If you are a smoker and you want to stop smoking, we at BCHIP applaud your decision. Smoking and other nicotine use cause a wide variety of serious health problems throughout the body. The statistics are sobering: Cigarette smoking increases risk of death from all causes in both men and women Smoking is a factor in many different types of cancer It increases risk of developing lung cancer 25 times and causes 90% of lung cancer deaths Smokers are 12…
During the last two years, we have seen many Bucks County families divided over Covid vaccination status. Suppose you’re immuno-compromised and you feel unsafe around people who have not received a vaccination or who may have any kind of cold or illness. You have the right to advocate for yourself within your family, and you may decide not to see certain family members for the time being. Short of serious health concerns, however, try to handle this difference of opinion…
An estimated 75% of all Americans will at some point be in a medical situation in which they cannot communicate their wishes. While it isn’t pleasant to think about and the conversation may be awkward, it’s important to take time to develop an advanced medical care plan, including a medical power of attorney, in case an accident or unexpected health condition leaves you suddenly unable to make decisions for your own healthcare. Having someone to advocate for you and your…
Here in Bucks County, PA, and all over the world, childhood vaccinations have saved countless children from suffering and death due to severe childhood diseases. The cases of measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, polio, whooping cough, and other serious childhood infections have practically disappeared, thanks to these childhood vaccines and improved healthcare. However, some people have come to the conclusion that since the diseases are now quite rare, the shots are no longer necessary. Because of this, the illnesses are…
If you have a loved one who can’t or won’t stop smoking, you’re both in a difficult position, but it’s not hopeless. Smoking is an addiction, not unlike alcohol or other substance abuse. The addiction makes it very difficult for the addicted person to realize he has a problem in the first place, want to quit, and successfully kick the habit. Just as with other addictions, your loved one has to first admit he has a problem. Once he recognizes…
While many people have successfully quit smoking, they will tell you it wasn’t easy. Many other people – perhaps you – have tried to quit more than once but have not yet been successful. But don’t give up. There are reasons why it’s so hard, and when you address those reasons, you can quit. BCHIP has a free online Quit Smoking Program for residents of Bucks County that will help you address the issues and succeed the next time you…
When your child turns 18, he or she is considered a legal adult. If you do not put the right legal documents in place, you lose all rights to know about or get involved in his or her medical care. Even if your child uses your health insurance and even if you pay the bills, according to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) a parent must have an 18-year-old child’s permission to be informed about the child’s health or…
If you have adult children, the time is now to talk to them about your estate plan, including your Advance Healthcare Directive. While you may expect it to be an awkward conversation, the awkwardness often dissipates once you begin talking things out. An advance healthcare directive is much like a will, and thus, healthcare planning is much like estate planning. Just as you don’t want to leave the distribution of your remaining assets to chance or leave the kids fighting…
What is advance care planning and how can you complete it? Our team here in Bucks County is here to help you, your friends, and your loved ones put together these important documents so your wishes are clearly understood and legally stated should something happen to you. Medical science has improved dramatically in recent years, to the point that we are able to save the lives of people who would surely have died only a few short decades ago. This…
Should I get a flu shot? Cold and flu season has just begun, so it’s not too late to get your flu shot to avoid a serious illness this year. Many people do not think ahead about getting the flu shot until they hear of people who come down with the flu. If you get your shot early, you’ll have a high degree of confidence that you won’t be one of them. What is the flu? The flu is not…
Should I get a flu shot? Cold and flu season has just begun, so it’s not too late to get your flu shot to avoid a serious illness this year. Many people do not think ahead about getting the flu shot until they hear of people who come down with the flu. If you get your shot early, you’ll have a high degree of confidence that you won’t be one of them. What is the flu? The flu is not…
Vaccines are an important part of fighting childhood diseases. Since the beginning of widespread vaccinations, many childhood diseases have become extremely rare, saving many children’s lives. But the germs are still out there. It’s important for children to continue to be vaccinated so that they do not contract these serious illnesses, such as measles, polio, and diphtheria. Vaccines work by stimulating the body to create antibodies to a virus (or bacterium), thus giving the body a weapon to prevent infection…
Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of illness worldwide, causing an estimated 1 in 5 preventable deaths worldwide. While the number of people smoking in the U.S. has decreased dramatically in recent decades, some communities have higher rates of smoking than others and consequently have disproportionately higher smoking-related cancers and other diseases. These communities include persons at lower socioeconomic levels, members of various ethnic communities, those in the military, and others. It’s never too late to benefit from quitting…
Quitting any addiction is hard and we applaud you for making the decision to stop smoking. In order to be successful at kicking an addiction, however, you need to prepare ahead of time and know what to expect in order to have the resources to succeed. For Bucks County, PA residents we offer a support/education program to help you quit smoking. We have both in-person and zoom meetings depending on the support you need. Recognize the addiction Remember that this…
I’m often amazed by the stories I hear from the BCHIP Adult Health Clinic staff. They’re saving lives, yet they seem to almost take their successes in stride! They’re so passionate about their work and they are always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our patients receive exemplary care. I thought I’d share a couple of recent success stories with you. Linda Linda* had been coming to BCHIP for care since 2011, when she experienced two strokes,…
