Are you having trouble hearing?  You are not alone.  About 10% of the
population have hearing problems.  Hunterdon Medical Center offers
Dial-A-Hearing Screening.  The service is fast, free and convenient.  By
calling the Dial-A-Hearing number (908-788-2951) a person will be able
to get their hearing screening all from the comfort of their own home.
The screening is offered to help determine if the caller needs a more
comprehensive hearing test.

The way the test works is simple, you will need a pen and paper when
you call and the test will walk you through the step-by-step process in
which you will record the tones you hear in each ear.  In order to find
out the results of your screening, the caller will need to call the
Speech and Hearing Department at the Hunterdon Medical Center
(908-788-6424) during office hours which are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.
– 5:00 p.m.

Get your hearing screened today!  Call Dial-A-Hearing at 908-788-2951.

The future Esthiticians of Hunterdon County offer a variety of relaxing skincare services that are targeted toward addressing the health of your skin.  The skin is the largest organ in your body and it protects you from all external and enviornmental contaminants and pollutants.  Their treatments include several types of soothing facials included but not limited to manual microdermabrasion and anti-aging.  They also offer a variety of waxing services.  For more information call 908-806-3855 ext 277.

Honey has more benefits than just sweetening your tea or hot cereal. Honey was used as a first aid treatment over 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.  Today, Derma Sciences, a Princeton based biotech company has built its business around Leptospermum honey, a particular type of honey that is native to New Zealand and Australia.  The Hunterdon Wound Healing Center has been using this medical grade honey as an effective agent in topical wound care, especially for non-healing diabetic wounds and in cases where antibiotic resistance, such as MRSA is an issue. 

According to Kellie Mozingo, Director of the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center, “Wound care supplies can be expensive.  We use a product called Medi Honey, which has many of the properties that other expensive dressings have.”  Priti Gujar, M.D., Medical Director of the Hunterdon Wound Healing center added, “The medical grade honey helps to decrease bacteria and maintain moisture in the wound to allow it to heal.  It also helps to remove tissue that is unhealthy, which can prolong the healing process and stimulates new tissue growth.  Medical honey has low Ph levels, which helps early healing of the wounds.  The bacteria in the wounds use glucose from the honey in contrary to ammonia that helps eliminate the odor of wounds and because it is all natural there are few contraindications in the use of medical honey.” 

John Ryman of Washington, is diabetic and comes to the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center each day for treatment of a wound on his foot.  “Mr. Ryman just started using the medical honey along with treatment in our hyperbaric chamber for two hours each day.  We have already seen positive results,” stated Michelle Allegro, RN, CNM, Clinical Manager of the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center.  Allegro added, “A normal wound will take about eight to sixteen weeks to heal.  Our goal is to heal a wound within sixteen weeks.  With a combination of therapies, for example using the hyperbaric chambers, which uses oxygen therapy along with medical honey, we have seen faster results.” 

The medical grade honey comes in two forms, an ointment and sheets. These products are only available at wound healing facilities or through a prescription from a physician. 

The Hunterdon Wound Healing Center is a department of Hunterdon Medical Center.  It is located in the Wescott Medical Arts Building at 9100 Wescott Drive in Flemington.  For more information call 908-237-6950.

Did you know that arthritis affects more that 46 million Americans in its chronic form, including 294,000 children?  While the incidence of arthritis increases with age, nearly three of five sufferers are under age 65.  By 2030 it is estimated that 67 million people will be affected and more than 19 million of them will be disabled.

It has been stated that people underestimate arthritis as a public and personal health problem because it doesn’t kill.  What they don’t realize is that as Americans work they live longer.  Arthritis has a better chance of affecting a person’s quality of life, eventually leading to disability.  Arthritis disables more Americans than heart disease and stroke, and it’s what Americans don’t know about the disease that will hurt them.

Although the word “arthritis” literally means joint inflammation, the term usually refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints.  According to the Arthritis Foundation, the two most common forms of the disease – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis – have the greatest public health implications.

Awareness and early diagnosis and an aggressive treatment plan are key to stopping arthritis from taking over your life at any age.  Although there is no cure for arthritis, there is help and hope.  Most important is to seek treatment as soon as possible.  A plan designed to address your special needs may include medications and appropriate exercise.  You will also feel better if you learn as much as you can about your diagnosis, and make adjustments that will support a healthy life style.  Support groups provide education and a forum for asking questions about exercise, nutrition and the latest on research in the field of arthritis.

One word of caution about alternative therapies: many arthritis patients become discouraged with typical medical treatments and turn to alternative remedies that have not been proven as safe or effective.  Mixing alternative medications with prescription or over the counter drugs can be dangerous.  Make the time to speak with your physician about other available treatments before trying something that could be harmful. 

For information about the Hunterdon Medical Center Arthritis & Osteoporosis Support Group, call The Hunterdon Center for Healthy Aging at (908) 788-6373.  The group meets the second Monday at 1:00 PM at Hunterdon Medical Center.

The Hunterdon Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program is for children ages 5 to 18 who have experienced a loss.  This 12-week series will be held every Thursday evening at the Senior Center at 4 Gaunt Place, Building 1 in Flemington.  The fee for the program is $35 per family.

The Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program is sensitive to the differences of a child’s response to death and loss.  “The creative arts therapy model focuses on teaching children healthy coping skills and how to deal with their grief.  Since art therapy does not necessarily rely on verbal communication, a child who is shy or not able to articulate their feelings can work through their grief by using art,” stated Diane Gilbert, LCSW, Coordinator of the Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program.   

Children are assigned to groups based on their developmental age. “Being with peers who have had similar experiences normalizes the grief process.  Through this interaction children learn to empathize with others, which can give them insight into their own pain.  Listening and observing other children’s expressions of grief may also help them openly express their own grief,” explained Gilbert.

While children are involved in the art program, parents are encouraged to attend  a special bereavement support group to help them cope with their grief.  In addition, the group helps parents learn about their child’s perception of loss, as well as interventions for coping with their own grief.

“So often, in our society, those who are suffering after the loss have very little support.  This program helps children by providing art therapy projects and by giving them the opportunity to talk about their feelings,” explained Gilbert.  To register or for more information call (908) 788-6600.

Goals of Youth Art Bereavement Program:

• Realize that there are many feelings associated with grieving,
  and that it is acceptable to express them.
• Feel comfortable in a safe environment where they can talk about
  their feelings.
• Experience some of their memories in a positive way.
• Create a positive self image.
• Use various methods to help them cope when they are feeling down
  or confused.
• Communicate their thoughts and feelings to the important people
  in their lives.
• Recognize that living goes on despite the grief caused by death.
       

Osteoporosis is a condition defined by loss of bone density. This loss of density in the bones makes them weak and more prone to fracture with relatively minor trauma, such as a fall.  When the spinal bones, called vertebrae, are weakened, they can collapse without any trauma causing significant back pain. Bones can lose calcium and weaken gradually over time. If the condition is found early on, treatment can prevent it from getting worse.

The most common way to diagnose osteoporosis is by using a special type of X ray test called a bone mineral density (BMD) test. One type of such a test is the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, which is often shortened to DEXA scan.  The DEXA scan will compare your bone density with other people of your same gender and age. If your bone density falls below a certain number, you are said to have osteopenia. If bone loss is more severe, you are diagnosed with osteoporosis. Those with osteopenia are felt to be on a path that can lead to osteoporosis. It is estimated that approximately 34 million Americans have osteopenia and that another 10 million have progressed to osteoporosis. This adds up to more than half of all those over age 50.

There are several risk factors for osteoporosis. Females are much more prone to it. Out of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, eight million are women. Risk increases dramatically after the menopause due to the loss of estrogen. Men with low testosterone levels and younger women who do not have regular periods can be at risk. Family history of osteoporosis or broken bones increases your risk. A diet low in calcium and Vitamin D will increase your risk, as will very high intake of protein and sodium. Smoking increases your risk as does lack of exercise. Those who weigh less than 155 pounds are at increased risk. Those using certain medications, such as steroids or seizure medications, on a long term basis are also at higher risk.

There are no symptoms of bone loss prior to having a fracture, so screening is recommended.  The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women over 65 have a DEXA scan, as well as those over 60 with risk factors. Women over 40 who have had a fracture and anyone on long term steroids should also be tested. If you have broken a bone from a simple fall, you should discuss osteoporosis treatment with your physician.

To prevent bone loss, everyone over 50 should be getting at least 1200 milligrams of calcium a day, along with 400 to 800 International Units of Vitamin D through diet or supplements. Everyone in that age group should participate in regular, weight-bearing exercise. Those who smoke should stop (for a multitude of reasons). Once the diagnosis is made, there are a number of treatment options.  In addition to continuing the good health habits described above, there are several prescription medications which can slow bone loss. The doctor can review these options and find the most appropriate one for you.  It is estimated that nearly 300,000 people a year are hospitalized for a hip fracture. Of those, nearly one quarter will die within a year from the complications that develop from the resulting inactivity. While women are more likely to have a hip fracture, the death rate is twice as high for men. For many a fractured hip will lead to placement in a long term care facility. Untreated osteoporosis can have serious consequences. If you are at risk, please consult your physician.

If you need a physician call Hunterdon Medical Center’s Physician Referral Service at 1-800-511-4462.

Recent news that a federal government panel has proposed major changes in screening recommendations for breast cancer has spurred much discussion among those in the cancer community.

The U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), in a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, now recommends that routine mammography screening for women at average risk should begin at age 50, challenging guidelines that women have followed for years-that is, starting yearly mammograms at 40. In addition, the new recommendations advise women to have their mammogram every other year rather than once a year, and end routine screening after age 74. In addition, the task force recommends against teaching breast self-exam.

“I’m afraid all the women in their 40s won’t get the same opportunity I had,” says Fox Chase Cancer Center nurse and breast cancer survivor Deena Dell, M.S.N, R.N.-B.C., A.O.C.N., who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 after having a mammogram. “If I had waited till I was 50 to be screened, my breast cancer might have been invasive, which would have required more aggressive treatment.”

“This could have a huge impact, especially because women in the younger age group tend to have cancers that are more biologically active and more aggressive,” notes Kathryn Evers, M.D., director of mammography at Fox Chase.

“The fear is that we may start to see an increase in the number of advanced cancers as well as an increase in deaths from breast cancer,” adds Kenneth Blankstein, MD, Medical Oncologist at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.

In making the new recommendations, the USPSTF cited evidence that mammograms among women ages 40-49 bring about more risks than benefits with false-positive results, leading to undue anxiety in patients as well as unnecessary follow-up tests and procedures.

While some in the cancer community support the proposed recommendations, there are many cancer experts who disagree with them. Mary Daly, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Fox Chase’s clinical genetics department, says the task force’s reevaluation of existing studies was flawed by its reliance on data from older technology, namely film mammography. Digital mammograms, which have become the current standard for breast cancer screening, are more sensitive than film screen mammograms in women under 50.

“I’m going to tell my patients to continue getting screened as they have been,” she says.  Blankstein agrees, saying he will continue to recommend annual mammograms to his patients. In addition, the American Cancer Society continues to advise that all healthy women begin yearly mammography at age 40.

With the new recommendations, many also have concerns that Medicare and private insurers may stop paying for yearly mammography, although insurance industry groups claim this is not planned. If women were to be required to pay out of pocket for breast cancer screening, that would be a step backward, says Daly.

In contrast, when it comes to breast self-exam, the trend in recent years has been more in line with the new recommendations. Patient advocacy groups have placed greater emphasis on the idea of breast awareness-that is, telling women to know their bodies and recognize changes that are not normal for them. Still, experts such as Lori Goldstein, M.D., director of Fox Chase’s Breast Evaluation Center, note that doing a breast self-exam is “value-added and complementary to mammography screening.”

“There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about mammography,” notes Blankstein. “But I think what we need to keep in mind is that mammography is the only test we have right now that has been demonstrated to decrease mortality from breast cancer.”

Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center is a partner of Fox Chase Cancer Center.  Its comprehensive services include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical research, early detection and screening programs, support groups, educational programs, nutrition counseling, psychosocial support, complimentary therapies and cancer risk assessment.  For more information call 1-888-788-1260 or visit www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.

What’s the first thing most kids do when they get home from school? Grab a quick snack.  Kids are particularly hungry when they get home from a long day of school, making it an ideal time to get some quality calories into them.  For kids struggling to maintain or lose weight, it is especially important that the snacks they grab help them meet their goals and not sabotage them. 

Kids need to eat healthy snacks as well as regular meals.  Eating snacks decreases excessive hunger, which can lead to overeating.  The role of the parent is to provide healthy foods at snack time as well as mealtime.  The role of the child is to choose from those healthy foods.  There are a variety of after-school snacks that your child might enjoy: fruit, low-fat cheese with low-fat crackers, light popcorn, pretzels (without fillings), graham crackers, low-fat pudding, string cheese, soft tortillas rolled up with turkey or ham and tomato.

The most important thing that parents can do is act as role models by eating the right things themselves.  They can also make mealtime a pleasant time, one that takes place at home more often than in restaurants and fast food establishments,  Children eat twice as many calories in restaurants as they would at home.  Here are some tips to help you help your child:

Set an Example: Make healthy choices for yourself
Eat at Home: As a family and at the table
Get the Kids Involved: In meal planning and preparation
Keep active: Make fitness a family affair
Stay Calm: Make mealtime pleasant, not combative.

The Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management offers Shapedown a Children’s Weight Management Program for kids ages 6-18.   Shapedown promotes changes in food habits, exercise, self-esteem and weight. The emphasis is on producing changes now that can be sustained in the long run to increase the chances that a child/teen will enter adulthood free from dieting and weight concerns. For more information and fees please call (908) 237-6920.

Hunterdon Behavioral Health Introduces Circles of Recovery for Women with Addiction Issues

Hunterdon Behavioral Health will offer Circles of Recovery, a Psychotherapy Group for women who struggle with addiction.  The group meets every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the 5th floor in Hunterdon Behavioral Health at Hunterdon Medical Center.

Admission criteria:
- Women who have a diagnosis of substance abuse or substance dependence and are seeking to remain abstinent from all substances .
- Women who are in an ongoing relationship with an individual therapist.

This gender specific group recognizes the unique treatment of issues of women who have addiction issues.  It will highlight the importance of social connection, self-care and developing a sense of autonomy in women who are moving toward a life of wellness and recovery. 

This group will be facilitated by Debbie Ruisard, LCSW, Hunterdon Behavioral Health, Addiction Treatment Services.  For more information call 908-788-6401 ext. 3821.

Close Encounter with Bears? Don’t panic: Remember, they are not grizzlies. Our local bears have an 80% Veggies, 10% insect, 10% easy meat (usually dead) diet.

If you don’t mind them being in your yard then enjoy!

If you do mind them being in your yard then treat them like a bad dog in your yard: yell at them and act silly scaring them away. Go ahead, have fun with this at least you will have an excuse. Use pots and pans, garbage can lids, air horns, your kid’s trumpet, and don’t forget that shiny, noisy rain slicker. Let your imagination run wild.

Stop feeding birds during the summer. Most bird experts advise this anyway. If you can’t (won’t) stop feeding the birds then bring your bird feeders inside at night. This works! You can also suspend your feeders from a wire at least 8′ off the ground.

Bring inside any other food sources.

Put your garbage out the day of pick-up instead of the night before.

How Dangerous are Black Bears?

Black bears can injure or kill people, but they rarely do. When pressed, they usually retreat, even with cubs. Attacking to defend cubs is more a grizzly bear trait. (Grizzlies live only in Alaska, northern and western Canada, and the Rocky Mountains south to Yellowstone.) Black bear mothers often leave their cubs and flee from people, and those that remain are more likely to bluff-charge than attack. Still, it is prudent to use extra caution with groups that allow close approaches because mothers are generally more nervous than other bears. Nevertheless, chances of being attacked by any black bear are small.

Unprovoked, predatory attacks by black bears are rare but highly publicized. There have been only 23 deaths by non captive black bears across North America this century. Most occurred in remote areas where the bears had little or no previous contact with people, rather than in and around established campsites or rural areas.

By comparison, a person is about 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee than by a black bear and 160,060 times more likely to die in a traffic accident. Each year there are many thousands of encounters between black bears and people, often unknown to the people because the bears slip away so quietly.

Dozens of minor injuries, some requiring stitches, have occurred across North America when people petted or crowded black bears they were feeding or photographing. Under those circumstances, black bears may react to people as they do to bears with bad manners, by nipping or cuffing with little or no warning. Also, people who tease bears with food have been accidentally injured when the bear quickly tried to take it. Fortunately, black bears usually use at least as much restraint with people as they do with each other. Unlike domestic dogs, which often are territorial and aggressive toward strangers, black bears typically behave as the subordinate toward people when escape is possible.

Black bears that want our food sometimes use threats or bluffs to get it, as has been reported by campers, picnickers, and backpackers. The most common behavior of this sort is blowing, which may be accompanied by clacking teeth, lunging, laid back ears, slapping the ground or trees, and/or a short rush. The same behavior is used to scare other bears from feeding areas. The sounds and actions are all done explosively, with effective results. However, it is rare for a black bear to attack a person during or after such a demonstration. A less common sound is the resonant “voice” of a bear. This is used to express intense emotions (fear, pain, and pleasure), including strong threats. Black bears with ready escape routes seldom use this threat toward people. For more information on what to do if you see a bear or some other wild animal in your backyard, visit the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Web Site. They are in Clinton, NJ.

All information reprinted with permission from the County Website and The Woodlands Wildlife Refuge.