General Health - Island Hospital

“Don’t Be That Guy,” by Urologist Dr. David Rice

12/01/2021General Health, Healthy Living

When men come into my office, I frequently ask them how they like living in Egypt. You know, next to that river the Nile, as in “de-nial.” And that’s because historically, most men don’t come visit me—or seek healthcare, in general—until something really big happens.

Typically, men come in to the clinic with erectile dysfunction (ED), which then opens the door to discovering that they also have high blood pressure or diabetes. But it’s not always ED; it can be a kidney stone or other intense pain that just can’t be ignored any longer. The point is, it’s usually a reaction, not a forethought. And the research shows it’s not an Anacortes phenomenon. It’s not even an American phenomenon. Across the globe, from Britain to central and eastern Europe and even Uganda, studies show that men don’t seek preventative care.

There’s a host of reasons for this, but it doesn’t change the fact that men typically lag behind women when it comes to taking care of their health. Statistically, women are much more proactive at getting screened and visiting their doctor.

Men also die younger than women and end up in the hospital with more severe illnesses and injuries. Again, several factors contribute to this gap:

Biological: Men have a different genetic makeup. Things like hormones (testosterone) and metabolism can contribute to your overall health.
Social: Stress at work and a lack of tight friendships or support systems can negatively affect your health.
Behavioral: Men have riskier behaviors. They drink more alcohol, smoke more and drive faster. This stoic, tough-guy behavior also includes a lower rate of seeking preventative care.

As a urologist, I’m here to say, “Don’t be that guy!” You don’t have control over the biological factors. And you may not even be able to change some of the social factors. But you definitely have the power to control the behavioral factors. I’ve seen too many widows of men who’ve had strokes or died of prostate cancer. Life’s hard enough, don’t make it harder.

Here are some easy preventative measures you can take right now:

Get screened:
- Urinalysis: This test can find blood in the urine or other kidney problems and can even help detect early stages of diabetes or liver disease.
- PSA: The prostate specific antigen test measures the PSA levels in your blood and can be an indicator of prostate cancer.
Stop smoking and limit your alcohol consumption:
- Smoking: In addition to lung issues, smoking is directly related to bladder cancer. Yes, that’s right…directly related. It’s basically bad for everything in your body.
- Alcohol: You don’t have to quit entirely, but limit yourself to moderate drinking (two drinks or less a day).
Visit your doctor regularly: Don’t wait until something becomes unbearable. Bad things happen, but burying your head in the sand or ignoring symptoms isn’t doing anyone any good. Let’s change those statistics!

Dr. David Rice joined Island Urology in June 2021. Prior to this, he practiced in Idaho for 25 years. Rice received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas Medical School and is board certified by the American Board of Urology. Rice says he enjoys the balance between medicine and surgery. “What I love about urology is that, most of the time, we can help people, solve their problems and make them better.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rice, please call (360) 299-4980.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Know the facts

11/22/2021General Health, Healthy Living

Awareness months are popular these days, and it can be easy to lose sight of their intention and importance. By raising awareness for health conditions, patients can more quickly recognize a potential illness and make more informed decisions for treatment.

In November we strive to heighten lung cancer awareness. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the US, actually causing more deaths than the next three most common cancers combined (colorectal, breast and pancreatic). Each year in the US, an average of 218,500 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, and an average of 142,000 die from it.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells cluster together in the lungs. These clusters grow and destroy healthy cells around them.

Common Causes: The mutation of healthy cells happens when they are exposed to dangerous chemicals that are inhaled, such as cigarette smoke or other carcinogens. Today, it’s no surprise that smoking can lead to lung cancer. Unfortunately, non-smokers can also develop lung cancer. Common causes of lung cancer include:

Smoking
Secondhand smoke
Family history
Exposure to asbestos, nickel, soot, tar, chromium and arsenic—by inhalation

Lower your risk: Nine out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking, but in addition to not smoking, there are other ways to lower your risk:

Stay away from secondhand smoke, which increases your risk of getting lung cancer by 20-30%.
Get your home tested for radon, an odorless, tasteless gas that can leak through cracks in your foundation. One out of 15 homes has high radon levels, and it’s actually something that can be fixed once detected.
Quit smoking. Easier said than done. Talk to your physician about programs and resources to help you. You can also visit www.lung.org for helpful resources.

Healthy Lungs

Getting vaccinated for all respiratory infectious diseases is a sure way to keep your lungs healthy. This includes, COVID-19, influenza, pertussis and tuberculosis.

So how do you recognize lung cancer? Most people do not actually have symptoms until the cancer is advanced, and these symptoms can also occur with other illnesses. So, we always advise patients to talk to their physician if they have a combination of any of the following:

Persistent or worsening cough
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chronic fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Coughing up blood

If you are diagnosed, our Merle Cancer Care Center is here for you and your family from diagnosis to treatments. We also offer support services tailored to your individual needs and can connect you to important resources for additional treatment options.

In some cases, you can actually screen for lung cancer. But because of the risks, it’s usually only recommended for heavy smokers ages 50 or older. Talk to your physician to see if screening is an option for you.

Dr Junfeng Wang, is a provider in the Merle Cancer Care Center specializing in hematology and oncology. He attended Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, China and completed his residency at Yale Medical School of Medicine in 2008. Dr. Wang continued his training with a Fellowship at UW Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in hematology/oncology. Wang is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Oncology. To make an appointment with Dr. Wang, please call the Merle Cancer Care Center at (360) 299-4200.

COVID-19 Nursing Perspective

10/05/2021Coronavirus, General Health, Island Hospital

Like most of my colleagues, I got into nursing because I wanted to help people understand their own bodies. The best part of my job is more about the patients than it is about medicine. I love educating and caring for them so that they can learn to manage their own health. But COVID has put a strain on that.

Here’s the thing: COVID-19 doesn’t just affect COVID patients.

It impacts our staff. It impacts families who are not allowed to be with their loved ones. And it impacts non-COVID patients.

August was devastating; we saw more COVID cases that month than we had in any other month since March 2020. And we’ve had higher numbers of sicker, non-COVID patients, who’ve put off coming to us, so their symptoms worsened. Our Acute Care/ICU nurses are the most amazing bedside caregivers, extremely dedicated and hardworking, and simply put, they’re exhausted.

COVID patients are not allowed visitors. This means there’s no family members or friends to be that second set of ears, to encourage the patient to stay hydrated or switch positions and to follow the treatment plan. There’s no one to keep the patient company. These support systems are crucial to the healing process, and their absence stresses the entire care unit system.

In the ICU, our COVID patients require a high level of care, in addition to more lab work. They are more likely to develop pneumonia and heart problems (because the heart is trying to compensate for the lungs). The care of hospitalized COVID patients can include Remdesivir, Dexamethasone, oxygen therapy, as well as rest, hydration, antipyretics, proning, monitoring and supporting activities of daily living, but it can also mean total care for a ventilated patient.

And we’re talking about a virus. This isn’t something that can be erased with a magic pill. It takes time and supportive care. We continue to get questions from patients and families based on misinformation. One of the simplest and most effective things a COVID patient can do is called proning: lying on your stomach to relieve pressure on the lungs. But it’s been difficult to convince some patients to do even this.

If I could say anything, I’d encourage people to not believe everything they read on the internet and social media. Consider your source. Our treatments and guidelines are aligned with University of Washington, an established and reputable source.

Our nurses love what they do and even though they are tired, our care team will continue to do everything possible to provide the highest quality care to all of our patients. It’s what we do.

Jodi Yeager, RN, BSN, CCRN is the Nursing Supervisor for Acute Care and ICU. Originally from Sandpoint, Idaho, Yeager has been with Island Hospital since 2008. She also served as the Interim Director of ICU at Island Hospital from January – August 2021.

Why you should still schedule your breast cancer screening during COVID-19

10/01/2021Coronavirus, Diagnostic Imaging, General Health, Healthy Living, Island Hospital

Breast cancer screenings and diagnoses have decreased by up to 51% across the US in the last year, according to a recent study. At Island Hospital, screenings are down by a less staggering number, at just 25%. But even this percentage drop requires attention and discussion.

There are a few explanations for this, and not surprisingly, COVID-19 is one central reason why women have been postponing scheduling a mammogram over the last year. At the beginning of the pandemic, many non-essential procedures were postponed, in order to reserve medical resources and limit infections of COVID-19.

However, breast cancer screenings are still just as important at this time, especially with research supporting such a drastic decrease over the last year. “While residents have taken to social distancing, cancer does not pause,” the researchers said. “The delay in diagnosis will likely lead to presentation at more advanced stages and poorer clinical outcomes. One study suggests a potential increase of 33,890 excessive cancer deaths in the United States.”

What this means for you

If you have been putting off getting a mammogram this past year, first of all, know that you are not alone. But regular screenings for breast cancer, including mammograms and breast exams by your physician, are incredibly important now. Early detection is crucial with breast cancer, and can often result in better prognosis and treatment plan options.

Recommended ages for breast exams and mammograms:

Women age 20-39: Clinical breast exam during annual exam, and regular breast self-exams.
Women age 40 and over: Annual mammogram starting at age 40; Clinical breast exam during annual exam, and regular breast self-exams.

Mammograms and the COVID-19 vaccine

While many experts recommend that you wait four to six weeks to have a regular screening mammogram after your COVID-19 vaccination, please remember that if you have any particular concerns, you still ought to speak with your physician as soon as possible. Together with your provider, you can make an educated decision regarding when you should schedule your mammogram. Although there may be additional swelling in the lymph nodes after a COVID-19 vaccination, it is still possible to have a screening, if you and your provider decide it is prudent to do so sooner rather than later. If you have received your vaccination four to six weeks ago, we recommend scheduling your screening now, if together with your provider you decide it is the right time for you to do so. We hope that this information will encourage you to not delay or push back your screenings any longer due to concerns about COVID-19.

Island Hospital makes it easy to schedule your mammogram screening, even offering evening and weekend appointments for expanded availability. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss your risk factors and when you should start screenings for breast cancer, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your provider.

For screening mammogram appointments call 360-299-4288.

If you need help finding a provider, please call (360) 293-3101.

(Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2768946)

“I nearly skipped my mammogram this year.”

The Diane Hennebert Story

Learn More

Leukemia/Lymphoma Awareness

09/28/2021General Health, Island Hospital

Most people know that leukemia has something to do with our blood system, and that, as its name implies, lymphoma is somehow related to our lymphatic system. But beyond that, what else do we need to know about leukemia and lymphoma?

For starters, every 180 seconds, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer: leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. And it’s estimated that by the end of 2021, a combined total of 186,400 people in the United States will have been diagnosed with a blood cancer. Finally, leukemia is the most common cancer among children and teens, even though it actually affects more adults. The good news is that survival rates for childhood leukemia have increased significantly.

While we know that nothing can be done to prevent leukemia or lymphoma, early diagnosis is crucial to early treatment and a higher survival rate. When patients know more about their cancer and the treatment plan, it can actually help them and their families better cope with an overwhelming diagnosis. Finally, increased awareness can lead to increased research to find a cure.

Your Care at Merle Cancer Care Center in Anacortes

We know that cancer is not just about the physical challenges; it puts a strain on the emotional, social, mental and spiritual well-being of the patient and families, all of which are important in the healing process. We offer a full range of support to help with these challenges. Patients have access to caring provider and staff, support groups, helpful podcasts and blogs to inform and comfort everyone involved in the treatment plan.

Did you know that Merle Cancer Care Center is part of the Northwest Puget Sound Cancer Care network? This means that our patients remain close to home for infusion treatments and have access to local support services, while still benefiting from partnerships with major cancer care centers to provide consultation on treatment plans. Receiving cancer care close to home means fewer trips to Everett or Seattle and more rest when you need it most.

Here’s what we offer right here at home:

Chemotherapy
Non-chemotherapy medication administration
Blood product transfusions
Private visits to physicians
Referrals to radiation therapy
Personalized genomic therapy

Leukemia and Lymphoma: A closer look

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and blood-forming tissue, including bone marrow and the lymphatic system.

The three most common types of leukemia are:

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) – Most common in children, but young adults also affected.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) – More common in patients over 65
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) – Most common type of leukemia and usually affects the elderly over 80 years of age.

Lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. There are two types, including:

Hodgkin lymphoma – one of the most curable forms of cancer
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – several types of blood cancer in the lymph nodes or tissue (white blood cells that are part of the immune system)

Signs and Symptoms:

While the following are common to other less serious illnesses, they can also be symptoms of leukemia or lymphoma because there’s an underproduction of normal blood cells (either red, white or platelets). It is important that you talk to your physician if you are experiencing the following:

Persistent fatigue that worsens over time
Night Sweats
Unexplained fevers
Shortness of breath during normal physical activity
Unexplained Bruising or bleeding
Enlarged masses in the neck, axilla (the region under your shoulder joint), or groin
Unexplained weight loss

Arthur Molina III, MD

Hematologist/Oncologist

Island Hospital welcomes Dr. Arthur Molina to the Merle Cancer Care Center. Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Oncology, Molina earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center and is a Fellow at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Molina, please call the Merle Cancer Care Center at (360) 299-4200.

What we know about COVID-19 booster shots

09/27/2021Coronavirus, General Health

COVID-19 Regional Update

09/27/2021Coronavirus, General Health

Crisp air and pumpkin spice lattes may signal fall to many, but it also means more time indoors due to fewer daylight hours, cooler temperatures and the start of flu season.

So it’s more important than ever to keep ourselves healthy and safe, not only from COVID-19, but from other illnesses too. The best way to do this is through a combination of actions:

Get vaccinated
Wear a mask in public settings
Social distance
Get tested when you’re ill
Take extra precautions if you’re high risk

Island Hospital CEO Charles Hall, MSN, MBA and Chief Medical Officer, Jason Hogge, MD, held a community briefing in early September to update our region on the current state of COVID-19. Both Hall and Hogge urged all who are eligible—currently those 12 and older—to get vaccinated. To watch the briefing, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz-hldA3iRk.

In August 2021, Island Hospital saw its first deaths (six total to date) since March 2020 with a 758% rise in new cases since June of this year. The hospital saw triple the amount of patients in July and August than previous monthly averages since the start of the pandemic. Hospitals throughout Washington State are dangerously close to altering the standards of care that states like Idaho are currently facing.

“We are struggling to meet the demands of our patients. Our emergency rooms are full, we have long wait times, and our transfer times to other hospitals are even longer,” Hall said. “Our staff have been at this for 18 months.”

Vaccination is Key
In the Washington State Department of Health COVID report dated August 25, 2021, increasing vaccination rates is the most important tool we have to ultimately decrease the number of COVID-19 cases that lead to hospitalization and death.

Nearly 93% of new cases from February 1 through August 16, 2021 were unvaccinated. While there have been some breakthrough cases (a vaccinated person testing positive), vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting COVID-19 and continue to be highly effective in preventing hospitalization. In addition, breakthrough infections appear to be infectious for a much shorter time period.

“Vaccinations save lives. They prevent illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” Hall said. “It’s not the only solution, but it’s key in preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

San Juan County leads the State with the highest vaccination rate, at 79% of people 12 and older that are fully vaccinated. Skagit County has fully vaccinated 72,297 people or 64.6% of eligible residents, and Island County has 73,601 or 60.1% of residents 12 and older vaccinated. (Data is as of September 19, 2021.)

Vaccination and Testing Resources
Free vaccinations and COVID-19 testing locations are readily available throughout the State. Skagit County Public Health offers a listing of local testing locations and free vaccinations at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.

Test Directly provides a search by zip code for convenient testing locations.

For COVID-19 testing information at Island Hospital’s main campus in Anacortes, visit https://www.islandhospital.org/coronavirus/. For testing information at Island Primary Care – Orcas, visit https://www.islandhospital.org/orcas/.

Third doses are now available to immunocompromised and at-risk groups. More details are expected to be released about booster doses for other populations in the coming weeks. To read more about COVID-19 booster shots, visit the Centers for Disease Control website. As always, patients are encouraged to talk with their physician if they have specific questions about their medical conditions and risks of the vaccine.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Helps Patients Regain Their Physical Strength

09/15/2021General Health, Healthy Living, Island Hospital

This past year has been difficult for many people to remain physically active. With quarantine, gym closures and social distancing, many of us have been left deconditioned and fatigued. Individuals who are considered “high risk,” such as those who are over 65 years of age or those who have chronic lung conditions, may have been extra cautious socially, making it difficult to find time, space, or motivation to exercise.

As time goes on, you may notice yourself having difficulty in rediscovering motivation and the energy to exercise. When physical activity is not part of our daily routine, our muscles begin to atrophy and our cardiopulmonary system has to work harder to do simple tasks. This deconditioned state can be ever-present for those living with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, asthma or pulmonary fibrosis. Deconditioning can lead to an increase in your respiratory symptoms and can make it difficult to perform daily activities. If this is you, don’t worry! Island Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program can help. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an exercise and community education program for those with lung conditions. Past participants have reported the following benefits while participating in the program:

Decreased shortness of breath
Increased exercise tolerance and strength
Increased stamina and energy levels
Improved ability in doing daily activities
Better understanding of medication use and breathing techniques
Better weight management
Increased independence and quality of life
Decreased anxiety and depression
Benefits from having access to a support system
Overall improved sense of well being

Currently, our program is held three days a week with sessions lasting between one to two hours. You will need a referral from your doctor and a pulmonary function test to see if you qualify for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Ask your provider or call our program coordinator at (360) 299-4242 for assistance. After a year hiatus, we are happy to be back open. We are ready to exercise, and we hope you are too!

Sarah Edwards, RRT, CPFT, MPH is a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) who has been practicing since 2010. She got her start as a new RT here at Island Hospital where she was trained in emergency care, intensive care and acute care. Edwards then moved to Jacksonville, FL where she was instrumental in reopening a pulmonary rehabilitation center that had been closed for two years. Edwards recently finished her Master’s degree in Public Health at the City University of New York and worked in the Pulmonary Function Lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center prior to returning to Island Hospital in 2021.

Help – My Memory Is Aging!

09/14/2021General Health, Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy

I recently saw a meme: “Why can I remember the lyrics to my favorite song in high school 30 years later, but I can’t remember why I came into the kitchen?” Many of us over 50 can relate! And although this experience is frustrating, it’s not abnormal.

We anticipate muscles to change over time, but it can be alarming when the brain slows, particularly when memory weakens. Let’s consider changes in the brain that impact memory, which ones are normal and which should raise red flags, and what can be done to strengthen memory in a typically aging brain.

To start, let’s discuss short-term versus long-term memory. Short-term memory tends to weaken over time, while long-term memory remains strong. This is because you stored those long-ago memories when you (and your brain) were younger, operating more optimally, and your body’s chemistry was different. On the other hand, the memories you created more recently (even that thought you had 3 minutes ago) are being stored by a brain that has changed. Neural growth has declined; hormones and proteins that protect brain cells are less available; the hippocampus (part of the brain most responsible for memory) has declined; and, often, less blood flow is reaching the brain to support memory and other cognitive skills.

As a result, experiences such as these become more common with age:

Word finding difficulties
Trouble recalling names and faces, especially of new people or those you see infrequently
Problems tracking appointments and daily events
Forgetting why you came into a room or where you placed things
Needing to write things down and keep lists

Abnormal changes, on the other hand, tend toward forgetfulness around very familiar things, such as names of close family and friends; confusion about routine tasks and events; disorientation in familiar places or around time; and difficulty learning new, relatively simple things like a simple card game or how to make a call on your new cell phone. These types of changes should prompt a conversation with your doctor for cognitive assessment.

Just because we may experience normal memory changes, however, doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do about it! Speech-language pathologists frequently work with folks to improve memory. Here are some tips to get you started:

Keep a memory notebook of important information.
Have someone accompany you to important appointments – 4 ears are better than 2!
Ask for information in writing.
Actively engage in conversations, and call others by name.
Say aloud why you are heading into a room and where you set objects down.
Get your hearing checked – if you heard it wrong, you’re going to remember it wrong! (Same goes for vision and other senses)
Eliminate clutter and establish routines.

If you would like to speak with a speech-language pathologist about memory loss, contact the Island Hospital Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Department at (360) 299-1328. Island Hospital speech therapists discuss these topics and more and offer individual memory screenings every quarter. If you’d like to work with a speech therapist around your specific needs, ask your doctor for a referral. We’d love to help!

Click here to sign up for a free memory screening.

Click here to watch some short videos on how to improve your memory.

Libby Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP has a Master of Arts in speech and hearing sciences from Western Washington University. She is certified in LSVT LOUD, MBSlmP, PESL Accent Modification and VitalStim. Lewis specializes in cognitive rehabilitation, language disorders, swallowing disorders, and dysarthria treatment.

Keeping Children Safe as They Head Back to School

08/31/2021Anacortes Family Medicine, General Health

Things you can do at home to prepare children for school and keep them safe:

1) COVID-19 vaccines. Adults with exposure to children, and all children eligible for the vaccine, should be immunized against COVID-19 – preferably before the start of the school year. There is no better protection from infection and no better way to prevent the spread to children than a vaccine.

2) Routine immunizations and wellness exams. Children need to be up-to-date on all of their routine immunizations, especially during a pandemic. Unfortunately, we have seen a significant drop in kids getting routine vaccines during the pandemic, raising the possibility of outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable illnesses, which could keep children at home even more. Common vaccine-preventable illnesses in our region, in addition to COVID-19, include influenza, pertussis, and upper respiratory infections caused by Pneumococcal or Haemophilus bacteria.

3) Practice wearing masks at home. All children over the age of 2 should wear face masks that cover their noses and mouths when at school. With practice at home, lots of support and encouragement, and successful role-modeling from parents, the vast majority of kids can safely and effectively wear masks for long periods, even those with medical conditions such as asthma.

4) Practice handwashing at home. Teaching your children to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after playing with other children, eating, or engaging in group activities can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses such as RSV, Rhinovirus and Adenovirus, that spread through physical contact. In addition, kids who practice handwashing at home are better at it when it needs to be done at school.

5) Stay at home if symptomatic or exposed. All families should monitor their children’s health and stay at home if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or if they have had known exposure to someone with COVID-19. Please call your school if you have questions about their stay-at-home guidelines.

Brandon Greene, MD, FAAP is a pediatrician at Anacortes Family Medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University Medical School in 2012 and, in 2015, completed his residency training at Comer Children’s Hospital where he was employed as Clinical Associate, Department of Pediatrics. While at Cornell University, Dr. Greene received the New York City Mayor’s Office Health Literacy Fellowship. “My approach to medicine is mostly as collaborator, educator and guide–someone parents can depend on to listen carefully and respectfully, and then to provide evidence-based guidance and advice on how parents can ensure the best outcomes for their children.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Greene, call Anacortes Family Medicine at (360) 293-3101.

Page 1 of 4
1
2
3
...
4
→