More@Mercy - Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital - Spring 2018

@ FAST FACTS ABOUT BRADYCARDIA

60 BPM Bradycardia is a heart rate of less than 60 BEATS PER MINUTE (BPM) in adults.

Your heart rate may drop below 60 BPM during DEEP SLEEP.

OLDER ADULTS are more apt to have problems with a slow heart rate.

Source: American Heart Association

SPRING 2018

Tiny pacemaker = big difference Good things do come in small packages. Take the new Micra pacemaker. It’s the world’s smallest pacemaker and the only one that doesn’t need wire leads to work.

And it’s available at Mercy.

The Micra device, available to a select group of patients, is a fraction of the size of traditional pacemakers—implanted devices used to correct slow Marino Leonardi, heartbeats (a condition called bradycardia). It offers MD several advantages over traditional pacemakers.

The tiny device—about the size of a large vitamin pill—does not require a chest incision to install. It is guided to the heart on the end of a catheter ­— Continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

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EASY DOES IT Reduce your risk of injury and enjoy being active

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DIGESTIVE TROUBLES? Our GI experts can help

CHECK IT OUT We’ll take good care of your heart. Learn more at mercyhealth.org/heart.

Don’t be sidelined with a sports injury Exercising is a fine fitness move.

But it’s easy to get hurt if you don’t take a few precautions. Follow these suggestions from the new Mercy sports medicine specialist to reduce your risk of a painful injury: Exercise throughout the week, if Michael Yang, MD possible. Many weekend warriors are plagued by overuse injuries because they cram a week’s worth of exercise into two days.

“You develop injuries by ramping up activity too quickly,” says Michael Yang, MD. Taking a day off in between activities makes you less injury-prone.

Pay attention to your shoes. Choose the right shoes for the activity, advises Dr. Yang. Make sure they fit well, and replace them as they start to wear out— from three months to about a year, depending on your activity level.

“Old shoes can injure your foot or your knees, and your body gets a little misaligned,” Dr. Yang advises.

Cool down. Science has built a better case for stretching after exercise than for stretching before a workout, says Dr. Yang. “You won’t be as sore if you stretch after you work out,” he says.

Sidelined? Come see us

MAKE A CONNECTION To connect with a Mercy sports medicine specialist, call 1.877.GO MERCY (1.877.466.3729).

Tiny pacemaker ­— Continued from front page (a flexible tube) inserted into a leg vein. Also, the one-piece unit is wireless—it doesn’t need wire leads to send signals from a separate component to the heart. That’s an advantage because wire leads can sometimes cause problems, such as

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More @ Mercy Spring 2018

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, Mercy’s sports medicine specialists have the expertise to treat your sports injuries. And most can be treated with nonsurgical options, such as physical therapy.

difficult-to-treat infections. And over time, wires may break.

The best candidates The Micra device isn’t for everyone, according to Marino Leonardi, MD, a Mercy cardiologist who first implanted the device at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. “It will be used only in a very select group of patients who may not be good candidates for a traditional pacemaker,” he says.

Patients who may benefit from the wireless pacemaker include those on dialysis for end-stage renal disease.

Implanting a traditional pacemaker may be challenging in these patients because of limited vascular access, Dr. Leonardi says. The leadless pacemaker also may be a better option for those prone to infections.

“We want to provide our Mercy patients who need a pacemaker with the best available option,” says Dr. Leonardi.

Meet Dr. McLaughlin If you’re struggling with chronic pain, there’s a new doctor who can help you feel better.

Paige McLaughlin, MD, is a pain management specialist who’s ready to help you control your pain so it doesn’t control you.

Raised near Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and a graduate of Drexel University, Dr. McLaughlin is proud to return home to care for patients in the community that she knows so well. Dr. McLaughlin completed her residency training in psychiatry at Yale University and a fellowship in interventional pain medicine at

Stanford University.

With Dr. McLaughlin’s help, you can count on pain relief that is as safe as it is effective. Your personalized treatment plan may involve: •• Guidance in relaxation techniques •• Pain relief exercises and physical therapy •• Electrical stimulation for back pain •• Steroid injections for spinal and nerve injuries •• Non-opioid pain medicine •• Referral to counseling if pain is affecting your mood Dr. McLaughlin is also highly

skilled at helping pain patients stop using opioids. If you’re misusing these Paige powerful drugs McLaughlin, MD after a doctor prescribed them for chronic pain, she can help wean you off of them. Though newly arrived at Mercy, Dr. McLaughlin has already helped several patients with chronic pain break free from opioids.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than giving people their lives back,” she says.

We’ve got your back—and neck MERCY’S NEW NECK AND BACK PAIN PROGRAM CAN HELP YOU BEAT THE BACKACHE BLUES Wincing from back or neck pain?

Then here’s good news: In most cases, soreness gets better on its own in a few weeks. But if your pain lingers— or it’s severe—you might want to turn to the new Neck and Back Pain Program at Mercy Fitzgerald and Mercy Philadelphia hospitals.

The program’s team of specialists crafts a personalized treatment to restore function and improve quality of life. Whether you have a bulging disk, pinched nerve or arthritis in your spine—to name just a few possibilities— you’ll receive expert care from specially trained physical therapists to fellowship-trained pain interventionalists and neurosurgeons.

What’s more, “We always try to manage back pain conservatively,” says Mercy Pain Management’s Paige McLaughlin, MD, who leads the program. Surgery may be advised when it’s likely to have significant benefits and other treatments aren’t working.

Among the nonsurgical treatments available at the center are: Oral pain medicine. The program

emphasizes non-opioid approaches to pain management. There are many safe and effective medication options—and some might surprise you. For example, low doses of certain antidepressants can help ease some types of chronic back pain.

Physical therapy. This can strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility and help you move without pain.

Nutrition therapy. A registered dietitian can help you trim down if extra pounds are straining your back.

Injections. Dr. McLaughlin can administer spinal injections—under x-ray guidance—to diagnose or treat back pain.

If these or other treatments don’t make your back pain better and surgery is necessary, Mercy’s partnership with Jefferson Neurosurgery, led by Henry Kesler, MD, provides minimally invasive surgical options.

GET RELIEF To learn more about the Neck and Back Pain Program, call 1.877.GO MERCY (1.877.466.3729). mercyhealth.org

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GUT CHECK WHATEVER IS UPSETTING YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, OUR GI EXPERTS CAN HELP Having a health condition involving your digestive system can affect your well-being and disrupt your life. Some conditions can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, downright dangerous.

So it’s good to know that you can turn to the experts at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital for your digestive needs. The Mercy Gastroenterology specialists evaluate, diagnose and treat many digestive problems at the Heartburn and Reflux Center at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

“A digestive problem can have a big impact on your health and quality of life,” says Sonaly Patel, MD, of Mercy Gastroenterology. “There’s

No GI problem is too big or too small This is just a snapshot of the many conditions Mercy Fitzgerald GI experts can treat. Whether you need a diagnosis of your symptoms or are looking for a second opinion, call 1.877.GO MERCY (1.877.466.3729) to find a digestive health specialist near you.

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no reason to just put up with it. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a digestive problem, tell a doctor.

He or she may refer you to a gastroenterologist. We are experts at treating the most common and the most complex digestive disorders.”

Common digestive complaints Mercy can help treat include: Acid reflux (heartburn).

That’s when stomach acids move backward up into the esophagus—causing burning behind the breastbone and a bitter taste in your throat.

Frequent heartburn and trouble swallowing (it feels like food is getting stuck in your throat) can signal a more serious form of heartburn called GERD, short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Untreated GERD can damage the esophagus and increase the risk of cancer.

Doctors can use a number of tests to diagnose acid reflux problems, including an x-ray test called an upper GI series (which involves drinking a barium solution) or an endoscopy (during which a lighted viewing tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach).

Doctors treat heartburn or GERD to ease symptoms and heal the esophagus. Options include lifestyle changes— some as simple as not lying down right after eating; taking nonprescription and prescription medicines; and sometimes having surgery.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People with IBS

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have bouts of diarrhea or constipation with abdominal discomfort and bloating. When diarrhea strikes, they may have to get to a toilet quickly.

IBS does not lead to other diseases. But living with it can be stressful.

Treatment for IBS is aimed at easing symptoms. A doctor may suggest: •• Making dietary changes, such as eating more easily tolerated fibrous foods and limiting foods (often gassy foods) that worsen IBS symptoms •• Managing stress, which doesn’t cause IBS but can affect symptoms •• Taking medications to treat diarrhea or abdominal pain Ulcerative colitis (UC).

This is an inflammation of the lining of the large intestine.

Many people with UC have mild to moderate symptoms, like bloody diarrhea, cramps and an urgent need to use the toilet.

More severe UC can cause fever, weight loss, loss of appetite and tiredness.

Your symptoms and the results of certain tests (such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to check the large intestine) help doctors diagnose UC. UC is often a lifelong condition, and it can increase the risk of colon cancer. But medicines can help bring the disease into symptom-free remission. Some people need surgery to remove the colon and rectum because of lifethreatening complications, colon cancer, pre-cancer or severe medication side effects.

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THE INSIDE SCOOP Learn more about all the digestive conditions we treat at mercyhealth.org/digestive.

Give a warm welcome to Sonaly Patel, MD

Sonaly Patel, MD Many digestive health problems require the care of a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver.

To help patients get highly skilled care for their GI problems, Gastroenterologist Sonaly Patel, MD, has joined Mercy Physician Network’s roster of digestive health experts.

Before coming to Mercy, Dr. Patel completed a medical residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia where she served as co-chief of fellowship training.

Dr. Patel obtained her medical degree from Ross University in Dominica. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is fluent in three languages: English, Hindi and Gujarati.

SCHEDULE A VISIT Dr. Patel has offices at these locations: • Mercy Gastroenterology at Darby 1501 Lansdowne Ave. Medical Office Building, First Floor Darby, PA 19023 • Mercy Gastroenterology at Springfield 1001 Baltimore Pike, Suite 109 Springfield, PA 19064 To make an appointment with Dr. Patel, call 610.534.6270. mercyhealth.org

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HEART FAILURE

6 ways to boost your mood Good days and bad days. That’s to be expected when you’re living with heart failure. At times, the disease can be tough.

“Heart failure is a physical disease,” says Carol Primavera Paris, Vice President, Mission Integration, Mercy Home Health.

“But it can also take a toll on your emotions.”

What makes you feel better?

When heart failure gets you down, here’s what may help lift you up.

Talk about your feelings. Try talking with a loved one, someone else with heart failure or your doctor.

It can make problems seem better.

Spend time with others. Being with people can boost your spirits.

Keep moving. Ask your doctor

how to exercise safely.

Manage your disease. Do your best to follow the treatment steps your healthcare team recommends.

Your mood may be better when your body feels better.

“Mercy Home Health offers nursing and telehealth programs that can help you manage heart failure at home and help you stay healthy,” Carol says.

Do something you enjoy. Maybe that’s working on a hobby or reading a good book.

Get a good night’s rest. Sleep can help improve your mood.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Tell your doctor if you continue to feel down—you may be depressed.

Symptoms of depression include sadness, loss of interest in favorite activities, or feelings of hopelessness lasting two or more weeks. Depression can be treated, and you can feel better.

WE CAN HELP Interested in the services Mercy Home Health provides?

Call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.

Healthy choices after a heart attack You’ve just survived a heart attack. That’s great! Now, what can you do to help avoid another one?

More than ever, it’s crucial to make heart-healthy choices. Here’s a look at five key ones: Be more active. “Regular physical activity can make your heart stronger,” says Rose Riggio, RN, Mercy Home Health Hospital Liaison Manager. “It helps your heart pump, and it can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and weight all in a healthy range.”

Walking is generally the best exercise as you recover.

But talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that’s safe for you.

Eat smart. A healthy diet is one of the best defenses against repeat heart problems. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Make sure your diet

also includes low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, beans and vegetable oils, such as olive or canola oil. And go easy on sweets, sugary drinks and salt.

If you light up, quit. “Smoking can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching your heart,” Rose says.

It also raises the risk of blood clots, which may lead to heart attacks. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help stopping. Also try to steer clear of secondhand smoke, which is hard on your heart.

Drop extra pounds. If you’re overweight, losing just 10 percent of what you weigh can help lower your heart attack risk.

Take your medicines faithfully. To head off another heart attack, you’ll likely need to take medicines for the rest of your life. Take them exactly as prescribed.

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From hospital to home: Get the care you need

Keep your heart healthy with good food choices More of this and less of that.

That’s the formula for a heart-healthy diet.

“Healthy food choices can help lower your risk of getting heart disease,” says Anna M. Marshalick, MSN, RN, Regional Director of Education, Mercy Home Health. “And eating smart for your heart is a must if you already have heart problems.”

To feed your heart well, eat more:

And eat less:

Fruits and vegetables.

A good goal is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. But simply eating more produce helps. Canned or frozen varieties are fine as long as they don’t have high-calorie sauces or added salt or sugars.

Artery-clogging fats.

Choose lean cuts of meat. Cook with vegetable oils (like canola) instead of butter. When buying snacks, read labels and skip those with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans fat) as an ingredient.

Whole grains. Go for fiber-rich whole grains most of the time. For instance, choose whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Or brown rice instead of white rice.

Sugary desserts.

Save small servings of sweets (like pies or cakes) for special occasions.

Fish and skinless poultry. Try to eat a variety of fish at least twice a week. When roasting a whole chicken, remove the skin before carving and serving the meat.

Sodium. Don’t salt your food. Compare food labels, and choose foods with the least amount of sodium when buying things like lunch meats, frozen pizzas and even bread.

Tip: If the sodium amount is 20 percent or more of the daily value, that’s too high.

Fat-free or low-fat dairy products. These include milk, cheese and yogurt.

It’s normal to feel anxious before you head home after a hospital stay.

After all, you’re leaving behind the around-the-clock support of all the doctors and nurses who took care of you. Chances are you’re wondering, “Will I be able to manage safely at home?”

Mercy Home Health can help make that transition from hospital to home a good and safe one. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with a complex illness or healing from major surgery, we’ll help you get back on your feet.

We offer a wide range of services to make your return home easier.

Among them: •• Skilled home nursing •• Physical, occupational and speech therapy •• Home Health Aides to help with bathing and preparing meals •• Referral to community resources to help you recover •• Spiritual care “Not only do you get immediate support at home, we help with all of your needs—body, mind and spirit,” says Nicole Dougherty, BSN, RN, Patient Advocate for Mercy Home Health.

We’ll show you—and your family— how to confidently control your condition. And our skilled nurses will closely monitor your progress. If your health worsens even slightly, they’ll tell your doctor right away. That way your treatment can be adjusted before any complications occur.

“This quick response can help you avoid another hospital stay or trip to the emergency room,” Nicole says.

GIVE US A CALL Mercy Home Health provides top-rated in-home care. Call 1.888.690.2551 to learn more. mercyhealth.org

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MFH

What is a surgical oncologist?

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may be treated by a variety of doctors with different specialties. One of those might be a surgical oncologist.

Carmine Volpe, MD, is Director for Mercy Health System’s Oncology Service Line and a surgical oncologist. Here he answers some questions about what that means.

What is a surgical oncologist, and how does it differ from other oncologists and other surgeons?

ANSWER: An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. A surgical oncologist treats tumors by removing them surgically.

That’s different from a medical oncologist, who treats cancer with chemotherapy or other medicines.

It’s also different from a radiation oncologist, who treats cancer using radiation therapy. Surgery is the oldest type of cancer therapy.

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What types Carmine of cancer Volpe, MD does a surgical oncologist treat?

ANSWER: A surgical oncologist treats all types of solid tumors of the head and neck, lung, stomach, pancreas, liver, large bowel, skin, and soft tissue. Some surgical oncologists specialize by treating only lung, head and neck, or liver cancers.

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What is your role as Oncology Service Line Director?

ANSWER: As the Director, I am the primary coordinator of all cancer programs and activities within Mercy Health System. Working alongside other cancer specialists at Mercy Philadelphia, Mercy Fitzgerald and Nazareth Hospitals, my job is to ensure that patients are offered the most up-to-date, evidence-based cancer treatments, as well as easy access to the many support services Mercy provides.

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THE MOST ADVANCED CARE Learn more about our award-winning cancer care at mercyhealth.org/cancer.

MORE @ MERCY is published as a commu­nity ­service for the friends and patrons of ­Mercy Health System. Information in MORE @ MERCY comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you would like to stop receiving this publication, please email IAtMercy@mercyhealth.org. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.