Summer is a great time to spend time outdoors, especially now when we are all trying to do more things outside. But it is also a time when we need to make sure that we protect ourselves from getting bitten by mosquitoes and ticks, both of which can cause infections that can be more severe in transplant patients. Some of the infections we worry about include West Nile Virus, which is an infection transmitted by mosquitoes, as well as Lyme, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan, which are infections that are carried by ticks. All of these infections have been found during the spring and summer months. When the temperatures dip, they are rarely seen.
Because of the extra risk to transplant patients, we’ve pulled together some precautions that we recommend you take to protect yourself.
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.
Spring is in the air, and you might be feeling the urge to get out and move. Running seems like a great option; after all, you get to spend time outside where it’s peaceful and quiet. But starting a running program is not as simple as grabbing an old pair of gym shoes and hitting the pavement.
Here are four things the Penn Center for the Female Athlete co-director Kate E. Temme, MD, wants you to think about before you create your summer running playlist:
“After adolescence, there are many physiological differences that affect how women and men run,” says Dr. Temme. Men and women produce the same hormones, but in different amounts. Men produce more testosterone.
This leads to more muscle mass in male runners, which, in addition to having larger hearts, lungs, and blood volume, is why men often run faster than women.
“Despite these differences, men and women show similar benefits in response to training, including strength gains and cardiovascular health,” Dr. Temme says.
However, women have some dangers to beware of. They’re more vulnerable to patellofemoral pain syndrome—also known as Runner’s Knee, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
If you’ve had it, you know it’s pain at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap. It’s an overuse injury that occurs when the kneecap doesn’t track properly in the thighbone groove.
Runner’s Knee can be related to:
Rest, medication and strengthening exercises can all help Runner’s Knee, the NLM says. Your physician will discuss treatment options that are right for you.
Women are also more vulnerable than men to stress fractures—another type of overuse injury—that might cause a hairline crack in the bone, often in the shinbones or feet in runners. At first, the pain might appear only when you run or do physical activity. But in time, it might become constant, the NLM explains. With a stress fracture, you will need treatment from your physician.
If you’re taking the personal trainer route, it doesn’t matter if the trainer is male or female. “What matters most is that they are in tune with the specific needs of the athlete and the particular demands of their sport,” says Dr. Temme.
Sometimes, runners don’t eat enough to fuel both their running and the general needs of their bodies. Of course, this can happen due to the pressure society puts on women to be thin. But it can also occur accidentally when athletes don’t realize how much food they need to eat to stay healthy.
It means you might have issues with:
Source: American College of Sports Medicine
The triad affects different people in different ways. Some people might have menstrual problems like skipped periods, others might have bone problems. Many will have some degree of problems with each.
Eating habits can vary, too. Some people might never eat enough; others might eat enough some days, but not others. So, if you’re not consistently eating in a healthy way, you could still have the female athlete triad.
“The amount of energy that’s available to your body from food is the core component of the triad,” Dr. Temme explains. “When female runners don’t get enough nutrition, they develop low energy, which can negatively impact a number of critical processes in their bodies. Those include bone and reproductive health.”
Stress fractures and irregular or missed periods can be warning signs of the triad. If you or a friend have any concerns about the triad, talk to a physician immediately.
Beginning runners have a large amount of choice when it comes to running apps, and it’s important to find the app that is right for you. “There is a higher risk for overuse injuries in people who suddenly increase their speed, intensity, or distance,” Dr. Temme says. “Apps and training programs must be mindful of these needs in order to be safe and effective.”
And whether or not you use one of these apps, it’s important to stay safe when starting a new routine. Dr. Temme recommends:
“Women sometimes have trouble making time to run because they wear so many different hats in life, and trying to find a work/life balance can be challenging,” says Dr. Temme.
Even if it’s a challenge, Dr. Temme encourages women to carve out some time to run or do another type of physical activity. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, exercise can give you a health boost in numerous ways, such as:
You’ll be doing yourself a favor if you exercise. “Getting regular physical activity can also make it easier to do everyday activities, and may even extend your life,” Dr. Temme says. “Finding time to care for yourself is critical to your health.”
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.
People considering weight-loss surgery often ask if it is possible to safely incorporate alcohol into a healthy diet and lifestyle after surgery. The short answer is “yes,” but gradually and with modifications. Below are reasons why.
Research shows that blood alcohol levels peak higher and faster and take longer to return to normal due to altered metabolism after gastric bypass surgery. In addition, many post-surgical patients consume less food when they’re drinking alcohol, which contributes to expedited absorption of alcohol in the blood stream. For many post-surgical patients, all it takes is a single drink to elevate blood alcohol level to the point of legal intoxication. This is important to remember for maintaining a healthy diet and before getting behind the wheel.
Rapid weight loss and low carbohydrate intake can lead to reduced sugar or glycogen in your body. Alcohol consumption further depletes glycogen, which causes your blood sugar levels to drop, putting those who have had bariatric surgery at higher risk for developing low blood sugar.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a dangerous condition that can lead to loss of consciousness, brain and nerve damage or even death if left untreated. As a result, it’s important to be on the lookout for symptoms, which include loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, poor vision and confusion.
If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, drink diluted juice or take a glucose tablet immediately to raise your blood sugar level, and then have a snack with complex carbohydrates and protein to sustain it. If hypoglycemic episodes occur frequently even without alcohol consumption, make sure you seek proper medical treatment.
Alcohol is high in calories and low in nutrients, which is why excess calories from alcohol can slow weight loss or even contribute to weight gain.
Patients with a history of addiction are at higher risk for developing a new addiction. With the dramatic reduction of food consumption after bariatric surgery, some patients may trade their food addiction for other addictive behaviors, including drugs, shopping, gambling, sex and alcohol.
Follow these guidelines to re-introduce alcohol without compromising your commitment to a healthy lifestyle after weight-loss surgery:
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.
When considering bariatric surgery, or any surgical procedure, it is normal to have concerns about safety.
Here we examine the benefits and risks of weight-loss surgery to help you decide if it is right for you.
When compared to the risks of living with obesity — including complications related to diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension, and the increased likelihood of premature death — the risks of bariatric surgery are minimal.
Some potential risks of bariatric surgery include dumping syndrome, developing kidney stones, not losing the desired amount of weight or weight regain.
However, most patients who undergo bariatric surgery and make a commitment to sustained weight loss see a significant improvement in their overall health. Achieving a healthier weight can help eliminate sleep apnea, reverse type 2 diabetes, and improve high blood pressure, which can lead to a longer, healthier life. You can learn more about the benefits of bariatric surgery, here.
While any surgical procedure has risks, bariatric surgery has been found to be one of the safest surgeries to undergo. It is considered as safe or more safe when compared to other elective surgeries.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy and roux-en-y gastric bypass procedures use a laparoscopic approach to reduce the risks of complications.
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin tube — called a laparoscope — that’s inserted into your abdomen through the smallest possible incision. The minimally invasive technique uses small cameras and thin tools, and the approach has been shown to cut down on your recovery time, reduce your hospital stay, limit scarring and decrease post-operative pain.
Our bariatric surgeons also perform the highest volume of weight-loss surgeries in Philadelphia. And volume matters. Experienced surgeons are associated with improved outcomes and a reduced likelihood for surgical complications.
It is always important to discuss any concerns with the bariatric team before deciding whether surgery is right for you.
We are available every step of the way to support and guide you along your weight-loss journey. Communication lines are always open, including during office visits, check-in phone calls, ongoing support groups, and through the online portal. We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the process and what you can do to help minimize the risk of complications.
Take the first step toward a healthier you. Learn more about metabolic and surgery at Penn Medicine at one of our free information sessions.
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.
If you’ve ever seen a movie where an actor has a heart attack, you’ve probably seen them clutch their chest, eyes rolling back, groaning in the severe pain before they collapse onto the floor. As there are many silent heart attack signs.
However, a Hollywood heart attack can be different from a real one.
The pain you experience from a heart attack may be much less dramatic — and it may not even be very painful at all.If you’re having a heart attack, you already know to call 9-1-1 right away. But if you don’t have the telltale sign of sudden chest pain that everyone is taught to recognize, it can be confusing. This is called a silent heart attack. It means you don’t even know you’re having one. But it’s still dangerous — and even life-threatening.
A silent heart attack is just like any other — and just as damaging. Your heart needs oxygen-rich blood to function. If plaque (which consists of fat, cholesterol, and other substances) builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, this blood flow can be significantly or completely cut off.
The longer your heart doesn’t have blood flow, the more damage that occurs. Because silent heart attacks may go unnoticed, they can cause a significant amount of damage. And without treatment, they can be deadly.
The good news is that you can prepare by knowing these 4 silent signs of a heart attack.
Sometimes the pain from a heart attack is sudden and intense, which makes them easy to recognize and get help. But, what about when it’s not?
Most heart attacks actually involve only mild pain or discomfort in the center of your chest. You may also feel pressure, squeezing, or fullness. These symptoms usually start slowly, and they may go away and come back.
This can be complicated because these symptoms may be related to something less serious, such as heartburn. You know your body best, though. If you feel like something’s not right, you need to be evaluated by a physician or even head to the emergency room.
A heart attack doesn’t just affect your heart — you can actually feel the effects throughout your whole body. But this can make identifying a heart attack confusing.
You may experience pain or discomfort in your:
These symptoms can vary from person to person. For example, some people describe their back pain from a heart attack as feeling like a rope being tied around them. You may also feel a heavy pressure on your back. Either way, if you think you’re experiencing any of these less obvious signs of a heart attack, don’t ignore them.
If you feel like you’ve just run a marathon, but you only walked up the stairs, that might be a sign your heart isn’t able to pump blood to the rest of your body. Shortness of breath can occur with or without chest pain, and it’s a common sign of a silent heart attack.
You may also feel dizzy or lightheaded — and it’s possible you could faint. Though this can happen to both men and women, it’s more common for women to experience shortness of breath.
If you’re having trouble with tasks that weren’t previously difficult, such as making the bed or walking the dog, make sure you get it checked out in case it’s a subtle sign of a heart attack.
Waking up in a cold sweat, feeling nauseated, and vomiting may be symptoms of the flu, but they can also be signs of a silent heart attack.
You may know what the flu feels like because you’ve had one before, but when your gut is telling you that these flu-like symptoms are something more serious, listen. Don’t chalk these symptoms up to the flu, stress, or simply feeling under the weather — they may be much more serious than that.
Being aware of the silent signs of a heart attack is important, but it does nothing if you ignore them. Even if you’re not sure you’re having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 if you experience any or all of the symptoms. While these signs don’t always mean you’re having a heart attack, it’s better to be cautious. The chances of surviving a heart attack are higher the sooner you get emergency treatment.
And remember — the best way to prevent heart attacks in the first place is to get your heart screened and lower your risk in other ways like keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol at levels that are good for your heart.
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.
Have you ever noticed your pulse in certain parts of your body but not others? For instance, it’s possible to sometimes feel your heartbeat in your stomach – and usually, that’s completely normal.
Let’s explore why you can feel your heartbeat in places other than your chest.
When your heart pumps, your body’s arteries expand and contract. That’s your pulse.
Your pulse is used to determine your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats per minute. When a healthcare provider checks your pulse, they may also gauge the rhythm and strength of your heartbeat and whether the blood vessel feels hard or soft.
The spots where you can detect your pulse are called pulse points. There are a number of them in your body. Here are a few common ones:
You can feel a pulse in these spots because an artery is running close to the skin and being compressed by a hard structure below. That’s why your pulse is often taken at your wrist or neck.
If you’ve never tried, it’s easy to check your own pulse. Here are three simple steps to take your carotid pulse:
A normal resting pulse for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Your pulse should also feel steady with a regular gap between each beat. If it feels like a beat was skipped or there was an extra beat, that’s common and usually harmless. Talk to your doctor about any irregularities.
It’s normal to feel your pulse in your stomach. What you’re picking up on is your pulse in your abdominal aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It runs from your heart, down the center of your chest, and into your abdomen.
You’re more likely to feel your pulse in your stomach in three scenarios:
When you eat, your heart pumps extra blood to your stomach and small intestine through your aorta. This helps with digesting food and absorbing its nutrients. That temporary surge can create a more pronounced pulse in your stomach.
You might also feel it if you lie down and raise your knees. And if you don’t have much abdominal fat, you may even see your stomach pulse.
During pregnancy, the amount of blood circulating around the body increases significantly. More blood is pumped with each heartbeat, making the pulse in the abdominal aorta more noticeable.
In rare cases, picking up on your pulse in your stomach can be a sign of something serious. Always seek prompt medical attention if you have symptoms that come on suddenly, including pain in your abdomen, side or back. This is especially important if you have:
NOTE : This article has been taken from pennmedicine.org as it is. Click here to read original article.