Wellness Words May 2010 Posted on May 10, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Sue Cridland RN BSNDirector of Community Education MAY IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTHTime to learn more about what to do when a stroke occurs and what causes this medical emergency!If you think someone is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. The victim may die or become disabled if you wait to see if the symptoms go away.During a stroke, a person’s brain is suddenly cut off from blood, its source of nutrition, by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. Without oxygen and nutrients, the brain cannot function properly and starts to die. It is critical that victims receive treatment within three hours of the onset of any symptom to reduce the risk of permanent damage.Every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke nationally. In 2007, New York State had 5,822 deaths due to this disease of the circulatory system. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in New York and the leading cause of long-term disability.Unlike a heart attack, the symptoms of a stroke are often uncomfortable but not terribly painful. Someone who is having a stroke may suddenly feel confused. He or she may have trouble speaking or understanding others. His or her face, arm, leg or one side of the body may feel weak or numb. In addition, stroke victims may have trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, or they may have trouble walking (dizziness, loss of balance or coordination). A stroke victim might also have a sudden, severe headache with no known cause.To recall the most common warning signs of a stroke, think “FAST”F – sudden drooping of the FACE on one sideA – sudden weakness in one ARMS – sudden slurring of SPEECHT – TIME to call 9-1-1It is important to know how to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. To prevent a stroke, get a regular checkup, make healthy food choices, control your weight and blood pressure, and be physically active on all or most days of the week.Remember, you are at greater risk of having a stroke if you are 55 or older, have a family history of stroke, have high blood pressure, smoke, have diabetes, or have heart or vascular disease.For more information on stroke, visit www.StrokeAssociation.org or the New York State Department of Health website at www.nyhealth.gov. You may also call HealthLink Littauer 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. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words April 2010 Posted on April 1, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Sue Cridland RN BSNDirector of Community Education PREVENTING FALLS AMONG OLDER ADULTSAccording to the New York State Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits among adults age 65 and older. Every day, 2 older New Yorkers die and 136 others are hospitalized as the result of falls!Falls can result in lasting, serious injuries affecting mobility, independence and mental health. Some people think that falls are a normal part of aging and are not preventable. However, many falls can be prevented. By making changes in lifestyle and following some precautions, you can greatly lower your risk of falling. Begin A Regular Exercise Program: Physical activity makes you stronger and helps you feel better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination (like Tai Chi) are the most helpful. Ask your doctor or health care provider about the best type of exercise program for you.Check Your Medications: Ask your doctor or health care provider to review all of your medications – including over-the-counter medicines. As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines, or combinations of medicines, can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall.Get An Eye Exam: You should visit an eye doctor at least once each year. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your risk of falling.Make Your Home Safer: Remove things you can trip over (like throw rugs, papers, books, clothes and shoes) from stairs and places where you walk. Use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping. Keep items you use often in cabinets which you can reach easily without using a step stool. Have grab bars installed next to your toilet and in the tub or shower. Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors. Improve the lighting in your home. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare. Have handrails and lights put in all staircases.Keep Your Shoes On: It’s safer to wear your shoes inside and outside of the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.For more information on preventing falls and injuries, visit the New York State Department of Health website at http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/injury_prevention or contact your county Office For Aging. You may also call HealthLink Littauer 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. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words March 2010 Posted on March 9, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator 6 TIPS TO “QUICK SCAN” FOOD LABELSDetailed nutrition labels are supposed to make it easier for you select healthy foods. But sometimes they cause information overload and confusion. For instance, is it more important that something has fewer grams of fat or fewer trans-fats? Are you better off getting fewer calories even if it means getting fewer nutrients?The Arthritis Foundation of America, in its Just Diagnosed magazine, offers these 6 tips you can use to “quick scan” those labels for the numbers that matter most!1. Focus On The Fats: “Look for products with less than 1 gram of saturated fat and no trans fat,” says Jennifer Vimbor, Registered Dietician with the Nutrition Counseling Service of New York. She also recommends that if you are trying to lose weight, you look for foods that have less than 3 grams of fat per serving.2. Fill Up On Fiber: Preliminary research indicates that a high-fiber diet (25 or more grams per day) lowers cholesterol and helps in diabetes prevention. A high fiber food has at least 5 grams per serving.3. Watch Serving Size Relative To Calorie Count: You should always look at how the manufacturer’s serving size compares to what you typically eat. For example, if you eat twice the amount of a serving size, you will also be getting twice the amount of fat and calories.4. Skimp On Sodium: A high-sodium diet, like a high-fat diet, may put you at risk for high blood pressure. Experts recommend keeping your sodium less than 2400 milligrams (mg). Recommendations for those who already have high blood pressure are even less.5. Skim The Ingredients: The main ingredients are listed first, so check out the top three or four. Remember, some ingredients can sneak in under different names. If sugar, molasses, honey, maple syrup or high fructose corn syrup are near the top, you may be getting more sugar than you bargained for.6. Look For Must Have Ingredients: Nutritionists recommend calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and flax-seed oil. They also recommend that you consider foods high in antioxidants like Vitamin C and A, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.Scanning labels may be time consuming at first, but well worth the effort in health benefits. Once you become familiar with the foods that have the highest quality and the best flavor for you, the time needed for scanning will diminish significantly and you may just feel better too!For more information on reading food labels, contact Littauer’s Outpatient Nutritional Counseling at 773-5413, your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office, or HealthLink Littauer. You can 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. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words February 2010 Posted on February 9, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator WOMEN & HEART DISEASE – 4 MYTHSMany women are surprised to learn that coronary heart disease – often thought to be a “man’s illness” – is the #1 killer of women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. In fact, women are 5 times more likely to die from heart disease as from breast cancer, and almost twice as many American women die of heart disease and stroke than from all types of cancer combined!While heart disease cannot completely be stopped, certain lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of developing this illness. Unfortunately, several myths about heart disease and women continue to persist. Four of the top myths include:Myth #1: Risk factors for heart disease are the same, regardless of gender. Studies show that certain illnesses and conditions are more likely to cause heart disease in women than in men. For example, metabolic syndrome is more likely to trigger heart disease in women. This condition is marked by obesity around the abdomen, high blood pressure and high levels of blood sugar and triglycerides.Myth #2: Heart disease is likely to be milder in women. In some ways, women are at greater risk of serious injury from heart problems than men. For unknown reasons, statistics show that women are less likely to survive a heart attack than men. Myth #3: Symptoms of a heart attack are the same for both genders. Women are actually likely to experience different types of symptoms than men. For example, women are more likely to feel unusual fatigue, abdominal, neck, shoulder or upper back pain, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath during a heart attack than their male counterparts. Often women ignore these symptoms especially if they are not accompanied by severe chest pain. By the time they finally realize that something is seriously wrong, there may be significant heart damage.Myth #4: Smoking is a greater heart-disease risk for men. Traditionally, men have been more likely to smoke and to smoke more than women. However, in recent years there has been an alarming upward spike in the numbers of women smokers. The risk of heart disease rises with both the number of cigarettes you smoke and the length of time since you first started smoking. According to the American Heart Association, these myths and misconceptions lead many women into a false sense of security—just 13% of women believe heart disease is their own greatest risk factor. Not only should women take this condition seriously, but they should also discuss their concerns with their physician during their annual exam.For more information on heart disease, contact the American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721 (americanheart.org), your health care provider or 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 January 2010 Posted on January 14, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Sue Cridland RN BSNDirector of Community Education THE SCOOP ON SNOW SHOVELING SAFETYIt happens every winter in certain parts of the county … snow falls, usually leaving piles of the stuff to clear from your sidewalks and driveway. Consider the following before you grab your shovel after a major snowfall! The good news is that snow shoveling counts as moderate physical activity according to the 1996 Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. We all should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity of some kind on most days of the week. (Brisk walking or social dancing are other ways to fit in moderate physical activity during cold winter months.)The bad news is that researchers have reported an increase in the number of fatal heart attacks among snow shovelers after heavy snowfalls. This rise may be due to the sudden demand that shoveling places on an individual’s heart. Snow shoveling may cause a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure. One study determined that after only two minutes of shoveling, sedentary men’s heart rates rose to levels higher than those normally recommended during aerobic exercise.Shoveling may be vigorous activity even for healthy college-aged students. A study performed by researchers at North Dakota State University determined that, based on heart rate, shoveling was a moderately intense activity for college-aged subjects most of the time but was vigorous activity during about one-third of their shoveling time of 14 minutes.Shoveling can be made more difficult by the weather. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body. There also is the risk for hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature, if one is not dressed correctly for the weather conditions.Who should think twice about shoveling snow? Those most at risk for a heart attack include:Anyone who has already had a heart attackIndividuals with a history of heart diseaseThose with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levelsSmokersIndividuals leading a sedentary lifestyleShould you rush out and buy a snow blower? Not necessarily. Not everyone who shovels snow is going to have a heart attack. Snow shoveling can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind.Also consider back safety when shoveling snow. Even if you exercise regularly and are not at risk for heart disease, shoveling improperly could lead to a strained back. If you’ve been inactive for months and have certain risk factors, use some common sense before taking on the task of snow shoveling.So here’s the scoop on how to be heart healthy and back friendly while shoveling this winter:If you are inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you take on the task of shoveling snow.Avoid caffeine or nicotine before beginning. These are stimulants, which may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict. This places extra stress on the heart.Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as it is in the summer.Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.Warm up your muscles before shoveling, by walking for a few minutes or marching in place. Do some gentle stretching before you begin because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.Pick the right shovel for you. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body. There are also ergonomically designed shovels which may decrease the work load.Begin shoveling slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your heart. Pace yourself and take breaks as needed.Protect your back from injury by lifting correctly: Stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Bend from the knees (not the back) and tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Avoid twisting movements. If you need to move the snow to one side, reposition your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.Most importantly — listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain!The preceding was edited from an article by North Dakota State University Extension Staff in November 1999: Jocey Mathern, Program Assistant and Julie Garden-Robinson Ph.D. L.R.D., Food & Nutrition Specialist.For more information on health and wellness, you can call us at 736-1120, e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words December 2009 Posted on December 8, 2009August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOLIDAYS SAFE & FUNEvery year, we look forward to a wonderful holiday season with friends and family. Holidays can be a great time of the year if we are careful and plan ahead. However, each year the holidays end up being one of the busiest times for Emergency Rooms. Rushing, stress and unpredictable weather all play their part.This year, the American College of Emergency Room Physicians and the Hope Health Newsletter have developed tips from decorating to dining that can help to keep your holidays safe as well as fun!1. Check all fireplaces, heaters and stoves for proper ventilation. Install a carbon monoxide detector and smoke detector if you don’t have them in your home. Check the batteries if you do have these devices.2. When hanging decorations, always have someone hold the ladder for you and use the proper size ladder.3. Use a pair of scissors instead of a razor blade or other sharp object to open boxes.4. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey and other meats are cooked thoroughly. Refrigerate leftovers immediately.5. To prevent fires or shock, avoid overloading electrical outlets.6. Secure trees and other decorations so that they can’t fall or be pulled down by children or pets.7. If you have high blood pressure or other heart problems, don’t overindulge in holiday food, and limit your salt intake.8. Avoid shoveling snow if you are out of shape or have a history of heart problems.9. Drink only in moderation and, if you do drink, please have a designated driver bring you home.10. If you give a bike, skateboard or similar gift, make sure the child has a helmet—or include one as part of the gift.Follow these common sense tips to make this holiday season a safe and healthy one.The staff of HealthLink Littauer wishes you joy and peace during this special time of the year!For more information on health and wellness, you can 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. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
