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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:35:30 +0100

Breast cancer happens to be one of the most commonly found cancers in women and can be successfully treated if one maintains awareness of their body and health. Although a sensitive topic, it is important that all women know how to check for warning signs of breast cancer early on. Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, recommends the following items:

1. Know your risk

Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40

3. Know what is normal for you
See your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:

Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn't go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit postmenopausal hormone use
Breastfeed, if you can

For more detailed information and free printable documentation, please visit Susan G. Koman for the Cure ® website.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:37:51 +0100

Keeping your body healthy is very important. Knowing the facts about cholesterol can help you and those important to you learn how to maintain a heart healthy lifestyle. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers individuals access to a variety of educational articles on cholesterol. Such resources include education on high blood cholesterol and how to lower it.

Please visit the The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more information on how to stay smart about your cholesterol. Whether you are a clinician or a patient, it is never too late to be informed!

July is UV Safety Month

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:00:36 +0100

Summer is here and so is the sun. This year, when you are enjoying the warm weather and outdoors, please consider the following helpful tips on how to protect your skin, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Federal Occupational Health:

Wear proper clothing Wearing clothing that will protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is very important. Protective clothing are long-sleeved shirts and pants are good examples. Also, remember to protect your head and eyes with a hat and UV-resistant sunglasses. You can fall victim to sun damage on a cloudy day as well as in the winter, so dress accordingly all year round.

Avoid the burn Sunburns significantly increase one's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. It is especially important that children be kept from sunburns as well.

Go for the shade Stay out of the sun, if possible, between the peak burning hours, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can head for the shade, or make your own shade with protective clothing - including a broad-brimmed hat, for example.

Use extra caution when near reflective surfaces, like water, snow, and sand Water, snow, sand, even the windows of a building can reflect the damaging rays of the sun. That can increase your chance of sunburn, even if you’re in what you consider a shady spot.

Use extra caution when at higher altitudes You can experience more UV exposure at higher altitudes, because there is less atmosphere to absorb UV radiation.

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen Generously apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. The “broad spectrum” variety protects against overexposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The FDA recommends using sunscreens that are not only broad spectrum, but that also have a sun protection factor (SPF) value of at least 15 for protection against sun-induced skin problems.

Re-apply broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the day Even if a sunscreen is labeled as "water-resistant," it must be reapplied throughout the day, especially after sweating or swimming. To be safe, apply sunscreen at a rate of one ounce every two hours. Depending on how much of the body needs coverage, a full-day (six-hour) outing could require one whole tube of sunscreen.

For more information on how to protect your body against the sun's rays this summer, please read the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Federal Occupational Health's very informative article, "What's Your UV:IQ?" found here.

Mid Valley Cardiology at Women's Health Expo

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:03:07 +0100

Mid Valley Cardiology operated a booth at the 2012 Women's Health and Fitness Expo in Kingston, New York on Saturday May 19. Brenda Steinhilber was very helpful, answering visitors' questions. Also manning the booth during the day's event were Dr. Reiter, Dr. Lader, Darya Panesoff and Amy Hoffman. The event was very successful, and we will be seeing several of the visitors in the future at our office!

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:48:55 +0100

Lowering Your Risk for Stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, demographic factors such as family history, age, sex, and race/ethnicity can all play a role in an individual's stroke risk. Regardless of your background, however, there are several things you can do to lower your chances of having a stroke.

Appropriate Aspirin therapy
- Ask your doctor if taking aspirin is right for you.
Blood pressure control
- Keeping your blood pressure under control reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke. More than half of the world's stroke deaths are caused by elevated blood pressure levels.
Cholesterol management
- Get your cholesterol checked regularly and manage it with diet and physical activity or with medication, if needed.
Smoking cessation
- Get help at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Exercise regularly.
Eat a healthy diet that's low in sodium.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Prevent or control diabetes.
Limit your alcohol intake (fewer than two drinks per day for men, or one drink per day for women).

To learn more about recognizing the signs of a stroke, the side effects of a stroke, or access to podcasts and publications related to strokes, please view to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's highly informative Stroke Awareness page.

2012 Cardiology at Mohonk Conference

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:16:34 +0100

The Mid Valley Cardiology division of Prime Care Physicians just held another successful Cardiology at Mohonk conference, attracting 80 attendees (physicians and allied health professionals) who were regaled by another stellar faculty with fascinating presentations on diet, heart failure, hypertension, antiplatelets/anticoagulants, challenging cases, and HDL cholesterol. We hope to see returning attendees and a lot of new faces at the conference next year!

The photos, courtesy of Mid Valley Cardiologist, Dr. Ellis Lader, show attendees during a break and the signature stone Mohonk tower high atop a ridge of the Shawangunk Mountains a short hike away from the conference center.

April is National Donate Life Month.

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:47:16 +0100

Donation and Transplantation FAQ

What is National Donate Life Month?

Celebrated every April since 2003, National Donate Life Month is a time to recognize the generosity of those who have saved and enhanced lives by becoming organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor the recipients of their selfless donations.

What is the 20 Million in 2012 Campaign?

20 Million in 2012 is a yearlong campaign launched by Donate Life America, which looks to add 20 million new organ, eye, and tissue donors to state registries in 2012. Donate Life America will host four national events in honor of the campaign: the Donate Life Flash Mob, Donate Life Blue and Green Virtual Fashion Show, Donate Life Champions, and Donate Life Linking Hands for Life. For more information about 20 Million in 2012 and to register as an organ eye and tissue donor, visit www.donatelifeamerica.org

Who can be a donor?

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Does my religion support organ, eye and tissue donation?

Every major religion in the United States supports organ, eye and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity.

Is there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?

There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ if I ever need one?

No. When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, body size, tissue type, blood type and other important medical information.

Why should I register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?

Organ, eye and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, and normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. To find out how to be a donor in your state, visit www.donatelife.net.

Donate Life America. "Donation and Transplantation FAQ." Donatelife.net. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://donatelife.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Donation-and-Transplantation-FAQ-Revised-Feb.-151.doc>.

"Get Your Plate in Shape" During National Nutrition Month

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:08:20 +0100

March is National Nutrition Month. This year's theme is "Get Your Plate in Shape," reminding everyone to be more mindful of the foods we eat.

In order to "Get Your Plate in Shape," Americans are encouraged to:

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
Make at least half your grains whole.
Vary your protein choices. Try eating seafood twice a week and include beans more often.

For more information on how to "Get Your Plate in Shape," consult a registered dietitian in your area. And for videos, tips, games and other resources to help you eat healthfully this National Nutrition Month, visit eatright.org/nnm.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:09:09 +0100

Did you know?
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, benign clumps of cells called polyps. You usually can’t feel them, and they often produce few, if any, symptoms. But over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. No one really knows why some people develop colo-rectal cancers and others don’t. That’s why it’s so important to see your doctor. Because even if you don’t have any of the risk factors listed below, you could still be at risk.

Are you at risk?
You may be at risk for colo-rectal cancer if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

Are over 50
Eat a high fat diet
Smoke
Have a personal history of cancer
Have suffered from ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
Have a family history of colorectal cancer or have a specific genetic mutation
Have noticed a change in your bowel habits including blood in your stool, gas, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, or weight loss

Screening for Colo-rectal Cancer
The causes of most cancers are unknown. However, it is possible to prevent many colon and rectal cancers by finding and removing polyps that could become cancerous. Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for the development of colon and rectal cancer should get regular screenings.

Tests to screen for cancer or precancerous polyps include:
Digital rectal exam—use of a doctor's gloved finger to examine the rectum for lumps or growths
Fecal occult blood test —a test to check for hidden blood in the stool
Colonoscopy —examination of the rectum and entire colon using a lighted tube called a colonoscope
Sigmoidoscopy —an examination of the lower colon using a lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope
Barium enema —a rectal injection of barium given to coat the lining of the colon and rectum; done before x-rays, in order to create better image of the lower intestine
CT colonography —a radiology test that looks at your large intestines

Additional tests may be done to confirm the presence of cancer, determine what stage the cancer is in and/or determine if the cancer has spread:

Biopsy —the removal of colon or rectal tissue to be tested for cancer
Polypectomy —the removal of a polyp during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
Blood tests to look for anemia and markers of cancer in the blood
CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body; to identify the spread of the tumor outside the colon
Positron emission tomography (PET) —a test that produces images showing the amount of functional activity in tissue being studied; it helps in finding out if the disease has spread outside the pelvis to other organs
Transrectal ultrasound—an ultrasound probe that is inserted into the rectum sends out sound waves to image the tumor

What can you do?
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of colon cancer, such as:

Not smoking
Being physically active (e.g., exercising at least 30 minutes on most days of the week)
Reducing your alcohol intake
Maintaining a healthy weight
Eating a healthy diet (e.g., high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and low in red meat)

Most importantly, remember to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get screened. Minor & James gastroenterologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and preventative care of all colo-rectal cancers, can suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for your continued health.