LiveSmart

fall

2013

| issue no. 3

smarT landsCaPes PreVenTing inJuries in Young aThleTes gallBladder remoVal surgerY hearT Failure helP

runninG events provide motivation to get moving

12 14 16 20 6 GolF: Fun 22 For All AGes

PREVENTING INJURIES IN YOUNG ATHLETES

HEART FAILURE HELP

GALLBLADDER REMOVAL SURGERY

F E AT UR E

SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR ENERGY LEVELS

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO POTENTIALLY UNHEALTHY INGREDIENTS

1729 Briarcrest, Bryan, Texas 77802 Publisher, Crystal Dupré Director of Sales and Marketing, Ron Prince Display Advertising Manager, Joanne R. Patranella 979.731.4719  joanne.patranella@theeagle.com Creative Services Manager, Jim Bob McKown 979.731.4706  jimbob@theeagle.com

Next publication: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013 Advertising Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 To get your advertisement in Bryan-College Station’s most distributed health and lifestyles magazine, e-mail livesmart@theeagle.com or call 979.731.4738

Special Projects Editor, Shauna Lewis 979.731.4704  shauna.lewis@theeagle.com Special Section Coordinator, Dawn Goodall 979.731.4738  dawn.goodall@theeagle.com Publication Designer, Courtney Lewellen For questions or comments, please call: 979.731.4738

fall 2013 issue no. 3

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CELEBRITY style

the PoWer oF

mAssAGe i

sonyA PAulini f you've never tried massage, learn about its LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session.

There's no denying the power of massage. No matter how you describe it‌pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic, or the reasons we receive it‌a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management, massage therapy can be powerful when included in your healthcare regimen.

Many people report a sense of improved perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance massage provides can often be just as important and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

With our fast paced schedules, and the highly stressful world that we live in today, massage therapy is one of the best ways to relax and promote overall wellness, both physically and mentally!

Getting a massage frequently by means of regularly scheduled appointments can play a huge part in your health. Consider massage therapy a necessary piece of your wellness plan!

There are many different types of massage, including these common types: Swedish massage: this is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

Deep tissue massage: this massage technique uses slower, moreforceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Sports massage: similar to deep tissue massage is good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. The massage therapist generally concentrates on a specific problem area. Focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.

Trigger point massage: this massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Massage Therapy can help relieve stress, pain and headaches, lower blood pressure, increase circulation and flexibility and even boost the immune system.

It is very important as a massage therapist to prepare the atmosphere of the room and its surroundings before the guest enters the spa. Lights dimmed, music softly playing, and a relaxing essential oil to greet them as they enter the spa makes for a memorable experience and is all part of the massage in itself.

Being comfortable during every aspect of the massage session is vital in order to obtain the most benefit from each manipulation.

This begins with communication between massage therapist and guest as to what treatment is best suited for them that can range from a spa treatment focusing on relaxation or a massage that is more clinical focusing on specific areas of the body.

Just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn't mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your therapist to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.

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smArt lAndscAPes:

An attractive, low-care, low-cost landscape is possible

By CHArLA ANTHoNy Special to the eagle

W

hether you rent or own your home, when it comes to our landscapes, most of us want it all -- beautiful, easy care and low cost. The yard of your dreams is possible with careful planning, appropriate plant choices and thoughtful design.

For a residential landscape that fits your lifestyle, interests and capabilities, use these four strategies to plan a new landscape or revamp an old one.

Start with a good design, keeping maintenance in mind. Make planted beds large and sweeping. Keep in mind that gradual curves are easier to mow. If you have several existing trees close together, create a large bed around them.

This will save time edging around each trunk and prevent damage to trees. Simply cover the surface in the bed with a two- to three-inch layer of mulch.

If you prefer annuals for seasonal color, plan to use them in eye-catching small spaces or containers. For hard to mow or sloped areas -- instead of turf, use groundcovers. Give plants the space they need. Avoid planting trees or shrubs too close to structures or under utility lines.

Make smart plant choices. Learn the native and adapted plants that thrive in your area, are drought tolerant and are not prone to disease or insect pests. Use a simple plant palette by selecting a few plants with the same care requirements to use in large masses and repeat them throughout the yard.

Substitute small shrubs for perennials; once they grow to their mature height and width, they need little maintenance.

Perennials that may require more maintenance can be used in small areas for maximum effect, with minimum effort.

Carefully select turfgrass according to its intended use, planting location and maintenance requirements. Avoid future problems by ensuring that turf is planted into well-prepared, good topsoil.

Know your soil. Conduct a soil test to determine the pH, fertility and structure of your soil. Enrich and improve your soil with compost to reduce fertilizer applications, improve water holding capacity and increase drainage in tight clay soils. Don’t fight your soil conditions, but use plants that naturally thrive in them.

Protect and cover bare soil with a twoto three-inch layer of mulch and re-apply as needed. It saves water, reduces evaporation, prevents erosion, controls weeds and can enrich soil.

Have a water-efficient yard. Water once a week and at the best time of day – 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. – when there is less wind and cooler temperatures that reduce water loss. Use a cycle-soak method to avoid runoff and achieve a deeper, well-rooted lawn that efficiently uses water stored in the soil.

Regularly inspect your in-ground watering system -- making sure sprinkler heads are operating and adjusted properly. Don’t water your street, sidewalk and driveway. Seasonally adjust the timer on your irrigation system.

Every system has an on/off switch – use it.

Use soaker hoses or a drip irrigation, a system whereby water flows under low pressure through emitters placed near each plant, reducing the chance of waste through evaporation or runoff. Collect rainwater for landscape use. It is great for plants and can save you water and money.

To see landscapes that employ these strategies, go to the Brazos County Master Gardener’s first Autumn Garden Tour on Oct. 12. Four very different styles of landscapes will be featured. Master Gardeners across the Brazos Valley have gleaned invaluable information through extensive training. A tour of some of their gardens is the natural outgrowth and a way of sharing with the community.

The tour gardens Suburban Oasis - Once a blank slate of lawn with typical foundation shrubs, this garden

offers a diverse array of natives, ornamentals, edibles, cacti and succulents. Nestled amongst the plantings is handcrafted garden art. The owners strive to edit their garden palette to feature plants that not only offer a long season of beauty with minimal care, but also provide food for friends, family and wildlife.

Cottage Garden - Nestled in one of Bryan’s historic neighborhoods, this charming cottage garden is reminiscent of the gardens of years gone by. The owner, a self-confessed “plantaholic,” says she has little regard for rules and more for doing what she loves in her personal sanctuary.

A picket fence is the backdrop of a kaleidoscope of perennials, fruit trees, herbs and vegetables.

Amusing yard art, including a bottle wall and gazing balls, add a touch of whimsy.

Vegetable, Fruit and Native Plants – This small-acreage property, just barely outside the city limits, has it all. About a third of an acre is dedicated to fruit and vegetable production in raised beds with drip irrigation. A pecan orchard has also been started. Existing native plants have been retained, with the addition of adapted plants for an informal landscape of ornamentals. A portion of the property is also left as a wildflower meadow.

Native Plant and Wildlife Haven - This lush property embraces native vegetation and a water-wise approach to gardening. It features low-maintenance, native plants, rainwater harvesting and a healthy, manageable mix of container, garden and landscape plants. This Post Oak Savannah property is also a haven for wildlife, providing ample food and shelter yearround.

Autumn Garden Tour

set for October 12th Autumn Garden Tour details The tour will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gardens may be toured in any order that is convenient. They are not stroller or handicap accessible.

Tickets are $10 per adult - good for all four gardens – and may be purchased at the following: • Brazos County Office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2619 Highway 21, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2619 Highway 21 in Bryan. For more details, call 979-823-0129.

• On the day of the tour, at any garden home.

For more information, visit www.brazosmg. com/autumn-garden-tour.

Charla Anthony is the horticulture program assistant at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Brazos County, 2619 Texas 21 W., Bryan, Texas 77803.

She may be reached at gardening@theeagle.com.

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fall 2013 issue no. 3

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Golf: Fun for all ages

Several courses in Brazos Valley, surrounding areas

By STACY CANTU Special to The Eagle

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the eagle • theeagle.com

G

olf is a fun outdoor exercise that can be enjoyed by people of both genders and of all ages, and there are several golf courses in the Brazos Valley or within a day’s driving distance.

“Golf is a game you can play for a lifetime,” said J. R. Smith, manager of Pine Forest Golf Club in Bastrop. “It teaches the value of honesty, courtesy, fairness and competiveness with grace.”

Beginner golfers or anyone interested in learning the sport should become familiar with the game before they take to the course, said Larry Godfrey, owner and director of instruction at the Aggieland Golf Academy.

“It’s important to learn the correct fundamentals of the game,” Godfrey said. “If you can’t learn on your own, get help from a golf pro. Make sure you understand the game and practice before you start playing.”

Smith also said golf is a complicated game that requires a lot of practice, patience and determination.

“I am closer to 70 than 60, and this is the most difficult game I have ever played. And I have played a lot of sports,” Smith said. “Make sure you have the time to practice.”

One benefit of learning to play golf is that it can assist in a child’s development in several ways, according to golf experts.

“Golf is excellent exercise, and it reinforces all the basic development skills that young children need in order to launch sound academic learning,” states an article on coachingplaygolf.com, “Why Should Children Play Golf From a Young Age.” “Hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, crossing the midline and bilateral symmetry are only a few of a range of developmental benefits to be gained by playing the game.”

Adults can also benefit from learning to play golf. The article states that golf enhances

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leadership, confidence, responsibility and courage.

“Golf is about self-improvement. The quest for an elusive personal best, over humiliating reminders of our shortcomings, is a reality for golf players,” the article states.

There are several courses in Bryan-College Station and surrounding areas that are open to the public. These include: • Briarcrest Country Club - 1929 Country Club Drive in Bryan. For more information, visit www.briarcrestcc.org.

• Travis B. Bryan Municipal Golf Course 206 W. Villa Maria in Bryan. For more details, visit golf.bryantx.gov.

• Pecan Lakes Golf Course - 2001 Fairway Drive in Navasota. For more details, visit www.pecanlakesgolfclub.net.

• Bluebonnet Country Club - 4505 Old Bridge Road in Navasota. For more information, visit www.bluebonnetcountrygc. com.

• Hilltop Lakes Resort Golf Club – 100 Golf Club Drive in Hilltop Lakes. For more information, visit www.hilltoplakes.com, and click on “amenities” and then “golf course.”

• Hearne Municipal Golf Course – on the east side of Hearne in Eastside Park. See www. hearnetexas.info/HearneOutdoorActivities. htm.

• Pine Forest Golf Club - 636 Riverside Drive in Bastrop. According to its website, the golf club was voted one of Texas’ “Top 25 Best Municipal Courses” by The Dallas Morning News and named among the “Best Places To Play” by Golf Digest magazine. For more information, visit www.pineforestgolfclub. com.

• The Texas A&M University Golf Course located on the Texas A&M University campus.

It is undergoing a major renovation and will reopen in the fall. According to its website,

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the renovations will make the 18-hole golf course one of the best of its types on a college campus. For more information on this course and on the renovation, visit http://recsports. tamu.edu/facilities/golf.stm.

In addition to area golf courses, the Aggieland Golf Academy, at 10129 Texas 30 in College Station, offers clinics and private lessons to golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Clinics include junior clinics, for children ages 10 and under and ages 11 to 16, ladies’ clinics, senior clinics and adult clinics. For more information, visit aggielandgolfacademy.com.

Upcoming golf tournaments include the eighth annual Bob Whitten Memorial Golf Tournament and Bubba Moore Memorial Group Annual Golf Tournament.

The Bob Whitten Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 28 at Pecan Lakes Resort Golf Club. The registration fee is $100 per player. Players can register at http:// navasotagrimeschamber.com.

The Bubba Moore Memorial Group Golf Tournament will be Oct. 5 at Briarcrest Country Club in Bryan. The registration fee is $100 per player. Players can register at www. bubbamoore.org/golftournament.html.

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fall 2013 issue no. 3

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PHOTO PROVIDeD BY RACe TeXAS A child finishes the TRI Aggieland Kids’ Triathlon in College Station in June.

By HoLLI L. KoSTer

runninG events Special to the eagle

provide motivation to get moving Recent race trends: mud, obstacles, zombies and color

W

ith the fall comes cooler weather, making it nicer to go outside to get exercise. Those wanting a little motivation to start exercising could sign up for one of the many race events coming up in Bryan-College Station and surrounding areas, and trends toward theme races have resulted in plenty of fun options. running For Beginners Exercise novices may lean toward running for any number of reasons, from their desire to slim down to working toward a personal goal.

Cliff Latham, head coach of the College Station Running Club, said running is a great activity both for individuals and families looking to become more active.

“There is nothing quite like getting out and just moving under the force of your own power,” Latham said.

Still, Latham said he has seen many people lose their initial enthusiasm when they begin too quickly and endure their first running injury.

“What often happens is they will grab a program from the Internet,” Latham said.

“And, about 90 percent of them will get injured pretty quickly. These online programs are not

really the answer.”

Latham said it is important to phase into running slowly. He also encourages novices to find a running coach.

The College Station Running Club offers an EZ9 running program for beginning runners, which Latham says addresses a broad spectrum.

The program is designed to train the beginning or first-time runner (or walker) to finish a 5K at a nine-minute-per-mile pace.

The group meets at 5 a.m. or 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 6 p.m.

Saturdays. For more information, visit collegestationrunning.com/beginner.

Latham said a coach can help runners to exercise proper form, to choose the right shoes and clothing – all of which can help to avoid injury.

When injuries do occur, Latham said it is important not to try to work through it.

“Injuries happen when you try to do too much, or go too hard, too fast,” he said. “Sometimes it’s something as simple as changing your running form or your shoes.”

Injuries are rare, Latham said, when runners begin slowly.

Another important component of a running regimen that beginners sometimes overlook is

nutrition, he said.

“You perform so much better when you’re eating right,” he said.

Cutting back on breads, sugars and other starchy carbs, Latham said, are keys to weight loss and optimal performance.

The College Station Running Club has roughly 100 members at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, which meet Tuesdays and Thursdays for hard runs and Saturdays for lighter runs. Latham said many members are training for marathons, and use the group for workouts to prepare and for accountability. raCes For those looking to run a race, Latham said the optimal time to train for a 5K, triathlon or duathlon is six months – a time commitment that would allow them to take the race to a “really accomplished level.” An absolute minimum, he said, is 12 weeks, though the running club generally recommends 18 weeks.

Locals have a wide variety of races from which to choose, from mud races with obstacles to glow runs held at night. Events raise funds for a myriad of charities and causes.

Race Texas is a local company that produces unique racing events in partnership with a few local charities, with a mission of inspiring

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|9

Photos provided by Race Texas Page 10: Top right: A man crawls through a muddy obstacle during the Fightin’ Texas Mud Run in April.

The event was held at the Texas World Speedway in College Station. Upper left: A woman celebrates after finishing the Fightin’ Texas Mud Run. Middle: Kids crawl under fake barbwire and through muddy water during the Fightin’ Texas Mud Run. Lower left: A runner crosses the finish line during last year’s 5K Run at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station.

Page 11: Right: Runners participate in the Color Up 5K in College Station in June. Left: A group poses after participating in the Fightin’ Texas Mud Run.

Scholar’s Cup 5K/10K for Saint Michael’s Episcopal School on Nov. 3; Scott and White’s BCS Marathon + Half Marathon on Dec. 8; and Texas10 College Station on Feb. 2.

For more information on these races and several more racing events in the Brazos Valley and surrounding areas, visit www.active.com (under “things to do”), www.bcsruncalendar. com or www.usracecalendar.com.

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center families to be active.

“We have races for all types of people,” said Terri Ross, co-owner of Race Texas. “Our triathlons are for hard-training athletes looking to race or accomplish the goal of completing a triathlon. Muddy Zombie, Fightin’ Texas Mud Run and Color Up 5K are about getting outside with friends and having fun while being active.”

Ross said Race Texas develops races that support healthy lifestyles for children and adults. Parents, for instance, can train for TRI Aggieland Triathlon, while their children train for the University Pediatrics Association’s TRI Aggieland Kids Triathlon, and parents can run a mud run with their children at the Fightin’ Texas Mud Run. For Race Texas, the fastest-growing races have been those that promote friendly fun, as opposed to racing for personal record.

“They’re totally social and very approachable,” Ross said. “These races provide healthy active entertainment options, and people are jumping in, in greater numbers than ever before. They are gateway events that can introduce people to a 5K, and then the door is open for them to do more.”

Ross said walking and running three or four

times per week is a great way for beginners to step into their first 5Ks. Among the events Race Texas has approaching are the Muddy Zombie and Little Zombie Mud Run on Oct. 12 at Texas World Speedway in College Station. Muddy Zombie combines mud, obstacles and zombies, and includes an end-of-race zombie carnival.

Registrants can enter the race as a survivor – chased by zombies, a zombie – chasing survivors or a member of the running dead -- running the race dressed in zombie garb.

Other races by Race Texas include the Christmas Mile & 5K Run on Nov. 23, in which runners race through the lights at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station. The Fightin’ Texas Mud Run and G.I. Kids Mud Run is planned for April 12 at Texas World Speedway in College Station, and Color Up 5K, a colorfilled race with a big post-race color party is set for April 26 at Wolf Pen Creek in College Station. For more information on Race Texas events, visit www.racetx.com.

Other upcoming local races include Miles for Malaria on Sept. 28; the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History’s annual Buffalo Stampede: Half-Marathon and 5K Race on Oct. 5; Little Monsters 5K For a Cause on Oct. 26; the

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fall 2013 issue no. 3

| 11

Preventing injuries inEarlyyoung athletes: onset osteoarthritis can be prevented

I

n the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of injuries and surgeries in young athletes. This is believed to be the main reason we are seeing more cases of early onset osteoarthritis. Research suggests that arthritis can begin to appear 10 to 15 years after an injury or surgery. For example, if a 15 year old is injured and requires surgery, that person could experience osteoarthritis in his or her 20s or 30s. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease that until recently was more often seen in the

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elderly. So why is it showing up earlier?

Today children are starting sports at a younger age, playing with more intensity and for longer periods of time, without enough rest.

In addition, they may not be well conditioned before or during play. When muscles and supporting structures are weak, injuries can occur. There is also evidence that growing bodies are more vulnerable to injury, and once injured, the treatment options are more complicated and have different side effects due to their growing bodies. Further, athletes, parents and coaches are under increasing pressure to perform, creating pressures for athletes to play when they shouldn’t. So performance becomes more important than safety and long-term physical health. Very few coaches, parents or players would choose a win today if it meant having one of their players suffer from osteoarthritis in their 20s or 30s. What can we do to prevent these injuries?

Prehabilitation – is proactive, whereas rehabilitation is reactive. Wouldn’t you rather prevent injury than deal with the aftermath of surgery? Several things are key to preventing sports-related injuries: Conditioning – A well-conditioned body is less likely to suffer overuse injuries, and is better able to survive trauma. But how to condition and what to condition is critical. Often, coaches stress endurance that strengthens areas other than the core muscles. But it is vital that the core muscles are strong to prevent injury. Further, the supporting muscles around vulnerable joints must also be strong to prevent injury. Thus, an individualized conditioning program designed to target specific muscles depending on the sport is key. This should involve observation of the player during workout, play and rest.

Proper instruction – athletes can injure themselves doing exercises incorrectly, or for long periods with little rest or using equipment incorrectly. Further, adequate warm up and

the eagle • theeagle.com

By Leon Bradway Special to The Eagle

cool down depending on the sport and muscles/ joints used is critical in preventing injury.

In my 25 years of working with athletes and military forces, I can tell you that many coaches and drill leaders aren’t paying enough attention to how exercises are being done and whether the warm-up and cool-down sessions target the correct muscles. For example, bouncing when doing squats or pressing weights behind the head can result in overuse or acute injury.

Good body mechanics - Using the correct body mechanics during practice and play is essential for injury prevention and sustained high performance play. Too often, good and great players play with poor body mechanics.

While they win games now, they put intense, repetitive stress on joints and muscles that can and will lead to injury. For example, I treated a scholarship softball athlete who was a top player in her final year of college. She was having excruciating shoulder pain requiring medication, steroid injections and continuous rehabilitation in order to play from game to game. After filming her pitching, I realized she was using incorrect body mechanics with her pitching form, placing too much stress and strain on her shoulder joints and surrounding muscles, causing early muscle fatigue and excruciating pain. If your son or daughter is playing a sport year round, with a lot of intensity, it would be a good idea to have their body mechanics (during play and practice) analyzed. It could help prevent injuries later. If your child complains of joint or body pain that is not better in two to three weeks, make sure your child receives proper rehabilitation from a skilled physical therapist.

Education - Athletes, parents and coaches need education on the long-term dangers of poor conditioning and overuse injuries. They need to be able to make decisions based on the facts, not emotions. They need to understand the vulnerability of growing bodies (growth plate

and surrounding supporting tissues/structures) and insist on putting long-term health ahead of winning. At a recent swimming meet, I noted that one team’s T-shirt said “Know pain, know gain,” a play on the more common “No pain, no gain” slogan. Unfortunately, this is not what we should be emphasizing. If a player has pain, the player should stop. Pushing through pain often results in overuse injuries. Emphasis should be on improving muscle strength and flexibility and the athlete’s dedication and commitment, not the fact he or she is willing to play with an injury. While playing when in pain may demonstrate character, it is not good for the athlete and should not be encouraged.

Rehabilitation - If an injury occurs, adequate rehabilitation is essential. In almost all cases, you will see a physical therapist after an acute or overuse injury, particularly if it involves surgery.

Physical therapists have years of education and training in the musculoskeletal system (muscle, joints), which is the system where most injuries are sustained. They are uniquely qualified to provide rehabilitation and to educate athletes and parents in how to prevent injury in the future. Rehabilitation addresses the injured area and the supporting structures. This includes strengthening and flexibility exercises.

They may also require gait retraining or body

mechanics training so the athlete can learn safe ways to move while they heal, to avoid putting too much strain on other areas. Recent research has shown that there may be more damage to the tissue surrounding the injury than originally thought. There is evidence to indicate the level of damage may not be obvious to the athlete or doctor. Until more research is done on this, it would be wise to exercise caution before returning to play or heavy practice. The body needs time to heal. Make sure to follow your doctor’s and physical therapist’s instructions

exactly. They are meant to ensure you get back to the best physical shape, reduce re-injury and minimize long-term complications such as early onset osteoarthritis. While this may mean a slow return to play, even when you feel fine, your body needs time to heal. For some simple tips on how to prevent injury, see our website or Facebook page.

Leon Bradway is a physical therapist and director of the Sports Back and Pain Management Clinic. Contact him at www.bvphysicaltherapy. com.

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www.bryantso.com fall 2013 issue no. 3

| 13

heArt FAilure helP

By SHAUNA LewIS the eagle

New Bryan clinic assists heart failure patients with managing symptoms, gives medical advice

H

eart failure is usually not treatable, but people can learn to manage the symptoms and increase their quality of life – with the help of heart failure clinics such as the new one in Bryan.

St. Joseph’s Heart Failure Clinic, 2700 E. 29th Street, Ste. 325, opened on Aug. 5. It is on the third floor of the professional building on St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s campus. Heart failure is a condition in which a person’s heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The goals of the clinic, which is part of St. Joseph’s Heart Failure Program, are to alleviate and improve heart failure symptoms, educate and support patients and improve patients’ heart function and quality of life.

According to the American Heart Association, 5.7 million Americans live with heart failure, and of those, 10 percent have advanced heart failure, when conventional heart therapies and symptom management strategies no longer work. Heart failure results in fatigue and shortness of breath, making everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries difficult, according to the association.

“While many conditions that lead to heart failure can’t be reversed, properly managing the disease can vastly improve patients’ quality of life and keep them from being readmitted to the hospital,” said Ashlea Sigman, St. Joseph Health System spokeswoman.

“Hospital readmissions for heart failure patients have been linked to an increased mortality rate.”

Mary Meyers-Marquardt, the nurse practitioner at the Heart Failure Clinic, said she created a plan for the Heart Failure Clinic in January, and began working with St. Joseph on the creation of the clinic. The clinic became the only provider-based (physician- or nurse-based) heart failure clinic within a 90-mile radius of Bryan. Such clinics had become prevalent in larger cities, such as Houston and Austin, and Meyers-Marquardt saw the need for one in the Brazos Valley.

In the past, people with heart failure were often seen by their regular doctor or cardiologist, but those physicians often don’t have enough time to give patients the education on heart failure that they need, Meyers-Marquardt said. Keithen Book, a 72-year-old patient who has gone to the Heart

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Failure Clinic, said he believes the new clinic takes pressure off of regular doctors and cardiologists, and provides a place for patients such as himself to call for immediate help when they can’t reach their regular physicians right away.

“It’s kind of like a safety net,” Book said. “When you’re having heart problems, every second counts.” hearT Failure CliniC Meyers-Marquardt said the Heart Failure Clinic had already seen 30 to 40 patients within the first two weeks of opening. Heart failure is most common in people 65 and older, she said, but she has had several patients in their 40s.

She has also had patients as young as 18. Patients may be referred to the clinic by hospitals, cardiologists, pulmonologists, primary care doctors and other specialists.

There are many causes for heart failure. With younger people, common causes are from a virus, they were born with a heart problem or they have a family history of heart problems, Meyers-Marquardt said. Other causes include heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and Broken Heart Syndrome (a stress-related syndrome that is treatable).

Cures for heart failure include medicines and living better – exercising, sticking to a healthy diet, limiting salt intake and not smoking, she said. Sometimes surgery is also required, such as when arteries become blocked. One way to help patients keep on track with exercise is St. Joseph’s cardiac rehabilitation, which is part of the hospital’s cardiac program, along with the Heart Failure Clinic.

the eagle • theeagle.com

MARY MEYERS-MARQUARDT

Cread McCollom, an 81-year-old Bryan resident, goes three times a week to cardiac rehabilitation. McCollum, whose first major heart problem was congestive heart failure in 1995, said using the treadmill and other exercise machines during rehabilitation sessions makes him feel better, and he considers it a necessity.

“A lot of people go home after the hospital, and sit on the couch,” he said.

“That’s not good.”

The Heart Failure Clinic also aims to help patients feel better, as well as to increase the length of their life and stay out of hospitals, she said. The clinic also helps teach patients how to have a smooth transition from a hospital to their home, and gives them a place to call if they have problems.

“We educate them about heart failure -what things make heart failure worse and how to minimize those things -- and give them a life line to call,” Meyers-Marquardt said.

The clinic can also do things that are usually done in emergency rooms, such as give patients an IV and medications to treat them when they get fluid on their

lungs.

“Most of them would like to not go to the ER,” she said.

How often patients go to the clinic depends on what their problem and symptoms are, and varies from weekly to monthly, Meyers-Marquardt said. The clinic also calls to check on patients in between visits.

“The scary part about being sick and having heart problems is you don’t always know what you should do.”

– Keithen book, heart failure patient “We like to check on them because they might not know what their symptoms are,” she said.

Book, of College Station, first went to the Heart Failure Clinic at his cardiologists’ recommendation. He has gone twice, and was scheduled to return a month after his

last visit. Book said it’s great to have a heart failure clinic in the area, and it’s too far of a drive for him to go to a heart failure clinic in Houston or another of the large cities closest to Bryan. He had his first heart attack in 1995, when he had an open-heart surgery. He had another two heart attack in 2007, followed by the latest one about three months ago. He has also developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which makes it hard to breathe.

Book appreciates having a place to call for advice.

“The scary part about being sick and having heart problems is you don’t always know what you should do,” Book said.

Because heart failure patients are often too sick to drive, St. Joseph has plans to start seeing them at rural area clinics. St. Joseph officials plan to start seeing heart failure patients in Bellville – likely in October – and then continuing to expand throughout the Brazos Valley.

For more information, call the Heart Failure Clinic at 979-774-2146. For more information on heart failure, visit www. heart.org, click on “conditions” and then “heart failure.”

THE HEALTH SYSTEM WITH THE REGION’S ONLY DEDICATED HEART FAILURE CLINIC. St. Joseph’s Heart Failure Clinic seeks to: -Alleviate and improve symptoms -Help patients avoid hospital stays -Educate and support -Improve function and quality of life

To begin managing your heart failure with St. Joseph specialists, talk to your doctor about a referral to the Heart Failure Clinic.

St. Joseph Heart Failure Clinic • 2700 E. 29th Street, Ste. 325 • 979.774.2146

closertohome.org fall 2013 issue no. 3

| 15

GAllBlAdder removAl

surGery A

bout a million patients have their gallbladders removed in the United States each year, and a surgery that both minimizes scarring on patients and makes it easier for surgeons recently became available in the Brazos Valley.

Josh Goldstrich, MD, with the College Station Medical Center, recently became the first and only surgeon in the Brazos Valley trained to perform single-site robot-assisted gallbladder removal surgery (using the da Vinci robot system). Goldstrich started

By SHAUNA LewIS the eagle

using the latest technology now available in the Brazos Valley

training to become credentialed to perform the surgery about nine months ago, and as of late August, had performed about 20 singlesite robot-assisted surgeries.

Gallbladder surgery, called cholecystectomy, can be performed using open surgery through a large incision or minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy. With traditional laparoscopy and multi-port robot-assisted surgery (using the da Vinci robot system), surgeons operate through a few small incisions. With single-incision traditional laparoscopy and single-site robot-assisted

surgery, the surgeon operates through one small incision in the belly button, which minimizes scarring.

Robot-assisted surgery has existed for about 14 years. When it first became available, it was mainly used by urologists, Goldstrich said. In recent years, it has evolved to be applicable to general surgeries, too.

“Neither robot-assisted surgery nor singleincision surgery to remove the gall bladder is new, but combining the two techniques provides both superior visualization and excellent cosmetic results,” Goldstrich said.

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Before, patients would have had to go to surrounding large cities to have single-site robot-assisted surgery performed, he said.

GALLSTOneS AnD GALLBLADDeR DISeASeS The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under the liver that stores and concentrates bile to help digest

fat. Gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection or blockage of the gallbladder. The most common blockage is a gallstone, according to the College Station Medical Center.

Gallstones are pebble-like and solid, and can range from being as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball.

Gallbladder disease affects about

10 to 15 percent of adults in Europe and the U.S., and is more common in women, Native Americans, Hispanics, obese people and people over 40. About 70 percent of people with gallbladder disease are women, Goldstrich said.

Cholesterol gallstones are the most common in the U.S., and the cause

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www.naturalbiohealth.com 422 Tarrow Street, College Station fall 2013 issue no. 3

| 17

has to do with “the way God made you” and the way enzymes work, Goldstrich said. He has removed a gallbladder from a 14-year-old girl and a woman who developed gallbladder problems in her mid 90s.

“I think you can get this problem at any age,” Goldstrich said. Symptoms of gallbladder disease may include pain in the upper right side or middle of the abdomen, abdominal fullness, clay-colored stool, fever, nausea and vomiting or yellowing of skin and the whites of eyes (jaundice).

Treatment Treatment for gallbladder disease may include lifestyle changes and medicines, but when routine medical care does not ease symptoms, gallbladder removal is needed. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder

18 |

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pain from gallstones and non-functioning gallbladders.

Goldstrich said there is no data to prove that any methods other than gallbladder removal can rid the body of gallstones.

Gallstones form because of an imbalance in the composition of bile, he said. So even if gallstones were removed, the conditions are right for more stones to form, he said.

Most gallbladder removal surgeries take about an hour, Goldstrich said. Gallbladder surgery is traditionally performed using manual laparoscopy, a technique using several small incisions to access the gallbladder, according to College Station Medical Center.

The technique is intended to speed recovery, minimize pain and reduce blood loss and complications while causing minimal scarring.

Another option is single-incision

the eagle • theeagle.com

laparoscopic surgery, which uses one small incision in the navel. The main advantage is that there are no visible scars. Of the one million gallbladders that are removed each year in the United States, about 45,000 of are removed using a single incision, according to the College Station Medical Center.

Although single-incision manual laparoscopy minimizes scarring to the patient, the surgeon has limitations, including reduced visibility, restricted instrument control, restricted reach and increased fatigue because of poor ergonomics.

Because of these challenges, a surgeon may need to convert the procedure to multiincision surgery.

Single-site surgery using the da Vinci robotic system helps overcome the challenges of manual single-site laparoscopic surgery, with enhanced capabilities including better

The da Vinci System features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and flexible single-site instruments, enabling surgeons to operate with enhanced vision and precision. Dr. Josh Goldstrich with the College Station Medical Center recently began offering single-site gallbladder removal surgery using the da Vinci System.

visualization and instrumentation, Goldstrich said. Most people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the procedure.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits at a console, viewing a 3D, high- definition image of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera.

In real-time, the system translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

During a manual single-incision laparoscopy, a surgeon needs an assistant, and both hold instruments through one incision, Goldstrich said.

“The single-incision laparoscopy is very cumbersome,” Goldstrich said.

“The assistant and the surgeon are crowded in on one table … Your left

hand has to do what your right hand is used to doing and your right hand has to do what your left hand is used to doing.”

However, with the da Vinci system, an assistant isn’t needed, he said.

Instead, instruments are attached to four arms of the robot.

“It basically allows you to do surgery with four arms,” he said.

Single-site robot-assisted surgery offers patients the same benefit of minimal scarring as manual singlesite laparoscopy, but the technology makes it much easier for surgeons to perform the surgery, Goldstrich said.

“It’s changing things as far as how you’re doing minimally invasive surgery,” he said.

For more information, visit www.davincisurgery.com/da-vincigeneral-surgery/da-vinci-procedures/ cholecystectomy.php.

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A low-calorie bowl of cereal in the morning can help improve energy throughout the day.

simPle WAys to boost your energy levels METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

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the eagle • theeagle.com

N

o one is immune to random bouts of fatigue.

For many people, fatigue is most common around midafternoon, when the workday starts to drag and that hefty midday meal has inspired thoughts of catnaps.

Though an episode of fatigue here or there is likely nothing to worry about, adults who find themselves routinely struggling to muster any energy, whether it’s to finish a project at work or play with the kids at night, might be surprised to learn that boosting daily energy levels is relatively simple. The following are a few easy ways to boost your energy levels and make the most of each and every day.

Get regular exercise. Many adults know the value of exercise but simply can’t find the time in the day to squeeze in a little time on the treadmill or at the gym. But the American Council on Exercise notes that as little as 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise at a time each day can boost your energy levels and improve mood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, including at least two days of musclestrengthening activities, each week. If that’s a problem, particularly on weekdays, squeeze in 10 minutes here or there when the opportunity presents itself. But the more committed you are to regular exercise, the more your energy levels are likely to improve.

Treat yourself to a massage. Many people find their energy levels are adversely affected by stress. Too much stress can make you physically sick and cause both physical and mental fatigue. There are many ways to more effectively cope with stress, and treating yourself to a massage is one of them. A massage can relieve stress and help overworked muscles recover, boosting energy levels as a result.

Treat breakfast with the respect it deserves. When you wake up in the morning, even after a great night’s sleep, your body’s energy reserves are almost entirely depleted. Consequently, men and women who don’t eat a healthy breakfast are almost certain to struggle with their energy levels throughout the day. Something as simple as a bowl of low-

calorie cereal or some oatmeal with fruit can help restore your body’s energy levels and lay the groundwork for a productive day. Skipping breakfast entirely will make you feel sluggish in the morning and increases the risk that you will overeat come lunchtime, adversely impacting your energy levels for the rest of the day.

Focus on maintaining steady energy levels throughout the day. Lacking energy over the course of a typical day might be a byproduct of your eating habits beyond the breakfast table. Numerous studies have found that eating three large meals per day is not an effective way to maintain steady energy levels over the course of a typical day. Instead, smaller, more frequent meals coupled with healthy snacks can stabilize blood sugar levels and help maintain sufficient energy levels, improving both mental acuity and mood. Instead of a large omelet platter for breakfast, choose a small bowl of low-calorie cereal and follow it up three to four hours later with a healthy snack of fresh fruit. When lunchtime arrives three to four hours after

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your mid-morning snack, choose a small lunch with ample protein and follow that up a few hours later with a healthy snack of yogurt. The specifics of your diet should be discussed with your physician, but you will likely find that eating smaller, more frequent meals and healthy snacks will drastically improve your energy levels throughout the day.

Drink more fluids. Your lack of energy might not be the result of an unhealthy breakfast or a lack of exercise. Some people simply don’t drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and feel sluggish as a result. Symptoms of dehydration mimic those of hunger, leading many to purchase unhealthy snacks when they might just need to drink more fluids. Those snacks can compound the sluggishness you feel from being dehydrated, zapping your energy levels even further. So if your daily routine does not include drinking enough fluids, try having a few glasses of water each day and your energy levels might just improve.

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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

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hen trying to get healthy, men and women rightfully place great emphasis on diet and exercise. A healthy diet and routine exercise make a great team.

Many people don’t exactly jump for joy when adopting a healthy diet because they may feel the diet must be devoid of their favorite foods to prove effective.

But a healthy diet isn’t necessarily one that lacks taste. In fact, changing a few ingredients is a great way to make some of your favorite dishes healthier while ensuring you still get to eat them. The following are a few ways to substitute healthy ingredients in some of your favorite recipes, courtesy of the American Heart Association.

Instead of whole milk, use fat-free or low-fat milk.

Replace heavy cream with evaporated skim milk or a combination of low-fat yogurt and plain low fat unsalted cottage cheese.

Replace sour cream with low-fat unsalted cottage cheese or fat-free yogurt; fat-free sour cream is also a healthier choice than regular sour cream.

Swap cream cheese with soft margarine that is low in saturated fat and free of trans fats and blend the margarine with unsalted fat-free cottage cheese.

Use margarine that is low in saturated fats and free of trans fats when a recipe calls for butter.

Choose egg whites instead of regular eggs.

But healthy eating goes beyond ingredients. Many people find it difficult to avoid all of those delicious yet typically unhealthy snacks. But even snacks can be healthy and provide an energy boost throughout the day. All it takes is choosing the right snacks as opposed to those most readily available, which are often the

the eagle • theeagle.com

most unhealthy.

Replace potato or corn chips with pretzels or reduced sodium low-fat potato chips.

Avoid high-fat cookies and crackers in favor of fat-free or low-fat options, including graham crackers, rice cakes, and fig or fruit bars.

Choose angel food cake over devil’s food cake.

Replace ice cream bars on hot afternoons with frozen fruit bars.

When making pudding, make it with fat-free or low-fat milk instead of whole milk.

Opt for toast instead of a doughnut or bagel.

Fortunately, many restaurants have started informing customers about the ingredients in their offerings, and some establishments are even obligated by law to share calorie information with their customers. Still, the AHA notes that there are ways for customers to go one step further and make the meals they enjoy when dining out even healthier.

Replace cream-based soups with broths that boast lots of vegetables.

Request melba toast, pita bread or whole-grain rolls in lieu of bread, muffins or croissants.

Choose a baked potato or brown rice instead of french fries.

Request that your chicken be grilled instead of fried.

End your meal with nonfat yogurt, sherbet or fruit ice instead of a sundae or ice cream.

A healthy diet doesn’t have to be bland.

To learn more about how to enjoy the foods you love without putting your health at risk, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Water essential to human health Drinking enough water each day helps the body stay healthy and function properly.

M

any adults have had the virtues of drinking enough water extolled on them since childhood. Though recommendations as to how much water a person should drink each day have fluctuated over the years, it’s still safe to say that drinking a significant amount of water every day is essential for your health.

Water keeps the body healthy in a number of ways. But the body loses water in a number of ways as well, each of which is part of normal human function. For instance, a body loses water when a person breathes, sweats, urinates or has a bowel movement. The body must replace this lost fluid in order to stay healthy and avoid dehydration.

In addition to fending off dehydration, water helps the body flush out wastes and maintain a healthy body temperature while reducing the risk of developing kidney stones or becoming constipated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water also helps lubricate and cushion joints and protects the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.

The body needs water every day, but there are certain instances when the body will likely need more water than usual. If you spend ample time in especially hot climates, your body will need more water, just as it might during periods of physical activity. In addition, your body will need more water when suffering from certain ailments or conditions, including fever, diarrhea or vomiting.

Though many people feel drinking caffeinated beverages, including coffee and sodas, dehydrate the body, experts say moderate caffeine consumption won’t dehydrate the body. A 2000 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that healthy people who consume moderate amounts of caffeine don’t lose more fluid than those people who abstain

from caffeine. Overconsumption of caffeinated beverages might prove problematic, but moderate consumption can provide the body with the fluids it needs without causing harm.

It’s best to consult a physician if you suspect you aren’t getting enough fluids, but there are also some indicators men and women can notice on their own. One such indicator is the color of your urine, which will be clear or pale yellow if your body is getting enough fluids. Urine that is dark yellow indicates the body needs more water.

Constipation or hard bowel movements may also be the result of a body that isn’t getting enough fluids.

While it’s true there is such a thing as too much water, it is rare that a person drinks too much water. Endurance athletes are most susceptible if they only drink water during competitions. That’s because consuming too much water will dilute the amount of sodium in the body, creating an imbalance that can cause confusion, seizures and possibly even coma. That’s why many endurance athletes drink a sports drink that contains sodium, sugar and electrolytes during competitions. But even athletes who will be competing or exercising for more than an hour might want to choose a sports drink instead of just water to protect themselves and avoid an imbalance.

Many people find they don’t drink enough water by accident. One way to combat that is to bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Another way is to drink water throughout the day at your office, which also gives you an opportunity to get up and stretch your legs over the course of the day. If you find water especially bland, add a slice of lemon or lime to give it more flavor.

Drinking a sufficient amount of water each day helps the body function properly and fight off a host of ailments.

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In addition to the traditional Tilley hat, the women’s panama style hat in off white, trimmed in black, has a slightly wider brim, giving more protection from angled sun rays. Its stylish, yet classic, design goes with any style outdoor clothing from sundress to flannel jacket. For young children, Tilley hats have a playful print that reverses to solid.

Hot, steamy Texas weather causes issues as well.

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For those of us that love the outdoors, products such as Tilley hats and clothing, Sunveil garments, and Seaside furniture make the outdoors even more enjoyable and safe.

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