Free Skin Cancer Screening on April 30

When detected early, about 90 percent of skin cancers can be successfully treated and cured. Sign up now for our free Skin Cancer Screening on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in The Potomac Center, First Floor (next to Sentara Potomac Hospital). Screenings are performed by board-certified physicians.

The screening is free but an appointment is necessary. Call 703-221-2500 to schedule your appointment or for information.

Since skin cancer can be effectively treated if detected early, self-examination of the skin is crucial. Scrutinize those areas of your skin that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck, hands, ears and scalp. Most skin cancers develop on the head and neck. Use a mirror to check areas you can’t see, and ask your physician to perform a total-body exam with each routine checkup.

Early detection is important even if you haven’t been in the sun for a while – if you frequented the beach or tennis court as a youth, you’re still at risk decades later.

International Visitors Enjoy Tour of Sentara Potomac Hospital

A group of doctors, hospital administrators, and students visiting the U.S. from the Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan toured Sentara Potomac Hospital with Professor Dr. Thomas Wan of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Barbara Huelat, from Huelat Parimucha Healing Design, Sentara Potomac Hospital’s interior design company, was the keynote speaker. Kelly Degler, Sentara Potomac Hospital vice president, and Bill Moss,Potomac Health Foundation, both former students of Dr. Wan, also spoke to the group.

The group enjoyed the guided tours and learning about Sentara Potomac Hospital.

Happy Doctors' Day!

National Doctors' Day is held every year on March 30 and celebrates the contribution of physicians who serve our country by caring for its citizens.

The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians.

In 1990, legislation was introduced to establish a national Doctors’ Day. Following overwhelming approval by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, on October 30, 1990, March 30 was officially designated as "National Doctor's Day."

Sincere thanks to all of our doctors for everything they do for Sentara Potomac Hospital and the community!

Free Men's Health Seminar

Permanent Solutions for ED and Bladder Control Problems

At this free seminar, a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist will discuss solutions to erectile dysfunction (ED) and bladder control problems caused by prostate surgery, diabetes and heart disease.

During the program, patients will share their personal success stories. Spouses and partners are encouraged to attend as well.

Saturday, April 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hylton Education Center at Sentara Potomac Hospital.

Register online or call 703-221-2500.

Ask Our Experts

Confused and overwhelmed with diabetes? Don't be - we're here to help.

My doctor told me that I have diabetes. There’s so much information to learn about my condition and I feel overwhelmed by the changes I have to incorporate into my everyday life. How do I deal with this?

“Your concerns are very common for someone who has just been diagnosed with diabetes,” says Nadine Young, R.D., CDE, Coordinator of the Diabetes Management Program at Sentara Potomac Hospital. “Since diabetes is a chronic disease it has to be managed, not cured, which is one reason it’s difficult to deal with at first. Understandably, people just want to ‘fix it’."

“Many who are diagnosed with diabetes feel lost or confused because of the complexity of the disease,” says Young. “The good news is that it’s a diabetes educator’s job to teach you how to manage this disease successfully.”

“Our Diabetes Management Program is staffed with highly trained diabetes educators and registered dietitians who are here to help you,” explains Young. “After we take a detailed medical history, we teach you how to effectively test your blood glucose levels, plan your meals and manage your medications. Our team approach to managing your diabetes can help you avoid or delay the complications of this disease.”

This program is designed to complement your doctor’s care and requires a doctor's prescription. If you or someone you love has diabetes, Sentara Potomac Hospital’s Diabetes Management Program can help. Call 703-670-1767 or 540-659-1800, ext. 1767 for more information or go to PotomacHospital.com.

Is your heart working overtime?

Have you ever worked overtime only to go home and fall -- exhausted -- on to your couch? That’s exactly how your heart feels if you have untreated high blood pressure or hypertension. In fact, eventually it will work itself to death.

“The heart is just like any other muscle in your body,” says Dr. Rishabh Sharma, a cardiologist on Sentara Potomac Hospital’s medical staff. “When you work it hard it gets bigger and bigger. Unfortunately, when it gets too big from being overworked, it can actually fail.”

According to Dr. Sharma, high blood pressure also stresses out your arteries. “High blood pressure speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries,” says Dr. Sharma. “When the arteries harden they become narrower and less elastic, which causes a decrease in blood flow to the heart and other organs. In turn, your heart starts working even harder to compensate for the blocked arteries.”

Also, says Dr. Sharma, blood clots can get lodged in narrow arteries. “Blood clots can result in stroke, heart attack and other serious health conditions,” says Dr. Sharma. “It is vital that everyone has their blood pressure checked regularly so that the risk of heart disease and stroke can be decreased.”

Take a Load Off Your Heart

There are ways to reduce your heart’s workload. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking, getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods and controlling your weight, can help decrease or prevent high blood pressure.

“The first course of action is to prevent high blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Sharma. “If you already have high blood pressure, you should still make healthy lifestyle changes and continue to take any medications your doctor has prescribed. Keeping blood pressure in the normal range is paramount to avoiding potentially life-threatening health problems.”

Dr. Rishabh Sharma encourages everyone to have their blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure is called the ‘silent killer’ because for many there are no symptoms.

To learn more about doctors on Sentara Potomac Hospital’s medical staff call 703-221-2500 to receive our free Medical Team brochure. You can also request one online.

Tired of Counting Sheep?

Sleep Lab helps patients get their zzzzzz

Jim Lavelle was tired. He went to bed every night and slept, but he was exhausted for almost the entire next day. Unbeknown to Lavelle, his problem wasn’t a lack of sleep, it was the lack of quality sleep. Tired of being tired, the Fredericksburg resident scheduled a sleep study at Sentara Potomac Hospital’s Sleep Lab.

“Sleep is imperative to good health,” says pulmonologist Richard Robinson, M.D., who, along with Mark Clinton, M.D., is the medical director of the Sleep Lab at Sentara Potomac. “When people don’t sleep well it affects their physical health, mental health, productivity, their jobs and their relationships. Sleep seems so natural and simple, but the hectic lives that many people live cause many serious sleep problems.”

Most sleep loss is due to poor sleep habits and stress. However, millions of people suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders including sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.

“Snoring was my main problem,” says Lavelle. “But my wife also told me that I would stop breathing in the middle of the night. It was determined that my snoring is causing sleep apnea and my extreme fatigue.”

“There are several treatments that we use to help patients get back on track to better sleep,” says Dr. Robinson. “If you’re experiencing extreme fatigue, loss of concentration, dozing off during the day or feeling depressed, you may want to have a sleep study.”

If you think you may have a sleep disorder, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will discuss your concerns with you and determine if you need overnight evaluation at the Sleep Lab.

Fast facts about sleep deprivation

• More than 1,500 people die every year in sleep-related crashes on the roadways.
• Sleep loss costs U.S. employers tens of billions of dollars a year in lost productivity.
• Stress and worry are leading causes of insomnia.
• The large majority of people with sleep disorders are undiagnosed and untreated.
• Sleep problems are associated with many negative health consequences such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, heart disease, stroke and at-risk behaviors.
• Avoiding caffeine close to bedtime, avoiding alcohol, exercising regularly, establishing a regular, relaxing bedtime routine, and making sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, cool and comfortable can help you get better quality sleep.

Source: National Sleep Foundation