February 2004, Volume 4, Issue 1
Special Points of Interest (click topic)
Research News
Nurse Midwifery Services Coming to WHP
ISCD Certification
Womens Health Lecture Series
Health Stories
Prevention for Gynecologic Cancers
New Procedure for Incontinence
True or False – A Patient Quiz
Did You Know?
Staff Updates
Insurance Corner
New Science of Weight Loss
Menopause - Making Peace With Change
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__________________________
Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG
2125 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
PHONE (217)356-3736
FAX (217) 356-5849
www.womenshealthpractice.com
Are you suffering from pelvic pain and/or infertility and require a medical exam?
A research study is being conducted at Women’s Health Practice to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a study material used to reduce post-operative adhesions (scar tissue), a common cause of infertility and possibly pain.
If you are a female, aged 18 years or older and are willing to have a second laparoscopy (surgery at small incision) performed in addition to the initial laparoscopic surgery, please call us to see if you qualify.
Qualified participants will receive study-related medical exams, laboratory tests, study material and second surgery at no cost.
If interested in this study, to inquire about upcoming informational meetings, or if you want to know more about what participating in a clinical trial involves, please contact Candy Pewanick, Clinical Research Coordinator, at 217-356-3736, ext. 118. Study participants receive study-related clinical exams, laboratory testing, and study medications at no cost, and are compensated for their time and travel.
As a volunteer in a WHP clinical trial, you are contributing to the search for new medical treatments and aiding in the development of cures for illness and medical conditions. WHP has been conducting studies for almost twenty years, and we are proud of the advances we have been involved in. We are excited about the bright future of medical advances, and we welcome your interest in our work.
Enrolling Soon
In the near future, WHP will be enrolling patients for new studies for menopause, insomnia, fibroids, PMS, and endometriosis. If interested in learning more about these upcoming studies or to see if you may qualify, please contact Candy Pewanick, WHP Clinical Research Coordinator, at 217-356-3736, ext. 118.
Nurse Midwifery Services Coming to WHP
WHP is pleased to announce the addition of nurse midwifery services in the near future. Stay tuned or contact WHP for further details!
Dr. Suzanne Trupin Earns Certification in Bone Density Testing for Osteoporosis
The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has announced that Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG, of Women’s Health Practice (WHP), recently attended the ISCD’s Bone Densitometry Course in Chicago on December 06-07, 2003, and has been recognized as a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). She has taken the ISCD Bone Densitometry Course and passed a rigorous exam on bone density testing for osteoporosis. There are over 5,000 certified clinicians and technologists worldwide. Certification in bone densitometry is a demonstration of proficiency and is a requirement for some insurance companies and HMOs.
ISCD is a nonprofit professional society of over 4,000 clinicians and technologists with members from more than 40 countries. ISCD is dedicated to improving the quality of bone density testing for osteoporosis, educating healthcare providers, increasing patient awareness, and supporting scientific advances. The proliferation of new technologies for measuring bone density, combined with the development of improved treatments for osteoporosis, has created great demand for the education and certification of healthcare providers.
Osteoporosis, a bone fragility disorder that can lead to fracture, is a disease that affects 44 million Americans, causing 1.5 million fractures each year, with an annual healthcare cost of about $17 billion. Osteoporotic fractures can result in chronic pain, disability, loss of independence, and even death. Early detection of low bone density before fractures occur is the key to successful management. Bone density is easily measured with an instrument called a bone densitometer, using DXA (Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry) technology. With medications now available and under development, experts feel that osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disease—not an inevitable part of aging.
Women’s Health Practice (WHP) acquired a new, state-of-the-art LUNAR® bone densitometer. The PRODIGY™ bone densitometer is the premier device for axial measurement of bone density. Previously, evaluating bone density using conventional x-ray systems did not reveal a potential problem until 25-30% of bone density had been lost. This highly sensitive densitometer identifies bone loss at an earlier stage.
The immediate results include comparison to reference populations and assessment of the risk of fracture. Immediately following the exam, you will have a direct consultation with the physician to discuss your results. In addition to hard copy results, you can receive an email of your results if you wish.
WHP will contact your insurance prior to the test regarding precertification requirements, and honors preferred provider contracts with BCBS, Cigna, PersonalCare POS/PPO/HMO, Healthlink, Medicare, Consociate Preferred Plan, Integrated Health Plan, Fortified Provider Network, PHCS, BCE Emergis, MCS, Tricare/Champus, United Healthcare, ChoiceCare Network/Humana, Community Partners Health Plan, Service and Employees International Union #4.
We are excited to offer the convenience of in-office bone densitometry to our patients. For more information or to schedule your bone densitometry, please contact Women’s Health Practice.
Women's Health Lecture Series. Mark Your Calendar!
Women’s Health Practice will be conducting a women’s health lecture series!
Dates:
March 31, 2004
April 21, 2004
May 16, 2004
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: WHP Waiting Room
Topics will include “The New Science of Weight Loss”, “Menopausal Alternatives”, “Prevention of Breast Cancer”, “Birthing Alternatives with WHP Nurse-Midwives”, and “Bone Density Testing and Treatment of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis”. Mark your calendar and plan to attend! For further information, please contact WHP at 217-356-3736.
Health Stories
ASTHMATIC SYMPTOMS WORSEN PRIOR TO MENSTRUAL PERIODS. Up to 33% of women with asthma report an increase in symptoms during the premenstrual period. This increase may be preceded by heightened allergic responses during the period of peak estrogen levels (day 12-16 of the cycle. Trouble sleeping, irritability, or even depression and anxiety can be related to increased airway obstruction and mild hypoxia rather than to emotional manifestations of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Using a combined estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive for women desiring contraception may reduce the hormone fluctuations and symptoms. In women with predictable cycles, increasing asthma medications 2-3 days before the anticipated premenstrual exacerbation may alleviate the symptoms. – Adapted from The Female Patient 28, Sept. 2003.
FDA APPROVES DNA WITH PAP FOR SCREENING WOMEN > 30. The Digene Corporation’s High-Risk (HR) HPV DNA Test received FDA approval for a new indication—as a screening test in conjunction with the Pap test for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women aged 30 or older, which combines the Hybrid Capture 2 HPV DNA test for HPV with a routine Pap test to improve sensitivity in screening for cervical cancer. The new test aims to help physicians determine which patients are at extremely low risk for cervical cancer versus those who may need to be monitored more closely. – Adapted from Contemp OB/GYN, Oct. 2003
FDA-APPROVED, REUSABLE, OVULATION MANAGEMENT TEST NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. A new, reusable, at-home test will tell from a sample of a woman’s saliva if she is ovulating. Ovulation Scope accurately predicts a woman’s peak likelihood to become pregnant. Just the size of a lipstick tube, Ovulation Scope includes a built in mini-microscope. When a woman ovulates, her estrogen levels increase as well as the salt levels in her saliva. When a saliva deposit is placed on the Ovulation Scope, the salts will form a ferning pattern within 10 minutes indicating with approximately 98% accuracy if she is in a fertile period of her menstrual cycle.
LINK BETWEEN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME AND THYROID DISEASE. Researchers have found a high prevalence of thyroid disease in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. “Autoimmune thyroiditis” can be detected by performing thyroid antibody tests. – Adapted from OB/GYN News, Jan. 1, 2004.
SILENT “STROKE” FOUND IN 17% OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN. From women who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative, it was found that more than 17% of postmenopausal women have a moderate or high likelihood of having silent myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as stroke. It is recommended that all postmenopausal women have an EKG. – Adapted from OB/GYN News, Jan. 1, 2004.
Prevention of Gynecologic Cancers
Medicine’s focus on primary prevention strategies, beyond detection and treatment, has far-reaching implications on a woman’s ablity to make choices and avoid certain risk factors for cancer. This can be especially true for gynecologic cancers. Research in ovarian, endometrial (uterine), cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer prevention has resulted in some helpful guidelines.
Cervical cancer may arise in some women as the result of a sexually transmitted factor. It follows that prevention strategies would include monogamy, avoidance of intercourse in adolescent years, and use of barrier contraceptives (condom use plus spermicide). Smoking and deficiencies in the diet of vitamins A, C, and folic acid have also been implicated in cervical cancer development.
Endometrial (uterine) cancer strikes the lining of the uterus. Prevention measures include use of oral contraceptives, a weight maintenance program, and judicious use of hormone replacement therapy in menopause.
Ovarian cancer prevention is enhanced through oral contraceptive
use and breastfeeding, and tubal sterilization may be helpful. Oral contraceptive protection lasts 15 years. DepoProvera, Norplant, and possibly Mirena IUS contraceptive methods may also protect against ovarian cancer.
In all cases, a regular pelvic examination and Pap smear are essential in the prevention and early detection of gynecologic cancers. As a prevention method, Pap smears can detect a cervical precancerous problem, which can help to determine intervention methods to prevent the cancer. From the early warning indicated in the Pap test, physicians and healthcare providers can counsel on altering behaviors that may contribute to the risk of cancer.
WHP Offers New Outpatient Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence (SUI) can cause frequent involuntary release of urine during activities (such as coughing or laughing) that put pressure on a woman’s bladder. SUI affects nearly 8 million women in the U.S. and occurs when the pelvic muscles supporting the bladder and urethra have been damaged or weakened.
A new outpatient procedure called tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is designed to provide support for a sagging urethra. A meshlike tape is placed under the urethra to return it to its normal position and provide support. The tape is inserted through incisions in the abdomen and vaginal wall. The surgery takes approximately 30 minutes and can be done under local or general anesthesia.
Within hours of the surgery, you will be asked to urinate to test bladder and urethral response to the surgery. It may also be necessary to have a catheter placed to allow urine to drain while you recover; this is usually removed within 2-3 days. You can resume most normal activities within a few days, and you will be advised to refrain from strenuous activities and sexual intercourse for a few weeks.
TVT offers faster procedure and recovery times, better patient tolerance, and better success rates for stress urinary incontinence.
It has been reported that 62% of women suffering from SUI will wait one year or longer before discussing the condition with their physician. If you are suffering from SUI, please discuss with your Women’s Health Practice healthcare provider. Up to 80% of cases of female incontinence are treatable with treatment options, one of which is TVT.
Genital warts are caused by a virus.
TRUE. Warts are caused by the human papillomomavrius (HPV), There are more than 100 types of this virus—more than 30 of those types cause infection in the genital area.
The virus can be caught from a toilet seat.
FALSE. HPV infection is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity.
HPV does not always cause warts.
TRUE. A person can have the virus but not have warts or may not know the virus is there.
Using a condom during intercourse can prevent HPV from spreading.
FALSE. HPV can infect any tissue in the genital region, so it can spread from areas that are not covered by a condom. It is important to use a condom, though, to decrease HPV transmission and help prevent transmission of other diseases.
Genital warts may sometimes go away on their own without treatment.
TRUE. The body’s immune system can make the warts go away.
Once warts are removed, they never come back.
FALSE. Sometimes warts do not return, but sometimes they do because HPV infection remains in the body.
Genital warts can cause cancer.
FALSE. It is really the HPV virus that causes cancer—some types of HPV cause warts and some do not. Some types of HPV can cause cancer and some do not. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same types that cause genital cancer. If certain types of the virus stay in the body for a long time, the risk of cancer is higher.
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. They are two of the many cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That’s more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. One in 2.5 women will die of heart disease or stroke, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer.
Meghan Gagne, PA-C, (Physician Assistant Certified) provides gynecological, obstetrical, and well-woman care to new and established patients of WHP. Meghan received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, in May 2001 and her Master of Medical Sciences from Midwestern University in August 2002, and joined WHP in November 2003.
Candy Pewanick, Clinical Research Coordinator, joined Women’s Health Practice in November 2003. Candy has an extensive background in clinical research, and is primarily responsible for study protocols, and screening and study monitoring patients.
Titilayo Ayeni, Clinical Research Asst., joined WHP in February 2004 and provides clerical and administrative support to the research team.
Women’s Health Practice is currently a preferred provider (i.e., in-network provider) for the following insurance plans:
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Cigna
- PersonalCare POS/PPO/HMO
- Healthlink
- Consociate
- Preferred Plan
- Integrated Health Plan, Inc.
- Fortified Provider Network, Inc.
- PHCS (Private Health Care Systems)
- BCE Emergis
- MCS
- Tricare/Champus
- UnitedHealthcare
- ChoiceCare Network/Humana
- Community Partners Health Plan
- Service Employees International Union Local #4
- Medicare
Women’s Health Practice is always adding new insurance plans. Please call us if your plan is not listed above. Some plans actually have other plans administrating them so you may be covered.
NOTE: Most other plans that are not strictly HMO based will cover services here.
Low carb, low-fat, high-protein, Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach? No matter what your reason or method for weight loss, success depends on sensible goals and expectations.
Healthy eating helps you get the most out of life. A healthy lifestyle is the key to looking good, feeling great and being your best at work and play. It all starts with a healthy eating plan. Individual needs and preferences determine your personal food choices. Match your food choices to your lifestyle and individual requirements, choosing enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition, it provides the pleasurable aspects of eating.
Make moderation your goal – you decide how much and how often. Healthy eating doesn’t mean feeling deprived or guilty. Look at the big picture, it’s what you eat over several days—not just one day or one meal—that’s important.
Develop a personal fitness plan that fits your lifestyle. The key is to find a variety of activities you enjoy. You don’t need expensive equipment or complicated fitness programs.
– Adapted from the American Dietetic Association.
Menopause - Making Peace With Change
The newest edition of Dr. Suzanne Trupin’s self publication, Menopause - Making Peace with Change, is scheduled for publication in the spring 2004. Cost for this WHP self-publication is $15. Use this coupon to purchase your book for $10.
