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Over 35 million people are dealing with the effects of diabetes that range from all areas of their bodies. Diabetes occurs when the human body has trouble regulating blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar level is too high or too low, it can affect the individual's health. Although diabetes is related to your blood sugar levels, consuming too much sugar is not the sole reason and cause for an individual to have diabetes. There are also three different types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the human body's immune system destroys the cells responsible for producing the hormone insulin. Usually, small children or young adults need a constant source of insulin through injections or a pump to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form out of the three, is when the pancreas has trouble producing enough insulin to regulate and control glucose levels. Factors that can contribute to this would be poor diet, obesity, and no exercise. Dr. Nandini Gowda, an internal medicine physician at UCR Health Multispecialty Center, suggests that individuals who have diabetes and are on medication "to keep hard candy in your pockets, or to carry around an orange or apple."

Lastly, gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy when mothers who are pregnant have trouble producing insulin to maintain control of their blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes can cause more complications during the pregnancy and mothers have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes after their pregnancy if the mothers do not have healthy eating habits in addition to healthy lifestyle habits.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious health effects like kidney damage, eye problems, heart problems, etc. Dr. Gowda states that "common symptoms of diabetes include urinating frequently, hungry all the time, reoccurring yeast infections, dehydration, and tiredness." If you're unsure whether you have diabetes or not, make an appointment and get regular checkups so that you may know if you're pre-diabetic and should be more cautious of your lifestyle habits. To avoid increasing the risk of being pre-diabetic or diabetic, you should maintain a balanced and healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

Want to talk with an internal medicine physician about your concerns regarding diabetes or want to find out if you're pre-diabetic? Contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment request form to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

The post National Diabetes Awareness Month appeared first on UCR Health.

What is Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is the time of year when UC employees can change their employee health benefits. They can review their health insurance and other benefits for the upcoming year. During this period, most employees change their health insurance plans, remove or add family members, or update their life or retirement plans. It is extremely important this year as many insurance companies are increasing their prices and contributions to UC employees. 

What are the Benefits? 

• If eligible, dental and vision coverage is provided through the University of California. Choosing a dental or vision plan is more flexible.
• Employees can save money by paying for eligible health care expenses on a pretax basis.
• Open Enrollment allows easy removal or addition of any family members to a healthcare plan.
• Ensures they have the right level of coverage and financial support for themselves and their family. 
• You can find many other benefits HERE.

How to Enroll?

• Before beginning, make sure to disable any pop-up blocker and check the plan website for your primary care as some plans have different steps.
• Sign into your account and select 'Open Enrollment' at the bottom of the page.
• Employees can edit their benefit plan options, add or delete any dependents, and view the cost summary for the selected plan.
• Submit your changes before Friday, November 17th at 5 pm.
• You will receive a confirmation of an Open Enrollment Submission Statement via email each time you submit your application.
• For more in-depth steps, follow HERE.

Applying during this Open Enrollment ensures you get the best support for you and your family through the UC. As many changes to health care are being made in this upcoming year, make sure to apply before Friday, November 17th at 5 pm. You can find the application link HERE.

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Attention Deficit Disorder or more commonly known as ADHD is one of the most common neurological developmental disorders. ADHD can make daily duties for children and adults harder and can strain relationships whether at home, work, or school because they are showing signs of carelessness, poor organization, poor listening skills, etc. Dr. Yamaguchi and Dr. Alters, board-certified adult and child psychiatrists, both share some insightful knowledge on ADHD that may help those who are diagnosed and getting treatment or individuals who are not aware that they may have ADHD and are untreated.

Children who can't seem to focus and are overly hyperactive in school may not be because they are naughty but because they are showing some signs and symptoms of ADHD. Adults may also show signs of a

lack of attention to detail, forgetfulness, fidgetiness, talking excessively, and more but may be overlooked because it is considered to be a normal thing that happens in their daily life. Dr. Alters says that for adults there are also other signs to consider such as working multiple active jobs, impulsive job changes, and driving too fast. To be diagnosed with ADHD children need 6 or more symptoms present and adults only need 5.

After being diagnosed with ADHD what are some things that can be done to minimize the signs and symptoms? Dr.Yamaguchi states that although "therapy may be helpful, medications are much more effective." There are a variety of different medications you may be prescribed like Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, etc. Many individuals may be concerned with taking stimulants because they think taking them would be addicting and lead to drug abuse. However, this is not true and individuals who go untreated can be more at risk in developing substance abuse disorders.

Are you or a loved one you know experiencing any signs of ADHD?

Consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Alters who is board-certified in child and adult psychiatry or Dr. Yamaguchi. Contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment form to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

The post ADHD Awareness Month appeared first on UCR Health.

UCR Health Polo Shirts

To start the celebration, UCR Health and the SOM Strategic Initiatives team were excited to gift 10th Anniversary polo shirts with UCR Health branding to our teams and faculty to recognize their hard work and dedication. The clinical enterprise couldn't be more proud to hit our 10-year milestone! Check out these photos:

If you have yet to receive your polo shirt, please contact marketing@medsch.ucr.edu.

The Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting

It was a momentous day for the SOM! On Tuesday, September 26th, the SOM celebrated the opening of Education Building II, one of the most energy-efficient buildings on campus. Over 300 guests attended the ribbon cutting, celebrating the education building and the SOM's 10th Anniversary. UCR Health tabled at this event and we were thrilled to share information about our clinics and healthcare services and connect with the UCR SOM students, workers, and community members. Here are the event photos:

10th Anniversary Gala

As the UCR SOM celebrates its 10th anniversary and grand opening of our Education Building II, we welcome and invite you to join SOM's 10th Anniversary Gala. It will be on Saturday, October 21st, held at the UCR SOM Education Building II & Courtyard. Make sure to RSVP by Tuesday, October 10th. Click here to get more information about the Gala.

The post UCR School of Medicine’s 10th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on UCR Health.

• Mission Awards:
  • Education Award Winners
    • Marleen Mendoza- Marleen takes a leadership role on many projects and is always willing to help a teammate. Marleen is committed to process improvement and has launched and managed a new way of managing exams and collecting curriculum management data. Marleen goes above and beyond to serve our faculty and students.
    • Michelle Fulbright- Michelle has gone above and beyond the call of duty multiple times. In terms of innovations, Michelle created several first looks in admissions to engage accepted applicants in showcasing UCRSOM strengths during the application cycle. Michelle takes the lead in providing any admissions data when requested and facilitates coordination of data transfer to Banner and Acuity to ensure compliance with internal and external agencies.
  • Research Award Winners
    • Angelica Bazan- Angelica has made significant contributions to the division as she works to administer all the travel arrangements for faculty and graduate students. She is always available to answer questions and troubleshoot travel expenses. Angelica takes the time to thoroughly explain procedures and policies. She always treats faculty, students, and colleagues with respect.
    • Kelsea Armstrong- Kelsea helped lead us in producing a very large U54 grant application that ultimately came to an approximately 800-page document. This was an incredibly impressive effort, which involved Kelsea organizing document preparation and collection across several SOM departments/faculty. The budget process alone was a remarkable iterative process that she was at the center of that ended up producing a tight refined budget that had multiple checks to ensure a clean overall budget with multiple units in the overall center proposal.
  • Clinical Award Winners
    • Rubie Herrera-Onate- Rubie is a hard worker with a passion for patient care. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic keep the clinic flowing. Patients love Rubie. I always look forward to the days when I work with Rubie in the clinic because I know things will move efficiently and that we will have fun!
    • Jessica Flores- Jessica is a great team player and has outstanding patient care. She is a great asset to the psychiatry department. Has helped the start of the Residency program every year to go as smoothly as possible. She worked through Covid Pandemic always willing to help. She has helped our patients through the MyChart transition in the clinic step by step with patience and a positive attitude. Always willing to help providers and her coworkers when we have any questions in the clinic.
  • Administration Award Winners
    • Kristen West- Kristen West has continued to be such an exceptional member of our team. She has been willing to create various procedures and do Zoom training with the roll out of our ServiceNow ticket system. She has been a mentor in training me how to submit a request and track orders in an effort to stay up to date. She always makes time in her busy schedule to meet with a Requestor to test, if they are receiving an error message. Despite the many technical difficulties she has faced, she has remained positive with a smile on her face.
    • Suzette Soto- Suzette Soto has consistently offered excellent communication and service to our team in the Center for Simulated Patient Care. She is always willing to go above her duties to support our team and recognizes how much her support strengthens our team. This year she has developed relationships with all of our team members and comes by regularly to "drop in" and make sure we're doing all right. She solves issues with our software, SimCapture, and assists in our instructional needs efficiently and effectively.

Along with our Mission Award Winners, we would also like to highlight our Spring 2023 Star Award Winners and FY 2024 Dollars for Degree recipient:

• Spring 2023 Star Award: 
  • Krystal Rivas (Clinical Affairs)
  • Daniel Sacriento (Clinical Affairs)
  • Soyeon Jin (Clinical Affairs)
  • Jini Farrell (Family Medicine)
  • Brandon Fajaro (Internal Medine)
  • Jovanna Hernandez (Internal Medicine)
  • Jessica Reyna (OB GYN)
  • Sophira Ceron (OB GYN)
  • Meng Jia (Pediatrics)
  • Amber Reich (Pediatrics)
  • Edgar Gutierrez (Psychiatry/Neuroscience)
  • Christine Hollis-Nist (Psychiatry/Neuroscience)
  • Margarita Monge (Psychiatry/Neuroscience)
  • Katherine Mendoza-Fruge (Psychiatry/Neuroscience)

• FY 2024 Dollars for Degree Recipient:
  • Danielle Bowers (Clinical Affairs)

Additional Information:

• Staff Award guidelines
• Dollars for Degree program

The post Staff Highlight – Award Recipients appeared first on UCR Health.

• Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby
• If firework malfunctions, soak it with water and throw it away
• When a firework or sparkler is finished burning, place it in a bucket of water and throw it out
• Make sure that setting off fireworks in your area/state/city is legal!
• Do not purchase professional fireworks, only fireworks intended for consumers
• Light fireworks one at a time
• After lighting a firework, move far away from the firework, ensuring a safe enough distance

Important Notice: Independence Day Clinic Closure

In observance of Independence Day, UCR Health clinics will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th. We will resume regular hours on Wednesday, July 5th. If you have a life or limb-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care. We wish you all a safe and fun 4th of July!

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

The post Fireworks Satefy – Independence Day appeared first on UCR Health.

What is UV?

• UV stands for ultraviolet. There are two types of UV rays: UVB and UVA. These rays cause most skin cancers, and they can come from the sun and artificial tanning beds.

Despite the temptation to play all day and get a nice tan in the sun without sunscreen, the use of sunscreen is essential, even for daily wear. This is also applicable for gloomy days as clouds do not stop UV rays from shining down on our skin. A tan or sunburn means that there is skin damage present. “I recommend sunscreen for all skin types, staying hydrated during summer months, and loose clothing,” shares Dr. Gowda. Along with her recommendation, here are four ways to help protect ourselves from UV damage:

1. Avoid exposure to UV light
   • The sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. Try to seek shade or use sunscreen if it’s necessary to be out in the sun during these times.
2. Use sunscreen and protective clothing
   • Make sure to put on sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours. Sunscreen comes in a variety of forms such as spray, lotion, or cream. Ensure that your sunscreen has an SPF of at least 15.
3. Check your skin for changes
   • If new moles or freckles appear or other skin changes, speak to your healthcare provider for any concerns.
4. Take preventive measures
   • There are multiple ways to prevent and protect ourselves. Ensuring that you’re up to date on all vaccines and keeping a healthy diet can help maintain your immune system and thus can help you and your skin stay safe.

Always remember to talk to your primary healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding skin cancer and its prevention. You can also contact us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment request to meet with a UCR Health physician.

Additional resources:

• The Skin Cancer Foundation: www.skincancer.org/prevention
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/
• The American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

The post UV Safety Awareness Month appeared first on UCR Health.

This academic year, the interns have dedicated over 4,000 hours to 4 clinical departments and 7 administrative departments at the UCR School of Medicine and UCR Health. Here's a brief summary of what they've accomplished:

• Marketing Department (Roma Ghanekar, Dasha Tafrova, Neha Sharma, and Anthony Nguyen): worked with social medical content on the UCR Health page and website; updated dozens of physician profiles and wrote the monthly UCR Health newsletter articles
• Multispeciality Clinic (Arnav Kacker and Erin Ku): digitized the entire inventory system of the clinic through an automated Excel sheet, to make sure that expiring vaccines were accounted for and reordered in a timely manner; optimized clinic flow by assisting with inventory and properly maintaining patient records
• Quality Outcomes Department (Heathe Bago and Melika Rezanejad): measured patient care quality and analyzed physician feedback after overcoming a great learning curve in generating pivot tables, and CPT codes and becoming familiar with EPIC
• Standardized Patients Department (Meghna Chunduru): created a comprehensive manual for standardized patients to reference information and photos of common diseases they would potentially be asked to emulate while educating medical students
• Compliance Department (Hasan Ismail and Annu Valliyanal): made sure providers are compliant with Title IX training; created telemedicine files; performed thorough analysis on hypertension and anticoagulant data
• Pathway Programs (Shraddha Bhonsle): developed materials and programs to engage undergraduates and community college students with UCR SOM
• Women’s Health Department (Adolat Beshimova): optimized clinic flow while also taking on the time-consuming project of notifying patients of leaving providers with heartfelt letters

Interns were awarded for their accomplishments within their departments and graduating seniors were celebrated as well.

• Honorable Mentions: Syreze-Sky San Andres, Mariam Bedrossian, Hasan Ismail, Shraddha Bhonsle
• Intern of the Year: Arnav Kacker

Congratulations to all the UCR Health CAP interns for doing an amazing job this year!

See the highlights from the banquet below:

Click here to view all photos from the event.

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The main difference between migraines and headaches is that migraines are much more severe in pain. Let’s explore a few other ways the two vary.

Many of the symptoms of migraine include:

• Unilateral
• Throbbing pain
• Recurring
• Can last for days 
• Nausea 
• Dizziness

There are many ways to help ease a migraine or a headache. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Using a cold or hot compress on the head or neck
• Applying acute pressure to certain points on the arm and head. This can allow for relief of nausea from a migraine
• Meditating or staying in a dark, quiet room

Staying hydrated and increasing electrolyte intake can also help reduce migraine or headache symptoms. 

Worried about your migraine or headache symptoms? Call us at 1-844-827-8000 or submit an online appointment form to speak with a UCR Health physician.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

The post National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month appeared first on UCR Health.