Health

Walking the Path of Healing

Thursday, July 30th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Daria Gray, Speech Therapist

Last weekend, I joined several other speech-language pathologists at the Phoenix Convention Center (in 106 degree weather!) who attended the American Speech-Language Healthcare and Business Institute in Arizona.  The keynote speaker for the conference was Dave Isay, the founder of StoryCorps, who believes that everyone should have the opportunity to tell their story. This, I have come to know, is a way of life for island people who talk story and seek to live their story of closeness to the land and each other.  Mother Teresa embodied this truth: “We belong to each other.” …

Molokai Fitness: Meditation

Friday, July 17th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. It was originally developed to help form a deeper understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. Nowadays, it’s mostly used for decreasing stress and relaxation.

There are many things in life that are beyond our control, but it is possible to take responsibility for our own states of mind. I call meditation “listening.” Hearing your inner voice and finding a connection between the outer you and the inner you.

Do you meditate? If the answer is no, why not? You don’t have the time? You have no space to sit quietly and focus?…

Molokai Fitness: Community Power

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

First, I want to say Happy 30th Birthday to The Molokai Dispatch! I’m honored and grateful that my articles are a part of it.

This week, I want to talk about the power of a community.

Do you know what’s easier: to change your environment, or to change your mind? Can you change your family or your career easily? I don’t think so. But we can change our minds, and our perception.

I like Wayne Dyer’s book title “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.” I know it’s not easy to do, but it’s not impossible either.…

The Power of Kindness

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

Being “kind” benefits everyone especially those that practice the aloha spirit.  There is a multiplication factor in kindness that is powerful.  Whether you are the giver, the receiver, or the observer of kindness there are health benefits for all concerned.  Scientific studies (Uncle Google) says that “kindness” has a positive effect on your immune system with increased production of serotonin in the brain.  Serotonin is the natural calming, mood regulating, anti-anxiety, good vibes neurochemical.  Google also said that in a study of those that volunteered tended to experience fewer aches and pains.

Another study found that acts of kindness cause a domino effect causing each person’s generosity to spread to three to nine people, and then to others. …

Free Cancer Screening

Thursday, June 11th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Charlene Naniuikoupua Preza

Dr.  Kalani Bradley shared his 20-minute health class with the women who attended a free cancer screening event at the end of last month.  The purpose was to inform and educate wahine of Molokai on health issues of cancer in women.  Through many hours of research, Bradley found that the earlier cancerous tissue is detected as benign or malignant, the more preventable it is.  Close treatment and care given e.g. physical examination to lung, breast, cervical, colon and mammogram, plus drastic change in diet, lifestyle regime and educating oneself about cancer, can help reduce the risk of cancer.…

Molokai Fitness: Spam

Friday, June 5th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

May 2 was the 13th annual Spam Jam Festival. Spam is one of Hawaii’s favorite foods, and the festival is a cultural celebration here in Hawaii. In 2014, they estimated that 25000 people attended the event.

Spam was originally introduced in 1937 by Hormel Foods. Now, almost seven million cans are eaten every year in Hawaii alone. So many things have changed since 1937, new food studies and different eating and living habits, but we’re still eating so much spam.

So what exactly is spam? It’s a highly processed meat, which is made by smoking, salting, adding preservatives and also nitrates, coloring and flavoring.…

Molokai Fitness: How Old is Old?

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

First, ask yourself how old you would be right now if you didn’t know your birthday.

It’s a tricky question, but really think for a moment. We limit ourselves by our beliefs. You think “OK, after 55 or maybe 65 my time is passed and I should just be happy with whatever I can still do.”

But what if you’re wrong? What if everything you’re feeling now — low energy, not as much strength as you had 20 years ago — were symptoms you created? I know this is hard to believe, but it’s only because we live so much of our lives on autopilot, not really thinking about what we’re doing every day.…

Understanding Asthma Inhalers

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, Rph, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Did you know that only seven percent of people understand how to use asthma inhalers the right way? Combine that with a wide array of asthma medications, and asthma management can become more than a little confusing.

Everybody is different, so your doctor decides which type of medication and inhaler is best for you. But here’s a brief overview of what you need to know.

Inhaled medications help airways stay open without some of the side effects of those taken by mouth or injection. These medications work in different ways.…