BayWellness Winter 2012 : Page 4

@ WINTERY WEATHER 9fkkc\[[i`eb`e^nXk\i G\k]ff[ COOL TIPS TO STAY SAFE IN J r Turkish, -nife .D en . e i\Z\ek p\Xij# n`ek\i n\Xk_\i j\\dj kf _Xm\ ^fkk\e nfij\ `e E\n A\ij\p% J\m\i\ Yc`qqXi[j Xe[ `Z\ jkfidj _Xm\ i\jlck\[ `e \oki\d\ Zfc[ k\dg\iXkli\j Xe[ gfn\i flkX^\j k_Xk _Xm\ cXjk\[ [Xpj# Xe[ \m\e n\\bj% A\ee`]\i Klib`j_# D%;%# X ]Xd`cp d\[`Z`e\g_pj`Z`Xe#f]]\ijjfd\n`ek\ijX]\kp k`gjY\cfnkf_\cgj\\pfljX]\cpk_ifl^_k_\ j\Xjfe% ÈGcXe X_\X[#É ZXlk`fej ;i% Klib`j_% ÈK_\i\Xi\jk\gjpflZXekXb\`eX[mXeZ\]fi ^i\Xk\i n`ek\i jX]\kp `e pfli _fd\# ZXi# fi Xepk`d\pflXi\^f`e^kfY\flk[ffij%É Winter Survival Kit for Your Home C`jk\ekfn\Xk_\i]fi\ZXjkji\^lcXicpXe[Z_\Zbpfli\d\i^\eZpjlg$ gc`\jn_\e\m\iXg\i`f[f]\oki\d\Zfc[`jgi\[`Zk\[%?Xm\fe_Xe[1 8e\okiXjlggcpf]Zi`k`ZXcd\[`Z`e\ Xep]Xd`cpd\dY\ijdXpe\\[ =ff[jk_Xke\\[efZffb`e^fii\]i`^\iXk`fe% I\d\dY\iYXYp]ff[Xe[]fidlcX ,^XccfeZfekX`e\ijf]nXk\i]fi_flj\_fc[lj\# `eZXj\pflig`g\j]i\\q\ DXb\jli\k_Xkjdfb\[\k\ZkfijXe[ ZXiYfedfefo`[\[\k\Zkfij_Xm\]i\j_YXkk\i`\j Fk_\i\d\i^\eZpjlggc`\j`eZcl[\YXkk\i`\j#ÕXj_c`^_kj#YcXeb\kj#dXkZ_\j Xe[ZXe[c\j#XÔi\\ok`e^l`j_\i#XÔijkX`[b`kXe[`ejkilZk`fedXelXc# jefnj_fm\cXe[ifZbjXck#Xefe$\c\Zki`ZZXefg\e\i#jg\Z`Xce\\[jjlZ_ Xj[`Xg\ijfi_\Xi`e^X`[YXkk\i`\j#Xe[gfjj`YcpXck\ieXk`m\d\k_f[jkf gfn\ipfli_fd\Xe[b\\gnXidjlZ_XjX^\e\iXkfi#jgXZ\_\Xk\ifi \okiX]l\c È<ogfjli\ kf Zfc[ k\dg\iXkli\j# n_\k_\i `e[ffij fi flkj`[\# ZXe ZXlj\ j\i`flj Xe[ c`]\$k_i\Xk\e`e^ _\Xck_ gifYc\dj#É jXpj ;i% Klib`j_% È@e]Xekj Xe[ k_\ \c[\icp Xi\ gXik`ZlcXicp Xk i`jb# Ylk Xepfe\ ZXe Y\ X]]\Zk\[% :_\Zb fe \c[\icp ]i`\e[j Xe[ e\`^_YfijkfdXb\jli\k_Xkk_\`i_fd\jXi\ X[\hlXk\cp_\Xk\[Xe[k_Xkk_\pXi\jX]\%Kf gifk\Zkpflij\c]Xe[pfli]Xd`cp#pflj_flc[ befn _fn kf _\cg gi\m\ek Zfc[$i\cXk\[ _\Xck_gifYc\djXe[n_Xkkf[f`]XZfc[$ n\Xk_\i\d\i^\eZpXi`j\j%É Winter Survival Kit for Your Car <m\e`efliXi\X#ZXij_Xm\^fkk\ejkiXe[\[[li`e^n`ek\ijkfidjn`k_ [\mXjkXk`e^i\jlckj]fi[i`m\ijXe[gXjj\e^\ij% More Than Just The Baby Blues The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful partum psychosis, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately. T According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Of-emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. em But it can also result in something a new mom might ÀFHRQ:RPHQ·V+HDOWK&#0f;DERXWSHUFHQWRISUHJQDQWZRPHQDQGQHZ B mothers have some form of depression. Researchers think that changes not expect — depression. n “Many new moms feel happy one minute and teary in hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum the h next. If you feel more like yourself after a few depression. “In New Jersey, new mothers are given a depression screening before weeks, you probably just had the ‘baby blues’,” says ee they are discharged from the hospital following the birth of their baby,” ERDUGFHUWLÀHGSV\FKLDWULVW1DQGLWKD.ULVKQDPVHWW\&#0f;0' ERDUG The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are more intense VD\VERDUGFHUWLÀHG2%*<16WHYHQ5%HUNPDQ&#0f;0'&#0f;)$&2*&#0f;)$&6 and longer lasting, and interfere with your ability to care for your baby ´:HUHSHDWWKLVVFUHHQLQJDWVXEVHTXHQWRIÀFHYLVLWV:KHQFRXQVHOLQJ and handle other daily tasks. Dr. Krishnamsetty says these include loss is indicated, I talk with the patient and also try to involve a family mem-of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability, overwhelming fatigue, loss of ber – either the father of the baby or someone close to the new mom. *RRGVXSSRUWDWKRPHLVYHU\LPSRUWDQW,DOVRUHIHUWKHQHZPRWKHU interest in sex, lack of joy in life, feelings of shame, guilt or inad-to a mental health professional for further care.” HTXDF\&#0f;VHYHUHPRRGVZLQJV&#0f;GLIÀFXOW\ERQGLQJZLWKWKHEDE\&#0f; , -n a . D m . k , r FA # . Be “It’s very important to get early treatment for postpartum and withdrawal from family and friends. depression,” adds Dr. Berkman. “The sooner a new mom gets Very rarely, new moms develop postpartum psychosis. d help to manage the symptoms of postpartum depression, the They may become delusional or paranoid and may sometimes h sooner she will begin enjoying her baby.” attempt to harm themselves or their baby. If you suspect post-s Steve nR Nan d shnamse a Kri tty ith 4 Bay Wellness :LQWHU¶ .D. , -S , FA # OG

COOL TIPS TO STAY SAFE IN WINTERY WEATHER

Jennifer Turkish

In recent years, winter weather seems to have gotten worse in New Jersey. Severe blizzards and ice storms have resulted in extreme cold temperatures and power outages that have lasted days, and even weeks. Jennifer Turkish, M.D., a family medicine physician, offers some winter safety tips below to help see you safely through the season. "Plan ahead," cautions Dr. Turkish. "There are steps you can take in advance for greater winter safety in your home, car, or anytime you are going to be outdoors." "Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause serious and life-threatening health problems," says Dr. Turkish. "Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. Check on elderly friends and neighbors to make sure that their homes are adequately heated and that they are safe. To protect yourself and your family, you should know how to help prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather emergency arises." Winter Survival Kit for Your Home Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies whenever a period of extreme cold is predicted. Have on hand: • An extra supply of critical medicine any family members may need • Foods that need no cooking or refrigeration. Remember baby food and formula! • Bottled drinking water • 5 gallon containers of water for household use, in case your pipes freeze • Pet food • Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries Other emergency supplies include batteries, flashlights, blankets, matches and candles, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and instruction manual, snow shovel and rock salt, a non-electric can opener, special needs such as diapers or hearing aid batteries, and possibly alternative methods to power your home and keep warm such as a generator, space heater or extra fuel Winter Survival Kit for Your Car Even in our area, cars have gotten stranded during winter storms with devastating results for drivers and passengers. • Have your car serviced as often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition, make sure antifreeze is topped up, replace windshield wiper fluid with a winter blend, replace any worn tires and make sure tire air pressure is adequate • Keep your gas tank near full at all times • If you must travel, let someone know when you expect to arrive, and ask them to notify authorities if you are late • Equip your car with blankets, a windshield scraper, a first aid kit and instruction manual, booster cables, maps, a mobile phone, a compass, a tool kit, paper towels, a bag of sand or cat litter for added traction on icy roads, a tow rope, a collapsible shovel, bottled water and power bars or other emergency food, a flashlight and extra batteries, and a brightly colored cloth to help rescue workers see you if you become stranded in a snow bank. Outdoor Safety When the weather is extremely cold and especially if there are high winds, try to stay indoors. Make any trip outdoors as brief as possible. • Dress warmly and stay dry • Avoid exertion. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice about snow shoveling or performing other hard work in the cold • Remember that wind chill carries heat away from your body, causing your skin temperature to drop • Avoid walking on ice. If you use a cane, make sure the rubber tip is ridged and not worn smooth • Be safe during recreation-notify friends of where you will be hiking or skiing • Avoid perspiring or becoming overtired • The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite. If you suspect these conditions, seek medical attention immediately • It is a good idea to take a first aid and CPR course to prepare for cold-weather emergencies One Last Cool Tip "Knowing what to do in a winter emergency is the first step toward protecting your health and the health of others," advises Dr. Turkish. "By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems."

More Than Just The Baby Blues

Nanditha Krishnamsetty

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something a new mom might not expect — depression. “Many new moms feel happy one minute and teary the next. If you feel more like yourself after a few weeks, you probably just had the 'baby blues',"says board certified psychiatrist Nanditha Krishnamsetty,M.D The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are more intense and longer lasting, and interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Dr. Krishnamsetty says these include loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability, overwhelming fatigue, loss of interest in sex, lack of joy in life, feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy,severe mood swings,difficulty bounding with the baby, and withdrawal from family and friends. Very rarely, new moms develop postpartum psychosis. They may become delusional or paranoid and may sometimes attempt to harm themselves or their baby. If you suspect postpartum psychosis, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health about 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers have some form of depression. Researchers think that changes in hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. “In New Jersey, new mothers are given a depression screening before they are discharged from the hospital following the birth of their baby,” says board certified OB/GYN Steven R.Berkman,MD,FACOG,FACS. "we repeat this screening at subsequent office visit.when counseling is indicated, I talk with the patient and also try to involve a family member – either the father of the baby or someone close to the new mom. Good support at home is every important.I also refer the new mother to a mental health professional for further care.” “It’s very important to get early treatment for postpartum depression,” adds Dr. Berkman. “The sooner a new mom gets help to manage the symptoms of postpartum depression, the sooner she will begin enjoying her baby.” TREATING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION Postpartum depression is treated with medication and counseling from a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health expert. Family or relationship therapy also is helpful. "Something or relationship therapy also is helpful. notice the behavioral changes that can indicate postpartum depression,” says Dr. Krishnamsetty. Medications, including antidepressants and sometimes estrogen replacement, are used to treat postpartum depression. If a woman is breast-feeding, it's important to know that medication will enter her breast milk. However, some antidepressants can be used during breast-feeding with little risk of side effects for the baby. Your doctor will discuss potential risks and benefits of specific medications. SELF CARE HELPS TOO Postpartum depression isn't a condition you can treat on your own, but Dr. Krishnamsetty says that new moms can build on their treatment plan. Make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity, such as a walk with your baby, in your daily routine. Eat healthy foods and avoid alcohol. Set realistic expectations. Don't pressure yourself to do everything. Scale back your expectations for the perfect household. Ask for help when you need it. Make time for yourself. Visit a friend or run an errand. Schedule time alone with your partner. Try relaxation methods such as postpartum yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. Avoid isolation. Talk with your partner, family and friends about how you're feeling. Ask other mothers about their experiences. Ask your therapist about local support groups for new moms or women who have postpartum depression. “Remember, the best way to take care of your baby is to take care of yourself,” says Dr. Berkman.

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