Be a healthier you
s p r i n g 2 01 5
spring clean
for Your Health How to keep your home from making you sick
screenings you should schedule
plus: steps to get more active
| 6 ways to protect your vision
health tips
See Spring Clearly
eye see you
Schedule an appointment to get your vision tested today by calling the Baptist Health Richmond doctor referral line at 859.625.3297.
2 Baptist Health
Rain?
Before a drop ever hits the ground, do you know it’s about to rain? “Many of my patients tell me they can predict the weather based on their joint pain,” said Anita Cornett, MD, an internal medicine specialist with Baptist Health Corbin. “There is some evidence that a rise in humidity and drop in barometric pressure result in an increase of stiffness and swelling in joints, but most studies have not shown a convincing connection,” Dr. Cornett added. Even though you can’t control the weather, here are some things you can do to curb inflammation: Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and nuts. Add vitamins K and C to your daily diet; think leafy greens for K and oranges and red peppers for C. Get off the couch. Even if it’s raining out, you can still get some indoor exercise — try yoga, dancing or light weightlifting. Use a topical anti-inflammatory cream.
cover: Britt Erlanson Gettyimages; thinkstock (2)
From daylilies to dogwood, hibiscus to hyacinth, the array of spring flowers in Kentucky is not to be missed. If you find yourself squinting to see the Shasta daisies or leaning in to see the lilacs, it might be time to get your eyes checked. “As a child, you likely had your eyes checked before school, or sooner if you had
a vision problem. Now that you’re older, eye exams every two to four years are best — more often if your sight is affected by medication, disease or there’s a family history of eye problems,” said Doug Owen, MD, an ophthalmologist at Baptist Health Richmond. After age 40, your near vision may decrease. No worries. It’s normal and easily corrected with reading glasses. When you hit 50 — and the likelihood of vision problems increases — ask your doctor if you need more frequent eye exams. Be sure to share any concerns. Dr. Owen offers these tips to keep your life in focus: q Schedule your routine eye exam. q Know your family history of eye problems. q Find out if your medications affect your vision. q Make sure your sunglasses and eyeglasses have a UV filter. Don’t assume because they are tinted that they have one. q Wear protective eyewear when working in the yard or using tools. q Take a daily multivitamin.
The Pain of
health tips
get a spring in yoUr step More than half of Kentuckians fall short of recommended exercise guidelines. But if you add movement to your routines, exercising for 150 minutes weekly isn’t as hard as it sounds. Try these three tips: Park far away. Next time you’re shopping for groceries, extend your walk to and from the store. Bonus points for making another trip to return your cart at the entrance. Bike after dinner. Instead of an ice cream ritual after dinner, take a family bike cruise around the block. Get acquainted with the office stairwell. Climb five flights of stairs at the beginning, middle and end of each workday, and you’ll have burned 375 calories by the weekend.
The TRUTh aBoUT DeToX DieTS
tHinkStock; "Hot BRoWn kURtZ" By SHaDle
WhEn it’s sWEAtEr WEAthEr onE Month and pool season the next, you might be tempted to try a detox diet to quickly lose weight and cleanse your body. But if a diet sounds too good to be true, it is. Here, we separate fact from fiction.
fact or fiction? a detox diet will help me drop weight quickly.
fact or fiction? fruit is healthy, so a juice cleanse is, too.
fact or fiction? i should do a cleanse because my body needs help detoxifying.
faCT. Detox diets reduce caloric intake, causing you to lose weight. But you won’t be able to keep it off for long. It’s better to focus on losing one to two pounds per week by making sustainable changes, such as swapping dessert for fruit.
fiCTion. A liquid-only diet can lead to other health problems, including fatigue, low blood sugar and nausea. A balanced diet gives your body the nutrients it needs.
fiCTion. That’s what your liver and kidneys are for. What improves your health more than a cleanse is “clean” eating, such as avoiding processed foods in favor of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.
By the numbers:
the hot Brown kentuckians have loved the Hot Brown sandwich since the 1920s. But they might love it a little less if they considered the consequences of that cheese-smothered bacon, turkey and texas toast.
1,044:
calories in a Hot Brown equivalent to: 20 chips ahoy!® cookies three mcDonald’s® cheeseburgers to burn off a Hot Brown, a 160-pound person would have to: walk for five hours swim for two and a half hours Jump rope for one hour
assess your risk
a poor diet can contribute to heart disease and other conditions. Get a fix on your heart health and cancer risks with a free online assessment at FindyourHealth.com.
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spring 2015
B
y all means, raid your closet for clothes you never wear and toss the boxes you haven’t opened since your last move. But make sure that spring cleaning also involves thorough scrubbing-dustingdisinfecting cleaning. A clean house can help ward off a number of health hazards, especially during the springtime allergy season. Grab your gloves for this cleaning guide to better health.
Spring Cleaning
health for Your
A room-by-room look at how your house might be making you sick
4 BaptiSt HealtH Baptist Health
KITCHEN
BATHROOM
health hazard: From countertops to utensils to appliances, illness-causing bacteria can fi nd dozens of hangouts in the kitchen. Every year, one in six Americans falls sick with a foodborne illness, which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
health hazard: Love steamy showers? So does mold. The fungus can grow on a damp surface in 24 to 48 hours, making the bathroom a prime place to inhabit. For people with a mold allergy, airborne mold spores can trigger symptoms including sneezing, headaches and skin rashes and, in more severe cases, asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.
Keep it clean: When was the last time you cleaned your can opener? Your knife block? The vegetable drawer in your fridge? Objects we don’t even consider cleaning can be some of the germiest. Clean kitchen objects with soap and hot water before and after using them. Don’t forget high-traffic areas such as the faucet and refrigerator handles. For extra germfighting power, make a sanitizing solution with a tablespoon of bleach and a gallon of water. Be careful with sponges, which can be even dirtier than the surface you’re cleaning. Replace sponges frequently or zap them in the microwave: A study found that microwaving a sponge for two minutes can take care of 99 percent of germs. Take careful measures to stop germs at the source: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food; rinse fruits and vegetables (even if you’re going to peel them), and avoid crosscontamination by using separate utensils and plates for raw and cooked foods.
tHinkStock (5)
BEDROOM
Keep it clean: No moisture, no mold. Open a window or run a ventilation fan during and after your shower to prevent moisture from accumulating on surfaces. Make sure that the ventilation ducts carry vapor outside and not into another part of the house, such as the attic. Turn on a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep humidity low. Use a stiff brush and a bleach solution (one cup per gallon of water) to scrub mold off surfaces such as shower tiles or grout. To be safe, wear protective goggles, gloves and a mask. In a bathroom, mold can hide in ceiling or wall cavities, behind wallpaper or underneath floor tiles. Call a cleaning professional if you suspect a hidden mold problem, if the moldy area covers more than 10 square feet or if you’re concerned about your health.
HALLWAY
health hazard: Microscopic dust mites like to feast on dead skin in a place you’re likely to leave it: your bed. The waste produced by dust mites is the most common cause of dust allergies, causing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes.
health hazard: Allergy sufferers aren’t necessarily safe if they stay indoors to escape the pollen and grass in the springtime air. Containing mold, dust, pet dander and a number of other particles, indoor air can be just as problematic — if not worse — for people with allergies and asthma.
Keep it clean: Wash bedding in 130-degree water weekly to kill dust mites and remove allergens; cold water won’t do the trick. Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers to create a barrier between you and dust mites, which will die without their food supply. Dust and vacuum the bedroom at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) fi lter, which is certified to trap 99.97 percent of allergens. If you have allergies, you may want to wear a mask while cleaning or vacuuming, as the activity can stir up dust into the air. Consider using a dehumidifier or turning on the air conditioner to make the bedroom less inviting for dust mites, which thrive in warm, humid climates.
Keep it clean: Airborne allergens are unavoidable, but improving the air quality in your home can reduce your symptoms. To start, change the fi lters on your air conditioner and furnace every two to three months. A clogged air fi lter can no longer trap allergens, allowing them to permeate the air you breathe. How else to clear the air? Use exhaust fans to remove mold-inducing moisture from the house, keep humidity low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner and make your home smoke-free.
Need a gym?
To learn more about Baptist Health fitness facilities, call Baptist HealthwoRx (Lexington), 859.260.4354, or Baptist Health Family Fitness (Corbin), 606.526.0007.
Spring into action On a sunny, spring day, head outside for a walk, run or ride your bike. As you exercise, you’ll be multitasking: Natural terrain provides a better workout than a treadmill does, fresh air relieves stress, and the sun provides a healthy dose of vitamin D. Invite a friend along for a chance to socialize, too. “Outdoor exercise is always better than indoor exercise,” said Chitra Raghavan, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Baptist Health Internal Medicine & Endocrinology at Beaumont. “It refreshes your mind and your body.” To set an exercise routine that lasts through the seasons, be consistent. Stick to a plan about when and how you exercise. Start with 15 minutes three days a week, increasing your workout length by five-minute increments. Spring is also prime time for taking advantage of fresh food. Check out farmers markets for seasonal produce, such as strawberries and asparagus, or plant your own. Gardening, a source of stress relief and exercise, is another great way to multitask. “Pick the fruits and vegetables you like, and make sure you eat one or the other with each meal,” Dr. Raghavan said. Top your morning yogurt with blueberries, add extra veggies to your lunch sandwich and make a side salad with dinner.
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spring 2015
An Inside Look Five screenings to schedule this spring
They say you shouldn’t treat doctors’ offices like repair shops, waiting until there’s something wrong before you go in. Staying on top of your health by getting regular screenings helps you spot a potential problem before symptoms appear. This is especially important when it comes to cancer, particularly because Kentucky has the highest cancer death rate in the U.S. If you’ve been slacking on your screenings, spring is a great time to start fresh. Russell Eldridge, MD, an oncologist at Baptist Health Lexington, offers this list of screenings to schedule:
1
Cervical cancer. A Pap smear or Pap test is the best way to detect cervical cancer in women. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women 21 and older receive a Pap test every three years.
2
Colon cancer. “This screening is important for both men and women and usually starts at age 50,” Dr. Eldridge said. For people with a family history, screenings may start earlier. A colonoscopy is the most common method. The frequency of screening depends on the method used, and whether anything abnormal is spotted, Dr. Eldridge said.
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Lung cancer. Nearly 27 percent of Kentuckians are smokers. Since cigarette smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for lung cancer, if you’re a smoker or recently quit and are between the ages of 55 and 74, this screening is especially important.
4
Breast cancer. The ACS recommends yearly mammograms starting at age 40, but guidelines vary based on family history and other risk factors, so talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
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Prostate cancer. Screening with PSA testing (prostate-specific antigen) usually begins in healthy men at age 50, or earlier in men with above average risk such as a strong family history. “Screening is not prevention, so everyone needs to examine and modify their risk factors for cancer and heart disease like exercise and diet, Dr. Eldridge said. He added, “Keep up on your vaccines, including a yearly flu shot.”
Mammogram Makeover An innovative way to spot breast cancer is taking its cue from the movies — a 3-D mammogram. “One of the problems with traditional mammography is that your breasts are a 3-D object, and a mammogram is a 2-D image,” said Angela Moore, MD, a radiologist and medical director at Baptist Health Lexington Breast Imaging. With a 3-D mammogram, the X-ray tube moves in an arc around the breast, taking low-dose X-rays and then reconstructing those into the 3-D image. The result? Fewer callbacks for women who don’t actually have suspicious lumps. With traditional mammography, dense, fibrous tissue in the breast appears white, Dr. Moore said. But, so do abnormalities. “The 3-D [tomosynthesis] lets us get rid of the dense tissue, and we’re able to see the [abnormal] masses easier. It improves cancer detection rate by 20 to 30 percent.”
Start Today
6 Baptist Health
thinkstock
Schedule your 3-D mammogram by calling: 606.523.8504 (Corbin) 877.360.6050 (Lexington) 859.625.3187 (Richmond)
in season
Green Giant Veggies are full of beneficial compounds, and broccoli — as versatile as it is healthy — tops the list
Colorful Chicken Broccoli Stir fry Serves: 4 | Calories per serving (including 1/2 cup rice): 371
¼ c. chicken broth 3 tbsp. soy sauce 2 tbsp. dry sherry
maKe it HealtHier Use low-sodium chicken broth and soy sauce.
(or dry white wine) 1 tbsp. cornstarch 2 tbsp. sesame oil, divided 1 clove garlic, minced 2 boneless chicken breast filets, thinly sliced 1½ c. broccoli (florets and stalks), sliced lengthwise into two-inch strips 1 medium carrot, julienned into matchsticks 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
T
alk about a good reputation. Broccoli has been a standard on health experts’ “superfoods” lists for years due to its high amounts of fiber, vitamins (A, C and K) and phytochemicals, or compounds that may have anti-cancer properties. It’s also a cruciferous vegetable, a group that includes cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, and helps fight diseases and infections. The treelike veggie’s stellar street cred has made some of its healthy cousins just as popular. Check your local grocery store or farmers market for broccoli rabe, broccolini, Romanesco broccoli, Chinese broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Kentucky-grown broccoli is available starting in May.
½ yellow squash, thinly sliced Cooked jasmine rice
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1. Mix first four ingredients thoroughly, then set aside. 2. Heat one tablespoon sesame oil in a wok or large skillet with high sides. Add garlic and sauté for two minutes, then add chicken and sauté until slightly brown. Remove from pan.
maKe it HealtHier Use brown rice or quinoa.
3. Add remaining oil and vegetables to pan and stir-fry until tender yet still crunchy. 4. When veggies are done, add chicken and sauce to wok. Stir until sauce thickens, then serve the mixture by itself or over rice.
tip:
Can't use the bunch before it goes bad? Freeze it for up to a year.
Transform Your Diet
For tips to make your diet healthier, call these registered dietitians: in Corbin, Debbie Scarberry, 606.523.8556; in Lexington, Kathleen Stanley, 859.260.6674; and, in Richmond, Carolyn Hacker, 859.625.3167.
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spring 2015
Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Columbus WI Permit No. 62
2701 EASTPOINT PKWY LOUISVILLE, KY 40223
Helping you Flourish
Welcome to the spring issue of Flourish. Just as the name says, we want you and your family to flourish — in other words, “to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.” We’ll be there to help you be a healthier you.
Mark Your Calendars Baptist Health Corbin Diabetes Smart … You Can Do It Your local medical experts provide healthy lifestyle tips throughout this issue. Anita Cornett, MD, internal medicine specialist
Monthly, 9 a.m.–noon or 5–8 p.m. over two days, or 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. Baptist Health Family Fitness, 440 W. Cumberland Gap Parkway, Corbin.
Class teaches diabetes management skills. Doctor order and preregistration required: 606.523.8602. Details: 606.523.8549.
Diabetes Support Group
Second Monday of every month, 7–8 p.m. Baptist Health Family Fitness, 440 W. Cumberland Gap Parkway, Corbin.
page 2
Free. Details: 606.523.8549.
Childbirth Express Russell Eldridge, MD, oncologist page 6
Monthly. Next class: Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Baptist Health Corbin, 1 Trillium Way. One-day class designed to prepare you and your partner for labor and delivery. Details: 606.523.8734.
Diabetes Smart Kids Day Camp Free summer camp for kids ages 6–15 with diabetes. Details: 606.523.8549.
Angela Moore, MD, radiologist page 6
Relay for Life of Corbin/ Whitley County Doug Owen, MD, ophthalmologist page 2
Chitra Raghavan, MD, internal medicine specialist page 5
Need a doctor? Call 800.923.2762 (Corbin), 855.224.5465 (Lexington), 859.625.3297 (Richmond).
Friday, June 12, 6 p.m.–6 a.m. Oak Grove Elementary School, 4505 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin. Join us for this ’80s-themed event. Details: 606.678.0203.
Baptist Health Lexington Empowerment Series for Cancer Patients and Caregivers Tuesday, May 5
Empowerment Series for Breast Cancer Patients
Baptist Health Richmond Prepared Childbirth Classes Monthly. Baptist Health Richmond Education Center, Harper Square, 2150 Lexington Road, Richmond.
Wednesday, May 13
For a class schedule or questions, call 859.625.3218.
Wednesday, May 13
Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group
S.O.S. Support Group for Young Women Fighting Breast Cancer Details about meeting times and locations: 859.260.6574.
Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group Tuesday, May 5
Pregnancy and Parenting After Loss Support Group
Third Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. Baptist Health Richmond Education Center, Harper Square, 2150 Lexington Road, Richmond. No registration required. Details: 859.625.3479.
Fundamentals of Diabetes
Details about meeting times and locations: 859.260.6904.
Thursday, June 4, 4–7 p.m. Baptist Health Richmond Education Center, Harper Square, 2150 Lexington Road, Richmond.
Learn to Lose
Details: 859.625.3167.
Wednesday, May 6
Mondays, June 1 to July 20, 5 p.m. Baptist Health Outpatient Diabetes and Nutrition Education, 161 Lexington Green Circle. Learn a Mediterranean-style eating approach. Details: 859.260.5122.
A Midsummer Night’s Run Saturday, Aug. 8 Downtown Lexington
Race day events include 1 Mile Fun Walk/Run, Fastest Kid in Town (sprints for children ages 3-12), and a 5K race. Details: 859.260.6945.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 20: 44th Annual PACA Charity Ball to benefit patient needs at Baptist Health Richmond. To become a member, call 859.625.3675. Monday, Sept. 21: 15th Annual Pro-Am Classic Thursday, Oct. 1: Paint the Town Pink Kick-Off to raise funds supporting local cancer patients.
Learn more about Baptist Health at our revamped website: BaptistHealthKentucky.com.
BaptistHealthCorbin.com BaptistHealthLexington.com BaptistHealthRichmond.com Clinical research: BaptistHealthOncology.com Annual community report: BaptistHealthKentucky.com
FOUNDATIONS
Baptist Health Foundation Lexington Barry Stumbo, 859.260.2569 Lexington Cardiac Research Foundation Christine McIntyre, 859.260.5500 Baptist Health Foundation Richmond Jeri S. Allison, 859.625.3938 Baptist Health Foundation Corbin Lee Richardson, 606.523.8533
Flourish is published three times a year by Baptist Health’s Marketing office. Designed and produced by McMURRY/TMG, LLC. Flourish makes every effort to ensure that the information it contains is medically accurate and up to date. All material is for informational purposes and is intended to complement, not substitute for, the advice of your physician. Before trying any medical treatment or changing your present routine or program, consult with your physician, who can discuss your individual needs, symptoms and treatment. For more information, contact Ruth Ann Childers, Regional Marketing and Public Relations Manager, at RChilders@BHSI.com, 859.260.6254 or Baptist Health, 1740 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40503.