Check Your Feet, Save Your Legs, Save Your Life

One study has found that 25 percent of 600 people surveyed who had suffered an amputation from diabetes said they should have seen a specialist sooner.

Editor's Note: The month of November is National Diabetes Month, and this article is in recognition of it. People with diabetes who develop foot ulcers are more at risk of dying prematurely than those without this complication.   This devastating complication of early death usually begins with neuropathy and subsequent foot ulcers which may lead to infection and lower extremity amputation even in the absence of vascular disease. Although not all diabetic foot complications can be prevented, it is possible to reduce the incidence of amputations and early death through early detection, treatment and prevention. Educating patients along with their family members or caregivers to the warning signs of diabetic foot disease and the importance of…

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Women's Health Rx

The Healing Power of Yoga

Sure, yoga can help you get fit. But learn what else it can do.

By Donna Grote, Registered Yoga Teacher, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center As popular as yoga is these days, many people don’t realize regular practice of yoga and yoga-based poses provides a number of health benefits in addition to enhanced fitness. Although movement is essential to yoga practice, deep breathing and meditation are also fundamental. Depending how you incorporate these components, yoga can benefit almost everyone, whether you’re healthy and active or living with chronic conditions such as stress, scoliosis or headaches. For example, if you’re seeking a vigorous workout, fitness-based power yoga classes fit the bill. If you’re a serious athlete trying to boost your performance, stretching and strengthening your muscles is …

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Yoga Week to Start April 21

The Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital is offering free yoga—are you in?

Peters Township community members are invited to explore their inner yogi during a week of special yoga activities April 21-27 at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital—240 Wellness Way in Washington.  The center is offering a free one-week trial membership to first-time guests so they can experience the full range of Live Well yoga classes, in addition to all other classes and activities offered. A special Earth Day event on Saturday, April 21, kicks of the week of yoga.  Try a yoga class, enjoy a free chair massage and stop by the opening of the labyrinth, featuring meditation and a book signing with Dorit Brauer, author of "Girls Don’t Ride Motorcycles: A Spiritual Adventure into Life’s Labyrinth." Brauer …

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Women's Health Rx

Preparing for Pregnancy

Here's what you need to know if you know you want a baby.

By Kathryn Simons, M.D. McMurray OB/GYN Associates 201 Waterdam Plaza Drive, Suite 201 McMurray, PA 15317 724-942-5420 www.washingtonobgyn.net The decision to have a have a baby is very exciting. For many women, this decision also comes with many questions. What can I do to prepare myself for pregnancy? What can I do to have a healthy pregnancy? How long will it take to get pregnant? The preconception period, the time before pregnancy, is the ideal time to optimize healthy habits and lifestyle choices. It is also the time to modify bad habits that could negatively affect a pregnancy. A healthy lifestyle, with a well balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise, is important at all times in a woman’s life but particularly when trying to …

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Women's Health Rx

Debunking Delusions: The Truth about HCG

Heard of the diet trend and want to give it a whirl? Think again—here's why.

By Eric Schmalzried, exercise physiologist and personal trainer, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, www.wrcameronwellness.org Recently, HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) has experienced a significant upsurge in popularity as a weight-loss aid. HCG is a hormone produced by the human placenta during pregnancy and can be found in many products available for purchase online and in certain stores. Some doctors have even recommended and administered the hormone to patients who wish to lose weight. The HCG diet rage started in the 1950s when Dr. A.T.W. Simeons—based on his experience using HCG in a different context—began a therapy for weight loss using a 500-calorie, fat-free diet coupled with HCG injections. He authored publications on the …

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Women's Health Rx

A Guide to Making Smart Choices in Restaurants

Here's how to make prudent food choices when you go out to eat.

By Jacqueline Clemons, RD, LDN, nutritional counselor Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center of The Washington Hospital, www.wrcameronwellness.org Many restaurants and fast-food establishments are now providing customers with nutrition information on their products. How many people really study this information prior to making a decision? Most of us probably look at this after the fact and think: “Let’s see how far I strayed off my diet with this meal.” Instead, take advantage of the wealth of information prior to making your selections, and you’ll know what you are indulging in and be more accountable for your actions. This may help you make better decisions at that meal or later that day. Keep in mind that becoming aware of what you are …

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Annie Masilunas

8:32 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Suggestion: Ask your waiter or waitress to split your meal in half, placing the second half in the take-out container before it even reaches your table. This practice of portion and control may even boost confidence as you leave, knowing you enjoyed what you wanted but still made a good healthy eating choices.   more ›

UPMC and Washington Hospital Partner, Launch Care Site in Peters

Last week, the medical conglomerate launched its first initial site at the existing urgent care in McMurray.

To provide the residents of Washington County with convenient access to the highest-quality health care, The Washington Hospital and UPMC announced last month that they are partnering to operate multiple urgent care locations. Under the joint venture agreement, the centers will be named “UPMC Urgent Care with The Washington Hospital.” The initial site was launched last Thursday at the existing Washington Hospital Urgent Care Center in Krebs Professional Center—3515 Washington Road in McMurray. The parties plan to open two new sites within the next 18 months. “UPMC and Washington Hospital have a long history of collaborating to better serve the needs of the community, as evidenced by our successful cancer center joint venture,” said Robert …

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Washington Hospital Unveils 'Austin's Playroom'

This is the 25th playroom, a part of Austin’s Playroom Project, founded by Mario Lemieux, and his wife Nathalie.

The Washington Hospital unveiled its “Austin’s Playroom” in the Dr. E. Ronald and Constance Salvitti Center for Emergency Care with a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. “Austin’s Playroom,” is a specially designed, child-friendly waiting area for pediatric patients and their siblings, which was constructed through a generous donation from Dr. E. Ronald and Constance Salvitti.   The playroom is named after Austin Lemieux, the son of former Pittsburgh Penguins star and current Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux, and his wife Nathalie. The playroom features age-appropriate games and toys, a train table and interactive kiosk to provide waiting children and families with a safe, calm and educational environment.  “It’s challenging for …

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Women's Health Rx

Swim for Your Health

Swimming isn't as difficult as you might think—and the benefits of the exercising in the water might surprise you.

By Alex Kuhn, Elite Aquatics Coordinator Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center wrcameronwellness.org I was recently speaking with a member of the Wilfred R. Cameron Welless Center, who has been exercising consistently for over two decades. She is a mother of three and works full-time, yet she has participated in classes ranging from yoga to kettlebell, competed in sports such as soccer and gymnastics, and even recently ran a marathon! Assuming she also swims, I asked her to join me for a morning workout in the water. Her reply surprised me: “I could never swim! Do you know how difficult it is to swim? I wish I could.” She’s not alone in missing the benefits of swimming. Many people do not know the many benefits of exercising in the water. …

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Spa Harmony Hosts 'Think Pink' Girl Talk Event

The free program will be held Tuesday evening at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center.

The public is invited to learn the latest about cancer prevention, treatment and recovery at the “Think Pink Girl Talk” event, hosted by Spa Harmony of The Washington Hospital, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The free program, which features an Information Expo and panel discussion titled “Experts Tell All About Cancer Prevention and Recovery,” will be held on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, 240 Wellness Way. The panel discussion includes Dr. Michael Zinsser, OB-GYN and Dr. Michael J. Dougherty, MD, Radiation-Oncologist of The Washington Hospital, as well as professionals from Spa Harmony and the Wellness Center. The group will discuss a broad spectrum of approaches to achieving, maintaining and …

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