Wellness Words November 2012 Posted on November 26, 2012January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator You Are Never Too Old To Quit Smoking!Everyone has heard about the many dangers of smoking. For years smoking has been associated with lung cancer, and now we are learning more about the relationship of smoking to other chronic conditions such as heart disease, emphysema and COPD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in theU.S. It costs our country almost 2 billion dollars each year.Did you know that seniors age 65 and over benefit extensively from giving up smoking? Unfortunately many people, including some physicians, have the opinion that older smokers are less likely to quit and that they should be allowed to smoke in order to “enjoy their final years.” According to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled “The Older Smoker,” seniors are more than twice as likely to succeed at quitting as younger adults and have almost 10 times more health benefits! The CDC notes that tobacco cessation has both immediate and long term benefits for seniors and there are new techniques to help older adults stop smoking. Even for those who are already ill with tobacco related diseases – quitting reduces mortality, reverses respiratory symptoms, and improves quality of life. It reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and may even stop some of the cognitive decline of the brain functioning due to smoking.One example of a chronic disease prevalent in the older population that is profoundly affected by tobacco is diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that approximately 10.9 million adults or 26.9% over age 65 have been diagnosed with diabetes in theU.S. While only about 9-10 % of diabetics in this age group smoke, the negative effects are profound and include:It doubles the damage done to arteriesDiabetic smokers are 3 times more likely to die of heart diseaseSmoking increases blood sugar levels making the diabetes harder to manageIt weakens the action of insulinThese diabetics are more likely to get nerve damage and kidney disease A diabetic who becomes a non-smoker has:Better blood sugar controlBetter circulationImproved action of insulinLess risk of having nerve damage and kidney problemsLower blood pressure and cholesterolNo matter how long you have smoked, your health will improve when you stop. You may not realize it but cessation has immediate effects too. For example:In one day …Blood circulation increasesCarbon dioxide in the blood decreasesHeart rate and blood pressure decreaseThe risk of having a heart attack decreasesWithin several days or weeks …Sense of taste and smell improvesLung capacity increasesBreathing becomes easierThe good news is that smoking cessation counseling is paid for by Medicare, and Part D drug plans cover the medications. It is all up to you. Remember – it is NEVER too late to stop smoking!For more information, contact your healthcare provider, N.Y.S. Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 or www.nysmokefree.com, 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.
Wellness Words October 2012 Posted on October 12, 2012January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator BREAST CANCER … THEN & NOWBreast cancer is an ancient disease. It has been mentioned in every period of recorded history. However, even with its profound significance, any discussion of breast cancer was only found in medical journals before the 1970’s. Early treatments for this disease were rudimentary and often painful. In 1810, Abigail Adams underwent a grueling mastectomy without anesthesia. In the centuries since the first recorded mastectomy in 548 A.D., breast cancer has been treated with everything from castor oil to opium to various homemade salves. Starting in the mid-1800’s, radical mastectomy became the “gold standard.” In 1949, a doctor became known for creating the super-radical mastectomy which removed the breast, lymph nodes, chest muscles and the internal mammary nodes even if the tumor’s size was only ½ an inch, leaving the patient deformed and in pain. This treatment was continued until 1963.As the ability to visualize the internal breast through technology began to develop, the thinking about and treatment of breast cancer changed radically. By 1969 mammograms became available. The development of radiation and chemotherapies also rose rapidly. By 1976, the “gold standard” became a simpler, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. In the 21st century, less than 10% of women with breast cancer have a mastectomy according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).Today, this disease is discussed openly and advances are shared worldwide. Activism by such organizations as ACS, the National Cancer Institute and the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure foundation have brought focus and much needed financial support for research and development of the best detection equipment and therapies.There’s been an explosion of new life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer. Instead of only one or two options, today there’s an overwhelming menu of treatment options. Today’s level of radiation with mammography uses less than a dental x-ray, and discomfort during the procedure has been reduced by such things as the soft pad. Additionally, breast cancer can be detected much earlier when the treatment is the most effective.The currently most utilized treatments for breast cancer in theUSAinclude surgery (mastectomy or more commonly lumpectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy. There are now various types and combinations of chemotherapies that can be used for a specific type of tumor. Also, we now have 5 “targeted therapies” that target the specific characteristics of a cancer cell. Recently, scientists also reported finding 4 types of breast cancer through genetic profiling.The ultimate cure for this disease remains elusive due to its complex nature, but detection advances and treatments have proliferated in the 21st century giving women and men not only hope but also more choices about their treatment and recovery. There are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in theUSA today and the five year survival rate is 99% when the cancer is found early.To learn more, attend a free program on “Advances In Breast Cancer Detection” presented by Littauer’s Chief of Radiology, Dr. Mike McBiles, on Thursday, October 18 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in Littauer’s Auditorium. Participans will enjoy delicious desserts and receive complimentary gift bags! To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120.For more information, contact your healthcare provider, American Cancer Society at www.cancer.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.
Wellness Words September 2012 Posted on September 13, 2012January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator Importance Of Activity For SeniorsFor many adults, growing older seems to involve an inevitable loss of strength, energy, and feeling fit. However, it doesn’t necessarily need to be so!According to the Center for Healthy Aging, the frail health and loss of function we associate with aging such as not being able to walk moderate to long distances, climb stairs or carry groceries, is in large part due to physical inactivity. When it comes to our muscles the old adage, “use it or lose it” applies.There is good news! It is never too late to become more physically active. No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity. Even those with chronic medical conditions can benefit from increased physical activity. Working with their medical provider almost anyone can become more active. According to William Evans, author of “Biomarkers,” a book about healthy aging, “There is no single group that can benefit from physical activity more than the elderly.”Unfortunately, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the following: 28-34% of adults age 65-74 engage in NO exercise35-44% of adults age 75 and older engage in NO exercise30-40% of all older people are only occasionally activeAt best, 20-35% of seniors regularly achieve the recommended activity levels of at least 20 minutes of exercise 4 or more days a weekOlder women were found to be more sedentary than older menIf you are like most people, especially if you have been sedentary, you won’t be motivated to suddenly take up aerobic dancing, and you don’t have to join a gym to get the exercise you need.Walking is one of the best conditioning exercises and can be done by almost anyone, regardless of age! If the recommendation of 20-30 minutes of walking is unreasonable, you can walk for 10 or even 5 minutes several times a day.Regular physical activity, even stretching different muscle groups daily, can be helpful to increase flexibility and improve balance. There are many classes such as gentle yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, exercise for arthritis, and others offered throughout the area.With the many substantial rewards involved and the fun you can have just getting involved in new activities … it doesn’t make sense to take the retired life sitting down!For more information on getting active, contact your healthcare provider, local senior center, YMCA 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.
Wellness Words August 2012 Posted on August 20, 2012January 8, 2013 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator ADULT IMMUNIZATIONSMany think of vaccinations as something for children but it’s not just kids stuff. All adults, including those age 50 and older need vaccines. Some of the adult vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have changed recently. So even if you think you are up-to-date on your vaccines, you should review the following information.FLU VACCINEFlu kills about 36,000 people in theUSevery year and older Americans are among the most vulnerable to this disease. Because each year’s vaccine is made to combat that season’s strain of flu, you need a dose every year. Flu shots are given during the September-to-March flu season. Remember, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.PNEUMONIA VACCINEEveryone age 65 and older needs to have the vaccine once. You may need a second dose if you are 65+ and you had your first dose when you were younger than 65 and it has been 5 or more years since the first dose.SHINGLES VACCINEThis vaccine is now recommended for everyone over age 60, regardless of whether you have had a prior episode of shingles. Shingles is especially painful in older adults. Some experts have recommended only getting this vaccine if you have had chicken pox. However, the CDC recommends everyone over 60 get vaccinated because more than 99% of people over age 40 have had chicken pox, even if they don’t recall having the disease.TETANUS, DIPTHERIA, PERTUSSIS (Td, Tdap)Recently, we have heard a lot about increases in the number of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) cases. The latest CDC guidelines suggest that any adult who is going to be near infants under age 1 should have one booster shot of tetanus, diphtheria and (whooping cough). If you have never had a vaccine that included Pertussis, the recommendation is for you to have at least one dose at your next medical visit. Thereafter, you should have a booster of tetanus and diphtheria at least every 10 years. If you have a deep puncture wound you should contact your doctor to see if you need to have another tetanus shot.MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR)People born before 1957 generally are considered immune to measles and mumps because they are likely to have had these diseases as a child. However, if you are uncertain of whether you have either had the condition or had the vaccine ask your physician if you should have one dose.OTHER VACCINESYou may also need vaccines for such conditions as Hepatitis A and/or B and Meningitis if you have certain medical conditions or you are going to travel outside the U.S. Contact your physician to determine your level of risk for infection and possible need for any of these vaccines.Remember, vaccines are important to keep yourself and those around you safe from some of the most debilitating and deadly, but preventable diseases!For more information on immunizations, contact the CDC (cdc.gov), your local health department or healthcare provider, 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.
Wellness Words July 2012 Posted on July 17, 2012January 8, 2013 by Shannon RoseHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator SUN SENSEMore than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The good news is that skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.The sun sends out ultraviolet rays (UV-A and UV-B) which we cannot see. Long-term, unprotected exposure to the UV rays causes up to 90 percent of all skin cancer. Sunburned or tanned skin is actually damaged skin, according to the New York State Department of Health.Before you head outside, take these few simple steps to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays:Schedule outside activities for early mornings or late afternoon. If possible, avoid the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.If you must be out during these hours, stay in the shade as much as possible or use an umbrella or tent for artificial shade.Cover-up when in the sun. Wear wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, scalp, neck and ears. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes that are rated to block UV-A and UV-B rays.Use sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and reapply at least every 2 hours or more if you are in the water or sweating.Use sunscreen stick or lip-balm on sensitive areas such as lips, ears, nose, hands and feet.Don’t use tanning booths or beds. Their UV rays are up to 12X greater than the sun.According to the Skin Cancer Institute, clothing is your single most effective form of UV protection. However, not all materials protect the same. For example, cotton, linen and silks do not filter out all UV rays. Synthetic and semi-synthetic materials provide the greatest sun protection.Many manufacturers are now providing clothes that are made to protect from UV rays. Look for the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) label. The number on the tag indicates what fraction of UV rays can penetrate the fabric. You can increase your clothes UPF by using an additive such as Rit Sun Guard in your wash. It will protect your clothing for up to 20 washes inexpensively.Boy Scouts of America clothing, hats and sunglasses now hold the UPF seal. So be prepared and be in good company. With just a few moments of prevention, you can safely enjoy the outdoor summer weather with friends and family.For more information on skin cancer prevention, attend a free program on “Sun Sense” on Wednesday, July 25 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Auditorium of Nathan Littauer Hospital, or contact your health care provider, the National Cancer Institute 1-800-4-CANCER (www.cancer.gov), or call 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.
Wellness Words June 2012 Posted on June 29, 2012August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator SUMMER HEALTH & SAFETYWe all have memories of fun-filled summer days when school was out and we could swim, ride our bikes, camp out and enjoy the beautiful Adirondack weather. Summer in Fulton County is still a beautiful time of year most of us look forward to, but we also need to be prepared for the unique health and safety issues of our warmer months.Every summer many people end up in the Emergency Department for treatment of any one of a number of summer ailments…burns, cuts, food poisoning, heat exhaustion and of course pesky mosquito and tick ailments, to name a few. Here are some suggestions to make your summer safer and more enjoyable!1, Drink plenty of cool, not ice-cold (non-alcoholic) fluids, especially on hot days. Many medications can contribute to dehydration. Check with your doctor on the amounts of fluid you should be drinking if you are on medication.2. Protect yourself from the sun and be sure to wear a hat. Avoid the midday sun, apply sunscreen frequently on all exposed skin and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of the medications you use should restrict your time in the sun.3. Be careful of the foods you eat, how they are prepared and how they have been stored…BEWARE of undercooked meats and foods left outside or not refrigerated.4. Restrict your activity on very hot and humid days. As we age our bodies do not adjust as well to extremes in temperature and/or humidity, and some medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.5. Treat equipment with respect – lawn mowers, weed eaters, saws and ladders, etc. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes, shut off engines before refueling and clean the work area of debris.6. Take care to use insect repellents safely. Remember to spray outdoors or in a well ventilated area.7. Be prepared for summer storms and power outages. Flash lights with working batteries are a must and a battery operated radio will help keep you aware of emergency information. Don’t forget to have a reserve supply of drinking water and food supplies to last from 1-3 days.8. If you live alone make sure a neighbor, friend or relative knows where you are when a storm approaches. Set up a plan to alert someone if you need assistance should phones not work.9. Ticks and mosquitoes can cause major health issues. Keep lawns mowed, litter picked up and objects that can hold rain water clean and dry. The ground area under bird feeders should be kept clean so it won’t attract small animals that can carry ticks.10. Make sure to carry a small emergency first aid kit with you.HealthLink, your community health and wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home, wants to wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy summer! For more information, call us at 736-1120, 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.
