Men's Health News and Events - Baptist Health System

Senior Aids for Seniors & Seniors with Dementia

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sleeping Aids for Seniors and Seniors With Dementia: Melatonin and Zolpidem

Poor sleep habits can have a negative impact on your thought process, heart health, and overall wellness. About 67% of US seniors reported difficulty in getting proper sleep. They are more likely to experience problems because of changes in medication, health issues, and lifestyle. Dementia disorders can also decrease sleep ability. Current sleep treatments include lifestyle changes, medication, and supplements. A common sleep supplement is melatonin. It is a hormone made in our brains that triggers our wake and sleep cycles. Pharmacological treatment and melatonin are common approaches to managing sleep issues, but there are safety concerns.

Two recent studies reviewed these approaches for elderly recipients. Researchers at the Sleep Medicine and Research Center at St John's and St Luke's Hospital reviewed the effects of a drug called zolpidem. In the study, published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, zolpidem did show promising results in helping seniors achieve a more effective sleep. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reviewed the benefits of melatonin and the effect of environmental light in elderly with dementia. In this study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, melatonin did help with sleep but increased withdrawn dementia-related behavior. The results improved when given in combination with a bright light environment.

About the Studies

The zolpidem study was a randomized control study. It involved 205 patients aged 65-87 years. They were split into two groups. One group received zolpidem (6.25 mg extended release) every night. The second group received a placebo.

Baseline measurements were taken for both groups. At the end of 21 days, compared to the placebo group, the group that took the zolpidem reported:

24.01 more minutes in total sleep time
An average of one fewer awakenings per night
14.82 minutes more sleep before experience an awakening

In general, the zolpidem group reported a better overall sleep. Negative reports (eg, headache, dizziness, somnolence, nasopharyngitis) were about the same for both groups.

The melatonin study involved 189 elderly patients, 87% had dementia. All participants resided in assisted care facilities. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the following groups:

Melatonin and exposure to bright light
Melatonin and dim light exposure
Placebo and bright light
Placebo and dim light

Melatonin did help to improve onset of sleep and sleep duration by 27 minutes. However, it did cause unwanted side effects of increased withdrawn and depressive behavior in patients. The good news is the bright light therapy was linked to improvement of cognitive deterioration and depressive symptoms, and increased functional abilities and activities of daily living.

The combination of these two therapies seemed to produce the best results. There were decreases in nighttime restlessness, agitation, and aggression. The bright light environment seemed to counteract negative effects of the melatonin.

How Does This Affect You?

Adequate sleep is important to everyone's overall health. Sleep solutions need to complement any current medical support you may have. Although both zolpidem and melatonin with bright light therapies showed positive outcomes it is important to understand the possible side effects as well.

Pharmacological drugs and supplements can both have significant adverse effects. Research continues to understand the benefits and risks of both. This study has revealed a caution against using melatonin for dementia patients because of the negative side effects. Talk to your doctor if you or someone you are caring for is having difficulty sleeping. Together you can develop a plan that may include lifestyle changes or medical interventions.

RESOURCES:

American Family Physician
http://www.aafp.org/

National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/

REFERENCES:

Riemersma-van der Lek RF, Swaab DF, Twisk J, et al. Effect of bright light and melatonin on cognitive and noncognitive function in elderly residents of group care facilities: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008 Jun 11;299(22):2642-55.

Walsh JK, Soubrane C, Roth T. Efficacy and safety of zolpidem extended release in elderly primary insomnia patients. AM J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2008 Jan;16(1):44-57.

Last reviewed July 2008 by Larissa J. Lucas, MD

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Baptist Health System - Take a Hospital Tour Online

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Before you make vacation plans you might visit hotels online and take a virtual tour of their facilities. Likewise, when you choose a hospital we believe that you should be offered the same convenience.

That's why we're creating virtual tours of each of our five Baptist Health System hospitals, giving you the opportunity to see the beautiful amenities and patient care areas we have to serve you. We hope our virtual tours will help you know what to expect and help you prepare for your hospital stay.

Take A Virtual Tour

Need a Doctor?

If you are new to the area or have not yet found a physician that meets your needs, Baptist Health System is happy to help you select a physician within our system. Just click here or call our 24-hour physician referral service at (210) 297-7005.

Thank you for choosing Baptist Health System.

A Must Read For Summer Travelers

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Traveler's Diarrhea: Don't Let It Ruin Your Vacation

by Elissa Sonnenberg

En Espa�ol (Spanish Version)

Robin considered herself a seasoned traveler. She'd been south of the border before, so when she visited a friend in Mexico City, she knew better than to drink the water. But she let her guard down at a dance club in Acapulco and had a drink "on the rocks." She spent the next seven hours on a bus battling Montezuma's Revenge. "The discomfort was excruciating," says the 30-something writer from Arkansas.

A Common Problem for Travelers

Every year, roughly half of travelers to developing countries experience some type of traveler's diarrhea (TD), making it the most common travel-related illness, says Colonel David N. Taylor, MD, director of the division of communicable diseases and immunology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Although it is rarely life-threatening, TD can be a quite a "pain in the rear."

Bacterial infections (in many cases a strain of E. coli) cause most cases of TD, but viruses and parasites may also be culprits. In up to 20% of cases, however, a specific cause is never identified. Travelers who ingest contaminated food or drink may experience a range of symptoms-including urgency, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain-that typically last for three to seven days.

Location, Location, Location

Visitors to developing countries, most notably in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, put themselves at increased risk of TD, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

TD goes hand in hand with poor sanitation and poor refrigeration, Dr. Taylor explains. He advises travelers to use common sense when determining where and what to eat while abroad. For example, five-star hotels that cater to foreigners are generally safer bets than open-air markets.

"If you're going to be eating with locals on the corners in Bangkok, then you're at high-risk," says Dr. Taylor, who experienced his worst bout of TD after enjoying a street festival in Peru.

Prevention

For travelers who don't want to limit their destinations, a healthy dose of awareness can lower their risk of TD.

The CDC offers the following tips to travelers visiting high-risk locations:

Drink fluids, including water, only from bottles or cans. (Be sure to wipe lids before drinking to clear off any surface contaminants.)
Boil tap water rapidly to sterilize it, and don't add potentially contaminated ice cubes.
Use iodine tablets, such as Potable-Aqua, to disinfect tap water.
Brush your teeth using bottled, boiled, or iodine-treated water only.
Avoid raw foods, especially salads and fruits (unless you can peel them yourself).
Avoid cooked food that has been sitting out in the open, even if it's re-heated. Food still hot from an oven is generally safer.
Avoid seafood from tropical reefs, some of which can be toxic even after thorough cooking.
Feed children six months and younger breast milk or formula prepared with sterilized water.

Before You Go

It's a good idea to see your doctor to get medicines before you go. Dr. Taylor prescribes travelers a supply of antibiotics (typically ciprofloxacin, or Cipro) and advises them to take along antidiarrheal medicine (such as Imodium).

Treat It Right Away

Dr. Taylor recommends that, at the first sign of diarrhea, travelers begin a two- to three-day course of antibiotics and take antidiarrheals medications (for example Immodium) as needed for more immediate relief. "You don't get any gold stars for holding off on treatment," he says.

He cautions against giving antidiarrheal medicine to young children. Young children with diarrhea should see a doctor early on, because they are at higher risk for dehydration than adults. For mild to moderate diarrhea in children, keep the child well dehydrated with clean water or an electrolyte replacement product such as Pedialyte. If the child's diarrhea is severe (10 or more watery stools per day) or the child is urinating less frequently (a sign of dehydration) seek medical care immediately.

Preventive Medicine

Antibiotics shorten the duration and intensity of most TD cases. However, Dr. Taylor says they should be used preventively only by travelers who face near certain infection, such as missionaries headed to remote villages in underdeveloped countries. Bismuth subsalicylate (found in Pepto Bismol) fights some TD bacteria, but, according to Dr. Taylor, studies have found antibiotics to be more effective at minimizing the pain and inconvenience of TD.

Stay Hydrated With Safe Fluids

When TD strikes, travelers who want to salvage valuable trip time need to do more than just take medicine. Staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of safe fluids is also essential. While this is true for everyone, it is especially important for pregnant women and children, in whom dehydration can have a more immediate and debilitating effect.

Dehydrated travelers can also find relief using oral rehydration salts (ORS), widely available in developing countries. However, ORS should not be used as a substitute for clean, plentiful water.

When to Get Help

Seek immediate medical care for TD in any of the following situations:

Symptoms don't subside after three to seven days and/or after antibiotic treatment.
You have a high fever and/or disorientation.
Your stools are bloody and/or contain mucus.
You have signs of dehydration, such as decreased saliva or urination.
You are pregnant or caring for a young child who develops diarrhea.

When You Get Home

In some cases, TD can persist despite antibiotic treatment. Rarely, it can trigger other gastrointestinal problems. See your doctor if symptoms do not resolve after you return home.

RESOURCES:

The International Society of Travel Medicine
http://www.istm.org

National Center for Infectious Diseases: Travelers' Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/travel

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Communicable Disease Control Unit (Manitoba Health, Public Health Branch)
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/index.html

Travel Medicine Program, Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index.html

St. Luke's Baptist Hospital Debuts New Operating Room of the 21st Century

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As part of its top to bottom renovation, St. Luke's Baptist Hospital has created an advanced surgical environment for its patients, doctors, nurses and technicians. The new $5 million Perioperative Suite features nine OR suites, a new ten-bed pre-op holding unit and new post anesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery room with 19 beds. Technology in the new operating rooms is cutting-edge. New LED operating lights help illuminate the operating field for surgeons and contain a camera for capturing images during surgery.

A special microscope, one of only four in the country, gives neurosurgeons incredible clarity when working on brains, necks and spines. A new operating room table rotates in every direction possible, which enables the operating room team to use diagnostic equipment during surgeries without having to move the patient. In addition, a new elite operating room SWAT team has been created to improve turn around time between OR cases. "Every improvement we are making at St. Luke's has one main purpose, and that is to improve patient care," said Graham Reeve, president of St. Luke's Baptist Hospital. "By giving physicians the tools they need, we are helping to ensure that they can deliver the best care possible to our patients."

Nurses Wanted
St. Luke's Baptist Hospital is currently looking for compassionate nurses to join its highly-qualified team in a sophisticated environment. Candidates please contact Anthony Sanchez, HR Director at 297-5875.

Free Seminar on Penile Implants
Attend a�free educational seminar for the public at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital on July 16th at 6:00 p.m. on the topic of penile implants for erectile dysfunction. For more information on this, and other future seminars at St. Luke's, please call 297-7005.

What Does Your Family History Mean For Your Health?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Try the latest online health tool- our new Family Tree Risk Calculator.� The calculator is designed to help you learn more about what impact the health of your family members can mean to your vascular health.

This tool was developed for educational purposes only and is not intended nor should be a substitute for medical advise.

Follow Your Heart To Baptist

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cardiovascular care is at the heart of what we do, and it's just one reason why so many families trust us to care for their loved ones.

We offer the following services:

Cardiac catheterization labs
Cardiac education services
Cardiothoracic surgery
Electrophysiology study capabilities
Non-invasive cardiology
Peripheral vascular surgery
Peripheral cardiovascular studies
Robotically-assisted heart surgery
Specialized intensive care and telemetry units

Chest Pain Center Accredited

The Society of Chest Pain Centers has granted the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center to each of the five hospitals in the Baptist Health System. Baptist Medical Center, North Central Baptist Hospital, Northeast Baptist Hospital, Southeast Baptist Hospital and St. Luke's Baptist Hospital received full accreditation status from the Accreditation Review Committee on November 3, 2005.

They are the first, and currently only, accredited Chest Pain Centers in San Antonio, and are among fewer that 180 in the nation.

Learn more about our Cardiovascular Services

Bill the Blogger: Posts on Dads and Newborns

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just in time for Father's Day, Baptist Health System has launched a first of its kind on the Baptist website Blog aimed at reaching new dads with information on how to bond with their newborn babies. The Blog is written by "SONS to DADS" program creator, nurse Bill Williams, R.N.

In his first Blog Williams talks about why he started Sons to Dads at Baptist. "I developed the course for expecting fathers to help them be better prepared for their new and wonderful role of a caregiver, not only to the newborn, but to the new mom as well," said Williams. "You can't imagine until you see it for yourself, how these dads are impacted by becoming intimately involved in their newborn baby's life from the moment they are born. The babies respond immediately to dad's touch and care, and moms love the involvement and support they see from their husbands."

Bill's program teaches dads how to bond with their new babies through skin to skin "Kangaroo Care" techniques and helps dads learn how to be more involved in their child's care. Dads who take Bill's course learn all the baby basics they need to care for their son or daughter, from burping to bathing and more. Bill's mission is to show dads the joy they can discover by bonding with their newborn from the moment of birth. Dads who take Bill's course are forever impacted by what they learn.but more importantly.so are their children.

Bill's SONS to DADS course is available to all dads whose babies will be born at Baptist Health System hospitals. Bill decided to create the Blog as a way to reach dads who are more likely to get their information online these days.

Check out Bill's Blog.

Beginning a New Life After Surgery

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Surgery is not a "quick-fix" solution; it is only the beginning to starting a healthier life. Constant vigilance with your diet, exercise and many other life changes is required to gain the maximum benefits from whatever procedure you choose.

Diet

The modifications made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent changes in your eating habits. Post-surgery dietary guidelines will vary by surgeons and other sources. Be sure to follow the guidelines provided by your surgeon, as they are designed upon your specific needs and your procedure. The following are fundamental dietary rules:
When you are cleared to begin eating solid food again, be sure it is very well chewed.
Do not drink fluids when eating. They will cause you to feel full before you have consumed enough food.
Omit deserts and other foods that list sugar as one of the first three ingredients.
Omit carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, high-fat foods and foods high in fiber content.
Avoid alcohol.
No snacking between meals.

Returning to Work
Your ability to resume pre-surgery activity levels depends on many factors, including your physical condition, the type of activity and the type of surgery you had. Many patients return to pre-surgery levels of activity within six weeks of their procedure. Patients who had minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures may be able to return to activities within just a few weeks.

Birth Control and Pregnancy
It is highly recommended that women of childbearing age use the most effective forms of birth control a minimum of one year following weight loss surgery. The added demands of pregnancy and the potential for fetal damage make this a most important requirement.

Long-term Considerations
While the short-term effects of weight loss surgery are well understood, questions regarding the long-term effects on nutrition and body systems still remain. You will need periodic blood work to check for anemia and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Later on, tests will be needed only every one to two years.

Support Groups
While weight loss surgery is a very effective device, it does not instantly resolve years of accumulated emotional damage and it is very common for patients to seek support, advice and encouragement. The best forum for this is a widespread network of support groups comprised of fellow weight loss surgery patients and medical professionals, because they provide an open and honest environment for sharing and discussing various personal issues and experiences. Our program Bariatric surgeon, maintains that post-surgery support groups help patients to attain their highest level of success following weight loss surgery by providing much needed motivation, support and honest advice. Here at Northeast Baptist hospital, we are dedicated to your sustained success in achieving your weight loss goals and, for this reason, our program Bariatric surgeon hosts a monthly general support group and the program psychologist hosts a monthly psychological support group.

Commission on Cancer Awards Commendations

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

San Antonio, TX - The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has awarded Baptist Health System commendations in 5 areas including; outcomes analysis reporting, quality of Cancer Registry reporting to the National Cancer Data Base, quality of College of American Pathologist (CAP) data elements on pathology reports, the number of prevention or early detection programs offered to the public, and Cancer Registry staff education.

"I believe this honor provides a distinction in delivery of cancer care to our patients," said Sharon Wilks, M.D., FACP, Chair of the Cancer Committee of Baptist Health System. "Baptist has earned among the highest ratings an oncology program can attain for cancer care delivery, an honor achieved through the work of many special people in many departments including pathology, tumor registry, our surgeons and cancer specialists, our medical records staff and more," continued Wilks. "I know these commendations reflect our desire to give the best we can to our patients."

"Dr. Wilks and her colleagues on the Cancer Committee have worked tirelessly to implement the industry standards for cancer care, and improve the overall quality of care we provide in this area," said Herman Williams, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health System. "Their work has paid off in patient satisfaction and outcomes and their success is confirmed in these CoC commendations."

The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922, the multidisciplinary CoC establishes standards to ensure quality, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive cancer care delivery in health care settings; conducts surveys in health care settings to assess compliance with those standards; collects standardized data from CoC-approved health care settings to measure cancer care quality; uses data to monitor treatment patterns and outcomes and enhance cancer control and clinical surveillance activities, and develops effective educational interventions to improve cancer prevention, early detection, cancer care delivery, and outcomes in health care settings.

While Dr. Sharon T. Wilks, M.D, FACP, is a member of the medical staff of one or more of Baptist Health System's hospitals, she is an independent contractor who is self-employed. As a result, Dr. Wilks is neither an employee nor an agent of those hospitals nor of Baptist Health System; and none of these hospitals nor Baptist Health System is responsible for any actions that Dr. Wilks takes in her medical practice.

The Baptist Health System Cancer Support Group

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Baptist Health System�Cancer Support Group is here for you.

If you, a member of your family or someone you love is coping with cancer this support group is for you.

Meetings are held at Northeast Baptist Hospital and offer valuable information, encouragement, and useful tips for patients, family, and friends of cancer. Some of the items covered include;

Cancer diagnosis and treatment
Side effects of treatment
Emotions and self-esteem
Cancer and intimacy
Community resources
Pain management
Nutrition and fatigue
Financial concerns

When: The 3rd Tuesday of every month
Time: 6:00 p.m to 7.30 p.m.
Where:
Northeast Baptist Hospital
1st Floor (East Wing) Cancer Resource Room
8811 Village Drive
SA, TX
78217
Map & Directions

�

If you would like to register to attend call �(210) 297-7005.