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 11, 2011
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
John Sutton, DO
There is no cure for Type 2 Diabetes, but there are ways to avoid progression to diabetes and ways to treat it effectively. According to Carson Tahoe Endocrinologist, Dr. John Sutton, one way to help minimize the effects of this chronic disease is to choose your food wisely. A well-balanced diet that limits calories and simple carbohydrates (sweet foods) is one of the keys to avoiding the progressive complications of diabetes. In controlling diabetes, your risk for cardiovascular disease is also improved.
The American Diabetes Association makes dietary recommendations that focus on an individualized dietary plan. Your endocrinologist or primary doctor should have copies of this dietary regimen available. Formal diabetes education is very important. Foods with a low glycemic index are an important part of the dietary puzzle for each individual. These types of food may include whole grain breads rather than white bread. Bran cereal is preferred over corn flakes. Fruits that are less sweet and high in fiber are preferred. Pears and apples have a lower glycemic index as compared to watermelon or pineapple. Pasta is preferred rather than rice. Lower glycemic index foods are reflected more positively in the blood sugar patterns and results. Each individual should test to prove what foods may or may not adversely affect their own blood sugars. It is also important to eat evenly spaced meals 4 to 5 hours apart. Try to eat similar amounts of carbohydrate/sugars and similar calories meal to meal.
Type 2 Diabetes is common, particularly in ethnic minority populations. The foundation of the control of diabetes is with a healthy, well-balanced diet, as well as exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise helps make the body more sensitive to your own bodyÃs insulin. Exercise also improves the effects of oral diabetes medications and injected insulin. Obesity is at epidemic proportions, and the number of cases of diabetes has increased in response to this.
Your doctor can follow the course of your diabetes with blood tests at a lab, and you can also monitor your blood sugars with a home monitor by finger stick testing. If control is not reached with diet and exercise, many oral medications are available, as well as insulin and other injected medications. These medications use different methods for blood sugar control, and the treatment plan can be tailored to suit each individual.
If you have diabetes, here are some reminders to consider:
-Remember to schedule a complete eye exam with an ophthalmologist annually.
-Check your feet and skin every day for anything out of the ordinary. If you experience pain or see signs of infection, get treatment immediately.
-Always wear shoes when outdoors, even at the beach.
-Know how alcohol and drugs affect your blood glucose.
-Smoking and diabetes are a dangerous combination, especially if you also have high blood pressure. Visit your dentist regularly.
-Ask your doctor what you can do to prevent or delay kidney problems.
-Check with your doctor to see if he or she recommends a flu shot.
March 4, 2011
Exercise Regularly – Your Heart, Body and Soul will Thank you
While there are numerous benefits to exercise and physical activity, one of the most important benefits is heart health. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease and stroke. People who don’t exercise have higher rates of heart disease and death compared to people who perform even mild to moderate amounts of physical activity. Even activities like gardening, walking or golfing can lower your risk of heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No.1 killer in America, affecting more than 13 million Americans. CVD encompasses a variety of disorders and conditions that can affect the heart and blood vessels in the body. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a process in which cholesterol plaque builds up in the arteries of both the heart and body. This plaque restricts blood flow to vital organs including the heart. Reduced blood flow to the heart and organs can result in a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and a proper diet can help reduce the formation of this detrimental plaque. Even a moderate exercise program can help people reduce the “risk” factors that lead to CVD.
Taking the following steps can normally reduce a person’s risk for CVD:
• Quit smoking
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Control high blood pressure even if medication is needed
• Exercise to maintain muscle mass and flexibility
• Eat nutritious, low fat foods
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Control diabetes
Regular exercise improves cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad), raising HDL (good) and by reducing triglyceride levels. Exercise is very effective in lowering blood pressure as well. Blood pressure is the tension in the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood with each beat. If the pressure is elevated above normal and remains high for a period of time, this can be damaging to the organs of the body including the heart, vessels, brain and kidneys. Over 50 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, making it the most common heart disease risk factor. Additionally, people who are physically active have a lower risk of getting high blood pressure than people who are not active.
Exercise also helps in maintaining a healthy weight and in retaining muscle strength. Excess weight puts significant strain on your heart and worsens several other heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes.
Research has shown that obesity itself increases heart disease risk. By eating properly and exercising, you can maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Developing a steady exercise program is an easy way to make an impact on your cardiovascular health; however, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least four times a week. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming. Yoga and Pilates are also excellent sources of exercise and strength. If you choose an activity you enjoy, it’s more likely you’ll stick with it.
Remember, it’s important to warm-up before starting your aerobic exercise and to cool-down upon completion of your session. Start with shorter time sessions and gradually build up to optimize time frames.
While exercising, you are effectively improving your cholesterol levels, lowering your blood pressure, getting active, maintaining a healthy weight and overall, reducing your risk of heart disease. Exercise presents so many wonderful benefits, but heart health is by far one of the most important.
Dr. Rachel Chaney is a cardiologist at Carson Tahoe Cardiology, on staff with Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare.
Here's to Your Health 