How your toothbrush can reduce your chances of pneumonia VA is using a surprisingly simple life-saving weapon against disease and it's not new, nor is it high-tech: It's a toothbrush. Poor oral hygiene is associated with a greater chance of developing pneumonia in hospitals. That's because not taking care of teeth can lead to plaque, which creates a bacteria-friendly environment in the mouth. In turn, those bacteria can easily travel down the throat and into the lungs. The good news: proper brushing and good oral hygiene can help prevent that from happening.  Your patient advocates wants to hear from you At VA, we believe that patient advocacy is everyone's responsibility. We want your feedback, including compliments, concerns, complaints and customer service-related issues. Sharing your concerns not only improves your care but also the care for the next Veteran, too. Our patient advocates act as guiding lights for patients through the complex health care system, mediating between patients and the health care team. Many are Veterans who understand, respect and lend impartial care. |  Fighting invisible battles & finding peace US Navy Veteran James Seddon learned about his grandfather's traumatic war experiences when his grandfather finally sought therapy. And a year after Seddon himself returned from deployment, he knew deep down that he was not the same man who had left home. "My temper was far worse. My family walked on eggshells around me. Hyperaware, I startled very easily," he recalls. "My VA therapist listened to my skepticism but was convinced she could help me. Her confidence in the outcome, if I followed the program, kept me going. During my treatment, I mentioned my grandfather. She said she wished she could have treated him." |  Veteran changes his life with support of Whole Health coach "I was a walking billboard for pain before I met Ms. Dobson," says Reverend James Mitchell of Bluefield, West Virginia. After several foot surgeries, sciatic nerve issues and 40 years of smoking, Army Veteran Mitchell was using a walker, was stressed out and his quality of life was at its lowest point. Then he started his Whole Health journey with Nicole Dobson, Whole Health coach at the Beckley VA Medical Center in West Virginia. He committed to the hard work of setting goals, weekly coaching sessions, acupuncture and yoga. Mitchell has been 18 months smoke-free and no longer uses a walker or even a cane. | | 
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