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Learn more about this bone disease and if you’re at risk for it.
A natural process in our bodies could be a health threat. At around 30 years old, our bones stop producing new tissue. The bones then slowly lose mass, a condition known as osteoporosis. This condition makes bones fragile and more apt to break.
A “Silent” Condition
May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, so we're sharing information about the warning signs of this bone disease. Unfortunately, osteoporosis is sometimes called a silent condition because we normally don’t check our bone density until we suffer a fracture. The National Institutes of Health say that fractures in these bones can be signs of the disease:
A spinal fracture may occur without someone even knowing it. Common signs of one or more spinal fractures related to osteoporosis include:
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A loss in height of one inch or more
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Back pain
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Stooped shoulders
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A curved spine
Risk Factors
Instead of waiting for a fracture to signal you may have osteoporosis, learn if you’re at risk for developing the disease and then take steps to prevent it. Risk factors include:
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Gender – women are at higher risk than men, especially after menopause
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Age – the odds increase as we age
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Diet – a lifelong deficiency in calcium can play a role, and too little vitamin D is also unhealthy
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Exercise – not enough can weaken bones
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Smoking – tobacco makes it harder for the body to absorb calcium
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Genetics – a family history of osteoporosis increases your chance of developing it
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Ethnicity – Caucasian and Asian women have higher incidences of the disease than people from other ethnic and racial groups
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Previous fractures – experiencing one broken bone past the age of 50 increases the chance of another
Increasing your calcium and vitamin D intake, exercising, and lowering the risk of falls that could lead to fractures are the basic prevention steps for osteoporosis. At HCA East Florida, women curious about their bone density mass can contact our Women’s Health Services to arrange a screening. Anyone looking for more information or a physician referral can call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362.
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Posted in Main
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Tagged bone density, bones, calcium, exercise, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, fracture, HCA East Florida, hip, menopause, osteoporosis, risk factors, signs, spine, women, wrist
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Most of us want to feel—and look—younger; here are some ways do to it.
Looking and feeling young may be based partially on genetics, but there’s no question that women sometimes make choices that seem to speed up the aging process, making them look or feel older than their years. Here are some suggestions from the National Institute of Health for how to fight the aging battle.
Exercise
Staying physically active is a great way to keep feeling young. Some simple tips for staying active include:
- Doing outside chores, such as raking or weeding
- Walking whenever possible
- Trying yoga or tai chi
- Organizing activities with friends, so you get the added health benefits of social interaction
Diet
The right diet helps you achieve the right weight for your age and height, which can keep your energy up. Proper nutrition also helps hold off diseases sometimes associated with old age, such as bone loss or heart disease. To eat better, try:
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods
- Choosing low- or non-fat varieties of dairy products
- Reducing intake of saturated fats
Sleep
As people age they sometimes find it tough to get enough sleep to ensure top health and youthful vitality. To make sure you get enough sleep, try:
- Creating a routine that you follow every night before you go to bed
- Avoiding alcohol and caffeine consumption close to bedtime
- Following a regular time schedule for going to bed and waking
Skin
We get plenty of sun here in Florida, and for some, it’s too much. Take these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Wear a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
- Wear protective clothing (hat, sunglasses, long sleeves)
- Avoid the sun from 10 am to 4 pm
Your good health and a youthful feeling go hand in hand. At HCA East Florida, we’re ready to give South Florida women whatever tools they need to achieve both. Find out more about the Women’s Health services offered at your local HCA East Florida hospital. If you have a health question or want a referral to a doctor, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362.
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Posted in Health for Women
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Tagged diet, exercise, feeling young, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, fruits, HCA East Florida, healthy, sleep, stretches, sun exposure, vegetables, women
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Regular examination of your skin can catch cancer in its early stages.
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One of the great things about Florida is the sunny weather, but as most folks know, too much sun can be dangerous. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the main cause of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month–a good time to check yourself for any warning signs of the disease.
The Basics
While a doctor can give you the most thorough skin exam, the American Cancer Society has these guidelines for doing your own exam at home:
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Check your skin once a month.
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Use full-length and hand mirrors to help you see all parts of your body.
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On the first exam, note the location of moles and freckles, so you can notice any changes in subsequent exams.
What to Look For
For basal and squamous cell cancer, some of the things to look for include:
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Flat, pale areas or small, raised, pink or red, translucent areas that may bleed after a minor injury
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Crusted or oozing areas
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Growing lumps, often with a rough or crusted surface
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Slow-growing, flat reddish patches
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Sores, lumps, patches, or growths that don’t go away after several weeks.
For melanoma, look for:
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A new spot on the skin or a spot that changes in size, shape, or color
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A spot that looks different from other spots on your body
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One half of a mole or birthmark that doesn’t match the other
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A spot with irregular, ragged, or notched edges
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A spot with irregular coloring, rather than having the same color throughout
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A spot larger than ¼ inches across, which is about the size of a pencil eraser
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A mole that changes in size, shape, or color
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Changes in the surface of a mole, including oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump
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A sore that doesn’t heal.
If you detect any of these signs or are worried about a bump or patch of skin, contact your doctor. If you need a referral, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 866-442-2362. And if you're diagnosed with skin cancer, you can get the best cancer care available at several of our area hospitals.
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Posted in Cancer Care
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Tagged basal, detect, exam, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, HCA East Florida, melanoma, moles, prevent, skin cancer, squamous, sun, ultraviolet rays
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Immunization is key for helping prevent some forms of this disease.
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World Meningitis Day is April 24, so it’s a good time to take closer look at this disease and how vaccines can help prevent it.
Spinal Disease
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain that is sometimes called spinal meningitis. The most common forms of the disease are caused by bacteria or a virus. Bacterial meningitis is the severest form and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who survive it can suffer brain damage or other serious problems. The viral form of the disease usually clears up in seven to ten days, without any special treatment.
Vaccines
For the potentially deadly bacterial meningitis, scientists have developed vaccines that target three different bacteria that can cause the disease. These are
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Meningococcus
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Pneumococcus
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
The strains of meningitis caused by the first two of those bacteria are the most common. Meningococcus is further divided into three subgroups; only one of these can be prevented with one of the two varieties of vaccine currently available. The introduction of the Hib vaccine and its widespread use among children has made that strain rare.
Who Should be Vaccinated?
For meningococcus, the CDC recommends vaccinations for:
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Preteens (11-12 years old) followed by a booster shot
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Adults who fall into any of these categories:
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College students living in a dorm
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Members of the military
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People with damaged or no spleen
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Visitors to regions of the world where the disease is common
The pneumococcus vaccine is recommended for:
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Children under five
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Children over five with certain medical conditions (check with your doctor)
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Adults over 65
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People between 19 and 64 with a range of illnesses, including lung, heart, liver, or kidney disease; asthma; diabetes; alcoholism; and illnesses that weaken the immune system
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Smokers
The Hib vaccine is recommended for all children under five and for adults with certain health issues such as HIV or sickle-cell anemia. Check with your doctor to find out which vaccines your child needs.
If you have more questions about meningitis, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362. If you or a loved one have any symptoms associated with bacterial meningitis, our nurses can recommend a doctor so you can begin immediate treatment.
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Posted in How to be Healthy
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Tagged bacterial, children, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, HCA East Florida, Hib, meningitis, meningococcus, pneumococcus, teens, vaccine, viral, weak immune system
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Rehabilitation of all kinds is vital for stroke victims and OT is part of the picture.
It’s sometimes called a brain attack—the blockage of oxygen to the brain that kills cells and can lead to brain damage, physical disability, or death. Most of us know this sudden, severe, medical condition as a stroke, and according to the National Stroke Foundation, some 133,000 Americans will die from one this year.
Fortunately, hundreds of thousands of others who suffer a stroke will survive, though many face new challenges as they struggle with the aftermath. To recover from a stroke, victims rely on the skills of a number of medical professionals, including occupational therapists.
The Role of the OT
April is Occupational Therapy Month, so it’s a good time to explore how OTs help. According to the American Occupational Therapist Association, OTs usually spend more time with recovering stroke victims than any other medical practitioner. Ideally, Easter Seals says, that work will begin while the patient is still in the hospital. The initial assessment tasks of OT include:
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Observing the patient’s ability to carry out daily tasks, such as
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Showering
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Using the toilet
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Dressing
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Eating
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Screening the patient’s memory and cognition
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Testing motor skills
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Watching the patient’s ability to function in the home environment
Tools for Better Living
With assessments done, the OT begins mapping out specific changes in a patient’s daily routine and environment that will make life easier. These may include:
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Exercises designed to improve physical strength and endurance
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Physical changes in or the introduction of adaptive equipment to the home or work environment
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Introduction of assistive devices to restore a patient’s independence
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Mental exercises to strengthen memory and cognition
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Activities that help rebuild self confidence
Here to Help
At HCA East Florida, we’re ready to help stroke survivors restore as much of their old lives as possible. To find out which of our hospitals can provide the best rehabilitation services for you or a loved one or to ask a question about stroke, use our free Consult-A-Nurse® service by calling 1-877-442-2362.
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Posted in Occupational Therapy
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Tagged adaptive equipment, assessment, assistive devices, exercises, Fort Lauderdale, HCA East Florida, memory, mental cognition, motor skills, occupational therapy, physical strength, recovery, rehabilitiation, Stroke
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Driving safely requires your full attention, so don’t let yourself get distracted.
We all know about the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol and that wearing seat belts is a great way to stay safe behind the wheel. But have you given much thought to the dangers of driving while distracted? You should, since the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) says that every year distracted driving leads to accidents that kill an average of 3,000 people and many more suffer injuries.
The Types of Distractions
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time set aside to educate drivers about the dangers of letting distractions take their attention off the road. The NHSTA breaks the distractions into three main categories:
- Manual – distractions that lead drivers to take their hands off the wheel
- Visual – distractions that take drivers’ eyes off the road
- Cognitive – mental activities that divert drivers’ attention from their main task: driving safely
Here are some of the specific distractions that can cause an accident:
- Talking on a cell phone—even while using a headset or another hands-free system
- Talking to people in the car
- Reading maps or any printed material
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting music devices, such as a CD or MP3 player or a radio
- Watching a video
- Using a GPS system
A Special Danger
In a special category of its own is texting, since it combine all three types of distractions. In the time it takes to send or receive a message—about 5 seconds—a car going 55 miles per hour covers the distance of a football field. That’s a long distance to travel without paying attention to the road.
At HCA East Florida, we know how tempting it can be to take a cell phone call while driving, or eat breakfast on the way to work., but knowing the risks of distracted driving should help you break the habit. Still, if an accident occurs on the road, the trained staff in our Emergency Rooms are there for you. You can always check our website for the wait times at the ERs near you.
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Posted in How to be Healthy
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Tagged accidents, cell phone, cognitive, distracted driving, eating, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, HCA East Florida, manual, reading, talking, texting, visual
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The typical home has many potential sources for burns, but you can reduce these risks.
Most of the time a home is a safe place, but some items can present hazards that can lead to burns or scalds. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of a burning or scalding accident. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Burn Association.
Hot Water Burns
Water that’s too hot can cause a third-degree burn in just seconds. Reduce that danger by:
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Setting your hot-water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit
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Checking water temperature of a tub or shower before entering
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Putting pans with boiling water on the back burners of your stove
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Not flushing a toilet while someone is showering
Kitchen Scaldings
Keep these tips in mind when cooking:
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Don’t use a microwave to warm up a baby bottle; the contents may heat unevenly and lead to scalding.
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Lift the cover from a boiling pot away from your face, so you’re not hit with the escaping steam.
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Only try to carry pots and pans that you can easily lift, especially when they’re full
Burns from Heat or Electrical Sources
While space heaters and fireplaces might not be a part of life for most of us in Florida, we do face dangers from flames and electrical items. Consider these tips:
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Throw out items with frayed or damaged electrical cords.
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If you have children, cover unused electrical outlets.
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Keep children from touching heaters or getting too close to a fireplace or candle flame.
Chemical Burns
The chemicals in cleaning products and others common household chemicals can cause burns if they’re not used and stored properly. To reduce the risk of chemical burns, do the following:
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Carefully read and follow all instructions for proper use.
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Wear gloves and other protecting clothing when using chemicals.
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Don’t mix together different cleaning products
By taking precautions, you can reduce the risk of burns in your home. But if you or a loved one is burned, count on the expert staff at the Burn Clinic at Kendall Regional Medical Center to help. The clinic offers both inpatient and outpatient services. For more information, call (305) 480-6690.
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Posted in How to be Healthy
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Tagged boiling water, burn clinic, chemical burns, electrica burnsl, flames, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, HCA East Florida, heaters, hot water, Kendall Regional, kitchen, miami, prevent burns, scalding, steam
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Early detection of this brain disorder leads to proper treatment.
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Over the last decade, actor Michael J. Fox has become the public face of Parkinson’s disease, which is marked by decreased production of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Thanks to Fox’s efforts, more people know about Parkinson's and scientists are working for a cure. But would you know if you or a loved one was developing Parkinson’s? The National Parkinson’s Foundation offers some of the most common signs of the disease:
Unexpected tremors or shaking – These might be the best-known early symptoms of Parkinson’s. You might notice the tremors in your:
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fingers
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hands
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chin
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lip
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legs
Loss of smell – A study from 2008 suggests loss of smell may begin years before tremors start. Parkinson’s suffers often lose the ability to smell certain foods, such as licorice, bananas and dill pickles.
Sudden movements during sleep – These can be violent leg or arm movements or even falling out of bed while deeply asleep. People prone to such movements may not even realize they're making them until told by a partner.
Trouble moving or walking – This sign of Parkinson’s can include:
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feeling like your feet are too heavy to move
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not swinging the arms while walking
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stiffness that does not go away with activity
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stiffness or pain in the shoulders or hips
Hunching over or stooping – Instead of standing straight, someone developing Parkinson’s may begin to slouch, stoop or lean more often.
Change in handwriting – Parkinson’s sufferers might begin to crowd their letters together or make them smaller than usual.
Loss of facial expression – People with Parkinson’s begin to lose control over the muscles in their face, resulting in a blank look or an expression that suggests constant anger or depression.
Feeling faint or dizzy – Feeling dizziness when standing can be linked to low blood pressure, which is associated with Parkinson’s.
Having one of these symptoms is not necessarily a cause for concern. But if you have two or more, you should contact your doctor. HCA East Florida provides the Consult-A-Nurse® service to help you locate doctors and the trained nurses can also answer questions you may have about Parkinson’s. Please call 1-866-442-2362 any time, day or night.
Posted in Neurological Health
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Tagged dizziness, East Florida, facial expression, HCA, loss of smell, movement, Parkinson's disease, shaking, signs, symptom, tremors
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Some people have a greater risk of developing diabetes than others; are you one of them?
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Chances are good that someone you know is diabetic or prediabetic, meaning they’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the more common form of the disease. And, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), one of the dangers of diabetes is that it often has no symptoms.
On March 26, the ADA will hold its annual Alert Day, which warns Americans of the serious health dangers associated with diabetes. The day also encourages people to think about their own risk for developing the disease. One way is by taking the online Risk Test. But you don’t need a special day to learn the risk factors for diabetes. Here are some, as outlined by the ADA and the National Institutes of Health.
Personal Factors
You are at a higher risk of developing diabetes if you are:
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Over the age of 45
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Have a family history of the disease
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Belong to one of the racial or ethnic groups known to have higher rates of diabetes:
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African Americans
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Hispanic Americans
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Asian Americans
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Native Americans
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Pacific Islanders
Lifestyle Factors
People who don’t exercise regularly or who have extra weight, especially around their abdomen, have an increased chance of developing diabetes.
Medical Factors
People with these medical conditions also have an increased risk:
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HDL (“good”) cholesterol under 35 mg/dL
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High levels of triglycerides (250 mg/dL or more)
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High blood pressure (greater than or equal to 140/90)
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Impaired glucose tolerance
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Metabolic syndrome (which is made up of a combination of medical issues; learn more here)
Special Factors for Women
Women have a higher risk of developing diabetes if they:
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Had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
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Experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy
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Have polycystic ovarian syndrome
If you have some of the risk factors, don’t panic. Proper testing can lead to early diagnosis of diabetes, and treatments allow most diabetics to stay healthy and lead happy, productive lives. At HCA East Florida, we’re ready to help anyone at risk for diabetes or who’s already living with it. For more information on the disease or finding the right doctor to treat it, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362.
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Posted in About Diabetes
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Tagged age, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, East Florida, ethnicity, exercise, gestational diabetes, glucose tolerance, HCA, metabolic syndrome, prediabetic, race, risk factors, triglycerides, type 2, weight, women
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Keep your loved ones safe from an accidental poisoning.
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A skull and crossbones on a pesticide box is a good indication that what's inside is deadly. But a poison, which can lead to severe unintentional injury or death, might not always come in the form you expect. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say that many substances can be poisonous if a person takes too much of them. Especially dangerous are prescription drugs, which account for more than 90 percent of accidental poisoning deaths.
March 17 starts National Poison Prevention Week, so it’s a good time to review some ways to poison-proof your home, especially if you have kids. Here are some tips from the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency:
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Read the labels of cleaning products and other chemicals to be sure you follow the instructions for proper use.
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Store chemicals in locked cabinets or on high shelves that kids can’t reach. Some of the substances to store this way include:
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bleach
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pesticides
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ammonia
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cleaning products
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Store prescription medicine in locked cabinets or on high shelves.
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Get rid of medicines that are expired or you no longer need. To safely dispose of them follow these federal guidelines.
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Don’t store cleaning products where you store food. Someone could mistake a chemical for a food product.
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Keep laundry detergents and cleaning products in their original containers. The labels usually have information for addressing accidental poisonings.
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Install a carbon monoxide detector, and regularly replace the batteries, if required.
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Don’t mix household chemicals. The combining of certain chemical can create dangerous fumes.
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Open a window or turn on a vent when using household cleaners indoors.
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And here’s one tip for pet owners: Dogs and cats are at risk of poisoning too, so immediately clean up any chemical spills outside, especially anti-freeze.
Don’t let an accidental poisoning force you to the emergency room. If you need emergency care, our Emergency Care locations are ready. If you have a non-emergency question regarding poisons, call Consult A Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362.
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Posted in Health for Children
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Tagged accidental poisoning, ammonia, carbon monoxide, chemicals, children, cleaning products, detergents, East Florida, emergency care, HCA, pesticides, pets, poison, prescription medicine
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Call 1-866-442-2362 to speak with our physician referral service
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