Granite Medical Group

September 2011

Schedule Your Flu Vaccine Early

Who should get a flu vaccine?

The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. It is especially important if you are at high risk of having serious complications or live or care for people who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 a year to a high of about 49,000 people a year.

Complications of flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season.

Make an appointment.

If you are a Granite Medical Group patient, you can call 617-471-0033 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. If you have signed up for MyHealth you can request an appointment at your MyHealth Account.

If you are a Granite Medical Group patient and have not yet signed up for MyHealth, you can enroll now.

Join Us at the 2011 Boston Heart Walk

Help the American Heart Association.

This year the staff and physicians hope to have a team of 50 walkers and generate $12,500 in pledges to the American Heart Association. You can join our team or make a donation to the Granite Heart Throbs. You can visit our practice at 500 Congress Street to purchase a Heart Association heart, pin or chocolate heart for a small donation. Thanks for any contribution to you can make to this worthy cause.

Cardiovascular disease is the Leading Cause of Death
for Americans 35 and older

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is principally heart disease and stroke, is the Nation’s leading killer of both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. Almost 1 million Americans die of CVD each year—42% of all deaths. Heart disease doesn’t just kill the elderly - it is the leading cause of death for ALL Americans age 35 and older.

One out of every four Americans has Cardiovascular Disease

The death toll alone is a staggering burden, but it is only part of the picture. The rest of the picture is filled with individuals who daily struggle with the complications of CVD. One out of every four Americans has CVD. That converts to about 57 million Americans and almost 6 million hospitalizations each year.

Did you know that Granite Medical Group's Cardiac Care Center is one of the most advanced in the area? Read more...

Eye Exams for People with Diabetes

Did you know the eye disease called diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States?

Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy

It’s caused by changes in the blood vessels in the retina of your eye and all people with diabetes—both type 1 and type 2 are at risk. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.

Everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam
at least once a year.

The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you will get diabetic retinopathy. Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetic retinopathy, your doctor can recommend treatment to help prevent its progression.

During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy can be a problem for women with diabetes. To protect vision, every pregnant woman with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend additional exams during your pregnancy.