Author Archives: Joe Hilbert

  1. Wound Care Patient has a New Outlook on Caring for Himself and Others, Thanks to Shore

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    Thirty-seven-year-old Kevin Jordan used to be a construction foreman with the mindset most young people have—that he was invincible. Kevin has type 2 diabetes, but he never gave much thought to his condition or his overall health.

    But in 2021, reality struck. Kevin stepped on a nail at work and didn’t think anything of it at the time. However, in September 2021, Kevin discovered he had osteomyelitis from his injury, which is an infection in the bone.

    After speaking to a doctor, Kevin was told he would need to have his entire leg below the knee amputated. Kevin came to Shore for a second opinion, and to his delight, Dr. Matthew Lawrence, a vascular surgeon at Shore Physicians Group, informed him that he would not need to lose half his leg.

    “Dr. Lawrence is top-notch,” said Kevin. “He saved my shin and foot.”

    Dr. Lawrence performed surgery on Kevin, including a skin graft, and amputated only two toes and part of his right foot.

    Dedicated to his job in construction, Kevin recovered and returned to work for eight months before developing an ulcer. Due to his neuropathy, Kevin did not feel pain, but he knew something was wrong. He decided to push through and keep working through the summer, but unfortunately, he developed a blister as well, which ruptured, causing him to lose his pinky toe.

    After his positive experience with Dr. Lawrence, Kevin chose to return to Shore. Dr. Christopher Lucasti, Infectious Disease Specialist and Epidemiologist, referred Kevin to Wound Care at Shore.

    In September, Kevin began treatment in Shore’s hyperbaric chamber to help the wound heal, and he just recently finished his treatment.

    “I would never go to another hospital; the care at Shore is above and beyond,” said Kevin. “I have developed a lot of personal relationships with the doctors and nurses at Shore. I feel like I’m part of something special here. The people here aren’t looking for money or fame; they truly want to help other people.”

    Kevin came to Shore 4-5 days a week for two hours to receive his treatment and worked with hyperbaric tech Jessica Lynch.

    “Jessica is amazing,” Kevin shares. “We grew up in the same area. She took care of my grandfather and knows my whole family. We’ve developed a true friendship, much deeper than a typical patient-caregiver relationship. If I need to talk, she’s here to support me and answer any questions.”

    Although Kevin’s injury was an unfortunate circumstance, he focuses on the silver lining.

    “I’m in a much better place now,” Kevin said. “I’m taking care of my type 2 diabetes now with help from Dr. Vijay Balakrishnan from Shore Physicians Group and the dietary team at the hospital. I have a better mindset now, thanks to the compassion Shore’s providers have shown me. When this is all done, I would love to be able to work at Shore. I would really enjoy being able to talk with patients and help them through their tough times the same way the people I met at Shore helped me.”

  2. Shore Physicians Group Orthopaedic Division
    Welcomes Dante Marconi, MD

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    Welcomes Dante Marconi, MD

    Shore Physicians Group announced today that Orthopaedic Surgeon Dante Marconi, MD, has joined its Orthopaedic Division located at 710 Centre Street, 2nd floor, in Somers Point, NJ. Dr. Marconi will begin seeing patients Monday, October 3.

    Dr. Marconi’s orthopaedic surgery specialties are in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He cares for patients aged 10 and older, diagnosing and treating a variety of sports- and non-sports-related injuries, including acute and chronic joint ailments. Dr. Marconi’s treatments include shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee arthroscopy and shoulder, hip, and knee joint replacements. Through minimally invasive surgical procedures, Dr. Marconi helps patients return to sports and regular activity as soon as possible. Dr. Marconi’s work has been published in numerous medical journals and textbooks in orthopaedic medicine.

    Before joining Shore Physicians Group, Dr. Marconi completed the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School. Dr. Marconi worked with sports teams from the University of Houston and local high schools during this Fellowship. He also worked directly with professional Houston sports teams, including the Houston Texans, Astros, Rockets, Dynamo, and Dash.

    Born and raised in Blackwood, NJ, Dr. Marconi graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Following his undergraduate studies, Dr. Marconi went to Philadelphia, PA, where he received his Doctorate of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine and completed his general surgery internship at Temple University Hospital.

    After his internship, Dr. Marconi completed his five-year residency in orthopaedic surgery at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Marconi also worked in the New York Presbyterian Hospital system during his time in New York.

    To schedule an appointment with Dr. Marconi, call 609-365-6280.

  3. Men: Don’t Ignore Your Prostate

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    If urologist Dr. Michael Schutz, who treats patients at Shore Physicians Group, could send one message to every male, it’s this: “Don’t put off getting screened for prostate cancer.” Prostate cancer can be serious, but when caught early, it has a 99% 5-year survival rate according to the American Cancer Society. Regular screenings for prostate cancer are the best way to detect prostate cancer early and save lives.

    Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. Out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about 2 to 3 men will die from it. In fact, prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races and Hispanic origin populations.

    There are three factors that can increase your risk for prostate cancer:

    1. Age: Prostate cancer is more common in men 50 and older, and most commonly diagnosed in men aged 65 to 69.
    2. Family history: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles your risk of developing it.
    3. Race: African American men are 1.7 times more likely than European American men to develop prostate cancer, and 2.3 times more likely to die from it. (American Cancer Society)

    Who Should Get Screened, and When?

    “Unfortunately, there is not much we can do to prevent getting prostate cancer, so it is incredibly important that men are screened and keep up with their screenings,” said Dr. Schutz. “Men in these high risk categories should be screened yearly from age 40 through 75. Others should be screened once a year from ages 50-75, and those with a PSA less than one can be screened every other year.” Prostate cancer screenings involve a simple prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) that can detect abnormal levels of PSA. Then, the doctor may order imaging such as an ultrasound, MRI or biopsy.

    Prostate Cancer Treatment

    When prostate cancer is confirmed, a patient will be presented with treatment options, including radiation therapy and surgery. Each treatment plan is unique and based on the patient’s age, stage and aggressiveness of the cancer, and other health concerns.

    Advancements in radiation therapy such as those Shore Cancer Center has recently introduced can reduce toxicity of treatment and improve effectiveness. These advancements include the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator which provides faster and more accurate, targeted treatment. Patients undergoing radiation therapy generally do not experience pain. Those who undergo surgery can typically resume usual activities within a week or two following surgery.

    With both radiation therapy and surgery, every effort is made to save nerves and prevent nerve damage. There is no treatment without side effects, including bladder incontinence and erectile difficulty.

    “There are medications and procedures available to help patients overcome or adapt to the side effects,” added Dr. Schutz. “Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of screenings and that early detection can save lives.”

    Free Screenings for the Uninsured or Underinsured

    If you are unable to get important cancer screenings such as prostate cancer screenings because you are uninsured, have high insurance deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses, you may be eligible for a screening at no cost to you at Shore Medical Center. Shore has been the lead agency for the NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED)* program in Atlantic County since 1997. Through this program, Shore is able to provide FREE cancer screenings to people who live in Atlantic County and are uninsured or underinsured with a limited income. The cancers included in this program are prostate, breast, cervical, and colorectal. This includes cancer screenings such as mammograms, annual examines, pap tests, colonoscopies, PSA tests and more.

    To find out if you are eligible, please call 609-653-3484 or click here and complete the online form and someone from the NJ CEED program at Shore will contact you.

  4. Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

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    Historically high inflation rates have increased our cost of living, leaving many of us faced with difficult decisions of what to cut in the family budget. When it comes to grocery shopping, it becomes especially challenging. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for June released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery store food prices increased 12.2% over the last 12 months, the quickest pace since 1979.

    While it may appear like only a $1 or $2 difference, all of the increases add up to a shockingly higher bill at check out. Studies also show that eating healthy can cost an additional $1.50 per person per day. These two factors may result in people choosing less healthy food choices.

    Tiffany Rios, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with Shore Physicians Group, has prepared some tips to help you eat healthy while being mindful of your wallet.

    1. Try plant-based recipes 3 days a week. Plant-based proteins such as organic tofu, tempeh, beans and lentils are roughly half the price of their meat counterparts. For example, red meat and chicken prices are about $6 a pound, whereas tofu is $2.79 a pound, and beans range between $2 and $3 per pound. “For delicious and affordable recipes using plant-based proteins, check out BudgetBytes.com. One of my favorites is the tofu peanut noodle bowl.
    2. Buy in-season vegetables and avoid pre-cut or washed vegetables. For example, a head of broccoli is under $2, but a bag of broccoli florets is upwards of $4 or more. Fresh bundled spinach is $2.74 compared to its pre-washed and sold-in-a-plastic-container counterpart is at a minimum $4.
    3. Buy dry goods or canned goods in bulk. Bulk purchasing is almost always cheaper per unit (especially when there is a sale). It can help you have plenty of healthy ingredients for low-cost bulk meal preparation—for example, quinoa, brown rice, peanut butter, and beans.
    4. Canned tuna/sardines/salmon are typically less expensive than fresh fish. They also have roughly the same nutritional value.
    5. Reduce consumption of processed foods. Many processed foods are costly as well as unhealthy! Fortune magazine asked Datasembly to analyze everyday grocery products, and some of their numbers may astound you. Items such as Lay’s potato chips increased in price by 38%, from $3.55 to $4.90. Cereals are among other processed foods that, while they don’t offer much protein and satiating nutrients, can be priced at $8 a box.

    Tiffany Rios is treating patients at Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division, located at 18 West New York Ave in Somers Point, NJ. For more information on Tiffany Rios’ services and additional articles featuring Tiffany’s recommendations, click here.

  5. Shore Physicians Group to Open Mays Landing
    Primary Care Office September 6

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    Primary Care Office September 6

    Shore Physicians Group (SPG) announced today that it will open a new primary care office in Mays Landing at the Festival at Hamilton, next to HomeGoods, located at 4450 E. Black Horse Pike. Primary care providers Alexandra Buford, DO, and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, will begin seeing patients full time at the new location on Tuesday, September 6, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division will also have office hours in Mays Landing on select days. The new location features the latest medical technology, spacious offices and convenient parking.

    Dr. Alexandra Buford and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, both have ties to Mays Landing and are proud to return to care for the community. Dr. Buford grew up in Mays Landing and attended Stockton University for her undergraduate degree and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. She then served full-time in the United States Air Force and continues to serve in the Reserves one weekend a month as a physician at Langley Air Force Base. She has special training in allergy medicine and aerospace medicine and is especially passionate about women’s health.

    Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, started her Shore Physicians Group career in 2017 as a provider at SPG’s former Mays Landing office and temporarily transitioned to SPG’s Northfield office. Nunan received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Nursing and a post-master’s certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from LaSalle University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Chatham University. A native of Cape Cod, Mass., and Haddonfield, NJ, Nunan is proud to return to Mays Landing to care for the community.

    Dr. Buford and Cindy Nunan, DNP, FNP-BC, are accepting new patients. To make an appointment with either provider, call 609-365-6217.

  6. Shore Physicians Group Launches “Dietitian Approved” Partnership with Goji Juice Bar in Somers Point to Promote Health and Nutrition “On the Go”

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    Shore Physicians Group announces its new “Dietitian Approved” partnership with Goji Juice Bar in Somers Point designed to encourage healthy choices for those who are constantly “On the Go.” Each month, Goji will feature a special menu selection that has been endorsed by Tiffany Rios, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division. The “Tiffany Approved” item will be promoted in the store and on social media with a listing of its nutritional components, how those nutrients benefit health, calories, and special pricing.

    “Our lives are so busy these days and we are pulled in 100 directions. So when the kids are late for practice, the emails keep coming in, and the laundry’s piling up to the ceiling, we don’t always make the time to prepare a healthy meal at home,” said Rios. “The number one barrier to eating healthy that I hear from patients is that they don’t have time to cook and don’t have access to healthy items on the go. One of my patients said, verbatim, ‘I like healthy food, I just don’t have time to make it.’”

    Along with lack of time, Tiffany Rios feels that another barrier to eating healthier is that people do not know how to create meals balanced with carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibers. “Part of what I do in my practice is help patients build meals with the macronutrients needed to feel satisfied, while also balancing blood sugars and improving energy,” said Rios. “I’m always looking for meals packed with nutrient density found in plants, proteins, and healthy fats – especially with high fiber carbohydrates like beans, greens, and berries.”

    “Goji offers options that are quick, nutritious and taste great, right here in Somers Point. Goji offers healthy smoothies, salads and more, conveniently ready for those on the go. I’m thrilled to be working with the Goji team to develop and promote these nutritious offerings to the community,” Tiffany added.

    Julia Lindsay, co-found of Goji, said, “When my husband Scott and I founded Goji in May 2019, we wanted to create a place for those with active lifestyles who were looking for nutritious options instead of fast food. We have achieved our mission of making nourishing food affordable, accessible, and approachable and as parents, it will also always remain important to us. Tiffany has long been a customer, so it’s great to have her genuine seal of approval from a taste and service vantage point as well as her expertise in nutrition.”

    While all the menu items at Goji are packed with nutrition, the first official “Dietitian Approved” item at Goji will be the Aerosmith smoothie. Cauliflower, cherries, cinnamon, almond butter and coconut are among the superstar ingredients. The cauliflower, cherries and berries are packed with fibrous carbohydrates and antioxidants which, in combination with pea protein and healthy fats, help slow sugar absorption into the bloodstream. Topping it off with cinnamon solidifies this delicious blood sugar balancing act. One can add kale, and a touch of maca for extra energy and antioxidants. The Aerosmith smoothie is $9 with an additional $1.50 if kale and maca are added.

    Goji is located at 520 New Road in Somers Point and is open seven days a week on the following schedule: Monday, 9a-6p, Tues-Sat 8a-6p; Sunday 8a-3:30p. Customers can order and pick up through the convenient drive through, and they can also call 609.800.4654 in advance for quick pick up.

    Rios is currently treating patients at Shore Physicians Group’s Endocrinology Division, located at 18 West New York Ave, Somers Point, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Rios, call 609-365-5300.

  7. Tirzepatide Could Offer ‘Hope on the Horizon’ for Obese Patients

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    Last month, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article on the clinical trial of Tirzepatide – a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes – as a possible medication to treat obesity.

    More than 2,500 adults with a body-mass index of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one weight-related complication, took place in the 72-week study. The study concludes that 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg of Tirzepatide once weekly provided substantial and sustained reductions in body weight.

    “Tirzepatide is now under FDA review for treating obesity, and hopefully, we will be able to start treating patients by the end of the year,” said Dr. Maria Cerna, internal medicine physician with Shore Physicians Group. “We’ve seen medications like Semaglutide, approved by the FDA in August 2021, help people lose up to 15 percent of their body weight. This clinical trial of Tirzepatide showed that patients could lose up to 21 percent.”

    “We live in an obesogenic environment and, as a result, have become too sedentary. It is projected that by 2030, 50 percent of the United States population will be obese. We used to have to get up to change the channel, answer the phone, turn on the stereo and make a meal. Now, we have remote controls, smartphones, Alexa and Door Dash.

    “Obesity is a disease, just like hypertension and diabetes are diseases,” added Dr. Cerna. We need to treat it like a disease. It’s my responsibility as a physician to do whatever I can to help people manage it so they can lead healthy lives. Medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are ‘Hope on the Horizon’ for a lot of people.”

    Obesity affects nearly every part of the body, including:

    • the respiratory system and sleep (sleep apnea; asthma; breathlessness)
    • the digestive system (GERD; gallbladder disease & gallstones; eating disorders)
    • the reproductive system (menstrual problems; pregnancy complications; infertility; impotence; congenital disabilities; PCOS-polycystic ovary syndrome)
    • the endocrine system (pancreatitis; fatty pancreas)
    • the cardiovascular system (heart attack; elevated cholesterol/atherosclerosis; abnormal heart rhythms; hypertension; peripheral vascular disease; stroke)
    • mental health (depression)
    • liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-NALD; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-NASH)
    • kidneys (kidney stones; chronic kidney disease-CKD)
    • the musculoskeletal system (osteoarthritis in the back, hips, knees; gout)
    • the immune system (inflammation; lowered immunity)

    There are multiple medications used to treat obesity (Semaglutide is an example, and, upon approval, Tirzepatide) that providers administer to patients through a series of weekly injections. Injections begin at 5mg, slowly progressing to higher doses so the body can get used to it. The medication signals to the brain that the stomach is full, thereby curbing the patient’s appetite and food intake. Though the patient is not physically “full,” the patient could feel nausea if they eat more than the brain signals is needed.

    Patients are closely monitored by their healthcare provider, with a keen eye on side effects, which include a variety of GI issues. Another concern of these medications is that they are expensive, so patients interested in pursuing this treatment must contact their insurance provider.

    Dr. Maria Cerna is an internal medicine provider with Shore Physicians Group. She is treating patients in the SPG office at 2605 Shore Road in Northfield. To learn more, or for an appointment with Dr. Cerna, click here.

  8. Don’t Get Ticked: Tips to Prevent Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

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    With a 28-acre farm, Shore Urgent Care Physician, Dr. John Kulin knows a thing or two about tick bites. “I work on our farm every weekend. It’s normal for me to get at least a couple of tick bites over the course of a weekend,” says Dr. Kulin. But Dr. Kulin has only once developed the tell-tale bullseye Lyme disease rash. “Most tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease aren’t transmitted until a tick has been on your skin for 24 hours or more. If you are diligent about preventing tick bites, checking for and removing ticks promptly, and getting treatment if necessary, you can prevent tick-borne illnesses.”

    “When left untreated, tick-borne illnesses can lead to various debilitating chronic conditions, including heart disease, nervous system disorders and painful arthritis. When caught early, a simple antibiotic like doxycycline can be used to treat most tick-borne illnesses,” says Dr. Kulin.

    Ticks: The Climate and COVID Conundrum

    Ticks are becoming more of a problem. Winters in our region are warmer now, giving ticks more time to reproduce and spread disease. In fact, according to the CDC, the number of reported illnesses from ticks and other disease-carrying insects more than doubled between 2004 and 2018. Dr. Kulin says COVID also complicates things.

    “Most tick-borne illnesses present flu-like symptoms a few weeks after the bite – fever, chills, and muscle and joint aches. Before COVID, if someone came to Shore Urgent Care with those symptoms in the summer, we’d strongly consider a tick-borne illness. But since COVID occurs year-round, we must consider COVID along with potential tick-borne illnesses,” said Dr. Kulin. “It’s important to know what’s causing your symptoms.”

    Avoiding Ticks

    Ticks are no fun, but they shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. Follow these tips from Dr. Kulin so you can enjoy your summer while minimizing your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness:

    Use Insecticides and Repellents

    • Permethrin: Permethrin is a synthetic insecticide that mimics chrysanthemum extract and kills ticks soon after they come in contact with your clothing. You can pre-treat your clothing with permethrin, which will last through several wash cycles, or you can even buy pre-treated clothing. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
    • DEET: Dr. Kulin says DEET is still a hallmark of insect repellents. “There are loads of natural options, but none have proven as effective as DEET regarding ticks. Be sure the DEET concentration is 30% or less, especially if using on kids.”

    Avoid Tick Hangouts

    Ticks aren’t fond of well-manicured yards, but if you live in a more rural area or tend to let nature take its course in your yard, try to be more diligent in keeping ticks away:

    • Clear tall grasses and shrubs around the home and perimeter.
    • Keep the yard mowed and leaves raked.
    • Place a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or rocks around your yard, patio and play areas to keep ticks out if woods or fields surround you.
    • Stay centered. Use well-traveled trails whenever possible and stay in the center where there is less likely to be underbrush or long grasses and, thus, ticks.

    Dress the Part

    If you’re going out in a tick-friendly area, try to wear the following:

    • Light-colored clothing. It will make it easier to spot a tick later.
    • Long pants and long sleeves. Wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts tucked into pants, and pants tucked into socks.
    • Closed-toed shoes. Sandals are an open invitation to ticks! Wear sneakers or hiking boots instead.

    Checking for Ticks

    After a day in the outdoors, it’s important to prevent ticks from hanging around long enough to bite you:

    • First, check your clothing for ticks.
    • Throw your clothes in the dryer for at least 10 minutes on high heat before washing to kill any ticks. Then you can wash them as usual. If you wash first, wash in hot water.
    • Check your whole body. Ticks tend to go toward areas of restriction – behind the knees, armpits, groin, belt line, ankles, and any skin fold. Stand in front of a full-length mirror, and ask a close friend or relative to check the hard-to-see spots like your back, head and ears.
    • Take a shower. Shower within two hours of coming indoors. Showering can wash unattached ticks down the drain.

    Removing Ticks

    • Use fine-tipped tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible. Pull steadily upward without twisting, and avoid squeezing the tick, as it can push more of the bacteria into your body.
    • Make sure you remove the head and mouth parts. If not, try to get them out with tweezers. If it’s still too difficult, visit urgent care. They can safely remove it for you, so it doesn’t continue to infect you.
    • Wash the area with soap and warm water.
    • Dispose of ticks by flushing, burning, placing them in alcohol, or folding them in tape and tossing them. Never throw them in the garbage alive – they can crawl out and find you again.
    • Don’t save the tick for testing, but do try to identify it. Just because a tick tests positive for Lyme doesn’t mean you will. Your doctor can order a tick-borne illness blood test to help diagnose you. Knowing the species of tick can help determine what disease you may have possibly contracted.

    When to Seek Treatment

    • If you think the tick has been in 24 hrs or longer. “If you come in with an engorged tick that’s probably been on you for 24+ hours, we’ll most likely recommend an antibiotic because we’re in an endemic tick region,” Dr. Kulin says. “Your medical provider will determine the best course of action based on your risk factors.”
    • If you develop symptoms. Dr. Kulin says you should see a medical provider right away, either your primary care or an urgent care, if you can’t see your regular provider. “If you come in with symptoms and two or three weeks ago you had a tick bite, we’re also going to run a blood test for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. If the test is negative, we may still treat you with a round of doxycycline because if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck, and we don’t want to miss an opportunity.”

    Dr. Kulin also strongly recommends that people follow up six weeks later for a titer check. “If your initial test is negative, you may not have had enough of a response to detect it. The 6-week follow-up test can catch it. Even if you are positive initially, the follow up titer check can confirm whether it’s treated and gone and reassure us that the antibiotic did its job.”

    Dr. John Kulin is a physician at Shore Urgent Care, located at 2605 Shore Road in Northfield, where they offer quick, high quality urgent care seven days a week. Shore Urgent Care is open Monday-Friday, 8am – 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm. For more information, call 609-365-5333 or click here.

  9. Make Annual Well Visits a Priority to Stay Heart Healthy

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    June is National Men’s Health Month

    As an internal medicine physician with Shore Physicians Group’s Northfield office, Dr. Maria Cerna is just as passionate about helping her patients prevent illness as she is about treating them when they are sick. However, in order to help her patients remain healthy, they first need to come see her for their annual well visits – something most men are reluctant to do. In fact, in the 2019 Cleveland Clinic MENtion It® study, they found that 72% of men would rather do household chores than see the doctor – including mowing the lawn and cleaning the bathroom.

    Prevention First

    June is Men’s Health Month, which Dr. Cerna sees as a great time to encourage men to make annual well visits an important part of their lives. Dr. Cerna cites some concerning statistics about men’s health from the CDC and the Cleveland Clinic study:

    • Men die on average 5 years earlier than women
    • 60% of men don’t go to the doctor unless seriously ill
    • 65% of men try to self-diagnose before going to the doctor
    • 82% of men say they try to stay healthy to live longer for friends and family who rely on them, yet only 50% engage in preventative care
    • 20% of men admit they have not been honest with their doctor, citing concerns with feeling a sense of shame or judgment

    While these statistics may be startling, Dr. Cerna sees it as an opportunity to help encourage men to see their doctor each year and get regular health screenings.

    “Quality health care for everyone includes appropriate preventive care to attempt to lessen future health decline, which should be an important aspect of any medical practice. I encourage all my patients to get regular health screenings for early detection and treatment of multiple diseases including heart disease, cancer and depression,” said Dr. Cerna.

    Heart Disease is the #1 Killer

    One of the most serious health issues in men is heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart attacks cause 1 in 4 deaths in men, followed by cancer which kills 1 in 5 men.

    “High blood pressure is the number one factor that leads to heart disease and more than 50% of men unknowingly have high blood pressure. Most of the time these conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early. More than 40% of men above age 20 are obese which contributes to heart disease,” says Dr. Cerna.

    Know Your Numbers

    Dr. Cerna says that knowing simple things like your numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI can help identify problems early before they become potentially full blown serious health issues. “Knowing your cardiovascular disease risk score (ASCVD score) helps us make appropriate decisions regarding treatment and prevention. One of the easiest ways to get your ASCVD risk score is at your annual physical exam,” says Dr. Cerna.

    The great news about improving cardiovascular health, Dr. Cerna says, is that there are many small steps she can help her male patients with to lower their risk of heart disease. Checking in with your doctor once a year can help keep you track with those lifestyle changes, which include:

    • Exercising: Dr. Cerna recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity 4-5 times a week. She says, “Inactive people are twice as likely to develop heart disease. Once you start exercising regularly, it won’t feel like such a chore because you will start feeling much better!”
    • Quitting smoking: Seek help from free quit resources, such NJ Quit Line. Just call 1-866-NJSTOPS to get started!
    • Adding more fruits and veggies to your diet: According to the CDC, only 1 in 10 adults eats enough fruits and vegetables. Adult men need at least 2 cups of fruit and 3½ cups of vegetables each day. A dietitian can help you develop a healthier eating plan and stick to it.
    • Limiting alcohol intake: The American Heart Association recommends men have no more than two drinks per day.
    • Making prevention a priority: See your doctor every year and make sure you’re getting recommended health screenings.

    Dr. Cerna said that it is never too early to start taking care of yourself and making regular doctors’ visits a priority. She shares this quote by Robert Baden-Powell, a British soldier, national hero, educator and writer who founded the Scouting movement: “Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.”

    “This is the best time to empower men to make time to develop a health plan, just like you make a financial plan. Remember, you will not be able to enjoy that money if you do not plan for a good health.”

    Dr. Maria Cerna is a primary care physician with Shore Physicians Group’s Northfield office located at 2605 Shore Road. Dr. Cerna is fluent in English and Spanish. To learn more and schedule an appointment, please call the Northfield office at 609-365-5300.

  10. How the MIND Diet can Improve Brain Health

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    By Tiffany Rios, RD, CDE
    Registered Dietician, Shore Physicians Group

    As we age, it is natural for our minds to show signs of slowing down. Due to normal brain changes, we may find it more challenging to multitask or remember what we had for lunch yesterday. But there are things we can all do to prevent or slow cognitive decline with age and reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. One of those ways is through diet, particularly the MIND diet.

    MIND stands for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It is a fairly new diet first published in 2015 by Nutritional Epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris and a team of researchers with Rush University Medical Center. It combines two heart-healthy diets—DASH and Mediterranean—and is predominantly plant-based with a moderate amount of animal products.

    Plant-based diets are high in polyphenols and green leafy vegetables, which have been shown to slow cognitive decline. Plant-based diets are also high in Vitamin E because they generally contain nuts, seeds, and plant oils like olive oil and avocado oil. Fruits such as berries are also prominent in plant-based diets, and have been shown to decrease neuron loss and improve memory performance in relatively large scientific studies.

    What’s more, potassium, sodium, and magnesium are essential blood pressure and cell signaling regulators. The MIND diet balances them by reducing processed foods and providing a base of foods like kale, spinach, fruits, and seafood.

    Additionally, elevated blood sugar can create inflammation which impacts every organ in the body, including the brain. Since the MIND diet is high in plant-based fiber, it can help slow digestion to release glucose at a slower pace, which can lower a person’s A1C and support regulating blood sugar.

    You won’t find processed and packaged foods like fried potato chips, cookies, and all-purpose flour-based products with the MIND diet. Instead, it emphasizes whole grains like quinoa or brown rice. It also supports a reduction in fried foods, fatty conventionally grown beef, and limits poultry to twice a week. Plenty of vegetables and plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are allowed in the MIND diet.

    I would recommend the MIND diet as a preventative diet against Alzheimer’s and as a diet that supports overall health.

    Tiffany Rios treats patients at the Shore Physicians Group Endocrinology office, located at 18 West New York Avenue in Somers Point, NJ. To learn more or make an appointment with Tiffany, call 609.365.5300.

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