Wellness Words March 2011 Posted on March 9, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator 7 WARNING SIGNS OF INADEQUATE NUTRITIONHaving good nutrition is important at any age. Many Americans, young and old, fall short on vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. As individuals age and become less active, they need fewer calories. However, older individuals may need more of certain nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B.Nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition can persist for a long time before they show up in physical signs or symptoms. Peter Jaret, of WebMD, has provided seven warning signs of inadequate nutrition.1. UNEXPLAINED FATIGUEFatigue is a common side effect of iron deficiency and can lead to anemia. However, other conditions can cause fatigue. These include heart disease, depression, or thyroid disease. It is important to alert your doctor if you feel unusually weak or tired.2. BRITTLE & DRY HAIRBrittle hair can signal a deficiency of essential fatty acids, protein, iron and other nutrients. Hair loss is usual with aging. However, if hair begins to fall out at an unusual rate, a nutrient deficiency may be the cause.3. RIGID OR SPOON-SHAPED NAILSA spoon-shaped nail, in which the nail curves up from the nail bed, is an indicator of iron deficiency. This condition is known as koilonychias and your doctor may recommend iron pills and iron-rich foods such as liver and shellfish.4. MOUTH PROBLEMSCracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth are warning signs of either riboflavin or iron deficiency. An unusually pale or swollen tongue is a warning sign of iron or B-vitamin deficiency. Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that may arise from iron, zinc or folate deficiency. All of these conditions can be treated with nutrient-rich foods and supplements.5. DIARRHEAChronic diarrhea can be a sign of malabsorption. Malabsorption means that nutrients aren’t being fully absorbed by the body. It can be caused by infection, surgery, certain drugs, heavy alcohol use, and digestive disorders. If you have experienced this, it is important to consult your doctor.6. APATHY OR IRRITABILITYUnexplained mood changes, especially feeling apathetic or irritable, can be a sign that your body isn’t getting the required energy. These mood changes are often accompanied by another sign of malnutrition, fatigue or weakness.7. LACK OF APPETITEAs individuals age, their appetite often diminishes and taste buds lose their sensitivity. Older individuals tend to be less active and require fewer calories. Medications can also diminish an individual’s appetite. However, nutritional deficiencies can also cause a lack of appetite. Nancy Wellman R.D., past president of the American Dietetic Association says, “Chronic lack of appetite is a serious warning sign that you may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies.” If you find yourself skipping meals because you are not hungry, talk to your doctor. The faster you discover the deficiency, the better the chance of stopping the nutritional problem before it causes serious trouble.For more information, contact your health care provider, Littauer’s Outpatient Nutritional Counseling at 773-5413 or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer Announces Employee of the Year Posted on March 1, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeEmployee commended for helping people “get back into life”Candace Underwood is Littauer’s Employee of the Year!Gloversville, NY… Nathan Littauer Hospital announced the Employee of the Year earlier this month at the Goodwill Committee’s annual celebration. The winner, Candace Underwood who is a Physical Therapy Assistant, was awarded the top honor. “She is a shining example of exceptional patient care. She frequently goes above and beyond for her coworkers and patients.” stated Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. She added, “And it obviously shows.”Candace Underwood works at Nathan Littauer’s Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Department in Gloversville. She has been working at Littauer for over 22 years. With a passion for sports she explained, “I want my patients to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, which is why I am compelled to get my patients back to enjoying life.” Candace recently authored a ski preparation video with her coworkers posted on YouTube with tips to try and keep people injury-free when skiing. An avid skier herself, she understands the value exercise and works tirelessly to get people “back into the game”.“Nathan Littauer Hospital currently has about 980 employees. Therefore, this is definitely a prestigious award” stated Bill Oates her Department Manager, adding “She is a person who has truly found her calling occupationally and appears to enjoy arriving at work daily.” Her patients consistently have wonderful things to say about Candace. Some recent feedback on patient satisfaction surveys state:“Please relay to Candy for me the great benefit she is responsible for in bringing me to the comfort level I now enjoy. She is the best and I miss her and her therapy sessions”.“My physical therapist Candy was great. She would always talk to me like we were friends and she always made me feel great”.“Candy does an excellent, thorough job and should be commended for her caring and attention towards her patients. People like her are hard to find so treat her well”.“The services that I received were excellent. I was very pleased with the therapist who worked with me, Candace Underwood, and would recommend her and this department to anyone”. Candace responded to her new title by explaining, “I am very honored to receive this award. I have worked here for many years and know most of the people in this hospital. It is a great place to work and I enjoy coming to work everyday. The rehab department (where I work) is like family. Thanks everyone.”Candace Underwood is a deserving award winner. As Employee of the Year Candace receives gift certificates, preferred parking and on a specific day of her choosing, she will arrive to work receiving the time-honored “Red carpet treatment” from her coworkers.Candace is a native of Johnstown, NY. She studied at Maria College and SUNY Brockport. She has two daughters, Alison and Kate and one grandson.xxx
Littauer announces appointment of Vice President of Medical Affairs Posted on March 1, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHospital welcomes Dr. Frederick GoldbergNew Chief Medical Officer announced at Littauer.Gloversville, NY….Laurence E. Kelly, President/CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home has announced the appointment of Dr. Frederick Goldberg as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Goldberg’s distinguished medical career has spanned private practice as a pediatrician to physician executive positions at Community General Hospital in Syracuse and Faxton-St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica.“Dr. Goldberg successfully led implementation of quality and safety initiatives leading to improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs. Our Medical Staff and Board Search Committee were impressed with the education, background, knowledge and experience he will bring to Littauer,” stated Mr. Kelly.In response to his appointment Dr. Goldberg said, “The Littauer team of physicians, managers and staff demonstrate the same passion for healthcare quality and safety as I do. Joining this team is an honor as together we embrace the challenges facing health care delivery in upstate New York.” Dr. Goldberg is a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed his residency at The Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. He received a Master of Science in Health Care Management from Harvard University. XXXNathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties in Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed acute care hospital, eight primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded 1894, has 980 employees and recently opened a new Emergency Care Center. For more information please visit www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words February 2011 Posted on February 15, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator THE SIMPLE 7 HEART HEALTH FACTORSHeart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. The best tool in fighting heart disease is prevention, and the American Heart Association has provided The Simple 7 Heart Health Factors to help guide individuals to a healthier heart lifestyle.I. GET ACTIVEThe AHA suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise. Physical activity is anything that makes you move your body and burns calories. Aerobic exercises benefit your heart, such as walking, jogging or swimming. Strength and stretching exercise are best for overall stamina and flexibility. The simplest, positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health is to start walking. It’s enjoyable, free, easy, social and great exercise.II. CONTROL CHOLESTEROLIt’s important for all people to know their cholesterol level. A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dl or higher puts you in a higher-risk category. To keep your cholesterol under control, the AHA recommends you schedule a screening, eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat and free of trans fat, maintain a healthy weight, and stay physically active.III. EAT BETTEREating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight and blood pressure. Unrefined whole-grain foods contain fiber that can help lower your blood cholesterol and help you feel full, which may help you manage your weight. Eat fish at least twice a week. Eating oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids may help lower your risk of death from coronary artery disease. Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without saturated and trans fat. Select fat-free, 1% fat or low-fat dairy products.IV. MANAGE BLOOD PRESSUREHigh blood pressure, or hypertension, is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease. A normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80mm Hg diastolic. Eating a heart-healthy diet, enjoying regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco smoke will all help manage your blood pressure.V. LOSE WEIGHT145 million Americans are overweight or obese (BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 and higher). Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. You can reduce this risk by maintaining a healthy weight through fitness and a good nutrition plan. It is crucial to understand your recommended calorie intake and the amount of calories you consume verses the calories you’re brining off with different levels of physical activity.VI. REDUCE BLOOD SUGARAdults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Healthy eating habits, weight control, exercise and medication can help keep it in check. It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes.VII. STOP SMOKINGBy itself, smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease. When it acts with the other factors, it greatly increases your risk from those factors. Smoking decreases your tolerance for physical activity and increases the tendency for blood to clot. It decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysm. It increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery.For more information, contact your health care provider, American Heart Association at 800-242-8721 (www.americanheart.org) or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Doctors see more sprains and strains related to weather Posted on February 14, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeFirst published by the Daily Gazette, February 14 , 2011. Reported by Marcy Velte.Doctors see more sprains and strains related to weather CAPITAL REGION — To save money this winter, more families than usual are opting to remove ice and snow themselves instead of hiring a service, but it could be costing them money in medical bills.An increase in storms means an increase in snow- and ice-related injuries, according to Dr. Todd Duthaler, chief of emergency medicine at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville.“It’s been a very slippery winter,” he said, speaking about the many sprained wrists and ankles he sees annually. “Another cause of concern is more people trying to clear their roofs and harming themselves.”“It has been a slippery winter” Dr. Todd DuthalerMost local hardware stores have had trouble keeping roof rakes, shovels and rock salt in stock.T.J. Grim from Bellevue Builders said his business is out of snow rakes because of the large number of “do-it-yourselfers” this year.“We feel bad because we have to turn people away,” he explained.Duthaler said numerous people have come to the hospital with broken bones or back injuries from falling off ladders or the roof.“People are hearing on the news about getting the snow and ice off their roofs and becoming concerned, but they aren’t thinking about taking appropriate safety measures,” he said.Duthaler recommends staying on the ground to clear roofs, but that too can be a problem.Ray Hayden, owner of Hayden Brothers Snow and Ice Removal in Schenectady, said more customers are calling for help later in the season because they are nervous about injuries.“They see people getting hurt or have gotten hurt and they get scared,” he said. “They want people that know what they’re doing.”Hayden explained most injuries he sees come after someone uses a roof rake. People tend to stay on the ground and pull the snow off the roof and toward themselves.“You shouldn’t do that,” he said. “That could be 400 pounds of snow and ice falling down on top of them. They don’t know.”Hayden explained it’s important to use the right equipment to remove ice while on top of the roof — like a ladder that attaches to the roof so it doesn’t slip — or hire someone if help is needed.The large amounts of snow are causing other injuries.Dr. Krystal Clarke of Sunnyview Physical Therapy said most patients are coming in with sprained backs or ruptured discs from shoveling snow or lugging a snowblower.She recommends going slow and using the proper form when shoveling snow.Duthaler agreed.He said people coming to the hospital with chest pain or trouble breathing is an issue during snow-shoveling season. There’s also an increase in heart attacks.Clarke said the majority of her patients with snow- and ice-related injuries are seniors.“Pride is a big factor. Always ask for help if it’s needed,” she said. “If it’s too difficult to hire someone, ask family or neighbors.”Using common sense is the best way to prevent injury, according to Duthaler.“Be careful. Take breaks. And if you start to feel discomfort, stop what you’re doing,” he said.
