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| Physical Health
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
| Family Health
Poison Ivy
| Emotional Health
Panic Attack
| Know your Numbers
| Calendar of Events
EDITORIAL BOARD:
Elisheva Langner, Ph.D.
Staff therapist and Program Director, Wellness
Education, Training, and Outreach at The
Center for Applied Psychology
Isaac Schechter, Psy.D.
Director, Center for Applied Psychology
CONTRIBUTING
EDITORS & REVIEWERS:
Edward Lebovics, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G.
Professor of Medicine & Director, Division
of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary
Diseases, NY Medical College
Yosef Gurevitch, MSW
Staff therapist and anxiety disorders
specialist, Department of Clinical Services at
the Center for Applied Psychology
irritable bowel
syndrome
veryone has experienced a
stomachache at some point
in his or her life. It may have
been at age 5, after a full
day of pure, blissful Purimnosh ingestion or during that
very brief period of time
when you thought that tuna
sandwiches did not need to
be refrigerated overnight. In
either circumstance, these
minor
stomach
problems
usually last only a few days
and then disappear.
Cont. page 3
emotional health
panic attacks
Information is the
first step towards healthy living
VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 3 / SUMMER 2007
family health
poison ivy
“Leaves of three, let them be.”
These rhyming words of
caution may be
one of the smartest
sayings
you
teach
your children
this
summer.
Poison
ivy, poison oak,
and
poison sumac
are
harmless
looking
plants
that can
easily
create a lot of havoc on one’s
skin. Poison ivy and poison oak
grow with three leaves on each stem while poison sumac grows with
rows of two leaflets along the stem and one at the tip (see photo).
Touching any of these plants can cause contact dermatitis, which is
red, itchy rashes, small bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes are
not serious but can be uncomfortable or even painful. The
poisonous oil in these plants (urushiol) can cause this reaction 12
hours to 10 days after one’s skin merely comes into contact with
the plant or its oil. Treating this type of contact dermatitis can be
tricky, so keep the following suggestions in mind.
Cont. page 2
s I walk down the grocery store aisle, my heart suddenly starts to beat faster,
my palms become sweaty and clammy, and I feel as if I can’t breathe, gasping
for air in desperation. I am terrified that I am dying or having a “nervous
breakdown” and I quickly run out of the store, davening that I don’t collapse
on the street. Afterwards, I am filled with dread and anxiety that it’s going
to happen again and I start avoiding that grocery store.
Cont. page 5
Cont. family health
What If I
Already Touched The Plant?
First, clean the area with a lot of isopropyl (rubbing)
alcohol. Keep in mind that alcohol takes off the natural
protecting oils of your skin along with the urushiol, so
stay away from the plant the rest of the day!
Next, pour water over the area.
Then take a shower (not a bath) with
soap and warm water. Don’t use soap
before the shower because soap may
spread the urushiol all around the skin as
you wash. Make sure to wash under your
(or your child’s) fingernails!
How Can I Prevent The Reaction?
Teach your children what these plants look like and tell
them not to touch them- even when you’re not looking.
Get these plants out of your backyard, if possible. Try
herbicides or use heavy gloves to carefully pull them out,
washing your gloves and hands thoroughly afterwards.
Never burn these plants because their oil spreads in smoke,
causing a dangerous rash inside of the body when inhaled.
When going outdoors or hiking, try to stay on cleared
pathways, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, shoes
and gloves if you are working in
the garden.
Using alcohol and water, wipe off all of your clothes,
shoes, tools, and everything that might have touched
the oil or plant. Remember to keep your hands covered
and protected while doing this and then throw out the
hand coverings.
To relieve the itching, pain and swelling: use calamine
lotion, creams containing menthol, cool and wet
compresses, and soak in a bath of cool or lukewarm
(not hot) water with colloidal oatmeal (for
example, Aveeno).
Teach your children what
these plants look like.
Before going outside, you can use
lotions that block the oil from
getting into your skin, such as Ivy
Block. Keep in mind, however, that humidity, temperature
and the condition of your skin will affect how well it works.
Be careful with what you wear outside. If you walk through
poison ivy, oak, or sumac and touch those shoes or clothing
the next day (or even the next year!), it can cause dermatitis.
Poison Sumac
Corticosteroid creams (hydrocortisone) are helpful
in the early stages, before blisters develop.
If the reaction is very severe, is spread over
a lot of the body, is near sensitive areas of
the body such as the eyes or mouth, does
not get better after a few weeks, or is oozing
pus, go to your doctor.
Sometimes, oral antihistamines (such as Benadryl)
or oral corticosteroids will be prescribed. Do not
use antihistamine creams, as they can make the
rash worse. Sources: www.kidshealth.org, www.mayoclinic.org,
www.aad.org, www.fda.gov
Poison Oak
SUMMER NEWSLETTER
‘07 | PAGE 2
Cont. physical health
Most people are hesitant to speak about their stomach problems because it
often involves private or embarrassing experiences. For this reason, many
people suffer quietly without realizing that just making some minor
adjustments might ease some of their discomfort. As previously mentioned,
there are many different explanations for stomach pain and a doctor’s visit
is the first step to taking care of yourself. It may help to make that
appointment knowing that most stomach problems are not serious and,
once correctly diagnosed, can be eased at home.
S
ome people, however, experience stomach discomfort
that is very painful, lasts more than just a few days or
seems to be unrelated to their eating habits. These types
of stomach problems are usually difficult to identify
because, without a medical examination, they can indicate anything
from lactose intolerance, anxiety, or pregnancy-related issues to
ulcers, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, which
includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis). Given that there are
so many different possible explanations (and treatments) for more
severe stomach problems, it’s very important to speak with your
doctor about these types of symptoms.
Many doctors find that the most common stomach complaints are due to
irritable bowel syndrome or IBS*. These may include cramping, bloating,
gas, constipation, diarrhea, or feeling as if you have to go to the bathroom
when you don’t. These symptoms could be constant or come and go at
different times. Although the cause of IBS is still unknown, it is clear that
IBS occurs when the bowel (large intestine) doesn’t work the way it should.
It does not mean that the bowel is damaged; rather, the nerves and muscles
in the bowel may be overly sensitive to your body’s internal systems.
It is therefore possible that certain things may trigger symptoms in one
person with IBS while another person may not be affected. Certain foods,
stress, nervousness, and even smoking may cause symptoms to appear. It’s
important to note that IBS is not a psychological or emotional problem,
although some emotional difficulties can trigger symptoms. Additionally,
IBS does not cause more serious conditions such as Crohn’s disease or
cancer, as some people mistakenly think.
food choices
Th e
Good
Stuff
Foods that are high in fiber can reduce IBS
symptoms. Fiber is found in fruit (especially
pears, blueberries, and apples), vegetables
(especially cabbage, raw carrots, and peas), beans
(especially kidney and lima beans), whole grain
bread, whole-wheat pastas, many cereals,
oatmeal, and bran. Looking at nutrition labels
when buying packaged goods can also help you
figure out their fiber content. Just remember to
increase the fiber in your diet slowly, otherwise it
may make you uncomfortable at first. Drinking
8 glasses of water every day and eating 4-5
smaller meals at regular times instead of 3 larger
ones can also be helpful.
Th e
Bad
Stuff
Certain foods are known to cause IBS symptoms. It may be helpful to avoid or decrease
how much you eat of the foods that are your triggers. To find out which foods are
problems for you, keep track of what you eat during the day, what symptoms you have,
when they happen, and what foods always make you feel bad. The following foods are
known to cause symptoms in many IBS sufferers and may be triggers for you: fatty or
greasy foods (red meat, fried foods, egg yolks, butter, margarine, nuts, mayonnaise,
etc.), dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream- even the fat free kind), chocolate, alcohol,
caffeine (coffee, some medications), carbonated drinks (soda, seltzer), and sugar-free
sweeteners (sorbitol, mannitol). Some people find that only gaseous foods such as raw
apples and pears, melons, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, and carbonated drinks
(soda, seltzer), are problematic. It’s important to figure out which of these foods trigger
your symptoms, as everyone’s body is different. Keep in mind that if milk products are
your triggers, make sure to eat other foods with calcium and vitamin B or use an enzyme
to help you digest milk (Lactaid, for example).
SUMMER NEWSLETTER
‘07 | PAGE 3
Cont. physical health
How do I know if I have IBS?
Your doctor will give you a physical exam, take your medical history, and
perhaps a blood test, CT scan, stool culture, lactose intolerance tests, flexible
sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. These tests rule out other minor problems
and make sure that there is no serious reason for your symptoms.
Natural and
Pharmaceutical Remedies
Psyllium (Metamucil), a natural vegetable fiber, and
methylcellulose (Citrucel), a synthetic material, are
both supplements that you can add to beverages to
increase your fiber intake.
Peppermint or an antispasmodics can be taken 20-30
minutes before a meal to relax the muscle movements in the bowel, which helps with diarrhea and
pain. Avoid peppermint, however, if you tend to get
heartburn.
Stool softeners and laxatives will help with regularity
but should be used with caution because intestinal
muscles can become dependent on or addicted to
them.
Anti-diarrheal medications (Imodium or Kaopectate)
can also be helpful but must be taken cautiously because prolonged use can destroy certain bacteria that
are necessary for intestinal functioning.
Anticholinergic medications can help people with
painful bowel spasms.
Antidepressant medications can help relieve intestinal
pain and depression, if necessary.
What Can I Do?
Although there is no cure for IBS, many people are able to relieve their
symptoms through their food choices, natural or pharmaceutical
remedies, and stress management. It may be a good idea to try each of
these methods in order to find the right combination that works for you.
Stress
Management
Many people have stomach discomfort
when they are worried or nervous but
people with IBS have these problems
more often and more intensely. Learning how to cope successfully with stress
is a powerful method for preventing
and reducing symptoms.
Relaxation exercises such as deep or diaphragmatic breathing, progressive
muscle relaxation can help you to control your stress and relax your muscles
to decrease pain.
Exercise such as swimming, walking,
or aerobics can help with relaxation,
reduce nervousness and help with intestinal functioning.
Counseling or stress management
training can help you learn how to
cope with life stresses as they arise, and
keep your stress level down throughout your life to reduce symptoms.
Other
These following treatments
might be helpful to some people with IBS.
Acupuncture may relax muscle
spasms and improve bowel
function in some people.
Probiotics (in yogurt and some
supplements) might help ease
symptoms by increasing the
amount of healthy bacteria in
your intestines.
*IBS should not be confused
with the more serious IBD
(the inflammatory bowel
diseases of Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis). IBD is
when a person has stomach
pain with inflammation of
the intestines, as diagnosed
through a doctor’s
examination.
SOURCES: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov, www.mayoclinic.com, www.rush.edu, www.nlm.nih.gov, www.myibd.org
calendar of events
1. CAPS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS
Begins in September for the 2007-2008 school year, funded by the ERCSD.
Contact your school to learn more about these services.
2. BIKUR CHOLIM 26TH ANNUAL DINNER
Sunday, November 11th at the Atrium Plaza
SUMMER NEWSLETTER
‘07 | PAGE 4
Many people who report having an
Cont. emotional health
a
episode similar to the one described
panic
attack.
above, think that they are “going crazy”
or having a heart attack CHV”SH.
For most of these people, however,
this overwhelming experience of
sheer terror is actually...
What is a panic
attack?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of
intense fear that causes strong
physical reactions in one’s body,
usually lasting about half an hour.
This type of “anxiety attack” can
happen when a person is alone, with
others, at home, in public, or even
during a sound sleep. Signs and
symptoms may include:
BODY SIGNS
Pounding or Fast Heartbeat
Sweating Feeling
Trembling / Shivering
Shortness of breath
Hyperventilating
Numbness
Tingling
Nausea
What if I once had a panic attack?
Keep in mind that while some people experience a panic attack,
most of them do not have more than one in their lifetime. A number
of people experience repeated panic attacks, consistently worry
about having an attack, or even change their behaviors in an effort
to prevent another attack (for example, avoiding the place where
they first had a panic attack). This avoidance can sometimes lead
people to stay home most of the day, stop driving, and even shun
public places or simchas. If any of these statements are true for you,
it may indicate a panic disorder, which is effectively treated with
cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes medication as well.
Cognitive behavioral therapy means speaking with a trained
psychologist or social worker to learn skills that will help you control,
prevent, and cope with panic attacks and the anxiety surrounding
them. Before starting therapy, however, it’s important to first ask if
the professional you are considering was trained to treat panic
disorder. Medications for panic disorder are prescribed by a
psychiatrist or your regular doctor and can be very helpful, if
needed. These may take a few weeks to work and it’s important to
keep regular appointments with your doctor to make sure the
medicine is working best for you. Not everyone should take
medication and many people only need it temporarily. Treatment
can include both therapy and medication or just therapy alone,
depending on the diagnosis and personal choice.
SOURCES: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Stomach cramps
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness / Faintness
Rubbery legs
Tightness in your throat
Trouble swallowing
FEELING SIGNS
Feeling like you’re dying
Feeling like you’re losing
control
Feeling like you’re going crazy
Confused
Disoriented
What Should I Do?
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to first speak with your
medical doctor because other health problems, such as heart problems,
an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or reactions to certain
medications can cause similar symptoms. If your doctor finds you
otherwise healthy and you continue to have these symptoms, the next
step is speaking to a qualified professional. Call The Department of
Clinical Services at Bikur Cholim-Partners in Health (845-425-5252, Ext.
300) for an appointment or referral. Treatment is very effective and most
people are able to resume their regular lives with the right help. Know Your
Numbers
Correction:
The Spring Issue
(Issue 2) of Healthy
Choices for Life
had a misprint in its
BMI (Body Mass
Index ) chart.
Please use the
corrected BMI chart
displayed here
for calculation of
your BMI.
BMI
(kg/m2) 19
Height
4' 10"
4' 11"
5' 0"
5' 1"
5' 2"
5' 3"
5' 4"
5' 5"
5' 6"
5' 7"
5' 8"
5' 9"
5' 10"
5' 11"
6' 0"
6' 1"
6' 2"
6' 3"
6' 4"
91
94
97
100
104
107
110
114
118
121
125
128
132
136
140
144
148
152
156
20
21
22
23
96
99
102
106
109
113
116
120
124
127
131
135
139
143
147
151
155
160
164
100
104
107
111
115
118
122
126
130
134
138
142
146
150
154
159
163
168
172
105
109
112
116
120
124
128
132
136
140
144
149
153
157
162
166
171
176
180
110
114
118
122
126
130
134
138
142
146
151
155
160
165
169
174
179
184
189
24
25
26
Weight (lbs.)
115
119
123
127
131
135
140
144
148
153
158
162
167
172
177
182
186
192
197
119
124
128
132
136
141
145
150
155
159
164
169
174
179
184
189
194
200
205
124
128
133
137
142
146
151
156
161
166
171
176
181
186
191
197
202
208
213
27
28
29
30
35
40
129
133
138
143
147
152
157
162
167
172
177
182
188
193
199
204
210
216
221
134
138
143
148
153
158
163
168
173
178
184
189
195
200
206
212
218
224
230
138
143
148
153
158
163
169
174
179
185
190
196
202
208
213
219
225
232
238
143
148
153
158
164
169
174
180
186
191
197
203
207
215
221
227
233
240
246
167
173
179
185
191
197
204
210
216
223
230
236
243
250
258
265
272
279
287
191
198
204
211
218
225
232
240
247
255
262
270
278
286
294
302
311
319
328
SUMMER NEWSLETTER
‘07 | PAGE 5
DRIVERS NEEDED TO:
Manhattan Hospitals
New Jersey Hospitals
Local Hospitals
Calls come in daily from patients requiring transportation to
medical appointments. Unable to take public transportation,
they appeal to us for help. WE APPEAL TO YOU FOR HELP.
Call 425-5252, EXT 525
for information about this
exciting new lifestyle change
program for women with
high blood pressure,
weight problems, diabetes,
high cholsterol, or other
heart issues.
If you drive into Manhattan and can make some time to drop
off a patient at a doctor or hospital, please call Miriam Ptalis
at 845.425.7877 EXT. 107
SHABBOS ROOM
COORDINATOR
When a patient is hospitalized over Shabbos and
Yom Tov his greatest comfort is the presence of a family
member at his bedside. Our Shabbos Rooms accommodate
these families by providing them with sleeping and eating
accommodations on the hospital premises.
If you are available to take care of our Shabbos Rooms,
please call Miriam Ptalis at 845.425.7877 EXT. 107
YOUR CHESED WILL ENSURE THE COMFORT OF THE SICK.
YOU CAN SAVE THE WORLD!
ktrahn ,jt apb ohhenv kfW
(zWf:,ufrc) Wtkn okug ohhe ukhtf
Medical emergencies do not wait for 9:00 a.m. or stop at 5:00 p.m.
An emergency can arise at any time of night or day and when
someone is involved in a medical emergency there is no Erev
Shabbos or Erev Yom Tov – there is only panic and a sense of loss.
When turning to Bikur Cholim no matter what the time, the voice
of the dispatcher answers calmly, reassuringly and ready to help.
JOIN OUR DEDICATED DISPATCHERS AND HELP
SAVE THE WORLD. Call 845.425.7877 EXT. 107
WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. 845.425.5252 EXT. 344 |
SENIOR VISITATION
Wisdom to Share
Stories to Tell
To a lending ear
And a caring heart
There are seniors among us who need
you to ease the burden of their loneliness.
Please call Rifke Sternfield at:
845.425.7877 EXT. 143.
YEDEI CHESED
OPPORTUNITIES
1. Counselors for Shabbos respite Host a
special needs child in your own home, join
a mini Shabbaton for a few children,
or spend an hour or two with a special
needs child on a Shabbos afternoon.
2. Drivers for special activities for children
with special needs. We provide carseats.
3. Volunteers for a wonderful Chol Hamoed
event - Friday Chol Hamoed Pesach
4. Lag B'Omer outdoor event - we need all
kids of volunteers - its a Sunday!
[email protected]
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
This newsletter is designed for informational purposes only;
it is not to be used in place of professional diagnosis
or treatment of any illness.
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