Fighting Springtime Illness!

Most folks know how essential preventative maintenance is to a car or home. Without it, you're likely to incur large and unnecessary costs that could have otherwise been avoided. The same is said for each and every person's health.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital wishes to extend the following tips and information from Hospitalist Dr. John Szymczak to you for preventing illness this spring.

Dr. Szymczak states, "Some common illnesses we see in the spring include influenza, colds, hay fever and allergies, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infections, which often progress to pneumonia."

In consideration of why these illnesses occur, Dr. Szymczak says, "People are overworked and overstressed, and this leads to a weak immune system. Often times, people have increased contact with sick individuals during the warmer weather, and there is also increased humidity in the air. Combine these factors with the increased spread of mold and pollen, and this causes more spreading of infections."

To help prevent these illnesses, Dr. John suggests the following: "It's very important that you wash your hands often, and try to sneeze or cough into your shirt so that you don't spread infection yourself. Flu generally tapers off in March and April, but people with COPD and asthma have an increased risk for illness, so they should be extra cautious. Always maintain a healthy diet, eat regular healthy meals and exercise often. A combination of these measures will help you stay healthy."

Other suggestions from Dr. Szymczak include eating lots of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, eating fish with omega-3 fatty acids (as long as you're medically permitted), eating green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle. Dr. Szymczak strongly suggests that people stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol intake.

Utilize these tips to help you and your family stay healthy this year. Remember, preventative maintenance on your body starts with you!

For more information on avoiding sickness and eating healthy, visit our online health library!

Family Values: Bringing Back the Bond

Families are the stronghold of society and they help define who we are as individuals. As we face an unprecedented amount of choices and situations everyday, it's imperative that we remember our values. By instilling the moral and ethical values we hold dear into those we love, we're striving to make the world a better place.

At Franciscan Physicians Hospital, we demonstrate our organizational values patterned after St. Francis of Assissi (who was devoted to Christ-like care)through our patient care and how we treat visitors and co-workers.

Family traditions help hold families together. In our society, we often long for less chaos and a slower pace. Some of the staff at FPH provide the following family traditions as ideas for you and your loved ones to consider doing:

Judy Elwood, EAP therapist, says "Go on a yearly camping trip. This creates time when the family is together by themselves. Do anything that promotes laughter and fun together. Family is important because it gives us the opportunity to love and be loved."

Sharron Catania, human resources director, says "once a year, at the end of the year, we go around the table and we make a list of what we've accomplished as both individuals and family that entire year. We keep going in a circle until there's no more left and we normally get at least a page full of accomplishments. It makes us reflect on what we've done as a family and what we've done individually."

Dennis Goulet, IT manager, says "growing up we had family gatherings on the weekends that were beyond belief with so many cousins running around my grandmother's farm. We all pitched in and shared everything. When I was a teen I woke one summer night to our home engulfed in smoke. Everything was lost but we knew we had grandma's house next door. It was amazing to see family, friends and neighbors come together in the rebuilding. These are things that are important and I'm thankful to share them with my young family."

Rosa Alvarado, administrative assistant, says "I insist on family dinners without any cell phones in the dining room. That way the kids can't be texting or peeking at the phone trying to read their messages. I've also taught my boys to put down their cell phones when they're with family or friends. If you're talking to someone, that person is much more important than a text. Human communication is more important than technology and technology is not a good excuse for rudeness or replacement for a smile."

Kathy Radinovic, financial analyst, says "we go boating often. Every year in June, right after school is out, we go to our time share in Marco Island. We always drive there which gives us time to bond."

Lisa Leckrone, risk management director, says "It's a Christmas tradition for us to decorate the tree together every year. We each put on our own ornaments and drink hot chocolate."

The employees of Franciscan Physicians Hospital hope that their family value thoughts can be of assistance to you and your loved ones this year. With warm weather just around the corner, it's the perfect opportunity to get out and about with those you love!