ONCE TREATED WITH SURGERY AND MEDICATION, RAPID HEARTBEATS NOW TREATED WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
Problems with the heart's electrical system are common and can cause severe outcomes, including sudden death in young, otherwise healthy people.
Ali Kizilbash, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Irving, offers some helpful tips on some of the newest treatments for heart rhythm disturbances.
Dr. Kizilbash says that rapid heartbeats can lead to congestive heart failure, chronic fatigue, other rhythm problems, and an increased risk for stroke and even death.
"In the past, certain types of rapid heartbeats required heart surgery, and others led to long stretches of medication and repeated hospital visits. Now we have a procedure called radiofrequency ablation, where the rhythm problem can be corrected through same-day surgery in a two- to three-hour procedure done through a small hole in the groin," says Dr. Kizilbash. "It's a major advance."
Another treatment for rapid heartbeats is a "pacemaker plus," an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) that can be inserted in a same-day procedure. Once implanted, the device tracks every heartbeat throughout the patient's life.
"It will actually pace the heartbeat if it's too slow and bring you back if you have an abrupt episode of life-threatening rhythm disturbance," says Dr. Kizilbash.
There is a version of the ICD that can help with heart failure as well. Some people actually develop an electrical circuit delay because of underlying heart failure, and they may be candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
"This treatment adds a third wire to the ICD to restore synchrony to the heartbeat. It's a major advancement for patients with congestive heart failure."
SUMMERTIME CAN BE FUN AS WELL AS DANGEROUS--FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR A SAFE SUMMER
Summertime means vacations to the beach, playing in the sun and outdoor activities.
"A little planning ahead can mean the difference between fun in the sun or treatment in a doctor's office," says Robin A. Hall, D.O., a board-certified family physician on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
Drink plenty of water and switch to sports drinks if you'll be exercising in the heat for a long stretch. Limit your outdoor activities when heat alerts are forecast, and take a cool bath or shower if you feel you are overdoing it. Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), limit your exposure to the sun and avoid tanning salons to reduce your risk of sunburn today and skin cancer in the future.
Sprays can keep insect bites at bay. While many people are concerned about West Nile virus, few people develop symptoms. It's not necessary to visit the emergency room if a mosquito bites you, unless you develop a high fever, or experience a change in behavior or altered mental status.
When picnicking, bring ice packs to keep cold food cold, especially food that's going to be out for a while. Throw leftovers away unless you're certain they've been kept properly chilled. Make sure grilled meat is cooked thoroughly—nothing puts a damper on summer fun like becoming ill from eating undercooked meat.
Make sure your pool is secure, well before you believe your child is old enough to open a door. "Children should never be left unattended by the pool, even for a second," Dr. Hall says.
SEASONAL ALLERGY SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE A SIGN OF ASTHMA
If you're buying antihistamines in bulk in an effort to keep your allergy symptoms in check, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of people with allergies have asthma as well. The same triggers that bring on allergy symptoms can cause asthma flare-ups to strike, so your allergy plan can help keep your asthma in check. If you suspect you might have asthma—you have symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness—see your doctor. Most seasonal allergies are triggered by pollen, but different tree, grass or weed pollens might affect you differently. Check the news to see which pollen levels are high when your symptoms are flaring.
Jennifer Zimmer, M.D., an internal medicine physician on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, recommends these steps to fight pollen: close your windows and doors; use your air conditioning; pollen levels are highest in the morning, so schedule your outdoor activities for afternoons or evenings; change your clothes after you come in from outside; bathe before bed to keep pollen off pillows and sheets; and wash your hands if you pet an animal that's been outside.
Your allergies could lead to itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat or nasal congestion. Try saline eye drops and nose sprays first. If you don't get relief with those treatments, talk with your doctor about taking over-the-counter antihistamines, with or without decongestants. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are on medication for a chronic condition, as some allergy medications can cause harmful interactions with other drugs. For the most severe allergy cases, immunotherapy—commonly known as allergy shots—can provide relief.
WHEN PREGNANCY CAUSES AN ACHING BACK, TRY THE FOLLOWING TIPS
That baby in your belly is gaining weight fast—that's good for the baby, but often not so great for your back.
"When you're pregnant, you gain weight so fast, it's hard to adjust," says Doreen Moser, D.O., an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. "Your center of gravity is off, and you use different body mechanics for walking, standing and lifting." Plus, ligaments throughout the body become more relaxed during pregnancy, explains Shaad Bidiwala, M.D., a neurosurgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Grapevine.
The rapid weight gain and relaxed ligaments can lead to back pain. Dr. Moser says that once she rules out other complications, she recommends a pregnancy belt. These wide belts wrap around your body under your belly and help straighten the back, supporting the lower back and the uterus. "It sets your center of gravity more normally," Dr. Moser explains.
Whether your pain is centered in your upper or lower back, the belt can help. "Pregnant women tend to lean forward and use the upper back muscles to support the body. The belt helps straighten them up," Dr. Moser says.
In addition to pregnancy belts, Dr. Moser recommends the following steps for beating the pain: -Exercise: Ask your doctor for exercises you can do at home to strengthen your back. "Most patients who do the exercises seem to do better," Dr. Moser says. -Warm the muscles: Warm showers or baths can help alleviate muscle pain. -Medicate: Tylenol® is safe and can lessen the pain. -Change positions: If you stand for long stretches, take breaks and sit down. Support your back with a pillow. -Banish high heels. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels to reduce back strain. "Conservative measures that take stress off the spine are almost always best at first," says Christopher Michael, M.D., a neurosurgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Grapevine.
QUESTIONS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING?
Breastfeeding doesn't always go smoothly right from the start. According to lactation consultants at Baylor Women's Center at Baylor Medical Center at Garland, there are many myths associated with a new mother's insecurities. For example, will I produce enough milk, is it supposed to hurt when I breastfeed, or will Dad have a chance to bond with the baby? These are all legitimate questions of a new mother.
"Breastfeeding is a learned experience for both mother and baby," says Sherry Therwhanger, certified lactation consultant at Baylor Garland.
The trick is to get the baby to the breast as soon after delivery as possible. "After birth there's a window of a few hours when, if the baby is allowed to latch on and suckle to its heart's content, the act of breastfeeding is imprinted," Therwhanger says.
Difficulty arises when this doesn't happen—maybe the mother isn't well after delivery, or the baby needs to be whisked away for medical treatment. If the baby is given a bottle, it learns to suckle a different way. Later, it must change that behavior in order to breastfeed. Proper latch-on and good alignment are crucial. "We teach mom to learn her baby's hunger cues, and we check for good latch-on and positioning," Therwhanger says.
Breastfeeding may take some effort, but the benefits are well worth it. Mother's first milk, called colostrum, is very important because it transfers nutrients and antibodies to the infant. It also prepares the baby's system to digest the full milk that the mother begins making a few days after birth.
Baylor Medical Centers at Garland, Grapevine, Irving and Plano are affiliated with the Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System.
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