Want to prevent shingles?

Posted on December 10, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

What is shingles?  It is reactivation of latent herpes zoster virus–meaning you’ve had chicken pox in the past and your body holds onto the virus to then let it reactivate.  As we age or as our immune systems becomes weaker, the virus may re-emerge as shingles.  This  typically results in a localized, blister-looking, painful rash on one side of the body.  Before the rash symptoms like

  • headache,
  • sensitivity to light,
  • fatigue,
  • localized abnormal skin sensations (feeling like bugs or hot embers are under the skin)

start one to five days before the rash appears.

The US sees one million new cases of herpes zoster yearly.  1/3 of the population is expected to develop shingles during their lifetime.

The vaccine may cause redness, itching, swelling or warmth where the vaccine was administered but overall the vaccine is safe, effective, and well tolerated.  The 2012 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggest immunocompetent people (those of us with a good immune system) get the vaccine at 60 years or older, even if they have a history of shingles.

Ask your physician about details of the shingles vaccine.

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Flu vaccines may prevent heart attacks, too!

Posted on December 9, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

immunizationImmunization against the influenza lowered the probability of heart attack by 45%.  This Australian study  recently published in the journal Heart.

It is thought that acute infections, such as influenza, cause an increased production of disease-fighting inflammatory proteins.  It is these proteins which may clog up vessels and may precipitate a heart attack.

The World Health Organization notes that among seniors, the flu vaccine reduces severe illnesses and complications from the flu by as much as 60% and reduces deaths by 80%.

Have you had your flu vaccine this fall?

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2013 Whooping cough epidemic in Texas

Posted on December 3, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

Texas is a southern neighbor for us, Kansans.  Whooping cough has reached epidemic proportions in Texas and is projected to hit a 50-year high!  Nearly 2000 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Texas this year with two infant deaths due to the disease.  Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a bacterial infection that may begin with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough.  Severe coughing can start two weeks later.  It is contagious when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. 

The Tdap vaccine has pertussis in it.  We give this vaccine to pregnant women, children ages 2 and 4 and 6 months old.   The first vaccine that a 2 month old gets does not fully shield them from the infection.  Frequent boosters are needed  help secure immunity.  Infants are at most risk for the most severe respiratory complications and death.

Friendly advice:  Get the Tdap vaccine if you are due.  Stay home from work/school if you are ill. Cover your cough.

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Free HIV testing tomorrow in Wichita

Posted on December 1, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

In celebration of Worlds AIDS Day (today!) the Sedgwick County Health Department will offer free HIV testing tomorrow (Monday 12/2/2013).  Two locations are offered.

  • If you are a WSU student or faculty the testing is offered in Ahlberg Hall main lobby Monday 12/2/13 from 9 am to 3 pm.
  • For all others interested, Sedgwick County’s main health clinic at 2716 West Central is offering conventional HIV testing from 8 am to 5 pm Monday 12/2/13.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be seen.  Call 316 660-7300 for more information.

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Fighting sleep?

Posted on November 29, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

As we age we sleep differently.  We continue to need the same amount of sleep, but our sleep patterns may change. 

Sleep needs vary among individuals.  Some do well on five hours of sleep per night, others need 9 hours.  As life gets busy, you may not pay attention to your personal sleep signal.   You may still need your same number of hours of sleep per night even if you don’t make time for it.

Best solution to help induce sleep is simple.  Turn off lights, shut eyes, relax… and go to sleep.

There can be conditions which inhibit sleep like restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, muscle cramps, and even heart or lung conditions.  A thorough physical exam will help reveal if there is a complicating factor for insomnia.

Hints:  get 30 minutes of sunlight daily (this will help to wake up your body at the appropriate time and help the body stay on your “clock”).  Exercise daily.  In bed, only have sex or sleep.  No TV or screens near bedtime (as this may stimulate your brain and make sleep more difficult).

Nightie-night.

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Boost your good cholesterol.

Posted on November 26, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

Yes, there is good cholesterol.

Good cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) , helps shuttle artery-clogging LDL to the liver for removal from the body. 

There are a few ways to increase HDL. 

  • Exercising daily (even walking 10,000 steps per day counts) and muscle-building workouts (like lifting soup cans during commercial breaks) two to three times a week.
  • Eating heart-healthy oils and fish. 
  • Eating an ounce of nuts—daily and unsalted. 
  • To a smaller degree, certain statin drugs may also modestly increase HDL (namely rosuvastatin and atorvastatin).

If you don’t know what your cholesterol panel shows (the good, the bad and the ugly!), ask your doctor!

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Tanning beds illegal for youngsters?!

Posted on November 22, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

Yes.  Illinois is the sixth state to ban tanning beds for youth younger than 18 years.  This law will take effect on January 1, 2014.   The Dermatology Association  said in a news release that the law is based on “significant scientific evidence that links indoor tanning to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.” 

In June, the Internal Revenue Service issued the final regulations on collecting a 10% tax on tanning salon receipts.   Lobbying groups such as the Indoor Tanning Association and the American Suntanning Association continue to lobby against tanning ban laws. 

Illinois joins California, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, and Vermont in passing age-related restrictions on the use of tanning beds.  New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York have bans for youth under age 17.  West Virginia and District of Columbia have bans for tanning beds for those younger than 14.

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Flu vaccine decreases heart attacks!

Posted on November 14, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

JAMA recently combined the results of many studies which in over 6000 patients it was shown that  receiving influenza vaccination lowers the risk of cardiovascular events ( like heart attacks or strokes).  The benefit was even more pronounced in patients with known coronary artery disease.  In those patients, it decreased cardiovascular events by half.

It is estimated that less than 1/3 the general population in North America and less than 1/2 of those at “high cardiovascular risk” currently receive the annual flu vaccine.  The researchers said that the flu vaccine “could address a sizable component of residual cardiovascular risk not addressed by current therapy, and provide yearlong coverage through a simple innoculation.”

Please get your flu vaccine today!

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FDA suggests hydrocodone be changed to a more restrictive drug class

Posted on November 11, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

How does this affect you? Maybe it doesn’t.  But, if you’ve received a prescription for medication like Vicodin, Norco, or Lortab (as 131,000,000 prescriptions were written in 2011) this will affect you.

The FDA’s decision to increase the restrictiveness of these prescriptions comes out of years of controversy over epidemic-scale abuse and misuse of prescription pain medicines.  It is speculated that if hydrocodone medications were placed on the market today that they would firmly be within the Schedule II classification and that the change is justifiable and expected.

There is a need to balance safety with continued access to these drugs.

What is the prescribing difference between schedule III and schedule II?  Schedule II drugs require handwritten prescriptions.  No refills are allowed.

What is coming down the pike?  The FDA plans to submit formal recommendations by early December  2013 to the US Department of Health and Human Services to reclassify hydrocodone combinations into Schedule II.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has the final decision.  The decision is complex and far-reaching both for patients and physicians.

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Myths about diabetes

Posted on November 7, 2013 by drlesliegreenberg

Myth:  Diabetics need to eat special diabetic foods.

Truth:  Diabetic foods generally offer no special benefit.  Healthy foods are what diabetics should eat.  This includes foods low in fat, moderate in salt and sugar, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Myth:  Fruit has natural sugar, so it’s okay to eat as much as you’d like.

Truth:  Fruit is a healthy food and because fruits contain carbohydrates they need to be included in your meal plan.  No food is without limits.  Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.

Myths: Overweight or obese people will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Fact:  Being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.  Many overweight people will not get diabetes, and you can be normal weight and develop type 2 diabetes.

Myth: Diabetes is not a serious disease.

Truth:  It is a serious disease with important, serious complications if blood sugars are not managed properly.  Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth:  Diabetes is contagious.

Truth:  Diabetes is not contagious.  Genetics and lifestyle play a part—especially in type 2 diabetes.

Want more information?  Go to www.diabetes.org/

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