INDIANAPOLIS – How does chemotherapy really work to kill cancer cells in patients where the disease has attacked their head and neck area?
That will be among the topics the clinical director of oncology pharmacy services at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center will tackle in a presentation before the Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer, 7 .m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3.
Christopher Fausel, Pharm. D., also will discuss managing the side effects of chemotherapy and the historical evolution of drugs used for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
The meeting, which is part of a free series, will be at the St. Francis Education Center, 5935 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 100. Participants can share their experiences and learn from other cancer patients. Ample time will be provided for participants’ questions and discussion.
This monthly support group meets the first Thursday of each month and is for anyone with oral, head or neck cancer, regardless of stage or type of cancer. Caregivers are welcome.
For more information, call 317-782-4422.
To learn more about services at the St. Francis Cancer Center, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Slower metabolism doesn’t always equate to being a hurdle in shedding weight
INDIANAPOLIS – In every group of friends there often seems to be someone who never gains weight, no matter what he or she eats. They are said to possess a “fast metabolism.”
The term “metabolism” often is used loosely. People tend to associate it with weight. But it’s really a collective term for all of the chemical reactions that occur in the body. One of those reactions is burning.
Technically, when people refer to their metabolism, what they’re really talking about is their metabolic rate — the rate at which the body burns energy, or calories.
“It is possible to naturally have a slower metabolism than someone else, but that doesn’t mean you need to focus on speeding it up,” said Eve Olson, M.D., medical director of the St. Francis Weight Loss Center. “Studies show that a slower metabolism doesn’t mean you’ll have problems losing weight.”
The key is to have a healthy metabolism, neither too fast nor too slow. It is the natural byproduct of increased physical activity and resistance (weight) training — both of which
help build muscle. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, building muscle can help increase your resting metabolic rate.
Maintaining muscle also can be helpful for people who are losing weight.
“The key to weight loss is to lose fat, not muscle, protecting your metabolic rate,” Olson said. “Sensible dieting and resistance training may keep you from losing as much muscle during your weight-loss effort.”
But don’t focus on weight training alone. What is most helpful is incorporating physical activity into your daily routine. The more physically active you are, the more calories you burn. Healthy eating habits are important, too.
The bottom line: Obsessing about your metabolism won’t help you manage your weight. To lose weight and keep it off, you need to eat a healthy diet and exercise frequently. If you do those things, your metabolism will do its job.
For more information about services available at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/weightloss.
The term “metabolism” often is used loosely. People tend to associate it with weight. But it’s really a collective term for all of the chemical reactions that occur in the body. One of those reactions is burning.
Technically, when people refer to their metabolism, what they’re really talking about is their metabolic rate — the rate at which the body burns energy, or calories.
“It is possible to naturally have a slower metabolism than someone else, but that doesn’t mean you need to focus on speeding it up,” said Eve Olson, M.D., medical director of the St. Francis Weight Loss Center. “Studies show that a slower metabolism doesn’t mean you’ll have problems losing weight.”
The key is to have a healthy metabolism, neither too fast nor too slow. It is the natural byproduct of increased physical activity and resistance (weight) training — both of which
help build muscle. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, building muscle can help increase your resting metabolic rate.
Maintaining muscle also can be helpful for people who are losing weight.
“The key to weight loss is to lose fat, not muscle, protecting your metabolic rate,” Olson said. “Sensible dieting and resistance training may keep you from losing as much muscle during your weight-loss effort.”
But don’t focus on weight training alone. What is most helpful is incorporating physical activity into your daily routine. The more physically active you are, the more calories you burn. Healthy eating habits are important, too.
The bottom line: Obsessing about your metabolism won’t help you manage your weight. To lose weight and keep it off, you need to eat a healthy diet and exercise frequently. If you do those things, your metabolism will do its job.
For more information about services available at the St. Francis Weight Loss Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/weightloss.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Maintaining good mental health means keeping brain, body engaged
INDIANAPOLIS – So it’s a day off from work. How about reading book, starting a new hobby, spending some time with friends over dinner or visiting an art museum? If you do any of those things, you could be doing your brain a favor.
That’s because certain kinds of activities appear to help maintain brain health throughout life. And it’s never too early — or too late — to give your brain a boost, said Steven Rumble, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist with St. Francis Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.
Rumble routinely tests referred patients for cognitive problems related to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or major depression in older adults.
“Brain health is a lifelong pursuit,” Rumble said. “and it should have the same priority as cardiac health.”
Based on the best available evidence for preserving brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association and other experts offer these suggestions:
Control risk factors. Keep your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges. All of these are risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes — diseases that may increase the chances for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Choose a brain-healthy diet. Good choices include foods low in fat and cholesterol, cold-water fish, and foods rich in antioxidants.
Pump it up. Because exercise stimulates blood flow, it may encourage new brain cells. Whatever you can do — even walking a few blocks daily — is better than doing nothing, Rumble said.
Avoid brain-damaging habits. Don’t smoke or use illegal drugs or misuse prescription medication.
Put your mind to work. Your brain benefits most when you try a variety of activities that differ in frequency, intensity and social setting. For example, read, write, or work crossword or other puzzles. Play games or plant a garden. Attend lectures, classes and plays.
Maintain social connections. Studies have found that participating in sports and cultural activities and close, positive personal relationships that provide emotional support tend to protect against dementia and negative effects of chronic
depression.
Learn as much as you can. People who have academic accomplishments and intellectually challenging jobs may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, Rumble said. And if they do develop dementia, it may occur later in life.
To learn more about St. Francis Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=52.
That’s because certain kinds of activities appear to help maintain brain health throughout life. And it’s never too early — or too late — to give your brain a boost, said Steven Rumble, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist with St. Francis Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.
Rumble routinely tests referred patients for cognitive problems related to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or major depression in older adults.
“Brain health is a lifelong pursuit,” Rumble said. “and it should have the same priority as cardiac health.”
Based on the best available evidence for preserving brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association and other experts offer these suggestions:
Control risk factors. Keep your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges. All of these are risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes — diseases that may increase the chances for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Choose a brain-healthy diet. Good choices include foods low in fat and cholesterol, cold-water fish, and foods rich in antioxidants.
Pump it up. Because exercise stimulates blood flow, it may encourage new brain cells. Whatever you can do — even walking a few blocks daily — is better than doing nothing, Rumble said.
Avoid brain-damaging habits. Don’t smoke or use illegal drugs or misuse prescription medication.
Put your mind to work. Your brain benefits most when you try a variety of activities that differ in frequency, intensity and social setting. For example, read, write, or work crossword or other puzzles. Play games or plant a garden. Attend lectures, classes and plays.
Maintain social connections. Studies have found that participating in sports and cultural activities and close, positive personal relationships that provide emotional support tend to protect against dementia and negative effects of chronic
depression.
Learn as much as you can. People who have academic accomplishments and intellectually challenging jobs may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, Rumble said. And if they do develop dementia, it may occur later in life.
To learn more about St. Francis Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=52.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
No bone of contention: Some men at risk of osteoporosis
INDIANAPOLIS – For those who think osteoporosis is a woman’s disease, think again. Some 2.5 million American males have it, and countless more are at risk.
“Unfortunately, osteoporosis often goes undiagnosed until weak bones break,” said Stefan Monev, M.D., rheumatologist with Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Specialists at St. Francis. “However, a bone mineral density test can detect bone loss. Talk to your doctor if you have risk factors for osteoporosis or if you have lost height, your posture changes or you notice sudden back pain.”
Ways to maintain bone health:
• Don’t smoke; it’s hard on bones.
• Be sure to get 1,200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D from diet and supplements daily. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
• Exercise regularly. Weight-bearing activities, like walking, are good choices.
Monev said it is crucial to determine the causes for low bone density at the onset of the disease and to seek immediate and appropriate treatment. Conditions such as vitamin D deficiency frequently contribute to bone loss and may require specific therapies.
Medications are available that help build bone and decrease risk of breakage in men with osteoporosis.
To learn more about rheumatology and osteoporosis services at St. Francis, visit www.stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=193.
“Unfortunately, osteoporosis often goes undiagnosed until weak bones break,” said Stefan Monev, M.D., rheumatologist with Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Specialists at St. Francis. “However, a bone mineral density test can detect bone loss. Talk to your doctor if you have risk factors for osteoporosis or if you have lost height, your posture changes or you notice sudden back pain.”
Ways to maintain bone health:
• Don’t smoke; it’s hard on bones.
• Be sure to get 1,200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D from diet and supplements daily. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
• Exercise regularly. Weight-bearing activities, like walking, are good choices.
Monev said it is crucial to determine the causes for low bone density at the onset of the disease and to seek immediate and appropriate treatment. Conditions such as vitamin D deficiency frequently contribute to bone loss and may require specific therapies.
Medications are available that help build bone and decrease risk of breakage in men with osteoporosis.
To learn more about rheumatology and osteoporosis services at St. Francis, visit www.stfrancishospitals.org/SFMG/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=193.
St. Francis workshop helps caregivers understand Medicare changes
INDIANAPOLIS – Health care reform will affect health care providers at all levels of care, with Medicare guidelines and new restrictions, making compliance more challenging.
To prepare for those changes, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is reaching out to the post-acute-care providers in Central Indiana, hosting a free workshop focused on Medicare benefits coverage and limitations across all levels and transitions of care.
The hospital is hosting Medicare 2010 and Beyond: Navigating the Slippery Slopes of Health Care, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at Primo South, 2615 National Ave.
To ensure proper compliance, it is critically important for all health care providers to be aware of the ways changes will affect daily patient care. Representatives from Health Care Excel and National Government Services will address important implications of Medicare coverage at this event.
The event is designed for community health care providers but is open to St. Francis employees and physicians as well. St. Francis departments also will host informational booths at this event.
For more information, call St. Francis Integrated Case Management at 317-783-8101.
To prepare for those changes, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is reaching out to the post-acute-care providers in Central Indiana, hosting a free workshop focused on Medicare benefits coverage and limitations across all levels and transitions of care.
The hospital is hosting Medicare 2010 and Beyond: Navigating the Slippery Slopes of Health Care, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at Primo South, 2615 National Ave.
To ensure proper compliance, it is critically important for all health care providers to be aware of the ways changes will affect daily patient care. Representatives from Health Care Excel and National Government Services will address important implications of Medicare coverage at this event.
The event is designed for community health care providers but is open to St. Francis employees and physicians as well. St. Francis departments also will host informational booths at this event.
For more information, call St. Francis Integrated Case Management at 317-783-8101.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
