WHJ_July_2009 by The Health Journal

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Health Journal

Williamsburg Edition

Vol. 5 No. 2

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July 2009

A Sister’s

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Excercises

Huntington’s Disease: A Genetic Roll of the Dice

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On the Cover

Huntington’s Disease: A Genetic Roll of the Dice

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurological disorder caused by a mutated gene. Children of parents diagnosed with HD have a 50-percent chance of inheriting the defective gene, making the disease “a genetic roll of the dice.” This month’s feature story starts on page 20.

Inside

JULY 2009

features

IN EVERY ISSUE

One Sister’s Gift | 5

Poolside Fitness | 16

In 2007, when 25-year-old Sarah Schultz was diagnosed with kidney failure, her sister Anna Parks didn’t have to think twice before making her decision: Giving up one of her kidneys would mean saving her sister from a lifetime of dialysis.

Don’t feel like working out in the summer heat? No sweat. When the outdoor temperature climbs, head to your community pool for full-body fitness.

Letter from the Editor | 4

High Blood Pressure: Viral? | 26

Snapshots | 8

Harvard researchers have zeroed in on a common virus that appears to create inflammation within blood vessels, causing blood pressure to spike. If their hunch is right, new treatments for hypertension, such as vaccine therapy, could soon make their way to market.

Fitness | 16

His Fire for Life Burns Strong | 38

Calendar | 36

Fact or Fiction? | 18 Ever wonder whether there’s an ounce of truth hiding behind some popular sayings? Do cell phones really interfere with hospital equipment? Are brown eggs better for you than white eggs? The Health Journal investigates.

Communication for Couples | 14 Dr. Sally Hartsfield discusses certain triggers that can create conflict in even the strongest marriages— children, chores, finances, and perhaps the biggest hot-button topic, sex.

Betsy Kainer is still learning how to survive without her husband and best friend John, who died in January after an 11-year battle with brain cancer. Through a fundraising effort called “Team Kainer,” Betsy, her children, and friends from the local running community are celebrating John’s “fire for life.”

Local Beat | 6

Feature | 20 Health Directory | 34

Profile | 38

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

Letter from the Editor the

Health Journal Williamsburg Edition

Publisher photo by Brian M. Freer

“I can’t believe you’re a mom,” said my brother as we walked out of the chapel and into the midday sun. It had been nearly three years since we’d spoken, and while I was still rejoicing in the birth of my daughter, we’d both come to the church that day to mourn the loss of our grandmother. She’d died in her sleep in early June, just days before her 90th birthday. “Parenthood, it really changes you,” I said, attempting to put into words the six weeks that had passed since Camden was born. “I’m not the same person.” Sure, a lot had happened during those years of silence. Brian and I had gotten married. Our business had taken off. We’d said farewell to a few good friends while other, new friendships blossomed. And last fall we announced that we were expecting our first child. But for me, the biggest change of all transpired in that short time between Cami’s birth and my grandmother’s passing. It’s funny, even as I approached 30 this year, I had always thought of myself as the perennial child. Nothing had ever happened to persuade me otherwise. Simply getting older in years, it turns out, isn’t enough to make us grown-ups. Something profound has to happen to catapult us into the great realm of maturity. For me, realizing that I was no longer the child but the parent, that was the defining moment. Suddenly all the petty grievances I’d been holding onto seemed, well, silly. I was nervous about seeing my brother again after being estranged for so long. Would he understand that I had changed for the better, or were the wounds from our falling out still too fresh? There we sat at the funeral, side by side in the front pew, not a word passing between us. After brief exchanges with the few family members present, I found the courage to speak to him. “I am going to leave,” I said, staring at my feet. “Do you want to talk?” To my surprise, he said yes. Part of growing up, I think, is gaining the strength to make the first move, even if it means we risk rejection. We’re not kids anymore, either. Our parents are no longer there to take our hands and tell us to make up. I could have left the church that day and allowed another three, ten or twenty years to pass between us. That was a risk I wasn’t willing to take. My grandmother would have urged us to reconcile our differences. She always said to love the family you have, because, in the end, family is all we’ve got. Cami needs her uncle, and I need my brother, too. At times he’s been my worst adversary, at times my closest friend. Throughout it all, I’ve loved him as only a little sister could. We talked for a while after the service, sharing a long embrace and shedding a few tears. Then we left the church and headed towards our separate cars, pausing to say goodbye. “So, you’ve gained some weight,” he teased, eyeing my post-baby bulge. “So have you,” I retorted, motioning to his thickened waist. We looked at each other, two adult children, two very different people who, for better or for worse, share a common past. That’s the thing about family, and perhaps the closest of friends—no matter how much we grow as individuals, some things never change.

Page Bishop-Freer, Editor page@thehealthjournals.com

Brian M. Freer Executive Director

Rita L. Kikoen Editor

Page Bishop-Freer Associate Editor

Beth Shamaiengar Medical Editor

Ravi V. Shamaiengar, MD Assistant Editor

Brenda H. Welch Administrative assistant

Danielle Di Salvo Sales Executives

Will Berkovits Jason Connor David C. Kikoen Amy Schneider-Speth GRAPHIC DESIGNERs

Natalie Monteith Jean Pokorny PhotographY

Brian M. Freer Dawn Griffith Contributing Writers

Brandy Centolanza Anne Harding Sally Hartsfield, PhD Amy Johnson Amy Norton Desiree Parker Gayle Pinn, CPT Julie Steenhuysen Circulation

Press Run: 19,560 Direct Mail: 15,560 Homeowners & Businesses in 23168, 23185 & 23188 zip codes. u.s. postal carrier The Health Journal—Williamsburg edition is a monthly publication directmailed to homes and businesses in Williamsburg, James City County and Northern York County in the 23185 and 23188 zip codes. Newsstand, rack and countertop distribution supplement our hand-delivery program. Subscriptions are available for $24/year. Please send a check or money order, payable to RIAN Enterprises, LLC, to the address below. Please notify us of any change in address. The editorial content of The Health Journal is produced under the highest standards of journalistic accuracy. However, readers should not substitute information in the magazine for professional health care. Editorial contributions are welcome. All submissions become the property of the publisher. The Health Journal reserves the right to edit for clarity, house style and length. Send your manuscript via e-mail to the e-mail address below.

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THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

local beat

Dentist Thanks “Smiles for Life” Participants Dr. Lisa Marie Samaha of Port Warwick Dental Arts thanks those from the Hampton Roads community who came to her office for dental whitening as part of a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, through which her practice raised more than $9,000 for the hospital.

Celebrating Five Years Free of Hospital-Acquired Infection Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (SWRMC) recently marked five years with zero cases of ventilatorassociated pneumonia, a condition that often develops among patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more. “Our team of physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists is always focused on delivering excellent patient care in the ICU and throughout the hospital,” says intensive care physician Dr. John Kaiser. “This milestone speaks to the superior outcomes enjoyed by some of the hospital’s frailest patients as well as patients with a wide range of medical needs and conditions.”

Watercolor on Display at Community Hospital The Visiting Artist Gallery at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (SWRMC) is now featuring a display of works from local watercolor artist Karen Anderson Schwartz, whose work includes paintings of people, landscapes and architecture. Schwartz’s work has been displayed at public libraries in Poquoson and Williamsburg. This Century Art Gallery and the College of William and Mary, among other venues.

Send Us Your Community News! info@thehealthjournals.com

Woman’s Kidney Offers Sister A Life-Changing Gift Hampton Roads’ only adult transplant team joins a caring sister in saving a local woman from spending the rest of her life on kidney dialysis. Written By Brenda H. Welch Photography By Brian M. Freer

a lot of anxiety,” Schultz s is often the case remembers. He ordered with sisters who tests to check my kidney are close in age, function, and the next Sarah Schultz, 25, and day I got a call saying Anna Parks, 28, have it was kidney failure and always been each other’s [that I should] go to the best friend. As children hospital emergency room growing up in Virginia immediately.” Beach, they shared toys, Schultz remained clothes and a silly secret in the hospital for five or two. While it’s not surdays, during which time prising that this dynamshe was started on kidic of their relationship ney dialysis because her extended into adulthood, kidneys were functioning neither ever imagined at seven percent. While that their sisterly bond she was continuing to would land them both in produce urine, she felt the operating room. the need to urinate more On November 25, frequently in smaller 2008, Schultz and amounts than normal. Parks gave new mean“It’s not at all uncoming to the concept of mon that you have sharing when a team of someone in their 20s surgeons, nurses and or 30s show up in other health professionthe emergency room als at Sentara Norfolk because they are not General Hospital confeeling well, and then ducted a living donor they are starting dialysis kidney transplant within a week or so,” between the sisters. says Dr. John Colonna, Their journey to the II, surgical director of operating room began in the kidney and panearly 2007, when Schultz, creas transplant proa Virginia Beach high gram at Sentara Norfolk school tutor and director General. “It is a very of her church’s music pro- Sisters Anna Parks (left) and Sarah Schultz share an uncommon gram, began to feel that bond: Last November surgeons at Sentara Norfolk General Hospi- silent disease for the vast majority of people. something was wrong. “I tal removed one of Parks’ kidneys and implanted it into Schultz, They don’t really notice have always been healthy who learned in 2007 that her kidneys were failing. it is happening until it and full of energy, but I is pretty advanced. It started noticing a lot of weird stuff going on that I couldn’t as she was. “I was frustrated because doesn’t cause fevers or pain or jaunexplain,” says Schultz. “I felt very nobody knew what was happening to dice, so many things that [normally drained, and I was always tired. I never me,” says Schultz. “I’d leave appoint- would] be a sign of a problem aren’t had any pain, but my energy level got ments crying because I knew something really there.” so bad that by the time I stood up and just wasn’t right.” The silent killer It became so difficult for her to walked to the other side of a room I breathe in July 2008 that she made would be completely out of breath.” According to the National Kidney Over the next year and a half, Schultz another appointment with her family Foundation (NKF) located in New visited several different doctors and practitioner. “He told me there was a York, more than 26 million Americans specialists to determine what was hap- slight chance there was a problem with have kidney disease (or currently,one pening to her, but they were as baffled my kidneys, but he thought I just had Continued on the next page

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

local beat

A Life-Changing Gift Continued from previous page in nine adults). Currently about 72,000 patients in the United States require kidney dialysis. Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps the body in balance by: • Removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body; • Keeping a safe level of certain minerals in the blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate; • Helping to control blood pressure Over 6,800 patients annually receive kidney transplants in the U.S., and success rates are steadily improving. Early diagnosis and effective therapy that is available for several forms of progressive kidney disease have prevented countless other patients from developing kidney failure. Despite these advances, kidney disease kills 12,000 Americans annually and results in a combined loss of earning power of more than $15 million

and an accumulation of medical bills that now exceeds $2 billion per year to pay for dialysis and transplantation treatments alone. Primary risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney disease and an age over 60. Secondary risk factors include obesity, autoimmune diseases, urinary tract infections, systemic infections and kidney loss, damage, injury or infection.

“Your sister is a match” For four months, Schultz received dialysis three times a week for threeand-a-half hours, and during that period doctors at the Transplant Center for Sentara Healthcare, located at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, conducted testing to determine whether she was a candidate for a kidney transplant. After Schultz began dialysis, Parks as well as Schultz’s husband Adam immediately asked to be tested in the

hopes that Schultz would be eligible for a transplant. “We were hoping so much that she wouldn’t have to go through something like 50 or more people before they found someone who was a good match who was seriously willing to do it,” says Parks. “And the fact that Adam and I were the first to test and both of us were matches was just really cool. It saved a lot of time and heartache. I think we are all really lucky.” Parks doesn’t recall Schultz ever asking her to get tested, nor does she remember having to put any thought into it. “After [the transplant center] realized I was the closest match, I had to go through a lot of counseling so they were sure that I was sure what I was signing up for,” says Parks. “If anything had come up at that point where I wasn’t comfortable doing it anymore, they explained that I could back out and Sarah would never know I changed my mind. They said they could communicate the message to her in a way that

would avoid any friction between us, and I thought that was pretty great for those people who do change their minds.” On November 25, 2008, Schultz’ and Parks’ surgeries took place at separate times but were perfectly choreographed by the team at the transplant center for a smooth transition of the kidney. Parks’ surgery, as with most liv-

Parks doesn’t recall Schultz ever asking her to get tested, nor does she remember having to put any thought into it. ing donor kidney surgeries at Norfolk General, was done laparoscopically, sparing donors long hospital stays and even longer recoveries. Through tiny slits in the patient’s abdomen, surgeons carefully find their way to the donor’s kidney. Using laparoscopic instruments equipped with a small camera and light, the surgeon navigates each move with the images of the surgery projected

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JULY 2009

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local beat

Since 1972, more than 1,800 kidney transplants have been performed by surgeons at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which is ranked by U.S.

News & World Report among the nation’s top 50 hospitals for the care of patients with kidney disease.

Above: Dr. John Colonna, II, and his surgical team at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital specialize in kidney and pancreas transplants. Left: A living donor kidney is placed on ice as the recipient awaits transplant.

on large computer screens in the dark operating room. At just the right time, a transplant surgeon like John O. Colonna, II, M.D., who is responsible for performing the recipient’s surgery, joins the surgeon conducting the donor surgery. Colonna receives the kidney just as it is removed and places it in a stainless steel bowl filled with ice. Under a spotlight illuminating a nearby work area in the still-dark OR, Colonna carefully sets to work preparing the kidney for his patient. After covering it and briskly rolling the protected kidney to another OR, Colonna works under bright lights to connect the kidney to his patient. The transplanted kidney begins to function even before the surgery is finished. “Even after almost 20 years of doing kidney transplants, I still get a thrill watching a kidney pink up and start producing urine,” says Colonna. “I know immediately that my patient has had their life transformed by the gift of a living donor transplant.” When Schultz woke up from the transplant surgery she was in pain but already felt different. “Once I got the pain medicine in me, I felt so

much better,” she says. “Already my new kidney was filtering out toxins in my body, and by the next day, I could already feel my energy level change. It was amazing.” She was able to leave the hospital 10 days later, and each day after that was better than the day before. “I think it probably took three months total to feel as good as I did before I started experiencing any problems back in 2007. I’m as good as new!” Parks said it took a few weeks before she was completely free from the post-surgery pain, but after that, she felt the same as she did when she had two kidneys. “I was more tired than normal at first, which is to be expected after surgery, but that went away pretty quickly.” Schultz and Parks agree that because they already were so close as sisters, they don’t feel like the experience brought them closer. “Since we went through the experience together, it was something that we shared, but our relationship is really still the same as it was before,” says Parks. Adds Schultz: “I think it was neat for the whole family to come together and share this experience. It was just really cool.” HJ

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THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

SNAPSHOTS

Nursing students at Thomas Nelson Community College’s Historic Triangle Campus were “pinned” during graduation in early May after completing the accelerated Nursing Program. From left to right: Angy Ricucci, Pam Canterbury, Sarah Cullen, Candace Briley, Betty Carreaux and Jennifer Littlejohn.

The Lackey Free Clinic in Yorktown was one of 40 free clinics in the state to receive part of a $1-million donation from Dominion Resources, which owns Dominion Virginia Power. From left to right: Don Wiggins, vice chair of York County Board of Supervisors; Senator John Miller; Delegate Brenda Pogge; Dr. Jim Shaw, the clinic’s medical director; Cooka Shaw; Josh Bennett, director of Yorktown Power Station; Delegate Phil Hamilton; and Poquoson Mayor Gordon Helsel.

More than 500 students attended the First Annual Walk-A-Thon held at James River Elementary School, earning more than $4,000 for the school’s PTA. Front, from left: Naomi McLean, Abigail Hanlon, Madeline Hanlon and Ashleigh Gillem. Back: Ryan Bayne.

The Colonial Piecemakers Quilters Guild, led by Gail Conner and Roz Stearns, made lap quilts as a service project for Oncologist Dr. Laura Kerbin of Peninsula Cancer Institute. The quilts will be given to new patients who are starting cancer treatment with chemotherapy. From left to right: Conner, Kerbin and Stearns.

Norge Elementary School students raised almost $5,000 for the American Heart Association during “Jump Rope for Heart,” a fundraiser that promoted physical fitness and heart health. Sisters Chrisanthi and Alexis Prassas (pictured) collected a high of over $200.

Clara Byrd Baker Elementary and the School Health Initiative Project (SHIP) together sponsored “GoGirlsGo,” a girls’ running club designed to promote fitness and self-esteem. Twenty-six girls finished the spring season by completing the 3.1-mile Mental Health Recovery Run sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Health and the Colonial Services Board.

Lauren Schultz sat on yoga balls during Charlotte Stowers’ 90-minute word processing class this spring. Stowers says her students enjoy sitting on the resistance balls because they are “good for their abs, posture and core body area.”

Approximately 300 Sentara Healthcare employees and their loved ones participated in the Sentara 1K Run and Fun Walk held during the Prevention Garden Party thrown May 9 at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Event sponsor Optima Health provided free health screenings. Jamestown High School junior Kristofer Peck gives a thumbs-up during his school’s fifth and final blood drive of the school year.

Members of Toano Middle School’s Cooking Club completed an eight-week cooking course led by Cafeteria Manager Donna Altizer. Each week students learned how to prepare healthy, teen-friendly recipes to duplicate at home.

We Want Your Snapshots! Readers may submit pictures of health-related happenings throughout Hampton Roads. Please remember to include a brief description of the photo as well as the full names of individuals featured. Send Your Health Snapshots to: page@thehealthjournals.com

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

local beat

Students Preparing for Health Careers Receive Scholarships from Williamsburg Hospital Sentara Williamsburg’s Auxiliary continues tradition of giving Written By Desiree Parker

ore than 20 years ago, the Williamsburg Community Hospital Auxiliary began awarding scholarships to area students attending college to prepare for health care careers. The first scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, was given in 1988, and over the next several years the auxiliary increased its scholarship funding, providing as much as $12,000 divided among multiple recipients. In 2002, the auxiliary applied for funds from the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation (WCHF) to support its scholarship program. The application was approved, and each year since the WCHF has provided funding. This year the auxiliary awarded a total of $36,000 to first- and second-year college students seeking health care careers. According to Auxiliary Scholarship Committee Chair Gert Berthiaume, this year the committee received 35 scholarship applications from graduating seniors and eight applications from students already attending college. Students from each area high school applied, she says. Berthiaume will be retiring from her post as scholarship chair in 2010 but says she has “enjoyed every minute of it,” and that “it is wonderful to get applications from students who have so much to offer and are so qualified.” Lafayette graduate and future Virginia Commonwealth University student Nicholas Gonzales was one of four students chosen to receive a $3,000 scholarship. “What part of the medical field I want to study is pretty wide open right now,” says Gonzales, who moved to Williamsburg with his family in 2005. “That summer, my mom suggested I volunteer at the hospital so I [wouldn’t be] bored. I did, and it gave me so much joy, I just kept doing it. I’d like to continue doing something in medicine.” Gonzales has volunteered at Sentara

2009 scholarship recipients, (top row, left to right): Nick Gonzales, Jaye Stanley, Alex McKenzie; (middle row, left to right) Winston Fleishman, Karen Corbett, Carolyn Roberts; (bottom row, left to right) Janae Dandridge, Emily Brown, Tabitha Robinson; (Not pictured) Lauren Saulman, Kahley Stanco, Hanna Varnell. Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (formerly Williamsburg Community Hospital) for four years, helping patients and staff in various ways. As of now he has logged more than 450 hours of volunteer work. Joining Gonzales at VCU is another Lafayette senior, Kahley Stanco, who also received a $3,000 auxiliary scholarship. Stanco, though, knows exactly what part of the field interests her most: bioinformatics. “It’s a kind of med program that combines biology, statistics, and computer science into one major,” says Stanco. “I’m going to do genetic research when I graduate.” What piqued Stanco’s interest in the field was her mother’s cancer diagnosis: “When I was eight or nine, we went to Georgetown so she could get genetic testing done,” she remembers. “I was really fascinated.” College of William and Mary student Erin Morris was awarded one of the second-year scholarships, receiving $1,500 towards tuition for her sophomore year. Morris, who’s currently taking pre-med classes at the college, is interested in studying pharmacy. “I’m really enjoying school so far,” says Morris. “I love chemistry, and I

thought I wouldn’t.” Her reaction when she heard she would be receiving a scholarship? “I was so surprised and excited,” she says. “I couldn’t believe it. It’ll really help.” To add to the suspense surrounding selected winners each year, the

scholarship committee keeps the names under wraps until each area high school announces them at its own awards day, says Berthiaume: “The students are always so happy when they hear their names. We don’t like to ruin the surprise.” HJ

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

HEALTH IN HISTORY

Mental Health:

Shifting Attitudes in Colonial Times WRITTEN By Brandy Centolanza

LEFT: A re-created cell, one of the many exhibits in the Public Hospital that document the treatment of mentally ill persons from 1773 through 1885.

BELOW: The Public Hospital in Colonial Williamsburg is open for tours.

oday’s medical advances enable physicians to better diagnose and treat those who suffer from mental health conditions—a far cry from how such illnesses were handled during the Colonial era. Colonists were deemed mentally ill based “largely on their behavior,” explains Linda Rowe, a historian with Colonial Williamsburg. An insane person was described as someone “who was disruptive to society—perhaps was talking to himself or herself—was not responsive, was disoriented, or was possibly trying to harm himself or herself or harm others,” Rowe says. It was believed that Care for mentally ill individpatients chose to behave uals usually fell on family members or depended on assistance irrationally, and doctors from the parish church. But if a tried to help them adopt a person could not be controlled, he or she was housed in a jail or more normal manner. poorhouse. It was believed that people suffered from mental problems because society had triggered some disturbance in their brains, notes Jan K. Gilliam, manager of exhibit planning for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It was obvious that the mentally ill were “outside of the norm,” she says. “It was understood that they were different somehow, but it wasn’t understood why, and they weren’t categorized [by the various mental health disorders, like today].” In the 18th century, medical doctors identified people with mental illness as exhibiting either mania (described as violent, restless behavior) or melancholia (in which an individual seemed listless and extremely grief-stricken). Governor Francis Fauquier (who served from 1758 to 1768) was instrumental in establishing a facility in

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

Virginia specifically for those exhibiting symptoms of mental disorder. An Enlightenment man in the Age of Reason, Fauquier proposed in 1766 “a hospital for the scientific treatment of the insane,” explains Rowe. The Publick Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds, which opened in October 1773, was the first facility in America dedicated solely to the care of the mentally ill. (It would later become Eastern State Hospital, which is still in operation in Williamsburg today). When it first opened, a “keeper,” or jailor with no medical training, ran the hospital. Patients were kept isolated, usually alone in a room or cell with just a mattress and shackles. Treatments included use of leeches (called “bloodletting,” a common medical practice) and use of a restraining chair prescribed by the visiting physician. The hospital had only eight beds. Patients stayed for a few weeks or sometimes months and then were released back to their families, depending upon when the doctor and board of directors determined they were ready to return to society. “The idea was that they could be cured, that [their condition] wasn’t a lifetime illness,” says Gilliam. At the time, it was believed that patients chose to behave irrationally, and doctors tried to help them adopt a more normal manner. HJ

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At Sentara, You Get More Than Just A Mammogram.

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women’s health

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Obesity, Heavy Lifting Up Risk of Pelvic Disorder

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health)

omen who are overweight, perform heavy lifting or have certain conditions affecting the body’s connective tissue may be at increased risk of having weakened pelvic muscles, a new study suggests. The study, of nearly 5,500 Swedish women, looked at the potential risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse, a disorder in which weakened muscles and supporting tissue allow one or more pelvic organs to drop down and protrude into the vagina. Some symptoms include pressure in the vagina, and chronic pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.

In the current study, researchers found that women who were overweight or obese were about twice as likely as thinner women to have pelvic organ prolapse.

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It’s known that childbirth raises a woman’s risk of developing prolapse, but the “non-obstetric” risk factors are less clear. In the current study, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers found that women who were overweight or obese were about twice as likely as thinner women to have pelvic organ prolapse. The risk was similarly elevated among women who regularly performed heavy lifting at work, versus those who did not. In addition, women with a family history of pelvic organ prolapse or a personal history of varicose veins, hernia or hemorrhoids were also at increased risk. Both of those findings point to an inherent vulnerability, according to Dr. Ann Miedel and her colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. As they explain, a family history of pelvic organ prolapse suggests a genetic predisposition toward the disorder, while conditions like varicose veins and hemorrhoids indicate that a woman may have a general weakness in her connective tissue. The findings are based on a one-time survey of 5,489 women ages 30 to 79. Because the study did not follow the women over time, it’s not clear whether lifestyle factors—like being overweight and habitual heavy lifting—caused prolapse in some women. However, Miedel and her colleagues point out, excess weight and heavy lifting put strain on the pelvic floor muscles, and both factors have been linked to prolapse in previous studies. The researchers also found a heightened prolapse risk among women who reported frequent constipation. However, they note, chronic constipation is also considered a common symptom of prolapse, and it’s not clear which problem came first in these women. Long-term studies, according to Miedel’s team, are needed to establish whether these modifiable factors do cause pelvic organ prolapse in some women. HJ

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Beth Scharlop, MD, FACOG Susan Lontkowski, MD, FACOG For more information on Dr. Floyd or Riverside Family Medicine Kristy Keller, MD and Urgent Care, please call MD (757)FACOG 220-8300 Jacquelyn Paykel, Alison Butler, RN, CFNP Visit them at www.womancareofwilliamsburg.com or call 757-253-5600 to schedule an appointment for the many health needs of females. R IVERSIDEconcerns F AMILY Mand EDICINE AND U RGENT C ARE 5231 John Tyler Highway • Williamsburg, VA 23185

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THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

relationships

Communication for Couples:

Key to Marital Success

Written by Dr. Sally Hartsfield

f you live with someone—roommate, sweetheart or spouse—you are going to have disagreements, just as you do with anyone else you work or play with. The difference lies in the fact that deeper feelings are involved and that you can’t avoid confrontation by going home at night. What do couples argue about? Regardless of what you may read, the subjects haven’t changed since the first caveman brought the first cavewoman home. Marital therapists report that sex is still the most frequent topic of dissension, and the hot-button one. Each person assumes that the other should understand and meet his or her needs without being told what they are. In the early days men read “marriage manuals” in the hopes of satisfying their partner, though they lacked the necessary details; those books were little more than schematic diagrams of female anatomy. They did not address a woman’s needs or how to meet them. So men proceeded to do what they thought was the right thing, and women—sometimes thinking, “Just get it over with!”—remained unfulfilled, secretly angry and frustrated. A man’s pride is deeply involved in his sexual performance. No matter how much he loves his woman, if she isn’t receptive to sex when he approaches her, he takes it as a sign of rejection. He is likely to see it as rejection of him personally, despite what his brain tells him, i.e., that perhaps she is tired or just not in the mood. Marriage can be a fragile union, and the first place it comes apart is usually the bedroom. Why are women unable to talk about their sexual needs? Part of the problem is that there remains, despite explicit scenes in movies and on TV, a reluctance to put into words the necessary information. Almost all women have sexual fantasies in which they are aroused and satisfied in very specific ways, but to ask for 14

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

these things from their real-life partner seems vaguely wrong. Chiefly, they fear that their man will withdraw in horror or disgust at their suggestions. In fact, most men would be more than happy to comply. There is also, on the part of women, a belief that if a man truly loves her he should know, without being told, what she desires. In fact, most men don’t intuitively know what their partner desires. They think they are doing the right thing, but they may be way off base, because there are nuances of the female anatomy about which they may know little or nothing. Most important for men, if they wish

Marriage can be a fragile union, and the first place it comes apart is usually the bedroom. to please their partner, is understanding that foreplay is more than a sexual act. It is a manner of behaving that begins in the morning with tenderness and true interest in their mate, and if it continues throughout the day into the evening hours, it can improve a man’s chances of satisfying his partner that night.

Beyond the bedroom The second most frequent area of dissension among couples is children. Raising children is complicated, and parents bring to it all the memories and emotions from their childhood—especially their vows that they would never do as their parents did. Parents must agree on what grades are acceptable and which behaviors need consequences. Again, one parent may assume that the other already knows his or her feelings and thoughts about these issues. It seems too com-

plicated to talk about, but that is just what has to happen, and not at the moment that your son or daughter is clamoring to be allowed to do something you are concerned about. Almost always a decision can be put off “until Mom and Dad have a chance to discuss it.” Parents should not blame each other for mistakes but rather try to understand what happened. In some families, parents alternate being “on-duty,” so that, for example, on Monday-Wednesday-Friday Dad handles questions and discipline, and on the intervening days Mom is in charge. It’s not so hard to deal with problems when you know you are “offduty” the next day. Another common topic of disagreement is household chores. No one wants to scrub bathrooms or empty the dishwasher, so it is best to divide up what needs to be done in a fair and workable manner. If you can’t easily talk it out and decide, write down the chores on bits of paper and put them in a bowl, with tasks to be drawn out at random on a weekly or monthly basis. It’s easier if you know beforehand what you are responsible for and that you won’t be responsible for it forever. There should be an understanding that no one will come in and rescue the other from having to do a chore. If it isn’t done, so be it, and the laundry will sit out until it is put away by the person responsible. This is the hardest part for women, for we are trained from birth to help others. Money is a hard thing to manage, and therefore talk about, and carries with it all kinds of emotions. If you were brought up to monitor your finances, it is going to upset you when your darling blows a wad on something you think isn’t necessary. Ideally a couple has three checking accounts: his, hers and theirs. Again, as with chores, no one should bail the other out. Talking about spending and saving Continued on page 37

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FITNESS

The Water Lover’s Workout Written By Gayle Pinn | Photography By Brian M. Freer

he pool is more than a place to beat the summer heat; with a few simple exercises and a little motivation, you can dive into a full-body workout that won’t compromise your splash time. Water exercises are suitable for almost all fitness levels because the intensity can be adjusted simply by moving faster or slower in the water. The water itself offers 12 times more resistance than air, and the faster you move in the water, the greater the resistance becomes. Water workouts are gentler on your joints than exercise machines, so many people choose to cross-train in the pool between their regular workouts. If you’re not a particularly good swimmer, don’t worry; you can do most exercises in the shallow end of the pool where the water ranges from waist-high to chest-deep. Standing next to the side of the pool may also be more comfortable for you if you can’t swim. Start with some basic moves such as marching in place, circling your arms, bending your knees, swinging your legs or just walking from one side of the pool to the other in waist-high water. Even if you’re a good swimmer, treading water for a few minutes offers a good aerobic challenge. Warm up with any of the above exercises before trying the moves below. HJ

POOL TIPS: Don’t forget to hydrate on the inside—drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout. Have a light snack one hour before your workout, as some water aerobic routines involve nonstop motion and can burn up to 500 calories per hour. Invest in a pair of water shoes to protect your feet from the pool bottom and gain support and traction. Seek out a warm-water pool if you have arthritis. Heat relaxes the muscles and eases joint stiffness. Don’t overdo it; exercising in the water may feel easy, but it can be a strenuous workout. Remember to stretch when you’re done, either in or out of the water.

Swimmer’s kicks

Face the side of the pool, holding on to the wall with both hands. Raise both legs off the pool floor, extending them behind you, and kick as hard and as fast as you can. You can also perform this exercise by doing laps with the help of a flotation device such as a kickboard.

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

Straight-arm claps

Standing chest-deep in the water, with arms straight and palms facing in, raise both arms in front of you to shoulder height. Move your arms back and forth as if clapping your hands together. Squeeze your chest muscles as your hands meet, and try to bring your shoulder blades together as you push your arms back. Complete 12 to 20 claps. You can increase the intensity by using webbed gloves (available at most sporting goods stores) and/or moving your arms faster through the water.

Jumps

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Standing waist-deep in the water, your right side against the wall, hold on to the wall for support. Raise your left leg out to the side and move it up and down, keeping your toes pointed slightly inward towards the wall. The faster you can move your leg, the higher the intensity will be. Perform 12 to 20 reps on one side, then switch.

Knee bends

Standing in chest-high water, extend your arms out to your sides at shoulder height, palms facing down. Using your arms to tread water and support your body, bend your knees into your chest, exhaling as you contract your abs. Hold for a one- to two-second count, then return your feet to the floor. Perform 12 to 20 reps or until you are fatigued.

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In waist- to chest-high water, squat as low as you can go, preferably underwater. With an explosive movement, jump up as high as you can. Exhale as you burst out of the water, and inhale before you go back under. Perform approximately 20 to 25 jumps or until you feel fatigued.

myth-busters

Fact or Fiction? Written by Brenda H. Welch

“Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.”

“Thin people don’t get heart disease.”

Fiction. “No one has done a careful study to show that cracking knuckles does or doesn’t benefit you or cause you harm,” says John Hardin, M.D., a rheumatologist and chief scientific officer for the Arthritis Foundation. “It doesn’t benefit anything, so it’s probably not a great idea to do it.” Laughs Krista Lauro of Chesapeake: “I can’t believe this is a myth! My mother told my brother that all the time because he was constantly cracking his knuckles, and I believed it all these years!” Cracking knuckles is not for everyone, though—whether a person can crack them or not all depends on the amount of space between the joint bones and a person’s ability to relax them. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System reports that 25 percent of Americans habitually crack their knuckles.

Fiction. “I think people are often surprised when they are pretty lean and find out they have heart disease,” says Jennifer Chiusano, director of nursing for Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk. “They sometimes ask, ‘How can it happen to me?’, and the answer is, heart disease can take on many forms. Sometimes it can be congenital or an electrical [problem], which just confuses people who are thin.”

“Brown eggs are healthier to eat than white eggs.” Fiction. This is another medical myth that isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, according to Amy Batal, Ph.D., assistant professor of poultry nutrition at the University of Georgia. “While many people believe that brown eggs are healthier [to eat] than white eggs, the color of the shell has nothing to do with quality or nutritional value,” says Batal. “Egg color is determined by the breed of the hen. Breeds with white earlobes lay white eggs, while breeds with red earlobes lay brown eggs.”

“Cell phones interfere with hospital devices.” Fiction—at least in the digital age. Signs posted throughout hospitals warning visitors and patients to shut off their cell phones are not necessary, according to a study published in the March 2007 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The study’s researchers say normal use of cell phones results in no noticeable interference with patient care equipment. Virgil Smoot, director of Biomedical Services at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, says that although he still questions the safety of cell phones, his main concerns lie elsewhere. “There is a lot of speculation about [cell phones],” says Smoot. “The older analog units clearly created some interference throughout the industry with smoke alarms, infusion pumps, ventilators, etc., due to the power level they were operating at. The digital units are safer, but not foolproof. A much bigger threat, [however], are the walkie talkies that various departments utilize throughout the building. They operate at a higher power level than cell phones.” 18

Here, The Health Journal takes a close look at six popular health axioms and asked the experts whether they hold an ounce of truth or are mere myth.

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

“If you go outside in cold weather with wet hair, you will catch a cold.” Fiction. MSN Health & Fitness (www.msn.health.com), a website dedicated to providing health news and resources, reports that the only way to catch a cold or the flu is by contracting a virus. Going out into the cold inadequately dressed, or with wet hair, does nothing to facilitate transmission. It’s true, though, that people are more prone to catching colds in the winter, and viruses are more easily shared when people are clustered together indoors.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Fiction—but they sure make for healthy eating. Who hasn’t heard this age-old adage? While there is no doubt about the health benefits of apples, which include antioxidants that help fight cancer, stroke and heart disease, a 2009 article published by Harvard Health Publications says recent studies show that apples are even more healthful than once thought. The authors cite a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that links the high intake of flavonoids (plant-based nutrients found in apples, bran, pears, wine, grapefruit, strawberries and chocolate) with lower death rates among postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease. The authors also cite a 2007 study in which researchers in the United Kingdom found that people who ate five apples a week had better lung function and a lower risk of asthma than people who did not eat apples. And according to a recent article on the Web site www.washingtonpost.com, the same goes for children born to mothers who ate apples throughout pregnancy. Two additional studies have linked apple intake with a lower risk of lung cancer. Many studies link the beneficial effects of apples to their high concentration of quercetin, a flavonoid. HJ

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FEATURE

Huntington’s Disease: Support groups in Virginia Beach and Newport News help local families find strength in numbers. Written By Brenda H. Welch Photography By Dawn Griffith

s a small group of people gathered around the dining room table in Marie Clay’s Virginia Beach home early one weekday morning, their eyes shifted from one person to another, periodically grazing past the spread of freshly baked cake and just-brewed coffee. While Clay’s home felt warm and inviting that morning, her guests seemed visibly distracted. One man tugged repeatedly at the front of his shirt; a woman chose to stand instead of sit, swaying slightly and clenching her fiancé’s hand for balance; and another woman had to keep herself from rudely staring at the base of Clay’s neck. It was jewelry that kept catching her eye. Clay wore two “The sense of community around simple necklaces, families facing Huntington’s is truly each drooping with unique….They are committed, a circular pendant. The onlooker’s curithey are driven, and they are osity got the better really, really strong.” of her, so she asked Clay what the circles —Louise Vetter, HDSA represented. “One circle has my kids’ and grandkids’ names on it,” said Clay. “The other one is pewter and represents a hope for a cure. I’ve worn it so much that it is tarnished, [and] my feeling is that I can get a new one and it will be all nice and shiny, but Huntington’s doesn’t get new or nice and shiny, so I’m keeping the tarnished one on.” Clay’s 38-year-old daughter Laurie nodded in agreement with her mother’s statement. In April 2000, Laurie was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD), a progressively degenerative neurological disorder that she inherited from her father Phillip.

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

What causes Huntington’s Disease? HD, which is also called Huntington’s chorea, is caused by a changed, or mutated, gene. Genes produce proteins that control brain development and function. For those with HD, the changed or mutated gene produces a defective protein that causes cell damage and destruction in the brain’s basal ganglia— structures deep within the brain that have many important functions, including coordinating movement—and the cortex, which controls thought, perception and memory. Though once considered a rare disease, HD is one of the more frequently encountered hereditary diseases. The Family Caregiver Alliance in San Francisco, Calif., estimates that 30,000 people nationwide have the disease, while another 200,000 are at risk of inheriting the disease. Those who have a parent with HD have a 50-percent chance of inheriting the defective gene, and which is passed randomly to children; some parents with HD may not pass the gene to any of their children, while some pass it to all of them. Also, HD does not skip generations, so if a child does not inherit the gene, he or she cannot pass it on to future generations. People who inherit the HD gene will eventually develop the disease if they don’t die of other causes (stroke, cancer, etc.) before HD progresses. HD affects both women and men and all ethnic groups, and anyone from two to 80-plus years of age can develop it. A person with the disease experiences a gradual decline over a period of 10 to 25 years, typically leading to the individual’s complete dependence on others. The affected person eventually dies from complications, such as heart failure or aspiration pneumonia, which is inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes from breathing in foreign material, usually food, liquids, vomit or saliva. Currently, no medications can halt or slow the progression of HD, but they can be effective in treating some of the common symptoms such as involuntary movements, depression and anxiety. Other interventions such as physical, occupational and speech therapy can help a person with HD maintain a high level of functioning.

FEATURE

A Roll of the Genetic Dice

“People kept telling me that I was tired and disorganized because I was a first-time mom, but I had a feeling there was more to it than that.” —Laurie Clay

In 1998 a genetic test confirmed suspicions that Laurie Clay, center, had inherited the HD gene from her father Phillip, who died from the disease in 2006. Surrounding Clay are her son MIchael, fiancee Michael Harris and mother Marie.

HD: Signs and symptoms According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Md., early signs of HD vary greatly from person to person. Typically, the earlier the symptoms emerge, the faster the disease evolves. Early symptoms include mood swings or uncharacteristic irritability, apathy, passiveness, depression or anger. These symptoms may lessen as the disease progresses or, in some individuals, may continue and include hostile outbursts or deep bouts of depression. HD may also affect an individual’s judgment, memory and other cognitive functions. Early signs may include difficulty with driving, learning new things, remembering a fact, answering a question or making a decision. Some people with early HD may even display changes in handwriting. As the disease progresses, concentration on intellectual tasks becomes increasingly difficult. In some individuals, the disease may begin with uncontrolled movements in the fingers, feet, face or trunk. These movements

are signs of chorea, an abnormal involuntary movement disorder that often intensifies when the person is anxious. HD can also begin with mild clumsiness or problems with balance. Some people develop choreic movements later, after the disease has progressed. They may stumble or appear uncoordinated. Chorea often creates serious problems with walking, increasing the likelihood of falls. The disease can reach the point where speech is slurred and vital functions, such as swallowing, eating, speaking and especially walking, continue to decline. Some individuals become unable to recognize other family members. Many, however, remain aware of their environment and are able to express emotions.

HD means major lifestyle shift for patients, families It’s been nine years since Laurie Clay’s diagnosis, and during that time the disease has extinguished many of her hopes—for a career in engineering, marriage to her fiancé Michael Harris, and active parenting of their

12-year-old son Michael. “In the early ’90s and throughout college, I had to repeat my courses because I started having organization and memory problems,” remembers Laurie, who worked in a chemical lab while in college but got fired because she was dropping things and miscalculating. “When we discovered in 1998 that my dad had it, I just needed [to get tested] to know,” she says. “Michael was three. People kept telling me that I was tired and disorganized because I was a first-time mom, but I had a feeling there was more to it than that.” Because Laurie’s cognitive and motor functions were already affected by the disease, she and her son Michael moved in with Marie Clay in 2001, while Harris, a security guard who worked two jobs, moved into a room at a Virginia Beach hotel where he was employed. Laurie and Michael decided not to marry because she was told she would lose her health benefits if Michael’s salary was factored in. When Laurie and her son moved in, Clay was already caring for her ex-husband Phillip, whose diagnosis of HD in 1998 occurred several years after their divorce. “I checked in on him many times for the sake of our children,” says Clay. After emergency room doctors discovered 32 blood clots on Phillip’s brain due to repeated falls, Clay decided to become his guardian. “But once Laurie was diagnosed, I could not handle the responsibility of caring for both of them, so I brought Phil to a nursing home in New York where our youngest daughter Kelly took over his care,” says Clay. In May 2006, Phillip Continued on page 23 THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

SMILE sense

At What Age Should I Schedule An Orthodontic Consult For My Child?

There are several conditions that can occur while undergoing orthodontic treatment. These include difficulty with oral hygiene, exacerbated gingivitis, mouth sores from wearing appliances, and tooth decalcification, also known as “white spot lesions.”

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should see an orthodontist by the age of seven. In most cases, children are not ready for treatment at this age. However, early screening can detect certain serious problems that are better treated at an early age. Your child’s general dentist can provide you with a referral to an orthodontist.

It is important for each patient to understand the need for meticulous oral hygiene in order to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Electric toothbrushes as well as floss aids are very efficient in accomplishing this. If patients are not diligant, then gingivitis can become a major concern. In some cases the gums will “overgrow” needing a surgical procedure to remove the excess tissue.

Problems with a child’s jaw growth and emerging permanent teeth can be detected while primary teeth are still present. Early treatment can help guide the growth of the permanent teeth and possibly make treatment at a later stage shorter and less complicated. It is also possible that early treatment with an appliance such as a space maintainer may prevent the need for braces. In some cases, an early visit to an orthodontist can help to achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing. So don’t be discouraged if your dentist refers your child to an orthodontist early on. It may be the best thing in the long run! Julia Holcomb Wrenn, BSDH, is a registered dental hygienist, graduating magna cum laude in dental hygiene in 2001 from Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia. She has eight years of experience and practices with Dr. Nancy Schumann in New Town of Williamsburg.

What Are Some Possible Dental Problems That May Arise During Orthodontic Treatment?

Mouth sores from the orthodontic appliances can also become a problem. It is vital to schedule regular orthodontic check-ups to make sure the appliances are functioning properly. In some cases, wires may need to be cut back or the patient may need to place wax on the extruding appliance to prevent any rubbing on the lips or cheeks.

Ask Julia Your questions—answered. Dental Hygienist, Julia Wrenn, BSDH, has the answers to your dental questions.

“White spot lesions” are decalcified or “soft spots” that remain on the tooth surface after braces have been removed. This is not caused by the braces themselves, but by the plaque that has accumulated on the teeth due to inadequate hygiene. It is recommended that patients use a daily fluoride-rinse such as ACT® or a fluoride enhanced toothpaste such as Prevident 5000®.

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FEATURE

Huntington’s Disease: A Roll of the Genetic Dice Continued from page 21

made the decision to have his feeding tube removed. He died days later at the age of 57, surrounded by Clay, Laurie and Kelly. “We told him we would be OK, and it was OK for him to go into God’s arms,” says Clay, tearfully. “Moments later, he drew his last breath.” Since Laurie moved in with her mother in 2001, the disease has steadily robbed her of the ability to do the simplest tasks. She is unable to multi-task, has little short-term memory, and her speech is slurred and slow. She must drink from a straw at all times to prevent choking and is slowly losing control of her facial muscles, which makes it difficult for her to smile. Laurie also deals with constant neck pain, and it is uncomfortable for her to sit for any length of time or to lie down. When she lifts her arms and hands to wash her hair, she tends to lose her balance. Her motor skills have deteriorated so much that it is difficult for her to brush her teeth, stir cake batter or cut paper. Helping her son Michael with his fifth-grade homework is nearly impossible, Marie Clay founded a Huntington’s disease sup- and her lack of balance causes her to struggle with reaching into cabinets or taking laundry port group in Virginia Beach last September. out of the washing machine or dryer. “[All parents] love their child,” says Clay,

“but when you see your child’s personality change and [her] health go down the tubes, and [she] struggles with simple everyday things, you feel like someone sucked the air out of you. Laurie had such high aspirations for life with Michael and their son, like any young woman. I am trying to be the strong one for her, but there are days I just need to have a good cry.”

Reaching out for support To try to cope with her emotions, Clay began attending an HD support group once a month at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, but she found it difficult to make the meetings because of her schedule and the distance. Clay organized a support group in Virginia Beach, which began meeting last September. Currently, 24 people attend the group’s monthly meeting (see our Community Calendar for more information). Emery O’Connor of Virginia Beach also had difficulty making it to the meetings in Newport News, and she now attends Clay’s Virginia Beach support group. Her grandmother died from complications of the disease, and her father and four of his 11 siblings have it as well. “[It] always weighed on me Continued on page 24

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FEATURE

Continued from page 23 that I had a 50-percent chance of having this, and when I experienced common things that everyone [with HD] experiences like anxiety, restless legs or the occasional loss of balance, I would automatically assume it was because I was in the early stages of Huntington’s,” says O’Connor, who is 38. “From 1995 to 2005, I cancelled at least three tests to see if I had the gene because I was scared. When I finally got the test, it came back negative, but I did it very wrong. I never had the counseling you are supposed to have.”

The HD gene and genetic testing In 1993, the discovery of the gene that causes HD led to the development of a genetic test for the disease. This blood test cannot indicate when symptoms will appear; it only indicates if the person carries the abnormal HD gene and will someday develop the disease. The decision to have the testing or not is a difficult one, according to Louise Vetter, chief executive officer of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), a national non-profit health agency based in New York that is dedicated to finding a cure for HD. “The disease has so many layers of implications [for] the family, because it is not just the person with the disease, it is the risk it places on other members of the family,” says Vetter. “That decision—do you get tested? don’t you get tested?—what does that mean? If you do test positive, is there going to be a meaningful treatment or cure in time for the person waiting for the disease to become symptomatic? It is all so difficult.” The HDSA recommends that at-risk individuals who are considering genetic testing do so at a testing center that follows HDSA

Laurie’s son Michael has a 50-50 chance of developing HD; Laurie and her fiancee Michael Harris say they will encourage young Michael to get tested for HD when he turns 18.

may be vulnerable to pressure from others. However, after a thorough neurological exam, a child under the age of 18 may be tested to confirm a diagnosis of juvenile-onset HD. (Fewer than 10 percent of individuals with HD develop symptoms before age 20.) In accordance with this recommendation, Laurie and Michael have decided that when their son Michael is 18 years old, they will allow him to decide whether or not to be tested for HD.

“There are a lot of ripples that come out from this decision, and we feel that [anybody who is considering testing needs to be thinking and role-playing] about what it will be like at the end to hear that yes, you did inherit the gene. We hope that they’ve done the work and we’ve done our jobs to help them be as prepared as they can be to hear that information.”

Virginia home to “Center of Excellence”

Warren Keith of Virginia Beach learned in 1990 that he was at risk for the disease after receiving a phone call from his father saying he had been diagnosed with HD. At that time, Keith and his wife, Sherry Hoback, had just entered into their fifth year of marriage and were living in Alaska, where Keith was an aviation technician with the Coast Guard. Shortly after Keith’s father was diagnosed, his health insurance company dropped him because of the diagnosis, which made Keith and Hoback afraid for their own future. “We figured the only way we would be able to maintain any benefits would be to not get tested—to keep his father’s diagnosis quiet and try to make it through the 20 years in the military,” says Hoback. “Every day since then, I’ve been watching [Keith]. Sometimes I’d find myself just staring at him, waiting to see some type of sign that he had it, too.” After his retirement in 2003, Keith had the test done and was officially diagnosed with HD. “We already knew in our hearts at that point that he had it,” says Hoback. “He had already begun with the nervous ticks and issues with his speech. It’s been a long, hard

In March 2000, the HDSA named the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System a “Center of Excellence” for the care of patients with HD and their families. The Huntington’s disease program at UVA became one of the first 10 “It’s like throwing a pebble in the HDSA Centers of Excellence in pond,” a UVA geneticist says of testing the nation and is still the only one in Virginia. for HD. “There are a lot of ripples that HDSA Centers of Excellence come out from this decision.” serve as a focal point for care of people and families affected by HD. Their mission is to provide guidelines. These centers require the at-risk expert care, participate in research initiatives person to meet with professionals who are for the care and cure of HD and educate the knowledgeable about HD for one session community and medical providers. Patricia Allinson, genetic counselor and devoted to each of the following: genetic counseling, a neurological exam, a psycho- program coordinator at the UVA HD prological interview, discussion of the results gram, says getting tested for HD requires and follow-up. The genetic test itself takes more than having blood drawn. “Before the several weeks and is performed on a blood person gets the test, we try to get the person to think about how a positive test result will sample. Genetic testing for children is typically pro- affect their career, marriage plans, childhibited before age 18, as a child may not bearing plans, their finances—it’s like throwunderstand the full implications of testing and ing a pebble in the pond,” says Allinson.

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

The realities of testing positive for HD

FEATURE

road filled with secrets and fear to try and protect our family.” Dr. Karen Thomas, a neurologist with Sentara Neurology Specialists in Virginia Beach who underwent fellowship training in movement disorders, says the couple’s story is all too familiar. “It’s a very unfortunate situation, but it exists—that’s the way our system is,” says Thomas. “People with this disease will have their insurance taken away from them. It affects their potential for employment or their current employment. There are a lot of serious ramifications for just getting tested—so much so that many pay out of pocket to get it done.” Despite all the negatives that come along with an HD diagnosis, for both the individual and that person’s family, Louise Vetter of HDSA says there is a distinct feeling of optimism and hope among many in the HD community. “I am overwhelmed by the strength that I see in the individuals who are living with HD, by the caregivers taking care of a spouse or parent or a child and their perseverance to move forward, and by the strength and hope that if we just keep moving forward there is going to be meaningful treatment and a cure closer than you think. That is just incredibly heartwarming. Unlike any health issue that I am familiar with or have been involved with, the sense of community around families facing Huntington’s is truly unique. It is a relatively small community, and they are constantly working together to support research, to make sure that the best access to clinical care is out there, and there are very active online groups. It is just a family in a very different way. They are committed, they are driven, and they are really, really strong.” Another person encouraged by the progress made with HD is local neurologist Dr. Thomas Pellegrino, who was Laurie Clay’s doctor before becoming a full-time faculty member at Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2006. “There is much more information available than when I began practicing in this field 30 years ago,” says Pellegrino. “I think with advocacy groups like HDSA making the disease much more widely known, the number of resources available to people with the disease is much greater than it used to be, so people are much more aware of it than 25 to 30 years ago. For years and years, it was a frustrating field to work in. Research money is partially conditioned by how common the disease is, but it is also in part conditioned by how much progress is being made. Once you start to learn something and feel like

you are getting somewhere, it is easier to start getting people interested in it. Public awareness is key.” Increasing public awareness of HD is something that Marie Clay and her family are committed to until there is a cure. Clay, along with the other members of the Virginia Beach Huntington’s Disease Support Group, raise money for research and for the UVA HD clinic

through Green Planet Fundraising, an organization dedicated to improving the planet one tree at a time. Says Clay: “They are providing us with an environmentally responsible opportunity to raise money for research.” For every $10 donation toward sponsoring a tree, HDSA receives $5. The money raised by this effort will go directly to UVA and will be used to help fund continued

research to find a cure for Huntington’s disease. Green Planet Fundraising will use its half of the donation to purchase, plant and maintain a tree. As for Clay and her daughter, they will continue to deal with the disease as best they can and continue fighting to be heard, not just for themselves but for everyone who either has HD or tests positive for the HD gene. HJ

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breakthroughs

Common Virus May Cause High Blood Pressure Written By Julie Steenhuysen

A new study suggests that vaccines and antiviral drugs may offer a new approach to treating hypertension.

CHICAGO (Reuters)

Currently, there is no vaccine, but several companies, including Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Vical, are working on them. And Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG makes an antiviral drug called Valcyte to prevent CMV infections in transplant recipients.

common virus may be a major cause of high blood pressure, researchers said last month when they released a finding that may bring a new approach to treating a condition that affects an estimated one billion people worldwide. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that affects some 60 to 99 percent of adults globally and appears to increase inflammation in blood vessels, causing high blood pressure. And when combined with a fatty diet, CMV may also cause hardening of the arteries, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease, they said. “I think it could be very important,” said Dr. Clyde Crumpacker of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, who worked on the study in the Public Library of Science Journal PLoS Pathogens. “It may suggest a whole new way of looking at high blood pressure and vascular disease,” Crumpacker said in a telephone interview. He said the research offers the first direct proof that the virus causes persistent infection in blood vessels. Doctors typically use drugs such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors to control blood pressure, a condition that affects one in every three adults in the United States. Crumpacker said the study suggests vaccines and antiviral drugs may offer a new approach for treating hypertension.

CMV and diet By age 40, most adults will have been exposed to CMV, although many never experience any symptoms. But the virus can cause harm in people with compromised immune systems, such as transplant recipients, and it is a major cause of birth defects in babies whose mothers were infected during pregnancy. In one experiment, Crumpacker and colleagues examined four groups of lab mice. Two were fed a standard diet and two were fed a high-fat diet. After four weeks, half of the mice from the standard and fatty diet groups were exposed to the virus. Six weeks later, mice in both infected groups had elevated blood pressure, but 30 percent of infected mice on high cholesterol diets also showed signs of atherosclerosis. “This strongly suggests that the CMV infection and the high cholesterol diet might be working together,” Crumpacker said. In another study of kidney cells in infected mice, the team found high levels of the enzyme renin, which is known to cause high blood pressure. They found the same high rates of the enzyme in human blood vessel cells infected with CMV. And they found that CMV infection increased markers for inflammation in blood vessels. More research is needed to look at the role of viruses in heart disease, but Crumpacker said the findings suggest new treatment possibilities. “Some cases of hypertension might be treated or prevented by antiviral therapy or a vaccine against CMV,” he said. HJ

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eye health

Age-Related Vision Loss: Four Common Causes Written By Amy Johnson

ccording to the American Association for the Blind, approximately 6.5 million Americans over the age of 65 are currently experiencing some sort of vision loss. In coming years, as the country’s population ages, experts believe that number could potentially double. The keys to preventing or delaying vision loss are proper screening and knowledge of family history. Doctors recommend regular eye examinations starting at age 40 even if you don’t have any vision problems. Comprehensive dilated eye exams are also recommended every two years after the age of 60. Dr. John Nordlund of Retina and Glaucoma Associates in Williamsburg says vision loss can occur slowly and that in many cases, people don’t realize that damage is occuring in their eyes until it’s too late. “A lot of eye diseases are controllable but not curable,” Nordlund explains. “It’s important to catch problems early on to prevent the most damage to your vision.” A 2004 study by the National Eye Institute identified the four most common age-related eye diseases as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. The following is a brief course in these causes of age-related vision loss: Age-related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among adults age 50 and older. It occurs when the retina and its lower layers become damaged, resulting in distorted and blurred central vision. AMD is labeled as dry or wet; dry AMD can be diagnosed based on the presence of drusen—yellow and “A lot of eye white deposits in the eye—during a dilated diseases are retinal examination. controllable but Wet AMD, the less common form of the not curable” disease, is characterized by the growth of — Dr. John Nordlund, new blood vessels on Retina & Glaucoma the retina. Associates Prevention: While Nordlund says there is no exact way to prevent age-related macular degeneration, studies have pinpointed several risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and a diet high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables. Treatment: According to Nordlund, while vitamins and zinc are used to treat dry AMD, wet AMD is treated with a series of injections behind the eye that block the growth of new blood vessels. Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Symptoms include

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

loss of peripheral vision, sensitivity to light and poor night vision. African-Americans are at increased risk of developing glaucoma, as are those with a family history of the disease. Prevention: Glaucoma causes permanent damage to the eye, but early detection and treatment can minimize vision loss. Those with a family history of glaucoma or who have other risk factors should receive frequent eye examinations. During a routine eye exam, a tonometer is used to measure the pressure within the eye. The higher the pressure reading, the more likely the patient is to develop glaucoma. Treatment: All glaucoma treatments are aimed at lowering the intraocular pressure. Medications in the form of eye drops, along with laser procedures and surgery, can help minimize vision loss from glaucoma. Cataracts are caused by excess pigment in the lens of the eye, resulting in cloudy vision. “Most people [will] have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old,” says Nordlund. Symptoms can include poor night vision, sensitivity to light, and seeing distorted colors or halos around lights. Prevention: Studies have suggested that in addition to age, exposure to sunlight and cigarette smoking can increase one’s risk of developing cataracts. Researchers also believe that a healthy diet including fruits as well as green, leafy vegetables and other antioxidant-rich foods

can offer protective benefits. Treatment: Unlike most causes of vision loss, cataracts can be easily treated with lens replacement surgery. “Think of it as changing a lens in a camera,” Nordlund explains. Though cataracts can be corrected with surgery, vision loss resulting from them is more significant, particularly after the age of 60, without proper screenings and routine visits to an eye doctor. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels and may take years to fully develop. In some patients, blood vessels in the eye will swell and leak fluid. Common symptoms are “spiders” or “cobwebs” or tiny specks floating in the visual field, as well as blurred vision and poor night vision, among other symptoms. Prevention: Adults with diabetes should have an annual dilated retinal exam. Early detection of retinal damage allows effective treatment with lasers or eye medications before vision loss occurs. Those with a family history of adult-onset diabetes (also known as Type 2 diabetes) should be screened regularly. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent the disease. Treatment: Laser therapy, used to seal leaking blood vessels, and steroid injections behind the eye can help prevent diabetes-related vision loss. HJ

eye health

Certain Foods May Thwart Age-Related Vision Loss Written By Amy Norton NEW YORK (Reuters Health)

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new study suggests that older adults who eat diets rich in citrus fruits, leafy greens and fish oil, but low in “glycemic index,” may have a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration— the leading cause of vision loss among older U.S. adults. AMD, also known as “age-related macular degeneration,” refers to gradual damage to the macula, a structure in the retina that allows for seeing fine detail. The condition affects more than one million Americans, usually after the age of 65. A number of studies have suggested that individual nutrients, including the antioxidants lutein, vitamin C and vitamin E, can help protect against AMD. This latest study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, looked at the overall diet patterns of 4,000 older adults and the links to AMD risk.

Retina & Glaucoma Associates specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases and glaucoma.

A number of studies have suggested that individual nutrients, including the antioxidants lutein, vitamin C and vitamin E, can help protect against AMD. Researchers found that participants who tended to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, had a relatively lower risk of AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments that act as antioxidants; the nutrients are found in broccoli, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, as well as egg yolks. The study also found that diets containing foods with a low glycemic index also appeared protective against AMD. Not surprisingly, older adults who combined all three dietary patterns showed a decreased AMD risk as well. Glycemic index (GI) refers to how rapidly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High-GI foods, like white bread and potatoes, tend to spur a quick elevation in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as lentils, soybeans, yogurt and many high-fiber grains, create a more gradual increase in blood sugar. The blood-sugar surges associated with high-GI diets may eventually damage the macula, explained lead researcher Dr. Chung-Jung Chiu, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. That’s because excess blood sugar interacts with other molecules, like fats and proteins, to form what are called glycated molecules, he told Reuters Health. This process, in turn, can put the body under more oxidative stress, which over time damages cells and may lead to various diseases, including AMD. Foods rich in nutrients that may ward off AMD—including citrus fruits, leafy greens, oily fish like salmon and mackerel, and vegetable oils—are also seen as beneficial for overall health. So it’s a good idea to try to eat more of them, Chiu said. This is especially true for older adults, the researcher noted, since the body’s “self-defense systems” generally decline with age. HJ

Dr. Nordlund is a former University of Virginia Medical School faculty member with fellowship training in retina at the Mayo Clinic and glaucoma at Johns Hopkins.

Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 John R. Nordlund, MD, PhD Member, American Society of Retina Specialists Member, American Glaucoma Society

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THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

Red Yeast Rice Offers Cholesterol-Lowering Option

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ogether with lifestyle changes, red yeast rice can help reduce so-called “bad” cholesterol in people who cannot tolerate treatment with popular cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, according to a new study. Moreover, red yeast rice does not seem to have the side effects, including muscle pain, often experienced by those who cannot tolerate statin treatment, lead author Dr. David J. Becker, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and colleagues note in their report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Red yeast rice is a dietary supplement that has been used for centuries in China as an herbal medication. Researchers knew that it lowered LDL cholesterol, but they had not determined whether it worked in people who could not take statins. Becker and his colleagues studied 62 patients with high cholesterol who had stopped taking statins because of muscle pain. The patients received either red yeast rice (1800 milligrams) or dummy pills twice per day for 24 weeks. All of the subjects also participated in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle change program, including visits with a cardiologist, dietician, exercise physiologist, and several experts in relaxation techniques. After 12 weeks and 24 weeks, those who received the red yeast rice saw their LDL levels, and their overall cholesterol levels, fall more than took the dummy pills. By contrast, Dr. Bacon - SinuS those aD -who Final 04.23.09 10” widelevx 6.25” els of other forms of cholesterol and fats in the blood did not change. HJ

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Fiona and Grant are an Ontario couple who have been married for over 40 years. Now, in the oncoming twilight of their years, they are forced to face the fact that Fiona’s “forgetfulness” actually is Alzheimer’s Disease. After Fiona wanders away and is found after being lost, they agree she must go into a nursing home. As the distance between husband and wife grows, Grant must draw upon his love for Fiona to perform an act of self-sacrifice in order to ensure her happiness. To RSVP for our Alzheimer’s Educational Series or to learn more about any of our events, call us today at 757-221-0018.

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THE HEALTH JOURNAL

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Many Teens Wired, Caffeinated Well Past Bedtime Written By Anne Harding NEW YORK (Reuters Health)

“Parents need to take steps to keep their children’s nighttime technology use under control.” — Dr. Christina J. Calamaro, Drexel University, Philadelphia

affeine-fueled teens are texting, Web-surfing and gaming for hours into the night, which is affecting their alertness and ability to function during the day, a new study in Pediatrics shows. “They’re up at night and they’re doing a lot less homework than we thought and a lot more multitasking,” Dr. Christina J. Calamaro of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the lead researcher on the study, told Reuters Health. She and her colleagues found that the more multitasking a teen did, the more likely he or she was to be dozing off during the day, while the kids who nodded off were also the heaviest caffeine consumers. Experts believe that teenagers need at least nine hours of sleep every night, Calamaro and her team note in their report, but the average sleep time for U.S. adolescents is seven hours. By surveying 100 12- to 18-yearolds, the researchers investigated whether teens’ use of technology and caffeinated beverages might affect how much sleep they got at night and how tired they felt during the day. To gauge how heavily the study participants used technology at night, Calamaro and her colleagues developed a measure they dubbed the “multitasking index”: the total number of hours a child spent doing each of nine different activities (watching TV, listening to MP3s, doing homework, and watching DVDs or videos, etc.) divided by nine—the number of hours from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Kids’ average multitasking index was about .6, meaning they were engaged in the equivalent of one of the nine activities for 5.3 hours

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Youth who used inhalants in the past year were about three times more likely to use marijuana, four times more likely to use prescription drugs non-medically, and seven times more likely to use hallucinogens than those who had not used inhalants in the past year.

www.HTSAC.org or call (757) 476-5070

KNOW YOUR FACTS, KNOW WHAT TO ASK, WHEN TO ASK, & HOW TO ASK. 32

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

A message from the Friends Reaching Every End Youth Leadership Program.

JULY 2009

or four activities for 80 minutes each. Just one in five of the study participants said they got eight to ten hours of sleep a night, and these teens had an average multitasking index of 0.39. One third of the study participants said they fell asleep in school, and these teens dozed off an average of twice a day, although some said they fell asleep as many as eight times a day. The higher a child’s multitasking index, the more likely he or she was to fall asleep in school. The teens’ average caffeine consumption was 215 milligrams (mg) daily, or the equivalent of a couple of espressos. Nearly three-quarters of the study participants were drinking more than 100 mg of caffeine a day, and there were a few with very heavy consumption, the researchers found; 11.2 percent drank over 400 mg of caffeine daily. One student reported drinking over 1,400 mg of caffeine every day. Fourteen of the study participants had their licenses, and half of them said they felt sleepy while driving; one of them admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. “These adolescents who multitask the most are at risk for changes in school performance, difficulties with executive function, and degradation of neurobehavioral function,” Calamaro and her team warn. The researcher said that while the current study was small, she expects the findings accurately reflect teen behavior. “I won’t be surprised if and when we replicate this that we’ll get similar results, because this is what adolescents are doing.” Parents need to take steps to keep their children’s nighttime technology use under control, Calamaro said in an interview. It’s crucial to keep TVs, computers and especially cell phones out of kids’ bedrooms, she said. “The texting is a huge issue. I think we’ll find it to be a greater issue.” Parents should also discourage teens from drinking caffeinated beverages after noon, the researcher added. While teens’ body clocks may force them to stay up somewhat later than adults, and wake up later too, it’s still important for adults to convey the message that night is time to start slowing down, Calamaro added. “Even though we know adolescents are on a different time schedule, we can still get them less wired at night.” HJ

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Health Journal Williamsburg Edition

We’ve done our best to include every health-related practice or service in Greater Williamsburg. If your organization is not listed, or if your listing is not current, send your updates to info@thehealthjournals.com.

Emergency Numbers National Responce Center Toll-Free: (800) 424-8802 National Suicide Crisis Hotline Toll-Free: (800) 784-2433 National Suicide Prevention Hotline Toll-Free: (800) 273-8255 Poison Control Center Toll-Free: (800) 222-1222

Allergists & ENT Allergy & Asthma of Oyster Point-Williamsburg 217 McLaws Cir., Suite 5 Williamsburg (757) 873-3882 Riverside Williamsburg Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Clinic 120 Kings Way, Suite 2600 Williamsburg (757) 345-2600 VA Adult & Pediatric Allergy & Asthma PC 1144 Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 259-0443 Williamsburg ENT - Allergy 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 300 Williamsburg (757) 253-8722

Assisted Care & Senior Living

Teresa Green, L Ac 7131 Richmond Rd., Ste. 302 Williamsburg (804) 561-1258 Integrative Chiropractic & Acupuncture 1318 Jamestown Rd., Suite 102 Williamsburg (757) 253-1900 Performance Chiropractic 1307 Jamestown Rd., Suite 103 Williamsburg (757) 229-4161 Pinto Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 4125 Ironbound Rd. Suite 201 Williamsburg (757) 645-9353 Platinum Chiropractic 3709-D Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-6069 The Spine Center of Williamsburg 219 McLaws Circle Daniel S. Carlson, DC Williamsburg (757) 259-0077 Mark Croucher, DC Williamsburg (757) 259-1122 Walsh Family Chiropractic, PC 1309 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-4917 Williamsburg Chiropractic Clinic 5252-A Olde Towne Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-0060

Dentistry & Oral Health Boxx, Blaney Lachine & Bowe 1118-A Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 229-5570

Chambrel of Williamsburg 3800 Treyburn Dr. Williamsburg (757) 220-1839

D. W. Cherry, DDS 2225 S Henry St. Williamsburg (757) 253-2500

Colonial Manor 8679 Pocahontas Trail Williamsburg (757) 476-6721

Michael J. Coleman, DDS 6969 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-0041

Consulate Health Care 1811 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-9991

Curry Dental Center 312-H Lightfoot Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-3450

Dominion Village of Williamsburg 4132 Longhill Rd. Williamsburg (757) 258-3444

Bruce DeGinder, DDS 240 McLaws Circle, Ste. 153 Williamsburg (757) 220-9492

Heritage Commons 236 Commons Way Williamsburg (888) 711-6775

John P. Doley, DDS 1116-A Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 229-4181

Madison Retirement Center 251 Patriot’s Lane Williamsburg (757) 220-4014

Sam E. English, DDS 4680-16A Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 258-1042

Morningside Of Williamsburg 440 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 221-0018

Peter S. Evans, DDS 120 Kings Way, Ste. 1300 Williamsburg (757) 220-1999

Patriots Colony at Williamsburg 6000 Patriots Colony Dr. Williamsburg (757) 220-9000

Gisela K. Fashing, DDS 325 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 229-8991

Riverside Adult Daycare 3435 John Tyler Hwy., Bldg. 2, Suite 1-A Williamsburg (757) 565-5305

Gilbert J. Frey, DDS Lawrence R. Samiere, DDS 1161 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 253-0400

Ruxton Health of Williamsburg 1235 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-4121 Spring Arbor 935 Capitol Landing Rd. Williamsburg (757) 565-3583 Williamsburg Landing 5700 Williamsburg Landing Dr. Toll-Free (800) 554-5517 WindsorMeade of Williamsburg 3900 Windsor Hall Drive Williamsburg (757) 941-3615

Sebastiana Springmann, DDS Sonia Tao Yi, DDS Maria L. Freyfogle, DMD, MAGD, ABGD 4939 Courthouse Street Williamsburg (757) 259-0741 Norge Dental Center 7450 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-0804 Edward A. Owens, DMD 211 Bulifants Blvd., Bldg. 14, Ste. A Williamsburg (757) 229-6414 Parks Orthodontics 1116-A Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 253-0521 Christine Piascik, DDS 1769 Jamestown Rd., Suite B Williamsburg (757) 229-8920 Richard A. Pugliese, DDS 502 Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 259-9703 Nancy Yang Schumann, DDS 5309 Discovery Park Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 564-0900 Ronald J. Smalls, DDS 1309 Jamestown Rd., Suite 103 Williamsburg (757) 229-0620 K. L.Tankersley, DDS, MD 1147 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 258-8913 David G. Walker, DDS 813 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-6278 Williamsburg Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 195 Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-6692 Williamsburg Orthodontics 4097-A Ironbound Rd. Williamsburg (757) 253-1200 Williamsburg Dental Group 1319 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-7210 106 Bacon Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-3099 Williamsburg Family Dentistry 213 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. 15-E Williamsburg (757) 345-5500 Williamsburg Periodontics & Implants 200 Packets Court Williamsburg (757) 221-0249 Walter G. Winneberger, DDS 104 Bypass Rd., Suite 202 Williamsburg (757) 229-6960 Wyatt Orthodontics 7151 Richmond Rd., Suite 303 Williamsburg (757) 565-3737

Dermatology Dermatology Center of Williamsburg 5335-A Discovery Park Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 645-3787

TPMG Family Medicine 132 Professional Circle Williamsburg (757) 645-2981 TPMG Norge Family Practice 7151 Richmond Road., Suite 405 Williamsburg (757) 564-3700 Williamsburg Family Physicians 227 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 564-8182 Williamsburg Internal Medicine 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 400 Williamsburg (757) 345-4600

Fitness & Weight Management Anahata Yoga Center 104 Bypass Road, Suite 201 Williamsburg (757) 253-0080 B-defined Personal Training 4801 Courthouse St., Suite 122 Williamsburg (757) 345-6801 Body Balance Studio 370 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 221-0774 Bodyfit 5251 John Tyler Hwy. Williamsburg (757) 221-6688 CORE FITNESS Performance Training Center 344 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 564-7311 Curves For Women 4511-B John Tyler Hwy. Williamsburg (757) 221-0330 107-A Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 565-5655

Colonial Gastroenterology 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 350 Williamsburg (757) 253-5771 Peninsula Gastroenterology 120 Kings Way Williamsburg (757) 345-6411 TPMG Willaimsburg Gastroenterology 105 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. B Williamsburg (757) 903-4807 Williamsburg Gastroenterology 457 McLaws Circle, Suite 103 Williamsburg (757) 221-0750

General Surgery Hampton Roads Surgical Specialists 120 Kings Way, Ste. 2800 Williamsburg (757) 345-0141 TPMG Colonial Surgery 105 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B Williamsburg (757) 345-2071 Williamsburg Surgery, PC 500 Sentara Circle, Ste. 202 Williamsburg (757) 984-9850

Hand Surgery Robert A. Campolattaro, MD Nicholas Smerlis, MD 5208 Monticello Ave., Suite. 180 Williamsburg (757) 206-1004

Health Products & Equipment Bike Beat 4640 Monticello Ave., Ste. 9-B Williamsburg (757) 229-0096 Bikesmith of Williamsburg 515 York Street Williamsburg (757) 229-9858 Bikes Unlimited 141 Monticello Avenue Williamsburg (757) 229-4620

Equilibrium Exercise Gallery 7880 Richmond Rd. Toano (757) 566-0077

Ceo Maidin Feirm Community Supported Agriculture Program Toano (757) 566-0009

FT - Fitness Together 4854 Longhill Rd., Ste. 1-A Williamsburg (757) 345-2246

Conte's Bicycle & Fitness 4919 Courthouse Street Williamsburg (757) 565-1225

Joseph W. Musgrave, MD 1139 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 220-2266

Ironbound Gym 4325 New Town Avenue Williamsburg (757) 229-5874

General Nutrition Center 4680-18B Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 565-5100

Pariser Dermatology Specialists 207 Bulifants Blvd., Suite C Williamsburg (757) 564-8535

Jazzercise 455 Merrimac Trail Williamsburg (757) 220-8020

Hospital-grade Breast Pumps and Supplies Williamsburg (757) 565-6156

Schumann Dermatology Group 5309 Discovery Park Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 564-1200

Knee Pond Yoga, LLC 4125 Ironbound Rd., Ste. 201 Williamsburg (757) 220-8552

Diagnostic Imaging

Ladies Workout Express 3709-B Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-2992

Hearing & Audiology

Hampton Roads Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 1147 Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 258-8913

Peninsula Williamsburg Cardiology Associates 120 Kings Way, Suite 2500 Williamsburg (757) 565-0600

Carol F. Morgan, DDS 1130 Old Colony Ln. Williamsburg (757) 220-6727

Riverside Diagnostic Center 120 Kings Way, Suite 1200 Williamsburg (757) 345-6700

Thomas J. Morris, DDS 491 McLaws Cir., Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 253-0598

Tidewater Diagnostic Imaging 100 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 984-6000

Robert F. Morrison, DMD William Broas, DDS Pete Foster, DDS Shanail Moorman, DDS Stephen L. Murphy, DDS J. Randall Owen, DDS 1131 Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 220-0330 7151 Richmond Rd., Ste. 305 Williamsburg (757) 258-7778

Women's Imaging Center 100 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 984-6000

Riverside Williamsburg Medical Arts Urgent & Primary Care 5231 John Tyler Highway Williamsburg (757) 220-8300

Gastroenterology

The Daily Shake 6576 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 221-0228

Lifetime Family Dental 7349 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-8942

Riverside Williamsburg Medical Arts Family Practice 120 Kings Way, Suite 1400 Williamsburg (757) 345-2555

WJCC Recreation Center 5301 Longhill Road Williamsburg (757) 259-4200

Hatha Yoga Classes 5800 Mooretown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-0001

Cardiovascular Health, PLLC 117-B Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 259-9540

Commonwealth Family Chiropractic 140 Professional Cir. Williamsburg (757) 220-9670

New Town Family Practice 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 200 Williamsburg (757) 220-2795

Bruce E. Fuller, MD 120 Kings Way, Suite 3300 Williamsburg (757) 564-9220

Adam J. Kadolph, DDS 7151 Richmond Rd., Suite 303 Williamsburg (757) 565-3737

Colonial Chiropractic, PC 120 Kings Way, Suite 2100 Williamsburg (757) 258-4500

Bruce Mayer, MD, PC 4622 Rochambeau Drive Williamsburg (757) 566-2045

Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) 5700 Warhill Trail Williamsburg (757) 253-1947

Hampton Roads Neuromuscular and Aesthetic Dentistry 1313 Jamestown Rd., Ste. 205 Williamsburg (757) 229-3052

Advanced Cardiovascular Institute 5215-A Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-1440

Chiro Care Plus, PC 3204-A Ironbound Rd. Williamsburg (757) 565-6464

Tommy Johnson, MD 1313 Jamestown Rd., Ste. 103 Williamsburg (757) 229-1259

Transitions Lifestyle 3244 Windsor Ridge S. Williamsburg (757) 645-5737

Dermatology Specialists 475 McLaws Cir., Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 259-9466

Cardiology

Acupuncture Works, Inc. 362 McLaws Circle, Suite 2 Williamsburg (757) 565-9611

Family Care of Williamsburg 117-A Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 565-5440

Tidewater Systema Russian Martial Art Williamsburg (757) 810-8104

Terry H. Hake, DDS 1761 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-4115

Paul Hartman, DDS 1323 Jamestown Rd., Suite 203 Williamsburg (757) 253-2393

Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Family Practice

Mark M. Neale, DDS, MAGD 5000 New Point Rd., Ste. 2101 Williamsburg (757) 229-8050

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

Cranial Facial Imaging Center 7151 Richmond Rd., Ste. 306 Williamsburg (757) 476-6714

Endocrinology Williamsburg Endocrinology, Inc. 207 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. D Williamsburg (757) 565-9586

The Pilates Center 1130 Old Colony Lane, Suite 201 Williamsburg (757) 229-5002 Quarterpath Recreation Center 202 Quarterpath Rd. Williamsburg (757) 259-3770 R. F. Wilkinson Family YMCA 301 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 229-9622 Reach for Performance, Inc. 312-J Lightfoot Rd. Williamsburg (757) 258-1221 Results Personal Training Studio Inc. 3206-C Ironbound Rd. Williamsburg (757) 565-5000 Sante Living! 5301 Birdella Dr. Williamsburg (757) 208-0314

Colonial Center For Hearing 337 McLaws Circle, Suite 3 Williamsburg (757) 229-4004 Hearing Evaluation & Noise Protection Assoc., Inc 1321 Jamestown Rd., Suite 104 Williamsburg (757) 229-4335

Hearing Health Care Centers of Williamsburg 5107-B Center St. Williamsburg (757) 206-1900 Moran Hearing Aid Center 1158-C Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 564-5902

Hospice & Home Care Agape Home Care 354 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 229-6115 At-Home Care 366 McLaws Circle, Suite 2 Williamsburg (757) 220-2112 Bayada Nurses 7151 Richmond Rd., Suite 201 Williamsburg (757) 565-5400 Brookside Home Health 460 McLaws Circle, Ste. 250 Williamsburg (800) 296-2536 Comfort Keepers 15441-A Pocahontas Trail Lanexa (804) 966-1997 Concordia Group 1524-C Merrimac Trail Williamsburg (757) 229-9930 Hand 'N' Heart 461 McLaws Circle, Ste. 3 Williamsburg (757) 565-0216 Harmony Care 106 Queen Anne Dr. Williamsburg (757) 784-7650 Hope In-Home Care 4512 John Tyler Hwy., Ste. G Williamsburg (757) 220-1500 Hospice of Virginia 7231 Forest Ave., Ste. 100 Richmond (804) 281-0451 Hospice Support Care 4445 Powhatan Pkwy. Williamsburg (757) 253-1220 Intrepid USA 212 Packets Court Williamsburg (757) 220-9331 Karya Home Care, Inc. 376 McLaws Circle, Ste. B1 Williamsburg (757) 259-7411 Personal Touch Home Care & Hospice of Va. 5581 Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 564-6455 Sentara Home Care Services 1100 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 259-6251 Theraputic Holistic Wellness Care 311 Raven Terrace Williamsburg (757)645-2926

Hospitals & Clinics Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic 7151 Richmond Rd., Suite 401 Williamsburg (757) 565-1700 Berkeley Outpatient Medical & Surgical Center 136 Professional Circle Williamsburg (757) 253-2450 First Med of Williamsburg 312 Second St. Williamsburg (757) 229-4141 Lackey Free Family Medicine Clinic 1620 Old Williamsburg Rd. Yorktown (757) 886-0608 MedExpress Urgent Care 120 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 564-3627 New Town Urgent Care 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 100 Williamsburg (757) 259-1900 Olde Towne Medical Center 5249 Olde Towne Rd. Williamsburg (757) 259-3258

Riverside Williamsburg Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Clinic 120 Kings Way, Suite 2600 Williamsburg (757) 253-1832

Riverside Williamsburg Medical Arts Urgent & Primary Care 5231 John Tyler Highway Williamsburg (757) 220-8300

Williamsburg ENT-Allergy 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 300 Williamsburg (757) 253-8722

Sentara Outpatient Care Center 301 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 984-9900

Hearing Aids

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center 100 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 984-6000

Beltone/Ledford Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 1303 N. Mount Vernon Ave. Williamsburg (757) 220-8975 Bowers Assistive Hearing Service 113-L Palace Lane Williamsburg (757) 220-3674

Travel Health of Williamsburg 287 McLaws Cir., Suite 2 Williamsburg (757) 220-9008

Hypnosis

La Leche League of Virginia Williamsburg (757) 220-9187

Joan R. Milkavich, LPC 352 McLaws Cir., Suite 3 Williamsburg (757) 564-4590

Meals on Wheels 227 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-9250

Linda Pincus, RN, CH 240 Patrick's Crossing Williamsburg (757) 565-6156

National Alliance on Mental Illness Williamsburg Area Williamsburg (757) 220-8535

Williamsburg Healthy Hypnosis 1769-107 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 254-1104

National Federation of the Blind Williamsburg (757) 565-1185

Internal Medicine

Peninsula Health District 1126 Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 253-4813

Kevin R. Bedell, MD 4622 Rochambeau Dr. Williamsburg (757) 566-4246

Senior Services Coalition 161-A John Jefferson Sq. Williamsburg (757) 220-3480

Greensprings Physicians 2000 Easter Circle Williamsburg (757) 564-5540

SpiritWorks Foundation 5800 Mooretown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-0001

Internal Medicine of Williamsburg 227 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 564-8182

The ARC of Greater Williamsburg 202-D Packets Ct. Williamsburg (757) 229-3535

Kingsmill Internal Medicine 477 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 208-0010 The Massey Clinic 322 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-0919 New Town Internal Medicine 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 102 Williamsburg (757) 259-6770 Williamsburg Internal Medicine 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 400 Williamsburg (757) 645-3150

Medical Transportation

The Center for Excellence in Aging and Geriatric Health 3901 Treyburn Dr., Ste. 100 Williamsburg (757) 220-4751 United Way 312 Waller Mill Rd., Suite 100 Williamsburg (757) 253-2264 Help Line: (757) 229-2222 Williamsburg AIDS Network 479 McLaws Circle, Suite 2 Williamsburg (757) 220-4606

Nutrition The Nutrition and Wellness Center 151 Kristiansand Dr., Suite 101 Williamsburg (757) 221-7074

Lifeline Ambulance 24-Hour Service/ Emergency & Non-Emergency Transportation Toll-Free: (800) 476-5433

Obstetrics & Gynecology

LogistiCare Medicaid Transportation Toll-Free: (866) 386-8311

TPMG Williamsburg OBGYN 105 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. B Williamsburg (757) 903-4807

RIDES Non-Emergency Transportation 7239 Pocahontas Trail Williamsburg (757) 345-6166

Wetchler and Dineen Gynecology 217 McLaws Cir., Suite 5 Williamsburg (757) 229-3254

Nephrology & Renal Health DaVita Williamsburg Dialysis 500 Sentara Circle, Suite 103 Williamsburg (757) 206-1408 Renal Advantage, Inc. 4511-J John Tyler Hwy. Williamsburg (757) 229-5701 7364 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-5890 Sentara Nephrology Specialists 500 Sentara Circle, Suite 102 Williamsburg (757) 984-9700 TPMG Willaimsburg Nephrology 105 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. B Williamsburg (757) 903-4807

Neurology & Neurosurgery Hampton Roads Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists 120 King's Way, Suite 3500 Williamsburg (757) 220-6823 Williamsburg Neurology PC & Sleep Disorders Center 120 Kings Way, Suite 2700 Williamsburg (757) 221-0110 Sentara Neurology Specialists 400 Sentara Circle, Suite 305 Williamsburg (757) 388-6105

Non-Profit Organizations Alzheimer’s Association 213-B McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 221-7272 American Red Cross 1317 Jamestown Rd., Suite 105 Williamsburg (757) 253-0228 Arthritis Foundation-Va. Chapter Toll-Free (800) 456-4687 Avalon 312 Waller Mill Rd., Ste. 300 Williamsburg (757) 258-9362 BikeWalk Virginia P.O. Box 203 Williamsburg (757) 229-0507 Child Development Resources 150 Point O' Woods Rd. Norge (757) 566-3300 DreamCatchers 10120 Fire Tower Road Toano (757) 566-1775 Faith in Action 354 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 258-5890 FISH 312 Waller Mill Road Williamsburg (757)220-9379 Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition 161-A John Jefferson Square Williamsburg (757) 476-5070

Williamsburg Obstetrics & Gynecology 1115 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 253-5653 Womancare Of Williamsburg 120 Kings Way, Suite 3400 Williamsburg (757) 253-5600

Forest Schaeffer Monticello Marketplace Williamsburg (757) 258-1020 Williamsburg Eye Care 101 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. A Williamsburg (757) 564-1907

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Tidewater Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists 5208 Monticello Ave., Suite. 180 Williamsburg (757) 206-1004 TPMG Orthopedics Spine/Sports Medicine & Virginia Center for Athletic Medicine 4125 Ironbound Rd., Suite 200 Williamsburg (757) 345-5870 Virginia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 5335-B Discovery Park Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 253-0603

Pain Management Tushar U. Gajjar, MD 400 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 345-4400 Tidewater Pain Management 4125 Ironbound Rd. Williamsburg (757) 258-2561

Pediatrics Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg 119 Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 564-7337 Williamsburg Pediatric, Adolescent & Sports Medicine 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 202 Williamsburg (757) 253-5757 400 Sentara Circle, Ste. 310 Williamsburg (757) 253-5757 Williamsburg Teen Center 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 202 Williamsburg (757) 259-5133

Pharmacies CVS Pharmacy Visit www.CVS.com for local listings. Farm Fresh Pharmacy Visit www.farmfreshsupermarkets.com for local listings. K Mart Pharmacy 118 Waller Mill Road Williamsburg (757) 220-2393

Oncology

Olde Towne Pharmacy 4854 Longhill Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-8764

Hampton Roads Surgical Specialists 120 Kings Way, Suite 2800 Williamsburg (757) 873-6434

Professional Pharmacy 11302 Mount Vernon Dr. Williamsburg (757) 229-3560

Peninsula Cancer Institute 120 Kings Way, Suite 3100 Williamsburg (757) 345-5724

Rite Aid Pharmacies Visit www.riteaid.com for local listings.

Radiation Oncology Specialists 3901 Treyburn Dr., Ste. B Williamsburg (757) 220-4900 Virginia Oncology Associates 500 Sentara Circle, Suite 203 Williamsburg (757) 229-2236

Ophthalmology Advanced Vision Institute 5215 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-4000 Cullom Eye & Laser Center 120 Kings Way, Suite 1300 Williamsburg (757) 345-3001 Anthony J. DeRosa, MD 101 Tewning Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-1331 Paul J. McMenamin, MD 1155 Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 565-2500 Retina & Glaucoma Associates 113 Bulifants Blvd., Suite A Williamsburg (757) 220-3375

Optometry Cullom Eye & Laser Center 120 Kings Way, Suite 1300 Williamsburg (757) 345-3001 Eye 2 Eye 1147-A Professional Dr. Williamsburg (757) 259-2300

Target Pharmacy 4630 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 564-9835 Ukrop’s Pharmacy 4660 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 564-0471 6610 Mooretown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 564-9315

Physical Therapy of Norge 7191-A Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 345-0753

Sleep Disorders & Pulmonology

Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery

Pulmonary & Sleep Consultants of Williamsburg, PC 120 Kings Way, Suite 2200 Williamsburg (757) 645-3460

Aesthetic Center for Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery 333 McLaws Circle, Suite 3 Williamsburg (757) 345-2275

Sentara WRMC Sleep Center 400 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 345-4050

Spas & Massage

Hampton Roads Urology 120 Kings Way, Suite 3200 Williamsburg (757) 253-0051

Podiatry

All of You Salon & Day Spa 511 York Street Williamsburg (757) 784-1869

TPMG Willaimsburg Urology 105 Bulifants Blvd., Ste. B Williamsburg (757) 903-4807

Blue Sky Wellness Reiki & Reflexology 5008 Liza Lane Williamsburg (757) 876-6185

Vascular Surgery

Michael Dente, DPM, PLC 120 Kings Way, Suite 2900 Williamsburg (757) 345-3022 Lightfoot Podiatry Center 213 Bulifants Blvd., Suite A Williamsburg (757) 345-3679 Williamsburg Foot & Ankle Specialists 453 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 220-3311

Preventative Medicine Reneau Medical 120 Kings Way, Ste. 2550 Williamsburg (757) 345-3064 Renaissance Integrative Therapy 1158 Professional Dr., Suite D Williamsburg (757) 220-4996 Williamsburg Health Evaluation Center 332 N. Henry St. Williamsburg (757) 565-5637

Prosthetics & Orthotics Certified Prosthetic & Orthotic Specialists 156-D Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 833-0911

Psychiatry & Mental Health ADR Clinical Associates 1309 Jamestown Road, Suite 101 Williamsburg (757) 220-8800 Ali Aziz, MD 481 McLaws Cir., Ste. 1 Williamsburg (757) 229-9286 Colonial Services Board 1657 Merrimac Trail Williamsburg (757) 220-3200 Lester Dubnick, EdD 1309 Jamestown Road, Suite 101 Williamsburg (757) 220-0645 Eastern State Hospital 4601 Ironbound Rd. Williamsburg (757) 253-5161 Jose A. Erfe, MD and Associates 481 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 229-9286

Insight Neurofeedback & Counseling 354 McLaws Circle, Suite 3 Williamsburg (757) 345-5802

Williamsburg Drug Co. 240 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 229-1041

Charles L. Koah, LPC 1769 Jamestown Road, Suite 104 Williamsburg (757) 871-3693

PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation 344 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 564-7381

Let’s Talk 1312 Mount Vernon Ave., Suite 1312 Williamsburg (757) 221-0091 Poplar Creek Psychological & Counseling Center 3305 Poplar Creek Ln. Williamsburg (757) 564-8522 Psychological Associates of Williamsburg 1313 Jamestown Rd., Suite 105 Williamsburg (757) 253-1462 Paul D. Reilly, MD 1115 Old Colony Lane Williamsburg (757) 253-0691 Richmond Road Counseling Center 1001-A Richmond Rd., Ste. 2 West Williamsburg (757) 220-2669

Reach for Performance, Inc. 312-J Lightfoot Rd. Williamsburg (757) 258-1221

Anne K. Sulivan, EdD, LCP 1769 Jamestown Rd., Ste. R Williamsburg (757) 564-7002

Hampton Roads Eye Associates 120 Kings Way, Suite 1300 Williamsburg (757) 345-3004

Riverside Rehabilitation Outpatient Therapy at Williamsburg 120 Monticello Ave., Suite 200 Williamsburg (757) 345-3795

Williamsburg Center for Therapy 217 McLaws Circle, Suite 2 Williamsburg (757) 253-0371

Richard K. Lodwick, OD Pamela Lundberg, OD 101-A Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 564-1907

Sentara Pediatric Rehabilitation Services 5301 Longhill Road Williamsburg (757) 984-9900

Carter Murphy, OD 5251 John Tyler Hwy. Williamsburg (757) 229-8660

Sentara Rehabilitation Services 301 Sentara Circle Williamsburg (757) 984-9900

Eyewear Plus Optometric Center 101 Tewning Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-1131

Rosser Optical 150-B Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-2020 Jeanne I. Ruff, OD, LLC 1107 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-4222

Anne K. Sullivan, Ed 1769 Jamestown Rd., Ste. R Williamsburg (757) 564-7002 Williamsburg Hand Therapy Center 156-B Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 565-3400 Williamsburg Physical Therapy 4125 Ironbound Rd., Suite 100 Williamsburg (757) 220-8383Williamsburg

Williamsburg Place & The Farley Center 5477 Mooretown Rd. Toll-Free: (800) 582-6066

Plastic Surgery Center of Hampton Roads 4374 New Town Ave., Ste. 205 Williamsburg (757) 873-3500

Wal-Mart Visit www.walmartpharmacies.com for local listings.

Dominion Physical Therapy & Associates, Inc. 243 McLaws Cir., Suite 102 Williamsburg (757) 564-9628

Opiate Addiction Specialists Williamsburg (757) 229-4141

Sleep Disorders Center at Williamsburg Neurology 120 Kings Way, Suite 2700 Williamsburg (757) 221-0110

Family Living Institute 1318 Jamestown Rd., Ste. 101 Williamsburg (757) 229-7927

Comber Physical Therapy 101-B Bulifants Blvd. Williamsburg (757) 229-9740 5388 Discovery Park Blvd., Ste. 100 Williamsburg (757) 903-4230

Narcotics Anonymous (757) 875-9314

Peninsula Plastic Surgery Center 324 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-5200

Walgreens Pharmacy 1309 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-0962

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Families Anonymous Toll-Free: (800) 736-9805

Williamsburg Psychiatric Medicine, PLLC 372 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 253-7651 Your Next Chapter Coaching & Counseling Services 1769 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 258-0853

Nicole Carson, NCTMB 1769-210 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 561-9591 Elements Spa at Great Wolf Lodge Resort 559 E. Rochambeau Dr. Williamsburg (757) 229-9700 European Beauty Concepts 1248 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-2440 European Day Spa 3206 Ironbound Rd., Ste. A Williamsburg (757) 220-4959 Illusions by Marcus 374 McLaws Circle, Ste. 1 Williamsburg (757) 253-7790 Jamestown Therapeutic Massage 4608 Yeardley Loop Williamsburg (757) 784-8093 Jana Roselynn Laird, NCTMB 120 Kings Way, Ste. 2100 Williamsburg (757) 846-5707 Mahalo Med Spa 5207 Center St. Williamsburg (757) 608-7546 Massage Therapy Center 1158-A Professional Drive Williamsburg (757) 880-9020 Refresh! Center for Massage & Healing 7151 Richmond Rd., Ste. 302 Williamsburg (757) 345-2457

Urology

Peninsula Vascular Surgery 156-A Strawberry Plains Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-7939 Pitman Surgical Associates 326 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg (757) 229-4958

Feel lost in the crowd? For advertising, call: 757-645-4475

The Right Touch 5252 Olde Towne Rd. Williamsburg (757) 229-1866 Positive Energy Massage, LLC 1769 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 810-4482 Saving Face Day Spa 7151 Richmond Rd., Suite 301 Williamsburg (757) 221-0490 Serenity Nail & Spa Studio 1781 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg (757) 220-8510 Serenity Place Spa & American Spirit Institute 360 McLaws Circle, Ste. 1 Williamsburg (757) 220-8000 The Skin Clinic 483 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg (757) 564-SKIN The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg 307 S. England St. Williamsburg (757) 220-7720 The Spa at Kingsmill 1010 Kingsmill Rd. Williamsburg (757) 253-8230 The Spa at Manor Club 101 St. Andrews Dr. Williamsburg (757) 258-1120 Transformative Energy Work 7151 Richmond Rd., Ste. 302 Williamsburg (757) 229-7819 Tranquil Reflections Massage Therapy & Spa at King's Creek Plantation Resort 111-B Petersburg Circle Williamsburg (757) 345-6789 William A. Diog Health Club & Spa 3000 The Mall Williamsburg (757) 565-6545 Williamsburg Pain Relief Breakthrough 1769 Jamestown Rd., Ste. 109 Williamsburg (757) 869-1936 Williamsburg Salt Spa 1111 Old Colony Lane Williamsburg (757) 229-1022

Substance Abuse & Addiction 24-Hr. Addictions Referral Network Toll-Free: (800) 511-9225 Al-Anon Toll-Free: (888) 425-2666 Alcohol-Drug Treatment Referral Toll-Free (800) 662-4357

Rheumatology

Alcoholics Anonymous (757) 253-1234

Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases, PC 329 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 220-8579

Bacon Street Youth Counseling Center 247 McLaws Circle Williamsburg (757) 253-0111 Colonial Services Board 921 Capital Landing Road Williamsburg (757) 253-4061

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

JUly 2009 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Special Events

Support Groups Abortion NN “Good Help for Hurting Hearts” Mary Immaculate Hospital Tuesdays, 7 a.m. Call for location: 886-6364 After-Abortion Help Line: 886-6364 Alanon Williamsburg United w Methodist Church Mondays, 8 p.m. Baptist Church w Williamsburg Saturdays, 8 p.m. (888) 425-2666 Williamsburg United

w Methodist Church

Tues. & Thurs., 2-3 p.m. Thurs. 8-10 p.m. 229-1771

of the New Frontier w Women Williamsburg United Methodist Church Thursdays, 2 p.m. 253-8764 or 872-6740

and Pre-Ala-teen w Ala-teen Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 1st Floor Tuesdays, 8 p.m. 229-6493

Alcohol & Drug Recovery Bethel Restoration Center w Mondays, 7 p.m. 220-5480 Children of Alcoholics w Adult Williamsburg United Methodist Church Wednesdays, 8 p.m. 565-1839 Women’s Discovery Group w Spirit Works 5800 Mooretown Rd. Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 564-0001 Works w Spirit 5800 Mooretown Rd.

Thursdays, 2:30 to 4 p.m. 564-0001

of Families at Risk w Children Spirit Works 5800 Mooretown Rd. Call for day and time: 564-0001 Parent Support Group

w Bacon Street

Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 253-0111

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings daily w Call for times/locations 253-1234 Behavioral Health H Riverside Fridays, 8 to 9 p.m. Sundays, 10 to 11 a.m. 827-1001

Mary Immaculate Hospital

NN Sundays, 9 a.m.

Tuesdays, 7 a.m. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. 886-6700

Alzheimer’s Disease Conception H Immaculate Church 2nd Monday, 1 p.m. 873-0541 Morningside Assisted Living w 3rd Wednesday, 2 p.m. 345-6977 Dominion Village at

w Williamsburg

3rd Thursday, 2 p.m. 258-3444

Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 4th Tues., 10:30 a.m. to noon 886-6700

H Eden Pines

1034 Topping Lane 2nd Tuesday, 7 p.m. 826-5415

Breast Cancer Riverside Cancer Care Center NN 2nd Thursday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 594-4229

Endometriosis Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 3rd Wednesday, 7 p.m. 886-6700

Presbyterian Church NN 2nd 1st Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 3rd Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Assisted Living NN Morningside Call for dates/times: 890-0905

H Sentara Careplex Hospital

Fibromyalgia Library w Williamsburg 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m. 879-4725

833-5298

3rd Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 594-1939

James River Convalescent

1st Monday, 1:30 p.m.

NN Center

w Call for location

2nd Friday, 10 a.m. 595-2273

258-4540

Breastfeeding Leche League of Va. H La Church of the Nazarene 1st Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m. 766-1632 or 224-8879

Chesapeake NN The 3rd Tuesday, 1 p.m.

223-1695

Family Centered Resources

NN 3rd Thursday, 1:30 p.m. 596-3941

M., W., Thurs., 10 a.m. 984-7299

Family Connections

2nd Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Registration required. 221-7272

Arthritis Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 4th Tuesday, 10:30 to noon 886-6700

Cancer Careplex Hospital H Sentara Call for time/day: 827-2438

Last Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m. 220-1137

Crohn’s Disease and Colitis H Sentara Careplex Hospital 1st Floor, Conf. Rm. A 1st Saturday 736-1234

Jamestown Rd., w 1769 Ste. 212 221-0505

Depression/Bipolar Disorder H St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2nd & 4th Wed., 10:30 a.m. 247-0871

Hospice House

w 2nd Monday, 7 p.m.

258-5166 or 229-4370

NN Mary Immaculate Hospital 1st & 3rd Thurs., 7 p.m. 886-6700

Immaculate Hospital NN Mary Mondays, 7 p.m.

loss Y Child St. Luke’s United

886-6700

Methodist Church 1st Mondays, 7:30 p.m. 886-0948 or 930-1636

Diabetes Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 1 p.m. 886-6700

Hospice NN Heartland Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon 594-8215

w Sentara Williamsburg RMC Call for day and time: 984-7106 or 984-7107

Hospice NN Riverside 12420 Warwick Blvd.

H Sentara Center for Health and Fitness 3rd Wed., 4 to 5 p.m. 827-2160

2nd Thursday, 7p.m. 594-2745

Beyond Boobs! young women with breast w For cancer 566-1774

w For post-menopausal women

Immaculate Hospital NN Mary 3rd Tues., 1 p.m.

886-6700

1 Group/ Riverside NN Type Regional Medical Center 4th Tues., 2 p.m. Alternate months. Feb.–Oct., 534-5050

1st Mon., 1:30 p.m. Call for location: 258-4540

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Institute NN Riverside Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. 928-8327

NN Type 2 Group/ Riverside Re-

Communication Group NN Cognitive Riverside Rehabilitation Institute

Diabetes-Insulin Pump NN Riverside Regional Medical Center 4th Tuesday, 7 p.m. 534-5050

JULY 2009

(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Hope Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 1112 Todds Lane Mondays, 5:45 p.m.

H TOPS

(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) First Christian Church 1458 Todds Lane Thursdays, 6:00 p.m.

Adult Cancer Y Young Survivors Group

Colorectal Cancer Careplex Hospital H Sentara 3rd Wed., 1 to 2:30 p.m. 736-1234

Bereavement H Sentara Careplex Hospital 2nd & 4th Wednesday 5 to 6:30 p.m. 736-3628

4th Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. 928-8050

H TOPS

gional Medical Center 3rd Tues., 2 p.m. 534-5050

Newport News

9 Thursday w Sentara Living, a free program for adults age 50 and older, will hold its regular meeting from 10 a.m. to noon in the Yorktown Conference Room at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Participants will enjoy refreshments while learning about the health benefits of journal writing from professional writing coaches. Bring a covered dish to share. Call (757) 552-7599 for more information.

H TOPS

(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Fox Hill Road Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 335 Fox Hill Road Mondays, 6:30 p.m.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome NN Mary Immaculate Hospital 1st Thursday, 7 p.m. 886-6700

w Kings Way Church

21 Tuesday Heritage Commons, a new full-service rental retirement community, will present a free seminar, titled “The Leg Bone is Connected to… Everything!” featuring the experts from Orthopaedic and Spine Center. All attendees will receive free osteoporosis screenings and enjoy food and beverages while learning about bone health. RSVP to Joanne at (888) 711-6775.

(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) St. Mark’s Methodist Church 99 East Mercury Blvd. Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.

Riverside Regional Medical NN Center 1st & 3rd Thursday, 6 p.m. 594-2624

Call for times and locations: (800) 866-4483

Autism NN Christ United Methodist Church 2nd Monday, 7 to 9 p.m. 713-1148

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

H TOPS

Sentara Williamsburg RMC

w 263 McLaws Circle, Suite 203

Hampton

FITNESS & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT NN TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Warwick Memorial United Methodist 38 Hoopes Rd. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. 850-0994

w Yorktown Room

Warwick Forest NN 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m. 867-9618

874-8328

w TOPS

(Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Olive Branch Christian Church Fellowship Hall 7643 Richmond Road Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m.

13 Monday w Women receiving treatment for cancer via chemotherapy or radiation are invited to attend a free program, “Look Good…Feel Better,” offered by the American Cancer Society, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Yorktown Conference Room at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 100 Sentara Circle. Participants will learn makeup and grooming techniques that can help them deal with appearance changes that may occur during treatment and will receive a free cosmetic kit valued at $200. Call (757) 984-7107 or (757) 591-8330 to register.

Gluten Intolerance Monticello Ukrop’s w (Meetings resume in September) 564-0229 Hearing Loss Loss Association w Hearing Meets Bi-monthly, Sept.-June 564-3795 Heart Disease Regional NN Riverside Medical Center Call for dates/times: 875-7880 Support group for women

w with heart disease

Sentara Williamsburg RMC Williamsburg Room 1st Monday womenheart@aol.com

14 Tuesday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www. weneedblood.org to make an appointment.

Huntington’s Disease Mary Immaculate Hospital NN 3rd Friday, 7 p.m. 886-6700

15 Wednesday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chambrel Assisted Living. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.weneedblood. org to make an appointment.

Kidney disease H Sentara Careplex Hospital, Conference Room B 1st Wednesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 244-3923 Leukemia/Lymphoma H Sentara Careplex Hospital 1st Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 827-2438

16 Thursday w A free infant massage class for parents of infants six months of age and younger will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, located at 119 Bulifants Blvd. Register online at www.chkd. org/classes, or call (757) 564-7337 to register.

Lou GeHrig's disease w For patients, family members and friends. (804) 363-5099 or www.alsinfo.org Lupus w James City County Library Last Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. 566-1768

Poquoson

Williamsburg

Yorktown

JUly 2009 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Support Groups w Sentara Living, a free program for adults age 50 and older, will host a special seminar on “The Aging Bladder,” featuring a rehabilitation therapist, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Yorktown Conference Room at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Call 1-800-SENTARA to register. w Dads of children seven and younger are invited to celebrate fatherhood through the “Dads Make a Difference” Playgroup, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at York River Baptist Church, 8201 Croaker Road. This activity is provided by Family Focus, a program of the Colonial Services Board funded by a grant through Child Development Resources. Call (757) 566-9777 for details. w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Colonial Heritage. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www. weneedblood.org to make an appointment. 17 Friday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Ukrop’s parking lot. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.weneedblood. org to make an appointment. 19 Sunday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Bruster’s Ice Cream. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www. weneedblood.org to make an appointment. 20 Monday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. in the Yankee Candle parking lot. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.weneedblood. org to make an appointment. 21 Tuesday w Sentara Living, a free program for adults age 50 and older, will host a First Aid Course on medical and environmental emergencies, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Yorktown Conference Room at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Call 1-800-SENTARA to register. 23 Thursday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Cannon Community Building at Patriots Colony. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.weneedblood.org to make an appointment. 28 Tuesday w The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Reach For Performance. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www. weneedblood.org to make an appointment.

Landing w Williamsburg 2nd Monday, 1:30 p.m.

Mental Illness – Support Stephen Lutheran Church w St. 1st Tuesday, 7 p.m. 220-8535

220-2627

NN Riverside Regional Medical Center 4th Wednesday, 7 p.m. 875-7880

H 500-C Medical Drive

Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. 503-0743

NN Mary Immaculate Hospital 3rd Wednesday, 1 p.m. 886-6381

Mental Illness – Recovery w St. Stephen Lutheran Church 1st Tuesday, 7 p.m. 220-8535

H Riverside Behavioral

Health Pile Conference Room Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. 224-3104

H Denbigh Church of Christ 1st & 3rd Thurs., Call for time: 850-2279

H Sentara Careplex Hospital Conference Room 3 2nd Thurs., 5:30 p.m. 736-1000

Stroke w R. F. Wilkinson Family YMCA 3rd Wednesday, 4 to 5 p.m. 229-9622

Narcotics Anonymous w Williamsburg Place Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. (800) 582-6066

NN Va. Peninsula Stroke Club

Riverside Rehab. Institute 1st Wednesday, 10 a.m. 928-8327

H Riverside Behavioral Health Call for dates/times: 827-1001

Suicide NN Catholic Charities 12829 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 101 3rd Tues., 7 p.m. 875-0060

H Riverside Behavioral Health Call for dates/times: 827-1001

New Mothers Williamsburg RMC w Sentara Family Maternity Center Thursdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. 984-7255

Health Resources Dads Make a Difference w For dads with children age seven and under York River Baptist Church 1st & 3rd Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. 566-9777

Mark Lutheran Church Y St. Thursdays, 10 to 11:15 a.m.

898-2945

Obsessive/ Compulsive Disorder H Riverside Behavioral Health Pile Conference Room 3rd Thurs., 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. 827-1001

Free Blood Pressure Screenings Y Senior Center of York Wed., 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. 898-3807

Ostomy w Sentara Williamsburg RMC Meets quarterly. 259-6033

w New Town Urgent Care

Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. 259-1900

Overeaters Anonymous Memorial Church NN Chestnut Mondays, 7 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. 898-3455

Free Yoga for Kids (8-13) Sacred Grounds w Mon., Tues., Wed., 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. 220-8494

Parents of Children w/ Disabilities w St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 2nd Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. 258-0125

Hispanic ParenTs Playgroup Wellspring United w Methodist Church 1st & 3rd Fridays 10 a.m. to noon (Transportation available upon request) 566-9777

James City/Williamsburg

w Community Center

1st Tuesdays, 12 to 1 p.m. 221-9659 or e-mail stuarts@wjcc.k12.va.us

Newport News

Poquoson

Polio H Sentara Careplex Hospital 3rd Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. 596-0029

Singles Dance NN 128 Deep Creek Rd. 2nd & 4th Sat. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 247-1338

Sexaholics Anonymous E-mail for dates/locations: hrsa@hotmail.com SIDS w St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 2nd Wed., 7 to 8:30 p.m. 865-2561

H African-American Group Hampton Public Library 1st Thursday, 10:30 a.m. 490-9627

Lackey Free Clinic Y Mondays, 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, 5:30 to 8 p.m. 886-0608 Lamaze Classes w Call for dates/times/location: 565-6156

Parkinson’s Disease H Sentara Careplex Hospital 1st Tuesday, 3 p.m. 827-2170

Hampton

Sentara Living for adults 50-plus w Sentara Williamsburg RMC 10 a.m. to noon 1-800-SENTARA

Prostate Cancer H Sentara Careplex Hospital 2nd Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 827-2438

Multiple Sclerosis w JCC/W Community Center 2nd & 4th Wednesday 5:30 to 7 p.m., 220-0902

Prenatal Yoga NN Mary Immaculate Hospital Saturdays, 2:15 to 4 p.m. 886-6700

PMS

Historic Triangle Senior Center w 2nd & 4th Wed., 5:30 p.m. 220-0902

Parents Supporting Parents JCC/W Community Center w Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. 229-7940

Planetree Health Resource Library Williamsburg RMC w Sentara Open 24 hrs/day. 1-800-SENTARA

Williamsburg

867-3300

Walk-in Immunization Clinic Olde Towne Medical Center 9 to 11 a.m. w Tuesdays, & 2 to 4 p.m. 259-3258 Yoga for Diabetics Angels of Mercy Clinic 3 p.m. w Tuesdays, 565-1700 If you and/or your organization would like to list a health-related event in the Community Calendar, please e-mail information to info@thehealthjournals.com.

Sports Injury Clinic

Marital Success Continued from page 14 money is vital. Americans save so little compared to people in other countries, and we tend to rack up huge credit card debts. Being in debt is frightening to some of us, but it bothers others not at all. When one partner obtains new credit cards or abuses them without telling the other, it may be seen as an act of deception and betrayal and can ruin any relationship. Discuss with your partner use of joint accounts, and keep good records. As simple as it sounds, open communication about finances helps keep the peace. Perhaps most important on the financial front is for two people to agree on or negotiate their financial objectives. Do they want to save to buy a house or spend that money on vacations? Finally, disagreements can arise about how free time is spent. The spouse who spends every weekend on the golf course can expect to encounter trouble at home. While some time apart is good, the two of you should make a point of scheduling a regular date night and, periodically, a weekend away. Particularly if there are children involved, it is too easy to allow them to eat up all your time so that those long-ago days of romantic evenings together are just that—a distant memory. The familiar “mid-life crisis” can lead to a divorce, because leaving a marriage is far easier than trying to change oneself to improve it. Protect your relationship by putting it first. When discussing difficult topics with your partner, avoid statements like “You always...” and “You never….” What is needed is compromise. Spend time periodically talking to each other about these potential problem areas, and you will reap the reward of a loving and lasting life together. And remember, in an argument with one’s beloved, no one ever wins. You can stop any argument instantly by saying, “You’re right.” Try it—if nothing else, it’s worth it to see the look on your partner’s face. HJ

Mall Walking Club NN Meets at Patrick Henry Mall Call for date/time: 249-4301

Victory YMCA

Y Tuesdays, 5 to 6 p.m.

Dr. Sally Hartsfield is a retired clinical psychologist who specialized in working with women and children. She can be reached at sallyjo@visi.net.

Yorktown

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

profile

Learning to Let Go A Virginia Beach widow and her children begin putting the pieces of their lives back together after loss. Interview By Brenda H. Welch Photography By Brian M. Freer

his past May, Betsy Kainer found herself in a great deal of pain, and the sting of the tattoo needle that permanently emblazoned the letter “K” on her left hip was the least of it. Instead of celebrating her 10-year wedding anniversary with her husband John in Monterey, Calif., as they had planned, she was a widow, living in Virginia Beach with their three children, all under the age of seven. John, a former Navy SEAL and triathlete, battled a malignant brain tumor for 11 years before succumbing in January 2009. Betsy’s “K” tattoo is formed by two flames rising toward the heavens—the symbol pays homage to John’s fire for life and is also the logo for Team Kainer, which was established in John’s honor 2008 by local running and triathlon coaches Jerry and Amy Frostick of J&A Racing. The Frosticks, who started the “Virginia is for Lovers” 14K held in Virginia

13 pages of journal entries filled with stories, prayers and hopes for a better tomorrow for Betsy and her children. But for now, Betsy is putting all her energy into today: parenting her children, taking care of her home and betsy trying to regain her footing after the devastating kainer loss of her best friend. In an interview with The Health Journal, she shares what life looks like for her and her family after John’s death.

HJ: What or who was your greatest resource during John’s illness? BK: Friends in the area were and still are my biggest support. I always say my friends are my family. I have several good friends who are there to listen if I need to let emotions out. I talk to myself, too, and that helps. I also talk to John. My outlet was running, playing John’s family and friends want his tennis or working out. It always story to inspire others: even during has been. Running helps me the most with the emotional side of his illness, John completed several it. I am able to think or not think. marathons and two Ironman triathlons. Once in a while I might stop because I hyperventilate. It’s tough Beach over Valentine’s Day weekend, and to cry and run at the same time. who coordinate the annual Shamrock Marathon held at the Oceanfront, created Team HJ: On the CaringBridge website, Kainer to help the family financially during you write that your children have John’s struggle with cancer. John’s family been attending a grief support group. and friends want his story to inspire others: What are they taking away from Even during his illness, John completed sev- each meeting? eral marathons and two Ironman triathlons. BK: The program, through Edmarc [HosMoney raised through Team Kainer will pice for Children], is called “Peace by Piece.” help build a college fund for the Kainer chil- I thought we would give it a try and am glad dren, and Betsy hopes to provide financial as- we did. It is confidential as to what they say sistance to other families devastated by brain in their groups, but I can ask them quescancer. Several hundred runners have been tions and they can share what they want— turning out for Team Kainer at local races, and so far they have shared very little. I just and a list of upcoming events can be found at want a place where they can be probed for questions or thoughts about Daddy and talk the team’s website, www.teamkainer.com. Betsy has also created a website on Car- about him if they want to. I also encourage ingBridge (www.caringbridge.org/visit/ talking about John at home. johnkainer), a free, nonprofit Web service that connects family and friends to share HJ: Death and dying are difficult information, love and support when an in- concepts to explain to children and dividual is diagnosed with and treated for a ones that adults struggle with as serious medical condition. To date, the web- well. How did you and John prepare site has logged 25,035 visitors and contains the children for his death?

THE HEALTH JOURNAL

JULY 2009

BK: Throughout John’s sickness, especially when he was receiving hospice care at home, I decided to not hide anything from them. They were curious. They observed, watched and walked away when they wanted. When John did pass away, we had all the kids gather in a room, and we spoke about how Daddy had been sick and that God was taking him but leaving his spirit here with us, that he would be our angel. He looked so peaceful, no longer in the pain he once was. He even wore his cute little “Kainer smirk” as I like to say. HJ: In the midst of darkness, where do you find hope? BK: The kids are keeping me going, keeping the days busy. I encourage a positive environment. I keep John around with many pictures. Nothing has changed in the house for now. It will be gradual. We are going about life as normally as possible, but we don’t hold back on keeping John’s spirit present. We miss him so much. Times will be hard, especially this first year. John would only want me and the kids to move forward—to miss him, but to let him go. HJ

Age: 40 Hometown: Asheville, N.C. Family: Jack, 7; Gini, 6; Maddie, 3 Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Volunteer activities: Co-Chair, Kingston PTA Committee

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