“When it comes to your health, knowledge is critically important,” said Joyce Paulson, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician at and assistant professor at the . “Unfortunately, so many people feel overwhelmed with the plethora of information, misinformation and conflicting reports that they simply don’t know where to turn.”

The UCF Pegasus Health Seminar Series was developed to help bridge the gap between medical science and useful information consumers can consider when making informed decisions about their healthcare.

The series is free to the public and will begin in October. All sessions will be held at UCF Pegasus Health, located at 3400 Quadrangle Blvd., Orlando, FL 32817—on the corner of ����ֱ�� Blvd., just blocks from the main UCF campus. Seminars will be led by medical providers and experts from the community on a number of topics, including:

To view a complete list of topics and register, visit http://ucfpegasushealth.org/. Space is limited, so registration is strongly advised.

“Medicine is dynamic, always changing and evolving. And while it’s important to be informed, you should avoid jumping on the latest bandwagon,” said Dr. Paulson. “Patients don’t have to spend a great deal of time researching medical issues, but I do recommend they know enough to participate in a dialogue about their health and make informed decisions.”

“When people are actively engage in their own healthcare—from taking measures to prevent diseases to researching treatment options—we know they experience better outcomes. That’s why this series is so important. As part of the College of Medicine, we’re physician educators training the next generation of doctors. This series gives us the opportunity to help educate our community, too,” she said.

Bone loss can happen for a number of reasons, including a lack of estrogen, as seen in post-menopausal women; low calcium intake; anorexia and obesity; a sedentary lifestyle; and genetics. Other risk factors include small stature, Caucasian or Asian race, heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. Osteopenia refers to borderline bone loss and is the condition that precedes osteoporosis.

There are generally no early-stage symptoms of osteoporosis and osteopenia. However, once the bones have been weakened, signs and symptoms may include:

To measure the bone’s strength and presence of the disease, a DEXA scan (or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) is used to calculate bone mineral density (BMD). Using two x-ray beams of different strengths, the scan measures the amount of x-ray that passes through the bones, which varies depending upon thickness. This information is used to calculate bone density by comparing the differences between the two x-ray beams.

Although osteoporosis affects the entire body, scans are typically focused on the hip and spine; the forearm can be tested in certain situations. Bone mineral density measurements taken at one area of the body are generally predictive of fractures at other areas.

Most women over the age of 65 and men over the age of 70 should receive DEXA scans every two years as part of their regular health maintenance regimen, said Dr. Beg. However, younger patients (men or women) with the following risk factors should speak with their doctors about having the scan:

If bone density is normal and there are no additional risk factors, the DEXA scan can be repeated in 5 years.

Certain medical conditions can cause thinning of the bones, including lupus, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism (overactive secretion of parathyroid hormone), vitamin D deficiency, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), liver disease and intestinal disease. Those who have undergone chemotherapy also can be at greater risk.

“While osteopenia and osteoporosis are more common in women, one in four men also suffers from the condition,” said Dr. Beg.

DEXA scans take about 10-20 minutes to complete. The procedure is painless, noninvasive and emits less radiation than traditional x-rays.

If you’re a patient at UCF Pegasus Health and fall within the DEXA screening guidelines, call 407-882-4800 to schedule your appointment.

“While yoga does not replace the care necessary for managing chronic medical conditions, it often helps patients restore some of their lost mobility, learn to better control anxiety and stress, and generally feel better,” said Dr. Neha Bhanusali, a faculty physician at UCF Pegasus Health who specializes in rheumatology and does yoga herself.�� “Some are even able to come off of certain prescription medications. “As a rheumatologist and yoga practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how therapeutic yoga can improve the overall quality of life.”

Two free informational sessions about the classes will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday July 25 and Friday, August 29 at UCF Pegasus Health. Classes are $60 per month, with registration beginning July 25. Before beginning any new exercise program, please consult with your physician.

The American Cancer Society recommends a yearly mammogram starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. So if you haven’t had your screening mammogram, we’re making it easier.

UCF Pegasus Health, the College of Medicine physician practice, has��partnered with Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100��and Florida Radiology Imaging (FRi) to offer convenient screening mammograms just two blocks from the main UCF campus.

Date:���������������������������� Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

Time:���������������������������� 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: �������������������� UCF Pegasus Health

���������������������������������������������������������� 3400 Quadrangle Blvd. (Facing ����ֱ�� Blvd.)

���������������������������������������������������������� Orlando, FL 32817
You don’t have to be a UCF Pegasus Health patient or even need a mammogram prescription to participate. Most insurance plans are accepted and the cost for self-pay patients is $81.

A limited number of appointments are available, so call (407) 303-1615 to schedule your appointment today.

And best of all, you don’t have to give up your parking space on campus. You can walk and UCF Pegasus Health is on the off-campus shuttle route. Convenient, free parking is available at the facility.

This holiday season, you may be visiting aging family and friends you usually don’t see. So how do you know if physical changes like memory loss are normal aging or something more serious?

Forgetfulness and aging often go hand-in-hand, and the holiday craze and other stressful circumstances��can make matters worse. ��“Stressful situations and life-changing events have been linked to mild cognitive impairment,” says Dr. Mariana Dangiolo, assistant professor of internal medicine at the UCF College of Medicine and a geriatric medicine specialist at UCF Pegasus Health, the college’s physician practice. ��“Unfortunately, the fear of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease prevents many people from discussing memory loss with their doctors.” ��

Understanding the��difference��between normal aging and more serious memory conditions is one step in reducing stress.

Dr. Dangiolo says slight memory loss as one ages can be expected, especially in certain conditions. She says approximately 60 percent of women undergoing perimenopause and menopause report difficulty remembering everyday information like names and phone numbers…or why they walked into a room. Other normal age-related memory loss can include sometimes forgetting names, but remembering them later; misplacing things from time to time like glasses and keys; sometimes having trouble finding the right word; and developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when routines are disrupted.

Common early signs of Alzheimer’s are more severe and specific. They can include:

If you are experiencing symptoms of memory loss, don’t automatically assume the worst. Approximately 15 percent of people will transition from having mild cognitive impairment – changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the patient and other people – to early stage Alzheimer’s disease. However, according to Dr. Dangiolo, numerous drugs also have been shown to produce mild cognitive impairment and may create or aggravate Alzheimer’s-type symptoms.

Most of the drugs that cause mild cognitive impairment include a property called “anti-cholinergic.” These medications are used for relieving intestinal cramps or bladder irritability and are labeled “anti-spasmodic.”�� There are 17 additional types of drugs used for many other purposes that also may have anti-cholinergic effects, such as antiemetics, antihistamines, acid blockers, antiparkinsonian drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and antipsychotics.

To accurately diagnosis clinical memory loss, a neuropsychological evaluation is recommended. If you’ve noticed a recent change in your memory, contact your doctor. He or she can evaluate your overall health to determine whether any medical conditions may be affecting your memory. While there are no “cures” for memory loss, doctors can help manage the symptoms and sometimes even slow the progression.

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Dr. Asmar, a multiple recipient of teaching awards at the College of Medicine, specializes in caring for patients with kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones and disorders of electrolyte and mineral metabolism. He volunteers at the NKF’s Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), which targets individuals with an increased risk of developing kidney disease in underserved areas of the state.

“Kidney disease is usually silent, so these types of programs can save lives,” he said.

Dr. Asmar also has been selected to serve on NKF of Florida’s Medical Advisory Board.

“He is very energetic and enthusiastic,” says Stephanie A. Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer of NKF Florida. “A testament to his dedication is evident in the volunteering of his time to help others at our KEEP screenings.”

“Kidney diseases and hypertension are among the most common chronic medical problems,” says Dr. Asmar, who received his fellowship training in Clinical Nephrology at the ����ֱ�� of Florida and completed his residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago where he was named Chief Resident.�� He is also a designated clinical specialist in hypertension.

More than 110 health enthusiasts joined the Pegasus Health family at the inaugural Valentine’s Day walk.

The first 100 new participants to register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e5m2jj03289bb772&oseq will get a “Walk with a Doc” T-shirt and a pedometer. In case of rain, the walk will be rescheduled.

Hope to see you there!

UCF Pegasus Health, the new medical practice where College of Medicine faculty physicians treat patients, is holding its inaugural “Walk with a Doc” on Tuesday, February 14 at noon at the UCF main campus. The mile-long walk around campus begins at Millican Hall.

The walk is designed to encourage participants to fit exercise into their daily lives and to provide lunch-time exercisers with an opportunity to meet doctors from the College of Medicine’s new health care facility. The first 100 participants to register at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventllr=4ufsz5iab&oeidk=a07e5k6t9d9fb3b8116 will get an inaugural “Walk with a Doc” T-shirts and a pedometer.

February is Heart Health Month and Go Red Month for Women, both designed to increase heart health awareness and motivate change for us all. As you look for ways to improve your health, Dr. Bernard Gros, cardiologist at UCF Pegasus Health, shares this motto: “Make it yours.” Instead of grudgingly coming up with a health regimen you HAVE to do, or a plan that seems to work for others, pick a plan that fits your personality and interests.

“Ask yourself, ‘What kind of exercise would be fun and relaxing to me?’” Dr. Gros said. “How about walking around the lake? Like to shop? Many shopping malls have walk-the-mall programs that provide a safe, climate-controlled spot to walk. Have a 30-minute lunch break? Eat for 15 minutes and spend the other 15 minutes walking at your workplace.”

UCF Pegasus Health is a new outpatient medical facility where the college’s physician-educators practice medicine.�� The practice, blocks away from UCF’s Orlando campus, includes primary care specialties such as internal medicine and family medicine as well as specialists in cardiology, geriatrics, infectious disease, sports medicine, rheumatology, nephrology, and neurology.

The practice is open to the Orlando community, accepts most major insurance carriers and treats patients ages 16 and older. For more information, go to ucfpegasushealth.org. To schedule an appointment, please call 407.309.4800.

Central Florida residents took tours of the college’s high-tech classrooms, labs and library, and enjoyed sports on the Tavistock Green. They also met doctors from UCF Pegasus Health, the new outpatient medical facility where College of Medicine physician-educators begin treating patients Nov. 7.

Other open house events included interactive educational experiences, bounce houses for children, soccer, caricature artists and animal balloon crafters. The Orlando Repertory Theatre’s Power Chords singing ensemble performed and “The Big Red Bus” from Florida’s Blood Centers was on hand for people wishing to donate blood. The UCF cheerleaders and Knightro were on hand and the City of Orlando Fire Department brought a fire engine for children to enjoy.

The event’s principal sponsor was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. Additional major sponsors included the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation,��OUC – The Reliable One, Balfour Beatty Construction and Akerman Senterfitt.

“The Open House was delightful,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “It was a wonderful opportunity for the community to see the medical school that belongs to us all.”

UCF Pegasus Health is now accepting patients 16 and��older for appointments beginning November 7. A community open house will be held on October 25 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“Pegasus Health will be staffed with UCF clinical faculty members who are responsible for training the next generation of physicians at our Lake Nona campus,” said Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and founding dean of the College of Medicine. “Our goal is to take our dedication to excellence from the classroom to the clinic with this new state-of-the-art practice for our community.”

The center’s health care services are focused on primary care, including internal, family and geriatric medicine. Additional services include sports medicine, rheumatology, neurology, nephrology and infectious disease. Other services will be added based on community needs.

“The positive ripples of having a first-class medical school continue to benefit our community,” said Becky J. Cherney, founder of the Florida Health Care Coalition. “This clinic is representative of our motto of Quality First, Always and it is a welcome addition.”

As a convenience to Pegasus Health patients, the center will offer on-site lab and radiology services. The CLIA/CAP accredited laboratory will offer blood tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), clinical pathology services, including biopsy and Pap smear interpretation, and molecular diagnostic (genetic) testing. ��Soon the center’s radiology department will provide existing patients with digital diagnostic radiology such as X-rays of the chest, abdomen and extremities, bone density scans and ultrasound.

UCF Pegasus Health is located at 3400 Quadrangle Blvd., on the corner of ����ֱ�� and Quadrangle boulevards, near the main UCF campus. The practice accepts most insurance programs. For more information, please go to . ��To schedule an appointment, please call 407-309-4800.

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