Community News

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – October 18, 2024 – Water service continues to expand to more than 90% of the system, according to Asheville Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler at the October 18^th Buncombe County Helene recovery briefing. Pressure will return to low-lying areas first. After tanks fill and water lines are purged of air, pump stations will activate and deliver service to higher elevations.  Service restoration will continue to move generally westward.

A boil water notice remains in effect for everyone on the city of Asheville system, including those served by Mills River. This was done out of an abundance of caution. The practical effect for all customers remains the same: Any water intended for consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) should be vigorously boiled for at least one minute before using.

Running water is not safe to drink from the tap. Water from the tap is safe for handwashing (unless hands are being cleaned for food preparation), showering (but must not swallow water while showering), laundry and flushing toilets. The water is safe for washing dishes, if a dishwasher’s temperature reaches a minimum of 170 degrees.

What you should do  before water service returns: Flip off the breaker to your water heater. Turn off water to your water heater. Turn off hot water under your sinks. Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets. Turn off the ice maker. Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What you to do when your water service returns: Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet for at least 15 minutes. Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed. It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – October 23, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 12th shows:
• 1% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2nd lowest level of 6 groups and decreased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits and a substantial decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 9th was unknown for the week, including:
• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.

A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

BALTIMORE, MD – October 7, 2024 – Did you know that holding your arm in a certain position may make a difference in your blood pressure measurement? Common arm positions during routine blood pressure checks can cause a significant increase in blood pressure reading. Therefore, blood pressure readings might not be accurate unless the arm is in the correct position to take a measurement.

In a recent study published on October 7, 2024, in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, blood pressure readings were obtained while people held their arms in 3 different positions. The arm was leaning on a surface, resting on the lap or hanging by the side of the body while the blood pressure was taken. The study found that the most accurate measurement was obtained by having the arm rest on a surface near heart level. Holding your arm in your lap or by your side, lower than the heart, can result in a higher systolic number. The higher number, known as the systolic pressure, is the amount of pressure in a person’s arteries when the heart contracts and propels blood throughout the body.

The study was performed at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 133 adults had their blood pressure measured in each of the 3 arm positions.

Health care providers and patients will be able to measure more accurate blood pressures and avoid false diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. These findings are supported by the American Heart Association.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA – October 4, 2024 – My wife and I have become climate refugees following western North Carolina’s destruction by Hurricane Helene. We lost electricity, running water, cell service and internet access for most of 5 days. We ran out of food to eat and water to drink. My wife’s blood pressure was high for the first time in her life at her medical appointment one week later.

Your body reacts to stress by releasing a surge of hormones as part of the “fight or flight” response. These hormones allow the body to better adapt by increasing the blood flow to your muscles so you can react. It’s considered normal for your blood pressure to increase for a short time during times of stress. Long-term high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, kidney disease and stroke.

Adrenaline and cortisol are the main hormones that are elevated. The former increase your heart rate and your blood vessels to narrow; while cortisone can raise your blood sugar and improve its utilization.

Learning how to manage stress can lower blood pressure. Your blood pressure should normalize once the stress goes away. Sticking to an exercise routine and having enough sleep can help lower stress.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – October 16, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 5^th shows:  

• Almost 2% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups and increased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1.5% of all visits and a substantial decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 2^nd was unknown for the week, including:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.

A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour