January 13, 2012
Has Menopause Got You Down?
You’ve probably heard tales of menopause from older family members, friends and even on television. Menopause can cause hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, vaginal dryness and thinning hair among other symptoms. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the effects of the condition.
“The number one thing women can do to help minimize the symptoms of menopause is to reach and maintain an optimal weight,” says Roger P. Meyer, MD, Board Certified OB/GYN. “Body weight affects so many aspects of life, so making positive changes in that area can help limit the symptoms of menopause and prevent diseases. A good exercise regimen and balanced diet is very important in a woman’s 40s, because once she hits 50, it becomes much more difficult to lose weight.”
To reach a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins such as chicken or turkey, and low-fat dairy. If you aren’t exercising, start working towards the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
Another tip to help combat the dreaded hot flash – dress lightly and in layers and avoid potential triggers like caffeine and spicy foods.
Additionally, hormone therapy is often a viable option for women dealing with menopause symptoms that are detrimental to their everyday lifestyles. “The need for hormone therapy is based on the degree of symptoms that interfere with your quality of life,” says Dr. Meyer. “Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and bone density problems are four legitimate reasons for advocating hormone therapy. The key is to use the lowest dose that helps for the smallest period of time, the same principles that should be followed with any other medication.”
So when confronting the battle with menopause, remember there are things you can do to help get you through.
Join us for a renewed outlook to approaching mid-life with grace, guts and glee. The Women’s Health Institute is presenting Midlife Moxie – a day dedicated to women and their health. The day will include motivational and educational lectures from six healthcare experts, all designed to enhance your health and well-being. Our panel of experts will be available throughout the event to discuss your health concerns or questions.
Event moderator: Dr. Colleen Lyons
Speakers:
Colleen Banister – Motivational Personal Trainer
Dr. Andrew Rice – Cognitive Impairment (memory)
Dr. Stephen Tann – Heart Health
Dr. Shannon Hess – Sexual Function
Dr. Sandra Koch – Incontinence
Dr. Carol Cheney – Osteoporosis
Women’s Health Institute
Saturday, February 4, 2012
9:00 am – 1:00 pm (lunch included)
The cost is $20 for the day and includes lunch, a leather padfolio and a FREE raffle.
Sign up today – space is limited!
For more information, or to register, call 775.445.5168 or email womensinfo@ctrh.org
January 4, 2012
It’s Easy to Make a Resolution, Here’s How to Keep it.
Mina Fiddyment, Women's Health Navigator
The New Year is here and if you are like me, you have made a resolution – spend less money, lose weight, quit smoking, etc. The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they are often too big to achieve, and we just end up breaking them a month later. When deciding on what you plan to do in the upcoming year, think about what you have the time, motivation and energy to achieve and be specific! The more detailed you are in your resolutions, the better you are prepared to achieve your goals.
Here are some tips to help you meet your goals:
- Be realistic. Remember to be honest with yourself and set realistic goals. This might mean you may have to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate your resolution. For instance, remember that most doctors say healthy weight loss is between one and two pounds per week.
- Share your resolutions with everyone! One is more likely to achieve a resolution by being held accountable because it’s harder to back out.
- Plan ahead. If your New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight, go to the gym or spend less money - try adding it to your “to-do list”. By planning ahead you eliminate the need for excuses.
- Don’t get discouraged. If you haven’t lost the amount of weight you had hoped by the end of January, don’t get discouraged! Focus on your main goal and know that you have an entire year to reach that goal. Reward yourself for small successes and continue to work toward your ultimate goal.
- Don’t beat yourself up! If you missed a day at the gym, or faltered on your healthy eating habits – it’s no big deal! There is always a new day to begin again. Having a plan to deal with the inevitable setback can help you get back on track.
- Ask for support. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from friends, family, co-workers etc. Friends and family can help you achieve your goals by providing words of wisdom and encouragement. It is, however, important to learn not to depend on that support and find ways that work to motivate yourself.
- Don’t let your guard down. It is easy to fall out of routines. Once your resolution has become part of your routine, you may feel like you can take a break or celebrate. Celebrating the new you is important as long as you can keep your goal in sight.
- Don’t undo the new you. Once you have reached your goal, skipping the gym, eating junk every night of the week, or smoking because you feel like you can have just one, will undo the new you! It is important to find internal motivators that can help sustain your achieved goal – how great you feel after finishing a 5-mile run, or how much more energy and confidence you’ve had since you dropped weight.
Good luck achieving your goals. I’ll leave you with a few facts about New Year’s resolutions:
- Only about 48% of American adults say they are likely to make a resolution
- 63% of people say they are keeping their resolution after two months
- 67% of people make three or more resolutions
- People make more resolutions to start a new habit rather than to break an old one.
- The top four resolutions include: increase exercise, be more conscientious about work or school, develop better eating habits, and stop smoking, drinking or using drugs (including caffeine).
What is your New Year’s resolution? Please share with us your resolutions and your tips for making them last.
December 19, 2011
Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
In the spirit of the Holiday season we’re giving you a fun, but not-so-healthy treat recipe. Surprise your family and friends with this spin on a traditional holiday cookie – perfect to accompany you to any holiday party. Courtesy of Taste of Home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 packages (3-1/2 ounces each) cook-and-serve butterscotch pudding mix
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs. Combine the flour, pudding mixes, ginger, baking powder and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. Decorate as desired. Yield: about 2 dozen.
Did you love this recipe? Let us know what you think. Also, feel free to share other sinful or healthy holiday treats.
December 12, 2011
How and Why Does the Flu Become Deadly?
Influenza, MRSA, and Pneumonia – A Deadly Combination
Influenza is usually not life threatening unless you are at high risk for complications. However, this illness combined with a newly wide-spread staph bacteria called MRSA, has formed a deadly new threat that continues to take more and more lives every year.
MRSA Pneumonia
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that’s become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections. These staph infections are posing a deadly new threat in the form of MRSA pneumonia. MRSA may be behind 4 out of 5 the staph pneumonia cases that doctors see.
Since these infections can kill within four days, delays in seeking treatment or diagnosis can be linked to the death of these patients. In some cases – about a third – the MRSA pneumonia follows a bout of influenza. Staph is a challenge to anyone suffering from influenza, but the stakes are raised considerably in populations where the drug resistant varieties of MRSA are being carried by in excess of 10% of children and young people. The staph pneumonia patients’ average age is often around 16.
Those recovering from a recent flu are about twice as likely to die. Staph is capable of reaching the lungs, often after colonizing the nose. The flu virus shuts down the normal defenses of the lung and the staph bacteria then flourishes.
Drug Treatment
Failure rates of 40% have been reported for Vancomycin, the drug of choice for difficult cases of MRSA. With new strains of MRSA needing bigger doses and poor penetration into epithelial cell lining fluid by the drug some are looking to the more expensive Linezolid. (Zyvox) for MRSA pneumonia cases. Trials have produced mixed results but some studies indicate Linezolid is more effective.
What You Can Do
Be aware of the MRSA pneumonia risks and consistently monitor anyone exhibiting flu like symptoms. If your influenza symptoms have not improved over 48 hours, your child gets a temperature of over 102 degrees and he/she cannot be cooled down, or your symptoms go away and then suddenly return, seek immediate help through your physician or nearest emergency provider.
December 9, 2011
Don’t Kid Yourself, the Flu is Very Serious
Doris Dimmitt, Hospital Epidemiologist CTRH
Well it’s that time of year again. Like it or not a chill is in the air, the holidays are approaching and it’s time to think about influenza. I am happy to say that as of today no influenza cases have been reported at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, or in Nevada for that matter. Only a few States have seen any according to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) latest report. But don’t kid yourself, it is coming. If you haven’t had your flu vaccine, now is the time. It doesn’t surprise me that vaccination rates are lower this year. After all, influenza isn’t all over the media as in years past, but don’t kid yourself, influenza season is beginning. The influenza vaccine and vaccines in general received a bad rap in the last few years. Good or bad, for many diseases vaccination is still the best way to prevent the illness.
One thing that keeps me awake at night is the rapidly increasing numbers of bacterial infections in this community that can’t be treated with common, nontoxic, cheap antibiotics. (Sorry, I don’t mean to give you whiplash by changing the subject so quickly, but stick with me and I will tie it all together, I promise). You see, bacteria take advantage of you when you are down sick with the flu. They jump at the opportunity to make more baby germs and use your sore, feverish body as their incubator. This can make your recovery very complicated. The main concern is MRSA. As reported for years, MRSA infection and colonization rates in the community are increasing. Don’t kid yourself, more and more of us are carriers and we don’t even know it. The problem is, when the flu and MRSA infections occur at the same time……….it can kill. I’m talking necrotizing pneumonia that eats away the lungs, and this is no scary movie, it’s real. Take a an article from the New York Times regarding healthy kids, influenza and MRSA by clicking here. The same is true for adults, and I find it down right horrifying. These two bugs working together can be murder. Influenza weakens you, and MRSA, even if just a colonizer, zooms in for the kill.
If there was a way to protect yourself and your family from this kind of disaster, would you do it? Of course you would, and it is simple. VACCINATE against the flu. No flu…no MRSA complication, simple. I still hear “No flu shot for me, the last time I got the flu from the shot”. I know I will never convince some of you otherwise, but there is no valid data to support this assumption. Remember, the shot takes 2-3 weeks for full protection. During that time, you are susceptible to the flu. There is also current literature to suggest the influenza vaccine may not be as good at preventing the flu as previously thought. But unless you want to lock yourself and your family in a bubble until spring, the vaccine is still the best bet. It is still not known why some people catch influenza and some do not, but don’t kid yourself, it can get you.
Thanks for listening. Doris Dimmitt, Hospital Epidemiologist, CTRMC
December 6, 2011
Cardiology Services now available in Yerington & Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Cardiology is a branch of Carson Tahoe Cardiology (shown above)
On December 8, 2011, in collaboration with Mammoth Hospital, Mammoth Cardiology will hold its first cardiology clinic at Mammoth Hospital’s SPORT Center. Mammoth Cardiology is a branch of the Carson Tahoe Heart Institute and is accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACCVPR). Mammoth Cardiology offers bimonthly clinic visits as well as some diagnostic echo cardiography and physician consultation. “I am excited that the cardiologists from Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare have decided to provide care at the clinics of Mammoth Hospital,” says Gary Boyd, Mammoth Hospital CEO. “They are outstanding physicians and I am sure they will serve the community well.” If further cardiac care is needed, the Carson Tahoe Heart Institute is ready with advanced technology for cardiac diagnostics, treatment, open heart surgery and rehabilitation.
Additionally, CTC holds bimonthly cardiology clinics in Yerington at South Lyon Medical Center. Yerington will also offer bimonthly clinic visits as well as some diagnostic echo cardiography and physician consultation.
Board Certified Cardiologists serving in Yerington and Mammoth Lakes include Stephen Tann, MD, focusing on peripheral vascular interventional cardiology procedures; Nathan Ho, DO, focusing on cardiac catheterization and coronary interventional procedures; and David Baker, MD, focusing on coronary artery disease, vascular heart disease, general cardiology, cardiomyopathies, and non-invasive imaging.
For more information or to make an appointment at either location, please call the main CTC line at 775.445.7650.
Patients will be seen at the following locations:
Yerington
South Lyon Medical Center
213 S. Whitacre Street
Yerington, NV 89447
(775) 445-7650
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth SPORT Center
85 Sierra Park Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93547
(775) 445-7650.
November 22, 2011
What do my Pain Symptoms Indicate?
Chronic pain affects over 34 million Americans, which takes its toll on the quality of life, productivity, and even personal income of those living in our country.
Unfortunately, pain is subjective so there is no clear way to measure it. This creates another perplexing issue for doctors. The Carson Tahoe Pain Institute, pain specialists, or pain medicine doctors are better equipped to diagnose the cause of pain and treat it through an arsenal of different procedures and methods.
To learn more about common pain symptoms and what they may mean, please read the diagram below (Click it to make it bigger).
Many times, however, back and neck pain does not go away by itself, and it’s a good idea to have a specialist examine you to determine the exact cause of your pain.
Drs. Goode and Sullivan of Carson Tahoe Pain Institute (CTPI) can help with your pain management.
Based in Northern Nevada, Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Goode are board certified anesthesiologists that specialize in pain management and have over 20 years of experience. Sara Sullivan, MPA, PA-C works alongside the physicians at CTPI and orthopedic surgeons, assisting in all areas of patient care, management and surgery.
CTPI is a valuable resource for the medical community. The doctors expect to work hand in hand with each referring physician or medical provider. CTPI offers comprehensive treatment options for patients including injection therapy, medication management, physical therapy, pain pumps and spinal cord stimulators.
For more information about Dr. Goode, Dr. Sullivan or CTPI visit carsontahoe.com/pain.
November 11, 2011
Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Receives $200,000 Gift to Fund Emergency Department Modifications
The Mallory Foundation, a private foundation located in Carson City, announced a $200,000 donation to fund significant modifications to the Emergency Department located at the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. The “Mallory Foundation Triage Lobby” and renovated treatment areas, will allow better patient flow and improved access for the more than 33,000 annual visitors (appx. 90 people per day) to the Carson Tahoe Emergency Department.
Recent tragedies have rocked our close-knit community and have so clearly reminded us of the importance of our Emergency Department. “Physicians and staff in Emergency Departments around the nation are masters at adapting and overcoming, in order to meet the urgent needs of all patients who enter our doors,” said Sandy Wartgow, Director of Carson Tahoe Emergency Services.
Of all the medical specialties, Emergency Medicine is one of the most challenging. Patients arrive – without appointment, either on their own, or by ambulance – needing treatment for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries, many of which are life-threatening and require immediate attention. The staff in the emergency department is always at-the-ready, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And they do so proudly.
“We are honored that the Mallory Trustees have chosen to support Carson Tahoe with this gift. They recognized the significant community benefits of enhancing Emergency Department processes and immediately stepped up to assist,” said Cheri Glockner, Carson Tahoe Development Director. “Gifts of this magnitude are appreciated now more than ever. Philanthropic support from individuals and Foundations helps to ease the financial burden of declining reimbursements and the funding gaps that arise from caring for our uninsured patients. This donation will allow us to begin construction right away and we look forward to completing the Mallory Foundation Triage Lobby in early 2012.”
This is not the first generous donation the hospital has received from the Mallory Foundation. Over the past 11 years, they have donated more than $500,000 in support of the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center and the Women’s Health Institute. Other benefactors of the Mallory Foundation include, University of Nevada, Reno, Eagle Valley Children’s Home, MIT Post-Graduate Program, Interlocken Center for the Arts in Michigan, and Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, NY.
Established by Jean Mallory in the early 1990’s, the Mallory Foundation trustees are community-centered philanthropists charged with ensuring funds are distributed to worthy, thoughtful projects. Their selfless consideration of the Emergency Department project was much appreciated.
“We announced the donation at our November 4 fundraiser. It was a pleasure to introduce the Mallory trustees, Tom Cooke, Riley Beckett and Ellen Schock, to our attendees. Putting faces to the names on our donor wall was inspiring. These are members of our community who step up to invest in Carson Tahoe’s ongoing vision and mission. I am grateful to them all for funding this request. The long term benefit of this remodel to our patients will be extraordinary.”
Staying Healthy in Tough Economic Times.
Dr. Andrea Weed talks about maintaining good health, even during financially tough times.
When money is tight, our tendency is to cut costs in every aspect of life. However, Carson Tahoe wants to remind its community to continue to make good health a priority.
“The economic downturn has meant real pain for families and communities. For many, a pink slip also means losing vital health coverage and represents tough choices about family healthcare,” said Dr. Andrea Weed, Internal Medicine.
Dr. Weed warns of the dangers of putting off or canceling required treatment and regular testing. She also emphasizes the importance of staying on top of daily medications. “Some people are going to extremes by not filling prescription drugs, cutting pills in half, postponing doctors’ appointments or even skipping them all together to avoid extra expenses. While it may result in some financial savings in the short run, your overall health may suffer, resulting in more severe health issues and larger medical bills down the road.”
What should you do? Here are a few helpful tips and services that our community offers.
1. Talk to your healthcare provider – If patients cannot afford to pay for their medical expenses due to factors such as lack of insurance or unemployment, financial counselors are available to help them arrange a payment plan. “Patients should never ignore their medical bills and feel like there is no other option because they can’t pay,” said Dr. Weed. “There are resources available to ensure patients receive the support they need.”
2. Don’t put off your annual screenings, lab tests or physician appointments. Monitoring your daily health and well-being can lead to earlier detection of possible diseases or long term health issues, dramatically reducing the cost of your overall healthcare.
3. Ask about a cash pay discount. Some offices offer patients a dramatic discount for payment in cash within a certain number of days after the service.
4. Visit the Walmart Clinic with minor illnesses to seek walk-in cost effective care before symptoms escalate. Most services are under $60. To put that into perspective, according to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the average Emergency Room Bill was $1265. For more information on pricing or locations call 775.445.7220 or click here.
5. Take advantage of Carson Tahoe’s monthly HealthCheck Lab Testing. These affordable lab tests can keep you on track and in charge of your health. To schedule an appointment, go to carsontahoe.com or call 775.445.5160
6. Learn about the Access to Healthcare Network (AHN). AHN provides help for Nevadans without healthcare insurance or other coverage. AHN had an extensive network of local doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers across Nevada that offer AHN members greatly reduced rates. For more information and/or to find out how it works visit www.accesstohealthcare.org
7. Discover Carson City Community Health Clinic (CCCHC). CCCHC provides an income-based fee scale and guarantees no one is turned away for services. CCCHC offers women PAP, pelvic, breast exams and STD checks based on a sliding fee scale. Some insurances are accepted, including Medicaid. They also offer a Men’s health related services and childhood immunizations. Call 775.887.2190 for more information.
8. Establish care with a primary care doctor in our area. It isn’t as expensive as most think. There are many providers in our area that offer huge discounts for those that are uninsured and have little or no income. Call the Women’s Health Institute at 775.445.5168 for a list of some of the major provider’s fees.
Vein Health: Ablating Varicose Veins
Dr. Kevin D. Halow talks about breakthrough treatments that are helping patients look healthier and feel better.
Medical advancement moves fast in this day and age. With so many new techniques and technologies, procedures that once were not possible have, in many ways, become routine.
Perhaps no treatment serves as a better example of this than the management of venous disease such as varicose veins and spider veins.
“Varicose veins develop as a result of faulty valves in your veins and weakened vein walls,” explains Dr. Halow. “Genetics can play a part, as can individual health, lifestyle, and the normal aging process.”
Spider veins appear in a small spider, branch or linear shape. Varicose veins differ from spider veins in that they are larger, generally darker in color, and tend to bulge. Varicose veins are also more likely to cause discomfort and be related to more serious vein disorders.
Dr. Halow cites several major forms of treatment that are now available to patients, including support stockings, laser treatment, ultrasound, surgery, or simple changes to your hygiene, diet and activities.
“With so many options today, it makes treating varicose and spider veins much more effective for the patient,” says Dr. Halow. “We are able to determine the best course of action for a patient’s specific needs, so treatment is truly specialized to each individual.”
If you are concerned about varicose veins or spider veins, you can contact Dr. Halow to schedule an appointment or request additional information.
Dr. Kevin D. Halow, FACS, FCCP
Vascular Surgeon
Carson Surgical Group
1375 Vista Ln.
Carson City, NV 89703
775-882-2067
