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- 1. health news from Medical Center Fall 2006 www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com Lakewood Ranch Spotlight on: • How Heart Disease Signs Differ in Women • New Hope for Breast Cancer • Could You Have Osteoporosis? Women’s Health Issue
- 2. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center2 Fall 2006 Wellness Expo Sat., Oct. 7 LWRMC, Main Lobby *See page 6 for more info A Letter From the CEO Making a Good Thing Even Better Services and Programs Grow to Meet Your Needs Dear Neighbors, T his issue of Health News features common conditions that affect women and some of the innovative services we offer to treat those conditions.Also, it provides information about the high-quality care and services — available right in our community — that you want and need. Here at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC), hospital staff continually assess the health needs of local residents and develop new clinical programs to respond to those needs. For example, we opened a new cardiovascular suite this year, so residents with cardiac and vascular conditions can receive advanced care close to home. Other new services — including our Total Joint and Spine Surgery programs — have been very successful.The number of patients who choose to undergo joint replacement surgery at LWRMC has increased significantly since the Total Joint Program opened last fall. Our efforts to serve you go beyond construction projects and expanding services. Providing high-quality care always has been our top priority, and we’re proud of the level of service we offer you and your family. But we want to offer you even better service. So, we created a new initiative that helps us provide safer and more effective care. As part of this initiative, we review all our processes — from the way we transfer patients between units to the discharge instructions we provide — to identify ways we can streamline and improve the care you receive at LWRMC. You can feel confident and comfortable when you choose LWRMC.You’ll have access to a broad array of advanced services.You’ll receive that care from well-trained and highly skilled doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel who go the extra mile to give you the best care possible.And you’ll be treated with the dignity, respect and compassion you deserve. Please call us today, or visit the hospital’s Web site www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com to learn more about all we have to offer. Sincerely, Lynn M. Mergen CEO/Managing Director Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Lynn M. Mergen CEO/Managing Director
- 3. Fall 2006 3 Women and Heart Disease: Information That May Save Your Life W hen it comes to heart attacks, women may be caught off guard — even those who take good care of their health. That’s because women often don’t experience the “classic” crushing chest pain that typically signals heart attacks in men. Instead, women may “feel different.”They may develop unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, random chest pain, anxiety, indigestion, dizziness, cold sweats and other subtle symptoms. Surprisingly, these signs may start up to a month before they suffer heart attacks. Martin C. Aldrich, MD, FACC Aldrich Cardiovascular Institute 7978 Cooper Creek Blvd., Suite 105 Bradenton, FL 34201 941-359-8900 Erick E. Calderon, MD, FACC, FSCAI HealthCare America 3501 Cortez Road West Bradenton, FL 34210 941-752-2766 Get the Diagnostic Services You Need You have risk factors for or symptoms of heart disease. Now what? As part of a thorough evaluation, your doctor may recommend that you have a diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedure. Fortunately, you do not have to travel far to get advanced cardiac services. At the new cardiovascular lab at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures are performed using an advanced imaging system.The system produces very high-resolution 3-dimensional images of the heart and arteries that supply blood to the heart. It also reconstructs and rotates images, providing physicians with more detailed information. This high-tech tool can help your doctor make a timely and accurate diagnosis so you can get the care you need as quickly as possible. What Women Should Know “Some women still have dangerous misconceptions about heart disease,” says Erick E. Calderon, MD, FACC, FSCAI, a cardiologist with medical staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC). “Many women aren’t aware that their heart attack symptoms may differ from the more traditional ones that men develop. Unfortunately, death is the first symptom in some women.” Since heart attack symptoms may be difficult to recognize, it is important to take action now. Here are some tips that may help you beat heart disease — and even save your life: • Talk with your doctor about your risk for heart disease and what you need to do to reduce that risk. • Ask whether you should take aspirin to help prevent the blood clots that cause most heart attacks. • Learn the signs of heart attacks in women. • Seek emergency care right away if you suspect that you are having a heart attack. “Women shouldn’t ignore heart attack symptoms,” says Martin C. Aldrich, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with medical staff privileges at LWRMC.“They should literally follow their hearts: If they don’t feel right and they have ‘atypical’ symptoms, there’s a good chance something may be wrong. It’s vital that they see a doctor or a cardiologist for a cardiac evaluation.” www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com
- 4. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center4 Fall 2006 E veryone has occasional digestive problems. But as many as one in five Americans has a condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS occurs when intestinal muscles contract abnormally. It causes cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other uncomfortable digestive symptoms. “IBS is more common in women than it is in men,” says Arun Khazanchi, MD, a gastroenterologist with medical staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and the Sarasota Center for Digestive Diseases. “It’s not a life-threatening disease, but it can be a life-altering condition.” IBS is a mild inconvenience for some people. Others, however, have debilitating symptoms that make it difficult to work, travel or socialize. The cause of IBS is uncertain. But some people who have IBS find that symptoms worsen when they: • Experience stress • Eat large or high-fat meals • Smoke • Are menstruating Treatment for IBS varies from person to person. It includes stress management, diet modifications, medication or a combination of these treatments. See your doctor or a specialist if you have symptoms of IBS.You’ll need a thorough evaluation to rule out more serious diseases that can cause similar symptoms. “Because the cause of IBS is not known and no curative therapy is available, IBS historically has been managed symptomatically,”Dr. Khazanchi says.“Many people find that their symptoms improve dramatically with lifestyle changes or medications.The goal is to improve the patient’s symptoms and overall quality of life and, ideally, to prevent the suffering that patients experience.” Living With Irritable Bowel Syndrome Arun Khazanchi, MD Sarasota Center for Digestive Diseases 3325 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-952-9223 New Procedure HelpsWomen Overcome Incontinence G. Bino Rucker, MD Manatee Urology 4705 26th St. West Suite B Bradenton, FL 34207 941-752-1553 D o everyday activities such as lifting, sneezing, coughing — even laughing — trigger embarrassing accidents? If so, you may have stress incontinence. A woman may develop this condition when her urinary sphincter muscle, which controls urine flow, becomes weakened or damaged, causing urine to leak unexpectedly when pressure is put on the bladder. Conservative treatments help a small percentage of women. But since stress incontinence is caused by an anatomical defect, many women with severe symptoms need surgery. Fortunately, surgeons with staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) perform a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that may help you overcome incontinence. “The tape sling procedure is one of the most successful procedures available in medicine,” says G. Bino Rucker, MD, a urologist with medical staff privileges at LWRMC. “It reduces or eliminates symptoms in more than nine out of 10 women.” During the procedure, a doctor uses a needle to pass a special tape along the bladder. The ends of the tape are then tied together to create a “hammock” that supports the sphincter muscle and prevents leakage. “It’s important for women to discuss urinary symptoms with their doctors,” Dr. Rucker says. “There are simple and effective treatment options that can relieve their symptoms, so they can enjoy normal activities again.”
- 5. Beating Breast Cancer: New Treatments Mean New Hope Know Your Risk Are you at risk for breast cancer? Take a quick test and find out. Simply visit www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com and click on Health Information in the left column. Then, click on Risk Assessments in the left column under Interactive Tools and select Breast Cancer Risk Assessment. www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com Scott A. Tetreault, MD Florida Cancer Specialists 5969 Cattle Ridge Blvd., Suite 102 Sarasota, FL 34232 941-377-9993 T he outlook for women with breast cancer has never been better. New breast cancer medications are saving or prolonging the lives of many women battling the disease. Women with early stage cancer confined to the breast and lymph nodes typically undergo surgery to remove the cancer. Then they have chemotherapy and take the hormonal medication tamoxifen to target the microscopic cancer cells that may remain after surgery. Recent studies, however, show that a newer medication, called Herceptin® , dramatically reduces recurrences in women who have the HER2/neu gene.This gene produces a protein that seems to increase the risk of recurrences. “Herceptin® is a major step forward for many women,” says Scott A. Tetreault, MD, a medical oncologist with medical staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC). “It’s the greatest improvement we’ve ever seen in adjuvant — or follow-up — therapy.” Another new medication, called Avastin® , is prolonging the lives of many women whose breast cancer has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other areas of the body. Avastin® does not attack cancer directly. Instead, it destroys the vessels that supply tumors with the blood and nutrients they need to grow. “No one treatment is right for all women,” Dr.Tetreault says.“These medications represent the first wave of new targeted breast cancer treatment strategies. Now we’re better able to tailor each woman’s treatment to her specific cancer. Even women whose cancers aren’t yet curable are living longer, and the quality of their lives is better.” Compassionate Care for Women Women’s Healthcare Services at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center At Lakewood Ranch Medical Center we offer women’s healthcare services for all stages of your life. Using advanced technology, our experienced medical team provides: Gynecological Treatment including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and pelvic prolapse. Laparoscopic Surgery for minimally invasive treatment of hysterectomy, ovarian cyst removal and bladder repair. Maternity and Newborn Care with private, homelike labor-delivery-recovery suites and a full spectrum of prenatal, childbirth and parenting classes. For more information on Women’s Services at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, call 941-782-2229. 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com Compassionate Car for Women Physicians are independent contractors who are not agents or employees of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. 8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Bradenton, FL 34202 www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.co Women’s Healthcare Services at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center At Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, we offer women’s healthcare services for all stages of your life. Using advanced technology, our experienced medical team provides: Gynecological Treatment including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and pelvic prolapse. Laparoscopic Surgery for minimally invasive treatment of hysterectomy, ovarian cyst removal and bladder repair. Maternity and Newborn Care with private, homelike labor-delivery-recovery suites and a full spectrum of prenatal, childbirth and parenting classes. For more information on Women’s Services at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, call 941-782-2229. Physicians are independent contractors who are not agents or employees of Lake- wood Ranch Medical Center. Fall 2006 5
- 6. Don’t Forget to Strengthen Your Bones D octors have noticed a surge in the number of people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and increases risk for fractures in millions of Americans, most of them women. “With the aging of the population, the increased use of steroids and a decline in estrogen replacement therapy, more people are developing osteoporosis,”says Suhail Khoury, MD, PhD, an internist and physiologist with medical staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC).“Today, osteoporosis affects more people than heart disease, stroke and breast cancer combined.” Help keep your bones strong by eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, performing weight-bearing exercises regularly and not smoking.Also, it is important to have periodic screenings for osteoporosis, especially when you reach menopause, a time when bone mass declines more rapidly. “Detecting osteoporosis is crucial because 20 to 30 percent of people who suffer osteoporosis-related hip fractures die within one year,”Dr. Khoury says.“But osteoporosis is no longer the price of getting older.There are new medications available that can partially reverse bone loss and strengthen the bones. Even a small increase in bone mass leads to a big decrease in the risk of bone fracture.” 6 Fall 2006 Suhail Khoury, MD Khoury Medical Institute 5805 Whitfield Ave. Sarasota, FL 34243 941-359-3337 Join us Saturday, October 7, for LWRMC’s Health and Wellness Expo — a fun and informative event with prizes, entertainment and information to help keep your family healthy. The Expo will feature: ▸ Free health screenings for adults and children — Get a “snapshot”of your family’s health. We’ll offer screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, osteoporosis, and vision. ▸ Preventive health education for adults — Stay healthy with information on arthritis, skin cancer, breast and prostate cancer, and osteoporosis. ▸ Tips to keep children safe — Learn about water safety, protecting children from the sun’s harmful rays, accidental poisoning, medication safety and more. ▸ Fitness information — Find out if you’re in shape and learn how to prevent sports injuries. A Florida Blood Services bloodmobile will be accepting donations at the Expo. Date: Saturday, October 7 Time: 9 AM to Noon Location: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Main Lobby 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. For more information, please call Yvonne Stillpass, Community Relations Coordinator at 941-782-2128. Health Expo to Focus on Your Family’s Health To find out more about osteoporosis, please visit our Web site www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com and click on Health Informationon the left and then the letter Oat the top of the page. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Stay Cool This Year. We’ve Moved Inside!
- 7. www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com M enstrual disorders. Uterine fibroids. Endometriosis. These and other gynecological problems are an uncomfortable fact of life for some women. Doctors may recommend noninvasive therapies as the first line of treatment for these disorders, but sometimes other treatments are necessary. “Some women with certain gynecological conditions need surgery,” says Aaron Sudbury, MD, an OB/GYN with medical staff privileges at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC). “Traditional open surgery, however, isn’t their only option. Newer minimally invasive procedures are changing the way we treat many gynecological disorders.” That’s good news for women because these less invasive procedures are safe, effective and easier on them. Treatment Options LWRMC offers several minimally invasive treatments that help women with heavy menstrual bleeding avoid the lengthy and painful recoveries associated with conventional hysterectomies. During one procedure, doctors dilate the cervix and use an innovative wand device that emits electrical energy, which destroys the lining of the uterus. Another procedure uses balloon ablation instruments to heat the lining of the uterus, which causes it to slough off naturally. “These procedures have a greater than 90 percent success rate,” Dr. Sudbury says.“They reduce women’s menstrual bleeding to a normal level or stop bleeding altogether.” Minimally invasive treatment options for other gynecological disorders also are available, including: • Vaginal hysterectomies • Laparoscopic procedures, including sterilization, removal of the ovaries, drainage of ovarian abscesses and others • Hysteroscopic procedures to diagnose gynecological conditions or remove fibroids, polyps and tumors “We have less invasive ways of treating almost any gynecological disorder, including cancer,” Dr. Sudbury says.“Most women can go home right after their procedures or within 23 hours. They usually can return to work and resume normal activities within days.” We’ve Come a Long Way Less Invasive Treatments for Common Gynecological Problems Seeing Is Believing You’re invited to tour The Women’s Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center where our experienced team of medical professionals can provide you with the specialized care you need at different stages of your life. Our staff offers comprehensive services in: ▸ Obstetrics ▸ Labor and delivery ▸ Gynecology ▸ Urology ▸ Breast care TheWomen's Center is equipped with innovative technology designed to meet women’s unique health needs. It features 12 large LDRP (labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum) suites, two operating rooms, six beds for medical/surgical patients and four exam and triage rooms. Come in for a visit and see why more women are choosing The Women’s Center for many of their healthcare needs. Please call 941-782-2229 to schedule a tour of our facilities. Aaron Sudbury, MD 300 Riverside Drive East Suite 1700 Bradenton, FL 34208 941-745-5115 Fall 2006 7
- 8. Prsrt std U.S. Postage PAID Long Prairie, MN Permit 372 Postmaster: Please deliver between Sept. 14 and 20. TheWomen’s Center Classes Prenatal and Child Education Classes The Women’s Center offers programs for expectant and new families, including baby care basics, breastfeeding, infant CPR and sibling preparation. New mom and baby group meets weekly. For more information, please call 941-782-2229. “Healthy Minds” LWRMC offers this new free, mental health support group the last Saturday of each month from 10 AM to 11 AM in classroom 1.“Healthy Minds” addresses a variety of behavior and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, memory issues, mild cognitive impairment, stress, family dynamics and other relevant disorders. For more information, please contact Bruce A. Colby at 941-746-5111, Ext. 8152. Gestational Diabetes Classes These classes are held weekly to assist mothers who develop diabetes during pregnancy. For more information or to register, please call 941-782-2222. Support Group ALS Association Resource Group Held the first Saturday of each month, this support group is for individuals with Lou Gehrig’s disease, their families and friends. For more information or to register, please call 1-888-257-1717. Health Education Lectures Diabetes Self-Management Education This comprehensive diabetes education program is taught by certified diabetes educators and helps you live a healthier life. For more information or to register, please call 941-782-2123. Talk Back Lecture Series Series on back and neck pain presented by the National Spine Foundation. Please call us at 1-800-454-8215 for a reservation for each session. • Oct. 21, Sorting Through the Tests Understand back and neck pain, diagnostic tests and results. • Nov. 18, “Ouch! What a Pain in the Neck” A physician explains different causes of neck pain and when to seek treatment. • Dec. 9, Minimally Invasive Surgery: Back Up Fast Learn about new and innovative minimally invasive back surgery. Weight Management Program Create Your Weight Comprehensive, 10-week adult weight management program. For more information or to register, please call 941-782-2441. Fall 2006 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Lynn M. Mergen CEO/Managing Director Michele Lerow Director, Marketing and Business Development Information in Health News 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 or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center or Universal Health Services, Inc. Physicians mentioned in this publication are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent contractors who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. ©2006. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. You may have received this mail because your address appears on a purchased mailing list. The companies from whom we purchase mailing lists are responsible for removing your name if you do not wish to be listed. To add or remove your name and address from our mailing list, please contact the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Marketing Department; the Direct Marketing Association, Farmingdale, N.Y.; or log on to http://www. dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html. health news Our location Visit our Web site at www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com Wellness Expo Sat., Oct. 7 LWRMC, Main Lobby *See page 6 for more info. CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EVENTS