MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Physicians Announce Caution of Over-use of Antibiotics

When the cold and flu season lingers as it has this past winter, and the chill is again in the air now, we all want a good, strong dose of something to give us relief. But healthcare professionals at Otsego Memorial Hospital warn that sometimes we just have to let the ‘bug’ run its course. "People have become accustomed to taking antibiotics to wipe out infections," said Kay Hanna-DeLuca, Pharmacist at Otsego Memorial Hospital. "Unfortunately, the improper use of antibiotics is growing and the consequences are very serious." Antibiotics are intended to fight bacterial infections. Prescriptions from your doctor should be used as directed and taken until the prescription is gone. The pills should not be shared with other family members or saved for the next illness. Saving pills, taking pills prescribed for someone else, and demanding antibiotics for viral infections are being blamed in the healthcare community for the growth of hard-to-kill "super germs". These germs are resistent to typical antibiotics and can therefore be life-threatening. Frequent use of antibiotics can build resistance to the drugs, explained Peter Handley, MD Internist and Pediatrician. "If a dose of anti-biotics is not finished, stubborn bacteria may linger even though you are feeling better. Taking left-over antibiotics does not give a healthcare provider the opportunity to properly diagnose and treat an illness." The practitioners recommend non-aspirin pain relievers to relieve some of the discomfort of colds and flu. They war, however, that these remedies do not kill the virus or bacteria. There are no hard and fast rules by which to determine if an infection is viral or bacterial. Sometimes only a physician can make the diagnosis. That diagnosis may involve an evaluation of your blood counts. Adults typically recognize cold symptoms from past experience. But diagnosing illnesses in children can be more difficult. Parents should monitor temperature and behaviour and seek medical help when their instincts warn them of something more serious than a cold. "When strep throat or a urinary tract infection sets in, an antibiotic is the proper medication to wipe it out." Said Mary Cruse, MT, ASCP, a microbiologist in the Laboratory at Otsego Memorial Hospital. "But if the common cold is the culprit, antibiotics won’t kill the virus. And taking an antibiotic anyway may actually be harmful in the long run." If an illness for you or your child causes you great concern, visit the MedCare Walk-In Clinic where no appointment is necessary, or schedule an appointment with one of the doctors affiliated with Otsego Memorial Hospital. They will help you determine how serious the illness may be and identify the most appropriate treatment to overcome it. For a referral to an OMH doctor, call the hospital switchboard at (517) 731-2100.

Cancer Clinic Opens in Gaylord

The cancer treatment clinic, a department of Otsego Memorial Hospital, offers a full range of injections, chemotherapy, and blood infusion. Patients also have complete access to the state-of-the-art services critical to evaluation of cancer treatments. CT (or CAT) Scans, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), blood tests, and other tests to diagnose and monitor a patient’s status and progress, are available within walking distance of Donnell’s 126 Shipp Street office. Donnell told OUR HOME TOWN, "I’ve been very pleased with the reception we’ve received from the service area." Cancer patients who long for undivided attention and the best care available may wish to call Robert L. Donnell, M.D., at his Gaylord office behind Otsego Memorial Hospital. Cancer patients who previously traveled 60 miles or more for chemotherapy are embracing the treatment offered by Dr. Donnell. Donnell specializes in hematology and medical oncology, which means diseases of the blood and cancer treatment. He participates in the most current national research trials and is constantly evaluating what additional services can be offered at his Gaylord office for the convenience of his patients. Receiving chemotherapy typically means treatments several days each week, with each treatment lasting from 15 minutes to three or four hours. Patients often need transportation to and from places of treatment. Roger O. Woodcum, formerly of Lewiston, now of Lakes of the North, has refractory anemia, a condition in which the blood fails to produce red blood cells, a condition he has had for the past three years. For six months, Roger has to receive blood transfusions every two weeks. He and his wife Evelyn, agree that of all of the places Roger has been treated, Dr. Donnell’s office has provided the highest level of care and compassion. "I would recommend everyone come here," Evelyn said. "This is fabulous."

"Blowing off steam" can double risk of stroke

Men who believe it’s helpful to "blow off steam" when they’re angry may instead be headed for a debilitating stroke. Groundbreaking research at the University of Michigan shows that middle-aged men who express their anger by yelling, screaming or slamming doors have twice the risk of stroke than men who find a way to control their emotions. The picture darkens for men with a history of heart disease, as angry outbursts can trigger a blood clot that rockets to the brain and causes a stroke. Men with heart disease who explode with anger have six times the risk of stroke than men without heart disease, researchers found. "The study is significant because it’s the first to report that outward expression of anger is related to increased risk of stroke," says Susan Everson, an assistant research scientist in U-M’s School of Public Health who conducted the study. "It’s important to find risk factors that are modifiable, and anger is one of those things that is potentially modifiable if people can recognize how they respond to anger-provoking situations. The third-leading cause of death in the country, strokes occur when oxygen is unable to reach the brain because an artery to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. The more commonly recognized risks of stroke including smoking, excessive drinking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Researchers are unsure about the react reason why anger can trigger a stroke. It may be related to a blood clot being loosened during an angry outburst, or an increase in blood pressure. There also may be hormonal changes brought on by anger that relate to blood clots. Everson’s study examined middle-aged men from eastern Finland, who are participants in an ongoing 15 year study of risk factors for heart disease. Researchers are now looking for connections between anger and stroke in middle-aged women, says Everson. Moderation is the key to managing one’s anger, Everson says. But that doesn’t mean suppressing too much emotion: while too much outward anger increases the risk of stroke, holding it all in has been found to raise blood pressure. "It really suggests that you should learn to discuss your anger constructively and not let it reach explosive levels, not let it get to the point where you’re going to express it in a way that is very aggressive or very nasty," she says. Suggestions for controlling anger are simple: · Take deep breaths. · Become physically active - take a walk, go for a run or shoot some hoops. · Count to 10. "All these things can allow you to calm down and then approach the situation again in a calmer state. It will probably allow you to discuss the situation rather than explode," Everson says. Everson’s research was conducted at the U-M in collaboration with American Heart Association and the University of Kuopio in Finland. Facts about anger and stroke: · About 600,000 people suffer a stroke each year. · Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and the number 1 cause of permanent disability according to the American Heart Association. · Research shows men who outwardly express their anger are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as are men who manage their anger. Men with heart disease have six times the risk of men who don’t. · Stroke warning signs include sudden numbness on one side of the face or body; slurred speech; blurred vision; and sudden severe headaches. For more information, contact U-M TeleCare at (800) 742-2300, category 1010.

Asthma rates alarmingly high

Few things are as frightening to children and their parents as an asthma attack. The wheezing and coughing of an asthmatic child is the result of obstructed air tubes in the lungs. Air pollution, tobacco smoke, humidity and allergens such as pollen or dust all can trigger asthma. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed with medications, most often inhalants that relax the airway muscles. "Children with asthma should be able to lead normal lives. They should sleep through the night and they should engage in normal physical activity. To achieve that, it takes a very good relationship between the family and the physician, said Noreen Clark, Ph.D. dean of the School of Public Health. "Many parents don’t understand the benchmark of good asthma care. A lot of children live with wheezing because families think this is normal in asthma, "she went on to say. "In fact, any child with asthma should be able to be put on a clinical regimen that will control the wheezing, the coughing or the other symptoms. Alarmed by the rising rates among children living in the inner cities, researchers from the U-M School of Public Health are educating parents and teachers about the chronic disease, which typically begins in childhood. Asthma rates among children in the inner cities have jumped up to as much as 20 percent in recent years, Clark says. Chronic illnesses due to asthma are the No. 1 reason children miss school, with up to 10 million school days lost every year. "Low-income, inner-city, minority communities reflect these alarmingly high rates of asthma and, quite frankly, we don’t know why," she went on to say. University of Michigan researchers are helping children with asthma learn to breathe easier about the disease. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NNLBI) has identified a number of factors leading to the growing increase in asthma among inner-city children. The NHLBI has conducted numerous studies of asthma in young people, points to exposure to cigarette smoke, lack of access to medical care, poor housing, and exposure to cockroach allergens as causes of asthma in children. The education process carried out by U-M researchers is touching many. Principals and school personnel are learning about building conditions that might be improved to reduce asthma attacks. Parents receive materials about helping their child manage the disease. Teachers learn about asthma and how it affects children’s learning. "By educating the child and educating everybody in their world, we think we can make a real difference in both trying to reduce symptoms and helping the kids be able to go to school and do better in school," says Lise Anderson, program coordinator for the Partnership to Control Asthma in Public Schools (a U-M program in Detroit). "They feel better about their asthma. They feel like they know what to do. They feel more in control of it. They’re not so scared of their asthma, like when are they going to have the next attack. That’s what we’re looking for," she says. Facts about asthma and children: · Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness. Ten million school days are lost every year to asthma. · Asthma affects more than 14 million Americans, including 4 million children 14 and under. · Asthma is more prevalent in black children than white children. · Asthma-related deaths in people 25 and under increased 118 percent between 1980 and 1993. · While there is no cure for asthma, it can be treated with medication and good management by the patient and family. For more information contact U-M TeleCare at (800) 742-2300, category 1010.

GUIDELINES FOR TREATING BUMPS AND BRUISES

The long, warm days of summer bring a wealth of opportunities for children to enjoy the long break from school. Biking, swimming and skating will fill these days for many youths. The pediatric staff at Otsego Memorial Hospital cautions parents to encourage safety and be prepared for the scrapes, bruises and mishaps that come along with summer fun. "In the course of enjoying their summer vacation, kids are certain to have a few minor mishaps," says pediatrician J. Michael Pankey. "There are many simple things parents can do to protect their children so they can continue to enjoy their summer break." Poison Ivy - The best treatment is avoidance. Teach children to recognize the plant and educate them about the dangers of exposure to it. If a child does have a breakout, topical ointments are okay for mild cases. However, if the rash appears on a large area of skin, parents should see a physician rather than trying to treat it with home remedies. Sunburn - Children under one year of age should have their tender skin protected during hot summer months. True shade, from an umbrella or in the shadow of a building, is the best way to avoid burning. For children over one year of age, sunblock in the 15-25 range is suggested. For children who are swimming for long periods of time, waterproof sunblock will not be enough protection. Parents are encouraged to have their child wear a T-shirt over their suits for long-time exposure near the water. Swimmer’s Itch, Insect Bites - Over-the-counter remedies are typically advised to relieve the itching of black fly and mosquito bites and outbreaks of swimmer’s itch. The OMH pediatric staff recommends topical creams with one-half percent hydrocortisone. Swimmer’s Ear - During hot and humid weather water does not always evaporate from the skin. These conditions sometimes cause an external ear infection. If contact with the ear causes a child pain, treatment by your physician is necessary. Bee Stings - Inflammation from a bee sting may be reduced by the immediate application of ice or a handy bag of frozen vegetables. A large swelling at the site of a sting sometimes alarms parents. However, the OMH physicians say a general reaction such as hives is the greatest concern. If hives occur a physician should be consulted immediately. Minor Cuts and Scrapes - Despite the honor of wearing a fresh supply of Band-Aids, the OMH pediatric staff recommends another alternative for cuts and scrapes that are not bleeding. The injury should be gently washed with soap and water and exposed to air as much as possible to promote healing. Otsego Memorial Hospital pediatricians and family practice physicians treat children from birth to age 18. Please contact them if you have any concerns about your child’s health. The OMH physician family offers well-baby checkups, as well as treatment for sick children. A physician presentation is now incorporated into the Childbirth Education Program at Otsego Memorial Hospital, and they also are available to speak to community groups about children’s healthcare issues. For information or a referral to a physician for your family, contact Otsego Memorial Hospital at (517) 731-2100.

Cataracts Treated at OMH

Having a cataract removed can be like seeing colors for the first time. The sky is blue instead of gray. Red flowers no longer appear pink. "You see the world in different color" said Monica Reddish, who is scheduled for cataract surgery at Otsego Memorial Hospital this month. Monica recalls when her husband Norman had the surgery a few years ago. "I was never aware he couldn’t see colors as they are," she said. A cataract is the clouding of the lens in your eye. This clouding reduces the amount of light entering your eye, resulting in blurred or foggy vision. Last fall, Monica began cleaning her glasses over and over again only to realize her vision was still blurry. People experience a variety of symptoms which make common tasks like reading more difficult. The bad news is, nearly everyone is affected by cataracts by the age of 70. The good news is cataracts are treatable. Dr. Jeffrey K. Chaulk performs the procedure every week at Otsego Memorial Hospital. The patients spend a few hours of their day in the Ambulatory Care Unit, a short time in the Operating Room, and before long they’re on their way home, with clear vision just around the corner. When Monica comes in for surgery, it will be her first time as a patient at OMH. Typically, she is the Helping Hands Volunteer who is reassuring residents of McReynolds Hall, chatting with a patient being transported down to Radiology or making up beds in the Medical/Surgical Unit on the second floor. She doesn’t anticipate a difficult transition.