch COVID from food?” … Continuar leyendo COVID 19 and Food

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Image you are a physician and you have a robust private practice in Beverly Hills. One day Governor Cuomo from New York called you and said: “Can you help me with one of my COVID 19 hospitals in New York City?” Without a minute of hesitation, you signed up to battle the deadly virus at the front … Continuar leyendo Corona Kindness

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Did you have fun reading the characteristics of COVID 19 from last week’s posting? Great if you feel you know a little more about this hot topic. This week, I will present to you information that might be floating around that are not evidence-based. Knowing that is not true is just as important as accessing information that … Continuar leyendo True Or False – A Personal Story Verifying News on the COVID 19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP I am sure my story is not unique. I know on a daily basis you receive from friends and families updates on the COVID 19 virus, offering advice and health tips. Many links are from reliable sources such as the CDC or renowned Universities. However, there are plenty of quotes from sources that may or may not … Continuar leyendo True Or False – A Personal Story Verifying News on the COVID 19

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP By now most of us who live in California have a taste of what it is like to be lock-downed in the confines of our home. This virus spares no one – the rich, the poor, the famous, the lonely, the old and the young. For most of us, this is a novel, universal health crisis that … Continuar leyendo Surviving the Lockdown – Lessons Learned from Aging Seniors

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Given that the COVID 19 has visited our country, directives from the health officials are to maintain social isolation. If you are sick, stay home and don’t spread the germs to others. Sick contact contributes to community spread. Now that we are advised to stay indoors, many of us have to give up our gym routine or … Continuar leyendo Why Exercise Boosts Up Your Immunity

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP This week, I am going to devote my message to the seniors because the experience of “cold feet” is quite different between age groups. Younger folks will have “cold feet” when they become indecisive when they face a major life-changing milestone. You probably have heard of having “cold feet” before their wedding. Well, for us, old folks, … Continuar leyendo How to Take Care of Your Cold Feet?

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP I always wonder if there is a scientific base for being happy and how it affects our body. My curiosity brought me to look up the topic and found these very interesting facts. How does our body react to joy? Without digging into complex research, these few simple sentences positively affirm the value of being happy. The … Continuar leyendo A Healthier You – Savor Small Pleasures

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP Growing up in a Chinese family, the expression of love was not always verbal; “I love you” had not been uttered explicitly by my parents. Nor was it in their culture or tradition that they would openly praise the children for a job well done. As a matter of fact, the approval came from perhaps a smile, … Continuar leyendo An Everyday Valentine Message – How to Say I Love You

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP It seems like 2020 was ushered in in the blink of our eyes, I just realize this is my second article in 2020.To my dear Salesian Families, I wish you the very BEST in 2020. Following the past tradition, I present to you the first homework from our Provincial Care Ministry. I begin with this simple question: … Continuar leyendo Wealth, Fame and Health: Choose One

By Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS, CPN, FCCP The New Coronavirus, known as the nCoV-2019, has sparked tremendous fear and interest within the last few weeks. I was asked if I could write on this topic in response to the inquiry about what this new Coronavirus is, and how does it affect you. As a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, I get … Continuar leyendo Coronavirus and You