Tips to Help You Stay Healthy This Flu Season

Flu season is at its peak. According to the New York State Department of Health, flu activity levels are high across New York, and this was the seventh week that widespread activity has been reported.  This past week, we suffered from the highest levels of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and hospitalizations related to the flu in more than 10 years. In fact, Governor Cuomo has declared a state-wide public health emergency due to the flu. 

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, and people of any age can contract it. Some individuals, including the elderly, young children and those with certain health conditions, are at greater risk for serious flu complications. As many as 49,000 deaths and almost 300,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. are attributed to the flu annually.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated each year, as soon as the vaccine is available. Flu activity begins in November and can occur as late as May. For information about the 2017-2018 flu season visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm

Here are some additional tips to stop the spread of influenza and other illnesses:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your arm
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or an alcohol-based sanitizer) for at least 20 seconds
• Stay home from work or school and otherwise avoid contact with others when sick

If you have not yet had the flu vaccine, it is not too late. The CDC recommends vaccinating throughout the flu season, as long as influenza viruses are circulating. “The flu vaccine allows antibodies to develop in the body approximately two weeks after patients receive it,” said Jason Golbin, DO, MBA, MS, system chief quality officer for CHS. “These antibodies help provide protection against infection with the viruses in the vaccine.”

In addition, if you are feeling symptomatic, do not hesitate to see your health care provider promptly. “And don’t forget to wash your hands regularly,” reminds Dr. Golbin. 

Speak to your physician if you are having health issues. Visit www.chsli.org to find a doctor near you.

A Slimmer, Healthier You in 2018

With a majority of Americans classified as overweight and a third as obese, it’s not surprising that losing weight is one of the top New Year’s resolutions. Because it requires a firm commitment to a strict regimen and the modification of habits, achieving this goal can be tough, and some may give up. However, excess weight can cause cardiovascular issues, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Coming to terms with weight issues is essential for long-term health. When there’s a diagnosis of obesity, a physician may ask the patient to create a lifestyle events-body weight graph, as stressful events can be associated with changes in physical activity and eating habits. This can be helpful in determining a patient’s ability to make lifestyle changes.

Weight management therapies can include diet, exercise, and lifestyle intervention and counseling, and possibly bariatric surgery, depending on the circumstances. A standard metric for assessing weight is body mass index (BMI), which measures body fat, based on height and weight. Bariatric surgery may be appropriate for adults with a BMI of ≥40 or a BMI of ≥35 with obesity-related co-morbidities who have not responded to treatment (Guidelines [2013] for Managing Overweight and Obesity in Adult).

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute offers an online BMI calculator at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm. If you’re concerned about your weight, speaking to your doctor could be the first step toward achieving your 2018 resolution of a slimmer, healthier you!

CHS hospitals offer bariatric surgical options to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Visit www.chsli.org for more information. Subscribe to CHS’s blog and receive a free BMI chart by call 1-855-CHS-4500.