October PMREMS Newsletter2017

O C T O B E R 2 0 17

PMREMS newsletter

regionalresource shareand sharealike Sharing important health facts goes beyond how to react, with proactive preparation posing a priority at Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services.

Introducing the community when and why emergency responders are on standby is how we educate and familiarize ourselves with those we serve.

Taking time to teach our young friends not to fear but be clear we’re here to help comes by making visits to area daycares and schools.

Situating our team at and in festivals, parades, seminars and sporting events shows who we are–your ambulance service emergency medical assistance provider and proud of it.

Stay connected

for videos, photos and up to the minute news facebook.com/ PoconoMountainRegionalEmergencyMedicalSer vices

IN THIS EDITION

2 A Look into EMS Demos dish facts to kids 3 Paving the Way A lot for our fleet

4 No Tricks...Just Treats APCP talks holiday safety tips 6 Along for the Drive Regional blood drive success 7 Ask the Doctor LVHN Physicians share facts 8 Consider Yourself Invited

Introducing air masks and other

emergency response equipment to an area youth organization is important in helping everyone understand how Pocono Mountain Regional EMS can lend a hand in times of need.

Demonstrations in a stress free environment share what this vital equipment can do; while the calm familiar atmosphere eases anxiety aiding little ones enjoy hands-on experience with emergency response professionals.

PMREMS continues out and about the community.

Follow Us & We’ll Share a Look to See Where Our Next EMS Venture Will Be

Y A W G N I PAV the

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Wear and tear turmoil at Pocono Mountain

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Regional EMS main headquarters parking lot is no more after receiving some much needed repaving thanks to Coolbaugh, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships, told Fleet Manager Mark Lemley.

Reporting a mix of finance and inkind generosity made the more than $15,000 project possible, he reminded that the member municipality support along with community funding continues to pave the way for ambulance longevity

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A ll too familiar with the

importance of area blood drives, Pocono Mountain Regional EMS professionals, friends and emergency response associates gathered at the nonprofit’s headquarters in Tobyhanna for an October 5th drive.

Collecting 16 usable units from 23 participants goes to show how teamwork can triumph. From Paramedics and EMTs eager to roll up their sleeves; to police, firefighters and family, all

arrived before, during and after work in honor of Kaitlyn Doremus as a show of support in her battle against breast cancer.

Indicating each unit saves up to 3 lives; the day’s drive could potentially save up to 48 lives.

To learn more about donating, contact Miller-Keystone Blood Center at GIVEaPINT.org 1.800.B.A.DONOR

October 5th Drive Could Save up to 48 Lives

Questions for the Doctor

Q

I’ve seen stories in the news about seemingly healthy young athletes dying suddenly from heart failure.

How does that happen? As a college student involved in sports, should I be concerned?

A: To answer your first question, there is a condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which, simply put, is a diagnosis of someone with thick heart tissue.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the condition most associated with sudden cardiac death in athletes. In cases in which an athlete suddenly dies on the court or field because of heart failure, it’s likely they had this condition. But because heart failure is complicated, other factors could have played into the unfortunate outcome.

I don’t know if you specifically should be concerned, but it’s good to be aware. Consider your own health history and family background first. If you have had heart issues in the past or if a relative has suffered with heart conditions, maybe you should be more cautious.

Do you have any symptoms?

Shortness of breath upon exertion is the most common indicator of heart-

related conditions and should not be ignored.

Also, pay attention to how much water you are retaining. Retention of water in areas like the legs can also indicate larger heart issues.

It’s also important to take a look at your lifestyle. Activities like binge drinking, drug use and smoking are extremely detrimental to the heart.

Even if heart conditions do not run in your family, these activities can exacerbate the potential for developing one. So many young people get caught up in these kinds of activities and do not realize what they are putting on the line.

Peer pressure really plays a role in this, too. Teens and young adults, especially college aged, face great pressure to binge drink and try drugs at parties, and with each sip or puff, they effect their bodies in many ways, including the heart.

Some less suspicious causes of heart conditions and sudden heart failure are viruses and disease.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), for example, has been known to lead to heart disease. Among the many reasons to monitor your sexual activity, protecting your heart is a compelling one; contracting HIV can cause death not only through the virus itself but also through the effect of the virus on cardiac activity.

Similarly, travelers can contract other diseases that can also lead to sudden heart failure. A little research

Dr. Bolukoglu is a board-certified noninvasive cardiologist and Medical Director of Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Heart Failure Program.

He specializes in cardiovascular diseases, congestive heart failure, nuclear cardiology and echocardiogram imaging. Dr. Bolukoglu is a graduate of Aegean University Medical School in Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his fellowship in Cardiology at the University of Texas, Houston.

when determining worldwide travel plans can be a life saver.

More specifically to you as a student athlete, know that contact sports create a potential risk for heart conditions and sudden heart failure. Something as simple as getting hit in the chest with a baseball can cause a heart contusion and lead to death. In general, heart disorders are exacerbated by extensive physical activity.

None of this is meant to scare you, but to help you understand how sudden heart failure, especially in young adults, is complicated and unpredictable. Each case should really be handled individually, so really the best advice I can give you (and any other athlete) is to get your heart tested.

A simple EKG can give physicians enough information to know if there are any abnormalities in the heart.

An EKG should reveal whether or not you have the thick heart tissue I mentioned, or anything else that would affect your athletic career.

Also, it would be helpful to know if your school has an onsite defibrillator. These life-saving devices have become more common on campuses across the nation, an effort that began right here through the Gregory W. Moyer Defibrillator Fund (www.gregaed.org).

Good luck in your upcoming season; play hard, win big and stay healthy.

d n e tt A o t n a l P IS SATURDAY’S TH

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Halloween Spooktacular Kids Costume Party

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NOON TO 3 AT Pocono mountain volunteer fire company ROUTE 611 IN MOUNT POCONO NEAR BAILEY’S STEAKHOUSE

d n e i r F a h t i w e ar Sh How Easy It Is to

Headquarters135 Tegawitha Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466 WebPMREMS.org Phone570.839.8485