Dr Susan Blum

Perrot Memorial Library
90 Sound Beach Avenue
Old Greenwich
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
7:30 PM

FOUR STEPS TO A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM
with Dr. Susan Blum

Dr. Susan Blum, an assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Preventative Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, will address these questions and will explain the workings of the immune system and what it needs to function at its best. She will examine the four main sources of immune problems and what you can do to fix them.

A true pioneer in Functional Medicine and founder of The Blum Center for Health in Rye Brook, New York, Dr. Blum’s mission for personalized medicine is paramount for treatment and prevention. The Center focuses on the comprehensive integration of Functional Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, and Nutritional Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine training at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, her residency in Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine. She received her Masters in Public Health at Columbia University, and her training in Functional Medicine from The Institute for Functional Medicine in Gig Harbor, Washington. Her work has been covered widely in national news and health media and she will be appearing on The Dr. Oz Show on January 13th, 2012.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE GREENWICH RED CROSS

Due to power outages in Western Greenwich today, the Greenwich Red Cross and the Town of Greenwich will be opening a cooling center at the Western Greenwich Civic center this afternoon.  In addition, CL&P will be opening a Cooling Center at the Greenwich Hyatt at 1800 E. Putnam Avenue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s sweltering heat.  In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including tornadoes, floods and hurricanes.  Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended.  Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.  Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Please Follow these Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips:

• Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household.  Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
• Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.  It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty.  Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.  Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between four and 7 a.m.  Take frequent breaks.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.  Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning.  Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen.  They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids.  Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.  Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.  Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as, sunstroke, heat stroke is life threatening.  The victim’s temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working.  Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.  Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position.  If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly.  Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.  Fan the person.  Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation!  Help is needed fast.  Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.  Move the person to a cooler place.  Quickly cool the body.  Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body.  Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim.  Watch for signals of breathing problems.  Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body.  If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Upcoming Lectures:

Preventing Injuries in Tennis Players on Tuesday, May 10^th and Injury Prevention for Triathletes and Cyclists: Safety Strategies for Training and Competition on Tuesday, May 31^st.

“Preventing Injuries for Tennis Players” features orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Paul Sethi, MD, tennis professional Patrick Hirscht and ONS physical therapist Tatyana Kalyuzhny, DPT, who will share the latest information on common injuries to tennis players including Achilles tendon injuries, shoulder and wrist injuries and rolled and sprained ankles. The program will explain the consequences of poor mechanics and outline the most effective warm-up and conditioning techniques for tennis players. Adult and youth players are invited to attend. Registration is requested.

“Injury Prevention for Triathletes and Cyclists: Safety Strategies for Training and Competition” will focus attention on the common causes of injuries in cyclists and triathletes. Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Katie Vadasdi, primary-care sports medicine specialist Dr. Gloria Cohen, and ONS physical therapist Abigail Ramsey will discuss biomechanical issues of combined training, techniques for proper stretching and strengthening, post injury training methods for return to racing, and treatments for injuries. The seminar is timed to help athletes who are preparing for the summer and fall race season. Both physician speakers are athletes. Dr. Vadasdi is an experienced triathlete and has completed two international ironman competitions. Dr. Cohen is a competitive cyclist and has served as team physician to four Olympic Games. Call to register 203 869-3131.
The ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education is committed to providing individuals, who enjoy sports activities, a range of tools and techniques to keep them enjoying their sport and out of the doctor’s office. Free injury prevention programs are conducted by Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians and physical therapists affiliated with the ONS Foundation. Most events take place at ONS, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists, located at 10 Valley Drive in Greenwich. To register for programs, call 203-869-3131.

The ONS Foundation is a not for profit organization that in alliance with Greenwich Hospital, strives to improve standards of excellence for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders through clinical research, physician and patient education, and community outreach programs. For further information about the ONS Foundation, visit www.ons-foundation.org or call (203) 869-3131.

The Caregiver Circle will host four different sessions for the Spring 2011 season.  Each session is held from 11:45a-1pm at the GADC River House, 125 River Road Ext. Cos Cob.  The Caregiver Circle is free of charge and respite is provided to participants who are caring for a loved one during the day, prior arrangements must be made.  Lunch is included for all sessions.

To register contact Sarah Gleeson at 203-622-0079.  The Caregiver Circle is a program designed in collaboration between the following agencies:  Junior League of Greenwich, Town Commission on Aging, GADC River House & American Red Cross Greenwich Chapter.

Sessions include:

Wednesday, Feb 23^rd – EATING RIGHT, FEELING GOOD

Presented by Christopher Mosunic, Weight Loss & Diabetes Center, Greenwich Hospital

Wednesday, March 9 – TIC-TAC-TOE DEMENTIA

Presented by Mary Underwood, Life Guidance Program Director, Atria Assisted Living

Wednesday, March 23^rd – ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Presented by Michael Franco, MD, Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Greenwich Hospital

Wednesday, April 6^th – THE IMPORTANT YOU

Presented by Marialisa Pettengill, Body, Mind and Spirit Programs and Denise Drake, LMT, The Right Touch Massage Therapies, LLC

Medical emergencies ranging from small cuts and abrasions to choking, bleeding or shock can occur at any time and anywhere. Be prepared to respond to emergencies by attending Red Cross first aid and CPR classes. Now is the time to learn how to prevent injuries and sudden illnesses, to recognize emergencies and provide basic care until the arrival of advanced medical personnel. Help your family, friends and neighbors by knowing what to do and having the confidence to do it. The following classes are scheduled for February 2011:

CPR/AED Adult

• Saturday, February 5,   9 am – 1:30 pm
• Tuesday, February 8,    6 pm – 10:30 pm

CPR/AED Infant & Child

• Wednesday, February 9,    6 pm – 10:30 pm
• Thursday, February 17,    9 am – 1:30 pm

Standard First Aid

• Thursday, February 10,    6 pm – 10 pm
• Friday, February 18th,    9 am – 1:00 pm

Connecticut Child Care

• Wednesday & Thursday, February 23 & 24,   6 pm – 10:30 pm

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Full Course

• Sunday, February 6,   9 am – 6 pm (bring lunch)

Babysitter’s Training (For ages 11 – 15)

• Saturday, February 12,   9:30 am – 5:00 pm (bring lunch)

Standard First Aid w CPR AED Adult

• Saturday, February 26,   9am – 4:30pm (bring lunch)

For a full schedule of course descriptions, dates and fees, and to register, log on to www.greenwichredcross.org or contact 203.869.8444 for more information.

Greenwich Hospital
Noble Conference Center
5 Perryridge Road
Greenwich, Connecticut
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
6:00pm

Neurosurgeon to Talk about Neck Pain and Treatments

On  Board-certified neurosurgeon Amory Fiore, MD of ONS(Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists) and Greenwich Hospital will present a talk on neck pain and spinal conditions of the neck in the Noble Conference Center at Greenwich Hospital. Car accidents, sports activity and falls may cause injury to the neck.  Neck pain may also result from abnormalities in muscles, ligaments and nerves, and conditions of the bones and joints such as arthritis. Dr. Fiore will discuss common causes of neck pain as well as conservative and surgical treatments. Admission is Free. To register, call Greenwich Hospital at 203-863-4277 or 888-305-9253.

League of Women Voters of Greenwich
at Nathaniel Witherell
70 Parsonage Road
Greenwich, Connecticut
Monday, Febrary 7, 2011*
7:30 to 9:30 am

*Snow date: Thursday, February 10th*

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

with:

• Senator Scott Frantz
• Representative Fred Camillo
• Representative Livvy Floren
• Representative Lile Gibbons

COME LEARN ABOUT THE BUDGET, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE AND OTHER TIMELY ISSUES OF STATE AND LOCAL CONCERN. A QUESTION PERIOD WILL FOLLOW.

There will be a $5 fee

For more information visit  www.lwvg.org or contact Gae Coe at 203 869-8703