According to Virginia Gural-Toth, AuD, CCC-A, manager of the Audiology, Tinnitus and Balance Programs at the Center for Audiology at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, masks and social distancing reduce the volume and clarity of speech and make it difficult for people with hearing impairment to use other strategies that assist with comprehension.

“Masking during the pandemic has made hearing loss more apparent,” said Dr. Gural-Toth. “Masks filter out high-frequency speech information, muffle sound, and add to distortion.”

Dr. Gural-Toth also said that because masks obstruct the face, people with hearing impairment can’t use visual cues such as lip reading or facial expressions — which provided added context that is an important part of speech comprehension.

“As a result of the pandemic, people with diagnosed hearing loss may experience difficulty communicating with others who are wearing masks,” said Anne Eckert, AuD, administration director of rehabilitation at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “For people with undiagnosed hearing loss, masking may bring the problem to the forefront and motivate them to seek treatment.”

Proper Diagnosis Can Prevent Problems

Although hearing loss can cause quality of life, communication and social problems, it can also have serious health and safety implications. Untreated hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline and could cause problems with balance or hearing subtle sounds — such as the whooshing caused by a gas or water leak.

That’s why it’s critical to seek help if you observe early signs of hearing loss.

“We may start to see more people coming in to get hearing tests as a result of masking during the pandemic,” said Dr. Gural-Toth. “Reaching out to your primary care provider and asking for a referral to an audiologist is the first step.”

With the guidance of a doctorate-level audiologists, such as the audiology specialists at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Dr. Gural-Toth said that patients can explore options for treatment with hearing aids.

“Today’s hearing aids are very sophisticated, and can replicate sound clearly and crisply,” said Dr. Gural-Toth. “They are also so small you can barely notice them, and the sooner you treat hearing loss, the easier it is to adapt to the amplification.”

Masking for People who Use Hearing Aids 

If you wear a behind-the-ear hearing aid, using a mask with elastic straps that hook behind the ears could cause irritation and increase your risk of losing your hearing aid. And if you also wear glasses, it can present even more of a problem.

Here are a few tips that can protect your hearing aids and your ears:

• Pull long hair into a bun and loop the elastics around the bun.
• Create a “mask extender” out of a four-inch piece of fabric or ribbon by sewing buttons on either side to hold the mask’s elastic straps.
• Sew two large buttons onto a soft headband so the buttons line up with each ear. Loop the elastic around each button to reduce irritation behind the ears.
• Use masks with strings or ribbons that tie in the back.

“People with hearing aids should check to make sure their hearing aid is still in place after they remove their mask,” said Dr. Eckert. “We have had patients lose hearing aids because they didn’t realize it fell out.”

8 Tips for Improved Communication

An accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are the best strategies for managing hearing loss. However, Dr. Gural-Toth and Dr. Eckert said there are a few tips that anyone can use to help overcome communication barriers caused by masking and social distancing, including:

1. Lock in attention. Make sure you have someone’s full attention — including eye contact — before starting a conversation.
2. Raise the volume, but avoid distortion. It’s OK to speak louder to compensate for the muffling effect of a mask, but be careful to avoid yelling, which only adds to the distortion.
3. Speak slowly. Speaking slowly and clearly allows people with hearing impairment additional time to process information.
4. Search for facial cues. Although lip reading may not be possible, people with hearing impairment can still detect other facial cues, such as raised eyebrows, eye movements, or wrinkles created when smiling.
5. Use gestures. Hand gestures can help to convey a message through context cues.
6. Reduce background noise. Limiting background noise helps the brain to filter and process speech.
7. Write it down. Writing, texting, or using a speech-to-text smartphone app can be efficient and beneficial.
8. Wear a clear mask. Clear masks allow people with hearing loss to read lips and pick up on other visual cues.

“If you are still having trouble hearing people when they are wearing a mask even when wearing your hearing aids, you may be able to have a second program installed specifically for hearing people who are wearing masks,” said Dr. Eckert.

If you or your loved one is having difficulty hearing and understanding speech, it’s important to get an evaluation from a qualified audiologist.

“We want to encourage people who may have noticed hearing loss during the pandemic to get a hearing test, because getting a diagnosis is the first step toward appropriate treatment — and an improved quality of life,” said Dr. Gural-Toth.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our Experts: Virginia Gural-Toth, AuD, CCC-A, and Anne Eckert, AuD. To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Recognize the symptoms of hearing loss: What Are the 3 Types of Hearing Loss?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Hearing Impairment and Masks: 8 Tips for Improved Communication appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

According to Christine Greiss, D.O., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and director of the Concussion Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, physicians follow a progression of steps to ensure that athletes are ready to return to post-concussion play.

“We carefully assess each athlete’s physical, cognitive and mental readiness before returning them to play,” says Dr. Greiss.

How to Safely Resume Normal Activities and Exercise

Dr. Greiss says that athletes must complete a series of “steps” before returning to competition in their sport. The concussion rehabilitation team at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute follows HEADS UP concussion recovery guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HEADS UP is a national initiative to raise awareness about brain injuries, including how to recognize, respond to, recover from and reduce the risk of concussion.

A patient’s recovery is typically coordinated by a team that includes:

• A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
• A physical therapist
• An occupational therapist
• A speech-language therapist
• A neuropsychologist
• Athletic trainers and coaches
• The patient’s family

Steps in the recovery process typically include:

• Rest. After 1-3 days of rest, the athlete can slowly resume normal activities.
• Monitoring symptoms during routine activities. If symptoms do not worsen with everyday activities, such as school, work, walking or driving, patients move on to a graduated exercise protocol.
• Resuming moderate activity. Starting with light aerobic exercise, athletes progress to moderate activity that involves more body or head movement.
• Resuming heavy activity. Eventually, athletes progress to heavy activity, such as running, weightlifting and non-contact drills.

Throughout the graduated exercise protocol, patients and their care team watch for a return of symptoms and adjust the recovery plan accordingly.

“If an athlete notices that they experience symptoms after their heart rate rises beyond a certain level or they run for a certain period, we will ask them to back off slightly and exercise at a sub-maximum threshold,” shares Dr. Greiss. “Eventually, an athlete can move on to full-contact practices followed by competition as symptoms subside.”

Assessing Cognitive and Mental Recovery

A concussion can cause a range of cognitive symptoms, including problems with memory, attention, concentration and processing. Dr. Greiss says that a neuropsychological evaluation is the gold standard to assess cognitive recovery.

“Before returning to play, we want to make sure our patients are at baseline,” comments Dr. Greiss. “They should have the same grades or work performance, and be able to engage in the same amount of social activity, reading, and studying as they did before their injury.”

Dr. Greiss says that patients also need to demonstrate improvement in mental symptoms, including mood or coping disorders and sleep disturbances. Other symptoms, such as difficulty with social interaction or headaches caused by exertion, can also lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety.

“The brain is the maestro of the body, and when it is injured, it goes into alert,” says Dr. Greiss. “This can induce an anxious state, so we follow up with patients every two weeks to make sure these symptoms are improving.”

Patience Pays Off

Recovering from a concussion isn’t always a quick process, and it can be difficult for athletes to be patient when they want to get back in the game. However, Dr. Greiss says that concussion recovery is one situation where patience pays off.

Returning to sport too early can increase the risk of experiencing a condition called “second impact syndrome,” which occurs when someone sustains a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier concussion have gone away. Second impact syndrome can cause rapid, severe brain swelling that can lead to paralysis and death.

“Even if a patient wouldn’t sustain another concussion, returning to play too early could prolong their recovery,” shares Dr. Greiss.

When the time comes for the patient to return to the sport they love, Dr. Griess says that doing a few things could help prevent future concussions.

“Strengthening and stretching the neck muscles can help the body absorb blows better,” continues Dr. Greiss. “Nutrition and supplementation, protein intake, and getting your body in optimal shape can all help to create a physical and molecular barrier that reduces concussion risk.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Christine Greiss, D.O. To make an appointment with Dr. Greiss or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Recognize the symptoms of a concussion: Unsure It’s a Concussion? Here Are 5 Signs You Should Seek Care for Your Child

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post When Is It Safe to Return to Sports After a Concussion? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

But knowing what’s causing your pain can be challenging. “The most common complaint is what we characterize as non-specific low back pain, which means we haven’t identified a specific underlying source for why that individual has back pain,” says Craig Van Dien, M.D., a sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “In most cases, this is muscle-based pain or a muscle strain.”

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

A muscle strain or pulled muscle is a common cause of back pain and happens when you injure the tendon or ligaments by overusing or misusing your back muscles.

Anyone can pull a muscle. Factors that can contribute to the problem include:

• Aging
• Lack of exercise or not warming up before exercising
• Excess body weight
• Bad posture
• Sitting for long periods of time

Certain health conditions can also cause back pain, including:

• A herniated disc that may be pressing on nerves
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
• Pancreatitis or kidney stones
• Infections and cancer, in rare cases

Back Pain Symptoms

If you’ve strained a back muscle, you may experience a dull pain and stiffness in your back, with an overall feeling of aches and pains. Symptoms include:

• Pain that gets worse when you move, especially when bending or stretching
• Difficulty standing up straight
• Swelling or bruising in a specific area
• Sharp or achy pain, usually limited to the lower back and buttocks area
• Spasm-like pain or cramps

To identify the cause of back pain, Dr. Van Dien says that looking at the absence of symptoms can also be helpful. “When patients come in with back pain, and the pain is of muscular origin, generally that exam is void of any sort of findings that would suggest that there’s a nerve-based problem or something more significant going on,” he explains.

Symptoms that suggest a more serious condition include:

• Fever, chills or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• New bowel or bladder problems
• Pain that spreads down the legs
• Pain that lasts more than a few weeks
• Severe pain unrelieved by rest
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs

If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. “We don’t want you to ignore these symptoms. It’s extremely important to have a doctor evaluate you and rule out anything more serious,” says Dr. Van Dien.

How to Treat a Pulled Muscle

Prevention should always be the primary goal:

• Maintain strong abdominal and back core muscles to help stabilize your spine and prevent strain on back muscles.
• Live a healthy lifestyle, including weight management and low-impact aerobic exercises, to build muscle strength and prevent strain.
• Maintain a neutral posture when sitting or standing.
• Utilize leg muscles instead of back muscles when lifting objects to prevent back muscle fatigue and injury.

“Muscular back pain usually goes away after several weeks of home care,” says Dr. Van Dien. “Despite the popular belief that you must rest, early mobilization and walking following an acute back strain will help keep muscles loose and prevent further lower back tightness. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and alternating ice and heat can be helpful with the initial onset of pain. Your doctor may also recommend a course of physical therapy.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Craig Van Dien, M.D. To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn about orthopedic care at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Learn about neuroscience services at Hackensack Meridian Health
• 7 things to do to protect your spine
• What causes hip pain at night?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post How to Know When Back Pain is Muscular appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Iqbal Jafri, M.D., Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, shares five guidelines for healthy living after a heart attack, including:

1. Exercise Guided by Cardiac Rehabilitation. 

Medically-supervised exercise is one of the main components of cardiac rehabilitation – which can include a brief warm-up and stretch followed by aerobic exercises such as those performed on a treadmill, stationary bicycle or elliptical.

“Through supervised exercise, we work on risk factors to prevent or minimize future cardiac events including weight management, hypertension, diabetes and sedentary (inactive) lifestyles,” says Doreen Russo, BSN, RN, Clinical Supervisor of Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.

“We use equipment to keep us informed about each individual’s blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels along with continuous monitoring by an electrocardiogram (ECG) while you are exercising, ” adds Dr. Jafri. “This helps patients to feel safer if they are worried they might have another heart attack triggered by exercise.”

“Consult with your doctor to discuss exercise outside of a cardiac rehabilitation program,” shares Russo. It is typically advised to workout at least 30 minutes per day for three to five days a week with brisk walking, jogging, swimming or biking.

2. Quit smoking. 

Research shows that quitting smoking can cut your risk of another heart attack in half. “It’s never too late to quit,” explains Russo. Some techniques may include:

• Identifying your triggers
• Thinking positive
• Celebrating milestones of smoke-free time
• Seeking professional support

Though quitting isn’t easy, Russo shares that your doctor can help you develop a more effective plan. “If necessary, your doctor should be able to refer you to a tobacco cessation specialist who can help you quit, too,” she adds.

3. Take medications as prescribed.

Medication management is a critical component after having suffered from a heart attack. Often, patient’s need medications to manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or diabetes.

“It is important to bring an updated medication list with you to all physician visits,” says Russo.

4. Control stress.

Stress can contribute to the development of certain cardiovascular conditions, so controlling stress is essential after a heart attack with methods such as exercise, support and mental health care. “Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which gives our patients mood-boosting and stress-relief benefits,” shares Russo.

Further, your health care team understands that a heart attack is a life-changing event. Patients may have fears or worries associated with their condition. Starting in an outpatient cardiac rehab program will help patients make the necessary lifestyle changes required to keep them healthy.

“Our patients often come in thinking, ‘Am I going to live or die?’, so it’s really important for them to hear from professionals and get treatment tailored to their needs,” says Dr. Jafri.

“If we don’t take care of our patients mentally, they can’t take care of themselves physically,” adds Russo.

5. Enhance diet. 

When it comes to nutrition, Diane Weeks, a registered dietitian at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, says that the industry has moved away from a “don’t eat this” approach to help post-heart attack patients adopt healthier eating habits.

“We don’t just hand out a diet and say, ‘Eat this,’” comments Weeks. “We help our patients plan for different circumstances and can individualize our approach based on lifestyle, other household members, culture, health needs, preferences and other factors.”

Generally speaking, some heart-healthy foods include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean proteins (such as poultry)
• Nuts, beans and legumes
• Whole grains

Foods to avoid and/or significantly limit include:

• Processed foods (such as frozen meals)
• Fast food
• Fried foods
• “Junk” foods (such as potato chips)
• Fatty butters
• High sodium foods (such as canned goods)

In addition to focusing on quality, nutrient-rich foods, Weeks says that she also focuses on problem-solving.

“If I have a patient who lives in a household where not everyone is on board with the healthy eating plan — or isn’t the person who does the shopping or cooking — we make a plan to navigate that,” continues Weeks. “I also focus on helping people move forward after setbacks.”

By encouraging patients to follow these five guidelines, Dr. Jafri is confident that individuals can “look like totally different people” from their heart attack.

Next Steps & Resources

• To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute — which has been recognized as the best cardiac rehabilitation program in New Jersey by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America.
• To make an appointment for Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation, call 732-321-7722.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post 5 Guidelines for Healthy Living After a Heart Attack appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

If you’re worried hearing loss is the culprit, you’re in good company. About 15 percent of American adults report some trouble hearing, according to the National Institutes of Health. But impaired hearing can happen at any age, indicating a problem with parts of the ears, with sound passing through the ears or the pathway that leads to the brain to process hearing.

“There are many different degrees of hearing loss, and everyone is different in how they experience it,” explains Virginia Gural-Toth, AuD, CCC-A, manager of the Audiology, Tinnitus and Balance Programs at the Center for Audiology at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “It’s also important to know you can lose hearing not just in loudness but in clarity—meaning no matter how loud words are, they just don’t sound very clear.”

Type Depends on Cause

Hearing loss can be broken down into three main types, depending on what part of your hearing is damaged. These types include:

• Sensorineural: The most common, this is due to inner-ear damage stemming from a variety of possible causes such as aging, noise exposure, heredity, illness, medications or head trauma. “This type of hearing loss is typically not medically correctable, but hearing aids can help,” Dr. Gural-Toth says.
• Conductive: This loss occurs when sounds can’t get through the outer and middle ear, whether because of fluid or wax buildup, a hole in the eardrum, an ear infection or misalignment of the bones in the middle ear. “This is a hearing loss that’s usually reversible with treatment,” Dr. Gural-Toth notes.
• Mixed: This type happens when both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss occur at the same time, such as someone who works near loud noises and has fluid buildup from an ear infection. “Evaluation is important to make the appropriate recommendations for follow-up, since this loss involves multiple parts of the ear,” Dr. Gural-Toth explains.

How Is Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

If you’re having trouble hearing, Dr. Gural-Toth recommends scheduling a visit with your primary care doctor.

Your primary care doctor may refer you to an audiologist for further hearing testing, which can reveal whether the hearing loss can be medically corrected or if hearing aids can help you hear better and improve your overall quality of life. Rapid advances in hearing aid technology makes these tiny devices increasingly effective at compensating for most, though not all, hearing deficits, she says.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Learn more about the Center for Audiology at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute
• 5 ways to prevent hearing loss from headphones
• Why do my ears feel clogged?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post What Are the 3 Types of Hearing Loss? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

What is brain fog?

Brain fog refers to problems with thinking, memory and concentration, but for many patients, it can be challenging to describe.

“Patients often say they just don’t feel right,” says Talya Fleming, M.D., medical director, Post-COVID Rehabilitation Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “We use the term ‘fog’ because patients feel that something is over them that is making things not as crisp or distinct as they were before.”

“I have heard patients say they have trouble with memory, are easily distracted, have trouble following a conversation, and have difficulty concentrating and attending to everyday tasks,” explains Kristie R. Soriano, MS, CCC/SLP, manager of Outpatient Speech Programs at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.

Symptoms of brain fog may also appear as:

• Walking into a room and forgetting why you are there
• Losing your train of thought
• Difficulty thinking of the right words
• Difficulty remembering what you just read
• Taking longer to complete tasks
• Forgetting recipes or steps when cooking
• Leaving lights or appliances on unintentionally
• Forgetting what you were doing after becoming distracted

“These symptoms often emerge after patients get through the medical emergency and go back to work,” comments Soriano. “In many cases, patients are having trouble functioning on the job or managing day-to-day responsibilities, which can negatively impact their quality of life.”

What causes brain fog after COVID-19?

According to Dr. Fleming, the medical community is still researching potential causes of brain fog after COVID-19. Researchers have identified several possible causes, including:

• Lack of oxygen caused by lung damage
• Inflammation affecting brain cells
• An autoimmune disorder that is causing the immune system to attack healthy cells in the body
• Lack of blood flow caused by swelling of the small blood vessels in the brain
• Invasion of infectious cells into the brain

“We know that different people have a wide range of long-term complications after COVID-19 infection, and a combination of factors may cause brain fog,” says Dr. Fleming.

How long does post-COVID brain fog last?

For some patients, post-COVID brain fog goes away in about three months. But for others, it can last much longer.

“We are seeing patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2020 that are still experiencing brain fog,” shares Soriano. “Although these patients report improvement in their symptoms, they still aren’t back to baseline.”

Patients who experience brain fog after COVID-19 should also be prepared for a “waxing and waning” course of recovery.

“Some days, patients may feel great — but two or three days later, they may not feel so great,” notes Soriano. “It’s important for patients not to get discouraged because recovery isn’t a straight course, and building up cognition can take time.”

Is help available for post-COVID brain fog?

A treatment plan for post-COVID brain fog may employ various strategies to help patients manage day-to-day life, including:

• Using a calendar, note-taking, or “to-do” lists to assist with memory
• Using word associations to help with finding the right words
• Minimizing distractions to improve attention
• Building up cognitive endurance to reduce cognitive fatigue and improve concentration

“Over time, as the patient recovers, they will need to rely on these strategies less and less,” says Soriano.

Dr. Fleming also says that the damage to the brain caused by COVID is more diffuse than with stroke or other types of brain injury, so it requires specialized treatment.

For example, increasing physical activity can have many beneficial effects, such as oxygenating and clearing toxins from the body. However, after COVID-19, some patients can experience a condition called post-exertional malaise, which results in a huge drop in energy levels after activity.

“We are all learning more about the long-term effects of COVID-19 as time passes. Oftentimes, patients who come to see us have already been to a primary care physician and other specialists who didn’t know how to help,” says Dr. Fleming. “We validate their concerns and develop a customized treatment program using strategies that we know work with other patients recovering from brain injury.”

“If you or a loved one is experiencing brain fog after COVID, or even if you aren’t sure, don’t just sit and wait for things to improve — get checked out,” said Soriano.

Next Steps & Resources:

• To make an appointment with Dr. Talya Fleming or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn about Hackensack Meridian Health’s COVID Recovery Center and the Post-COVID Rehabilitation Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute
• Can COVID-19 Cause Back Pain?

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Can COVID-19 Cause Brain Fog? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“You don’t necessarily have to hit your head to experience concussion,” Dr. Greiss says. “The concussion itself is when the brain oscillates inside the skull very quickly during a rapid, jerky movement.”

Unlike an athlete, there’s no team doctor or trainer on the sidelines at your home to assess you after you trip over the vacuum cleaner cord and face-plant into the floor. So what tests can you do at home to tell if you or someone in your home has a concussion?

Look for:

• Changes in day-to-day functioning
• Eye pain and/or eye fatigue
• Headache
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Imbalance, dropping things, bumping into things
• Impaired depth perception (having difficulty seeing the distance between two items)
• Difficulty remembering things

Any of these symptoms may be a cause for concern, Dr. Greiss says. Above all, if you don’t feel “right,” get checked out. “The earlier you seek treatment, the better,” she says.

What Will Your Doctor Do?

If you seek medical care, your doctor will do a concussion assessment that consists of:

• Balance test: standing with feet together, eyes closed; standing with one foot in front of the other, eyes closed; and standing on one leg with eyes closed.
• Cognitive evaluation: checking to see if you know where you are and understand why you’re there; ability to name things; verbal fluency; recall and working memory.
• Visual test: the ability of the eyes to track objects moving back and forth and to move inward together.

Additional testing may include brain imaging, such as a CT scan.

A mild concussion isn’t likely to have long-term effects, Dr. Griess says, unless there are underlying neurodegenerative issues, such as a history of strokes or repeated brain injury. But it still makes sense to see your doctor sooner rather than later because the concussion assessment will allow your doctor to give you a treatment plan tailored to your injury. And that will put your brain on the road to recovery more quickly and safely, she says.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Christine Greiss, D.O. To make an appointment with Dr. Greiss or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about the Concussion Program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.
• Getting back on track after a sports injury
• How concussion diagnosis and recovery works

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Ways to Test If You Have a Concussion appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Most Common Sports Injuries

“The most common cause of sports injury is poor training,” says Joseph Bellapianta, M.D., who specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine at Mountainside Medical Center. Other top causes include structural abnormalities, muscle weakness and unsafe exercise environments.

The most common types of sports injuries Dr. Bellapianta sees include:

• ACL tears (knee injury)
• Compartment syndrome (dangerous muscle pressure caused by intense repetitive exercise)
• Fractures
• Heat exhaustion
• Muscle cramps
• Shin splints, sprains and strains
• Stress fractures
• Torn tendons and ligaments
• Rotator cuff tears
• Labrum tears
• Hip replacements
• Knee replacements
• Cartilage restoration procedures

Before You Start a New Sport or Exercise Program

Before you embark on a new type of exercise, sport or physical activity, here is what Dr. Bellapianta says you need to know:

• Before beginning a program, consult a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or your primary care doctor for an evaluation. They can evaluate you for any pre-existing structural abnormalities, which can predispose you to injury, and advise you on ways to minimize risk.
• Make stretching and warming up a part of your daily exercise routines to help prevent injury. Stretching and warming up get your body ready for the exercise you are about to do. The warm-up exercises you choose should mimic the exercise you are about to do, but at a lower intensity.
• Listen to your body. Muscle soreness is a sign of increasing strength, but pain and soreness are very different. Pain is an indicator that you need to stop what you are doing before it causes or worsens an injury.
• Place ice on a new injury or on sore muscles after exercising to reduce inflammation.
• Hydrate, especially if the weather is warm or hot. Hydrate with water, a sports drink or fruit juice before, during and after exercise.
• Start slowly, especially if it is an activity you have never done before or haven’t performed for a long time. Start in small increments and do not do it every day. Allow your body to heal by taking a day off in between exercising days.

If in spite of taking precautions, you have an injury, consult your doctor or a sports medicine specialist to ensure you get the appropriate treatment that will enable you to heal and return to your sport as quickly as possible.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Learn more about orthopedic surgery at Mountainside Medical Center
• Meet our source: Joseph Bellapianta, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Bellapianta or another doctor near you call, 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Can COVID-19 cause pain in your hips and knees?
• How to relieve knee pain triggered by everyday activities

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post How to Protect Yourself From Common Sports Injuries appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

“There are plenty of things that can be done remotely,” says Cristobal Beiro, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Raritan Bay Medical Center. This is especially important for patients who don’t have transportation to a physical therapy office or for those who still have misgivings about leaving their house during the pandemic.

Benefits of Virtual Physical Therapy

The benefits of virtual physical therapy include:

• You work with a licensed physical therapist.
• You can receive the care you need while eliminating your risk of COVID-19.
• You don’t have to wear a mask because you’re in your own home.
• It’s convenient. If your injury prevents you from driving, you don’t have to worry about finding a ride or fighting traffic.

While most insurance plans cover telehealth physical therapy, check with yours on the rules. Some require you to schedule an initial in-person visit. You’ll also want to ask about your co-pay and/or co-insurance so you don’t get hit with any surprises down the line.

Get the Most from Telehealth

To get the most from your virtual appointment:

• Make sure you have a computer, phone or other device to get on the internet, as well as a reliable internet connection.
• Choose a spot that allows you enough space to lie down, walk around and stretch in full.
• You’ll also want enough privacy so you feel comfortable sharing information freely with your therapist. You may prefer a separate room with a door, so spouses, kids or pets won’t distract you.
• Dress in clothing comfortable enough so you can move, but snug enough so your physical therapist can evaluate your movements. Clothes like yoga pants and short-sleeves or tank tops work well.
• Get the proper gear. Speak to your therapist about borrowing equipment you can use at home. You can also sub in household items like soup cans or water bottles for weights, or you can buy a set of inexpensive resistance bands.
• Tell your therapist how your body feels before, during and after sessions. If anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to speak up. Your therapist can often modify the exercise so you can do it without pain. “As long as you use proper form, the risk of injury is low,” says Dr. Beiro.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Learn more about orthopedic care at Hackensack Meridian Health
• Meet our source: Cristobal Beiro, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Beiro or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Want to reduce fracture risk? Consider your diet
• 9 common myths about physical therapy

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post Is Virtual Physical Therapy Really Possible? appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.

Chronic pain or lingering pain after surgery can be frustrating. It can even affect your mental health and prevent you from living a healthy life through sleep, healthy eating and exercising.

People often turn to prescription pain medication for relief. But anyone who takes prescription opioids or narcotics runs the risk of becoming addicted to them, says Sagar Parikh, M.D., interventional pain physician and director of the Center for Sports & Spine Medicine at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute.

But there are ways to get excellent pain relief from chronic or acute pain that avoid that risk.

What Is Chronic Pain

Dr. Parikh defines chronic pain as pain that has continued for more than three months after the initial injury. By then, tissue healing should have occurred.

Multiple factors can cause chronic pain after an injury:

• Inadequate attention and treatment after the injury
• Continuing use of the damaged area because of work or other activity
• Weight issues
• Emotional issues dealing with the trauma of the pain

Other conditions, like cancer, can cause chronic pain that needs to be addressed to help the patient have the best possible quality of life.

How to Treat Chronic Pain

Depending on individual needs, Dr. Parikh may suggest one or more pain relief methods to reduce or eliminate the need for prescription opioids. For example:

• Interventional pain medication for some mechanical injuries like herniated discs (using imaging techniques to inject pain relief and repair medications directly into the injured area for long-term relief)
• Physical or occupational therapy, including aqua-therapy
• Complementary techniques such as yoga, bio-feedback and acupuncture
• Psychological therapy because emotional trauma can impact a person’s perception of pain

How to Treat Pain After Surgery

Traditionally, opioid medications have been prescribed following surgery to relieve the acute pain, especially in the first few days. Negin Griffith, M.D., a breast reconstruction surgeon, says patients undergoing many types of surgery, including orthopedic, head, neck and abdominal, can often benefit from nerve block medications that are administered by the surgeon or anesthesiologist. These medications provide better pain control and decrease the need for narcotics and their side effects.

Not relying on narcotic pain medication provides multiple benefits:

• Patients are able to be more physically active sooner after surgery
• Patients have less constipation
• Quality of sleep after surgery can be improved
• Patients can return to activities like driving sooner

Depending on the medical situation, the surgeon can choose a nerve block that will work anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Once the block wears off, Dr. Griffith says most patients can get pain relief with non-narcotic pain relievers and muscle relaxers, allowing them to return to their normal activities like driving sooner while avoiding the potential of narcotic addiction. Speak with your surgeon about options for pain management to determine what’s best for you.

Stop Suffering

If you are dealing with pain, there is help if you will reach out for it. If fear of risking addiction has held you back from dealing with chronic pain or from having needed surgery, talk with your doctor about newer techniques for pain control that are safe and avoid narcotics.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Find a doctor near you that meets your needs
• Meet our sources: Sagar Parikh, M.D. and Negin Griffith, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Parikh, Dr. Griffith or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• 3 ways to fix neck and shoulder pain from working from home

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

The post How to Relieve Pain Without Prescription Medication appeared first on Hackensack Meridian Health.