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Flu Questions Answered

With all of the concern this year about H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines, we asked Jenny Lee, MD to help answer some of the questions you might have heading into this flu season.

What are the symptoms of each, and how can I tell if i have either?

Both H1N1 and the seasonal flu can include symptoms such as fever (typically greater than 100.5), cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with H1N1 flu have dizziness, diarrhea and vomiting.

If I am showing symptoms, what’s the best thing I could do?

Stay home. If you cough or sneeze, you should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterward, wash your hands. That will help prevent your flu from spreading. If you have only mild flu symptoms, you do not need medical attention unless your illness gets worse. But if you are in one of the groups at high risk, such as pregnant women, children or young adults, contact your Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group physician at the first sign of flu-like illness.

Am I at risk of catching H1N1?

While all individuals are at risk of contracting the virus, many severe cases of H1N1 have been with pregnant women, children and young adults. These groups are also among the first priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine when it’s available.

I heard H1N1 has been classified as a pandemic. What does that mean?

Pandemic simply means the flu is geographically widespread. The severity of the flu is not a factor in this classification.

Can I get the H1N1 vaccine through my NMPG physician?

The government is distributing all the H1N1 vaccine based on the population’s risk for catching the virus. Priority will first go to children and young adults, as well as pregnant woman. Our NMPG Pediatric and OB offices plan to carry the vaccine and provide it to our existing patients. The first shipment of the vaccine is expected in October, at the earliest. It is still unclear as to when (and if) the internal medicine offices will carry the H1N1 vaccine. Those with compromised immune systems and high risk for complications will have priority since there will not be enough vaccine for all. For additional information about the H1N1 vaccine, visit the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.com.

What about the regular flu season? What can I do to protect myself and family?

The best defense for the seasonal flu is vaccination. You can walk in or schedule your seasonal flu shot right now at any of our NMPG offices. All NMPG offices have the seasonal flu vaccination available, and walk-in appointments are encouraged. Please check nmpg.com/flu for our flu clinic hours and locations.

The Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness's
Cancer Program

Cancer treatments have varying side effects from mild to severe and can affect patients both emotionally and physically. Our Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness (CIMW) offers a program for cancer patients undergoing treatment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with complementary therapies. The program is sponsored by a generous donation from the Northwestern Memorial Foundation. With the permission of your physician, the first five treatments are offered at no cost to you.

Based on individual needs, integrative medicine disciplines involved in the program could include: naturopathic medicine; sexual health; energy medicine; smoking cessation; acupuncture; and massage therapy. All complementary therapies are coordinated with the patient’s oncologist.

Since the program began in the spring of 2009, more than 40 cancer patients have participated. The following are just some examples of complementary therapies and demonstrate how they could be utilized with cancer treatments:

Naturopathic Medicine

Our naturopath practitioner at CIMW helps manage side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation, using various Naturopathic Medicine modalities such as herbs, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and nutrition. Our practitioner addresses cancer treatment side effects including weight loss, nausea and GI problems.

Massage Therapy

In addition to the well-documented benefits of massage, touch in general conveys a sense of warmth, caring, security and comfort. Massage helps patients manage emotional and physical stress, as well as other challenging symptoms such as pain, tension, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety.

Energy Medicine Therapies (Healing Touch)

With energy-based therapies, a specially-trained practitioner uses his or her hands to transmit energy to a recipient to promote healing and overall wellness. Energy therapies may help cancer patients manage: pain; nausea; anxiety and/or depression; and aid in recovery after surgery.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an integral component of traditional Chinese medicine, a holistic, energy-based approach to healthcare that is more than 2,000 years old. Acupuncture has been found to be useful for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting and for the treatment of radiation-induced dry mouth.

If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact Sherri Peavy at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness at speavy@nmh.org.

NMPG Now Eases Back Pain

For many years, chiropractic treatment has been the most popular, non-surgical back therapy. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat all spine-related conditions without invasive procedures. Patients typically see significant improvement in their symptoms within two to four weeks of starting treatment.

At NMPG’s Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness (CIMW), our new chiropractor, Brian Anderson DC, MPH, uses only evidence-based techniques. Some of the more common conditions or symptoms he treats include: scoliosis; sciatica; herniated discs; stenosis; arthritis; muscular pain; symptoms related to motor vehicle accidents; work related injuries or sports injuries; and headaches.

“I have had chronic headaches and neck tightness for years, and both have improved since I started seeing Dr. Anderson,” said Jennifer Miller, patient. “I have definitely noticed an improvement in my neck mobility as well.”

Back pain is another common condition that can be treated by visiting a chiropractor. The natural course of back pain indicates that it will often resolve within a few weeks on its own. However, if it does heal on its own, research shows that back pain has a very high recurrence rate. Proper treatment can prevent recurrence in a good percentage of cases. Dr. Anderson’s treatment strategy follows a threefold approach which includes massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation and spinal rehabilitation.

“I have had chronic back pain for 20 years and tried physical therapy, yet nothing has been as effective as my work with Dr. Anderson,” said Patty Olson, patient. “He is an approachable clinician who has really helped me take the time to do exercises to improve my posture and reduce my pain.”

Some patients benefit from additional treatment beyond what a chiropractor can offer. Given that Dr. Anderson’s practice is within CIMW, a variety of providers are available for consultation, when appropriate. We often collaborate with acupuncturists, psychologists and medical providers of various specialties to offer you the best possible treatment.

For more information on chiropractic care or to make an appointment with Dr. Anderson, visit us online at nmpg.com or call 312-926-DOCS (3627).

New NMPG Internal Medicine Location in Lincoln Park/SoNo

With the opening of our newest Internal Medicine location in Lincoln Park/SoNo, NMPG is proud to introduce a new way to treat our patients. The Patient-Centered Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care through partnerships between patients and our NMPG providers and, when appropriate, the patient’s family.

“The goal of this model is to strengthen the physician-patient relationship so that we can help prevent as many health problems as we can before they become more serious,” said Eric Christoff, MD. “Our team will work with you to help manage your existing medical issues, and build a long-term relationship with you so we can keep you healthy.”

Joining Dr. Christoff at this new location is Lisa Orelind, MD, and one of our newest staff members Sarah Finkle-Fyffe, PA. The addition of a Physician Assistant to your care team is also one of the new changes you can expect to see at this location. This allows for increased access to medical staff and strengthens our team approach to care.

As part of our commitment to your care, we strive to provide greater accessibility, continuity of care, and comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate and culturally-appropriate treatment. Both Drs. Christoff and Orelind will continue to see their current patients at this new location. New patients are also welcome. To schedule an appointment at our newest office, please call 312-926-DOCS (3627).

Welcome to Our Newest Providers

Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness
Streeterville

Catherine Cheng, MD , Primary Care
John Stracks, MD ,Integrative Medicine
Brian Anderson, DC ,Chiropractic Medicine
Renee Genova, LMT, Massage Therapy

Dermatology
River North

Jill Weinstein, MD

Internal Medicine
Lincoln Park/SoNo
Sarah Fynke-Fyffe, PA

Lincoln Park/Lakeview
Paul Pickering, MD

Loop
Kevin Myrie, MD
Dimitra Tsatsoulis, MD

Northbrook
Evan Lu, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Streeterville
Eileen Good, CNM , Midwife
Leslie Lo, DPT , OB/GYN Physical Therapy
Jennifer Reynolds, DPT , OB/GYN Physical Therapy

Call 312-926-DOCS (3627) to schedule an appointment with any of our new providers.

NMPG is on the Move!

To better serve our patients, NMPG has opened a new location on Halsted Street in Lincoln Park, just south of North Avenue. We have relocated our Chicago Pediatrics office here and have opened a new internal medicine practice. In addition, Corporate Health and Travel Medicine have relocated across the street to a new, expanded space

New Locations
Corporate Health
Streeterville
(formally Galter Pavilion)
676 N. St. Clair Street,
Suite 900
Chicago, IL. 60611
312-926-8282


Travel Medicine
Streeterville
(formally Galter Pavilion)
676 N. St. Clair Street,
Suite 900
Chicago, IL. 60611
312-926-3155


Internal Medicine
Lincoln Park/SoNo
1460 N. Halsted Street,
Suite 504
Chicago, IL. 60642
312-926-DOCS (3627)


Pediatrics
Lincoln Park/SoNo
1460 N. Halsted Street,
Suite 502
Chicago, IL. 60642
312-926-PEDS (7337)


With these moves and expanded locations, we are working to make your visits easier and more convenient. All office hours and phone numbers remain the same.

Visit Our Nutrition Blog

The Center for Partnership Medicine, NMPG’s home for executive and concierge healthcare, now has its own blog on diet and nutrition. The chief contributor on www.cpmrd.blogspot.com is Gretchen Peyton, RD, LDN, CNSD.

Ms. Peyton is a registered dietitian (RD), a licensed dietitian and nutritionist (LDN) and a certified nutrition support dietitian (CNSD). She is also a certified specialist in adult weight management. Ms. Peyton is the Chicago media representative for the Illinois Dietetic Association.

Visit our blog for healthy eating tips, recipes and more information about nutrition topics: www.cpmrd.blogspot.com.