Sharp News Updates — May 2012

Inside Sharp HealthCare

• Mother's Day Bouquets — The landscapers of Sharp Grossmont Hospital will be cutting and delivering flower bouquets from the hospital's many gardens to each new mother on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13. This will be a great opportunity to capture mothers' genuine reactions to their first present as new mothers. Interviews available with both landscapers and mothers.
  
• New Test to Detect Heart Attack and Stroke Risk — Doctors at the Cushman Wellness Center at Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion hope the convenience of the new CardioHealth test to detect heart attack and stroke risk will encourage more people to be proactive about their heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, but it often goes unnoticed until a health emergency occurs. CardioHealth is an ultrasound test that quickly and painlessly images a patient's carotid artery with the pass of a wand along the neck. The test scans patients for hidden plaque build-up and increased thickness in the artery wall — both common signs of cardiovascular disease. Sharp Memorial is the first hospital in San Diego to offer this test as part of its vascular screenings and executive health assessments. Sample tests and interviews are available.
  
• Sharp Rees-Stealy Expands — On May 29, 2012, Sharp Rees-Stealy, one of the largest multispecialty medical groups in San Diego, will open a remarkable new medical center in Sorrento Mesa. The 102,875-square-foot, $19 million facility will be located in San Diego's booming biotechnology and telecommunications corridor at 10243 Genetic Center Drive just off Mira Mesa Boulevard.

National Trends Localized

• Heavy Backpacks — Children are using backpacks that are too heavy compared to their body size. According to the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, the load carried by an average sixth grader is equivalent to a 176-pound man carrying a 39-pound backpack all day. A Sharp-affiliated physician is available to discuss the dangers of this sort of heavy lifting in children and tips for how one can lighten the load.
  
• Integrative Therapies — Sharp Coronado Hospital has a wide array of integrative therapies available for patients. An upcoming workshop on Wednesday, May 23, highlights acupuncture, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, dietary changes and meditative exercises, and how these therapies can work in conjunction with modern medicine. A representative from Sharp Coronado is available to discuss the benefits of integrative therapies.
  
• Spring Clean Your Pantry — Spring is here and it's the perfect time to clear out foods that will hinder your health and weight management goals. A registered dietitian with Sharp Weight Management and Health Education is available to share recommendations on how to stock a healthier kitchen.

Important Health Dates

• Mental Health for Children and Adolescents — Even the youngest among us can be subject to mental health disorders, which need to be treated with the same urgency as any other health condition. Wednesday, May 9, is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, a day devoted to communicating that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development from birth. Dr. Alisha Carpenter, PhD, a Sharp-affiliated clinical psychologist and the program coordinator for Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital's Child and Adolescent Services, is available to discuss the warning signs of mental health problems in children and how to determine the difference between harmless acting out and a serious mental illness.

• National Osteoporosis Month — According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women and one in five men around the world are at risk of an osteoporosis fracture. Unfortunately, many people with osteoporosis are unaware of it due to the lack of symptoms, and only find out when they experience a fracture. A Sharp-affiliated physician is available to discuss prevention, risk factors and treatment options.

• Stroke Awareness — Stroke is a medical emergency and the third leading cause of death in the United States. It's important to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and to know when to seek treatment. Getting to a hospital quickly is vital for a good outcome with a stroke. As part of National Stroke Awareness Month in May, a Sharp-affiliated neurologist is available to provide lifesaving tips, including symptoms, treatment and risk factors.