July 2015 SWGA Health Beat

JULY 2015 #1 Health Magazine in Southwest Georgia

Banking Your Baby’s Cord Blood Could You Be Suffering from Hypothyrodism?

Keeping Kids Fit and Healthy Spotlight on a Local Nurse

Dr. Rex Ajayi South Georgia Urology

James Palazzolo, M.D. Sleep Apnea Centers of America

Thomas Loumeau, M.D. Colquitt Regional Medical Center

Look Inside for Your Chance to Win a Ford Mustang!

In support of

Erin Cannington, M.D. Allergy and Asthma Clinics of Georgia

Kelly Miller, FNP-BC Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center

Keisha Callins, M.D. Albany Area Primary Health Care

TIFTON ALBANY AMERICUS BAINBRIDGE SYLVESTER THOMASVILLE VALDOSTA CORDELE MOULTRIE AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Features 3

Stop Ticks

8

Banking Cord Blood

12

Healthy, Happy Kids

16

Healthy Summer Activities

18

Hypothyroidism

20

Immunization Guidelines

23

Clean Eating

EVENT CALENDAR Email upcoming events to: swgahealthbeat@gmail.com

Wednesday/8 Bariatric Support Group 5:30 pm Moultrie YMCA - 601 26th Ave SE Moultrie info@colquittregional.com (229) 890-3414 Wednesday/8 & 15 Free Lung Cancer Screenings 8:00 am - 11:00 am Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center, 919 S. Broad Street, Thomasville Our providers will offer free, low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer. Screenings are available to individuals ages 55–74 who are current smokers or who have quit smoking within the last 15 years.

(229) 584-5462 Thursday/9 I’m a Big Kid Now 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm OB Classroom (second floor) Tift Regional This free class is designed for children, ages 3 - 10, who are preparing for the arrival of a

new baby in their family.

Highlights will include care and safety issues, a tour of the Women's Pavilion and a picture frame for your big kid.

(229) 353-6132 Thursday/9 An Apple a Day Healthy Kid’s Cooking Class 10:00 am AND 12:00 pm Ages 5-9 2:00 pm - Ages 9-12 Cook High School Family and Consumer Room 9900 Georgia 37, Adel Participants in this class will be able to experience real, hands on cooking in an actual kitchen setting. Registered dieticians will teach students the importance of cooking a nutritious meal, and will guide students through cooking a healthy meal while also teaching kitchen safety!

Liza Hendrix - (229) 353-6313 Tuesday/14 Community Lecture: Knee and Hip Pain 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Summer Palace, 305 W. Kelly Street, Sylvester

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JULY 2015

Join us for a free community lecture, "Knee and Hip Pain" presented by Dr. David Banks, with Georgia Sports Medicine.

Dr. Banks will discuss different treatment options for the pain you may have.

(229) 353-6316

Liza Hendrix - (229) 353-6313 Through January 2016 Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program 10:00 am An exercise program focused on the needs of those with arthritis. Supervised by registered nurses.

Registration is required. Call 229-245-6211.

A one-time fee of $10.00 is required.

Thursday/16 Learn About LapBand Lecture 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm The Parrish House Tift Regional Join Dr. Chris Smith as he teaches you more about the LapBand weight loss Recurring Events procedure, now offered at Tift Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Regional Medical Center.

Diabetes Support Group Liza Hendrix - (229) 353-6313 Third Tuesday each month | 3 pm Tuesday/28 Lunch and Learn: Living with COPD 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm First Bapist Church of Adel Fellowship Hall Join Dr. John Maylock, family physician at Cook Family Wellness Center, as he gives more information about living with and treating COPD. Lunch will be provided.

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+

STOP TICKS DEET, showers, and tick checks can stop ticks.

Reduce your chances of getting a tickborne disease by using repellents, checking for ticks, and showering after being outdoors. If you have a tick bite followed by a fever or rash, seek medical attention.

Gardening, camping, hiking, and playing outdoors – when enjoying these activities, don't forget to take steps to prevent bites from ticks that share the outdoors. Ticks can infect humans with bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illness.

Before You Go Outdoors • Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. You may come into contact with ticks during outdoor activities around your home or when walking through leaf litter or near shrubs. Always walk in the center of trails in order to avoid contact with ticks.

• Products containing permethrin kill ticks. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several

Tick Removal COURTESY OF CDC

risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, which even includes your back yard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child's body for ticks: • Under the arms • In and around the ears • Inside belly button • Back of the knees • In and around the hair • Between the legs • Around the waist

What to Do if You Find an Attached Tick Remove the attached tick as soon as you notice it by grasping with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pulling it straight out.

Watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever in the days and weeks following the bite, and see a health care provider if these develop. Your risk of acquiring a tickborne illness depends on many factors, including where you live, what type of tick bit you, and how long the tick was attached. If you become ill after a tick bite, see a health care provider.

Reduce Ticks in Your Yard

washings.

• Use a repellent with DEET on skin.

Repellents containing 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can protect up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth. For detailed information about using DEET on children, see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics http://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html.

After You Come Indoors Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing.

Any ticks that are found should be removed. Placing clothes into a dryer on high heat for at least an hour effectively kills ticks.

Shower soon after being outdoors.

Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your

• Modify your landscape to create tick safe zones. Regularly remove leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around homes, and place wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to keep ticks away from recreational areas, and keep play areas and playground equipment away from away from shrubs, bushes, and other vegetation.

• Consider using a chemical control agent. Effective tick control chemicals are available for use by the homeowner, or they can be applied by a professional pest control expert, and even limited applications can greatly reduce the number of ticks. A single springtime application of acaricide can reduce the population of ticks that cause Lyme disease by 68– 100%.

• Discourage deer. Removing plants that attract deer and constructing physical barriers may help discourage deer from entering your yard and bringing ticks with them.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, there's no need to panic.

There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.

How to remove a tick 1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.

3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

4. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.

Avoid folklore remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible--not waiting for it to detach.

Follow-up If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.

Prevent Ticks on Animals Use tick control products to prevent family pets from bringing ticks into the home. Tick collars, sprays, shampoos, or “top spot” medications should be used regularly to protect your animals and your family from ticks. Consult your veterinarian and be sure to use these products according to the package instructions.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 3

Healing from the Inside Out: Managing Emotional Disorders in Pregnancy Enlightenment Pregnancy may induce or increase emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The negative reactions that women think they may experience by sharing their emotions often prevents them from seeking treatment, enhances their ability to camouflage a worsening condition, and may result in harmful acts towards self or others. If a condition develops during pregnancy, it is important not to delay starting medications and talking to trained professional. Women, that have a known diagnosis of an emotional disorder, should have an assessment prior to pregnancy to organize the safest and most effective medications and treatment options.

Education Many pregnant women are concerned about the possible harmful effects of medications (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, and antianxiety) on their unborn child. However, an untreated condition can have an even more significant impact on the health of the mother and baby, as well as the mother’s ability to care for herself and her child after delivery. There are many medications that are beneficial for one’s emotional health that may need to be continued throughout pregnancy or used at different times during the pregnancy.

Empowerment Improving the outcomes of the mother and baby are most likely achieved by coordinating care with the obstetrician, maternal fetal medicine specialist, psychiatrist, behavioral therapist, and care manager. In some cases, there may be additional testing that is required to monitor the babies of pregnant women on some medications, such as a focused ultrasound and early testing of the fetal heart.

Encouragement Women who embrace resources that provide reassurance, accurate information, and regular support regarding their emotional health will make better choices and be more prepared to prevent or manage crises. Do not hesitate to talk with a healthcare provider about managing your medications and treatment plan to achieve the best experience - before, during, and after pregnancy.

References: www.webmd.com www.everydayhealth.com Quote Of The Month: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty” ~ Maya Angelou ~

10 Ways to Love Your Brain Ginny Helms Vice President, Chapter Services and Public Policy Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter

An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. In the absence of a disease-modifying treatment or cure, reducing the risk of developing dementia takes on added importance. The good news is we believe based on sufficient evidence that there is a link between risk factors and a reduced risk for cognitive decline and that some of these risk factors can even reduce the risk of dementia.

Given this growing evidence that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline, and in recognition of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, the Alzheimer’s Association and its experts are sharing 10 Ways to Love Your Brain, tips that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

1. Break a sweat. Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body.

2. Hit the books. Formal

education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

For example, take a class at a local college, community center or online.

3. Butt out. Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

4. Follow your heart.

Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.

5. Heads up! Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls.

6. Fuel up right. Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help

4 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | July 2015

reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

7. Catch some Zzz’s. Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.

8. Take care of your mental health. Some studies link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline, so seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns.

9. Buddy up. Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community.

10. Stump yourself.

Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture.

Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Challenging your mind may have short and

long-term benefits for your brain.

Research shows how healthy habits reduce heart disease, stroke and even cancer. Your brain is your command center and deserves as much attention as the rest of your body so these ten steps are not only important to the rest of your organs, but also to your brain.

DID YOU KNOW? COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

Whey protein is often taken by weightlifters who are looking to increase strength, muscle size and lean body mass, and studies have shown that whey can help men and women achieve such goals.

But even the most ardent exercise enthusiasts may not know what whey is. A product of cheesemaking, whey is the water element of milk that separates from the curds when cheese is being made.

People with milk allergies may want to avoid whey protein, as it can trigger allergic reactions. Men and women with kidney disease also should consult with their physicians before taking any protein powders. When bodybuilders take whey protein, they typically do so in the form of protein shakes, which help nourish the body after a workout.

SKIN CANCER TREATMENT ~ SKIN EXAMS MOHS SURGERY ~ MOLE REMOVAL General & Surgical Dermatology NEW PATIENTS & MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Georgia’s Premier Dermatology and Skin Cancer Specialists

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July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 5

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.

Call Us Today To Make An Appointment 803 NORTH JACKSON ST • ALBANY, GA 31701 • 229-435-0832 6 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | July 2015

ALBANY CENTER

DOCO Driving School, Inc.

Services Available • CT • MRI • X-Ray • Ultrasound • Bone Density • Cardiac Screenings

All Major Insurances Accepted

ALBANY CENTER

229-888-1624

2624 Dawson Rd., Albany, GA 31707 www.diagnosticsystemsofga.com

General Dental Care for Children and Young Adults Orthodontics ~ Oral Surgery We accept Medicaid, Peachcare, AmeriGroup, Wellcare, and most other insurance

432-9555 Next Day Appointments Available www.vitalsmilesga.com

1030 West Gordon Avenue, Suite A, Albany, GA 31701 July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 7

COURTESY OF WEBMD

8 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | July 2015

By R. Morgan Griffin WebMD Feature Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD WebMD Archive

If you're expecting a baby, you might have thought about umbilical cord blood - along with the many other ways you can hope to make life safe for your child.

Expectant parents do all kinds of things for safety's sake. They plug up empty electrical sockets, childproof their cabinets, pore over car seat research, and measure the space between the bars of hand-me-down cribs -- all months before their son or daughter is born.

And some are now choosing a procedure that, they feel, could further protect their children from harm: umbilical cord blood banking.

The procedure takes blood from the umbilical cord at birth and stores it for a fee in a private blood bank. (Public banks are another option - see below.) Because this blood is rich in stem cells -- cells that have the ability to transform into just about any human cell -- it could someday be used as treatment if your child ever became ill with certain diseases. It might also be useful for a sick sibling or relative.

Banking cord blood is a way of preserving potentially life-saving cells that usually get thrown away after birth.

But is banking worth it for most people? The banks argue that it's a form of "insurance" in case your children ever get sick. However, many medical associations -- like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- don't support the practice for most people.

They say that possible benefits are too remote to justify the costs.

"I don't tell any of my patients not to do it, but I point out that the odds that they will ever use the stored cord blood are very low," says Stephen Feig, professor of pediatrics at UCLA. "It's a very expensive insurance policy."

So the important thing is to make an informed choice. You need to know the benefits and costs of cord blood banking before you make any decisions.

Why Is Cord Blood Worth Saving?

Stem cells are immature cells that can both reproduce themselves and have the

potential to turn into other types of cells. There are several types. The ones in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow are called hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs).

Some people (usually children and, sometimes, adults of small size) with certain diseases -like leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and others - can be injected with these HPC stem cells to replenish their blood supply with new, healthy cells.

The stem cells can also help the body recover from some cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

No one debates that cord blood cells can be lifesaving.

"Cord blood is a proven, effective source of bloodforming stem cells for people with certain diseases," Feig tells WebMD. According to the Institute of Medicine, HPCs have saved more than 20,000 lives in the U.S. in recent years, although the majority are from bone marrow transplants rather than cord blood. There have only been about 6,000 reported cord blood transplants.

The Odds Umbilical Cord Blood Will be Used Cord blood banking has become a potentially lucrative business. More than twenty private banks operate in the U.S., the oldest since 1992.

Expectant couples see ads for stem cell banking everywhere -in parenting magazines, in doctor's offices, on television, on the Web, and in their own mailboxes.

"I don't think there's an obstetrician in the country who doesn't have patients asking about it," says Jeffrey Ecker, MD, a high-risk obstetrician at Massachusetts General Hospital. "I get the sense that there's more marketing and publicity than ever."

But according to most experts, the odds that a child will ever use his or her own stored cord blood are small.

According to a 2005 editorial in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, the chances are about one in 2,700.

Other estimates range widely.

Advertising from one private cord blood bank puts the odds at 1 in 27. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests it's more like 1 in 200,000.

Indisputably, there are very few documented cases of a child receiving his or her own banked cord blood as treatment. The Institute of Medicine says that there may only have been as few as 14 total of these

procedures ever performed.

One reason is that the conditions cord blood stem cells could help treat just aren't that common. "The diseases in children that we can treat with their own cord blood stem cells are really rare," says Feig.

While the odds of ever using privately banked cord blood may be small, the costs aren't.

Prices vary, but banks might charge up to $1,800 for the initial processing. After that, they charge an annual storage fee of roughly $100. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, properly stored cord blood should be good for up to about 10 years; after that point, researchers aren't sure how long the cells will last.

The Benefits of Collecting Cord Blood Although both cord blood and bone marrow contain the same sort of HPC stem cells, those from cord blood may have some advantages. Cells from cord blood are less mature than cells from an adult's bone marrow, so a recipient's body is less likely to reject them.

"My personal feeling is that stem cells that come from an umbilical cord are going to be more robust than those you get from a 50-year old man," Feig tells WebMD. Taking cord blood is also simple and painless. It's much less involved than bone marrow donation. And some experts say banking might be wise in certain cases.

For instance, Ecker says that if someone in your family already has leukemia, sickle cell anemia, or other blood disorders, banking could make sense, either for the child or for another family member.

"I don't think you'll get arguments from any doctor about the wisdom of banking if you have one of these diseases running in the family," Ecker tells WebMD. "Certainly not from me."

In some cases -- for instance, if you already have a child who is sick and might need a transplant -- some federal or state programs, or even insurance companies, might help pay the costs.

The Downsides of Banking Cord Blood Privately banked cord blood does have some big limitations as a kind of health insurance policy. Even if your child does get sick, it may not be the right treatment.

"If a child develops certain genetic diseases, his or her

own frozen cord blood isn't going to help," says Arthur Caplan, PhD, a bioethicist and chairman of the department of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania. "The cord blood will have the same genetic flaws that caused the disease in the first place, so it won't be a good treatment."

While using your own stored blood has advantages - such as reducing the risk of rejection -- it has other disadvantages too, explains Feig. Introducing a new set of immune cells from a donor can sometimes be more effective in fighting certain cancers than getting more of the patient's own.

But what about saving your baby's cord blood for a family member who gets -- or already is -- sick? Siblings are more likely to be a genetic match, which is crucial. However, the odds are still only about 25%.

So even if you bank your child's blood for a sibling, there's a 75% chance that he or she will need a donation from another donor's cells in a bank instead.

Cord blood is usually only used in treating diseases in children. Since only 3 to 5 ounces are taken from the cord, and since cord blood has a limited number of stem cells, there just isn't enough to treat most adults.

Expectant parents also need to understand that cord blood isn't the only possible treatment for these diseases. Most people who need a transplant of stem cells could still get them from donated bone marrow, either from a family member or a bone marrow bank.

"If your child becomes sick with leukemia, for instance, there are treatments besides using his or her own cord blood," says Ecker. "It's by no means his or her only hope."

Current Cord Blood Use vs.

Future Hopes The current uses of cord blood are limited. But many experts hope that stem cells will be a crucial part of future treatments for diabetes, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, heart failure, stroke, and many other conditions. If it really were possible to make stem cells develop into any kind of cell, the possibilities would be almost endless.

But this is only theoretical. It's important to distinguish between what doctors can do now with cord blood stem cells versus what they might be able to do in the future. Some people See Baby, page 13

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 9

Tuberculosis (TB) Disease: Symptoms & Risk Factors COURTESY OF CDC

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. People infected with TB bacteria who are not sick may still need treatment to prevent TB disease from developing in the future.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of TB disease and find out if you are at risk.

Latent TB infection and TB disease

The bacteria that cause TB is spread through the air from person to person. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. There are two types of TB conditions: latent TB infection and TB disease.

TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others.

If TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease.

People with TB disease usually have symptoms and may spread TB bacteria to others.

TB bacteria most commonly grow in the lungs, and can cause symptoms such as:

-A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer -Pain in the chest -Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep inside the lungs)

Other symptoms of TB disease may include: Weakness or fatigue Weight loss No appetite Chills Fever Sweating at night

TB Risk Factors Anyone can get TB , but people at high risk generally fall into two categories: -People recently infected with TB bacteria -People with medical conditions that weaken the immune system You are at increased risk for being infected with TB bacteria if: -You have spent time with a person with TB disease -You are from a country or have visited areas where TB disease is very common -You live or work where TB disease is more common, such as a homeless shelter, prison or jail, or long-term care facility -You are a health-care worker who works with clients or patients who are at increased risk for TB disease You have a higher chance of getting TB disease once infected if: -You have HIV infection -You are a child younger than 5 years of age -You have recently been infected with TB bacteria in the last two years -You have other health problems that make it hard for your body to fight disease -You smoke cigarettes or abuse alcohol and/or drugs -You were not treated correctly for latent TB infection or TB disease in the past Eliminating TB in the United States Millions of people in the United States have latent TB infection. Without treatment, they are at risk for developing TB disease. Treatment of latent TB infection is essential to controlling and eliminating TB in the United States. If you think you may have latent TB infection, TB disease, or were exposed to someone with TB disease, contact your health care provider or your TB control office. You and your health-care provider can discuss your options for testing and treatment.

Basic TB Facts COURTESY OF CDC

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

TB is NOT spread by: -shaking someone's hand -sharing food or drink -touching bed linens or toilet seats -sharing toothbrushes -kissing Latent TB Infection and TB Disease Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and TB disease.

Latent TB Infection TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms. People with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease.

TB Disease TB bacteria become active if the immune system can't stop them from growing.

When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease.

People with TB disease are sick. They may also be able to spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day.

Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected (within weeks) before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria.

Other people may get sick years later when their immune system becomes weak for another reason.

For people whose immune systems are weak, especially those with HIV infection, the risk of developing TB disease is much higher than for people with normal immune systems.

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April Little

(229) 431-2200

RN, BSN, CLC Women’s and Children’s Services Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital 417 3rd Avenue Albany, GA 31701 (229) 312-2932

Where are you from?

I am from a small town in north Georgia called Jasper. Referred to as “the first mountain city,” it is located approximately 60 miles north of Atlanta. I attended Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia, until I meet my husband Chad and moved south to Tifton, where I pursued my medical career at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. I recently earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Texas-Arlington and plan to pursue a master’s degree in nursing administration. My husband and I live in Lee County with our two daughters, Maddie and Ada Britt.

What inspired you to become a nurse?

I have always had a passion for caring for others. As a basketball player at Reinhardt University, I regularly found myself acting as the “trainer.” My mom has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and as long as I can remember has needed nursing care. Growing up, I always observed the nurses caring for my mom and thought to myself, “Maybe, that’s who I want to be!” I met my husband in 2001 and it soon became clear that my passion was to indeed become a nurse, so that’s exactly what I did.

Working in healthcare has truly been an inspiration. I am constantly looking for opportunities to become a better nurse.

How long have you worked in the medical field?

I have been a nurse for eleven years in the women’s and children’s division at Phoebe, and eight of those years I have served as charge nurse. I have also taught childbirth classes for seven years and am currently helping lead the Baby Friendly Journey initiative. Additionally, I am in charge of our department’s Electronic Medical Records (EMR) conversion.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of

my job is ensuring that every patient and every nurse in our division truly understands evidence-based practices. Once they are properly educated on what is best for both mother and baby, the Baby Friendly Journey will be easy.

What is the most gratifying aspect of your position?

The most gratifying aspect of my job is when families really understand and embrace the Baby Friendly Journey. It is so gratifying to see the mother’s face when their newborn is placed skin to skin and naturally breastfeeds with ease. Moms have worked so hard and giving them that “Magic Hour” after delivery is so rewarding. Studies have shown that breast milk is best for babies and putting them skin to skin right after delivery will increase breastfeeding outcomes from having increase milk supply, easier attachment, and positive maternal and newborn behaviors.

At Phoebe, we truly want our mothers to be informed of what to feed their newborns. It is our duty to discuss and educate the importance of breastfeeding and the positive impact it has on mothers and babies. I am very passionate about our Baby Friendly Journey and all the evidence based practices that have been done through much research. Processes on units have been changed and changed for the better. Seeing the nursing staff being so receptive to this change has been very rewarding.

I could not have done it without their support and engagement.

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

Do you have any tips for people who have an interest in becoming a nurse?

Do what you love! I love being a nurse at Phoebe. I cannot imagine doing anything else. I believe if you truly love your job, it will not be a job but a passion.

Someone once said that if you make it a job then it will just be a job, but if you want a future make it a career. Get your education and never stop learning.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 11

How to encourage kids to be more physically active COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

When today's parents reflect on their childhood, many likely recall seemingly endless days spent playing outdoors.

But when today's kids become tomorrow's parents, chances are their recollections won't recall nearly as much time spent idling the days away under the sun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 17 percent of American children and adolescents between the ages of 2 to 19 are obese. In Canada, where selfreporting data collection methods have made such statistics more difficult to quantify, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is also on the rise, according to the Canadian Community Health Survey.

The rise in overweight or obese children is likely a byproduct of several factors, not the least of which is that many of today's kids prefer to play a video game on the couch instead of going outdoors and being physically active. The potential ramifications of youngsters choosing a more sedentary lifestyle are dangerous, as it increases their risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, respiratory ailments and joint problems, among other things. What's more, numerous studies have found that obese or overweight children are more likely to become obese or overweight adults, which highlights the importance of embracing a physically active lifestyle as a youngster.

Parents know it's not always easy to get kids to be more physically active.

But the following are a few tips parents might find useful when encouraging their kids to embrace a more active lifestyle. * Give toys that encourage physical activity. Kids love toys, and their toys will often dictate how they spend their days. Instead of buying the latest video game console, give kids toys that encourage them to be active. This can include balls, bicycles, jump ropes, or See Active, page 13

Fostering healthy eating habits in children COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

If kids had their way, pizza, chicken fingers and french fries would make up a significant portion of their diets. But parents know they must make kids' culinary choices for them so youngsters get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy.

Parents also tend to know how difficult it can be to convince kids to embrace healthy eating. Healthy eating habits can help kids live healthier lives and perform better in the classroom while setting them up for a lifetime of making the right choices at mealtime. Though encouraging kids to eat healthy may not always be easy, the following are a few tips for parents hoping to foster healthy eating habits in their children. * Stick to a schedule. Parents should establish a regular eating schedule, for both meals and snacks, so kids learn the importance of not skipping meals.

Kids who learn to eat at regular intervals are more likely to continue doing so as they grow older. When kids stick to a meal schedule, they are less likely to overeat and they're likely to have more energy throughout the day, which should help them stay attentive at school and be more engaged in their extracurricular activities. * Involve kids when choosing the menu. Kids might be more excited about eating healthy when you involve them in choosing the menu. Invite them along on trips to the grocery store and allow them to choose one of their favorite foods for the meal in exchange for eating the healthy fare you have chosen. Parents may end up eating a lot of side dishes of macaroni and cheese, but their youngsters will also end up eating their vegetables. * Plan healthy desserts. Dessert is often considered an unhealthy indulgence, but there's plenty of nutritious desserts that are so delicious

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kids likely will not realize they're eating healthy. A dessert of fresh fruit and a small serving of yogurt can provide the same post-meal refreshment as ice cream or cake, but it does so with much fewer calories and a lot more nutrients and vitamins. What's more, kids will come to look at dessert as a chance to eat fresh fruits instead of an opportunity to load up on ice cream or other, less healthy alternatives. * Serve healthy portions.

Sometimes it's not just what is on the plate but how much is on the plate that can be healthy or unhealthy. When doling out portions for the family, create healthy portions so kids are not encouraged to overeat. Kids who grow up eating healthy portions are more likely to continue doing so into adulthood. Overeating is one of the culprits behind being overweight and obese, so kids who learn to control their portions are much less likely to overeat and gain excess weight. * Don't reward kids with food. Some parents try to reward youngsters with food, allowing kids to indulge in unhealthy fare in acknowledgement of a good report card or something else kids should be proud of. But using food as a reward is an unhealthy eating habit that can lead to problems down the road as kids become adults responsible for their own eating habits. * Set a positive example. Kids are more likely to eat healthy when mom and dad are healthy eaters. If your first choice at snack time is to reach for a bag of potato chips, then don't be surprised when your kids opt for chips over healthier fare like a piece of fruit.

"Do as I say, not as I do" is a tough sell to youngsters when it comes to their eating habits, so parents should set a positive example for their kids by ensuring their own diets are healthy.

Active Continued from page 12

even a backyard swingset.

Kids who embrace these activities at a young age are more likely to continue doing so into adolescence and adulthood. * Reduce time spent in front of the television. Parents who can effectively minimize the amount of time their child spends in front of the television, whether reducing their time spent watching television or playing video games, will likely be more successful at instilling a love of physical activity as well.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents limit their child's time in front of the television to one to two hours per day, and that includes the time children spend playing video games.

To further reduce kids' time watching TV, don't allow televisions in their bedrooms, as that will only make it harder to monitor just how much time kids are spending in front of their TVs. * Remember that physical activity should be fun. Not all kids are athletic, and some will likely bemoan participating in recreational sports leagues. But that doesn't mean parents should give up on encouraging physical activity. Instead, find a physical activity that your child finds fun and encourage his or her participation. This might be nontraditional kids' sports like cycling or jogging or activities like dancing, hiking or even bird watching.

Once a child exhibits a healthy interest in a physical activity that you have deemed safe, encourage it. * Set a positive example.

Kids, especially younger children, look up to their parents and often try to emulate what Mom and Dad are doing. Parents can make the most of that adoration by setting a positive example and being physically active themselves. Go for a nightly bike ride or a walk around the neighborhood with your youngsters in tow. Or put that elliptical machine in the basement to good use.

Whatever physical activity you choose, you can bet your children will express an interest in it as well, and that's a great way to make them more enthusiastic about having a healthy and active lifestyle.

Baby Continued from page 8

don't realize the distinction. They have exaggerated ideas of what is possible today.

"People talk about stem cell therapy like its alchemy," says Caplan, "as if we can turn a stem cell into anything, just like alchemists hoped to turn base metals into gold. But it's not like that."

Even if researchers do have future successes with stem cells, they may not come from cord blood.

"The science is moving fast right now," Caplan tells WebMD. "I personally am not so sure that using stem cells from cord blood will be the approach we take in the future." Instead, Caplan is more optimistic about techniques using embryonic stem cells or stem cells derived from adult tissue.

Public Cord Blood Banking There is an alternative to private banking.

Some parents decide to donate their child's cord blood to a public cord blood bank for free, which makes it available to anyone who needs it. Most doctors and medical organizations favor public donation. The Institute of Medicine has proposed that Congress create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program along the lines of the national bone marrow donation system.

In the unlikely event that your child ever needs the cord blood you donated to a public bank, odds are good that you will be able to get it back.

"The chances that anyone will ever use a particular unit of cord blood that you donate is small," says Feig. "So if your child needs it 10 years down the pike, there's an overwhelming chance that the cells will still be available."

Obviously, there's no guarantee, but it's something to keep in mind. If you are interested in public cord blood donation, get

in touch with the National Marrow Donor Program at www.marrow.org. You can also ask your health care provider about medical centers in your area that might accept donations.

But Ecker points out that we're still a ways off from organized public cord blood banking. In most of the country, a public donation isn't even possible. There's no system in place. So for many people, the choice isn't between public and private banking. It's between private banking and letting the cord blood go to waste.

Making the Choice About Cord Blood Deciding to bank your child's cord blood is a personal decision. Some people feel that the potential benefits are too few to justify the money. Others believe that it's a worthwhile investment.

The key is to understand the details so you can make a rational decision. Whatever you do, don't let yourself be pushed into a choice.

"I think it's fine if a parent makes an informed decision to do this," says Caplan.

"But I don't like parents being guilted or shamed into this by misleading advertising.

No one should make you feel like irresponsible or reckless parents if you don't choose to bank your child's cord blood." He says that people who are expecting a child are especially vulnerable to this sort of pressure.

But if you research the possible benefits and feel that banking your baby's blood would give you peace of mind -- and you're comfortable with the cost -- then do it. Talk to your health care provider and start researching some of the banks. Also, read about the best way to assess your need for banking cord blood.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 13

Weather Service. Thousands more seek medical treatment for heatinduced injury and illness.

Fortunately, some simple measures can help prevent heat-related illness while still allowing you to enjoy your outdoor time. Take these steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer:

Tips to keep everyone safe from heatrelated illness this summer

* Choose your outdoor time wisely.

Whenever possible, avoid spending time outside during the hottest parts of the day, typically noon to 5 p.m. Choose outdoor activities that you can enjoy in the early morning or evening, such as grilling and dining al fresco or going for a walk.

(BPT) - Enjoying fun in the sun is one of the great pastimes of summer. But heatrelated illnesses can seriously cool off your summer fun, so it's important to protect yourself from sun and hot weather while you're outdoors this season.

Normally, the body cools itself by sweating, but when the weather is particularly hot and humid, you may not sweat enough to keep yourself cool.

When one's body temperature increases too much, heat-related illnesses can occur. These range from minor irritations like heat rash or cramps, to potentially deadly conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In fact, each year, heatrelated illnesses claim an average of more than 100 lives, according to the National

* Keep everyone hydrated. When the weather is hot, it's more important than ever to ensure everyone in the family from children and pets to parents and grandparents - gets enough water. While outdoors, be sure to have ample bottled water on hand and don't forget to keep your pet's bowl filled-and give him plenty of opportunities to drink-while outdoors. * Leverage cooling technology to make outdoor spaces more comfortable. Sometimes, you have to be outside during hotter times of day.

Keeping cool is key. Evaporative coolers, like the Portacool Cyclone 1000, use the natural process of evaporation to make outdoor spaces more comfortable during

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hot weather. These evaporative coolers move water over special pads, or evaporative cooling media, to produce chilled air that provides a noticeable difference - lowering temperatures by as much as 30 F. This can make outdoor spaces such as the patio, deck or garage more bearable in the heat. Visit www.portacool.com to learn more. * Seek shade. If your patio or deck isn't covered, use movable umbrellas or awnings to create plenty of shade. Going to a ballgame or the beach? Take an umbrella to shield you from the sun, or wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face. * Choose weather-smart attire. When the weather's very hot and the sun is bright, choose loose-fitting clothing made from lightweight materials and opt for lighter colors. This type of clothing will be more comfortable when you sweat, and lighter colors reflect heat more efficiently.

If you'll be working outdoors for any length of time, consider long-sleeved shirts and long pants in moisture-wicking materials to help shield your skin from sun exposure. * Don't overdo it with exercise. While vigorous exercise has many benefits, engaging in strenuous activity in extreme heat can do far more harm than good. If you enjoy an outdoor run or have yardwork to do, try to reserve it for the coolest times of day-early morning and evening. Consider taking your exercise routine indoors to a gym or your own living room when temperatures are very hot.

How to build and maintain strong bones COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weakened and brittle over time, affects millions of people across the globe. The International Osteoporosis Foundation says an osteoporosisrelated fracture occurs roughly once every 3 seconds, accounting for more than 8.9 million fractures a year.

Younger individuals typically heal from fractures more quickly than older adults, who often discover that fractures greatly impede their mobility and quality of life.

Bone health is important at any age, but it is particularly crucial as a person gets older. Without a strong framework of bones, the body collapses on itself and rates of fracture increase. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep and maintain strong bones.

Bones are largely made up of a protein called collagen, which is bound together by calcium and other trace minerals. Vitamin D and calcium work in concert, with vitamin D helping the body to absorb calcium so it can find its way into bones. Experts advise getting the right ratio of calcium, protein and vitamin D to safeguard against osteoporosis. The Institute of Medicine suggests that adults get between 600 and 800 international units (IUs) of vitamin D every day, and between 1,000 and 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily. Dairy products, such as low- and nonfat milk, yogurt and cheese, are high in calcium. Dark green vegetables and almonds contain calcium in smaller amounts. Obtaining calcium and vitamin D through natural sources is always preferable, but doctors may suggest supplementation if foods are not providing what a person needs to meet the minimum recommended levels.

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Exercise is another important component of building strong bones. The National Osteoporosis Foundation says 30 minutes of exercise each day can help.

Higher-intensity exercises should be mixed with lower-intensity workouts for the best results. Weightbearing exercises, such as hiking, dancing and stair-climbing, can build between 1 and 3 percent of bone. An exercise regimen also should include lifting weights or using resistance bands.

Activities that promote good posture and flexibility can help improve balance and alignment of the body.

Perform stretches smoothly and slowly after exercising to maintain your range of motion.

Quitting smoking also can promote strong bones.

Smoking has been linked to poor skeletal health in both men and women, and the longer one smokes, the greater one's risk for fracture.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 15

GET MOVING: 5 HEALTHY SUMMER FAMILY ACTIVITIES (BPT) - Summer has arrived and for many kids, sports and activity practices are on hiatus leaving them with plenty of time to lounge on the couch. But summer isn't the time to get lazy.

Warmer weather provides the perfect opportunity to get more involved in your kids' lives and spend time together as a family.

As a parent, your children will pick up on your habits, good or bad, so it's important to be a role model for living a healthy way of life by teaching healthy habits starting at a young age.

Show your family the value of an active lifestyle with these healthy family activity ideas from Life Time Fitness: Introduce your kids to a sport you love. No child is too young to engage in your favorite sport or activity.

Whether you're a basketball player or a yogi, show the kids your enthusiasm for the activity you love. When they see you having fun, they'll want to try it, too. Also, enroll your kids in classes that align with their interests. Life Time Kids Academy features two to three hours of classes for kids' ages three months to 11 years in all areas, from fitness and agility, to mind, arts and culture-all in one convenient location, giving children the chance to experience a myriad of activities to find interests of their own.

Try rock climbing. You've seen the big rock wall in sports stores and health clubs, but have you taken the challenge of climbing with your kids? Trying out new activities and stepping outside your comfort zone is a big part of enjoying a healthy way of life. Even if you or your kids are nervous in the beginning, try a few training sessions or take some time with certified professionals at Life Time. Doing so will assure you of your safety and calm your nerves. Rock climbing is not only a physical workout, but it also gets your brain moving as

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you navigate your way to the top.

Get to the pool. It wouldn't be summer without some time in the water. Your local pool is a great place to head for some fun in the sun. Life Time Swim experts recommend that you find a pool with high quality water standards. Pool water should be clean and clear; if you walk into a pool area and smell chemicals, often times that means there are not enough chemicals in the pool rather than too many. You'll also want to ensure that the pool has adequate safety standards,

such as Life Time's 25:10 rule (if a child cannot swim more than 25 meters, their parent or guardian must be within 10 feet) and a 3:1 non-swimmer to swimmer ratio. Don't forget to slather on the sunscreen and reapply every few hours.

Let your kids experience a day camp. For many working parents, it's a yearly battle to figure out who will take care of their children during the summer days. One solution to this is a summer day camp, like Life Time Kids Summer Camps.

This camp, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., is focused on helping kids develop a passion for living healthy and active lifestyles with a full spectrum of engaging activities and a new theme to look forward to each week.

Go for a family walk. Get into a routine of taking an afterdinner walk a few nights each week. If your little ones start to get bored or complain, use some tricks to keep them engaged. For example, keep their attention with a counting game, or make up an elaborate story together. Soon these walks will become a fun family treat.

Use these ideas to keep your family active and safe all summer long. Your kids will go back to school next year with healthy habits and a happy spirit.

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COURTESY OF MAYOCLINIC

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones.

Women, especially those older than age 60, are more likely to have hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

The good news is that accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism, and treatment of hypothyroidism with synthetic thyroid hormone is usually simple, safe and effective once you and your doctor find the right dose for you.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. But in general, any problems you have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years.

At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain, or you may

simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms. Hypothyroidism signs and symptom may include: •Fatigue •Increased sensitivity to cold •Constipation •Dry skin •Unexplained weight gain •Puffy face •Hoarseness •Muscle weakness •Elevated blood cholesterol level •Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness •Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints •Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods •Thinning hair •Slowed heart rate •Depression •Impaired memory When hypothyroidism isn't treated, signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of your thyroid gland to release more hormones may lead to an enlarged thyroid (goiter). In addition, you may become more forgetful, your thought processes may slow, or you may feel depressed.

Advanced hypothyroidism,

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known as myxedema, is rare, but when it occurs it can be lifethreatening. Signs and symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness and even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.

Hypothyroidism in infants Although hypothyroidism most often affects middle-aged and older women, anyone can develop the condition, including infants. Initially, babies born without a thyroid gland or with a gland that doesn't work properly may have few signs and symptoms. When newborns do have problems with hypothyroidism, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). In most cases, this occurs when a baby's liver can't metabolize a substance called bilirubin, which normally forms when the body recycles old or damaged red blood cells.

Frequent choking.

A large, protruding tongue.

A puffy appearance to the face.

As the disease progresses, infants are likely to have trouble feeding and may fail to grow and develop normally. They may also have:

•Constipation •Poor muscle tone •Excessive sleepiness When hypothyroidism in infants isn't treated, even mild cases can lead to severe physical and mental retardation.

Hypothyroidism in children and teens In general, children and teens who develop hypothyroidism have the same signs and symptoms as adults do, but they may also experience: •Poor growth, resulting in short stature •Delayed development of permanent teeth •Delayed puberty •Poor mental development When to see a doctor See your doctor if you're feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice.

You'll also need to see your doctor for periodic testing of your thyroid function if you've had previous thyroid surgery; treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications; or radiation See Suffering, page 19

Suffering Continued from page 18

therapy to your head, neck or upper chest. However, it may take years or even decades before any of these therapies or procedures result in hypothyroidism.

If you have high blood cholesterol, talk to your doctor about whether hypothyroidism may be a cause. And if you're receiving hormone therapy for hypothyroidism, schedule follow-up visits as often as your doctor recommends. Initially, it's important to make sure you're receiving the correct dose of medicine. And over time, the dose you need may change.

Causes

When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset. There can be a number of causes,

including autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications.

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of proteins.

Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones.

Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of factors, including: Autoimmune disease. People

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who develop a particular inflammatory disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis suffer from the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves your thyroid gland. Scientists aren't sure why the body produces antibodies against itself. Some think a virus or bacterium might trigger the response, while others believe a genetic flaw may be involved. Most likely, autoimmune diseases result from more than one factor. But however it happens, these antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism. People who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) are often treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications to reduce and

normalize their thyroid function.

However, in some cases, treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in permanent hypothyroidism.

Thyroid surgery. Removing all or a large portion of your thyroid gland can diminish or halt hormone production. In that case, you'll need to take thyroid hormone for life.

Radiation therapy. Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism.

Medications. A number of medications can contribute to hypothyroidism. One such medication is lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you're taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your thyroid gland.

Less often, hypothyroidism may result from one of the See Suffering, page 22

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Why Are Childhood Vaccines So Important?

COURTESY OF CDC

It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it after it occurs.

Diseases that used to be common in this country and around the world, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, rotavirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can now be prevented by vaccination.

Thanks to a vaccine, one of the most terrible diseases in history – smallpox – no longer exists outside the laboratory. Over the years vaccines have prevented countless cases of disease and saved millions of lives.

Immunity Protects us From Disease Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease.

Children are born with an immune system composed of cells, glands, organs, and fluids located throughout the body. The immune system recognizes germs that enter the body as "foreign invaders” (called antigens) and produces proteins called antibodies to fight them.

The first time a child is infected with a specific antigen (say measles virus), the immune system produces antibodies designed to fight it. This takes time . . . usually the immune system can’t work fast enough to prevent the antigen from causing disease, so the child still gets sick. However, the immune system “remembers” that antigen. If it ever enters the body again, even after many years, the immune system can produce antibodies fast enough to keep it from causing disease a second time. This protection is called immunity.

It would be nice if there were a way to give children immunity to a disease without their having to get sick first.

In fact there is: Vaccines contain the same antigens (or parts of antigens) that cause diseases. For example, measles vaccine contains measles virus. But the antigens in vaccines are either killed, or weakened to the point that they don’t cause disease. However, they are strong enough to make the immune system produce antibodies that lead to immunity. In other words, a vaccine is a safer substitute for a child’s first exposure to a disease.

The child gets protection without having to get sick.

Through vaccination, children can develop immunity without suffering from the actual diseases that vaccines prevent.

More Facts • Newborn babies are immune to many diseases because they have antibodies they got from their mothers. However, this immunity goes away during the first year of life.

• If an unvaccinated child is exposed to a disease germ, the child's body may not be strong enough to fight the disease. Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent, such as whooping cough, measles, and polio. Those same germs exist today, but because babies are protected by vaccines, we don’t see these diseases nearly as often.

• Immunizing individual children also helps to protect the health of our community, especially those people who cannot be immunized (children who are too young to be vaccinated, or those who can’t receive certain vaccines for medical reasons), and the small proportion of people who don’t respond to a particular vaccine.

• Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 21

Suffering Continued from page 19

following: Congenital disease. Some babies are born with a defective thyroid gland or no thyroid gland. In most cases, the thyroid gland didn't develop normally for unknown reasons, but some children have an inherited form of the disorder.

Often, infants with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal at birth. That's one reason why most states now require newborn thyroid screening.

Pituitary disorder. A relatively rare cause of hypothyroidism is the failure of the pituitary gland to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) — usually because of a benign tumor of the pituitary gland.

Pregnancy. Some women develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy (postpartum hypothyroidism), often because they produce antibodies to their own thyroid gland. Left untreated, hypothyroidism increases the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery and preeclampsia — a condition that causes a significant rise in a woman's blood pressure during the last three months of pregnancy. It can also seriously affect the developing fetus.

Iodine deficiency. The trace mineral iodine — found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized salt — is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. In some parts of the world, iodine deficiency is common, but the addition of iodine to table salt has virtually eliminated this problem in the United States. Conversely, taking in too much iodine can cause hypothyroidism.

Risk Factors

Although anyone can develop hypothyroidism, you're at an increased risk if you:

•Are a woman older than age 60 •Have an autoimmune disease •Have a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent, with an autoimmune disease •Have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications •Received radiation to your neck or upper chest •Have had thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy) •Have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past

six months

Complications Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to a number of health problems: Goiter. Constant stimulation of your thyroid to release more hormones may cause the gland to become larger — a condition known as a goiter. Hashimoto thyroiditis is one of the most common causes of a goiter.

Although generally not uncomfortable, a large goiter can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.

Heart problems.

Hypothyroidism may also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, primarily because high levels of lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — can occur in people with an underactive thyroid. Even subclinical hypothyroidism, a more benign condition than true hypothyroidism, can cause an increase in total cholesterol levels and impair the pumping ability of your heart.

Hypothyroidism can also lead to an enlarged heart and heart failure.

Mental health issues.

Depression may occur early in hypothyroidism and may become more severe over time.

Hypothyroidism can also cause slowed mental functioning.

Peripheral neuropathy.

Long-term uncontrolled hypothyroidism can cause damage to your peripheral nerves — the nerves that carry information from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body, for example your arms and legs. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include pain, numbness and tingling in the area affected by the nerve damage. It may also cause muscle weakness or loss of muscle control.

Myxedema. This rare, lifethreatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

Its signs and symptoms include intense cold intolerance and drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and unconsciousness. A myxedema coma may be triggered by sedatives, infection or other stress on your body. If you have signs or symptoms of myxedema, you need immediate emergency medical treatment.

Infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs

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fertility. In addition, some of the causes of hypothyroidism — such as autoimmune disorder — also impair fertility. Treating hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone replacement therapy may not fully restore fertility.

Other interventions may be needed, as well.

Birth defects. Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects than may babies born to healthy mothers. These children are also more prone to serious intellectual and developmental problems.

Infants with untreated hypothyroidism present at birth are at risk of serious problems with both physical and mental development. But if this condition is diagnosed within the first few months of life, the chances of normal development are excellent.

Treatments and Drugs Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid, others).

This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

One to two weeks after starting treatment, you'll notice that you're feeling less fatigued.

The medication also gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain.

Treatment with levothyroxine is usually lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.

Determining proper dosage may take time To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after two to three months. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:

•Increased appetite •Insomnia •Heart palpitations •Shakiness If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism.

Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive. If you change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return.

Proper absorption of levothyroxine Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as: •Iron supplements •Cholestyramine •Aluminum hydroxide, which is found in some antacids •Calcium supplements If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, discuss treatment with your doctor. For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even be harmful. On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the pumping ability of your heart and your energy level.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

What is clean eating all about?

1 Bag Baby Spinach 1 Quart Strawberries 1/2 Cup Feta or Bleu Cheese Crumbles 1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds 1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar 1/4 Cup Sugar 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil Directions

Place spinach in a bowl. Top with hulled and sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, and cheese.

In a separate bowl, pour in balsamic vinegar, oil, and sugar. Whisk until combined and pour over salad.

Strawberry Melon Salad Ingredients

Courtesy of allrecipes.com

1 Cup Lemon Yogurt 1 Tbs Honey 1 Ts Lemon Juice 2 Cups Watermelon Balls 2 Cups Cantaloupe Balls 2 Cups Halved Strawberries Directions

In a salad bowl, whisk together the lemon yogurt, honey, and lemon juice until smooth, and gently fold in the watermelon balls, cantaloupe balls, and strawberries. Toss to coat, and serve.

COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

Clean eating is a growing trend among people focused on health and wellness. A relatively simple concept of selecting foods that are minimally processed, clean eating intends to instill a greater understanding of the pathway between a food’s origins and the final products that end up on grocery store shelves and dinner tables.

Choosing whole or “real” foods that are as close to their natural forms as possible is a staple of clean eating. The availability of convenience food products has never been greater, and not all packaged foods are unhealthy. But clean eating encourages consumers to be more aware of the ingredients in the foods they eat while selecting those foods that are minimally processed. Many foods designated as “clean,” including vegetables and fruits, whole grains, free-range meats, low-fat dairy products, unsalted nuts, and whole seeds, are straight from the farm.

Another component of clean eating is eliminating or greatly reducing the consumption of refined sugar. Many health experts advise that refined sugar is a large contributor to unnecessary calories. Many people can get all the energy they need by consuming foods with natural sugars.

If an ingredient list includes names you cannot recognize or if the natural form of the food has been changed (i.e. removing the bran from whole grains), it cannot be included in a clean-eating plan.

Also, foods that have a lot of additives, including salt, sugar and fat, are not classified as clean.

Jessica Fanzo, assistant professor of nutrition at Columbia University, advises that not all food processing is bad. Processing is sometimes necessary to prevent pathogens that can lead to illness. For example, pasteurizing milk is a processing method, but one that is necessary to stop the proliferation of bacteria. Even steaming foods is processing in some form, but it is not on par with some of the overly processed foods available.

The benefits to clean eating are numerous. Increasing intake of fruits and vegetables can boost your immune system and serve as a nutritious way to maintain a healthy weight. Clean eating may help you become more conscious of everything from meal ingredients to portion sizes.

Those interested in clean eating can begin slowly. Start to introduce more fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and farmfresh foods into your diet. Look for foods in their natural form, such as whole oats and other grains. Avoid highly refined ingredients and limit sugar and salt intake. Opt for fresh herbs and spices to season food. Over time you can make other changes.

Adopting a clean-eating approach to their diet is a great way for men and women to start living healthy lifestyles. Speak with a doctor or nutritionist about healthy and effective ways to transition to clean eating.

July 2015 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 23

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