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April 2015
So big deal, a little inflammation By Leslie Gaskill, M.D. Exactly,….. BIG DEAL! Inflammation is not something to take lightly. Let’s put it this way, if you came across a smoldering fire in your house, you wouldn’t just walk away...would you? I suspect that you would consider this an important matter to tend to, because you know that even a small smoldering fire could quickly become a big rip roaring fire that could burn your house down. Your thought process might be something like, “don’t panic, just put the fire out; and put the fire out fast.!” You might even say “Whew, I am glad I caught that fire while it was small, and thank God that I just happened to walk in here and see this.” Yeh, it would be an emotional and financial disaster to lose your home. So what if we were talking about your life? All it takes is ONE fire to cause an event i.e heart attack and stroke. There are many causes of inflammation that can ultimately cause your arteries to be fragile. The arteries can suddenly rupture as plaque pushes through the wall like a volcano. A clot is formed, blocking the flow and BOOM. You have a heart attack or stroke. What causes inflammation? Great question. Stress, bad diet, migraines, autoimmune diseases( like lupus and psoriasis), smoking, cholesterol, insulin resistance, prediabetes, diabetes, PCOS, liver disease, sleep disorders, and, periodontal disease to just name a few. Don’t get a false sense of security if you are a marathon runner, passed your stress test, calcium score, and even have a phenomenal cholesterol profile. Stay tuned to hear more from us and Plaque Busters in the national arena. If you are serious about
your life, and your life is a priority, we can help you before it is too late. We are very experienced in a prevention strategy that works! It is tailored to YOU, gaskill your body and your genetics! Right now as spring approaches, most of you are wanting to “get the weight off”. We are excited about our new weight loss program and we will personally coach you. If you want to find out your genetic dietary pattern needs (we are all one of six patterns), we can help you learn how to eat for minimizing your risk of developing plaque and to help you lose weight most effectively for a lifetime. Yes, it’s true: we are not all genetically programmed to eat the same way! Out of all of Dr. Gaskill’s patients that have followed & complied with her cardiovascular prevention method for the past 7 1/2 years, none have had a heart attack or stroke! We also utilize functional/naturopathic medicine in addition to traditional Western medicine to successfully treat a large number of illnesses, including chronic fatigue, pulmonary disorders, food and chemical sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, ADD, obesity, migraines, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, digestive disorders, skin disorders, anxiety, depression & insomnia. www.drlesliegaskill.com and www.plaquebusters.net Leslie S. Gaskill, M.D., LLC 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Ste 201 Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 770-495-9995
Brand New
Doctor Supervised Weight Loss Program! • Body composition analysis performed • Monthly nutrition program and meal planning • Certified health coach to help you reach your weight loss goal
Leslie S. Gaskill, MD – For all your primary care and family medicine needs • Naturopathic/FunctionalMedicine • Family Medicine • Internal Medicine
• Gynecological Care • Integrative Medicine • Laser Acupuncture
• Cutting Edge Prevention of Heart Attacks, Strokes and Diabetes • Rejuvederm and Botox
6290 Abbotts Bridge Rd. • Bldg. 200, Suite 201 • Johns Creek, GA 30097 • 770-495-9995• Drlesliegaskill.com
April 2015
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OMG! No more glasses! By Milan Eye Center Is LASIK surgery the right choice for you? LASIK (laserassisted in situ keratomileusis) is an outpatient refractive surgery procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. An excimer laser is used to permanently reshape the clear covering of the eye called the cornea. This reshaping of the cornea will improve the way the eye focuses light thus correcting a person’s nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. First approved for use by the FDA in 1998, LASIK has been steadily gaining popularity and has satisfied millions of people worldwide. Each year, approximately 700,000 Americans have the procedure
and the number continues to grow. Vast majority of patients are happy with their results and tend to recommend the procedure to their family and friends. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK but the overall complication rate is low. Infection and inflammation are rare possibilities and usually can be treated with topical medications. LASIK is not suited for everyone. As a patient, it is important to have a clear understanding of the procedure, the risk and benefits, and candidacy status. What to expect before, during, and after surgery will vary from doctor to doctor and patient to patient. However, it is essential that individuals considering LASIK have realistic expectations. LASIK, if performed success-
fully, will allow individuals to perform most of their everyday tasks independent of corrective lenses. LASIK is performed in an outpatient surgical center, with the patient reclining under a surgical device called an excimer laser. The length of the procedure can vary between 10-15 minutes depending on the patient’s prescription. During your free LASIK consultation, our medical team will determine your candidacy for LASIK, explain the procedure in depth and answer any questions you may have.
Schedule your free LASIK exam at Milan Eye Center where
compassion meets excellence in eye care.
Retirement security in five strategic steps (NAPSI)—While the process of planning for your retirement may seem daunting, National Retirement Planning Week® 2015—taking place from April 13–17—may be the opportunity you need to get back on track. Experts from the National Retirement Planning Coalition, which organizes the week, are urging Americans to use this time to develop, review and/or revise their retirement plans. By doing so, they say that Americans can still achieve their retirement goals. If you are not sure where to get started, below are five steps you can take to help you on your path toward a financially secure retirement. Where Do I Begin? Review your finances to learn what assets you have and determine all your financial commitments. Once you have a grasp on your personal balance sheet, you can then develop a household budget. A host of budgeting tools, worksheets and apps are readily available for free online. What’s The Best Way To Save? Begin making regular, automatic contributions to your retirement savings accounts. Employer-provided retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k)-style plan, serve as excellent vehicles to save for retirement, as they are often tax-deferred accounts, meaning your contributions and the investment earnings within are not taxed until you withdraw them. This allows your money
to build more quickly. These plans also often feature a contribution match from your employer. When Should I Retire? By determining a target retirement age, you will have a goal to work toward and will be able to monitor your progress. You can also proceed to answer many other important questions, such as “At what age do you intend to start collecting Social Security benefits?” Collecting Social Security before your full retirement age can permanently reduce the size of your benefit, while delaying benefits can maximize your Social Security income. How Much Will I Need? The Insured Retirement Institute, which leads the National Retirement Planning Coalition, offers a suite of retirement planning calculators available at www.irionline.org and www.RetireOnYourTerms. org. If you feel uncomfortable with your calculations, consider consulting a financial advisor, who will have specialized expertise in helping clients prepare for retirement. Now What? Achieving a financially secure retirement requires monitoring your progress and adjusting your plan to meet changing conditions. That includes repeating the abovementioned tips: consistently reviewing your finances, updating your budget, adding to your savings, and making adjustments as your plans, needs and circumstances change.
2013 and 2014
The practice to trust for cataract surgery. Milan Eye Center provides industry leading patient care, cutting edge technology, a friendly staff and family atmosphere. We are focused on improving the quality of our patients’ lives through education, care and various treatment options.
Glaucoma • Cataracts • Plastics • Lasik 6300 Hospital Pkwy, Suite 325 | Johns Creek 970 Sanders Rd, Suite 100 | Cumming 201 Kimberly Way, Suite 106 | Canton 1995 Mall of Georgia Blvd, Suite A | Buford
Learn more: milaneyecenter.com | Call for a consultation: 470-326-0330
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Alpha Family Medicine Are you having a hard time finding a primary care doctor? According to a recent report by the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce, the state ranked 39th in the ratio of doctors per 100,000 population. The doctor shortage continues to limit patients’ access to care and is most critical in primary care. Some doctors have stopped taking new patients altogether. If you do find a doctor that will accept you as a new patient, you may still have to wait if you want to schedule a routine visit. If you are on Medicare or Medicaid you might not be able to find a doctor and may have to visit the emergency room. In which case, you will have to wait and may not see the same doctor again. There is a solution – the best time to find a new primary care doctor is when a new practice opens. You need to sign up early on, even if it’s for a routine physical. Most insurances pay for a physical once a year without requiring any co-pay. If you sign up early on, the doctor will be familiar with your medical history and it will be easier to get an appointment later on when you have a medical condition. You need to sign up before the doctor stops accepting new patients! Fortunately, for residents of North Atlanta, signing up with an experienced primary care doctor just got easier with the opening of a new clinic in Alpharetta. Alpha Family Medicine is a primary care clinic that specializes in Family and Geriatric Medicine for all ages – children, adults and elders.
Let your sparkle shine through Brought to you by: Haynes Bridge Dental Care
The clinic is centrally located on North Main Street (Highway 9), close to City Hall. Currently, the clinic is accepting new patients. You can walk-in or schedule a same day appointment with the Doctor. Or if you cannot make it during office hours, you can schedule an appointment for early mornings late evenings, or weekends. The clinic is operated by Shyla Reddy, MD and her medical staff. Dr. Reddy has more than 15 years of primary care experience in Family & Geriatric Medicine. She is board certified in Family and Geriatric Medicine. She taught/supervised medical students and resident doctors in an university setting. She also obtained a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology from Emory University. To sign up as a new patient or to schedule an appointment, contact 678-619-1974 or visit www.alphafammed.com
What Is Teeth Whitening? Teeth whitening is a process of removing stains and discoloration from teeth to give you a brighter and whiter smile. Over time, teeth become stained and discolored with age as well as poor lifestyle habits such as smoking. With teeth whitening, dentists are able to correct the discoloration, giving you a whiter and brighter smile. Benefits of Teeth Whitening Teeth whitening through an experienced cosmetic dentist allows patients to have whiter teeth which offer the following benefits: • Provides a brighter smile • Brings more self-confidence • Is more effective than over-thecounter teeth whitening products • Is the safest method for bleaching teeth Teeth whitening is an easy dental treatment that changes the color of your natural tooth enamel to improve and brighten your smile. These teeth whitening before and after pictures will help give you an idea of the results. How Is Teeth Whitening Performed? Two appointments are typically needed for teeth whitening. During the first visit, impressions are made of your teeth so that custom trays can be molded to fit over your teeth. Once complete, you return for a second appointment to fit the trays over your teeth and make any adjustments. Once the trays fit correctly, we
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Comprehensive physical for $250 $150 Free memory testing Free blood pressure testing Biometrics screening And more!
ALPHA FAMILY MEDICINE INC. ENHANCING LIFE & EXCELLING IN CARE
480 N. Main Steet, Suite 202 • Alpharetta, GA 30009
www.alphafammed.com • 678-619-1974
provide you with special whitening solution that is placed in the trays and worn as directed for a couple of weeks or until you achieve the desired level of whiteness. You may experience some slight sensitivity with your teeth during the process, but it usually subsides within a short time after the bleaching process is completed. Preparation for Teeth Whitening To prepare for teeth whitening, we suggest you have your teeth professionally cleaned to remove any plaque and bacteria as well as ensure there are no other dental issues. Then, the rest of the preparation is done as you begin your teeth whitening process by having impressions made. Call to schedule your appointment today 470297-6700
Show Off Your Red Carpet Smile
Walk-ins Welcome Same Day Appointments • • • • •
April 2015
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9925 Haynes Bridge Road Suite 700 Johns Creek, GA 30022 (located in the Haynes Bridge Publix Shopping Center)
www.HaynesBridgeDentalCare.com | 470.297.6700
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Do you have balance in your life? By: Angela Butler-Hackett TRS Parc Communities Fitness & Wellness Director Our average life expectancy is increasing and our ability to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle well into our later years will depend, to a large degree, on how well we maintain our personal fitness level. Most of us equate quality of life in later years to being active, independent and pain free. “There is strong scientific evidence that regular physical activity produces major and extensive health benefits in older adults… in addition, physical activity is associated with higher levels of functional health, a lower risk of falling, and better cognitive function.” (World Health Organization, 2010) One of the major concerns of older adults is falling and lack of balance. More than 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 fall every year. Maintaining balance is the result of a complex
interaction of many systems and subsystems of the human body. As we age, changes occur that reduce the efficiency of these systems, which in turn jeopardizes our balance. Balance is very complex. Our medications, diseases and physical limitations can all affect our balance as well. Five skills needed for proper balance: 1. Ability to walk and turn the head at the same time. 2. Ability to extend the hip and back. 3. Ability to reach down and pick up something. 4. Ability to reach up. 5. Ability to stand on one foot for five seconds. If you are having concerns about your balance, please contact your doctor and/or physical therapist. There are comprehensive programs that focus on improving balance. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself now so that you will have a long, healthy, and active life.
Exceptional Senior Living
Caring for older adults (NAPSI)—With a growing aging population, the amount of family caregivers in the United States is also on the rise. There are nearly 45 million people who serve as a caregiver for a family member or friend who is 50 or older. Serving as a caregiver can be rewarding but difficult. Often, caregivers are unaware of local aging resources that might be able to assist them. The Eldercare Locator is a free, public service that connects older adults and caregivers to information about local resources and services such as meal delivery programs, transportation options, home modification assistance and in-home support services. Additionally, caregivers can find out about support groups in their community and programs that offer a break from caregiv-
ing responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator also has free informational brochures for older adults and caregivers on topics such as medication management, preventing falls in the home, transportation options, avoiding financial exploitation, and brain health. All brochures can be ordered by calling 800-6771116 or downloaded online at www.eldercare.gov. If you are a caregiver who is seeking information about caring for your loved one and you want to learn about community resources that may be able to assist, call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit www.eldercare.gov. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Exceptional Schedule your Service, Care personal tour TODAY! and Amenities 770.622.6880 IIndependent and Assisted Lifestyles A 3 3315 Peachtree Ind. Blvd. D Duluth, GA 30096 www.parcatduluth.com w td l th
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Bianco Primary Care As medical students, husband and wife Drs. Michael and Shelley Bianco saw a problem emerging in healthcare. Time after time they heard their physician preceptors tell patients that there was only time to discuss one health concern during appointments. With costs growing and reimbursements from insurance and Medicare shrinking, doctors are being forced to see more patients each day. The practice of medicine has become quantity focused rather than quality focused. Drs. Michael and Shelley Bianco want to change this. Bianco Primary Care is a new type of general practice that gives doctors and patients more time together. This time allows patients the ability to talk with their doctor about health concerns without feeling rushed. They are able to take the time to listen, to develop a personal relationship with their patients and to offer more than just an additional prescription. This caliber of care is delivered within the concierge or subscription model of primary care. In this type of medical practice, patients pay an annual fee that guarantees them more time with their physician. This fee, about the cost of a daily Starbucks coffee, allows the physician to have a smaller patient pool for their practice, giving them the ability to see fewer patients in the
day and spend more time with those patients. Joining a concierge medical practice restores the strong doctor-patient relationship that many of us can still remember. Becoming a patient of Bianco Pri-
mary Care means same day or next day appointments that start on-time, having access to your doctor by phone or email 24/7, and developing a personal relationship with your doctor. Additionally, Drs. Michael and
Shelley Bianco offer nutrition counseling, coordination with specialists and house-calls. Bianco Primary Care is accepting new patients, call for a 30 day no cost trial with Bianco Primary Care.
General Practice – Customized Healthcare. “We focus on individualized care and personal relationships with 24/7 access to physicians.” Now offering a 30 day no cost trial period! Call today, 678-254-2333. Dr. Michael Bianco D.O.
• Same or next day appointments • Extended, unhurried visits • Annual executive physical, advanced lab work & 12 lead EKG • 24/7 access to online medical records
Dr. Shelley Bianco D.O.
• Quick response from physician or support staff • Nutrition counseling • Internal Medicine practice, disease prevention/management
12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 108 • Alpharetta GA 30004 (in the Silos Plaza next to Alpine Bakery & Atlanta Fitness)
BIANCO PRIMARY CARE
We are accepting new patients. Call us today to see how personal healthcare can be.
Phone: 678-254-2333 www.BiancoPrimaryCare.com
*Affordable annual membership fee keeps volume low so doctors have time to listen. Limited volume practice so patients get the time they need (10 times less patients than a normal primary care practice)
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Why older adults don’t get the sleep they need By Dr. David Westerman Getting a restful night sleep can become a nightmare, especially as we age. One big misconception is that as we age, the amount of sleep we need decreases. The truth is adults need seven to eight hours of sleep per night. This is harder to attain as adults become seniors. With age, sleep becomes lighter and deep sleep (known as delta sleep) may be entirely absent by the age of 80 (earlier in some patients). Sleep is often fragmented, especially in retirees, who nap during the day and sleep less at night. Certain medications can also interfere with sleep as well as forced changes in lifestyle or worrisome medical conditions. Nighttime sleep may also be interrupted by physical complaints such as arthritis, noise, heart disease, reflux, hot flashes (in women) and urges to urinate. Fragmented sleep leads to unrefreshing sleep and a sense that one has slept less. Other sleep disruptors include: Insomnia may be more frequent in the elderly, where nighttime disturbances are followed by difficulty in returning
Promote good quality sleep:
to sleep. Sleep Apnea, where pauses in breathing occur during sleep, is a sleep disorder seen with greater frequency in older adults. Restless Leg Syndrome is another disorder that could keep people up at night. Symptoms include creepy-crawly or irritable feelings in the feet and legs particularly in the evening while relaxing and watching television, for example. Rapid Eye Movement
Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a condition where subjects retaliate in response to a disturbing dream and may injure themselves or their bed partner. Patients with Parkinson’s sometimes have RBD. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may be a major cause of sleep disturbance that sometimes causes agitation and confusion. Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) is when the circadian rhythm or body clock
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is adjusted, so the preferred sleep time is moved earlier and earlier. There is a treatment for most sleep disorders. If you or a family member feel unrefreshed or fatigued during the day, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor or a sleep specialist. In all cases, it is important to practice good sleep hygiene. Dr. David Westerman is medical director at the North-
• Keep regular sleep habits • Develop a period of relaxation or “downtime” before bedtime • Go to bed only when sleepy • Exercise regularly, but not close to bedtime • Maintain a healthy diet and avoid eating close to bedtime • Minimize napping, especially in the evening • Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bedtime • Create an environment conducive to sleep (cool, dark and quiet) • Use your bed for sleeping and intimacy only (no TV, checking social media, emailing) side Hospital Sleep Disorders Center in Atlanta. The Northside Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Call (404) 236-8200 to schedule a consultation with a board certified sleep specialist or please visit www. northside.com/sleep for more information.
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e have the prescription for growing your practice! MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL PRACTICES
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Call your account executive TODAY - 770.442.3278 Appen Media Group 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 e: advertising@appenmediagroup.com p: 770.442.3278 │ f: 770.475.1216