swmedicalcenter.org
5
MAKE A MENTAL
NOTE TO...
Ditch cigarettes for good.
Smoking significantly
increases the risk of having
a stroke. Among other
things, it damages blood
vessel walls and raises
blood pressure.
BRAIN FOOD
Q
What’s the difference
between open,
laparoscopic, and robot-
assisted hysterectomy?
A
Until recently, hysterectomies
were performed using a
large abdominal incision because
conventional laparoscopic
surgery was not considered as
effective for delicate or complex
operations due to the long-
handled, rigid instruments.
Robotic da Vinci surgery is a
minimally invasive option for treating
gynecologic conditions. It overcomes
the limits of open and laparoscopic
surgery. An open hysterectomy
requires a 5 to 7-inch incision.
Robotic surgery, however, enables
a surgeon to do the same operation
using one or more openings less than
an inch long. Instruments inserted
through the openings provide a
view of the surgical field. Through
the openings, the doctor guides the
robot’s arms. The arms remain under
the surgeon’s control at all times.
Compared to open or laparoscopic
surgery, a da Vinci hysterectomy
offers:
Less pain
Fewer
complications
Less blood loss
Shorter hospital stay
Low risk of
wound infection
Quicker recovery
and return to normal activities
Learnmore about the remarkable
robotics of da Vinci surgery at our
Women’s Health Event, May 28, at
the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver.
Details to the right.
Jennifer Franz, MD
PeaceHealth Medical Group
OB-GYN
505 NE 87th Ave., Suite 160
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-514-1060
GYN SURGERY
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Q
What other “brain
foods” can I eat,
besides fish?
A
Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty
acids, which help your brain
develop tissue for increasing your
brain power and play a key role in
fighting Alzheimer’s and other age-
related cognitive disorders.
Here are nine other brain foods
to eat in moderation that improve
memory, mood, concentration,
and overall clarity:
Blueberries
improve mental
function, especially memory, and may
reverse age-related declines in motor
function, balance, and coordination.
Flax seeds
are crammed with a
healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex
in processing sensory information.
Regular coffee
has been shown
to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s,
dementia, and other mental disorders.
Nuts
contain properties that fight
insomnia and promote mental clarity
and strong memory.
Avocados
contain a healthy fat
that promotes blood flow.
Egg yolks
are rich in choline,
which improves memory function.
Whole grains
improve
circulation and contain
essential fibers and vitamins.
Dark chocolate
is antioxidant-
rich and improves focus and
concentration;
milk chocolate
improves memory and reaction time.
Broccoli
improves memory
function and slows the aging process.
Q
How does an epidural
steroid injection
reduce pain?
A
The goal of an epidural steroid
injection is to provide pain
relief by reducing the inflammation
(swelling) of the nerve roots as they
exit the spine. They are a common
method of treating low-back-related
leg pain and neck-related arm pain.
The epidural space is a fat-filled
“sleeve” that surrounds the spinal
sac and provides cushioning
for the nerves and spinal cord.
Steroids (cortisone) placed into the
epidural space have a very potent,
anti-inflammatory action that can
decrease pain and allow patients to
improve function. Although steroids
do not change the underlying
condition, they can break the cycle
of pain and inflammation and allow
the body to compensate for the
condition. In this way, the injections
can provide benefits that outlast the
effects of the steroid itself.
You will most likely feel some
pain after the procedure; however,
this is temporary. The treatment can
last for a few days to a few months.
It is not recommended that you
have more than three injections in
a 6-month period because of the
potential side effects of cortisone.
For more information about
managing your pain, ask your
doctor to refer you to one
of PeaceHealth Southwest’s
Interventional Pain Specialists.
Benjamin Platt, MD
PeaceHealth Southwest
Interventional Pain Clinic
2312 NE 129th St.
Vancouver, WA 98686
360-696-5022
Smoking Cessation 101:
How-to
Quit
Smoking
When:
Wednesday, May 8 or
July 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where:
Health Education Center
Info:
Register at
swevents.org
or call
360-514-2190
.
Diana Tiganus, MD
Family Medicine of Southwest
Washington
100 E 33rd St.
Vancouver, WA 98663
360-514-7550
WOMEN’S HEALTH EVENT:
REMARKABLE
ROBOTICS REVEALED
When:
Tuesday, May 28,
6 to 6:30 p.m. light dinner (with wine!),
6:30 to 8 p.m. surgeon presentation
Where:
Heathman Lodge, Vancouver
Info:
Have you heard about the
artistry of the da Vinci Surgical
System? This groundbreaking robotic
technology helps our surgeons
perform complex, minimally invasive
gynecological surgeries. For women
facing hysterectomy, cervical or
uterine cancer, removal of uterine
fibroids, surgery to repair vaginal or
uterine prolapse, or treatment for
endometriosis or excessive menstrual
bleeding, robotic-assisted procedures
may make healing faster and facilitate
their return to work, family, and life.
Don’t miss this evening designed
just for you! Knowledge is power—
get to know da Vinci before you
need it. Enjoy dinner, wine, gift bags,
and valuable door prizes—on us!
Register at
s
wEvents.org
(keyword: robotics).
1,2,3,4 6,7,8