Anahad O’Connor recently wrote a blog in the New York Times about the correlation between excess weight and acne.  The following is an excerpt from his article:

Replenish Blood

Help your body function more efficiently by allowing it to replenish your blood supply regularly. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports that when you donate blood, your body replaces the blood volume within 48 hours of donation, and all of the red blood cells you lose during donation are completely replaced within four to eight weeks. This process of replenishment can help your body stay healthy and work more efficiently and productively.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/96891-health-benefits-donating-blood/#ixzz1hNUL2t8o

Reduce Heart Attack Risk

Improve your cardiovascular health overall by donating blood. Florida Blood Services reports that regular blood donors who donate regularly over years have an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks and a 33 percent lower risk of any severe cardiovascular event, such as a stroke.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/96891-health-benefits-donating-blood/#ixzz1hqemMSoj

Dr. Oz’s health blog recently posted that a new Omega-3 oil may have emerged that has long been consumed by, get this… whales.  The following is from author Kristin Kilpatrick MS, RD, LD:

“For years, research has demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids help lower an individual’s risk for heart attack, stroke, certain cancers, depression and overall inflammation. The type of omega-3s to take, however, has not always been clear. Omega-3s are broken down into three main components; ALA, EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are found in marine sources and are the best-absorbed forms of omega-3 fatty acids. ALA is found in plant-based foods such as walnuts, algae and soybeans. It’s a great source, especially for vegetarians, but may not be as well-absorbed as their marine counterparts.

Although the oils found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon (taken either in whole-food form or in a pill) have been widely popular, many individuals are concerned about other toxins contained in the oils extracted from the farmed versions of these fish

Due to this, krill oil has emerged as the next leader in the wonderful world of omega-3s. Just like fish oil, krill oil contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 family, EPA and DHA. In contrast to fish oil, EPA and DHA from krill oil come attached to phospholipids, mostly phosphatidylcholine. That structural difference leads to better absorption and delivery of DHA to the brain (in animal models). In addition, krill oil contains a potent carotenoid antioxidant, astaxanthin, that may prevent EPA and DHA oxidation.

A 2007 study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that 300mg daily supplementation of krill oil resulted in significant decreases in inflammation and arthritic symptoms in cardiac and arthritis patients. Other studies have found that krill oil works as effectively as omega-3s from other sources, yet at a much lower dose. Furthermore, krill oil has been found to raise our good HDL cholesterol and lower our triglycerides as well.

Krill oil is found in tiny crustaceans, similar to shrimp, and is the main food source for whales in the Antarctic Ocean. It is found to be a more sustainable source of omega-3s because it’s extracted at the bottom of the food chain and is located in one of the cleanest oceans due to its low occurrence of commercial fishing. These two factors make for an omega-3 source that is virtually free of toxins, metals and PCBs.

It’s important to note that krill oil has not been studied as thoroughly as fish oil; however, it may be effective as an alternative until further research can be done on humans. In the meantime, krill oil appears to be safe for human consumption and chockful of benefits.”

(via)

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? If you’re like most people, your day revolves around a big meal shared with family and friends. While it can be fun to feast during the holidays, remember that being healthy is a year-round commitment. So take some easy steps to enjoy the day but be good to your heart, too.

• Take the turkey. Lean protein is great for you, so feel free to add turkey to your plate. Just leave off the skin and watch the portion size.

• Make room for veggies. Fall vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals, so reserve half of your plate for roasted squash, sweet potatoes, and other seasonal superstars.

• Watch the starches. Sure, mashed potatoes can be delicious, but they may be laden with heavy cream and butter. Take just a little.

• Don’t get stuffed. Stuffing is a huge part of Thanksgiving. If you have a choice, stick with a version that has celery, pears, or other interesting crunchy ingredients. That way you’ll get some fiber along with your tasty treat.

• Be careful of the casseroles. For some people, cornbread casserole or green bean casserole is a mainstay of the Turkey Day meal. But these dishes are often high in fat and cholesterol. If you just can’t do without, make do with a small portion.

• Stick with whole grains. Help yourself to a whole grain roll, not a buttery white one.

• Make a toast. Unless alcohol is an issue for you, feel free to have a glass of wine. Red wine can be good for your heart—just don’t overdo it. Experts suggest that women have no more than one drink a day, two for men.

• Enjoy dessert. It’s hard to say no to the dessert spread that may be in front of you. Try a tiny sliver of pumpkin or apple pie, and hold the whipped cream. Pair your pastry with herbal tea to help you relax.

There’s no reason not to take pleasure in your holiday feast, but be sure to practice moderation. If you can, make time for a walk after dinner so you can burn a few calories. And if you settle in to watch some football, steer clear of the beer and munchies. You can cheer for your team without overindulging.

To learn more about heart-healthy nutrition, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362. Serving St. Petersburg and all of Tampa Bay, we’re here to answer all your questions.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

American Heart Association

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Have you had your shot yet?

As we enter the fall, remember that flu season is officially here and will continue until next spring. While it can peak at any time, the worst months can be January through March. Each year, approximately 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized because of influenza. So take the time now to find out how to protect yourself and your family.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising everyone age six months and older to get a flu shot. You can get one from your primary doctor, or you can visit many drugstores and supermarkets throughout St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area.

Precautions

Though it may be difficult to prevent the flu for everyone, there are some precautions you can take.

• Get an annual flu shot. The vaccine changes each year so it can tackle the particular strain that is expected.
• Wash your hands. Be sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. This helps control the spread of germs.
• Use a tissue. When you sneeze or cough, use a tissue and then throw it away. If you cover your nose and mouth with your hand, you just carry the germs with you.
• Get rest. Keep your body strong by getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re already tired or weak, you’re more apt to get sick.
• Stay home. If you do get the flu, stay home from work or school. Otherwise, you can spread the illness to others.

Symptoms

Very often the symptoms of flu can come on quickly. Here are some typical ones:

• Fever (sometimes quite high)
• Headache and muscle aches
• Extreme tiredness
• Chills
• Dry cough
• Runny nose (usually more common with children than adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

If you think you have the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. These medications attack the flu virus and stop it from spreading throughout your body. Antibiotics, however, do not help treat the flu. Other options are over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, analgesics, decongestants, and cough suppressants. These will help ease your symptoms.

To learn more about flu and its prevention, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-3627. We want to help keep you well.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Florida Department of Health
Edward White Hospital

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Top Tips to Stay Healthy This Flu Season

Influenza viruses, commonly referred to as the flu, cause highly contagious respiratory illnesses with symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Young children, the elderly, and those with health complications are especially at risk when it comes to complications related to the flu. This season, keep yourself and your family healthy by lowering the risk of coming down with the flu.

Consider the Flu Vaccine

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receives a flu vaccine.  High-risk individuals, such as teachers and health care workers, are especially advised to get vaccinated. The vaccine comes in the form of a quick injection or a nasal spray and is widely available during the flu season. Ask your health provider which vaccine is right for you and your family, and what the possible side effects may be.

Be Smart About Germs

You can lower your flu risk simply by preventing the spread of germs. While it’s more difficult to enforce preventative measures with young children, begin teaching good hand washing techniques as early as you can. Cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue, throw tissues away when they’re used, and wash hands frequently. Keep travel bottles of hand sanitizer around for times when you can’t wash with soap and water.

Stay At Home If You’re Sick

Don’t be a hero. Familiarize yourself with flu symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue and body aches. If you’ve got flu symptoms, stay at home. The CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after a fever. This goes for your school-aged kids as well. Leave the house if you need to get medical attention, but otherwise, be good to yourself and get plenty of sleep and fluids.

Practice Healthy Habits

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and good habits as part of your daily routine. This means regular exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep at night. Stay on top of stress and other factors that can influence your immune system and increase your likelihood of getting sick. Schedule routine checkups with your health care provider and ask for personalized advice on staying healthy year-round.

If you have further questions, you can learn more about flu prevention at Edward White Hospital. Need a physician referral? Just call our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-243-3627.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, shoulder pain is considered chronic when it lasts 6 months or more. Many Americans complain of pain in one or both shoulders. There are a variety of injuries, illnesses, and life experiences that can result in shoulder pain. The treatment options vary widely depending on the cause and source of the pain as well as your own preferences.

If you have persistent shoulder pain that will not go away, your doctor may schedule you for an MRI or another test to try to determine the cause of the pain. Muscle tears, inflamed joints, swelled tendons, fractured bones, and arthritis are common causes of the pain.

Modification of Physical Activity: Some shoulder pain occurs only during certain body movement, such as reaching overhead or lifting heavy objects. Your doctor may suggest that you modify your daily activities to avoid irritating the shoulder. Some activities such as kayaking, golf, weightlifting, or throwing may need to be reduced or eliminated from your lifestyle. This is the easiest solution for shoulder pain that occurs only during certain activities.

Medication: Some shoulder pain can be managed with medication. There are anti-inflammatory medications and short-term opiate medications that may curb pain when taken under your doctor’s supervision. Injections of corticosteroids directly to the area can also relieve shoulder pain for some chronic suffers.

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be successful in managing chronic shoulder pain. You can see a therapist as an outpatient. The best results are expected when the specific underlying cause of the pain is known and the patient can do the exercises on a daily basis. There are stretching activities that can loosen the muscles. Repetitive exercises can build strength. Heat and ice are often applied as part of the process as well.

Sports Medicine & Exercise: Shoulder pain can be prevented and managed through exercise and good posture. Many shoulder injuries occur while playing a sport or participating in other physical activities. A sports medicine specialist is trained to help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future injuries through exercise and other physical activity.

A good balance of exercises for flexibility and strength is required. Holding a position with the chest out, shoulders back, and shoulder blades and elbows pulled down toward your back pockets for 5 seconds at a time throughout the day can relieve and prevent some pain. Other exercises include overhead presses, rowing exercises, lateral pull downs, and bench presses. Consult with a doctor or trainer before beginning your exercise regimen.

Orthopedic Surgery: Most doctors will have patients try less invasive treatments before turning to surgery. In some cases, surgery is required for chronic shoulder pain. The surgery may be able to reverse existing damage through repair and resurfacing. In some cases, a shoulder replacement is required.

Don’t let chronic shoulder pain stop you from living your life. The Orthopedics & Spine center at Edward White Hospital can help your explore your options. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse at 1-888-243-3627 for a physician referral.

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September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Take this opportunity to find out more about your own cholesterol and see if you need to lower it. High cholesterol can affect anyone of any age. There are no symptoms, so you may not even realize you have it. You should get a blood test from your doctor at least every 5 years during your adult life. Children with risk factors such as obesity or heart disease should also be tested.

Cholesterol is necessary in proper levels for your body to function. Your body makes some, and your diet contributes the rest of the cholesterol in your body. When your levels are too high, it is a problem because the waxy substance that results sticks to your arteries and reduces blood and oxygen flow.

Knowing your numbers can help you make decisions about diet and exercise. Your LDL (low-density lipoproteins) level is the “bad” cholesterol. Your HDL (high-density lipoproteins) is the “good” cholesterol.

Your total cholesterol number (LDL + HDL + other lipid components) should be 200 or less, but here is the breakdown.

• LDL: Optimal is lower than 100 mg/dL; 100 – 129 is near optimal; 130 – 159 is borderline high; 160 – 189 mg/dL is high; 190 mg/dL or higher is considered at risk.
• HDL: Optimal is 60 mg/dL or higher; lower than 40 mg/dL in men or 50 mg/dL in women is considered risky.

Your triglycerides level is also an important factor. Optimal is 150 mg/dL or lower.

If any of your measurements are out of the optimal level, you should consult a doctor about lifestyle changes and possible medication. You can manage a healthy weight by increasing your fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and reducing dairy and meat. Exercise for 30 minutes or more 5 days a week, and do not smoke. If these strategies are not enough, talk to your doctor about medication that can help.

Edward White Hospital can help you measure and improve your cholesterol levels. You can learn more about cholesterol from our Health Library. Call Consult-A-Nurse at 1-888-243-3627 if you are ready to be tested.

Sources:
Edward White Hospital
What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
Prevention & Treatment of Cholesterol

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Stroke affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year. In fact, it is the number 3 cause of death in this country, and a leading cause of long-term disability. Stroke is caused by a blockage or constriction in the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, a stroke may occur.

Strokes are often associated with older people. However, nearly a quarter of all strokes occur in people younger than 65. Hospitalizations for stroke are on the rise, so everyone should know the signs.

Signs of Stroke

• Numbness that appears suddenly in your face, arm, or leg can be a sign of stroke. If it is isolated on one side of your body, it is likely a stroke.
• If you experience confusion of difficulty in your ability to understand, speak, or communicate, it may be a sign of a stroke.
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes is another sign.
• If you have difficulty walking due to dizziness or loss of balance and coordination, you may be having a stroke.
• A sudden and severe headache with no discernable trigger or cause may also be a sign.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also appear with other ailments, so you need to see a doctor right away to determine if you have had a stroke. If the symptoms stop shortly after they begin, you may have had a mini-stroke, called transient ischemic attack. You still need to consult a doctor immediately as this can be a sign of a larger stroke to come.

The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of recovering from a stroke. A medication given within three hours of the onset of symptoms has a good chance of breaking up the clot.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. The Stroke Center at Edward White Hospital will care for you and get you on the road to recovery.

Sources:
American Stroke Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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