Ultra Violet Safety Month
July is UV Safety Month!
This month’s article is about sun safety. It’s already the middle of summer so if you haven’t been using your sunblock now is a good time to start!
Ultra Violet rays from the sun can’t be seen but they can definitely do some damage. These little guys are the main cause of skin cancer and can also be extremely dangerous to your eyes. People with fair complexions, light colored hair and blue or green eyes are at a higher risk for skin damage from the sun. UV rays have also been known to harm the cornea and lens of the eye as well as lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. I came across an interesting fact when I was doing research for this article. I found out that UV levels in tanning beds are up to 100 times higher than what you would normally get from the sun. This blew me away.
We all know how to prevent sun damage but it seems like nobody likes to follow the rules! Everyone wants a nice tan on their skin and wants to wear stylish sunglasses as opposed to something that will actually protect you. Well it’s time for some tough love everyone! We see people in the office every week for skin lesions, benign and malignant, and it doesn’t always end well for them. Skin cancer is very serious and can be very aggressive. Please wear your sunblock, even if you only plan on being outside for a little while. The sun’s rays are the strongest from 11am to 4pm so be especially careful during this time period. A lot of people don’t know this but you are supposed to apply a generous amount of sunblock at least 30 minutes before you go outside. It takes time for it to soak into your skin and it is less likely to wash right off if you get in the water. Re-application every 2 hours is also necessary because believe it or not, the amazing power of sunblock does wear off.
There are really great sunblock’s out now that have minerals in them to help block harmful rays. You should be looking for the words “broad spectrum” because this kind blocks both UVA and UVB rays. There are many different kinds including hypo-allergenic, waterproof, sweat proof, unscented, scented, non-greasy, and sunblock that even sprays out of a bottle so you don’t have to rub it in! There are little bottles of sunblock that hook onto key chains and even clothing that has sunblock built into it. There is no longer an excuse for why you are peeling! Oh and FYI: Large brimmed beach hats are totally back in style!!!
In closing I just want to say (again) that skin cancer is very serious disease and it can be very aggressive. On a lighter note, it is somewhat preventable if you take the proper precautions. Please take me seriously when I tell you that you need to protect yourself now so that you don’t have to come see us later! Wishing you all a safe, happy, fun, sunblock filled summer! (SPF 30 and above that is!) J
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World Lupus Day
SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
May 10th is World Lupus Day so I decided to choose SLE for this month’s topic.
SLE is an autoimmune disease that affects mostly women and it is usually diagnosed during childbearing years. This disease can be very serious and can get pretty complicated due to the fact that it can affect almost any part of the body. In Lupus, your body can’t tell the difference between what is good and what is bad so it tries to attack healthy tissue. The most commonly affected areas in Lupus are the kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, skin and joints.
In the past, receiving a Lupus diagnosis had a very grim outlook. However, we have made many medical advances and today most people can expect to have a normal lifespan. Lupus varies in degree and can be mild or severe, you can experience flare ups, or sometimes it will go into remission for years. The body’s immune system is overactive in lupus so this often leads to chronic inflammation. Almost everyone with Lupus will at some point experience joint pain and swelling. Lupus sufferers are also very sensitive to sunlight. The sun’s rays can cause nausea, fatigue, rashes and joint pain so it is best to always wear sunblock and protective clothing. Kidney disease is also very common in Lupus so doctors will always monitor this closely.
Signs and symptoms of Lupus are: Joint pain and swelling, fever, skin rashes like the “butterfly rash”, discoid lesions, chest pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores and sensitivity to light. Severe symptoms are: Headaches, stroke, blood in urine, psychosis, nausea, vomiting, and vision problems. If you feel you have any of these symptoms please contact your doctor and get checked out. It's always better to be on the safe side of things.
For over 50 years there were no new drugs approved for the safe treatment of Lupus. However, in April of 2011, the FDA announced their approval of a new medication. This gave hope to Lupus patients everywhere and we will hopefully keep seeing advancements in the fight against this chronic disease.
On personal note… I was diagnosed with SLE in 2002. I am coming up on my 10 year mark and I am happy to report that I am doing better than ever. My Lupus was very aggressive in the beginning but over time my doctors have been able to get it under control and currently I only have very mild symptoms when I have any at all. I hope that one day there will be a cure for those of us with Lupus but until then I plan on living my life the way I always have and doing everything I can to support the search for a cure.
~Rachel
~Rachel
For more information on lupus please see the following link for the Lupus Foundation of America www.lupus.org
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National Doctors Day!
March 30th is National Doctors Day! In honor of this, we wrote this article about Dr. Studinger...
We would like to honor Dr. Rebecca Studinger on this National Doctors Day. Dr. Studnger is as much a wonderful person as she is a wonderful doctor. She has a huge heart and a special way about her that seems to have an instant calming effect on our patients. At our practice, we see a lot of breast cancer patients for their reconstructive procedures. Needless to say, when patients initially come to us, they are a bit shaken. Breast Cancer is a very sensitive matter and these patients have been through a lot, emotionally and physically.
Dr. Studinger gives our patients hope for a brighter future. She helps women rebuild their bodies and makes them feel whole again. She is very soft-spoken and gentle in nature. Because of this, she is able to give comfort on a level that not many of us can. She is extremely resilient and will fight to help us open doors for our patients even when everyone has slammed them shut. On more than one occasion she has driven to the other side of the state to speak to insurance companies that were denying surgery to people who were in need. She goes above and beyond the call of duty and she does it with grace.
Simply stated? Thank You Dr. Studinger for all that you do for your patients and your staff. We appreciate you!
Rachel, Andrea and Erica :)
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Eating Disorder Awareness Week
There are many different kinds of eating disorders. The most well-known are Anorexia and Bulimia. These eating disorders are all about going to extremes. In anorexia, people eat little to no food at all. In Bulimia, people go on binges where they eat massive amounts of food and then purge themselves. Eating disorders are becoming a growing trend around the world. They generally stem from psychological problems and in most cases end up severely impacting the health of the people who suffer from them.
Eating disorders are very treatable diseases. Medicine, therapy and other measures are being taken to help patients with these disorders. These conditions can be life threatening so it is best to know the signs so you can help someone if you need to. The most common symptom is when a person becomes extremely obsessed with their weight and the amount of food they consume. It is all about the person feeling in control and they see controlling food intake as a way of obtaining this. Other symptoms include: Brittle nails, hair thinning, extreme weight loss, yellowing skin, muscle loss, slow breathing, low blood pressure, swollen glands, dehydration, loss of tooth enamel and even kidney failure.
These disorders can be life threatening so if you or anyone you know has an eating disorder, it is best to seek help immediately. If you would like more information on eating disorders please see the following link for the National Eating Disorders Association.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
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FEBRUARY: Go Red for Women Month
In celebration of women, February is Heart Health Month! According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One American will have a coronary event every 25 seconds and someone will die each minute. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and the conditions that put you at risk.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack
Most persons experiencing a heart attack notice chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes, or seems to fade in and out. People describe it as an uncomfortable pressure and some experience pain. Shortness of breath, and pain or discomfort in one’s arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach are all signs that something may be wrong.
Other Heart Diseases and Conditions
There are other conditions that can affect one’s heart. These include arrhythmia, heart failure and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Risk factors associated with heart disease include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Check out the American Heart Association for a full list of risk factors associated with heart disease.
Women and Heart Disease
Heart disease is often considered a condition that affects mostly men. While it is the leading cause of death in America, almost 50% are accounted for in women. A second misconception is that heart disease is a concern for women over 65 years and older. We were actually surprised to learn that it is the third leading cause of death in women between the ages of 25 and 44. It is also the second leading cause of death in women between the ages of 45 and 64.
What Can We Do?
WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) is a program created by the CDC that focuses on providing access to preventive health services. The organization was created for women of low income or for those without insurance. The program targets women between the ages of 40-64 and provides them with services and resources. Visit WISEWOMAN for more information about the services they offer and program locations.
Go Red for Women is a program created by the American Heart Association. Its goal is to education women and men nationwide about the importance of healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease. Visit Go Red for Women for more information about this program.
For more information about heart disease in women, contact your local physician or visit CDC’s section on Women and Heart Disease Prevention.
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JANUARY: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Every year over 11,000 American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Researchers say that almost all cases of this disease are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus). HPV can be tricky and go unnoticed for a long time because it can hide in your body for years before eventually causing the cells of the cervix to grow abnormally. Once this starts, the cells of the cervix become pre-cancerous which leads to the condition known commonly as cervical dysplasia. These abnormal cells can usually be detected by having a simple yearly exam and Pap test. However, if this condition is left untreated it can eventually turn into invasive cancer.
Your are at a higher risk of contracting an HPV infection if you have multiple sexual partners and do not use protection. It is one of the most common STD's and it is reported that 75% of people will be infected with the virus at some point in their lives. Certain lifestyle choices, environment, genetics and risk factors such as smoking can also play a part in your chances of developing cervical cancer. Smokers are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as non-smokers.
Since January is cervical cancer awareness month, it is also a great reminder for everyone to get in at some point this year for your annual female exam. Let's start this year off fresh and try to be more proactive in our care to ensure our good health in the future!
For more information on cervical cancer you can contact the National Institutes of Health at the following web link: http://www.nih.gov/
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Understanding WHCRA
WHCRA (Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998) is a Federal law that is administered by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. It was established in 1998 to provide certain coverage and rights to breast cancer patients. To put it simply, WHCRA states that if your health plan allows coverage of mastectomies, they are required to cover most reconstructive and post-mastectomy complications. They are also required annually to provide you with a notice stating the above information.
Under WHCRA, all 4 stages of reconstruction of the breast must be covered. This includes the breast that the mastectomy was performed on as well as the opposite breast even if it was unaffected by cancer. They want to ensure that you can have a symmetrical appearance for both of your breasts. At some point during the reconstruction you may need a breast prosthesis. This is also included under the law. Last but not least, it clearly states that you can seek treatment for lymphedema or any other complication that you have had due to having the mastectomy.
Most employers and health plans are aware of this law and follow guidelines set by the Federal Government. However, if you feel that you are being treated unfairly under this Act, please contact your health plan administrator. If you need more information on WHCRA you can call the Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272.
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