Q. My new year’s resolution is to take better care of my health. What’s the best way to start?
A. The most important step you can take is to stay on track with routine screenings, including your annual physical, mammograms, pap smears, and colonoscopies — even if you are feeling well! Preventive care can identify underlying conditions that might have no symptoms and otherwise go undetected. Catching diseases in their early stages, when they can be treated and potentially cured, can make a significant difference in your health — and even lead to a longer life.
Dr. Jason Holdych is an Internal Medicine physician at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Larchmont. To make an appointment, call 914.849.7400.
Q. Heart disease runs in my family, and I read that shoveling can cause heart attacks. Should I be concerned?
A. While it’s important to stay active, we advise patients with heart disease or other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of smoking, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, to avoid shoveling. Cold weather makes the arteries constrict and increases the blood’s ability to clot. The cold, combined with activity that may increase blood pressure — like shoveling snow and following it with a cup of hot caffeinated coffee to warm up afterward — could trigger a cardiac event.
Dr. Gabriela Anamaria Grasa is a Cardiologist at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates. For an appointment, call 914.849.4800.
Q. The winter weather does a number on my skin. How can I keep it healthy?
A. Lighter moisturizers may not be enough to protect your skin from winter’s harsh conditions, so consider switching to creams, balms, or oils. Look for facial cleansers that say “gentle” and “moisturizing” on the bottle, and avoid those that contain alcohol, as this can dry out your skin. If you have very dry skin, minimize use of exfoliants containing glycolic acid or retinol or use them only every other day. The sun’s UV rays can cause just as much damage to your skin in the winter as in the summer, especially if you are skiing, so it’s important to wear sunscreen every day.
Dr. Anisha Kumar is the Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at White Plains Hospital. For an appointment, call 914.849.3755.
White Plains Hospital
41 E Post Rd
White Plains
914.681.0600
www.wphospital.org
