Get Moving for Better Health

Calendar May 15, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Wondering what you can do to foster wellness? Chances are if you get moving, you’ll enjoy better health. Numerous studies have proven a link between regular exercise and an array of health benefits. Perks can include living longer, improved mental health, a decrease in back troubles and blood pressure, as well as a lower risk of diseases including osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate intensity aerobic exercise every week, along with doing muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days a week.

• How does it work? Regular exercise helps control weight, stimulate endorphins, deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues of the body, build muscle, promote quality sleep and more.

• What to do? The goals of exercise are to raise your heart rate and burn calories; and in addition strive to build muscle and increase your strength, endurance and flexibility. With that in mind, broaden your definition of exercise, and do something you enjoy. Aside from activities such as running, bicycling and swimming, consider yoga, Pilates, dancing, water aerobics, golf and more.

• How to start? You might start simply by walking. Gradually increase duration and intensity. Or consider working with a personal trainer for individualized attention and guidance.

• How to stick with it? Tricks that can help prevent you from becoming bored or loosing motivation include taking up a new activity every couple of months, exercising with a friend or joining an exercise club, or training for a race or fitness event.

To learn more about the health benefits associated with exercising, or to schedule an appointment to get a doctor’s advice on beginning a fitness program, call Central Florida Regional Hospital’s free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-800-445-3392.

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Breastfeeding Tips for the Working Mom

Calendar May 8, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Have you made the important decision to breastfeed your newborn baby? According to Womenshealth.gov, there are several benefits to breastfeeding, including benefits for both mom and baby. Breast milk is nutrient and antioxidant rich, can help fight disease in infants and may be easier to digest than formula. For moms, breastfeeding can lower your risk for certain diseases, make you feel great, help you save money and even make life easier. But for working moms, that may not seem like the case. Here are some tips for continuing breastfeeding, even after maternity leave is over.

Talk to Your Employer
Before returning to work, talk to your employer about your decision to continue breastfeeding while working. Your supervisor may suggest a particular place for your to go to pump, and can help you with scheduling your breaks for pumping. You may also want to connect with a coworker who previously breastfed at work and can give you tips and advice.

Invest In a Good Pump
A good electric pump that allows you to pump from both breasts at the same time will help reduce the time you need to pump during work.

Properly Store Milk
Be sure that you have a means to properly store your breast milk while you are at work. A lunch box inside of the fridge, or a mini cooler with ice packs can work for storage.

Breastfeed When You Are Home
When you do have the opportunity to breastfeed your baby–in the mornings and evenings before and after work, make sure you do and save pumped breast milk for times when you are away or your baby is at childcare.

Find a Private Area to Pump
If your office does not have a specified breastfeeding lounge, work with your employer to find a location that will suit your needs. An office with a door, a small unused storage space or a closed conference room can work for a private space.

Keep a Pumping Schedule
While you are at work, you should pump every two to three hours, ideally. This should provide enough supply of milk for your baby to drink while you are at work and will keep your milk supply up enough that you can nurse your baby in the morning and evening.

For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding, visit us online at Central Florida Regional Hospital or call our free Consult-A-Nurse® Service at 1-800-445-3392 for health information and physician referrals.

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Weight Loss: Strategies for Success

Calendar May 2, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Have you ever wanted to lose weight, but couldn't stick to a diet or exercise plan? Did you lose weight only to gain it back a few months or years down the road? You aren't alone. MSNBC reports that an estimated 80 percent of those who lose weight will gain all of it or more back after only 2 years. Losing the weight may not be that hard, but maintaining your weight after weight loss can be the difficult part. Here are some tips for success!

Watch your diet–don't go back to old eating habits
Often, we lose weight through dieting or eating healthier–but once the weight is lost, many people go back to eating the way they did before. Be sure to keep up your positive eating habits even after weight loss. Make sure you eat breakfast every day and keep a pretty consistent eating pattern.

Stay active
Reverting back to the couch isn't going to keep the weight off. Don't think of being active as just a means to lose the weight. Know that exercising and being active is good for your health and should be a part of your routine even if you have reached your weight goal.

Add variety
You're more likely to stick to your healthy eating plan if you mix things up. Try new healthy recipes and use different colorful produce items and spices to make your meals more flavorful. You won't get bored with eating healthy and revert back to your old eating habits.

Minimize TV time
Sitting on the couch watching TV makes you more inclined to indulge in junk food, and it it keeps you from being physically active. If you have time to sit and watch TV, you could use it being active. Use your free time wisely!

Make sure the whole family is on board
Your family and friends play an important role in your weight loss success. They can help to motivate and support you and can even make a healthy lifestyle more fun. Try cooking and enjoying healthy meals together and participating in activities that you all can do.

Not sure where to begin in reaching your weight loss goals? Visit us online at Central Florida Regional Hospital or call our free Consult-A-Nurse® Service at 1-800-445-3392 for health information and physician referrals.

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Blood Tests: What to Know about the CBC

Calendar May 2, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Approximately 956 million people visit their doctor each year, according to the CDC. You can make the assumption that routine laboratory tests, such as blood screens, are just as common. Think about your visits to the doctor in the past. How many times have you had blood drawn in just your lifetime? While you will probably be able to recall at least a handful of times, how much do you actually know about those tests? Maybe it’s time to learn more.

Blood tests are performed for good reason. Doctors can use the information to help diagnose certain diseases and conditions. They can also take a look at how well your organs are doing their job in a minimally invasive, low risk manner; a simple needle stick. Likewise, finding out if you have risk factors for heart disease can be determined through this common type of testing.  Another benefit of a blood test is that it can let the doctor know whether your medications are working.

The majority of blood tests do not require preparation, although some may be a fasting blood draw, which means you should not eat anything 8-12 hours prior to the test.

One of the most common blood tests done by doctors is the CBC, otherwise known as a complete blood count.  The complete blood count measures some important components of your blood. These include:

This test, the CBC, also provides information on:

  • The average size of your red blood cells
  • How much hemoglobin is in each red blood cell
  • The concentration of hemoglobin per red blood cell
  • Platelet count

Blood tests are one of the least invasive ways to provide important information in a time-sensitive manner when it comes to health.  By knowing a bit more about these types of tests, you can be ask questions and better understand the answers.

In the meantime, if you have a health question, or need a physician referral, contact Central Florida Regional’s Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-800-445-3392. You will reach a nurse or referral specialist who will have answers for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

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10 Ways to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

Calendar April 17, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Feeling tired? Here’s how to make your zzz’s really count so that you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day:

1. Make sleep a priority. Good sleep is essential to overall good health, and it offers an abundance of benefits ranging from helping improve your mood to managing weight and even helping you live longer.

2. Establish a routine. Go to bed at about the same time each night and get up at about the same time each morning. This consistency will help teach your body to rest and awaken more naturally.

3. Exercise. Regular physical activity fosters quality sleep. However, it’s important to exercise at least three hours before bedtime, as to give your body adequate time to come down from an exercise “high”.

4. Don’t eat late. Eating too much too close to bedtime can keep you from falling asleep and sleeping soundly. While a growling stomach can do the same, it’s wise to only eat a small, nutritious snack late in the evening.

5. Don’t drink. A full bladder can disrupt a good night’s sleep. Caffeinated beverages can affect your ability to fall asleep. And while an alcoholic beverage might help you relax and fall asleep faster, it can also cause you to awaken more often during the night, as opposed to sleeping soundly.

6. Create dark. Turn off the lights, computer monitor and anything else that illuminates your bedroom. In addition, choose window shades that block outside light.

7. Create quiet. Turn off the television as well as any computer equipment that makes distracting sounds.

8. Rest your mind. Set matters aside before getting into bed. Don’t continue to work or watch television after getting under the covers. Have a notepad and pen handy on your bedside table in order to jot down anything you think you might forget before morning or that you might stay awake thinking about.

9. Use your bed for sleeping. Don’t also associate your bed with watching television, surfing the Internet, studying or working.

10. Get enough sleep. Too little sleep can leave you feeling less than refreshed. The amount of sleep a person needs varies by individual and by age, however most adults need between 7 and 8 hours a night. If you need more than you are currently getting, try backing up your bedtime 15 minutes each week until you’re sleeping enough.

Want to learn more about how you can get a good night’s sleep? Contact Central Florida Regional Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Laboratory. Visit us online or call 407-833-7526.

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Back Pain During Pregnancy: Tips for Relief

Calendar April 10, 2012 | Posted by laicos

Back pain during pregnancy is about as common as references to pickles and ice cream. Here’s how a mom-to-be can find relief.

Remember proper posture. This is increasingly important as you gain weight. And in addition to standing and sitting tall, remember to sleep on your side instead of on your back, and place a pillow between your knees for proper body alignment. Likewise, think about making comfort your top priority when choosing footwear and consider cushioned, supportive tennis shoes as opposed to high heels.

Exercise. Physical activity can help prevent and reduce back pain. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that if you are an average healthy mom-to-be, you get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, as long as your doctor approves. You should follow American Pregnancy Association guidelines for exercising safely, and avoid contact sports and activities that put you at high risk for injury, involve extreme heat, require you to lift weights above your head, require lying on your back or that can be dangerous for your baby. Good exercise options during pregnancy often include walking, swimming and prenatal yoga. Discuss any concerns with your doctor, and stop exercising immediately if you feel dizzy or have difficulty breathing, headache, chest pain, abdominal pain, contractions or bleeding.

Sleep. Getting adequate rest will help your changing body feel its best.

Medication. Talk with your doctor about pain-relief medications that are safe to take while pregnant.

To learn more about relieving pregnancy-related pain, to register for childbirth classes or for information about delivering in the Central Florida Regional Hospital Baby Suites, visit us online or call (407) 321-4500 ext. 5767.

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Alcohol and Its Effects

Calendar April 6, 2012 | Posted by laicos

News headlines about alcohol range from reporting its negative nature to boasting its believed benefits. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and a good opportunity to clear up any confusion and raise awareness about the effects of alcohol.

The Good News
Research has shown that for some people, drinking alcohol in moderation may actually aid in cutting their risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. How is moderation defined? It starts as defining a drink as the equivalent of 12 ounces of beer, eight ounces of malt liquor, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. Furthermore, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, defines drinking in moderation as up to one drink per day for a female and up to two drinks per day for a male.

The Bad News
On the flip side, consuming alcohol can be detrimental to both mental and physical health. It clouds ability and judgment and increases the potential for risky behavior and a variety of accidents. Heavy drinking is defined as more than one drink each day on average for a female and more than two drinks each day on average for a male. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks at a time for a female and five or more drinks at a time for a male. Both heavy drinking and binge drinking are forms of excessive drinking. Over time, excessive drinking can play a part in depression, anxiety, heart trouble, dementia, stroke, cancer, liver disease and other issues.

To learn more about the effects alcohol can have on your health, or to get help with alcohol addiction, contact us at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Our Consult-A-Nurse® service is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-445-3392.

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EsophyX: Incisionless Surgery for Chronic Heartburn

Calendar March 27, 2012 | Posted by Central Florida Regional

Are you suffering from chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that isn’t effectively treated with medication and lifestyle changes? Or are your medications working, but leaving you concerned about their possible long-term side effects? Wondering what you can do? EsophyX incisionless surgery may be the right answer for you.

What Is It
Transoral incisionless fundoplication, or TIF® as it is commonly called, is a revolutionary procedure for safely and effectively treating chronic heartburn or GERD. The procedure involves rebuilding the antireflux barrier, which fixes the fundamental problem associated with chronic heartburn and GERD.

How Does It Work
TIF is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that involves using the innovative EsophyX® surgical device (see photo at right) from EndoGastric Solutions®. Using the EsophyX device, the procedure is performed through the mouth, rather than through an abdominal incision as is standard for traditional surgery. The EsophyX device is used to create tissue folds and build a sturdy antireflux valve. The procedure typically takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, and is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients can go home the following day and return to work within just a few days.

How Well Does It Work
Studies have shown that 93 percent of patients remained heartburn free and 79 percent remained off their daily proton pump inhibitor medication at two years after undergoing the TIF procedure. In addition, patients stated 80 percent improvement in quality of life, significantly improved satisfaction and reduction/elimination of their heartburn symptoms.

To learn more about incisionless surgery for chronic heartburn or reflux, visit Central Florida Regional Hospital online, or give us a call at 1-800-445-3392.

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New Parent’s Guide to Baby Baths

Calendar March 20, 2012 | Posted by Central Florida Regional

Washing the car, washing the dishes and even bathing the dog—all tasks that you’ve long since mastered. But what about bathing your newborn baby? While bathing your baby can be a wonderful opportunity to bond, it can also sometimes be a bit nerve-wracking until you get the swing of it. Here’s a guide to making bath time a wonderful and safe experience:

• A newborn is a fragile creature, and can be slippery when wet. Always make sure to have a hand on your baby at all times and to support your baby’s head and neck.

• Opt for sponge baths until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off and his or her naval heals, which typically occurs within the first month of life. If your newborn is a boy, also be sure to stick with sponge baths until after his circumcision heals.

• Bathing a newborn two or three times each week is sufficient. More frequent bathing can result in dry or irritated skin. Between baths, simply cleanse your baby’s face, neck, hands, diaper area and any other spot that requires it. After a baby reaches one year of age, he or she may benefit from being bathed more frequently.

• When using a tub, consider an infant tub that includes an insert designed to cradle your baby in a reclining position. Set your tub inside an adult tub or on a table or countertop. Add two to three inches of warm, not hot, water. Test the temperature of bath water with the inside of your wrist.

• Use a soft washcloth to gently cleanse your baby. Pay close attention to under your baby’s chin and in the creases of the arms and legs. Pour warm water over your baby to both rinse and keep him or her comfortable.

• Use a shampoo and body wash that is designed for a newborn’s sensitive skin.

• After removing your baby from the bath, immediately wrap him or her in a soft hooded bath towel for warmth and comfort.

• Never, not even for a moment, leave your baby unattended in a tub.

For more information on how to prepare for parenthood, contact Central Florida Regional Hospital. Call our Consult-A-Nurse health information and referral service to learn about our prepared childbirth classes. Visit us online or give us a call at (800) 445-3392.

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Cancer: Family Support Tips

Calendar March 13, 2012 | Posted by Central Florida Regional

Cancer can take a toll not only on the person suffering with the disease, but also on that person’s family. Here are some ways to support all those who need it:

Educational support provides the knowledge often necessary to feel empowered and able to fight cancer. The American Cancer Society’s free I Can Cope classes are designed for adults facing cancer as well as friends and family members of those fighting cancer. The classes cover topics ranging from nutrition to pain management, and are taught online as well as in communities across the country.

Psychosocial support refers to mental and emotional wellbeing, individual or family counseling, support groups and other types of mental health support. This type of support can be beneficial to the person diagnosed with cancer as well as his or her family members, both adult and children. The spouse and the children of a person with cancer sometimes struggle with issues that go beyond the disease itself to include job and/or school pressures, financial concerns loss and grief. Some support groups meet face-to-face, while others are available online. Cancer Support Community: A Network of Education and Hope makes information and resources available so that no one faces cancer alone.

Caregiver support is about caring for the person who is caring for the cancer victim. The responsibilities and stress that go along with caring for someone suffering with cancer can leave a caregiver feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and/or depressed. It’s important that a caregiver be able to take a break, and it’s helpful if he or she can connect with caregivers via a support group. The American Cancer Society offers a Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire designed to help a caregiver determine if his or her own wellbeing is suffering.

To learn more about support available to those facing cancer and family of those facing cancer, visit Central Florida Regional Hospital online or call us at (407) 302-7308.

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