Wellness Words March 2010 Posted on March 9, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator 6 TIPS TO “QUICK SCAN” FOOD LABELSDetailed nutrition labels are supposed to make it easier for you select healthy foods. But sometimes they cause information overload and confusion. For instance, is it more important that something has fewer grams of fat or fewer trans-fats? Are you better off getting fewer calories even if it means getting fewer nutrients?The Arthritis Foundation of America, in its Just Diagnosed magazine, offers these 6 tips you can use to “quick scan” those labels for the numbers that matter most!1. Focus On The Fats: “Look for products with less than 1 gram of saturated fat and no trans fat,” says Jennifer Vimbor, Registered Dietician with the Nutrition Counseling Service of New York. She also recommends that if you are trying to lose weight, you look for foods that have less than 3 grams of fat per serving.2. Fill Up On Fiber: Preliminary research indicates that a high-fiber diet (25 or more grams per day) lowers cholesterol and helps in diabetes prevention. A high fiber food has at least 5 grams per serving.3. Watch Serving Size Relative To Calorie Count: You should always look at how the manufacturer’s serving size compares to what you typically eat. For example, if you eat twice the amount of a serving size, you will also be getting twice the amount of fat and calories.4. Skimp On Sodium: A high-sodium diet, like a high-fat diet, may put you at risk for high blood pressure. Experts recommend keeping your sodium less than 2400 milligrams (mg). Recommendations for those who already have high blood pressure are even less.5. Skim The Ingredients: The main ingredients are listed first, so check out the top three or four. Remember, some ingredients can sneak in under different names. If sugar, molasses, honey, maple syrup or high fructose corn syrup are near the top, you may be getting more sugar than you bargained for.6. Look For Must Have Ingredients: Nutritionists recommend calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and flax-seed oil. They also recommend that you consider foods high in antioxidants like Vitamin C and A, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.Scanning labels may be time consuming at first, but well worth the effort in health benefits. Once you become familiar with the foods that have the highest quality and the best flavor for you, the time needed for scanning will diminish significantly and you may just feel better too!For more information on reading food labels, contact Littauer’s Outpatient Nutritional Counseling at 773-5413, your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office, or HealthLink Littauer. You can call us at 736-1120, e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Nathan Littauer Hospital cited as “one of the most progressive facilities” for energy conservation! Posted on February 26, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota Pike Audit regards Nathan Littauer as a benchmark for the entire industryGloversville, NY…Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home recently received results of an audit conducted by PRES Energy LLC, which was formally presented to the New York Power Authority. “The results are dramatic.” stated Dave Bruhns, Director of Engineering for Littauer. PRES Energy was engaged by the New York Power Authority and the New York State Governor’s Office to perform energy audits for a representative sample of its business customers. The audit, conducted January 6, 2010, determines cost-effective measures that could be implemented to reduce energy costs and to improve the efficiency of buildings. The results of the audit were announced to Nathan Littauer’s management team today.The report concludes that Nathan Littauer’s energy maintenance efforts are a benchmark for the health care industry. Laurence E. Kelly Littauer’s President and CEO explains, “Everyday Nathan Littauer strives to care for our patients while reducing our carbon footprint.” He added, “We want to be a good “green” neighbor, not for accolades but because it is intrinsically good for our area. That said, it is certainly exciting to be lauded as an industry leader.”The thorough audit examined the HVAC system, the heating and cooling systems, the building energy management control systems, electrical distribution and lighting systems and a host of other systems utilized at the hospital. The report concludes by saying:“The Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is one of the most progressive facilities in regards to the management of gas and electricity. The staff at this hospital has been very forward thinking in its implementation of new projects with respect to future energy saving. Many hospitals in the country have neglected their infrastructure and subsequent energy management which has resulted in higher health acre cost. Nathan Littauer is a benchmark for the industry for its innovative approach to all aspects of managing its resources and waste.” Littauer’s engineering team plays a key role in our green effortsDave Bruhns, Director of Engineering for Littauer reflects, “Our goal is to provide an Environment of Care in support of the hospital’s mission. Being flexible in our approach to projects and day-to-day operations allows us to take advantage of circumstances and opportunities when they arise. The findings of this survey are the measurable results of our efforts.” He concluded, “We have found that by sharing the positive results with staff, we obtain valuable buy-in, and some good ideas for further improvement”.“Congratulations to the people at Nathan Littauer for creating a bold vision and then following through with the hard work necessary to become an industry leader in energy efficiency,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “This kind of effort provides for a better outcome by cutting the use of energy, saving dollars, reducing the costs of health care, and improving the surrounding community. Nathan Littauer has created an example of what can be accomplished through energy efficiency that will be a model for other hospitals to follow.”The report also summarizes the hospital’s Environmental Impact. The energy savings realized by Littauer in one year is equivalent to:removing 1 car from the roadplanting 2 acres of treesconserving 12 barrels of crude oilconserving 2 tons of coal.In April of 2009, Littauer embarked on a hospital-wide green effort in an effort to reduce energy use and waste at Littauer. Congressman Tonko came to the hospital to see first hand the hospital’s energy reducing efforts. “We are obviously doing the right things.” stated Mr. Kelly, adding “But we are not done yet.” XXXNathan Littauer’s Family of Health Services in Gloversville, NY serves Hamilton, Fulton and Montgomery counties in Upstate New York with a 74- bed regional hospital, eight primary and specialty care centers and an 84-bed nursing home. The hospital opened in 1894 and currently employs 950 people. The hospital recently opened a new state-of-the-art Birthing Center. To learn more about Nathan Littauer, please visit www.nlh.org.The engineering team at Littauer is a key factor in the hospital’s green efforts.
Wellness Words February 2010 Posted on February 9, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BSCommunity Health Educator WOMEN & HEART DISEASE – 4 MYTHSMany women are surprised to learn that coronary heart disease – often thought to be a “man’s illness” – is the #1 killer of women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. In fact, women are 5 times more likely to die from heart disease as from breast cancer, and almost twice as many American women die of heart disease and stroke than from all types of cancer combined!While heart disease cannot completely be stopped, certain lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of developing this illness. Unfortunately, several myths about heart disease and women continue to persist. Four of the top myths include:Myth #1: Risk factors for heart disease are the same, regardless of gender. Studies show that certain illnesses and conditions are more likely to cause heart disease in women than in men. For example, metabolic syndrome is more likely to trigger heart disease in women. This condition is marked by obesity around the abdomen, high blood pressure and high levels of blood sugar and triglycerides.Myth #2: Heart disease is likely to be milder in women. In some ways, women are at greater risk of serious injury from heart problems than men. For unknown reasons, statistics show that women are less likely to survive a heart attack than men. Myth #3: Symptoms of a heart attack are the same for both genders. Women are actually likely to experience different types of symptoms than men. For example, women are more likely to feel unusual fatigue, abdominal, neck, shoulder or upper back pain, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath during a heart attack than their male counterparts. Often women ignore these symptoms especially if they are not accompanied by severe chest pain. By the time they finally realize that something is seriously wrong, there may be significant heart damage.Myth #4: Smoking is a greater heart-disease risk for men. Traditionally, men have been more likely to smoke and to smoke more than women. However, in recent years there has been an alarming upward spike in the numbers of women smokers. The risk of heart disease rises with both the number of cigarettes you smoke and the length of time since you first started smoking. According to the American Heart Association, these myths and misconceptions lead many women into a false sense of security—just 13% of women believe heart disease is their own greatest risk factor. Not only should women take this condition seriously, but they should also discuss their concerns with their physician during their annual exam.For more information on heart disease, contact the American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721 (americanheart.org), your health care provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
THE EVENT Date is Set! Posted on January 27, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeTHE EVENT will be May 21, 2010The date is set.May 21, 2010Get ready to be amazed.The Nathan Littauer Foundation announced today the date for their annual gala, THE EVENT. The event will be held May 21, 2010. This year’s theme will be a “Journey along the Nile” and will be held under a suradq (a tent). THE EVENT is the Foundation’s annual fundraiser in support of Nathan Littauer Hospital. THE EVENT was recently listed in the Capital District Business Review’s Book of Lists as one of the area’s most successful fundraisers.“Year after year, this event earns the highest praise as a great cause coupled with a lot of fun. This year will be no exception, as our guests will be treated to visual intrigue, amazing food and a lot of surprises.” stated Kelly Colby Development Coordinator,and event organizer. She added, “Get ready!”To learn more about THE EVENT, to become a sponsor or to purchase tickets please call Kelly at 773-5505. For updates, please bookmark this page.
News team films ground-breaking surgery at LITTAUER! Posted on January 22, 2010August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDr. Paddock performs new surgery for the newsA news team from WNYT Channel 13 came to Littauer to film the ground-breaking procedure Dr. Bradley Paddock is performing at Littauer. The surgery is a new approach to treating sinus problems. Balloon Sinuplasty uses new technology which is safer and patients report a quicker recovery time than conventional sinus surgery.Benita Zahn, Health Reporter for WNYT and her crew interviewed the patient and filmed the surgery. She was also “tweeting” pictures while the surgery was being performed. Thanks to Dr. Paddock, the staff and our willing patient.Watch the full feature here: To see photos of the event click here:The patient reports that she is feeling “great” and her recovery is much better than her last sinus surgery. If you would like to contact Dr. Paddock for a referral please call 725-8656.
