The Sanatoga Post

By Gregory Giamo, DO

Dr. Gregory Giamo.

When people think about a stroke, symptoms such as paralysis of limbs or an entire side of the body, and loss of motor coordination come to mind. But a stroke doesn’t always happen this way. In fact, when a person experiences milder symptoms, it’s easier to explain them away because they don’t necessarily point to a health emergency. But dismissing symptoms due to uncertainty can be dangerous.

Strokes are the third-leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. A stroke is an interruption of blood to the brain, either from a blood clot or the rupturing of a blood vessel, which results in a certain area of the brain not receiving the critical oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

One type of stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a stroke-like event that can be just as serious. Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA has similar signs, with symptoms that don’t last as long. A TIA occurs when a blood clot briefly blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain. TIA symptoms may include:

• Severe, sudden headache
• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs on one side of the body
• Difficulty walking, and/or loss of balance or coordination
• Dizziness
• Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
• Confusion or trouble speaking clearly or understanding communication

Individuals at increased risk for TIA or stroke include those with heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and smokers.

A TIA should be considered a warning sign. It has the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA symptoms are temporary and produce no lasting damage to the brain. However, it’s important not to take a TIA lightly; it’s a strong predictor of a possible full-scale stroke which could be just a matter of days, weeks or months away. According to the American Stroke Association, more than one third of individuals who suffer a TIA will later have a stroke.

A recent industry study found that the associated risks and long-term effects of a mini-stroke differ according to gender. The February 2009 study, a collaboration among University of Alabama at Birmingham, Yale University and the Duke University Stroke Center, found that men are more likely to have a stroke or heart-related problems after a TIA event.

What makes a TIA even more dangerous is that an astonishing number of people do not realize they are experiencing a mini-stroke and do not seek immediate medical care. A 2006 study by the American Heart Association found that less than half of people who suffer symptoms of a mini-stroke seek medical attention promptly, and only 10 percent go to the emergency room. Notably, 20 percent of patients incorrectly identified their symptoms as stress, fatigue, eye problems, or a migraine.

If you experience any of the TIA symptoms – even briefly – it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. If you’re not sure, call your doctor or go to the emergency room. Time is critical in treating a possible stroke – and preventing a possible future stroke.

Your doctor can administer several tests to diagnose TIA and determine your future risk of stroke. This includes a review of your medical history, a physical and neurological exam, blood tests and various diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may include imaging tests (such as a CT scan or MRI, which take a picture of the brain), electrical tests which examine brain waves or study how the brain handles various sensory information: hearing, touch or vision; and finally, blood tests (an ultrasound or arteriogram, which give an idea of blood flow and the condition of your arteries).

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Gregory S. Giamo, DO, a member of the medical Staff at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC) Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Giamo is a graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.  He completed both his internship and residency at Charleston Area Medical Center.  Dr. Giamo is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is in practice with Brookside Family Practice and Pediatrics, 1555 Medical Drive, Pottstown PA.

PMMC supplied this article and is responsible for its content. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions.

If you’d like to become a Sunday Contributor, please e-mail The Post.

Published earlier by Sunday Contributors:

• Avoiding Investment Scams
• Beware The Six Dangers Of Summer
• Be Cool, Save Money, Be Green
• Avoid Summer Ankle Sprains, Strains

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By Maureen Renzi

With the stock market turmoil of recent months, and numerous other investments losing their appeal, many people are looking for ways to earn back funds they’ve lost on stocks or to get some positive returns on money they have left. Unfortunately, there are many con artists trying to take advantage of people eager to offset market losses.

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) suggests you ask these questions of yourself or others to avoid being scammed.

Is It Too Good To Be True?

This is always the first question to ask when spending your money.

Don't be puzzled! If an offer in the market sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check it further.

If an investment or business opportunity promises guaranteed, rapid, or unusually high returns, examine the investment materials carefully to determine how these assurances can be possible. Keep in mind that high-yield securities also carry high risks, including the possibility that you could lose your entire investment.

Just because a company has a nice office, attractive brochures, and an appealing Web site, that does not mean it is poised for success or that it’s even a legitimate business. The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to discern if the promises are real or if they are whitewashing the risks involved.

Is The Company Registered?

When a company registers its securities with a government regulator, it is required to publish an annual report and a prospectus that detail its financial situation.

It is possible to sell securities without registering, but this should be a red flag to potential investors. It may mean the company is trying to avoid regulation – and the kind of disclosure that regulation requires – because it has something to hide.

Ask for an investment prospectus and annual report, and then review them with an objective adviser. If these documents aren’t available, it’s probably best to walk away from the investment.

Does The Investment Have A Track Record?

Some scammers will offer you the chance to get in on the ground floor of a new opportunity. This may sound tempting, but it’s best to invest in a business that has a proven history of financial success.

Ask if the people involved in the investment have any experience in this field. What is their previous success in this business? What documentation is available to demonstrate their track record?

Why Do I Have To Invest Immediately?

Con artists often insist that you must send in your money right away because only a few shares of a company are left.

This should be a red flag to turn down the opportunity. The cons are only trying to prevent you from asking questions they can’t answer.

Is All My Money Being Used To Buy Securities?

High-pressure salespeople often operate the way they do because they are expecting to get big commissions from the sales they make. Those commissions are deducted from your money.

Before you invest, find out if there are fees or costs involved and ask how much of your total outlay will actually be used to make an investment. Legitimate stock brokers do charge transaction fees, but it’s always important to ask what they are in advance so you know what amount will be invested.

A local CPA can offer you independent, objective advice on important financial decisions. To find a CPA in your area, visit www.INeedaCPA.org.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Maureen Renzi, communications vice president of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). PICPA supplied this article and is responsible for its content. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions.

If you’d like to become a Sunday Contributor, please e-mail The Post.

Published earlier by Sunday Contributors:

• Avoiding Investment Scams
• Beware The Six Dangers Of Summer
• Be Cool, Save Money, Be Green
• Avoid Summer Ankle Sprains, Strains
  

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Got news for us? E-mail The Post.

By Ben Armstrong

PHILADELPHIA PA – It may not be a “scorcher,” but the heat of summer is right around the corner, and it’s never too early to begin preparing for it. You can use less energy and help the environment and your wallet this summer, all by following a few simple tips from PECO.

Electricity usage normally increases during hot humid days because of the use of cooling appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers. More electric usage means utility higher bills, but you can minimize these effects with the following suggestions. They can help you reduce energy usage by 30 percent or more, and save on overall home energy costs:

• For customers with central air conditioning, keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level (74 to 76 degrees) when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days with extreme heat (90 degrees or higher) to save even more. Lowering the thermostat setting below the desired temperature will not cool the home faster.
• Ensure that room air conditioners are sized properly for the room, and turn the unit off if someone is not going to be in the room for an extended period of time.
• Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.


Spread the cool around.

• Use fans to evenly distribute cool air and reduce the air conditioner’s “on” time.
• For those without any air conditioning, consider using ceiling fans or portable fans operating with the windows partially open to circulate fresh air into the home.
• To reduce heat and moisture during the warmest part of the day, run appliances in the early morning or evening hours when it’s generally cooler outside. These include ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Also, use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible, during the hottest days.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your home. Awnings are even better and can dramatically reduce radiant heating. Window coatings and window film can reflect as much as 80 percent of direct rays from the sun.
• Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances, which add heat to the home.
• Keep doors firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out. These include entrances to the outside, garage or attic.
• When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, look for the Energy Star label, and purchase the most affordable energy-efficient unit. Newer more energy-efficient models lower monthly operating costs.
• Replace your old standard incandescent bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). They use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.

PECO understands that higher summer temperatures mean increased energy usage and higher utility bills. Consumers can visit the company’s website to find even more energy-saving tips, energy calculators to help consumers better understand how they use energy, and an online store for discounts on energy saving products for their home or business. The company also offers information on energy assistance programs, budget billing and payment options.

Editors Note: This article was written by Ben Armstrong, a representative of PECO. The company is a Philadelphia-based electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corp. PECO supplied this article and is responsible for its content. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions. If you’d like to become a Sunday Contributor, please e-mail The Post.

Published earlier by Sunday Contributors:

• Be Cool, Save Money, Be Green
• Avoid Summer Ankle Sprains, Strains
  

By Dr. Benjamin D. Overley

LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – Outdoor activities we love each summer – nature hikes, tennis, jogging, bicycling, and long walks on the beach – also put us at increased risk for injuries.

Stretch out and warm up to avoid an injury.

Ankle sprains are one of the most common joint injuries, and you don’t even have to be participating in a sport-related activity to have one. A sprain can happen during the simplest movements, such as during a walk or missing a stair step. Ankle sprains are extremely common, affecting more than 25,000 children and adults every day, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

In its normal state, the ankle joint and bones are held in place by ligaments, an elastic structure that, together with the muscles, secures and protects the joint. A sprained ankle – also known as a twisted ankle – happens when these ligaments are stretched beyond normal range or are torn. This happens when the foot twists, rolls or turns beyond its normal range of motion.

An ankle strain is a different injury, involving injury to the muscle tissue (also called a pulled muscle), as opposed to a ligament.

Ankle injuries affect all ages, whether you’re playing dodge ball in the park or just taking a walk with friends. They happen most often in sports that involve a good deal of running, jumping or sudden changes in weight distribution.

If you’ve ever taken an exercise class or participated on a sports team, you’ve been told by a coach or instructor about the necessity of warming up and stretching before exercising. Inadequate warm-up or insufficient stretching are major causes of ankle injuries.

You don’t even have to be exercising to get an ankle sprain. Other common causes include lack of conditioning (weaker muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the ankle joint), footwear that doesn’t offer adequate support, walking or standing on uneven ground, and a previous history of ankle sprains.

The AAOS ranks ankle sprains from mild to severe, according to symptoms. The degree of pain and symptoms you experience will vary according to the severity of the sprain. In the case of a severe sprain, some patients will initially experience intense pain, followed by lesser or no pain – a result of damage to nerves in the area.

You can care for a mild or moderate sprained ankle at home, but it’s important to discuss symptoms with your doctor to see if an office visit is necessary. While caring for your sprain at home, remember the RICE technique: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medication to help with swelling and discomfort and, depending on the severity of the sprain, immobilization in a cast or brace, and physical therapy.

If you have a severe sprain, it’s important to have a doctor examine it to rule out a more serious injury, such as a broken bone. Untreated ankle injuries can result in chronic pain, instability and repeat injuries.

A May 2009 article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that approximately 40 percent of people who experience an ankle sprain will have chronic ankle pain, even after treatment for their initial injury, because the condition is untreated or overlooked. In rare cases, surgery is needed, generally for those cases that do not respond to non-surgical treatment.

With proper care, a mild sprain may take about a week to heal, with rest and protection of the ankle. A moderate sprain takes one to two weeks to restore range of motion, strength and flexibility.

For a severe strain, the AAOS recommends a gradual return to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle and doing maintenance exercises. Once the ankle has regained strength and flexibility – which can take a few weeks to months – activities that require sharp twists and turns, such as sports, can be resumed.

Dr. Benjamin Overley

The best course of action is prevention: achieving good strength, balance and flexibility through regular exercise; and maintaining a healthy weight to avoid undue stress on joints and ligaments.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Dr. Benjamin D. Overley, chief of the Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Orthopedic/Athletic Sports Medicine Center, 1601 Medical Dr. He is responsible for its content.

Dr. Overley is a graduate of Temple University. He completed a residency in podiatric surgery at Germantown Hospital, Philadelphia PA. He completed his fellowship in foot and ankle reconstructive trauma surgery at Cooper Hospital, Camden NJ.

This article was supplied by Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions. If you’d like to become a Sunday Contributor, please e-mail The Post.

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