Your Health Today

As a service to the people of the Muskegon community we are pleased to present Your Health Today, a radio program written by the MHP PR Department and recorded by MHP's Primary Care Physicians. The program airs on Star 108 at 107.9 throughout the week. If you missed a program but were directed to the Mercy Health Partner's website here are scripts from the programs.

Knee injuries with Dr. Diane Parrett
Women are more active in sports than ever before. Females are nearly four times more likely to injure their knees than males because they tend to land from a jump without bending their knees. Knee injuries often involve tears in the cartilage or ligaments. Women are prone to injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. Even with physical therapy, you may not be able to return to your sport for up to a year. ACL injuries are most common in basketball, volleyball, downhill skiing and soccer. Causes of ACL injuries include: quick changes in direction and stopping suddenly. Some ways to avoid these injuries include doing extra strength training, avoiding abrupt stops, rounding off turns and landing with bent knees.

Skin cancer with Dr. Kristen Brown
Did you know that there is no healthy tan? Not only does tanning cause wrinkles and age spots, but it is also the number one factor in causing skin cancer. No matter what time of year it is, we need to be aware of the sun’s harmful effects, even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays reach our skin. More than one million new cases of skin cancer are found each year, and which can usually be cured if detected and treated early. You need to protect your children. Five or more sunburns as a teen doubles the risk of the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. UV rays from tanning beds are just as dangerous as sunlight. Remember to always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more when you will be outdoors for more than 15 minutes. Make sure you visit your doctor if you have a suspicious mole or growth.

Lasers with Dr. Irma Parra
Most people think of hair removal when they think of laser treatments. Lasers can remove unwanted hair, but they can also be used to treat a variety of skin conditions, like acne, psoriasis and warts. Lasers remove small “spider” veins and rejuvenate sun-damaged skin. Little to no damage occurs to the surrounding skin and tissue from the laser. After the treatment, people say it felt like a series of pinpricks. To help ease this, we cool the skin with air during the treatment. Afterwards, the area may be pink or red; this may last from a few hours to one day. The number of treatments varies. It may take three or four treatments. Most people are good candidates for laser treatments but many health insurances won’t cover the cost because it is considered cosmetic.

Obesity with Dr. Joel Jarvis
127 million adults in the US are overweight, 60 million are obese and nine million are considered severely obese. Even worse, nearly nine million children are overweight. Those who are obese are more likely to have a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and a reduced ability to have children. Losing 10 percent of excess body weight reduces many obesity-related risk factors. If you have tried to lose weight and haven’t succeeded, don’t be discouraged. There are many different ways to lose weight and may include diet therapy, exercise, behavior therapy and combined therapy and surgery. Talk to your doctor and don’t give up.

Heart health tips with Dr. Joel Jarvis
Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the US? Heart disease and stroke, together known as cardiovascular disease, kills nearly twice as many women as all forms of cancer. Risk factors are high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. One way to reduce your risk of is by not smoking. One year after you quit smoking, you reduce the risk of heart disease by 50 percent. Fifteen years after quitting, your risk of getting heart disease is close to that of people who never smoked at all! You can reduce your risk by eating healthy foods, controlling your blood pressure, exercising, and managing your stress… all of which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Acne with Dr. Kristen Brown
Doesn’t acne seem to show up at the worst time? Although adults also have acne, it is more common for teenagers. Acne is caused by clogged pores and usually occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, back or chest. Wearing things that rub against your skin (like undergarments and helmets), washing your face too often, stress and taking some medications can all cause clogged pores. Eating too much chocolate or oily food does not cause acne. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. They can cause painful infections and lead to scarring. Acne may cause permanent scars if it goes untreated. Call your doctor if your acne gets worse, does not improve with self-care, causes scarring or begins after starting a prescription.

Pediatric obesity with Dr. Kristen Brown
More than 30 percent of American children and teens are overweight and 15 percent are considered obese. Since 1976, the number of overweight teens has increased by more than 10 percent. More kids today have diabetes or hypertension, which used to be seen as “adult” diseases. Teaching healthy behaviors at a young age is important. I have several fun suggestions to help you and your family keep fit. Make time for activities the whole family enjoys, like rollerblading or bicycling. Plan a family outing and go skiing or hiking. Involve your child in a sport enjoys, such as swimming, martial arts or soccer. Limiting TV and video game time is a great way to get your kids out of the house for some activity. Remember, your children can learn to live active lifestyles only if you are a model for them.

Cholesterol with Dr. Joel Jarvis
Cholesterol is a type of fat, and is a nutrient your body needs. If you eat too many foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, the cholesterol in your body may climb to unhealthy levels. High cholesterol increases your risk of hardening of the arteries, heart attacks and strokes. Your body gets cholesterol from the foods you eat and your liver. Your liver produces up to 80 percent of what you need. To determine your cholesterol level, your doctor uses a blood test. A total level of less than 200 is desirable, a level of 200 to 239 is considered borderline high and a person who has a level of 240 or higher has high cholesterol.

Pediatric antibiotic overuse with Dr. Kristen Brown
What do you do if your child has an ear infection? You head to your doctor so he/she can write a prescription for an antibiotic, right? Did you know most ear infections heal on their own and don’t need antibiotics? Your doctor should use a puff of air to check the eardrum movement before prescribing an antibiotic for an ear infection. Just looking in the ear is usually not enough to know if an antibiotic is needed. Most drugs (and herbals) have side effects; don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions about them. Never use antibiotics to treat a virus, like a simple cold. This creates resistant bacteria that can cause severe infections later in life. Also remember to always completely finish a prescription, even if your child feels better. If you don’t, the illness could return and be even worse.

Diabetes with Dr. Jason Kinney
17 million people in the United States have diabetes, but a third of those don't know it. People don't know they have the disease because the symptoms seem harmless. Symptoms include: frequent urination, extreme thirst, unusual weight loss and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor. Studies show that early detection of diabetes and prompt treatment can decrease the chance of developing complications. There are a lot of things you can do without a doctor's help that can reduce your risk of diabetes. They are exercising most days of the week, eating low-fat meals and keeping your weight in control. Diabetes can cause major health problems, but you can have a positive influence on your blood glucose levels and overall health by choosing foods wisely, exercising regularly and reducing your stress level.

Acid reflux with Dr. Jason Kinney
Acid reflux is the unusual backflow of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus. The main symptom of this disease is an uncomfortable feeling of burning, heat or pain just behind the breastbone, known as heartburn. If you have pain behind your breastbone, you need to make sure it is not caused by your heart. The burning sensation caused by acid reflux usually occurs after eating, while pain from your heart is usually felt as pressure or heaviness. Occasional heartburn does not mean you have acid reflux. Acid reflux symptoms last longer and happen more often. You should call your doctor if you have symptoms that are not improving after two weeks of home treatment or are getting worse. Not treating acid reflux can cause scarring of the esophagus, persistent cough, or difficulty swallowing.

GBS in Pregnant Women with Dr. Michael Banka
Did you know that group b streptococcus, known as GBS, is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns? Although the chances of a newborn developing GBS are small, for one in twenty newborns, GBS is fatal. In pregnant women it can cause bladder infections, womb infections and stillbirth. GBS is diagnosed with a culture swab. A positive result means the mother carries GBS, not that she or the baby will definitely become ill. GBS can usually be prevented in newborns by giving the mother antibiotics during labor. Pregnant women who have had a previous baby with GBS, fever during labor, a rupture of membranes eighteen hours or more before delivery and labor before thirty seven weeks are at higher risk of having a baby with GBS.

Epidurals with Dr. Michael Banka
Women who have had a baby know that labor is… well, a pain. A common way to help ease the pain is the epidural. An epidural involves injecting a small dose of local anesthetic, usually combined with a narcotic, into the lower back. Many epidurals are of a lower dosage than those in the past. The pain relief can be isolated to the nerves affecting the sensation in your midsection without numbing your legs or inhibiting your ability to push. They are also safer for the baby because less medicine enters the mother’s bloodstream. These drugs take effect much quicker than before – sometimes in thirty to ninety seconds. Women no longer need to worry they won't be able to get an epidural late in labor. Before you go into labor, discuss your pain options your doctor.

Nutrition During Pregnancy - Dr. Elaine Schmidt
Do you know what foods you should eat when you’re pregnant? Healthy eating during pregnancy is very important for your baby to grow and develop. First, don’t diet while you are pregnant. You should be eating two to three hundred more calories than you did before you became pregnant. Choose foods high in starch and whole-grain breads and pasta, fruits and vegetables. Eat at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day and at least three servings of iron-rich foods. Choose at least one good source of vitamin c every day, like oranges or strawberries. Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day like dark-green leafy vegetables and beans. Try to limit your caffeine intake and avoid saccharin. Make sure you take the prenatal vitamins recommended by your doctor.

Comfort measures during labor - Dr. Elaine Schmidt
Labor is work, there’s no doubt about that. But there are several things to try that might help relieve some of the pain and discomfort. Jacuzzi tubs can be effective because the warmth of the water is soothing while the buoyancy helps relive pain. Warm socks full of rice placed on your neck and back can help relieve aches. Massages also help. Statistics show women who are touched by their partners during labor sometimes have shorter labors. Music during labor can also be relaxing and comforting. A birthing ball, which is a large ball you can sit on, also helps during labor. This relaxes the lower back and allows gravity to bring the baby down. For more information, contact Mercy ’s special delivery birth center at 777.6291.

Vaccinations - Dr. Irma Parra
If you are like most people, seeing your child sick hurts you too. One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent illness is through vaccination. Vaccines contain a small amount of the weakened disease, which stimulates your immune system to create antibodies. The risk of vaccinations are low, and reactions are usually mild. When your child comes in contact with the disease after vaccination, the antibodies that are already in the system will take over and prevent your child from getting ill. Some vaccinations, or immunizations are given only once, while others require a series of shots. Being immunized not only helps prevent your family from getting the disease, but it also helps prevent the spread of the disease. Show you care. Vaccinate your kids.

Asthma - Dr. Irma Parra
If you don’t have asthma, chances are you know someone who does. Twelve to fifteen million Americans suffer from asthma. Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in children. Ten to twelve percent of children under the age of eighteen suffer some type of this disease. People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react things in the environment called "triggers." these triggers include infections, allergens, tobacco, smoke, exercise, among other things. People with asthma experience symptoms when their airways tighten, swell up or fill with mucus. Some symptoms include coughing (especially at night), wheezing, shortness of breath and pain or tightening in the chest. If you think your child may have asthma, contact your doctor.

Breast cancer - Dr. Irma Parra
Most women know they should do a monthly breast self- exam, but do you know what to look for? Early warning signs include an unusual swelling of the breast or underarm, veins on one breast becoming more prominent, the breast nipple becoming inverted or developing a rash, a depression found in the breast, or a firm, often painless lump. If you find a lump, don't panic-call your doctor for an appointment eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous. While a history of breast cancer in the family may lead to increased risk, most breast cancers are diagnosed in women with no family history. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is ninety-six percent. Remember to have regular mammograms because they can detect breast cancer up to two years before it is large enough to be felt.

Exercise during pregnancy - Dr. Kristen Brown
Many pregnant women wonder about exercising during pregnancy. Exercise can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It can also decrease back pain and help with weight management. It may prevent or control gestational diabetes and can contribute to a faster postpartum recovery. If you haven't been exercising, don’t start a rigorous program. If you exercise now, you can probably continue doing those exercises. Only low-impact and low-intensity aerobic exercise is recommended, like walking, swimming, stationary cycling and group exercise classes. For most pregnant women, a little exercise can go a long way toward making pregnancy a healthier and more comfortable time. Remember to always talk to your doctor before starting or continuing an exercise program while you are pregnant.

No smoking when pregnant - Dr. Kristen Brown
You know that smoking is bad for you as well as the baby you may be carrying, but it is hard to quit, isn’t it? Consider these facts: the carbon monoxide in cigarettes is more harmful to fetal tissue than adult. When nicotine crosses the placenta, the baby’s heart rate increases. Smoking also increases the risk of miscarrying by thirty-nine percent, as well as increasing the risk of the placenta separating from the uterine wall. Many studies say smoking is the most preventable cause of low birth weight babies. A study in the journal of pediatrics has even found that infants exposed to tobacco smoke are nearly three times as likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If you are pregnant and smoking, please visit your doctor to discuss quitting. You aren’t the only one who suffers when you smoke.