Diana Nappa, Elmcrest Children’s Center’s executive director, looks to improve the lives of all children
It Must Be the Water
St. Joseph’s Health Hospital is experiencing a unique “baby boom” among its own staff. Ten of the nurses in women and children services are expecting babies of their own. All are due between October and May, with four already
having welcomed their little ones. Most of them are giving birth in the very hospital where they provide care.
“This is exciting because it’s such a unique situation, but it also presents challenges for staffing,” said Heather Shimer-Bero, direc-
tor of women and infants service line. “We’re here for them as they take time with their babies, and they’re there for each other like a close-knit group. It’s truly special to have a ‘work family’ that understands exactly what you’re going through, from pregnancy to raising children.”
Get Off the Couch: Another Study Shows Sitting's Health Dangers
Time spent sitting, reclining or lying down during the day could increase a person's risk of heart disease and death, a new study warns.
More than 10 and a half hours of sedentary behavior is significantly linked with future heart failure and heart-related death, even among people who are getting the recommended amount of exercise, researchers report.
“Our findings support cutting back on sedentary time to reduce cardiovascular risk, with 10.6 hours a day marking a potentially key threshold tied to higher heart failure and cardiovascular mortality,” said co-senior researcher Shaan Khurshid, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Too much sitting or lying down can be harmful for heart health, even for those
who are active.”
These results jibe with another study published recently in the journal PLOS One, which found that the aging of people's hearts hastened as they spent more time sitting. This occurred even if people met minimum daily exercise recommendations.
For the new study, researchers analyzed data on nearly 90,000 people participating in the U.K. Biobank ongoing research project. The average sedentary time per day was 9.4 hours for the participants.
After an average follow-up of eight years, about 5% developed an irregular heartbeat, 2% developed heart failure, just under 2% suffered a heart attack and about 1% died of heart-related disease, researchers found.
Sedentary behavior steadily increased people's risk of irregular
heartbeat and heart attack over time, researchers found.
People's risk for heart failure and heart-related death remained minimal until they clocked more than 10.6 hours of sedentary time daily. At that point, the risk rose significantly.
Sitting around increased a person's risk of heart failure and heart-related death even if they were getting 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week as recommended.
“Future guidelines and public health efforts should stress the importance of cutting down on sedentary time,” Khurshid said in a news release. “Avoiding more than 10.6 hours per day may be a realistic minimal target for better heart health.”
In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Charles Eaton, with Brown University in Rhode Island, noted that people
tend to significantly overestimate their amount of exercise and underestimate their sedentary behavior.
Replacing just 30 minutes of excessive sitting time each day with any type of physical activity can lower heart health risks, wrote Eaton, director of the Center for Primary Care and Prevention at Brown.
Adding moderate-to-vigorous activity cut the risk of heart failure by 15% and heart-related death by 10%, and even light activity made a difference by reducing heart failure risk by 6% and heart-related death by 9%.
The new study was published Nov. 15 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and researchers presented their findings recently at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.
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Meet Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Timothy P. Canavan, M.D.
New OB-GYN chairman at Upstate Medical University has extensive expertise in the field of maternal health. He is the author of more than 30 published papers in peer-reviewed journals and authored numerous books, chapters and abstracts. He talks about his new position
Q: You recently became the new head of obstetrics and gynecology at Upstate Medical University. How long have you been at it?
A: Since Oct. 28, 2024.
Q: How have your first two months gone?
A: Very interesting. I spent most of the month learning the culture of the organization, the people who work here, what makes them tick, what are they like, who are they. And also a lot about the geography of the location, because all of that was new to me. Obviously I knew where Syracuse was, but I hadn’t actually lived in Central New York before. So I spent my first month getting to know who everyone was and understanding the culture.
from Pittsburgh, correct?
ously working for the University of Pitts burgh Medical Center. I worked in Pitts burgh and Harris burg; the University of Pittsburgh owns hospitals in both locations and I helped them with hospitals at both locations.
Q: Syracuse is bit smaller than Pittsburgh, but it has some similar characteristics. Has that made the transition easier? Harder?
A: To tell you the truth Pittsburgh and Syracuse are very similar. Pittsburgh definitely has a slightly larger downtown area. There are more skyscrapers, giving it a skyline bit closer to New York City’s. Syracuse has a few buildings but then quickly becomes more of a manufacturing town. Pittsburgh has some of that as well with its history of steel
have to drive an hour, hour-and-ahalf to see a similar landscape.
Q: What ultimately brought you up here?
A: I was working in a much different position than I am now, but I’d previously worked for a state university down in Tennessee — East Tennessee State University — which has a similar dynamic to Syracuse. They have a medical school, although they don’t have a hospital, but they collaborate with a nonprofit hospital system in a way that’s similar to how SUNY Upstate operates. So it was an opportunity to do some of the things I was doing down in Tennessee but on a different level. Syracuse has a much bigger and more complicated state medical system. SUNY is a more complicated system. There’s more opportunity for growth, moving services out to patients in areas where there is poor healthcare availability, which I’ve done in both Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Q: You’ve been involved in a lot of research. What have you been working on?
A: My present research is really on the pelvic floor and how it may impact preterm birth. I had an ongoing study at the University of Pittsburgh that I’ll probably restart here. Also looking at how various parameters affect how normal and abnormal babies grow. So we’re always interested in how babies are growing and whether their growth suggests that the pregnancy is healthy or the pregnancy is at risk. And trying to figure that out is not that easy, because we all grow a little differently. Some of us are short and chubby and some of us are tall and skinny, so there are some differences between what can be considered normal growth. There also seems to be some link between how the placenta develops and how that influences heart development. So some of our research has looked at how to improve placental function and how it might influence the risks of the baby developing a heart problem. If the blood isn’t flowing through the placenta correctly it may not be flowing through the heart correctly. Blood flow through the very early heart affects its development, so if the blood flow is altered, the development is altered. So that’s where some of the research is based.
Q: How did you hone in on that concept as a subject of study? Was it based on what you encountered in practice?
A: I was always interested in the pelvic floor. In gynecology we see that when the pelvic floor gets weak women develop prolapse and all this other stuff, especially during menopause. But I always wondered if the pelvic floor was weak, how would it affect a woman’s ability to hold her pregnancy because those muscles of the pelvic floor support the pregnancy uterus. So if the pelvic floor is weak it may result in the uterus being weakened which may increase
the risk of preterm birth. So that’s been a long interest based on my experience with patients with pelvic floor injuries. That carried through when I started doing more high-risk obstetrics. What interested me in high-risk obstetrics was just trying to figure out a mathematical way to monitor abnormal fetal growth. As we followed fetal growth we started to look more at the placenta. The placenta is kind of the black box of the pregnancy. It tells us a little bit about what’s providing nutrition to the baby and what we’ve learned is that moms who have unusual-looking placentas on ultrasound, that are small and dysfunctional, those babies tend to have more heart disease. And that prompted us to look at the fetal heart and placental development. UPMC had a study going on on it from a biochemical perspective, so we wanted to do one more from a clinical perspective.
Q: Does it look like there’s a possibility of developing interventions in these cases?
A: Yeah, when it comes to the pelvic floor there are opportunities to improve its condition through exercise and physical therapy both before and during pregnancy. When it comes to fetal growth, having better methods for determining whether it’s normal or abnormal would help us either deliver them early or intervene in a way that decreases the chance of stillbirth. So being able to recognize poor growth may help us there. For the placental impact on cardiac disease, we don’t really have good tools for intervening but we may be able to focus more on newborns and make sure we’re delivering them in places where heart disease can be better treated. That’s important in places that are rural because we know transporting babies with heart problems over long distances increases their risk of disease and poor outcomes. So being able to predict those things can help us make sure patients are delivering in the right place strategically.
Lifelines
Name: Timothy P. Canavan, M.D. Position: Chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Upstate Medical University
Hometown: Brooklyn
Education: Earned undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in Queens, where he graduated magna cum laude and earned the Gold Key in chemistry; earned his medical degree at the SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn in 1988 and his MSc (Master of Science in medical sciences) at the University of Pittsburgh in 2005; in 1991 earned the Galloway Oncology Fellow Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York
Affiliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Organizations: American Medical Association, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Zepbound bests Wegovy for weight loss in new trial
Zepbound, the new GLP-1 weight-loss drug from Eli Lilly & Co., has outperformed its main competitor, Wegovy, in a clinical trial funded by Lilly.
"Given the increased interest around obesity medications, we conducted this study to help health care providers and patients make informed decisions about treatment choice," physician Leonard Glass, senior vice president of global medical affairs at Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said in an Eli Lilly news release announcing the trial results. "We are thrilled that today's findings showed the superior weight loss of Zepbound, which helped patients achieve 47% more relative weight loss compared to Wegovy."
In the study, 751 obese and overweight adults across the United States were randomized to get one of the two highest doses of either Zepbound or Wegovy.
Patients who got weekly injections of Zepbound lost an average of 20.2% (50.3 pounds) of their body weight after 72 weeks, compared with an average of 13.7% body weight loss (33.1 pounds) for those on Wegovy.
While this is the first randomized clinical trial comparing the two rival drugs, the findings haven't yet been peer-reviewed, the company noted. Earlier research had shown Zepbound outperforms Wegovy for weight loss, but that research relied on existing data.
Still, experts say both drugs deliver impressive results.
Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist and senior medical director for the Population Health Management Office at Duke Health in North Carolina, told NBC News that although Zepbound provided more weight loss than Wegovy, both drugs work
wonders.
“The amount of weight loss with both is astounding,” Spratt stressed.
Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist who runs a weight-loss clinic in North Carolina, told NBC News that the side effects for both Zepbound and Wegovy are compara ble, although his patients tend to say they fare better on Zepbound.
Side effects from both drugs can include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Novo Nordisk, which makes Wegovy, did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News.
Zepbound contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, the same drug used in Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro. Wegovy contains semaglutide, the drug also used in Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic.
Both drugs mimic a hormone that helps lowers food intake and appetite.
However, tirzepatide imitates a second hormone called GIP, which is believed to improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat.
Spratt said she'd like to see more data comparing the drugs to health outcomes beyond weight loss.
Wegovy, for example, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart dis ease in people who are overweight or have obesity, she said. Meanwhile, Zepbound has been shown to be a possible treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Stop missing life’s greatest moments. Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain.
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain.
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Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws,
Importantly, McGowan said weight loss isn't the only factor pa tients have to consider when picking a weight-loss drug.
“Most patients who seek a GLP-1 treatment choose whichever they can obtain based on cost, availability and insurance coverage,” he said. “Very few patients can be choosy right now.”
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries. Regenerative Medicine is changing how back pain is solved
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Stefan Yablonski
Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, Melissa Stefanec, Eva Briggs (MD), George Chapman, Mary Beth Roach, Jennifer Faringer Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Pam Roe Layout & Design: Angel Campos-Toro • Office Manager: Allison Lockwood
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Healthcare in a Minute
By George W. Chapman
U.S. Healthcare ‘System’
Is it by definition a "system" or is it really a hodgepodge?
The definition of a "system" is a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network. It is a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done. It is an organized framework or method. The U.S. healthcare is hardly a cohesive system
The U.S. healthcare is better described as a hodgepodge (mess?). Instead of a singular system we have several unintegrated independent factions: Medicare, Medicaid, dozens
DOGE Will Audit CMS
The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will serve as an advisory group to Congress. Healthcare is 28% of the federal bud- get, it includes Medicare, Medicaid, CDC and NIH. Physician, hospital, and nursing home reimbursements are already controlled by Congress. There is no "fat" to be trimmed there. Physicians have not had an inflation adjusted increase in 20-plus years. Hospitals and nursing homes operate below or slightly above breakeven. The DOJ has been successful at finding and prosecuting fraud. Since 1950, all cancer rates have dropped
of Medicare Advantage plans, the exchange, workers compensation disability and plain uninsured. Providers can choose to participate in some of the above or even none not at all. Most consumers and many providers are confused and frustrated (angry) with the U.S. hodgepodge.
We are the only economically developed country without a healthcare system. And while no system is perfect, at least everyone understands how it works. The U.S. is the only economically developed country without a universal system. Canada, United Kingdom. Australia, Norway,
thanks to the diligent work of the NIH and CDC. If the DOGE wants to have an easy, immediate and consequential impact on healthcare costs, just focus on what the U.S. pays for drugs. Since we don't have a healthcare "system" and are at the mercy of the drug lobby, the U.S. pays retail-plus for drugs while the countries with universal care negotiate all drug prices and pay less than wholesale. Any attempt by the DODGE to cut reimbursement to providers or benefits for seniors will devastate our already troubled hodgepodge. Any recommendations from DOGE, if enacted by Congress, will eventually impact all of us covered by any insurance as commercial carriers tend to mimic Medicare reimbursement to providers and benefits covered.
GLP-drugs will be more than offset by the reduced cost associated with heart disease, diabetes, strokes and knee and hip replacements.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Hospitals perform complicated procedures and save lives. But no one wants to be in one day more than necessary. Remote patient monitoring at home is being field tested and the results are encouraging. RPM reduces inpatient stays, readmissions and can prevent some inpatient stays altogether. This is a boon for inpatients and understaffed hospitals. The cost savings will be significant. Field testing includes video-based telehealth, device-intensive RPM and structured acute care at home initiatives. Field testing is promising and procedures are still being tweaked but we can expect RPM to be more utilized in the coming year.
Sweden, New Zealand (since 1912), France and Italy have healthcare systems. All but 43 of 195 countries in the world provide universal coverage for at least 90% of their citizens. The best healthcare in order are: Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Hong Kong, Australia, Israel, Germany. We don't have to reinvent the wheel. Politics and special interest groups keep us from giving universal healthcare a serious look. We spend far more per capita than any country in the world.
Covering Obesity Drugs
Several commercial carriers may increase their coverage of GLP-1 (obesity) drugs. There is now a proposed rule to cover these drugs for Medicare and Medic- aid recipients. The proposed rule would have to be finalized by the new administration. Currently, 3.4 million seniors have Part D coverage. The cost to cover obesity drugs would be about $2.5 billion (non-negotiated price). CMS projects no short-term impact on Part D premiums. The Inflation Reduction Act caps outof-pocket expenses for seniors to $2,000 annually effective Jan. 1. CMS anticipates that the increased cost of
Artificial Intelligence
Almost three of four organization (health systems, insurers, government agencies) intend to increase their investment in AI according to a survey conducted by Define Ventures. Established governance structures will align AI incentives with corporate values, identify and prioritize use, ethics safety and date policies. AI advocates believe it will reduce costs, improve quality, increase access and free up providers from the mundane aspects of healthcare delivery.
Claim Denials
There is a wide disparity among insurers when it comes to denying claims. Again, a reflection of our healthcare non-system. The denial rate by an insurer should be considered by employers when selecting a plan for their employees, by individuals selecting a plan on the exchange or by seniors selecting an Advantage plan. Denial rates for Traditional Medicare, according to Forbes and other sources are: Kaiser Permanente, 7%; Oscar Health, 12%; Ambetter, 14%; industry average, 16%. Denial rates for Medicare Advantage: BCBS, 17%; Cigna, 18%; Molina, 18%; Aetna, 20%; Anthem, 23%; United Healthcare, 32%. On average, Medicare Advantage plans overturn 80% of their own denials if, and that's a big if, the denial is appealed. But only 4% of denials are ever appealed. Consequently, CMS will require Medicare Advantage plans to be far more transparent about the appeal process. You are more apt to reverse a denial if your provider is actively advocating.
George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse.
My Turn Delay, Deny, Defend
By Eva Briggs, MD
A look at the state of insurance system
I’m writing this shortly after United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered.
While of course I don’t condone murder, I understand the frustration of patients and medical providers alike with the current state of our country’s healthcare insurance system.
For example, on a recent podcast, physician Will Flanary (known on social media by the handle Dr. Glaucomflecken) described his experience with getting prior authorization for injectable testosterone.
He had both testicles surgically removed to treat cancer and therefore his body cannot make testosterone at all. And yet every year his insurance company delays refilling his prescription until he essentially proves that his testicles did not grow back.
Flanary has been outspoken, using humor and satire to expose the crazy world of insurance prior authorizations. In fact, he annoyed Aetna enough that they thought they could ask him to remove his videos from the internet.
Although I am now retired from the urgent care, I understand his frustration.
Insurance companies often issued denials of radiologic procedures (generally CT scans). On my very last day of work, I spent close to half an hour arguing with an insurance company peer reviewer about their denial of a CT scan. It was the patient’s third visit to an urgent care within a week for abdominal pain. She clearly had something wrong even though she didn’t meet the official criteria for ordering an abdominal CT — no fever, no known elevated white blood count (which we can’t obtain stat in the urgent care), no involuntary muscle spasms when her abdomen was examined. The CT was abnormal. It revealed the reason for the patient’s pain. That enabled me to offer the correct treatment and kept the patient out of the emergency room. Even so, the reviewer refused to budge and stated they would not pay for the CT scan.
We’ve also become victims of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). They essentially act to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, often denying what the physician feels is the best medicine and recommending a substitute that is in their formulary. That formulary medicine is often something that the company manufactures or has another financial relationship with the drug maker. In other words, their choice is based on profit not medical need. This
enables these companies to wiggle around the 15% cap on profits limit required by the Affordable Care Act.
In July 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report about PBMs. It can be found at www.ftc. gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/ pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf
The report describes “how amidst increasing vertical integration and concentration, these powerful middlemen may be profiting by inflating drug costs and squeezing Main Street pharmacies.” I’m sure the power of the big three PBM companies (Express Scripts by Cigna, Optum by United Healthcare and CVS Caremark) helped lead to the closure of our Main Street Pharmacy here in Marcellus.
Cigna responded by suing the federal government asking them to retract the report. Flanary points out that what Cigna may be forgetting is that the legal discovery phase of their lawsuit will likely require Cigna to reveal their business practices for public scrutiny.
United Healthcare’s profits were in the neighborhood of $6 billion in 2024. They deny 17% of claims — 850 million claims. And currently only 1% of those are appealed.
Warris Bokhari, a former practicing physician who worked for a while as an insurance company executive, estimates that this affects 80 million individuals every year.
Bokhari decided to start a company that help patients file appeals for denied claims. It’s called Claimable www.getclaimable.com. I’ve never used this service so I can’t comment on its effectiveness. They charge a flat fee. I’m guessing around $75 as on the podcast I listened to, they stated “less than $80.” There are also many informative articles on their website.
I don’t have an answer to the mess our healthcare and insurance system is in currently. As tragic as Mr. Thompson’s murder was, perhaps it will spark some changes, improvements and transparency in the system.
Eva Briggs is a retired medical doctor who practiced in Central New York for several decades. She lives in Marcellus.
By Gwenn Voelckers
A New Year’s Gift to Yourself: Solitude
I’m craving some “me time.” How about you?
With the fireworks, holiday decorating, shopping, and socializing behind me, all I want for January is a little peace and quiet.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but all the hustle and bustle can leave me feeling depleted and out of sorts. My daily meditation practice gets interrupted, and I miss my early-morning opportunity to clear my mind and focus on what matters.
I miss my solitude!
And I can appreciate how paradoxical that might sound.
You might wonder why and how I would be craving solitude, given that I live alone and have ample quiet time on my hands.
Simple answer: Solitude is not about the mere absence of others. It’s about intentionality. It’s about making a conscious choice to create space for personal reflection, growth and peace.
While alone time can often feel uncomfortable, solitude — when approached mindfully and with purpose — can be a precious gift. As we welcome a new year, I encourage you to think of this time as an opportunity to give yourself the gift of intentional solitude.
Solitude vs. Alone Time
Living alone after my divorce brought on a confusing mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt freedom: freedom from the tension within my marriage, freedom to make my own decisions and the freedom to pursue
my hopes and dreams on my terms.
On the other hand, living alone brought loneliness to my doorstep and an enormous sense of disconnection from the world and people around me.
This is where the concept of solitude becomes essential.
Solitude is a conscious choice to be alone with oneself, to seek moments of quiet reflection, rest and introspection. It’s about creating space for healing and rejuvenation, rather than simply enduring the empty silence that sometimes fills a home when no one else is there.
I discovered a restorative calm in solitude that allowed me to slow down and reconnect with the present moment. For me, solitude has been a way to recharge after life’s ups and downs and a sanctuary where I can pause and take stock of who I am and where I’m headed.
For others, it might be an opportunity to find clarity, to remember what it feels like to be at peace in one’s own skin, and to regain balance after an emotional upheaval in their lives.
The Benefits of Solitude
First and foremost, solitude offers a safe space for healing. After experiencing a significant loss, such as the death of a spouse or a divorce, your emotions may feel scattered and overwhelming.
Solitude provides a refuge where you can process grief, reflect on the lessons learned and begin the journey of self-discovery and self-compassion.
Rather than keeping super busy to distract myself from the pain of my failed marriage, my therapist encouraged me to “sit with my feelings” as a way to listen to my inner voice, feel my grief and regain my emotional strength.
It was excellent advice. And it worked.
Solitude can also help to recharge your emotional batteries. If, like me, you are experiencing some post-holiday burnout, you may welcome time spent in solitude. When alone, we can relax and make sense of the day’s events without constant input and stimulation from others.
This allows our minds and bodies to rest and recover from fatigue.
And finally, solitude can offer a means of reconnecting with ourselves and others in deeper, more meaningful ways. When we take the time to be with ourselves, we are better able to show up for those around us.
As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “The only journey is the one within.” When we embrace solitude, we discover more about who we are — our strengths, our desires, and our capacity for love.
This self-awareness can make us more empathetic, more present and more connected to others. And what could be more important than that?
Finding Solitude
Creating intentional solitude in your life can look different for everyone.
For me, one of the most powerful ways I’ve found to embrace solitude is through daily meditation. Every morning, before the sun rises, I sit in quiet contemplation for 10 to 15 minutes. Often, my cat Shadow hops up on my lap.
I use this precious time to send prayers of love, hope, health, and peace out into the universe. It’s a practice that helps me center myself for the day and find clarity in the complexity of life and in this unsettling post-election year.
For others, solitude might come through journaling. A friend of mine starts her day with a cup of tea, pen,
'While alone time can often feel uncomfortable, solitude — when approached mindfully and with purpose — can be a precious gift.'
and paper. She writes whatever comes to mind: her hopes for the day, thoughts about her past, or observations about the people and world around her. It brings her comfort.
Still others choose solitude in nature, spending time outdoors. Many find that being surrounded by nature’s beauty provides a sense of inner peace, which helps them reset emotionally.
Whether it’s an afternoon spent reading a good book or an early morning walk through the woods, these small acts of intentional solitude can and will nurture your soul.
A Positive Start to the New Year
Let solitude be the gift you give yourself in this new year.
May it be a sanctuary of peace and your source of profound emotional and spiritual renewal in 2025. From me to you.
Happy New Year!
Gwenn Voelckers is the author of "Alone and Content," a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. She welcomes your comments about this column and topic suggestions for future columns at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com
Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surger y of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrena
Urologic oncology; robot
Bronchitis is a common respiratory condition that can cause significant discomfort and disruption.
Understanding bronchitis is essential because it can significantly impact quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Awareness can lead to better management and prevention strategies, reducing complications and healthcare costs.
“With the drop in temperatures and the onset of flu season in many regions, bronchitis tends to be more prevalent during this time. Seasonal allergies can contribute to bronchitis,” said Ravneet Kaur, a family medicine physician from the Oswego Health Medical Practice.
Here are five things you need to know about its duration, treatment, myths and more.
1.Chronic bronchitis can last for months
Acute bronchitis typically lasts for about one to three weeks, although a persistent cough may linger for several weeks after other symptoms have resolved.
Chronic bronchitis, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can last for months or even years, requiring ongoing management. Treatment for bronchitis focuses on symptom relief. Physicians recommend rest so that your body
5
can heal, along with drinking plenty of fluids to thin mucus. Over-thecounter medications such as cough suppressants and pain relievers help ease symptoms and inhalers remain an option for those with chronic bronchitis; bronchodilators may be prescribed. Experts suggest steering clear of irritants in the form of smoke, pollution and other allergens. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary if a bacterial infection is suspected, though most bronchitis cases are viral.
“Most instances of acute bronchitis resolve without intervention,” said Kaur. “The primary focus of treatment is managing symptoms. For cough relief, options include hot tea, honey, throat lozenges and avoiding smoking or secondhand smoke. Over-the-counter medications like guaifenesin or dextromethorphan can also be helpful. For individuals with underlying lung conditions who experience wheezing, inhaled beta-agonists like albuterol may be used.”
2.Antibiotics are not the appropriate treatment
Many people may associate bronchitis always being caused by a cold or flu or you can catch bronchitis from someone else. In fact, as mentioned before, irritants and smoke remain a factor. In addition, the viruses that lead to bronchitis can spread through respiratory droplets, making them contagious. However,
Things You Should Know About Bronchitis
By Ernst Lamothe Jr
the condition itself, especially in its chronic form, is not contagious.
“A common misconception about bronchitis is that antibiotics are necessary for treatment. Most bronchitis cases are caused by viral infections, which typically resolve independently,” said Kaur. “In medicine, we carefully consider the risks and benefits for our patients. Antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections and do not treat viral infections; their unnecessary use can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.”
3.When should you be worried?
It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider if you experience a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, shortness of breath or wheezing and a fever of more than 100.4°F. Other alarming symptoms include coughing up blood, discolored mucus, fatigue and sore throat.
“If symptoms last longer than three weeks or a severe cough that disrupts your sleep or daily activities that can be a reason for concern,” said Kaur. “If chest pain is exceptionally sharp or associated with breathing difficulty, please seek immediate medical attention. You should also be aware if worsening symptoms occur after initially improving. It is always best to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment if you have any concerns or questions
about your health or symptoms.”
4.Is it contagious and why?
Acute bronchitis can be contagious due to its underlying viral cause, such as the common cold or flu. These types of viruses can be spread through various modes of transmission, such as direct skinto-skin contact such as handshakes, hugs and respiratory droplets like coughing or sneezing.
“We encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and avoiding contact with sick individuals to reduce their risk of infection,” said Kaur.
5.Prevention
Regular handwashing, vaccinations (like the flu shot) and avoiding smoking can help reduce the risk of bronchitis. For chronic bronchitis sufferers, quitting smoking and engaging in regular physical activity remain beneficial. By recognizing the signs, understanding treatment options, and debunking myths, individuals can take proactive steps towards better respiratory health. Kaur recommends getting vaccinated against the flu, maintaining proper hand hygiene and if you’re feeling ill, wear a mask and maintain distance from those with chronic health issues.
Care
◘ Helping you solve problems with your managed care plan.
◘ Meeting with you over the phone or in-person.
◘
◘ Conducting educational sessions for consumers, caregivers, and professionals
Ravneet Kaur is a family medicine physician at the Oswego Health Medical Practice.
Q & A with Diane Nappa
Elmcrest Children’s Center’s executive director looks to improve the
lives of all children
By Mary Beth Roach
Diane Nappa was named executive director of the Elmcrest Children’s Center this past fall, an agency that employs approximately 550 people and serves about 2,500 to 3,000 children a year throughout a 27-county area. She describes the work of the organization and shares her vision moving forward.
Q: Can you provide an overview of what services the Elmcrest Children’s Center offers?
A: The Elmcrest Children’s Center offers services for children with mental health issues. We have
services for children with medical and developmental disabilities; residential services for children who have experienced trauma and abuse. We have a daycare service and a daycare and UPK for children with special needs. We have many community-based programs for children with serious emotional disturbance, medical and developmental disabilities.
Q: When you talk about the services that you provide, can you give an example?
A: In our crisis mental health respite program, the children stay up
to three weeks. They have individual therapies; they have group therapies. It’s the same thing in our residential programs. There might be six to nine kids who live temporarily in what we call a cottage, a home on our campus. They get individual therapies, they get group therapies. In the community, a lot of the services are individual services. We also have a program for children who have experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime. That’s an individual and a family-based program. At Casey’s Place, we have children with medical conditions and respite and developmental disabilities. That is a group program.
Q: How do the community-based programs work?
A: We have clinicians who provide services in the community; community habilitation services. We have respite and family support services. Those are all community-based. We have an office in Binghamton, in Cortland, in Mexico and an office on James Street [in Syracuse] and our campus on Salt Springs Road. We have Casey’s Place on Lafayette Road. In addition to that, we also have two preschool programs, one in the ESM school district and one on the north side [of Syracuse] on Prospect Avenue.
Q: As the new executive director of the center, what are your responsibilities?
A: My responsibilities are to ensure that we are providing the best quality of service to our families and children. That’s the key, that’s number one — to make sure that we are fully staffed; to ensure that the agency is in financial good standings and provide community awareness about the agency.
Q: You had a son with health issues. You have served as a longtime advocate for those in the community with developmental disabilities. You’ve been Elmcrest’s director of disability services for 20 years and then you served as interim executive director before taking the position permanently. How do you see your experiences shaping your new role?
A: That totally shaped everything about me. I tell folks that I wear multiple hats because I had a son who was very disabled and had very medically complex developmental disabilities. And I also had a
daughter who had significant mental health issues. So I can speak to the parent process and experience. And then once I got into the professional end of it, as a result of my children, I’ve had extensive experience. And I think that combination really makes a difference in my leadership.
Q: What do you envision for the future of the organization under your leadership?
A: We’re beginning a strategic plan for the next three to five years. We’d like to see Elmcrest be more of a boutique agency that provides services that other agencies don’t provide, like specialty niches that take care of some of the gaps and some of the needs in the community. We’re doing a lot of outreach to community partners and having collaborative conversations about the future. And there are trends that are going on right now, so we’re looking at those to see how we can change some of the ways we’re doing business and some of the programs we’re offering so it’s a better outcome for families and children.
Q: What do you see as Elmcrest’s role moving forward?
A: Elmcrest’s role moving forward is multi-level — really making our legislators and government aware of what is happening on the ground, what is happening at family levels and children levels and giving them outcomes and scenarios and facts about what is going on. I think that’s going to be a role that Elmcrest will definitely have to be a part of and involving families and relationships is very important. We have an incredible development department here that does a lot of awareness. We’ve been doing a lot of media exposure and marketing and a lot of that has been going on in different areas. Moving forward, in order for us to really make a difference with families and children, we need to be supported on many levels. Some of the plan is to get the word out there and to make people aware of what’s really needed in the community.
For more information o Elmcrest, visit https://elmcrest.org or call 315446-6250.
n Baseline and monitoring testing for chemotherapy and other hearing – harmful medications
n Hearing measurements for personal (medical, communication) or occupational (OSHA, DOT, law enforcement) purposes.
n Hearing protection counseling and devices for loud recreational (music listening, hunting, motor sports, landscaping) and occupational (professional musicians, fire and police personnel) activities.
n Hearing aid selection, fittings and repairs
n Tinnitus evaluations and treatment.
n If you have any questions or concerns regarding your hearing or how to protect it.
Career in Healthcare
All About Audiology: This high-demand Field Has Many Facets
Annual mean wage in New York for audiologists is $94,160
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The ability to help other people is what drew Doug Brown to his profession of audiology. He is a doctor of audiology and owner of dB Audiology Associates in Syracuse.
“Audiology matches my personality,” Brown said. “I like being around people and helping them. It’s a profession that’s very interesting but more importantly, it helps other people.”
He said that decades ago in the field, students were required to major in college in speech language pathology and audiology to gain exposure to both professions. Once the bachelor’s degree was completed, the
student could decide to progress in the master’s degree related to either profession or take a dual major before moving on towards a doctorate.
Currently, students choose between speech language pathology and audiology even at the bachelor’s level and then complete another four-year program to prepare for and qualify to take exams to become an audiologist. On top of that, audiologists must become certified to dispense hearing instruments.
In addition to helping others, Brown likes the science and innovation inherent to the industry.
“The field is continually chang-
The Rewarding Job of Audiology
By Nicole Anzalone, Au.D.
As an audiologist, I have the wonderful job of changing lives every day.
Audiology is a very rewarding healthcare profession that may not be considered as well-known as some other health professions. An audiologist is a licensed professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.
The field of audiology is a fairly young health profession that began around the time of World War II due to the high prevalence of hearing loss amongst veterans who came out of the war. The first university that taught a course in audiology was Northwestern University in 1946. Today, there are only approximately about 14,000 to 15,000 audiologists in the US and about 75 accredited Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) schools in the US.
The profession has evolved over the years, paired with speech and language as part of the communication science and disorders programs. For many years, it required a master’s level degree which evolved into to the doctorate level degree in the early 2000s due to the growth and complexity of the scope of practice.
The field of audiology has evolved from not only communication science but also treating and understanding hearing nerve damage and other consequences of hearing loss that also affect cognition and balance, overall health and well-being. Hearing loss is considered a sensory disorder or neurodegenerative disorder, so treating hearing loss is not exactly analogous to wearing glasses to reshape a lens to see better but more analogous to macular degeneration.
ing,” he said. “We can test a child who’s an hour old. There is instrumentation to measure what the brain is receiving from the ear. They can be sleeping and we can test them to see if the auditory system is working the way it should. You can test without cooperation from patients.”
His patients range from newborns to people older than 100. The instruments also help when treating people whose disabilities hamper their communication to express what they can hear.
Audiologists can do much more than test hearing and fit hearing aids. Their essential function is to diagnose auditory processing disorders. Some specialize in conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), disorders relating to balance and other problems. They can work in a variety of settings, including pediatric offices, geriatric offices, military bases, hearing conservation practices, industry and interoperative monitoring in a surgery to ensure the surgery does not impair a patient’s hearing.
“It’s rewarding because I’m helping someone solve a problem,” Brown said of his career.
He mentioned a recent patient
who called about his hearing aids, excited as he anticipated hearing others better.
“That’s why we do it: so people can relax and enjoy conversations,” Brown said. “Seeing that every day reinforces I made the right choice. You get a variety of people with all kinds of problems. It’s rewarding when things fall in line the way you want them to.”
Kris Rookey, hearing instrument specialist and owner of Port City Hearing in Oswego, is not an audiologist and explained that his career focuses on “hearing aid exams, fitting and selection. The audiologist focuses more on the why and hearing instrument specialist focus more on the treatment with use of amplification, in most cases hearing aids and less on diagnostics.”
In New York, a hearing aid specialist requires a two-year degree that requires an apprenticeship and shadowing before passing a written state test and a practical state test.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage in New York for audiologists is $94,160. Annual mean wage information for the CNY area was not available.
Hearing aids may be the best way to treat hearing loss in 85% of cases but treatment may be more complicated than just making sounds louder. In more severe cases of hearing loss, cochlear implants may be a better option to restore sense of sound through electrical stimulation of hearing nerves.
There are so many interesting facets of audiology to explore such as balance disorders and vertigo. Vertigo is commonly a symptom of a problem with your ears which is what makes it part of an audiologist’s role to diagnose and treat. The inner ear’s primary job is to control and stabilize us in relation to gravity and how fast we are moving. That’s actually the ear’s primary job and hearing may be considered its secondary job.
And a lot what an audiologist does involves many aspects of patient’s lives, not only communication with family and friends. We are also counselors, saving marriages and repairing relationships from the frustrations of not being able to communicate well amongst family and friends. What we do as audiologists involves counseling because of the frustration, depression and the grief that can stem from having a hearing loss. Many people go through stages of grief. Hearing loss is not just age related. There is a myth that that hearing loss is a stigma of age. It is not just a problem of the elderly. Hearing loss can be due to other things like noise exposure, other health disorders that can cause diseases of the ear and there are even viruses that can cause hearing loss at any age. Hearing loss can also be due
to genetic and familial history, which would put you more or less at risk for hearing loss.
The great thing about audiology is that there are so many avenues within the profession that you can explore. There are audiologists that specialize in private practice. Some specialize in educational audiology for children with hearing loss in the school system because the development of speech and language is so important for learning and vocational abilities. Some audiologists decide to work in an ENT practice or hospital setting and are more closely involved with the medical side of audiology. Some audiologists decide to specialize in balance disorders and may only perform vestibular testing and treatment. Some audiologists decide to only work with hearing aids to help treat patients with hearing loss. Some audiologists decide to only work in a VA type setting or consider industrial audiology to study more of the effects of noise and our environment on our hearing. Some audiologists get a research Ph.D. rather than a clinical Au.D. to be directly involved in the research of hearing and balance.
Some people may not know about the profession or may not think about it as a possible career avenue because it’s so small, so niche, but surprisingly it is in significantly high demand. Because of the Baby Boomers and an aging population, we see more and more people with hearing loss and more people at a younger age with hearing loss due to more noise and loud devices in our ears and in our environments.
If you are interested in the professional field of audiology, look into some of our national associations such as the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association, the American Academy of Audiology and the American Doctors of Audiology for more information.
Nicole Anzalone is an audiologist and the owner of Syracuse Hearing Solutions. She received her Doctorate in Audiology in 2007 and holds a Master of Science Degree in neuroscience and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University. She is licensed to practice audiology and dispense hearing aids in New York state. For more information, visit https://syracusehearingsolutions. com
By Anne Palumbo
Why Cottage Cheese Has Made a Comeback SmartBites The skinny on healthy eating
Every January, food trends flood the news. Here’s a surprise:
Cottage cheese is one of this year’s list-toppers.
Yes, granny’s mainstay is back in the spotlight thanks to its nostalgic charm, versatility and impressive health benefits.
While cottage cheese comes packed with many nutrients, the nutrient that reigns supreme is protein.
A half-cup boasts an impressive 15-16 grams of complete protein, which, for many, is a significant chunk of daily needs. And, unlike some meat-based proteins, it can be consumed immediately, as in directly from the carton with a big ol’ spoon when no one’s looking.
Protein is vital throughout our entire lives. We need it to grow, to build and maintain tissues like muscles, bones and organs, and especially to see us through our later years as muscles begin to diminish.
Research shows, however, that many older adults don’t consume enough protein. Difficulty chewing, limited financial resources, a finicky gut, and reduced appetite all seem to play a role.
Cottage cheese—as easy on the teeth as it is on the pocketbook—can help address this diet deficit.
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of vitamin B12, which plays a key role in preventing anemia and combating fatigue. This crucial vitamin is our noggin’s best friend— helping with memory, concentration and mood regulation—and may also prevent heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood.
Bones covet dairy foods, like
cottage cheese, which play a key role in building and maintaining strong bones over your entire life. Key minerals in cottage cheese that promote bone health include calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium. These days, I’ve got that big ol’ spoon scooping nonstop to avoid falls and fractures.
Come January, after an indulgent December, many seek to lose weight. Thanks to this dairy-darling’s nutritional profile—low in both calories and fat, but high in protein—cottage cheese may help. Research shows that high intakes of protein, such as the casein in cottage cheese, may increase feelings of fullness, which can help thwart the urge to snack.
On the downside, cottage cheese does have more sodium than you’d expect from such a healthy cheese, ranging from 300 to over 500mg. Consume just one cup and you come close to knocking off a sizeable chunk of the Recommended Daily Intake. That said, choose lower-sodium versions if you’re watching your sodium.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
Helpful Tips
Read nutrition labels carefully, paying close attention to sodium and saturated fat. Although cottage cheese contains a moderate amount of lactose, some people with lactose intolerance may still tolerate it. However, there are lactose-free versions available.
COTTAGE CHEESE PIZZA
Serves 1-2 Adapted from coconutandbliss.com
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
½ cup flour: white or whole wheat
2 eggs
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 eggs, then mix in cottage cheese and flour. Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet. Using a wide spoon, spread mixture
1-2 tablespoons pesto
½ cup mozzarella cheese
½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced salt and pepper, to taste fresh basil drizzle of olive oil (optional)
to resemble a round pizza crust, about ¼” thick. Bake for 25 minutes and remove from oven.
3. Next, spread pesto over crust, then evenly distribute cheese, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Bake for 10-15 minutes more, until edges look crispy. Remove from oven; salt and pepper to taste; drizzle with a little oil; enjoy!
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Yoga Helps Women Deal With the
Mental Stress of Cancer
Acancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming stress and depression to women, but new research suggests yoga can help ease that emotional toll.
According to a university news release, they “enrolled in a 10-week, in-person, group intervention that used breathing and relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation, psychotherapy skills and gentle yoga aimed at improving physical and mental quality of life.”
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“A wellness intervention that integrates yoga and psychological tools may strengthen the connections among the mind, body and spirit, leading to a better and more meaningful quality of life,” said study senior author Deidre Pereira. She’s an associate professor of clinical and
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Based on answers to detailed questionnaires, Pereira’s team found women reporting a lowering of their symptoms of anxiety and depression after completing the program.
component of whole-person cancer care,” explained study co-lead author Elizabeth Kacel, a recent graduate of the clinical psychology doctoral program at UF. It’s the program’s use of yoga and meditation alongside psychotherapeutic training that really seemed to help, she added.
“The combination of both perspectives provides a powerful foundation that patients can stand on in coping with the ups and downs
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A new 21,000 square foot Cancer Center and Community Wellness Center is now open in Camillus at 5490 Cobbler Way! This modern, spacious new office replaces our Onondaga Hill location and Camillus Community Wellness Center – and offers a comprehensive range of services under one roof, with plenty of free parking. Use the QR code to learn more and see the services at our new Camillus location!
Birth Defect Prevention Begins Before Conception
Try these steps to decrease the risks
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
One in every 33 babies born in the US will have some degree of birth defect. Some can be corrected through surgery or other treatments. Others will experience lifelong effects that impact quality of life.
“We don’t know the reason for most birth defects,” said Darcy Dreyer, director of maternal-infant health with March of Dimes in New York state.
She encourages women who want to want to become pregnant to schedule a pre conception check-up with a care provider. This can help identify any present risk factors.
Women can do plenty of other things to help reduce the risk of birth defects.
“Start taking folic acid as many as six months prior to conception to prevent neural tube defects,” Dreyer said.
Taking folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects is especially important in the first six weeks of pregnancy. Since pregnancy is typically detected between six and eight weeks’ gestation, it is vital to take them beforehand.
In addition, women need to “manage any chronic health conditions,” Dreyer said. “Diabetes is linked to birth defects.”
Update any vaccinations that have been neglected.
Managing weight before pregnancy can also help women get in a better state of health for a better delivery and recovery experience.
“Get to a healthy weight before becoming pregnant,” Dreyer advised.
Where you travel matters. Dreyer said to avoid going to locales where Zika virus is spreading, as that can cause birth defects, as can cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can cause minor illness in healthy adults but can be devastating for babies.
Dreyer also warned to avoid direct contact with used cat litter, as it raises the risk for toxoplasmosis. That doesn’t mean rehoming Whiskers. Wearing gloves or delegating litter changing duty to someone else solves the problem.
“You can also get toxoplasmosis from unwashed vegetables or uncooked meat” Dreyer added.
Some OBGYNs warn about eating deli meat that has not been
heated, raw eggs or sushi.
“Avoid eating fish with high amounts of mercury,” Dreyer said.
No amount of alcohol while pregnant is safe. Developing babies are tiny, so small amounts of alcohol will affect them more profoundly, not only while the alcohol is in their systems but with possible lifelong repercussions.
“Avoid things like smoking, drinking and recreational drugs,” said Jennifer MacBlane, midwife with St. Joseph’s Health.
The same principle would apply to supplements and any over-thecounter preparations. Some of these can harm babies. Clear them all with an OB-GYN.
Talking with an OB-GYN can help moms get a referral to a genetic counselor for screening so that they can know her chances of passing on genetic conditions to her baby. Even for moms who would never terminate a pregnancy, genetic screening can help women mentally prepare for a possible outcome and to learn about resources that can help.
“Know your genetic history,” MacBlane said. “Find out what runs
in your family. It’s a question we ask at a prenatal visit, but you might want to know before you get pregnant. Do certain illnesses run in your family? That involves you and your partner.”
It’s also vital to get any pre-existing health conditions under control. Some of these can affect baby’s health and some conditions in mom can worsen while pregnant.
“As OB-GYNs, we don’t manage thyroid conditions or diabetes until you’re pregnant,” MacBlane said. “Talk with your other providers to get those levels regulated.”
Some women may feel embarrassed about talking about their lifestyle or health habits with a provider, especially if they have let a few health concerns go by the wayside for a few years. Sunny Jones, coordinator of Syracuse Healthy Start program with Onondaga County Health Department, encourages moms-to-be to have “open and honest communication with your healthcare provider. We encourage those who want to grow their family to talk about what they should do before getting pregnant.”
Birth Recovery: How to Heal Better and Feel Better
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Imagine struggling with a chronic illness for nine months and then running a marathon, followed by experiencing a large, acute wound in an internal organ and major tear in the skin.
That’s somewhat like what carrying and birthing a child is like: nine months of physical changes and struggle, hours of labor, vaginal tearing (or episiotomy) followed by stitches and a wound the size of a dinner plate (about 8.5”) in the uterus where the placenta was attached.
On top of all of that, the mom’s hormones are thrown for a loop as her body had to gear up to grow, birth and then feed a baby.
Bouncing right back from all of that in a couple of weeks isn’t advisable — or in nearly every case, possible. It takes a few months for the mom’s body to recover, even for women who have textbook-perfect pregnancies. Undergoing complications like Cesarean section, hemorrhage, preeclampsia or severe tearing may take longer.
“The first thing I tell women is that there was a big change in your family,” said Jennifer MacBlane, midwife with St. Joseph’s Health. “If it’s your first, you became a mother. Your significant other became a father. If it’s your second or third, it’s a family of four or five and the dynamics have changed. That’s something to really look at.”
Most women cocoon for a while, staying close to home to bond with the baby and get sleep when they can. But this stage, while necessary, can feel rather isolating.
“Women feel they’re ‘it’ and the only woman in the house who has the overwhelming feeling of protecting this child or these children,” MacBlane said. “No offense to any of the fathers out there. Have a female in your postpartum recovery even if just to talk with: your mother, sister or friend. While your family may be very supportive, it’s a good connection to have.”
Taking time to rest rather than dive right back into activity helps
moms recover better. Part of the reason is that it’s easy to get hurt working out too hard. The hormones that loosen joints and ligaments for delivery are still present to a degree.
“Don’t jump right into going back to exercising because you could injure some of those joints and ligaments and for a long period of time,” MacBlane said. “Do a slow ease back into anything you do. It’s not ‘no pain, no gain.’”
Nursing and pumping moms have even more challenges, as the physical rigors of nighttime feedings and the body’s process of making milk can be exhausting. Nursing mothers burn up to 800 calories daily just making milk. Although a natural process, nursing isn’t always easy for many reasons.
Consulting with a lactation specialist can help get things off on the right foot and avoid complications like clogged ducts or mastitis. Breastfeeding can also help postpartum women return to their regular weight and shape as it hastens the shrinking of the uterus and burns up to 800 calories daily.
Those supporting new moms should help by providing plenty of things to eat and drink while she’s nursing or pumping for the baby. Eating right at mealtime aids in birth recovery and lactation.
“A higher intake of nutrient-dense foods is recommended to achieve increased nutrient needs to support hormonal, metabolic and physiological changes for optimal maternal and infant health throughout both pregnancy and lactation,” said Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., executive director of nutrition science, health and wellness for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver. “Lean beef is an example of a nutrient-dense food that provides many of those essential nutrients for pregnant and lactating women.”
Beef is a good source of zinc, iron and protein.
When family members and friends ask what they can do, families should ask them to bring food. They can also set up a schedule on websites like Mealtrain.com, a free calendar where friends can schedule meal deliveries for people in
recovery at home. People dropping off food should consider providing ready-to-eat food that can easily be eaten with one hand and served in containers they don’t need back. Moms should not feel obligated to allow visitors to see the baby or be entertained. At this point, anyone stopping by should either stay very briefly or wash dishes, walk the dog, run the washer, mop the floor or do whatever else needs doing.
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
Sunny Jones, coordinator of the Syracuse Healthy Start program at Onondaga County Health Department, offers clarity on the question:
“If she’s had the baby blues for three months, that’s when you need to discuss if she has postpartum depression. Baby blues goes away pretty quickly. If it’s a prolonged feeling and there’s a hard time connecting, that says it’s progressing into another category beyond a hormonal issue. Maybe she does need a little extra support and have conversations about managing postpartum depression. Is it group therapy, more support, talking with a healthcare provider? All things that a lot of people experience are manageable. There is going to be a way to help her get through this but she has to have the conversations. The support person needs to notice that the laundry has been sitting in the corner for the past three months and it’s not because she is so busy.”
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) English & Spanish. Text in English: 800-944-4773 Text en Español: 971-203-7773 www.postpartum.net
Raising Fertility
There’s an art and science in increasing fertility
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
About 9% of men and 11% of women of childbearing age in the U.S. have experienced fertility issues, according to National Health Statistic Reports.
When a couple has trouble conceiving a child, approximately one-third of the time, it stems from issues with the mother; another third relates to the man and the remaining one-third is a mix of both or an unknown cause. To give themselves the best chance for fertility, couples who regularly have sex should try to target what physician Rob Kiltz calls “the fertile window.”
“To effectively calculate when your body is most fertile, it is important to understand your menstrual cycle as no two women’s menstrual cycles are exactly the same,” said Kiltz, who is the founder of CNY Fertility in Syracuse “Your fertile window depends on the duration of your individual cycle.”
He explained that the first day of the cycle begins the first day of the menstrual period. For the next two weeks, during the follicular phase, the woman’s body focuses on egg growth and maturation and preparing the uterus for a potential pregnancy. For women with a typical 28-day cycle, the body ovulates — releases an egg — around the 14th day and she remains fertile for five days or so.
The cervical mucous becomes “clear, slippery, plentiful and the consistency of egg whites,” Kiltz said.
An at-home ovulation tester can also help pinpoint fertile days.
Once the egg is released, fertilization must take place within 12 to 48 hours. Having intercourse 72 hours before ovulation “gives sperm the best chance of successfully reaching
the egg and fertilizing it in time,” Kiltz said.
Sperm can live in a woman’s body for up to five days.
If this strategy isn’t helpful, a few lifestyle changes can help improve fertility naturally.
“Inflammation is a major cause of infertility and diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices all play a role in improving or impairing fertility in both men and women,” Kiltz said.
He elaborated that inflammation kicks off an immune response that may damage sperm, egg, embryo and even a developing fetus. Managing stress regularly — not just waiting for an annual vacation — is key for controlling this response.
While carrying too much fat is deleterious to good health, sufficient dietary fat is necessary to achieve pregnancy.
“It provides essential building blocks for our cells and helps synthesize vital reproductive hormones,” Kiltz said. “Dietary fat provides the body with energy and essential fatty acids that it can’t produce on its own. The fatty acids from animal meat assist with blood clotting and increase brain function. Fat also enables the body to absorb essential vitamins like A, D and E, which have all been shown to support fertility. The most important benefit of eating fat for fertility is that it helps to reduce inflammation.”
Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive oil, walnuts and fatty fish such as salmon may help reduce inflammation. Kiltz also recommends eating more saturated fat, moderate protein and low to no carbohydrates to keep the lymphatic system running.
“Eating fat lubricates the lym-
Physician Rob Kiltz is the founder of CNY Fertility in Syracuse “Inflammation is a major cause of infertility and diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices all play a role in improving or impairing fertility in both men and women,” he says.
their overall health which boosts their fertility.
phatics and helps filter out harmful pathogens, protecting the body from invaders that can cause illness. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory and immune systems and is critical to maintaining optimal health,” Kilts said.
Nutrients known to support female fertility include zinc, choline, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin D. Sufficient calcium improves sperm production in men.
Kiltz warned against highly processed and fried foods as they’re typically high in trans fats.
“Trans fats that are high in omega-6 are the most damaging and they are formed when common cooking oils — vegetable, canola, soybean and corn — are chemically altered to remain stable at room temperature,” Kiltz said. “Research has shown that trans fats are associated with ovulatory problems and other fertility issues.”
Limit caffeine, as too much can negatively affect fertility. Kiltz warned about eating too much fiber as a small study indicated that doing so may negatively affect hormones in women.
Soy products such as edamame, tofu meat alternatives and soy-based milk alternatives can reduce sperm concentration in men and affect women’s hormones.
Although exercise is important to maintain good health and the proper weight, Kiltz warned against over exercise for men and women, as it can affect hormones negatively.
“The good news for heavy exercisers is that research has shown that decreases in natural fertility likely only last as long as the hard training,” he added.
A couple wanting to conceive should avoid tobacco. Kiltz said that in addition to harming health in many other ways, smoking “can significantly impact both male and female natural fertility” and excessive alcohol can also impair fertility. Although the research is clearer on female fertility, men should also consider cutting back to help improve
Too little or too much sleep also affects fertility in women, as it can affect menstruation, conception and pregnancy complications. In men, it can reduce sperm counts, motility and survival rates. Kiltz added that using hot tubs has also been shown to reduce sperm motility and increase the percent of sperm with defects.
He recommended mitigating the effects of stress — another fertility buster — and trying modalities such as acupuncture to help promote the ability to conceive.
In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle of minimal alcohol, a healthful diet and regular physical activity, physician Leslie James said that it may help to control environmental factors.
“Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found a lot of times in plastic,” said James, who operates an integrative medical practice in Pittsford.
BPA is one example. Heating food in a non-approved container such as a plastic deli tub or single-use container instead of a glass container worsens the effect.
“Try to avoid those as much as possible,” she said. “Some are hard to avoid and it can create a lot of stress. Obviously, we can reduce our plastic use, but it’s ubiquitous. As much as possible, decrease it.”
“If you are trying to get pregnant but not having monthly periods or nearly monthly, this could be a sign that you are not ovulating regularly and there can be a variety of reasons for that,” said physician Jordana Gilman, an instructor of clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Highland Hospital and attending physician at Highland Women’s Health. “Talk to your OBGYN for more information on your specific situation.”
For some women, engaging in aerobic exercise like walking 20 minutes a day and even 5% modest weight loss can kickstart ovulating again. To supplement egg health, Gilman recommends trying supplementation with coenzyme Q10.
Talking with a healthcare provider can help zero in on what’s going on and provide targeted resources for improving fertility.
By Jim Miller
What You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2025
Dear Savvy Senior,
I know there will be a small 2.5% cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?
Medicare Beneficiary
Dear Beneficiary,
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2025.
Part B Premium
While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium.
Starting in January, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9% increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-ofliving adjustment which was 2.5%.
But if you’re a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 8% of all Medicare recipients, you’ll have to pay more. Medicare surcharges for high earners, known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount (or IRMAA), are based on adjusted gross income (AGI) from two years earlier, which means that your 2025 Part B premiums are determined by your 2023 AGI, which is on line 11 of the IRS tax form 1040.
Here’s how it breaks down. If your 2023 income was above $106,000 up to $133,000 ($212,000 up to $266,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2025 Part B monthly premium will be $259.
Monthly Part B premiums for singles with an income between $133,000 and $167,000 ($266,000 and $334,000 for joint filers) will rise to $370. Individuals earning above $167,000 up to $200,000 ($334,000 to $400,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly Part B premium increase to $480.90.
Those with incomes above $200,000 up to $500,000 ($400,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $591.90 per month in 2025. And single filers with income of $500,000
or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $628.90 per month.
Part D Premium
If you have a stand-alone Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2025 will be $46.50 per month for most beneficiaries, down from $53.95 in 2024. But again, for high earners with annual incomes above $106,000 ($212,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a monthly surcharge of $13.70 to $85.80 (based on your income level) on top of your regular Part D premiums.
How to Contest Income
Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that have reduced their income since 2023, such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge. For more information on how to do this, see “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries” at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.
Other Medicare Increases
In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases you should be aware of. For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $257 in 2025, which is $17 more than the 2024 deductible of $240. And the deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase to $1,676 in 2025. That’s $44 more than the 2024 deductible of $1,632. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.
For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2025 visit Medicare.gov/basics/costs or call 800-6334227.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
The Social Security Office Ask
From the Social Security District Office
5 Benefits You Can Apply For Online At SSA.Gov
– People aged 65 or older.
– Younger workers who have received disability benefits for 24 months.
– People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Note: They do not have a two-year waiting period.
If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare up to three months before turning age 65 at www.ssa.gov/medicare. You should consider your Medicare options even
if you are still working and covered under an employer group health plan (or your spouse’s employer health plan through their active employment).
• Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs — The Extra Help program helps Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug costs, like deductibles and copays. People on Medicare who need assistance with the cost of their medications can apply for Extra Help at www.ssa. gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.
Please share this information with those who need it.
GET THE UP STATE ADVANTAGE FOR HEART SERVICES
Upstate's revitalized and growing heart services provide benefits to you.
From six cardiology outpatient sites to the arrival of our new heart surgeons, and more doctors and advanced providers for procedures such as caths and TAVRs, we are here to work with you. Learn more about what The Upstate Advantage can do for you.
Health News
St. Joseph’s Health
welcomes Dr. Eric Alcorn
Physician Eric Alcorn recently
completed his residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital where he held a leadership position as chief resident in his last year. Now, he’s joining the hospital as a hospitalist and family medicine physician at St Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care in Syracuse.
As chief resident, Alcorn worked alongside faculty and staff to improve residency curriculum and mentored and educated more than 40 junior residents and medical students. He is board-certified in family medicine with training in inpatient medicine, joint injections, skin biopsies and GYN procedures.
“I could not be more excited to continue my medical career at St. Joseph’s Health where I have already cultivated professional relationships with compassionate and committed team members in the hospital,” said Alcorn. “These are the kinds of people you want caring for you and your loved ones. I’m looking forward to creating this strong rapport with patients and colleagues in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.”
Alcorn received his Bachelor of Science in health sciences from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, in Ontario, Canada. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, where he graduated with highest honors and worked as a teaching assistant in the anatomy and neuroscience departments.
Alcorn is affiliated with the American Academy of Family Physicians, The American Medical Association, The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and the American College of Physicians.
Outside of work, Alcorn is a big sports fan, with his favorites being hockey and baseball. He also enjoys watching movies, reading, hiking,
and checking out new restaurants and breweries.
St. Joe’s welcomes Dr. Dorshey Jackson to PCCWest
Dorshey Jackson recently joined
Jackson St. Joseph’s Health Primary Care Center–West as a family medicine physician.
Jackson is board-certified in family medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration from California State University–Long Beach and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados.
Jackson completed his medical residency training at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, where he was trained in a wide range of medical specialties, including addiction medicine and geriatric and preventive medicine.
Jackson was a member of Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) which is a community safety net, mobile health center in Palm Springs, California, addressing chronic diseases, acute conditions, preventive medicine, diet, and emotional health.
“So much of my focus as a physician has been to do whatever I can to ensure the highest level of wellness for my patients in the hospital, in medical offices and in the community at large. Whether it’s serving on committees to help create programs and initiatives to reach those goals or volunteering in the community,” said Jackson. “Spending so much of my life on the west coast, my biggest challenge may likely be adjusting to the cold weather and the snow!”
In his spare time, Jackson likes to travel, spend time outdoors and go hiking with his wife and children. Some of his interests and hobbies include fitness, reading, movies, DIY projects and kayaking.
ConnextCare awarded Hypertension Control Champion by CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently designated 32 clinicians, practices and health centers across the United States as the 2024 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champions.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, which cause disability for millions of adults in the United States. Most adults diagnosed with hypertension do not have their condition under control.
The Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge recognizes clinicians, practices and health centers that achieve blood pressure control for at least 80% of their patients with hypertension.
ConnextCare has joined the ranks of 199 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champions that have reached this milestone. “
Cardiovascular disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide,” said physician Patrick Carguello, senior vice president and chief medical officer at ConnextCare.
“Being named as a 2024 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion is a tremendous quality cardiovascular benchmark that we are extremely proud of!” _
In 2023 ConnextCare was able to maintain blood pressure control for 81% of their patients with hypertension.
Oswego Health Medical Practice welcomes new PA
Oswego Health Medical Practice
recently announced the addition of physician assistant Erika Ruggieri to the Center for Cardiology team. Ruggieri will join the dedicated cardiology professionals at Oswego Health, enhancing their ability to offer
exceptional cardiovascular care to the community.
A SUNY Upstate Medical University graduate, Ruggieri earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies in August 2024. She also completed a Bachelor of Science in biology from Niagara University in 2021.
Most recently, Ruggieri served as an ambulatory technologist at Strong Memorial Hospital in the ambulatory pediatrics department, where she worked closely with pediatric patients and their families.
At The Center for Cardiology, Ruggieri will provide care focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing heart disease in adult patients.
PA joins Oswego Health Medical Practice’s Lakeshore ENT
Zachary Revette, a certified phy
sician assistant, has recently joined Oswego Health Medical Practice’s Lakeshore ENT team
A graduate of Le Moyne College and a native of Mexico in Oswego County, Revette earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies in August 2024. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in biology with a chemistry minor in 2021. Throughout his academic career, Revette honed his clinical skills in various healthcare settings, including highly specialized rotations. His dedication to his craft is further underscored by his volunteer work as an EMT-B, where he actively served in the EMS club and provided critical care in emergency situations.
Revette brings with him a wealth of diverse healthcare experience. Before joining Oswego Health, he worked as a pharmacy technician at Kinney Drugs, where he developed expertise in medication counseling and prescription management. This experience, coupled with his clinical training, has equipped Revette with a unique skill set that will directly benefit patients at Lakeshore ENT.
Upstate, Indian Health Service to Work Toward Better Health and Well-being of American Indian, Alaska Native Communities
Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD, seated left, and federal Indian Health Service Director Roselyn Tso, seated right, sign a memorandum of understanding outlining a partnership between both institutions to address taking the necessary steps — through
service, research and education — to improve the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native communities across New York. Looking on are representatives of Upstate and the Onondaga Nation.
Eric Alcorn
Dorshey
Erika Ruggieri
Zachary Revette
Liberty Resources has new chief medical office
Liberty Resources has welcomed
Sandeep Bhashyam physician Sandeep Bhashyam as chief medical officer of its federally qualified health center (FQHC) at 1045 James St. in Syracuse. In this role, Bhashyam will oversee and direct the delivery of FQHC services at Liberty Resources. He will also provide hands-on care to patients, working closely with integrated health teams of experienced medical professionals, therapists, care coordinators, peer support specialists, psychiatric practitioners and other providers.
Bhashyam previously served as the chief medical officer at First Choice Health Centers in East Hartford, Connecticut, and as associate
medical director at Primary Partnercare ACO in Great Neck in Long Island. His distinguished career also includes founding We Excel Tech, a healthcare IT solutions company, and serving as chief medical officer of Conduet Med, HIPAA-compliant platform for patient communications. Bhashyam earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Medicine. Additionally, Bhashyam holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Yale University.
Vicki Brackens appointed to Crouse board of directors
Crouse Health Board of Directors
Chairman Patrick A. Mannion has announced the appointment of Vicki Brackens to the health system’s board of directors.
President of Brackens Financial
Crouse Urologist Introduces Aquablation Therapy for Enlarged Prostate Treatment
Crouse Health and AMP Urology recently announced that urologist Andres Madissoo is the first in Central New York to offer aquablation therapy with the new HYDROS Robotic System, the next-generation platform to treat men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.
The HYDROS Robotic System represents the next evolution in the delivery of aquablation therapy.
Leveraging insights from over 50,000 procedures, HYDROS features FirstAssist AI treatment planning, advanced image guidance, robotic resection and a streamlined workflow.
Solutions Network, Brackens has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur working in the area of financial education and financial
services. She was co-host of Financial Fitness on PBS affiliate WCNY in Syracuse. A chartered financial consultant, Brackens can be heard providing strategic financial advice weekly on “Inspiration for the Nation,” hosted by George Kilpatrick.
Brackens is an active community leader, having served as board member and on the finance and development committees of the Central New York Community Foundation, as a foundation board member of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, a member of The Raymond von Dran IDEA board of advisors (RvD IDEA), and as a
preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
One out of every two men over the age of 50 is impacted by an enlarged prostate, a medical issue that makes urination difficult and weakens the bladder. By the time they reach age 70, 80% of males are dealing with symptoms, with approximately 12 million men in the U.S. currently being treated for the problem.
BPH can significantly impact quality of life; if untreated, its symptoms can affect bladder and kidney functions.
“Men with enlarged prostates have a variety of treatment options available, which depend on symptoms and prostate size. Aquablation is a very powerful new tool, able to treat men with any size prostate in a short period of time,” said Madissoo, a partner in AMP Urology.
Aquablation’ s real-time ultrasound imaging provides the surgeon with a multi-dimensional view of the prostate, enabling personalized treatment planning tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy, says Madissoo. The surgeon can specify which areas of the prostate to remove while preserving the anatomy that controls erectile function, ejaculatory function, and continence. Once the treatment plan is mapped by the surgeon, the robotic-assisted procedure enables prostate tissue to be removed in a precise, targeted and controlled fashion.
member of the Syracuse Area Salvation Army advisory board. She is a member of the board of directors and investment committee chairwoman of CenterState CEO. She serves her community as a member of the Iota Nu Omega Chapter, Syracuse Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
In 2020, to address the need for greater diversity in the financial services industry, Brackens co-founded Heritage Financial Partners. As a management company HFP provides individual advisers and firms, particularly those founded by African American and Latino practitioners, affiliation under one entity to provide the scale and support needed to consistently serve their marketplace.
“Vicki is an accomplished, highly regarded community leader,” said Mannion. “Her unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of our community aligns perfectly with Crouse Health’s mission. We are pleased to welcome her expertise and passion to the board and look forward to her contributions,”
St. Joe’s Receives BabyFriendly Designation
St. Joseph’s Health Hospital has once again achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.
The first time St. Joseph’s received this designation in 2009, it was the third hospital in New York state to be recognized. Today, there are 44 designated hospitals in the state and 546 in the U.S.
This distinguished honor demonstrates that St. Joseph’s is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.
HYDROS is designed to improve efficiency, enhance surgeon and staff experience and deliver a more accurate and consistent treatment plan for better clinical outcomes.
Aquablation therapy, now delivered by an AI-powered robotic system, is clinically proven to provide significant, durable BPH symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes.
Aquablation therapy uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to remove prostate tissue. This leading-edge technology is clinically proven to provide significant, durable BPH symptom relief while
The procedure is carried out under anesthesia, typically taking under an hour, and involves an overnight hospital stay. No incision is made in the abdomen, as the prostate is reached through the urethra, with aquablation therapy aiming to minimize both symptoms and side effects.
“I’m excited to bring aquablation therapy to our patients at Crouse Health and AMP,” said Madissoo. “This innovative treatment provides a new level of precision and safety, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life. We are proud to be at the forefront of urological care in Central New York.”
For more information, contact AMP Urology at 315-478-4185 or visit ampofny.com.
“St. Joseph’s Health has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns,” said Heather Shimer-Bero, director of women and infants service line. “This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our hospital is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life.”
The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that “Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.”
St. Joseph’s Health Hospital joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world.
Vicki Brackens
Urologist Andres Madissoo is the first in Central New York to offer aquablation therapy with the new HYDROS Robotic System, the next-generation platform to treat men suffering from enlarged prostate.
to Stay Healthy in 2025 10 Things to Do
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
For the past 20 years, I’ve regularly written on wide variety of health topics. This involves interviewing health experts from across the spectrum of healthcare. The advice they offer most often are practical steps anyone can use to stay healthy:
1
Avoid tobacco. There’s no benefit and multitudinous reasons to avoid any tobacco use. Tobacco harms nearly every bodily process, system and cell. Although vaping doesn’t involve smoke, many vape liquids include tobacco and all are made from chemicals that are probably unsafe to inhale in vapor form (even if some are safe in other forms or for other uses). Most vape liquids come from countries like China that do not adhere to the same consumer protection guidelines as the US. Like tobacco use, vaping provides no benefit.
2
Skip alcohol. Studies in the late 1990s heralded heart health benefits for those who consume a glass of wine daily. However, more recent studies indicate those benefits were overstated and alcohol offers no real benefits. Alcohol consumption has also been shown to raise cancer risks. Relying upon it as a crutch to wind down or soothe disappointments or as the only means of enjoying yourself can place you at risk for alcoholism. Drinking alcohol can raise the risk of regrettable and dangerous behavior, such as driving under the influence. If you don’t want to be a teetotaler, at least cut back and save
drinking a modest amount of alcohol for only very special occasions.
Perform cardiovascular exercise. Regular aerobic exercise at sufficient intensity promotes good heart health (although anything is better than nothing). Most experts recommend 150 minutes of moderately paced cardio a week. Hate pounding the treadmill at the gym? Then don’t. You’ll stick with exercise if you find an enjoyable activity. Mine is martial arts. Find activities that you can do year-round.
4
Engage in strength training. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” applies to muscle. Even after midlife, it’s still possible to gain muscle although it’s harder. Weight machines tend to be safer than free weights as they usually offer charts showing how to use the equipment and the weight is more controlled. Many high schools offer free gym time for the community. Talk with a personal trainer to devise a safe and effective workout that’s right for you. Becoming injured will certainly derail your fitness plans.
3 5
Eat a balanced diet. Many dietitians would like to see their clients adopt the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of the time, they eat nutrient-dense foods and 20% of the time, they can indulge. But no foods are strictly off-limits unless there is some medical reason to eschew them. A balanced diet doesn’t mean buying special “diet” foods or things you
don’t like to eat. Instead, focus on an abundant, colorful array of whole fruits and vegetables. Choose at least half of your grains from whole grain sources. Eat lean sources of protein and a daily modest serving of nuts and seeds. Select fat from sources like olive oil. Cultured and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and kimchi can help promote good gut health.
6
Drink enough. Hydration supports all the body’s systems. The recommended quantity is half of one’s body weight in ounces daily. A 140-pound person would drink 70 ounces daily. Water should be the goto beverage. Adding a splash of fruit juice to water or drinking sparkling water or unsweetened, decaffeinated tea can help keep it interesting. Limit caffeine, as it’s diuretic.
7
Reduce intake of processed sugar and simple carbohydrates. More often than not, swap out snack cakes, pop, chips and candy for home baked treats, sparkling water or flavored sugar-free tea, air popped popcorn and fruit. When you do indulge, enjoy one serving thoughtfully and put the rest away.
8
Get enough sleep. Most people need seven to nine hours sleep per night. Sleep restores the body and helps promote a healthy immune system. If you don’t get enough sleep, try delegating responsibilities and improve your sleep hygiene. This concept refers to guidelines that pro-
mote good sleep, such as restricting naps to only 30 minutes and having them early enough in the day to not interfere with sleep; keeping the bedroom dark, cool and comfortable; reserving the bed for only sleep and intimacy; managing stressful thoughts through creating lists, journaling and as needed, seeking professional help; avoiding caffeine after 2 p.m. and going to bed and rising at the same time every day.
9
Keep up with routine healthcare. This should include regular physicals, healthcare screenings, dental cleanings and care and mental healthcare. Don’t wait until something goes wrong. By then, the effects are more expensive and tougher to fix. If you have a diagnosed health condition, follow your provider’s guidance.
10
Stay connected. As the pandemic demonstrated, it’s unhealthy to live isolated. Community involvement improves mental health and provides support for good health such as learning about resources in the area that can help you. Connectedness can also refer to staying in touch with what’s real. The social media world is so far away from reality that spending too much time there can create dissatisfaction with life and mental stress. Enjoy your not-so-perfect life with a sense of gratitude. Engage with what makes you happy.
