Over the years, you have probably seen a lot of “Hollywood heart attacks” on TV or in movies. A character clutches at his chest, gasps a breath or two, and collapses with a heavy dose of drama. In real life, heart attacks are seldom like that. Instead, symptoms can subtly present themselves for weeks, so it’s important to know your body and what to look for.

Here are some key symptoms to keep in mind:

• Heavy chest pain, including a tight, squeezing feeling, especially after exercise, stress, or a large meal
• Chest pain that goes away but returns
• Pain that spreads to the shoulder, back, arms, and jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or weakness
• Nausea
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Extreme anxiety, like a sense of panic

In addition to these symptoms, women may also experience these signs:

• Stomach pain that may feel like heartburn
• Fainting
• Confusion
• More pronounced pain in the back or shoulder
• Extreme fatigue

If you suspect that you or a loved one is having a heart attack, don’t hesitate to get medical attention. Call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital right away. Even if it is a false alarm, it is important to be checked out by a medical professional.

Once you arrive at a hospital, a doctor will provide a thorough examination, including:

• A review of your medical history
• A physical exam, including a blood pressure reading
• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which will provide a printout of your heart’s electrical activity
• A blood test to check the levels of certain enzymes in your blood

After this examination, your doctor will explain your condition and offer advice for treatment and follow-up. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask. When your health is at stake, it’s important to understand everything you’re being told.

Edward White Hospital is recognized as an Accredited Chest Pain Center, so we are ready to evaluate any symptoms you are experiencing. To learn more, visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-243-3627. Serving St. Petersburg and all of Tampa Bay, we’re here to protect your heart health.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

American Heart Association

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While many believe yoga is a trend that has become popular in recent years, the reality is that yoga has been practiced worldwide for 5,000 years. Today, more than 11 million Americans enjoy the many health benefits yoga has to offer. Here, we name just a few ways in which this popular pastime can improve your health.

Increases flexibility. The most obvious benefit of yoga, it is also the reason so many people shy away from the exercise initially. The truth is that yoga is for everyone and can be begun at any stage of life. The best part is that most begin to see improvements in flexibility in just a few short weeks. Stretching the muscles releases the lactic acid that builds up and results in stiffness, pain, and fatigue. It can also increase lubrication in your joints and stretch your body’s soft tissue. The result is an increase in the fluidity of your body.

Keeps the heart healthy. One of the lesser known health benefits of yoga is the effect it has on the heart and heart disease. The continued practice of yoga lowers blood pressures and slows the heart rate, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Yoga is also associated with a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Improves circulation. Yoga, in addition to stretching the muscles, also stretches and massages the organs and improves circulation throughout the body. This helps to flush toxins from the body, which in turn has other benefits, such as a delay in aging and an improvement in energy levels.

Manages pain. Yoga helps to reduce or eliminate pain by helping the pain center in the brain to regulate the controlling mechanism in the spinal cord. It also helps your brain in secreting natural painkillers throughout the body. Additionally, the meditation and breathing techniques practiced in yoga improve the ability to manage pain.

Controls weight. While many styles of yoga are more vigorous than others, all styles will help improve muscle tone and help you manage your weight.

Normalizes gastrointestinal function. Practicing yoga improves gastrointestinal function in both men and women.

With so many benefits, there is only one thing left to do … get out and start practicing those poses!

To learn more about yoga, explore the many yoga studios that are available in St. Petersburg and throughout Tampa Bay. You can also get a start with Edward White Hospital’s Chair Yoga classes that meet each Wednesday at 2:30. If you have questions, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362.

Sources:

US News

Yoga.org

HealthandYoga.com

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By Laura Chiaramonti of iTriagehealth.com

Recently, with all the buzz regarding gluten you’re probably wondering what it is, and if you need to be concerned. Gluten is a protein found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye. Besides the obvious, gluten lurks in many foods, and is used as a thickener in many soups and sauces. Gluten intolerance is not a new thing, but it is now getting more attention than ever before. The reason: Gluten-free eating has a basis in science, and it does help a genuine problem.

Want to read more? Visit iTriage for the rest of the story!

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose a variety of medical conditions. The use of MRI examinations has become increasingly common because they provide a more detailed method of examining organs, tissues, and the skeletal system.

Specifically, MRI examinations are used most often to diagnose brain and spinal cord disorders such as aneurysms, multiple sclerosis, and strokes, as well tumors, spinal cord injuries, and eye and inner ear disorders. MRI examinations can also be used to check for tumors in vital organs or bones and soft tissues.

In bones and joints, MRI examinations can help diagnose joint disorders, such as arthritis; joint abnormalities caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries; and disc abnormalities in the spine and bone infections.

In the heart, MRIs can help diagnose:

• The size and function of the heart’s chambers
• Thickness and movement of the walls of the heart
• The extent of damage caused by heart attack or heart disease
• Structural problems in the aorta, such as aneurysms or dissections
• The buildup of plaque and blockages in the blood vessels

Preparing for your MRI

Unless indicated by the physician, patients are able to maintain a normal diet and medication schedule prior to the MRI procedure. Patients may be asked to wear a gown or loose-fitting clothing without metal fasteners during the exam. Patients should avoid wearing metal jewelry during the MRI examination. Also, patients should notify their physician if they have metal implants.

Women should inform their physician if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. The risk is said to be minimal, but because the baby will be in a “strong magnetic field,” pregnant women should not have this exam unless it’s completely necessary.

Patients who are claustrophobic can request a prescription for a mild sedative prior to the scheduled examination.

The Examination

During the procedure, patients are placed on a moveable examination table. They may be strapped to the table to help them stay in position throughout the exam. The table slides into the magnet of the MRI unit where the actual examination takes place. The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around the patient and directs radio waves at the body. The inside of the MRI is loud. Earplugs or music may be provided to help block the noise. During the procedure, various segments of the target area will be examined. It’s very important to be still so that images are not blurred.

Some radiologists will require a contrast material to be swallowed by or injected into the patient to enhance the appearance of certain tissues or blood vessels in the images.

Once the test is complete, patients may resume their normal activities unless they were sedated, in which case they will have to wait for the effects to subside. Nursing mothers shouldn’t breastfeed for 24 hours after an MRI, if a contrast material was used.

To learn more about MRIs or other diagnostic tests, 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 ready to answer any questions you have.

Sources:

RadiologyInfo.org

National Institutes of Health

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If you’re like many people, the thought of having a colonoscopy can make you cringe. Despite the focus on colonoscopies in recent years, most people meet the idea of having one with a great deal of trepidation. However, a colonoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for determining the cause of digestive issues and diagnosing diseases such as colorectal cancer in its early stages. In short, colonoscopies can save lives.

What Is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a diagnostic examination that allows a gastroenterologist to look inside your colon and rectum. The examination is used to determine the cause of colorectal problems and as a screening test for colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopies are often done to investigate the cause of gastrointestinal issues, such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain or diarrhea. It can also be prescribed to closer examine abnormalities found on colonic X-rays or CT scans. Also, if you have a history of polyps or colon cancer, you may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

Prior to having a colonoscopy, you must make sure your colon is completely clear. To do this, you will take an electrolyte solution, designed to flush out the system. You may also use a laxative or an enema in addition to the solution. The passage of clear stool is an indicator that this process is complete. You will also be asked to commit to a liquid diet the day before the procedure. As with any procedure, you should notify your doctor of any medications you are currently taking.

During the Procedure

Before the procedure, you will be sedated and be given a medication for pain. During a colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist inserts a colonoscope (a long, thin, flexible tube) into your anus. The tube is slowly moved through the rectum and into the colon. The colonoscope has a camera on the tip that allows the doctor to view the colon on a video monitor. To better view the colon, air is inserted. If the doctor finds an abnormal growth or polyp in the colon, a biopsy will be done and tests will be run on the polyp. This will examine the polyp for cancerous cells as a preventative measure. When the examination is complete, the colonoscope is slowly removed from the body. A colonoscopy will usually take 15 to 60 minutes.

After the Colonoscopy

After the colonoscopy, you will go to the recovery area where you will slowly return to full consciousness. The air pushed into the colon will have to come out. You will be instructed to “pass gas” in order to relieve bloating caused by this procedure. You will still be groggy afterward, so you should also arrange to have someone drive you home.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so if you are due for a colonoscopy, don’t hesitate to schedule one. If you want more information about this or other diagnostic tests, contact Edward White Hospital. Visit us online, or if you need a physician referral in St. Petersburg or throughout Tampa Bay, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362.

Sources:

Edward White Hospital

Cancer.net

Colorectal Cancer Coalition

National Institutes of Health

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By Alicia Verity, www.itriagehealth.com

In 1974 William Dufty wrote a bestseller called Sugar Blues espousing the evils of sugar and proclaiming that sugar is a highly addictive pervasive ingredient causing a host of medical problems from depression to coronary thrombosis. Nearly 2 million copies of his book have been sold. Is Dufty right? Is sugar the source of all our health ailments? Should we boycott this ingredient completely?

Want to read more? Visit www.itriagehealth.com!

You consider your employees a company asset, but do you know that it’s good business to also consider their health? Study after study finds links between the health of employees and a business’s bottom line.

Here are some simple yet important things you can do with your people in mind:

Clean regularly. Have your office professionally cleaned on a regular basis to help rid surfaces of germs, and routinely replace heating and/or cooling system air filters. Likewise, keep hand sanitizer in convenient places, including the reception desk, restrooms, and conference rooms.

Strive for a smoke-free campus. Give employees access to information and/or tools that can help make quitting smoking easier. Contact your health insurance provider to see what smoking cessation resources they offer. Implement incentives to stop smoking as added motivation along the way.

Consider ergonomics. Ergonomics has to do with the design of an object. For example an ergonomic chair or an ergonomic computer keyboard is designed to better suit its function. Provide employees ergonomic tools to help prevent conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic back problems.

Provide outlets for stress. Give employees the opportunity to anonymously communicate complaints. Suggest that employees utilize their breaks to take short walks or catnaps. Build morale by scheduling team-building exercises on company time, and solicit ideas from employees about what they’d like those activities to be.

Promote smart snacking. Make fresh drinking water and nutritious snacks readily available as an alternative to traditional snack machine staples such as soda, candy, and chips. Host healthy potluck lunches on occasion.

Encourage exercise. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week, along with doing muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week. So, propose that employees take walking breaks during the day, and work with a local gym to offer a reduced rate and the opportunity to exercise during the lunch hour. (Note that all employees should consult their physicians before beginning any exercise program.)

Provide hearing protection devices. If industrial noise is an issue at your site, find ways to prevent hearing loss. Measure and monitor noise levels, and provide employees with appropriate hearing protection devices.

At Edward White Hospital, our Company Care department is dedicated to keeping your workers healthy. We offer occupational health services, physical therapy, and worksite wellness programs for companies in St. Petersburg and throughout Tampa Bay. For more information, visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362.

Sources:

Bloomberg BusinessWeek
The Business Review
Edward White Hospital

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