lifecycles logo revised  Bilof

Table of Contents 

 

ANSwers Live Features The Rubino OBGYN Group

  

Women And Strokes

 

Healthy Living: Heels to Laces

    

Office Announcements  

 

Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List

 

Our Offices

 

101 Old Short Hills Rd
Atkins-Kent Building, Suite 101
W. Orange, NJ 07052
973-736-1100

 

33 Overlook Rd.
MAC Building
Suite 108
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-4558

731 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002

201-339-3300

 

1119 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066
732-396-1881

Physicians

Robert J. Rubino,

M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

 

Audrey A. Romero, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

 

Lisa Abeshaus,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  
Jacqueline Saitta, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Allan D. Kessel,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  
Diana Huang,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  
Priya R. Patel,
M.D., MPH
  
Howard D. Fox,
D.O., F.A.C.O.G.
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Sign up for your PHR (Personal Health Records) - right on our website:  
 
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Medical Fact

 "I didn't know that!"
  
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 55,000 more women than men have a stroke each year.   
JANUARY2014
Happy New Year From The Rubino OBGYN Group
We hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. We wish you a healthy and happy New Year.
  
In this month's newsletter, we summarize a recent ANSwers Live radio program featuring The Rubino OB/GYN Group. We also discuss women and strokes and how they can be prevented. In our Healthy Living section, we highlight a new local blog that focuses on health and fitness and learning how to maintain balance in life. And, you'll find a new interesting "Medical Fact". 
  
If there is topic you would like covered in our newsletter, please e-mail us at [email protected].

 

As always, we will continue to provide topics that are current, informative and important to your good health.  

Sincerely,
The Rubino OB/GYN Group

ANSwers Live: Dr. Kessel Featured on WMTRkessel

ANSwers Live:  In December, Dr. Allan Kessel participated in a radio program on WMTR 1250AM with Dr. Jaimie Morris from Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) on the topic of fertility.  Highlights of the issues discussed are below:

 

When should you speak to your GYN about fertility?

  • A woman should meet with her GYN if she under 35 and has tried to conceive for more than 1 year; or if trying for 6 months and over the age of 35. However, if the couple is older than 35, a discussion is appropriate at any time.

  • If there is a family history of premature menopause (prior to 40 years old) or any suggestive factor in the male partner (such as varicocele).

  • Women who are not trying to conceive, but approaching their mid-thirties, may want to consider an assessment of ovarian reserve (see below).  This is an individual decision that should be discussed with your doctor.

Most couples (85%) will conceive within one year.   However, in couples that do not, the majority do not have any major issue affecting their fertility.  

 

What should your OB/GYN do prior to referring to a fertility specialist?

  • Some basic tests your OB/GYN will conduct include hormonal tests to check the ovarian reserve: the primary test for this is a blood test called anti-mullerian hormone.  It gives a snapshot of how "fertile" the ovary is, and gives an idea of if and when a referral is needed to a fertility specialist.

  • A radiology test called a "HSG", or hysterosalpingogram, will be done to ensure the fallopian tubes are not blocked.  

  • The male partner will be referred for a semen analysis.

  • In select patients, up to three cycles of ovulation may be initiated with a medication called clomid.  This requires more frequent monitoring with blood work and ultrasound.

If a patient needs to be seen by a fertility specialist, what questions are important to ask of the specialist?

  • The most important factor is a group's delivery rate (rather than pregnancy rate).  This represents how many patients are actually going home with a baby, and excludes patients who may get pregnant but unfortunately have a miscarriage.  

  • Ask the rates of twins - the best obstetrical outcomes are with singleton pregnancies.  Many patients want twin pregnancies if they need to undergo fertility treatments.  However, singleton pregnancies are safer than twin pregnancies.  Obstetrical complications which increase with twin pregnancies include: pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, placental problems and loss of one or both of the fetuses.

  • Some fertility groups, such as RMA, also offer pre-implantation genetic determination (PGD)a method of determining that the embryos generated during IVF are chromosomally normal.  This practice greatly increases success rates with IVF by placing a chromosomally normal embryo in the uterus.   

It is a good idea for a couple to meet with your Rubino OB/GYN physician to discuss fertility when trying to conceive, as well as during the process to help optimize strategies to achieve pregnancy.  

 

It is advised couples start prenatal vitamins one month before starting trying to conceive.   Our group has excellent relationships with outstanding fertility groups in the area and are eager to collaborate with them to optimize our patients' fertility goals.  

The radio program will be posted in entirety in mid-January here.

Strokes in Women - Can They Be Prevented?stroke

A stroke is the rapid loss of brain function due to a disruption in the blood supply to the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain are either blocked by a clot or ruptures. Strokes effect twice as many women as breast cancer every year. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and is a major cause of adult disability.

 

Strokes cause paralysis, affect language and vision and cause other problems. Most women are not aware of the prevalence of strokes, what causes them or the symptoms. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, experts believe as many as 80% of strokes can be prevented.


Warning Signs

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding others
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden dizziness, loss of coordination or balance or trouble walking
  • Sudden severe headache with no obvious cause

Prior to these symptoms, women may also have the following warning signs with sudden onset: 

  • Nausea
  • Hiccups
  • Feeling of tiredness or weakness
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath
  • Racing heart

Getting help when someone is having a stroke can be instrumental in the damage that occurs. The acronym F.A.S.T. has been created to help patients get timely treatment. The stroke treatments are only effective if the stroke is diagnosed within 3 hours of first symptoms. If you think someone may be having a stroke, act FAST and do the following tests:

 

Face - Ask the person to smile and see if one side of their face droops

Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward

Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase and note if their speech is slurred or strange

Time - If you observe any of the above signs, call 9-1-1 immediately

 

There are certain risk factors or symptoms associated with women for strokes:

 

Age - a surge in strokes have occurred among women between 40 and 55 that have been tied to metabolic risk factors including increased abdominal weight and diabetes.

 

Family history - you are at an increased risk if someone close to you in your family has had a stroke including a parent, grandparent or sibling.

 

Ethnic background - African Americans have strokes earlier in their lives and have a higher risk of death from stroke. Hispanic Americans and Native Americans also have an increased risk.

 

High blood pressure, diabetes and obesity can increase the risk of stroke; high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor.

 

Cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and high cholesterol are controllable risk factors.

 

Prior stroke or symptoms of a stroke can increase your risk.

 

Migraines - women who suffer from migraines with visual issues can be up to 10 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

 

Oral contraceptives - women who take estrogen birth control pills may be twice as likely to have a stroke.

 

Other factors include: clotting disorders, hormone replacement therapy, menopause, increased abdominal weight and multiple miscarriages or pregnancies.

 

What you can do to help reduce your risk of stroke:

  • Stop smoking.
  • Maintain normal blood pressure - normal is less than 120/80.

  • Restrict salt intake if you have high blood pressure.

  • If you have an irregular heart beat, discuss with your health care provider the option of blood-thinning medication to prevent clots, depending on other risk factors.

  • Consume alcohol in moderation, or no more than one drink per day for women (a standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)

  • Have your cholesterol checked. Healthy cholesterol guidelines for individuals without heart disease are:

    • Total cholesterol levels less than 200 mg/dL
    • HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels 50 mg/dL or higher for women
    • LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
      • People who are at a low risk for heart disease: levels less than 160 mg/dL
      • People who are at an intermediate risk for heart disease: levels less than 130 mg/dL
      • People who are at a high risk for heart disease: levels less than 100 mg/dL
      • People who are at a very high risk for heart disease: levels less than 70 mg/dL

 If you have specific concerns about your risk of stroke, please make an appointment with one of our doctors.

 

Healthy Living: Heels to LacesHtoL

There is so much health and fitness information out there, sometimes it's difficult to keep track. This is what prompted two local women and certified AFAA instructors to launch Heels to Laces, a fitness and nutrition blog that strives to consolidate all of the information out there. The blog shares the latest health news, foods, nutritional information,  motivational suggestions, an occasional recipe and reviews of fitness methodologies. All categorized and easy to reference.

 

 

 

As an added bonus, when you subscribe to the blog from the home page www.heelstolaces.com, you automatically become a VIP member and receive a discount shopping card. This discount card can be used over and over again at participating local businesses for the current month. Current participating stores include local favs such as Batavia, Summit Running Co, Summit Health Shoppe, Bella Ro, Skin Deep Salon and Spa and K2 Fitness. 

 
The blog is meant to make you think, to create conversation, to educate on the latest health and nutrition news and to promote local businesses that have the same philosophy. It is also there to help you create balance in your life - to go out and wear your heels, but put your laces on the next day. It is  meant to be fun and inspirational. It is designed to inspire, make you laugh and create a bond of health and wellness. The motto of the blog authors is "Work hard, play hard. Repeat."
Video for The Rubino OB/GYN Group cordblood

We recently completed a new video for the practice that provides an LOGO overview of our services, doctors and philosophy. The video can be viewed on the home page of our website:

 

We hope you enjoy seeing the practice on a more personal level and welcome your feedback! Simply reply to this newsletter.

 

Office Announcements announcements
Flu Shots Now Available for Pregnant Patients
Please call the office today to schedule your vaccination. The flu shot can be administered in all three trimesters.
 
vitaMedMD Vitamins
The Rubino OB/GYN Group is now offering vitaMedMD™ in all 4 office locations. VitaMedMD offers patients high quality physician recommended products at an affordable price. Available products include Women's Multivitamin, Prenatal Plus, Prenatal One, Menopause Relief and Iron 150.

Emmi Video Tutorials
Emmi is a free, online video tutorial that makes complex medical information simple and easy to understand. Emmi provides clear and concise step-by-step information on common health topics and procedures right on our website. Click here to find out more.

 

Save Time with Online Appointments, Consultations &Personal Health Records
To schedule online appointments, consultations or view your personal health records at your convenience, just visit the home page of www.rubinoobgyn.com. You can also call 973-736-1100 now to schedule an appointment at any of our four locations. 

"Important Announcements" on Our Website
You can find important new developments and time-sensitive announcements (such as office closings) right on the upper right hand portion of our home page.

  

Enterprising Patients

If you would like to add your business or service to the website, 

please e-mail us at [email protected].

 

Products Available on Our Website

For more information visit the products page on our website.