Wellness Words August 2014 Posted on August 12, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorFitness Is A ProcessKeep things in perspective! Many of us have goals to get fit, stay fit, or live a healthier lifestyle, and we make plans to reach those goals. Sometimes life gets in the way, making it seem difficult to stick to those plans, and you have a hard time staying on track. If you set goals that are realistic, accept that at times you will have some set-backs but they are not the end of the world, and stay positive by realizing that being healthy is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Relish in the process instead of anticipating the destination.Here are some tips that can help you reach your goals to live a healthier, happier life:Just Do It: You may not want to get out of the house to go for that walk or go to the gym, but you can ‘fake it ‘til you make it,’ and tell yourself that this is one of the best things you will do for yourself today, and soon that is how you will perceive it. Plan your activity ‘appointments’ (like you would schedule a doctor’s appointment) in advance so you are more likely to keep them, especially if you think of them as non-negotiable appointments. Then, work your way up to fitness milestones like 10,000 steps a day. Why not try different classes that suit you like Yoga, Zumba, or water aerobics to keep yourself motivated and inspired.Think Outside The Gym: There are a lot of ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine. We have all heard about taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking farther away from the place you are going. You can also try walking to your neighbor’s house instead of calling them on the phone or walking/riding your bike when you need to pick up a few things in town.Mix It Up: If you typically engage in only one form of exercise like walking, running, or using an elliptical, you are working on just one set of muscles, leaving others in need of a work-out, according to Todd Schlifstein DO, a sports medicine rehabilitation doctor at New York University Medical Center’s Rusk Institute. He also states that repeatedly working on only one set of muscles can leave you less fit than you think and can also cause injury. The best ways to avoid this is first, to stretch before your work-outs to prime your muscles for the upcoming activity and after each work-out to soothe your muscles. Secondly, Dr. Schlifstein recommends cross-training, or alternating your fitness activities to focus on overall fitness. For example, you might rotate activities such as jogging, Yoga, using weights, biking and other aerobic activities.Make Good Choices: Being healthy is more than just exercising and eating right, it is also about making healthy choices each and every day. Drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated. Listen to music, take a stress management class, or participate in other activities to reduce stress, as stress is related to weight gain, migraines, digestive disorders, and diseases. Have a positive attitude – don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on the good. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night and soak up the morning sun by drinking your coffee or tea outside, which can give you a boost of Vitamin D and energy.It is also important to have an attitude of gratitude. Remember to be grateful for all you have and for all you have accomplished to keep things in a perspective. Don’t focus on the destination, but rather enjoy life’s journey because, while you may not always get what you wish for, you can achieve what you work for!For more information, contact 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.
Wellness Words July 2014 Posted on July 8, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorSummer Skin SafetyWhen you go shopping for skin care products, don’t be overwhelmed by vast quantity of sunscreen and skin care brands that are available to you – each one touting different buzz words to entice you into making a purchase. Skin care is very serious, especially during the summer when your skin is vulnerable to the ultraviolet rays from the sun (UV-A or UV-B) that can cause damage and even cancer when skin is unprotected.According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are reported in America each year, and about 90% of these cases are caused by the ultraviolet rays from the sun. One out of five people will develop skin cancer at some point in their life. Skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer that there is!So – before you head outdoors this summer, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends these simple steps to protect your skin:Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 as part of your daily morning routine, or at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or excessive sweating.Be mindful of how long you will be outside and what you will be doing. Sun rays are most harmful to the skin between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, a broad spectrum UV-A/UV-B resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 should be applied. If you are going swimming or may perspire while outside, choose a water resistant sunscreen.Use an umbrella while at the beach or sitting in your backyard to provide protection against those ultraviolet rays.Wear a hat and consider your clothing. Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics filter out sun rays, where cotton and linen do not. Choose tightly woven bright or dark colored clothing which offers the best defense against the rays of the sun.Choose protective sunglasses that give your eyes the best coverage, like wrap around glasses. This can be difficult because sunglasses are often times designed for fashion and not protection. You could also talk to your Optometrist about lenses for your glasses that darken when you are in the sun, acting as sunglasses.Avoid tanning booths and beds. A tan is the skin’s way of preventing sun damage by creating a wall of dark pigment to protect the skin. No tan is healthy or safe! Tanning bulbs emit rays that are 12 times more powerful than the sun. People who “go tanning” increase their risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 2.5%, basal cell carcinoma by 1.5%, and melanoma by over 3%. They are also at greater risk for premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.Use transparent window film on the side and rear windows of your vehicle. While windshields have been treated to block UV rays, other windows in vehicles have not. This window film will block 100% of UV rays.Eat foods rich in anti-oxidants to help to fight free radicals that can cause skin damage due to the sun, as well as premature aging. Foods like fish, red and orange fruits and vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and other greens, and green or black tea can help protect the skin from damage and from developing some cancers.Examine your skin regularly for any changes and make sure you visit your doctor on a regular basis to have a professional skin exam.According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with fair skin, lightly colored hair, or those who take medications that make them sensitive to the sun, have the greatest risk of getting sunburns. To ease the pain or discomfort from sunburn, the CDC recommends you apply a cold compress to the area, take acetaminophen or Tylenol if approved by your doctor for inflammation, or apply cooling gel to the affected area. The most effective is 100% Aloe Vera from the store or straight from the plant that is chilled prior to use.For more information, contact 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.
Wellness Words June 2014 Posted on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS Ed Community Health EducatorTake Time Out For Yourself & Enjoy This Summer!It’s summertime and you are looking forward to all that is in store for you – going to lunch with friends that you haven’t seen in a while, going to parties, taking a family vacation, and completing projects that you have been meaning to work on.Summer begins with a very relaxed vibe and you say to yourself, I have “all summer” to do these things. The next thing you know, half of the summer has slipped away and you have accomplished nothing that you had intended to do. Then you feel rushed to fit everything into the last few weeks of summer that remain. It’s important to have balance in our lives – so this summer, make a pledge to clear your calendar and take some time out to have fun with friends and family.Taking time for ourselves helps us to change our perspective on things, gives us time to replenish our energy, and gain a sense of peace and serenity. When we don’t take time for ourselves, we often feel burdened by the tasks we have to complete, frustrated, stressed, and wishing that there was more time in the day.Make sure you schedule some time for yourself to simply enjoy the summer. Sit outside and watch the clouds roll by, get lost in a good book, go to the movies or better yet – the drive-in, or take a class to learn a new hobby or skill.There are many resources in the area that you can take advantage of. Enjoy local produce and merchandise at farmers markets, go to an outdoor concert in the park, or visit a museum.Since the weather is so nice, get outside as much as you can. Go for a walk each night or every morning, appreciate the flowers in your garden, listen to birds chirp, and take in the sunshine.Revel in the nature that is all around us! Go to one of the 44 lakes in the Adirondacks and watch the geese, ducks, rabbits, and other wildlife. Take a hike or make use of our nature trails!Right now you might be thinking, how is it possible to take time for myself when I am so busy? Carving time out of your schedule for yourself is not as hard as it may seem, if you follow some of these suggestions:Practice good time management skills: Plan quiet time for yourself and time for social events.Learn to say NO more often: You don’t have to commit to everythingAsk for help: No one says that YOU have to do it all.Do not feel guilty or think that you are being selfish by scheduling time for yourself!You will be able to return to your day to day tasks with a better outlook, greater energy, and more commitment when you know that you can treat yourself to some special moments this summer.For more information, contact 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.
Nathan Littauer’s spine surgery featured on WNYT Posted on May 21, 2014May 21, 2014 by Dakota PikeThe media frequently cover the innovations occurring at Nathan Littauer Hospital.Recently, Nathan Littauer hosted health reporter and Anchor, Benita Zahn of WNYT New Channel 13 for a spine surgery. She came to cover some of the innovative approaches we employ to alleviate back pain under Dr. Jain Shen. Benita interviewed the patient before his surgery and ultimately went into the OR suite to film a robotic- assisted surgery. The patient did very well and her story can be found here:http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S3443364.shtml?cat=300
Cutting-edge surgery tech aids patients Posted on May 20, 2014 by Dakota PikeCutting-edge surgery tech aids patientsSeptember 21, 2013By ARTHUR CLEVELAND , The Leader HeraldGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital announced Friday it is performing robotics-assisted spinal surgeries thanks to new equipment and the talents of a surgeon, Dr. Jian Shen.At a news conference Friday, Laurence E. Kelly, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital, said multiple robot-assisted spinal surgeries have been performed at the hospital since the first one was done in?July.One patient, Sarah White, 27, of Saratoga County had surgery Aug. 6 to repair damage to her spine from a June 2012 car accident.Article PhotosDr. Jian Shen, an orthopedic surgeon, looks on as spine surgery patient and Saratoga County resident Sarah White speaks about her surgery during a news conference Friday at Nathan?Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. The Leader-Herald/Bill TrojanWhite suffered two fractures in her spine, near the lower back. White said prior to the surgery, she went through physical therapy, which worked for a time. She was forced to take painkillers to manage the pain until a doctor suggested she speak with Shen about possibly having surgery.Since the operation, White has gone back to work and is living a healthy life.“It is amazing. I can do a lot more than I could six weeks ago, and I’m back to work [since Monday,]” White said. “I can get through the workday with no problems. I’m going for walks again, I’m going to start exercising again; it’s [had] a big effect.”Shen, an orthopedic surgeon at both Nathan Littauer and St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam, was happy to see the program be instituted at Nathan Littauer.“This is very exciting technology,” Shen said.The Renaissance robotic spine surgery guidance system, which was acquired by both hospitals recently, allows for precise and minimally invasive surgery.Before entering the operating room, surgeons can use Renaissance to actually pre-plan the most optimal surgery on a 3D simulation of the patient’s spine.During surgery, the system guides the surgeon’s hands and tools to the precise, pre-planned locations along the spine.Potential benefits for patients include reduced blood loss, fewer complications, fewer revisions, faster recovery, reduced procedure time and reduced exposure to radiation.With less tissue damage done during the operation, it allows for quicker recovery time than surgery by hand.So far, Shen said, there have been no infections from this program.“So far, we have [had] success after success,” Shen said.U.S. Rep. Bill Owens said in a statement this program could bring investment to the local community.“For well over a century, residents of Fulton County have relied upon Nathan Littauer for patient-centric care, and today’s announcement clearly demonstrates that focus leading into the future,” Owens said in the statement Friday.
