#1 Health Magazine in Southwest Georgia
Keisha Callins, M.D. Albany Area Primary Health Care
Thomas Loumeau, M.D.
Colquitt Regional Medical Center
Dr. Rex Ajayi South Georgia Urology
Joe Morgan III, M.D. Albany Vascular
Dennis Robinson, M.D. Allergy and Asthma Clinics of Georgia
Kelly Miller, FNP-BC Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center
Timothy Pitts, DPM Southern Podiatry
Channing Hampton, M.D. Affinity Clinic
James Palazzolo, M.D. Sleep Apnea Centers of America
Features 8
Autism Resources
10
3-D Organ Printing
12
Make School Lunch Healthier
16
Distracted Driving Month
18
Talking to Teens About Sex
24
Reset Your Sleep Cycle
26
Physicians Guide
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Call Today and Schedule your FREE NO OBLIGATION SCREENING At Southwest Georgia’s Premier Outpatient Vascular Center
229-436-8535 www.albanyvsc.com
Dr. Joe “Tripp” Morgan III, M.D. Dr. Joe “Tripp” Morgan III, M.D.
Albany Vascular
2300 Dawson Road Albany, Georgia 31707 April 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 3
Email upcoming events to: swgahealthbeat@gmail.com Alcohol Awareness Month National Autism Awareness Month Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 6 - 12 - National Public Health Week 7 - Sexual Assault Awareness Day of Action 7 - World Health Day 9 - National Alcohol Screening Day 10 - National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day 18 - 25 - National Infant Immunization Week 19 - 25 - National Infertility Awareness Week 20 - 24 - Every Kid Healthy Week 24 - 30 - World Immunization Week 24 - World Meningitis Day 27 - May 1 - Air Quality Awareness Week
Georgia. The course is flat and fast. Pre-race packet pickup will be available at Wild Side Running on Friday, April 10th from 1:00 - 6:00. The 5K and 10K races will begin at 8:30 am and the 1-mile run will start at 8:15 am. Race day registration is from 7:00 7:30am.
APRIL
Saturday/18 2nd Annual Trojan Warrior Challenge Lee County High School Leesburg Trojan Warrior Challenge is a benefit for the Lee County Special Olympics. It is a time-trial obstacle course/fitnesschallenge that has something for all levels. It is designed to test your resilience, strength, stamina, and ability to laugh in the face of adversity. Event challenges will range from, tire flips, to sled pulls, to an obstacle run and several fitness challenges.
Saturday/11 Jogging for Jesus Flat Creek Church, Blakely Registration at 8:00 AM 1 Mile Fun Run at 9:00 AM 5K Run at 9:30 AM Saturday/11 4th Annual Run for the Nurses Event ABAC, Tifton Enjoy the rolling hills of South Georgia as you run on beautiful country roads. Races begin at the Health Sciences Building on the front of ABAC's campus at 7:30 am. The race benefits the Lisa Purvis Allison endowed scholarship fund which assists aspiring students to fulfill their dream of becoming a registered nurse at ABAC. Saturday/11 Barney’s Run for Warriors Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany Barney's Run for Warriors 5K, 10K and 1-mile run are located at the Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany,
Saturday/18 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Deerfield Windsor Upper Campus Track, Albany A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Event is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to men's sexualized violence against women. Registration - 10 am Walk - 11 am
Saturday/18 Rock & Run Off-Road Challenge Sumter County Regional Park Newly designed running and walking courses at the Sumter County Parks and Recreation's Regional Park, play host to this Springs, Rock & Run OffRoad Challenge. 10K Registration 6:30-7:15am-Race begins at 7:30 5K Registration 6:30-8:15a-Race begins at 8:30
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Fun Run/Walk 6:30-9:15am-Race begins at 9:30 Saturday/18 Superhero Glow Run Chehaw Park, Albany Come and get your GLOW on! This 5K and 1 mile event is April 18th at 7:45 pm at Chehaw Park in Albany, Georgia. Wear your favorite superhero outfit and be sure to bring your GLOW swag. Awards will be given for best dressed. All proceeds go to the Lee County School System Trojans of Steel Relay for Life Team. Saturday/25 Cheetah Chase benefiting Victoria Ondo Chehaw Park, Albany Come out and support Victoria Ondo and those who are battling kidney cancer. The 5K and 1 mile fun run will take place April 25th at Chehaw Park. Schedule: 5K will begin 9:15 am and 1 Mile Run/Walk will start at 10:00am
Recurring Events Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group Third Tuesday each month | 3 pm at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center cafeteria private dining room Chair Yoga Sowega Council On Aging Wednesdays | 11 - 11:45 am at Senior Life Enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to register • FREE • Age 60+ Line Dancing Sowega Council On Aging Mondays | 11 am Advanced, Wednesdays | 3 pm at Senior Life enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to register • FREE • Age 60+
ALLERGY& ASTHMA CLINICS OF GEORGIA www.aacoga.com
Food Allergies • Hives Sinus/Respiratory Problems Asthma • Hay Fever Insect Allergies
(229) 431-2200
Providing quality healthcare to the residents of Central and Southwest Georgia
(229) 438-7100
Leader in Personalized Care for All Ages Since 1975 Serving in Private Homes, Hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities, & Nursing Homes Help Available As Needed Up to 24 Hours 7 Days A Week Direct Care Professionals – Certified Nursing Assistants Sitters – Companions – Nurses
April 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 5
COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
As people age, their dietary needs begin to change. Foods that were once staples of your diet as a youth may be restricted once you hit a certain age, while other foods you may have always avoided may now be necessary to fuel and support a healthy body. Eating healthy foods and exercising may not be enough to sustain health, as hormonal changes and other health effects as a person reaches age 50 can have a profound impact on his or her nutritional requirements. The following are a few things men and women over 50 may want to consider as they look to eat a healthy diet for years to come. Vitamin D Both men and women age 50 and up have a reduced ability to produce vitamin D through exposure to the sun. Extra vitamin D will be needed from foods and supplements. Everyone over the age of 50 should take a
daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 µg), according to Canada’s Food Guide. Without adequate vitamin D, bone strength and health can deteriorate because vitamin D promotes calcium absorption. Vitamin D also has other roles, including helping neuromuscular and immune function and reducing inflammation. Friendly fats People over age 50 should increase their intake of unsaturated fats and reduce consumption of saturated fats. Nutrient-rich unsaturated fats can guard against heart conditions, protect against stroke, keep skin supple, and even help men and women maintain good neurological health. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in nuts, olives, seeds, and fatty fishes. Increase protein According to Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics, as they age, men and women need more protein in their diets to maintain their muscle mass. The amount of protein needed at a younger age no longer may be adequate. Look for lean sources of protein from fish and poultry. Beans are also a low-fat source of protein that can help fulfill daily protein requirements. More fiber Eating more fiber can help with digestive and intestinal problems, such as constipation. Constipation can occur when fiber intake is not enough, coupled with a more sedentary lifestyle. The best way to get fiber is through diet. Leave the skins on fruit and vegetables and choose whole fruits over juices. Whole-grain breads and cereals also are good sources of fiber. Dry beans and lentils can add a fiber boost. Always increase fiber slowly to determine your tolerance.
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Fewer calories The National Institute on Aging says women over the age of 50 need between 1,600 and 2,000 calories, depending on how physically active they are. Men need between 2,000 and 2,400 calories per day. With each passing year there is a decrease in the energy required to maintain body weight, so caloric intake should be adjusted accordingly. More water As a person ages, his or her body may not signal it is thirsty as well as it once did, so it’s possible that you may not recognize when you are thirsty or dehydrated. The Mayo Clinic recommends around nine to 10 cups of beverages per day to remain hydrated. Eating healthy and changing one’s diet is important as a person ages, as dietary needs at age 50 may be quite different from what they were at age 30.
Recommended immunizations for those age 50+ Routine immunizations can keep people safe and healthy. Certain vaccinations can prevent diseases from producing symptoms, while others can lessen the duration of an illness or make conditions less severe. Vaccination schedules become a way of life for parents to young children. But vaccinations aren’t just for kids, and adults should keep tabs on their immunization histories to ensure they’re up-to-date with vaccinations for their particular age group and lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the elderly are more likely to die of a vaccinepreventable disease than other age groups. The immune system begins to decline as we age, so the body can benefit from the disease-fighting boost provided by vaccinations. Individuals at any age should discuss immunizations with their doctors, but it’s a particularly important conversation for those age 50 and older. Vaccine schedules and recommendations may vary depending on where a person lives, but the following immunization recommendations are offered courtesy of the CDC. • Influenza: An annual flu shot can help prevent the nearly 36,000 deaths that occur due to flu each year in the United States. The flu vaccine is designed to combat the current strain of flu, so it is recommended anytime between September to March, which is the prime flu season. People age 50 and older should opt for the injection rather than the nasal form of the vaccine. • Tdap: This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is especially necessary for people who have close contact with young infants. Pertussis, or whooping cough, can be passed on to youngsters and make them very ill. If you’ve never received a Tdap vaccine, the CDC suggests getting it at least once. Individual tetanus boosters should be received every 10 years. • Pneumococcal: Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. It can cause pneumonia, blood infection, ear infections, and even bacterial meningitis. This vaccine is given to adults age 65 and older or to younger adults at their physicians’ discretion. • Hepatitis A: Individuals with medical, occupational or lifestyle conditions, such as healthcare workers or people with chronic liver disease, may need a two-dose series of the hepatitis A vaccine. Adults who are avid travelers to various parts of the world that may bring them in contact with animals or people who do not receive the same course of immunizations may need additional vaccines. Speak with a doctor about which immunizations are recommended before travel.
COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
WALK INS WELCOME NO APPT NECESSARY • Injuries • Labs • Minor Fracture Repairs • Laceration Repairs • Ear Pain • Minor Burns • Diabetes • Urinary Infections • Sprains & Strains • Sore Throat • Cold & Flu • Fever • Upper Respiratory Injection • General Medical Care • Infections • Pain Management • DOT Exams • Allergy Testing • Sports Physicals • Rapid Drug Screens • Pre-Employment Physicals
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April 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 7
Where to find autism resources COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that, as of 2014, autism spectrum disorder affects 1 in 68 children across the country. This new estimate is 30 percent higher than previous reports, which may be indicative of better measuring devices, more people coming forward or a greater prevalence of autism across the board. “Autism spectrum disorder,” or ASD, and “autism” are terms used interchangeably to describe a complex group of disorders that affect brain development. ASD may be characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, trouble with communication, and other conditions of varying degrees. The CDC points out that almost half of children identified with ASD have average or above average intellectual ability. Many children identified with ASD require special education services or some sort of therapy. While the widespread knowledge of ASD has made resources more available, not everyone knows where to turn when a child is first diagnosed with ASD. The following are some resources to get anyone started on his or her journey to information and assistance. The first step begins with a diagnosis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at nine, 18 and 24 or 30 months and for ASD at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern. However, less than half (44 percent) of children identified with ASD were evaluated for developmental concerns by the time they were three years old. Plus, the CDC’s report “Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network” found most children with ASD are diagnosed after age four, even though they can be diagnosed as early as age two. Pediatricians may be the first to diagnose autism. Should something seem awry during a routine developmental evaluation, a child’s
pediatrician may refer parents to specialists who can do more indepth evaluations to recognize signs of ASD. Pediatricians and specialists also can provide a wealth of information with regard to therapists and special education providers offering services for children with ASD. Many experts believe that early identification and therapies can be the most powerful tools people have to make a difference in the lives of children with autism. Schools may also be a good resource for information on ASD. Parents can contact their local early intervention programs or school systems for free evaluations, after which parents may be put in touch with educators and therapists who can develop plans customized to children’s needs. Schools and parent forums also can be the ideal places to meet and confer with other parents of children with ASD. With more contacts, the network of information increases exponentially. A variety of resources also can be found online. The National Autism Resource & Information Center has the Autism NOW Center Local Agencies directory available through their site, www.autismnow.org. Individuals can browse agencies by state and find more information about programs in their communities. Autism Speaks is a premier resource that aims to offer support, information and resources to families dealing with autism. The organization helps people get early access to care, attend ASD events and even advocate for change where they live. Autism Speaks also has an Autism Response Team, specially trained to connect with families and offer information or answer questions. Autism Speaks Canada is the Canadian off-shoot of the organization. ASD affects millions of people worldwide. Each individual with autism is unique and may require a different set of resources. Fortunately, there are many assistance opportunities available.
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Next Day Appointments Available www.vitalsmilesga.com
1030 West Gordon Avenue, Suite A Albany, GA 31701
Call Us Today To Make An Appointment
Established in Albany since 1985, Dr. Rex Ajayi, board certified in both adult and pediatric urology, offers diagnostic services and a broad spectrum of surgical and non-surgical treatments for male and female patients of all ages who suffer from urinary tract problems. Some of these conditions are: ~ Benign and Malignant Disorders of the Prostate, Bladder and Kidney ~ Erectile Dysfunction ~ Impotence ~ Vasectomy ~ Female Stress Urinary Incontinence ~ Hematuria (Blood in the urine) ~ Male Incontinence ~ Male Infertility ~ Kidney Stones ~ Overactive Bladder ~ Pelvic Pain (Interstitial Cystitis) ~ Prostatitis ~ Scrotal Masses ~ Testicular Cancer ~ Urinary Tract Infections In our new surgery center, we also perform minimally invasive surgeries for a variety of urological problems. These surgeries provide excellent results, cost less money and require a much shorter recovery time.
803 NORTH JACKSON ST • ALBANY, GA 31701 • 229-435-0832 April 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 9
A NEW DIMENSION
From body parts to the building blocks of organs, 3-D printing is the new frontier for health care.
COURTESY OF WEBMD
When cancer researcher Rosalie Sears, PhD, clicks the print button, ink does not spray onto a page. Instead, actual human cells issue from different heads of her 3-D printer. In a short while, she has before her a very small tumor -- an exact replica of a patient's cancerous growth. At that point, she and her colleagues can attack the printed copy with any number of cancer treatments. "The hope is that it will allow us to test, in real time, how a patient's tumor will respond," says Sears, a professor of molecular and medical genetics at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Sears's work is just one exciting aspect of 3-D printing's potential impact on medicine -- from prosthetics, to the bioprinting of cells, to lifelike models of organs, to the possibility of printable, implantable tissue. Creating tailor-made robotic arms and hands is one of the more publicized uses of 3-D printing in health care. Volunteers working with free
software available online have designed some of these devices. Such prosthetics are more functional than traditional ones, often at a tiny fraction of the cost. Think $50 vs. $30,000. "It's more accessible than ever before," says Terry Yoo, PhD, a computer scientist and 3-D printing specialist at the National Institutes of Health. "Today, people are falling over their feet trying to come to the lab to do 3-D printing." And this is just the start, says Cornell University associate professor of engineering Hod Lipson, PhD, author of Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing. "The range of materials is expanding, the cost of machines is dropping, and we just keep seeing more and more applications. We haven't seen the least of it yet." Pediatric cardiologist Matthew Bramlet, MD, has already witnessed the benefits of 3-D printing at Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, where he practices. There, surgeons prepare for and plan
Skin Today, Eyes Tomorrow Scientists at INSERM (The National Institute of Health and Medical Research) in Pessac, France, have boosted the 3-D process. "Bioprinting" creates cells that actually form working tissues. So far, they've made top layers of skin, nails, and hair, all of which could be used to test beauty products and new medicines for safety. Next up: Create tissues found in the eye's cornea.
A New Leash on Life Derby was born with tiny forelegs and no front paws. Instead of going for a walk outside, he could only scoot along on soft surfaces. He did get one lucky break -- his foster mom worked for 3D Systems, which makes 3-D printers. With help from an expert, the company created prosthetics for Derby -- rubber-lined cups molded to fit his forearms and set atop curved bottoms. Now he runs 2 or 3 miles a day with his adoptive owners.
surgeries for children with complex heart defects with the help of 3-D models of their patients' hearts. The result? More effective operations. In one case, the model helped surgeons come up with a different way to repair a 3-year-old's heart. The boy -- who was at first expected to live 20 to 30 years -- now might lead a normal life. "The model allows us to pull [a heart] out of 2-D screen and actually hold it in our hands and evaluate it in a dimension we never had before," says Bramlet. "They are real game-changers." At Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., engineer Axel Krieger, PhD, also uses his printer to assemble lifelike models of patients' imperfect hearts, using them as both surgical guides and teaching tools. His team has made about 40 model hearts, but a big question remains: Do they
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improve surgical outcomes? It's too early to tell, Krieger says. "These surgeries are really complex, and it's difficult to tease out exactly what effect the model has, because it's just one little step in the work flow." Krieger predicts that they'll have a better idea by next year, after many more heart surgeries. Cancer researcher Sears also welcomes the ability to go beyond the shortcomings of two dimensions. "We can grow tumor cells on a plate in the lab, but that's not how a tumor cell exists in the body, and responses in 2D don't mimic what we see in the clinic," she says. "That's why we have thousands of targeted therapies that look promising in the lab but don't pan out in clinical trials in patients." Using mice -- a common tool in cancer research -- also has serious drawbacks. One
No More Transplants? Experts might one day be able to make 3-D printed organs from scratch instead of waiting to do a transplant. Scientists at MIT have found a way to stack and organize the many cell types that make up body tissues, like the structure with liver cells shown here. The unique process layers tiny "molds" of computer-generated images, which can then support living, growing cells.
of them is time. Sears says it takes 6 months to implant and grow a tumor in a mouse. For fast-growing cancers like pancreatic cancer, patients can't wait that long. Enter 3-D printing or, more accurately, bioprinting, because this involves human cells. "Within two weeks, we can learn whether these printed tumors respond or don't respond to a given therapy," Sears says. Another advantage: Sears can print numerous identical tumors at the same time, allowing her to test multiple drugs at once. "It's very exciting, both in terms of potentially getting patients the right drugs sooner and in understanding how cancer cells
communicate with other cells," she says. "It's more promising to me than anything else that's out there right now." But she says much research still needs to be done. The big question: Will patients' tumors respond to drugs in the same way as the 3-D printed models? To Lipson, research such as Sears's is just the first step in 3-D printing's most exciting direction. "That's the ultimate: bioprinting, or printing with live cells," Lipson says. He predicts we'll start to go beyond model making within the next several years. The next stop: implantable 3-Dprinted tissue. "I think that that is where April 2015
In the short term, Lipson the future is," he says. "We'll says, we'll see more and climb the ladder from simple more 3-D-printed synthetic tissue such as cartilage and implants, such as hip and bone to complex, other joint replacements, heterogeneous tissue all the custom-shaped to improve way to functioning organs, how well they work. Unlike which is the Holy Grail prosthetics, though, implants indeed." Lipson thinks FDA approval can be costly. "They're already on the for the first such procedures market, but they're fairly new remains at least 5 years and expensive," he says. away, though lab and animal Lipson says new testing is ongoing. Interesting ethical questions developments in 3-D printing will be determined by come with the advancing technology, he says. For economics: "It's a question of example, if scientists can funding and market priorities bioprint a new knee to replace rather than purely a technical challenge." one ravaged by arthritis, do But we should expect big you go with a copy of your old things, he says. "This is just knee, or do you allow a the beginning. There's a lot computer to design you a better one? Can we rebuild or more to come. This is not just a hype cycle." improve our bodies? | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 11
COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
The benefits of a healthy diet are clear and well documented. In addition to providing the nutrients a growing body needs, consuming a balanced diet helps children maintain a healthy weight. Obesity continues to be a growing problem among school-aged children and can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and many other adverse medical conditions. Children attending school will eat at least one meal away from home each day. A healthy lunch provides sound nutrition to give students energy to do well in school and for the rest of the day. Children who do not eat well at lunch may have difficulty concentrating, while others may feel sluggish or tired. As part of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the United States National School Lunch Program was revised to guarantee healthy, nutritionally sound choices, as established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for lunch. America's school menus were altered to be
healthier than ever, including more fruits and vegetables while limiting calories. Despite some controversy through the years, including some students saying the smaller portions and food choices aren't always satisfying, states suffering from high child obesity rates have seen marked improvements. Canada is one of the few leading industrialized countries that does not have a national nutrition strategy to implement healthy school lunches. It's estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of Canadian children have access to school meals. These meals are not provided by a well-funded national program, but by a patchwork of individual volunteer efforts, some provincial government funding and corporate donations. Whether students purchase lunch from school or bring lunch from home, there are ways to guarantee a more diverse offering and better nutrition. Here are some guidelines to follow. * Offer nutrient-dense
foods. Foods should contribute to the daily recommended amounts of protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Provide a selection of foods, such as lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, that will give children the nutrients they need. Nutrient-dense foods also help kids feel fuller, longer. * Limit fat intake. Avoid foods that do not get their fat from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats can lead to obesity and clogged arteries. The American Heart Association recommends kids get no more than 25 to 35 percent of their calories from fat. Fish, nuts and olives are healthy fat sources. * Let kids choose some of their food. Allow kids to pick some of the healthy foods they will be eating. Giving kids a say in their diets will make them more likely to enjoy their lunches and cut back on snack foods. Eating meals regularly will keep energy levels up during school and make kids less likely to reach for unhealthy
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snacks to fill hunger gaps. * Make small changes that add up. Switching from white bread to whole grain breads, and opting for low-fat dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products can make a world of difference. Kids may not notice a change in texture or flavor, and many of kids' favorite foods, such as chicken nuggets, pizza and macaroni and cheese, can be made with healthier ingredients. * Remember, beverages count, too. Giving children a healthy lunch and then packing a sugar-filled, highcalorie drink negates your efforts. Calories from beverages can quickly add up. Water is always the best option for a healthy drink. Low-fat milk and real fruit juice consumed in moderation also make healthy alternatives to sugary beverages. Offering healthy school lunches is an important step to raising healthy kids. New guidelines and offerings make it easier for kids to get the nutrition they need for their growing bodies.
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Simple Caprese Salad COURTESY OF ALLRECIPES.COM
1 (12 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained 16 slices fresh mozzarella cheese 16 thick slices ripe slicing tomato 32 leaves fresh basil olive oil 1 pinch ground black pepper to taste 1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained (optional)
Cut roasted red peppers into 16 large pieces. Starting at the edge of a serving platter, place a slice of tomato, a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella cheese, a piece of roasted pepper, and another basil leaf. Continue in that pattern, forming a spiral from the outside in, until all the ingredients have been arranged; salad should end in the center of the platter. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper and black olives.
Men and Depression WebMD has ranked depression as one of the top five health issues facing men nationwide. As men, we tend to put off getting any kind of help because we think we are supposed to be tough, self-reliant, able to manage pain and take charge of situations. But depression is a serious and common condition in men. If you had a broken arm or a deep cut on your foot, you wouldn't expect that to heal without medical help. It's the same with depression. The first step to recovery is to understand there’s no reason to feel ashamed. Men are each affected in different ways, but three of the most common symptoms are pain, risk taking, and anger. With pain, depression may show up as physical signs like constant headaches, stomach problems or pain that doesn’t seem to be from other causes or that doesn’t respond to normal treatments. In regards to risk taking, sometimes depressed men will engage in reckless behavior like dangerous sports, compulsive gambling and casual sex. Anger can show itself in different ways like road rage, having a short temper, being easily upset by criticism and even violence. Depression in men can have devastating consequences. The CDC reports that men in the U.S. are about four times more likely than women to commit suicide. But, more than 80 percent of people with depression -- both men and women -- can be treated successfully with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. If you are uncertain about whom to call for help with depression, consult with your primary care provider. Treatment can help you enjoy life again. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you will feel better.
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Looking for the Silver Lining: A Tear-Stained Glance at Pregnancy Loss Enlightenment The loss of a pregnancy at any stage can be a devastating emotional experience. While the two most common questions that women may ask are: “Why me”?, and “What did I do wrong”?, these are natural responses to a broken heart. Although, it is understandable to try to find a reason, it is just as important to realize that your unfortunate experience may still provide helpful information if something may be learned or encouraged for a future pregnancy. Education A loss may occur in 10–15% of known pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks is a miscarriage. An early loss may also occur as an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. Pregnancy loss that occurs after 20 weeks is a stillbirth. Although the exact cause may truly be unknown, losses may be related to the fetus (abnormal chromosomes, fetal growth, placental abnormalities, preterm rupture of amniotic sac), female anatomy (uterus or cervix), medical issues (such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid imbalance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, infections), and lifestyle choices (drug abuse, obesity, advanced maternal age).
Empowerment 10 T’s of Therapy – please use the tips that will work best for you: 1) Talk to close family, 2) Talk to trusted friends, 3) Talk to your partner, 4) Take care of yourself, 5) Take time to remember your baby, 6) Talk to others that have similar situations, 7) Talk to a counselor, 8) Talk to your doctor, 9) Take as much time as you need to heal, and most importantly, 10) Try again! Encouragement Many women who experience a pregnancy loss will go on to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby without any intervention. However, all women who have had a miscarriage or stillbirth should try to meet with a doctor before the next pregnancy, to discuss how any information from that experience may help to improve the outcome of future pregnancies. References: www.acog.org www.marchofdimes.org www.womenshealth.org Quote Of The Month: “While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.” ~ Maya Angelou ~
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Debra Storm, DOCO Driving School 229-420-3590, docodrivingschool@att.net
[Albany, GA] Law enforcement personnel nationwide will be using a combination of old-fashioned and modern strategies to crack down on motorists who text while driving. This effort is a part of the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay high-visibility enforcement campaign to let people know about the dangers and convince them to obey the law. “Driving and texting is illegal and irresponsible. If you drive and text, you will pay,” said Debra Storm, owner DOCO Driving School in Albany. Georgia has implemented a TOTAL CELL PHONE BAN while driving for all drivers under the age of 18. Those over 18 cannot write, send, or read a text message, email, or use the internet on any wireless device while driving, including while at red lights and turn lanes. Violating Georgia’s texting law, which became effective on July 1, 2010, can be costly, including fines, points, and enrollment in Defensive Driving Classes. Last year, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated additional 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. This represents a 6.7 percent decrease in the number of fatalities recorded in 2012. Thirty-seven percent of drivers in a Georgia survey admit to texting while driving. “Texting and driving requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task of driving. It creates the proverbial ‘perfect storm’ for a crash, and no one has the right to put another person’s life at risk like that,” says Storm.
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COURTESY OF
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COURTESY OF
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By Camille Peri WebMD Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
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Travel, shift work, or even a few nights up worrying can upset your sleep. They can throw off your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that controls when you sleep and wake. You don't have to take sleep problems lying down. Try these 10 tips to get your sleep cycle back in sync. 1. Use Bright Light in the Morning Your body's clock is "set" by cues like light, darkness, and when you eat or exercise. Light is the strongest of these cues. It tells your brain whether it's night or day, and that tells you when to sleep. When you wake up, turn on bright lights and throw open the curtains to bring in daylight. 2. Dim the Lights in the Evening Too much light at night pushes your sleep time later. To cut down on light at night: •Keep lights low near the end of the day. Turn off bright overhead lights. •Ban laptops, tablets, cell phones, and TVs from your bedroom -- and don't use them in the hour or so before sleep. "Our eyes are most sensitive to the bluish light that electronic screens emit," says Yo-El Ju, MD, of the Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis, Mo. •If you're on the overnight shift, wear sunglasses from the time you leave work until you get home. 3. Time Your Meals When you eat may affect your internal clock, according to Harvard researchers who tested that on animals. They suggest that shifting meal times may help people handle changes in time zones or work schedules. Say you are traveling from the U.S. to Japan -- an 11hour time difference. If you fast for 16 hours, about the length of the flight, and then eat as soon as you arrive, it could ease jet lag. At home, keep a regular routine for meals and exercise. That helps steady your internal clock and your sleep. Go to bed and get up at about the same time, too, even on weekends. 4. Limit Your Time in Bed If you lie awake when you're in bed, temporarily restricting your sleep may give you better, deeper sleep. First, log the hours you sleep each night for a week or two. Average them out. Let's
say that you sleep about 4 hours a night. If you need to get up at 6 a.m., start going to bed at 2 a.m. Don't nap during the day. "You want to build up your sleep drive," Ju says. Once you're sleeping solidly the whole 4 hours you're in bed, gradually move your bedtime 15 minutes earlier until you're back on track. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night. 5. Limit Caffeine You may be tempted to use caffeine to get over the afternoon hump. Don't. Instead, avoid caffeine after lunch. It can affect your sleep that night. 6. Adapt for Travel You can take the edge off jet lag, especially when traveling east, by shifting your sleep before you leave. •If you're flying east to a time zone where it's 3 hours later -- say from California to New York -- go to bed and get up an hour earlier for 3 days before you leave. By the third day, you should be on the time zone you're heading to. •If you're going west, go to bed and get up an hour later. If you don't adapt ahead of time, do it as soon as you get there. "Stay up until it's your regular bedtime in your new time zone," says Michael Decker, PhD, D.ABSM, of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. A brisk walk in the sunlight may also help. 7. Split Up Sleep This can help if you work a night or rotating shift and have trouble sleeping 8 hours
straight. Snooze for 4 hours when you get home and 4 hours again before work. 8. Ask Your Doctor About Melatonin This hormone, which your brain makes at night, seems to help bring on sleep. A 3- or 5-milligram melatonin supplement may help, but be careful. "More is not necessarily better," says Phil Gehrman, PhD, CBSM, of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "It can stay in your brain too long and cancel out any benefits you might get." Get your doctor's advice on a dose and the best time to take it. 9. Go Low-Tech High-tech devices that monitor your sleep cycle promise better sleep -- like wrist or head bands that monitor your sleep cycle to find the best moment to wake you. But you might not need a fancy device. "The best things are probably the really low-tech things, like plain sleep masks and earplugs," Ju says. Blackout shades, a soft fan to drown out noise, and unplugging the telephone are other low-tech options. 10. Get Help If you try all these tips and still have sleep problems, talk to your doctor. "Therapy to teach you better sleep habits and medication can help retrain your brain to fall asleep and stay asleep," Decker says.
April 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 25
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Amber Aho, M.D. Bariatric Center Colquitt Regional Medical 229-890-3414
Dr. John Bagnato Palmyra Surgical 2622 Dawson Rd Albany, GA 31707 229-432-8484
Channing Hampton, M.D. Internal Medicine Tifton Regional Hospital Tifton 229-382-7120
Benjamin J. Toole M.D. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 800-542-2233
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Kelly Miller, FNP-BC Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center 802 18th St. E, Tifton 229-386-9333
Keisha R. Callins MD, MPH Albany Area Primary Health Care 401 S. Madison St. Albany, GA 31707 229-888-3636
Dr. J. Paul Payne Southwest Georgia OB-GYN 808 13th Ave Albany, GA 229-434-7640
James Palazzolo, M.D. Sleep Apnea Centers of America 229-299-8470
Thomas Loumeau, M.D. Spine Center 8 Live Oak Court Moultrie, GA 31768 229-890-2225
Timothy Pitts, DPM Southern Podiatry Group Valdosta 229-242-3668 Tifton 229-382-5599
Dennis Robinson, M.D. Allergy Asthma Clinics Georgia 105 Spanish Ct Albany, GA 31707 (229) 438-7100
Joe “Tripp” Morgan III, M.D. Albany Vascular Specialist Center 2200 Dawson Rd Albany, GA 31707 (229) 436-8535
26 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | April 2015
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