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BayWellness Winter 2012 : Page 7for Women Talk to your doctor if you think you are at risk. Your 50s: Better and Better Schedule your colonoscopy. No ifs, ands or buts. Talk with your doctor about peri- and low libido don’t have to be part of your menopausal changes. Find out how changing estrogen levels can affect your overall health and well being, and what you can do. Keep up your screenings. Your 60s and Beyond: Enjoy -You’ve Earned It! Schedule a baseline bone density test. and other chronic diseases. Keep your mind sharp with puzzles, board games and computer activities. Count on your social circle. This is the time to engage with friends to ward off depression and illness. Keep up with your regime of health screenings, adding hearing and vision tests. Keep exercising and eat well. You and The Flu o r u with Diane Mansmann, LCSW, BCD, CAS House Call Anxiety Anxiety is a normal part of life. It can even be useful when it alerts us to danger. But when anxiety become a persistent problem, interfer-ing with daily activities such as work, school or sleep, or disrupting relationships and one’s enjoyment of life, it can lead to health concerns and other problems. “We all suffer from some form of anxiety,” says therapist Diane Mansmann, LCSW, a at Bay Behavioral Health, “but the point to be-come concerned and seek help from a mental health professional or your family physician is when anxiety begins to interfere with your work, relationships and other parts of your life, especially if you feel depressed, begin to have trouble with alcohol or drug use, have other mental health concerns, or think your anxiety could be tied to a health problem. If you have suicidal thoughts, seek emergency treatment immediately.” “Fortunately, counseling, medications and lifestyle changes can help most forms of anxiety,” says Mansmann. Common anxiety symptoms include feeling apprehensive or pow-erless, having a sense of impending doom, in-creased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and feeling weak or fatigued. The two main treatments for anxiety disor-ders are psychological counseling and medica--tion of the two. Lifestyle changes can also make a difference. Mansmann urges people dealing with anxiety to exercise, eat well, avoid alcohol and other sedatives, get adequate sleep, and use relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, yoga or meditation to ease anxiety. For information, or to make an appoint-ment, call 732-324-5199. bido don’t have to be part of your menopausal changes. Find out how changing estrogen levels can affect your overall health and well being, and what you can do. Keep up your screenings. Your 60s and Beyond: Enjoy - You’ve Earned It! Schedule a baseline bone density test. and other chronic diseases. Keep your mind sharp with puzzles, board games and computer activities. Count on your social circle. This is the time to engage with friends to ward off depression and illness. Keep up with your regime of health screenings, adding hearing an m J . D A e . F n , n n i , D f h . D e s i r , i k i T E O u e . a v n G House CallDiane Mansmann<br /> Anxiety<br /> <br /> Anxiety is a normal part of life. It can even be useful when it alerts us to danger. But when anxiety become a persistent problem, interfering with daily activities such as work, school or sleep, or disrupting relationships and one’s enjoyment of life, it can lead to health concerns and other problems.<br /> <br /> “We all suffer from some form of anxiety,” says therapist Diane Mansmann, LCSW, a board certified diplomate in clinical social work at Bay Behavioral Health, “but the point to become concerned and seek help from a mental health professional or your family physician is when anxiety begins to interfere with your work, relationships and other parts of your life, especially if you feel depressed, begin to have trouble with alcohol or drug use, have other mental health concerns, or think your anxiety could be tied to a health problem. If you have suicidal thoughts, seek emergency treatment immediately.”<br /> <br /> “Fortunately, counseling, medications and lifestyle changes can help most forms of anxiety,” says Mansmann. Common anxiety symptoms include feeling apprehensive or powerless, having a sense of impending doom, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and feeling weak or fatigued.<br /> <br /> The two main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychological counseling and medications,and many people benefit from a combination of the two. Lifestyle changes can also make a difference. Mansmann urges people dealing with anxiety to exercise, eat well, avoid alcohol and other sedatives, get adequate sleep, and use relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, yoga or meditation to ease anxiety.<br /> <br /> For information, or to make an appointment, call 732-324-5199. You and The FluEumena Divino<br /> "The flu, or influenza, is caused by several viruses, which change each year," says Jennifer Turkish, M.D., a family medicine physician. "It is contagious and can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to very severe."<br /> <br /> ARE YOU AT RISK?<br /> According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), annual outbreaks of seasonal flu usually occur during the fall through early spring. Flu season can begin as no early as October and last as late as May.<br /> <br /> "Getting vaccinated in December and I January is still wise, especially if you are at risk for flu complications," says Dr. Turkish. "Those who are at higher risk include children under 5 years of age, those over 65, pregnant women, those with other chronic medical conditions, especially lung disease and obesity, and the immunocompromised. In a typical year, 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu. At its worst, influenza can even cause death."<br /> <br /> PREGNANCY AND THE FLU<br /> Pregnancy can increase your risk for flu complications such as pneumonia. "The best way to have a healthy pregnancy is to prevent the flu altogether," says Eumena M. Divino, MD, FACOG, a board certified ob/gyn. "To prevent the flu, get vaccinated. We recommend a flu shot as part of our normal pre-natal check-ups," says Dr. Divino. "The flu shot is also safe for women who are breastfeeding."<br /> <br /> FENDING OFF THE FLU<br /> In addition to a yearly flu vaccine, Dr. Turkish recommends everyday preventive steps. "Stay away from others with the flu, if possible, use alcohol sanitizing hand gels and wash your hands frequently," says Dr. Turkish. "Stay home from work if you develop signs and symptoms of the seasonal flu, and keep children home from school. The CDC recommends that you stay home from the day you begin experiencing symptoms until 24 hours after your fever goes away."<br /> <br /> Do not give aspirin to children suffering from flu-like symptoms, cautions Dr. Turkish, as it may cause a severe life-threatening illness called Reyes Syndrome. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist or become more severe. Publication List Using a screen reader? Click Here |
