spotlight SPRING 2012
4 6 8 Cancer affects 2 Prostate ONE in every SIX men
Skip the Car, Take an Ambulance
Sinusitis Relief
Recipe: Warm up a Crisp Spring Morning
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Prostate Cancer
SIH offers preventative care options According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second-most common type of cancer among men in this country. Only skin cancer is more common. One man in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime. The good news is that because of new treatment options and equipment more than two million men in the United States who have had prostate cancer at some point are still living today.
for prostate cancer became fairly common (about 1990), the prostate cancer death rate has dropped. But it isn’t yet clear if this drop is a direct result of screening or caused by something else, like improvements in treatment. Your physician will advise you as to whether a physical exam and/or a blood test are appropriate for you based upon your risk factors and/or symptoms.
The prostate is located just beneath the bladder, where urine is stored, and in front of the rectum. It encircles, like a donut, a section of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.
Dr. Srinivas Rajamahanty, a board certified urologist at the Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale, explains the variety of options which are available once a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Keeping a close watch on the prostate is a common option prior to any type of treatment,” says Dr. Rajamahanty. During this time, your physician may run more tests to determine the growth of your prostate. He goes on to explain, based upon his findings, then he will work with you to determine whether hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy are the appropriate form of treatment for you. This is a decision you will make together.
A risk factor is something that can raise your chances of having a problem or disease. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean that you will get prostate cancer; it just means that your risk of getting it is greater. According to the American Cancer Society there are several risk factors associated with prostate cancer. These include age, race, nationality, family history, genes, diet, exercise, smoking, inflammation and infections of the prostate. Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up quickly after a man reaches age 50. Almost two out of every three prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65. A man over the age of 50 should see their physician to discuss their risks for prostate cancer. Since the use of early detection tests
In some cases, prostate surgery may be your best option for treatment. In the past all of the prostate surgeries at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale (MHC) were performed through a large incision in the abdomen. However, in some cases the new da Vinci robotic technology at MHC can be used and allows Dr. Rajamahanty the option of performing the surgery by working through several tiny incisions. The new procedure offers a more thorough removal of the cancer. The image the
spotlight doctor sees is magnified and the instrumentation is microscopic. Patients commonly experience less blood loss and have less pain than those who have the traditional open prostatectomy surgery. This leads to a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery for the patient. Dr. Rajamahanty does explain that not all patients are candidates for the robotic surgery. Dr. Rajamahanty will evaluate the patient’s medical history, the extent of the cancer, and other medical factors when making the decision of what type of surgical procedure is appropriate for each patient.
The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up quickly after a man reaches age 50.
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Medicare covers a full range of preventive services to help keep you healthy and to find problems early. For more information on the preventative services covered by Medicare, refer to your Medicare and You 2012 publication or contact the Second Act Program at 1.877.480.4040. To find an SIH physician, call 1-866-744-2468 or visit our web site at www.sih.net. u
Dr. Srinivas Rajamahanty
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Ambulance Transportation Fast Tracks Emergency Care The numbers are alarming— 70-percent of stroke victims arrive at the hospital by driving themselves or having someone bring them. Stroke Center Coordinator, Lesley Cranick, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale (MHC) says on a “good day” 30-percent arrive by ambulance. When it comes to the heart patients, it does not get any better. Vicki Miller, the Chest Pain/STEMI Coordinator at MHC, says about 33-percent of heart attack patients arrive by ambulance, leaving two-thirds arriving by personal vehicle. When a patient is transported to the emergency department by ambulance, they are immediately under the supervision of trained personnel. When they are driven in a personal car, it increases their anxiety and delays their medical treatment According to Brad Robinson, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Coordinator for Southern Illinois Healthcare, “Most EMS services in our area have a shared relationship with the SIH hospitals and recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke during transport and are able to initiate early care. “Lifesaving medications and interventions are crucial – especially when it comes to a heart attack and stroke. It is always best to call 9-1-1.”
Robinson says the 10-20-minute drive in a personal vehicle for a heart attack victim is “1020 minutes wasted” in a timeline that could help save heart function. “When the transport crew is able to perform tests that diagnose heart attacks while en route, they can administer medications while communicating with the hospital. The cath lab can be prepped and the medical staff prepared to open the vessel when they arrive — thus improving the quality of life, if not saving their life all together.” Dr. Joseph Haake, Emergency Medical Director at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, says it is equally important when it comes to strokes. “In the case of an ischemic stroke, certain patients may be given a clot busting agent at the hospital, but it must be administered in a narrow time window,” Dr. Haake says. “Therefore, when a patient is being medically transported, the EMS staff can alert us and we can ready our stroke response team rapidly.” This team includes radiology, the ER physician and nurses to rapidly assess the patient upon arrival and get things done in a more efficient manner. A common reason a patient does not choose to call for an ambulance is because of the cost.
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Dr. Haake explained, “What patients need to understand about the heart and brain is that time is tissue. The longer they undergo a significant event that comprises the heart and brain without treatment, the worse their outcome will be,” Dr. Haake says. “Healthcare costs are substantial, but when it comes to the quality of life – you cannot put a price tag on that.” u
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Q & A with Brad Robinson Who chooses the ambulance ser vice?
Once a call to 9-1-1 is received, the disp atcher aler ts the appropriate ambulance service based on pre-design ated response areas.
Do ambulance ser vice personnel have Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training?
Since ambulance services vary according to ownership and training of staf f or in some areas, even volunteers, not all ambulance services in the region are trained in ACLS. However, all ambulances are equipped with defibrillators and have personnel trained in CPR which bet ters the patient’s chances.
Who decides the hospital?
Usually those patients who call 9-1-1 and are aler t and conscious have the ability to select the hospital of their choice. In the event the patient is unresponsive or very critical they are transported to the closest, most appropriate facility.
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Sinus Surgery May Provide Relief for Acute Problems The winter’s mild weather is beginning to combine with the blooms of spring to cause allergy sufferers more problems. When allergies become problematic and resistant to standard treatment, an individual may develop sinusitis. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, more than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of acute sinusitis each year. To establish a diagnosis of sinusitis, Dr. Paul Schalch, a board certified otolaryngologist at The Center For Medical Arts in Carbondale, first obtains the patient’s history and does a physical exam. It is important to determine how many infections they have had over the previous year, how long did the infections last and what type of treatment was given such as antibiotics, steroids, nasal saline rinse and/or topical steroid sprays. Another part of the diagnosis includes a CT scan. “A CT scan is an essential part of the diagnosis,” Dr. Schalch said. “This helps to determine whether there are any anatomical obstructions that may make the patient prone to persistent or recurrent sinus infections. If so, these are areas that might require surgical correction.” Dr. David Mann, a board certified Otolaryngologist at The Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic in Herrin, explained how those patients with chronic sinusitis symptoms lasting greater than three months may be candidates for surgery. Once the doctor and the patient agree that sinus surgery is in the best interest of the patient, endoscopic sinus surgery is performed. “Overall sinus
surgery is better tolerated now than it was years ago,” Dr. Mann said. “Since the surgery is endoscopic, it is more precise. Trouble with post operative facial swelling and bruising that was common after surgery in the past does not occur as often with the newer procedures.” Sinus surgeries are performed at several SIH facilities, including Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital, and the Physician Surgery Center at The Center for Medical Arts (CMA). For about 80 percent of patients, sinus surgery takes place on an outpatient basis. Your physician will advise you what to expect following discharge, when to return to their office and when you will be able to return to normal activities. During the follow-up visit to your physician, he or she will work on the nasal passages in order to rid them of any dried blood and crusts resulting from the procedure. Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and Herrin Hospital are both equipped with computer assisted navigation equipment for advanced sinus procedures allowing patients to have surgeries locally that once would have taken patients out of the area. Drs. Mann and Schalch often do not require a physician referral, but you may want to check with your insurance carrier to determine their requirements. To learn more about Dr. Schalch or Dr. Mann, contact the SIH Info Line at 1-866-744-2468, or go on line at www.sih.net. Both doctors are accepting new patients. u
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Members of the Second Act Dr. Cynthia Aks,
with Second Act Manager Mona Kerns (left), addresses questions during a program on a holistic approach to cancer prevention.
Loretta & Dale Sitter
Greg & Patti White
Pre-Holiday Getaway
Winter Dinner & Dance
spotlight is a publication of Southern Illinois Healthcare’s Second Act program. All rights reserved. SIH Facilities: Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Herrin Hospital, Center for Medical Arts, Miners Memorial Health Center, and SIH Cancer Institute. SIH Second Act Staff: Editor – Mona Kerns, Contributors – Petra Massetto and Pam Hatley, RN. Design: Horizon Media Group Material contained herein is intended for information purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Volume 3 — Issue 1 — Spring 2012
Physicians providing services at and admitting patients to Herrin Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital are not employees of the hospital. Physicians exercise their own independent judgment regarding medical care and treatment and the hospital is not responsible for their actions.
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P.O. Box 3988 Carbondale, IL 62902-3988
The Second Act is a free program sponsored by Southern Illinois Healthcare for adults, age 50 or beyond. The program aims to expand the lifestyle of its members by providing healthy living tips, lively social activities, local discounts and much more. Call 877-480-4040 for more information.
Baked Oatmeal Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter, melted ½ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 eggs 1 cup applesauce 1 ½ cups milk (plus extra)
3 cups oatmeal (quick or regular) 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup raisins (optional)
Directions Mix all wet ingredients and combine with dry ingredients. If raisins are used, plump by letting raisins sit in warm water for 10 minutes before mixing. May add more cinnamon to taste. Pour into greased 9 x 9 inch baking dish. Place in refrigerator overnight for oatmeal to dissolve into liquid. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Optional toppings: fruit, brown sugar or cream.
Nutritional Content Calories per serving: 386 Total Fat: 13.3 g Total Carbohydrates: 59.0 g
Fiber: 5 g Protein: 9.9 g
NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID CARBONDALE IL PERMIT #183