New Paths to Healthcare

How have you fared during this year’s flu season?  There’s still time to get, or prevent, the flu this season.  Fill up your soap dispensers and stock up on tissue boxes, just in case!

We toss the term “flu” around pretty liberally, but do you really understand what flu is?  The symptoms?  And how to prevent it from infiltrating your life?  Well, the Nurse Practitioner is in – and here to clear things up.  Have a tall glass of water and read on for a minute.

Flu, defined:

Flu, or Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by a virus.  Flu viruses are typically divided into three types, A, B & C, according to protein composites.  The three types of flu include:

Seasonal flu

Seasonal flu typically occurs yearly between November and March.  The CDC reports that between 5 and 20 percent of Americans will contract a flu virus during theses seasonal outbreaks.  Check out the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website regarding the 2012 flu season: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.htm)

Pandemic flu

These particularly virulent strains of flu spread rapidly from person to person to create a worldwide epidemic (pandemic).

Avian (or Bird) flu

Flu viruses also occur in wild aquatic birds, such as ducks. It does not normally spread from birds to humans. However, pigs can be infected by bird influenza (as well as by the form of influenza that affects humans) and can pass on the flu to humans.

Flu symptoms: 

Sometimes people confuse flu with a common cold, but the two are very different.  People suffering flu typically experience fever, headaches, cough, sore throat, body aches or chills, extreme exhaustion and sometimes, vomiting or diarrhea.  A case of the flu will likely land you on the couch or in bed with very little energy to function, whereas a common cold simply curbs your enthusiasm.

Prevention of seasonal flu: 

• First, the CDC recommends all people 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year – especially those at the highest risk, people aged 65 and older; children under 5, and pregnant women. 
• We know you’ve heard this a thousand times, but hand washing is still your best defense.  Good old-fashioned soap and water works best in preventing the transmission of germs, but an alcohol based hand sanitizer also helps.
• Avoid contact with sick people, and if you are sick, stay home, too.
• Try not to touch your mouth, eyes and nose area.

Treatment:

First, if you get sick, graciously accept all offers for help.  Yes, your girlfriend can take the kids for a few hours, and thank her very much!  You need rest, rest, and more rest.  And:

• Try to stay away from others, and don’t return to work until a full 24-hours after your fever subsides.
• Wash your hands often, and cover your nose when you sneeze.  Throw used tissue away immediately.  (We know, yuck!)
• Your doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe antiviral drugs that can help you get better fast – but you should focus on staying home and getting rest unless you experience difficulty eating or breathing, or, if you experience persistent vomiting, dizziness or confusion.

Remember to visit your local provider, such as a certified nurse practitioner, to “arm” yourself with a vaccination.  By taking a few steps during the winter and early spring months, you can avoid getting sick like the plague!

Cheers to your good health,

Agnes

Source: The National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

It’s National Nurse Practitioner Week! Warmest of greetings to you!  I must say, recognition is nice, but I love this week because it is a time to celebrate the contributions all NP’s make to the healthcare field. And most importantly, in the lives of our patients.

In the Ahwatukee & Chandler area alone, there are 37  NP’s ready to assess and treat your needs. I encourage you to check out your choices outlined in the ad by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) in this week’s AFN.  It is an honor for my name to appear alongside theirs!

Why Seek the Care of A Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

In the column I wrote for the AFN , I outline some of the reasons people seek expert medical care from NP’s. I think my tagline says it all – Expert Medical Care, with a Nurse’s Touch. NP’s treat patients through the lens of their humanity, not just their symptoms.  We listen.  Let me say that again –

We listen.

In our frenzied world, it is a gift we give our patients.  Our time.  We offer it generously because we know asking the right questions helps us to expertly assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a range of medical issues.  NP’s consider how all aspects of your life contribute to your wellness – including your work, relationships, lifestyle, and family issues.

But don’t just take my word for it.  Check out what others have to say about why they seek medical care from a Nurse Practitioner:

“Attentive, patient and caring…words I would use to describe Agnes. I never feel rushed when I’m in her care. I feel like she hears AND listens! Getting an appointment in a timely manner is important with a busy schedule. Unlike the traditional doctor’s office, when you make an appointment, there is no waiting…”

-Traci Tartaglio, Ahwatukee

“… I never feel like I have to say what I need to say in 10 minutes or even less.  I always know that I am being heard. I feel I am a patient and not a chart number. I have been able to come in at the very last moment when it was deemed urgent to see someone but not urgent enough for an ER. I never feel that I am being treated as text book but as an Individual.”

-Jill Dumont-Scott

Get the Facts:  NP’s offer Clinical Expertise

According to the AANP, 88% of NP’s hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree.  Nurse Practitioners offer patient centered care, and are able to perform the following:

• Order & interpret blood tests and radiology exams
• Treat chronic conditions such as Diabetes
• Prescribe medications
• Perform well-woman and other preventative care

Studies have shown that care provided by Nurse Practitioners is equivalent to – and sometimes surpasses – the care patients receive at a doctor’s office.  In the coming years, as the demand for medical care is likely to exceed resources, NP’s will fill this gap by providing excellent care for individuals, families and seniors.  Their contributions are about to multiply, and I’m so proud to serve alongside so many gifted NP’s.

So – have I convinced you to see a Nurse Practitioner the next time you need medical care?  Give one of us a call.  You’ve got nothing to lose, but you’ll gain valuable time you would have spent in a waiting room!

Cheers to your Good Health,

Agnes

You’d have to be asleep at the wheel to not know it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I love it – everyone seems to get into the “pinking” of America.  Seeing those brawny NFL players strut their stuff sporting uniforms accented in pink – that must inspire more men to invest in the fight. After all, they have wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters and friends to think about.  (And – men get Breast Cancer too!)

There’s news both good and bad in the raging battle against Breast Cancer.   Let’s talk about the good news first:  Breast Cancer claimed the lives of fewer women in recent years, likely due to increased awareness campaigns.  In 2010, 2.5 million women survived Breast Cancer.   Way to go!

The bad news? Nearly 40,000 women lost their battles with Breast Cancer in 2010.  That’s almost the entire female population of Ahwatukee.  We’ve still got plenty of work to do.   Me – I’ve got on my boxing gloves.  (Or at least, my latex gloves!)

Medical providers and advocates can shout it from the rooftops until we’re “pink” in the face – but prevention starts with each woman making a commitment to prioritizing her own health.  Ladies, I know you put every other person in your life first.  It’s just what we do.  But you can’t take care of anyone else without taking care of you first.  It’s not selfish – it’s self-care.

True, there are certain risk factors you can’t control.  Your risk for Breast Cancer increases if you’re a woman, and increases as you age.  Your chances go up if you carry a genetic predisposition, and if you never experienced pregnancy or breastfed an infant.  Still – what are you doing to mitigate these risks, the ones you can control?

You’re making a good move right now.  Don’t stop reading just yet; check out the risk factors:

Inadequate Nutrition:

Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables?  (And, have you read about the effects of consuming too many animal source proteins?  These may contain hormones, pesticides and other carcinogenic by-products.)  Take time to examine your diet; make certain you’re getting all the nutrients you need to ward off Cancer.

Excess Weight:

Has your doctor advised you to shed some pounds?  Maintaining a healthy weight reduces risk for many hazardous health issues, including cancer.

Lack of Exercise:

The benefits of vigorous, consistent exercise have been statistically linked to reducing Breast Cancer risk.  Plus, you enjoy the benefits of increased energy, mindfulness, and libido.

Smoking:

Smoking tobacco – well, there’s just nothing good about it.  Smoking increases your risk for more health hazards than I can count.  Consider stopping; or get help.

Exposure to Estrogen:

Estrogen is the hormone that produces female sex characteristics.  The longer a woman is exposed to them, the higher her risk of Breast Cancer.  Post-menopausal women (who cease producing Estrogen) who take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT/HT) suffer increased risk of Cancer by increasing the breast tissue’s exposure to Estrogen.   Talk to your Nurse Practitioner or medical professional, and consider reducing your dosages or choosing an alternative to relieving your symptoms.

Since every woman must be her own health care advocate, I encourage you to stay abreast (pun intended!) of the latest news regarding prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.  And pay it forward.  Donate money toward research; participate in a breast cancer walk or run; volunteer to raise awareness.  Ask your best friend if she’s given herself a breast exam lately.  Check out the following websites for help.

http://www.breastcancer.org/

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

http://www.cancer.org/index

Cheers to your breast health ever!

Agnes, APRN

Exhausted. That’s how many women tell me they feel.  Often, they’re so worn out by day’s end they fall asleep before their head touches the pillow.  But staying asleep all night?  Now that’s another story.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies indicate that while most healthy people require 7-9 hours of sleep each night, women between the ages of 30 and 60 get just over 6.4 hours on average.

Women are more likely to report feeling daytime fatigue, which affects their mood and productivity.  Aside from chronic daytime fatigue, lack of adequate sleep has far reaching physical, psychological and even career ramifications.  (It’s tough to perform when you’re chronically sleep deprived; and many women are trying to build careers while simultaneously raising families.)

So why does it seem women everywhere are staring at the clocks at 3 a.m.?  The culprits of sleep-theft are varied:

Hormones: Women’s hormones are constantly changing along with seasons of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.  During the course of each month and over her lifetime, a woman’s fluctuating hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone, make an impact on sleep.

Crying newborns: Seems women forgo sleep to meet the demands of family life, even 2.5 times more likely then men to get up to attend to a newborn, for example.  Seems that continued gender inequality women experience in family life impacts the amount of sleep they get.

Lifestyle, Diet, & Emotional Factors: Poor nutrition, evening shift work, stress, anxiety, excess weight, lack of exercise, and depression or other psychological factors  also impact a good night’s rest.

Sleep Disorders: Some 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders such as Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).  Previous studies focused more on men, so newer efforts to study women may reveal better solutions.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to a better night’s sleep. With a few changes in your routine, it is possible to get the rest you need to work, care for your family and achieve better health to fight infections.  The biggest challenge is to prioritize your own health enough to stave off the to-do lists, and ask for help with household responsibilities.  (Delegate more chores to the kids, too!)

Try these and get some Zzzz’s:

-Create a regular schedule for sleep/wake times and stick to it; wind down for an hour before you hit the sheets.  Read, meditate, drink some decaf herbal tea, or listen to relaxing music

-Get plenty of exercise; it wears out your body and offers release for stress that can keep your mind busy; Yoga is especially helpful

-Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables; consume alcohol or caffeinated drinks in moderation

-Improve your sleep environment; clear the bedroom of clutter, make sure the lighting is low and the temperature’s comfortable

-Try over the counter sleep aids if nothing seems to work

-See your doctor if your sleep habits don’t improve to rule out a sleep disorder or to determine if further medication is necessary

Bear in mind that lack of sleep doesn’t just make you feel tired and cranky. it can make you sick over time.  Lack of adequate sleep can lead to a range of health problems.  Preserving your own health is not only good for you; its good for your family!

‘Nite!

They’re everywhere… on restaurant menus and grocery store shelves:   Gluten-free food products. Just what is gluten – and why has it suddenly become such a prominent part of our national psyche?  You may know someone who suffers from gluten intolerance or from Celiac Disease; and since May is Celiac Disease Awareness month, I’d like to shed some light on the topic.

So let’s start with answering the question: what is gluten?

Gluten is a protein composite that may appear in foods processed from wheat.  You can think of gluten is the “glue” that binds dough together and enables its chewy texture.  While it’s true that gluten is usually found in wheat, barley and rye, not all grains include gluten. Oats, buckwheat and soybeans are gluten free, for example.

In short, gluten is what makes your favorite pizza dough so deliciously chewy.  The person who suffers from gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease often has to decline pizza, cookies and bread.  No wonder so many companies are offering substitutes!

Intolerance to gluten must be diagnosed into 3 separate conditions: Celiac Disease, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and Wheat Allergy.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that impacts the small intestines, and can eventually lead to the inability to absorb essential nutrients.  It is often difficult to diagnose due to a broad range of symptoms which can vary in children verses adults.  A blood test will confirm the presence of Celiac Disease for someone suffering from intestinal discomfort for which no other diagnosis can be established.

Gluten intolerance develops slowly and is sometimes misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or lactose or yeast intolerance.  Common symptoms include stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, numbness, and depression, but more than 100 associated symptoms have been identified.

A wheat allergy produces the typical allergic histamine response, similar to that associated with allergies to pollen (hay fever) and pets, such as hives, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, stomach discomfort and even pain.  A person with a wheat allergy does not necessarily suffer from gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease.

Many people who suspect they have gluten intolerance must eliminate gluten from their diets to determine if it is indeed the true culprit of their discomfort.  Today, broad resources are available for families coping with Celiac Disease and NCGS.  Check out glutenfreely.com for the most comprehensive, user-friendly site I’ve seen on this topic, created in partnership with The Center for Celiac Research and other prominent medical institutions.

Of course, if you suspect a gluten intolerance or other food allergy, contact your primary care provider or nurse practitioner for guidance and resources.  Because we all want to enjoy the blessings of delicious food!

Picture a typical heart attack victim.  What does your mind’s eye configure?  A stressed out, midlife male who’s consumed too many New York Strips?  I thought so.  It’s why there’s a robust campaign underway to ensure women get the message – they’re just as vulnerable to heart disease as men.

Heart disease is ruthless, the number one killer in our society – and it isn’t sexist.  Women suffer as much as men do, but the symptoms may appear a bit differently, and their diagnosis often takes longer to uncover.  For a long while many advocates fought to give more attention to women when it came to researching women and heart disease, and in recent years that effort’s paid off with deeper knowledge.  Check out the facts:

• Cardiac physiology is different in men and women.  (No surprise really, since men and women differ profoundly physiologically and and psychologically.)  Heart disease in men typically involves the larger blood vessels of the heart whereas for women, heart disease may only involve the smaller vessels of the heart.

• Symptoms of heart attacks are often markedly different in men then women. Symptoms of heart attacks for women might appear to be more subtle than those experienced by men.  At the onset, women may feel dizzy, or feel a numbing sensation in their arms, neck or shoulders.

• For many years, it was assumed estrogen served as a protective function for women against the development of heart disease. Because of this theory, providers believed that continuing the heart’s exposure to this hormone via replacement therapy, even post-menopause, helped in prevention.  This practice was based on the known fact that pre-menopausal women did not experience heart disease at the same rate as same age-matched males.   But as medical science gained greater understanding of the subsets of cholesterol metabolism known as HDL (“good cholesterol”) and LDL (“bad cholesterol”) we learned that LDL levels tend to rise as women begin to lose their estrogen.  In a sense, post-menopausal women are dealt a double whammy – they no longer have estrogen to protect their hearts, but they now have higher LDL levels to contribute to the development of heart disease. However, this practice has fallen out of favor recently since it’s cardio-protective benefits beyond 5 years no longer exerts much influence.  The dilemma, however, is that we cannot allow the atherosclerotic (“hardening of the arteries”) effects of elevated LDL levels to go unchecked, either.

Today, post-menopausal women are at risk for heart disease on a par with age-matched males.  Yet, while women seem to be catching up to men in the development of heart disease, they are not being discovered or treated at the same rates as men.  Check out this article to see proof:

http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=652521

The upshot?  You must act as your strongest advocate for heart health.  Start your own personal prevention campaign today; focus on the basics – eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetable, and get plenty of exercise and rest.  And be certain to see your health care provider if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, numbing or pain in your arms, neck or shoulder.

Make sure you take care of the heart that cares for everyone else!