There are over 600 muscles in the human body. You have biceps, triceps, quadriceps, and the cool ones like the orbicularis oculi, the sternocleidomastoideus, and the extensor retinaculum. Then there are the super-important ones, like, oh gee, the heart.
As we end the month of February, we near the end of American Heart Month. The American Heart Association is using this month to bring awareness to the dangers of heart disease in women, a disease that kills more women in the United States than cancer.
We normally think of heart disease in the context of a heart attack. Our version of the heart attack victim is an overweight, middle-aged, stressed out man. But anyone can have a heart attack. Certain things may put you at a higher risk, but recognizing the dangers and symptoms of a heart problem are the keys to your survival.
The first line of defense in the fight against heart disease is what you put into your mouth. Maintaining a suitable weight is the first step. While being overweight puts you in grave danger, being underweight can also put undue stress on your ticker. Being underweight or malnourished is a common problem with the elderly, as eating habits become less important. Your diet should be heavy in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fats, and low in sugars. These measures will not only reduce your risk of heart disease, they will help to lower your cholesterol and manage your glucose levels. Having diabetes as an adult raises your risk of heart disease almost 4 times than that of someone with normal glucose levels.
Some other things to think about in your mouth are cigarettes and alcohol. While many say that alcohol is alright in moderation, we haven’t found anyone who has pointed out a beneficial aspect to smoking. Some said that it made them look cool, but that idea went out with 8-tracks and mood rings.
Once you’ve made the commitment to eat healthier, you need to do something with your nutritious calories.
Many of you may have made the decision to join a gym after New Years. Some of you may have actually kept that promise. But joining a gym takes money, requires time, and some are intimidated by the prospect of beginning an exercise program.
How would you feel about an exercise program that was easy for a beginner, safe for all ages, had a low dropout rate, and was free? Have we got a health club for you! Take a walk. Walking as little as 30 minutes per day can improve your health. It is estimated that you add 2 hours to your life for every hour that you spend walking. In addition to walking around your home or neighborhood, you can walk around a mall, find some walking buddies to team up with, or just choose the stairs instead of an elevator. Walking is also good because it doesn’t require any equipment or fancy clothing. Jeans and smart shoes are fine.
Much of the focus of this year’s AHA campaign is striving to educate women about the symptoms of heart disease or a heart attack. Dr. Nieca Goldberg of NYU’s Langone Medical Center says that women notoriously ignore the warning signs “…because they are scared and because they put their families first.”
While the classic scenario shows someone clutching their chest and gasping for breath, the symptoms are often much more subtle. In addition to shortness of breath or chest pains, women might experience pain in the lower chest, upper back, and fatigue. The AHA just released a wonderful PSA starring Elizabeth Banks where she portrays a busy mom who just can’t believe that she could be experiencing a heart attack.
If you think that you are in danger or have experienced worrisome symptoms, get to your doctor, quickly. Studies have shown that more heart attack victims survive if they call 911 than if they try to get themselves to a care provider. Emergency services generally transport more quickly, and patients in the hospital are seen sooner if brought by a medical professional. Other studies have shown that taking an aspirin at the first sign of a heart attack can improve your chances. But if you think that you’re having a heart attack or a stroke, trust us, call someone.
We started this week’s blog by describing some of the muscles in the human body. It takes a few muscles to move your computer mouse, and not much more than a bicep to pick up your phone. You use over 72 muscles to speak. Get some real exercise and share with someone what you’ve learned here today.
Image by Clare Bloomfield
Got big plans for Valentine’s? Maybe some dinner plans? Take the honey to a movie? Perhaps you’re busy, or have no sitter. Just make a quick trip to the mega-mart and grab some flowers and a box of chocolates.
Did you know what over 100,000 people will be hoping for this Valentine’s Day? An organ. About 4,000 people get added to this guest list every month. And tomorrow, while you exchange heart-shaped gifts with your loved one, 18 people will die for the lack of an organ donor.
While these are every-day numbers for those who are part of these statistics, tomorrow is special for them. February 14th is National Donor Day. Saturn and The United Auto Workers started this special Valentine for those awaiting an organ in 1998.
At the Hospital Hospitality House of Richmond, we have a special floor set aside for patients either waiting or recovering from an organ transplant. We like to give these guests their own floor because their bodies are at a very high risk of infection, and an organ transplant puts that risk into overdrive.
We also are witnesses to the remarkable gift of an organ donation. We see it every day here at the House, and we saw it last year at our Fancy Hat Party when we hosted Cojo. In case you forgot, Steven Cojocaru is a fashionista who has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, the Today Show, and American Idol. He is also the recipient of two kidneys. When his first donor organ became infected he got a second from his mother. That was in 2005, and he’s been doling out laughs and fashion critiques with gusto ever since.
So what do you have to do to be a donor?
Not much, really. You can talk to your physician, or discuss it with your loved ones. You can go to organdonor.gov and fill out the form. In Virginia, you can check the box on your Driver’s License and you’re good to go. Do you think that you’re too old? There are no age restrictions. Do you think that you’re too young? You can sign up to be an organ donor as young as 13, but you need a parent or guardian to do it before you’re 18.
Let’s say that you’re fighting a disease, but still want to help. Can you still be a donor? You may have a disease that affects one organ but not another. You may have skin, bone, marrow, a cornea, or cells that would be a gift of life for another.
Are you worried about the cost? It’s pretty much free. If you donate your body, and in most cases as a living donor, the recipient’s insurance covers the cost of any medical care.
“Wait, did you just say ‘living donor’?”
Why yes, yes we did. It can be as simple as giving blood, or a full-on invasive surgery. In addition to blood, you can donate a kidney, part of a liver, part of a lung, intestine, or pancreas. The human body is a remarkably robust and resilient machine, and most people have more than enough of certain organs than they need.
You should know that offering someone the life-giving gift of an organ involves anesthesia, blood loss, pain, and some scarring. It is a surgery, and as such it carries some risk. You may also have to deal with the psychological effects of recovery and the sense of responsibility if your recipient rejects your organ. These risks are generally quite low, though. The reward for your donation is the life of the person receiving your gift. People receiving these sorts of donations generally go back to normal activities, and 90% or so live out a normal lifespan.
So who does it? Well, everybody. Slightly over half of all living donors were women, and that number reverses itself for deceased donors. Most were white, with blacks, Hispanics, and Asians pretty fairly represented. The demographics of organ donors pretty closely matched the demographics of our population. And most religions allow some sort of organ or medical donation. It’s compassionate.
And who gets your special Valentine’s gift?
Over 100,000 people just like us. You won’t even have to buy flowers, cook dinner, or light candles. Though it is a nice touch.
Image from anankkml
It’s usually the same routine:
- Pick up the little ones.
- Home for homework and a recap of their day.
- Dinner with some crying about vegetables.
- Bath time and a story.
- Put them to bed.
- Do laundry, answer emails, prepare lunches for tomorrow, pay some bills, call the sister…
Did you notice that we missed something? The kids have a bedtime, but what happened to ours?
Ask yourself some questions:
- Does the alarm scare you awake every morning?
- Do you wake up every day still feeling tired?
- Do you fall asleep during movies or while watching TV?
- Do you go on vacation to sleep late?
Maybe YOU need a bedtime.
Studies have shown that sleep is a fantastic cure-all, and a lack of sleep does the body no good. From the sweet feeling of rest, to the peace of mind, to the physical effects: sleep is necessary for health and happiness.
Most experts say that the average adult needs somewhere between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Some people function well on as little as 4 hours, but some may need at least 10. Several hours of uninterrupted sleep has been shown to reduce fatigue, improve memory, help to deal with emotional trauma, and perhaps even boost the body’s immune system. A study in the medical journal The Lancet said that nearly a quarter of all adults feel as if they don’t get a good night’s sleep, and a full ten percent of our adult population would qualify as suffering from insomnia. Insomnia and other sleep disorders (like sleep apnea) have been shown to increase the risk of depression, hypertension, and heart disease.
A recently published study reported the link between sleep and certain cells in the body. Your body produces a sort of white blood cell, called a natural killer cell, which your body will release to fight invasions of foreign cells, like cancer. Subjects who were kept awake or had disrupted sleep patterns had lower or depressed levels of these cells in their body. So in an age when almost anything can cause cancer, a good night’s sleep can help you fight it!
Do you dream at night? Many of us dream of flying (means something), of being naked in a crowd (means something), or being trapped (means something). All Freud aside, many of us dream of talking to loved ones past and present, and re-live emotional situations in our lives. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have been looking into the relationship between sleep and emotions. What we dream may help us to resolve emotional issues, help to ease painful memories, and may be a key to lessening the devastation of post traumatic stress disorder.
So how do you dip into this fountain of youth? Try starting with these five simple steps:
- Give yourself a bedtime. Every day has to end at some point, and it should end when you say so. Some things may get put off until tomorrow, but you’ll be better equipped to deal with them if you have a clear and rested noggin.
- Turn everything off. That means everything. Some people benefit from a sound machine that simulates crashing waves, and some relax to the whir of a spinning fan. That doesn’t mean a television, a radio, or a phone. Almost half of all smartphone users check their social media updates after they’ve gone to bed. You go to bed to sleep, not to network.
- Eat for sleep. It is never a good idea to eat and then fall out. You should give your body some time to digest before you hit the hay, and avoid items with caffeine or lots of sugar. These items make you stay awake.
- Relax. A common cause of insomnia is anxiety triggered by what you have on your plate tomorrow. You should review your day and plan your tomorrow before you make the decision to catch some shuteye. Before you strap into your jammies you should do something to clear your head, like meditation, deep breathing, or perhaps reading something that is totally unrelated to your anxiety-inducing plans.
- Exercise. We seem to slip this into every “wellness” blog or post, but it’s true. Some time during your day, you need to exercise. A perfect routine would find you enjoying a brisk family walk after dinner/before bedtime. We know, good for your heart, reduce the risk of stroke, maintain a good weight, etc etc etc. Truth be told, when you exercise your body releases a chemical called dopamine. Do you know what dopamine does? It drives learning, controls some voluntary movements, and helps to combat depression. Your body should like dopamine.
So pull out the comfy sheets, fluff up the pillow, and grab your favorite pajamas. We like the ones with the feet in them. To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast.” We’re going to need for you to be at your best. Get some sleep.
We came across an article in the New York Times about Operation Mend. It’s a program to help service members who have been injured in combat. It uses the staff at the UCLA Medical Center, the resources of one of the best reconstructive surgery centers in the world, and the military to rebuild these battlefield heroes after they’ve been severely burned in combat or battle-related accidents. Many of them have lost limbs or other body parts due to their injuries. Most, if not all of them will undergo weeks, months, and years of surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation in an attempt to put their bodies and lives back together. The Operation Mend website tells some compelling stories, and there are some pretty graphic “before and after” pictures of some of the vets who have been helped. We couldn’t help but notice the many smiles in the after pictures.
The article (and our limited medical knowledge) made us wonder about one aspect of dealing with medical crisis: There is such a thing as “surgery fatigue”, and you don’t have to be a burn victim to have it.
Anyone who has had a catastrophic injury may need repeated surgeries to repair what has been damaged. This could be for shattered bones, to repair nerve damage, or to replace a damaged organ.
Perhaps the crisis is the result of a genetic anomaly? Do you remember our friend from Belize? She had a series of surgeries over the course of seven months to correct a birth defect that restricted her ability to walk.
If you’re someone who is getting an organ transplant, you will probably have to endure a series of procedures before, during, or after getting your new lease on life. Heaven forbid that your body rejects your new organ. It will be back to the drawing board.
This says nothing of the physical and emotional effects of having to endure multiple procedures. Your body develops scar tissue, you develop a resistance to certain drugs and medications, and some have developed life-threatening allergies to things like latex. A recent report in Pediatrics points to a possible link between multiple exposures to general anesthesia and learning disabilities.
How about the emotional fatigue? You wake up in the same rut every day. Still sick, still tired, still scared, and it’s already tomorrow. It’s like Groundhog Day, but instead of waking up in Punxsutawney you’re packing for another trip to the hospital. You lose your appetite, you have a constant apprehension, and healing becomes that much harder.
People in the medical profession know these things. And they want to help. The doctors who volunteer for Operation Mend, the orthopedists who worked on our friend from Belize, and the therapists that work with many of our guests have one goal in mind: get you healthy and home.
Science is coming up with some wonderful tools to speed this process. The military is doing amazing research into the use of artificial skin and special bandages to promote healing and fight infection. A program at Rush University in Chicago is developing a “growing prosthesis” that allows children with bone disorders to have fewer surgeries. An implanted bone can be adjusted to “grow” with a young patient. Fewer and less invasive procedures!
If your loved one is seemingly trapped in this cycle of treatment, you can help.
Everyone should know what is coming up. There should be a realistic expectation of the procedure, how long it’s going to take, and what it’s going to feel like afterwards. Will there be a cast? Will there be a long period of bed rest or limited activity? How long will it be before we can swim or play? Will we be able to bathe or brush our hair?
There may be pain, and we’re going to deal with it. It may just be a little stick, or perhaps a pain that requires medication. People dealing with pain will need to know how to deal with it and how to communicate their level of pain. There is no such thing a “too brave” to admit to hurting. And knowing that the pain will get better can be very reassuring.
If your loved one is in medical crisis then everyone becomes a patient. The stress of procedures and treatments puts stress on the rest of the clan, too. They may not need the same level of care as someone who is sick, but they need the same level of attention.
Lastly, just be there. Some of the most difficult aspects of going through a series of procedures are the uncertainties, fears, and the disruption of life. Pack a smile as a part of your wardrobe, keep laughter on your daily menu, and make tomorrow #1 on your “things to do” list!
This year’s format varied slightly from the past two years, but was a huge success! Our special guest was Chef Roland Mesnier, who served as the White House Executive Pastry Chef for 26 years under five different Presidents, the longest tenured chef ever to serve at the White House. Under Chef Roland’s direction, we were treated to a State Dinner Experience, duplicating an evening only a few select people ever see. It was a great evening and we are so grateful to all who attended!
Over 310 guests were there and we raised approximately $150,000 to benefit the Richmond Hospital Hospitality House. Thank you!
Thank you!
By
Thank you to all who contributed during the Amazing Raise!
Through this awesome fundraising event, over $360,000 was raised by GiveRichmond.org for various Richmond Charities! We will keep you updated on any prizes we may won.
Again, many many thanks to our contributors!
SAVOR The White House
Featuring White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier
Saturday, October 1, 2011
6 p.m. Reception and Silent Auction
7:30 White House State Dinner and Live Auction
10 p.m. After Dinner Gala with Entertainment and Music
For Information call 804-828-6901
or click here
15th Annual Fancy Hat Party
Friday, March 30, 2012
Luncheon & Hat Contest
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
at the Richmond Marriott Hotel
Special Guest Speaker
Marcia Wallace
Actress, Author, and Breast Cancer Survivor
More details to follow – stay tuned!
Even with the threat of Hurricane Irene, literally on the horizon, we had a great turnout for our Gilbane Restaurant Walk on August 26th. We could not be more thankful all of our sponsors, the restaurants, the organizers and the participants. It was truly a successful night and we’d love to hear about your experience!
Summer is almost over. That means back to school, it means fall colors, and it means football.
Fall also brings us closer to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It comes to us every October. We’re big fans of the little pink ribbon and we’re excited to spread the word again this year but isn’t every month kind of a Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
The little pink ribbon first appeared in 1991 with the Susan G. Komen race in New York City for Breast Cancer Survivors. It has become an annual endeavor and much has been done in the areas of research and treatment but the race is still very much full on.
In 2011 there were over 230,000 reported cases of breast cancer. Most were women but men were diagnosed also. Over a quarter of the people diagnosed were under the age of 50. Over a quarter of all the women diagnosed with any type of cancer in 2011 were diagnosed with breast cancer.
What puts someone at risk? Many point to heredity and that certainly plays a factor but studies showed that almost ¾ of the women diagnosed with breast cancer presented no real risk factors. Smoking obviously puts one at risk and diet plays a role. Research has shown that brightly colored fruits and vegetables build healthier cells that may be stronger to fight invasive cancer so eat up!
Regular screenings are a key to early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Women are counseled to look for lumps or abnormalities in breast tissue. While 80% of the lumps discovered turned out to be benign or noncancerous the remaining 20% left a lot on some peoples plates. If you’re worried about all of those mammograms and your exposure to radiation keep in mind that a single screening gives you about the same dose as you’d normally get in the outside world over the course of a couple of months. Seems like a small price to pay, doesn’t it?
If you are diagnosed you have a variety of treatments and therapies to choose from. Many doctors are trying to avoid invasive surgeries. New treatments are being developed and many are embracing hormone and holistic therapies. Your doctor can evaluate your case and look at your history and help determine the best course of action for you.
The important thing is to be aware. Don’t wait for October to think about breast cancer. Make today a Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Maybe tomorrow too. And probably the next day…
