Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 - (Page 7)

’tis the season to be by carla carwile he emergency department at St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster treats more than 45,000 patients each year, making it one of busiest EDs along the Front Range. Vim & Vigor asked Medical Director Brian Erling, M.D., and Clinical Nurse Manager Kim LeBlanc, R.N., about the top five reasons area residents seek emergency care during the winter months and how to avoid them. T safe 2 this season, be safe and keep yourself out of the ER. But if trouble should arise, don’t hesitate to make the trip 1 chest pain Advice: “Sometimes people with undiagnosed heart disease give themselves their own little ‘stress test’ by shoveling snow,” Erling says. Whether activity-related or not, if you have chest pain and shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately. And don’t drive yourself. Call 911 and get a head start on evaluation and treatment—if it’s a heart attack it can save your life. flu-related concerns Advice: “Influenza symptoms include high fevers, chills, significant muscle aches and cough,” Erling says. “If you think you have it, see your doctor within the first 48 hours for antiviral medication,” he says. “Because influenza is primarily a respiratory infection, that’s where most of the serious complications arise. Those with preexisting lung disease—such as asthma or emphysema—are at the highest risk.” Action: If you must shovel snow, take it easy with frequent breaks, and stop immediately if you develop chest heaviness or difficulty breathing. Be aware of your personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, body weight, family history and more. Talk with your doctor—before symptoms occur—about tests to assess your cardiovascular health and lifestyle changes that make sense. Action: “Get your flu shot and avoid getting the flu in the first place,” Erling says. “Many people will get some type of viral upper respiratory infection in the winter for at least a couple days, but the actual influenza virus can be a significant setback. At-home treatment includes aggressively treating the fevers with acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen (never aspirin for children), and drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Difficulty breathing, inability to remain hydrated, weakness that prevents activities of daily living, and confusion are all valid reasons to seek immediate emergency care.” vim & vigor • wi nter 2008 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 Contents Friendly Faces For Your Health 'Tis the Season to be Safe Eat Your Veggies Joint Effort Fresh Beginnings Decades of Opportunity Keeping Score Your Big Give Roll Up Your Sleeve Tidings of Comfort and Health Blueprint for Safety The Smoke-Free Mom-to-Be Childbirth Trends Moms Choosing Midwives Community Sections Dollars & Sense Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

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