A Moment with Marley

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are excited to hear from Jessica Pelletier, one of the Registered Dietitians from Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services in honor of National Nutrition Month.
To learn more about Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services please visit their website: https://www.meridenk12.org/departments/food-and-nutrition-services/.
Be sure to follow them on social media by searching Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services to see upcoming events and school lunch menus. 
 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about how high blood pressure and cholesterol can affect your heart’s health, and provide some simple tips on how to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. 
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls. It’s measured using two numbers:
Systolic is the top number, this is the pressure when your heart beats
Diastolic is the bottom number, this is the pressure when your heart rests
Ideally, a normal blood pressure is at or below 120 over 80. Anything between 120-139 over 80-89 would be considered elevated, and anything 140 over 90 and above would be considered high. High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, so it is important to keep it in the normal range.
There are some lifestyle changes that could help lower your blood pressure. These include:
Increasing your physical activity,
Choosing heart-healthy foods and limiting salt intake to no more than 2,300mg per day,
Maintaining a healthy weight,
Drink no or less alcohol
Quitting smoking or vaping, and
Managing your stress levels.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, you may need medication. Your healthcare provider can  monitor your blood pressure and recommend medications if needed. 
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in your blood. Your body actually needs cholesterol because it helps build cells and make hormones. When it comes to heart health, the problem isn’t the cholesterol itself, it is too much of the wrong kind.
There are two different types of cholesterol:
Low-density lipoprotein – or LDL - which is the “bad” kind
High-density lipoprotein – or HDL - which is the “good” kind
Your total cholesterol level should be anything below 200mg/dL for optimal health. Your LDL should be below 100 mg/dL and your HDL should be above 60mg/dL. Depending on your personal health history, your healthcare provider may want your LDL to be at 70mg/dL or below.
To manage your cholesterol levels, consider the following dietary and lifestyle changes from the American Heart Association:
Eat meals with lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and lean proteins like fish and seafood. Limit sugary foods and drinks, red meats, processed meats, salty snacks, and foods that are highly processed.
Exercise can help lower cholesterol numbers. It can also improve your mood and clear your mind.
The fats you eat can affect your cholesterol numbers. Replace saturated fats like butter and whole dairy products with healthy fats. Healthy fats include olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and eggs.
Stop smoking. Smoking lowers good HDL cholesterol. It also increases your risk of heart disease and affects your brain health.
For more information on heart health, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com. If you have any questions regarding your personal health, please reach out to your healthcare provider.
 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about a topic that can potentially save someone’s life: recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke.A heart attack happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of your heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked. 
Signs of a heart attack include:
A feeling of discomfort in the center of the chest that can last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return. The discomfort can feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Persons can also feel discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath is common with or without chest discomfort.
Other possible signs include a cold sweat, nausea, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and feeling unusually tired or lightheaded.
Do not wait to get help if you or someone you know has any sign of a heart attack. Even if you are not sure if it is a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. Some people feel it would be embarrassing to have a “false alarm.” Others are so afraid of having a heart attack that they tell themselves they aren’t having one. These feelings are easy to understand, but they’re also very dangerous. Call 9-1-1 and get help right away.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die.
 The acronym F.A.S.T – FAST – can be used to remember the most common signs of stroke.
F is for face drooping. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Is the person's smile uneven?
A is for arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm weak or numb? Does one arm drift downward?
S is for speech difficulty. Ask the person to say their name. Is speech slurred?
T is for time to call 911. If the person is experiencing signs of stroke, call 911 right away. Stroke is an emergency. Every minute counts. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.
Other stroke symptoms can include:
Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and
Severe headache with no known cause. 
If someone is having a stroke, it’s critical to get them medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and prevent death. Call 911 right away.
Visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com for more information on heart health. You can also join a local challenge by watching a brief video on how to do hands-only CPR and answering 2 questions. Our goal is to have as many Meriden residents as possible watch the video for American Heart Month. If you have any questions please reach out to our office at 203-630-4221.
 
 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, your local health department would like to offer actionable tips to keep your heart healthy.
First, movement is key. You don’t need to participate in intense workouts—just 30 minutes of walking, dancing, or active chores can improve heart health. At the Meriden Senior Center, members have the opportunity to participate in weekly exercise classes such as strength & tone, weight training, aerobics, and yoga. Meriden Parks & Recreation also offers opportunities for community hikes, yoga, and more at some of Meriden’s beautiful parks. Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, improve sleep, and reduce stress, which can improve and maintain your heart health. 
Nutrition matters too. Filling your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats helps lower your risk of heart disease. Cutting back on salty, processed foods can make a big difference. Locally, we are proud that the Meriden Senior Center offers a daily healthy lunch through their elderly nutrition program. Meriden Public Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services provides breakfast and lunch to all students following recommended dietary guidelines to keep students healthy and ready to learn.
Smoking significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and can contribute to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues. Quitting smoking can significantly lower the risk of heart disease. The CT Quitline offers several options for beginning your quit journey. Start talking with a Quit Coach today by calling 1-800-784-8669.
And lastly, know your numbers. Meet your heart health goals by keeping track of how much you exercise, your blood pressure, your cholesterol numbers—all of which can impact your heart health—and tell your healthcare provider how you’re doing. Our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street offers no-cost blood pressure screenings. To schedule an appointment please call (203) 630-4234.
Heart health is not about perfection. Choose one habit today and build from there. Your heart will thank you. Learn more about Meriden’s initiatives by visiting www.meridenct.gov.
 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to highlight 2 events we are holding in honor of American Heart Month.
American Heart Month, recognized every February, serves as a reminder for individuals to prioritize their heart health and take proactive steps to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases. The initiative encourages people to learn about heart health, understand risk factors, and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death, yet many cases are preventable. American Heart Month reminds us that caring for our heart does not require big, dramatic changes. Small daily choices—like moving more, eating better, and managing stress—can make a powerful difference.
Your local health department is kicking off American Heart Month with two upcoming events:
Thursday, February 5 our Public Health Clinic staff will be at the Meriden Senior Center at 22 West Main Street from 10:00 to 11:00am offering no-cost blood pressure screenings. This event is open to the public and no appointments are required.
Friday, February 6 is National Wear Red Day, a national movement to raise awareness for women’s cardiovascular health. Stop down to our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street for a no-cost blood pressure screenings 9-10am and 12-1pm. Please call (203) 630-4234 to schedule an appointment. And, don’t forget to wear red!

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to discuss Norovirus.
Norovirus is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug." However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines.
Norovirus causes symptoms like:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps, and
Sometimes fever, headache, or body aches
Symptoms usually hit fast — within 12 to 48 hours of exposure — and most people recover in 1–3 days.Norovirus is very contagious and spreads very easily and quickly in different ways. It only takes as few as 10 virus particles to make you sick. Some of those ways are:
Coming into direct contact with an infected person, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, and
Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth. Norovirus can survive on surfaces for days to weeks and resists many common disinfectants.
There’s no specific antiviral medication for norovirus. Treatment is mostly about rest and staying hydrated. Most people recover on their own, but young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people can become dangerously dehydrated and may need medical care.
Handwashing is your best defense to protect yourself from Norovirus. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Other prevention tips include:
Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before preparing and eating;
Cooking oysters and other shellfish thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F; and
Disinfecting surfaces with bleach-based cleaners, following directions on the product label. 
If you do get sick, it is important to not prepare or handle food, or care for others. Wait at least 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop. This is important if you work in a restaurant, school, daycare, long-term care facility, or other places where you may expose people to norovirus.
For more information, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about our services offered to Meriden residents in our Public Health Clinic.
Our Public Health Clinic is located at 165 Miller Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Our team offers a variety of services to Meriden residents. Major activities include: 
Providing adult and child vaccinations including the seasonal flu shot. We are part of the Connecticut Vaccine Program and are able to offer no cost vaccines to children under the age of 18 regardless of their health insurance status. This is to ensure children in Meriden are protected against vaccine preventable diseases and are ready to enter daycare, preschool, Meriden Public Schools, or college/universities.
Conducting childhood blood lead screenings. Our Public Health Nurses screen children for lead. Early detection and intervention leads to better outcomes for children who may have elevated blood lead levels. If a child has an elevated blood lead screening, we then refer the family to our Environmental Health Office for follow up and education.
Managing school health charts. School health charts of withdrawn or graduated Meriden public school students are sent to us to be filed and kept as per state statutes for 6 years after the student leaves the district or graduates. Our staff enters vaccine records from these charts into CT Wiz, the Connecticut Immunization portal. Members of the public can then access their vaccine record electronically.
Medically clearing students for school entry, where per state law we ensure that students are up to date with required vaccines and have a recent physical for school entry.
Perform tuberculin skin testing, which screens for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that effects the lungs. Screenings are a tool we use to test for tuberculosis exposure to provide further follow up and referrals if needed.
Providing WIC certifications, including height, weight, hemoglobin and lead (as needed) for children up to 5 years of age. These are required by WIC offices to monitor and assess nutritional needs.
When not providing direct services to residents, our team is busy in the background ensuring Meriden stays healthy through disease surveillance and follow up. Staff monitor state disease surveillance systems for communicable diseases that are required to be reported to local health departments. We maintain data on these illnesses, identify trends and conduct follow up interviews when needed on certain illnesses or conditions. A full list of reportable diseases to local health departments is available on our website.
Staff also manage active cases of tuberculosis, which can include direct observed therapy to ensure the resident is taking their prescribed medication to prevent the spread of disease.
If you have questions about services offered or would like to schedule an appointment for services, please call (203) 630-4234.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that’s especially relevant as we move through colder months, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.
First things first, what is RSV? RSV is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs and airways. It’s especially known for causing severe issues in young children, babies, and older adults with weakened immune systems.
Like many viruses, RSV spreads easily. It passes through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. You can also catch it from surfaces that have been touched by an infected person and then touch your face.
Signs and symptoms of RSV infection most commonly appear about four to six days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms such as: 
A stuffy or runny noseCoughSneezingAnd a low-grade fever
For babies, RSV can be more serious. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S and may cause wheezing, trouble breathing, and even difficulty feeding. If you notice these signs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
Infants, especially premature babies, and elderly adults with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for serious complications. For them, RSV can lead to things like bronchiolitis which is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, or pneumonia which is an infection of the lungs. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age.
These conditions can make it hard for the person to breathe and may require hospitalization for oxygen support, so it’s important to keep an eye on anyone showing severe symptoms.
So how can we protect ourselves and others from RSV? For starters, it’s really important to practice good basic hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, and if you're sick, stay home to avoid spreading the virus. Also, avoid sharing drinks or utensils with people, especially babies or older adults.
Two main options exist to help prevent young infants from getting severe RSV. One is an antibody product given to the infant. The other is an RSV vaccine for pregnant people to help protect their baby from birth through 6 months of age. Both are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You and your healthcare professional can discuss which option is best to protect your child. Older adults have weaker immune systems, especially those with ongoing conditions, such as heart or lung disease. There is also an FDA approved RSV vaccine for adults age 60 and older.  At this time our office does not offer the RSV vaccine.
For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website: www.meridenhealth.com. 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about hypothermia and frostbite.
If you have stepped outside lately you will notice - it's cold outside! We all love the winter vibes—snowball fights, hot cocoa, and winter sports—but when it gets super cold, the risk of hypothermia and frostbite is real. So, let’s talk about what these are, and more importantly, how to prevent them.
Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops below 95° Fahrenheit. Normally, our bodies like to keep that temperature around 98.6° Fahrenheit. But when you’re exposed to really cold temperatures for a long time, your body starts losing heat faster than it can produce it, and that can lead to hypothermia.
At first, you might start shivering. This is your body’s way of trying to warm itself up. But if you don’t get out of the cold soon, your body will start to show other symptoms. You might feel really tired, confused, or even slur your speech. In severe cases, hypothermia can lead to unconsciousness and, if untreated, can be fatal.
Now, onto frostbite. Frostbite happens when your skin and the tissues underneath freeze. Frostbite usually affects your fingers, toes, ears, or nose; these are places that are farthest from your heart and most vulnerable in extreme cold.
Frostbite starts with numbness, redness, or pale skin. You might feel a burning or stinging sensation, like pins and needles. If it gets worse, the skin can start to look hard or waxy. In the worst-case scenario, frostbite can cause permanent damage to your skin, muscles, and nerves.
So, how can we stay safe and avoid these freezing dangers? Let’s break it down with a few prevention tips:
Dress in layers! When going outside in cold temperatures make sure body parts most affected by frostbite are covered in warm, dry clothing. This includes your nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers.
Stay dry! This is huge—wet clothes can chill you much faster than dry ones. If you get wet from sweat or from the snow, change out of those clothes ASAP.
And lastly, know the signs of trouble. If you start to feel unusually cold or your fingers and toes start to go numb, it’s time to get to a warm place. Don’t push through the pain or numbness, because that’s a sign you’re heading toward frostbite or hypothermia. It’s always better to take a break than risk serious damage.
If a person is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite:
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Get them into a warm room or shelter.
Remove any wet clothing.
Warm them under layers of blankets or clothes, and
Place affected areas in warm-to-touch water.
Winter can be a lot of fun, but we want you to stay safe while enjoying winter weather. Keep those layers on, stay dry, and watch for the warning signs—whether it’s for you or someone else.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that has a lot of people talking: the rise in flu cases.
Connecticut has seen an increase in cases since the beginning of December, which is common this time of year as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is also a common time to see an increase in respiratory illness due to traveling and holiday gatherings.
As your local health department, we continue to monitor lab-confirmed cases of influenza in our community. Since September 1, Meriden has had 372 confirmed cases of Influenza, with 342 occurring so far in December alone.
If you’ve had the flu before, you probably remember the sudden onset of symptoms. Common symptoms of the flu include:
Fever or chills
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Cough and sore throat
Runny nose
Headaches
Sometimes nausea and vomiting (more common in children)
So, what can we do to protect ourselves from the flu? The best defense is to get your annual flu vaccine. Beyond vaccination, there are some simple precautions we can take, such as:
Washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
Avoiding close contact with sick people.
If you’re feeling sick, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others
And of course, cover your coughs and sneezes
If you are still in need of your flu shot, call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234. We are open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. We will also be open late on December 30 until 6:00pm.
For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.