Health and wellness is important to you and to MSU. The healthier our faculty and staff are, the healthier MSU will be. This category features information related to wellness at MSU.
Joint replacement surgery has become very common in the United States, with surgeons replacing more than a million hips and knees each year with very high success rates. Nine out of 10 people who get a hip or knee replacement have significantly reduced pain and increased mobility.
Who is a candidate for replacement surgery?
Although joint replacement is usually needed later in life, anyone who experiences chronic joint pain or reduced mobility in the knees or hips is a candidate for replacement surgery (depending on a variety of other factors). Surgeons will look for signs of osteoarthritis or joint degeneration, the most common forms of arthritis, as the starting point for a plan of treatment.Continue Reading… Health Matters: Knee and hip replacement
This article was written by the MSU Bike Advisory Committee.
MSU has upgraded to the silver level of the Bicycle Friendly University Award! As we continue to advance the bicycle-friendly nature of MSU, it’s important for drivers to do their part in ensuring safety on shared roads.
A cyclist travels alongside vehicles on Farm Lane. Photo courtesy of Tim Potter.
As you drive to work, why not use more attention and compassion towards your fellow commuters and make the morning commute safer and more enjoyable for everyone? Remember that your fellow commuter might be on foot or on a bike and that every one of them means one less car on the road and one less car competing for a parking space!
If you drive a car to work you should take special care when passing cyclists. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on Michigan roads as other vehicles. When passing a cyclist, make sure to pass at a safe distance. Don’t attempt to squeeze by cyclists in the same lane even though you think there’s enough room, as they may suddenly need extra room to avoid potholes, dead animals, or an icy patch on the road. Many places, including the City of Grand Rapids, already have safe passing laws that require 5 feet of safe passing distance.
Also, don’t forget to watch out for pedestrians at cross walks. Michigan law requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians in cross walks.
At the same time cyclists and pedestrians are required to follow traffic rules: don’t cross a street when you have a “don’t walk” signal or a red light. Michigan law requires cyclists to stop at stop signs and red lights just as any other vehicle.
But besides following basic rules, even more important is to be alert and courteous. This makes commuting a better experience for everyone. Just remember, the cyclist you just buzzed might be working at the Clinical Center and giving you a flu shot later, or it might be the professor of your next MSU class.
All commuters share two goals: get to work safely and get home safely after work. Let’s work together to make that happen!
First snowfalls, holiday preparations and the beginning of basketball and hockey seasons might be fun, but they signal the onset of a dreaded annual occurrence: cold and flu season.
The cold can happen year-round, but the flu is generally seasonal and can be more harmful. The first step to prevent the flu is getting the vaccination in the fall. There are four more campus flu clinics providing free shots to faculty and staff until November 16.Continue Reading… Prevent the cold and flu this season
Autumn leaves line the sidewalk to the Music Practice Building. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.
Time flies when you’re busy, and the season of fall is no exception to that rule with the return of students, football Saturdays and increased campus activities. Fall is stunning on campus, and now in the middle of October the colorful trees are at their most beautiful.
Set aside some time in the next few weeks to slow down with a walk through campus, taking in the scenery and breathing crisp autumn air.
Michigan State has many hidden gems that you might not be familiar with. Just north of East Neighborhood, the Sanford Natural area offers a quiet stroll through the woods right next to the Red Cedar River.
In the southeast corner of campus you can admire a variety of specially designed gardens in the Clarence E. Lewis Arboretum.
Paths criss-cross throughout West Circle. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.
West Circle, the River Trail and Beal Botanical Garden are, deservedly so, well-known beautiful destinations for campus walks as well.
You can also find paths with campus art on the way and keep track of your mileage with this Campus Walking Loops map.
With such a wide variety of walking tours to choose from, you can spend the rest of the fall exploring campus, soothing your mind and exercising your body.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time of recognition that helps to raise money for research and support for families affected by breast cancer.
Gwen’s bagels can be purchased at Sparty’s stores, online or at the MSU Bakes Farm Stand . Photo courtesy of MSU Bakers.
This month also serves as a reminder for women to get mammograms; the earlier the cancer is detected, the easier it is to stop its spread and damage.
MSU Human Resources extends its thanks to the researchers, fundraisers and involved citizens who work to find the cure. The strength of current patients, survivors and their families is admirable and is the driving force behind the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Continue Reading… Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Managing multiple responsibilities can lead to mounting stress.
Rest with Music presents different musical styles, genres and traditions for each session
It’s important for the mind and body to unwind in a soothing atmosphere. That’s why the University Physician’s Office, Health4U, Abrams Planetarium and Student Health Services invite you to attend Rest with Music, a monthly series of live music at Abrams Planetarium from noon to 1 p.m. Rest with Music features a variety of musical styles from many talented musicians. This month’s artist is Ray Kamalay, a guitarist and singer from Detroit. He is also knowledgeable about the history of musical influences and has given lectures about this and music education. Read all about Kamalay in the Rest for Music schedule.
Join your fellow MSU employees Monday, October 19, to relax with the music from Kamalay. Make sure to mark your calendars with the rest of the 2015-16 Rest with Music schedule!
Summer produce is on its way out to make room for fall fruits and vegetables. Pumpkins, cranberries, apples, squash and more will soon be gracing the East Lansing Farmer’s Market and the MSU student-run Farm Stand.
Once again Residential and Hospitality Services Senior Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski helped us out by giving us some amazing seasonal recipes. This time, he gave us three of his personal favorites. You can view Chef Kurt’s crowd-pleasing Baked Fresh Herb Spaghetti Squash and Butter Beans with Kale recipes here.
Chef Kurt’s roasted squash soup recipe is also a favorite of many. You’ll be sure to impress anyone with this dish.
The MSU Student Organic Farm Stand operates from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday in front of the Auditorium. Photo courtesy of MSU Student Organic Farm Stand
According to the CDC, RA prevalence is believed to range from 0.5 to 1 percent in the general population.
Rheumatoid arthritis is just one of many forms of arthritis that affect millions of Americans every year. RA is an autoimmune disease of the joints, in which immune cells attack and eventually destroy the healthy lubricating tissues that surround joints. This causes painful swelling that can result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
According to the Center for Disease Control, rheumatoid arthritis can begin at any age, although it is more common in patients over 65.
Patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis experience chronic inflammation in many or all joints, while fewer joints are affected in those with mild RA.
There is no cure for RA, but there are treatments that can decrease the severity of symptoms and slow the disease. As is the case with many ailments, the sooner a patient begins treatment, the better. That’s why it’s important to look out for arthritic symptoms such as fatigue, loss of energy, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, and muscle and joint aches and stiffness that are especially noticeable in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Talk to your physician if you experience these symptoms.
Treatment includes medication supplemented with exercise and occupational therapy.
View the entire Best Doctors article to learn more.
Preparedness is the first step toward safety in any emergency. The MSU Police Department provides several resources to the MSU community members so they are prepared and informed during an emergency.
MSU parents and guardians and visitors can also sign up for MSU Alert. Photo courtesy of MSU Police.
New classroom emergency guidelines are being posted in all of MSU’s classrooms as a quick reference for fire, active violence, hazardous materials release or severe weather emergencies. The guidelines apply to MSU staff working in office buildings as well. They offer important information such as rally site locations, how to act during a secure-in-place and guidelines for those with disabilities.Continue Reading… Stay safe with MSU police guidelines and resources
The pleasant weather is a great motivator to commute by bike in the summer, but it can be more difficult to opt for two-wheeled transportation in the academic year with colder temperatures and increased traffic. Fortunately, there are many resources for cyclists at MSU, which earned a bronze Bicycle Friendly University award in 2011.
Joint replacement surgery has become very common in the United States, with surgeons replacing more than a million hips and knees each year with very high success rates. Nine out of 10 people who get a hip or knee replacement have significantly reduced pain and increased mobility.
