Breathing Easier by Staying Ahead of Pneumonia
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
(Submitted by Dr. Christopher Robles, Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Most of us have heard of pneumonia, but do we really know what it is and, more importantly, how to protect ourselves against it?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that causes the lungs’ air sacs to become inflamed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
How serious is pneumonia? According to the latest available statistics, approximately 1.5 million American adults are diagnosed with it each year, leading to around 1 million hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths.
The most prevalent form of pneumonia—estimated to account for as many as 50% of all cases—is viral. The influenza virus is one of the most typical causes in adults, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause in young children. Fortunately, viral pneumonia often can clear up on its own.
The second most frequent is bacterial pneumonia, which can be more severe and usually requires antibiotic treatment.
Pneumonia is often believed to be an “older person’s disease.” Although adults aged 65 and older are at a higher risk due to weakening immune systems and, in many cases, having medical conditions like COPD, asthma, and chronic kidney or liver disease. Children aged 0-2 are equally susceptible due to their still-developing immune systems.
This is not to say that people outside of those age groups cannot get pneumonia; in fact, everyone can get it. Exacerbating factors include:
• Pre-existing medical conditions like those listed above.
• Health-compromising behaviors like smoking or substance abuse, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids.
• Your environment. Long-term exposure to contaminated water, surfaces, and polluted air can leave you more susceptible to disease-causing germs, as can being in a situation where infected people are coughing, sneezing, or even breathing.
Reducing Your Risk
You can contract pneumonia at any time of the year, making the need to protect yourself even more important. My tips for reducing your risk:
Get vaccinated. Many people are unaware there’s a vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae—the bacteria that can cause pneumonia as well as meningitis and various ear and sinus infections. It has been estimated that a vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
• The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 and adults aged 50 and older (the latter was lowered in 2024 from 65 and older).
• As with the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine is covered by most insurance. A single dose usually provides lifelong protection for adults.
Follow healthy habits.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Eat a healthy diet, get rest and regular exercise.
• Try to avoid people who are sick.
• Avoid smoking. Not only should you not smoke, you should also limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.
Finally, continue to manage your other chronic medical conditions. This includes regular monitoring of those conditions and being extra cautious when dealing with any additional respiratory symptoms.
Pneumonia is serious but often preventable. Know the signs, act quickly if symptoms appear, and take simple steps like vaccination and good hygiene to protect yourself. Early action can make all the difference; breathe easier by staying informed.
Dr. Christopher Robles is a family medicine and primary care physician, seeing patients at the Somers and White Plains locations. To make an appointment, please call 914-849-7075.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Octogenarians on the Court
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Heidi King and Constance VaughnThe USTA calls tennis the "sport of a lifetime," emphasizing that there's no upper age limit to enjoying it. And that’s clear about platform tennis as well.
Founded in 1896, Fox Meadow Tennis Club was the first paddle tennis club in the country, and while not as old as the club, some members have been enjoying the sports for decades, playing well into their eighties.
However, paddle tennis also known as platform tennis is not easy on the body. The wood court is hard on knees and the back, twisting, turning and pummeling the ball can cause injuries to tendons and pull muscles and players often fall and break limbs.
But none of that has stopped a dedicated group of 85 year-old plus racquets players from enjoying games several times a week at Fox Meadow Tennis Club, switching between tennis and paddle as the seasons change.
They are out in all conditions – undeterred by coldest days, wind and snow.
How have they managed to keep playing for decades beyond their peers?
We asked Gingie Green, Heidi King and Connie Vaughn, all members of Fox Meadow Tennis Club, for the secret to their longevity and here is what they shared.
Both Heidi and Gingie are lifelong racquets players. Heidi, who hails from Germany, learned to play tennis at a private club with a pro – as there were no public courts at the time.
Gingie learned to play tennis from her grandmother and mother at Century Tennis Club in her early teens. She went on to play for the Scarsdale High School tennis team in the 1950’s. She reports, “it was not so competitive in those days.”
Connie did not start to play tennis until she was in her late thirties where she learned with a few friends. She moved to Scarsdale in 1976 and joined Scarsdale Golf Club 
Gingie Greene and Jim Vernawhere she played mostly singles (tennis) because she was still working. In 1985 she also joined Fox Meadow Tennis Club and continued to play singles into her eighties.
Heidi says she “loves being outside and hitting the ball in the sweet spot of her racket.” She says, “tennis is an elegant, classy sport which I like.” Connie says, “I love the exercise, the competition and even the exhaustion after a long match.” And Gingie reports she likes the exercise, challenge, and being with friends.”
How to they avoid getting injured? Connie says, “I exercise pretty regularly and stretch before I play. I had shoulder replacement but never had a tennis injury. I also take lots of vitamins and drink very little.”
Heidi says, “I do try not to fall, but basically one is taking a chance I suppose, but I'm willing to take that chance because I love being outside and hitting the ball (but I don't like competition.) She added, “Playing is absolutely good for one's health. My blood pressure is always lower on days when I play!”
So what can we learn from these three? Drink less, play more and keep your fingers crossed that you have the good fortune to live a long and active life.
Hope Restored: One Patient’s Hyperparathyroidism Comeback
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Hyperparathyroidism, a hormonal disorder caused by overactivity in one or more of the body’s four parathyroid glands, affects about 100,000 people in the U.S. each year. Though it can occur at any age, the condition is three times more common in women than in men, with menopause being a key risk factor, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The disorder raises calcium levels, which can cause symptoms such as bone and joint pain, osteoporosis, kidney stones, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, brain fog, and depression—symptoms often mistaken for normal aging. Hyperthyroidism can also increase the risk of developing long-term heart disease.
Westchester resident Carine Feist, MPH, began noticing joint pain, severe heartburn, and fatigue last fall. “After a full night’s sleep, I’d still be physically exhausted and ready for a nap by 10 a.m.,” she says.
A medical research reviewer with a background in public health, Feist has been proactive with her medical care and was already monitoring her bone density due to a history of osteopenia. When her symptoms persisted, she went to her family physician, who found her calcium levels to be abnormally high. Further blood tests confirmed hyperparathyroidism.
She was then referred to Dr. Kaare Weber, an endocrine surgery specialist who is Chief of Surgery and Associate Medical Director of Surgical Services at White Plains Hospital. “He exuded confidence and exceptional ability,” Feist notes. “He told me, ‘We will get you better.’ That’s what you want to hear when you’re having a procedure.”
Dr. Weber, who has performed more than 1,000 hyperparathyroidism surgeries, says modern imaging has revolutionized treatment. “We can now localize the parathyroid glands before surgery using tools such as high-resolution ultrasound, sestamibi scans (an imaging test for overactive parathyroid glands), or 4-D CT,” he says. “This precision allows minimally invasive outpatient procedures with very low risk, faster recovery, and significant improvement in quality of life.”
In Feist’s case, the imaging showed that only one gland needed to be removed. Following her March 2025 surgery, she experienced life-changing improvements overnight. “I didn’t have fatigue, and I didn’t have to rely on Tums anymore,” she says.
An avid traveler, she’s now planning a trip to Iceland with her 93-year-old mother—a journey that seemed impossible just months ago.
“Seeing patients regain their energy and return to their passions is one of the most rewarding aspects of treating hyperparathyroidism,” Dr. Weber says.
Need a physician? To find the right provider for your needs, visit our online physician directory.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Prostate Cancer Screening: What Every Man Needs to Know
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- Written by: Dr. Fara Bellows
- Category: Health
Submitted by Dr. Fara Bellows, Urology at White Plains Hospital
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, according to the American Cancer Society, which estimates that more than 300,000 men will develop the disease – and nearly 36,000 will die from it – in 2025.
Screening is of utmost importance, as most men show no symptoms before being diagnosed. The best way to check for possible prostate cancer is through a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, which can be ordered by your primary care physician (PCP).
PSA is an enzyme that gets released from the prostate gland, with blood levels of PSA high in cases of prostate cancer; that said, the PSA test is not 100% accurate, as is explained by the National Cancer Institute here.
Your physician may also perform a digital rectal exam, where they insert a finger into your rectum to feel the prostate for tumors. Prostate cancers tend to grow in the area next to the rectum, called the peripheral zone, so this physical exam can be helpful.
When Should You Start Screening?
Although prostate cancer usually affects men in their 60s and 70s, there have been cases of men developing the disease in their 50s and even 40s.
Opinions differ on when you should begin screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that men start at age 50, while others usually say between 45 and 55 depending on the circumstance.
In addition:
• Those at high risk (including being of African descent and having a first-degree relative – father or brother – who were diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65), should begin screening at 45.
• Individuals at very high risk (having more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before reaching 65) should start screening at 40.
• Depending on what their blood test levels look like, their PCP may want to recheck the PSA every 1-4 years.
Symptoms of prostate cancer – regardless of age – may include:
• Urinary issues, including frequent urination (especially at night); difficulty starting or stopping urination; a weak or interrupted urine flow; pain or burning during urination; blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or rectum
• Unexpected weight loss
No matter your age and health, if your physician finds your PSA is elevated, they may want to have it rechecked a few weeks later to confirm its level or might refer you to a urologist. The urologist may recommend additional lab tests or may recommend an MRI of the prostate.
White Plains Hospital offers a wide range of cancer treatments, including some of the most recent breakthrough technologies, including aquablation.
Be proactive about your health. If you are of the proper age – and even if you are not experiencing the above symptoms – discuss screening with your PCP or a urologist as soon as you can.
Dr. Fara Bellows is a board-certified urologist and urologic surgeon at the WPHPA center in Scarsdale/Eastchester. To make an appointment, call 914-949-7556.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
Mold Matters: Protecting Your Health Indoors
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: Health
Submitted by Dr. Claire Smigiel, Allergy & Immunology at White Plains Hospital
While autumn’s many natural wonders can fill us with a sense of awe and beauty, it can also fill allergy sufferers with a sense of dread. Fortunately, there is help available for even the most violent sneezer.
What to Watch For
Besides various pollens, which have pretty much run their course by this point in the fall, there is the year-round issue of mold. Mold spores can be nearly everywhere, and mold allergy sufferers can experience everything from sneezing and itchy, watery eyes to more serious complications if they have other respiratory conditions. Keep in mind that while some molds grow and thrive in wet and rainy conditions, others tend to be more prevalent on dry, windy days.
Most sources estimate that there are more than 100,000 different types of molds – not all of which cause allergy symptoms, thankfully – with a variety of fungi called aspergillus being particularly noteworthy. The resulting condition, aspergillosis, is usually found in people with weakened immune systems due to anything from chemotherapy and AIDS to respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
Although aspergillosis is not an officially reported disease, the CDC estimates that aspergillosis diagnoses in the U.S. increased annually by 5% between 2013 and 2023.
What You Can Do
As mold spores are so widespread, you can never be completely safe from mold spores. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize their presence in your home:|
• Control moisture by fixing leaks and otherwise eliminating dampness – ideal mold-growing habitats.
• Increase ventilation, which will help dry out those damp areas.
• Clean regularly to prevent mold spores from settling and growing on surfaces.
• Get rid of it! If you find mold growing, clean it up quickly. If you have particularly large areas of mold (think basements and even damp, poorly ventilated attics), you may want to contact a professional.
Allergy sufferers will be familiar with common, over-the-counter oral antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra. In my experience, those self-treating may often still experience some symptoms.
Regardless of the source or your allergy and your anti-mold activities, you may still feel the effects of “brain fog” – sluggishness, difficulty concentrating, and general malaise. (And you may still be sneezing!) That’s where an allergist comes in.
Visiting an allergy doctor can have many benefits. We can test for specific allergic sensitivity, either via blood tests or skin prick testing. Once culprit allergens are identified, patients are given an individualized treatment plan and booked for a follow-up visit to ensure relief or to change course if symptoms persist.
Allergy doctors focus on lifestyle and allergen avoidance as well as medications. When over-the-counter or prescription medications are not working, allergy shots may be an option. Allergies can have a major negative impact on your quality of life, so if you are suffering, do not hesitate to reach out and make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible.
Dr. Claire Smigiel is a board-certified allergy and immunology physician with WPHPA of Scarsdale. To make an appointment, call 914-974-2574.
Health Matters
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
