March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. In conjunction with getting proper screenings, patients can help maintain their colon health by following simple dietary guidelines. These guidelines not only support the colon, but also overall health.

Effects of Colon Health
Maintaining a healthy colon ensures that the digestive tract stays healthy. Moreover, it prevents other symptoms and medical conditions. In addition to digestive problems like diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and bloating, poor colon health can cause the following:

• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Chronic fatigue
• Joint pain
• Skin problems
• Backache
• Sore throat
• Impaired sexual response
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Lung and sinus conditions

Improving Colon Health
The impact of proper diet on the colon is well documented. The guidelines for proper colon health are generally met by following routine nutrition recommendations:

1. Drink plenty of water. Water helps the body to process fiber more effectively and also promotes proper peristalsis (muscle contractions) of the colon. Water also softens the stool, making it easier to expel from the body.
2. Eat lots of high-fiber foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Dietary fiber increases the bulk and size of stool, so that the body can pass it more easily. Fiber also helps prevent conditions like diverticulitis.
3. Avoid processed foods, preservatives and artificial sweeteners. These products are more difficult for the body to digest. They can also clog the colon, providing a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria.

In addition to proper diet, exercise also improves colon health. It stimulates the colon and keeps the abdominal muscles in better condition. Some health care providers advocate eating yogurt or taking an acidophilus supplement, but the evidence that this helps colon health has been inconclusive.

Taking measures to improve colon health will help people improve their overall health, reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and myriad other conditions. When implemented along with regular screening, a colon-friendly diet can help prevent a wide spectrum of diseases and medical conditions, including colon cancer.

By Donna Hayden, Director of Cardiopulmonary at Central Florida Regional Hospital

You probably feel a little tired and even more stressed after a time change. But don’t worry: It takes 2-3 days for your body to adjust to daylight savings time. To help you with your spring forward, here are a few helpful tips:

• Exposure to light help’s your internal clock reset itself. So get outside and ride your bike or take a long walk with your extra hour of sunshine.
• Slow down and let your body adjust. Don’t try to pack too much into those first few days after the time change.
• Don’t nap. Try to get to bed a little earlier even if you have to block the light in your windows with a heavy blanket. Darkness is very important. (Think about what our night shift has to go through.)
• Gradually move your wake up time by 15 minutes a day until you adjust. This way your body has time to adjust prior to the actual Daylight Savings Time change.
• Avoid increasing your caffeine intake and increase your water consumption.
• Remember that stress levels, concentration, and productivity can all be affected by daylight savings time and it helps to prepare ahead.

For more information on getting a good night’s sleep, visit Central Florida Regional Hospital’s Sleep Laboratory.

By Stephen Reed, M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon

The CDC estimates that arthritis impacts the lives of over 19 million adults nationwide. Although the most common forms of the disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, other forms include childhood arthritis, fibromyalgia, general arthritis, gout and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus).

Arthritis may develop several ways. Sometimes it arises from an autoimmune disorder, where the body’s immune system actually begins attacking the joints. The condition may also begin due to a broken bone, an infection or simple “wear and tear” on the joints over time. Regardless of its causes, arthritis can be debilitating because it causes pain and reduces mobility.

The condition tends to affect more women; roughly 60% of women will develop some form of arthritis during their lifetimes. Men are more prone to gout. Age and genetic predisposition also determine the likelihood of someone’s developing arthritis. Controllable risk factors include obesity, joint injuries, and infection. Some occupations also increase people’s risk for arthritis, especially those that require repetitive bending and squatting.

Although there is no cure for arthritis, a health care provider may recommend or prescribe a variety of interventions to alleviate symptoms. The doctor may prescribe medication, the use of an assistive aide like a cane or walker, or even surgery. Meanwhile patients can be proactive about managing their symptoms through weight loss and exercise. A combination of low-impact aerobic exercise, strength building and flexibility activities help the body to support the joints and improve muscle function.

In cases of severe arthritis, the best course of action may be joint replacement. The most common of these are hip and joint replacements. Dr. Stephen Reed, an orthopaedic surgeon at Central Florida Regional Hospital, will be holding a lecture on these procedures at Oakmonte Village on March 24, 2010 at 4:30. Register for the event by visiting CFRH online at http://www.centralfloridaregional.com/CommCal.asp.

The Central Florida Regional Hospital family wishes a fond farewell to Dr. C.F.B (Brooke) Smith. He recently retired after over 50 years as an internal medicine doctor at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Dr. Smith brought both dedication and humor to his patients and profession.

Dr. Smith saw his last patients on February 18, 2010. In a few weeks, he will be moving to Catawva, Virginia with the assistance of his three sons. Dr. Smith looks forward to further developing his farm. He plans to spending his time fishing and getting advice from horticulturists and foresters on cultivating Frasier firs, walnuts, and birches.

A tireless physician, Dr. Smith saw “a mess of patients” over the years, regularly seeing 15 to 20 patients daily. Yet Dr. Smith’s best advice comes not from medical school, but from his own experience: “Follow my diet, and you can retire on a farm one day at my age.”

In partnership with schools in Volusia and Seminole counties, Central Florida Regional Hospital recently kicked off its second annual Youth Art Contest.  The contest anticipates our celebration of National Nurses Week May 6-12, 2010. 

Guidelines:

• Students submitting artwork must be in grades K-12.
• Artwork must fit on an 8.5” by 11” sheet of white paper.
• Artwork must be original and hand drawn.
• Students are allowed to use color with paint, pens, pencils, crayons and markers.
• Artwork should depict the student’s idea of “Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow.”
• No internet art, clipart, or cutouts
• Artwork must have the student’s name, grade, and school printed clearly on the back.
• Artwork must be submitted to the school office by Monday, March 15, 2010.  Or you can mail your entry to Marketing Department, Central Florida Regional Hospital, 1401 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford, FL  32771.
• Note that winners may not have their artwork returned, and artwork may be used for nursing career awareness projects.

Prizes

• The Grand Prize winner in each age group will receive a $100 gift card.  The artwork will also be displayed in the lobby of CFRH, developed into a hospital Nurses’ Week greeting card, and featured on our hospital website, www.CentralFloridaRegional.com.
• The First Place winner in each age group will receive a $25 gift card.  The art will also be displayed in the hospital lobby and on our website, www.CentralFloridaRegional.com.

Age Groups

• Grades K-2
• Grades 3-5
• Grades 6-8
• Grades 9-12

More than 50 members attended the monthly H2U Brunch and Learn meeting held last week at Central Florida Regional Hospital.  The guest speaker was Dr. Lawrence Vallerio, board certified cardiologist and current chair of the cardiology department at Central Florida Regional Hospital.  The presentation was entitled “Updates in Cardiology” and included several clinical vignettes: Coronary Disease, Heart Attacks and Treatment, Risk Factors, and Women and Heart Disease.

A Timely Overview of Heart Disease Facts

The clinical causes of a heart attack were outlined with a focus on blood clots and plaque. The signs of a heart attack differ for men and women; men tend to feel a squeezing fullness or pressure in their chests; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; cold sweat; nausea and/or lightheadedness.  On the other hand, women may feel pain in the chest, upper back, jaw or neck; and shortness of breath, but may also have feelings of anxiety; loss of appetite; fatigue or weakness; and/ or flu-like symptoms. 

While surgery was the first line of treatment for heart attack years ago, treatments now include clot busting drugs, angioplasty and angioplasty with stents (bare-metal stents or drug eluding stents).

There are several risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) over which we have no control: increasing age, male gender, family history of heart disease, race and past heart disease and stroke.  However, many factors for CHD can be controlled: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and use of tobacco.  Making the decision to change one’s lifestyle and following doctor’s orders with regard to blood pressure and cholesterol medication can have a major impact on extending the life of patients with CDH.

Of the one million people who will die of CHD each year, 53% are women.  More women die of CHD than all other diseases combined.  This is due, in part, to women’s inaccurate perception of their health threats.  Women tend to believe that cancer is the greatest threat to their health when in actuality CHD  is the leading cause of death among women.  As women age, they lose estrogen, which puts them at greater risk for heart disease.  Women also tend to be unaware of the symptoms of a heart attack and therefore, do not seek treatment. Both men and women need to know their numbers—cholesterol and blood pressure and be aware of the risk factors for CHD.

For more information regarding treatments for heart disease, please call Central Florida Regional Hospital’s Heart Institute at 407-321-4500, ext. 5372  To find out how to join the H2U program, please call 407-321-4500, ext 7385 or visit H2U at our website, centralfloridaregional.com.

Obesity has taken center stage as one of the leading health concerns in the United States. Even Michelle Obama has taken a public stand against childhood obesity. Linked to myriad other health conditions from joint pain to heart disease, obesity is almost always preventable.  Yet misinformation continues to pervade, leaving many people unsure about the healthiest approaches for overcoming obesity. Getting the real story behind some of the most pervasive diet and nutrition myths can help people make better choices about weight loss.

Myth #1: It’s okay to lose weight fast by drastically cutting calories.   Cutting caloric intake is one central component of losing weight, but not the only one.  Many patients simply reduce their calorie count by half.  Although they might experience rapid short-term weight loss, it is generally unhealthy to continue this pattern.  Most people cannot maintain that kind of dietary shortage anyway, and end up gaining the weight later.  The best weight-loss plan combines both healthy diet and exercise, for gradual, sustainable weight loss.

Myth #2: Some foods have negative calories.  The idea that foods like celery, broccoli, or grapefruit require more calories to digest than they contain has led some people to adopt radical single-food diets.  However all foods have calories.  People may experience greater weight loss with these foods because they usually use them to replace unhealthy foods in their diets.  The nutritional value in these foods makes them excellent additions to a healthy diet, even if they do contain countable calories.

Myth #3: Surgery is a cure-all for weight loss.  Patients often pursue bariatric surgery as a “quick fix” for weight loss.  However, both lap band and gastric bypass surgeries are invasive procedures that may not be the best choice for everyone.  The bottom line: these procedures may curb appetite, but patients must still eat right and exercise if they want to see long-lasting results.  Furthermore the procedure requires a long, gradual recovery process, necessitating long-term commitment from patients.

Myth #4: Protein shakes make weight loss easier.  Many diets require participants to consume protein shakes, sometimes called meal replacement shakes, up to three times daily. But protein shakes have not been shown to promote weight loss. In fact, since protein is dense in calories, drinking too many can actually derail weight loss efforts.  Instead of shakes, high-protein snacks like almonds or soy nuts make the body feel full, decreasing the likelihood of overeating at mealtime.   

Myth #5: Some people can’t lose weight because of their metabolism.  While metabolic conditions certainly exist, they occur much less commonly than most people realize.  Weight loss is almost always a matter of physical activity and diet.  Three factors figure into metabolism: body size and composition, gender and age.  Larger people and those with more muscle mass actually burn more calories, even at rest, so overweight people generally have higher metabolisms.  Meanwhile men tend to have more muscle mass and less fat than women, and therefore have higher metabolisms.  Finally as our bodies age, we lose muscle mass, so our metabolism also slows.  Yet this slowing is not significant enough to cause excessive weight gain. 

Fighting obesity isn’t about gimmicks or quick fixes.  It’s about commitment, persistence, and common sense.  If you would like to learn more about overcoming obesity, visit our Events page here and register for our free seminar, “Obesity: Is It Affecting Your Health?” The seminar is Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 pm.

The vast majority of Americans will need to visit a cardiologist at some point in their lives.  It may be for routine screening, or for complex open-heart surgery.  Regardless of the reason, it is critical to find a doctor who can provide specialized cardiac care in a hospital that is outfitted with the latest cardiac equipment. 

Care for Every Stage of Heart Disease

If a patient has concerns about a heart condition, it is best to seek not only a doctor, but also a medical facility, that specializes in cardiology.  A cardiologist who works in a specialized cardiac facility can provide comprehensive care, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.  Patients who know they will need extensive care can simplify the process by choosing a cardiologist who works in a specialized facility.  This way patients get all their cardiac care in one place, through one doctor. 

Access to Cutting-Edge Tools and Procedures

When a hospital offers specialized cardiac care, it usually also has the most up-to-date tools for diagnosing heart problems.  For instance, some hospitals offer electrophysiology tools like EnSite®  (a 3-D mapping system that detects heart arrhythmias) and cardiac ablation (using radio frequency to correct heart arrhythmias).  Meanwhile cardiac surgeons will have training on the latest procedures, which often gives patients a wider variety of non-invasive treatment options.  The latest technology and well-trained medical staff mean that patients get diagnosed more accurately, are treated more effectively, and recover from treatment more quickly.

Specialists Who Really Love Your Heart

Doctors and other medical professionals devote themselves to a specialty because they are truly passionate about that area of medicine.  Patients can tap into that passion by seeking cardiologists who not only love heart care, but who have also sought out specialized cardiac care facilities.  These physicians demonstrate devotion to cardiology and to working in the most advanced medical facilities available. 

The benefits of specialized cardiac care for cardiology patients are numerous.  Not only do patients get the best diagnosis and treatment that the medical world has to offer, but they also get world-class care from physicians and staff who truly enjoy cardiology.  These advantages translate into higher success rates, improved recovery, and extraordinary overall care.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, and now’s the time to improve your heart health to live a longer life.

One in every three female deaths in America is due to cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Some attacks can be sudden.  Often people aren’t sure what’s wrong and therefore wait too long to get help.

Here are some of the warning signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.   
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. 
• Shortness of breath: with or without chest discomfort.  
• Other signs: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.    

Knowing the signs is important.  But even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Central Florida Regional Hospital is proud to have shorter ER weight times with a certified chest pain center and an award-winning Heart Institute with the most modern cardiac technology.   We offer the only full-service cardiac program in Seminole and West Volusia counties, including open heart surgery, catheterization, electrophysiology and cardiac rehabilitation. 

We’re planning several free Heart Month events in February including:

• Dinner With A Doctor: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Jorge O. Diaz, M.D., Electrophysiologist, will discuss treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation.  A healthy dinner will be served.  Call 1-800-445-3392 for reservations.
• Heart Healthy High Tea: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Jacob Agamasu, M.D., Cardiologist, will discuss the latest advances in heart treatment as well as how to keep your heart healthy.
• The Iron Heart Cooking Contest: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.  Watch our cardiologists create a meal with secret heart healthy ingredients and find out who is the better chef.  A heart healthy dinner will be served.
• Cardiac Screening: Saturday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, glucose and blood pressure.  Call 1-800-445-3392 for an appointment.

We’re less than three weeks away from Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association’s movement to raise awareness in the fight against heart disease.

On Friday, Feb. 5 we hope you’ll join the women— and men— who are wearing red to work in an effort to save lives.

And don’t stop with just what you wear.  If your workplace hasn’t planned an event, it’s not too late for you to start spreading the word.  You can log onto www.goredforwomen.org for a free, downloadable toolkit which includes a how-to guide, posters and more.

Plus, you’ll want to check out the official Go Red For Women Facebook fan page where more than 70,000 women are already talking about ways to fight this silent killer.

For more information about Central Florida Regional’s Heart Institute, log onto our website at www.centralfloridaregional.com.  And don’t forget to Go Red on Feb. 5.

Approximately 2.2 Americans suffer from Atrial Fibrillation or A-Fib.  The abnormal heart rhythm can lead to life-threatening complications in some patients, including heart attacks and strokes.

Long-term A-Fib causes the atria, the two upper chambers of the heart, to quiver rather than beat normally.  This quivering can cause the heart muscles to weaken, and over time it can result in heart failure. 

Because blood does not empty out of the heart chambers, clots can form.  If these blood clots break away and travel to the brain, a stroke can occur. 

Symptoms include:

• Irregular or rapid pulse or heart beat
• Racing feeling in the chest
• Palpitations, or a pounding feeling in the chest
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Sweating
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue or weakness
• Exercise intolerance

A-Fib patients are sometimes given blood-thinning medication to prevent complications, but with the newest technology that’s not the only option.

Central Florida Regional Hospital offers an effective treatment called a cardiac ablation, also known as radiofrequency ablation.  This nonsurgical procedure, which is performed in the hospital’s electrophysiology lab, regulates the heart rhythms by eliminating the tissue that causes the irregular heartbeats.

A 3D mapping system helps guide an electrode-tipped catheter to the abnormal tissue in the heart.  Then radiofrequency energy is sent through the catheter into the abnormal tissue to regulate the heart rhythm.

“The ideal candidates for this procedure are people with Atrial Fibrilation who have failed drug treatment and are significantly symptomatic from the arrhythmia,” Jorge O. Diaz, M.D. said.

Recovery times are minimal and patients generally go home within six to eight hours after the procedure.  Patients can return to normal activities the next day, and many patients no longer require medication.

“I was not able to complete a round of golf in the months prior to my ablation because I would get so fatigued.  Now I can play a full 18 and some days 36 holes without a problem,” patient Ed Crain said.

As part of Central Florida Regional Hospital’s heart month events, Dr. Diaz will discuss safe and simple options for the treatment of A-Fib during a Dinner with a Doctor lecture on Wednesday, February 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  A healthy dinner will be served.

To make reservations for the free event, call 1-800-445-3392.