Health WATCH November 2021
Treatment can speed recovery from the misery of ‘frozen shoulder’
2 • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • Health Watch
IN THIS ISSUE
3...............COVER STORY: Mysteries, misery of frozen shoulder 4...............‘Dear Dietitian’ answers your health questions 6...............For Your Health with Dr. Colditz 7...............OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center among safest in U.S.
“Frozen shoulder,” medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that can literally develop overnight. The lining (capsule) of the shoulder becomes inflamed and stiff, causing shooting pain when performing certain arm movements. Eventually, the shoulder “freezes,” or becomes immobile, for a few months to a year or longer. Therapy treatment can reduce recovery time. Treatment can speed recovery of the condition known as “frozen shoulder,” medically known as adhesive capsulitis, which occurs in about 2% to 5% of the population. It’s more common among women than men, and occurs most often between the age of 40 and 60.
healthwatch HEALTH WATCH PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500 — HEALTH WATCH ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500 —
HEALTH WATCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448 — HEALTH WATCH COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433 —
Health Watch • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • 3
Mysteries, misery of ‘frozen shoulder’ Treatment can speed recovery Health Watch
ALTON — The first frost this week has nothing to do with why some people are showing up to their doctor, complaining their shoulder seems frozen – as in, they can’t move it. Dr. Robert Leb, an orthopedic specialist who sees patients at Alton’s OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center, said that the condition known as “frozen shoulder,” medically known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs in about 2% to 5% of the population. It’s more common among women than men, and occurs most often between the age of 40 and 60. Mysteriously, a frozen shoulder can come on slowly or sometimes without warning, Dr. Leb said. People come to him reporting that they were fine one day, and then they lost range of motion in their shoulders. “Lots of people tell me they felt like they slept on their shoulder wrong, and then a few days later they’re like, ‘I can’t move it. I’m stuck.’ And then they come in to see us,” he recounted. Adhesive capsulitis is a condition that can literally develop overnight. The lining (capsulåe) of the shoulder becomes inflamed and stiff, causing shooting pain when performing certain arm movements. Dr. Leb said that eventually, the shoulder “freezes,” or becomes immobile, for a few months to a year or longer. Therapy treatment can reduce recovery time. There’s no one activity or reason this happens, he said, but there’s a strong connection to inflammation, which makes people more susceptible if they have certain conditions. “If you have diabetes, either Type
ABOVE: “Frozen shoulder,” medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that can literally develop overnight. The lining (capsule) of the shoulder becomes inflamed and stiff, causing shooting pain when performing certain arm movements. Eventually, the shoulder “freezes,” or becomes immobile, for a few months to a year or longer. Therapy treatment can reduce recovery time. RIGHT: Treatment can speed recovery of the condition known as “frozen shoulder,” medically known as adhesive capsulitis, which occurs in about 2% to 5% of the population. It’s more common among women than men, and occurs most often between the age of 40 and 60. Photos submitted | For the Health Watch
1 or Type 2, you’re at risk for frozen shoulder,” Dr. Leb said. “If you have a history of cancer, cancer patients See SHOULDER | Page 5
4 • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • Health Watch
DEAR DIETITIAN
Vitamin’s effect on heart unclear Dear Dietitian, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 I recently read an article that said (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is found vitamin D protects against heart in mushrooms and fortifies foods like attacks. However, I have read milk, yogurt and cereals. Vitamin several other articles that said D3 is found in fatty fish such the opposite. It’s frustrating, and as salmon and rainbow trout, I don’t know what to believe! egg yolks and fish oils. Getting Sam too much vitamin D is possible Dear Sam, because it is stored in body fat, Let me begin by saying I underbut this is rare unless taking stand your frustration when it supplements. The recommended comes to contradictory nutrition Leanne daily allowance for vitamin D is McCrate studies. It can be confusing for 600 international units (IU) daily Dear both consumers and health care if you are 70 or younger and 800 Dietitian professionals. The science of IU daily for people over 70. Talk nutrition still is in its infancy to your doctor before taking any and, especially with nutrition and disdietary supplement. ease prevention, we still are finding our The primary function of vitamin D way. Discoveries are being made, but is to lay calcium to the bones, thereby one study is not definitive. strengthening them. Our bodies can Vitamin D is found in two forms: manufacture this vitamin through
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sunlight exposure, but the amount produced varies. Those with darker skin do not absorb as much sunlight as people with lighter skin, and sun exposure is vital for vitamin D production. Several observational studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is logical to think that increasing vitamin D levels through supplementation would correct the problem. However, studies failed to prove this link. Vitamin D supplementation has shown only a modest or neutral effect on the risk of heart disease. A recent study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found a positive link between vitamin D-containing foods and reduced risk of heart disease. They discovered that men with the highest vitamin D
intake from food had a reduced risk of heart disease. The same results were not found in women. This study was observational, which does not show cause and effect. However, it may point researchers in the right direction as to what to study further. More research is needed to better understand the impact of vitamin D on the risk of heart disease. Until next time, be healthy! Dear Dietitian Leanne McCrate, RDN, LD, CNSC is an award-winning dietitian based in Missouri. Her mission is to educate consumers on sound, science-based nutrition. Do you have a nutrition question? Email her today at deardietitian411@gmail.com. Dear Dietitian does not endorse any products, health programs, or diet plans.
Health Watch • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • 5
Shoulder From page 3
tend to develop inflammation. So patients who have had cancer are at higher risk for frozen shoulder.” People who have thyroid conditions also are more prone to the condition and have a tougher time recovering. Anyone who has worn a sling or has been sedentary due to an accident or surgery also can develop frozen shoulder. In less severe cases, anti-inflammatory medication, such as Aleve, Motrin or Advil can help. But Dr. Leb said people often need some intervention.
“The mother of all anti-inflammatory drugs are steroids,” he said, “and I can either give that to you by mouth, so you can take pills, or I can actually inject it right into the shoulder and zap the inflammation that way.” Physical therapy is often helpful in loosening the capsule of connective tissue, helping individuals regain range of motion and build strength over time, he said. “The body shrinks it down and then, little by little, with the assistance of a qualified physical therapist or occupational therapist, you stretch that shoulder out and regain that motion.”
In a small number of cases, arthroscopic surgery might be needed to loosen the joint capsule, he said. “(That’s) where I put a little lighted telescope into the shoulder and I can actually use electrocautery and actually cut the tissues that are so scarred, and open the shoulder that way,” he explained. “Or, in rare cases, I’ll even make an incision and go down into the shoulder capsule and very carefully release it.” What’s important to remember, he said, is to seek treatment at the first sign something is wrong. Help is available and most patients recover with nonsurgical therapies.
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6 • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • Health Watch
American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout By Dr. Graham A. Colditz
major influence on quality of life and daily living. This includes rheumatoid Though it doesn’t arthritis, cataracts and often make headlines macular degeneration, these days, it’s hard to which is a common cause overstate how important of severe vision loss in quitting smoking is people older than to health — and in age 50. If that’s ways many people not enough, smokmay not be aware ing is also linked of. to tooth loss, slowSmoking impacts er healing of cuts, almost every organ trouble getting in the body to some Colditz pregnant and erecdegree. It’s the tile dysfunction. main cause of lung The good news cancer, of course, but is, quitting smoking it also causes 14 other lowers the risk of nearcancers, including breast, ly all of these diseases colon, cervical and and conditions — and, kidney cancers. It also over time, the risk of greatly increases the risk some drop to near that of heart disease, stroke, of a person who’s never emphysema and chronic smoked. bronchitis. But you don’t need If you’re ready to quit to wait years to see — or even ready to just benefits. Minutes after start thinking about quit- your last cigarette, your ting — November can be heart rate drops. Then, a great month to do it. in the next several days, The American Cancer carbon monoxide levels Society’s Great American in your blood fall to that Smokeout is Thursday. of nonsmokers. And The annual event gives within months, coughing smokers a target date to and shortness of breath quit, while highlighting improve. resources at cancer.org While finding reasons for becoming and staying to quit isn’t hard, actualtobacco-free. ly doing it can be — as Overall, smokers die a many smokers who’ve decade or more earlier tried to quit know. than those who’ve never The nicotine in tobacsmoked. co is addictive, and that Smoking also raises makes smoking different the risk of conditions than many other behavthat might seem less seri- iors we might try to ous, but that can have a change. Siteman Cancer Center
At the same time, quitting is far from impossible. Thousands of smokers stop for good every day. And getting help quitting can double, and maybe even triple, the chances of success. But only a minority of smokers actually take full advantage of approaches we know help with quitting. For most smokers, this means talking to a healthcare professional about a combination of
medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and behavioral support. Medications can include nicotine replacement therapy, like, patches or gum, or other drugs, like, bupropion. Among its other benefits, behavioral support can help smokers learn to work through barriers to staying smoke-free, like cravings and triggers that can lead to urges to smoke. Support can come in
many different forms, including in-person or virtual classes, as well as text-messaging and other programs. If you’re a smoker who wants to quit, you’re in good company. Nearly 70% of smokers feel the same way, and more than half have tried to quit in the past year. Why not celebrate these last couple months of the year by doing something good for your health? Yes, quitting is
hard. But you can do it. It’s your health. Take control. Dr. Graham A. Colditz, associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool yourdiseaserisk.com.
Health Watch • Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • 7
For Health Watch
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center, in Alton, received an “A” grade for safety and quality, a distinction achieved by only 32% of all hospitals across the country, from The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization for patient safety and quality.
OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center among safest in U.S. By OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Special to Health Watch
ALTON — The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization for patient safety and quality, released its fall 2021 Hospital Safety Grades this month, assigning “A” through “F” letter grades to 2,901 general acute-care hospitals in the U.S. for patient safety performance. This year, the list represents the largest set of hospitals ever graded. OSF HealthCare Saint
Anthony’s Health Center, in Alton, received an “A” grade for safety and quality, a distinction achieved by only 32% of all hospitals across the country. In fact, OSF Saint Anthony’s historically has been and currently is the only hospital in the Riverbend to receive the “A” safety rating. The evaluation of hospitals took into consideration a variety of safety and quality related criteria, including effective leadership and a staff that works together to avoid errors. For the first time, hospitals were also graded on
post-operative sepsis, kidney injury and blood leakage. “It is remarkable that despite all the challenges facing rural hospitals and during a global pandemic, the dedicated mission partners (employees) at OSF Saint Anthony’s have consistently provided safe and exceptional care to everyone who comes to us,” said Saint Anthony’s Health Center President Jerry Rumph. “That doesn’t happen by accident, but by a deliberate, daily commitment to best practices and safety protocols that allow us to maintain excellence in out-
comes and safety, while providing an experience that reveals our mission of serving with the greatest care and love.” In addition, OSF Saint Anthony’s is rated a “4-star” hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And the hospital has achieved a Gold Plus Quality Award from the American Heart Association for stroke care. Its stroke program is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare organizations. The OSF Moeller Cancer Center is fully accredited by the Commis-
sion on Cancer from the American College of Surgeons. “We continue to be fully committed to achieving the highest level of accreditations and continue to provide exceptional quality and compassionate care to all who come to OSF Saint Anthony’s in need of help,” Rumph said. OSF Saint Anthony’s joins two other OSF HealthCare hospitals in achieving an “A” safety grade. To see the full grade report of all eligible OSF facilities, visit www.hospital safetygrade.org.
DON’T IGNORE YOUR DON’T IGNORE YOUR BODY’S WARNING SIGNALS BODY’S WARNING SIGNALS
You wouldn’t ignore your car’s check engine light, so don’t ignore those trick knee, You wouldn’t your car’s check light, warning so don’t ignore those trick knee, hernia bulge,ignore stomach bloat, joint acheengine or heartburn lights, either. hernia bulge, stomach bloat, joint ache or heartburn warning lights, either. We can help. Talk to your doctor to learn about your options and start feeling better. We can help. Talk to your doctor to learn about your options and start feeling better.
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