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Jordan Hospital Health Minute
February 4, 2013
Got Knee Pain?
Joseph Zabilski, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
Jordan Hospital & Plymouth Bay Orthopedics
Hi I'm Dr. Joseph Zabilski, orthopedic surgeon at Jordan Hospital and Plymouth Bay Orthopedics. Are you suffering from KNEE pain due to osteoarthritis?
If so, Jordan Hospital may have a solution for you using a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robot arm system called MAKOplasty.
MAKOplasty takes partial knee resurfacing to a new level of precision that cannot be achieved through traditional knee replacement techniques.
The potential benefits over a total knee replacement include a more rapid recovery; a shorter hospital stay and a more natural feeling knee.
Jordan Hospital has achieved one of the lowest complication rates in knee, hip and shoulder surgery in Massachusetts, and has teamed with Drs. Oliver, Stanwood, Rightmire, Kenniston and myself to be one of the first community hospitals on the South Shore and Cape Cod to offer this innovative technology.
To find out more, call Plymouth Bay Orthopedics at 781-934-2400, or Jordan Hospital at 1-800-2JORDAN.
January 21, 2013
Got Sinusitis Pain?
Bernard Durante, MD
Otolaryngology Department
Hi, I’m Dr. Bernard Durante at Jordan Hospital’s Otolaryngology Department in Plymouth. Are you suffering from sinus blockage and pain? If so, you may have an inflammation or infection of the sinuses known as sinusitis.
Your sinuses are cavities in the facial portion of your skull, and lined by mucosa. When your sinuses become inflamed they do not drain properly and this can lead to an infection and pain. Sinusitis symptoms include: pain in the face, cough, fatigue, fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, toothache, facial tenderness, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, postnasal drip.
If you are suffering from sinus congestion and pain, try using a nasal spray or over-the-counter sinus medication.
If your symptoms do not subside after a few days, consult your primary care physician or call us at 508-746-8977 for an appointment to treat your sinus discomfort.
December 24, 2012
Got Back Pain?
Ian Paskowski, DO
Director, Jordan Hospital Spine Center
Hi, I’m Dr. Ian Paskowski, director of Jordan Hospital’s Spine Center in Plymouth. The holiday season puts our bodies through much stress as we juggle daily activities. Through it all, our skeletons and muscles carry the weight of the stress and react to the strain. Did you know that back pain affects 90% of those 30 years and older? Many also experience neck, shoulder, and hip pain.
Whether your pain comes from a weekend sports activity, yard work, or simply sitting in an office chair all week, if your pain level does not go away in a few days, a doctor’s visit is suggested.
When low back pain occurs, I recommend that you avoid bed rest and remain active. Ice placed on the pain site for 15 minutes helps reduce muscle swelling. Using an anti-inflammatory medication may help as well. As the pain decreases a gradual return to normal daily activity is recommended. Develop a simple and effective self-care strategy that works for your back pain. Start with a healthy diet, control weight gain, exercise, don’t smoke and enjoy a healthy social life.
Got back pain? Call us at 508-830-6991.
December 24, 2012
Getting Enough Sleep?
Mike Nista, Manager
Jordan Hospital Sleep Center
Hi, I’m Mike Nista, Manager of Jordan Hospital’s nationally-recognized Sleep Center in Plymouth.
Do you have or know someone with a sleeping disorder? Chances are pretty good the answer is yes!
More than 50 million Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder and up to 20 million suffer from sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and death.
Common signs of a sleep disorder are: - You don’t feel rested after 7 to 8 hours of sleep - Your arms or legs jerk often during sleep - You use stimulants to stay awake during the day - Your snore loudly, and make choking sounds or even stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep - Or, falling asleep without warning, especially while driving.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your primary care physician. They will recommend a consultation with a sleep disorder specialist. Or, call the Jordan Hospital Sleep Center at 508-746-1072.
December 17, 2012
Quit Smoking
Bette Antonellis
Jordan Hospital’s Quitters Tobacco Treatment Program
Hi, I’m Bette Antonellis from Jordan Hospital’s Quitters Tobacco Treatment Program.
With New Year’s fast approaching, it is important to find a worthy resolution to commit to, and quitting smoking is one resolution that should be at the top of the list. According to The National Cancer Institute, cigarette smoking causes nearly one of every five deaths in the United States.
To help kick smoking for good try to: • Become better informed on the subject of smoking. There are more than 4,000 toxic chemical compounds in one cigarette that slowly kills a smoker. • Spend some time identifying your personal reasons for quitting • Create a list filled with the benefits of quitting. Go over the list everyday to reinforce the commitment. • Determine why you smoke and develop healthier ways to handle stress, anxiety, boredom or social activities. • Break the behavioral ties you have with smoking by changing your routine and environment. If coffee is a trigger switch to tea for awhile. • Think ahead and be prepared for difficult situations, such as others smoking at family gatherings or social activities.
Help is available. There are many services, such as a smoking cessation classes, hypnosis, acupuncture and cessation medications that may help you quit smoking for good. Get support to keep motivated and moving forward. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health!
December 10, 2012
Prostate Cancer Risk & Screening
Ted Morgan, MD
Jordan Hospital and Plymouth Bay Urology
I’m Dr. Ted Morgan, urologist with Jordan Hospital in Plymouth. Do you have a family history of prostate cancer? Lately, there has been some confusion regarding when to receive a prostate cancer screening. Recently, the U.S Preventative Services Task Force recommends against routine prostate cancer screening. It is true that prostate cancer is a slow growing tumor, and as a general statement most men who have the disease will die from other causes, not prostate cancer.
At Jordan Hospital, we recommend that younger men with a family history of prostate cancer get screened. Open the discussion with your primary care doctor to determine if prostate cancer screening is appropriate for you. Or, call me or Dr. Craig Gillard at 508-732-6770.
Prostate cancer is a treatable disease and early detection will save lives.
December 3, 2012Breast Cancer Risk & ScreeningLisa Tito, MDJordan Hospital Breast CenterI’m Dr. Lisa Tito, breast surgeon at Jordan Hospital’s Breast Center in Plymouth. I’m often ask by my patients, “Am I, or my daughter, or my sister at risk for breast cancer?”. The answer is, yes, all women are at risk for developing breast cancer and the incidence increases after age 40. Therefore, we recommend that even without significant risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, all women must begin having mammograms every year by age 40. There is a small group of women who have a much higher incidence of breast cancer compared with the general population. These women are offered a more aggressive screening protocol, including breast MRI, and risk reductive strategies. The Jordan Hospital Breast Center has a risk assessment program that helps us identify women who have an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer when they come in for their screening mammogram.
November 26, 2012
Ten Stress Busters
If you're stressed, whether by your job or by something more personal, the first step to feeling better is to identify the cause. The most unhelpful thing you can do is turn to something unhealthy to help you cope, such as smoking or drinking.
10 stress-busting techniques:
BE ACTIVE
If you have a stress-related problem, physical activity can get you in the right state of mind to be able to identify the causes of your stress and find a solution. Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling, clearing your thoughts and enabling you to deal with your problems more calmly.
TAKE CONTROL
There’s a solution to any problem. That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing.” The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it's a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else.
CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
A problem shared is a problem halved. A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way.
HAVE SOME ‘ME TIME’
The extra hours in the workplace mean that people aren’t spending enough time doing things that they really enjoy. Take some time for socializing, relaxation or exercise. Try setting aside a couple of nights a week for some quality "me time" away from work.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Setting goals and challenges for yourself, whether at work or outside, such as learning a new language or a new sport, helps to build confidence. That in turn will help you deal with stress.
AVOID UNHEALTHY HABITS
Don't rely on alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping. Over the long term, these crutches won’t solve your problems. They’ll just create new ones. You need to tackle the cause of your stress.
TRY VOLUNTEERING
Evidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, become more resilient.
WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Good time management means quality work rather than quantity. Our long-hours culture is a well-known cause of workplace illness. Working smarter means prioritizing your work and concentrating on the tasks that will make a real difference to your work.
BE POSITIVE
Look for the positives in life, and things for which you're grateful. Write down three things at the end of every day which went well or for which you're grateful.
ACCEPT THE THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE
Changing a difficult situation isn't always possible. If this proves to be the case, recognize and accept things as they are and concentrate on everything that you do have control over.
November 19, 2012
Stroke: Seconds Count
Mark DeMatteo, MD
Emergency Department
Did you know that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults? A stroke occurs in the brain when blood flow is interrupted—this can lead to brain cell death from a lack of oxygen. Knowing the signs of a stroke could save you or a loved one from disability or death. Potential warning signs include:
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Seconds count when someone is having a stroke. Immediate treatment can save lives and enhance one’s chance for successful recovery.
At Jordan Hospital, we recommend that you call 9-1-1 to get fast stroke treatment.
November 12 , 2012
Flu Season
Connie Schmidt
Infection Prevention and Control
With winter upon us, the flu season is not far behind and there are simple steps you can do to limit your chance of getting the flu.
Seasonal flu activity peaks in January and February, but it can begin in October and linger until May. Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It spreads when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks and droplets containing their germs land in your mouth or nose. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.
Flu symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and chills. The best defense: get a flu shot.
The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older to get the flu vaccine. It’s important to get the vaccine if you, someone you live with or care for is at high risk of complications from the flu. These include seniors, children, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes.
v Be flu-free this winter and get your flu shot today.
For more information about the flu, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
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