Dr. Anderson gets tested for Sickle Cell Trait at UD's Health Disparities class

    

                                                   Dr. Anderson's lecturing at Dr. Cooper's Health Disparity class

                                                                University of Delaware-Home of the Blue Hens       

        Dr. Cooper who is a University of Delaware Professor in Biology asked me to Guest Lecture in the University of Delaware's Health Disparities class.  I spoke openly and honestly about the perils of providing Holistic Comprehensive Compassionate adult care to people living with Sickle Cell Disease and the historic political perspective of race and Health Disparities.  The class seemed to enjoy the lively dialogue and also offered a perspective of a patient of mine who shared her personal experiences.       
   Although I was told that I did not have the Sickle Cell Trait as a child, I took it upon myself to get tested.  I also tested out a new investigational rapid point of care sickle cell trait test called,
 SickleScan.   BioMedomics is a point-of-care diagnostics company that aims to provide novel, rapid point-of-care tests to aid in the diagnosis of critical diseases. Find out more about this product at, www.biomedomics.com 

                              What is your Trait Status?
          

This person screen positive for the Sickle Cell Trait-Can you see the Lines?

                                                                         

                                                      All the best,  Dr. Nina Anderson

TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500-phone

(302) 655-6606-fax

How is your Spiritual Health?

www.healthholisticliving.com

      Some people are skeptical that religion or belief in a higher being can have any influence on a person’s health and well-being. Some studies have shown a connection between Spirituality and Health. According to FamilyDoctor.org, positive beliefs, comfort, and strength gained from religion, meditation, and prayer can contribute to healing and a sense of well-being. Having good Spiritual Health might not cure your physical health problems but it might help you handle the stress and underlying psychological problems that come with a chronic illness.

   So, what is Spirituality and Health? It’s a broad concept with different meanings for different people. In general, it’s a connection to something bigger than ourselves to keep one in balance and in harmony in their daily life. From the beginning of mankind, there has been a history of turning to a higher power for a person’s overall well-being.

   The University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing gives several reasons why spirituality is important for health. They note reflective practices are important because they take the focus off of self and place it elsewhere. This is helpful for mental health and accompanying physical health. The Center lists meditation, prayer, yoga, and journaling as helpful.  No matter your specific religion or faith, most of us believe in a higher power to which we can turn in times of stress and illness. However, spirituality may help to improve your physical health. If in fact, it can help a sick person feel better, then it is a good thing.

                                                            Donna Monroe, MS
                                              TOVA Community Health

                                                       Sickle Cell Specialty Center

                                                               Wilmington, DE

                                                      www.tovacommunityhealth.or

                                                           (302) 655-6187 ext. 500

                                      Holistic    Comprehensive   Compassionate Care

Is Addiction a Disease?

zmescience.com

    Addiction is typically not viewed as a disease amongst many, but rather, is associated with a personal choice that may lead to a risky lifestyle. Using drugs is usually a person’s choice, but continued used can lead to brain changes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” Like other chronic conditions like Diabetes, Heart Disease, Sickle Cell Disease and etc., addiction is defined as a chronic health condition because it is caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental, genetic and biologic factors (National Institute of Drug Abuse).
    Addiction involves changes in how the brain functions when the body craves pleasure chemicals like Dopamine. Most addictive substances cause an elevated level of these chemicals to be released when exposed to a pleasurable stimulus. Ultimately, continued exposure to a substance will alter the brain’s nervous system that controls reward, memory and motivation. Overtime, people may neglect their own health and well-being and loose interest in daily life activities, craving the substance to feel in balance.
     Once the brain’s nervous system is altered, there will be a loss of control of one’s behavior resulting in physical signs of addiction such as shaking, rebound pain, irritability, nausea and vomiting. Other experts argue that people with mild substance abuse have the potential to willingly quit such use and recover without treatment. However, people with more severe addiction can require intense treatment and lifelong support from family and friends. Ultimately, a person suffering with addiction is responsible for seeking treatment and maintaining recovery. Addiction may not be a choice, but a chemical imbalance resulting in how the brain’s nervous system and other body systems function. But there is hope….Recovery from addiction is best achieved through a combination of self-management, mutual support, and professional care provided by trained and certified professionals. For more information go to, www.drugabuse.gov. Choose Wisely.
                                                           
                                                               Paris Davis, BA

                                              TOVA Community Health

                                                        Sickle Cell Specialty Center

                                                   www.tovacommunityhealth.org

                                                        (302) 655-6187 ext. 500

TOVA General Fund helps the Sickle Cell Community with their Gas & Electric for the Holidays

                                     FORMS are Due by December 15th

TOVA General Fund

Sickle Cell Community Outreach

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500-phone
(302) 655-6606-fax

Beat Holiday Weight Gain

verywell.com

     Many of us will attend holiday parties, gatherings and prepare dinner for family and friends during the holiday season. It is tempting to want to eat everything savory in sight especially when food is served buffet style. For me, just remembering that this is the time of year when traditional favorites such as sweat potato pie, peach cobbler, home made cookies, lemon meringue pie , just to name a few, will be served. Who will be bringing which one of your favorite dishes to the party is exciting! We often tend to put on extra pounds during the holidays because these dishes, treats and desserts are usually prepared for only special occasions.

      According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) , most Americans never lose the weight gained during the winter holidays. If pounds add up year after year, weight gain is an important risk factor for obesity. Here are a few tips that may help you beat the Holiday Weight Gain. Drink a full glass of water before you eat your meal and fill up your plate. Use a small plate when choosing what you want to eat, which may help with portion control. Take a family walk before or after the meal to burn off a few calories. For more tips, go to, tovacares.blogspot.com to read 10 Ways to avoid Holiday Weight Gain. For more tips click on http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain#1 

                                        What Tips can help other Beat Holiday Weight Gain?

                                                                 Dr. Nina Anderson

TOVA Community Health

Sickle Cell Specialty Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

Don't take your Dental Care Lightly... Here is Why

                                                    

Photo Courtesy of http://wwwhfblog.com

                             Tip #1       Brush your Teeth 2x/day for 2 minutes

An article in WebMD by Kathleen Doheny notes the link between dental health and heart health is not completely clear, but states it is important to take care of both. The main reason poor dental health might be related to heart disease is inflammation. Inflammation is a common problem in both diseases-heart & dental disease. In the heart – hardening of the arteries has a strong component of inflammation. Much of the progression of plaque (buildup in the arteries) is due to inflammation.

               Tip #2          Get Regular Check-Ups at the Dentist at least 2x/year

According to Ann Bolger M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, “The mouth can be a good warning signpost, People with periodontitis often have risk factors that not only put their mouth at risk, but their heart and blood vessels too.” A research study by B. Laurence, from Howard University College of Dentistry, and Haywood, and Lanzkron from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, found that among patients having a sickle cell crisis, the ones who had dental infections were 72% more likely to be admitted to the hospital for crisis compared to those not having dental infections. 

                                                 Tip #3    Floss Daily

Patients with sickle cell disease already endure innumerable hospital Emergency Department visits and hospital admissions. If in fact, not having dental infections can lessen the likelihood of being admitted, it is definitely an area of focus for patients and providers.

                                      Taihitia Watson-Wilmer, Nurse Coordinator                  

Sickle Cell Specialty Treatment Center

Wilmington, DE

www.tovacommunityhealth.org

(302) 655-6187 ext. 500

Holistic    Comprehensive   Compassionate Care

TOVA's Pick for a Hearty Healthy Winter Meal: Lamb Stew

   TOVA's Pick for a Hearty Healthy Winter Meal:  Middle Eastern Lamb Stew

www.eatingwell.com

Winter is here, time to sit by the fireplace and keep warm. Fill up on this hearty, healthy and gluten-free dish as you watch the snow begin to fall. 

This brothy stew is boldly flavored with a blend of characteristic Middle Eastern spices and finished with fresh spinach and fiber-rich chickpeas. Economical lamb shoulder tenderizes beautifully when leisurely cooked in a slow cooker. If you can't find boneless shoulder stew meat, do not substitute more-expensive lamb leg—it tends to dry out during slow cooking. Instead, purchase lamb shoulder chops and debone them. Serve over bulgur and accompany with a salad.

Ingredients 8 servings

1 1/2 pounds boneless lamb stew meat, (shoulder cut) or 2 1/2 pounds lamb shoulder chops, deboned, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or canola oil
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 15- or 19-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 6 ounces baby spinach

Preparation

Ready In 4 h 15 m

1. Place lamb in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Mix oil, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Coat the lamb with the spice paste and toss to coat well. Top with onion.
2. Bring tomatoes, broth and garlic to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over the lamb and onion. Cover and cook until the lamb is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on low.
3. Skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Mash 1/2 cup chickpeas with a fork in a small bowl. Stir the mashed and whole chickpeas into the stew, along with spinach. Cover and cook on high until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.

· Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the stew, omitting the spinach, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Add spinach after the stew is reheated. | Prep ahead: Trim lamb and coat with spice mixture. Chop onions. Combine broth, tomatoes and garlic. Refr

· For easy cleanup, try a slow-cooker liner. These heat-resistant, disposable liners fit neatly inside the insert and help prevent food from sticking to the bottom and sides of your slow cooker.

• Nutrition Facts:
• 253 calories; 14 g fat(5 g sat); 5 g fiber; 12 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 58 mcg folate; 59 mg cholesterol; 3 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 2155 IU vitamin A; 16 mg vitamin C; 98 mg calcium; 3 mg iron;  570 mg potassium

                                                     TOVA Community Health
                                            Wilmington, DE
                                 www.tovacommunityhealth.org
                                        (302) 655-6187 ext. 500