By: Robert Remler
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of anxiety mimic symptoms of other medical illness and frequently go undiagnosed.To help individuals learn about anxiety disorders, their symptoms and effective treatments, Nassau University Medical Center will conduct a free screening program on Wednesday, May 1, in the J Building, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day. The program includes viewing a video, receiving information about various anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses, completing a screening questionnaire, meeting a mental health professional to review the questionnaire and receiving a referral, if necessary.For additional information, call (516) 572-3092.
Menopause update
Obstetrician and gynecologist Robert R. Weiss, MD, of North Shore University Hospital at Plainview, will host a lecture, "Menopause Update," on Monday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. in the hospital's lecture hall at 888 Old Country Road, Plainview.Refreshments will be offered at 7 p.m.For more information or to register, contact the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System's Department of Professional and Public Health Education at (516) 465-2500.
New hope for weight loss
Obesity is becoming an increasingly serious health problem in the United States. More than one in every three Americans are obese, which is defined as exceeding one's ideal body weight by 20 percent. In fact, minority populations are affected to a greater extent: nearly 50 percent of African-American, Latina-American, Mexican-American and Native-American women are overweight. Winthrop University Hospital's Department of Surgery now offers bariatric surgery, a surgical treatment specifically designed to achieve dramatic weight reduction.According to Siva Vithiananthan, MD, director of Winthrop's Surgical Residency Program and head of the Bariatric Surgery Program, obese patients are at increased risk of developing illnesses as well as death. "Men and women who are severely overweight can now be helped to lose weight by surgically modifying the anatomy of their stomach and small intestines," said Dr. Vithiananthan. "However, surgery is offered only after a patient fails a regular medical exercise program to lose weight."Although dieting remains the most useful method of weight control for individuals who are mildly or moderately overweight, it is generally ineffective for the morbidly obese. Morbidly obese patients have been shown to have a 12 times reduction in life expectancy, and morbid obesity is the cause of many medical, physical, emotional, economic and social handicaps.Since obesity contributes to developing other diseases, many surgery candidates have medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, hiatal hernia, gallbladder disease, shortness of breath and other disabilities. Obesity surgery not only helps patients control their weight over many years, but can also help prevent or control the progression of these weight-related problems.Winthrop's state-of-the-art surgical program is dedicated to the care and treatment of patients with clinically severe obesity refractory to non-operative treatment. The surgical treatments are performed by highly trained, board-certified surgeons with special training in obesity surgery. Bariatric surgery offers several procedures that each act differently on a person's digestive system. For further information about bariatric surgery, contact Winthrop Surgical Associates at (516) 663-3300.
Organ and tissue donor awareness week
South Nassau Communities Hospital will help shift the spotlight onto the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in the U.S. during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness week from Sunday, April 21 to 27.Of the close to 80,000 Americans awaiting a new organ for transplantation, an estimated 8,000 live in New York. During the special awareness week, South Nassau will set up displays and hand out brochures, posters and other materials."We welcome this opportunity to participate in a concerted effort to raise awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation," said Joseph A Quagliata, President and CEO of South Nassau Communities Hospital, One Healthy Way, Oceanside. "At South Nassau, we see the role of organ and tissue transplantation as an integral part of our mission to meet the communities' needs for the highest quality health care."New Yorkers who wish to show their commitment to organ and tissue donation can enroll in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Enrollment can also take place online at www.health.state.ny.us or by calling 1-800-GIFT-4-NY. Once people have enrolled, they should discuss their decision with their families because permission is requested from next-of-kin before donation can occur.
Other events and activities
Parkinson's Disease Support Group will be meeting at South Nassau's Albert Conference Room, One Healthy Way, Oceanside, on Tuesday, April 23, 7:15 p.m. Lisa Rosenzweig will discuss "Techniques & Information for Safe Swallowing." For information, call (516) 632-3980...Community CPR day will be Saturday, April 27, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., in South Nassau's Albert Conference Room, One Healthy Way, Oceanside. For information, call (516) 777-8447...The Highs and Lows of Blood Pressure will be discussed on Thursday, May 16, 1:15 p.m., in South Nassau's Conference Room #4, One Healthy Way, Oceanside. For information, call (516) 632-3980
