Healthy Together

It’s a scary feeling: In the middle of the night, you feel your heart flutter in a way that makes you wonder if something may be wrong. Heart palpitations frequently occur at night – and that’s also when we’re most likely to notice them – creating worrying moments. Most of the time these palpitations are harmless and occur in healthy people. When they occur repeatedly and with other symptoms, however, you should consult a doctor.

Holiday meals are known for delicious dishes of turkey and dressing, ham, green beans, pumpkin pie and all the fixings, plus deserts. But for people who suffer from acid reflux or are on weight control diets, some of those foods may be off limits. Spicy, acidic and chocolate foods may trigger acid reflux, heartburn and regurgitation in people who suffer from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), while high carbs, sugar and fat can cause issues for people who are in a bariatric program. And overeating can be a serious problem for both, ranging from discomfort to disrupted sleep to requiring medical attention. Although GERD and bariatric patients’ food choices and serving sizes may be limited, that doesn’t mean they have to deprive themselves of the joy of cooking and eating with family and friends.

In years past, it was recommended for women to visit their OBGYN every year for a pap smear, as well as a pelvic exam and a breast exam. The pap smear is a screening test for cervical screening. Recently, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has updated those recommendations. Women should still visit their OBGYN office at least once a year, but they no longer recommend that women receive a pap smear annually. Cervical Cancer Research has taught physicians how to better understand the disease and how it develops, allowing them to increase the amount of time between these screenings. There is also an additional screening test type available now, the HPV test.

Almost everyone has experienced a racing heart, but how is it possible to differentiate a racing heart that’s harmless and one that is cause for alarm? It’s not always easy. By identifying what triggers a racing heart, how frequently one’s heart rate rises and what conditions occur along with a racing heart, you can learn when to respond with calming techniques and when to contact a doctor.

Lung cancer does not only happen to smokers. Non-smokers are also at risk for lung cancer. In addition to second-hand smoke, non-smokers can get lung cancer from other contributing factors such as asbestos, radon and air pollution. Luckily, there are innovations in screenings and treatments that are moving the field of lung cancer forward and improving patient outcomes.

Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will breathe a little easier thanks to a minimally invasive procedure at AnMed Health Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine.

Cancer patients can receive immunotherapy, a cancer treatment, without having to travel from Anderson County. AnMed Health offers immunotherapy, which enables a cancer patient's immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells more effectively without the many side effects of traditional chemotherapy.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes, you’re not alone. Millions of people have been diagnosed with diabetes, and South Carolina ranks seventh highest in the nation for diabetes diagnoses. South Carolina had the sixth highest adult population with diabetes in the United States. In Anderson County, one in seven people have diabetes – a figure that continues to grow according to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and AnMed Health wants to make diabetes education a priority in the community. AnMed Health’s certified diabetes educators help patients improve their health outcome by promoting the development of self-management skills.

While vaping was initially passed off as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, there is no denying that vaping has negative health consequences. It has been linked to a variety of respiratory conditions, including lung cancer. However, experts still do not fully know which components of e-cigarettes are responsible for negative health consequences. This means that vape users must be cautious and take a proactive approach to protect themselves from the dangers of lung cancer. Below, we discuss what we do know about the relationship between vaping and lung cancer.

A new cancer diagnosis brings a fraught time, filled with more questions than answers. It can be difficult to share news of a diagnosis, even with – or perhaps especially with – your closest family and friends. Begin with those who are closest and most supportive to you, and remain as honest and authentic as you can about how you feel and what you need. Here are some tips to guide you through these conversations with family, friends and colleagues.