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

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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
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Page 5 and 6: Sinus Pain? New Surgery Could Mean
Page 7 and 8: Community Events Calendar Winter 20

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