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In This Issue
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December 2017
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News Brief 
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Guideline Numbers for Defining High Blood Pressure Have Been Lowered
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For the first time in 14 years, new guidelines for high blood pressure have been developed by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and nine other health professional organizations.
High blood pressure is now being defined as 130 mm Hg and higher for the top number (systolic measurement) and a reading of 80 or higher for the lower number (diastolic measurement). This is a change from the old definition of 140/90. With this change, the number of U.S. adults having high blood pressure (or hypertension) will go from 32% to approximately 46%.
Although 14% more people will be diagnosed with high blood pressure only a small number will be prescribed medication. Instead, people will be counseled by their physician about lifestyle changes they will need to make to prevent further increases in blood pressure and the complications of hypertension. In many cases lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, more physical activity and drinking less alcohol, will help control blood pressure.
The impact of the new guidelines is expected to be greatest among younger people. High blood pressure is expected to triple among men under age 45, and double among women under 45 according to the published report.
The first step is to know your numbers. Every time you have your blood pressure checked, ask your physician or nurse what reading they obtained. If it is high, often they will take your pressure a second time after a few minutes. The new guidelines stress the importance of obtaining your blood pressure reading several times, and on at least two different occasions, in order to get a proper result.
High blood pressure plays a significant role in increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke, but it is often referred to as the "silent killer" since there are no symptoms. This is one important reason to have an annual physical exam, no matter how old you are. Blood pressure needs to be monitored. For more information, visit the American Heart Association's website.
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December 13 or January 10
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Question & Answer
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Is there a special diet for someone with Crohn's Disease?
Crohns disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which causes inflammation to your digestive tract. It can involve different parts of the digestive tract in different people, but most often it is found in the end of the small intestine and the colon. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever can be mild to severe. The cause of Crohns disease is unknown and there is no cure.
The goal of medical treatment is to control symptoms and reduce flare-ups. As far as diet, it could be helpful to keep a food diary of what you eat and how you feel. This may help you identify certain foods you may want to eliminate from your diet. Generally, many people with IBD find limiting dairy products, high fat foods, spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol help to reduce symptoms.
Read more about Crohns Disease at mayoclinic.org.
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Healthy Living Tip
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Does the presence of diverticulosis in the colon require a diet that avoids nuts?
Diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula or small pouches in your colon. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed it is referred to as diverticulitis. In the past, doctors often recommended that those patients who have diverticulosis avoid nuts and foods with small seeds such as tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers. Actually, there is no scientific evidence that eating these foods will cause diverticulitis. What is important is to eat a high fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods to keep the food waste moving through your colon. Nuts are a great source of fiber, protein and "good fat".
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Featured Video
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Treatment for Colon Conditions
Do you suffer from a chronic colon condition, such as diverticulitis, colitis or Crohn's disease, and are you tired of uncomfortable flare ups? Have you been diagnosed with colon cancer and are preparing for surgery? Watch this video with General Surgeon Patrick McEnaney, MD, who talks about surgical treatments for colon conditions, such as polypectomy, colectomy and minimally invasive options, as well as what to expect during and after surgery.
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Patient Story
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery - A Mystery Solved
We've all been there... when the reasons for your symptoms can't be determined; when the pain can't be diagnosed; when tests come back normal... and you are still dealing with it, whatever "it" is. This is where Alan Sirvant stood. The 63-year-old resident of Milford had been contending with episodes of pain for two years.
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Good Things You Should Know
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Did you know that a wide range of studies suggest that 20% of children, on average, struggle with some type of feeding or growth issue during the first 5 years of life? That's 1 out of every 5 children!
Learning to eat is a developmental milestone that many children achieve without difficulty, however, there are a wide range of issues that can make eating a difficult and stressful experience for kids and their families. These can include developmental delays, sensory issues, oral motor skill delays, and swallowing difficulties.
Michelle Skeldon, MS, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech pathologist who specializes in feeding and swallowing disorders at our Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine site in Milford. Check out our blog written by Michelle to find out more about this pediatric program.
Milford Regional Receives an "A" for Patient Safety
Once again, Milford Regional Medical Center received an "A" for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group
, a nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health care system. The Medical Center was one of 832 hospitals nationwide to receive an "A" for its commitment to reducing errors, infections, and accidents that can harm patients, ranking it among the safest hospitals in the United States.
Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed and is fully transparent. Read more about Patient Safety award.
Wellness Classes Start January 2
Do you have a New Year's resolution to add more physical activity to your weekly schedule? Exercise is such an important component to living a healthy lifestyle and we want to make it easy for you to get started. We offer a variety of yoga classes, cardio, strength, and several combination classes. Many of the classes are beginner classes such as Ease into Fitness and some are appropriate for all levels since the instructor will modify the exercises to accommodate the participant's fitness level. Classes are held in Milford and in Northbridge.
Registration for Milford Regional's wellness classes opened on December 1 and classes will begin on January 2.
Read more about our classes and register for one.
What have you got to lose?
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About Our Doctors
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Milford Regional's active medical staff, consisting of over 250 doctors, is highly qualified to treat you and your family through sickness and in health. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, you can be assured of the best possible care.
If you need a physician, please call our Physician Referral Line at 1-888-DRS-HERE (1-888-377-4373). Our Referral Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a quick look, see our list of primary care physicians who are accepting new patients. It is important to note that not all physicians accept all insurances. Please call the physician's office directly to find out if they accept your insurance plan. |
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Neurosurgery is a surgical specialty that diagnoses and treats injury and disorders of the nervous system including the spinal column, brain and peripheral nerves. Some of the conditions treated by neurosurgeons are spinal disorders, brain tumors, stroke, epilepsy/seizure, hydrocephalus, and peripheral nerve problems. Two Brigham and Women's Hospital neurosurgeons have formed a new practice - Brigham and Women's Neurosurgery of Milford and see patients in the Hill Health Center at Milford Regional. A third Brigham and Women's neurosurgeon will be joining the practice in January. Read more about these physicians - click on their name to read their bios.
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