2008 winter - Blueprint for Health magazine - St. Anthony's Hospital

ST. ANTHONY’S HEALTH CARE
FOR HEALTH
3 CAN ECHINACEA CURE COLDS?
4 WEIGHT-LOSS MYTHS AND TRUTHS
5 NEW SURGERY FOR SINUS PAIN
7 LUNCH & LEARN LECTURES
8 REHAB HELPS STROKE SURVIVORS
www.stanthonys.com | Winter 2008
A RESOURCE FOR BUILDING A HEALTHIER YOU

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 2 | Managing Medicines
During Cold and Flu Season
page 3 | Echinacea: Cure-All for
the Common Cold?
page 4 | Weight-Loss Myths
and Truths
page 4 | Yes, You Can
Strengthen Your Willpower!
page 5 | Sinus Pain? New
Surgery Could Mean Relief
page 6 | Recipe for Health:
Baked Trout
page 6 | Catch All the Benefits
of Fish
page 7 | Community Events
Calendar
page 8 | Rehab Helps Stroke
Survivors
page 8 | Should a “Mini-Stroke”
Be a Major Concern?
Message from the President
of St. Anthony’s Health Care
I
am excited to start the New Year! St.
Anthony’s Health Care begins 2008
by taking a look at our future role as a
hospital. While every hospital’s focus is to
serve the sick and injured, St. Anthony’s is
so much more. Our expert physicians and
nurses provide you with education on disease
prevention, as well as the latest treatments
and technologies in health care. We are
honored to share our resources with you, the
community, and we encourage you and your
family members to make a commitment in
this New Year to live a healthier lifestyle.
This first issue of the New Year offers
great tips on how you can implement new
health programs into your lifestyle. On Page
4, we explore weight-loss myths and facts.
You can read Page 5 to learn about sinus
care and how one physician is performing
minimally invasive surgical procedures
to benefit patients with sinus problems.
For additional resources, Page 7 lists our
calendar of events and several lectures and
programs to further guide you along your
path to wellness.
I wish you good health
and a Happy New Year!
William Ulbricht
President of St.
Anthony’s Health
Care
SAVE THE DATE!
LEGACY DINNER AND MEDALLION GALA
LEGACY DINNER
Join us as we honor loyal friends and
donors of St. Anthony’s Health Care
Foundation.
Tuesday, February 5
Renaissance Vinoy Resort
7 TH ANNUAL MEDALLION GALA —
A NIGHT IN THE TROPICS
This “Night in the Tropics” will benefi t
the renovation and expansion of the
Emergency Department at St. Anthony’s
Hospital.
Friday, May 9
Renaissance Vinoy Resort
Sponsorship opportunities for each event are available. For more information, please call
the Foundation at 727-825-1086.
2 www.stanthonys.com

Managing Medicines:
How to Stay Safe During
Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season is
upon us! To relieve
symptoms, many people
count on products such as Tylenol,
Panadol and Feverall — all
of which contain the medicine
“acetaminophen.” As with all
kinds of medicine, it’s important
to keep safety in mind whenever
you take this common drug.
FOLLOW RECOMMENDED DOSES
Acetaminophen is used to relieve
mild to moderate pain and to
reduce fever. When used properly,
it can be safe and effective. But
overdoses can be fatal. And, taking
low doses of acetaminophen
every day for several months can
cause serious liver and kidney
problems. To be safe, always
follow the instructions on your
medicine’s label and never exceed
the recommended daily dose.
AVOID AN OVERDOSE
Accidental overdoses of acetaminophen
can occur when
people do not realize that a
medicine they are taking contains
acetaminophen or that they
have taken two or more products
containing acetaminophen at the
same time.
To stay safe, follow the
recommended dose: 1,000 mg of
acetaminophen every 6 hours, for
a total of 4 grams per day. If you
have kidney or liver problems,
ask your doctor or pharmacist
what’s right for you.
SAFETY TIPS
To make it through cold and flu
season safely, follow these tips:
• Always read labels. The chart
to the right shows examples of
common medicines that contain
acetaminophen.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist
about the ingredients in your
prescriptions and whether your
prescriptions could interact with
your cold or flu medicine.
• If acetaminophen doesn’t
improve your symptoms, don’t take
more. Instead, consult your doctor.
• Remember to provide a
complete list of all medications
you are taking to all of your
health care providers.
• Get a flu shot each fall. •
Examples of Prescription Products
Containing Acetaminophen:
Acetaminophen
Product Name
per Tablet/Capsule
Vicodin, Esgic Plus, Lortab, Tylox, Percocet
7.5/500, Endocet 7.5/500, Roxicet
Darvocet-N 100, Percocet 10/650,
Endocet 10/650, Lorcet Plus
Vicodin HP
Vicodin ES
500 mg
650 mg
660 mg
750 mg
Examples of Over-the-Counter
Products Containing Acetaminophen:
Product Name
Actifed Cold & Sinus Maximum
Strength, Midol Pre-Menstrual Syndrome,
Excedrin Tension Headache,
Tylenol PM Extra Strength
TheraFlu Daytime Severe Cold Hot
Liquid
TheraFlu Flu & Chest Liquid
Acetaminophen
per Tablet/Capsule
500 mg
650 mg
(per packet)
1,000 mg
(per packet)
ECHINACEA: CURE-ALL FOR THE COMMON COLD?
Some studies show that echinacea can
reduce the length and severity of a
cold. But one study says this popular
herb may have no effect on a cold —
or its symptoms.
About 70 college-aged women and
men agreed to take an echinacea
supplement. The participants took six
1-gram doses of the herb on the first
day cold symptoms appeared. Then,
they took three 1-gram doses per day
for up to 10 days. Another group of
about 70 young adults followed this
exact pattern, but used a placebo
instead.
Both groups had colds for the same
length of time: about two to 10 days.
There also was no difference in the
severity of their cold symptoms.
The researchers concluded that the
dried mixture of unrefined echinacea
they tested had no benefits. However,
they also noted that another echinacea
preparation may have different
results — and further studies of the
herb are needed.
Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 137, No. 12
Blueprint for Health | Winter 2008
3

Weight-Loss Myths and Truths
When it comes to losing weight,
it is often tough to separate fact
from fiction. Are these myths
sabotaging your weight-loss efforts?
MYTH: I should avoid carbohydrates to
shed pounds.
FACT: Low-carb diets can lead to shortterm
weight loss. “This is caused by the
water weight you can lose on these diets,”
explains Greg Gulick, D.O., M.P.H., an
internist with St. Anthony’s Primary Care.
“You regain this water weight quickly when
you return to a normal carbohydrate diet.”
What’s more, over the long term these
diets put you at risk for heart disease. This
is because they allow you to consume high
amounts of protein and fat and are usually
high in cholesterol. “Low-fat, high-carb
diets are better for permanent weight loss
— and your heart,” says Dr. Gulick.
MYTH: For my diet, the types of food I eat
are more important than the calories.
FACT: The total calories you eat determines
your dieting success — not how much fat,
carbohydrate and protein you consume.
To lose weight, Dr. Gulick suggests the
following:
• Eat healthy foods you enjoy.
• Trim your portions.
• Eat less fat and sugar.
• Pick a diet that helps you lose about a
pound a week. Most weight-loss diets allow
you to consume 1,000 to 1,500 calories
per day.
MYTH: I really don’t need to exercise to
lose weight.
FACT: You can lose weight just from cutting
calories, but it’s best to exercise, too.
“Dieting alone can slow down how fast
your body burns calories. Exercise can
help prevent that,” says Dr. Gulick. “In
fact, working out is very important to keep
weight from returning.”
When diet, exercise, and diet and
exercise in combination were studied in one
trial, all led to weight loss. The combination
approach resulted in the most weight loss,
but the exercise-only method kept the
weight off longer. •
LOSING ONLY 10 PERCENT OF
YOUR CURRENT WEIGHT WILL HELP
LOWER YOUR RISK FOR DISEASE.
St. Anthony’s Primary Care Weight
Loss Program is designed to help
people achieve healthy weight-loss
management by providing education
and lifestyle counseling. The program
includes:
• Complete medical and dietary
history
• Complete physical exam
• EKG testing and interpretation
• Laboratory tests
• Consultation with dietitians,
exercise and behavioral counselors
• Individualized education on
nutrition, fitness and behavior
modification
START LOSING WEIGHT TODAY!
Call the St. Anthony’s Primary Care
Weight Loss Program at 727-561-
0912.
YES, YOU CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR WILLPOWER!
Is your New Year’s resolution to exercise more or lose weight?
The key to changing your habits may be to bolster your willpower.
Here’s how:
SET AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL. If you’re committed to exercising
more, start by simply walking for 10 minutes a day or parking
your car farther away in the parking lot.
REWARD YOURSELF. After reaching a goal, treat yourself to a
massage, book or CD.
DO JUST ONE DIFFICULT THING AT A TIME. For example, people
who try to quit smoking while also controlling alcohol use and
overeating stack the odds against themselves, according to the
journal American Psychologist.
ANTICIPATE MINOR SLIPS. Plan for situations in which you will
be tempted to stop exercising or eating healthfully, and
determine what you’ll do instead.
GIVE YOURSELF A MENTAL BOOST. Keep reminding yourself
how well you are doing with your efforts.
MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS. It’s a tactic used by successful
dieters and former drinkers and smokers.
4 www.stanthonys.com

Sinus Pain? New Surgery Could Mean Relief
If it feels like your cold has dragged
on for months, it may be time to see a
doctor. That’s because your symptoms
may signal a more serious condition called
chronic rhinosinusitis. Thankfully, there is
help. Physicians at St. Anthony’s Hospital
are well-poised to manage sinus ailments.
And they often are able to successfully
resolve the problem — even if previous
treatments have not worked.
Donald Lanza, M.D., an ear, nose and
throat specialist on staff at St. Anthony’s,
has gained worldwide recognition as an innovator
of surgical procedures for the nasal
passages and sinuses. Because of his developmental
work, many minimally invasive
procedures to correct chronic rhinosinusitis
are in use today.
“More than 30 million people in the
United States suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis,
many of them needlessly,” explains
Dr. Lanza. “When other treatment options
fail, endoscopic surgery has shown remarkable
results. We have worked to fine-tune
minimally invasive techniques and have
enjoyed tremendous success.”
tibiotics may be prescribed if the problem
stems from a bacterial infection. If these
therapies don’t work by themselves, surgery
may be an option that can improve their
effectiveness.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SINUS SURGERY
Dr. Lanza uses a technique called functional
endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to
unblock nasal passages and improve sinus
drainage. This minimally invasive, outpatient
procedure usually is done entirely
through the nostrils. Unlike earlier sinus
surgery techniques, FESS means:
• Less scarring
• Reduced pain
• A quicker recovery
FESS is performed using an endoscope
— a thin tube that contains a bright light
and magnifying lens — to examine the
sinus and nasal openings. Once a blockage
is located, the surgeon can correct the
blockage and remove any polyps.
Sinus surgery is generally very safe. But
it doesn’t work for everyone. Fortunately,
the extensive expertise at St. Anthony’s
means a high success rate for patients.
“If you’ve had sinus surgery that failed or
have sinus problems that aren’t improving,
we may be able to help,” says Dr. Lanza.
“It can change your life.” •
IF YOU SUFFER FROM CHRONIC
SINUS PAIN, Dr. Lanza’s minimally
invasive surgery could help. Learn
about your treatment options. For a
physician referral, call 727-825-1111.
UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC
RHINOSINUSITIS
Chronic rhinosinusitis is characterized by inflamed
membranes in the nose and sinuses.
The inflammation thickens membrane walls,
making it difficult for the sinuses to drain.
In some people, nasal polyps — grape-like
growths in the nasal passages — also block
drainage and air flow.
Chronic rhinosinusitis is very similar to
acute sinusitis. Symptoms are generally
the same. However, chronic rhinosinusitis
lasts much longer — three months or
more, compared with two to four weeks.
Symptoms include:
• Facial pain
• Headache
• Cough
• Thick nasal drainage that is yellow or green
Experts don’t know exactly what causes
chronic rhinosinusitis, but it’s linked to
allergies and asthma as well as infection.
The condition often is treated with steroid
nose sprays if it’s related to allergies. An-
Blueprint for Health | Winter 2008
5

Recipe for Health
BAKED TROUT
Try baking this fish with only a
small amount of oil.
2 lbs. trout fillet, cut into six
pieces (or use any kind
of fish)
3 tbsp. lime juice (about two
limes)
1 medium tomato,
chopped
1/2 medium onion,
chopped
3 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Rinse fish and pat dry.
Place in baking dish.
3. In a separate dish, mix remaining
ingredients together
and pour over fish.
4. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes or
until fork-tender.
Serving size: 1 piece
Yield: 6 servings
Each serving provides:
230 calories, 9 g total fat
(2 g saturated fat), 58 mg cholesterol,
162 mg sodium.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute/National Institutes of Health
Catch All the Benefi ts of Fish
Seafood is the “reel” deal. You may be
avoiding it after all of the recent news
about mercury concerns, but experts
say that the benefits of fish far outweigh
the risks.
SURF’S UP: THE UPSIDE OF FISH
Here’s why fish is good for you: Eating one
or two servings a week can lower the risk
for death from heart disease — the leading
cause of death in men and women — by
36 percent, according to a report in the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
One or two weekly fish meals also can
cut your overall risk of death by 17 percent.
Fish is loaded with healthy fatty acids
called omega-3s. Other research has shown
that these fatty acids can help reduce the
risk for death from heart disease. Specifically,
they can help lower your blood pressure
and heart rate. In fact, population studies
suggest that eating even just one serving of
fish per month can help protect your heart.
The richest sources of omega-3s are oily
fish such as salmon, herring and sardines.
Besides protecting your heart, fish also
may lower your risk for stroke and depression.
Some research also suggests that
seafood can help keep our minds sharp as
we age.
CAUTION FOR SOME WOMEN AND
CHILDREN
Mercury is found in small traces in almost all
seafood. In higher doses, mercury may harm
a developing baby or young child. That’s why
experts advise young children and women
who are pregnant or may become pregnant to
avoid certain fish. These include:
• Shark
• Swordfish
• King mackerel
• Tilefish, or golden bass
However, children and women who are
pregnant or may become pregnant can
safely eat, on average, two meals containing
other types of seafood each week.
Seafood that is low in mercury includes
catfish, shrimp, wild and farmed salmon
and canned light tuna, which is lower in
mercury than albacore tuna. •
6 www.stanthonys.com

Community Events Calendar
Winter 2008 | Registration is required for all lectures. Call 727-825-1111, unless otherwise noted, or register online at www.stanthonys.com.
SUPPORT GROUPS
For a complete list, visit www.
stanthonys.com/supportgroups.
>Continent Ostomy Support
Group
For people with BCIR, Kock
Pouches and J-Pouches, or for
those considering surgery.
Last Wedensday of the month
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s
Hospital, 4th Floor SE
>Diabetes Support Group
Second Wednesday of the
month
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Classroom E/F
Call 727-820-7910 to register.
>Headache Support Group
Fourth Thursday of the month
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Classroom E/F
Call 727-820-7776 for more
information.
>Multiple Sclerosis Support
Group
Location: Carillon Outpatient
Center, Conference Room A
Call 727-820-7774 for more
information.
>Stroke Support Group
Second Monday of the month
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Ground floor,
Classrooms 1 and 2
SCREENINGS
Blood Pressure
First Tuesday of the month
2 to 4 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Main Lobby
FREE! No appointment necessary.
LECTURES
Tuesday, Jan. 15 — Mark
Sibley, M.D., ophthalmologist,
will discuss the latest treatments
for people with glaucoma.
6 to 7 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Ground Floor
FREE!
Thursday, Feb. 7 — Peripheral
Vascular Disease (PVD)
Do you have leg pain? Learn about
the signs and symptoms of PVD.
John Lee, M.D., board certified
vascular surgeon, discusses managing
PVD with lifestyle changes and
minimally invasive surgery.
FREE!
Thursday, Feb. 22 — Stroke
Prevention and Carotid Artery
Surgery
Join Larry Williams, M.D., board
certified vascular surgeon, as he
discusses stroke prevention and the
latest treatments, including repair of
the carotid artery, one of the major
suppliers of blood to the brain.
FREE!
Time: noon to 1 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s Carillon Outpatient Center,
900 Carillon Parkway, Classroom A/B, St. Petersburg
NEW RADIATION THERAPY TECHNIQUES
IN EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER:
Wednesday, Jan. 16
Lumpectomy and radiation therapy have been the
standard treatment for early stage breast cancer since the
1980s. Craig Miercort, M.D., radiation oncologist, talks
about a new treatment technique called accelerated partial
breast irradiation (APBI) and how it can benefit breast
cancer patients. FREE!
Visit www.stanthonys.com for future Lunch & Learn
lecture topics.
NEW ADVANCED SURGICAL ALTERNATIVES
FOR INTESTINAL CONTINENCE:
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Do you suffer from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,
diverticulitis, colon or rectal cancer or another condition
that can’t be helped with traditional therapies? Gregg
Shore, M.D., a board certified colorectal surgeon, will
discuss treatment options and unique procedures available
through the St. Anthony’s Center for Intestinal Continence.
FREE!
Blueprint for Health | Winter 2008
7

Rehab Helps
Stroke Survivors
After a stroke, healthy parts of
the brain often can take over
the functions of the damaged
parts. This is called the “plasticity”
of the brain.
A rehabilitation program
can help your brain regain the
skills you may have lost. Physical
therapy improves coordination
and mobility. Occupational
therapy can make daily
activities easier to perform.
And speech and language
therapy can help with communication
problems. Combined
with time and patience, these
therapies will help you regain
control after a stroke.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS
SUFFERED A STROKE, find out
how the St. Anthony’s Outpatient
Rehabilitation Centers can help.
Call 727-825-1771.
Should a “Mini-Stroke” Be a
Major Concern?
A “mini-stroke,” or transient ischemic
attack (TIA), occurs when
a blood clot blocks an artery
carrying blo od to the brain.
This temporary blockage causes
stroke symptoms that disappear
within minutes or hours, explains
Kristin Hinkle, M.D., a family physician
with St. Anthony’s Primary Care.
Symptoms of a stroke or TIA may include:
• Problems speaking or understanding
• Numbness or weakness of the face, arms
or legs
• Difficulty seeing
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Severe headache
“A person experiencing any of these symptoms
should get emergency help — even if
the symptoms disappear,” says Dr. Hinkle.
“While TIAs do not lead to permanent brain
injury, one in three people who suffers a TIA
will have a full-fledged stroke.”
Following a TIA, treatment and
lifestyle changes can help ward off a
full-scale stroke. Dr. Hinkle suggests
these steps:
1. Manage your blood pressure.
2. Cut back on saturated fats.
3. Control your blood sugar. Diabetes
triples your risk for stroke.
4. If you smoke, break the habit.
Your doctor also may recommend anticlotting
drugs or other medicines. •
LEARN MORE ABOUT STROKE
PREVENTION and treatment options at
our Vascular Health Lectures. For details,
see the calendar on Page 7.
SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED
ABOUT YOUR STROKE RISK?
See a doctor to make sure your blood
pressure and blood sugar levels are in
check. For a FREE physician referral,
call 727-825-1111.
Interested in a St. Anthony’s career? Call 727-825-1168, or visit www.stanthonys.com.
St. Anthony’s Hospital
1200 Seventh Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Postmaster: Please deliver
between January 7 and 11.
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St. Anthony’s
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Blueprint for Health
Blueprint for Health is published by
St. Anthony’s Health Care. The information
provided in this publication is intended to
educate the readers on subjects pertinent
to their health and is not a substitute for
a consultation with a personal physician.
© 2008 Printed in U.S.A.
“Managing Medicines” (Page 3)
Karen Hancock & Patient Safety Committee,
Contributing Writers
If you have questions or comments
about Blueprint for Health, please
call 727-820-7772.
6101M