The Importance of Self-Care When Caregiving for Alzheimer’s disease

Each year, 15 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for friends and family with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Each stage of Alzheimer’s disease requires a different level of attention and care. When you are acting as a caregiver for a loved one, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your loved one.

Vitamins and Minerals to Strengthen Your Hair, Skin and Nails

According to the Dietary Reference Intakes, 92 percent of the American population suffers from at least one vitamin or mineral deficiency. Have you experienced signs of vitamin deficiencies? Signs of various vitamin deficiencies may include brittle hair and nails, mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, poor night vision, dandruff, hair loss, red or white bumps on skin and restless leg syndrome. What people may not realize is that most vitamins and supplements help stimulate hair and nail growth if it contains biotin, fish oil or Vitamins A, C and E.

What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Affecting both men and women, more than 50,000 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed annually. Dr. Eric Avezzano, gastroenterologist with Pascack Valley Medical Group, spoke with us about what you need to know about colon cancer and the patient journey through the treatment of colon cancer.

Living a Nutritious Lifestyle

National Nutrition Month is recognized each March as a time to bring awareness to the importance of proper nutrition. Meredith Yorkin, Registered Dietitian with the Center for Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism at Pascack Valley Medical Center, tells us how patients are taught about proper nutrition and shares tips on how you can maintain a nutritious lifestyle.

The Importance of Sleep Hygiene

A decent night of sleep is essential for feeling rested and refreshed. Achieving great sleep starts with proper sleep hygiene.

“To achieve better sleep at home, it’s important to practice sleep hygiene,” said Chris McCarthy with the Sleep Center at Pascack Valley Medical Center. “Just like how oral hygiene gives you good oral health, proper sleep hygiene can set you up for better sleep.”

Proper sleep hygiene includes:

- Getting to bed early and giving yourself the opportunity to get a full eight hours of sleep

- Setting a cool climate

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, sometimes because the individual suffering from this disorder hides their symptoms and behaviors due to fear and shame. Unfortunately, a diagnosis typically occurs after permanent side effects have already emerged. This is why it’s important to understand the characteristics of eating disorders and to get help as soon as possible.

Diabetes and Heart Disease

Statistics tell us that there is a strong relationship between heart disease and diabetes. At least 68 percent of people age 65 and older with diabetes die from some form of heart disease. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes also have a high incidence of heart disease without symptoms due to nerve damage from elevated blood sugar.

Cardiac Rehabilitation at Pascack Valley Medical Center

The cardiac rehab program at Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center provides personalized treatment plans and goals for individuals with cardiovascular disease. The program promotes heart health and healthy lifestyle changes through supervised exercise and education, with a focus on how to maintain a healthy weight, heart-healthy eating and how to best monitor lipids and cholesterol.

How to Cope with Loneliness and Anxiety Around the Holidays

The holidays can be a difficult time of the year for some. Although this season brings joy to many, it can also inflict loneliness and anxiety for others. From expectations, stress and disappointment, if you are experiencing anxiety this season, you are not alone. Holidays can be a reminder of the hurt and pain from the past; it may even cause comparison to an unfulfilled expectation of holidays from the past.

Here are some ways to help reduce your anxiety, fulfill your need for connection, and help you attain inner peace this season.

PASCACK VALLEY MEDCIAL CENTER AWARDED SEPSIS CERTIFICATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

WESTWOOD, New Jersey (December 3, 2018) – Pascack Valley Medical Center announced today that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Sepsis Certification. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. The Sepsis Certification is the third award given to Pascack Valley Medical Center by the Joint Commission in 2018.