Brain Attack!

May is Stroke Awareness Month!



      Did you know that a stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack"? It occurs when blood flow to an area in your brain is cut off.  When this happens, brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, and die. If a stroke is not caught early, permanent brain damage or even death can result. Stroke is the #5 cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the USA.

     Treatment targets factors that put you at risk, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.  Still, it takes more than that to prevent a stroke. You also have an important role to play in preventing stroke, too! Why? Because only you can make lifestyle changes to help lower your risk.

      So, what are some things you can do? Try to follow the Life's Simple 7 tips from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association:

1) Manage and control blood pressure: Lowering your systolic blood pressure (bp) number (top) by 10 or your diastolic number (bottom) by 5 can cut your risk of stroke death by half

2) Control cholesterol: By controlling your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries a chance to remain clear of blockages

3) Reduce blood sugar: High levels of blood sugar over time can lead to diabetes, which increases your risk for having a stroke

4) Get active! Increase walking time has been associated with reduced stroke risk. 30 minutes a day, 5xs a week is an easy goal to improve your heart and brain health, plus it helps to prevent stroke

5) Eat better: A healthy diet is one of your best weapons for fighting stroke! Adding more fruits and vegetables into your diet, and reducing sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day is a great start towards healthier eating

6) Lose weight: Nearly 70% of American adults are overweight or obese! Obesity increases your risk for stroke so losing weight can help lower your blood pressure and reduce the burden on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and bones

7) Stop smoking: If you smoke, your risk for stroke is 2-4xs higher  than for nonsmokers or even those who have quit for more than 10 years!

See how much you know about stroke by taking our Medical Library's health literacy quiz, now available in both English and Spanish versions:
http://www.trinitasrmc.org/library_health_literacy.htm
http://www.trinitasrmc.org/library_health_literacy_spanish.htm

It is important to know the common symptoms of stroke so you recognize what may be happening to yourself,  your loved ones or others.

Stroke heroes act FAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxsdrhu7T0



If you are located in N.J. and your community or organization would like to learn more about stroke, please contact:
Terry Finamore RN BSN MS
Stroke Coordinator
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth, N.J.
908 994 8787 (phone)

Many thanks to Terry Finamore who helped with this post.

   

 

A Hospital Program Designed to HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program)

Addressing the Generational Divide… Saying YES to HELP

by Johanna Thomas, Guest Blogger

 

The Trinitas Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) recently invited high school students from the Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.) program of our New Point Campus, Elizabeth, New Jersey, to do arts and crafts with our elderly patients.

Under the supervision of the Johanna Thomas, Elderlife Clinician; Diana Naboa, Elder Life Assistant, and Cristina Pineros, Clinician, the students guided patients in a “Memory Box” craft.   The students and patients also engaged in conversation with the patients during the project.  These interactions were not only stimulating for our patients but also enriched the students understanding about social responsibility and helping those less fortunate then themselves.  This collaboration proved to be important for mutual growth in providing assistance and help to others. 

 

This is the third collaboration between HELP and the Y.E.S. program.  Patients and families were very pleased to have young students visit their older loved ones.  In addition, it was really a great multigenerational project that also was a great collaboration between campuses.

             Here are some of the comments and feedback from patients and families:

*       I liked it.  The girls were very good.  –Enthused patient

      *       I liked them.  (the students) –Satisfied patient

 *       Picture was fun. –Intrigued patient

*       I felt good.  The girl is very mature and intelligent. –Wise patient

*       (The boys) were very proper.  They considered me.  –Distinguished patient

*       Very kind, they keep you busy. –Engaged patient 

*       Thank you so much.  It was nice. -patient

*          The girl is very intelligent. –patient’s family

 

 

For more information about the Trinitas Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) please contact:

Johanna Thomas, Elder Life Intervention Clinician

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

9 south

225 Williamson Street

Elizabeth, NJ  07207

908-994-5620      

  

If you are interested in volunteering with this program or at the hospital, please contact:

Lisa Liss, Director of Volunteers

http://www.trinitashospital.org/volunteer_services.htm

 

 

 Update:

May 11, 2016

Many thanks to Kean University! Their book drive supported the HELP program and our patients will enjoy reading new books due to their generosity. Pictured are HELP program staff, volunteers, the Volunteer Director and Library Director.

waiting for the book delivery

a full book cart for our patients!

 

 

 

 

 



The Trinitas Library's Health Literacy Quiz Games: 2016 Update

How much do you think you know about Alzheimer's, prediabetes, stroke, heart attack or even commonly used medical terms you've heard on tv or the doctor's office? Take a minute to test yourself with our health literacy quizzes and find out!

The Trinitas Library offers a fun, private and easy way to test your knowledge about health care related topics -- and hopefully learn some new information at the same time!

 

How it began:
In 2010, the Medical Library with the support of a clinical advisory team, created health quizzes to study the effectiveness of using quiz games to improve consumer health literacy. This research study funded partly by a grant from the National Library of Medicine/NIH/NN/LM/MAR and was given Institutional Review Board (IRB) status. Our health literacy outreach effort was recognized with an MLA Hospital Library's Section Award in Research in 2010. The project concluded with great success in 2011, and due to their popularity, they remained live.

 

The results?
To date, well over 8,000 people world wide have played our health quizzes on both sites. Over 88% of players have indicated they will use the information they learned by taking the health quizzes for their future health care decisions!

 

More quizzes!
We are happy to report, that in response to requests, we've expanded the health topics since the initial study.  In 2014 we added Alzheimer's.  For 2016, we've created a quiz about prediabetes and it is in the pipeline to be posted on the website shortly. In the meantime, you can access the English version's direct link if you don't want to wait: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RZHDLRS

 

Redesign coming soon:
For our Spanish speaking community, we are proud to announce we've redesigned the pathway linking our health quizzes from the hospital's main visitor page http://www.trinitas.org for a more streamlined experience, and will be on the website very soon. These are just some of the updates we've been working on as we continue our mission to help you learn about health topics in a fun way in the privacy of your own home or mobile device. Visitors may also access the health quizzes from the library's main website http://www.trinitashospital.org/medical_library.htm.

But, you don't have to wait until we've put the finishing touches on our website. If you like, you can you can access the E-Salud prediabetes health quiz right now: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/JWZGF3Q

 

Outreach in virtual reality:
For those who enjoy gaming on a more advanced, immersive level, we continue to remain active in the virtual world of Second Life (SL), and are hosted by the University of Sheffield's Infolit ischool

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infolit%20iSchool/36/38/22

Smaller traveling exhibits are hosted around SL for wider outreach , such as at a virtual Senior Center.

 

Health literacy:
Anyone can experience health literacy issues. It crosses every demographic, and does not matter how educated you are, how much money you make or how old you are. The bottom line is when you are not able to understand what your health care provider has told you or how to read a prescription bottle, manage your chronic illness or even know how to navigate the health care system, this affects every aspect of your ability to get well.

 

So, how much do you know about our health topics? Find out by playing a few quizzes. Whether you participate through the library's website or in a virtual world setting, in English or Spanish, what you learn may possibly save a life -- including your own!

 

Just Move! (You Know You Want To)

Spring means Getting Out and Moving!

By Guest Blogger for March issue: Jim Dunleavy PT DPT MS, Director, Rehabilitation Services

One issue with a New Year’s resolution of getting fit is that the weather many times does not cooperate. However, come Spring it is the time to “Get Moving. "

From starting a daily walking program to getting into serious training for a marathon, this is a prime time of year to get moving.  Here are some things you should consider before you start:

1.      Assessment of your current health status. Be sure you do not have any conditions that might limit your ability to increase your daily activity. Talk to your Doctor about exercise and its impact on high blood pressure, Diabetes or other breathing or heart issue. If there are issues, here at the Health and Rehabilitation Center we have programs that can get you moving safely again.

2.      Be realistic. Once cleared medically, that does not mean you immediately go out and run as you did when you were a child. You need to build up any activity, even walking programs, in order to not hurt your joints and muscles. Our staff here at the center can help you determine what is best for you and the correct intensity.

3.      Every Exercise is not the same. There are exercises that are designed to increase muscle strength. Other types of exercise build up your cardiac and breathing stamina. As assessment by a physical therapist or a member of our fitness center team can determine what deficits you have and design a program that meets your body’s specific needs

4.      You are what you eat. No exercise program alone will meet your fitness, weight loss goals. You have to take a serious look at both the amount of food you eat and how much of each food group are you eating.

5.      Variety is the Spice of Life. Many people stop exercising because they do the same thing, every day, over and over again. They get bored. I advise my patients to mix it up a bit. There are many ways to get heart healthy from walking to a group exercise class. If you have strength goals, there are many types of resistance programs available. Also programs like Pilates or Yoga are also considerations in changing up your fitness program

The above are some the most important things to consider when starting and maintaining an exercise program. Most people do need help and the #Trinitas Health and Rehabilitation Center  is here to help you feel better, have more energy and feel fit for many years to come so…..Get Moving!

 

Pictured: Trinitas Physical Therapy & Fitness Center

 

For more info: http://www.trinitasrmc.org/fitness_center.htm

For more information you can go to: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/Tips

Heart Month

We're back! The Library's blog will still feature stories and news about getting well and staying healthy, especially with the help of #Trinitas.   

February is Heart Month!

Trinitas maintains a full-service cardiac facility as well as facilities for the intensive nursing care of patients with cardiac disease. These include a cardiac care unit, intermediate coronary care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, non-invasive cardiology services, full-service emergency department, and cardiac rehabilitation services. 
Trinitas Regional Medical Center provides elective angioplasty procedures following approval by the New Jersey Commissioner of Health & Senior Services. The Medical Center performs both elective and emergency angioplasty procedures in our state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

The spacious and modern Diagnostic Center provides a convenient, all-in-one facility for inpatient and outpatient testing including echocardiograms, nuclear stress testing, electrocardiograms, electroencephlagrams, holter monitoring, pacemaker evaluations, vascular studies, muga scans and pulmonary function tests.

Did you know Trinitas Offers Non-Invasive Alternative To Heart Surgery?

A cutting edge procedure is now being offered at Trinitas Regional Medical Center for patients who suffer from coronary artery disease, angina or congestive heart failure. EECP - Enhanced External Counterpulsation - is the only non-surgical cardiac treatment that has been clinically proven in medical studies to be as effective as bypass surgery, stents or angioplasty without any of the risks or recovery time associated with surgery.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation opens or forms small blood vessels, thereby creating natural bypasses around narrowed or blocked arteries and improving the flow of healthy, oxygenated blood to the heart. These new blood vessels help reduce or eliminate angina, increase energy and stamina and return patients to activities they thought they had given up forever.

The FDA-approved procedure, which is covered by Medicare and most insurance, is a relatively simple treatment. Patients lie comfortably on a special bed while several blood pressure cuffs are wrapped around their legs. These cuffs inflate and deflate in sync with the patient's heart beat, pumping healthy blood throughout the body and pushing oxygen-rich blood toward the heart. Patients undergo a one-hour treatment every day for seven weeks, and are able to read, listen to music or sleep during the procedure.

"Many patients assume that their cardiac symptoms, including chest pain, pressure or lack of energy, are irreversible," says Arthur Millman, MD, Chief of Cardiology at Trinitas. "But studies show that the EECP procedure can significantly improve or completely eliminate symptoms, and greatly increase stamina, exercise tolerance and quality of life. It can also reduce or eliminate the use of nitroglycerin and other medications."

Nearly everyone with coronary artery disease, angina or congestive heart failure can benefit from EECP. It is particularly well-suited to people who have already had angioplasty, stents or bypass surgery and are experiencing a return of their heart disease symptoms. It is also ideal for patients who are not candidates for surgery due to other conditions, as well as diabetics and women with small blood vessels.

In addition to EECP, Trinitas Regional Medical Center offers the region's most comprehensive cardiac services, including a full-service cardiac facility as well as facilities for the intensive nursing care of patients with cardiac disease. These include an emergency angioplasty program, cardiac care unit, intermediate coronary care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, full service emergency department and cardiac rehabilitation services. These facilities are all staffed by the area's largest team of board-certified cardiologists, an experienced cardiovascular nursing staff, and specially-trained cardiac technicians.

For more information on EECP please call 908-994-5072

 

 

The Summer Oven

On a hot day you know it will also be hot inside your car-- but do you know how hot it can get?
When the outside temperature reaches 86F, the inside of a car can quickly rise to 134-154F degrees!

Also, did you know that even mild or cooler temperatures can turn the interior of a car into a death trap?

One research study revealed that a car sitting in 72F degrees with windows opened 1 1/2 inches still had a rapid rise in inside temperature within the first half hour to 117F! Many think that "cracking the window" open a little will help but this study found that did not have any effect on the maximum temperature reached inside the car.

Even in the fall and winter months there have been recorded deaths from hot cars in places as far north as Maine, Wisconsin and South Dakota.
It is being suggested to use an "add 40" rule to outside temperatures to approximate how hot the inside of your car can reach.

Why is this dangerous? Heatstroke occurs when a person's body temperature exceeds 104F degrees. At just a few degrees higher, cells are damaged and internal organs begin to shut down, which can result in death.

"Children are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies are not as efficient as adults' bodies at managing temperatures. As a result, kids warm up much more rapidly." (http://new.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/07/kids-in-hot-car.html)

According to the organization, Kids and Cars, in 2009 48 cihldren died after being left or trapped inside a hot car. Texas leads the nation with deaths from being left in hot cars, followed by Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

Many small children are accidentally left behind in a hot car.

Some tips to help tired and/or distracted parents to remember a child in in the back seat or car seat or to prevent being accidentally trapped:

* keep a stuffed animal on the passenger seat as a reminder
* Make a habit to check the rear seat for "one last look" before leaving it
* Always lock your car and keep remotes and keys away from children
To learn more:
http://www.kidsandcars.org/

Sources:
http://www.consumerreports.org/
http://www.weather.com/
www.singlearticles.com/heat-danger-in-cars-a2710.html
Please remember your pets and elderly as well! Have a safe summer!

Summer Waistlines

Summer usually starts a new round of diets for many people. But even though most try to achieve weight loss to look better in a bathing suit or shorts, there really is a medical reason why we should pay more attention to our waistlines.

Carrying around extra pounds in our midsections is serious business and even more dangerous than extra fat around hips or thighs. Why? That is because belly fat (visceral fat) is worse for your health. Extra weight around the midsection is associated with higher risks for health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even stroke.

Now that you know losing inches around your midsection is important, how do you assess your risk?

Simply take a tape measure and wrap it around your natural waistline which is located just above your hip bone or at the level of the belly button. When you take your measurement its important not to hold your breath or suck in your stomach. If your waist is more than 40 inches (for men) or 35 inches (for women), you have too much belly fat.

Recently, researchers reported that women aged 45 to 54 now are three times more likely than men in the same age gruup to have a stroke.

Amytis Towfighi, MD, an assistant professor of Neurology at the University of California in Los Angeles, stated that "Tummy fat appears to be to blame...Our hypothesis is abdominal obesity increases the risk of other risk factors -- diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Together they drive up the risk of stroke."

Her results were presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference last year.

So, how can you trim your waistline, feel better and reduce your risk of disease? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that a calorie controlled diet rich in whole grains cut extra fat from waistlines. Eating more whole grains has other benefits too.

According to Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, who is a distinguished professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University, "Eating a diet rich in whole grains while reducing refined carbohydrates changes the glucose and insuline response and makes it easier to metabolize fat stores."

Still aren't sure about giving up (or at least reducing) your intake of refined foods like white bread, consider this: eating refined foods like white bread triggers a series of events in your body, starting with elevating your blood sugar levels. That event then increases an insulin response--both of which can cause fat to be deposited more easily.

Of course, there is no magic trick to losing weight. You still need to eat a well balanced, calorie-controlled diet and yes, exercise.

Whether your motivation to diet is due to bathing suit season or not, if your waistline numbers are high, you'll do your body good by losing some weight and inches.

To get you started, WebMD has a calorie calculator called a Food-o-Meter which offers over 37,000 favorite foods, drinks and restaurant meals:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-food-calorie-counter

Sources:

Webmd.com
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2008
American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, 2010, San Antonio
Stroke, January 2009
http://women.webmd.com/news/20100225/belly-fat-culprit-stroke-gender-gap