Lourdes Health Talk

Dr. Jenice Baker offers up things you can do to be an empowered patient or visitor in the Emergency Department.

Dr. Alfred Sacchetti discusses the important risk factors we all should know about stroke, the acronym F.A.S.T for symptom recognition and what to do if you or someone you love seems to be experiencing a stroke.

March is Nutrition Month, so it's the perfect time to talk about nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet. Clinical Nutrition Manager Kelly A. Murray breaks down the basics of healthy eating.

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, a designated comprehensive stroke center, recently performed its first procedures using a device to close a hole between the chambers of the heart. The hole, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), is a congenital heart defect and can cause ischemic strokes.Ibrahim Moussa, D.O.,F.A.C.C.,FSCAI, discusses a device that Lourdes interventional cardiologists are using is called a GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder to permanently close the hole. It is made of fabric similar to that found in durable waterproof clothing.

Although the 2017-18 flu vaccine was only 36 percent effective at protecting against the flu, it doesn't mean you should skip the shot this year. That's because each year people die from flu, and some protection is better than none.Dr. Jason Moraleda covers what we can expect for this years flu season and how vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your family and the community from a nasty flu outbreak.

Before surgery, technicians unwrap sterilized instruments from a sheet of plastic material that cannot be recycled, and these sheets end up in the trash bin. Lourdes surgical technician Dana Scarangelli and nurse anesthetist Laura Faust have started sewing these sheets together to create mats, blankets, sleeping bags and tote bags for the homeless.

Sharps injuries are typically the result of using hazardous equipment in a fast-paced and stressful environment. Lourdes Medical Center is among the top five teaching hospitals with the lowest sharps injury rates. Peg Johnson, Employee Health Clinician, discusses best practices for sharps injuries and how their team remains focused on safety, training and a goal of zero injuries as the way that Lourdes Medical Center achieved this distinction.

Tracy Lanoza, DNP, APN, FNP discusses which patient populations are at greatest risk of readmission, post acute care management (including working with nursing homes) to prevent patients from being readmitted to the hospital and how receiving quality home health care can help keep a patient from being readmitted to the hospital.

We all have stress from time to time. However, when your stress begins to affect your quality of life, it might be time to consider trying a form of stress relief that does not involve medication. T'ai Chi Chih's gentle movements release stress by relaxing and rejuvenating the body while refreshing the mind. Michelle Carlino, E-RYT 500 YACEP , and Sheila Finamore, CTRS, discuss Tai Chi Chih for Stress Relief and the ways in which this gentle moving meditation balances and circulates the Chi, the intrinsic energy inherent in all life.

Staying watchful for health issues related to the breast, and taking the optimal and most timely care steps in breast health, is important for a woman and can mean the difference in a woman's health. Just as important as understanding the latest age-related recommendations for preventive breast x-rays and other screening steps is finding a center for imaging that maintains advanced digital equipment and provides a service with the highest quality standards.Kathleen Greatrex, MD, discusses the latest breast cancer screening guidelines and clears up the confusion for women wondering whether to have an annual mammogram.

For those frequently experiencing stomach pain, sensitivity or irritation, a food allergy or intolerance may be at the root of the problem. Dr. Rober Shmuts, a gastroenterologist at Lourdes Medical Center, discusses celiac disease, and other food-related sensitivities or allergies and what treatment options might be available at Lourdes Health System.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, right behind heart disease. While new therapies are helping more people survive cancer, they also can cause heart problems.A new medical specialty called cardio-oncology is working to solve this dilemma. At Lourdes, cardiologists work closely with oncologists to help prevent heart disease in people before, during and after cancer therapy.Dr. Jay Rubenstone discusses the very specialized field of cardio-oncology and how to keep your heart healthy while you are going through cancer treatments.

With the excitement of a new baby, focus often shifts to baby’s needs. Meanwhile, new mothers can experience physical, mental and hormonal changes that can make adjusting to a new life challenging. Dr. Rachel Shmuts, a psychiatrist at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, discusses postpartum depression, signs to watch for and when to seek help.

A large portion of the population experiences acid reflux in the esophagus either occasionally or chronically. Those who suffer from it regularly have gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), one of the most common of GI conditions. While GERD is not uncommon, it is often misunderstood.Dr. Linda Miller, Gastroenterologist at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, discusses GERD treatments, and clears up some common misunderstandings and myths.

Pressure ulcers are skin injuries caused by prolonged pressure. Commonly known as bedsores, these abrasions result from staying in one position for too long. They often appear on body parts where the skin is close to the flesh, like ankles, hips, heels and the tailbone.Eight months ago, Lourdes hospitals began using a unique monitoring device called the Leaf Patient Monitoring System with a goal of reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers, sometimes called bed sores, that occur at hospitals.Since that time, Lourdes has had a hospital-wide average of 90 percent patient-turn (repositioning of the patient) compliance, among the best of the hospitals working with Leaf Healthcare. Maria Brennan, DNP, RN, discusses how to prevent pressure ulcers, improve patient comfort and reduce hospital stays exacerbated by this condition.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Psychiatric illness and depression are complex. The emotional pain and hopelessness can lead a person down an irreversible path.Dr. Rachel Shmuts, psychiatrist at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, discusses warning signs and help that is available to those who need it.If you or a loved one is in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential. All calls are confidential. You can also text TALK to 741741. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Most health experts agree that if you eat a balanced, healthy diet and exercise, it can help you to keep a healthy heart, but what exactly does that mean?Vivek Sailam, MD,cardiologist, with Lourdes Cardiology, offers his best advice for how you can use food and fitness to keep a healthy heart.

Cancer of colon or rectum is one of the most common forms of cancer. Risk of the cancer increase once a person reaches late 40s and beyond. Gastroenterologists are usually the first to detect this problem, as a result of a colonoscopy. With better screening and earlier treatment, the death rate from this disease has continued to decline.Donald Petroski, MD, discusses colonoscopy, how easy and painless this procedure is and how it is the very best way to reduce your risk of colon cancer.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the United States. About 100,000 Americans are thought to be living with sickle cell disease, and every year another 1,000 babies are born with the disease. Worldwide it is thought to affect more than 500,000 babies a year.Joseph Tropea, DO, discusses everything you need to know about sickle cell disease and the new infusion unit at Lourdes.

Recently the American Heart Association updated their blood pressure guidelines with five categories. Knowing which category your numbers fall in can help you take the necessary steps to keep it under control. Hafeza Shaikh, DO shares the five blood pressure categories and why it's important to know your numbers in order to live a healthier lifestyle.