Men’s Health Week: Preventive Care Can Add Years to Your Life

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man eating saladMen’s Health Week is celebrated during the week that ends on Father’s Day each year. Men’s Health Week is an opportunity for men and boys to learn more about how they can commit to wellness.

Men’s Health Week is a valuable time to communicate about preventable conditions and diseases, available screenings and early detection for those conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), half of the U.S. population has a chronic illness, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other condition the medical community defines as preventable. Chronic illness and disease cause seventy percent of deaths in the United States, and many deaths could be prevented or delayed with proper medical care.

There are four ways men can focus on their health during Men’s Health Week:

Visit Your Primary Care Physician Regularly

Don’t limit doctor visits to injuries or sickness. Yearly health exams and routine tests can identify problems early when treatments and cures are most effective. It is essential to schedule annual or bi-annual physicals to monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and medications. Patients who communicate regularly with their doctor and schedule check-ups at recommended intervals increase their chances of living a longer, healthier, more active life.

Schedule Routine Tests and Exams

Preventive tests like prostate exams, colonoscopies, skin checks and cholesterol screenings can detect abnormalities early. Your primary care physician can recommend a list of screenings, and call your insurance provider to obtain details about coverage and out-of-pocket responsibility. Remember:  preventing a disease is always less complicated and less expensive than treating a disease. Your lifelong wellness is worth the investment.

Say “Yes” to All Suggested Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not just for children. Tetanus boosters and yearly flu shots are part of wise preventive care. The CDC has published a full vaccine schedule, and you can access it by clicking here.

Utilize Community Resources

You may not hear about Men’s Health Week on the news, radio or your social media feed, but open your eyes and take a look around you. Hospitals, clinics and community centers will offer free programming and convenient health services to males around the country. The initiative is growing each year as people continue to spread the word.

Take a proactive step toward better health by taking part in:

  • Health Fairs that offer free screenings for prostate cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney, liver, heart and thyroid issues
  • Lectures by sports figures
  • Seminars on a condition or disease that runs in the family
  • Meatless Monday, a national health campaign to help Americans prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer – four of the leading causes of death in America
  • Softball Tournament and Home Run Derby, which often also offer health screenings
  • Couch to 5k program
  • Community carnival that includes free blood pressure checks, tips on healthy eating and a workshop emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups

Begin an early celebration of Men’s Health Week by calling your doctor. It is likely you are due for a check-up, so schedule one today. Good health doesn’t happen by accident, so get in the game and take an active role in your wellness! Communicating with your doctor could add years to your life.

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Cataract Prevention Begins with Nutrition

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One in six Americans over the age of 40 has a developing cataract. Age is the leading cause of cataracts, but the foods you eat play a significant role in cataract formation.

How to Prevent Cataracts Naturally

You can prevent or delay cataract formation by avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol and eating a nutrient-dense diet. Here are four foods that provide good nutrition for eye health and prevent cataracts naturally.

Eggs

Eggs contain high amounts of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for cell, muscle and nerve function. Research suggests omega-3 fatty acids may protect eyes against cataracts, dry eye syndrome and macular degeneration. Egg yolks contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that protect eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Suggestion: Enjoy eggs scrambled, poached or sunny side up with a slice of whole grain toast in the morning. Top your salad with a hard-boiled egg. It is a great source of protein and a meat substitute.

Broccoli

Broccoli is also a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin. These powerful antioxidants reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage from free radicals.

Suggestion: Steam, roast or saute broccoli with other vegetables for a healthy side dish. For maximum nutritional benefit, eat raw florets.

Green Tea

Green tea is minimally processed because it is made with unoxidized leaves. It is known to improve blood circulation and lower cholesterol due to its high polyphenol content. Polyphenols reduce inflammation and maintain cellular function.

Researchers from the University of Scranton discovered black and green tea lowered ocular glucose levels in rodents and reduced their cataract risk by 50 percent.

Suggestion: Drink green tea daily. Whether you prefer green tea hot or chilled, your eyes will be nourished by a healthy dose of antioxidants.

Oranges

Oranges are a rich source of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant for strong blood vessels in the eyes and other parts of the body. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found high levels of vitamin C reduced cataract risk by 64 percent.

Suggestion: Instead of drinking orange juice in the morning, eat a fresh orange. Fresh oranges have an additional nutritional benefit because they contain potassium, fiber, folate and calcium.

Spinach and Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, chard and other leafy greens are high in lutein, which is related to vitamin A and beta carotene. These essential nutrients protect eye tissues from degenerative disease and sun damage. Leafy greens also contain iron, folate and vitamin K, which are essential for strong vision.

Suggestion: Buy organic leafy greens if possible. Organic greens often contain higher amounts of lutein.

Make an Appointment with Your Ophthalmologist

Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet will help prevent cataracts naturally and improve your overall wellness. Talk to your eye doctor about proper nutrition for eye health and safe ways to exercise. It is never too late to start good eating habits.

MidAtlantic Endoscopy Center Merges Two Locations Into One Convenient, State-Of-The-Art Facility

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Serving the community for more than 40 years, the physicians and staff are proud to open a new state-of-the-art endoscopy center located at 2112 Harrisburg Pike, 1st Floor, Suite 100, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open-house reception. The new center replaces two centers located within the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Suburban Out-Patient Pavilion with one convenient location, offering the same high quality of patient care in a new updated environment.  The group also has an Ephrata location at 4140 Oregon Pike.

A wide variety of procedures will be performed at the new center and include upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, esophageal dilation, polyp removal and hemorrhoid treatment. Screening for colon cancer via colonoscopy remains a focus.

“Colon cancer is a common and deadly disease, but it is preventable and treatable when detected early.  We must continue to spread the word that colonoscopy saves lives,” said Dr. Ameet N. Parikh, Medical Director of MidAtlantic Endoscopy Center and partner at Regional GI.  “It’s important that we continue to serve our community by making screening colonoscopy available to everyone.”

To schedule your colonoscopy or to learn more about when you should be screened, the group encourages you to contact your primary care physician or call Regional Gi directly at 717-869-4600.

The ribbon cutting will commence at 5:30 p.m. followed by an open house where guests will tour the new state-of-the-art facility, meet the physicians and enjoy refreshments.  Those interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP by emailing Connie Ream at cream@regionalgi.com.

More on Regional GI

The physicians of Regional GI provide high quality care for those with digestive diseases in the greater Lancaster area.   In addition to colon cancer screening and colonoscopy, their 23 board-certified physicians and 10 advanced practice providers have expertise in diagnosing and treating all of your digestive health needs.

For more information, please visit their website at www.regionalgi.com or www.MidAtlanticEndoscopyCenter.com.

Is Early Cataract Surgery Right for You?

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Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are a natural result of aging, but they are reversible through surgery. This safe, routine procedure removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a clear, synthetic lens that restores your vision and is customized to your unique needs. There are numerous benefits of cataract surgery, such as:

  • Clear vision
  • Increased quality of life
  • Independence
  • Decreased risk of falls and fractures
  • Longer life expectancy

Average Age for Cataract Surgery

There is no minimum age for cataract surgery. You should have a cataract removed when your eye doctor recommends it.

Certain factors like smoking and sun exposure can affect how rapidly a cataract develops. When you begin to experience cataract symptoms like blurry vision, double vision, decreased night vision or light sensitivity, it may be time to talk to your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.

While there is no rush to schedule cataract surgery, you also do not need to delay the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will help monitor your cataract development and advise you when to schedule surgery.

Types of Cataract Surgery

Better technology means more choice in cataract surgery. You can still choose traditional cataract surgery, performed by a skilled surgeon using a handheld blade, or laser-assisted cataract surgery. This modern technique allows surgeons to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to create a 3-D map of the eye. From the OCT map, the laser can create an incision at the exact location, depth and length to treat conditions like astigmatism.

Whether you choose traditional or laser-assisted cataract surgery, you will heal better if you are in excellent health. For this reason, you may want to consider early cataract surgery. Younger patients tend to heal faster because their cataracts are softer, their corneas are clearer and their pupils dilate easier (Review of Ophthalmology).

Best Lens for Cataract Surgery

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a clear, artificial lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Your surgeon will recommend an IOL based on test results and your specific preferences. Today, there are dozens of customized IOLs that correct vision at one, two or multiple distances, as well as astigmatism and presbyopia.

Early cataract surgery can be a wise economic decision. You can feel confident choosing a multifocal premium lens because it will never need replacement, and you’ll enjoy clear vision for an extended period.

Call Your Ophthalmologist Today

Talk to your ophthalmologist about early cataract surgery. One procedure could offer a lifetime of clear vision.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers Produce Successful Results, Low Complications

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A recent study compared patient cost and outcomes for inpatient hip and knee replacement surgeries to those performed in an ambulatory surgery center. It found no increased risk of 90-day complication rates or readmission rates for patients who went home the same day compared to patients in a hospital.

Michael P. Ast, M.D., hip and knee replacement surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, conducted a study with colleagues, including Alvin C. Ong, M.D., at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Ong performed inpatient hip and knee replacement procedures at a university medical center, and Dr. Ast conducted similar procedures on an outpatient basis at a local ambulatory surgery center.

ASCs Produce Shorter Stays and Lower Infection Rates

The surgeons analyzed data from 126 patients in each group, based on similar procedure, sex, age, body mass and health assessment. The outpatient group had a much shorter average length of stay: 8:09 hours compared to 23:24 hours for the inpatient group. The ambulatory group also had a lower rate of infection at 2.4 percent, whereas the inpatient group was at 3.9 percent.

ASCs Offer Cost Savings

Most patients are concerned about hip and knee replacement surgery costs, but many are not aware that outpatient surgery is an option. Dr. Ong and Dr. Ast found the average cost of total joint replacement among patients at the local ASC was $11,677, about 40 percent less than the $19,361 average cost for the inpatient procedure at the university medical center. This data is consistent with a 2016 article in Orthopedic Reviews, which estimated patients would save 17.6 to 57.6 percent by scheduling an orthopedic procedure at an ASC instead of a hospital.

ASCs and the Future of Healthcare

Total joint replacement surgeries are expected to rise each year, but currently, only about five percent of total hip and total knee replacements occur at ASCs. By 2030, there will be an estimated 635,000 hip replacements and 1.28 million knee replacements. Choosing an ASC instead of a hospital has the potential to lower individual spending and affect the trajectory of the entire healthcare industry.

If you are in good health and are at low risk for heart disease, blood clots or post-surgical complications, you could be an excellent candidate for total joint replacement at an ambulatory surgery center. Ask your doctor for a list of in-network ambulatory surgery centers for your knee or hip replacement.

How to Throw a Colonoscopy Party

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Recently, Steve Martin and his long-time buddy, Martin Short, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and shared details about the colonoscopy parties they host every other year.

Leave it up to a comedic duo to turn the dreaded bowel prep into an overnight event steeped in hilarity, including poker games, funny movies and “drinking all the stuff.” Martin, 72, and Short, 68, invite other celebrity friends like Tom Hanks to join the fun, and the ritual has become an important component of their friendship.

Colonoscopies and Colon Cancer Prevention

A colonoscopy party may not be your first choice when it comes to socializing, but consider this fact: colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About one in every five Americans will develop colon cancer, but most cases are preventable through regular colonoscopies.

Young-onset colon cancer is more common than ever before, and studies show young people are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage colon cancer. For this reason, the American Cancer Society changed its recommendation for a first-time colon cancer screening from age 50 to age 45.

Although there are several types of colon cancer screenings, colonoscopy is the gold standard. Colonoscopy is the most thorough screening because:

  • It allows your doctor to inspect the entire colon, from cecum to rectum, for precancerous polyps.
  • Your doctor can remove a polyp during the colonoscopy, preventing it from developing into cancer.
  • It is the only procedure that can detect and prevent colon cancer.
  • It can reveal other GI issues like diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease and can allow for immediate treatment.

Turn Your Colonoscopy Prep Into a Party

Preventing colon cancer is a reason to celebrate, so turn your colonoscopy prep into a party! Here are some suggestions on how to infuse your bowel prep with some fun and laughter:

  1. Contact your family and friends and let them know you are getting a colonoscopy.
  2. Ask your loved ones if they are due for a colonoscopy, and suggest they schedule their procedure on the same day.
  3. Tell your group you’d appreciate some support on your bowel prep day, and ask them to reserve that evening on their calendar.
  4. Plan your party! You can plan a movie night, spa night, poker night, board game night, murder mystery party or video game tournament. The gathering can include almost any activity, but make sure there is a nearby restroom. Keep in mind you may feel most comfortable hosting the party in your own home.
  5. Print statistics about colon cancer and the preventive benefits of colonoscopy and display them for your guests to read.
  6. Amp up the fun by making themed colonoscopy prep foods and creating party games. Offer prizes for the best colon prep story or best colonoscopy joke. Commemorate your evening by taking lots of photos.

Schedule Your Screening Today

There’s no substitute for a colonoscopy. Call your gastroenterologist today to schedule a screening. It could save your life. 

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Best Foods for Arthritis that Help You Lose Weight

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Losing weight is a good thing for people with arthritis, even if they’re not obese or considered overweight, since losing just a couple of pounds can take a significant burden off the weight-bearing joints.

In fact, studies show for every pound lost, the result is 4 pounds of strain taken off the knees. Plus, if you lose a few extra pounds (or more if you need it), you’re not only helping to reduce arthritis pain, you are also decreasing inflammation in the body since too much body fat increases inflammation.

Also, something to consider: if you take off excess weight, there may be other unexpected benefits—for instance, you may not need to take pain medications for your arthritis as often or you might begin to sleep better because you have less joint pain.

Best Foods for Arthritis

What are some of the best foods for arthritis? Here are tips for choosing foods that will strengthen and protect your joints as well as support weight loss.

1. Choose Calcium-Rich Foods: To maintain healthy bones and joints, you need calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Choose foods that contain high levels of these nutrients such as:

  • Lowfat milk, cheese and yogurt
  • Milk alternatives enriched with calcium, such as soy and rice
  • Canned salmon and sardines
  • Chard and other leafy greens

2. Focus on Eating Plenty of Fruits and Veggies: Foods that reduce inflammation, like fruits and vegetables that include naturally occurring chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, are some of the best foods for arthritis. These fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, which means they help you feel fuller faster—supporting your weight loss goals. The result? Less stress on your joints. Some low-calorie, anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables to add to your grocery list are:

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Broccoli
  • Cantaloupe
  • Grapes
  • Kale
  • Kiwi
  • Oranges
  • Papaya
  • Pineapple
  • Raspberries
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries

3. Eat Moderate Portions of Fish High in Omega-3s: Studies show foods that contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can help some people with rheumatoid arthritis by reducing stiffness in joints. Omega-3s can be found in oily fish—a good choice if you don’t overindulge since some fatty fish are high in calories. Omega-3-rich fish that can help support your joint health include:

  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Trout
  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Sardines

Foods to Avoid with Arthritis

It is also important to avoid foods that don’t nourish your joints. Foods to avoid with arthritis include highly processed foods, refined sugar and foods made with white flour, such as pasta or baked goods.

Wondering how to lose weight or the best way to lose weight? Although there are many diets for those who want to lose weight, and it can be tempting to look for ways to lose weight fast, don’t take the easy route. Fad diets that offer quick solutions are almost always unhealthy and won’t support your joint health. If you need help finding the best way to lose weight, talk to your doctor.

A Doctor Referral May Cost You More

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Learn how to take back control of your healthcare (and your budget) when your doctor offers you a referral.

When a Doctor Referral is Not in Your Best Interest

If you are like most people, you follow your doctor’s recommendations when it comes to referrals. Your doctor hands you a card with the contact information of the specialist and suggests you make an appointment. In most cases, you view this referral as a courtesy because it saves you time.

Think again. The healthcare industry is a $3.5 trillion business, and that convenient doctor referral may be contributing to the healthcare cost burden. It’s time to start asking questions about why your doctor is referring you to a specific physician or facility.

According to The Wall Street Journal article, “The Hidden System That Explains How Your Doctor Makes Referrals,” many doctors employed by hospital systems feel pressured to refer patients to other physicians in their hospital system, even if the patient may benefit more from a physician outside the system.

Because many primary care physicians work at hospital-owned practices, they are expected to refer patients to physicians within their hospital group. These in-house doctor referrals often mean patients will be scheduling their procedures at hospitals or hospital outpatient departments (HOPD), which may be much more expensive than independent ambulatory surgery centers (ASC).

How to Shop For Healthcare

You can shop for affordable, quality healthcare in the same way you shop for an appliance or car. When your doctor refers you to a specialist for a procedure like a knee arthroscopy, ask why he or she recommends that physician or facility and request an estimate of costs. Before you leave the doctor’s office, get the procedure code for the procedure or screening so you can begin your own research.

Websites like HealthcareBluebook.com and Medicare.gov Procedure Price Lookup Tool (for Medicare patients) provide helpful information like the national average cost for common procedures, often comparing hospital rates against independent facilities like ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). You can also ask friends and family members for recommendations or read online reviews and testimonials.

Location, Location, Location

You can save as much 40 percent on a procedure at an independent ASC compared to hospital rates for the same procedure. Preventive procedures are often covered at 100 percent for insured, eligible patients at most independent ASCs, and diagnostic procedures are a fraction of the cost charged by hospitals.

For example, the nationwide, average cost of a knee arthroscopy is $4,720 at an independent ASC compared to $7,799 at a hospital.*

Besides being more affordable, ASCs offer advantages including:

  • Transparent pricing
  • Curbside drop off and pick up
  • Convenient parking
  • Shorter wait time
  • Top-ranked industry accreditations and certifications for safety and quality

Save on Your Next Procedure

A 2015 study found 80 percent of patients want to talk to their physicians about healthcare costs, but 72 percent say they have never broached the subject. The next time your doctor refers you to a physician or a facility, don’t be afraid to ask, “Why?” A doctor referral is just that – a referral, not a requirement.

*National average from HealthcareBluebook 2018. Rates vary by geography and procedure code.

Knee Replacements May Last 25 Years

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The study, published in The Lancet, reported eight out of 10 knee replacements last as long as 25 years. This is significant for a number of reasons:

Total Knee Replacement Estimate Raised From 15 to 25 Years

Prior to the study, 15 years had typically been cited as the length of time patients should expect an artificial knee joint to last. Fifteen years had been given as a rough estimate because there was no scientific evidence to prove the actual time period joints lasted after joint replacement surgery.

The researchers followed nearly 500,000 patients who had undergone joint replacement surgery over the past 25 years. Specifically, the results showed that:

Among total knee replacements 

  • 93 percent lasted 15 years
  • 90 percent lasted 20 years
  • 82 percent lasted 25 years

Among partial knee replacements 

  • 77 percent lasted 15 years
  • 72 percent lasted 20 years
  • 70 percent lasted 25 years

Knee Replacement Revision Surgery

After a patient has had joint replacement surgery, sometimes a second surgery, called a revision, is needed to replace the joint. Reasons for revision surgery vary and may include infection in the knee, loosening of the implant, or wear-and-tear of the artificial joint.

The results of the study may reduce the frequency of revision surgeries (which can be more complex and less successful than initial joint replacement surgery). Additionally, younger, more active people may consider joint replacement as a viable option, knowing there may be less chance of needing revision surgery in the future.

A Positive Impact on Patients and the Healthcare System

The study is not only useful for those considering total knee replacement, it also impacts healthcare more widely:

  • The population of older adults in the U.S. is increasing at an unprecedented rate, and people are living longer due to advances in healthcare.
  • Joints are some of the first parts of the body to wear, and increasing numbers of people may need knee replacement surgery.
  • Knowing artificial knees last longer than believed may help the U.S. healthcare system better manage its resources.

Click here to read the full study in The Lancet.