Learning More About Health, Getting Screened at the Expo

The NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo was more than just a weekend of fun and fitness.

Exhibitors, speakers and clinicians increased awareness about relevant health topics, offered a variety of screenings and trainings and shared their unique experiences in health care.

On Sunday, Kaiser Permanente and Providence Health teamed up to start a conversation about the importance of sleep. In the How to Improve Your Sleep, Lose Weight and Live Better forum, specialists discussed the physiology of sleep and answered questions about the physical and mental implications of sleep deprivation.

Sleep specialists Dr. Fancisco Hoyos, Dr. Muhammed Shibli and Bob Dill discussed metabolic processes that occur during sleep, the importance of sticking to a sleep schedule and how sleep deprivation may present a challenge to weight loss.

Here are some tips to help you get a better night sleep:

  • Exercise during the day, instead of late at night, to promote good sleeping behaviors
  • Create a "buffer zone." Allow yourself an hour to relax before sleep. Turn off electronics, avoid difficult tasks. Try reading a book or meditating.
  • Remove all electronics and office work to another room before you sleep. You will get a quality night sleep, if you don't wake up to a phone call in the middle of the night
  • Set a sleep and wake schedule and try to stick to it. 7-8 hours of sleep a night is optimal.
  • Avoid "sleep robbers." Avoid spicy foods, late-night exercise and alcohol at least four hours prior to bedtime

Throughout the Expo, Kaiser's booth offered health screenings to more than 600 guests, a photo booth for kids, an "Exercise Everywhere & Anywhere" station and even career services. Human resources offered professional support to guests interested in health care careers and Kaiser's internship program.

"We are focusing on how health and mental and emotional wellness are interconnected, and a big part of that is your career, having a job and having the idea of a healthy future," said Laura Howard, Kaiser's community benefit program manager.

Providence Health also reaffirmed its mission to provide health to all, especially under-served communities. At its Expo booth on Saturday, Providence Health provided primary care appointments for more than 70 patients.

"Our providers and doctors offer quality care and service to our patient population, as we have a number patients that are under-insured and uninsured. Last year, we donated more than 23 million in uncompensated care for our patients," Diane R. Johnson, Providence's vice president of marketing and communications, said. 

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