June recognizes Men’s Health awareness. Why is Bon Secours concerned about Men’s Health? Men are less likely than women to seek medical care and are nearly half as likely as women to pursue preventive health visits. Local research also shows that men between the ages of 20-40 are the group least likely to access health care and are more likely to be uninsured than women. We also know that men are more likely to smoke and drink. Combine this lack of medical treatment with these behavioral choices, and we know that men are dying at higher rates than women for nine of the top ten causes of death. That’s why Bon Secours offers a comprehensive set of services to help men of all ages access preventive care, treat practically any injury or illness and take an active role in maintaining a healthy life.
Stay on top of your health by following these guidelines for checkups and screenings:
Age 20-39:
Physical Exam: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics. Recommended every three years.
Blood Tests & Urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. Recommended every three years.
EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. Baseline test recommended at 30.
Age 40-49:
Physical Exam: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics. Recommended every two years.
Blood Tests & Urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. Recommended every two years.
EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. Recommended every four years.
Chest X-ray: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer.
Age 50+:
Physical Exam: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics. Recommended every year.
Blood Tests & Urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. Recommended every year.
EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. Recommended every three years.
Hemoccult: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first sign of polyps or colon cancer. Recommended every year
Colorectal Health: A flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, that are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early. Recommended every 3-10 years
Chest X-Ray: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer.
Bone Health: Bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of your healthcare provider.
Rectal Exam: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon and prostate cancer. Recommended every year
At Any Age:
Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. Yearly screenings recommended.
Tetanus Booster; TDAP: Prevents lockjaw. Every 10 years.
Self-Exams:
Testicle: To find lumps in their earliest stages.
Skin: To look for signs of changing moles, freckles or early skin cancer.
Oral: To looks for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth.
Breast: To find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages.
Testosterone Screening: Low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs.
Join Bon Secours for Men on your journey to a healthy life. If you do not have a primary care physician, we can help you find one close to home or work. This is the first step toward understanding your risks and catching diseases early. Visit www.goodhelpdocs.com or call 804-359-WELL [9355].
The rate of new melanoma cases has doubled in the past 30 years, according to a new Vital Signs report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and it’s on the rise,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. More than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers are due to skin cell damage from too much exposure to UV rays from the sun or sources such as indoor tanning, according to the CDC. Melanoma rates increased from 11.2 per 100,000 in 1982 to 22.7 per 100,000 in 2011.
Despite the increase, federal health authorities say comprehensive skin cancer prevention programs could prevent one-fifth of new cases between 2020 and 2030. The federal report notes that without additional community prevention efforts, the number of people diagnosed with melanoma will continue to increase over the next 15 years, with 112,000 new cases projected in 2030. The annual cost of treating new melanoma cases is estimated to nearly triple from $457 million in 2011 to $1.6 billion in 2030.
This CDC report also shows that melanoma is responsible for more than 9,000 skin cancer deaths each year. Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body. In 2011, more than 65,000 melanoma skin cancers were diagnosed. By 2030, according to the report, effective community skin cancer prevention programs could prevent an estimated 230,000 melanoma skin cancers and save $2.7 billion dollars in treatment costs. Successful programs feature community efforts that combine education, mass media campaigns and policy changes to increase skin protection for children and adults.
Researchers reviewed data from CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program to help determine the increase in melanoma rates. “The rate of people getting melanoma continues to increase every year compared to the rates of most other cancers, which are declining,” said Lisa Richardson, MD, MPH, Director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “If we take action now, we can prevent hundreds of thousands of new cases of skin cancers, including melanoma, and save billions of dollars in medical costs.”
Federal health authorities recommend communities take action to help reduce the risk of skin cancer. City leaders can help protect their residents by increasing shade on playgrounds, at public pools and other public spaces, promote sun protection in recreational areas, encourage employers, childcare centers, schools and colleges to educate about sun safety and skin protection and restrict the availability and use of indoor tanning by minors.
Bon Secours Health System is joining the cause and our physicians encourage everyone to protect themselves from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt. Seek shade, especially during the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are most damaging. If you are planning to be exposed to the sun make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
For more information on Bon Secours skin screenings or cancer services, please visit www.bonsecours.com or call 804-359-WELL [9355].
It’s summer, and that means longer days, lighter nights and more worrying. Before your kids race out the door, make sure you are doing all you can to protect them.
There’s something about this season that makes kids run faster and play harder. And like everything else parents carefully do to protect their kids — cooking healthy kid food, hiring the right babysitters, buckling them into car seats (or shouting out seat belt reminders) — summer takes preparation, too.
Here’s how you can help keep kids safe this season:
Be Sun Savvy: apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) early and often, dress in protective clothing and hats, keep infants out of the sun, play outside in the early morning and beware that burning can still occur in the shade.
Splash Safely: be attentive to children playing in water, know CPR skills and educate yourself on water safety.
Beware of Bugs: use bug spray, check for allergic reactions, check for ticks and beware of bug-borne illnesses.
Prevent Dehydration: drink water often, avoid sugary drinks and beware of signs of dehydration (headache, cramping, fatigue, weakness, etc.).
Head Off Injuries: always wear helmets!
If your child experiences a summer-related injury or illness, contact your pediatrician or family practitioner. If you are looking for a new doctor, contact 804-359-WELL [9355] or www.goodhelpdocs.com to find a provider close to home or work.
May is recognized as American Stroke Month to promote public awareness of stroke. Stroke is the number five cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of disability in adults. Knowing the warning signs of stroke can alert you to seek emergent medical attention. The sooner treatment is initiated, the better the chances for recovery. Knowing one’s risk factors for stroke allows for modification of them to help reduce your chances of having a stroke. Our goal is to have our community be stroke smart and to BE FAST* if stroke symptoms occur.
Stroke Smart- Know your Risks
Risk factors for stroke are divided into those an individual can control and those he cannot. Those that cannot be controlled are age (higher risk with advancing age), gender (male higher risk than female), race (African-American higher risk), and family history of stroke. You should be aware of these risk factors but these are not able to be changed.
Risk factors that can be modified or controlled are:
Smoking– Quitting smoking will reduce stroke risk by about half.
Sedentary lifestyle- Get at least 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise 3-5 times weekly.
Hypertension– Keep your blood pressure under control. If you do not know your blood pressure (BP), get it checked. Purchase a home BP cuff and check your BP regularly and report your readings to your doctor. If you are prescribed medication for elevated blood pressure, take it every day.
Cholesterol– Know your numbers and get them checked regularly. Aim for an LDL (bad cholesterol level) that is well under 100. If you are told you have “borderline high” cholesterol, speak with your doctor about how to address it. If you institute lifestyle changes to bring your LDL in line, make sure your numbers are re-checked to ensure you are achieving your goal. Many times, cholesterol levels are influenced by genetics/heredity, and no matter how much you change your lifestyle, your numbers won’t decrease. Again, if you are prescribed medication to lower your cholesterol, take it every day.
Blood sugar– If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar well controlled. Work with your doctor to determine the best medications and diet to keep blood sugars in as close to normal range as possible. Speak with a dietitian/nutritionist and learn the best foods to eat and the foods to avoid or to use sparingly. As with cholesterol, if you are told you are “borderline diabetic,” ask what that means and what you need to do halt or reverse the process.
Diet– Eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Aim for at least 5-6 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Limit fried food and red meat. Aim to have more beans/legumes, whole grains, and fish/seafood. Limit added fats such as butter and oils. When you do use oils, use olive oil. Try to use “white foods” sparingly-white potatoes, pasta, white rice, white bread, etc. Try whole-wheat bread and pasta or multigrain breads. Substitute brown rice for white rice. You don’t have to eliminate white foods, but try to substitute healthier options as often as possible. Again, we all can benefit from the assistance of a dietitian or nutritionist to give us good tips and advice. Some of the local grocery stores (Martin’s) now have nutritionists on staff to discuss food options and this is provided as a service to customers.
Alcohol consumption– A limit of two drinks daily for men and one for women is considered not harmful. Stick to appropriate portion sizes to measure this. Excessive alcohol can be harmful.
Have regular checkups with your doctor– This goes for men as well as women. Many men avoid the doctor or just go when there is a problem. Many issues can be detected early and preventive care is the best course of action. If you do not have a primary doctor, get one-ask a friend or relative who they see and make an appointment. Ask the staff in your employee health and wellness center for recommendations. Call the physician referral line 804-359-WELL (9355) or visit www.goodhelpdocs.com for suggestions near your home or office. Regardless of how you get there, you need to see your personal physician for routine wellness examinations before you have a problem.
Atrial Fibrillation– This is an abnormal heart rhythm where the chambers of the heart beat out of sync. Because of this, blood tends to pool in areas of the heart and a clot can form and be pumped from the heart into the blood vessels that supply the brain. This causes them to become obstructed, cutting off blood supply to an area of brain and hence causing a stroke. If you have atrial fibrillation, speak with your cardiologist about the appropriateness of taking a medicine to thin your blood to prevent clots from forming and thereby reducing your risk of stroke.
BE FAST to Recognize Stroke Symptoms
The acronym BE FAST is a good way to remember stroke symptoms. Stroke symptoms typically come on suddenly, without warning. Many people awaken with stroke symptoms after going to bed completely fine. NEVER ignore symptoms suspicious for stroke as there are treatments available but one has to get to the hospital as soon as the symptoms are recognized in order to be eligible for treatment. The sooner a stroke is treated, the better the potential outcomes. Also, waiting will make you ineligible for some treatments. Strokes typically do not cause pain and therefore people will tend to ignore the symptoms.
B- Balance difficulty. Trouble walking, dizziness, or spinning of the room.
E- Eye trouble. Difficulty with vision, double vision, losing vision in an eye, or losing vision for part of the world (i.e., cannot see the right side of the room, or cannot see all of the television or newspaper).
F- Face. Drooping of a side of the face.
A- Arm. Weakness or numbness of an arm, leg, or side of the body.
S- Speech. Trouble speaking such as slurred speech, inability to say the appropriate word, or difficulty with understanding what people are saying or what you are reading.
T- Time. Time is brain. If you suspect you or someone you are with is having a stroke, call 911 immediately and be taken to the nearest stroke center. Even if you live close to the hospital, stroke treatment begins with EMS. EMS will quickly identify a potential stroke in progress and call ahead to the hospital emergency department. This advanced warning allows the ED and other staff to be ready and waiting for you to expedite your treatment. The most effective treatment for stroke begins as soon as possible after symptoms are recognized. 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute during a stroke. Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is a clot-busting drug that has been shown to improve the outcome in stroke patients when given within 3 hours of symptom onset. In some cases, it can be given up to 4.5 hours after symptom onset, but the earlier the better. This is why getting to a certified stroke center as soon as possible after symptoms are recognized is important. Additionally, in some cases, it is possible for our interventional radiologists and endovascular surgeons to pass a catheter into the blocked artery and evacuate the clot, restoring blood flow. There are times when patients get both TPA through the IV and endovascular treatment. All of our Bon Secours facilities are certified stroke centers and are capable of providing this rapid, state-of-the-art treatment for stroke.
By Stacey Epps, MD
Executive Medical Director, Bon Secours Neurosciences Institute
Bon Secours Neurology Clinic
11601 Ironbridge Rd., Ste, 207, Chester, VA 23831
804-285-6880
601 Watkins Centre Parkway, Ste. 250, Midlothian, VA 23114
804-325-8750
Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. There are many types of arthritis but osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type. This article focuses on osteoarthritis which comes with age and typically affects the hands, knees and hips. Other forms of arthritis that are not discussed include gout, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis.
Osteoarthritis can occur with no identifiable cause or can occur after joint injury. It can also occur related to other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. There are several risk factors to developing osteoarthritis:
Age – Advancing age is a strong risk factor
Gender – More common in women
Obesity – Weight loss may reduce this risk
Occupation – Frequent squatting, kneeling, heavy lifting, prolonged standing or walking
Sports – Certain sports and injuries
There is a rubbery material called cartilage that covers the area that two bones meet. When the cartilage is present the bones slide over each other normally with no pain, but when osteoarthritis sets in this cartilage breaks down. When the bones rub against each other this causes pain, stiffness and swelling. If these symptoms are present there are measures to take to feel better:
Rest – only for a few minutes at a time to keep muscles strong
Lose weight – only if weight is an issue
Physical therapy and exercise – may hurt at first but will eventually reduce pain
Devices – shoe inserts, splints, canes and walkers can help with stability
There are many medicines that can help with symptoms of osteoarthritis. Some of these are found over-the-counter and others require a prescription from a doctor. Evidence shows that supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin, will not help with symptoms. Some benefit from joint injections, while those with severe osteoarthritis may require surgery. Osteoarthritis is very common and although the symptoms of joint pain, stiffness and swelling are frustrating, there is hope. With a combination of medicine, exercise and possibly a device, most people can still do the activities they enjoy.
By Aarat M. Patel, MD, FAAP, FACP, FACR
Bon Secours Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Richmond
Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology
9600 Patterson Ave., Richmond, VA 23229
804-217-9601