Marilyn Kutzcher MD: Winter Newsletter

Marilyn Kutzscher MD: Fall Newsletter

Fresh is in for Summer!

Move over heavy lasagna and fettuccini alfredo…

Comfort foods are out and fresh fruit and vegetables are in! When the weather gets warmer most people tend to lighten up their diets by eating less. Now is the time to renew (or begin) your love for nutritious and sweet-tooth satisfying foods to not only lose weight in San Francisco but get added health benefits as well.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other substances that are important for good health in San Francisco. They not only taste great, they are low in calories.

Here are some easy tips to incorporate flavorful summer crops to your weekly menus:

•  Add a banana or fresh berries to your cereal or oatmeal
• Add green peppers, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms to eggs and frozen pizza
• See how much color you can add to your plate at each meal (green spinach, purple grapes, red strawberries, orange carrots, etc.)
• Pre-cut raw vegetables for snacks-on-the-go
• Have chocolate-covered strawberries for desert (in moderation)
• Make your own smoothies with fresh or frozen fruit and low-fat yogurt or milk
• Include corn, zucchini or other fresh vegetables in skewers, grill baskets or when grilling

You don’t have to give up comfort foods entirely this summer; just eat them less often and in smaller amounts. You’ll be amazed at how your body size will shrink and your energy level will soar!

For more tips on how to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet or tips to lose weight, contact Dr. Marilyn Kutzscher in San Francisco at 415-923-3560 or marilynkmd.com.

Stay Cool When the Heat is On

We all know that too much sun exposure can lead to painful sunburn in San Francisco, and sunburns increase the risk of skin damage, cancer and prematurely aged skin.

But overexposure to sun and heat can also lead to other serious problems that interfere with your brain functions, muscles, and other organs. Dr. Marilyn Kutzscher treats many patients each summer for heat-related illnesses in San Francisco. While most people can recover quickly from these illnesses, they can be deadly if not treated properly.

When your body begins to sweat out too much water, salt, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients, you may experience heat exhaustion or heat cramps. Early symptoms that you’ve had too much sun include:

• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Leg/stomach/arm cramps
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea

If you do not take measures to cool your body down, you may move into full-on heat stroke/sun stroke after intense heat exposure and dehydration for long periods of time. Symptoms of heat stroke can include the symptoms listed above as well as:

• Lack of sweating
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate and breath
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• High body temperature
• Fainting
• Pale skin
• Dark urine

 Prevent Heat Stroke

To avoid heat-related illnesses, listen to your body and be smart when outdoors

• Avoid drinking dehydrating beverages, such as soda, alcohol and coffee. Choose water and sports drinks instead.
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
• Go indoors during the hottest times of the day.
• Take frequent breaks when working or playing in the heat.
• Avoid over-exertion in the heat.

Heat stroke can be life-threatening. If you see someone who is experiencing the signs of heat stroke in San Francisco, call 911 immediately. Remove the person from the sun/heat and have him drink water or other electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. Remove constrictive clothing and apply ice packs to the groin and armpits to help cool the body.

If you have experienced heat exhaustion, it is important to contact a doctor to make sure it does not progress into heat stroke. A doctor like Dr. Kutzscher can let you know when it is safe to resume your normal activities. Call Marilyn Kutzscher at 415-923-3560 or marilynkmd.com to learn more tips on how to beat the heat in San Francisco this summer.

Be Prepared: Carry a First Aid Kit

Traveling can be fun! But whether you are trekking to a remote country or just an hour from home, good times can quickly go downhill if someone gets sick or injured. It’s always good to be prepared for any type of minor emergency and having a first aid kit on hand may help you, your family, friends and fellow travelers stay safe.

First Aid Kit Essentials

• Sunscreen and soothing aloe vera gel
• Adhesive bandages in varying sizes
• Pain/fever reducer
• Allergy medicine
• Gauze pads and tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Blister care
• Bug repellant
• Insect bite/sting relief
• Motion sickness medicine
• Lubricating eye drops
• Space heat blanket
• Oral thermometer
• Antiseptic wipes
• Instant cold compress
• Non-latex gloves
• Cotton balls
• Petroleum jelly
• Hand sanitizer or soap
• Scissors/tweezers
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Candles and matches
• First aid manual

 If anyone in your traveling party is prone to allergic reactions, be sure to pack injectable epinephrine as well. There may be additional first aid kit requirements, such as splints and prescription medications, depending on your medical condition, how far you are traveling and how remote the location.

Be sure to check the contents of the first aid kit regularly to replace any items that have been used or those that have expired, especially if you are planning a long trip outside San Francisco.

If you are planning a trip to a foreign country, you may need certain pre-trip vaccinations to keep you healthy. Dr. Marilyn Kutzscher in San Francisco helps patients learn the steps to take before, during and after trips. Contact her at 415-923-3560 or marilynkmd.com to schedule an appointment.

Birth Control Use May Increase Risk of Glaucoma

A recent study presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2013 meeting showed that women over age 40 taking oral contraceptives for 3 years or more were twice as likely to develop a glaucoma diagnosis.  

Glaucoma results in slow optic nerve damage at the back of the eye due to various factors which can but may not include abnormally high eye pressure.  If left undiagnosed or untreated, irreversible vision loss can gradually occur.  Early stages are typically present with no symptoms, which is why early detection and intervention are essential in minimizing or preventing vision loss. 

It is important to note that the exact correlation between oral contraceptives and glaucoma has not been determined.  Estrogen is thought to be protective against glaucoma, and post-menopausal women are more at risk compared to men of similar age.  Oral contraceptives control the amount of estrogen in the body, and this alteration in hormonal levels may be a contributing factor in glaucoma development.  This has not been proven as of yet, however this study implies a potential glaucoma risk factor in addition to others (family history, race, age, high eye pressures, even history of migraine). 

Until there is conclusive data linking oral contraceptive use and glaucoma, it is prudent to make a note of any history of long term oral contraceptive use, and screen for glaucoma with annual eye examinations.  

Dental Health and your Heart

What do your teeth and gums have to do with your heart? Possibly a lot. There appears to be a connection between gum disease and heart disease in people who suffer from both conditions. Although this is still a highly debatable issue among the medical profession, there are studies that show a correlation between these two conditions.

Inflammation is a common thread between the two diseases. Uncontrolled plaque (bacteria) build-up on your teeth leads to inflammation of the gums and eventually periodontal disease. Likewise, the accumulation of fat deposits in your arteries can lead to inflammation/clogging of the arteries causing heart attacks or strokes.

Bacteria may actually be the culprit. The bacteria found in plaque may find its way into your bloodstream, ultimately landing in the arteries and create problems there.

There is no solid evidence proving that poor dental health leads to cardiovascular disease. But taking control of your

health with daily proactive steps to live as healthy a life as possible only makes sense.

How to Avoid Heart Disease

• Eat healthy, unprocessed foods
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Control high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
• Stop smoking

How to Avoid Gum Disease

• Brush your teeth and gums methodically for two minutes, twice a day
• Floss once daily
• Use antiseptic mouthwash daily
• Visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings
• Stop smoking

If you notice swelling in your gums or if you have already been diagnosed with periodontal disease, visit your dentist to take control of your mouth health. It’s also worth a trip to your family doctor to see if you have any early signs of heart disease. The early symptoms of heart disease are often “silent,” so taking cues from other areas of your body or mouth may help prevent serious complications in the future.
Dr. Marilyn Kutzscher in San Francisco is a family doctor who can help identify early signs of heart disease. To schedule an appointment, contact her office at 415-923-3560 or marilynkmd.com.