Penn Elm Medical Group
488 E. Valley Parkway
Suite 411
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 745-2000
NEWSLETTER:
August 2005
NEWS
YOU CAN USE
Aggressive Rehabilitation May Be As Good As Surgery For Chronic Back
Pain
Medpage Today—For many patients with chronic back pain and degenerative
arthritis of the spine, surgery may be unnecessary, according to
a randomized
study by researchers in Oxford, England.
The study, published online in BMJ (British Medical
Journal), shows
that patients with chronic back pain and disc degeneration can do
just as well with an aggressive rehabilitation program as they can
with fusion surgery. A companion study compares the costs.
According to the study's lead author, Jeremy Fairbank, M.D., of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Center, "Intensive rehabilitation is a good way of managing chronic back pain, even if you believe that surgery is the answer to your problems." Dr. Richard Deyo, a professor of medicine and health services at the University of Washington in Seattle, adds, "The real question is whether patients should consider surgery for this condition at all, given the greater complications and evidence that it will offer little benefit over high quality rehabilitation." Click here to read the full article.
You’re Mom’s a Worry Wart:
It’s
O.K. to Swim After You Eat
New
York Times News Service—Apparently
all those minutes we waited to swim after a meal was just a waste
of time. Parents have thought
in years
past that eating increases blood flow to digestion, taking it
away from your muscles, and, therefore, leading to the dreaded cramps.
In fact, this is just not true. For most casual swimmers, the chances
are very minimal. Don’t believe us? Check
out the full article.
Keep An Eye Out For the Young and Elderly During the Summer Heat
Knight
Ridder News—The sweltering temperatures
we've been having lately reminds
us to be aware of the health of our children and elderly. Elevated temperatures
cause the body temperature to rise. Our normal systems cause sweat to
cool the body down, but the very young and old do not have the same
capacity to produce sweat, which causes their body temperatures to
rise even higher. Also, those
who do sweat heavily frequently become dehydrated, and without
adequate fluid replacement temperatures also rise.
This overheating problem can result in something as minor as heat cramps to the severe heat stroke. In one week in July 1995, over 500 people died in Chicago from complications related to a heat wave. Risks to the body increase if you have chronic medical problems including, but not limited to, diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease. Drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs or multiple medications also increases the incidence of heat illness. You can reduce or avoid these risks by:
- Drinking plenty of water or electrolyte fluid replacement drinks, such as the numerous sports drinks available at grocery stores, especially if you are sweating heavily
- Keeping cool indoors
- Wearing light clothing
- Avoiding strenuous activity at the hottest part of the day.
Talk to your doctor about your and your family’s individual needs.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
To
Dr. Giesemann’s previous patients
If you are
not already aware, Dr. Giesemann has left Penn Elm Medical Group.
At this time, there
will not be a replacement physician. If you have medications that
need refilling or are in the midst of medical management,
please schedule an appointment to get established with one of the
eight remaining Penn Elm doctors who can maintain the continuity
of your
care.
Now is the perfect time to schedule your
annual physical!
If you or someone in your family needs
a health clearance for school team sports, a DMV physical to maintain
a special class license, a physical exam for insurance, or it's been
awhile since you've had a complete check-up, now is the perfect time to
schedule
it! Summer
is our lightest
season
of
the year
and the
easiest
time to book your annual "tune up." Avoid the fall,
and even worse, winter rush. Schedule with your doctor today.
WHAT’S NEW AT PENN ELM?
Attention Blue Cross members
If
you have Blue Cross PPO, you may have received information that Penn
Elm no longer accepts this insurance
plan. You may continue to see your Penn Elm doctor "out
of network," but by doing this you could incur more personal expense.
If you have questions,
please contact our Billing Supervisor—Kelly Bauer, or Operations
Manager—Judy Shaw, for more information.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!
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745-2000
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