HealtH CareThis is S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

open your eyeS to the riSkS oF diabeteS

What Women need to knoW

about highblood preSSure

When health needS turn urgent: your guide to FaSt Care

ExErcisE improvEs your hEalth at any sizE

3 What Women need to know

about high blood pressure

4 open your eyes to the risks of diabetes

6 3 moves to boost balance

8 When health needs turn urgent: your guide to Fast Care

10 exercise improves your health at any Size

12 manage your medical Care more easily su

mm

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014

mEEt thE ExpErt

2 thiS iS health Care summer 2014

asK thE Doctor

Q I’m running out of ways to get my child to eat veggies. Do you have any tips?

a Want to help your child eat more fruits and veggies? More than 1,500 parents of young children were asked about their family’s fruit and vegetable intake in the past week. Kids who often ate homegrown produce ate about one more serving of fruit and veggies per day than those who rarely or never ate homegrown produce. No space or time for a home garden? School and community gardens and farmers markets are good options, too.

I hear how I take care of my gums can impact my overall health. Is this true?

Although a 2012 statement from the American Heart Association said that it finds no definitive evidence proving that gum disease causes heart disease or stroke, there may be a connection between your mouth and your heart.

Gum disease and heart disease share common risk factors, such as age, diabetes and smoking, and they both cause inflammation in your body. That might be why heart disease and mouth disease sometimes occur at the same time. Research to learn more about the link is ongoing.

Keeping teeth and gums healthy is good for your overall well-being. Serious gum disease may make it harder for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar under control. In addition, gum disease may raise the risk for respiratory infections.

To keep your gums healthy, get regular dental cleanings from your dentist. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, eat a healthy diet and don’t smoke. And keep up good dental hygiene if you become pregnant. Serious gum disease could cause you to have your baby too early.

Q

a

riffat iftekhar, md, is a pediatric physician on the medical staff at the oSF galesburg Clinic. dr. iftekhar holds a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of Surgery from Fatima Jinnah medical College in lahore, pakistan. She received her u.S. medical license from the educational Center for Foreign medical graduates. dr. iftekhar is fluent in english, urdu and punjabi. dr. iftekhar received her residency through Children’s hospital of illinois at oSF Saint Francis medical Center, peoria, and is board-certified by the american board of pediatrics.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news!www.osfstmary.org/news

www.osfstmary.org 3

h igh blood pressure presents specific risks for women who are pregnant, take oral

contraceptives or use hormone replacement therapy. These steps may help keep you safe.

pregnanCyMany pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, the condition can be life-threatening for some women and their unborn children.

Pregnant women suffer from these types of high blood pressure: ■■ Chronic hypertension—high blood pressure that occurs before a woman gets pregnant or before the 20th week of pregnancy. This can affect the baby’s growth.

■■ Gestational hypertension—high blood pressure that appears near the end of pregnancy. This can increase the mother’s risk of developing hypertension later.Pregnancy-induced hyperten-

sion, or preeclampsia—a condition that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Left untreated,

preeclampsia can cause low birth weight, premature delivery and serious risks for mother and baby.

If you have high blood pressure, these steps can make pregnancy safer for you and your baby.

before pregnancy ■■ Ask your doctor how you can help lower your blood pressure. This might include losing weight, not smoking, exercising and taking medication as prescribed.

during pregnancy ■■ Ask your doctor if your blood pressure medication is safe to take during pregnancy.

■■ Visit your doctor early and often in your pregnancy so your condition can be monitored.

■■ Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of preeclampsia, such as headaches, vision problems, rapid weight gain and swelling in your hands and face.

oral ContraCeptionSome women who take birth control pills experience an increase in blood pressure. To lower their risk for heart attack or stroke, women should be screened for high blood pressure before taking the pill and should have their blood pressure monitored carefully while on it.

hormone replaCement therapySome women’s blood pressure may rise when they’re taking hormones. All women who take hormones should have their blood pressure checked frequently.

bottom line: Whatever the cause of your high blood pressure, working with your doctor to bring it under control is crucial to your health and longevity.•

learn moreFind blood pressure-related articles and quizzes in our health library at osfhealthcare.staywellsolutionsonline.com.

What WomEn nEED to KnoW about high blooD prEssurE

4 thiS iS health Care summer 2014

to the riSkS oF diabeteS open your eyeS

www.osfstmary.org 5

y early eye exams can prevent or delay one of the most devastating com-

plications of diabetes: blindness. But all too often, people with diabetes put off visiting their eye doctor. As a result, they never see vision problems coming.

The good news? Proper eye care can reduce your risk of vision loss by 95 percent, even if you already have early-stage eye disease. Controlling your diabe-tes also protects your sight.

underStanding the problemHigh blood glucose levels and blood pressure in diabetes can damage several parts of your eye. This includes the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of your eye. The resulting condition, diabetic retinopathy, blinds an estimated 25,000 Americans annually.

Diabetes also may harm the lens that focuses your vision and your optic nerve, which sends signals between your eye and brain. And if you have diabetes, you also have:■■ A 60 percent greater risk for cataracts

■■ A 40 percent greater risk for glaucomaMost diabetes eye problems

have no symptoms at first. Eventually, you may see floating spots, flashing lights or a dark curtain falling over your vision. If this happens, call your eye doctor immediately.

your ViSion SolutionDilated eye exams can lower your risks. At these visits, drops in your eyes widen your pupils. This way, your eye doctor can look into the back of your eye for signs of trouble.

Experts say everyone with diabetes should do this yearly. But national reports suggest more than one-third of people with diabetes don’t comply. A recent study found low-income, young people with diabetes were most likely to skip these exams.

Break the cycle. Call your eye doctor and schedule a visit. Go each year even if your vision seems

fine. If you have early signs of eye disease, laser treatments or surgery can preserve your vision. Also, save your sight by:■■ Following your diabetes treatment plan.

■■ Reducing your blood pressure.■■ Maintaining a healthy weight.■■ Staying physically active. Talk with your doctor about your exercise routine. •

expert diabeteS Care at oSF mediCal group

managing diabetes isn’t easy. but you’ve got experts on your side, ready to help. oSF medical group – endocrinology and diabetes specialists work with you and your physician to facilitate the best care possible.

our Services include:■■ intensive diabetes care and management■■ physician consultation

■■ medication management■■ insulin pump therapy■■ Self-care and self-management■■ individual education■■ group educational classes

Call 309-344-9683 for an appointment or visit www.osfmedicalgroup.org/diabetes.

Make an appointment with a physician at OSF St. Mary Medical Center by visiting www.osfhealthcare.org/physicians.

6 thiS iS health Care summer 2014

3 moVeS to booSt balanCe

c hanges to your eyes, ears and muscles as you age can make you less steady on your feet. In fact, as many as 45 percent of otherwise healthy older adults fall each year. Many break

a bone or sustain another serious injury.Fortunately, balance-building exercises protect you from taking

a tumble. And even if you do trip or slip, the same routines reduce your risk of hurting yourself, a new research review shows.

You don’t have to spend hours practicing your poise. Doing a few specific exercises three days a week can go a long way in preventing falls and injuries. Start by consulting with your doctor or physical therapist, then work these moves into your routine. Once the beginner’s move feels

easy, progress to the advanced level.

Single-leg Standbeginning: Start behind a sturdy chair, holding on for balance. Lift one leg off the floor. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat with

the other leg.advanced: Try holding on with one

hand, then one finger. Eventually, let go of the chair.

heel-to-toe Walkbeginning: Stand near a wall with

the heel of one foot just in front of the other toe. Raise your arms to your sides

at shoulder height. Step forward, continu-ing to place your heel directly in front of your

toe. Continue for 20 steps, touching the wall for support if you need.advanced: Once you’re steady, move farther away from the wall. Or, try walking with your eyes closed.

balanCe Walkbeginning: Stand tall and raise your arms to your sides at shoulder height. Focus on a spot ahead of you and walk in a straight line toward that spot. With each step, as you bring your back leg for-ward, hold it in the air for one second before stepping forward. Travel 20 paces as you do this.advanced: Look from side to side as you walk. However, stay at the beginning level if you have inner-ear problems.

Many senior or community centers also offer group balance-training sessions. Or, look for a tai chi class. This ancient Chinese martial art form also improves balance, research shows. •

www.osfstmary.org 7

Have SHarper SenSeSpoor vision and hearing are both linked to an increased risk for falls. Keep your senses sharp by getting your eyes and ears checked regularly. ask your doctor for a referral to an eye doctor or someone who can do a hearing test. Make an appointment at OSF St. Mary Medical Center by calling 309-344-3161.

3 moVeS to booSt balanCe

Don’t taKE a tumblEif you’ve ever slipped on ice, you know how easy it is to take a tumble. and that may be especially true at work.

about 200,000 workers fall on the job and suffer serious injuries each year, according to the u.S. bureau of labor Statistics. Falls account for one in seven workplace fatalities.

as common as they are, though, falls aren’t that hard to prevent. take these steps to stay safe: ■■ Watch your step on ladders. Choose the

right ladder for the job and make sure it’s in good condition. place it on level ground. maintain three points of contact at all times—two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand. don’t stand on the top or top step. and don’t reach too far to the side: Climb down and reposition the ladder.

■■ get equipped. Wear a properly fitting safety harness before working on scaffold-ing or roofs. use guardrails and always stay connected to lifelines. Cover or guard all openings, such as skylights.

■■ Favor slip-resistant shoes. Wear cleats if you work or travel outdoors in ice or snow for your job.

■■ keep walkways well-lit, in good repair, clear of clutter and free of spills.

■■ use railings on stairways and sloped surfaces.

8 thiS iS health Care summer 2014

Each year, about one in five Americans visit the emergen-cy room. But not all of them

truly face a life-or-death health issue. In fact, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests 80 percent of adults who visit the ER do so because they don’t have a doctor or can’t get an appointment.

Emergency care can save your

life. But for less severe complaints, you may get faster and less expensive treatment by calling your primary care doctor or heading to an urgent care center.

Call your doctor when:■■ You have an earache, cough, sore throat or cold

■■ You have a question about a chronic health problem

■■ You’re not sure where to goYour doctor knows you—and

your medical history. He or she can serve as a valuable resource between appointments. At your next checkup, ask what to do if you need help outside of office hours.

try urgent care (or your doctor) for:■■ Ear infections■■ Flu-like symptoms■■ Minor cuts and burns■■ Sprains, strains and simple fractures

■■ Any other issue that requires fast treatment but isn’t life- or limb-threateningUrgent care centers typically

stay open seven days a week. You don’t need an appointment to visit them. But, you may want to call ahead to ensure they’re prepared to handle your condition.

When health needS turn urgent: your guiDE to Fast carE

ER by the numbers➡Almost 43 out of 100

Americans visited an ER

in 2010.

Almost three-quarters

of patients spent less than four hours at

the ER.

Just 1 in 6 people came

to the ER by ambulance.

60 percent of patients arrived between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. or on weekends.

www.osfstmary.org 9

convEniEnt carE For minor illnEss anD injuryoSF promptCare offers convenient care for those untimely minor illnesses and injuries that require attention when your doctor is busy or unavailable. these illnesses and injuries include:

■ Cough, cold, flu ■ Sore throats ■ rash ■ Fever ■ minor cuts ■ Sprains ■ bee sting reactions ■ Sports physicals ■ and more ...

location:1707 n. henderson Street galesburg phone: 309-343-1000 hours: monday — Saturday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

head to the emergency room for:■■ Trouble breathing■■ Sudden blurred or lost vision■■ Head trauma or sudden confusion■■ Uncontrollable bleeding, vomiting or diarrhea■■ Chest pain or pressure ■■ Urges to hurt yourself or someone else■■ Any other sudden, severe problem you think might threaten your life or cause you to lose a limbEmergency doctors are specially trained to treat

these types of situations. Seeing them quickly gives you the best chance of restoring good health. Ask what you should do to continue recovery after you go home. Make sure to understand:■■ If and when to make follow-up appointments■■ What problems to watch for—and what to do if you spot them

■■ Which medications to take and how to take themFollowing these instructions carefully can help

you avoid a return visit.If you can’t call your doctor before heading to the

ER, do it afterward. He or she needs to know what happened so you can both take care of your health going forward. •

are you prepared?Every second counts in an emergency. that’s why osF st. mary wants to help keep you prepared. the heartSaver Cpr class is intended for non-healthcare employees who want to learn the essentials of cpr. cpr for adults, children and infants will be included. after successful completion, participants will receive a certification card. 

thursday, September 4, 2014  5–8 p.m.oSF St. mary – Conference room 4b 3333 n. Seminary Street galesburg Cost: $35 Questions? Call the oSF St. mary education department at 309-344-9402.

register online at www.osfstmary.org/calendar.

clip & post

o ne new study proclaims your fitness—not your fatness—determines your

long-term health. Another, how-ever, finds all obese people have a higher risk for illness and death than those who weigh less.

Reading the headlines about weight and health can

leave your head spin-ning. But regardless of whether it’s lack of exercise or extra pounds that pose the biggest danger, doctors know one thing for sure: Exercise benefits your health in many ways besides shrinking your waistline. And you can reap its rewards no matter what number you see on the scale.

FitneSS payoFFS Worth the riSkSExercise can feel intimidating if you haven’t done

much of it before. Self-conscious-ness and fear can easily stand between you and your gym shoes. And of course, it’s hard to find time for working out in an already-busy life.

But the case for physical activity is a compelling one. Exercise builds strength and prevents type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes and some cancers. It can also improve your mood, help you sleep and boosts your energy.

Given these perks, it’s worth facing the challenges of embarking on a fitness routine. Smart planning can help you get your new habit off the ground. And once you start, you may even find yourself having a good time.

your get-Started guideApproach physical activity as you would any other big project in your life. First, think of the barri-ers between you and exercise. Then, come up with creative ways to overcome them. A few ideas: ■■ to find time, schedule ahead. Write down everything you do for a week. Then identify 10-minute slots for exercise. Enter it on your calendar just

10 thiS iS health Care summer 2014

exerCiSe improvEs your hEalth at any sizE

www.osfstmary.org 11

exerCiSe improvEs your hEalth at any sizE

like any other appointment—and keep it.

■■ to avoid injury, start where you are comfortable. Set a goal of increasing your activity by five minutes a day each week. Take a walk, pedal on a stationary bike or try a stretching video.

■■ to enjoy exercise, expand your definition. You don’t have to pound out a hard run or grueling sets of push-ups. Try many ways

to be active until you find two or three you enjoy. Dance to music in your house, do yard work or take brisk walks around the mall or neighborhood.

■■ to stay motivated, track your progress. Keep a journal where you log your activity, how long you did it and how you felt. Build in rewards—such as new workout clothes and shoes—for each milestone you set. •

Less than

50%exercise

regularly

About

50%are at a healthy weight

About

20%have high

blood pressure

Almost

33% eat fast

food regularly

Only

25%eat

enough fruits and

vegetables

About

15%smoke

More than

50%don’t limit

sugary drinks

Young Adults May Not Be as Healthy as They Thinkmake exerCiSe a Family aFFair

let us help keep you in Shape

the Wellness/Fitness program at oSF St. mary health and rehabilitation has state-of-the-art equipment for strengthening and conditioning. exercise bicycles, treadmills, stair machines, rowers and elliptical equipment provide a great variety for for cardiovascular training.

all participants are individually instructed on all the equipment and then allowed to work independently at their own rate. an appropriate exercise program is designed for each participant based on precautions, limitations, restrictions and personal goals.

put a spring in your step this summer! Call oSF St. mary medical Center at 309-344-9662 or  309-344-3161, ext. 5662.

oSF healthCare oSF St. mary medical Center 800 n. glen oak avenue peoria, il 61603

nonprofit org. u.s. postage

paiD peoria, illinois permit no. 381

HealtH CareThis is

Carrie bernettmarKEting/public rElations coorDinatorosF st. mary mEDical cEntEr

This Is Health Care is a quarterly publication of OSF St. Mary Medical Center. To be removed from our mailing list, please call 309-655-2856. © 2014

10336M

let’S get SoCial Stay up-to-date on the latest news! www.osfstmary.org/news

managE your mEDical carE morE Easily: oSF myhealthoSF healthCare wants to help you stay connected while making your life a little easier. access your health information instantly, make appointments, view the same test results your doctor sees, and directly email your doctor’s office, all with the help of a new online tool called oSF myhealth.

What doeS it do?oSF myhealth allows you to keep all your medical information securely in one place. it’s a way for you to be in contact with your doctor’s office, without making

phone calls. and you can access your records anytime, anywhere, whether at work, at home or while traveling.

hoW do i get Started? patients who wish to participate will be issued an oSF myhealth activation code during their office visit. this code will enable you to login and create your own user id and password. if you were not issued an activation code, you may call your primary care office to get one or ask to sign up during you next office visit. •

oSF myhealth mobile app noW aVailable For iphone and android deViCeSavailable through the myChart app, myhealth provides Free, fast and secure access to the most frequently used features of oSF myhealth. access your medical records, see upcoming appointments, get test results and send messages to your physician’s office. to use the app, you must first already have an oSF myhealth account.