OCTOBER 2016
Erin Cannington, M.D. Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia
Judith Hatch, DC Holistic Healthcare
Dr. Hans Chang Albany Diagnostics
James Palazzolo, M.D. Sleep Apnea Centers of America
Keisha Callins, M.D. Albany Area Primary Health Care
Kelly Miller, FNP-BC Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center
TIFTON ALBANY AMERICUS BAINBRIDGE SYLVESTER THOMASVILLE VALDOSTA CORDELE MOULTRIE AND SURROUNDING AREAS
229-888-9319 ken.boler@albanyherald.com
Features
robin.mcdade@albanyherald.com
Page 4 ~ The Pink Walk Page 6 ~ What You Still Don’t Know
Majors / National Sales
Page 8 ~ What to Ask About the Medicines Page 11 ~ Dr. Oz & Roizen Page 14 ~ Food Prep Tips Page 16 ~ How To Improve Quality of Life
Moultrie / Sylvester / Tifton Sales
Page 17 ~ Exercising After Breast Cancer Page 18 ~ Guide to the Mastectomy Colleges / Medical Sales
DISTRIBUTION
SWGA Health Beat has over 300,000 Print-online Monthly Readers & Distributes Monthly To Prime Locations. Lee County Sales
This is the #1 Health Magazine covering SW Georgia.
Locations To Pick Up Your Copy are Hospitals, Medical Offices, Drug Stores, Grocery Stores, Dental Offices, Fitness Centers, Colleges, Tech Schools & Industry Break Rooms.
RECURRING EVENTS PHOEBE PUTNEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Third Tuesday each month at 3pm at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Cafeteria Private Dining Room.
Wednesdays at 11:00 to 11:45am at Senior Life Enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to register ~ FREE Ages 60 & up
Mondays at 11:00am Advanced Wednesdays at 3:00pm at Senior Life Enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to Register ~ FREE Ages 60 & up
Girls Inc. Of Albany
GOES PINK IN OCTOBER! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. About 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer during her life. All women are at risk for getting breast cancer, but some things can raise a woman’s risk for getting breast cancer before age 45. Learning what factors increase your chance of getting breast cancer is an important first step in assessing your risk. Learning the symptoms of breast cancer also may also help you know when to talk to your doctor. Girls Inc. of Albany, GA continues to be the leader in Southwest Georgia for prevention programming for girls. The prevention programs are generously funded by the United Way of Southwest Georgia, enabling them to help lower teen pregnancy and alcohol, tobacco and other drug rates in Dougherty County. ‘Since we opened our doors in 1974, we have maintained a 100% alcohol and drug prevention and teen pregnancy rates proving that our programs work! Our powerful programs include Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy, Friendly PEERSuasion, and the RealCare Babies Infant Simulator Program.” Girls Incorporated is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. For over 50 years, Girls Incorporated has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfill. Girls Incorporated is committed to staying in tune with the issues and concerns of today’s girls. For further questions or to enroll your child in the Girls Inc program you can visit http:// www.girlsincalbany.org/programs or call 229.435.1897.
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JOEL WERNICK President / Chief Executive Officer, Phoebe Putney Health System
Beating breast cancer starts with awareness. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is a time to spread the word about prevention and early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Across our great nation, and here at home in Southwest Georgia, it’s important to have widespread awareness about a disease impacting so many women and families. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in women, with more than 245,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Phoebe’s Carlton Breast Health Center diagnosed 239 new cases in 2015 alone. Early detection has long been the cornerstone of the battle to reduce deaths from breast cancer. Mammograms and other screening tests can help save lives by finding cancers early when they are easier to treat with the possibility of better outcomes. For early detection to be accomplished, awareness must be translated into action steps, especially for women who don’t have access to these important tests. During October, Phoebe’s Carlton Breast Health Center will provide 100 free 3-D mammogram screenings to women who are uninsured and meet other eligibility criteria, including residency in Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Crisp, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Sumter, Terrell, Tift, Turner or Worth counties. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will also provide 50 free screening mammograms for women with similar qualifying criteria and who live in Sumter, Schley, Macon, Marion, Dooly, Webster, Stewart, and Taylor. Phoebe promises comprehensive and compassionate care led by a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals for those women who ultimately have a breast cancer diagnosis and go through treatment. Our community board of directors strive to fund the very best in equipment and technology in our Cancer Center. Over the last year, Phoebe has invested over $5 million in two Elekta Infinity linear accelerators (LINAC) and a Nucletron High Dose Rate afterloader (HDR). The LINAC is state-of-the-art radiation technology that can be used to treat a variety of cancers and provides improved capability for more precise radiation and stereotactic radiosurgery. The HDR afterloader is used for accelerated partial breast irradiation, which allows women who have had breast conserving surgery to be treated over days rather than weeks. Patients can take comfort in the quality of care as we have earned full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and is a Center of Excellence for Imaging by the American College of Radiology. This certification reflects the highest quality, multidisciplinary care offered. Equally important, Phoebe’s program has been designated as a Commission on Cancer Center of Excellence. Southwest Georgians deserve this full arsenal to win the fight against breast cancer. We urge you to join the effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors, have your annual screening, and learn everything you can about breast cancer. And, take a moment to remind someone you love to have a mammogram. There are 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in America. For many of them, their journey started with awareness and taking the first step for life-saving screening. October 2016 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 3
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(MCC) The topic of breast cancer can feel familiar - from October walks to pink ribbons, Americans know breast cancer. That is, until you or a loved one is diagnosed. Suddenly, breast cancer moves from a topic that feels championed to a topic that is entirely too new, too unknown and too fresh. Suddenly, there is not enough information or resources to help a family cope. Nearly all Americans are aware that breast cancer poses a serious health threat to both women and men, but despite the vast awareness, many don’t know what it really means to fight this disease. According to a recent study conducted by Ford’s breast cancer awareness initiative, Warriors in Pink, more than 40 percent of Americans are unfamiliar with the day-to-day challenges patients face while in treatment, and even more, nearly 75 percent admit that they are unsure how to best support patients. Loved ones not knowing how to help makes a difference because family and friends are proven to be patients’ greatest resources for getting through treatment. Supporters may not know where to start in providing support, feeling that the issues facing patients are too big for them to solve. But what you still don’t know about breast cancer is that the little things matter more than ever. In fact, the ability to maintain day-to-day routines during treatment is one of breast cancer patients’ top concerns - second only to life expectancy.
“Through it all, you need at least one supporter who is genuinely there to do just that, to support you; to pray with you and to make you laugh,” says survivor Deborah Hayes. “Amidst trying to be strong throughout treatment and recovery, and making sure that everything in your personal life still gets accomplished, one really does need that supportive friend or group to Another survivor, Lori Redunski, could relate. share your innermost feelings.” “My husband hired a cleaning crew to come in and my kids would come home and see the To empower friends and family to take action lines in the carpet, smell the cleanser and feel and support the breast cancer patients in comfortable in their home. It made our life so their lives, Ford Warriors in Pink offers free support services that make it easy to respond much easier,” she says. to their greatest needs - including cleaning These daily tasks are often overlooked, but services, meal kit deliveries, alternative every action taken to help patients to focus hospital wear, online scheduling tools and on their health and fighting this disease more. These resources, available on their website at www.fordcares.com, allow loved makes a difference. ones who don’t know how to help to simply “There are missing things that people don’t click and “just act” - without being asked. think about,” says survivor Heidi Floyd. “For Additionally, the site offers tips and ideas on example, if you need your side walk shoveled how to help patients have more good days because of the snow, your lawn mowed or during their journey. your pets cared for. Who has energy to walk their dog when they’re doing eight or nine “I was blessed with a great family and friends that were there to bring me support,” hours of chemo or daily radiation?” Redunski says. “But when people don’t have While help with these daily tasks undeniably that support, they really need to feel lessens the burden on breast cancer patients, comfortable with the resources that are it’s important to remember that emotional available to them - whether through their care is also vital for those going through doctors or online.” treatment. “People brought meals to me,” says survivor Lisa Hedenstrom, “and my husband organized a lot of the logistics - taking me to appointments and helping me organize those appointments. Family and friends would come help with tasks for me, too. Because of them, I didn’t have to worry about grocery shopping or other types of tiring daily chores.”
“In terms of the day-to-day, it’s those tasks that were hardest for me,” says breast cancer survivor, Jenn Nudelman. “So my friends and family just came and did things. They didn’t give me a choice. A lot of times people reach out and say, ‘What can I do?’ But I’m not a person who asks for help. It was those friends who didn’t even ask, just acted, that I really shared the journey with.” The key to care and being able to “just act” is being familiar with what types of support patients need most. When asked what type of support that is, patients report needing the most help with daily activities like household chores, errands and meal preparation while undergoing treatment.
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* Maintaining a healthy weight * Exercising regularly * Limiting alcoholic beverages * Avoiding or limiting menopausal hormone replacement therapy
Family history is a risk factor for breast cancer; however the majority of people diagnosed do not have a prior family history. Therefore, you should still be screened for breast cancer as recommended by your doctor.
Breast Cancer is so much more than a pink ribbon or trendy trinket. Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women (excluding skin cancer)? It is estimated that more than 7,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Georgia this year alone. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death among women, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s spend this October, and months beyond, sharing accurate lifesaving information with our family, friends, and colleagues in order to dispel common myths that may hinder breast health decision making.
Regular breast exams may find cancer early when it is most treatable. Women in their 20s and 30s should have clinical breast exams (CBE) done at least once every 3 years. A CBE is a physical examination of the breasts performed by a healthcare professional.
There are some breast cancer risks such as genetics and age that cannot be changed. While we do not know how to eliminate cancer development, a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer may be reduced by:
Breast cancer is generally diagnosed during routine tests such as mammograms, often in women who do not have any symptoms. Therefore it is extremely important to get checked for breast cancer as recommended by your doctor.
During a mammogram, it is necessary for the mammography machine to compress the breast to get a clear picture of all the tissue within the breast. While some women find the compression uncomfortable, it lasts for only a few seconds. Before you schedule your mammogram, ask your doctor if there is anything you can do to reduce possible discomfort. Additionally, while experts do not agree on the frequency of mammograms and at what age women should start having them, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammography every two years for women aged 50 to 74. The Task Force further recommends that women 40 to 49 seek the advice of their doctor to determine the appropriate interval for mammography screening. Screening mammograms should be paired with a clinical breast exam.
Sources: National Institute of Health, GA Department of Public Health, US Preventive Task Force, Centers for Disease Control
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Dr. Charles A. Rouse, Jr. Founder The Medicine Man’s Corner http://www.themedicineman.com
The average person has total body water content of about 10 gallons. We need to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Don’t wait till you’re thirsty; schedule regular water breaks throughout the day instead. Drink a glass of water at least every 2 or 3 hours throughout the day and you will reach your goal. We need at least 48 ounces of water per day to replace the water that is lost through urination, sweat, and expiration through the lungs. If not, it’s very likely that dehydration will be a problem. If you drink coffee or other dehydrating beverages, compensate by drinking an additional glass of water. Recent research indicates that low fluid consumption in general and low water consumption in particular increases the risk of kidney stones; cancers of the breast, colon, and urinary tract; childhood and adolescent obesity; and heart disease such as mitral valve prolapse. The very best tasting water has a pH level above 7. They call this type of water, alkaline water. The ionized alkaline water is not acidic like regular tap water and is rich in alkalizing compounds such as calcium + potassium + magnesium. Alkalize your body with alkaline water for FREE at the Medicine Man’s Corner. We have the machine that does all the work, all you will need is an empty jug to put it in – and it is FREE. Hundreds of people get FREE alkaline water at the Medicine Man’s Corner each month. You will be able to taste the difference and feel the energy.
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Many abnormalities found on a mammogram are not necessarily cancer, but rather are benign conditions like calcium deposits or dense areas in the breast. If the radiologist or a doctor notes areas of concern on a mammogram, The Mayo Clinic says further testing may be needed. This can include additional mammograms known as compression or magnification views, as well as ultrasound imaging. If further imaging is not effective, a biopsy, wherein a sample of breast tissue is taken, will be sent to a laboratory for testing. In some instances an MRI may be taken when mammography or ultrasound results are negative and it is still not clear what’s causing a breast change or abnormality.
Glaucoma
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Diabetes
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Ĺ?Ä‚Ä?ĞƚĞĆ? Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚ ǀĂĆ?Ä?ĆľĹŻÄ‚ĆŒ ÄšĹ?Ć?ĞĂĆ?Äž Ç ĹšĹ?Ä?Ĺš Ä‚ÄŤÄžÄ?ĆšĆ? ƚŚĞ Ä?ůŽŽĚ ǀĞĆ?Ć?ĞůĆ? ĆšĹšĆŒĹ˝ĆľĹ?ŚŽƾƚ ƚŚĞ Ä?Ĺ˝ÄšÇ‡Í˜ Ĺ?Ä‚Ä?ÄžĆ&#x;Ä? ĆŒÄžĆ&#x;ŜŽƉĂƚŚLJ Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚ ĆŒÄžĆ?ƾůƚ ŽĨ Ĺ?Ä‚Ä?ĞƚĞĆ? Ä‚ÄŤÄžÄ?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? Ä?ůŽŽĚ ǀĞĆ?Ć?ĞůĆ? Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĞ ĞLJĞĆ?͘ Ĺ?Ä‚Ä?ÄžĆ&#x;Ä? ĆŒÄžĆ&#x;ŜŽƉĂƚŚLJ ůĞĂĚĆ? ƚŽ Ć‰Ĺ˝Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ć?Ĺ?Ĺ?Śƚ ĂŜĚ ĹŻĹ˝Ć?Ć? ŽĨ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?Ĺ˝ĹśÍ˜ ,Ĺ˝Ç ÄžÇ€ÄžĆŒ ĆšĹšÄžĆŒÄž Ĺ?Ć? Ç€ÄžĆŒÇ‡ Ĺ?ŽŽĚ ĆšĆŒÄžÄ‚ĆšĹľÄžĹśĆš ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ Ć‰ĆŒÄžÇ€ÄžĹśĆš ƚŚĹ?Ć? ĹŻĹ˝Ć?Ć? ŽĨ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?Ĺ˝ĹśÍ˜ Ĺś ĞLJĞ exam should be performed at ƚŚĞ Ć&#x;žĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ÄšĹ?Ä‚Ĺ?ŜŽĆ?Ĺ?Ć? ŽĨ diabetes and follow according ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĆŒÄžÄ?ŽžžĞŜĚĂĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? ŽĨ ƚŚĞ KƉŚƚŚĂůžŽůŽĹ?Ĺ?Ć?ĆšÍ˜ Äž Ä‚Ç Ä‚ĆŒÄž Ĺ?Ĩ ĹŻÄžĹŒ ĆľĹśĆšĆŒÄžÄ‚ĆšÄžÄš Ĺ?Ćš Ä?Ä‚Ĺś ůĞĂĚ ƚŽ Ć?ÄžÇ€ÄžĆŒÄž Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ ĹŻĹ˝Ć?Ć? ĂŜĚ permanent blindness.
Strabismus Strabismus, more commonly known as cross-eyed or wallĞLJĞĚ͕ Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ Ä?ŽŜĚĹ?Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ĺ?Ĺś which a person cannot align both eyes simultaneously ĆľĹśÄšÄžĆŒ ĹśĹ˝ĆŒĹľÄ‚ĹŻ Ä?ŽŜĚĹ?Ć&#x;ŽŜĆ?͘ One or both of the eyes may turn in, out, up or down. An eye turn may be constant (when the eye turns all of ƚŚĞ Ć&#x;žĞͿ Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ĺ?ĹśĆšÄžĆŒĹľĹ?ƊĞŜƚ (turning only some of the Ć&#x;ĹľÄžÍżÍ˜ ^ĆšĆŒÄ‚Ä?Ĺ?Ć?žƾĆ? Ĺ?Ć? ĨŽƾŜĚ Ĺ?Ĺś both children and adults. It does not go away on its own and is treatable. Untreated strabismus can lead to poor Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ Ĺ˝ĆŒ ĹŻÄžĹ?Ä‚ĹŻ Ä?ĹŻĹ?ŜĚŜĞĆ?Ć? Ĺ?Ĺś children.
DIXON DIX O EYE CARE ON ARE ϴϏϲ E͘ :ÄžÄŤÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜ :ÄžÄŤÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜ ^ĆšÍ˜ ĹŻÄ?ĂŜLJ͕ ĹŻÄ?ĂŜLJ͕ ' ĎŻĎĎł ĎŻĎĎłĎŹĎ ĎłĎŹĎ
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Cataracts
Glasses/Contacts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts are the most common cause of ĆšÄžĹľĆ‰Ĺ˝ĆŒÄ‚ĆŒÇ‡ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜ ĹŻĹ˝Ć?Ć? Ĺ?Ĺś ƉĞŽƉůĞ Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒ Ä‚Ĺ?Äž Ď°ĎŹ and is the principal cause of blindness in the world.
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Why kids are often sick when school starts; hepatitis A
The start of a school year is stressful for kids. Socially and academically, there are a lot of unknowns, and there often are big changes in sleep schedules and daytime routines that can cause physical symptoms, such as a headache. In fact, neurologists at the Comprehensive Headache Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, looked at emergency-room records and found that at the start of the school year there’s a 30 percent spike in the number of kids who come in because of headaches! Now, if headaches are persistent or stop your child from enjoying everyday activities, they should be evaluated. But if they aren’t triggered by a greater health issue, the researchers suggest it’s time to look at what else is going on. Do you make sure your youngster gets 10 hours of sleep a night? Do you make time for breakfast every school day? Have you taught your child to stay hydrated and avoid sports drinks, caffeinated soda and sugary beverages? Those steps help prevent physical triggers of headaches. It’s also important to talk to your son about his concerns. What are his classmates like? His teachers? How does he feel about his homework load? Ask him what he’s worried about. If anxiety is the cause of his headaches, that can hamper learning and interfere with making friends.
If those steps don’t help, ask yourself if you, too, are anxious about school (and transferring that anxiety to him) or if he might benefit from some counseling or therapy to strengthen his coping skills; many schools have counselors who can help at no cost. This choice can be very worthwhile for both of you.
The good news: If you live in an outbreak area or someone in your family contracts hep A, you can dodge it by keeping hands clean with sanitizer and surfaces spotless with soap and water. And 99.99 percent of the time, folks who are infected have no lasting damage to the liver.
There’s a very You can get hepatitis A from food effective vaccination. Adults who or water that’s been contaminated by haven’t been the virus; it’s often transferred from an infected food handler. You also can get vaccinated should consider it directly by touching (or kissing) it, if they’re someone who has contracted the traveling to disease. Health officials believe the outbreak in your area was due to tainted countries where strawberries from Egypt. Fortunately, hepatitis A only about 1,200-2,500 cases are is common, reported in the U.S. annually, but it have chronic pays to understand how to dodge and treat the disease. So here’s the bad news liver disease or are in danger and the good news about hep A. The of being exposed bad news: Hepatitis A is very to the virus. contagious and a person is contagious for two weeks before symptoms are As for smoothies, we obvious. Here’s the problem: Symptoms don’t usually appear for two say, “Make your own.” and or three weeks. have dozens of tasty, nutritious low-cal Once symptoms appear (and they recipes that’ll boost your don’t always) your skin and/or eyes energy and you won’t have become jaundiced (yellowish) and you to worry about mystery get hit with a fever, fatigue, nausea, dark urine and light stools. Then all you ingredients. can do is treat the symptoms by staying ® 2016 Michael Roizen, M.D. in bed, having some chicken soup and and Mehmet Oz, M.D. watching Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
2002 2 002 Tif Tiftt Avenue Avenue North North - Ti Tifton, fton, Georgia Georgia 31 31794 794
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Law Enforcement, EMS and Fire Department team up to Battle for Life In Valdosta/Lowndes County Hero Challenge
a fun and engaging way to get the leaders of the community involved in community outreach all while helping our families, friends and neighbors who are waiting for a life-saving transplant,” shares Carla Hawkins, Valdosta and Lowndes County LifeLink of Georgia education will team up to “Battle for Life” specialist. This year competiin the Heroes Challenge by reg- tors have agreed the winners istering people as life-saving will get to kick their feet up organ and tissue donors. From while the losing team washes September 1st through October their service vehicles. 31st, the Albany Police Department, Dougherty County Registration on Georgia’s organ Police Department, EMS and and tissue donor registry gives Fire Department will compete to hope to the 5,490 Georgians on secure the most new organ and the organ transplant waiting list tissue donor registrations on and many others who could Georgia’s organ and tissue benefit from a tissue transplant. donor registry. Kofi Broadnax puts the gratitude he feels about his own kidThis is the second annual ney transplant into words, Heroes Challenge Battle for “Since my kidney transplant my Life, which is hosted by LifeLink health is excellent, my quality of of Georgia, the nonprofit organ life is so much improved and I and tissue recovery organiam able to enjoy my children in zation. Last year, Police, Sheriff a way that I was never able to and Fire Departments in do while I was sick. I’m so sorry Albany, Georgia took part, with for the loss of my donor family’s the Albany Fire Department vic- loved one, but I want them to toriously registering more than know that their legacy lives on 1,245 people. The goal of the through my actions.” Kofi is Challenge goes beyond naming now completing a Bachelor of a winner, however, and is Arts in English at Georgia aimed at educating and regSouthern University, and looks istering communities about the forward to a career in eduimportance of donation. “This is cation, where he will use his
platform to educate communities about the importance of organ and tissue donation and raise awareness of diseases such as hypertension, which affect the multicultural community in an alarming and disproportionate fashion. A single organ and tissue donor can touch the lives of up to 60 people. Almost everyone can donate to help others, regardless of age or past medical history. Additionally, all major religions support donation as an act of charity. To become an organ donor visit or indicate that decision on your driver license or identification card.
Battle for Life Heroes Challenge Who is your favorite Hero?
Join the Valdosta/Lowndes County Heroes Challenge! Law Enforcement vs Fire Department/EMS
September 1 - October 31
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LifeLink is the non-profit organization which facilitates organ and tissue donation in of Georgia, Puerto. There are more than 120,000 people awaiting the gift of a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States, and tens of thousands more could benefit from tissue donation. Organ and tissue donation, with the primary exception of living kidney donation, takes place after death. Register today as an organ and tissue donor.
abnormal pressure on The initial treatment for the skin and underlying this is shoe wear tissue. Sometimes this is modification, such as caused by shoewear or orthotics. If this is not overactivity, and this effective, then a surgical can be easily corrected procedure can be done with changes in shoes. to realign the bones to Corns may form due lessen the pressure on pressure on an the bottom of the foot. underlying bone spur, Surgery for these and and if corn pads are not other foot conditions can successful in relieving usually be done with a the pain, a surgical regional anesthetic procedure in which the without the need for spur is removed is quite At one time or another, effective. The surgeon general anesthesia. The successful. A common will choose from we all have suffered regional anesthesia also cause of calluses is a different procedures from problems with our affords the patient with condition called feet. This might include based on the x-ray and effective, prolonged metatarsalgia. In this the degree of deformity. abnormal bumps, post-operative pain condition there is too crooked toes or just relief at home. This can The lesser toes can have much pressure on the chronic calluses and/or be done on an outpatient 3 different problems : bottom of the foot at the blisters. In this article basis, and are excellent hammertoe, clawtoes end of the metatarsals, we will go over some and appropriate cases to and mallet toe. The which are the bones in common foot problems hammertoe and clawtoe the foot behind the toes. be done in ambulatory and what can be done surgery centers. are similar in for them. We will first appearance with the discuss bunions, toe middle joint of the toe deformities and corns being bent and cannot be and calluses. straightened out. This A bunion is a term that can become severe so is used for a deformity that a callus or blister will form on the top of of the big toe in which the toe. In addition, the the toe is angulated clawtoe also has outward and there is a malalignment of the bump on the inside of joint at the base of the the foot at the base of toe which pulls the toe the toe. The malalignment of the big up. A mallet toe is characterized by the end toe is called hallux valgus. The symptoms joint of the toe being one can experience with bent toward the floor and cannot be a bunion include pain, straightened. These difficulty with shoe problems can sometimes wear and secondary problems with the other be helped by soft splints toes. The management or taping, but usually require corrective of a bunion is often as surgery for realignment simple initially as Duncan R. Marsh, M.D. of the toes. wearing a wider shoe. PREMIER ORTHOPEDICS, P.C. As it progresses, Meredyth Professional Plaza Calluses and corns are however, there are 2405 Osler Court Albany, Ga 31707 very common on the 229-435-1458 surgical procedures foot. In general they which are quite form secondary to October 2016 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 13
FOOD PREP TIPS FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
(MCC) Breast cancer treatment can be exhausting, resulting in fatigue that can make it hard for patients to tackle all of the tasks that come with a typical day. That includes preparing meals, which is often the last thing a person fighting breast cancer wants to do after a day of treatment. But nutrition plays a vital role in beating cancer. A nutritious diet can promote strength and increase energy levels, something breast cancer patients know is not always easy to come by. The following are a few tips to help men and women undergoing breast cancer treatment maintain a nutritious diet throughout their treatments. * Breast cancer patients often have good days and not-so-good days during the course of their treatments. When the latter comes around, everyday tasks like cooking meals can seem as exhausting as climbing Mount Everest. So breast cancer patients can plan ahead for such days by going the extra mile on those days when their energy levels aren’t compromised. Prepare meals in advance and freeze them so they require minimal effort on those days when energy levels are low. * Empty calories like those found in a bag of potato chips won’t help fight fatigue on those days when your energy levels are low. When eating, opt for foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients but not heavy in calories. A meal that is dense in nutrients but not calories will benefit your energy levels, while a calorie-dense meal will only foster feelings of fatigue.
When snacking during the day, it’s possible to counter any exhausting effects of breast cancer treatment by choosing high-protein snacks. Foods that are high in protein, including low-fat cottage cheese, Greek yogurt and almonds, can improve your energy levels because the body does not break protein down as easily as it does carbohydrates. So protein can be a longer-lasting energy source than snacking alternatives that are low in protein. If you aren’t much of a snacker, consider a protein shake. When visiting the grocery store, buy items in bulk so you won’t have to make as many trips there. This can help on those days when energy levels are waning. Further save energy by asking a store employee to carry your groceries to your car. On those days when the cupboard is bare and you don’t feel up to a trip to the store, call your local grocer, explain your situation and ask if it’s possible to have groceries delivered. Many grocers would be glad to help. In addition to boosting your energy levels, protein helps heal and rebuild tissues, and you can modify
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recipes to include more protein and improve your energy levels. For example, add cheese to sandwiches, pasta dishes and casseroles, as dairy is a strong source of protein. When cooking, use milk instead of water when possible. Beans are another great source of protein, so add them to chili, pasta sauces or soups when cooking. There are many ways to modify recipes to include more protein that won’t compromise taste. If you’re unsure of how to do so, discuss this with a physician or dietician. Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatment, but there are many ways men and women undergoing breast cancer treatment can alter their diets to make their meals more nutritious, improving their energy levels as a result.
Patients undergoing breast cancer treatment can alter the recipes of their favorite foods in an effort to increase their energy levels and make meals more nutritious.
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How to improve quality of life during cancer treatment
is the biggest priority for people when they have been diagnosed with the disease. After the initial shock of diagnosis has worn off, patients can then take their first steps towards recovery. Powerful chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments can kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. Individuals may also need other medications to help mitigate the side effects of these treatments. At the end of the day, treating cancer can become a full-time job and one that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the patient and his or her loved ones.
cancer, particularly breast cancer, in remission. The American Cancer Society says physical activity has been linked to a 24 percent decrease in breast cancer coming back, and a 34 percent decrease in breast cancer deaths. • balance • control weight • self-esteem • strength of bones • lessening risk of blood clots • reduction of nausea and fatigue
Cancer patients also can benefit from therapies that promote the reduction of According to the Mayo Clinic, stress, pain stress and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic and fatigue can severely diminish quality studied formal sessions that promoted of life during and after cancer treatment. physical therapy, coping strategies or What’s more, family members caring for addressing spiritual concerns, and deep breathing or guided imagery to reduce cancer patients also may experience stress. Those who engaged in these diminished quality of life. Incorporating therapies showed marked improvement some strategies during and after at a critical time in care. treatment can help cancer patients and their caregivers maintain a high quality of life. are important to maintaining quality of life Exercise pays numerous dividends for during cancer treatment. cancer patients. Exercise may help keep 16 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | October 2016
Exercising after breast cancer Routine exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can help people maintain healthy weights, reduce stress and lower their risk for various diseases. After surviving breast cancer, many survivors wonder if it’s safe to return to the exercise regimens they followed prior to being diagnosed. Breast cancer survivors can benefit from exercise, but it’s important that they prioritize safety when working out. Survivors who have had breast cancer surgery may be at risk of lymphedema, a condition characterized by swelling of the soft tissues of the arm, hand, trunk, or breast. That swelling is sometimes accompanied by discomfort and numbness, and some people dealing with lymphedema also experience infection. Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing up-to-date information about breast cancer, notes that some exercise may be especially risky for breast cancer survivors. These exercises include: • swimming laps using strokes with arm movements • activities that involve the usage of resistance bands • pull-ups and push-ups • certain yoga poses, including downward-facing dog and inversions, that put ample weight on the arms • elliptical/cross-training machines • cross-country skiing • tennis While breast cancer survivors might want to avoid certain types of exercise, it’s important to note that the American
Cancer Society recommends exercise after breast cancer surgery. But exercise should be approached with safety in mind, and breast cancer survivors should heed the following tips to ensure their exercise regimens do not compromise their recovery. . Before making exercise a part of your post-recovery routine, speak with your physician and surgeon to determine if there any movements you should avoid. Your doctor and surgeon can tell you how you will be affected by medications you might be taking as part of your continued recovery. If you were an exercise enthusiast prior to your diagnosis, you must recognize that returning to your pre-cancer regimen may not be possible, or that it’s likely to take a while before you feel like your old self again. Take a gradual approach, allowing yourself to build strength and not expecting results to appear overnight. Place a great emphasis on form when exercising after surviving breast cancer. Many breast cancer survivors undergo sur-
gery as part of their treatments, but even those who did not should still prioritize proper form when exercising, even if it means lifting substantially less weight than you might have prior to your diagnosis.
If you feel any pain upon returning to exercising, stop immediately and speak with your physician and surgeon prior to exercising again. You likely won’t be able to exercise on successive days anytime soon, but build off days into your routine so you can rest and recover. Exercising after surviving breast cancer can promote recovery, but survivors must be extra careful as they work to get back on track.
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Guide to the Mastectomy Procedure (MCC) A breast cancer diagnosis is something no one wants to receive. Dealing with any form of cancer can be overwhelming, but a breast cancer diagnosis can be particularly challenging, especially when physicians recommend mastectomy to their patients. The Mayo Clinic notes that mastectomy is an umbrella term used to describe several different procedures. While it’s largely thought of as removing one or both breasts, mastectomy may also refer to removing lymph nodes under the arms. Lumpectomy is another word that may come up when physicians discusss treatment options with patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Lumpectomies occur when a tumor and surrounding tissue is removed, but most of the breast is left intact. For reasons that are not entirely understood, Susan G. Komen reports that rates of some types of mastectomies are on the rise. A unilateral mastectomy is the removal of one breast, and a bilateral mastectomy is the removal of both breasts. However, a woman may choose to have a healthy breast removed as a preventative measure called a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, or CPM. Susan G. Komen says that rates of CPM have been steadily on the rise, and women choosing to
Mastectomy is frequently used in the treatment of breast cancer. undergo the procedure tend to be young and well educated. Any mastectomy has its share of risks that women must weigh against the benefits. Doctors or nurses will explain the procedure before patients enter the operating room. Surgical plans may differ depending on whether a modified radical mastectomy, simple mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy, or nipplesparing mastectomy will be performed. A mastectomy procedure typically lasts up to three hours, but it may take longer if reconstruction of the breast is part of the surgery. Mastectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia, so patients will need to arrange for transportation home from the hospital. Many women find they can go home the same day of the procedure, though women should discuss their options with their physicians ahead of the sur-
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gery. Incisions will be closed with sutures after the surgery is completed. In some cases, a plastic drainage tube will be inserted where the breast was removed. This tube helps clear away any fluids that accumulate after the surgery. Women may feel some pain, numbness and pinching sensations in the surgical area. There will be a bandage over the site, and instructions will be given on caring for the wound and changing the dressing. It’s important to keep in mind that some of side effects of mastectomy procedures are permanent and irreversible, whether or not a person undergoes reconstruction. Removing breast tissue eliminates the ducts that produce milk, so breastfeeding will not be possible after surgery. Also, the breast and much of the surrounding area may remain numb due to nerves that are severed
when breast tissue is removed. How much sensation returns varies from woman to woman. Women can direct any questions they have regarding wearing bras or breast prosthetics to their surgical teams. Mastectomy is a common treatment option for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Although mastectomy may seem scary, women can rest assured that many have been there before them and there is a wealth of information available to assuage their fears.
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