Health, Wellness and Vitality March 2008 from The People's Press
Health March 2008
Connecticut’s Ambition to Advance Our Health Care System!
More and more Americans are frustrated to know that our health care system is broken, yes broken. We are all at risk for losing health insurance because of the high cost of health care. Americans pay $15 billion in taxes to help care for the insured. It is even more surprising that we are the richest country in the world without Universal Health care coverage. Almost every major developed country provides health insurance to all of their people and no one in an advanced country like ours should have to ever be put in a position where they have to choose between health care insurance and providing food and shelter to their families. This debate is happening in our own hometown, and at the highest levels of national politics.
There are many unforeseen circumstances that people and families are facing due to the rapidly changing economy. Job turnover is at an all time high, which means that all of us are just one pink slip away from being uninsured and risking financial catastrophe. There are students graduating from college and are no longer covered under their parents’ health care plan and are left without any health care coverage. There are over 400,000 residents in Connecticut (including 4,000 here in Meriden) that are uninsured and it is the working class most affected. Because of the high costs of health care, hard working, dedicated individuals and families lack the preventative care that they deserve. They cannot afford to visit a doctor when sick and skip the necessary testing or treatment. Sometimes people can not fill the necessary prescriptions when diagnosed with a disease, infection or life threatening disease.
Working with the Meriden population through the Universal Health Care Foundation and Meriden Children First Initiative has opened my eyes. I have seen how everyone is affected by our health care system and how quickly your life can change at any given moment due to unpredictable circumstances. I have spoken to families who have the best insurance policies, but when their children go off to college, they are no longer covered under their parent’s health care plan. There are situations where people are diagnosed with a disease, illness or a medical emergency and simply cannot afford to pay co-pays, prescriptions, or emergency visits. This strain often leads to depression, the leading cause of disability. There are many families from Meriden that are in debt because of these conditions. They never thought this could possibly happen to them. They have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars, and in many cases, have already lost their homes. It is a problem in our society when people are put in a position of having to choose between putting food on the table for their family or getting the medical attention they need. There are people who have been laid off or put out of work due to a medical condition for which they can’t afford treatment. This affects the prosperity of our entire community.
The Universal Healthcare Foundation, based right here in Meriden, is in support of a health care model based on the Institute of Medicine Principles: quality health care, affordable, available to everyone, and sustainable in the long term for employers, families, health care providers, institutions, and for the state government itself. If we use the vast amounts of money in our system more effectively, we can achieve high quality affordable health care coverage for everyone.
It is our shared responsibility to make sure that every American has the security in being able to provide the human right of quality health care access in order to take care of themselves and their families. The uninsured and underinsured population is growing rapidly and we have the ability to change our system and achieve health care coverage for everyone in our state, Connecticut.
In closing, ask yourself this question: Do you and those you love deserve quality and affordable health care coverage? Join our campaign to sign up 1000 Meriden people as health care champions by the end of the year. You will have the opportunity to support and take action in promoting meaningful health care reform. As a Healthcare Champion, you will also be invited to public forums, rallies, and meetings with our Legislators. The goal is to build public support and we need you to take a stand for you and all Connecticut families that deserve access to quality, affordable health care!
We need your help. The city of Meriden was the first city in Connecticut to pass a resolution supporting Universal Health Care. Now it is time that each of you takes a stand to make sure that Universal Health Care for everyone is adopted for everyone in Connecticut. We need you to pledge your support by simply filling out the form below and mailing it to Meriden Children First Initiative at: 105 Miller Street, Meriden, CT 06450 or emailing:
Marissa Cardona 815-5680 cardonm@cox.net
Shirleen Mitchell 815-0355 shirlmitch@cox.net
Barbara Cockfield 815-5758 jaxsonian@sbcglobal.net
For more information on the campaign: www.healthcare4every1.org
Marissa Cardona
Community Organizer
healthcare4every1 Campaign
(203) 815-5680
cardonm@cox.net
Meriden Movers – A Community Walking Program Starting in March
Spring is almost here - are you ready to get fit? If so, do the “local” motion and join Meriden Movers!
The Meriden Health Department will be starting the spring session of Meriden Movers, a community walking program, on March 31, 2008. Those who live and/or work in Meriden are encouraged to enroll in the program for better health. Program participants will receive:
A pedometer and walking log to track their steps.
A t-shirt half-way through the program.
Free health screenings to track your progress (must enroll by March 31 in order to receive health screenings).
A weekly motivational e-newsletter with walking tips and healthy recipes.
Pedometers and t-shirts are limited to the first 100 people to register.
Walking teams are highly encouraged. Registration starts March 17. Registration forms and information on the program can be found on the Meriden Health Department website, www.meridenhealth.com, or by calling Lea Crown, Health Educator, at 630-4238, or by email at lcrown@ci.meriden.ct.us.
Walk for health – every step counts! Over 130 people signed up for this program in the fall of 2007, and collectively walked over 5 million steps. Meriden Movers is funded through the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford venture grant program.
Health Department to Present 10,000 Steps to Better Health
The Meriden Health Department will be hosting a presentation on why you should walk 10,000 steps a day for better health. The presentation will be held on March 25, 2008, at the Meriden Public Library, located at 105 Miller Street. The event will be held from 6:00-7:00pm.
Topics will include the benefits of physical activity, how to start a walking program, and how many steps you need to take to burn off your favorite foods. The first 40 people to register for the event will receive a free pedometer and walking log to help monitor their success in achieving 10,000 steps a day. Healthy snacks will be served. Registration for Meriden Movers, the community walking program, will also be held during the event.
This event is free and open to the public; however seats are limited. To register, please call Lea Crown, Community Health Educator, at 630-4238.
National Nutrition Month Serving Size Quiz
Many of us hope that a serving size of our favorite food is the size of a basketball – but unfortunately that is not the case. In fact, most recommended serving sizes of our favorite foods are much, much smaller than what we normally eat.
The Meriden Health Department, in honor of National Nutrition Month, would like to test your knowledge of serving sizes. Americans are eating 200 calories more a day today than 20 years ago – which is a big contributor to our expanding waistlines. By measuring our food portions we can control the amount of calories we eat, which can help manage our weight and improve our overall health. For more information on serving sizes, please contact the Community Health Education office at 630-4238.
QUIZ:
1. A serving size of cooked macaroni is the size of a:
a. Baseball
b. Golf ball
c. Cereal bowl
2. A serving size of fruit juice is:
a. 12 ounces
b. 20 ounces
c. 6 ounces
3. Three ounces of beef, a serving’s worth, looks like a:
a. TV Guide
b. Compact disk (CD)
c. The palm of your hand
4. A serving size of ice cream is:
a. 1 cup
b. The whole carton
c. One-half of a cup
5. A serving size of mashed potatoes is the size of a:
a. Golf ball
b. Baseball
c. Basket ball
ANSWERS:
1. B – golf ball
2. C - 6 ounces
3. C – the palm of your hand
4. C – one half of a cup
5. A - golf ball.
Time to Relax - Learn Self Massage
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring a presentation titled “Self Massage” on March 18, 2008. The presentation will be held from 10:30-11:30am in the mezzanine of the Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Center, located at 22 West Main Street in Meriden.
Donna Sause, founder of The Healing Arts Center of Meriden, formerly a certified massage therapist, and a volunteer Yoga teacher at the Senior Center, will discuss how self massage can treat our aches, pains and stiffness. The benefits of massage will be discussed as well as how Yoga, especially Chair-Yoga, can serve as one form of self-massage.
This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information please call Rita Kowalchik at the Meriden Health Department, 630-4222.
Energy Medicine: What it is and What it Does
Although it has been practiced for thousands of years in other parts of the world, energy medicine is only now beginning, albeit gradually, to become a known reality in this country. What is happening as well, and perhaps what is supporting this awakening, is that the field is becoming progressively more diverse. As with main stream medicine, which has a wide variety of approaches to health care such as family medicine, cardiology, pediatrics, endocrinology, and neurology, energy medicine encompasses a broad spectrum as well.
Within the field of energy medicine, there are practitioners who work solely with the Biofield, a non-specific energetic field which exists in and around the body. (It is through the biofield that we experience those electrical charges which can shock us unexpectedly when we touch something.) The biofield is composed of all the means of energy flow that exist in our system, from every time we move, we breathe, or our heart beats and our organs function. Approaches such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch are examples of those who deal with this larger, less defined or specific expression of energy.
There are also practitioners who focus solely on the Meridians which are lines of energy similar to garden hoses which run throughout our bodies. Many meridians, although certainly not all, are identified with organs. In China and Japan, for example, meridians are considered traditional points of focus in working with one who is ill and in need of balancing or healing. Within this approach to energy medicine, the elements of Fire, Earth, Metal or Air, Water and Wood are considered the basics elements of life and are considered to be reflected in various body parts. From this perspective, the water element of life, for example, is considered to be reflected in the organ pair of Bladder and Kidney. From this pair of organs there are energy lines, or Meridians, that are well-defined and which flow from the head to the foot and back. Because these two organs work as a pair, if one is deficient, the other may be excessive. The objective in working with the meridians or other energy channels is to bring balance first within the pair discussed and then directly or indirectly between each of the pairs and the many other energy flows in the system as well. Research has shown that each of the meridians or channels are reflective of not only physical but also emotional stresses that are impacting the body. Consequently, when we receive Acupuncture (with hair-thin needles) or Acupressure (without needles) the intent is to balance our bodies multi-dimensionally supporting a healthy energetic flow on all levels.
In addition, the Chakras, a Hindu word for other energy centers in the body which are cone or wheel shaped, are another focus of energy flow that particular practitioners focus on. Although there are hundreds of chakras throughout our system, some large and some small, most chakra work focuses on the seven major chakras in our system. They run from the base of the body at the peritoneum, to the crown of the head with pairs that exist between these locations within the abdomen, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, and in the forehead. Each of these chakras feed the organs or systems they are related to and that exist within their physical scope. As with the meridians, these are multi-dimensional realities. Each has unique physical, emotional, and spiritual implications for your system, in a very healthy way if they are working and in a very unhealthy way if they are not. There are practitioners who work solely with this source of energy flows in the system as well. Barbara Brennan as well as others teach this approach to the energy field.
There are numerous books on the market which discuss these various flows in great detail. Carolyn Myss has a book entitled Anatomy of the Spirit which describes some of this work. Anodea Judith has a comprehensive book entitled Eastern Body/Western Mind which discusses the blend of each of these levels of the energy field and how they interact. As you read, you will see that they are all distinct and yet they are all one.
Rather than being a new concept, or something unfamiliar, most of us have already experienced in the energy in our body and yet never identified it as such. We already know how the energy in our body is supposed to feel without even realizing it. This is demonstrated when we sense something is not right yet when we go to the doctor, he/she cannot find anything wrong. It is an example of our own intuition (inner knowing), our own awareness of our body on an energetic level, coming into action. On a deeper level than we are usually conscious of, we sense an imbalance in our body, yet it cannot be detected through
traditional medical tests. That is because all disease and disorder begins on an energetic level. When this sense of imbalance is still solely on an energetic level and is not yet in the physical body, we are aware of it yet it is not yet physically visible by those who have been trained to see it. It is at this initial point that it is the ideal time to deal with the problem with minimal impact on your life. What cannot be detected by an EEG or an EKG for example, can be detected by a well-trained practitioner.
To fully understand this work, the work of Energy Medicine, it is important to know that everything that exists, that we see, sense or feel, is made up of energy. Our physical bodies are simply energy slowed down to a state that creates physical mass. The unique blend of that mass is what creates our individuality. In its natural state, energy is fluid, flowing, and vibrant, the way we feel when we are healthy and well-rested. When it is not, something has gone wrong, minimally or in a major way. When we are sick or have a disease, an energetic block has developed somewhere in the physical body, or the energy flow is minimized or deficient thus, the body is not able to function as it is meant to. Often the energy simply needs to be balanced or a block may need to be released.
Every thought you have ever had is an energetic reality. Every feeling you have ever had is an energetic reality. When you do not deal with these, when you decide that you are not supposed to think or feel “that way” and block it, hold it in, you literally stagnate that energy flow thus creating something similar to an energetic cyst in your system. That cyst can be dissolved with the energy re-assimilated into your system so that things flow freely again. This can be done in working as a generalist with the biofield, or as a specialist in working with the meridians or the chakras. Whether you learn how to release that block yourself or see a practitioner to do it for you, it is extremely beneficial to see someone who can help you understand your own energy patterns and the ways in which you, specifically, hold or utilize your energy.
Energy Medicine is the approach to health care which works on this level. It works with these flows to support health in your body on all levels. The degree to which a practitioner can impact these flows as well as educate you to your own process depends, however, on how well he or she is trained, the depth of their knowledge of the energy flows, their intent, and their ability to see, sense, or intuit what most needs to be done during any particular session.
An Energy Medicine Practitioner assesses the energy flow within and around a person’s physical body to determine where there are any blocks, deficiencies, excesses or stagnations in their energy field. Based on this assessment, a practitioner uses specific techniques to realign and balance the energy field to help restore health and well-being on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Depending upon their training they will work with any of the particular flows listed above. Usually practitioners are trained in only one of the approaches listed above.
However some have trained in one, two, three, or more approaches to the energy field. As stated above, some work with the general energy flows alone, trusting that you will innately know specifically where it needs to be balanced. Others work very specifically following the flows to see the extent to which there is imbalance and will work throughout the level of the system they are trained in, following as your body leads them.
Others, such as those trained in the W.I.S.E. Method™ are trained to work with all levels of energy flow, the biofield, the meridians, and he chakras, and to support you in understanding what is happening for you during those times of onset of a disease or disorder or at the times in which there is an exacerbation, or worsening, of the symptoms. We each have our own vulnerabilities, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and we each have our own patterns of illness, chronic and acute. Understanding how your body responds to stress, allows you to see the patterns you have developed over the years, based on how you hold your energy, how it flows within your body, and how you react or respond to the events of your life. That understanding has an amazing ability to support you in taking your life back and in seeing that your life and your health is far more under your control than you realize. Learning to listen to your body, to be aware of your energy, supports you in going to be tired rather than exhausted. That level of awareness, allows you to notice immediately when something doesn’t feel well. Developing the tools, the life skills, necessary to support your own health, gives you a far greater chance of dealing with issues when they are beginning rather than when you are too weak, frightened, or vulnerable to do so. A comprehensive approach to energy medicine can heal as well as educate. As a form of wholistic health, it deals with the whole person, intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Also, as a form of wholistic health, and a wholistic approach to health, it is an aspect of integrative health working in partnership, rather than competition, with main stream medicine, helping to provide a full approach to health care and education for patients as well as medical practitioners, whatever their training.
Finally, amazingly, this form of healing is a skill we all possess naturally, as embodied souls. Don’t you instinctively, energetically, want to help someone who looks stressed or overwhelmed? Don’t you want to offer tea or a drink to someone who is distraught? If someone is hurt, don’t you instinctively want to touch the wound and sooth it? Isn’t it natural, to wish you could take the pain from someone you love? For some, they have followed that urge, that instinct and taken it to the next level through energy medicine. They have spent a period of time, varying from one day to four years or more in which they have studied to truly understand this work and to have the ability to work in-depth in the healing as well as the education of a client/patient. They recognize the importance of energy medicine in supporting or recreating a natural free-flowing energy pattern within a client/patient’s body that best supports them living their life, fully alive, passionately and vibrantly. It supports living rather than surviving. At its best, it deals with the deepest and most natural connection to the self, making it possible for you to be all that you are called to be.
Dorothy A. Martin-Neville, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, EMP is the founder and CEO of The Institute of Healing Arts and Sciences, Inc. and the creator of The W.I.S.E Method™. She is a Clinical Instructor at The University of Connecticut Medical School. Dr. Martin-Neville has been Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of an NIH funded multi-million dollar Frontier Medicine Grant and has received NIH grant funding to research the W.I.S.E. Method™ with Fibromyalgia patients.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT MIDSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
There are many volunteer opportunities available at at MidState Medical Center. Pastoral Care Services is in need of additional Pastoral Care volunteers who visit with patients and inform them of services that are available at MidState to meet their spiritual need. Clerical volunteers with good computer skills are also needed in many areas of the medical center. There are also several openings for volunteers in the afternoon in various locations throughout the hospital.
If you enjoy meeting and greeting the public, have excellent customer service skills, and can give a few hours of your time just one day a week, please contact Diamond Belejack, Manager of Volunteer Services at 694-8572 or e-mail dbeleja@midstatemedical.org.
MidState Medical Center’s SurgiCenter Best in Connecticut
The latest Press Ganey reports reveal that MidState’s SurgiCenter has been ranked #1 in the state! “In the seven years that we’ve used the survey, this is the first time we have been #1,” noted Gary Burke, CQI Facilitator at MidState. This achievement means that our SurgiCenter has higher patient satisfaction scores than the 20 other hospitals in the state that use the Press Ganey survey.
These gains are attributed to the positive experience patients and their families have while in the Main Galleria, explained Gary. Significant increases were seen related to the area of “information about delays,” and MidState was number one in those related to “information prior to surgery” and “information day of surgery.”
Recommendations from SurgiCenter staff play a huge role in this success. They were responsible for establishing a full-time nurse advocate position to alleviate any communication gaps with families. The nurse advocate, Judy Denya, RN, has had constant interaction with family members waiting in the Galleria, minimizing any information delays and boosting comfort levels.
MS Support Group Platt High School 220 Coe Ave. Meriden, Conn.
The Meriden MS Support Group meets at the Meriden Public Library located at 105 Miller St., in Meriden, Conn., at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month from June to August.
There are more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter offers more than 20 support groups throughout Hartford, Tolland, Windham, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties. These groups bring together people who share a common life experience as it relates to MS and its effects.
For more information, please contact Allison at (203) 230-8672.
For more information on multiple sclerosis and the many ways you can help make a difference, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter at (800) Fight-MS.
Cancer care is only a click away
The Cancer Center at MidState now has its own unique URL on the web. By visiting the new site, you’ll find detailed information on early cancer detection and diagnosis, advanced treatment options, and patient and family support programs. Best of all, everything you need to know can be found in this one convenient location. We are proud of our Cancer Center and its ability to offer our patients comprehensive cancer care close to home. Read about our integrated, patient-focused approach and our efforts in prevention, education, and outreach. Visit us today at www.midstatecancercenter.com.
Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at MidState’s Digestive Health Center is about to get easier for patients this year with the arrival of the Bravo pH Monitoring System, an advanced technology that makes diagnosis more accurate and comfortable.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis for GERD, pH testing of the esophagus is necessary, but many patients avoid testing due to the discomfort of the traditional procedure, in which catheters are inserted through the nose and down the esophagus. The Bravo system is a welcomed alternative that causes patients generally no distress.
Additionally, patients are able to maintain a normal diet and activity level during testing, leading to increased compliance.
“The Bravo system essentially makes testing quicker and easier for patients,” said Gary Cohen, MD, medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center.
David Sack, MD, gastroenterologist, explained the procedure: “A probe is briefly inserted into the esophagus and a small pH capsule is attached to the lining. The capsule then sends back radio signals via a pager-sized receiver worn by the patient. Data from the receiver is uploaded to computer software, which allows us to measure acid exposure in the esophagus and determine if symptoms are due to reflux. The capsule falls off after two or three days, and patients naturally pass it.”
The patient-friendly system allows physicians to monitor pH levels for 48 hours, the preferred time frame for classification of GERD. “About one-third of our patients come to us with upper GI issues. This technology adds to our ability to properly diagnose acid problems.”
This year the Digestive Health Center will also acquire new scopes. Likened to a high-definition television, Dr. Sack said, the new scopes will offer better views of the GI tract: “The wider angle views allow us to do procedures more comfortably and efficiently. They’ll be particularly helpful in recognizing colon polyps and changes related to Barrett’s esophagus. ”
Dr. Cohen agrees, “The new scopes increase sensitivity for the detection of small of lesions.”
For more information on the Digestive Health Center, call 203-694-8585.
Tips to Reduce GERD Symptoms
Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD in adults, and anyone experiencing heartburn more than twice a week may suffer from GERD. Other symptoms include dry cough, asthma-like symptoms, or trouble swallowing.
Medications and lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms. Tips include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating small meals, and avoiding lying down for three hours after a meal.
Common foods to avoid: Citrus fruits, Chocolate, Alcohol, Caffeine, Fried foods, Garlic and onions, Mint flavorings
Spicy foods,Tomato-based foods
If you’ve been using antacids for more than two weeks, it’s time to see your doctor. Contact the Digestive Health Center at MidState Medical Center, 694-8585 for expert, personalized care.
Each year more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but one test can prevent this from happening to you. At age 50, every man and woman at average risk should receive this life saving test, but many people avoid the procedure for fear of pain and discomfort.
Gary Cohen, MD, and medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center, explains that getting a colonoscopy is not as bad as it seems: “Modern methodology makes it a rarity to experience discomfort during a colonoscopy. People say the worst part is the preparation, but that’s something we have to do. At the most, getting a colonoscopy results in an evening spent at home from the frequent trips to the bathroom.”
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening, and it cannot only detect cancer early, but prevent the occurrence of it altogether. Dr. Cohen stressed, “It’s essentially one stop shopping because if we find potentially precancerous growths, they can be removed immediately.”
Unless your risk is high due to family history or other factors, patients with a first-time negative diagnosis will not need to undergo another colonscopy for ten years. A half-hour procedure seems a small commitment for a lifetime of good health.
Health Notes
MidState Ready
MidState Medical Center takes emergency preparedness seriously and thinks you should too. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a potential disaster is organize an emergency supply kit. The United States Department of Homeland Security suggests that there be three days worth of supplies in your kit.
Some basic items for a kit include one gallon of water per person for each day (drinking and sanitation), non-perishable food and can opener, battery-powered or hand crank radio, flashlight and extra batteries, first-aid kit, whistle to signal for help, dusk mask to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter-in-place, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and local maps.
To learn more, visit MidState Ready at www.midstatemedical.org.
Blood Pressure Basics
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. Ideal blood pressure should be below 140/90. If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can damage your blood vessels without you knowing or feeling it. Damaged blood vessels can lead to heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
Tips on how to lower high blood pressure:
Quit smoking
Lose weight—it is the best way to lower blood pressure
Make dietary changes by eating more fruits and veggies
Cut back on salt. Use spices, herbs, or lemon to flavor foods.
Limit alcohol intake
Take blood pressure pills when prescribed by your health care provider
Registered dieticians at MidState Medical Center can help you lower your blood pressure by working with you to customize a meal plan that best meets your needs. To schedule an appointment, call 694-8782.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, treatable lung disease that affects the air passages and makes breathing difficult. About 12 million Americans have it, and another 12 million may have COPD and not know it. Certain conditions raise the likelihood of getting COPD, such as:
Being a current or former smoker
Long term or heavy exposure to dusts, fumes, or chemicals that irritate the lungs
A genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Early detection and treatment can slow the progress of the disease and improve quality of life. Spirometry is one of the best and most common lung function tests. The test is done with a spirometer, a machine that measures how well your lungs function, records the results, and displays them on a graph for your doctor. Your doctor will read the results to assess how well your lungs are working and whether or not you have COPD.
Breast Cancer Awareness
American Cancer Society research published in The John Hopkins Medical Letter suggests that women with a high lifetime risk for breast cancer should get an annual MRI in addition to a mammogram.
Factors that increase risk include:
Strong family history, particularly a mother or sister with the disease
Mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Parent, child, or sibling with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Hormonal, menstrual and childbirth histories
Results of a prior biopsy may suggest a higher risk
Radiation treatment to the chest for Hodgkin’s disease between the ages 10 and 30
Call 203-694-8984 to schedule your annual MRI at MidState.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is marked by impaired blood flow from the heart to the extremities’ muscles and organs. Arteries narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits (artherosclerosis) is the most prevalent cause of PAD. Pains in the thigh or calf are common symptoms and occur because the working muscles need more blood. Risk factors for PAD include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and older age. However in many instances, it can be treated successfully.
Using Medications Correctly
Experts report that 50% of all patients make potentially dangerous mistakes when taking their medications. Here are some tips to follow. Keep track of the names (both generic and brand names) and dosages of any medications you take. If you need large print directions, ask. If the directions are confusing, ask your doctor or pharmacist for an explanation. Even if you don’t receive special instructions, avoid common medicine mistakes like crushing or chewing medications without checking with your doctor or measuring doses with a kitchen spoon instead of a measuring spoon. Ask about the potential for drug interactions. Even a glass of grapefruit juice can hinder the effectiveness of certain medication. Keep on the directed dosage schedule for best results.
MidState Medical Center offers wallet medication cards to help patients and community members track their medication use and dosage. Information regarding immunizations, doctors, allergies, and pharmacies can also be tracked. Call 203-694-8733 for a wallet medication card or visit our Web site at http://www.midstatemedical.org/HealthInformation/Medication.sdpx to print one at home.
Focus, Winter 2008
Digestive Health
Head: Diagnosing GERD just got easier
Body: Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at MidState’s Digestive Health Center is about to get easier for patients this year with the arrival of the Bravo pH Monitoring System, an advanced technology that makes diagnosis more accurate and comfortable.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis for GERD, pH testing of the esophagus is necessary, but many patients avoid testing due to the discomfort of the traditional procedure, in which catheters are inserted through the nose and down the esophagus. The Bravo system is a welcomed alternative that causes patients generally no distress.
Additionally, patients are able to maintain a normal diet and activity level during testing, leading to increased compliance.
“The Bravo system essentially makes testing quicker and easier for patients,” said Gary Cohen, MD, medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center.
David Sack, MD, gastroenterologist, explained the procedure: “A probe is briefly inserted into the esophagus and a small pH capsule is attached to the lining. The capsule then sends back radio signals via a pager-sized receiver worn by the patient. Data from the receiver is uploaded to computer software, which allows us to measure acid exposure in the esophagus and determine if symptoms are due to reflux. The capsule falls off after two or three days, and patients naturally pass it.”
The patient-friendly system allows physicians to monitor pH levels for 48 hours, the preferred time frame for classification of GERD. “About one-third of our patients come to us with upper GI issues. This technology adds to our ability to properly diagnose acid problems.”
This year the Digestive Health Center will also acquire new scopes. Likened to a high-definition television, Dr. Sack said, the new scopes will offer better views of the GI tract: “The wider angle views allow us to do procedures more comfortably and efficiently. They’ll be particularly helpful in recognizing colon polyps and changes related to Barrett’s esophagus. ”
Dr. Cohen agrees, “The new scopes increase sensitivity for the detection of small of lesions.”
For more information on the Digestive Health Center, call 203-694-8585.
You Can Find Comprehensive Cancer Information All In One Place
The Cancer Center at MidState now has its own unique URL on the Internet. By visiting the new site, you’ll find detailed information on early cancer detection and diagnosis, advanced treatment options, and patient and family support programs. Everything you need to know can be found in this one convenient location. We encourage you to visit the site and read about our integrated, patient-focused approach and our efforts in prevention, education, and outreach. Visit us today at www.midstatecancercenter.com.
Find MidState Medical Center in Your Community
MidState Medical Center has offices in Meriden, Cheshire, Wallingford, and Southington to make access to quality health care convenient for our patients. Below are our locations:
MediQuick in Meriden
Part of MidState’s Emergency Services, MediQuick is a walk-in center able to care for minor illnesses and injuries such as sore throat, earache, sinus pain, minor burns, rashes, back pain, the flu or a minor sports injury. In most cases, you can be treated by a doctor and be on your way in less than 35 minutes.
MediQuick is located at 883 Paddock Avenue. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, except for holidays. Call 203-630-5290.
MidState Medical Group Walk-In Center in Wallingford The MidState Medical Group Walk-In Center offers treatment for a wide range of conditions and illnesses: colds and sore throats, sinus pain and headaches, earaches and fevers, cuts and bruises, muscular aches and pains, sprains and minor fractures, rashes and minor burns, and other conditions. In addition to meeting minor urgent care needs, services include continuing care of chronic diseases, complete annual physicals, pre-operative physicals, and school/camp/sports physicals. Naturally, if you have a major medical emergency, we recommend that you seek treatment at the MidState Medical Center Emergency Department.
The Walk-In Center is conveniently located at 60 Church Street in Wallingford. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday. Call 203-284-9099.
MidState Medical Group in Southington
Located at 51 North Main Street, James Seely, MD, and Christina Plantier, PA, provide medical oversight at our Southington office. New patients are welcome and most insurance is accepted. To schedule an appointment, call 860-621-6704.
Diagnostic & Specialty Center of Cheshire Our Diagnostic & Specialty Center is located at 680 South Main Street.
Diagnostic & Specialty Center of Southington
Our Diagnostic & Specialty Center is located at 991 South Main Street.
MidState VNA & Hospice MidState VNA & Hospice offers comprehensive services in homecare, community health, and end-of-life care. Call 203-235-5714 for more information.
Open MRI Makes Diagnosis Comfortable and Efficient
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the head and body. Doctors use these detailed, clear images to identify and diagnose a wide range of conditions:
Brain tumors, strokes and chronic disorders of the nervous system
Brain abnormalities in people with dementia
Diseases of the pituitary gland
Eye or inner ear tissue abnormalities
Damage caused by heart attack or heart disease
Blood vessel plaques and blockages
Bone and joint damage
Bone and joint infections, injuries, degenerative disorders and tumors
Tumors and functional disorders in organs such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidney and spleen
Breast cancer
Reproductive system and bladder problems
Currently, MidState is utilizing an open MRI machine—a new state-of-the-art piece of equipment that make diagnosis faster, more comfortable, and more accurate than traditional MRI technology. What does this mean for our patients? It means they never have to second-guess the quality of their care.
Whereas many dated MRI machines are cramped and make for an uncomfortable procedure, our new advanced mobile open MRI machine can accommodate patients of all shapes and sizes while eliminating the fear of tight spaces and enhancing overall patient comfort.
Acquired last June, the open MRI provides patients with nearly one foot of surrounding free space without comprising image quality. Now a patient up to 550 pounds can receive an MRI that produces clear and detailed images comparable to machines with narrower openings.
In addition to the added accuracy and comfort, MidState’s new open MRI also increases patient convenience. Unlike traditional open MRI machines, our high-field strength open MRI can produce images in 15-20 minutes, not one hour.
The open MRI also becomes a timesaver when considering that some claustrophobic patients need to be sedated for the procedure. An estimated 20% of patients undergoing an MRI deal with some level of discomfort during the scan, and an additional 10% cannot proceed with the MRI due to extreme fear. The open MRI can eliminate the fear of closed-in spaces and the inconvenience associated with sedation, resulting in a faster procedure time for the patient.
Take control with help from MidState’s Spine & Pain Institute
When pain moves into your life, it changes everything. It may be pain in your neck, your back, or anywhere in your body. The fact is that if you suffer from chronic pain, it affects every aspect of your life. The professionals at the MidState Spine and Pain Institute are here to provide you with the treatment needed to minimize the impact of your pain. Using an interdisciplinary approach, as well as the most advanced medical therapies available, our team has the experience and skill to diagnose your condition and provide a goal-oriented treatment program that will help you enjoy a better quality of life. If pain has compromised your life, we offer comfort, relief, and control.
The specialists at MidState’s Spine and Pain Institute are experienced in the treatment of all forms of pain: back and neck pain (including sciatica, spinal stenosis, failed back surgery, arthritic conditions, pinched nerves, muscle spasms), work injuries, cancer pain, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), nerve injury pain, and joint pain, as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions.
Treatment at the Spine and Pain Institute can include a wide range of medical, psychological, and rehabilitative services:
Functional/work restoration
Physical therapy
Pharmacologic consulting
Diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks
Trigger point/muscle relaxant injections
Epidural steroid injection
Diagnostic discography
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy
Cryotherapy (freezing) treatment
Pain management coping skills
Relaxation Techniques
Muscle biofeedback
Our interdisciplinary team consists of physicians, RNs, psychologists, and physical therapists who will join forces to develop an effective plan of treatment specifically designed for your condition.
Most insurance carriers cover services at the Spine and Pain Institute. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 203-694-8414.
Focus, Winter 2008
Spine & Pain
Head: For some people living with chronic pain, the click of a remote can offer relief
Body: Each and every day, more than 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. That’s more than the number of people affected by diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. What’s even more astounding is the impact of pain on everyday living—people’s ability to walk, work, and do the things they love.
When conservative therapies fail to alleviate pain, technology offered at MidState’s Spine & Pain Institute can help. One of the most advanced interventional treatment options available is a spinal cord stimulator, and it can offer a 50 – 75% reduction in pain, when given to the right candidates.
The device works by using a needle to position electrodes along the spine, which according to Dean Mariano, DO, disrupts the pain signals in the body and replaces it with a more tolerable tingling or massage sensation. A remote control is used to adjust the strength of sensations felt, in essence creating bionic characteristics among its users.
The battery implanted in the body runs like a pacemaker, said Dr. Mariano, and produces no side affects other than reduced pain. It is even rechargeable and every nine years, a pad placed over the skin can give it new life.
Patients interested in spinal cord stimulators must undergo a rigorous assessment to determine if the treatment is right for them, and if it is, they can essentially “try it before they buy it” during a trial process that lasts 4-5 days. This non-invasive procedure does not involve implantation, but an epidural and a battery worn externally. If patients feel the stimulator is offering relief, they can move forward with the surgical procedure within a month.
The use of spinal cord stimulators has not always been this robust. Dr. Mariano explained, “The device has been around for more than 20 years, but in the last five, we are expanding its indications for conditions like low back pain, nerve pain in the arms and legs, and pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.”
“Patients will never be pain free,” noted Dr. Mariano, “but we see success rates in the 80-90 percentiles with the right candidates. They will notice an overall long-term pain reduction and an improved quality of life that allows them increased functional capabilities.”
The key to success with the device is establishing goals for sustained pain control. Patients with implanted spinal cord stimulators will be unable to participate in high impact sports, but they can maintain a normal life with realistic goals. According to Dr. Mariano, “People can do things they enjoy, things like spending time with their grandkids.”
Medical Transportation for Meriden Seniors
The City of Meriden Advisory Board on Aging is currently publicizing transportation resources for Meriden senior citizens who are going to medical appointments. Information is being sent to medical offices, churches and other common community organizations. The Board has identified the following medical transportation options for Meriden seniors. You may wish to clip this article to keep for future reference. Please call the number(s) listed for the service you desire.
1. Meriden Senior Citizens Center (237-3338). Transportation for Meriden residents aged 55 and over to medical appointments in Meriden. 24-hour advance notice required. Funded by the City of Meriden, the Agency on Aging of South Central CT and the CT Dept. of Transportation. No fee for the service, contributions accepted.
2. American Red Cross, Wallingford/Meriden branch (265-6721). Transportation to out-of-town (outside Meriden) medical appointments. One week advance notice requested. Partially funded by grants from the Agency on Aging of South Central CT and United Way of Meriden and Wallingford. No fee, contributions accepted.
3. Northeast Transportation Co. (ADA Paratransit Program) (1-800-441-8901). Transportation to medical appointments in Meriden and Wallingford. Riders must complete an application to verify that a disability makes it difficult to use the fixed bus route. Fee charged.
4. American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345). Volunteer drivers provide transportation for cancer patients to medical appointments. Three business days advance notice is requested.
5. Meriden Transit District (235-6851). Fixed route local bus service in Meriden with connections to Wallingford, Middletown, New Britain and New Haven. Special fare for senior citizens aged 65 and over with Medicare card or Transit ID card.
The Meriden Advisory Board on Aging meets monthly at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main St., Meriden. Please call the Center at 237-0066 for questions about the Board's activities.
A new state-of-the-art Digital Mobile Mammography Van has arrived at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The Digital Mobile Mammography Van provides women over 40 with the convenience of rapid diagnosis and access to the most up-to-date technology thereby making it easier for working women to obtain their annual screening exams. YNHH’s expert mammography technologists deliver personal, friendly and confidential care to every woman. Call (203) 688-6800 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The van will be at the following locations from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM on the following dates. Please call 688-6800 to schedule an appointment.
Wallingford YMCA 815 Elm St, Wallingford February 29 and Wallingford VNA 135 North Plain Industrial Rd, Wallingford March 26
Connecticut’s Ambition to Advance Our Health Care System!
More and more Americans are frustrated to know that our health care system is broken, yes broken. We are all at risk for losing health insurance because of the high cost of health care. Americans pay $15 billion in taxes to help care for the insured. It is even more surprising that we are the richest country in the world without Universal Health care coverage. Almost every major developed country provides health insurance to all of their people and no one in an advanced country like ours should have to ever be put in a position where they have to choose between health care insurance and providing food and shelter to their families. This debate is happening in our own hometown, and at the highest levels of national politics.
There are many unforeseen circumstances that people and families are facing due to the rapidly changing economy. Job turnover is at an all time high, which means that all of us are just one pink slip away from being uninsured and risking financial catastrophe. There are students graduating from college and are no longer covered under their parents’ health care plan and are left without any health care coverage. There are over 400,000 residents in Connecticut (including 4,000 here in Meriden) that are uninsured and it is the working class most affected. Because of the high costs of health care, hard working, dedicated individuals and families lack the preventative care that they deserve. They cannot afford to visit a doctor when sick and skip the necessary testing or treatment. Sometimes people can not fill the necessary prescriptions when diagnosed with a disease, infection or life threatening disease.
Working with the Meriden population through the Universal Health Care Foundation and Meriden Children First Initiative has opened my eyes. I have seen how everyone is affected by our health care system and how quickly your life can change at any given moment due to unpredictable circumstances. I have spoken to families who have the best insurance policies, but when their children go off to college, they are no longer covered under their parent’s health care plan. There are situations where people are diagnosed with a disease, illness or a medical emergency and simply cannot afford to pay co-pays, prescriptions, or emergency visits. This strain often leads to depression, the leading cause of disability. There are many families from Meriden that are in debt because of these conditions. They never thought this could possibly happen to them. They have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars, and in many cases, have already lost their homes. It is a problem in our society when people are put in a position of having to choose between putting food on the table for their family or getting the medical attention they need. There are people who have been laid off or put out of work due to a medical condition for which they can’t afford treatment. This affects the prosperity of our entire community.
The Universal Healthcare Foundation, based right here in Meriden, is in support of a health care model based on the Institute of Medicine Principles: quality health care, affordable, available to everyone, and sustainable in the long term for employers, families, health care providers, institutions, and for the state government itself. If we use the vast amounts of money in our system more effectively, we can achieve high quality affordable health care coverage for everyone.
It is our shared responsibility to make sure that every American has the security in being able to provide the human right of quality health care access in order to take care of themselves and their families. The uninsured and underinsured population is growing rapidly and we have the ability to change our system and achieve health care coverage for everyone in our state, Connecticut.
In closing, ask yourself this question: Do you and those you love deserve quality and affordable health care coverage? Join our campaign to sign up 1000 Meriden people as health care champions by the end of the year. You will have the opportunity to support and take action in promoting meaningful health care reform. As a Healthcare Champion, you will also be invited to public forums, rallies, and meetings with our Legislators. The goal is to build public support and we need you to take a stand for you and all Connecticut families that deserve access to quality, affordable health care!
We need your help. The city of Meriden was the first city in Connecticut to pass a resolution supporting Universal Health Care. Now it is time that each of you takes a stand to make sure that Universal Health Care for everyone is adopted for everyone in Connecticut. We need you to pledge your support by simply filling out the form below and mailing it to Meriden Children First Initiative at: 105 Miller Street, Meriden, CT 06450 or emailing:
Marissa Cardona 815-5680 cardonm@cox.net
Shirleen Mitchell 815-0355 shirlmitch@cox.net
Barbara Cockfield 815-5758 jaxsonian@sbcglobal.net
For more information on the campaign: www.healthcare4every1.org
Marissa Cardona
Community Organizer
healthcare4every1 Campaign
(203) 815-5680
cardonm@cox.net
Meriden Movers – A Community Walking Program Starting in March
Spring is almost here - are you ready to get fit? If so, do the “local” motion and join Meriden Movers!
The Meriden Health Department will be starting the spring session of Meriden Movers, a community walking program, on March 31, 2008. Those who live and/or work in Meriden are encouraged to enroll in the program for better health. Program participants will receive:
A pedometer and walking log to track their steps.
A t-shirt half-way through the program.
Free health screenings to track your progress (must enroll by March 31 in order to receive health screenings).
A weekly motivational e-newsletter with walking tips and healthy recipes.
Pedometers and t-shirts are limited to the first 100 people to register.
Walking teams are highly encouraged. Registration starts March 17. Registration forms and information on the program can be found on the Meriden Health Department website, www.meridenhealth.com, or by calling Lea Crown, Health Educator, at 630-4238, or by email at lcrown@ci.meriden.ct.us.
Walk for health – every step counts! Over 130 people signed up for this program in the fall of 2007, and collectively walked over 5 million steps. Meriden Movers is funded through the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford venture grant program.
Health Department to Present 10,000 Steps to Better Health
The Meriden Health Department will be hosting a presentation on why you should walk 10,000 steps a day for better health. The presentation will be held on March 25, 2008, at the Meriden Public Library, located at 105 Miller Street. The event will be held from 6:00-7:00pm.
Topics will include the benefits of physical activity, how to start a walking program, and how many steps you need to take to burn off your favorite foods. The first 40 people to register for the event will receive a free pedometer and walking log to help monitor their success in achieving 10,000 steps a day. Healthy snacks will be served. Registration for Meriden Movers, the community walking program, will also be held during the event.
This event is free and open to the public; however seats are limited. To register, please call Lea Crown, Community Health Educator, at 630-4238.
National Nutrition Month Serving Size Quiz
Many of us hope that a serving size of our favorite food is the size of a basketball – but unfortunately that is not the case. In fact, most recommended serving sizes of our favorite foods are much, much smaller than what we normally eat.
The Meriden Health Department, in honor of National Nutrition Month, would like to test your knowledge of serving sizes. Americans are eating 200 calories more a day today than 20 years ago – which is a big contributor to our expanding waistlines. By measuring our food portions we can control the amount of calories we eat, which can help manage our weight and improve our overall health. For more information on serving sizes, please contact the Community Health Education office at 630-4238.
QUIZ:
1. A serving size of cooked macaroni is the size of a:
a. Baseball
b. Golf ball
c. Cereal bowl
2. A serving size of fruit juice is:
a. 12 ounces
b. 20 ounces
c. 6 ounces
3. Three ounces of beef, a serving’s worth, looks like a:
a. TV Guide
b. Compact disk (CD)
c. The palm of your hand
4. A serving size of ice cream is:
a. 1 cup
b. The whole carton
c. One-half of a cup
5. A serving size of mashed potatoes is the size of a:
a. Golf ball
b. Baseball
c. Basket ball
ANSWERS:
1. B – golf ball
2. C - 6 ounces
3. C – the palm of your hand
4. C – one half of a cup
5. A - golf ball.
Time to Relax - Learn Self Massage
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring a presentation titled “Self Massage” on March 18, 2008. The presentation will be held from 10:30-11:30am in the mezzanine of the Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Center, located at 22 West Main Street in Meriden.
Donna Sause, founder of The Healing Arts Center of Meriden, formerly a certified massage therapist, and a volunteer Yoga teacher at the Senior Center, will discuss how self massage can treat our aches, pains and stiffness. The benefits of massage will be discussed as well as how Yoga, especially Chair-Yoga, can serve as one form of self-massage.
This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information please call Rita Kowalchik at the Meriden Health Department, 630-4222.
Energy Medicine: What it is and What it Does
Although it has been practiced for thousands of years in other parts of the world, energy medicine is only now beginning, albeit gradually, to become a known reality in this country. What is happening as well, and perhaps what is supporting this awakening, is that the field is becoming progressively more diverse. As with main stream medicine, which has a wide variety of approaches to health care such as family medicine, cardiology, pediatrics, endocrinology, and neurology, energy medicine encompasses a broad spectrum as well.
Within the field of energy medicine, there are practitioners who work solely with the Biofield, a non-specific energetic field which exists in and around the body. (It is through the biofield that we experience those electrical charges which can shock us unexpectedly when we touch something.) The biofield is composed of all the means of energy flow that exist in our system, from every time we move, we breathe, or our heart beats and our organs function. Approaches such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch are examples of those who deal with this larger, less defined or specific expression of energy.
There are also practitioners who focus solely on the Meridians which are lines of energy similar to garden hoses which run throughout our bodies. Many meridians, although certainly not all, are identified with organs. In China and Japan, for example, meridians are considered traditional points of focus in working with one who is ill and in need of balancing or healing. Within this approach to energy medicine, the elements of Fire, Earth, Metal or Air, Water and Wood are considered the basics elements of life and are considered to be reflected in various body parts. From this perspective, the water element of life, for example, is considered to be reflected in the organ pair of Bladder and Kidney. From this pair of organs there are energy lines, or Meridians, that are well-defined and which flow from the head to the foot and back. Because these two organs work as a pair, if one is deficient, the other may be excessive. The objective in working with the meridians or other energy channels is to bring balance first within the pair discussed and then directly or indirectly between each of the pairs and the many other energy flows in the system as well. Research has shown that each of the meridians or channels are reflective of not only physical but also emotional stresses that are impacting the body. Consequently, when we receive Acupuncture (with hair-thin needles) or Acupressure (without needles) the intent is to balance our bodies multi-dimensionally supporting a healthy energetic flow on all levels.
In addition, the Chakras, a Hindu word for other energy centers in the body which are cone or wheel shaped, are another focus of energy flow that particular practitioners focus on. Although there are hundreds of chakras throughout our system, some large and some small, most chakra work focuses on the seven major chakras in our system. They run from the base of the body at the peritoneum, to the crown of the head with pairs that exist between these locations within the abdomen, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, and in the forehead. Each of these chakras feed the organs or systems they are related to and that exist within their physical scope. As with the meridians, these are multi-dimensional realities. Each has unique physical, emotional, and spiritual implications for your system, in a very healthy way if they are working and in a very unhealthy way if they are not. There are practitioners who work solely with this source of energy flows in the system as well. Barbara Brennan as well as others teach this approach to the energy field.
There are numerous books on the market which discuss these various flows in great detail. Carolyn Myss has a book entitled Anatomy of the Spirit which describes some of this work. Anodea Judith has a comprehensive book entitled Eastern Body/Western Mind which discusses the blend of each of these levels of the energy field and how they interact. As you read, you will see that they are all distinct and yet they are all one.
Rather than being a new concept, or something unfamiliar, most of us have already experienced in the energy in our body and yet never identified it as such. We already know how the energy in our body is supposed to feel without even realizing it. This is demonstrated when we sense something is not right yet when we go to the doctor, he/she cannot find anything wrong. It is an example of our own intuition (inner knowing), our own awareness of our body on an energetic level, coming into action. On a deeper level than we are usually conscious of, we sense an imbalance in our body, yet it cannot be detected through
traditional medical tests. That is because all disease and disorder begins on an energetic level. When this sense of imbalance is still solely on an energetic level and is not yet in the physical body, we are aware of it yet it is not yet physically visible by those who have been trained to see it. It is at this initial point that it is the ideal time to deal with the problem with minimal impact on your life. What cannot be detected by an EEG or an EKG for example, can be detected by a well-trained practitioner.
To fully understand this work, the work of Energy Medicine, it is important to know that everything that exists, that we see, sense or feel, is made up of energy. Our physical bodies are simply energy slowed down to a state that creates physical mass. The unique blend of that mass is what creates our individuality. In its natural state, energy is fluid, flowing, and vibrant, the way we feel when we are healthy and well-rested. When it is not, something has gone wrong, minimally or in a major way. When we are sick or have a disease, an energetic block has developed somewhere in the physical body, or the energy flow is minimized or deficient thus, the body is not able to function as it is meant to. Often the energy simply needs to be balanced or a block may need to be released.
Every thought you have ever had is an energetic reality. Every feeling you have ever had is an energetic reality. When you do not deal with these, when you decide that you are not supposed to think or feel “that way” and block it, hold it in, you literally stagnate that energy flow thus creating something similar to an energetic cyst in your system. That cyst can be dissolved with the energy re-assimilated into your system so that things flow freely again. This can be done in working as a generalist with the biofield, or as a specialist in working with the meridians or the chakras. Whether you learn how to release that block yourself or see a practitioner to do it for you, it is extremely beneficial to see someone who can help you understand your own energy patterns and the ways in which you, specifically, hold or utilize your energy.
Energy Medicine is the approach to health care which works on this level. It works with these flows to support health in your body on all levels. The degree to which a practitioner can impact these flows as well as educate you to your own process depends, however, on how well he or she is trained, the depth of their knowledge of the energy flows, their intent, and their ability to see, sense, or intuit what most needs to be done during any particular session.
An Energy Medicine Practitioner assesses the energy flow within and around a person’s physical body to determine where there are any blocks, deficiencies, excesses or stagnations in their energy field. Based on this assessment, a practitioner uses specific techniques to realign and balance the energy field to help restore health and well-being on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Depending upon their training they will work with any of the particular flows listed above. Usually practitioners are trained in only one of the approaches listed above.
However some have trained in one, two, three, or more approaches to the energy field. As stated above, some work with the general energy flows alone, trusting that you will innately know specifically where it needs to be balanced. Others work very specifically following the flows to see the extent to which there is imbalance and will work throughout the level of the system they are trained in, following as your body leads them.
Others, such as those trained in the W.I.S.E. Method™ are trained to work with all levels of energy flow, the biofield, the meridians, and he chakras, and to support you in understanding what is happening for you during those times of onset of a disease or disorder or at the times in which there is an exacerbation, or worsening, of the symptoms. We each have our own vulnerabilities, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and we each have our own patterns of illness, chronic and acute. Understanding how your body responds to stress, allows you to see the patterns you have developed over the years, based on how you hold your energy, how it flows within your body, and how you react or respond to the events of your life. That understanding has an amazing ability to support you in taking your life back and in seeing that your life and your health is far more under your control than you realize. Learning to listen to your body, to be aware of your energy, supports you in going to be tired rather than exhausted. That level of awareness, allows you to notice immediately when something doesn’t feel well. Developing the tools, the life skills, necessary to support your own health, gives you a far greater chance of dealing with issues when they are beginning rather than when you are too weak, frightened, or vulnerable to do so. A comprehensive approach to energy medicine can heal as well as educate. As a form of wholistic health, it deals with the whole person, intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Also, as a form of wholistic health, and a wholistic approach to health, it is an aspect of integrative health working in partnership, rather than competition, with main stream medicine, helping to provide a full approach to health care and education for patients as well as medical practitioners, whatever their training.
Finally, amazingly, this form of healing is a skill we all possess naturally, as embodied souls. Don’t you instinctively, energetically, want to help someone who looks stressed or overwhelmed? Don’t you want to offer tea or a drink to someone who is distraught? If someone is hurt, don’t you instinctively want to touch the wound and sooth it? Isn’t it natural, to wish you could take the pain from someone you love? For some, they have followed that urge, that instinct and taken it to the next level through energy medicine. They have spent a period of time, varying from one day to four years or more in which they have studied to truly understand this work and to have the ability to work in-depth in the healing as well as the education of a client/patient. They recognize the importance of energy medicine in supporting or recreating a natural free-flowing energy pattern within a client/patient’s body that best supports them living their life, fully alive, passionately and vibrantly. It supports living rather than surviving. At its best, it deals with the deepest and most natural connection to the self, making it possible for you to be all that you are called to be.
Dorothy A. Martin-Neville, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, EMP is the founder and CEO of The Institute of Healing Arts and Sciences, Inc. and the creator of The W.I.S.E Method™. She is a Clinical Instructor at The University of Connecticut Medical School. Dr. Martin-Neville has been Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of an NIH funded multi-million dollar Frontier Medicine Grant and has received NIH grant funding to research the W.I.S.E. Method™ with Fibromyalgia patients.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT MIDSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
There are many volunteer opportunities available at at MidState Medical Center. Pastoral Care Services is in need of additional Pastoral Care volunteers who visit with patients and inform them of services that are available at MidState to meet their spiritual need. Clerical volunteers with good computer skills are also needed in many areas of the medical center. There are also several openings for volunteers in the afternoon in various locations throughout the hospital.
If you enjoy meeting and greeting the public, have excellent customer service skills, and can give a few hours of your time just one day a week, please contact Diamond Belejack, Manager of Volunteer Services at 694-8572 or e-mail dbeleja@midstatemedical.org.
MidState Medical Center’s SurgiCenter Best in Connecticut
The latest Press Ganey reports reveal that MidState’s SurgiCenter has been ranked #1 in the state! “In the seven years that we’ve used the survey, this is the first time we have been #1,” noted Gary Burke, CQI Facilitator at MidState. This achievement means that our SurgiCenter has higher patient satisfaction scores than the 20 other hospitals in the state that use the Press Ganey survey.
These gains are attributed to the positive experience patients and their families have while in the Main Galleria, explained Gary. Significant increases were seen related to the area of “information about delays,” and MidState was number one in those related to “information prior to surgery” and “information day of surgery.”
Recommendations from SurgiCenter staff play a huge role in this success. They were responsible for establishing a full-time nurse advocate position to alleviate any communication gaps with families. The nurse advocate, Judy Denya, RN, has had constant interaction with family members waiting in the Galleria, minimizing any information delays and boosting comfort levels.
MS Support Group Platt High School 220 Coe Ave. Meriden, Conn.
The Meriden MS Support Group meets at the Meriden Public Library located at 105 Miller St., in Meriden, Conn., at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month from June to August.
There are more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an oftentimes debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter offers more than 20 support groups throughout Hartford, Tolland, Windham, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties. These groups bring together people who share a common life experience as it relates to MS and its effects.
For more information, please contact Allison at (203) 230-8672.
For more information on multiple sclerosis and the many ways you can help make a difference, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org or call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter at (800) Fight-MS.
Cancer care is only a click away
The Cancer Center at MidState now has its own unique URL on the web. By visiting the new site, you’ll find detailed information on early cancer detection and diagnosis, advanced treatment options, and patient and family support programs. Best of all, everything you need to know can be found in this one convenient location. We are proud of our Cancer Center and its ability to offer our patients comprehensive cancer care close to home. Read about our integrated, patient-focused approach and our efforts in prevention, education, and outreach. Visit us today at www.midstatecancercenter.com.
Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at MidState’s Digestive Health Center is about to get easier for patients this year with the arrival of the Bravo pH Monitoring System, an advanced technology that makes diagnosis more accurate and comfortable.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis for GERD, pH testing of the esophagus is necessary, but many patients avoid testing due to the discomfort of the traditional procedure, in which catheters are inserted through the nose and down the esophagus. The Bravo system is a welcomed alternative that causes patients generally no distress.
Additionally, patients are able to maintain a normal diet and activity level during testing, leading to increased compliance.
“The Bravo system essentially makes testing quicker and easier for patients,” said Gary Cohen, MD, medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center.
David Sack, MD, gastroenterologist, explained the procedure: “A probe is briefly inserted into the esophagus and a small pH capsule is attached to the lining. The capsule then sends back radio signals via a pager-sized receiver worn by the patient. Data from the receiver is uploaded to computer software, which allows us to measure acid exposure in the esophagus and determine if symptoms are due to reflux. The capsule falls off after two or three days, and patients naturally pass it.”
The patient-friendly system allows physicians to monitor pH levels for 48 hours, the preferred time frame for classification of GERD. “About one-third of our patients come to us with upper GI issues. This technology adds to our ability to properly diagnose acid problems.”
This year the Digestive Health Center will also acquire new scopes. Likened to a high-definition television, Dr. Sack said, the new scopes will offer better views of the GI tract: “The wider angle views allow us to do procedures more comfortably and efficiently. They’ll be particularly helpful in recognizing colon polyps and changes related to Barrett’s esophagus. ”
Dr. Cohen agrees, “The new scopes increase sensitivity for the detection of small of lesions.”
For more information on the Digestive Health Center, call 203-694-8585.
Tips to Reduce GERD Symptoms
Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD in adults, and anyone experiencing heartburn more than twice a week may suffer from GERD. Other symptoms include dry cough, asthma-like symptoms, or trouble swallowing.
Medications and lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms. Tips include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating small meals, and avoiding lying down for three hours after a meal.
Common foods to avoid: Citrus fruits, Chocolate, Alcohol, Caffeine, Fried foods, Garlic and onions, Mint flavorings
Spicy foods,Tomato-based foods
If you’ve been using antacids for more than two weeks, it’s time to see your doctor. Contact the Digestive Health Center at MidState Medical Center, 694-8585 for expert, personalized care.
Each year more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but one test can prevent this from happening to you. At age 50, every man and woman at average risk should receive this life saving test, but many people avoid the procedure for fear of pain and discomfort.
Gary Cohen, MD, and medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center, explains that getting a colonoscopy is not as bad as it seems: “Modern methodology makes it a rarity to experience discomfort during a colonoscopy. People say the worst part is the preparation, but that’s something we have to do. At the most, getting a colonoscopy results in an evening spent at home from the frequent trips to the bathroom.”
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening, and it cannot only detect cancer early, but prevent the occurrence of it altogether. Dr. Cohen stressed, “It’s essentially one stop shopping because if we find potentially precancerous growths, they can be removed immediately.”
Unless your risk is high due to family history or other factors, patients with a first-time negative diagnosis will not need to undergo another colonscopy for ten years. A half-hour procedure seems a small commitment for a lifetime of good health.
Health Notes
MidState Ready
MidState Medical Center takes emergency preparedness seriously and thinks you should too. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a potential disaster is organize an emergency supply kit. The United States Department of Homeland Security suggests that there be three days worth of supplies in your kit.
Some basic items for a kit include one gallon of water per person for each day (drinking and sanitation), non-perishable food and can opener, battery-powered or hand crank radio, flashlight and extra batteries, first-aid kit, whistle to signal for help, dusk mask to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter-in-place, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and local maps.
To learn more, visit MidState Ready at www.midstatemedical.org.
Blood Pressure Basics
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. Ideal blood pressure should be below 140/90. If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can damage your blood vessels without you knowing or feeling it. Damaged blood vessels can lead to heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
Tips on how to lower high blood pressure:
Quit smoking
Lose weight—it is the best way to lower blood pressure
Make dietary changes by eating more fruits and veggies
Cut back on salt. Use spices, herbs, or lemon to flavor foods.
Limit alcohol intake
Take blood pressure pills when prescribed by your health care provider
Registered dieticians at MidState Medical Center can help you lower your blood pressure by working with you to customize a meal plan that best meets your needs. To schedule an appointment, call 694-8782.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, treatable lung disease that affects the air passages and makes breathing difficult. About 12 million Americans have it, and another 12 million may have COPD and not know it. Certain conditions raise the likelihood of getting COPD, such as:
Being a current or former smoker
Long term or heavy exposure to dusts, fumes, or chemicals that irritate the lungs
A genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Early detection and treatment can slow the progress of the disease and improve quality of life. Spirometry is one of the best and most common lung function tests. The test is done with a spirometer, a machine that measures how well your lungs function, records the results, and displays them on a graph for your doctor. Your doctor will read the results to assess how well your lungs are working and whether or not you have COPD.
Breast Cancer Awareness
American Cancer Society research published in The John Hopkins Medical Letter suggests that women with a high lifetime risk for breast cancer should get an annual MRI in addition to a mammogram.
Factors that increase risk include:
Strong family history, particularly a mother or sister with the disease
Mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Parent, child, or sibling with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Hormonal, menstrual and childbirth histories
Results of a prior biopsy may suggest a higher risk
Radiation treatment to the chest for Hodgkin’s disease between the ages 10 and 30
Call 203-694-8984 to schedule your annual MRI at MidState.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is marked by impaired blood flow from the heart to the extremities’ muscles and organs. Arteries narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits (artherosclerosis) is the most prevalent cause of PAD. Pains in the thigh or calf are common symptoms and occur because the working muscles need more blood. Risk factors for PAD include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and older age. However in many instances, it can be treated successfully.
Using Medications Correctly
Experts report that 50% of all patients make potentially dangerous mistakes when taking their medications. Here are some tips to follow. Keep track of the names (both generic and brand names) and dosages of any medications you take. If you need large print directions, ask. If the directions are confusing, ask your doctor or pharmacist for an explanation. Even if you don’t receive special instructions, avoid common medicine mistakes like crushing or chewing medications without checking with your doctor or measuring doses with a kitchen spoon instead of a measuring spoon. Ask about the potential for drug interactions. Even a glass of grapefruit juice can hinder the effectiveness of certain medication. Keep on the directed dosage schedule for best results.
MidState Medical Center offers wallet medication cards to help patients and community members track their medication use and dosage. Information regarding immunizations, doctors, allergies, and pharmacies can also be tracked. Call 203-694-8733 for a wallet medication card or visit our Web site at http://www.midstatemedical.org/HealthInformation/Medication.sdpx to print one at home.
Focus, Winter 2008
Digestive Health
Head: Diagnosing GERD just got easier
Body: Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at MidState’s Digestive Health Center is about to get easier for patients this year with the arrival of the Bravo pH Monitoring System, an advanced technology that makes diagnosis more accurate and comfortable.
In order to make a definitive diagnosis for GERD, pH testing of the esophagus is necessary, but many patients avoid testing due to the discomfort of the traditional procedure, in which catheters are inserted through the nose and down the esophagus. The Bravo system is a welcomed alternative that causes patients generally no distress.
Additionally, patients are able to maintain a normal diet and activity level during testing, leading to increased compliance.
“The Bravo system essentially makes testing quicker and easier for patients,” said Gary Cohen, MD, medical director of MidState’s Digestive Health Center.
David Sack, MD, gastroenterologist, explained the procedure: “A probe is briefly inserted into the esophagus and a small pH capsule is attached to the lining. The capsule then sends back radio signals via a pager-sized receiver worn by the patient. Data from the receiver is uploaded to computer software, which allows us to measure acid exposure in the esophagus and determine if symptoms are due to reflux. The capsule falls off after two or three days, and patients naturally pass it.”
The patient-friendly system allows physicians to monitor pH levels for 48 hours, the preferred time frame for classification of GERD. “About one-third of our patients come to us with upper GI issues. This technology adds to our ability to properly diagnose acid problems.”
This year the Digestive Health Center will also acquire new scopes. Likened to a high-definition television, Dr. Sack said, the new scopes will offer better views of the GI tract: “The wider angle views allow us to do procedures more comfortably and efficiently. They’ll be particularly helpful in recognizing colon polyps and changes related to Barrett’s esophagus. ”
Dr. Cohen agrees, “The new scopes increase sensitivity for the detection of small of lesions.”
For more information on the Digestive Health Center, call 203-694-8585.
You Can Find Comprehensive Cancer Information All In One Place
The Cancer Center at MidState now has its own unique URL on the Internet. By visiting the new site, you’ll find detailed information on early cancer detection and diagnosis, advanced treatment options, and patient and family support programs. Everything you need to know can be found in this one convenient location. We encourage you to visit the site and read about our integrated, patient-focused approach and our efforts in prevention, education, and outreach. Visit us today at www.midstatecancercenter.com.
Find MidState Medical Center in Your Community
MidState Medical Center has offices in Meriden, Cheshire, Wallingford, and Southington to make access to quality health care convenient for our patients. Below are our locations:
MediQuick in Meriden
Part of MidState’s Emergency Services, MediQuick is a walk-in center able to care for minor illnesses and injuries such as sore throat, earache, sinus pain, minor burns, rashes, back pain, the flu or a minor sports injury. In most cases, you can be treated by a doctor and be on your way in less than 35 minutes.
MediQuick is located at 883 Paddock Avenue. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, except for holidays. Call 203-630-5290.
MidState Medical Group Walk-In Center in Wallingford The MidState Medical Group Walk-In Center offers treatment for a wide range of conditions and illnesses: colds and sore throats, sinus pain and headaches, earaches and fevers, cuts and bruises, muscular aches and pains, sprains and minor fractures, rashes and minor burns, and other conditions. In addition to meeting minor urgent care needs, services include continuing care of chronic diseases, complete annual physicals, pre-operative physicals, and school/camp/sports physicals. Naturally, if you have a major medical emergency, we recommend that you seek treatment at the MidState Medical Center Emergency Department.
The Walk-In Center is conveniently located at 60 Church Street in Wallingford. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday. Call 203-284-9099.
MidState Medical Group in Southington
Located at 51 North Main Street, James Seely, MD, and Christina Plantier, PA, provide medical oversight at our Southington office. New patients are welcome and most insurance is accepted. To schedule an appointment, call 860-621-6704.
Diagnostic & Specialty Center of Cheshire Our Diagnostic & Specialty Center is located at 680 South Main Street.
Diagnostic & Specialty Center of Southington
Our Diagnostic & Specialty Center is located at 991 South Main Street.
MidState VNA & Hospice MidState VNA & Hospice offers comprehensive services in homecare, community health, and end-of-life care. Call 203-235-5714 for more information.
Open MRI Makes Diagnosis Comfortable and Efficient
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the head and body. Doctors use these detailed, clear images to identify and diagnose a wide range of conditions:
Brain tumors, strokes and chronic disorders of the nervous system
Brain abnormalities in people with dementia
Diseases of the pituitary gland
Eye or inner ear tissue abnormalities
Damage caused by heart attack or heart disease
Blood vessel plaques and blockages
Bone and joint damage
Bone and joint infections, injuries, degenerative disorders and tumors
Tumors and functional disorders in organs such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidney and spleen
Breast cancer
Reproductive system and bladder problems
Currently, MidState is utilizing an open MRI machine—a new state-of-the-art piece of equipment that make diagnosis faster, more comfortable, and more accurate than traditional MRI technology. What does this mean for our patients? It means they never have to second-guess the quality of their care.
Whereas many dated MRI machines are cramped and make for an uncomfortable procedure, our new advanced mobile open MRI machine can accommodate patients of all shapes and sizes while eliminating the fear of tight spaces and enhancing overall patient comfort.
Acquired last June, the open MRI provides patients with nearly one foot of surrounding free space without comprising image quality. Now a patient up to 550 pounds can receive an MRI that produces clear and detailed images comparable to machines with narrower openings.
In addition to the added accuracy and comfort, MidState’s new open MRI also increases patient convenience. Unlike traditional open MRI machines, our high-field strength open MRI can produce images in 15-20 minutes, not one hour.
The open MRI also becomes a timesaver when considering that some claustrophobic patients need to be sedated for the procedure. An estimated 20% of patients undergoing an MRI deal with some level of discomfort during the scan, and an additional 10% cannot proceed with the MRI due to extreme fear. The open MRI can eliminate the fear of closed-in spaces and the inconvenience associated with sedation, resulting in a faster procedure time for the patient.
Take control with help from MidState’s Spine & Pain Institute
When pain moves into your life, it changes everything. It may be pain in your neck, your back, or anywhere in your body. The fact is that if you suffer from chronic pain, it affects every aspect of your life. The professionals at the MidState Spine and Pain Institute are here to provide you with the treatment needed to minimize the impact of your pain. Using an interdisciplinary approach, as well as the most advanced medical therapies available, our team has the experience and skill to diagnose your condition and provide a goal-oriented treatment program that will help you enjoy a better quality of life. If pain has compromised your life, we offer comfort, relief, and control.
The specialists at MidState’s Spine and Pain Institute are experienced in the treatment of all forms of pain: back and neck pain (including sciatica, spinal stenosis, failed back surgery, arthritic conditions, pinched nerves, muscle spasms), work injuries, cancer pain, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), nerve injury pain, and joint pain, as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions.
Treatment at the Spine and Pain Institute can include a wide range of medical, psychological, and rehabilitative services:
Functional/work restoration
Physical therapy
Pharmacologic consulting
Diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks
Trigger point/muscle relaxant injections
Epidural steroid injection
Diagnostic discography
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy
Cryotherapy (freezing) treatment
Pain management coping skills
Relaxation Techniques
Muscle biofeedback
Our interdisciplinary team consists of physicians, RNs, psychologists, and physical therapists who will join forces to develop an effective plan of treatment specifically designed for your condition.
Most insurance carriers cover services at the Spine and Pain Institute. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 203-694-8414.
Focus, Winter 2008
Spine & Pain
Head: For some people living with chronic pain, the click of a remote can offer relief
Body: Each and every day, more than 70 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. That’s more than the number of people affected by diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. What’s even more astounding is the impact of pain on everyday living—people’s ability to walk, work, and do the things they love.
When conservative therapies fail to alleviate pain, technology offered at MidState’s Spine & Pain Institute can help. One of the most advanced interventional treatment options available is a spinal cord stimulator, and it can offer a 50 – 75% reduction in pain, when given to the right candidates.
The device works by using a needle to position electrodes along the spine, which according to Dean Mariano, DO, disrupts the pain signals in the body and replaces it with a more tolerable tingling or massage sensation. A remote control is used to adjust the strength of sensations felt, in essence creating bionic characteristics among its users.
The battery implanted in the body runs like a pacemaker, said Dr. Mariano, and produces no side affects other than reduced pain. It is even rechargeable and every nine years, a pad placed over the skin can give it new life.
Patients interested in spinal cord stimulators must undergo a rigorous assessment to determine if the treatment is right for them, and if it is, they can essentially “try it before they buy it” during a trial process that lasts 4-5 days. This non-invasive procedure does not involve implantation, but an epidural and a battery worn externally. If patients feel the stimulator is offering relief, they can move forward with the surgical procedure within a month.
The use of spinal cord stimulators has not always been this robust. Dr. Mariano explained, “The device has been around for more than 20 years, but in the last five, we are expanding its indications for conditions like low back pain, nerve pain in the arms and legs, and pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.”
“Patients will never be pain free,” noted Dr. Mariano, “but we see success rates in the 80-90 percentiles with the right candidates. They will notice an overall long-term pain reduction and an improved quality of life that allows them increased functional capabilities.”
The key to success with the device is establishing goals for sustained pain control. Patients with implanted spinal cord stimulators will be unable to participate in high impact sports, but they can maintain a normal life with realistic goals. According to Dr. Mariano, “People can do things they enjoy, things like spending time with their grandkids.”
Medical Transportation for Meriden Seniors
The City of Meriden Advisory Board on Aging is currently publicizing transportation resources for Meriden senior citizens who are going to medical appointments. Information is being sent to medical offices, churches and other common community organizations. The Board has identified the following medical transportation options for Meriden seniors. You may wish to clip this article to keep for future reference. Please call the number(s) listed for the service you desire.
1. Meriden Senior Citizens Center (237-3338). Transportation for Meriden residents aged 55 and over to medical appointments in Meriden. 24-hour advance notice required. Funded by the City of Meriden, the Agency on Aging of South Central CT and the CT Dept. of Transportation. No fee for the service, contributions accepted.
2. American Red Cross, Wallingford/Meriden branch (265-6721). Transportation to out-of-town (outside Meriden) medical appointments. One week advance notice requested. Partially funded by grants from the Agency on Aging of South Central CT and United Way of Meriden and Wallingford. No fee, contributions accepted.
3. Northeast Transportation Co. (ADA Paratransit Program) (1-800-441-8901). Transportation to medical appointments in Meriden and Wallingford. Riders must complete an application to verify that a disability makes it difficult to use the fixed bus route. Fee charged.
4. American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345). Volunteer drivers provide transportation for cancer patients to medical appointments. Three business days advance notice is requested.
5. Meriden Transit District (235-6851). Fixed route local bus service in Meriden with connections to Wallingford, Middletown, New Britain and New Haven. Special fare for senior citizens aged 65 and over with Medicare card or Transit ID card.
The Meriden Advisory Board on Aging meets monthly at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main St., Meriden. Please call the Center at 237-0066 for questions about the Board's activities.
A new state-of-the-art Digital Mobile Mammography Van has arrived at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The Digital Mobile Mammography Van provides women over 40 with the convenience of rapid diagnosis and access to the most up-to-date technology thereby making it easier for working women to obtain their annual screening exams. YNHH’s expert mammography technologists deliver personal, friendly and confidential care to every woman. Call (203) 688-6800 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The van will be at the following locations from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM on the following dates. Please call 688-6800 to schedule an appointment.
Wallingford YMCA 815 Elm St, Wallingford February 29 and Wallingford VNA 135 North Plain Industrial Rd, Wallingford March 26
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