Five Tips for Easier Breathing

Imagine feeling like you just ran up ten flights of stairs after simply walking to the kitchen for a glass of water. Think of the last time you had a serious cold and woke up throughout the night, coughing and unable to stop. People who suffer from respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), regularly experience these unsettling symptoms.

Caused by airway obstruction and irritation, inflammation of air passages or other damage to lung tissues, chronic respiratory diseases make breathing an ever-present concern. As a result, people who have such illnesses often need treatment in an Emergency Room. They might avoid exercise to prevent feeling out of breath, which can then lead to weight gain, weakness and high blood pressure. Additionally, those who suffer from respiratory problems may become depressed or anxious, worried about when their symptoms will strike next.

Fortunately, there are some actions people can take to manage or improve their respiratory health.

• Quit smoking and avoid being around secondhand smoke. Quitting has immediate health benefits, even if you or a loved one has smoked for many years.
• Visit your primary care physician regularly. The care team can assess your needs and help you to identify things that trigger your symptoms. They can also refer you to a specialist if needed.
• Get a flu shot every year, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Respiratory illnesses may make people more susceptible to viral infections like the flu. The infection can then become more serious or cause the respiratory illness to worsen.
• Get a pneumococcal vaccine at least once in your lifetime. People with respiratory problems are more likely to develop pneumonia from an infection, which can result in other health complications.
• Practice good hand hygiene. Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water helps to prevent you from catching viral infections.

If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms like shortness of breath, persistent cough, wheezing or a tight feeling in the chest, consider seeing a primary care physician. GBMC has primary care practices located throughout the Baltimore area. Learn more at www.mygbmcdoctor.com.

Nutritionist Q&A

This is the time of year when many people focus on getting healthy after an indulgent holiday season. In recognition of that and National Healthy Weight Week, which takes place January 18-22, GBMC asked one of its own dietitians, Katie Perry, RDN, to share insights and suggestions for effective weight management.


GBMC: How can reaching a healthy weight improve overall health?

Katie: There is a definite correlation between diet and mood. Many patients have told me that they feel better overall when they make dietary changes such as eliminating processed foods. Processed foods contain a great deal of fat, sugar and salt, which can be very addicting and often make you feel sluggish. Adopting healthier eating habits can help with weight loss or weight maintenance. Being happy with the way your body looks can also enhance your mood and confidence.

GBMC: How can people avoid overeating?

Katie: I encourage my patients to practice “mindful eating,” which is the act of being present in the moment during mealtime and really listening to your body. In order to practice mindful eating, one must remove all distractions including television, cell phones, computers, work, driving, etc. These distractions prevent one’s full attention from being directed towards internal cues of fullness. All senses are used in the act of mindful eating: sight, smell, taste, mouth feel (texture), and even the sound of food cooking.

GBMC: What foods do you recommend for weight loss?

Katie: The first thing I suggest is to choose snacks that are high in fiber and protein, such as Greek yogurt, string cheese, fruits, vegetables and almonds. These foods are high in fiber and protein and help you to feel fuller longer.

GBMC: What foods should be avoided for weight loss?

Katie: The worst things to eat are “empty calorie” foods, which are high in calories but do not provide much nutrition. They are often processed, high-fat, sugary foods including: cookies, cake, chips, crackers, donuts, ice cream, fried foods, etc.

GBMC: What are your tips for maintaining a healthy weight?

Katie: For maintaining weight, it’s all about balance.

• Do not skip meals. Consuming three or four meals per day helps maintain a healthy, steady metabolism.
• Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. The sensation of thirst can often be mistaken for hunger. Dehydration can also cause drowsiness.
• Be active. Changes in weight are based on the “calories in vs. calories out” principle. Weight gain occurs when “calories in” exceeds “calories out.” Making exercise a part of your daily routine can help with weight maintenance.
• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep plays a roll in hormonal balance, which can affect the storage of fat, energy levels and hunger.

GBMC: What habits should people can incorporate into their lives to lose weight?

Katie:

• Practice portion control by measuring out your food based on serving size recommendations found on food labels. Using smaller plates and bowls can also help keep portion sizes small.
• Avoid beverages that contain sugar. Liquid calories can be very sneaky and do not provide any nutritional value.
• Increase physical activity. A combination of cardio and weight training can help burn fat and build lean muscle. Lean muscle is more metabolically active than fat and continues burning calories long after working out. It is recommended to be active for 30 minutes or more each day, at least 5 days per week.
• Eat only when you are hungry and stop eating once you feel full. If you notice that you are eating for reasons other than hunger, find a distraction or a different outlet. Eating slowly can help prevent overeating. It takes your mind 15-20 minutes to realize you are full; keep this in mind before going for seconds!

New Year, Healthy New You!

It’s a new year and people everywhere are resolving to get (and stay!) healthy. Have you struggled with maintaining a commitment to regular activity? Are you confused by conflicting information regarding sound nutrition and dietary habits? Can you envision 2016 being the year that you finally achieve your fitness and wellness goals once and for all? Stack the odds in your favor by partnering with GBMC!

GBMC is pleased to announce its new 12-week Life in Balance program, which is designed to provide education, support and results to help you look and feel your best in the new year. The Life in Balance program consists of three distinct components. First, you will meet with a certified health coach, who is also a nurse practitioner. The health coach works alongside your primary care physician or specialist, reviewing barriers to your success and assisting you with lifestyle issues such as stress, time management and family support. Next, a personal fitness coach will provide you with a complete fitness consultation and exercise plan, setting attainable goals tailored just for you. Throughout the program, the fitness coach will ensure proper form, address any questions and make adjustments to your exercise plan as needed. Finally, you will meet with a registered dietitian, who will counsel you on adopting healthy eating habits as well as calculating daily caloric needs and resting metabolic rates. You will also receive a customized meal plan including healthy and easy recipes and snacks.

These three certified professionals will collaborate in order to provide ongoing motivation, support and education to all program participants.

The Life in Balance program is open to anyone who has an interest in improving his or her health! It begins the week of February 1, 2016 and the complete program costs $750, or three easy payments of $250. Sign up in January and get a 10 percent discount! All meetings will be held at GBMC in the Geckle Diabetes and Nutrition Center. For additional information or to register, please visit our website at www.gbmc.org/lifeinbalance.

GBMC Earns Healthcare Equality Index Recognition

For the second year in a row, GBMC has earned recognition as a leader in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) healthcare equality by the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). This acknowledgement reinforces GBMC’s strides in HEI’s stringent core four leader criteria, which follow:

1. Patient Non-Discrimination: GBMC’s Patient Bill of Rights is fully LGBT-inclusive and includes both the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” The organization’s Patient Bill of Rights states that all patients have the right to “Receive considerate, respectful and compassionate care regardless of your age, gender, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disabilities. Additionally, GBMC meets the requirement that the LGBT-inclusive patient non-discrimination policy is communicated to patients in at least two readily accessible ways.

2. Equal Visitation: GBMC’s visitation policy explicitly grants equal visitation to LGBT patients and visitors. This policy is communicated to patients and visitors in at least two readily accessible ways and states: “Whenever possible, GBMC supports our patients having a family member, friend, a domestic partner, including same-sex domestic partner or other individual present for emotional support during the course of the stay.”

3. Employment Non-Discrimination: GBMC’s employment non-discrimination policy (equal employment opportunity policy) is fully LGBT-inclusive and includes both the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”

4. Training in LGBT Patient-Centered Care: HEI-approved training in LGBT patient-centered care has been provided to key staff members.

GBMC is proud to have met the criteria and sub-criteria in all four categories! For more information about HEI, visit www.hrc.org/hei.

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced (or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 1/3 cups onions, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups celery and leaves, coarsely chopped
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup sliced carrots, fresh or frozen
4 3/4 cups shredded cabbage
1 can (1 lb.) tomatoes, cut up
1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
1 1/2 cups fresh green beans
11 cups water
2 cups uncooked pasta (such as ditalini pasta)
dash of hot sauce

Directions

1. Heat oil in a 4-quart saucepan.
2. Add garlic, onion and celery to pan. Sauté about 5 minutes.
3. Add all remaining ingredients except pasta and stir ingredients until they are well mixed.
4. Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Add uncooked pasta and simmer until pasta is soft.

Nutrition Information

Serves: 16
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 153
Fat: 4g
Sodium: 191 mg
Cholesterol: 0mg
Saturated fat: less than 1g

Recipe Source: Reprinted with permission from Stay Young At Heart: National Heart, Lunch, and Blood Institute. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. National Institutes of Health.