Archive for August, 2014:


Cataract Surgery: It’s Come a Long Way!

Published by in Health on August 28th, 2014

By Maria C. Scott, M.D.

Cataract Surgery Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Long gone are the two-week hospital stays for cataract patients. Today, cataract surgery is performed in less than 15 minutes in most cases. Patients, whose eyes were dilated prior to surgery, leave wearing simply a pair of dark glasses. Within 48 hours, the majority of patients return to most routine activities with minimal restrictions.

While age is the primary reason why we develop cataracts, it is not the only factor. Increased exposure to sunlight, diabetes, certain medications, ocular inflammation, ocular trauma and family history may also play into the equation.

Cataracts  form over the course of a few months to a few years, thus patients may not realize they are at risk. Having  an annual eye exam is critical to detecting cataracts. Annual check ups allow you and your eye care physician to monitor the health of your eyes and take any steps necessary to preserve your vision. If you notice double vision or a sudden increase in cloudiness of your vision, immediately contact your eye care professional.

Today, bladeless laser cataract surgery is further revolutionizing the entire procedure and providing patients with unparalleled visual results. The FDA-approved bladeless femtosecond laser uses the same technology as that used in bladeless LASIK surgery. Whereas, manual cataract surgery requires handheld surgical instruments to make incisions, the bladeless femtosecond laser provides image-guided control for increased accuracy and predictability. Additionally, this laser enables surgeons to precisely program the size, shape and location of the incision and lens capsule for each patient. The femtosecond laser also softens the lens to reduce the amount of energy and fluid needed to remove the cataract, resulting in faster recovery time. The femtosecond laser can correct for low astigmatism, allowing patients to see as clearly as possible for distance vision without relying on glasses.

When selecting a cataract surgeon, make sure he or she is an experienced, highly skilled, board- certified ophthalmologist. It is important that he or she offers the most proven technology, treatments and testing to provide the best results possible. Talk to your doctor, ask questions, and discuss the options that are right for your situation.  Dr. Maria C. Scott, M.D.

It is an exciting time for cataract patients who want to improve their full range of vision, regain their quality of life and minimize or eliminate their dependence on glasses.

The author, Dr. Maria Scott, is one of the most respected cataract surgeons in the country.  Founder and Medical Director of Chesapeake Eye Care & Laser Center in Annapolis, Maryland, Dr. Scott is a board-certified ophthalmologist, who is consistently named one of the area’s “Top Docs.”  

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Kayla Kavoukas WellAdvantage Account Manager

Published by in Corporate Wellness on August 19th, 2014

Kayla Kavoukas Since joining WellAdvantage in 2012 as an event staff fitness generalist, Kayla Kavoukas embraced her career with the company and now is an account manager with oversight of more than 10 corporate clients. Kayla brings an enthusiasm for health and fitness that is appreciated  by her clients. She strives to make her clients’ wellness programs exciting and refreshing for all participants.

Kayla understands the goals of her clients and is dedicated to building programs that target health risks while making health education fun and rewarding. Establishing Wellness Champion teams, enhancing incentive campaigns, educating clients about the wellness website, and surveying program acceptance and success levels are just a few of the steps she takes to ensure her clients’ satisfaction. She is truly an valued partner – both to her clients as well as to her WellAdvantage colleagues.

Taking her creativity to the next level, Kayla leads projects that include the development and customization of company-wide challenges and online wellness workshops. Maintaining close partnerships with her colleagues and sharing best practices, Kayla demonstrates how successful team efforts are a critical component in keeping WellAdvantage customers informed, engaged and eager to pursue their wellness goals.

Despite the demands of her role as account manager, Kayla’s dedication to fitness continues. She became a LesMills BodyStep instructor in April 2014 and plans to pursue additional fitness certifications that will continue to expand her career and her personal health horizons.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! What you need to know to protect yourself and your family

Published by in Health on August 14th, 2014

niam-logoDid you know that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) ranks immunizations among the top 10 accomplishments in the field of pubic health during the 20th century?

While immunizations have significantly reduced the incidence of many serious infectious diseases, many vaccine-preventable diseases are still common across the United States. Any of these diseases could be serious ¾ even for healthy people.

Throughout the month of August, the CDC has teamed up with the National Public Health Information Coalition to help promote awareness of the importance of vaccinations. Ensuring you are up-to-date on the vaccinations you need can help prevent serious – and sometimes deadly – diseases.

Some may think that vaccines are just for children, but that is not the case. In fact, they’re needed throughout life to help protect people of all ages. Even if you were vaccinated at a younger age, the immunity from those vaccines can wear off, or the virus or bacteria that the vaccine protects against may change, thus reducing your immunity. It’s important to realize that while young children are particularly vulnerable to disease, many others, including older adults and those with chronic health conditions, can be at higher risk for getting some diseases or experiencing serious illness if they were to get sick.

The CDC offers a host of materials that will help you learn more about vaccine recommendations at every stage of life so that you can begin a discussion with your health care professional and determine which vaccines are right for you.

WellAdvantage encourages you to learn more about vaccines and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. In addition, to help celebrate National Immunization Month, WellAdvantage is offering a special incentive to employers who book an On-Site Flu Clinic this fall to help #FluProof your employees. Visit https://www.welladvantage.com/services/flu-shots/ for more details on how to help curb the spread of flu at your company.

 

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Breakfast: Fueling a Child’s IQ

Published by in Health, Nutrition on August 7th, 2014

As summer winds down, parents everywhere are starting to think of the tools they can provide their children to make this school year successful. Did you know, the key to a successful school year can be as easy as providing a healthy breakfast? It’s true! Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing discovered that children who regularly eat breakfast have increased IQ scores and decreased behavioral disorders.

Whole Strawberries in Vanilla yogurt with Spoon in bowlAfter gathering data from 1,269 children in China, researchers found that children who do not eat breakfast have a 4.6 lower point IQ score than children who regularly consume breakfast. Not only does breakfast provide nutrition and energy to begin the day, but it also aids in brain development. Eating breakfast helps children receive proper nutrients, increase IQ, and is associated with a decrease in behavioral disorders. These factors are an indication of why breakfast is vital for future health and career success outcomes.

Children should be regularly eating breakfast to assist in physical and mental development. Proper breakfast consumption may be difficult during rushed mornings because of early school start times. If lack of time is an issue, try preparing breakfast the night before to ensure food is quickly available in the morning. Cooking a large batch and freezing the meal can also assist with mornings where making a meal is not a viable option.

As more parents are working longer hours, preparing healthful meals for children may seem difficult. For quick kid friendly recipes for busy parents, visit Parenting.

Article by Kelli Oligney, Associate Editor

Reference:
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. (February 12, 2013). Can Breakfast Make Kids Smarter? Science in Action. Retrieved on February 12, 2013, from http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/sia/Pages/Can-Breakfast-Make-Kids-Smarter.aspx

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How to Address Intimate Partner Violence in the Workplace

Published by in Corporate Wellness on August 1st, 2014

House of Ruth Maryland

Article Submitted by: House of Ruth Maryland

 

With one out of every four American women reporting physical abuse by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, it is a certainty that in every workplace, the issue is affecting employees. Whether it’s a threatening phone call, repeated absences due to injury, or decreased productivity as a result of stress, intimate partner violence is a pervasive force in the American workplace.

And, it’s a silent issue. People being abused go to great lengths to hide it, while co-workers often view it as a personal issue, dangerous, and therefore are reluctant to reach out or get involved in any way.  When it does surface, unless people are prepared, it can be confusing and difficult to handle.

Did you know:

  • Domestic homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace
  • 74% of perpetrators had easy access to their intimate partner’s workplace, with 21% of offenders reporting that they contacted her at the workplace in violation of a no contact order
  • 74% of victims are harassed at work by their abuser
  • 56% of battered women arrive an hour late for work 5 times a month
  • 74% of perpetrators were late to work
  • Only 4% of organizations train their employees about domestic violence and its impact on the workplace

 

What can you do about intimate partner violence in the workplace?

Educate –  Utilize Intimate Partner Violence experts in your community to train and educate your staff.

Create a workplace policy and procedures – Add an intimate partner violence policy to work in conjunction with others on health, performance and safety.  Include protocols for how staff should react to incidences, and how to have a safety plan for both the employee and the workplace.

Refer –  Provide referral sources for employees.  This could include Employee Assistance Programs, as well as local support contact information.

Respond –  Take action on any threat or act of violence in the workplace.  Intimate partner violence is a serious, recognizable problem that not only puts employees at risk, but presents potential liability for the employer who fails to react.

 

 

For More Information, Contact:

 

House of Ruth Maryland
2201 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218-1627
(410) 889-RUTH(7884) (24-hr Emergency Hotline)
website: www.hruth.org
Take a stand Against Intimate Partner Violence

Visit Ruth’s Closet & Shop with a Purpose, Donate with a Passion
9131 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD, 410-581-9780

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WellAdvantage™ Ranks #1 Among BBJ’s 25 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Businesses

Published by in Press Releases on August 1st, 2014

WellAdvantage™, a preventive health and corporate wellness company, ranks number one (#1) on the Baltimore Business Journal’s (BBJ) list of the 25 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Businesses. The BBJ list ranks 25 woman-led companies in the Greater Baltimore area according to the percentage of growth between 2012 and 2013. Business leaders were recognized at the BBJ’s Enterprising Women breakfast event on August 1, 2014 at Martin’s West in Baltimore.

WellAdvantage provides comprehensive wellness services for its clients, which range in size from 200 to 90,000 employees around the globe. WellAdvantage’s services include personal health monitoring and management technology; biometric screenings; corporate flu shot clinics; health coaching and more, helping clients reduce health risks up to 40 percent in areas like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The national average for wellness programs is just 23 percent.

WellAdvantage CEO Jeanne Puglisi Sherwood is motivated by these results and honored by the BBJ recognition. “The impact of our wellness program is very real for both employees and employers. Reducing health risks means employees lead healthier and happier lives at work and at home. Employers experience a tremendous return in both decreased employee turnover and insurance premiums. That’s real money at a time when insurance rates are only creeping up, companies without a comprehensive wellness program in place are at a severe disadvantage,” shares Ms. Sherwood.

To be considered for the list of Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Businesses, companies had to be headquartered in Greater Baltimore, at least 51 percent woman-owned and making at least $50,000 in annual revenue.

For more information on the BBJ’s list of Fastest Growing Women-Owned Businesses, please visit http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/. For more on WellAdvantage, please visit http://localhost/wellAdvantage.

About WellAdvantage™
WellAdvantage is an award-winning preventive health and corporate wellness company. Since 2001, WellAdvantage has developed innovative, customized wellness programs that deliver proven results in health awareness and disease prevention. WellAdvantage offers clients the latest in personal health monitoring and management technology, wellness coaching, biometric screenings, aggregate outcomes reporting and corporate incentive programs. WellAdvantage is MBE/WBE certified. For more information, please visit http://localhost/wellAdvantage.

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