Fibromyalgia and Heart Abnormalities
Butterflies For Hearts: CCH Fundraiser For Cardiology Department
For the past 38 years, Columbus Community Hospital has held an annual extravaganza as a way to help fund equipment or services they would like to add to their repertoire. For the past 10 years, one way they have done this is with a butterfly release.
Set for June 29 starting at 10 a.M., the release will help fund a QuantaFlo peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening device to be used in cardiology. Dr. Sabu George, a cardiologist at the cardiology clinic, said the device allows them to compare and monitor blood flow more effectively to detect and diagnose PAD, with the aid of a pulse oximeter.
"It's basically a device that sends light through the blood that flows through your index finger and then it calculates an area under what is displayed on a screen. It gives you that area as a ratio comparing the flow in the leg to the flow in the finger," George said.
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George explained that the ratio should be 1/1 in a body where blood flow is the same, but it may differ in some patients, which can indicate PAD. Dr. Mark Howerter, chief medical officer and an emergency room physician at CCH, said this device will allow those in cardiology or who have to run this test to work much faster and more efficiently with better results.
In the 20 years he has been at the hospital, for diagnosing anything related to PAD, they had to refer to a larger hospital to confirm these diagnoses, which worked but wasn't ideal, Howerter said.
"We were stuck with taking blood pressures and checking pulses and maybe trying to use a handheld Doppler that wasn't very good to try to make a critical diagnosis," Howerter said. "At that time, if we had the inclination or belief that there was a serious problem, we were talking about a transfer at a fairly good expense to either Lincoln or Omaha."
Thus, this year's extravaganza was designed to help bring this technology to CCH. The butterfly release is one of many events throughout the year orchestrated by volunteer and auxiliary to help the hospital afford new devices or services. Since 1972 these groups have raised more than $1.8 million through the extravaganza, special sales, raffles and the gift shop.
Angie Ramaekers, director of volunteer and guest services, said the extravaganza has had many forms over the years but they had settled on the butterfly release for the last 10 years.
"We've had variety shows, we've had dinner theaters, we've done lots of different things, and for the last 10 years, we've done this butterfly release," Ramaekers said. "The goal with that and thought behind that is that it could be a more lighthearted daytime event that could involve the entire family in a very casual atmosphere."
Butterflies are available for $10 each, until June 26. The butterflies will be distributed at the event on June 29 at the southwest lawn of CCH for a synchronized release. A banner displaying names dedicated by butterfly sponsors will return this year and Ramaekers said they will have some other fun snippets for the event's 10th year.
Those interested in supporting with a larger monetary donation can be a diamond level sponsor for $2,500, platinum plus level for $1,500 or platinum for $1,000 with their contribution recognized on promotional materials.
Those interested in either form of sponsorship may contact Ramaekers at adramaekers@columbushosp.Org
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Please log in to use this feature Log InUH Portage Opens Heart Catheterization Lab
University Hospitals Portage Medical Center has opened a cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratory at the Ravenna hospital.
The facility, also referred to as a cath lab, is a specialized area where doctors perform tests and advanced procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular issues.
University Hospitals Portage Medical Center recently opened a cardiac catheterization laboratory at the Ravenna hospital.
The UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute team at UH Portage provides local access to nationally recognized care for any heart or vascular condition. The team is integrated throughout the health system in order to collaboratively coordinate care to provide the best patient outcomes.
"With the opening of our new state of the art cath and electrophysiology laboratory, we have the ability to perform electrophysiological studies and cardiac ablations to treat a multitude of cardiac arrhythmias," explained Antonio Sotolongo MD, clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Portage Medical Center. "We are hoping this will lead to an improved and more efficient experience for patients closer to home. We have performed several ablations already since opening in March, and look forward to welcoming many more patients."
The new lab continues to provide cardiac and vascular services at UH Portage, including:
Life-saving treatment for people with an active heart attack.
Cardiac catheterizations to see how well the heart is working, identify problems, and treat narrowed or blocked arteries.
Interventions for peripheral artery disease, which is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs.
Ablation procedures for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
The project was funded by the Portage Medical Center Foundation and other donors from the community.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: University Hospitals Portage opens heart cath lab at Ravenna hospital
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I Am A Neurologist And Was Still Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease In My 40s - And It All Started With One Very Common Symptom
A top neurologist who was living a healthy and active life received a shock Parkinson's disease diagnosis in his forties.
Knowing exercise was the key to maintaining good neurological health, Dr David Blacker, from Perth, was a keen marathon runner until he started experiencing a strange pain in his leg that got progressively worse.
The dad told FEMAIL he chalked the issue up to a muscle strain but when he started to notice tremors and issues with his dexterity, he knew something more sinister was going on.
In 2018, Dr Blacker was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and while he said the news was a 'kick in the gut' he didn't let it stop him from leading an active life.
The 55-year-old wants Australians to know Parkinson's doesn't mean a gradual and painful decline and that the symptoms can be eased with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.
Neurologist Dr David Blacker (pictured), 55, from Perth, was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's Disease in his forties despite leading a healthy active life
In his mid-forties, Dr Blacker was prioritising keeping fit and exercising regularly as he knew of its impact on neurological health.
'I had been working with stroke patients for a long time and realised the benefits of exercise. It's one of the reasons I was really trying to maintain exercise myself,' he said.
'I was actively trying to do that and if I hadn't been maybe I would have had my symptoms earlier.'
The doctor started noticing a pain in his leg which he thought to be an exercise-induced dystonia that causes the muscles to contract uncontrollably.
'Initially, I thought it was because I had been doing too much, that I'd been trying too hard without adequate rest and stretching,' he said.
'I got to a point where my foot started twisting and tightening up and then it would worsen with my whole leg – it was like running in quicksand.'
Over the next three years, Dr Blacker's pain got progressively worse. Then he started noticing more 'classic' signs of Parkinson's disease.
'I would get a shake in the right hand and initially, it was only when I was stressed or public speaking or something like that,' he recalled.
'Everyone criticises doctors' handwriting, but my writing became really tough and I had trouble filling out forms, it was very getting difficult.'
Dr Blacker was an avid golfer and noticed he would have trouble with his fine motor skills when he would try to fish a ball out of his pocket or put it on a tee.
'The real kicker was when I was seeing patients who had Parkinson's disease and they were performing better than myself.'
Parkinson's Disease: What are the signs and symptoms?Dr David Blacker said there are three stand out signs someone could have Parkinson's disease.
People with Parkinson's disease will receive a clinical diagnosis from their doctor as it doesn't show up on tests.
Neurologists will gather a full picture of a patient's symptoms and lifestyle. If someone presents with two out of the three key features, they will usually be diagnosed with Parkinson's.
1. Tremor - 'The tremor is typically when you're resting and not moving your hand,' Dr Blacker said.
'There are other tremors that are more prominent in other positions, like, if you're trying to hold things but if you're just resting, it's called a resting tremor.'
Dr Blacker said around 30 per cent of people with Parkinson's don't have a tremor despite it being widely associated with the disease.
2. Bradykinesia - Dr Blacker said this is a type of 'slow movement'.
'One of the common tests will do is get the patient to rapidly tap their thumbs to the index finger,' he said.
'I'm a right hander but my left hand is was much quicker doing it.'
3. Rigidity - This is a tightness in the arms and legs beyond what would be the result of general ageing or arthritis and can lead to poor mobility.
'It's a stiffness and soreness which is quite painful at times,' Dr Blacker said.
There are some other signs of Parkinson's that could lead to a Parkinson's diagnosis according to Dr Blacker including a loss of smell and REM sleep behaviour disturbance.
'When you're sleeping and dreaming you go to a deeper phase of sleep where your muscles in the limbs are paralysed, and your respiratory muscles and your eye muscles are the only things that still working otherwise you jump, jump up and run around,' Dr Blacker explained.
'What happens in this disorder is you get very vivid dreams and interruptions to sleep and you start yelling and kicking and thrashing.'
More signs include constipation as well as undiagnosed and unexplained depression and other 'prodromal symptoms' like anxiety, mood swings, irritability, anger and sleep disturbances.
Advertisement'I started thinking, "Could it be something else? Is it too much coffee? I'm a bit young for Parkinson's disease". Then I started thinking, "Oh god, it really does look like it" but I didn't want to be hypochondriac,' he said.
In 2018, he 'summoned up the courage' to see a fellow neurologist and he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's Disease at just 49 years old.
'I was very prepared personally and knew what it was. To some degree, I was relieved it was Parkinson's and not something that was going to be more rapid,' he said.
'Still, it was an amazing kick in the gut and there is certainly a grief process that happens.
'You have a certain picture about what your life's going to be like and what you're going to be doing in the future then when something like this happens it has to be reconfigured.'
Dr Blacker was as determined as ever to not let his Parkinson's get in the way of his active life.
He started medication which eased his symptoms, took up boxing and yoga and swapped running for brisk walks.
'I've been very fortunate that I've had a good response to medicines but more importantly, exercise has been my saviour,' he said.
'We have an opportunity to reshape the course of Parkinson's disease and build up enough muscular strength and fitness that will hopefully ward off the decline as the future continues.'
After his diagnosis, Dr Blacker continued to keep up with his exercise. He took up boxing, started yoga and swapped running for brisk walks
He also adopted a Mediterranean diet which is high in fish olive oil, nuts and berries and low in red meat and dairy.
The Mediterranean diet is said to be one of the healthiest in the world as people living in that part of the world live longer healthier lives with a low rate of chronic conditions.
Dr Blacker said his diagnosis has helped him with his Parkinson's patients at work.
'It's a stressful time, for many people getting the diagnosis is the worst moment of their life and it really sticks in their brains. If the delivering doctor is not doing a good job, that can have a negative effect,' he said.
'I've got this amazing opportunity to be able to deliver the diagnosis with authenticity and empathy and understand it. I can pick it with a lot more confidence than I used to.'
'I've been very fortunate that I've had a good response to medicines but more importantly, exercise has been my saviour,' he said
People often picture an 'old white shaky man' when they think of Parkinson's disease but Dr Blacker said it can affect people of any age, gender and race.
The stereotype also leads people to believe a person will become immobile after a diagnosis.
Dr Blacker said people were surprised to see him feeling and looking fit after his diagnosis.
'One of the things I found frustrating was as I started to get fitter and stronger, people said, "Wow, you look great!", but no one sees that you have taken all these tablets or had a bad night's sleep so you're feeling really tired. There's all those non-motor symptoms people can't see,' he said.
'People are only trying to encourage you, but you feel a bit invalidated and think, "Don't they believe me?". It's a tough psychological thing. I forewarn a lot of people about that.'
Dr Blacker wants to dispel the myth that a Parkinson's diagnosis means a linear gradual decline.
'I think that's a bit of a misrepresentation of what actually happens. If you really get stuck into exercise and follow a good diet, that in combination with medications can have some amazing results,' he said.
'One of my crusades is to offer a much more positive picture to people. Particularly at the at the onset, when you've given them a diagnosis.'
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