Video: Spirit of Women - Day of Dance 2013

Feb. 10, 2013: Franciscan Alliance's second annual Day of Dance event, as part of our Spirit of Women campaign. More than 900 joined us at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville to "Get Their Dance On" and focus on women's health through a myriad of events, including dance instruction and performances, health screenings and discussions with local doctors.

This Winter - Bury Your Heart Attack Risk

It’s not uncommon to hear one say that another has a “cold heart.” This winter, Franciscan Physicians Hospital is providing some tips to keep you from having a “cold heart,” quite literally.

The combination of shoveling and typical winter temperatures causes a significant increase in heart attacks with heart attack deaths tripling among men 35 to 49 years old, says Daniel Forman, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist.

With a heightened risk to you and your health in the winter season, it’s important to review the symptoms and signs of a heart attack so that you’re aware if you’re having one.
The American Heart Association lists these prominent symptoms that should be recognized and treated immediately:

• chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• discomfort in other areas of the upper body including the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach
• shortness of breath with or without discomfort
• other signs that include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Be aware of the signs and symptoms for the safety of you and your loved ones. Now take a look at some common tips from the American Heart Association to reduce the stress on your heart while shoveling snow.

• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. This puts an extra load on your heart.
• Take frequent breaks during shoveling so that you don’t overstress your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow blower.
• When possible, simply push the snow instead of lifting it.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.
• Don’t drink alcohol before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol produces a sense of warmth and may cause an underestimation of the strain that the cold is having on your body.
• Consult your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall to assess your risk of heart attack.
• Know the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes the most deaths in hypothermia, so be sure to dress warm.

Utilizing these tips will help you to avoid a heart attack from snow shoveling. Whenever possible, utilize alternate methods for removing snow such as plowing, snow blowing or asking a neighbor to help out. Minimizing the strain on your heart will minimize the risk your heart endures.

World Day of the Sick 2013: Prayers for the sick and our caregivers

If easily accessible over-the-counter pain medication is a hint, most of us perhaps would rather avoid pain and suffering. Not Aline. Aline was only twenty years old when she discovered that she had a heart ailment. Confronted with the fragility and limitation of life, Aline took an unusual path. She faced her infirmity unconditionally to the point that she would even pray for suffering. Apparently she saw something essential that can only be known after having passed through the dark night of suffering and pain. She saw her infirmity as a gift and a confirmation that God took her seriously. And that recognition enabled her to compassionately (com-passion: to suffer with) relate and help others in their suffering. Nine years later, Aline founded a religious community in Olpe, Germany, dedicated to the care of the sick and the poor. Today, 150 years later, Aline is known as the Venerable Sister Maria Theresia Bonzel, the founder of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

Monday, February 11, 2013 will mark the 21st World Day of the Sick. Established in 1992 by Pope John Paul II, this day has three consistent themes. First, it offers us an opportunity to reflect and recommit ourselves to be compassionate in our care for the sick. When we have known suffering ourselves, we can relate well with another’s suffering. And when we can trust and see God in suffering, He will also show us the gift therein. Second, it reminds us to pray intensely and sincerely for the sick. And third, this day recognizes and honors YOU and all persons who work in health care as caregivers. Thanking YOU and all those who care for the sick and elderly.

Mission/Spiritual Care Team

My Television is My Trainer

Though gym membership traditionally increases in January, February can find many of us wanting to stay out of the cold and work out at home. For those who do stay home, the television is often our "trainer" through the use of exercise DVDs and gaming systems that offer fitness programs. With more people having access to these at-home workout programs, it's important to look at the pros and cons of using your television as your personal trainer.

Pros:

• Working out at home can give you more time with your family. For those who are working long days, eliminating the drive to and from the gym and working out with or by your family can offer you some much needed time together.
• Working out at home offers you flexibility. Rather than having to make a certain fitness class at a certain time, you can choose when to work out. Whether it's early morning or later at night, you are in charge.
• Working out at home offers you privacy. Some people are uncomfortable exercising in front of others and would prefer to work out alone.
• Working out at home can offer you a wide variety of exercises. You can customize your workout on many of the gaming systems or rent/buy a variety of different fitness DVDs. You are not stuck taking a certain exercise class just because it fits the time you can exercise.
• Weather is not an issue when you work at inside the home.

Cons:

• Working out at home can suffer from many distractions. The phone rings; the laundry is piled up; the kids are arguing, etc. All of these can distract you from the important task at hand - improving your health.
• It can be easy to skip your workout when you exercise at home. Without accountability to a class, trainer or even a workout buddy, it can be easier to skip your workout "just this once." And again. And again.
• Some people don't work out as intensely as they need to when working out at home. For some, having a teacher, trainer or classmates to push you a little increases your intensity and results!
• Your exercise form can suffer when working out at home. Having the proper form when lifting a weight or doing aerobics is important both for the results you wish to achieve as well as to prevent injury. Having a teacher or trainer can help you maintain the proper form while exercising.

So, what to do? If you work out at home, pay special attention to your exercise form to prevent injury. Make exercise a priority and commitment. Use a heart rate monitor to help you stay in your training zone. If you find it too hard to keep your commitment to better fitness by exercising at home, get to the gym regularly, letting your family know that you are giving them the best gift possible - a healthier you! No matter what you choose, make this the year that exercise becomes a habit you will keep for the rest of your life.

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This article was published in the February 2013 edition of the Completely Well newsletter from WorkingWell - an occupational health network of Franciscan Alliance providing a comprehensive approach to employers with job-related health needs.