Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

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Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season by touroinfirmary Meredith Maxwell, M.D., M.H.A. The holiday season is a great time for enjoying decadent meals and holiday cheer. Unfortunately, for many of us, it also becomes a time for over-eating and weight gain. In fact, the average American gains 5- 10 pounds during the holiday season. Here are a few tips on how to eat mindfully and not overindulge. What are ways to be realistic this holidays season when it comes to being healthy? Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight. Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Try 10- or 15-minute brisk walks twice a day. Try to not put all of your focus on food – remember, the holidays are a great time to slow down and catch up with your family and friends. What should you do before heading out to a holiday party? Don’t skip meals or snacks earlier in the day to “save” calories for your large feast later on. If you arrive somewhere feeling hungry, you are more likely to overeat. Before leaving, eat a light snack to help curb your appetite. What are tips to not overindulge this holiday season? Focus on your loved ones instead of food. Go hiking with your family, play board games, or go to the movies to watch the latest holiday movie. Eat slowly and savor the foods that you would only have once or twice a year. Make sure your portions are reasonable and try to resist going back for seconds. Also, drink alcohol in moderation. If you are bringing a dish, what are ways to prepare a healthy holiday meal? When making desserts, substitute whole-wheat flour for regular flour in a recipe. Substitute bananas and applesauce for fat. And use natural sweeteners such as shredded carrots, zucchini or beets to cut down on sugar. Make small desserts to aid with portion control. However, if there is a dish that you love so much around the holidays, such as a family recipe, make it! The original version will make you happy. However, enjoy a small serving to satisfy your craving. What happens if you overindulge on a holiday party? If you overindulge, it's okay! Don’t consider yourself a failure if you eat more food than you anticipated. Get back on track with your healthy eating habits the next day. Meredith Maxwell, M.D., M.H.A., attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, where she completed her family medicine residency, before joining the Touro Infirmary Health System. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine Diplomate. touroinfirmary | December 3, 2018 at 4:25 pm | Categories: General Health | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-An Comment    See all comments

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Health Screenings to Help Women Prevent Disease- NEW Post on Living Well

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Health Screenings to Help Women Prevent Disease by touroinfirmary Don't let heart disease, stroke and other health conditions sneak up on you. Instead, prevent them by seeing your doctor for a yearly well-woman checkup. At your checkup, your doctor will likely suggest health screenings. These tests can help spot potentially deadly conditions before they become life-threatening. Here are six screenings that can help you stay healthy.

Blood pressure

Nearly half of all Americans older than age 20 have chronic high blood pressure— 130/80 mmHg or greater. Getting your blood pressure checked and changing your lifestyle or using medication, if necessary, can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease.

Cholesterol

This simple blood test—after an overnight fast— measures levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol and LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. These fats iny our blood can affect your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Pap test

This test, as part of a pelvic exam, takes a sample of cells from the cervix to check for cervical cancer. Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap test every three years. Women ages 30 to 65 should get screened every three to five years. Cervical cancer and the beginning stages of the disease are treatable if caught early.

Mammogram

This breast X-ray can find breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages. Talk with your doctor about the schedule and imaging that are right for you.

Blood glucose

This simple blood test helps detect type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, which can increase the risk for heart disease and other complications. It’s recommended for adults ages 40 to 70 who are overweight.

Colonoscopy

The doctor will examine your colon, looking for signs of cancer and small growths that can become cancerous, which can be removed during the test. Experts recommend people at average risk should get a colonoscopy every 10 years, starting at age 45.

STAY HEALTHY ALL YEAR LONG

At Touro, our doctors go above and beyond to meet patients’ needs, because we know we’re not just treating an illness, we’re treating a person. Whether you have a bad cold or something more serious, a Touro doctor in your neighborhood is ready to listen to, comfort and care for you. Find your Touro doctor today at touro.com/findadoc or by calling 504-897-7777.

touroinfirmary | November 5, 2018 at 7:52 pm | Categories: General Health | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-zR

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What is inflammatory breast cancer? NEW on Living Well Blog

Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that is both rare and presents with different warning signs. This type of breast cancer accounts for about 1% to 5% of breast cancers in the United States. Inflammatory breast cancer, also called IBC, tends to be an aggressive and fast-paced cancer.

With IBC, it is important to know that the warning signs can be very different from the traditional breast cancer signs. It is less common with IBC that you will be able to feel a lump in the breast. Some of the warning signs include:

• Swelling or enlargement
• Change in the color of the breast, can be red, pink or purple tones
• Dimpling of skin
• Pulling in of the nipple

Additionally, these symptoms tend to arise quickly over the course of weeks or months. With other forms of breast cancer, symptoms tend to occur on a much less rapid timeline and can occur over the course of years.

Mammograms may not show IBC due to appearance as inflammation or skin thickening and due to the rapid onset of the cancer. Sometimes, IBC is mistaken as an infection, however any symptoms that last longer than a week should be discussed with your doctor. It is also important to remember to perform regular breast self-awareness and self-exams as this can lead to earlier detection.

There is a 30% rate of metastasis diagnosis with the initial diagnosis of IBC. With treatment, 65% of women who are diagnosed with IBC will live at least 5 years. Of these women, 35% will have no sign of breast cancer after 10 years from the initial diagnosis. Unfortunately these prognosis numbers are not as high as they are for women with other forms of cancer. However, clinical trials and improved rates of self-awareness testing can help lead to earlier detection and better treatment options.

Want to learn more about IBC? Click here.

Source: Susan G. Komen

touroinfirmary | October 30, 2018 at 5:00 am | Categories: 31 Days of Pink | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-zC

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NEW Post on Living Well - Breast Cancer in Men

New post on Living Well Breast Cancer in Men by touroinfirmary Although not always known nor talked about, men can get breast cancer. Approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States occur in men. This number seems small, but 1% equates to about 2,000 men impacted by breast cancer per year. In 2017, this number is estimated to be higher at 2,470 cases. As it is both rare and not often discussed, some men do not know that they can get breast cancer, leading to failure to notice early warning signs. Additionally, men who recognize changes may be embarrassed and delay seeking treatment. It is important to understand that all men have breast tissue and that it is not anything to be embarrassed of if these signs are recognized. The risk of breast cancer in men may be elevated with a family history of breast cancer, in either gender family member, as well as older age. A BMI greater than 25, genetic predisposition, and levels of estrogen in the body also are recognized as potential risk factors. Warning signs in men can be similar to the warning signs in women. It is important to understand these signs and look for any areas of concern. Whenever one of the following signs is noticed, seek your doctor’s attention. Warning signs in men are as follows: Lump, hard knot, or thickening of the breast or armpit Dimpling, puckering, or skin redness Change in the size and shape A nipple or area of the breast that begins to invert Treatment of breast cancer in men involves some combination of the same procedures and therapies to treat breast cancer in women. Often times in men breast cancer is treated using hormone therapies. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to speak with your doctor about the appropriate treatment plan. Source: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer in Men touroinfirmary | October 29, 2018 at 1:56 pm | Categories: 31 Days of Pink | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-zA Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Living Well. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://livingwellblog.co/2018/10/29/breast-cancer-in-men-3/

Long Term Impact of Treatment- New Post on Living Well

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Long Term Impact of Treatment by touroinfirmary After your treatment ends you will see the most of the short-term side effects of treatment go away. But what about after, will there be other impacts of the treatment? The answer? There may be late effects or symptoms of breast cancer treatment. This can be frustrating as you have finished your treatment and are looking at life after breast cancer. It is important to remember that these late symptoms vary from person to person and may be impacted by the treatments that you had. Common late effects include the following: Early Menopause: for women over 40, this may be permanent, while women under 40 may have periods that return months or years after chemotherapy ends. Menopause can signal a loss of bone density or more severe than normal menopause symptoms. Infertility: Fertility might be lost as a result of chemotherapy either from damage to the ovaries or early menopause. Depression: depression is common after breast cancer but can be treated with medical care and social support. Late effects may be specific to the treatment that you had during cancer care. Late term effects of surgery may include chronic pain or lymphedema, while radiation therapy may also lead to lymphedema. You may see an impact on the quality of your life afterwards. The quality of your life is a combination of your mental and physical health, ability to perform daily roles, sexual function, and pain levels. Researchers are looking for new and innovative ways to positively impact the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Exercise or meditation may have a role in improving mood, fatigue and social well-being as well as prayer for your spiritual health. Sources: Susan G. Komen – Long Term Side Effects of Treatment  touroinfirmary | October 27, 2018 at 5:00 am | Categories: 31 Days of Pink | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-zw Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Living Well. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://livingwellblog.co/2018/10/27/long-term-impact-of-treatment-2/

NEW POST ON Living Well - Can one glass of wine daily protect against breat cancer?

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Can one glass of wine every day protect against breast cancer? by touroinfirmary We have all heard the comment that one glass of wine, especially red wine, per night can lower your chance of heart disease, protect against some cancers, and positively impact lifespan and mental health. In fact, there are medical studies which show the benefits of drinking wine related to your health. However, does this benefit apply to breast cancer risk? Studies suggest no. The National Cancer Institute notes that more than 100 studies consistently found an increased risk of breast cancer associated with increased alcohol intake. The risk of breast cancer increased by an observed 7% for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed. An average glass of wine is estimated to have 17 grams of alcohol. The reason for this may be an alcohol related increase in blood levels of estrogen, which is a hormone related to breast cancer. So, should you not drink? You should fully discuss your drinking habits with your physician to completely understand your risks. Physicians will be able to give specific advice regarding whether there is an increase in your risk due to alcohol intake. If you still want to enjoy a festival or relax at the end of the day in the New Orleans’ spirit, consider a mock-tail alternative. Touro Infirmary offers recipes for healthy beverages without alcohol that could be used as a delicious substitute at your next event, including a recipe for a Strawberry-Kiwi Spritzer. Click here to learn more about the relationship between alcohol and breast cancer from the NIH National Cancer Institute. touroinfirmary | October 28, 2018 at 5:00 am | Categories: 31 Days of Pink | URL: https://wp.me/p3U9Kg-zy  Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Living Well. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://livingwellblog.co/2018/10/28/can-one-glass-of-wine-every-day-protect-against-breast-cancer/