Mv igh 101 july14

in good Irregular heartbeat can be a killer See Page 20

July 2014 • Issue 101

priceless

Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

The Eyes have it

Common vision maladies among women See Page 3

New doctor at Oneida Healthcare

Women’s Health Edition

See Page 4

Plenty of Plump Pets Page 9

Get ‘In Good Health’ at home.

See coupon inside

Visit our interactive online version at MVhealthnews. com

The specter of skin cancer See Page 5

Are you an apple or a pear?

Your body shape reveals healthcare fate See Page 10

Combat seasonal allergies See Page 12

CALENDAR of STRETCH your muscles this summer with

Adirondack Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Center Our experienced physical therapists and athletic trainers will create an individualized therapy plan so you can get out and enjoy the warm weather.

MC Affiliate of Mohawk Valley Health System

St. Elizabeth Medical Arts 4401 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford 315-798-8766 • www.stemc.org

HEALTH EVENTS

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Mondays

they’re at risk.

For more information or to register, contact CNY Diabetes at 315-624-5620 or mjenning@mvnhealth.com.

A women’s support therapy group meets from 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays at 1 Ellinwood Court, New Hartford.

Topics of discussion include family issues, stress, depression, anger, relationships and grief.

Cynthia Davis, who has 20 years of experience leading groups, will facilitate the meetings.

Group size will be limited to protect anonymity. To register, call 7361231, 794-2454 or e-mail cindycsw@ yahoo.com.

There will be a nominal fee to register for these groups.

July 6

Women’s support therapy group to meet

Tuesdays

Support for the grief stricken Grief Survivors meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Drop-ins are welcome.

This is a faith-based support group for those suffering the loss of a loved one.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit online at www. thegoodnewscenter.org.

Wednesdays/Thursdays

Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings

Is food a problem for you? Do you eat when you’re not hungry? Do you binge, purge or restrict? Is your weight affecting your life?

Overeaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 101 (first floor) at Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 James St., Rome.

It also meets from 7-8 p.m. every Thursday at Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St., Oneida. Participants are asked to use the rear door.

There are no dues, fees, weigh-ins or diets. For more information, call OA at 315-468-1588 or visit oa.org.

July 2

CNY Diabetes to offer educational program

Want results?

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

Page 2

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

The Central New York Diabetes Education Program (CNY Diabetes) is offering the national diabetes prevention program that focuses on treating pre-diabetes to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The program begins July 2 and classes will be held during the day or evening.

Type 2 diabetes threatens one in three Americans and 90 percent of these individuals don’t even know

Separated? Divorced?

There is support The Separated & Divorced Support Group will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. July 6 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The group meets every other Sunday. The meetings are free and open to all.

For more information, contact Judy at 315-735-6210, judy@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

July 6

Ready to explore The Third Option?

The Third Option support group for married couples will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 6 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The group meets every other Sunday.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@TheGoodNewsCenter.org or visit www.

TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

July 14

SEMC Foundation schedules golf tournament St. Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation will hold its 19th annual golf tournament July 14 at the Yahnundasis Golf Club, New Hartford.

Over 220 golfers will come together to raise money for updates to patient rooms and improving patient, visitor and employee security by installing a badge swipe system limiting access points into the medical center.

A golf tournament drawing will take place on the evening of the event.

These tickets cost $20 each or $50 for three tickets.

To view a complete list of this year’s prizes or purchase tickets online, visit www.stemc.org/foundation.

Tickets are also available at the foundation office, Marian Medical Building, 2209 Genesee St., Utica, or by calling 315-734-4287.

July 20

Camp Sitrin to host youth fishing derby The Central New York Youth Fishing Educators Youth Fishing Derby will

Continued on Page 18

Women’s Health

The Value of Vision Women encounter common eye conditions

By Barbara Pierce

ty, and being of Asian descent.

There is a wide range of treatments for the disease.

A

s the years go by, time can take a toll on your eyesight.

First, you can’t read the print that keeps getting smaller. There are more frequent trips to the eye doctor, then perhaps blurred vision or some other problem.

Francis Migliaccio, of Frances Eye and Laser Center of Utica, identifies four common eye problems and tips for healthy eyes on his website www. franciseyeandlaser.com.

Pregnancy-related eye changes

Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common disease in which the eye under-produces tears or tears leave the eye too quickly, according to Migliaccio’s website. A normal eye constantly produces tears, which act as a lubricant. For someone with dry eye, the lack of can cause problems.

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation in the eyes; eyes may redden and become easily irritated by wind or smoke; the eyes may produce stringy mucus; contact lenses may be difficult or impossible to wear, or sometimes the eye will actually produce excessive tears and overflow.

A common cause of dry eye can be over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antihistamines, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, or pain relievers.

Overuse of diuretics can also cause dry eye. For this reason, it is important to inform your eye doctor about any medications you take.

Treatments for dry eye include artificial tears, medication, or surgery to close the tear ducts.

Also, Migliaccio recommends that persons with dry eye syndrome avoid situations in which tears evaporate quickly. For example, use a humidifier in a dry house, wear wrap-around glasses in the wind, and avoid smoke.

Cataracts

Cataracts, the world’s leading cause of blindness, are the clouding of the eyes’ normally clear lens.

Cataracts are more common after 40, but can occur at any age due to factors such as family history, diabetes, long term ultra-violet rays exposure, certain medications like steroids, or eye injuries.

Cataract symptoms may include blurry vision, lights that seem too bright or have a “halo” effect, double vision, decreased night vision, and dull or fading colors, says Migliaccio.

Early on, a cataract may be treated with stronger glasses or contacts. Once the cataract begins to interfere with daily tasks such as reading and driving, surgery is the only option.

Cataract surgery is a common procedure and complications are rare and treatable. It is an outpatient procedure usually over in less than 30 minutes.

The doctor removes the cloudy natural lens from the eye while the patient is under a topical anesthesia.

Next, the doctor inserts an intraocular lens, which remains permanently in place.

Ninety-five percent of patients have better vision after surgery. Many no longer need glasses.

Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Otsego counties in good A monthly newspaper published

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Christopher Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Jasmine Maldonado Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

Best steps to prevent cataracts from developing are recommended on Lifescript.com: • Ditch the cigarettes.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses with 100 percent UV filter • Lose weight and exercise • Eat fish

The hormone shifts that occur in pregnancy can cause several temporary eye conditions, such as dry eye and corneal swelling. Your eyes may feel scratchy or you may have blurry vision, increased eye pressure or sensitivity to light.

Fluctuating hormone levels affect the eye surface, which may lead to dry eyes. They can also affect the curve of the cornea.

The treatment depends on how your eye changes. If you have corneal swelling, your doctor may suggest that you wear glasses because contact lenses can irritate eyes. If your eyes are dry, lubricating drops, safe during pregnancy, may help.

If you already have an eye condition, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, your obstetrician and ophthalmologist will ask to see you more frequently.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States.

When the internal pressure in the eye rises to abnormal levels, Migliaccio explains, it puts extra stress on the optic nerve, causing significant damage.

This damage can result in loss of vision.

The two most common types of glaucoma are chronic open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma usually develops with age. Pressure gradually increases around the eye causing it to work less effectively. There are no symptoms in the early stages.

Peripheral vision is usually the first to deteriorate. Then blank spots begin to appear. If untreated, it leads to blindness. The best way to avoid serious vision loss is early diagnosis and treatment.

Risk factors for chronic open-angle glaucoma include advanced age, family history, diabetes, farsightedness, nearsightedness or previous eye trauma.

Closed-angle glaucoma is less prevalent, but is a real eye emergency.

This occurs when a patient’s pupil moves or dilates and actually blocks off the drainage angles in the eye. An ophthalmologist should be contacted immediately to avoid loss of vision.

Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma include severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting, and halos around lights.

Risk factors for closed-angle glaucoma include extreme farsightedness, an iris that is abnormally large or far back in the eye, advanced age, herediJuly 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 3

Doctors’ use of e-records more than doubles

A

lmost 80 percent of doctors in the United States have switched from paper to electronic health records, new government statistics show.

By 2012, almost 72 percent of physicians had made the change, compared to just under 35 percent in 2007, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since then, the number of doctors using electronic health records has increased even more, added lead researcher Esther Hing, a statistician at CDC’s U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.

“In 2013, 78 percent of physicians were using electronic health record systems,” Hing said. “We are reaching nearly all the doctors.”

Hing noted that the progress is largely the result of the federal government’s financial incentives to help doctors change to electronic recordkeeping.

“These incentives have had a large part in the increased adoption of these systems,” Hing said.

However, many doctors (about 40 percent) aren’t using the full capabilities of their system, Hing noted. Once the system is installed, there is a steep learning curve before doctors and other staff are able to use it efficiently, she said.

Basic systems keep track of patient data, prescriptions and lab test results, Hing explained. More advanced features can graph patient tests to note trends and keep track of changes in the patients’ health over time. Hing noted that the real goal of these systems is to improve patient care. However, whether or not they do is still unknown.

“We are still evaluating the results. We think it improves the care provided to a patient. Anecdotally, in certain settings, it’s been demonstrated that these systems have improved health by improving coordination of care, reducing medication errors and overuse of tests,” Hing added.

Of the doctors who turned to electronic health records by 2012, 39.6 percent used a basic system, up from 11.8 percent in 2007, the researchers found.

And 23.5 percent had a fully functional system, up from 3.8 percent in 2007, according to the findings published May 20 in the CDC’s National Health Statistics Reports.

Hing also noted that in 2007 larger practices (11 doctors or more) were more likely to have an electronic record system (just over 74 percent) than smaller practices (about 21 percent), but by 2012 that gap had narrowed.

As more doctors adopted electronic record systems, however, the gap between those who used a basic system and those who took advantage of all the features of their system widened from an estimated 10 percent in 2007 to about 31 percent in 2012, Hing said.

Page 4

•

Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Dr. Hazem Qalla

Hazem Qalla joined Women’s Health Associates of Oneida in 2013 in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, specializing in minimally invasive surgery using the daVinci robot. He recently spoke with In Good Health senior correspondent Patricia J. Malin about his career.

Q.: Why did you decide to practice in Central New York?

A.: Well, there are many reasons. I’ll share a few with you. I was looking for a good area to raise my kids in, as well as one that offers a variety of outdoors activities. Another reason was the hectic life in the big city (Brooklyn) that made me want to be somewhere calmer and quieter. My commute now is 3-5 minutes, instead of 55 minutes.

Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor? Was there any family influence?

A.: When my parents asked me at the age of 8 years old the ultimate question that most parents ask their children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I answered, “I want to be a doctor and do surgeries.” That dream has been my driving force to get to where I am now. That, in addition to my supportive parents, who made the same commitment I did, got me to this point. My father was an accountant and my mother was a homemaker, so I am unsure where that dream came from.

Q.: What specific ailments or disorders do you treat?

A.: I am proud to say that I have developed my minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical skills to include the robotic approach. This approach has revolutionized surgical techniques and allowed us much more flexibility and exposure, which in turn would allow me, the surgeon, to tackle cases that would have needed to be explored with the traditional open approach. With the robotic approach, I am able to treat many symptoms of abnormal bleeding, heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.

Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A.: If I allow my devotion and commitment to the profession to take over, it would take me away from everything else, including my family. So I found myself often struggling between what I want to do and what I should do. I had to hold back so my family wouldn’t suffer. I do have a full commitment to my family as well, and I had to balance between the two.

Q.: What is the most fulfilling and positive aspect of your job?

A.: Private victories, that moment I share with myself after I had helped a patient and knew they are feeling better.

That personal moment doesn’t wait for an appreciation or a thank you from anybody. That moment is the reward for everything I do. The other positive aspect is that public victory when the patient looks you in the eye and says, “Thank you so much, I feel so much better now.” Hearing these words is

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

priceless.

Q.: What are the newest developments in obstetrics/gynecology?

For example, many women try to

stay physically active throughout their pregnancy. What general recommendations do you give to expectant mothers as to maintaining their health and fitness throughout pregnancy?

A.: Definitely, the introduction of the robotic laparoscopic technique has been the newest thing in the GYN field. I always strive to keep myself up to date with the current trends and that’s why, as I mentioned earlier, I took on this technique and acquired it. It was tough being a learner again, but that is the price of “being better.” Another relatively new concept is our understanding of how much obesity influences our patient’s life and general well being, whether it is a pregnant patient or not. Recently, obesity became a major risk factor in pregnancy contributing to many poor outcomes. I encourage all my pregnant patients to limit weight gain during pregnancy, and push them to

Continued on Page 14

Lifelines Age: 38 Birthplace: Saudi Arabia (Palestinian in origin) Residence: Oneida Education: Pierce College (Los Angeles Community College), Associate of Arts degree, 1992-94; California State University Northridge, Bachelor of Science degree, 1994-98; Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, West Indies, medical degree, 19992003; Huron Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, general surgery residency, 2003-05; New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, and Drexel University School of Medicine, OB-GYN residency, 2005-09 Employment: SUNY Downstate Medical Center/Hospital University, Brooklyn, clinical assistant professor and fulltime faculty member, 2009-13; Oneida Healthcare, 2013-present Affiliations: Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Family: Married, three children Hobbies: Exercise, martial arts, swimming, reading

Women’s Health

Skin cancer can be deadly Learn about the A-B-C-Ds of skin cancer

By Barbara Pierce

S

kin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and it can be deadly.

In fact, in the U.S., a person dies from skin cancer every hour, said dermatologist Edward Lee of the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

People discount the seriousness of skin cancer because there are three types of skin cancer; the most common types of skin cancers are not malignant, explained Lee. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer.

This type of skin cancer affects over 1 million people. It is the most treatable skin cancer and usually does Lee not spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common type. It can spread into the blood stream about 10 percent of the time. “And those you worry about,” said Lee. A small but significant number of skin cancers are malignant melanomas. Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer that tends to spread rapidly to other parts of the body.

These cancers may be fatal if not treated early.

Malignant melanomas are the most dangerous because they spread quickly, “and there really is no treatment once they spread,” added Lee. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas are caused almost exclusively by sun damage, said Lee. Therefore, they are most often found on older persons.

Malignant melanomas most often occur in young people in their 30s and 40s. Sun can be a contributing factor,

causing some malignant melanomas, but they can be found on all parts of the body, including those parts protected from the sun.

Early detection is the best way to prevent and successfully treat the deadly skin cancer melanoma and the other two types of skin cancer.

Learn the signs

Lee recommends the “A-B-C-D” method of identifying the disease as most effective: A: Asymmetry. A normal mole, cut down the middle, will look the same on either side; it will be symmetrical.

Suspicious moles will not be the same on each side.

B: Border: A normal mole is nice and round; a suspicious mole will have irregular, scalloped or poorly defined

Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Otsego counties in good A monthly newspaper published

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Christopher Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Jasmine Maldonado Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

border.

C: Color: “You don’t want black,” said Lee. “And you don’t want more than one color.”

One mole may be tan while the one next to it may be brown; that is not a problem. What you don’t want are variations in color in the same mole.

D: Diameter: A mole should not be bigger than a pencil eraser. If it is larger than that, you worry about it. But size is the least significant of the qualities that indicate potential problems.

As you enjoy the sun this summer, Lee recommends you protect your skin against the sun’s rays. Sunscreen is the way to prevent getting excessive sun

and to guard against skin cancer.

Sunscreen should have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher and should provide broad-spectrum protection.

Lee said there are two types of ultra-violet rays, D and A. The SPF number protects against D rays. You also need broad-spectrum protection, or you are only half protected, as broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against the A rays.

It is also necessary to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours, as its protection wears off. And reapply if you go into the water. The higher the SPF number, the longer the protection will last.

Sunscreen does no harm, contrary to what you may have heard, said Lee. “For sunscreen to be harmful, you couldn’t put on enough in a lifetime,” he said.

Be careful when you are on or in the water, added Lee, as water reflects much sun. Sun goes through car windows and through clouds; the A rays of the sun are what penetrates glass and clouds.

Lee recommends staying out of tanning booths; they are worse than the sun. “There is no such thing as a safe tan,” he said. A tanning booth uses A rays, which penetrate deeper than D rays.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancers. See your doctor if you have concern about suspicious moles. Use sunscreen.

Want results?

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

Come Smile With Us! Bruce Stewart, DDS

• Advanced Laser Periodontal therapy available.

• Implants placed and restored • CEREC Crowns - beautiful, strong, done in one visit • Digital low radiation x-rays Join Us On • Root Canal therapy FACEBOOK Dr. Bruce & Kristen Stewart • Natural tooth colored fillings • Complete Smile makeovers 321 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421 • Complete recare services including (315) 363-4940 periodontal and oral cancer screenings Extended Payment Plans through Care Credit

www.oneidanydentist.com

Ultra Modern Dentistry Backed by Old Fashioned Values July 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 5

Women’s Health

Are you an apple or pear?

Waist-to-hip ratio plays role in determining risk factors

metabolism and the calories you can potentially burn.

“Increase your intake of healthy monounsaturated fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil,” she advises. “Eat monounsaturated oils in moderation and in place of saturated fats or trans fats. They are still a fat and therefore are calorically dense. Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood.”

Limit saturated butter, lard and foods made with them, like baked goods. Limit trans fats. Look for partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients. This indicates the presence

of trans fats that are found in baked goods and many processed foods such as crackers.

Choose low fat dairy products as whole fat milk and milk products contain much saturated fat.

Eat less simple carbohydrates, like white bread, pasta, and anything made with white flour. Instead, choose more whole grains, like whole wheat bread, cereal, oats, quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries, and fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends healthy eating in “My Plate”: The goal is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

Watch out for added sugars, such as in soda, sweets, fruit punch drinks, sports drinks, even cereals and yogurt.

These are a source of added calories and have been shown to increase blood triglycerides and lower good cholesterol levels.

Chose lean protein sources like fish, chicken and beans.

Ultimately you want to try to eat whole foods or foods made from scratch. Avoid processed foods to eliminate the added sugars and trans fats we should be limiting.

If you’re not sure of your body type, it’s easy to determine. Measure your waist circumference (if you’re not sure where it is, try one inch above your navel). Then measure the circumference around the largest part of your lower bottom. Divide the first number by the second. This will give you your waist-to-hip ratio. If the number is 0.80 or less, you are a pear. If it is greater than 0.80, you’re an apple.

Knowing your body shape is a screening tool like any other medical test. If you found out you carried a certain gene for cancer or that you had abnormally high cholesterol at a young age, you’d certainly want to do everything in your power to reverse the odds by eating healthily and exercising daily.

The same is true for body shape.

If you’ve been given the apple shape, consider it a heads’ up to lead a healthy lifestyle so that your apple body stays fit. If a pear is your lot, guard its positives and be careful not to let excess weight gain add the label apple on top of your pear.

These organizations join 15 others as fit-friendly worksites. The following organizations were honored during the previous application period: Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy Insurance (platinum level fit-friendly status); AmeriCU Credit Union; Charles A. Gaetano Construction; ECR International, Inc.; Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare; Fiber Instrument Sales; First Source Federal Credit Union; NBT Bancorp; NYCM Insurance; Oneonta Bagel Company; Rome Memorial Hospital; Sitrin Health Care Center; St. Elizabeth Medical Center; The House of the Good

Shepherd; Utica College Nearly 16,500 Utica-area residents are working for companies who have received the AHA designation. The fit-friendly worksites program promotes positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a top priority.

American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year, according to AHA.

By Barbara Pierce

M

ost of us know whether our body tends to store fat around our waists or lower down around our butt and hips.

But few of us understand the dramatic impact this has on our health and risk of disease.

Do you tend to gain weight in your belly and back? If so, you’re an apple.

Or, do the calories go straight to your backside and thighs? A pear is your label.

Doctors now know that the type of shape you were born with can predict your possibility of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, stroke, and even osteoporosis.

A number of recent studies have shown that it is not how much you weigh, but the size of your waist and your body shape that best predicts your risk for a number of chronic diseases.

A person of normal weight but with a large waist can be at higher risk for heart problems than his friend that is overweight but has a smaller waist.

Your waist-to-hip ratio is three times more powerful a predictor of heart disease risk than body mass index. An editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association warned physicians that even their normal weight patients who have apple shapes should be screened for heart disease.

Apple-shaped people have what is called metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) levels.

Belly fat comes with some big health threats, including an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer. That’s because the fat stored around your middle that surrounds your kidneys, pancreas, and liver causes blood-sugar levels to spike while at the same time creating insulin resistance and inflammation.

In other words, your body has an excess amount of sugar floating around, and it’s no longer able to process it all. This combo is what can lead to heart problems and other chronic diseases.

All of this makes it crucial to trim your waistline. You can cut your risk

of disease in half by shedding just two inches from your waist, say the experts.

Registered dietitian Crystal Hein of Mohawk offers these recommendations on how to trim your waistline.

“You can accomplish this with diet and exercise,” she said. Dropping just 500 calories a day from your diet can lead to a weight loss of one pound each week.

Hein recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per day. She adds it is important to include strength training exercises to help increase muscle mass, which will in turn increase your

AHA names fit-friendly worksites in Mohawk Valley

T

he American Heart Association is recognizing 14 Utica-area organizations as fit-friendly worksites.

Each company promotes physical activity and health in the workplace.

Through the fit-friendly worksite designation, the AHA works locally with area employers on their wellness and health programs.

These 14 companies are being recognized for efforts in the most recent application period.

The following organizations earned new gold level fit-friendly status: APAC Customer Services and JAY-K Page 6

•

Independent Lumber Corporation Twelve organizations renewed their gold level fit-friendly status: Carbone Auto Group; Cazenovia Children’s House; Central New York Psychiatric Center; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Herkimer College; Lewis County General Hospital & Residential Health Care; Madison County; Masonic Care Community; Pratt & Whitney HMI Metal Powders; Preferred Mutual Insurance Company; Slocum Dickson Medical Group, PLLC; Utica National Insurance Group

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

Women’s Health Mary in the Middle

By Mary Stevenson

Garbage plate to the rescue Trip to Rochester had its problems, but all is well that ends well

L

ast month, my husband and I decided we wanted to take the kids to the Lilac Festival in Rochester.

Ron grew up there, and I lived there for a number of years and the festival was one of our favorite places to be each spring. We wanted to share that with our group of four foster children, who range from 5 months to 8 years.

We had visions of walking around Highland Park, tasting some of Rochester’s finest regional foods — including a Nick Tahou’s garbage plate — and imagining our children loving it all as much as we do. You can imagine how it really went.

Let’s start with the drive. It’s about an hour and a half to two hours of road time with four not-so-seasoned travelers. I purposely bought an SUV with a DVD Stevenson player for such long trips (again, the visions in my head are just wonderful). We collected an entire array of movies to keep the children occupied — from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Cinderella” to “Iron Man” and “Transformers.”

Getting settled in the car, the first request was “Iron Man.” No problem.

Popped it in and good to go, right? Not so much. Nobody was really watching it, as they were talking and talking and talking (parents of preschoolers know just what I am referring to).

When I asked if they wanted the movie off, I got a resounding “no” then peace and quiet for 47.8 seconds. It was a long ride.

We didn’t get to Rochester at the time we had hoped to. A couple of stops on the way hampered that. Not a big deal. We checked into the hotel and prepared to get something good for dinner quickly before we headed to the park.

We were sadly mistaken that it would be quick or good, for that matter. We made a mental note not to go to that restaurant again as we packed the kids back in the car to head to the park.

By this time we were really late to see the band we had come to see in the first place, Rusted Root.

Mother Nature rules

They are some of our favorite musicians and we wanted the children to experience them live as we had many times before. Cue Mother Nature.

We really did listen to the weather reports warning of drenching rains but we were openly wishing it wasn’t going to happen (again, like planning the perfect road trip with four children under the age of 8).

It was raining somewhat when we got into town so we were still hopeful. But by the time we got to the park, it was raining a little harder.

I really didn’t want to take the children in the rain so we drove as close as we could to listen to what was left of the show from the car.

We enjoyed the last 15 seconds of “Ecstasy.” The kids got to see the crowd of people and hear the cheers for the band. Not as planned but a memory nonetheless.

With those plans rained out, quite literally, we decided to drive around the area and show the kids places we had lived, laughed, shopped and loved. The oldest one was impressed and the other two were attentive. Success for a peaceful ride!

Still disappointed about the concert, I asked my husband to make it better. He knew just what I meant — a Nick Tahou’s garbage plate. You can’t go to Rochester without having one. It would go against everything Rochester not to. And just so you know, a garbage plate really does make everything better.

All in all, it wasn’t a bad trip. Not a lot went exactly as planned but we made the most of it and Tahou’s did the rest. This was all a test run for our summer vacation trip down south at the end of August for 10 days.

My dad will be joining us as well. I have visions of planning better, and of really listening to Mother Nature this time. No, I really do. I have to. There won’t be any garbage plates to fix everything.

• Mary Stevenson is a staff writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health.

Want results?

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

SJ

St. Johnsville

Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Community Health Improvement Complex

518-568-5037 www.stjrnc.com

VISIT US FOR

U-PICK BLUEBERRIES North Star Orchards

AVAILABLE EARLY JULY 4741 Rt. 233, Westmoreland 315-853-1024 • NorthStarOrchards.com

Farm Market & Bakery OPEN 8A-7P DAILY

• SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY • • WORKERS’ COMPENSATION • John N. Kalil Attorney at Law

Over 38 Years Experience • Prompt • Personal • Professional INCLUDING • Personal Injury • Real Estate • General Practice

NO FEE UNLESS SUCCESSFUL

Where Integrity And Experience Count

289 GENESEE ST., UTICA , NY

315-797-7959

©

Dr. Graber is pleased to welcome Gregory Dalencourt, MD to the practice Dr. Dalencourt is now seeing new patients for surgical consultation for those considering weight loss surgery Our program has successfully met the highest standards set forth by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and is recognized as an ASMBS Center of Excellence.

Surgeries are performed at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Dr. Graber is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at both hospitals.

To find out more, visit DrGraberMD.com or call 877-269-0355 to discuss how we might help you in your search to find a healthier you!

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

July 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

No sugar coating Diabetes has no cure, but it can be controlled

By Amylynn Pastorella

W

hile the causes of diabetes are not fully understood, certain factors have been clearly identified that contribute to its development.

Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disorder. This means for some reason, not yet well understood, the body stops making insulin.

Type 1 diabetes affects about 3 to 5 percent of all people who have diabetes. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and since the body essentially stops making insulin, the treatment would be to replace insulin by injection or via insulin pump.

With Type 2 diabetes, the most common kind of diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin that results in higher blood sugar levels.

Over time, the body may also make less insulin with Type 2 diabetes.

People who are sedentary, gain weight, and eat unbalanced meals can find they develop Type 2 diabetes earlier and more frequently in life.

“Each type of diabetes is very serious. People are all subject to complications of large and small vessels in the body, for example, damage to the optic nerve, kidney disease, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke,” said Caroline Jacobus, CNY Diabetes program director at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

Heredity is a major factor that

scientists have known for centuries. However, the pattern of inheritance is unclear; statistics indicate that those with a family history are at a 25- to 33-percent higher risk of developing diabetes.

One reason why diabetes, especially Type 2, runs in families is because of the diabetes gene. Even though this is caused by factors beyond control, there is no reason to suffer from it. Diabetes cannot be cured in the full sense of the term, but it can be effectively controlled.

“By adopting a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, weight management and physical activity, diabetes can be prevented if people are not born with it,” said Jacobus.

Diet, diabetes link

A poor diet is a self-inflicted cause for diabetes. Medical researchers have described diabetes as a “prosperity” disease primarily caused by systematic overeating. Consuming too much sugar and refined carbohydrates are harmful, but even proteins and fats, which are transformed into sugar, may also result in diabetes if taken in excess.

Too much food can wear on the pancreas, and ultimately, its normal activity of producing insulin gets paralyzed.

Many endeavors to stop obesity, caused by overeating, have been made in communities because of the fact that it is a direct link to the development of diabetes.

Again, excess fat prevents insulin from working properly.

Insulin allows sugar in the blood to enter cells by acting on the receptor sites

Subscribe to In Good Health

Get Mohawk Valley’s healthcare newspaper at home for only $15 a year.

FREE with your paid subscription: the 2014 CNY Healthcare Guide

Name___________________________________________ Address_________________________________________ City / Town__________________State_____ Zip_________ Your occupation:__________________________________ Clip and Mail to:

$15 payment enclosed

In Good Health 4 Riverside Dr., Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Page 8

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

on the surface of the cells. When a person is overweight by 20 percent of their ideal weight, has high uric acid or some syndromes, receptors are sparse and functionally idle. In regards to heredity and obesity, it has been rightly said that heredity is like a gun and obesity pulls the trigger.

“According to research, Type 2 diabetes may reduce as much as 58 percent with healthy lifestyle changes. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to food. A balanced and healthy meal plan can consist of a variety of different foods,” said Jacobus.

Without treatment, people with pre-diabetes are at great risk for Type 2 diabetes. They are also likely to experience adverse health conditions associated with elevated blood

sugar like cardiovascular disease.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 79 million people, about 35 percent, of the population have pre-diabetes in the United States. If left untreated, pre-diabetes progresses into Type 2 diabetes at a rate of 5 to 15 percent per year.

With heredity and obesity being important contributors to diabetes, other factors include: viral infections, lifestyle risks, smoking, age as well as stress and tension, organic disorders and race.

As many people with diabetes can advise, although diabetes is not curable so far, it is controllable. Education centers are established to help people cope with a diabetes diagnosis and to provide information about the disease to develop strategies that will help achieve personal health goals.

Cynics at higher risk for dementia? Yeah, right Study: They may be three times more likely to develop brain disease than more trusting folks

C

ynical, distrustful people may be more prone to dementia, a new Finnish study contends.

Those traits have been linked with other health problems, such as heart disease, the researchers noted.

“Our personality may have an impact on our brain health,” said study author Anna-Maija Tolppanen, from the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio.

Tolppanen cautioned that this study finding only shows an association between cynicism and dementia, not necessarily a cause-and-effect link.

“This is the first study showing the link, so it is not possible to say yet whether this is causal or if the association is explained by something else,” she said.

One explanation could be that

people who are more wary of others may be less socially active, which in turn may increase their dementia risk, she said.

There are many ways personality may affect brain health, Tolppanen said. People with different personality traits may be more or less likely to engage in activities that are beneficial for mental health, such as a healthy diet, mental or social activities, and exercise.

Another suggestion is that personality may cause physical changes in the brain, she said.

“These findings suggest that in addition to established lifestyle-related risk factors, such as exercise or diet, our attitude or personality may be a modifiable risk factor,” Tolppanen said.

The report was published online recently in Neurology.

HealthNet, Cooperative Extension produce local foods map

A

s part of a campaign for Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play in Herkimer County, Herkimer County HealthNet and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County have updated and distributed the 2014 edition of the Herkimer County Local Foods Map. As part of a grant from the New York State Department of Health, the foods map is a project aimed to increase awareness of local foods and healthy eating.

The foods map has been distributed to organizations and businesses throughout Herkimer County and the Mohawk Valley including all of the Mid-York libraries and farmers’ markets located in Herkimer County.

Herkimer County HealthNet administers the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, & Play Grant to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes by increasing physical activity and increasing healthy eating.

They have partnered with Cornell Cooperative Extension and together are working with local farmers’ markets and small convenience stores to promote and enhance the selection of healthy foods.

For a list of local foods maps distribution points and for more information about Creating Healthy Places in Herkimer County, call Herkimer County HealthNet at 315-867-1499 or Cornell Cooperative Extension, 315-866-7920.

To view the online version of this map, visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/ cceherkimer/nutrition-programs/herkimer-county-local-foods-map/.

Rome Memorial announces clinicians of the year Rome Memorial Hospital recently recognized nurses and clinicians for their caring attitude toward patients, superior clinical skills and critical thinking ability. Winners include, front row from left, Jill Bauernfeind, Maternal-Child Services Nurse of the Year; Amela Thompson, Emergency Services Nurse of the Year; and Sharin Chrzanowski, respiratory therapy, Cardiopulmonary Services Clinician of the Year; back row from left, Lynn Philley, Non-Clinical Services Nurse of the Year; Jill Halsey, 2 East, Acute Care Services Nurse of the Year; Jordan Smithers, Nightingale Nurse Award of the Year; Stephanie Miller, Nurse of Excellence and Critical Care Services Nurse of the Year; Dawn Ayers, Pharmacist of the Year; and Chris Aiken, Intensive Care Unit Nurse of the Year. Not shown are Diana Ammann, Peri-Operative Services Nurse of the Year; Tina Pisaneschi, senior behavioral health unit, Behavioral Health Services Nurse of the Year; and Elizabeth Demma, Respiratory Therapy Clinician of Excellence.

Plump pets Measure food portions, provide daily exercise to keep your pets fit

M

uch like their human companions, many of America’s pets are overweight.

Just over half of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, and 58 percent of cats are carrying too many pounds, according to a survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

And, like people, animals can face health consequences from excess weight.

“Overweight animals also have certain health issues,” said Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor in the department of clinical sciences and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center, in a university news release.

Excess weight “can aggravate joint disease. It can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

It can aggravate heart conditions, and it can lead to skin diseases as folds in the pet’s skin get bigger. It can even shorten their life span,” noted Nelson.

How can you know if your pet is overweight? You may not be able to tell by appearance alone, since pets can ap-

pear to be in good shape even when they aren’t.

At the appropriate weight, Nelson said, pets should only have a thin layer of fat over their ribs and show an hourglass shape from above. If you have a long-haired pet, it may be best to do this when your dog is wet.

Nelson also recommends using a measuring cup to figure out how many calories your pet is eating each day. It’s also important to re-check that information every time you switch brands or types of food since calories may vary as much as 200 to 300 per cup between different brands or types of food, she said.

Calorie information should be available via the bag or can of pet food. If you can’t find calorie details on the packaging, contact the manufacturer.

Be cautious about the suggested amount of food for your pet, Nelson said. “In the testing facilities, these animals are typically mandated to July 2014 •

have a certain amount of exercise per day because they are research animals,” she said. “In reality, a lot of the pets that we own don’t get as much exercise as those dogs and cats in the research facilities.”

Nelson suggests cutting back on treats too, keeping them to no more than 10 percent of your pet’s diet. And exercise your pet 20 to 30 minutes per day, if possible.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

‘Pieces of HeArt’ program named Upstate Cerebral Palsy team of the year The Pieces of HeArt program was recently recognized as the 2013-2014 Upstate Cerebral Palsy team of the year. Susan Macrina, recreation specialist from Marcy; Victor Lenuzza, recreation therapy specialist from Utica and Melinda Karastury, habilitation support specialist from Sauquoit were honored with this distinction at the UCP annual meeting recently at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre. The team of the year award honors a group within the agency that functions effectively to serve children and adults with differing abilities while exemplifying excellence, passion, integrity, caring and respect. The program was created in 2006 to formally provide opportunities for individuals to express themselves creatively. Pictured from left are Macrina, Lenuzza, Karastury and Vartan Poghosian, members of the 2013-2014 UCP team of the year, along with Stephanie Giuffrida, artist (front).

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Boost your health with bananas

W

hen it comes to healthy snacks, I don’t monkey around. They need to be convenient, tasty and nutritious. They need to fill me up and give me energy. They need to withstand being tossed into my purse. For me, bananas fit that bill, beautifully.

Nutritionally, bananas have a lot going for them.

Super rich in potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function, bananas help keep the hardest working muscle in our body beating strong. In fact, the American Heart Association has certified bananas as a heart-healthy food when eaten as part of a low-fat balanced diet.

What’s more, according to a fouryear study, men who ate diets higher in potassium-rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium and cereal fiber, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke.

Bananas are also good sources of other nutrients that promote heart health: fiber and vitamin B-6. Fiber does a heart good by helping people Page 10

•

about 14 grams per banana — gives a sustained and substantial boost of energy.

It’s why athletes often reach for bananas. And because it comes with fiber, which slows digestion, it gives the body time to use it as fuel instead of storing it as fat.

At only 105 calories a pop, with no sodium or cholesterol and next to no fat, it’s no wonder bananas are the world’s most popular fruit!

Helpful tips

maintain a healthy weight (crucial to heart health); while B vitamins help break down homocysteine—an amino acid that at high levels is related to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Feeling blue? Reach for a banana.

Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps our body produce serotonin, a natural substance that can improve our mood and make us relax.

The healthy dose of vitamin B-6 in bananas, which regulates blood glucose levels, can also put a bounce in our step.

The natural sugar in bananas —

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

Don’t put unripe bananas in the fridge: it will halt the ripening process.

If you need to hasten the ripening process, place bananas in a brown paper bag, adding an apple to accelerate the process. Ripe bananas that will not be eaten may be placed in the fridge.

Although the peels will darken, the bananas themselves will not be affected.

Bananas can also be frozen (peel first) and will keep for about two months.

Healthy BananaStrawberry Yogurt Smoothie (Serves 2)

2 bananas (peeled and frozen) 12 strawberries (fresh or frozen) 1 cup low-fat yogurt (Greek plain or vanilla) ¾ to 1 cup low-fat milk 2 teaspoons honey 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (optional) Place ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. If smoothie seems too thick, add more milk.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes.

She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

INNOVATIVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR NURSES Recruiting New York State licensed nurses to join our team of innovative health and wellness entrepreneurs in providing immunizations, biometric screenings, on-site nurse coaching and health engagement services.

WPV is a nurse managed company that is nationally recognized as a leader in community health promotion and corporate health management. We are seeking professional nurses with strong communication skills and commitment to superior customer service. These positions are available immediately: flexible hours per diem and part-time employment with potential to move to full-time.

Requirements: • New York State professional license • Valid New York State driver’s license • Three years of nursing practice

National Cancer Survivors Day celebrated Cancer survivors from the Mohawk Valley as well as their family and friends gathered with employees, medical staff and volunteers from Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center at the 27th annual National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1. More than 250 people were in attendance. Above, Michele Blatt, an employee of FSLH and volunteer for the event, enjoys breakfast with her father, Ronald Blatt, a six-year cancer survivor.

The breakfast, sponsored annually by FSLH at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro, is celebrated in communities across the world. This day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer — including America’s 12 million cancer survivors — to connect with each other, celebrate milestones and recognize the healthcare providers, family and friends who have supported them along the way.

in community-based medical management, behavioral health and/or health promotion.

Mail, fax or email resume with three professional references to: WPV - Nurse Recruiter 59D Monroe Avenue Pittsford, NY 14534

Join WPV Today!

P: 585•568•8340 / F: 585•641•0372 / www.wpvinc.com / dtortoretti@wpvinc.com

Health Briefs Grant strengthens Herkimer BOCES LPN program The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES licensed practical nursing program will be purchasing computer hardware to use electronic records in classes and laboratories thanks to a $3,500 grant from the Slocum-Dickson Foundation.

Purchasing the computer equipment and using the online record keeping will enhance the LPN program, said Sara Nicolette, the Herkimer BOCES adult vocational nursing programs coordinator.

“The whole health industry uses electronic records,” Nicolette said.

“This is an area we desperately needed to bring the students up to speed on to expose them to using electronic records.”

Lions Eye Bank at Albany recognizes LFH

The Sight Society of Northeastern New York, Inc. (Lions Eye Bank at Albany) has selected Little Falls Hospital as its 2014 Hospital of the Year award recipient.

The purpose of the award is to recognize LFH for its commitment and compassion in the care of grieving families along with its outstanding accomplishments and best practices used to facilitate cornea donation.

With the help of LFH, the Lions Eye Bank at Albany was able to honor the wishes of four families to donate in the year 2013, thus restoring the sight of eight people suffering from corneal blindness.

Telethon raises $539K to help local children

The 22nd annual Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon aired recently on WKTV NewsChannel 2. Broadcast live from the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica, the telethon raised $539,462, which will be used to support programs, services and equipment that benefit women’s and children’s services at FSLH. Above, Kristen Copeland and Jason Powles from WKTV NewsChannel 2 interview Brenda Merena, who is holding 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Child Elise. “This year’s telethon was one of our most successful, surpassing last year’s total by more than $14,500,” said Andrea MacDiarmid, CMN coordinator. CMN raises funds year-round. Contact MacDiarmid at 315-624-5454 or amacdiar@ mvnhealth.com to arrange a fundraiser or make a donation for CMN Hospitals. Miracle Home Makeover tickets are also available for $100 each and may be purchased by calling 315-624-5600.

July 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 11

Nothing to sneeze at

Planning ahead, making lifestyle changes can alleviate seasonal allergies

By Mary Christopher

B

efore spring’s pollen, mold and dust mites wreak havoc on allergy sufferers, they should think ahead to combat the itching, sneezing and wheezing before it even starts.

Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating well and adding extra vitamins into a daily regimen could help alleviate or prevent allergy attacks.

“If a person smokes, then you are making a bad situation worse,” said Porus Dhabhar, an allergist and internist at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

Chemicals and smoke from cigarettes cause inflammation of the lungs, nose, throat, and sinus cavities and also compromises the immune system, exasperating problems that come with pollen and dust allergens. Smoking also affects the sinuses, which can make symptoms of congestion, itchy eyes and throat and sneezing all the worse.

“Severe allergies will be affected by this once grass pollens and dust-mite season approaches,” Dhabhar said.

The biggest culprits that cause allergy flare-ups in the Mohawk Valley are tree and grass pollens that are powdery and easily airborne from being wind blown. Mold can also trigger allergy issues, and is found throughout the Utica area in the spring because of the lack of sunshine during the winter months.

Common allergy symptoms include itching in the eyes and back of the throat, eye swelling, wheezing, hives, rashes and eczema that can be so bad that a person may need to visit an allergy specialist.

When symptoms become bothersome, a person should first try using over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines (Benedryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and pseudoephedrines (Claritin-D) for treatment in the appropriate seasons.

Taking regular formulas — not the non-drowsy options — before bedtime will circulate in the bloodstream the next day to treat symptoms for 24 hours, according to Prevention magazine.

It is also important to make your doctor aware of which medications you

are using to ensure there are no interactions with other medications because allergy drugs are powerful, Dhabhar said.

Diet is another factor that should be taken into consideration because mucous-forming foods, such as sugar, gluten, wheat and dairy, cause mucous membranes to thicken. This allows dust and pollen to easily get stuck in the tissue and then irritate and swell.

The American diet is largely made up of wheat and dairy-rich foods that cause the body to react as if it is fighting a virus. Eating them in excess can cause nasal congestion.

“Some people are severely allergic and it all goes back to the gut,” said Carolyn Cesari, a nutrition counselor and holistic healer in Clinton. “About 60 percent of the immune system is in and around the large intestine, so it is all about what you are eating.”

High doses of vitamin C and herbal

remedies would help stave off bad allergy attacks and help put a person back into a normal rhythm. There are many types of homeopathic preparations that take care of different pollens specific to the Northeast, Cesari said.

Maintaining regular bowel movements is also vital in flushing out pollen and mite invaders.

“When the colon is working well, so are the lungs and sinuses,” Cesari said. “Keeping the junk food out allows a big chance for staying well.”

Guidelines posted

Here are nine common habits that make allergies worse, according to the Prevention magazine website (www. prevention.com): • Too much stress and not enough sleep can stimulate the production of blood proteins that cause allergic reactions.

• Drinking too much alcohol.

Bacteria and yeast in alcohol produce

histamines and can irritate allergy symptoms.

• Taking medications that block histamines too late in the season will not work at their best. Begin taking allergy medications a few weeks before the season starts.

• Not using a hot setting on the washing machine will not fully rid clothing and sheets of mites.

• Keeping certain houseplants, such as orchid, palm, ivy, yucca and ficus can irritate allergy-prone people.

• Skipping evening allergy medications • Swimming in chlorinated pools • Smoking and inhaling second-hand smoke • Showering in the morning only.

Rinsing off after work will rid the body of pollen particles trapped on the body, hair and clothes and will prevent it from spreading inside the home.

Study: Obesity rates climbing worldwide

W

orldwide, there has been a startling increase in rates of obesity and overweight in both adults (28 percent increase) and children (up by 47 percent) in the past 33 years, with the number of overweight and obese people rising from 857 million in 1980 to 2.1 billion in 2013, according to a major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, published in The Lancet.

However, the rates vary widely throughout the world with more than half of the world’s 671 million obese individuals living in just 10 countries — the United States (more than 13 percent), China and India (15 percent combined), Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Page 12

•

Germany , Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Over the past three decades, the highest rises in obesity levels among women have been in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Honduras and Bahrain, and among men in New Zealand, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

In high-income countries, some of the highest increases in adult obesity prevalence have been in the USA (where roughly a third of the adult population are obese), Australia (where 28 percent of men and 30 percent of women are obese), and the UK (where around a quarter of the adult population are obese).

The findings come from a com-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

prehensive new analysis of the global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults aged 20 years and older and children and adolescents aged 2-19 years between 1980 and 2013.

The authors warn that the study presents a worrying picture of substantial rises in obesity rates across the world and say that concerted action is urgently needed to reverse this trend.

Led by Professor Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in the United States, a team of international researchers performed a comprehensive search of the available data from surveys,

reports, and the scientific literature to track trends in the prevalence of overweight (body mass index of 25kg/m² or higher) and obesity (BMI of 30kg/ m² or higher) in 188 countries in all 21 regions of the world from 1980 to 2013.

Key findings include: • In the developed world, men have higher rates of obesity than women, while the opposite is true in developing countries. Currently, 62% of the world’s obese people live in developing countries.

• The greatest gain in overweight and obesity occurred globally between 1992 and 2002, mainly among people aged between 20 and 40.

The Social Ask Security Office

Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

The law of Medicare here to stay attraction Column provided by the local Social Security Office

M

edicare went into effect 48 years ago on July 1, 1966.

Earlier that same year, Medicare workers went door to door trying to get seniors to sign up. Medicare was not the cornerstone then that it is today and people did not know whether it was going to work for the long haul.

Now, nearly half a century later, Medicare remains one of the most popular government programs in the nation.

We can’t see the future, but one thing’s for sure: Medicare is here to stay.

Medicare provides health insurance to more than 50 million Americans. Forty-two million are people age 65 and older and the other 8 million are younger and have disabilities.

Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65.

The four parts of Medicare are parts A, B, C, and D. • Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care and home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A premium-free since it is earned by working and paying Social Security taxes.

• Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover services from doctors and other outpatient health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment and some preventive services. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. In 2014, the premium for most people is $104.90, the

Q&A Q: I can’t find my Social Security card. How can I get a new one?

A: First, consider whether you really need a new card. You only need to apply for a replacement Social Security card if you don’t know your Social Security number or if you need to show your card to a new employer or other entity. If you decide that you do need a card, you can replace it for free in three easy steps.

• Step 1: Complete an Application For a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).

• Step 2: Show us documents proving your: – Identity; and – U.S. citizenship or immigration status.

• Step 3: Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center. You’ll receive your replacement card in the mail in about 10 to 15 days.

You can find all the information you need, including what documents you will need to submit at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Q: How can I calculate my own retirement benefit estimate?

A: We suggest you use our Retire-

same as it was in 2013. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Medicare Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll when you are first eligible, also known as your initial enrollment period. There also is a Medicare Part B deductible of $147 in 2014.

• Part C (Medicare Advantage) allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. This plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, and may include extra benefits and services at an extra cost. You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in Part C. Monthly premiums vary depending on your state, private insurer, and whether you select a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization.

• Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Many people pay a premium for Part D. However, people with low income and resources may qualify for extra help from Social Security to pay the premium and deductible. To see if you qualify for extra help visit www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

Will you be age 65 soon? Even if you decide not to retire, you should consider applying for Medicare. You can apply in less than 10 minutes using our online Medicare application. Do it today at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

ment Estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator. Our Retirement Estimator produces estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record, so it’s a personalized, instant picture of your future estimated benefit. Also, you can use it to test different retirement scenarios based on what age you decide to start benefits. For example, you can find out your estimated monthly payments if you retire at age 62, 70, or anytime in between. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

Q: How do I earn Social Security credits?

A: “Social Security credit” (sometimes referred to as a “quarter of coverage”) is the measure of your work under the Social Security program. We use your total covered yearly earnings from both wages and/or net earnings from self-employment to compute Social Security credits. The amount needed for a credit increases automatically each year as average wages increase. For example, in 2014, you earn one credit for each $1,160 of wages or self-employment income. You can receive a maximum of four credits for any year. Generally, you need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits.

Learn more by reading our publication, How You Earn Credits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

T

hrow a ball up in the air. You are certain that it will come back down. You believe in the law of gravity.

The law of attraction is just as certain. What the law of attraction says is: Whatever you give your attention to is drawn to you. You draw to yourself what you think about.

I’m here to say that it works. It has worked for me. It will work for you.

You get what you think about, whether you want it or not. You draw to yourself the essence of what you think about. If you think about things you desire, they will come to you. If you think about the things you don’t want, they will come to you.

A hot sexy friend of mine fell madly in love with a man much younger. Though the age difference concerned her, she married him anyway.

They were happy togethPierce er, except for one thing.

She was terrified that he would leave her for a younger woman.

She worried about this every day.

She’d say, “Oh, he works with all these beautiful young girls — he’s sure to fall for one of them and leave me.”

You can probably guess what happened. He came home one day to tell her he was leaving for someone his age.

I don’t think he would have left her if that had not already been her reality — If she hadn’t sent those thoughts out to the universe.

Thoughts of what you do want have that same power.

The law of attraction works whether you understand it or not. It works whether you believe it or not. Because I didn’t used to believe it. I thought my friends were being overly optimistic when they talked about it. But then I began to notice that it was working for me even if I didn’t believe it.

You attract to yourself what you think.

The universe constantly rearranges itself to support your idea of reality.

If you’re always thinking “life sucks,” you’re going to see a lot of dismal stuff coming your way.

On the other hand, if you think, “I’m a blessed, fortunate human being,” you will be a blessed, fortunate human being. I really believe that.

What we say to ourselves, even if we don’t believe it, does work on us.

This is how it works

How does the law of attraction work? First, be clear about what you want. Give it some thought. Say, “I want a man in my life” or “I want more money in my life” or “I want more friends.”

It’s not your job to make it happen.

Your work is simply to determine what you want.

Next, after you have stated your July 2014 •

desire, give it attention. Focus on it.

Say, “I will have this.”

The best way to do that is to create an “attraction box,” or a “dream board.”

Collect things that represent your desires. Cut out pictures that represent what you want: pictures of a cruise ship, pictures of going through Spain on a motorcycle, or climbing a mountain in Alaska. Or, write down on paper what you want.

Each time you put something in your box or on your wall, you are offering hope, and hope is essential. Pay attention to that which you desire.

You don’t have to figure out how to achieve it; let the universe figure that out. It will come to you.

Watch your doubts; don’t limit yourself. Don’t say, “I want to publish the story of my life, but I don’t think I could,” or, “I can’t afford a cruise.” Instead say, “Somehow it will come into my life.” Be careful not to put reasons out there why it won’t work.

Third step: Believe it is possible.

“This will happen.”

Even the Bible supports the law of attraction.

“Ask and it shall be given you.”

Increase your odds of it happening.

Place yourself where you are likely to encounter whatever you desire. I am looking for a man, so I volunteer at a military museum.

This is how my attraction box worked for me. I’m recently divorced.

My goal is to live with a man in a nice house. So I cut out pictures of nice houses. Ever since I moved into my apartment, I was sick with an illness that doctors couldn’t diagnose. They finally told me I was allergic to my apartment and the only way I would get well was to move out.

I found a house to rent. So here I am, moving into the house I wanted, but all by myself.

I went back to my attraction box to look at all the pictures I’d collected. No man in the pictures; just a house. I got what I asked for. Guess the universe is telling me it’s not time for a man in the picture.

Soon after I moved into to my house, a man came into my life. He asked me to move into his nice house with him. But he wasn’t the right man, so I said no. That’s why I’m totally sold on the fact that the law of attraction works.

• Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” contact her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com, or contact her if you have any concerns you would like her to address.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Doctor reaps fruit of hard work Continued from Page 4

lose the extra weight immediately after delivery. Exercise is key at all times, even during the pregnancy.

Q.: How do you keep up with the latest research and developments in obstetrics/gynecology? How much time does it take?

A: Staying up to date requires a proactive approach. Being a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, I receive multiple journals in our field, all of which contain new research and studies. I try to dedicate at least 20-30 minutes of every evening to go through some of these journals. That usually constitutes my bedtime reading time. I guess that’s when the kids are asleep and I get some free time. In addition to those journals, maintaining my current certification requires reading about 120 selected articles annually to fulfill that requirement.

Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare?

A.: Healthcare has always been a challenge to our profession.

“Obamacare” is the latest one. But just like with anything new, there are always positives and negatives. Regardless of what it represents to us, it is here and we have to deal with it.

We are moving more and more toward socialized medicine, something that they have been doing in Europe for many years. So if medicine survived there for so long, I have no doubt that we will too.

Q.: How will Oneida Healthcare cope with a predicted shortage of doctors and nurses in the future?

A.: Well without a doubt, the shortage of doctors and nurses is a problem for everyone and not just Oneida Healthcare. Unfortunately, the first to suffer this shortage is the patient.

On the organizational level, Oneida Healthcare has been aggressive about recruitment and I have no doubt it will be more aggressive and competitive in the future when the shortage gets worse. On an individual level, all of us who are a part of this organization will have to put in more effort and commitment so that our patients don’t suffer from this shortage.

Q.: What suggestions do you have to improve your specialty in the future?

Is it possible for a doctor at the local level to make changes in healthcare or is it best left to fulltime researchers working at universities or private labs?

A.: All members of this specialty, including myself, carry the burden of making sure it continues to thrive and improve. Anyone can make a difference. Even though we are a local hospital, we still have affiliations with teaching university hospitals where much of the research is being done. We have regular meetings and contacts with individuals within these programs where our opinions and observations can be relayed, and I am sure that that’s the case with most local hospitals. So the burden of improvement lies on all of us.

Q.: What do you do to relax from a stressful job?

A.: I love my job and I enjoy every moment of it. I am reaping the fruit of my hard work and dedication during college and medical school. Having said that, the moment I come home and my kids run to me and climb all over me before I even put my bag down, cleanses any sense of tension I had throughout the day. Playtime with the kids is very precious and very healing.

I am also very engaged in regular exercise and in martial arts, both of which are great avenues that keep me healthy both mentally and physically.

Survey: Increased need statewide for primary care docs

N

ew York state’s physician shortage continues, with a significant need for primary care physicians, according to a recent report by the Healthcare Association of New York State.

HANYS’ 2013 physician advocacy survey of hospitals and health systems found a need for 1,026 physicians statewide, excluding New York City, 26 percent of which are primary care physicians.

As the Affordable Care Act assigns hospitals and health systems to create healthier communities with an emphasis on preventive care, 63 percent of respondents said their primary care capacity did not meet patient need.

Ninety-seven percent indicated primary care sites as part of their sysPage 14

•

tems: 76 percent have off-site extension clinics; 55 percent have off-site hospital-owned ambulatory care practices; and 60 percent have on-site ambulatory care practices. Seventy percent of respondents indicated that recruitment of primary care physicians was very difficult.

Looking to non-physician clinicians to fill that void, many members said they were also having difficulty recruiting both nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“As our hospitals and health systems across New York state transition to population health management, they are met with a significant need for primary care doctors to fill these critical roles,” said HANYS President Dennis Whalen.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

Prepare for ticks when planning outdoor activities

Nasty critters can create chaos

N

ow that warmer weather has arrived, so have the ticks.

If the number of patients coming to the emergency department at Rome Memorial Hospital with tick bites is any indication, it looks like there are a lot of ticks in the area.

Hospital officials caution anyone who plans on participating in outdoor activities to take precautions to prevent bites by ticks, which may carry disease-causing bacteria.

“We have already seen an increase this spring in the number of people coming to the emergency department with tick bites,” said Rome Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Director Loretta Myers. “This is the most significant increase we have seen at this point in the season in at least the past three years.”

Removing a tick can be difficult and Myers stressed that it is important to be sure that the entire tick has been removed.

Those who remove a tick at home should bring the insect with them to the emergency department or their personal physician so that it can be inspected.

If you are not sure how to remove the tick, go directly to the ED or your physician’s office to have it removed.

A tick is a small brown bug that attaches to the skin of a person or animal.

It feeds by sucking blood and it can be as small as a poppy seed or as large as a sunflower seed.

Ticks carry disease that can be transmitted to humans through their bite.

The most common tick-borne disease in this area is Lyme disease, which is spread by the black-legged or deer tick. Symptoms of the disease usually

appear between three and 30 days after being bitten.

Lyme disease symptoms include a “bull’s-eye” shaped rash around the bite site, joint pain, fever, chills, muscle aches and tiredness.

Other tick bite-transmitted diseases include babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These illnesses also have flu-like symptoms and may or may not have a rash.

“Anyone who has been outdoors in an area that may have ticks, who then develops a rash or flu-like symptoms, should see their doctor or come to the emergency department right away,” Myers said.

Most tick-related illnesses are treated with antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.

When outdoors, take precautions to prevent tick bites.

Stay away from grassy, wooded or brushy areas and stay on cleared paths and the center of trails. Wear longsleeved, light-colored clothing and tuck pant legs into your socks.

Use insect repellent containing DEET, following the product instructions for application carefully.

Keep grass cut and remove piles of dried leaves from around your home.

After being outdoors, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. Check with your veterinarian about tick protection for your pets.

For more information about tick bites and tick-related disease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ ticks/.

Want results?

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

The Ragin’ Cajun

By Jim Miller

How to make an online memorial Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about online memorials? My uncle recently passed away, and some of the family thought it would be neat to create an online memorial to pay tribute to him, and accommodate the many family and friends who are scattered around the country who couldn’t attend his funeral.

Grieving Niece Dear Grieving, It’s a great idea! Online memorials have become increasingly popular over the past decade, as millions of people have created them for their departed loved ones as a way to recognize and remember them.

Online memorials?

An online memorial is a website created for a deceased person that provides a central location where their family and friends can visit to share stories, fond memories, photographs, comfort one another and grieve. The memorial can remain online for life (or a specific period of time) allowing people to visit and contribute any time in the privacy of their own space.

Online memorials started popping up on the Internet in the late 1990s, but were created primarily for people who were well known. But now, these sites are for anyone who wants to pay tribute to their departed family member or friend, and ensure they will be remembered.

Content typically posted on an online memorial includes a biography, pictures, stories from family and friends, timelines of key events in their life, along with favorite music and even videos.

Another common feature is the acceptance of thoughts or candles offered by visitors to the site who want to send their condolences and support to the

grieving party.

An online memorial can also direct visitors to the departed person’s favorite charity or cause to make a donation, as an alternative to sending funeral flowers.

How to make one

To make an online memorial, you can either create an independent website, or use an established memorial site, which is what most people choose to do. Memorial websites are very easy to create and personalize, and can be done in less than 30 minutes.

There are literally dozens of these types of sites on the Internet today. To locate them, do an online search for “Online Memorial Websites.” In the meantime, here are a few good sites to check into.

The biggest and most established site in the industry is Legacy.com, which also publishes about 75 percent of the obituaries in North America each year through its newspaper affiliations. Creating an online memorial through this site (see memorialwebsites.legacy.com) will run you $49 for the first year, plus an annual $19 sponsorship fee to keep it visible.

Some other popular sites to check out are ForeverMissed.com, which offers a free barebones option, along with a premium plan that runs $35 per year or $75 for life; and iLasting.com, which runs $49 per year or $99 for permanent display.

If you’re on a tight budget consider LifeStory.com, which is completely free to use, but requires you to log in through Facebook to get to it. And iMorial.com, which is free if you allow ads to be posted on your uncle’s page, or it costs $50 without ads.

Or, if your uncle used Facebook, you can also turn his profile into a memorial for free when you show proof of death. Once his page is memorialized, his sensitive information will be removed and his birthday notifications will stop, but (depending on his privacy settings) it still enables family and friends to post memories and condolences. In addition, you can also request a Look Back video, which is a short video created by Facebook highlighting your uncle’s pictures and most liked status messages.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

By Malissa Stinger

Going to a gluten-free diet

Knowledge is power when it comes to major diet transition

S

o you have removed gluten from your diet. Now what?

As gluten is in all bread products, where and how do you begin?

The first place to start is to understand the basics. To understand how to substitute gluten-free flour for wheat flour, it helps to know a bit of basic food chemistry.

This explanation will be simple so even if you’re terrible at chemistry, don’t be afraid to keep reading.

Flour is made by grounding grains, legumes, nuts or seeds into a fine powder. The flours we are most familiar with are made from wheat, which is off limits on the gluten-free diet.

Flours made from barley and ryes are also off limits.

Stinger Fortunately, many gluten-free flours from a variety of grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are sold in stores.

With gluten-free cooking and baking, it helps to know what gluten does before you try to work without it.

Oddly enough, freshly milled wheat flour does not actually contain gluten.

What it does contain is two proteins — glutenin and gliadin — that turn into gluten when they come in contact with liquid. This is what gives the elastic feel that binds and holds it together.

Gluten helps dough rise.

Two other factors that affect the development of gluten are the amount of water that’s added to the flour (the more water, the more gluten, and the chewier the dough), and the amount of mixing or kneading. Kneading helps the bonded gluten molecules form into long elastic strands or sheets.

That’s why dough can rise when yeast has been added. The yeast gives off gasses that are trapped by sheets of gluten molecules and the dough rises.

Different types of wheat flours have different amounts of gluten development. Bread flour develops a lot of gluten, while cake flour is relatively low in gluten because cakes should be less chewy than pizzas and breads.

Gluten gives important properties to regular dough, so if you simply eliminate it without compensating for it in some way, you’ll have disappointing results. Here are tips for successful baking with gluten-free flours: • Buy or make a gluten-free flour mix. If you just need to coat something in flour before you sautee it, you can get away with single-grain gluten-free flour.

But for baking, gluten-free flours work better when used in combination.

For thickening sauces and gravies, use cornstarch or potato starch rather than gluten-free flour.

Start with a gluten-free flour mix that can be substituted one-for-one for

July 2014 •

wheat flour in recipes. Many commercial ones are available, or you can buy the individual flours and make your own mix.

• Bake breads and rolls in containers with walls.

Without gluten, bread loafs and rolls don’t hold their shape.

Bake bread in loaf pans or Bundt pans, and use muffin tins for rolls. For sandwich bread, use a loaf pan.

• The sticky effect created by gluten can be simulated to a certain extent by adding gums, such as guar gum or xantham gum. These gums are only added to recipes in small amounts — such as 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour — and are already included in some of the commercial gluten-free flour mixes.

• Because gluten is a protein, it can help to add some protein to baking recipes when you’re substituting gluten-free flours for wheat flour. For instance, try replacing half a cup of water in your recipe with egg or liquid egg whites.

• Read gluten-free cookbooks and Internet sites for suggestions.

• Protect against cross-contamination with gluten. For example, don’t prepare gluten-free foods on the same surface used to prepare foods with gluten unless it’s been thoroughly cleansed. Make sure your utensils have been thoroughly cleansed after preparing gluten-containing foods.

Even better, have separate sets of utensils for gluten-free food preparation. Always use different sifters for gluten-free and regular flours.

• Make sure to store gluten-free flour in the refrigerator or freezer. This advice is particularly important if you buy your flours in bulk. If you store your flours in the freezer, let them come to room temperature before you use them.

Learning a new way of cooking in the beginning can be overwhelming.

Those who have celiac disease have a lot on their plate when faced with having to learn a brand new way of life and eating.

My best advice is not let yourself get stressed. There are numerous websites with ample amounts of information out there that will help you. Take it one step at a time.

The most important thing is to learn labels.

Contact me at jman41904@gmail. com if you have any questions.

• Malissa Stinger is a gluten-free chef and cooking instructor based in Camden. Her “Ragin’ Cagun’ column appears regularly in Mohawk Valley In Good Health.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 15

H ealth News FSLH makes staff announcement

FSLH adds outpatient lymphedema therapist

Rebecca A. Deeley has joined the level II special care nursery in The Birthplace at FSLH. The special care nursery is the only level II in the Mohawk Valley and allows babies to receive treatment close to home and families.

Prior to joining FSLH, Deeley worked as a neonatologist at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pa., and Community Medical Center in Missoula, Deeley Mont.

She also worked as a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s Specialty Group — Division of Neonatology in Norfolk, Va. Deeley received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., and her Doctor of Medicine from UMDNJ — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, N.J. She completed an internship and residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., and a fellowship in neonatology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Deeley is board certified in neonatology and general pediatrics.

Margaret J. Celebi recently joined the Regional Rehabilitation Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica as an outpatient lymphedema therapist and works in conjunction with The Regional Cancer Center.

Celebi previously worked as director of rehabilitation services for the Presbyterian Celebi Home of CNY/ PORT in New Hartford.

She has also worked as rehabilitation services supervisor for Seco Physical Therapy in Norwich and as director of rehabilitation services for Valley Health Services in Herkimer.

Celebi received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from Russell Sage College in Troy and her doctoral degree in physical therapy from Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Faxton St. Luke’s bolsters medical staff Candace R. Correa, a radiation oncologist with 21st Century Oncology, has joined The Regional Cancer Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

Prior to joining FSLH, Correa worked as a radiation oncologist in The Center for Women’s Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. Correa reCorrea ceived her Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Michigan, College of Engineering in Ann Arbor, Mich., and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. Correa completed a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y.; fellowships in clinical breast cancer research at the University of Pennsylvania, department of radiation oncology, and at Oxford University, early breast cancer trialists’ collaborative group in Oxford, U.K.; an internship in internal medicine at the University of Michigan, department of internal medicine; and a residency in radiation oncology at the University of Michigan, department of radiation oncology.

Page 16

•

SDMG names new IT director Michael Anthony Petucci was recently appointed as director of information technology services at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

Petucci joins the group with over 24 years of experience in information technology. He has earned a variety of network support and security certifications demonstrating his skills Petucci in installation, configuration, operation, security and troubleshooting of complex computer networking.

Additionally, Petucci is a certified professional in healthcare information management systems.

With over 14 years of previous experience in the healthcare field, Petucci has expertise in planning, organizing, and managing telecommunications and computer networking for a large healthcare facility.

Petucci graduated from Empire State College with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in management information systems and telecommunications.

He earned his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Herkimer County Community College.

Petucci is in the process of completing his Master of Business Administration in technology management at SUNY Institute of Technology.

In addition to his professional activities, Petucci is active in his community as the director of the New York

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

State Magistrates Association Executive Committee, a member of the Fifth Judicial District Town and Village Courts Advisory Committee and Peer Review Group, and a member of the Herkimer County Community College Information Systems Advisory Board.

and board eligible in cardiovascular disease and echocardiography.

Throughout his training, Mohammed has authored several article and case studies related to cardiovascular disease and has had his work published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine.

SDMG names new director of human resources

Report: RMH best for low C-section rates

Frank V. Servadio has been appointed director of human resources at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, New Hartford.

Servadio joins the group with over 30 years of experience in employee relations, including staff and leadership development, recruitment, performance appraisal, and employee satisfaction.

Servadio He has 14 years of experience in human resources particularly in the healthcare field, having previously held the position of human resource manager for a healthcare facility in Syracuse.

Servadio earned his Masters of Science degree in management from SUNY Binghamton and his Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in human services from SUNY College of Technology.

In addition to his professional experience, Servadio serves as an instructor for the Center for Family Life and Recovery’s Drinking and Driving Program.

Rome Memorial Hospital’s goal to deliver healthy babies to healthy mothers and reduce C-section rates has earned top ranking with Consumer Reports.

According to a recent report, the hospital has the lowest C-section rate in New York state.

The scores are based on C-section rates for mothers who anticipate a lowrisk delivery.

For the last several years, the physicians, midwives and nursing staff at RMH have been working together to avoid unnecessary C-sections, resulting in shorter hospital stays, reduced complications and a quicker recovery time for the mother, according to Deborah Worth, director of perioperative and maternal services.

In 2012, RMH’s primary C-section rate was 5.7 percent, the lowest of the 20 hospitals in the region, according to Worth.

SDMG strengthens cardiology department Ilyas Mohammed has joined Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford in the specialty of cardiology.

Mohammed is a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist specializing in coronary and structural interventions.

Mohammed uses minimally invasive Mohammed techniques to diagnose and treat a variety of heart conditions, including coronary, heart valve, and congenital heart diseases.

Mohammed completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pa. He previously completed his cardiovascular disease fellowship, as well as an internal medicine internship and residency, at Lankenau Medical Center.

Mohammed earned his medical degree from Osmania Medical College in India. He is board certified in nuclear cardiology and internal medicine,

UCP names ‘Caring Person of Year’ Eileen LaBarbera was recently named the 2013-2014 Upstate Cerebral Palsy Caring Person of the Year.

She was honored with this distinction at the UCP annual meeting recently at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre.

The award recognizes people who have consistently served the community in their commitLaBarbera ment to supporting individuals with special needs as well as taking an active role in making the Mohawk Valley a better place to live.

LaBarbera has been an agency volunteer, supporter and board member for many years. She is involved with the UCP Aspire program and advocates for job readiness and volunteering in the community.

“Eileen always speaks from the heart with a tone of compassion and respect for the hundreds of children, adults and their families who receive services at the agency each year,” a UCP spokesperson said.

UCP is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families.

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16

UCP selects employees of year JoAnn Barry, community habilitation aide from Forestport, and Terry McClouskey, case manager from Herkimer, were recently recognized as employees of the year at Upstate Cerebral Palsy for 2013-2014.

Both were honored with the distinction at the UCP annual meeting at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre.

The employee of the year award honors individuals who go above and beyond the typical responsibilities associated with their positions and who exemplify the agency’s values of excellence, passion, integrity, caring and respect all year long.

Barry has worked at the agency for nearly 20 years and continually goes above and beyond to assure that each of the individuals with whom she works is given every opportunity to lead a full life, according to a UCP spokesperson.

McClouskey has worked at the agency for 25 years and is part of the care management team.

She works with people to help them maintain stability in their lives but will also takes steps toward helping them gain independence.

Health plan exceeds government standards Excellus BlueCross BlueShield paid out $864 million more for medical care on behalf of its insured membership than what federal and state standards required for the first three years of newly required reporting, officials said recently.

To cap profits and administrative costs of health plans in order to maximize medical benefits to consumers, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and state regulations set certain medical benefit spending levels for insurers.

In the third consecutive year of the new rules and reporting, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield well exceeded the standards for the benefit of its membership.

“Our members are getting high value from the premiums they pay,” said Christopher Booth, chief executive officer of the health plan. “Collectively our members get more hospital and physician services, prescriptions and other medical benefits throughout the year than what federal and state government standards require.”

Excellus BCBS reports that it spent 94.2 percent of premium revenues on medical benefits for its individual direct pay membership, 91 percent for small groups and 91.8 percent for large groups in 2013.

KIDS Corner Baby gate-related injuries nearly quadrupled since 1990

Researchers call for advances in gate design, increased caregiver education

I

f you are a parent, chances are you have used or will use a baby gate at some point. Baby gates are designed to help protect young children from stairs and other dangers around the home. If you use these in your home, take note. A new study from researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital has found gates can lead to injury if used incorrectly.

The study, published in the MayJune print issue of Academic Pediatrics,

is the first nationally representative study to examine injuries associated with these gates. From 1990 through 2010, emergency departments in the United States treated an estimated 37,673 children younger than 7 years of age for baby gate-related injuries. That is an average of 1,794 per year, or about five injured children per day.

More than 60 percent of the children injured were younger than 2, and they were most often injured by falls down stairs after a gate collapsed or

Out of $3.9 billion in premium revenues collected last year, the health plan paid out $3.6 billion in medical benefits for its customers, about $292 million more than federal and state mandates require.

Complete Streets resolutions adopted Herkimer County HealthNet has awarded four municipalities with bicycle racks and recreation and crosswalk signage through a Complete Streets incentive program.

The four communities include the villages of Cold Brook, Ilion, and Middleville as well as the town of Webb, which have adopted Complete Streets resolutions for their municipalities.

The Complete Streets incentive program is a component of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County grant.

The Complete Streets program is tasked with making roadways safer and more accessible for all users and all abilities — for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, people in wheelchairs, seniors and transit riders.

“Properly utilizing streets will promote better health and wellness in our communities and enhance our county’s infrastructure, furthering safety and economic development in Herkimer County,” said Adam Hutchinson, executive director of Herkimer County HealthNet.

when it was left open, leading to soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains and traumatic brain injuries. Children aged 2-6-years-old were most often injured by contact with the gate itself after climbing on it, which can lead to cuts.

“Baby gates are essential safety devices for parents and caregivers, and they should continue to be used,” said Lara McKenzie, the study’s co-author and a principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “It is important, however, to make sure you are using a gate that meets the voluntary safety standards and is right type of gate for where you are planning to use it.”

McKenzie recommends parents think of pressure-mounted gates as products that should only be used as room dividers or at the bottom of stairs because those kinds of gates are not designed to withstand much force and will not prevent a fall down stairs.

For the top of the stairs, only gates that have hardware, which needs to be screwed into the wall or railing, will be strong enough to prevent a child from falling down the stairs.

The fact that the rate of injury associated with this safety product nearly quadrupled during the time period covered by the study, going from 3.9 per 100,000 children in 1990 to 12.5 per 100,000 children in 2010, shows more can be done to prevent these types of July 2014 •

A reduction in speed limits in school zones, which slows down motorized traffic, creates a safer environment for children who walk or ride their bicycles to school. State highways throughout New York state have created wider shoulders for safer bicycle lanes.

For more information, contact Alison J. Swartz at Herkimer County HealthNet, 315-867-1499 or by email at ajswartz@herkimercounty.org.

Abraham House offers volunteer training Abraham House is looking for volunteers to care for its terminally ill guests as well as for “buddies” to assist with household needs and companionship of their guests.

Individuals can volunteer around their schedule even if it is once a month or even once every three months.

Volunteers can do either two- or four-hour shifts.

One-to-one mentoring will be provided for those interested in volunteering in this role.

Abraham House provides a secure and loving home without charge to the terminally ill in the community.

Abraham House is located at 1203 Kemble St., Utica.

Call Abraham House at 733-8210 to register or register on-line at www. theabrahamhouse.org.

injuries. Study researchers recommended a combination of efforts to educate families on correct ways to use gates and changes in gate design to reduce these types of injuries.

Tips to help reduce gate-related injuries • Use hardware-mounted baby gates at the top of stairways. Gates that only press against walls, called pressure-mounted gates, are not secure enough to prevent falls.

• Install gates in homes with children between 6 months and 2 years of age.

• If possible, remove the gates when the child turns 2, or when the child has learned to open the gate or climb over it.

• If removing a gate is not possible because of other children in the home, use a gate without notches or gaps that could be used for climbing.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 17

CALENDAR of Show us your Ace’s Angle

By Amylynn Pastorella

HEALTH EVENTS happy side!

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Continued from Page 2 be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. July 20 at Camp Sitrin on Graffenburg Road in Frankfort.

The event, co-sponsored by the Sitrin Health Care Center, is free for all children 15 years of age and younger.

Children are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Registration will be available at Camp Sitrin on the day of the event.

Volunteers are also needed. Contact Cara Bulson-Arcuri at 315-737-2255 or Bill Girvan at 315-736-5738 to volunteer or for more information.

July 20

STARS program welcomes paddling participants The Sitrin STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) paddling program is welcoming new participants.

The program offers several outings for individuals with physical disabilities throughout the summer and fall.

Family members and caregivers are also invited to participate.

Dates and locations include: • July 20 — Brown Tract Pond • Aug. 16 — River and Rail • Sept. 13 — One Square Mile of Hope, Inlet • Oct. 4 — Black River out of Kayuta Lake Kayaks, canoes, and other paddling equipment will be provided. Participants should register at least one week prior to the paddling date.

There is no cost to participate.

Transportation is not included. Participants must meet Sitrin staff at the paddling locations at 10 a.m.

New participants are required to complete a training course at Sitrin before attending a paddling session.

Instruction includes safety awareness, necessary equipment modifications, as well as stroke technique.

To register for an upcoming event, contact Marc DePerno at 315-737-2459 or visit www.sitrin.com for more information.

July 29

Women at the Well to gather Women at the Well will meet from 6:30–8 p.m. July 29 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The faith-based group meets on the last Tuesday of each month. Drop-ins are welcome.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@TheGoodNewsCenter.org or visit www.

TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Page 18

•

Aug. 2

Abraham House schedules bottle drive Abraham House will be conducting a bottle drive from 8 a.m. until noon Aug. 2 at Daniele’s, 8360 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford.

Abraham House will be collecting bottles in Daniele’s parking lot. Bottles and cans can also be dropped off anytime during the week of July 28 at Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St., Utica.

For further information, call Abraham House at 733-8210.

Abraham House provides a secure and loving home without charge to the terminally ill in the community.

Aug. 21

Little Falls Hospital plans 12th annual Golf Classic Little Falls Hospital will host its 12th annual Golf Classic on Aug. 21 at Cedar Lake Golf Club, Clayville.

Proceeds from the event will support renovations and expansions of outpatient services at LFH. This year’s captain and crew event will include hole-in-one prizes sponsored by Fuccillo Autoplex of Nelliston.

The Golf Classic will begin with registration from 9-11 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m.

The price for green fees and cart, lunch, dinner and prizes is $130 per golfer. Non-golfers may join for dinner for $50.

Sponsorships are available at various levels.

All interested participants or sponsors are encouraged to contact community relations and development at 315-823-5326 or by email at k.reese@ lfhny.org.

Sept. 21

Utica Kidney Foundation plans walk The Utica Kidney Foundation Walk Committee has begun planning the Sept. 21 event to be held on the grounds of the Masonic Care Community.

This year’s walk will be held in honor of Terry Roberts, who recently lost his battle with kidney disease. Roberts worked many hours year round to be sure the walk was supported by the community, bringing hundreds of donated items for the auction and for walkers to enjoy.

One in three Americans are at risk to develop kidney disease.

The purpose of the walk is to raise funds vital to aid in awareness, prevention and treatment for Central New Yorkers.

Log in to www.cnykidney.org to sign up.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

Readers urged to submit their happy memories, stories

Y

ou may be like me: When something is going on in life, I gravitate toward certain songs or quotes.

A quote I recently related to is: “There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the drama and the people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

Love the people who treat you right.

Pray for the ones that don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life; getting back up is living.”

It’s good, right?

My initial thought of this quote was agreeing that life is too short to worry and stress about things that are or should be.

The point I want to make in this month’s column is that happiness should be at the forefront of our lives.

Amid stress, worry, anxiety and fear, we should immediately put our blessings and enjoyable moments ahead of the negativity.

I know it may be difficult. Too often we hear: “I’m fighting addiction.”

“My marriage is failing.” “My company may lay me off because of budget cuts.” “The doctor’s report was not what I wanted to hear.”

Just because we live around hardship doesn’t mean our lives have to be filled with hardship.

My goal for this month’s Ace’s Angle is to not only reintroduce it, but to recreate this column for you. I want us to live happy, healthy lives.

When I think of being healthy, I think of mind, body and soul health.

If one piece of our puzzle is out of place, our entire being can be placed in disarray.

I don’t have a medical degree, so I can’t give you a health diagnosis, but I can provide answers to your questions based on research, advice for your concerns, and a listening ear if you would like to share any thoughts.

I challenge you to a call to action.

For July, going on the theme of happiness, I beckon you to share your stories of times when you are happy, what makes you happy, or memories or words of wisdom for being happy.

I’ll even start it off. I have many memories. I have probably mentioned that I am a cancer survivor. I am 31 years old and am a 29-year survivor of a rare form of cancer.

Amylynn Pastorella is shown with her beagle, “Samson.”

I feel so good to participate in the Relay For Life in Utica. It’s a great way for me to say thank you to all those who helped me through my diagnosis.

Also, this past year I became the aunt to two beautiful babies. When my niece and nephew smile, all the ugly in my world goes away.

I love to make them laugh, crawl on the floor with them, have a screaming contest with my niece to see who is louder, and talk “goo-goo” with my nephew.

I have to brag and say that my beagle Samson is the best dog to come home to after a long day at work. I recently had to board him for a week and I think separation anxiety away from him was worse for me!

So, now it’s your turn. Send me something you want to share. You are valued readers and I think I can speak for our entire team and say we appreciate the time you take to read our newspaper each month.

That is why I think that happiness can be contagious. The more we spread it, the more people will feel lifted and encouraged. I know we all go through difficult times, but let’s improve our health one step at a time.

Contact me at 315-527-0234 or email me at acesangle@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

• Amylynn Pastorella is a staff correspondent for Mohawk Valley In Good Health.

Guaranteed results!

Advertise in Mohawk Valley In Good Health!

Call 749-7070 today!

READY TO SERVE ALL YOUR OB/GYN NEEDS TODAY... AND TOMORROW!

James L. Pfeiff, M.D.

Mehri L. Del Pino, M.D.

Krislyn L. Flint, M.D.

Hazem Qalla, M.D.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN'S CARE!

EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR MOM AND BABY!

WOMEN’S HEALTH A S S O C I A T E S

WELCOME TO THE CIRCLE OF care !

(315) 363-9380 139 Fields Drive Oneida, NY 13421

www.womenshealthoneida.com

Little Falls Hospital presents 2014 Burke Scholarship Anna Huhko of Herkimer High School is the 2014 recipient of the $500 Dr. Bernard J. Burke Scholarship. The Little Falls Hospital medical staff developed the Burke Scholarship Award in 1997. The scholarship is presented annually to a deserving student in the LFH service area who plans to pursue a career in the health field. Huhko will be pursuing a career in nursing. Above, Mark Winther, medical director at LFH, presents the award to Huhko.

Report: Number of cancer survivors will reach 19 million in next decade

T

he number of cancer survivors in the United States will rise from the current 14.5 million to nearly 19 million by 2024, a new report predicts.

Cancer rates have been falling for 10 years, but the number of cancer survivors is rising due to factors such as earlier detection and better treatments, the American Cancer Society said.

“The growing number of cancer survivors in the U.S. makes it increasingly important to understand the unique medical and psychosocial needs of survivors,” report author Carol DeSantis, an American Cancer Society epidemiologist, said in a cancer society news release.

“Despite the fact that awareness of survivorship issues has increased, cancer survivors face numerous, important hurdles created by a fractured health care system, poor integration of survivorship care and financial and other barriers to quality care, particularly

among the medically underserved,” she said.

In 2014, the most common cancers among female survivors are breast (41 percent), uterine (8 percent) and colorectal (8 percent). Among male survivors, the most common cancers are prostate (43 percent), colorectal (9 percent) and melanoma (8 percent).

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Americans, but is only the eighth most common among cancer survivors due to its low survival rate.

Among cancer survivors, 64 percent were diagnosed five or more years ago and 15 percent were diagnosed 20 or more years ago. Only 5 percent of cancer survivors are younger than 40, while 46 percent are 70 and older. Survivors’ age ranges vary substantially by cancer type. For example, 62 percent of prostate cancer survivors are 70 and older, while only 32 percent of melanoma survivors are in this age group.

MVHI team generates most funds for heart run

The American Heart Association has recognized the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute team at the America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk for raising the most pledges for cardiac research of any team in 2014. The MVHI team has earned this distinction since 2009. Above, Dick Mattia, executive director of the AHA, congratulated the team that is composed of staff members from St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare as he presented a plaque to Debra Hellinger, MVHI team captain. MVHI is a collaboration of SEMC and FSLH, which provides cardiac-care services at both campuses. FSLH and SEMC are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

July 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 19

For Your Health…

Weight Loss Surgery

July 7 • July 17 August 4 • August 21

FACT: Bariatric (weight loss) surgery can be a powerful tool in controlling, even curing, Type 2 diabetes.

Tracy Walker, NP Kenneth Cooper, DO Jeffrey DeSimone, MD CNY Surgical Physicians

Learn the facts about bariatric surgery and meet our team at one of our informational seminars to see if it’s an option for you!

Now accepting MVP! Proud to be a nationally recognized bariatric surgery Center of Excellence.

Irregular heart beat?

Don’t delay in seeing your physician

By Barbara Pierce

I

nearly died when I was 55.

My body was in good shape.

After all, I did aerobics three times a week, never ate fast food, ate vegetables, never smoked or did drugs, rarely drank, and had no family history of heart problems.

That well cared for body failed me; almost totally.

After a typical day at work, I was more tired than usual that night; I fell asleep earlier than usual. When I got up to go to the bathroom during the night, I fell onto the floor.

I had been married only a year. Having my new husband throw me over his shoulder, speed to the ER, then spending the next 10 days in intensive care for a massive stroke that left me paralyzed on the left side Antzelevitch wasn’t what I thought my future held.

I did slowly recover. As my stroke was caused by atrial fibrillation, I continue to take a blood thinner religiously to prevent another stroke.

Many people don’t survive a stroke. Many who do survive have serious consequences. I give thanks every day for my outcome.

“It’s a stroke of the hand of God,” said my general practitioner. “Because it’s so capricious, unpredictable and unexplainable.”

A few years before I had my stroke, I had noticed I had an irregular heart beat every now and then. My GP said it was nothing to be concerned about.

He was totally wrong. An irregular heartbeat, or AF, is something to be very concerned about.

“If you have a fast, irregular heart rhythm, seek medical help without delay,” cautioned Charles Antzelevitch, executive director of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica.

“Better safe than sorry.”

The MMRL is an internationally recognized biomedical research instiPage 20

•

tute. For its size, there are few institutes worldwide whose cutting-edge research is as productive and influential in the field of experimental cardiology.

Heartfelt mission

The primary mission of the nonprofit institute is to conduct high-quality basic and clinical research aimed at generating knowledge and information necessary for development of the medical cures and treatments of tomorrow.

AF causes at least 25 percent of strokes in the United States, said Anzelevitch. The reason this happens is that in AF the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of pumping the blood effectively. The blood stagnates, which can lead to the formation of clots. The clots may travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Also, when one has AF, the risk of dying from a stroke is higher, said Anzelevitch.

Often, there is no identifiable cause of AF. It can be linked to a number of heart and lung disorders. Hypertension, hyperthyroidism and binge drinking can predispose a person to the development of AF. Some forms of AF are inherited, in which case the arrhythmia may appear at a very early age, even in infants.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2014

There can be no symptoms of AF at all, or the symptoms can be as severe as congestive heart failure, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

The most common symptoms of AF include heart palpitations (pounding, racing or irregular heartbeat), dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness

of breath, and decreased blood pressure. The irregular heartbeat can be intermittent as mine was.

Medication is usually used to treat AF. The blood thinner Coumadin, or the generic warfarin, has been the standard for many years and is the most widely used medication to treat AF, explained Anzelevitch. It prevents the blood from stagnating and throwing off clots. It requires regular testing to insure the dose is correct. There is a need for a new medication.

Medications and/or treatments to reset the heart rhythm and control the heart rate are often given in combination with a blood thinner. Several medications and other treatments were tried on me to attempt to get my heart rhythm back to normal. They all failed, and I continue to have AF consistently, which does not seem to compromise me; I am active and thriving 20 years after my stroke.

For more information on AF or the MMRL, see its website at www. mmrl.edu/ or call 888-888-6675.

The ability of this unique nonprofit institute to forge new frontiers in the fight against heart disease is in direct proportion to the resources it has, and it welcomes donations to further the fight.

HERKIMER FARMERS MARKET Every Monday through October 13th 1 PM to 5 PM

Support Local, Eat Well, Live Well See our events at: www.herkimerfarmersmarket.com We accept SNAP (Formerly Food Stamps) For any questions Call Cat Macera at 315-895-0138 or email to: cat@herkimerfarmersmarket.com