SWGA Health Beat - June 2018 by Albany Herald

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JUNE 2018

Health SOUTHWEST GEORGIA

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ERIN CANNINGTON, MD Allergy & Asthma Clinics Of Georgia

JINNE’ RICHARDS, MD Medical Director

Eye Cancer

Dehydration Dental Care Women’s Health Thyroid Condition

LOOK INSIDE FOR DR. OZ

ANTHONY BURKE, DO

According to a Study by CNN, drinking coffee is healthy for you.

#1 Health Magazine In Southwest Georgia

Cardiology Affinity Clinic

JAMES PALAZZOLO, MD Sleep Apnea Centers of America

KEISHA CALLINS, MD

KELLY MILLER, FNP-BC

Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center

This is the #1 Health Magazine Covering Southwest Georgia

Email Upcoming Events To swgahealthbeat@albanyherald.com

CONTENTS 3 Eye Cancer 4

Good Dental Care

Eye Center South

Annual Screenings for High School Athletes

Support Groups Breast Cancer Support Group A group for women with breast cancer. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Radiation Oncology

Conference Room at Phoebe. Call 229-312-7161 for more information

Safe Sitter Classes Jun 12, 2018 9:00AM - Jun 13, 2018 4:00PM Join our safe sitter summer class! Designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Class location: Phoebe HealthWorks 311 Third Ave., Albany, GA 31701

GOLDEN KEY EVENTS Jun 21, 2018 10:30AM-1:00PM Advancements in Structural Heart Procedures at Phoebe THURSDAY, JUNE 21 Lung cancer can go undetected for years and by the time symptoms appear, it is often too late. Phoebe Northwest, 2336 Dawson Road, in Albany.

8 & Health Tip

Dr. Oz & Roizen

Safe Sitter Classes Jun 26, 2018 9:00AM - Jun 27, 2018 4:00PM Join our safe sitter summer class! Designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Class location: Phoebe HealthWorks 311 Third Ave., Albany, GA 31701

Identifying and Understanding Dehydration

Take Charge of 10 Your Thyroid Condition

Let’s Talk Women’s Health

CONTACTS CONTACTS

J U N E

CALENDAR OF EVENTS  PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASS

Covers general topics related to labor, delivery and basic care for a baby. We request that mothers be at least 28 weeks, but it is not required. When: All sessions are held on Saturdays from 9 am-12 pm in the TRMC Meeting Rooms (first floor of TRMC), 901 East 18th Street, Tifton. To see dates this class is offered or to register please call 229-353-7605 or register on-line.

 BREASTFEEDING CLASS Phil Cody

Majors/National Sales Representative 229-888-9304

Ashanti Smith Multi-Media Representative 229-888-9340

Covers breastfeeding decision-making, preparation, instruction and helpful tips. When: All sessions are held at 6 pm in the TRMC OB Classroom (second floor of TRMC), 901 East 18th Street, Tifton. To see the dates this class is offered or to register please call 229-353-7605 or register on-line.

SUPPORT GROUPS  NEW PARENTS BREAKFAST CLUB

Providing a networking and support group opportunity for all expectant and new parents. When: Every Monday at 10 am Where: TRMC OB Classroom (second floor of TRMC), 901 East 18th Street, Tifton How: No registration necessary. Call 229-353-7605 for more information

 BREAST CANCER SUPPORT

Facilitated by the TRMC Women’s Health Navigator, this support group is open to breast cancer patients and survivors as well as their caregivers. When: First Tuesday of each month, 6 pm Where: First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton How: Call 229-353-6325 to register or for more information

 CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Open to any cancer patient or person providing care to a cancer patient When: Every fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm Where: TRMC Oncology Center, 1623 Madison Avenue, Tifton How: Call 229-386-1300 to register or for more information

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Southwest Georgia Health Beat has over 300,000 print-online monthly readers and distributes monthly to prime locations.

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Hospitals, Medical Offices, Drug Stores, Grocery Stores, Dental Offices, Fitness Centers, Colleges, Tech Schools and Industry Break Rooms

38 Auburn alums mysteriously diagnosed with rare cancer

Group of rare eye cancer cases baffles experts By Mark Lieber, CNN (CNN)A group of patients with a rare type of eye cancer called ocular melanoma has researchers and epidemiologists stumped. The cancer, which normally occurs in about six in every 1 million individuals, has been identified in more than 50 individuals around two locations: Huntersville, North Carolina, and Auburn, Alabama. At least 38 of these individuals attended Auburn University between 1983 and 2001, according to a Facebook page for the group of patients. At least four have died of the disease. Juleigh Green was the first person from the Auburn group to be diagnosed with the condition, in 1999. She had surgery to remove her left eye in 2000 and has not had any recurrences since, she says. “When I was diagnosed, I kept wanting to talk to someone who had been through this before and had done well,” Green said. “But it seemed like nobody had heard of this or had any connection with anyone who had this, and that’s when I realized how incredibly rare it was.” Ocular melanoma refers to a malignant tumor that develops from cells called melanocytes that produce the dark-colored pigment melanin, which is present in people’s skin, eyes and hair and the lining of some internal organs, according to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation. Symptoms vary by person but generally include blurry vision, spots in the visual field and vision loss, according to Dr. Marlana Orloff, an oncologist at Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, who is treating a number of the people in the Alabama group. “For the primary eye tumors, it will either be incidentally picked up on routine eye exam having no symptoms, or more commonly patients have symptoms of a retinal detachment with flashes and floaters or blurry vision,”

Orloff said. Ocular melanomas are the second most common type of melanoma -- after cutaneous, or skin, melanomas -- and represent about 5% of all melanoma cases. However, ocular melanomas behave much differently than cutaneous melanomas and are generally considered to be more lethal, according to Orloff. “Even though people want to lump it in with skin melanoma, we know that it’s a very different disease, and a lot of the treatments for skin melanoma don’t work for eye melanoma. There’s really nothing officially FDA-approved to treat eye melanoma,” Orloff said. In about 50% of ocular melanoma cases, the cancer spreads, or metastasizes, to the liver. Only about 20% of patients with liver metastases survive longer than a year, according to a 2005 study. But Allyson Allred, a preschool teacher in Birmingham, has beaten those odds. “My doctor said only 3% make it as long as I have. Ninety-six percent of the people die once it spreads to their liver, and mine spread to my liver in 2008,” Allred said. Allred was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2001, at the age of 31, 11 years after she graduated from Auburn. She was the second person in her group of friends to be diagnosed with the condition, she says.

thyroid. So I did radiation on all those four spots. And last week, I found out that it had gone to my brain, and began radiation on my brain,” Allred said. There is no known cure for ocular melanoma, although radiation therapy and surgery can help prolong the length and quality of life, according to Orloff. “Once they’re diagnosed, the treatment is often radiation,” Orloff said, “or if the tumors are very large or depending on location, enucleation, or removal of the eye,” may be necessary. The exact cause of ocular melanoma is still unknown. Individuals at highest risk include those with light eye color, those with light skin color and those exposed to high levels of artificial UV radiation. People with certain occupations, such as cooks and metal workers, also appear to have an increased risk, according to a 2001 study. No common cause has been identified in the current group of cases, Orloff says.

ocular melanoma.” Auburn said in a statement that it is “working closely with the Alabama Department of Public Health, which is leading the review of area cases of uveal melanoma. Researchers from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and the coordinator of research in North Carolina have also been involved. “While we have been informed by ADPH officials that it would be premature to determine that a cancer cluster exists in the area, we are cooperating fully with their work. The health and safety of our students, employees and alumni are of the utmost importance.” Allred believes the group of cases among former Auburn students is no coincidence. She and at least two other patients lived in neighboring sororities and were all education majors, she said. Green and another patient “were in the same sorority, and my sorority dorm was right next to theirs. And we were all education majors,” Allred said.

“We are not calling them official clusters. In order to meet the definition of a ‘cluster,’ you need to look at the expected incidence and observed incidence, and for a number of reasons it’s been hard to qualify these as true clusters,” Orloff said.

“We need the funding forthe research to figure out what possibly could be the environmental cause. ... There must be some link, and if we can find that link, we’re that much closer to finding a cure and preventing people from continuing to get this,” she added.

“But certainly, it’s a unique accumulation of cases,” she added. The Alabama Department of Public Health indicates it is evaluating the recent increase in cases but says it has not identified a common source.

Three of the physicians treating the Alabama cases have also organized a task force to help raise awareness and funding for research into the causes and treatments of ocular melanoma, according to Allred.

“I was the second one diagnosed from Auburn, and I’m the one who told my doctor in Philadelphia that I had two friends with the same cancer, and that’s when they realized there may be a cluster in “We are working closely with Auburn, a survivor we have Auburn and started researching connected with and Dr. Orloff’s this,” Allred said. team,” said Justin George, director of cancer epidemiology at Allred has undergone two liver the Alabama Department of Public resections and is receiving Health. “We are collaborating and radiation to shrink metastatic working in an advisory role; the tumors that have spread to at least nine places in her body, she survivor who has spoken out is providing us a complete list of all said. “The cancer in my liver is those who have been sickened, stable, but in December, it went and then we will work to verify to my adrenal glands, a place the incidents and make sure near my kidney, a place near my diaphragm and a place next to my the cases meet the definition of

“Auburn has so far not contributed money, so we’re going to go back and try to get some other options to get our funding,” she said. “But we’ve had lots of people praying for us, and I believe in the power of prayer,” Allred added. “I have a strong faith that the Lord is my healer, and we have many hundreds of thousands of people praying who have gotten us through this.”

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5 reasons to try apple cider vinegar (MCC) Vinegar is a fermented liquid made from a wide array of ingredients that is used primarily to preserve and flavor food. But the uses for vinegar are almost as extensive as the variety of flavors it’s available in. The word “vinegar” comes from the French “vin aigre,” or “sour wine.” Vinegar is a diluted solution of acetic acid that forms with the fermentation of grapes, apples, rice, corn, and many other ingredients. Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is a type of vinegar that has recently skyrocketed in popularity due to its purported health benefits. ACV is formed from cider or apple must and has a long history as a home remedy, making it the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community. The following are just a handful of the purported benefits credited to ACV. 1. ACV improves healthy gut flora. Like other fermented foods and beverages (think yogurt and kombucha), ACV is rich in enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics can aid in digestion and make sure that the digestive system is working efficiently. According to the health and wellness team at MyFitnessPal, unpasteurized ACV can deliver probiotics and energize

Patient safety and infection control are key concerns among dental professionals who go to great lengths to ensure that the care they provide their patients is as effective as it is safe. With good cause, too, since research indicates that while rare, crossinfection from one patient to the next does still occur. According to experts, most dental offices properly sterilize their equipment in between patients, but infection-control practices do vary, and one crucial piece of equipment has continued to cause concern: the saliva-ejection valves that come into use dozens of times a day during patient treatments. These valves can be covered with millions of pathogens, including blood proteins that travel through high- and low-volume suction tips, and aerosolized saliva, although not evident to the naked eye, that coats nearby surfaces and equipment. All of this bio-burden has the potential to infect each patient that comes in contact with the valve, and you, as the consumer, have little

digestion. Others say that ACV can assist with easing an upset stomach by addressing unhealthy bacteria. Some remedies suggest that the pectin in ACV can help soothe intestinal spasms as well.

to lower blood sugar by reducing the absorption of carbohydrates, while also contributing to feelings of fullness that can help people avoid overeating.

4. ACV naturally lowers cholesterol. 2. ACV can be used as a disinfectant. A 2016 study ACV and other vinegars can kill published in the harmful bacteria or prevent them from British Journal of multiplying, according to Healthline. Nutrition found ACV has historically been used as a consumption of the disinfectant and natural preservative acetic acid found in and may help reduce instances of E. coli. ACV reduced serum Those same antibacterial properties cholesterol and also may help head off infections of the triglyceride levels in throat. Reader’s Digest indicates that rats. More research gargling with ACV can soothe a sore is needed to determine if humans can throat and create an acidic environment reap similar rewards. in the esophagus that most germs can’t survive. 5. ACV can treat dandruff and other skin ailments. The acidity of ACV 3. ACV contributes to feelings of changes the pH of the skin and scalp, fullness. Many people insist that ACV making it harder for yeast to grow. helps with weight loss. According Applying ACV to the scalp can inhibit to dietician and certified diabetes dandruff. It also can be used as a toner instructor Katie Rankell at UC Irvine that exfoliates the skin and makes it Medical Center, ACV has been shown less oily.

Good Dental Care: Make It Safe

chance of knowing whether (NewsUSA) - Sponsored News your dentist has properly sterilized the valve in between patients. However, This new valve allows only for According to the Centers for that doesn’t mean you can’t one-way flow or suction, and Disease Control and Prevention, have some level of control. The 1 in 5 people who close their lips an internal flap prevents any following checklist may help around the straw may experience opportunity for backflow. Because alleviate concerns during your backflow, or next dental visit: a decrease in • Watch the gloves. Does the vacuumyour dentist get gloves out of line pressure a dispenser or an unsterilized that may allow countertop? What does your previously dentist touch with the gloves? evacuated Do they throw the gloves away fluid to flow in front of you? backward into • Check out the office. A a patient’s clean and tidy office means mouth, a greater chance for optimal potentially infection control, because more exposing them mess makes it more difficult to sterilize countertops, surfaces and to germs left behind by the How dental equipment could be making you sick and what can be done. equipment. previous patient. • Ask questions and these new valves are disposable, However, St. Louis-based Stoma understand how risks can be they also can be easily replaced Dental may have the answer in avoided. One often overlooked in between patients, alleviating the form of a new disposable area of concern rests with concerns about germs that may saliva-ejector valve. The DOVE backflow, which is connected land on their surface. Backflow Prevention Valve is to the saliva-evacuation straw a one-way valve that prevents or tip that is used to remove backflow and eliminates this saliva and other fluids from your mouth during dental procedures. possibility of cross-contamination. For more information, please visit www.besafedental.com.

4 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | June 2018

Albany Surgical, P.C. Anal/Rectal Pain A. Cullen Richardson, MD There are many things that can cause pain in the anal area. The most common is a thrombosed hemorrhoid, which usually can be treated in a medical office. The emergency room, which is for life-threatening emergencies, often will not take the time to adequately anesthetize the area and drain the inflamed hemorrhoid. Most general surgeons are comfortable treating hemorrhoids in an office setting. A decision in treating internal hemorrhoids can be made later, which might include hemorrhoid banding in an office setting versus more formal hemorrhoidectomy, which usually is performed in a surgery center or, if necessary, in a hospital operating room. The next most common cause of acute anal pain is the anal fissure or ulcer. This usually occurs after a hard constipated stool but can also happen after a serious bout of diarrhea. The pain is very severe and the treatment is usually medical only involving nitroglycerin/local anesthetic ointments or Cardizem lidocaine suppositories. These are only available from a compounding pharmacy like The Prescription Shoppe in Albany. This treatment usually takes 3 to 6 weeks, which is usually enough time for the tissue to heal. If this type treatment fails, the treatment will need to be surgical. Another cause of anal pain is an acute perirectal abscess. These abscesses develop from small oil glands in the anus. Initially there is pain without any swelling, then a day or so later there is usually a bulge next to the anus. Treatment requires antibiotics and surgery in a hospital operating room setting or ambulatory surgery center. Antibiotics alone will not solve this problem. Lastly, although an uncommon cause of rectal pain, is anal cancer. This usually occurs in middle age and older adults. These cancers are caused by HPV virus for which young teens should be vaccinated against. Anal pain and bleeding that lasts more than a couple of weeks will require an evaluation by a surgeon.

It should be noted that rarely will various types of colitis begin with rectal pain. These are associated usually with bloody diarrhea. All of these rectal issues are usually common problems that if not well examined by a physician/provider can cause medical problems. The sooner a person is treated, the quicker they will get well.

Restore Your VISION Renew Your LIFE

Schedule Your Cataract Evaluation This Month!

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2308 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA

1216 Dawson Rd, Ste 113 Albany GA 31707-3867

June 2018 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 5

Annual Screenings for

High School Athletes The chief objective of these screenings is to detect conditions that could place the athlete or other participants at risk for injury. Each year, athletes from more than 15 area high schools are screened at a local high school facility. This year, we screened over 500 student-athletes from the Chattahoochee Valley area at Northside High School. The cost of the screening for each athlete is $10.00, $5.00 of which goes into an account at the athlete’s school for training equipment not covered by the athletic budget and $5.00 toward the cost of the screening supplies. Under the direction of the late Stephen C. Hunter, MD, the Hughston Foundation created the Institute as a way to serve the athletic community and pursue research in the field of sports medicine. Since 1976, the IAHCR has completed more than 52,500 screenings. The results of these screenings will be added to our database, which is used by researchers to study the health of athletes. Thanks to our volunteers and knowledgeable healthcare professionals, the preparticipation screening program has positively affected the health and safety of the area’s high school athletes. Hughston’s Golf Tournament another Great Success The Hughston Golf Tournament held Friday, June 1, at Maple Ridge Golf Course in Columbus was another big hit with business leaders and educators this year. All funds raised by the tournament go directly to support the Hughston Protect the Athletes campaign. The mission of the campaign is to raise funds to support the athletic sports coverage that Hughston provides across the Chattahoochee Valley to youth programs, such as sideline coverage at high school sporting events, support of preparticipation exams, and Saturday morning injury clinics. Besides providing coverage at sporting events, our fundraising projects help purchase much needed ImPACT concussion software for area high schools and other participating colleges.

More than 100 employees, physicians, nurses, athletic trainers, and students from the Hughston network, Martin Army Community Hospital, Northside High School, Central High School (Phenix City), and Harris County High School volunteered for the annual preparticipation health screenings for local high school athletes. The screenings and accompanying research are directed and organized by the Institute of Athletic Health Care and Research (IAHCR) and cosponsored by the Hughston Foundation.

each month provide attendees another chance to earn CMEs. Held in the Hughston Foundation auditorium, starting at 6:00 pm, M&Ms are great opportunities for learning and reflection. At our M&M conferences, the goal is to provide a forum for faculty, residents, trainees, students, and other medical staff to explore the management details of particular cases. The cases presented cover the specifics of care, revisit errors, and discuss diagnosis, techniques, and treatment protocols. Even experienced surgeons can learn from these dynamic presentations and discussions.

To sign up for email blasts for these CME events, contact Belinda Klein at 706-494-3326; bklein@hughston.com.

Free CMEs offered monthly at Hughston Grand Rounds and M&M Conference On the first Wednesday of each month, a diverse group of local healthcare professionals—which often includes physicians from Hughston, Columbus, and Fort Benning; Hughston fellows and residents; Hughston Certified Athletic Training Fellows; and medical students—come together for grand rounds lectures on evolving trends in orthopaedics at the Hughston Foundation auditorium. Grand rounds constitute a ritual of medical education and provide an excellent supplement to medical school and residency. Moreover, grand rounds help doctors and other healthcare professionals stay current in their specialty or areas of core practice. The physician lectures offer expertise on specialized topics and cover the latest evidence-based research and treatments emerging in the field of medicine. Additionally, Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conferences, held on the third Monday of We would like to thank the following team sponsors for their generous support: Wanda & Shelby Amos Foundation; CB&T; Hughston Clinic; Hutchinson Traylor; Principle Construction; Rivertown Pediatrics; TSYS; and Virginia College of Medicine. Thank you to the following sponsors for their cash or prize donations: ACOM; Arthrex; Levy, Sibley, Foreman & Speir, LLC; Malones Office Supply; Medco; Regions Bank; Rivertown Pediatrics; Southeast Brain & Spine Surgery; The Center for Medical Weight Loss; and Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance.

Robert S. Pilcher, MD, PhD

HUGHSTON CLINIC AT ALBANY 117 Oakland Parkway Leesburg, GA 31763 6 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | June 2018

• Total Hip Arthroplasty • Total Knee Arthroplasty • Total Joint Revisions • Trauma - Hip fractures - Femur fractures - Wrist fractures -Pelvic fractures -Acetabular fractures

229-483-0055 Visit our website atwww.hughston.com

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Now Serving Your Community

Take charge of your thyroid condition About 20 million Americans—more of them women than men—are affected by a thyroid disease or disorder. In fact, an estimated one-in-eight women will develop a thyroid disorder at some time in her life. The good news is that these problems can be treated. The experts at South Georgia Surgical (SGS) specialize in thyroid biopsies and thyroidectomy procedures. “The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of the neck,” said Dr. Tracy Nolan, a board-certified general surgeon with SGS. “The thyroid produces a special hormone, which controls many activities in the body, including how fast calories are burned and how fast the heart beats. Diseases of the thyroid cause it to make either too much or too little of the hormone. Depending on how much or how little hormone the thyroid makes, it may make women often feel restless or tired, or they may lose or gain weight.” Dr. Nolan said thyroid diseases can interfere with a woman’s menstrual period. It can also cause problems with getting pregnant or create complications during pregnancy. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism. Board-certified general surgeon Tracy Nolan, M.D. with South Georgia Surgical in Tifton

“Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for menopause symptoms,” said Dr. Nolan. “Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause.”

Thyroid issues can be spotted through blood tests and diagnostic imaging. If a problem is detected, a thyroid biopsy can be conducted for further identification of the condition. “If an issue is identified by the biopsy, a common surgical procedure called thyroidectomy may be warranted to treat the thyroid disorder, such as cancer, goiter and hyperthyroidism,” said Dr. Nolan. “Thyroidectomy involves the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. The results after the procedure can be life-changing for many women who have been contending with metabolism, mood and energy level issues.” Undiagnosed thyroid conditions can increase the risks of heart disease, depression, anxiety, infertility and other problems. “It’s important for women to recognize symptoms and talk with their doctor about appropriate testing for a thyroid disease,” said Dr. Nolan.

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To make an appointment with Dr. Tracy Nolan at South Georgia Surgical in Tifton, talk to your provider about a referral or call 229-382-9733.

June 2018 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 7

Morning birds live longer than night owls; no peanut allergy vaccine ... yet BY MICHAEL ROIZEN, M.D., AND MEHMET OZ, M.D.

Q: I hear that people who are night owls aren’t as healthy as morning people. My mom rarely went to sleep before 1 a.m. and died at 65. I have the same biorhythms. I need a better sleep schedule. I have a demanding job, two young kids and am tired all the time. Is there any hope for me? -Wendy, B., Atlanta A: You’re right to want to get on a better sleep cycle -- and you can do it! What you probably heard about were the results of a recent study done by U.S./U.K. researchers. They looked at data on more than 433,000 adults in the U.K. ages 38 to 73 to see if there’s a link between sleep cycles and illnesses or death. First, they identified four chronotypes: definite morning types, moderate morning types, moderate evening types and definite evening types. Then they examined participants’ health issues. The researchers found that definite evening types had a higher risk of psychological problems and cardiovascular disease, plus a 10 percent jump in all-cause mortality (most significantly among 63- to 73-year-olds) at their sixand-a-half-year follow-up. Clearly, there’s evidence that morning people are healthier. What can you do if you’re a night owl? Make changes to your environment and even your genetic predisposition! Although a 2017 study found that a specific gene mutation is common among folks who have delayed sleep phase disorder, which throws off circadian rhythms, one of the things epigenetics has taught us is that you can modify your genetic tendencies and learn a new behavior that doesn’t come naturally. If you’re a night owl and want to become a morning person, you need a plan. --Start by making sure you get 60 minutes of exercise daily, but not within three hours of bedtime (no eating then, either). --Choose a reasonable bedtime, say 11 p.m., and stick to it. --Avoid digital light (smartphones, tablets, TV) for an hour before bed; soak in the tub instead. Keep the

bedroom dark, quiet, cool. --Practice progressive relaxation as you lie there. Q: I heard that there’s a peanut allergy vaccine in a clinical trial. Are they really that close to developing a vaccine? -- Armond G., Tallahassee, Florida A: We think you’re referring to a lab study that’s currently in the works, and the vaccine -- or immunotherapy -- is administered using a nasal spray. The researchers are experimenting with mice that are genetically altered to have a peanut allergy. They expose those mice to very small amounts of peanut dust or protein in an attempt to teach the immune system to gradually tolerate the substance and not overreact to it. \The trial works on the same principal as the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut allergy) trial in 2015 that introduced 4- to 11-months-old infants (with a high probability of allergy to peanuts; they had to have severe eczema, egg allergy or both) to about 6 grams of peanuts a week. After 60 months, they found that the prevalence of peanut allergy was reduced to 1.9 percent versus 13.7 percent from the control group that completely avoided peanuts. Now, these kids were screened, monitored, tested and kept under strict supervision! Don’t ever experiment with immunotherapy on your child at home. Peanut allergy has doubled in Western societies in the past 10 years, and if a child has a bad/anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, it can be fatal. Access to an EpiPen in the case of an anaphylactic reaction can be a lifesaver, but it is still a very traumatic incidence. Roughly 150 to 200 people die in the U.S. each year because of food allergies. It’s estimated that around 50 to 62 percent of those were caused by peanut allergies. Currently, there is no vaccine for peanut allergies (the mouse trials have seen only temporary results so far). And remember, even the best immunotherapy for kids still leaves two in every 100 vulnerable to serious problems.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily(at sign)sharecare.com. (c) 2018 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

health tip

RELAX, RECHARGE AND REJUVENATE THROUGH BREATHING

Breath is one of our best tool in managing stress. *Calms the mind and the nervous system, allows deep relaxation. *Helps to balance the left and right hemisphere of the brain (linear thinking with creative thinking). *Cleanses and rejuvenates vital channels of energy. * Increases the intake of oxygen throughout the body which detoxifies the body and restores the body. Three-part breath technique 1.Sit comfortably on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. 2. Close your eyes, relax your face and body, shoulders down and relaxed. Breathe naturally through your nose. 3. Place your left hand on your lower abdomen, a few inches below your belly button, and place your right hand on the lower edge of your rib cage, below the chest. 4. Begin to focus your awareness on your breath as it moves in and out of your body

through your nose. 5. On your inhalations, feel the natural lift of your belly, followed by the expansion of your ribs. 6. On your exhalations, feel the slight compression of your ribs, followed by the drop of your belly. 7. Next, bring your left hand on your chest, placing it in the center just below your collarbone. 8. As you inhale, breathe all the way into this area and allow your chest to rise slightly. Then exhale completely. 9. As you continue to breathe, keep your awareness on this three-part movement. As you inhale, your belly lifts, your ribs expand, and your chest rises. As you exhale, your chest drops, your ribs contract, and your belly softens and lowers. 10. Continue at your own pace, gradually letting the three part of the breath flow smoothly without pausing. 11. Release your arms and focus your mind on your breath, continuing the three-part breath with full and complete inhalations and exhalations. 12. Continue for up to five minutes, or for as long as you feel comfortable.

Tips When practiced correctly, this technique will invigorate and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Be careful never to force the breath or to breathe too deeply. It’s important for your lungs to feel comfortably full, but not anxious, stop the exercise and let your normal breathing pattern return. You can practice this technique many times throughout the day even two or three breaths will leave a positive effect! Remember to keep it easy and relaxed and you will discover the benefits of this technique spilling over into your life. OTHER AFFIRMATIONS: My body is calm. I am at peace. I release my fears. I love and accept myself. I receive perfect health into my body. I let go everything which does not serve me. I let go of all negative ideas about my body. Healing energy flows through my body. I am here, I am now, I am free. I feel all the good things coming to me. I am getting better and better everyday in every way.

Jyotsna Agarwal Certified Holistic Health Life Coach Reiki Master and Tai Chi/Qigong /Yoga Practitioner 8 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | June 2018

IDENTIFYING AND UNDERSTANDING

DEHYDRATION

(MCC) Dehydration is a simple condition to understand, but one that can lead to a host of complicated problems. Many people may be quick to associate dehydration with athletes, particularly those who exercise outdoors in warm climates. But dehydration can affect anyone at any time, which only highlights why men, women and even children should learn to identify signs of dehydration and what to do should it surface. What is dehydration? Dehydration happens when the loss of body fluids, namely water, exceeds the amount of fluids that is taken in. When a person is diagnosed as dehydrated, that typically means his or her body has lost so much fluid that is has begun to lose its ability to function normally. Who is vulnerable to dehydration? Anyone can suffer from dehydration, which can be especially dangerous to young children and older adults. The Mayo Clinic notes that older adults, who naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, may not feel thirsty until they are already dehydrated, so it’s important that aging men and women understand that thirst is not always the best indicator that they’re becoming dehydrated. Babies may become dehydrated when they get sick with an illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. But even teens and otherwise healthy adults can suffer from dehydration. What are the symptoms of dehydration? Symptoms of dehydration vary with age. Parents of babies and young children should be on the lookout for signs of dehydrations, as infants and even toddlers may not be able to communicate that something is wrong. Signs of dehydration in infants and young children include dry mouth and tongue, a lack of tears when crying, sunken eyes and cheeks, and a sunken soft spot on the top of the skull. In addition, babies who produce no wet diapers for three hours may be suffering from dehydration. A sense of listlessness or irritability in infants and young children is another potential indicator of dehydration. Adults who experience extreme thirst may be suffering from dehydration. Less frequent urination and a dark-colored urine when going to the bathroom also is symptomatic of dehydration. Fatigue, dizziness and confusion are some additional indicators of dehydration in adults.

Can dehydration be prevented? Dehydration can affect anyone, but there are ways to prevent it, even among those people who are especially susceptible to dehydration, such as children and older adults. Parents of babies who are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea should speak with their pediatricians and discuss the ways to prevent such children from becoming dehydrated. Breastfeeding more frequently and giving the baby a medicine such as Pedialyte® can prevent the occurrence of dehydration in babies who are sick. The Mayo Clinic recommends parents take a proactive approach to preventing dehydration in young children, meaning they should not wait until dehydration occurs or symptoms of dehydration present themselves before taking action. Adults who want to prevent dehydration should drink plenty of fluids and include lots of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Such foods contain lots of water and can help the body avoid becoming dehydrated. The Mayo Clinic recommends that athletes begin hydrating the day before engaging in strenuous exercise. A telltale sign of a well-hydrated body is clear, diluted urine. Athletes should replenish their fluids during exercise and continue doing so even after they finish working out or competing. Older adults should make a concerted effort to drink more fluids when suffering from minor illnesses, which is when such men and women most commonly become dehydrated. Drink extra water when battling influenza, bronchitis or bladder infections, remembering that feelings of thirst often surface only after the body has become dehydrated. Dehydration is a serious yet preventable threat to men, women and children. Learn more at www.mayoclinic.org.

June 2018 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 9

Phoebe Resident Lives up to Her Name Jembber. It’s an unusual name with a special meaning. “It’s an Ethiopian name that means ‘ray of the shining sun,’” Dr. Jembber Robinson explained. “My mom had a friend who was dying of cancer when she was pregnant with me, and she wanted to do something special to honor him,” Robinson said. “When I was a kid, it bothered me. Now, I like it. It fits me.”

Growing up in Columbia, SC, little Jembber knew when she was 9 years-old that she wanted to become a doctor. “I was in and out of the doctor’s office a lot when I was kid, and my pediatrician was awesome, so I wanted to be like him,” Robinson said. “After I told him that, every time we would come in, he would give me little pearls of wisdom.” One of those pearls was a suggestion that she go to pharmacy school before attending medical school. Robinson took that advice, earning a pharmacy degree from Florida A&M University. “It’s been beneficial. I had more hands-on clinical experience before medical school working with physicians, nurses and pharmacists,” Robinson said. “I can figure out what this drug will or won’t do for a patient or if it might interact with another drug.” She never intended to practice as a pharmacist, but after graduating from Florida A&M, Robinson felt she needed a break from her schooling. She worked as a pharmacist in Atlanta for five years before deciding it was time to realize her dream of becoming a physician and enrolling in the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. On the advice of a med school clerkship director, Robinson applied to the Phoebe Family Medicine Residency. “I was pretty much sold on interview day because of Dr. (George) Fredrick,” she said. “I called my mom right away and said ‘I just met the nicest and most genuine person, and he’s actually the director of this residency program. ‘ I knew I could come here and he would be an advocate for me.” As if being a first-year resident isn’t challenging enough, Robinson has the extra pressure of raising three children, a 10 year-old daughter and 6 and 2 year-old sons. “There are days when you feel like a crappy mom for missing a program at school, but so far my children are doing really well,” she said. Thankfully, her mother moved with her to Albany to offer support and to make sure someone is there for the children when Dr. Robinson simply can’t be. “She’s a lifesaver,” Robinson said. “I told her, ‘I don’t know how I will be able to repay you.’ But she just said, ‘that’s what mothers do.’” Since she moved to Albany, Robinson’s divorce was finalized, three close relatives died and she had to have emergency surgery. She credits her fellow residents with helping her through those tough times. “My class feels like a family. They’ve been really supportive. I really feel like they are going to be some of my best friends for the rest of my life.” Despite a difficult year, Robinson believes she is right where she is meant to be. “If I could do it again, I would pick the same place. It has been a really good fit, and I’m confident it will get me where I need to be as a physician. Maybe this rough year will help me reach a patient and pat them on the back and say, ‘it’ll be okay. You’ll get through.’”

Kind of like a ray of the shining sun beaming through to bring comfort to someone in need.

Ben Roberts I PR & Social Media Manager I Marketing & Communications O: 229-312-5180 M: 229-343-7499 E: benroberts@phoebehealth.com

1011 N. Monroe Street, Albany, Georgia 31701 I phoebehealth.com 10 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | June 2018

WITH

Keisha R. Callins, MD. MPH ERCER UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Explaining the DTaP vaccine

(MCC) Newborns begin receiving vaccinations immediately after they’re born, and vaccination schedules continue for years afterward. One inoculation parents have heard of but may not necessarily understand is the DTaP vaccine. DTaP refers to diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, a collection of serious diseases that are caused by bacteria. • Diphtheria: Diphtheria causes a thick covering to develop in the back of the throat and can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. • Tetanus: Sometimes referred to as “lockjaw,” tetanus causes muscles to tighten, typically all over the body, and is very painful. The AAP notes that tetanus can lead to death in up to two out of 10 cases. • Pertussis: Pediatricians may refer to pertussis as “whooping cough,” which can produce weekslong coughing spells that make it difficult for infants to eat, drink or breathe. Pertussis can lead to other conditions, including pneumonia and seizures, and also may cause brain damage or death. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tetanus enters the body through cuts or

ENLIGHTENMENT A reasonable goal in life is to strive for more good days than bad, but the truth of the matter is, life can be unpredictable and complicated. For many women, the memories of past hurts can continue to linger for what may seem like an eternity. Whether your hurt was due to circumstances beyond your control, or the consequence of poor judgment, the impact on your life is just as painful. Therefore, your courage will be required to make the best of the future that you have yet to live. One of the few things that you can control, is how you process and manage your feelings about past events, as well as the effect of those circumstances on your present, and future. EDUCATION Today, is the best time to start the healing process. Just imagine standing at a door, you have to open it in order to go in or out. Your healing will be the result of a choice. You will need to open that door in order to start the process. Here are a few suggestions that may help you: 1) Pack It Up – try to stop reliving the details of that event. This is hard, but you may literally have to put those painful memories into an imaginary box and put it in storage; 2) Push It Out – look for an opportunity to get your feelings out - either by talking about it, writing and then discarding, or writing and then sharing; 3) Pardon Yourself and Others - accept the fact that we live in a world of imperfections and we are also not perfect; 4) Persevere On Purpose – choose to find some meaning or lesson in your experience. If nothing else,

you may have a new appreciation for your own strength; 5) Promise Yourself – seize the present moment and embrace your inner power to devote your time to shaping your future instead of reliving what cannot be undone; and 6) Pray For Peace – this should be your very first option, instead of a last resort. Even if you don’t understand or cannot easily appreciate any benefit from the past unfortunate circumstances, praying for peace of mind can be a game changer. EMPOWERMENT Life has no guarantees but hopefulness can go a long way in improving the quality of your life as we go forward. You can choose to use your past to motivate you or defeat you. Hope is a key element that will encourage you to keep trying even if your efforts do not produce the desired outcome on the first of many attempts. Choosing defeat will certainly rob you of any hope for a future full of new possibilities, and the potential for things to turn around in your favor. ENCOURAGEMENT Time only moves forward and so should you. After much thought, I am certain that “learning to let go and move on,” is the most direct route to overcoming the pain of your past. Otherwise, you would be unable to live, love, learn, and laugh in the present. Worst of all, what good would the future be, if we robbed ourselves of the hope for the fulfillment of promises that exceeded our own imaginations?

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “HISTORY, DESPITE ITS WRENCHING PAIN, CANNOT BE UNLIVED. HOWEVER, IF FACED WITH COURAGE, NEED NOT BE LIVED AGAIN.” ~ MAYA ANGELOU ~

wounds, while diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. A safer version of the DTP vaccine, DTaP protects most children from diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis throughout childhood and is distributed in five doses at various intervals in a child’s life.

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Some children, including those who are moderately or severely ill, should wait until they are fully recovered before receiving the DTaP vaccine. In addition, children who suffer life-threatening allergic reactions after a dose of DTaP or those who develop brain or nervous system disease within a week of receiving a DTaP dose should not receive another dose.

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When children receive a dose of the DTaP vaccine, parents should pay close attention to how their kids react to the dose. The AAP advises parents speak with their children’s pediatricians if children have a seizure or collapse after a dose of DTaP, cry nonstop for three hours or more after a dose or develop a fever over 105 F after receiving a dose of the vaccine. Children typically receive their first dose of the DTaP vaccine at two months of age, so parents should bring up any questions or concerns they have with their children’s pediatricians before their kids reach that age.

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Tissues for your Issues: Handling the Hurts in your Past, Healing in your Present, and Hope for your Future.

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June 2018 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 11

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12 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | June 2018

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