Wellness Resources

Prevent Sunburns & Other Skin Burns this Summer!

June 17th, 2013 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Sunburn Skin Burn ProtectionSummer fun and sun means increased risk for sunburns and other burns to the skin which may be caused by heat sources like the backyard grill, July 4th fireworks and outdoor fire places. And did you know that chemicals, such as pool chlorine and household products, can also inflict burns to the skin?

As part of our Emory Johns Creek Hospital “Know When to Go to the ER” series, the below you’ll find an overview of some common types of summertime burns, tips on treating minor burns at home, and warning signs that mean a burn may warrant emergency treatment.

Why Is Sunburn Protection Important?

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a key role in protecting our bodies from infection, regulating our internal temperature, and allowing us to feel sensations. Because of the skin’s important role in our general health and wellness, it’s understandable why it’s important to protect the skin from sunburns. Sunburns cause general discomfort that we’d all like to avoid, but sunburns can also lead to long-term skin damage, accelerated aging of the skin ( including wrinkles, freckles and age spots), and even the development of skin cancer.

Only about 25% of melanomas come from a pre-existing mole, and about 75% of them occur in areas in which there was previously normal looking skin. Once sunburn happens, there are ways to treat the symptoms of the burn, but the damage to the skin has already been done.

Sunburn Prevention

To prevent sunburns and avoid long-term damage to the skin, make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, even on cloudy days. Look for a sunscreen with a minimum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30, and search for a product that provides coverage against A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Always read the instructions, and re-apply as directed. A good rule of thumb is to reapply at least every two hours, or more frequently if you’ve been swimming or sweating. In addition to sunscreen, try to catch a patch of shade while you’re outdoors and wear hats, shirts or cover-ups to provide additional sun protection.

If you do manage to burn, drink lots of water to rehydrate and apply aloe vera to the affected areas. You can ease the pain with cold compresses or bathe in lukewarm water. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also help with the pain and reduce inflammation. Seek medical attention if the skin blisters after a sunburn or appears white when applying pressure to the area, or if the affected area goes numb. These may be signs of a more severe burn.

Summertime Burn Treatment

Similar to sunburns, burns sustained from grills, outdoor fireplaces, fireworks and other heat sources can range from mild and irritating to serious and life-threatening.

Burns are classified in terms of their degree: first, second and third. First-degree burns affect the top-most layer of skin (epidermis) and create redness, swelling and pain, whereas second-degree burns, which penetrate into a deeper layer of the skin (dermis), create pain, redness and swelling, as well as blisters. The skin around second degree burns turns white when pressure is applied to the area. First degree burns are typically dry burns, whereas second degree burns are typically wet. Third-degree burns sear through all layers of the skin into the fat layer and can create permanent nerve and tissue damage. These burns can appear leathery or waxy.

Seek immediate medical attention for major burns, including third-degree burns, second-degree burns larger than three inches in diameter, burns that cover a major joint or completely cover the hands, feet, face or groin. Always seek medical attention for chemical and electrical burns. Also seek medical treatment for infants, who can be affected by burns differently than small children or adults. Until you reach emergency help, or help reaches you, do the following:

  • Remove any tight clothing, but do not remove clothing from the burned area.
  • Rinse the area in cool or cold water, carefully dry and place a loose sterile cloth on the area.
  • Keep the burned area above heart level
  • Keep as still as possible until you reach care.

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at burns and the types of burns that may warrant a trip to the Emergency Room, make sure you’re also familiar with the 10 medical conditions that warrant a 911 call or trip to the emergency room, as defined by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) .

Related Resources:

 

Share|

Read More | (0)

What is the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Stroke?

May 17th, 2013 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Although the risks and effects can be similar, heart attacks and stroke are two different medical problems with different symptoms. While both are vascular events, meaning they involve the blood vessels, mainly the arteries, they affect different organs in the body. However, for both heart attack and stoke victims, every minute counts!

Heart attacks occur when a coronary artery is blocked, usually as a result of progressive coronary artery disease (CAD). With CAD, plaque builds up in the arteries preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart. Every minute that the cardiac tissue goes without oxygen results in more damage to the heart muscle – hence the saying “time is muscle.” The key is to get the blocked artery opened as fast as possible, to prevent further damage to the heart muscle and improve chances for survival.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States . A stroke is a “brain attack”, and occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot, or bursts. When that happens, brain cells in the part of the brain that cannot get blood begin to die. Stroke treatment is most effective when given within the first few hours after a stroke has occurred, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and act quickly.

Heart attack and stroke risk factors

Although heart attack and stroke are different, the risk factors are the same for both:

- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history
- Atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm)

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack vs. Stroke

Heart Attack

  • Chest Pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw or upper stomach
  • Nausea
  • Sleep problems
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of energy

Stroke

  • Face drooping — Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
  • Arm weakness — Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech difficulty — Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • Time to call 9-1-1 — If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Do you know how to recognize stroke symptoms and when to “Act F.A.S.T.“? Are you familiar with the symptoms of a heart attack?

Share|

Read More | (0)

A Home Away From Home, The Birth Place at Emory Johns Creek Hospital

April 26th, 2013 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

The birth of a child is a memorable and emotional time for the members of any family. When the big day finally arrives, it is important for your family to have privacy to celebrate together. The weeks and months leading up to the birth of a child are full of excitement and anticipation. When your bundle of joy arrives, the experience should be an unforgettable one. That is why The Birth Place at Emory Johns Creek Hospital focuses on providing the perfect space and amenities to help expectant mothers and their families welcome a new life into the world.

The Birth Place offers a host of benefits, including:
• All-private rooms
• Labor, delivery and recovery suites
• Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• In-house, 24/7 neonatology services
• Sleeping/lounging areas for spouse or coach
• Certified lactation consultant
• Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi
• Patient- and family-centered care

We Focus on You! At The Birth Place, your comfort is paramount. For every woman who chooses to give birth at EJCH, a team of experienced nurses and physicians work to promote family togetherness and happiness surrounding the birth of a child. The care provided by this team creates a birthing environment that is simply second to none. “The mission of The Birth Place is to provide mothers and families with a comfortable setting in which to welcome their newest additions,” says Lyn Harrington, RNC-OB, C-EFM, MSN, director of Women’s Services at EJCH. “Putting the ‘special’ in our patients’ special day is our top priority. Each day, our team of nurses focuses on making sure patients and their families receive individualized care so that they get the most from their experience.”
If you’re interested in taking a closer look at our birthing suites, come take a tour of the Birth Center!

Related Resources

Share|

Read More | (0)

As Allergy Season Approaches, Emory & MinuteClinic® are here to Help!

March 29th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

CVS Minute Clinic Emory HealthcareMore than 35 million Americans are sensitive to pollen and as spring approaches, so also do the days of yellow dusted cars, sneezes and runny noses. While we’re all looking forward to the upcoming warm weather and sunny skies, for those of us with allergies or pollen sensitivity, spring can be an especially difficult time of year.

In our previous coverage of allergy season, we outlined our top 5 tips to help you beat pollen sensitivity, which shed light on easy steps you can take to protect yourself from allergy flare ups and sneeze attacks this spring. Unfortunately, sometimes protective measures aren’t enough to control allergy symptoms.

For many of our patients who experience seasonal allergies and thus, anticipate them coming each year, planning to schedule an appointment with our Emory Sinus, Nasal & Allergy Center doctors well in advance of the season, is common. But what happens when your sinus pressure is building, the sneezes won’t stop, and it’s Saturday? Or what if you’re close to home and haven’t scheduled an appointment with your allergist? Not to worry!

Thanks to our clinical affiliate MinuteClinic®, the medical clinic inside CVS/pharmacy®, and their 37 local neighborhood locations conveniently located across the Metro Atlanta area, you’re in luck! MinuteClinic’s family nurse practitioners can help diagnose, treat, and prescribe when medically indicated for your seasonal allergy symptoms. If an over-the-counter medication will do the job, their practitioners will help you choose the right one.

As part of our affiliation and with your permission, MinuteClinic will send a visit summary to your Emory doctor. This will ensure you receive the most coordinated and best possible care to help you stay healthy.

So you can find convenient, close-to-home treatment for your sinus, nasal and allergy problems, without an appointment? You read right. MinuteClinic is open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Most insurance is accepted. For more information MinuteClinic , our affiliation and their metro Atlanta locations, visit: http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/community/local-partnerships/cvs-minute-clinic.html.

Share|

Read More | (0)

Nutrition Month Facts: Fruits & Vegetables

March 11th, 2013 By Emory Healthcare

Fruit Vegetable FactsMarch is National Nutrition Month! You’re probably seeing lots more tweets about ways to boost your vitamin and mineral intake and a whirlwind of Facebook posts  about the latest fad diets and weight loss trends. What you might NOT being seeing quite as much of, is a focus on what we know to be the most overwhelmingly potent, natural source(s) of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in our world– fruits and vegetables!

To celebrate National Nutrition Month and the nutrition found naturally in fruits and vegetables, we’ve put together a list of vegetable and fruit facts, specifically related to the fruits and veggies that are in-season in March!

Fruit Fact: Citrus Fruits (in peak season in March)
We all know that citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines and kumquats are high in Vitamin C. Many citrus fruits are in the peak of their season during March, and they’re one source of MANY impressive nutritional benefits. Citrus fruits contain limonins, a compound which is shown to have preventive effects against certain cancer types. Heavy hitters in the potassium, folate, calcium, niacin, phosphorous, and Vitamin B categories, citrus fruits pack nutritional punch that shouldn’t be overlooked this month.

Vegetable Fact: Artichokes (in peak season in March)
A study conducted by the USDA back in 2004 found that artichokes rank 7th on their list of fruits, vegetables and nuts with the highest antioxidant content, and placed as the vegetable with the highest disease fighting antioxidant levels out there. Artichokes also contain substantial levels of calcium, potassium, iron and are rich in Vitamin B. Artichoke, anyone?

Fruit Fact: Berries (peak season winds down in March)
The antioxidants in berries have been shown to have anti-aging, memory, and urinary tract health benefits. Berries are also high in fiber, which means that despite their sugar content, they can safely be counted as a serving of fruit for people with diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), berries are actually a diabetes superfood because of their low-carb count and their high antioxidant, vitamin and fiber content.

Vegetable Fact: Broccoli (in peak season in March)
Broccoli is high in fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, Vitamin A, and many other vitamins and minerals. Studies have found that the nutritional content of broccoli can help prevent colon cancer, and even lower risk for cataracts! Pound for pound, it contains more calcium than a glass of milk and more Vitamin C than oranges. When you’re shopping for fresh produce this month, make sure you have broccoli on your list.

These are just a few fruit and veggie facts that relate to closely to the produce you can find in-season this month, but we encourage you to seek opportunities to try new fresh fruits and vegetables every month! It’s a fact that fruits and veggies purchased while fresh and  in-season come with more flavor and boosts in nutrients; oftentimes, you can find fresh fruit at an even lower cost!

We’d love to hear what your favorite fruits and veggies are! Let us know in the comments section below! And let us know if you give any of the above fruits and veggies a try!

Share|

Read More | (0)

4 Ways to Keep Your Healthy New Year’s Resolution Momentum Going!

January 22nd, 2013 By Kela Henry, MD, & Richard Liotta, DO

Richard Liotta, DO, & Kela Hendry, MD

Richard Liotta, DO, & Kela Henry, MD

As we approach the end of the first month of the New Year, the enthusiasm around New Year’s resolutions has started to wear off. Below are four popular healthy resolutions, followed by helpful reminders for how to stand by them. The advice is provided by Dr. Kela Henry and Richard Liotta, DO, family medicine practitioners of Emory Gwinnett Family Physicians in Suwanee, GA.

1. Lose Weight

Probably the most popular New Year’s Resolution as well as the most easily abandoned one. So why do so many people fail to succeed at shedding excess weight? “People cannot succeed at losing weight unless they accept that it will not happen overnight,” says Dr. Henry. “People become frustrated when they don’t see the pounds fly off immediately. Lasting weight loss comes with time and a change of lifestyle,” she adds. Portion control, keeping a food journal and having a support system in place are some ways to help fight the battle of the bulge.

2. Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your overall health if you want to live a long life. Even if you have been smoking for years, by quitting, your lungs will begin to heal and your heart will get stronger. “The benefits of quitting smoking begin immediately,” says Dr. Richard Liotta, DO. “Within hours of a person’s last cigarette, their blood pressure and heart rate drop, and carbon monoxide levels in the blood normalize.” Quitting can be challenging, so make sure to consult with your physician to develop an individualized smoking cessation plan that will prevent you from falling off track.

3. Reduce Stress

In this fast- paced and often crazy world we live in, stress is unavoidable. But constant stress can be damaging to your overall health. Studies have linked chronic stress to obesity, heart disease, depression, insomnia and more. “Learning how to cope with stress is crucial to an individual’s mental and physical well-being. Exercise, meditation and spending time with family and friends are common methods used to manage stress,” recommends Dr. Henry.

4. Get More Sleep

Sleep is essential for a person’s well-being and health, yet millions of Americans suffer from lack of sleep. While the amount of sleep each individual requires each night varies, most people need around eight hours. According to Dr. Liotta, “Adopting a bedtime routine helps a person slip into a restful state more easily. Shutting off all electronics, taking natural supplements, such as melatonin, and going to bed at the same time each night, are ways to achieve a most restful night of sleep.

Related Resources:

 

Share|

Read More | (0)

Diabetic Friendly Dessert Recipe – Crustless Pumpkin Pie

November 13th, 2012 By Meagan Mohammadione, RD/LD

If you’re living with diabetes, you know that finding a good diabetic-friendly dessert recipe can be a challenge and as the holidays approach, it can be even more difficult to find a good Thanksgiving dessert recipe for diabetics. In honor of National Diabetes Month, we’ve taken care of both with this Crust-less Pumpkin Pie recipe that’s sure to be a hit, even with your non-diabetic loved ones!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

(Servings per Recipe: 8, Serving Size: 1 slice)

Diabetic Dessert Recipe - Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

- 1 can of pumpkin (15-ounces)
- 1/3 cup of Splenda®, granulated
- 2 tablespoons of agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ cup of eggbeaters
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla
- ¾ cup of evaporated fat-free milk

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray
  2. Combine the Splenda®, agave nectar, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and ginger. Slowly add the eggbeaters and vanilla; lightly beat until combined.
  3. Gradually incorporate the evaporated milk into the mixture
  4. Pour the mixture into the baking pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You will know that it is done when the center appears set when gently shaken.
  5. Once cooled, cover and chill the dish for at least 2 hours before serving
  6. Prior to serving, use a spatula to loosen the pie from the sides of the pan. Cut the pie into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

Calories: 61; Calories from Fat: 4 g; Total Fat: 0.4 g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Sodium: 62mg; Total Carbs: 10.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 2.7 g; Sugar: 5.8  g; Protein: 4.5 g

Do you have other suggestions for diabetic-friendly dessert recipes? If so, share them with us in the comments below!

Share|

Read More | (3)

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mommy & Child

October 29th, 2012 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital


Breastfeeding is looked upon as an act that creates an early, bond between mommy and baby.  While bonding may be the leading reason many women choose to do it, breastfeeding offers several other healthy benefits for both mother and child. In addition to the obvious benefits of developing a strong bond between mother and child, check out these bonus benefits breastfeeding and breast milk can offer to both baby and mommy alike.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

  • Breast milk is a naturally ideal form of nutrition for your baby, which means it’s much easier to digest than formula, which is made with proteins from cow’s milk. Babies’ stomachs are forced to adjust in order to properly digest formula.
  • A mother’s breast milk—and the nutrients it contains—changes as the baby grows. A noticeable change in the content of breast milk even occurs after the third day of birth providing the proper nutrients, water, fat and protein needed for the baby’s continued growth.
  • Infections and diseases that can potentially impact an infant early on can be prevented via the consumption of a mother’s breast milk. The provided hormones, cells and antibodies protect babies from illness. It’s a fact that among formula-fed babies, ear infections and diarrhea are more common than they are among babies who are breastfed. When it comes to a baby’s immune system, the unique protection provided from a mother’s breast milk cannot be beat.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mommy

  • First things first, breastfeeding can save you money. On average, formula and feeding supplies can cost over $1,200 every year, and that number can increase depending on how much your baby eats. Also, due to the major health benefits sustained by breast-fed babies, it can save cost on healthcare, as the prevalence with which they develop illness is lessened.
  • Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of the following health issues in women:
  1. Type 2 diabetes
  2. Breast cancer
  3. Ovarian cancer
  4. Postpartum depression
  • Ladies, here’s another super bonus: breastfeeding promotes postpartum weight loss. It’s been shown that mothers who breastfeed have a significantly larger reduction in hip circumference and more fat loss by one month postpartum when compared to formula-feeding moms. With breastfeeding, you can almost guarantee an earlier return to pre-pregnant weight.

If you would like more information on proper care and feeding methods for your newborn, feel free to visit us at the Emory Johns Creek Hospital Birth Center. We offer classes that range from “How to Prepare for Labor” to “Basic Breastfeeding”.  And if you’re still planning for your delivery, come take a tour of our birth suites! The birth center at Emory Johns Creek Hospital is designed to cater to every need of the expectant mommy.

Related Resources

Share|

Read More | (0)

Breathe Right to Be Right! A Crash Course for Better Wellness

August 17th, 2012 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Many of us forget that oxygen is the most important chemical in our body. 70% of our bodies ‘waste products’ are removed through breathing. Deep breathing exercises have always been ‘trendy’ but few people actually do them! You’ll see below that they really do enhance your overall wellness, so remember to breathe properly!

Breathing can help calm and stimulate the nervous system and release tension from frustration, stress and anger. Because of its ability to help ease tension, breathing exercises can help bring clarity to the mind and body.

Proper breathing has several benefits:

Makes the Heart Stronger.
Deep breathing leads to more efficient lungs, which means more oxygen and less work on the heart when it comes to delivering oxygen to the body’s tissue. Secondly, greater pressure differential in the lungs leads to increased elasticity, circulation and enhanced air flow, thus taking an additional burden off of the heart.

Assists in Weight Control.
If you are overweight, the extra oxygen taken in via breathing exercises can help burn excess fat more efficiently. If you are underweight, the extra oxygen can help to feed the deprived tissues/ glands.

Breathing also boosts energy levels and improves stamina. In Chinese medicine, diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing assists with our qi (chi) energy and stamina.

Try These Breathing Exercises

Complete Natural Breathing

  1. Sit or stand while maintaining good posture.
  2. Inhale, through your nose, filling first the lower part of your lungs then the middle part, then the upper part.
  3. Hold your breath for a few seconds.
  4. Slowly exhale! Relax your abdomen and chest.

Deep Breathing

  1. Lie flat on your back or sit in a comfortable chair, maintaining good posture. Ensure that your body is as relaxed as possible. Close your eyes.
  2. Breathe through your nose.
  3. Now place one hand on your abdomen and one on your chest.
  4. Deeply inhale and slowly through your nose into your abdomen. You should feel your abdomen rise with this inhalation and your chest should move only a little.
  5. Keeping your mouth, tongue, and jaw relaxed, exhale through your mouth
  6. Relax as you focus on the sound and feeling of long, slow, deep breaths.

Related Resources

Share|

Read More | (1)

Midwives, Holistic Healthcare for Baby and Mommy

July 31st, 2012 By Emory Johns Creek Hospital

For hundreds of years, midwives have helped women through the childbearing process. Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) typically deliver in hospitals, where they encourage and guide women through the birth stages. Midwives offer holistic healthcare with minimal interventions in a well-equipped environment. Valerie Ochs is the CNM for Complete Women’s Healthcare and provides services at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

“I enjoy delivering babies at Emory Johns Creek Hospital,” says Valerie. “I know my patients are going to get top-notch care.”

Valerie coaches mothers-to-be throughout every stage of pregnancy, labor, and delivery and well beyond the birth. “I aim to build a special bond with my patients and their families, as this allows me to personalize my care to meet their needs,” Valerie says. “We focus on the medical aspects, but we also talk about how a newborn will change life at home, breastfeeding and diapering schedules, and what color they’re painting the nursery.”

Over the years, Valerie says, medicine has changed the way we view childbirth. For her, it’s an everyday life event rather than a medical event. “We take a natural approach that’s more hands on and less interventive, especially come delivery time,” she says. “This is not an illness or disease—it’s part of life.”

Expectant mothers who seek a midwife typically want to take more control of their pregnancy and birth. Valerie starts with a birth plan, which “tells us what the woman’s wishes are. We review it during the prenatal visits and discuss what are reasonable and safe options and what may cause changes in the plan along the way. Our primary goal is always a healthy mom and a healthy baby.”

To learn more about Emory Johns Creek Hospital’s women’s services and the Birth Place, visit www.emoryjohnscreek.com.

Related Resources

Share|

Read More | (0)

« Older Entries