Chdc fall 2017

2017

BEST OF

Local Living Healthcare

COMMUNITY HEALTH & DENTAL CARE Family Health Issue Breast Cancer Awareness / Get Your Mammograms Holiday Stress, Anxiety & Depression Your Home. Your Community. Your Life.

Volume 2, Issue 3 www.ch-dc.org

OBGYN Medical Center in Montgomery County, PA Meet Our OB/Prenatal and GYN Providers: Maria A. Tucker, MD

Founder and Medical Director of Total Woman Health & Wellness OB/GYN

Krista Dankiw-Ludwig, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC Nurse Practitioner with Total Woman Health & Wellness OB/GYN

Jessica Williams, MD

Physician with Total Woman Health & Wellness OB/GYN

Our Mission: Community Health and Dental Care’s mission is to identify gaps in health services, and to ensure access, to appropriate levels of care for all people in the service area regardless of their ability to pay.

CHDC is not a free clinic. Health care discounts are offered based on family size and income determined by Federal poverty guidelines and renew annually. Patients who do not wish to apply for the discount may sign a refusal form, but do not give up the right to apply at any time.

CHDC staff members are available to assist patients with insurance concerns, the health care discount application, setting up payment plans, and answering questions in order to ensure access for services at CHDC. CHDC also offers referral assistance along with on-site Case Management who is able to assist patients with eligibility requirements for government programs.

2 Local Living Volume 2 Issue 3

NOTE FROM PUBLISHER

Karen A Kovacs Publisher Patti Fitzpatrick/You & I Designs Art Director Blair Johnson Director of Sales Susanna Koppany Marketing & Sales Manager Melinda Kovacs Accounting Manager Local Living Magazine is published by Blue Water media LLC. For more information about Local Living Magazine please visit our website at www.Locallivingmag.com, email us at info.bluewatermedia@gmail.com or call at 609-788-0443 All Rights Reserved No Part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of Blue Water Media LLC. This magazine purpose if for information & entertainment only.

It is NOT an attempt to solicit business.

Designed in the United States 2016

“A woman’s job is never done” is something I am sure we all can relate to our mothers/caregivers saying to us when we were young! It is true, as we “juggle” (and I say juggle, not balance) children, work, family, marriage, relationship’s, finances, housework, holiday stress and everyday stress it can be overwhelming; however, we as woman need to make and take time for ourselves and that includes our health and well-being! It is just like being on an airplane as the airline stewardess explains to put on your oxygen mask before you help others - we can’t do for others unless we take care of ourselves first. Yes, this is easier said then done but you can find time for yourself! The first step you can do is to schedule your annual wellness exam with one of our quality Providers and they will assist you in prioritizing your health care needs.

At CHDC, one of the best opportunities you have as a patient is to receive coordinated care for all ages that include medical, dental, vision, OBGYN, integrated behavioral health, substance abuse treatments, free transportation, referral assistance, case and care management and translation services all under the same roof! That is one stop shopping at CHDC! Understanding you have these options allows you to manage (not juggle) your time so you use it efficiently because we understand your time is precious. Many women have children and you can schedule your children’s medical appointment and have them see the hygienist the same day/time so you are minimizing the time it takes for many appointments that are needed for you and your family’s health care needs.

As a busy woman myself, I do my best to make time for myself and attend to my health by making sure I am making preventive appointments and schedule any follow-ups that are needed. It is vital as women that we take every precaution with our health because we are the caregivers for so many people and if we are not at our best then there is a ripple effect to others around us.

Once you take that step, you will feel better that you understand your body and mind and then you will have more strength to continue taking care of yourself and others. Life goes by very quick and each and every day counts so I urge all of us women to take control of our health care needs and the first step is to call CHDC and make that appointment! You will be excited once you realize how much our health center offers for you and your family. Don’t delay, call today!

Please enjoy our quarterly magazine, take some time out for yourself, find a quiet area and look through the magazine as we have worked very hard to provide you with educational materials and some fun articles - just for you!

P.S. - Don’t stress with the holiday season upon us, focus on health and well-being because that is really what should matter the most! Enjoy the holidays and take it easy on yourself and you will see a difference and be able to enjoy and possibly- relax!

Cheers,

Bridgette McGivern, CEO

Volume 2 | Issue 3

Local Living 3

CS254717K

Who

needs

a

vaccine?

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. This means you.

This season, protect yourself—and those around you—by getting a flu vaccine.

For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu

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Breast Cancer Awareness Do you know what that means?

B

reast Cancer is responsible for 30% of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in women. Women in the United States have a life-

risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and advancing age.

Additional risk factors include family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other associated cancers including prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Smoking and alcohol can also increase your chances of breast cancer (as well as many other cancers) so please quit smoking and/or drinking. If you need additional help or resources please meet with your ob/gyn provider or primary care provider to assist you to do so. Other risk factors include reproductive risk factors such as: never having a baby, longer intervals between the onset are several other risk factors for breast cancer but are less common, for example, never breastfeeding, late menopause, and hormone replacement therapy in menopause with estrogen and progestin.

We, the ob/gyn providers at CHDC, recommend mammography screening recommendations depending upon if you saw your primary care physician or ob/gyn provider, however, ob/gyn providers lege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. On the contrary, the ACS, American Cancer Society, recommends starting mammography at age 45 and does not recommend self-breast exams. Furthermore, ACS recommends to stop screening with mammography when the life expectancy is less than 10 years. ACOG guidelines state to continue screening until age 75; beyond age 75 is based on a shared decision-making process between the patient and her provider.

As a women’s health care provider, I still recommend self-breast exams, as does ACOG. It’s not invasive and you may palpate something that wasn’t there before. Another reason I still encourage selfbreast exams is so women get familiar with their own breasts. When we perform a clinical breast exam during their annual well woman has perhaps been there for years. One of the biggest complaints I receive as a provider is that mammograms are “too painful” and the patient doesn’t want to go through that again. I try to put this statement into perspective and to discuss the very short duration of discomfort versus getting diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, or possibly even a mastectomy. To me, it’s a no-brainer to get your mammogram, as they are always covered under insurance plans as preventative medicine.

Bottom line, if you’re a female and reading this article and have not yet scheduled your mammogram, please schedule your well woman exam as we would love to provide you with excellent gynecology end of 2017!

Written by: Krista Dankiw-Ludwig, WHNP-BC, CRNP Reference: Breast cancer risk assessment and screening in average-risk women.

ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 179. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2017; 130: e1-16

Volume 2 | Issue 3 Local Living 5

Autumn

Health and Safety Tips

Follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy this autumn!

Keep your kids safe and healthy.

Get involved with your kids’ activities at home and at school to help ensure they are safe and healthy.

Take steps to prevent the flu.

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year in the fall. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often.

Stay home if you get sick.

Get smart about antibiotics.

Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, but not viral infections. The common cold and the flu are viral infections, so avoid using antibiotics if you have one of these. Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, and therefore stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

Have a safe and healthy Halloween.

Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for trickor-treaters and party guests.

Test and replace batteries.

Check or replace carbon monoxide batteries twice a year when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Replace smoke alarm alkaline batteries at least once a year. Test alarms every month to ensure they work properly.

Keep food safe.

Food is center stage during the holidays. Be sure to keep it safe by following basic food safety steps. Clean hands and surfaces often. Separate foods to avoid cross-contamination.

Cook to proper temperatures. Chill promptly.

Learn your family history.

National Family History Day is observed on Thanksgiving Day. Over the holiday or at another family gathering, talk about and write down the health conditions that run in your family. Learning about your family’s health history can help you take steps to ensure a longer, healthier future together.

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Be prepared for cold weather.

Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises. Remember that using space heaters and fireplaces can increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Don’t drink and drive.

Alcohol use impairs skills needed to drive a car safely. It slows reaction time and impairs judgment and coordination.

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes.

Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let others drink and drive.

Wash your hands.

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

It’s best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use alcoholbased hand rubs.

For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/family/autumn/index.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Women’s Health

Don’t Let Holiday

Cheer Turn into Holiday Fear!

Make This Holiday Season

By Maria Serraino

Stress-Free!

Holidays can be a time of joy and relaxation, love and cheer. That is, if you’re not the one responsible for all the cleaning and decorating, planning and hosting, baking and cooking, wrapping and socializing – aside from fulfilling your everyday to-do lists, of course.

When this is the case, holidays can be particularly stressful.

And the stress tends to fall on women’s shoulders. This doesn’t mean that men aren’t involved in the prepping and planning that accompanies holiday parties, but women generally take on this role. Women often strive to be superwomen – they work, manage kids, look after their partners, study, make meals and keep a neat house. While the can-do attitude is motivating for some, for others it can cause stress and anxiety – two guests you don’t want at your upcoming holiday events.

Give yourself permission to not do something, or to do it differently.

It’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family, and to realize that it’s OK to do things differently or not at all.

Plan ahead.

Face stress by setting a timeline and target dates that set apart the realistic from the unrealistic. Look at your resources, time and energy, and adapt to changes.

Create a budget.

People have different means, norms, values and cultural understandings of what the holiday season and gift-giving means to them. Be aware of this and your own financial obligations.

Be flexible.

Remember that things don’t always go as planned and be prepared to let go of some of the control. You don’t need to take the lead on everything and you really don’t need to beat yourself up if things don’t go exactly as planned.

Develop a support system.

Sometimes women have so much going on in their lives that they are overwhelmed with activities. Teaming up with friends to get tasks done can be fun and effective and also gives you time to socialize and focus on yourself.

Make time for yourself Make time for yourself. Take fifteen minutes a day and devote it to yourself- take a bath, read, meditate, shop- whatever you enjoy.

Communicate It’s important to acknowledge the feelings you may be having and speak with family, friends, or health professional for support.

The holiday season should be about more than just running around for the perfect gift and the ideal place setting. Take the time to figure out what the holiday means to you and focus on what makes you happy this holiday season.

Ask for help.

Remember, you can do it all, just not all at once. It’s OK to ask for help and delegate responsibility. By including friends and family in your tasks, you will show them that the holidays are a joint effort.

Volume 2 | Issue 3 Local Living 7

Heart-Healthy EATING

Check the Nutrition Facts label for saturated fat.

Less than 10% of your daily calories should be from saturated fats.

• Trans fats. These fats are found mainly in commercially prepared baked goods, snack foods, and margarine.

Check the Nutrition Facts label and choose foods with no trans fats as much as possible.

•Sodium.Sodium is found in salt, but most of the sodium we eat is not from salt that we add while cooking or at the table. Most of our sodium comes from processed foods like breads and rolls, cold cuts, pizza, hot dogs, cheese, pasta dishes, and condiments (like ketchup and mustard). Limit your daily sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams (equal to a teaspoon), unless your doctor says something else.

Check the Nutrition Facts label for sodium.

Foods with 20% or more of the “Daily Value” of sodium are high in sodium.

• Oils. Sources of healthier oils and fats include

avocados, olives, and canola and olive oils.

•Added sugars.

Foods like fruit and dairy products naturally contain sugar. But you should limit foods that contain added sugars. These foods include sodas, sports drinks, cakes, candy, and ice cream.

Q: What foods should I limit to lower my risk of heart disease and stroke?

Check the Nutrition Facts label for added sugars and limit how much food with added sugars you eat.

A: You should limit:

Q: How can I tell what is in the foods I eat?

• Saturated fats. These fats are found in foods

such as pizza, ice cream, fried chicken, many

cakes and cookies, bacon, and hamburgers.

A: The Nutrition Facts label on most packaged foods has information about how many calories and how much saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars are in each serving.

Heart-healthy eating is key to lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke. Heart-healthy eating means that you eat the right amount of healthy foods from all of the food groups for your age, weight, and height.

Heart-healthy eating also means you do not eat a lot of foods that are high in sodium or have added sugars, too many calories, or unhealthy fats.

Q: What foods should I eat to help lower my risk for heart disease and stroke?

A: Choose a variety of foods from across all of the food groups.

• Fruits and vegetables. At least half of your plate

should be fruits and vegetables.

• Grains. At least half of your grains should be

whole grains.

• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products. These include

milk, calcium-fortified soy drinks (soy milk),

cheese, yogurt, and other milk products.

• Different types of protein, including seafood, skin

less poultry, lean meats, beans, eggs, soy products,

seeds, and unsalted nuts.

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For food that does not have a Nutrition Facts label, such as fresh salmon or a raw apple, you can use the MyPlate SuperTracker “Food-A-Pedia” tool at https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/foodapedia.aspx Q: What tools can help me choose foods that are good for my heart?

A: The following resources can help you choose heart-healthy foods:

• ChooseMyPlate (choosemyplate.gov). This resource is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You can use the SuperTracker tool to create a personal daily food plan based on your goals.

• Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/

health-topics/topics/dash). The DASH diet is for

people with hypertension to help them lower

their blood pressure. But it can also be used to

help prevent heart disease.

• Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/

chol_tlc.pdf, PDF file, 1.7 MB). The TLC diet

helps people with unhealthy cholesterol levels.

For more information...

For more information on heart-healthy eating, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:

Nutrition.gov www.nutrition.gov

ChooseMyPlate www.choosemyplate.gov

American Heart Association Phone: 800-242-8721 (English) or 888-474-8183 (Spanish) www.heart.org

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Phone: 301-592-8573 www.nhlbi.nih.gov

All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated

Volume 2 | Issue 3 Local Living 9

Women & Heart Disease

T

raditionally, the emphasis on heart disease has been on men and the well-known heart attack symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. When a woman has a heart attack, her symptoms may be different or subtle — potentially causing her and her healthcare providers to overlook the cause of the problem.

Women and men are different. Factors, such as a woman’s hormonal changes during menopause, have an impact on how a woman is affected by cardiovascular disease and the effectiveness and risks associated with certain treatments. Women may be less likely to ask for help when they don’t feel well.

Raising awareness among patients and healthcare providers will arm women with the information they need to take better care of themselves and their families.

10 Local Living Volume 2 | Issue 3

Heart Attack Warning Signs When a heart attack strikes, seconds count for everyone, regardless of your gender, age or eth

· Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. · Cold sweats or clammy skin. · Dizziness.

nicity. Any delay in treating your heart attack increases your chances of permanent, irreparable damage to your Warning Signs Particularly Common in Women heart—and, it could cost you your life.

Sudden onset of weakness, shortness of breath, nauIf you do find that you are having any one or a combina- sea/ vomiting, indigestion, fatigue, body aches, or overtion of any of the following symptoms, it is important to all feeling of illness (without chest pain) call 911 immediately: · Unusual feeling or mild discomfort in the back, chest, Chest pain or discomfort. Many heart attacks involve arm, neck, or jaw (without chest pain) discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. · Sleep disturbance It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, full- · Anxiety ness, or stabbing pain. But remember: Heart attacks are not always preceded by chest pain.

·

·

· Pain radiating to the neck, shoulder, back, arm or jaw. · Pounding heart, change in rhythm. · Difficulty breathing.

Volume 2 | Issue 3 Local Living 11

ental Site Coming Soon!

New Dental Siteinclude: Coming Services provided

tage Drive, Suite 802, Pottstown ACCEPTING

NEW &RDENTAL L Y L O C A MEDICAL TED NEA OUR HEALTH CEN PATIENTS DRIVE (PATIENT ENTRANCE IS THROUGH

800 HeritageMedical Drive, Suite 802

C O N V E N I E N T L Y L O C AVision TED NEAR OUR HEALTH C ON HERITAGE DRIVE (PATIENT ENTRANCE IS THR

TER MAIN

Dental

T 800 HERITAGE DRIVE)

DOUBLE DOORS AT 800 HERITAGE DRIVE)

portation Available!

Free Transportation Available!

Pediatrics

OB/GYN & Prenatal Behavior Health Services Substance Abuse Treatment

11 Robinson Street, Suite 100 700 Heritage Drive, Suite 701 800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802 Pottstown, PA 19464

Case Management Discount Pharmacy

Phone: 610-326-9460 www.ch-dc.org

Nutri�on Services Healthcare Discounts Referral Assistance Transla�on Services

ental Site Coming Soon!

New Dental Site Coming

Free Transporta�on 800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802

tage Drive, Suite 802, Pottstown 11 Robinson Street, Suite 100

Heritage L Y L O C A T E D N E A R O U700 R HEA L T H C E N Drive, DRIVE (PATIENT ENTRANCE IS THROUGH MAIN

Suite T E R701 CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR OUR HEALTH C ON HERITAGE DRIVE (PATIENT ENTRANCE IS THR T 800 HERITAGE DRIVE) DOUBLE DOORS AT 800 HERITAGE DRIVE) 800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802 portation Available! Po�stown, PA 19464 Free Transportation Available! www.ch-dc.org 800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802, Pottstown Phone: 610.326.9460 or 610.326.9463

New Dental Site Coming Soon!

C O N V(Hours E N I E Nare T L Ysubject L O C A to T E change D N E A Rwithout O U R Hno�ce.)

EALTH CEN O N H E R I T A G E D R I V E11 Robinson (PATIENT ENTRANCE IS THROUGH Street, Suite 100

Walk-in medical hours at 700 Heritage Drive, Suite 701 700 Heritage Drive, Suite 701 for established CHDC pa�ents.

800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802 FreeMon. Transportation Available!

Pottstown, PA 19464 8-4, Tues-Wed. 8-7, Thurs. 10-7, Fri. 8-4

TER MAIN

DOUBLE DOORS AT 800 HERITAGE DRIVE)

Last pa�ent will be seen 15 minutes prior to closing Phone: 610-326-9460 www.ch-dc.org

11 ROBINSON Monday Tuesday*

8am - 8pm

Wednesday* Thursday*

8am - 7pm 8am - 7pm 8am - 7pm

Friday** Saturday

8am - 5pm 8am - 3pm

*Dental only closes at 5pm. **Dental only closes at 4pm.

Now Serving the Boyertown Area

700 HERITAGE Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 7pm

802 HERITAGE (Dental) Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm

Wednesday Thursday

8am - 7pm 8am - 7pm

Wednesday Thursday

Friday Saturday

8am - 5pm Closed

Friday Saturday

Walk-in Medical Hours: Mon. 8-4, Tues-Wed. 8-7, Thurs. 10-7, Fri. 8-4

Last pa�ent will be seen 15 minutes prior to closing

Follow us on

11 Street, Suite 100 8amRobinson - 6pm 700 Heritage Drive, Suite 701 8am - 8pm 800 Heritage Drive, Suite 802 8am - 2pm Pottstown, PA 19464 Closed

www.ch-dc.org

Phone: 610-326-9460 www.ch-dc.org