Los Alamitos, CA - Don’t look now, baby boomers, but if you are starting to have problems seeing, you might be getting cataracts. Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects more than half of Americans over the age of 65. Fortunately, cataracts can be surgically treated by removing the clouded lens of the eye and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens. Cataract Awareness Month is a great time to have your eyes checked.

Cataracts may not be noticeable in their earliest stages, but as they progress, vision will become more blurred and reduced. Symptoms of cataracts also include brown-tinted vision, halos around objects, poor night vision, double vision, glare around lights and colors that appear faded. Cataract surgery may be recommended when you are no longer able to see well enough to perform daily activities or if cataracts interfere with treatment for another eye problem, such as macular degeneration (loss of central vision) or diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes). You do not have to make the decision to have cataract surgery immediately. Delaying the procedure typically will not result in long-term damage to the eye or make the operation more complicated.

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. Approximately 90 percent of people who undergo the operation report an improvement in their vision later2. Surgery is done one eye at a time if cataracts are in both eyes, usually about one to two months apart to give the first eye time to heal.

Cataract surgery lasts about one hour and is typically performed on an outpatient basis. Prior to the procedure, eyedrops are placed in the eye to dilate the pupil and a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the eye. A sedative may be given to help you relax. There are two types of cataract surgery, phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery.

Phacoemulsification involves making a small incision on the side of the cornea. A tiny ultrasound probe is then inserted into the eye that emits ultrasound waves to break up the lens, the fragments of which are removed by suction. A less often performed operation called extracapsular surgery requires making a longer incision on the side of the cornea and removing the hard center of the lens in one piece. In both procedures, the very back of the lens is left in place to help position the new artificial lens. The implant, called an intraocular lens, is made of acrylic, plastic or silicone. It becomes a permanent part of the eye and will not require additional care. You will not be able to feel or see the new lens.

Food poisoning, or food borne illness, is more common during the warm summer months. That’s because those nasty little bacteria that are always present in the environment grow faster in temperatures from 90°F to 110°F; and since bacteria also like moisture, high humidity can help them flourish.

To avoid the unwanted and quite uncomfortable side-effects of food poisoning, here are a few ways to keep your food safe from the time you buy it at the store, to the time you put leftovers away in the refrigerator.

At the Grocery Store  Check expiration dates for meat, poultry or fish. Put meats in plastic bags so juices do not leak onto other items in the cart. If buying eggs, make sure none are cracked. Buy refrigerated items last. Avoid fruits with broken skins, unpasteurized milk, ciders or juices, and pre-stuffed fresh turkeys or chickens.

In the Kitchen  Wash your hands before preparing food. Cook or freeze raw meat, poultry or fish within two days. Clean all fruits and vegetables with water to remove any pesticides, dirt or bacterial contamination. Remove the outer leaves of leafy greens, such as spinach or lettuce. Do not put cooked food on a dish that was holding raw meat, poultry or fish. Marinade food in the refrigerator.

On the Grill  Use a thermometer to cook foods to proper internal temperatures, such as160°F for red meats and 180°F for poultry. Fish should flake easily when cooked properly. Avoid partially cooking food ahead of time since this allows bacteria to survive and multiply to the point that subsequent cooking does not destroy them.

At the Picnic Do not leave food that requires refrigeration out for more than two hours (one hour if over 90°F). Keep food in insulated coolers at 40°F or below until ready to eat. Place coolers in the shade and avoid opening the lid too often. Keep foods hot by using chafing dishes and food cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice. Avoid serving dairy products at picnics.

In the Refrigerator  Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Do not over pack the refrigerator because that inhibits air circulation and slows down the cooling process. Eat leftovers in three to five days. If leftovers are frozen, eat them within two months.

All foods can become contaminated, but properly handling, preparing and storing food can reduce the risk of food poisoning. If you have any doubts about the safety of food, throw it out. Better to be safe than sorry. For more information about safe food handling, visit the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service website at www.fsis.usda.gov.

Los Alamitos Medical Center wants you to have a happy and healthy summer. Additional health articles and interactive health tools are available on the web site at www.losalamitosmedctr.com. You can visit the hospital’s FaceBook page and follow on Twitter too.

Submitted by Los Alamitos Medical Center

Los Alamitos, CA –June, 2010 Los Alamitos Medical Center (LAMC) has been chosen by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to be 1 of only 6 hospitals in the state to participate in a three year study to perform elective PCIs (cardiac interventions) in affiliation with neighboring hospitals offering open heart surgery. This is an amazing opportunity to participate in research that may greatly advance medical care for cardiac patients across the state.

Submitted by Los Alamitos Medical Center

Los Alamitos, CA –June, 2010 The not-for-profit Auxiliary at Los Alamitos Medical Center serves year round to raise funds for student scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to local students pursuing an education in a health-related field. Eligible students attend a local school, are an employee, or child of an employee.

More than 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. Approximately two-thirds of them survive and need rehabilitation. According to the American Stroke Association, there are about 6.4 million stroke survivors alive today. Rehabilitation plays a vital role in helping stroke victims regain their ability to take care of themselves and achieve the best possible quality of life.

The types and degrees of disability experienced after a stroke will depend on the area of the brain that is damaged. In general, stroke can cause five different types of disabilities:  

• paralysis or difficulty controlling movement
• sensory problems
• trouble understanding or using language
• challenges with thinking or memory
• emotional disturbances

Rehabilitation usually begins within a day or two after the stroke. It may start with prompting the patient to change positions often while lying in bed and engaging in range-of-motion exercises to strengthen limbs affected by the stroke. Therapy may then continue in inpatient rehabilitation units (where the patient stays at the facility while undergoing therapy), outpatient units (where patients can spend several hours a day but not stay overnight) or home-based rehabilitation (where rehabilitation is done in the patient’s home).

Rehabilitation typically involves three kinds of therapy. Physical therapy is designed to help patients deal with motor and sensory impairments. Physical therapists work with patients to improve strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities and sensory problems. They educate survivors how to regain use of stroke-impaired limbs and teach compensatory strategies to lessen the impact of remaining deficits.

Occupational therapy is geared to helping patients relearn skills necessary for daily living, such as getting dressed, combing hair, preparing meals or doing housework. Occupational therapists may go to a patient’s home and suggest ways to make it more safe and accessible. For example, they may recommend installing grab bars in the bathroom or removing rugs that could cause a fall.

Speech therapy is done to re-educate stroke patients about all aspects relating to speech, including how to speak, understand, read, write, solve problems and even swallow. Depending on the extent of the language problem, speech therapists can use pictures or demonstrate how to perform tasks several times or in a different way to help the patient communicate.

It is common for patients to become depressed after having a stroke. Signs of depression include sleep disturbances, change in eating patterns, fatigue, irritability, lethargy, weight fluctuations and social withdrawal. Treating depression can include increased social activity, psychological counseling or antidepressant medications.

The success of a rehabilitation program depends on patient cooperation and commitment. Although therapy sessions may be scheduled several times a week, it is important to do therapeutic exercises every day. Because the risk of having a stroke is higher for people who have already had one, following a healthy lifestyle is important. Stroke patients should eat healthy, be as physically active as possible, control conditions that contribute to stroke or recurrent stroke such as high blood pressure and follow their doctor’s orders. For more information about post-stroke rehabilitation, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site at ww.ninds.nih.gov. Los Alamitos Medical Center is a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center and has earned an American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award for Stroke. For stroke information, call 800-548-5559.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month
Submitted by Los Alamitos Medical Center

Los Alamitos – May, 2010 Joint replacement surgery involves replacing a damaged joint with a new one called a prosthesis. These new joints usually are made of special metals, such as stainless steel or titanium, and durable, wear-resistance plastic. Prostheses are designed to be accepted by the body and resist corrosion, degradation and wear so they can last at least 10 to 15 years. Hips and knees are the joints replaced most often, but shoulders, fingers, ankles and elbows can be replaced as well. The orthopaedic surgeons at Los Alamitos Medical Center may be able to help you replace a worn joint of your own.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month
Submitted by Los Alamitos Medical Center

Approximately every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and roughly every three to four minutes someone dies of a stroke. Strokes cause about one in 17 deaths annually – making it the third leading cause of death – and are the primary reason for long-term disability. So if you could take steps now to lower your risk of having a stroke, you would, wouldn’t you? Well, you can. First on your list would be to control your blood pressure.

Los Alamitos – May, 2010  Chances are you know someone with arthritis. Maybe your grandmother or uncle has mentioned their stiff joints, or perhaps one of your friends. That’s because nearly one in five people have arthritis, making it the most common cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis is not just for senior citizens. Children also can be affected by a form of the disease.

Arthritis usually causes pain or swelling in the joints that can make your body feel stiff or make it difficult to move around. There are two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis in older people, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can affect people of all ages, especially women. OA is a degenerative disease related to an injury or aging that occurs when tissue in the joints becomes worn down. RA happens when the body’s immune system attacks tissues instead of protecting them from infection. RA usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body, causing pain, swelling, discomfort and fatigue.

Arthritis cannot be cured, but there are ways to manage pain associated with the condition. Some common treatment choices include:

Reducing stress.

Practicing relaxation techniques and positive self-talk can distract you from arthritis pain and help you focus on what you can accomplish, not limitations caused by the disease.

Exercising regularly.

A carefully balanced program can actually help lubricate joints with mild to moderate exercise and even strengthen muscles around the joints.

Eating a healthy diet.

A balanced diet can help keep your body weight normal and contribute to overall health and management of the disease. 

Learning how to protect your joints.

Wear the right shoes to protect your feet and use a cane or walker to lessen pain when walking. Gadgets are available to help open jars or turn door knobs in your house. 

Taking medications prescribed by your doctor.

Acetaminophen or some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to ease arthritis pain. If you have RA, your doctor may suggest anti-rheumatic drugs to slow damage from the disease, prednisone to reduce swelling, or biologic response modifiers to block damage caused by the immune system.

Topical pain killers may help relieve mild OA discomfort. Examples of non-prescription medications include aspirin-like pain rubs, hot/cold applications, and chili pepper cremes. Pain gels and patches may be prescribed to relieve pain in the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles or knees. Check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drugs because products that contain salicylates may not be safe if you are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners. Severe OA or pain that does not improve with other medications may require a steroid injection into the affected joint. When even strong medications or injections are ineffective, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery.

Arthritis pain should not be endured as part of the aging process. Talk with your doctor about developing a pain management program designed to prevent further joint damage and maximize your quality of life. For more information about arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation website at www.arthritis.org. For a free physician referral at Los Alamitos Medical Center, call 800-548-5559. Don’t miss July’s lecture on Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis’.  Call 800-548-5559 for more information.

Los Alamitos, CA – March, 2010 – Los Alamitos Medical Center (LAMC) has received their third certification from The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification program.  The medical center was granted Advanced Certification in Heart Failure. This is a Certificate of Distinction that recognizes exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for heart failure patients. The certification process is designed to help organizations continuously provide safe, high-quality care, treatment, and services.

The mission of The Joint Commission is to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.  “It is an honor for us to receive this recognition,” said Clinical Care director Lynne Downing, RN, CCRN. “Los Alamitos Medical Center is only the fourth hospital in the country to receive Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from The Joint Commission.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Certification (DCS) program is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. The hospital program must meet DSC requirements as well as additional clinically-specific requirements and expectations. The physicians and staff at Los Alamitos Medical Center work diligently to exceed these standards.

The medical center has been recognized previously by The Joint Commission for Coronary Artery Disease and their Advanced Primary Stroke Center program.  The medical center’s other awards include the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines^® Gold performance achievement awards for Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease, as well as a Gold Plus performance achievement award for Stroke.

Los Alamitos, CA – March, 2010 – A colonoscopy is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to look inside the entire large intestine. It is frequently performed to detect early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum. The test also may be done to obtain a tissue sample for biopsy, diagnose inflammatory bowel disease or evaluate unexplained abnormalities (such as polyps), anemia, blood in the stool, abdominal pain or persistent diarrhea.

Preparation for a colonoscopy usually begins several days before the actual procedure. Because the colon and rectum must be completely clean to ensure accurate test results, your doctor may ask you not to eat solid foods for two to three days and to follow a liquid diet. Drink clear liquids such as juice or broth to prevent dehydration. A laxative or enema may be necessary the night before the test. Keep taking regularly-prescribed medication unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

You will be given a moderate sedative and pain medication to help you relax and keep you comfortable during the exam. A rectal exam may be done before a colonoscopy to dilate the rectum and check for obstructions. A flexible tube called a colonoscope is then inserted into the rectum and slowly guided into the colon. Images of your colon are transmitted by the colonoscope onto a video screen so your doctor can examine the intestinal lining. Polyps can be removed using tiny tools inserted through the scope. Tissue samples will be sent to the lab to determine if they are cancerous.

Polyps are abnormal growths on the intestinal wall that can range in size from a small dot to as large as several inches. Most polyps are non-cancerous, but because cancer begins in polyps, your doctor will probably remove them to prevent colorectal cancer. Your doctor also may take tissue samples to test for inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Bleeding in the colon can be treated by special medications, laser, heater probe or electrical probe passed through the colonoscope.

Most colonoscopy procedures last approximately 30 minutes to one hour, plus two to three hours for preparation and recovery. You may feel pressure or bloating during the procedure, but discomfort usually can be reduced by taking slow, deep breaths. After the exam you may pass gas and experience mild abdominal cramping. The sedative should wear off in a couple of hours. You should be able to return to normal activities by the next day.

To find out more about colonoscopy, talk to your doctor or call 800.548.5559 to find a physician near you.

Los Alamitos, CA – March, 2010 – Colorectal cancer. Those are two words no one wants to hear. Especially the second one. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States with approximately 147,000 new cases of the disease diagnosed in 2009. Fortunately, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping over the last 15 years due to early screenings and improved treatments.

Undergoing testing to diagnose colorectal cancer may be necessary because of abnormal results from a screening exam, or if there are symptoms of the disease, such as a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, weakness, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.

Diagnosis may begin with a complete medical history and physical examination. Endoscopic tests to check for colorectal polyps also may be necessary, including a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (procedures used to see inside the colon and rectum), and imaging tests such as a barium enema, double contrast barium enema or virtual colonoscopy. A biopsy is done on any abnormal-looking tissues that are removed during a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Other imaging tests may be required to determine if a suspicious area is cancerous, learn if the cancer has spread or find out if treatment has been effective. These tests include computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and angiography.

Once colorectal cancer had been diagnosed, treatment will be determined based on the stage and type of cancer, how far it has spread, overall health, side effects of treatment and long-term prognosis. Surgery usually is recommended for early stage colon cancer. The procedure calls for the removal of part of the colon and nearby lymph nodes. Some stage 0 or early stage 1 tumors can be taken out by removing the base of the polyp or the superficial cancer and a small margin of surrounding tissue.

Colorectal cancer also may be treated with three different types of radiation therapy, which use high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells.

• External-beam radiation therapy focuses radiation on the cancer from outside the body;
• Endocavitary radiation therapy delivers radiation through a hand-held device placed into the anus; and
• Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing small pellets of radioactive material next to or directly into the cancer.

Chemotherapy, which involves administering drugs either into a vein or orally, can be part of a colorectal cancer treatment plan as well. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be given along with radiation before surgery to try to shrink some rectal cancers. Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after surgery in case the cancer returns.

It is important to discuss potential side effects of treatment with your doctor. Most side effects should decrease after treatment, but steps can be taken to reduce or relieve them.

For more information about diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.  If you want to speak with one of the health professionals at the TotalCare Cancer Center at Los Alamitos Medical Center, call 562.799.3198.

Los Alamitos, CA – March, 2010 –If you were born in 1960, you will turn the big 5-0 this year. Even if you aren’t ready to sign up for an AARP membership card, you should undergo a colorectal cancer screening. That is because your chances of developing the disease increase considerably after reaching the half century mark. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people older than 50.  

Other risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing colorectal cancer include:

• Having a personal history of colorectal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
• Having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer
• Being African-American or an Ashkenazi Jew
• Eating a diet high in fat
• Being physically inactive
• Obesity
• Smoking and heavy alcohol use
• Type 2 diabetes

People at increased risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about being screened for the disease before the age of 50. Colorectal cancer may be diagnosed after symptoms appear, but most people with early stage disease will not experience any symptoms.

Colorectal Screenings

There are five different screening tests available to help detect polyps and cancer.

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
This test should be performed every year to check for tiny amounts of blood in the stool. The FOBT involves placing a small amount of stool from three consecutive bowel movements on a test card that is then taken to a doctor’s office or laboratory for testing.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy is an examination that allows the doctor to look inside the rectum and lower (sigmoid) colon for polyps using a narrow, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. If any polyps are found during the exam, they can be removed in a procedure called a polypectomy. A sigmoidoscopy is recommended every five years.

Double Contrast Barium Enema
This test, which is also called a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series, involves giving the patient an enema with a barium solution followed by an injection of air into the rectum. A series of X-rays are then taken to show any existing polyps or abnormalities. This test may be necessary every five years.

Colonoscopy
During this procedure, a long, lighted tube, called a colonoscope, is used to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, suspicious areas, or cancer. Polyps or tissue samples may be removed during a colonoscopy, which is recommended every 10 years.

Digital Rectal Exam
During a digital rectal exam (DRE) a doctor or nurse inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormal lumps or areas. A DRE may be part of a routine physical examination.

Virtual Colonoscopy
A virtual colonoscopy, or CT colonography, may be recommended to detect polyps inside the colon. This procedure involves taking a series of X-rays to generate detailed images of the colon and rectum.

Los Alamitos Medical Center is the recipient of a CIGNA Quality Designation for Colon Surgery. For more information about colorectal cancer screening, talk with your doctor or call 800.548.5559 for a free referral to a specialist near you.