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Health
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- Written by: Dr. Paula Dhanda
Many women are embarrassed to talk about this condition and do not seek help.
Symptoms of prolapse vary but may include:
Pressure or discomfort in the vaginal area;
A sensation of sitting on a ball;
Feeling or seeing a bulge or ball-like structure protruding from the vaginal area;
Difficulty urinating;
Having to strain for bowel movements;
Worsening discomfort at the end of the day or after long periods of standing;
Urinary incontinence especially with coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising.
Weakening of the pelvic floor causes prolapse. There are many causes for this including childbirth, prolonged heavy lifting, hysterectomy, chronic lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema and being overweight. The prolapse often gets worse after menopause.
There are medical and surgical treatment options available for this condition. Non-surgical treatment methods include lifestyle changes, a vaginal pessary and exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles. There are physical therapists who have special training in this area and women with mild to moderate prolapse often have significant improvement in their symptoms.
There are no medications to treat vaginal prolapse. There are also new minimally invasive surgical procedures available for women who have prolapse that does not improve with conservative treatment or whose prolapse is severe.
I have been performing surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence for over 20 years and I am amazed at how much better and less invasive the surgical treatments have become.
Prolapse repair surgery returns organs to a more normal anatomical position. Because the surgery is less invasive I can also offer these procedures to women who are older or have medical problems that put them at risk for more major operations.
Many surgeons now use mesh in the surgical correction of prolapse. These mesh repairs can be done with smaller incisions and can reduce the risk of recurrence.
The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are:
Less pain post operatively;
Faster recovery than traditional open abdominal prolapse surgery options;
Shorter hospital stay (often less than 24 hours);
Quicker return to normal activities including work.
One female patient noted, “I feel 100-percent better since my surgery. Dr. Dhanda is a great surgeon.”
If you suffer from pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence you are not alone. Do not be embarrassed to talk to your doctor and ask for help. Take control of your health.
For more information visit www.drspecialtycare.com .
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- Written by: Editor
The Wellness Center is pleased to welcome acupressurist Richard Diwald to its Integrative Healing House team. Diwald’s specialty is acupressure that combines Jin Shin and Tui Na styles.
“My personal experience with the combination of Tui Na and Jin Shin acupressure is that it promotes a state of deep relaxation, enabling curative energies to work,” said Diwald.
The combination of styles uses fingertip pressure held on acupressure points mixed with a vigorous yet subtle Chinese massage that uses a variety of hand movements to increase blood circulation.
“The combination of light brush strokes, pressure point release and massage while fully clothed left me feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated,” said a recent client.
Acupressure massage is an effective way to treat physical pain in a natural way that allows the body to heal itself. By releasing muscle tension and unblocking energy pathways, the body can restore its equilibrium and health.
Diwald is taking day, evening and weekend appointments at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Integrative Healing House, located to the East of the main hospital building, adjacent to the Wellness Center.
Call 707-262-5171 to make an appointment.
For more information on all of the services available at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Healing House, please visit our web site at www.sutterlakeside.org .
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- Written by: Editor
The Lighten Up! Weight Management Support Group, hosted by Sutter Lakeside Hospital Wellness Center, can help get you on track.
The 10-week program provides education, coaching, support and exercise to help individuals create a healthy lifestyle through the management of weight.
The program will cover such topics as understanding the health risks associated with weight; identifying the mental-emotional factors that promote bad habits; how to build a safe, healthy exercise program; understanding the basics of nutrition; as well as how to create an eating plan you can live with.
Sessions begin on Monday, Feb. 22, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Healing House with classes facilitated by Leslie Lovejoy, R.N., Ph.D., physical therapist Joe Prisco and nutritional coach Vera Crabtree.
To register or for more information, call the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Wellness Center at 707-262-5171. Please inquire about the generous scholarships available to cover the cost of this program.
Participants will receive individual coaching to build a program that meets their needs and that will help them stay on track.
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- Written by: Editor
Because ample supplies of vaccine are now available, people who would like to be vaccinated can choose from a variety of locations.
Lake County Public Health will provide no-cost H1N1 vaccinations to anyone over 6 months of age at the following locations:
– Wednesday, Feb. 3: Lower Lake Elementary School, 9240 Lake St., Lower Lake, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
– Tuesday, Feb. 9: Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Wednesday, Feb. 10: Kelseyville Fire Protection District, 4020 Main St., Kelseyville; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
– City of Clearlake: Date and time to be announced.
In addition, Lake County Public Health at 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport will provide the vaccine on a walk-in basis on Tuesdays between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. This will continue until further notice or until vaccine supplies are exhausted.
People can also check with their doctor, clinic or local pharmacist in order to get vaccinated.
Everyone is encouraged to be vaccinated in order to prevent additional waves of H1N1 illness in the coming months.
Vaccination with 2009 H1N1 vaccine continues to be particularly important for people in the initial target groups, including pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than six months of age; health care and emergency medical services personnel; all individuals six months through 24 years of age; and individuals 25 through 64 years of age who have medical conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza.
Children under age 10 years should receive two doses of the H1N1 vaccine at least one month apart.
Additional opportunities to receive the vaccine over the coming months will continue to be announced.