St. Petersburg General Hospital

Tips to Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check

St. Petersburg General — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:56:40 +0000

Follow these tips to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the "silent killer" because most sufferers don't have symptoms or warning signs. Hypertension is an increased force of blood against the walls of the arteries and the result is an overworked heart. The condition can lead to harden artery walls and an increase chance of heart disease and stroke. It can also cause congestive heart failure, kidney disease and blindness.

You can improve your health and reduce your for risk for heart-related disease by knowing the facts and keeping your blood pressure in check with following tips:

Maintain a healthy weight. Having a BMI in the healthy range of 18.5 to 25 will have a positive effect on your blood pressure.
Move your body. Each day, try to participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.
Eat healthy foods. Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, and reduces fat and sodium intake.
Reduce sodium consumption. If you are following the DASH diet, you will already have a reduction in sodium. However, to be on the safe side, be cautious of the amount of salt you eat. Read the nutrition labels for sodium content. Also, use spices to add flavor to food instead of salt.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Consuming alcohol raises blood pressure and adds unnecessary calories to your diet.
Don't smoke. If you do, quit.
Follow your doctor's orders. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, be sure to take your medication as indicated.
Know your numbers. Attend all of your scheduled medical check-ups to have your blood pressure checked.

To learn more about your blood pressure and your risk for hypertension, call St. Petersburg General Hospital's free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5122. Our nurses can answer your medical questions or provide you with a physician referral.

5 Ways You Can Prevent Skin Cancer

St. Petersburg General — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:57:40 +0000

Protect your skin from the Florida sun with these skin cancer prevention tips.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with one in five people developing the disease during a lifetime. Your risk of developing skin cancer can be reduced dramatically by follow these prevention tips.

Seek shade
Avoid being out in the sun during midday hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the peak and most hazardous time for UV ray exposure. Instead, plan your outdoor activities, like yard work, in the early morning or late afternoon. If you happen to be outside during midday hours, seek shade with an umbrella or under a nearby tree to reduce your risk of skin damage.

Cover up
Wearing long-sleeves and long pants constructed from tightly woven fabric provides great protect from UV rays. However, you may not want to sport such an outfit on the beach. Instead, opt for a t-shirt or swimsuit cover-up for added protection.

Apply sunscreen…correctly
Apply about 2 tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going out into the sun. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Additionally, find a sunscreen with "broad-spectrum" protection so you are protected from both UVB and UVA rays. Don't forget to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating excessively.

Put a lid on it
When you are out in the sun, don't forget about your face, neck and head. Hats with an all-around brim offer protection. If your hat doesn't have a brim that goes all the way around, put sunscreen on your exposed neck and ears.

Say no to tanning booths
Indoor tanning with a tanning bed, booth or sunlamp is still an exposure to UVA and UVB rays which damages skin and could lead to cancer. Just one session in a tanning bed increases your chances of developing melanoma by 20 percent.

Learn more about cancer prevention and screening at St. Petersburg General Hospital by visiting us online or by calling our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-741-5122. You can also call to schedule an appointment or to receive a physician referral.

Tips on Managing Medicines for Older Adults

St. Petersburg General — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:57:35 +0000

Keeping a detailed record of all your medicines is one way to ensure you take them safely and effectively.

The number of prescription drugs, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications we take to stay healthy only seems to increase as we age. To avoid problems such as drug interactions or overmedication, it’s important to manage them efficiently.

Make a medicine record
The Administration on Aging recommends making a detailed record of all the medicines you take, either in a notebook or on your computer. Be sure to list all vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter remedies such as pain relievers and antacids. Include:

The name of the medicine
What it’s for
The name of the prescribing doctor
The dosage
How and when to take it (e.g., with food, every two hours)
The color and shape of the medicine (e.g., small red pill)
Any known side effects or warnings

Update the record as your medications change, and show it to your physician to ask questions such as:

Do any of these drugs interact with each other?
Does any medicine duplicate another prescription I’m taking?
Can I substitute a generic prescription or non-drug alternative for any medication?
What should I do if I miss a dose?

Safe storage and disposal
Never take any medication past its expiration date, or if it has changed color, texture, or odor. Throw out any capsules or tablets that are cracked or chipped, stick together, or are harder or softer than normal. Always store medication in a cool, dry place out of children’s reach, such as a kitchen counter or hall closet, and not in the bathroom. The heat and moisture can reduce potency.

For additional answers to your medication questions, such as how to dispose of medicines you no longer take, St. Petersburg General Hospital offers a free class, “Older Adults and Medicines — Ask a Pharmacist,” on Tuesday, May 14, at 6pm. Please call 1-888-741-5122 or click here to register.

Mother’s Day Mammogram Special for the Month of May!

St. Petersburg General — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:39:41 +0000

We’re offering special promotional pricing on mammograms for the entire month.

Stroke Symptoms: Are Women Different?

St. Petersburg General — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:57:22 +0000

Women often experience less-typical warning signs when it comes to stroke. Do you know what they are?

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time to highlight both stroke symptoms and the importance of acting quickly to ensure the most effective treatment. Do you already know about the signs to look for? We’ve all heard that anyone who notices the sudden onset of one or more of the following symptoms should dial 911 immediately:

Numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, especially on one side of the body
Trouble speaking or comprehending
Painful headache with no known cause
Dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of coordination or balance
Vision problems in one or both eyes

However, there are additional stroke symptoms that are unique to women:

Pain in the face, chest, or limbs
Overall weakness
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Nausea
Lightheadedness
Hiccups
A combination of the above symptoms

Experts note that these symptoms in women sometimes cause extreme discomfort rather than pain, making them more likely to be dismissed. If you’re in doubt, call 911. Other unusual stoke symptoms for men and women include sudden hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and uncontrollable eye movements or muscle twitches.

Our Primary Stroke Center
St. Petersburg General Hospital has a top-notch stroke prevention and treatment program and has been certified as a Primary Stroke Center. Our team of skilled medical professionals — including emergency physicians, surgeons, and neurologists — are available around the clock to evaluate a patient immediately upon arrival.

We also treat problems such as vascular disease or atherosclerosis that may be the cause of stroke and offer the newest therapies, including minimally invasive delivery of clot-dissolving medication. For more information about our services or to receive a physician referral, please call our free 24-hour referral service Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-741-5122.

Sleep Apnea: What You Need to Know

St. Petersburg General — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:58:04 +0000

If you often feel grumpy and have headaches during the day, it may be a sign of sleep apnea.

Small interruptions during your sleep might last a few seconds each time, but they can cause serious problems. This is a result of sleep apnea, which puts people at risk for stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and other health issues — plus excessive daytime sleepiness. Not getting enough rest can make you fall asleep while driving, among other dangers.

Here are some facts to know:

Sleep apnea is most often diagnosed in men over age 65, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders, but it can also develop in women and children.
You’re more susceptible if you are overweight, or if you have an airway abnormality such as enlarged tonsil tissues, a large neck with a recessed chin, a family history of it, if you use alcohol, or if you smoke.
Obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway collapses or becomes blocked, is the most common. This usually causes loud snoring as the body alerts itself to breathe.
With central sleep apnea, nothing blocks the airway, but a condition such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke affects the brain stem, which controls breathing.
Aside from snoring, symptoms include falling asleep while working or watching TV, hard-to-treat headaches, forgetfulness, irritability or impatience, depression, and hyperactivity (especially in children).
A polysomnogram, also known as a PSG, sleep study, or sleep test, diagnoses sleep apnea. This test involves attaching small sensors or electrodes to parts of your head and body to monitor your heart rate, breathing, and other data while you sleep.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, is the most common nonsurgical treatment. It involves wearing a nasal or facial mask while you sleep to create a flow of air pressure strong enough to keep your airway open.

If sleep apnea is affecting you or a loved one, please join us at 6pm on Tuesday, April 23, for a regular meeting of A.W.A.K.E., a support group that is part of the American Sleep Apnea Association’s “Alert, Well And Keeping Energetic” network. There is no cost, so please call 888-741-5122 to register, or click here for more information.

Arthritis of the Hip & Knee: Treatment Options

St. Petersburg General — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:57:39 +0000

Treatments for this common cause of pain range from physical therapy to surgery.

Researchers say a combination of medication and non-drug treatments is ideal for treating arthritis. For instance, The U.S. National Library of Medicine says acetaminophen (up to 4 grams per day) is an effective initial treatment for arthritis pain. Add physical therapy for exercises to reduce pain further and improve mobility.

Here are other options:

Education and self-management: This education program helps patients build their own plans to manage arthritis.
Exercise: Aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and water-based exercises all work to ease pain and promote strength and mobility.
Weight loss: Maintain an ideal weight to ease joint pressure.
Walking aids, braces, and insoles: Reduce pain, improve stability, and improve walking.
Heat and cold: Soak in a warm bath, apply cold packs, or alternate the two to relieve pain.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: This controls pain by transmitting a weak electric current through the skin.
Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine that relieves pain by stimulating points on the body with thin needles.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Use the lowest effective dosage short-term to avoid cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.
Topical analgesics: These are ok to use along with or instead of ones usually taken orally.
Corticosteroid injections: Relieve moderate to severe pain and inflammation that doesn’t respond to oral pain relievers.
Hyalruonic acid injections: Alleviate pain by supplementing a natural substance that makes joint fluid viscous.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements: One or both may ease pain.
Weak opioids and narcotic analgesics: Recommended only for those who cannot tolerate other medications.
Osteotomy: Best for young, active people, this procedure cuts bones to shift weight away from the damaged part of the joint.
Unicompartmental (or partial) knee replacement: Offers a better range of motion when arthritis affects a small area of a joint.
Joint replacement surgery: Replaces the joint with a prosthesis.

To learn more about available treatment options, St. Petersburg General Hospital is offering a free seminar called “Hips, Knees, Joints OH MY!!!” on Friday, April 19. To register, please call 1-888-741-5122.

5 Advantages of a Midwife

St. Petersburg General — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:57:57 +0000

If your pregnancy is normal and not high-risk, consider using a midwife for delivery and postpartum care.

Research shows that women who receive the care of a midwife during labor and after delivery experience benefits such as a decreased risk of cesarean section and a high level of satisfaction with this type of care.

Expectant mothers with medical issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or epilepsy – or who are classified as high-risk pregnancies – traditionally require more medical monitoring, but even they might be able to consult with a midwife and have her assist their OB/GYN.

Here are some advantages to using a midwife:

You can experience childbirth as naturally as possible. A midwife’s philosophy of care is that pregnancy and birth are natural parts of life, so she’ll offer holistic options.
You’ll receive an individualized approach. A midwife not only sees to the mother’s physical and emotional well being but will work with her regarding breast-feeding and other infant care, for example.
Births involving midwives have fewer complications such as abnormal heart rates, hypertension, fetal distress, shoulder dystocia, retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhages, and perineal injuries.
Babies born in midwives’ care are more likely to be healthy, with good birth weight and reduced need for special care in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Your costs are significantly reduced. Giving birth with the assistance of a midwife either at home or in a freestanding birth center costs an estimated 75% less than that in a hospital.

The Midwife Experience at St. Petersburg General Hospital provides certified nurse midwives (CNMs) with expert prenatal and postpartum care, along with labor, delivery, infant care, and routine gynecological care. For more information about our program or to register for our prenatal education classes, call our Consult-A-Nurse® service at (888) 741-5122.

Long-term Dangers of Alcohol Abuse

St. Petersburg General — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:28:25 +0000

Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can lead to brain damage, liver disease, and other serious health issues.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to highlight the health and social problems that result from excessive alcohol consumption.

Most people recognize that a heavy night of drinking socially can cause memory impairment or a blackout, not to mention a painful hangover, but here are some of the things that can occur as a result of lengthy alcohol intake.

Long-term alcohol abuse results in far more serious problems:

Weight gain from empty calories, leading to complications from obesity
High blood pressure
Vitamin deficiencies, such as a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1), an essential nutrient for the brain and other tissues
Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, a disease that includes mental confusion, loss of muscle coordination, vision problems, inability to form memories, and hallucinations
Liver dysfunction such as hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and liver cancer
A depressed immune system, leaving you open to other infections and ailments
Stomach problems
Hepatic encephalopathy, a potentially fatal brain disorder marked by changes in mood, personality, and sleep patterns; problems with coordination; anxiety and depression; and a shortened attention span
Central nervous system damage
Heart disease, heart failure, or respiratory failure
Alcohol poisoning, which causes unconsciousness and can be fatal
Increased risk of cancer to the esophagus, mouth, larynx, pharynx, colon, stomach, pancreas, lung, skin, and breast (for women who drink prior to menopause)
Dependency on alcohol, where it becomes a central part of a person’s day, leading to addiction and alcoholism

If you know an adult age 18 or older who is using or experiencing acute withdrawal from alcohol, St. Petersburg General Hospital can help. Our inpatient New Vision™ medical stabilization program uses a multi-disciplinary team approach to observe, stabilize, and treat each patient. For more information, please call (727) 341-4913 or contact us online.

Diabetes: Assessing Your Risk

St. Petersburg General — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:58:13 +0000

Diabetes strikes nearly 26 million adults and children nationwide each year — and age, gender and race are partly to blame.

Diabetes develops when there is too much glucose or sugar in the blood — which we need for fuel — but not enough in our cells. Either the body’s insulin-producing cells have been destroyed (type 1 diabetes), or the body has become resistant to insulin (type 2 diabetes).

The American Diabetes Association designates the fourth Tuesday in March as Diabetes Alert Day, a “wake-up call” urging the public to assess its risk of this serious disease.

Several factors put you at risk for diabetes:

Having a parent or sibling with diabetes
Having gestational diabetes, or giving birth to at least one baby weighing more than nine pounds
Being age 45 or older
Being of African, Alaskan, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, or Pacific Island descent
Being male
Being overweight
Smoking
Having high blood pressure (140/90 or above)
Having “good” HDL cholesterol at 35 or below and triglycerides above 250
Exercising fewer than three times a week
Previously testing positive for prediabetes (higher than normal blood sugar)

Reduce Your Risk
Although you can’t change your age, race, family or gender, you can reduce your risk of getting diabetes through simple diet and lifestyle changes. For instance, if you typically crave snacks such as chips or candy, eating a banana, nuts, raw carrots or other slower-to-digest foods can help your blood sugar remain stable longer and fight cravings. In addition, eating whole grains, vegetables and whole fruits, as well as getting regular exercise, are all cornerstones of healthy living that can prevent a variety of conditions, from diabetes to heart disease.

If you have more questions about diabetes, St. Petersburg General Hospital can help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse®, service at (888) 741-5122 for further information or for a physician referral.