Category Archive: Shore Physicians Group News

1. Beating that Ho Ho Holiday Stress

   December 5, 2018 6:17 am Comments Off on Beating that Ho Ho Holiday Stress

   The holiday lights, the music and the songs are here in full swing but not everyone is happy to see the holidays approaching, and according to Shore Physicians Group Internist, Dr. Ulices Perez, some people can be downright sad during the holidays and he had some suggestions for what families might do to help their loved ones cope with the season.

   Perez said for many, the level of joy at the holidays is directly affected by their life conditions. He spoke of a recent patient who said they often experience sadness at the holidays. To understand his patient, Perez said he wanted to learn more about the root cause of his problem. “Speaking with my patient’s wife I learned that he was an only child and orphaned when he was very young and never had any brothers or sisters in his life and that around the holidays that joyful and sharing part of his life was missing. Later he had his own family but now that they are all grown and he does not get to see them as often as he would like, it really bothers him around the holidays.”

   Perez said there are so many things to celebrate and to be joyful about at holiday time that include spending time with family and friends. In so many cultures, the holidays mark party time but for some, but at the same time the arrival of the cold weather along with the holidays trigger depression. “Seasonal depression is a real thing. There are patients who have difficulties as the days get shorter. Basically it is the lack of exposure to the sun,” said Perez. “They are missing the stimulus of the melatonin and they are finding themselves less energetic and will often not have the drive to do more. It might be 4 p.m. and they may want to take a nap rather than start something new.”

   The physician said he tells his patients the first thing they need to do is expose themselves to things that normally bring them joy. “You need to go to the mall, walk around, take in the sights and sounds all around and force yourself into increased physical activity. While some patients might complain at first, once they start to increase their activity level they will begin to feel better,” said Perez. “You have to keep doing things that make you feel better.”

   But Dr. Perez warned of red flags that signal the person will need more to cope with their feelings. “When it’s not just a seasonal mood disorder, when a person experiences definite changes then it is time to look for help,” said Perez. “When a person is unable to sleep, they are anxious and stressed, that is not just a seasonal type of depression that they need to sit down and talk to their doctor about. I tell family members to look for red flags like the person takes no joy in the things that they have normally enjoyed, for example if a person enjoyed watching TV and all of a sudden will not even watch something on the TV you should note that and discuss that with your doctor. We are getting more pro-active and pre-screen patients who may be at a greater risk for depression. That depression in the elderly is even greater according to Perez. “Their kids are gone, they are often living alone and they are lonesome. Depression in the elderly is significantly more common than people might think.

   As for dealing with the stress of the holidays, Perez noted that some of that is a creation of our society. “We have people spending a lot of money and possibly buying things that they do not need out of a kind of pressure because others are doing it and it is the holidays. I remind people not to fall into that trap as it will only create more problems.”

   Dr. Ulices Perez is a member of Shore Physicians Group with offices located at 9710 Ventnor Ave. in Margate, call 609-822-4800 and also Harbor Village Shopping Plaza, 501 Zion Rd. Egg Harbor Township, call 609-927-8069.

2. Five Ways to Weather Seasonal Arthritic Pain

   September 5, 2018 1:39 am Comments Off on Five Ways to Weather Seasonal Arthritic Pain

   Arthritis can make you feel like you have a built-in barometer in your body that lets you know – quite painfully – when bad weather is brewing. It’s probably a talent you’d gladly trade in, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to manage your weather-triggered arthritic pain.

   With the cooler, wet weather approaching, now is a perfect time to adopt habits that can keep weather-related arthritic pain at bay. We checked in with Manpreet Tiwana, MD, a rheumatologist with Shore Physicians Group’s Bethel Road office in Somers Point, who offers this advice for getting through bouts of bad weather:

   1. Stay Active: You might be worried that exercise will exacerbate your arthritis and joint pain, but it is actually one of the most important steps you can take to reduce pain. Exercise helps because it helps reduce the swelling. The best exercises for people with arthritis are water-based activities, like swimming and aqua aerobics, and non-weight-bearing exercises like riding a bike. Joining a fitness center with an indoor pool can help you develop a consistent routine. “It’s important to make exercise a part of your everyday life to avoid deconditioning and maintain good muscle and joint health,” says Dr. Tiwana. “If you need help, talk to your doctor about finding a physical therapist or fitness trainer who can help you find the right exercises and a consistent routine that works for you.”
   2. Watch Your Weight: “Excess weight on joints can increase discomfort, especially in weight bearing joints like the ankles, knees and hips,” Dr. Tiwana says. Try to also incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods that contain omega-3s, like salmon, mackerel, anchovies and walnuts. If you need help managing your weight, Shore offers an outpatient nutrition counseling program, which is covered by most insurance plans.
   3. Reduce Stress: Stress can worsen pain related to arthritis. “If you find you are often stressed, consider participating in activities like yoga, Pilates and meditation. These are great for overall wellbeing and controlling your discomfort.”
   4. Stay Hydrated: Another way to improve your arthritic pain is to simply increase your intake of water. The recommended rule is 64 oz. of water in a day. You may need even more when you are active or in hot weather. “Drinking enough water each day is not just beneficial for our overall health and wellbeing, but it also helps with joint pain. Certain inflammatory types of arthritis, like gout, are more likely to occur when you are dehydrated. Avoid drinking sugary drinks, as they dehydrate you. Not only that, sugar itself has an inflammatory potential, so it can actually trigger joint pain.”
   5. Rest after Activity: Make sure you give your body ample time to rest after activities and at the end of the day. “Get a good night’s sleep, try a relaxing warm bath, or even a light massage. These are very helpful for reviving your body and mind,” says Dr. Tiwana.

   By following the recommendations above, you can better manage your weather-related arthritic pain.  However, if you need help with lifestyle changes, consider seeking help from the appropriate professionals. If you suspect you may have arthritis but have not yet been diagnosed, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists like Dr. Tiwana specialize in arthritis and diseases of the muscles, bones and joints and they can develop a treatment plan to help you manage your joint pain.

   To schedule an appointment with Dr. Tiwana, contact 609-365-6200. To learn more about Shore Physicians Group’s Rheumatology Division, visit https://www.shorephysiciansgroup.com/shore-physicians-group-specialties/rheumatology/