Sharp News Updates — October 2012

Sharp HealthCare values its relationship with local media and we look forward to working with you to educate our community about important health issues. Following is a compilation of current health care topics.

Please contact Erica Carlson at Erica.Carlson@sharp.com if you are interested in speaking with one of our affiliated physicians or clinicians. To learn more about Sharp, please visit our Press Center.

Inside Sharp HealthCare

• Annual Newborn Halloween Costume Parade — Lions and tigers and babies — oh, my! Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center's littlest patients, newborns and toddlers, all born at the South Bay hospital, will charm patients, visitors and staff for the 11th consecutive year at the Annual Newborn Halloween Costume Parade on Oct. 30 at 11 am. The tots and their families, along with members of the hospital's breastfeeding support group, will march — or crawl — in costume in celebration of the benefits of breastfeeding.

• Free Electronic Recycling and Prescription Take Back Event at Sharp — There are residential recycling programs in place to recycle glass, cans, metals, paper and cardboard; but two items that are hard to properly dispose are electronic devices and old pharmaceutical drugs. On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 am to 2 pm, Sharp HealthCare invites the community to bring old electronic devices and expired/unused prescription medicine (no questions asked) to Sharp headquarters at 8605 Tech Way in Kearny Mesa.

• Helpful Parenting Classes — Dr. Chrystal de Freitas, a local pediatrician, author and mother, is available to discuss the tips she will be teaching parents during her two parenting classes at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns — Healthy Chats for Girls and The Birds and Bees With Ease. Learn useful tools to continue having healthy conversations with your 9-to-12-year-old daughter and, for parents of 4-to-8-year-olds, learn age appropriate answers to dreaded questions such as "Where do babies come from?"

National Trends Localized

• Bariatric Surgery Works — According to a new studies on obesity, bariatric surgery works if measured in hospital days and medicine costs 20 years after operation. Gastric bypass surgery was shown to help severely obese patients, most of whom sustained an average weight loss of nearly 28 percent after six years. A Sharp-affiliated physician is available to discuss the benefits of bariatric surgery for obese patients.
• The "Skinny" on Being Thin — With the recent revelation of Katie Couric's bulimia during her college years and Lady Gaga's weight gain being scrutinized in the media, how much pressure are young women enduring to be skinny? Eating disorder specialist Ursula Ridens, a registered dietitian at Sharp, can talk about the pressure for young women to be thin, eating disorder rates in San Diego and how much the entertainment industry is influencing public perception of a woman's ideal body.
• Want to Lose Weight? Get Enough Sleep — According to experts, sleep can be just as important to a successful diet as healthful eating and exercise. Overtired brains prompt people to eat more, and some hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism don't work properly in people who don't get enough sleep. A Sharp-affiliated physician is available to discuss the importance of sleep and weight loss. 

Important Health Dates

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Cancer Institute, women 40 and older should have screening mammograms every one to two years. The Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion has been recently designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. This designation recognizes that the breast imaging services at the Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion are fully accredited in digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. Sharon Stromme, manager of outpatient imaging, is available to discuss this recent design.
• With Fall Comes Flu Season — Fall is here, which means seasonal influenza isn't far behind. Get the facts about flu from Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Emergency Services Medical Director Dr. Andres Smith, who can also discuss the free Community Flu Vaccination Clinic the hospital is holding on Oct. 13 from 9 am to noon. Flu shots will be available to anyone age 10 or older.