The Benefits of Exercise

We all know that good health depends on a certain level of physical activity. The American College of Sports Medicine points out that exercise offers many benefits, including the following:

Exercise improves your mood: It makes you feel happy and relaxed by stimulating chemicals in your brain, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.
Exercise helps manage weight: Exercising makes it easier to keep your weight under control. To burn 100 calories, most people need to walk or run about one mile.
Exercise promotes better sleep: Who wouldn’t want to fall asleep faster and sleep deeper?
Exercise can be fun: Activities such as dancing or even pushing your child on the swing make exercise enjoyable.

“One of the most important things you can do for your health is to incorporate physical activity and exercise into your daily routine,” commented Laura Beck, MSP, director of Outpatient Rehabilitation at St. Charles Hospital. “The physical, social and psychological benefits are so widespread.  There is no need to make up for years of inactivity overnight. Start slowly and build up gradually. Be creative and try to find activities that you enjoy as you will be more likely to stick with it.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should be doing age-appropriate exercise for an hour or more every day, including aerobics, muscle strengthening and bone strengthening. Aerobics—for example brisk walking or running—should account for most of your child’s daily exercise. Gymnastics, push-ups and other muscle-strengthening activities, as well as bone-strengthening exercises such as jumping rope, should be included at least three days a week. For adults, the CDC recommends at least 150 minutes per week of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities for good health. It can be broken up into as little as 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise at a time.

To find information on a walking club near you, click here


Please visit www.chsli.org or call 1-855-CHS-4500.

Tips to Stay on Your Feet

If you have diabetes or other health issues that could put your feet at risk for injury or wounds, it’s important to pay attention to details. If you notice any difference in their appearance or in the feeling in them from day to day, you should contact your medical doctor or podiatrist. Any issues should be noted and taken seriously.

“You should look for changes in color, swelling of the feet or any type of break or irritation of the skin,” said Mercy Medical Center’s Medical Director of the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing and Co-Director of St. Joseph Hospital’s Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing John Jackalone, DPM. “You shouldn’t disregard something only to later discover you should've paid closer attention to it.”

Also, shoe fit and type are crucial for anyone with diabetes or other risk factors. Be careful to evaluate your shoes carefully. Use a new pair for a short trial period at home before wearing them for an entire day. Take your shoes off after an hour to examine your feet. If you have no irritation or red spots, it should be safe to wear them for a longer period of time.

Don’t be afraid to take a break from dancing at your nephew’s wedding to sneak off and check your feet. Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes, just in case you see any areas of concern.

To help you take better care of your feet, CHS offers the following tips:

• Check your feet daily. Look for blisters, cuts or scratches. Use a long-handled mirror or place a mirror on the floor to see the bottom of your feet. Always check between your toes.
• Keep your feet clean. Wash daily, dry carefully—especially between your toes.
• Moisturize your feet. Apply a moisturizer as recommended by your physician, but never apply it between your toes, as that can lead to a fungal infection.
• Do not walk barefoot. This includes on sandy beaches and in pool/patio areas.
• Wear properly fitted shoes. Shoes should be comfortable when purchased. Do not wear narrow, pointed toe or high-heeled shoes.
• Inspect the inside of your shoes daily. Check for foreign objects, tears or rough areas on the inside of the shoe.
• Do not wear shoes without socks or stockings. Wear clean, properly fitted socks. Cotton or cotton blend socks are recommended.
• Avoid temperature extremes. Test water temperature with your hand or elbow prior to bathing. Do not soak your feet in hot water or apply a hot water bottle. If your feet feel cold at night, wear socks.
• Trim your toenails regularly.  Always cut your nails straight across.
• Do not use over-the-counter remedies for corns. See a podiatrist to have these evaluated.
• Avoid crossing your legs. This can cause pressure on the nerves and blood vessels, resulting in less blood flow to your feet.

To find a physician, visit www.chsli.org.

Reference: Restorix Health

Obesity Risk Factor for Colon Cancer in Women

Colon Cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States in both men and women. It is not only preventable, but potentially a curative disease. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits, including diarrhea/constipation or a change in the consistency of stool
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Recent diagnosis of anemia
• Cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or vomiting
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained or unintentional weight loss
  

Reena Tahilramani, MD, colorectal surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, a member of Catholic Health Services, states that anyone experiencing any of these signs and symptoms should discuss the possibility of colon cancer with their physician.

“Guidelines recommend colon cancer screenings starting at age 50,” said Dr. Tahilramani. “However, earlier screening is recommended for patients with previously known high risk factors that include African-American patients, personal or family history of cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption.”

New research now shows that young obese women with a high body mass index (BMI) have a higher risk for colorectal cancer than the general population. A recent study in the Journal of American Medical Association Oncology tracked more than 85,000 women for 22 years beginning at the age of 25. Data showed a high incidence of colorectal cancer in obese women under 45 years old and a 93% higher risk for the disease when compared to women of normal weight.

The Cancer Center at Good Samaritan is the diagnostic and treatment center of choice for thousands of patients in Suffolk County. At Good Samaritan, specialists care for the whole person – physically, emotionally and spiritually – to provide outstanding outcomes. This dedication and commitment has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons who has honored the Medical Center with its Outstanding Achievement Award on 5 consecutive surveys, 15 years in a row, making it 1 of only 7 facilities nationwide that have been honored with this distinction.

For more information about CHS call 1-855-CHS-4500 or visit https://www.chsli.org/.