Litttauer’s Dr. Duthaler provides expertise to WTEN Posted on November 13, 2009August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDr. Todd DuthalerNathan Littauer’s Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Todd Duthaler, recently conducted an interview at WTEN regarding the H1N1 flu.Dr. Duthaler was asked to lend his opinion on the current flu pandemic. He provided insight about flu complications and gave advice about preventing and treating the H1N1 virus.Watch the entire interview“More and more media outlets are turning to Littauer for crucial information during this flu season.” stated Cheryl McGrattan spokeswoman for Littauer.” Ms. McGrattan added, “We will always be glad to provide information to our community.”
Wellness Words November 2009 Posted on November 11, 2009 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS, Community Health Educator PREPARING YOUR HOUSEHOLD FOR FLUWe all need to be prepared for flu season by stocking our medicine cabinets and food pantries with appropriate supplies. You’ll rest easier at home if you, or someone in your home, become ill and you are prepared. Start picking up supplies today by purchasing an item each time you go to the store. You can’t run to the store if you are sick, and if many people are sick at the same time, stores may become depleted. It will also easier on your budget.The New York State Department of Health suggests stocking the following items: • Bottled water • Canned or bottled juice and ginger ale • Hydrating drinks • Low sodium or unsalted crackers • Low sodium canned or instant broth mixes such as chicken, vegetable or beef • Low sodium canned or dry soup mixes • Flavored gelatins • Flavored ice popsFor Fever: Use a reliable thermometer to take temperatures. You may want to use pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprophen), or Aleve (naproxyn). Choose either the brand names or generic store brands. Always check with your doctor if the ill person has another medical condition such as high blood pressure, kidney or stomach problems, or is on blood thinners.For Cough, Sneezing and Nasal Congestion: Use liquid cough medicines or over-the-counter cold medicines to treat symptoms of congestion and to control cough. If needed, liquid cough medicines labeled “expectorants” help loosen phlegm (mucus). Liquid or tablet medications labeled either “decongestant” or “antihistamine” help reduce nasal stuffiness. Nose drops and nasal sprays also work to relieve nasal congestion. Remember to check the ingredients on the label to see if a medication already contains acetaminophen or ibuprophen before taking it…DON’T double dose! Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.For Sore Throat: Use cough drops or any hard candy or lozenges to soothe a sore throat. Pain relievers can also be used.For Body Aches or Headache: Use aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprophen or naproxyn as directed.For Vomiting and Diarrhea: These symptoms are not always present with the flu. Anti-diarrheal medicines are generally not needed or recommended. If you have severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, check with your doctor…PREVENTING dehydration is essential! When you have a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, you lose lots of water and essential minerals. Therefore, you should avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.Keep your emergency stockpiles of foods and medications with other critical supplies, such as prescription drugs and copies of important documents like health records, insurance cards and phone numbers.The N.Y.S. Department of Health reminds you to stay on top of the flu. Good nutrition, combined with enough rest and exercise, can help you stay healthy. Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Stay home if you are sick and cover your coughs and sneezes to avoid the spread of germs.For more information on flu, visit www.nyhealth.gov, contact your health care provider, your county public health department, or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words October 2009 Posted on October 23, 2009 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson RN BS, Community Health Educator WHAT IS YOUR BREAST CANCER RISK?According to the Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Source, the lifetime risk of an American woman developing breast cancer is one in eight, or about 12%. The term lifetime is important. That means that one in eight women who live to age 89 will have had breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. If you’re in your 50’s, your risk is one in twenty-four. While in your 60’s, your risk goes up to one in sixteen.There is no one casual factor that has been found to explain why one woman gets breast cancer and another one doesn’t. Although a precise cause-and-effect relationship hasn’t been established, we’ve identified risk factors such as menses before age 12, menopause after age 55, and first birth after age 30 or never having been pregnant. These translate into more years of breast tissue exposure to higher levels of hormones, which are thought to influence the breast cancer risk.80% of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. About 10-15% of women with breast cancer had some family pattern of the disease, which may play a role in their breast cancer development. Only 5-10% has hereditary breast cancer—cancer that’s the result of an abnormal gene.There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, which is why regular mammograms – beginning at age 40 – along with clinical breast exams and breast self-exams are so important. In 2004, only 52% of eligible women in New York State had a mammogram, according to National Cancer Institute statistics. In 2007, there were an estimated 178,480 new cases diagnosed. However, it is estimated that 2.4 million women are alive and cancer free today due to early detection and treatment of breast cancer.Remember, age is the most significant risk factor. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer. Lifestyle factors that are associated with increased risk include post-menopausal obesity, lack of exercise, smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke, and excessive alcohol consumption. Making lifestyle changes to reduce these risks is something we can all do to combat our risk of developing the condition.Early detection is key! It can’t be stressed enough the importance of yearly screening mammography for women beginning at age 40. Also, become familiar with your breast tissue and report any changes to your doctor immediately. Early detection is essential in reducing deaths from breast cancer.For more information on breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society 1-800-725-3185 or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re celebrating 20 years of being your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home!
Littauer provides emergency care to pregnant mom Posted on September 29, 2009 by Dakota PikeHospital Care ApprecaitedLetter to the Editor, The Leader HeraldFirst published in print Saturday, September 19, 2009This is a letter of praise and a story about Fulton County at its finest. This is a letter of appreciation to Northampton Ambulance and Nathan Littauer Hospital.Our twin grandsons were delivered three months prematurely with an emergency Caesarean section on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9. Our daughter was on vacation, visiting us from out of state.We wish to thank the entire staff of Nathan Littauer Hospital. The twins and our daughter are doing very well. Thank you to everyone at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Your coordination with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit teams from the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center was seamless. The staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital treated all of us with compassion, understanding and expert care. We are grateful to the admitting staff and to the nurses who recognized our anxieties, made us comfortable and kept us informed. Seeing those tiny babies as soon as they were born was a treasure we will keep in our hearts.We are extremely grateful to the doctors and nurses who skillfully coached our daughter through her labor, delivery and post-surgical care. Your professional efforts brought a successful ending to a traumatic experience.THEO AND PRISCILLA HORESCONorthampton
Littauer prepares for H1N1 Posted on September 29, 2009 by Dakota PikeShots of HealthBy RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-HeraldFirst published in print: Sunday, September 20, 2009Some people may need to get two flu shots this year. One for the seasonal flu and the other for the H1N1, the virus more widely known as swine flu.Seasonal flu shots already are available in some places. Plans are being made for when and where inoculations of the separate H1N1 vaccine will be available.The first cases of the H1N1 virus appeared in the U.S. in March and April, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the end of April, the federal government had declared a public health emergency. Cases of H1N1 have since been reported in all 50 states.Fulton County Public Health Director Denise Frederick said involved agencies in the state were still planning, as of Wednesday, on how the swine flu vaccine will be distributed to the public.Karen Levison, the director of Hamilton County Public Health and Nursing Services, said the state has to wait for the CDC to release the vaccine. Each state will get a certain amount of the vaccine, which it will then determine how to distribute to the counties and what people take priority in getting it.The Food and Drug Administration approved the new swine flu vaccine Tuesday. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the vaccine’s approval to Congress – and said she hopes to get the first limited supplies distributed early in October.The bulk of vaccine will start arriving Oct. 15, and Sebelius said it should be available at 90,000 sites around the country. The government has ordered 195 million doses for now but may order more if needed, she said. Typically 100 million Americans seek the flu vaccine every year. Researchers have said one dose of the new swine flu vaccine looks strong enough to protect adults – and can begin protection within 10 days of the shot.It is expected that pregnant women and children will take priority when it comes to who will be eligible to get the vaccine first. Levison said there has been some discussion of going through Obstetrician and Gynecologists to make sure pregnant women get the vaccine, which inoculates the unborn child as well.Frederick said people who already have medical conditions compromising their health also will be high on the priority list. She said the people who have died of swine flu, similar to seasonal flu, normally have had some other condition compromising their health. The swine flu weakened their body to a point where it could no longer hold off the other problem.Mary Constantino, family nurse practitioner and infection control officer at Nathan Littauer?Hospital in Gloversville, said those highest at risk for swine flu will be inoculated first.http://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/515956.html Continue reading “Littauer prepares for H1N1”
