Hysterectomy Fears
Sneezing Solutions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 600,000
hysterectomies are performed annually in the United States and an estimated 20 million
U.S. women have had a hysterectomy.
chased over-the-counter also prevent the
It’s spring, and the beauty of spring also
formation of these chemicals and decrease
marks the beginning of sneezing, runny
symptoms; however, they’re not as effective
noses and itchy eyes as allergies begin
as they’re prescription counterparts.
attacking. If you’re one of the 36 million
Americans who experiences
Decongestants
allergies, read these remedies
reduce the size
“Many
people
notice
a
for allergies from physicians
on the Baylor Plano difference in the severity of of blood vessels,
which limits the
medical staff.
their allergies after simply
fluid that seeps
out. They can
Antihistamines: For performing a thorough
be purchased
those who have itchy eyes,
house cleaning,”
in liquid, tablet
antihistamine eye drops
form or as a nasal
and pills block histamine, a
spray–and are sold over-the-counter and
substance that provokes itchy, watery eyes,
by prescription. Limit the use of over the
according to Sandeep Gupta, M.D, allergist.
counter decongestant nasal spray to no more
However, some antihistamines may cause
than three days in a row as your congestion
drowsiness without treating the root cause
may grow worse, causing an increased
of the problem.
dependency on the medication.
“Sometimes patients choose antihistamines
Vaccines: Those who have a seasonal and nasal steroids because they fit better
allergy episode one year, have a one in four
with their life situation,” says Dr. Gupta. chance of developing chronic allergies the
If over-the-counter medicines aren’t helpful,
next year, explains Dr. Gupta. “Patients who
visit your physician to discuss other
begin experiencing symptoms of headaches,
treatment options.
sinus disease, asthma, coughs, vertigo or Nasal steroids and decongestants: dizziness on a recurring basis may need to
Prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays
seek further treatment from their doctor.
decrease inflammation and swelling of the
Some patients benefit from monthly
airways to help reduce symptoms of a stuffy
vaccines, which help their bodies
nose. In addition, they help prevent the develop immunities to the allergens,”
discharge of inflammatory chemicals that
says Dr. Gupta.
cause a stuffy nose, explains Dr. Gupta.
Some nonsteroidal sprays that can be pur-
If a hysterectomy is such a common procedure, why are many women wary of having the
surgery? Murray Fox, M.D., gynecologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff, addresses a few
of the common fears of hysterectomies.
Down Time: “Many women fear they will be faced with a lengthy hospital stay and recovery
process,” says Dr. Fox, “but new technology is available that enables hysterectomies to be
performed less invasively, leading to shorter hospital stays. For hysterectomies that may be
difficult to perform as a vaginal procedure and would otherwise require an abdominal
hysterectomy, the da Vinci® S Surgical System offers an alternative.”
Pain: “Some women fear that they will experience extreme pain for several days after the
surgery,” says Dr. Fox, “but the use of robotic technology allows doctors to work through
1 to 2 cm incisions, leading to less scarring and less pain.”
Sexual Function: “Another concern raised by some women is whether or not they will
experience a decrease in sexual function once their uterus is removed,” says Dr. Fox. “But
research shows that women who had good sexual function before surgery, typically have
good sexual function afterward. Sexual function after a hysterectomy depends more on
sexual function history than on the procedure.”
For a referral to a physician trained in robotic surgery, call 1.800.4BAYLOR (422.9567)
HealthQuicks The Best Workout For You!
NEWS YOU CAN USE!
Don’t skip breakfast. Researchers in the
Netherlands learned that those who ate
a high-calorie breakfast, rich in complex
carbohydrates, created 33 percent less
ghrelin, a hunger causing hormone, during
the day and felt fuller longer.
Exercise increases muscle and decreases fat.
“Muscle weighs more than fat because it’s 70
percent water, while fat is 20 percent water,
so you may not drop pounds,” says Jill Bass,
director, Baylor Plano physical medicine.
Research shows that after 6 months, weight
loss slows. Performing the same exercises
regularly can make your body too efficient
because it learns to execute while burning
fewer calories. Change your cardio routine
to start losing again.
Here are a few tips from Sita Boppana, M.D.,
internal medicine physician on the Baylor
Plano medical staff, to incorporate into your
next workout.
Cardio
Perform at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise five
times a week.
Try this: Increase leg strength with these exercises
that target thigh and calf muscles: cycling, running,
in-line skating, and stair climbing.
Sculpting
Weight training two times a week contributes to
the preservation of muscle tissue, helps burn more
calories while resting, and increases bone density.
Try this: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
Extend arms parallel to ground and lean forward.
Lower yourself slowly until you reach a
near-sitting position. Then, to a count of two, slowly rise to a standing position. Keep your
back straight. Repeat 10 times for one set. Rest for one minute. Then complete a second set
of 10 repetitions.
Tips to Reduce Indoor Allergies:
Staying indoors may not keep you allergy-free this spring. Dust mites, mold, cockroaches, and pet dander are all sources
of indoor allergies and seasonal variations
can amplify their severity. “Many people
notice a difference in the severity of their
allergies after simply performing a thorough house cleaning,” says Dr. Gupta.
• Clean and vacuum your house regularly to get rid of dust.
• If moving or remodeling, keep in mind that carpeting and area rugs are tougher to keep clean than wood, tile, or vinyl floors.
• Consider purchasing a HEPA air filter to help minimize allergens in the air.
• Maintain a humidity level between 30 and 40 percent to help prevent mold and dust mite growth.
• Steer clear of feather pillows and down comforters.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Close windows and doors to stop outdoor allergens like pollen from coming inside.
Allergy Drops: Conventionally, when allergy prescriptions fail to provide relief, the next suggested treatment option is often traditional immunotherapy. But now there is another option, allergy drops.
These drops contain the same FDA approved antigens used in the shots but are
administered under the tongue; they adjust
the patient’s immune system making it less
likely to react to allergens. “Typically, the
patient will place between one to three allergy drops under the tongue, hold for two
minutes, then swallow,” says Kevin Lunde,
M.D., an ENT allergist. Patients can even
take the drops at home, and within a few
months many patients no longer have to rely
on medicines. Allergy drops may also be less
expensive for patients since they don’t require
frequent visits to the physicians’ office like the
shots do.
Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery: People
who suffer from chronic allergies may develop
recurrent or chronic sinus infections. “Minimally invasive surgery in which the
sinus openings are enlarged can provide relief
for many chronic sinus sufferers,” says Dr.
Lunde. The surgery improves the sinus’ ability to drain and allows medication to get
up in the nose where many problems begin.
No facial scars are left with this procedure.
Baylor
Plano
Has The
Answers
Calendar of Events
April & May 2008 Events
All programs held at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano,
in Plano Conference Room A/B, Garden Level, unless otherwise
noted. For more information or to register for a program, please
call 1.800.4BAYLOR.
• Tuesdays, April 1 & 29, May 13; Wednesday, May 28
6:30 p.m. – Weight Loss Surgery Informational
Seminar. Presented by Nick Nicholson, M.D., bariatric surgeon.
Baylor Plano’s surgical weight loss program offers three
options: Lap-Band®, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
to help you try to achieve a healthy weight.
Is antibacterial soap more
effective than regular soap?
Washing your hands is the best defense
against getting sick. But does the kind of
soap you use matter?
Researchers recently put antibacterial
and regular soap to the test to find out
whether or not the ingredient triclosan,
found in most antibacterial soaps, made
them any more effective.
“There really isn’t a lot of difference
between antibacterial soap and regular
soap,” says Tom Long, M.D., internal
medicine physician on the Baylor Plano
medical staff.
According to research, antibacterial soaps
do not prevent infections any better than
regular soaps. The research also shows
that antibacterial soaps may pose a health
risk because they may limit the efficiency
of common antibiotics.
“The antibacterial soaps sold to consumers
typically only contain limited amounts of
triclosan. The antibacterial soaps utilized
in clinical areas are more powerful because
they contain greater concentrations of
triclosan,” says Dr. Long.
“Be aware of what is actually in a product
and consider the health benefits before
you purchase it,” says Dr. Long. “The
soaps containing triclosan used in many
community settings are usually no more
effective than plain soap at averting illness
or reducing germs on the hands.
Boost Your Energy
Linda Halbrook, M.D., family medicine physician on the Baylor Plano medical staff, offers advice
on managing your energy level.
Eat Breakfast: A heart healthy, high protein breakfast may better your mood and minimize blood
sugar swings and food cravings.
Walk Daily: Gradually work up to 10,000 steps per day to improve stamina.
Get Enough Rest: Most people require at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night to minimize fatigue.
Maintain A Healthy Weight: Do all you can to be kind to your heart’s work load.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can lead to thickening of the blood, forcing the heart to work harder to deliver blood to cells and organs, causing fatigue.
• Friday, April 4
12 - 1 p.m. – Is Hormone Therapy Right For You?
Learn about the risks and benefits of HRT.
Presented by Dennis Eisenberg, M.D., gynecologist.
• Thursdays, April 10 & May 8
5:30 - 7 p.m. – Diabetes Support Group.
• Saturdays, April 12 & 26; May 10 & 24
Appointments begin at 8:30 a.m. – Saturday
Mammography Clinic. Baylor Women’s Imaging
Center at Plano, Medical Pavilion I, Suite 450.
• Mondays, April 14 & May 12
6 -7:30 p.m. – Living Well with Cancer information
Session, Dinner provided. For more information,
please call 469.814.6753.
• Tuesday, April 15
6 - 8 p.m. – Look Good, Feel Better. Dinner provided.
• Wednesdays, April 16 & May 21
7 - 8 p.m. – Sleep Apnea Support Group.
• Friday, April 25
9 a.m. -12 p.m. – Your Health This Month. Free sleep
disorders and menopause education and blood pressure
screenings will be available. Glucose and cholesterol
screenings will be offered for $10.
• Friday, May 30
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Your Health This Month. Free asthma,
bone density and blood pressure screening will be offered.
Osteoporosis educational information will be available.
Glucose and cholesterol screenings will be offered for $10.
• Friday, May 2
12 -1 p.m. – Controlling Incontinence. Find out the causes,
signs, symptoms and treatment options for the involuntary
loss of bowel or urine. Presented by Murray Fox, M.D.,
gynecologist.
• Monday, May 5
7 - 8:30 p.m. – Young Women Matter. Cancer support group
for younger women with all types of cancer.
Play Some Tunes: Music is one of the most successful treatment options for a bad mood, tension, or lack of energy.
• Thursday, May 15
12 - 1 p.m. – Managing Spinal Stenosis. Learn about the
new minimally invasive X-Stop® procedure to treat spinal
stenosis. Presented by Jeremy Denning, M.D., neurosurgeon.
Lunch provided.
Sign-up for our Electronic Newsletter
Diabetes Self-Management Program assists all ages
in managing diabetes. Classes offered at various times.
For more information, please call 469.814.6896.
Fill Up With Fiber: Fiber provides energy by slowly releasing carbs into the blood stream.
at BaylorHealth.com Click Plano, Click Women’s Health.
Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers,
Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano or Baylor Health Care System. Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. ©2008 Baylor Health Care System.
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