Early allergy season a doozy Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by Dakota PikeBless you! Allergy season is a doozyFriday, June 20, 2014By Leah Trouwborst CAPITAL REGION — After a long winter, the Capital Region emerged from flu season only to walk right into the waiting arms of a very aggressive allergy season.“I’m kind of overbooked,” says Dr. M. Asghar Pasha of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Albany Medical Center. He blames the long winter for raising pollen levels. “Everything blossomed all together instead of blossoming gradually — one pollen on top of another — so the patient is hit with a large amount of pollen at one time.”Trees usually release pollen well before June, but cold temperatures delayed the budding process this year. Add to that the grass pollen which June always brings, and you’ve described the double whammy now hitting the Capital Region. (Ragweed, the third major type of pollen, won’t peak until August.)Along with nonseasonal allergens like mold and animal dander, tree and grass pollen have triggered unusually severe allergy attacks in the Capital Region. According to Pasha, Albany Medical Center has seen “a significant influx of patients calling and complaining about [allergy] symptoms, saying their medications aren’t working, et cetera.”Even though 2012 and 2013 saw quite a few complaints about bad allergies, Pasha considers 2014 to be even worse. “If you had to put a number on it, 20 percent to 30 percent more patients reported symptoms of allergies [than last year]. If I look at my schedule, I can tell you that,” he says.Dr. Suzanne Palmieri, a primary care physician at Ellis Medical Group, points to wet weather as another contributing factor behind this severe allergy season. Not only was it a rainy spring, but beforehand “we had a lot of snowfall late in the winter. That provides a lot of water for the trees, and that increases pollen count.”Adding a third factor behind pollen levels, Dr. David Shulan of Certified Allergy and Asthma Consultants brings up a simple science fact, one that people forget affects pollen levels: the law of gravity. “We’re in a valley, and that concentrates the pollen,” he explains. Reforestation has armed the mountains with even more pollen to send wafting down on lower ground.Both Shulan and Dr. Lawrence Horowitz, chief of pediatrics at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, express less concern over the current allergy season than over a larger trend in the Capital Region. “Over the last 30 years, there’s definitely been an increase in pollen levels,” Horowitz says. Shulan agrees that he’s seen “a general increase of [allergy] patients over a 24-year period.”But why? Shulan suspects rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have increased pollination. But Horowitz believes that the cause of the trend is twofold, both the climate and the human body’s ability to tolerate the climate. “As we get healthier, we may be having more of an allergy problem,” says Horowitz. “It’s a trade-off.”One Capital Region resident is putting up a fight against pollen. Patrice Jordan, who lives in Schenectady and works as a substitute teacher in Niskayuna, enlisted some help. “Yesterday my kids came over and washed my car for me. It was all covered with that yellow gunk,” she says. According to Shulan, very few are actually allergic to the pine pollen that resembles yellow gunk, even though we associate it with sneezing.But Jordan’s allergies qualify as severe. She says childhood doctors, adhering to now-outdated wisdom, kept her from taking ballet classes in fear of an allergic reaction. Now, nearing her 60th birthday, she credits a cutting-edge prescription medication for allowing her to spend hours at a time in her garden. “It costs $600 per treatment” but “it’s made a tremendous difference,” she says.Straightening up from her flower bed, she says “my allergies still go nuts” when the flowers bloom in her yard. Extending her left arm, she shows me where a patchy rash has bloomed. Nevertheless, she’s decided over the years that being outside is worth the tradeoff. Anyone looking at her garden would be likely to agree; amid the other yards, Jordan’s gives the impression of an oasis in a desert.For those still working out a strategy to combat their allergies, a few simple changes can help outsmart pollen. Installing a window air conditioner “can cut the pollen and mold in the [home] by 90 percent,” according to Shulman. If you’re tempted to substitute a window fan for an air-conditioner, keep Palmieri’s warning in mind: “Those window fans tend to pull the pollen into the house.”Finally, if summertime to you means open windows, wait until after 11 a.m. to crack them open. Plants release most of their pollen in the early-morning hours.
Littauer applauds measure proposed by Sen. Schumer Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by Dakota PikeMeasure targets physician shortage June 6, 2014 By ARTHUR CLEVELAND , The Leader HeraldU.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., says the number of primary care physicians is falling across the region, and he is proposing a measure to increase the numbers.In a news release this week, Schumer announced the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which he said would increase the number of Medicare-supported physician training residency slots by 15,000 over the next several years. Schumer said there has been a steady decline in the number of doctors in rural areas, with New York only meeting 40 percent of its primary care needs. He said 65 percent of rural communities reported they do not have enough doctors to serve their community.Currently, Medicare provides funding for hospitals to host a specific number of residents at a given time through Graduate Medical Education funding. Schumer’s legislation would allow Medicare to fund an additional 3,000 slots each year for five years, and priority would be given to hospitals serving areas that face a shortage of physicians. Under Schumer’s plan, hospitals in states that emphasize training in community health centers, community-based settings or hospital outpatient departments would receive preference when applying for additional support to host physician residents. “We have tremendous doctors providing top-notch care all across upstate New York, but we no longer have as many primary care physicians as we need,” said Schumer.“Unfortunately, in upstate New York, our hospitals and community health centers are losing these primary care physicians left and right, as many are beginning to age out of the profession, and they are unable to hire replacements at the same pace, as new doctors frequently choose to go into more lucrative specialty fields or gravitate to more urban areas,” Schumer said. According to Schumer, in a 2010 survey by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany, the average primary care physicians per 100,000 people in New York was 75. In 2013, it dropped to 63. Fulton County’s numbers dropped from 90 in 2010 to 82 in 2013, and Montgomery County’s fell from 80 to 69. Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville and St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam both say they have no major shortage of physicians.“At Littauer, we are currently not experiencing the same level of difficulty recruiting physicians as many other upstate hospitals are during this shortage,” according to a statement from Littauer. “All our physician staffing needs are filled with the exception of one or two in the emergency room. However, we applaud Sen. Schumer for addressing this problem happening throughout upstate.”Jerri Cortese, spokeswoman for St. Mary’s Healthcare, said, “We have experienced some of the same issues for recruiting into the area.” However, Cortese said, St. Mary’s has a sufficient number of physicians and midlevel providers.Fact Box Dropping Below are the number of primary care physicians per 100,000 people in area counties in 2010 and 2013, according to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s office. Fulton, from 90 in 2010 to 82 in 2013. Montgomery, from 80 to 69. Rensselaer, from 82 to 69. Saratoga, from 74 to 65. Schenectady, from 91 to 64.
Knox Jr. High students create gifts for Littauer’s youngest patients Posted on September 5, 2014 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Eighth grade students from Knox Junior High School in Johnstown donated owl hand puppets to Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home as a gift for pediatric and young emergency room patients.Close to 60 puppets were created by Linda Rusnica’s Life Studies class while working on their sewing unit. Rusnica presented the puppets to the Littauer Pediatric Unit and to the Littauer Auxiliary. According to Rusnica, the students were thrilled to contribute their time and effort, and it only took them four days.Susan McNeil, Director of Volunteer Services at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home thanked Rusnica and added “I look forward to working with more in the future with Knox students, and we will share these gifts with other departments.”
Wellness Words August 2014 Posted on August 12, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorFitness Is A ProcessKeep things in perspective! Many of us have goals to get fit, stay fit, or live a healthier lifestyle, and we make plans to reach those goals. Sometimes life gets in the way, making it seem difficult to stick to those plans, and you have a hard time staying on track. If you set goals that are realistic, accept that at times you will have some set-backs but they are not the end of the world, and stay positive by realizing that being healthy is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Relish in the process instead of anticipating the destination.Here are some tips that can help you reach your goals to live a healthier, happier life:Just Do It: You may not want to get out of the house to go for that walk or go to the gym, but you can ‘fake it ‘til you make it,’ and tell yourself that this is one of the best things you will do for yourself today, and soon that is how you will perceive it. Plan your activity ‘appointments’ (like you would schedule a doctor’s appointment) in advance so you are more likely to keep them, especially if you think of them as non-negotiable appointments. Then, work your way up to fitness milestones like 10,000 steps a day. Why not try different classes that suit you like Yoga, Zumba, or water aerobics to keep yourself motivated and inspired.Think Outside The Gym: There are a lot of ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine. We have all heard about taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking farther away from the place you are going. You can also try walking to your neighbor’s house instead of calling them on the phone or walking/riding your bike when you need to pick up a few things in town.Mix It Up: If you typically engage in only one form of exercise like walking, running, or using an elliptical, you are working on just one set of muscles, leaving others in need of a work-out, according to Todd Schlifstein DO, a sports medicine rehabilitation doctor at New York University Medical Center’s Rusk Institute. He also states that repeatedly working on only one set of muscles can leave you less fit than you think and can also cause injury. The best ways to avoid this is first, to stretch before your work-outs to prime your muscles for the upcoming activity and after each work-out to soothe your muscles. Secondly, Dr. Schlifstein recommends cross-training, or alternating your fitness activities to focus on overall fitness. For example, you might rotate activities such as jogging, Yoga, using weights, biking and other aerobic activities.Make Good Choices: Being healthy is more than just exercising and eating right, it is also about making healthy choices each and every day. Drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated. Listen to music, take a stress management class, or participate in other activities to reduce stress, as stress is related to weight gain, migraines, digestive disorders, and diseases. Have a positive attitude – don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on the good. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night and soak up the morning sun by drinking your coffee or tea outside, which can give you a boost of Vitamin D and energy.It is also important to have an attitude of gratitude. Remember to be grateful for all you have and for all you have accomplished to keep things in a perspective. Don’t focus on the destination, but rather enjoy life’s journey because, while you may not always get what you wish for, you can achieve what you work for!For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at 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.
Wellness Words July 2014 Posted on July 8, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorSummer Skin SafetyWhen you go shopping for skin care products, don’t be overwhelmed by vast quantity of sunscreen and skin care brands that are available to you – each one touting different buzz words to entice you into making a purchase. Skin care is very serious, especially during the summer when your skin is vulnerable to the ultraviolet rays from the sun (UV-A or UV-B) that can cause damage and even cancer when skin is unprotected.According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are reported in America each year, and about 90% of these cases are caused by the ultraviolet rays from the sun. One out of five people will develop skin cancer at some point in their life. Skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer that there is!So – before you head outdoors this summer, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends these simple steps to protect your skin:Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 as part of your daily morning routine, or at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or excessive sweating.Be mindful of how long you will be outside and what you will be doing. Sun rays are most harmful to the skin between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, a broad spectrum UV-A/UV-B resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 should be applied. If you are going swimming or may perspire while outside, choose a water resistant sunscreen.Use an umbrella while at the beach or sitting in your backyard to provide protection against those ultraviolet rays.Wear a hat and consider your clothing. Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics filter out sun rays, where cotton and linen do not. Choose tightly woven bright or dark colored clothing which offers the best defense against the rays of the sun.Choose protective sunglasses that give your eyes the best coverage, like wrap around glasses. This can be difficult because sunglasses are often times designed for fashion and not protection. You could also talk to your Optometrist about lenses for your glasses that darken when you are in the sun, acting as sunglasses.Avoid tanning booths and beds. A tan is the skin’s way of preventing sun damage by creating a wall of dark pigment to protect the skin. No tan is healthy or safe! Tanning bulbs emit rays that are 12 times more powerful than the sun. People who “go tanning” increase their risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 2.5%, basal cell carcinoma by 1.5%, and melanoma by over 3%. They are also at greater risk for premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.Use transparent window film on the side and rear windows of your vehicle. While windshields have been treated to block UV rays, other windows in vehicles have not. This window film will block 100% of UV rays.Eat foods rich in anti-oxidants to help to fight free radicals that can cause skin damage due to the sun, as well as premature aging. Foods like fish, red and orange fruits and vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and other greens, and green or black tea can help protect the skin from damage and from developing some cancers.Examine your skin regularly for any changes and make sure you visit your doctor on a regular basis to have a professional skin exam.According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with fair skin, lightly colored hair, or those who take medications that make them sensitive to the sun, have the greatest risk of getting sunburns. To ease the pain or discomfort from sunburn, the CDC recommends you apply a cold compress to the area, take acetaminophen or Tylenol if approved by your doctor for inflammation, or apply cooling gel to the affected area. The most effective is 100% Aloe Vera from the store or straight from the plant that is chilled prior to use.For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at 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.