loader from loading.io

Veteran's Hesitancy to Healthcare

PodcastDX

Release Date: 03/12/2024

Ablation or Meds for AFIB show art Ablation or Meds for AFIB

PodcastDX

This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB.   Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: Palpitations (a feeling of a racing or irregular heartbeat) Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest discomfort ​ AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. ​...

info_outline
Vagus Nerve Injury show art Vagus Nerve Injury

PodcastDX

This week we are talking about the Vagus Nerve.  The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) is a critical part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating vital functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. It extends from the brainstem (medulla oblongata) through the neck and chest to the abdomen, with motor and sensory fibers allowing communication between the brain and organs. The vagus nerve has two branches—left and right—which overlap in regulating autonomic functions. Functions and Importance Cardiac and Pulmonary Regulation: The left vagus nerve...

info_outline
CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome show art CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

PodcastDX

Our guest this week is Christine James.  Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient.  She was happy to take the time to speak with us in order to bring awareness to a rare and largely unknown disease: CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. As a nurse she worked in the fields of home health, acute medical, psych, long term care, dialysis; and has floated to many other units within hospitals. She has worked at the bedside and have also held supervisory positions. Passionate about her career as a nurse, she hopes to get well...

info_outline
Integrative Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov show art Integrative Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov

PodcastDX

  This week we discuss the field of Functional Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov.  Stroke care is complex and does not stop when a patient is discharged from the hospital.  As a Functional Neurologist, Dr. Zubkov offers comprehensive follow-up for Stroke care, and focus on prevention through health and wellness.  According to his online presence, these are the benefits of such tailored medical care: Benefits of Integrative Neurology and Functional Medicine Identify the root cause of your illness Decrease excessive inflammation ...

info_outline
Winter Safety show art Winter Safety

PodcastDX

The winter season brings cold temperatures and severe weather conditions that create many hazards for individuals working in areas that experience these conditions. Even if you work indoors, winter weather still poses many hazards for you, such as driving into work in bad weather or walking through an icy parking lot to get to your building. It is important to recognize and address the hazards the winter season brings with it. ​ During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of...

info_outline
Staying Healthy as a Veteran show art Staying Healthy as a Veteran

PodcastDX

This week we are talking once again with Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley on "Staying Healthy as a Veteran"  For Veteran's Day this year we are featuring Dan because even though he has been dealt a hard blow with a hereditary colon cancer gene he is not letting that slow him down one bit!  As a matter of fact he is thriving and advocating for others around the globe as a hereditary colon cancer ambassador!  Here is some more about Dan:   ​Dan Dry Dock Shockley, retired U.S. Navy veteran; Operation Desert Storm; Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veteran and a hereditary colon cancer...

info_outline
Halloween Safety show art Halloween Safety

PodcastDX

In this episode we will discuss Halloween Safety during COVID   ​ Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who at one time could dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats.   These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. ​ Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and some ideas to replace typical parties during these uncommonly scary times.

info_outline
Silicosis show art Silicosis

PodcastDX

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny crystalline particles of silica, or silicon dioxide, often linked to work environments like mining, construction, stonework, and sandblasting. The disease leads to symptoms such as coughing, inflammation, and fibrosis (scarring) and is classified under pneumoconioses, a group of lung conditions caused by inhaling dust. Silicosis can be chronic, developing over more than 10 years of exposure; subacute, occurring in two to five years with heavier exposure; or acute, which can happen within months of intense exposure. Although silicosis is...

info_outline
Jamie's Dream Team show art Jamie's Dream Team

PodcastDX

Jamie Holmes-Ward was born with a rare condition known as V.A.T.E.R Syndrome.  The Cleveland Clinic says: VATER syndrome, also known as VACTERL association, is a complex condition that affects several parts of the body. VATER (VACTERL) is an acronym that stands for the affected parts of the body including the vertebrae, anus, heart, trachea, esophagus, kidney and limbs. Treatment is symptomatic and unique for each person diagnosed with the condition.  Jamie is here to tell her story of overcoming obstacles with grace and creating a nonprofit to help children lift their spirits as...

info_outline
Bullying and Mental Health show art Bullying and Mental Health

PodcastDX

  This week we discuss bullying with our guest Chelsey Peat.  Chelsey is an advocate for those with facial differences due to Sturge Weber Syndrome.   A person that looks different is a prime target for bullies.  Bullying is often seen as a schoolyard issue, but its impact on mental health extends into adulthood. Bullied children face increased risks of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, with effects that can last a lifetime. Impact of Bullying Bullying occurs when a child uses physical or social power to hurt another. In the short term, it can cause anxiety,...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

This week we will discuss a Veteran's hesitancy to receive healthcare at the government hospital system known as Veterans Administration or "VA".  Although many veterans may share the concern over receiving care through a government agency due to the medical care they got while in training or active duty; i.e. sucrettes and tylenol being the standard of care when Jean Marie and I were in training. Our guest, Mark Frerichs, has different reasons to question the quality of care. Mark, a Navy veteran who continued working as a contractor post-war in Afghanistan.  It was during his work after the war that created a hesitancy in trusting anything related to the government.  

Mark Frerichs

Mark Randall Frerichs (born July 13, 1962) is an American civil engineer and former US Navy diver who disappeared in Afghanistan in January 2020 and was later confirmed to be captured by the Haqqani network, a group closely aligned with the Taliban. In September 2022, Frerichs was released by the Taliban-led government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in exchange for Bashir Noorzai.

Frerichs is a director of International Logistical Support whose work had led him to visit Afghanistan multiple times since 2012.  He served in the United States Navy as a diver.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLL8pHkA/ 

Frerichs disappeared in Kabul, Afghanistan, on January 31, 2020. The Associated Press reported that US intelligence officials tracked Frerichs's cell phone and raided a village near where he disappeared, approximately a week after his disappearance. Although they rounded up individuals from that village, the raid proved unproductive. The next month, Newsweek magazine reported that officials had confirmed that Frerichs had been taken captive by the Haqqani network, a group closely aligned with the Taliban.

Frerichs's sister, Charlene Cakora, questioned why the US government "signed a peace deal" with the Taliban in early February 2020 that did not include a provision for releasing her brother. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the lead agency of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, issued a statement saying the cell was working to ensure "that Mark Frerichs and all Americans held hostage abroad are returned home."

On May 10, 2020, the FBI offered a $1-million reward for information that helps lead to Frerichs's release or rescue. In addition, the Rewards for Justice Program offered a $5-million reward for information leading to his location. That same day, Taliban spokesmen asserted that they had conducted an inquiry of their subordinate and associated groups and confirmed they were not holding Frerichs.

The New York Times reported Frerichs was still a captive on November 21, 2020, when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Afghanistan to personally participate in peace negotiations with the Taliban. They reported it was unknown whether Pompeo raised Frerichs's captivity as an issue during the talks.

On April 1, 2022, a video was released showing Frerichs pleading for help. Following the release of Safi Rauf, an American aid worker who was held captive by the Taliban between December 2021 and April 2022, the US State Department began an attempted inquiry into the release of Frerichs. The inquiry did not result in substantial headway in brokering Frerichs' release. Frerichs's family was a part of the Bring Our Families Home campaign.

On September 19, 2022, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told reporters in Kabul that his government and a US delegation swapped prisoners at the Afghan capital's airport. Frerichs was exchanged for Bashir Noorzai. (credits: Mark Frerichs - Wikipedia)