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Health • Fitness • Mind • Spirit • Medicine • Well-Being
Berthoud, CO 80513
Berthoud Resident
440 Mountain Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513
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© Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
September 29, 2016
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Health h • Fitness • Mind • Spirit piri p irit • Medicine dicine • Well-Being W
INDEX Signs of breast cancer .................4 Life after breast cancer ................5 How music improves life..............6 In the mood ..................................8 Detox cleanse diets.....................10 Yoga .............................................11 Antibiotic resistance ...........12&14 Get fit the smart way .................13 Body & Soul 2016© is published in Berthoud, Colo., by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. The publishers reserve the right to edit, classify or reject any advertising or news copy. Liability for any newspaper error in an advertisement shall not exceed the cost of space occupied by error. The publishers assume no liability for any advertising which is not published for any cause. The publishers assume absolutely no obligation or responsibility for subject matter in copy placed by its advertisers or their agents. It is also understood that the advertiser and the agency placing such advertising jointly and severally agree to indemnify Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, LLC against all expense, loss or damage sustained by reason of printing such copy.
Breast self-exam guidelines Special to the Surveyor In addition to scheduling clinical screenings and mammograms, women should routinely examine and massage their breasts to detect any abnormalities. These breast self-exams can be an important part of early breast cancer detection. Although many women are aware that they should become familiar with their bodies, many are unsure about just how frequently they should conduct breast examinations. Experts at Johns Hopkins Medical center advise adult women of all ages to perform self-examinations at least once a month. That’s because 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are first detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam schedule is very important. Begin by looking at the breasts in a mirror. Note the size and appearance of the breasts, and pay atten-
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 29, 2016 Page 3 tion to any changes that are normal parts of hormonal changes associated with menstruation. Breasts should be evenly shaped without distortion or swelling. Changes that should cause concern include dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. Inverted nipples or nipples that have changed position, as well as any rash or redness, should be noted. In addition, the same examination should be done with arms raised over the head. The breasts should be felt while both lying down and standing up. Use the right hand to manipulate the left breast and vice versa. Use a firm touch with the first few fingers of the hand. Cover the entire breast in circular motions. The pattern taken doesn’t matter so long as it covers the entire breast. All tissue, from the front to the back of
the breast, should be felt. The same pattern and procedure should be conducted while standing up. Many women find this easiest to do while in the shower. It is important not to panic if something is detected. Not every lump is breast cancer. And bumps may actually be normal parts of the breast, as certain areas can feel different than others. But bring any concerns to the attention of your doctor. Breast self-exams are a healthy habit to adopt. When used in conjunction with regular medical care and mammography, self-exams can be yet another tool in helping to detect breast abnormalities. Doctors and nurses will use similar breast examination techniques during routine examinations.
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Knowing and recognizing the signs of breast cancer may save your life
Special to the Surveyor As with many types of cancer, breast cancer is most successfully treated when it is detected early. Over the previous quarter century, death rates for breast cancer have been on the decline, a positive development that Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organi ation dedicated to providing reliable, complete and up-to-date information about breast cancer, suggests is a byproduct of the heightened awareness of breast cancer over the last 25 years and the increasing emphasis placed on breast cancer screening. Understanding the symptoms of breast cancer also can help women battle and defeat this potentially deadly disease. While the presence of any of the following symptoms does not necessarily mean breast cancer is present, the appearance of the following should be enough to inspire women and even men to visit their physicians for thorough examinations and screenings. • Changes in the feeling of the breast or nipple: A change in how the breast or nipple feels could be
indicative of a larger problem. If the nipple is especially tender and this persists for an extended period of time, exercise caution and discuss this change with your physician. Similarly, if a lump or thickening develops on or near the breast or underarms, speak with your physician. • Changes in appearance of the breast: A lump or thickening in the breast may affect the appearance of the breast. Another visible symptom of breast cancer is a change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast, which may appear similar to dimpling, not unlike an orange peel. Swelling or shrinking of the breast, especially when such symptoms appear on just one breast, may also indicate breast cancer. In addition, some women with breast cancer notice a sudden asymmetry with their breasts despite their breasts previously being symmetrical, and such a development should immediately be brought to the attention of a physician. • Changes in the appearance of the nipple: A nipple that appears different also may be a sign of breast can-
cer. Some women with breast cancer have noticed a nipple turned slightly inward or inverted prior to their breast cancer diagnosis. Skin of the nipple, as well as that of the breast and areola, which is the dark circle of skin around the nipple, may also become red, scaly or swollen when breast cancer is present. • Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple: Women who are breastfeeding often notice a milky discharge from their nipple after breastfeeding. Such discharges are normal. However, when a woman who is not breastfeeding notices the presence of a clear or bloody discharge from her nipple, such a development should be brought to the attention of a physician. Any of the aforementioned signs and symptoms may be a sign of infection or the presence of a cyst, both of which are less severe than the presence of breast cancer. But the success rates of treating cancers that are detected early is such that any potential symptom of breast cancer warrants an immediate discussion with a physician.
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Even women who are a picture of health can develop breast cancer, highlighting the importance women must place on recognizing and detecting the symptoms of this often curable disease.
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Life after breast cancer Health h • Fitness • Mind • Spirit piri p irit • Medicine dicine • Well-Being W
Special to the Surveyor
The moment a person receives a breast cancer diagnosis, his or her life changes immeasurably. The roller coaster of emotions begins, and suddenly this person is thrust into a schedule of doctor’s appointments, treatments and visits from friends and family. The World Cancer Research Fund International says breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and men and is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 184 countries worldwide.
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 29, 2016 Page 5 Despite that prevalence, the five year re ative survival rate for women diagnosed with localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes or outside the breast) is 98.5 percent, says the American Cancer Society. Survival odds increase as more is learned about breast cancer and more people take preventative measures, including routine screenings. Today, there are nearly three million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. Breast cancer treatments may last anywhere from six months to a year. Adjusting after treatment may not come so easi y at first. ut adjustments are easier with time, and many cancer survivors continue to live life to the fullest in much the same way they did prior to their diagnosis. When treatment ends, patients often still have fears about the cancer, wondering if all of the cancerous cells have been destroyed and worrying
about recurrence. But focusing on the present and all of the things you now can do with health on your side is a great way to put your fears behind you. Many cancer survivors must still visit their doctors after treatments end. Doctors still want to monitor patients closely, so be sure to go to all follow-up appointments and discuss any symptoms or feelings you may be having. Side effects may continue long after radiation or chemotherapy has ended. Your doctor may have suggestions for coping with certain side effects or will be able to prescribe medications to offset these effects.
Follow-up appointments should gradually decrease the longer you have been cancer-free. It’s not uncommon to feel differently after cancer treatment, as your body has been through quite a lot. Many women still experience fatigue, and sleep or normal rest doesn’t seem to make it abate. Realize this is normal, and how long it will last differs from person to person. It can take months or years for you to experience your “new normal.” Things do not happen overnight. While your hair may grow back quickly, it may take some time for you to feel like yourself again. Exercise routines or other lifestyle changes may help you overcome fatigue or make it more manageable. Speaking with others who have survived breast cancer can help. Join a support group or reach out to others through social media. Getting a first hand account of what can be e pected the first year after treatment can assuage anxiety.
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How music may improve health Special to the Surveyor ato said Music gives a sou to the universe wings to the mind ight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Music often communicates messages that are not easily expressed, which is one reason why music is such an integral part of so many people’s lives. While many people love music for its entertainment value, there is growing evidence that music can be good for overall health as well. A study from researchers at the Cleveland Clinic focused on the use of music for brain surgery patients who must be awake during their procedures. Researchers found that music enabled the patients to manage anxiety, reduce pain and relax more fully during their procedures. In a study titled, “The effect of music intervention in stress response to cardiac surgery in a randomized clinical trial,” a team of Swedish researchers measured serum cortisol, heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen tension, arterial oxygen saturation, and subjective pain and anxiety levels for patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery. Those who were allowed to listen to music during recuperation and bed rest had lower cortisol levels than those who rested without music. Many doctors now play music while operating or enable patients to listen to music to ca m their nerves during in office procedures. According to Caring Voice Coalition, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of patients with chronic illnesses, music has also been shown to enhance memory and stimulate both sides of the brain, which may help individuals recover from stroke or those suffering from cognitive impairments. Music also can have a positive impact on mood. Neuroscientists have discovered that listening to music heightens positive emotions through the reward centers of the brain. Music stimulates the production of dopamine, creating positive feelings as a result. Some researchers think that music may help improve immune response, promoting faster recovery from illness. Undergraduate students at Wilkes University measured the levels of IgA — an important antibody for the immune system s first ine of defense against disease from sa iva. eve s were measured before and after 30 minutes of exposure to various sounds, including music. oothing music produced significant y greater increases in g than any of the other conditions. Another way music has been linked to improved health is its ability to ma e physica activity seem ess mundane. istening to songs can distract one from the task at hand, pushing focus onto the music rather than the hard work being done. When exercising, upbeat music can help a person go a little further as they wor to achieve their fitness goa s than wor ing out without music. he benefits of music e tend beyond en oying a favorite song as music can do much to contribute to one’s overall health.
Music may have the ability to soothe, heal and inspire physical activity.
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Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 29, 2016 Page 7
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Bobservation — In the mood
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ometimes I think there is nothing new. We just recycle concepts and ideas. Take, for example, the mood ring. I had not thought about this fad from the 1970s until last Surveyor month. My two Columnist grade-schoolaged granddaughters remind me of mood rings. They went to San Diego a week before, and returned with stories of swimming, Sea World and souBob venirs. They McDonnell each purchased a mood ring at Sea World. I told them that — even at my advanced age — I know what the mood ring is and what it does. They seemed surprised since the whole concept was new to them. For those not around in the ‘70s, the mood ring is a piece of jewelry that when it s on your finger can “sense” your mood and change colors to indicate that mood. According to the website chemistry.about.com, Joshua Reynolds invented the mood ring in 1975. Records do not indicate if Reynolds got rich off this item. The material in the ring’s hollow glass or quartz shell is thermotropic liquid crystals, the chemistry.com website says. The crystals respond to temperature changes. ence if a finger wearing the ring is warm, it will show one color, and another if the hand is cooler. In theory, the ring can tell if the wearer is stressed, relaxed, nervous, happy, etc. The two rings my grandkids acquired seemed to stay blue or blue-green. I guess this means the person is relaxed or happy. Not coincidently, the rings are calibrated
Photo by Bob McDonnell
A trip to California netted mood rings for two young girls.
to have these colors when a person’s normal resting peripheral temperature is 82 degrees — normal. In general, being happy may slightly increase the body’s temperature as more b ood ows to the outer extremities, says www.wonderopolis. org. Conversely, fear or stress reduces a person’s temperature as more blood goes to the internal organs as a protective measure. So, I guess there is some logic to Reynold’s creation. Since the girls are excited about their turtle and dolphin-shaped rings, I will not burst their bubble with the science associated with the ring. I was tempted to put the ring against a cold drink or a cup of coffee and then show them my mood. I resisted. Even though the duo is not yet into their teen years, they have discovered not only the mood ring, but also hula hoops. One can only wonder in this fastpaced scientific wor d what new discoveries they will share that their grandpa can say — “Been there, done that.”
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Pros and cons to detox cleanse diets
Health h • Fitness • Mind • Spirit piri p irit • Medicine dicine • Well-Being W
Special to the Surveyor
eto diet adherents tout the benefits of cleansing their bodies. The detox craze can be confusing and misinformation regarding the best way to proceed with a cleanse only illustrates the emphasis men and women considering deto diets must p ace on earning as much about them as possib e. eto ing invo ves changing one s diet for a predetermined period of time for the purpose of ridding the body of unhea thy potentia y to ic substances. hi e there may be some immediate weight oss associated with deto ing osing weight is not the main purpose of deto ing. Men and women have various deto options to choose from inc uding some that target specific areas of the body or others that aim to improve overall health. eto diets tend to be restrictive diets which may not ma e them practica for everyone particu ar y those who may have hea th ai ments or specific dietary needs. Consu t with a physician prior to beginning a detox diet to ensure it will not interfere with any treatments. n addition it can help to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of deto diets to determine if doing a c eanse is the right choice for you. Pros — • Eliminate poor eating habits: C eanses may he p you to ta e better inventory of your eating habits and encourage you to ma e hea thy choices in the process. Detox diets require that
their adherents e iminate particu ar foods for a period of time and in many instances these off imits foods are over y processed items that may not be the best food choices in the first p ace. •Increase vitality and energy levels: Detox diets can sometimes increase one s energy and stamina. his can trans ate into more motivation to exercise or be active. • New foods: deto may re uire you to increase consumption of who e foods and participate in “clean eating.” Eating cleanly is about selecting the hea thiest options in each of the food groups.
ou may be e posed to new ingredients and discover healthy options you love. • Benefit the immune system: ou may find that hea thy eating has positive effects on your immune system. his may ma e it easier to fend off i nesses or improve recovery time on those occasions when you get sic . Cons — • Potential for nutrient deficiency: Restrictive eating may deprive the body of certain nutrients it needs to remain in optima shape. utrient deficiency can be dangerous so it s important to proceed with caution. • Weight loss concerns: f your goa is to ose weight do not e pect deto diets a one to produce permanent weight oss. Many peop e e perience weight gain after they stop a deto says the hea th resource veryday ome emedy. eight oss is better achieved gradually and through consistent healthy eating and exercise than through a cleanse. • Potential to overextend detox diets: ome peop e e tend a deto for onger than is recommended in an effort to e perience greater gains. hey may fee that two or three wee s of a c eanse may be doing more good than simp y one wee . This is not a good idea because you can deprive your body of the ba ance of foods it needs to thrive. eto diets can be short term dietary options that bring about renewed vigor and hea th. pea with a doctor and nutritionist to determine if a c eanse is best for you.
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Yoga for every age and ability
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By Katie Harris The Surveyor
Courtesy photo
Vickie McLane and Kathleen Henning enjoying a yoga session at Yoga Adobe near Berthoud.
The practice of yoga dates back over 5,000 years, when the term was first coined in the sacred te ts of ancient civilizations. What began as a collection of mantras and rituals has evolved into the modern practice of yoga in the western world where today virtually anyone of every age and e perience eve can practice some form of yoga. Vickie McLane, owner of Yoga Adobe in Berthoud, has taught yoga for over a decade. She said there are really no contraindications that prevent a certain group of people from doing yoga. “The trick to yoga is having an instructor who knows how to modify every position,” said McLane. “I always know my groups, and what each individual need is within that group, and I tailor the class to those needs.” McLane started out teaching children’s yoga back in 2005, and continued teaching her grandchildren after moving her professional focus to adult yoga in 2007. She said even infants can benefit from yoga positions. “With babies you want to avoid inversions but a nice modification is to lean them back on your legs to achieve the same result,” said McLane. “The key is to pay attention to the non-verbal cues they give you. If they are unhappy you should immediately take them out of the position.” McLane said that children, even from a very young age, typically really enjoy yoga. “Yoga positions come naturally to kids,” she said. “When babies are learning to stand they often move into downward facing dog automatically. It’s a position that is hard for many adults, who’ve lost e ibi ity but it s a great way to get fresh blood to the brain.” McLane said it’s not until kids reach school age that she sees a loss of e ibi ity usua y due to too much sitting. As people reach their 20s and 30s, McLane said, a more active class can be suitable, but warned that in e ibi ity can occur at any age. focus on more standing and uid movement with this age group, but am sti prepared to ma e modifications,” she said. “It’s not uncommon for young adults who sit at a desk all day to be ess e ib e than one of my middle-aged students.” In middle-aged adults and seniors Mc ane finds ower bac pain to be the number-one culprit in
activity-based pain. She recommends added support during inversions for students suffering from this condition. Another common ailment that McLane sees in this age group is an issue with vision, such as cataracts and glaucoma. McLane tells these students to avoid aggravating the condition by avoiding holding their breath for any amount of time. “No one should ever feel pain or feel like they can’t breathe during yoga,” she said. “The point of yoga is to release stress, and you can’t do that if you’re uncomfortable.” McLane said common contraindications that are used for infants often come back around in aging adults. “The strength of the bones, especially in the neck, is often low in both infants and seniors,” she said. “If this is the case we need to avoid putting pressure on the spine, which can easily be accomplished by using the back of a couch for support.” Restorative and gentle yoga classes are beneficia to o der students according to McLane, because they focus on bone strength and re a ation of the nervous system through slower motions and longer-held poses. According to McLane, conscious breathing, including breathing into your belly and realizing when you’re holding your breath, is the key to yoga, and is a great jumping-off point for anyone interested in starting their practice. “Holding your breath up in your chest is great if you need to accomplish something quickly, but it’s not great for re a ation said Mc ane. Most peop e find themse ves much more at ease after even a few minutes of intentional breathing.” McLane said the important thing to remember at any age is that we’re all different, with different strengths and weaknesses. “Don’t let your own personal fear of failure stop you from trying a class,” she said. “Set an intention of what you want to accomplish through your practice, whether it be stretching your hamstrings or solving difficu ties in your ife. “The key is to learn to make yourself a priority in your life,” McLane advised. “Focus on your strengths and take it slowly.” McLane currently offers gentle, restorative, and beginner yoga classes at Yoga Adobe, located at 924 Wilfred Rd. in Berthoud. For more information and a class schedule visit www.yogaadobe.com.
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Antibiotic resistance: A present day epidemic
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learly the medical community you know we began to see resistant is not educating our patients strains of Staphylococcus (bacteria) well enough about this issue. almost immediately after the introWith the high prevaduction of penicillin? lence of antibiotic usage it How do antibiotics is important that we are Guest work? aware of the mechanisms Columnist Antibiotics are comon how they work and pounds that inhibit microconsequences they could bial growth via breaking have. With all the current down a component of the research and wide-spread cell or disruption of the fear within the medical DNA mechanisms. Some community of this growantibiotics affect the repliing resistance, you could cation of the organism and imagine a strong stance is others break them apart being taken to lessen the and allow the immune sysfrivolous use of antibiotics. tem to clean-up the debris. Well, you would be wrong. Dr. Brett Different organisms are According to Medscape, Wisniewski sensitive to specific chemiantibiotic usage had been cal compounds, i.e. Amoxirather steady from the cillin for certain bacteria years 2006 to 2012. But a and nystatin for fungal infections. closer look at the steady state of preThis is why we have so many differscription and we see a growing trend of the use of broad-spectrum (possibly ent kinds of antibiotics, i.e penicillin, cephalosporin, tetracycline etc. the worst offender in this resistance mess) increase, dramatically. This What is the problem? data was collected from approximateAntibiotic therapy is one of the ly 300 hospitals across the country. modern marvels of medicine and has Modern day antibiotics were first dissaved countless lives. General infeccovered sometime in the 1920s when tions, pre and post surgery, bug bites, Andrew Fleming saw penicillin’s urinary tract infections, fever, you ability to kill bacteria in the lab. Did
name it; antibiotics have been known to p ay a arge beneficia ro e. Unfortunately, their strength and noted benefits have made them an easy target for over-prescription and abuse — lazy medicine. Doctors have over-utilized this therapy and we are starting to feel the repercussions. When was the last time you heard someone leaving an urgent-care facility without an antibiotic in hand? A majority of these complaints often do not merit antibiotics due to their cause being viral rather than bacterial. A majority of the complaints are minor enough and will self-resolve on their own. Now more than ever it’s paramount for your doctor to take the time to discern between the different categories of infectious agents and administer the proper therapy. Now, it would not be fair to only point the finger in one direction. Patients have to understand the different severities of illness and react appropriately. Attending a doctor’s office for the snif es is what is considered an “error prone visit.” What does this mean? Many physicians claim that they are pressured by their patients to do something for their complaints (prescribe antibiot-
ics) and if not they feel our perception is that of weakness or incapable. For this reason they prescribe a general antibiotic to appease the demanding patient. A statement put out by the CDC (Center for Disease Control, 2012) stated an estimated 50 percent of antibiotics are over prescribed. About 70 percent of the bacteria that cause infections in hospitals are resistant to at least one of the drugs most commonly used for treatment. If this trend does not stop — the minor diseases of today will turn into the life-threatening diseases of tomorrow. Antibiotic resistance
Contrary to popular thought, antibiotic resistance is not that of your body being resistant; rather it is the microbes are no longer being killed off or inactivated by the antibiotic. They have, for lack of a better term, become “immune” to the antibiotics. Think of it as “only the strong survive.” For obvious reasons this is not ideal — not only have we failed to get rid of the current problem but have begun the evolution of “super bugs.” These “superbugs” lead to high treatment failure rates, increased health care cost, lost wages, and even death ANTIBIOTIC cont. on page 14
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Get fit the smart way Health h • Fitness • Mind • Spirit piri p irit • Medicine dicine • Well-Being W
Special to the Surveyor Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Many peop e estab ish bo d fitness goa s with a mind toward getting in shape. t s tempting to ump right in especia y when friends or re atives reach their own fitness goa s. owever inactive men and women ris in ury when diving right in and not ta ing a gradua approach to fitness and weight oss regimens. o reap the most rewards from e ercise ta e the proper precautions and fo ow these guide ines. • Speak with your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. Get medical clearance before you begin a new e ercise regimen especia y if you have any pree isting medica conditions. our doctor may suggest certain modifications that can reduce strain on certain parts of the body or advise you on the most effective activities for peop e with your condition. ea thy individua s may be c eared outright and can begin their fitness regimens immediate y. t s a so wise to inform doctors of fitness p ans and goa s so they can he p trac your progress. • Don’t eat heavy meals before exercising. void arge mea s before engaging in strenuous physica activity. ight hea thy snac gives you a
itt e fue without affecting your abi ity to e ercise. fter eating the body diverts b ood ow to the gastrointestina tract to aid with digestion. ercising whi e this b ood ow is centra i ed in the gastrointestina tract may cause musc e cramps or genera i ed wea ness. utrition e perts at the University of Ca ifornia os nge es say peop e who e ercise strenuous y on a fu stomach a so may e perience re u hiccups nausea and vomiting. ait at east an hour after eating fu meals to exercise. • Warm up. t s important to warm up musc es before beginning a wor out. tretches ight movements and range of motion e ercises can improve e ibi ity and prepare the body for more to come. f musc es aren t fu y stretched and warm inuries i e strains and tendon tears may occur. a e the time to warm up otherwise you may find yourse f on the sidelines. • Wear the appropriate equipment. nvest in ua ity ath etic shoes and other e uipment made for the activity you wi be performing. he right e uipment can he p prevent in ury. th etic shoes that fai to provide ade uate support can increase your ris of in ury. ood shoes do not have to cost a fortune as there are p enty of brands that wi wor uite
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 29, 2016 Page 13
Staying motivated and avoiding injury can help people get in shape and maintain healthy lifestyles for years to come.
we . f you need suggestions discuss your e ercise regimen and goa s with a podiatrist or orthopedist. Orthotic inserts can be used to modify footwear and provide additiona support. ou a so may need e uipment specific to a given activity. or e amp e wrist supports and ua ity g oves are essentia for ic bo ing c asses. pea with a trainer or gym emp oyee if you
need assistance. • Take weather into consideration. ce snow rain and wind can ma e ogging or other outdoor activities more cha enging if not dangerous. ways e ercise caution when your wor out regimen invo ves e ercising outdoors. tay indoors if you see thunder and ightning. • Stay hydrated. he etter ea th Channe of the ictoria tate overnment says a person can ose around one and a ha f iters of uid for every hour of e ercise. rin water before during and after each e ercise session. f you need water whi e e ercising ta e sma sips. • Be aware of your body. a e notice of how you fee . f something doesn t fee ust right then stop immediate y rest and or see medica attention. • Pace yourself and take the time to rest. on t try to do everything a at once. ow y bui d up your durabi ity and stamina by gradua y increasing the intensity of your wor outs. ive yourse f time to recover between wor outs as we . ercise is a ey part of a hea thy lifestyle. Remember to do so safely and effective y.
PLEASE RECYCLE
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ANTIBIOTIC
cont. from pg. 12
in some instances. Resistant bacteria can pass their resistance genes to other kinds of bacteria, further complicating the issue. Have you ever heard of methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? What about clostridium diffic e C. diff oth of these infec tions are due to the species that have become resistant to antibiotics. e ginning soon after the introduction of methicillin (an antibiotic) we began to see the emergence of resistant strains of S. aureus dating back to the 1960s. C. diff bacteria is actua y part of our norma ora the microbes found in us) and only becomes an issue when your good microbes are decreased and C. diff is a owed to ourish unchecked. MRSA has become somewhat of a household name. This is unfortunate. MRSA is now treated with vancomycin. When Vancomycin was introduced in the 1950s it was said to be isolated from bacterial resistance. Fast-forward to present day and we have now seen VRSA or vancomycinresistant staphylococcus aureus. How is this possible? Well vancomycin is also used in other infections and possibly even over-prescribed; due to its strength it is a popular antibiotic for many gastrointestinal microbes such as C. diff. ancomycin
also holds some serious side effects beyond that of exaggerating resistance. Sometime in the late ‘90s we saw the first strain of vancomycin resistance S. aureus and, with the decline in America’s health, we have only seen it become more prevalent. Post-Antibiotic Syndrome
Have you ever felt really good while on antibiotic only to be plagued with a yeast infection or altered bowels, or maybe you didn’t notice much of a negative immediately after. Maybe you started to get sick more often that year than other years but chalked it up to stress. These signs as we as others a fit into the post an tibiotic conundrum. “Post-antibiotic syndrome” is not reserved for just those immediate issues following antibiotics such as C. diff and yeast infections. We are now recognizing its disruption of the entire microbiome of patient’s gastrointestinal tract months after the removal of the therapy. We have seen this occur in fecal studies; a single course of antibiotics has negative effects on GI microbes for up to a year and possible longer. Alterations in the GI tract cause, or at very least contribute to, many of the chronic autoimmune diseases we see today. Allergies are enhanced by poor gut ora s in conditions such as eczema are driven by a dysfunctional
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GI system, and even mood disorders have all been linked to poor interactions between our chemistry and those organisms that inhabit us. Where do we turn?
It is important to mention that not all antibiotics are bad. It is the incorrect and excessive use of antibiotics that has become the issue. You have many more options than you may think when it comes to those symptoms traditionally treated with antibiotics. Immunotherapies are on the rise. Immunotherapies are those compounds that work with your immune system to fight off the infection. his is for good reason — there is no better antibiotic than our own immuneresponse, period. Natural medicine practitioners used immunotherapies for centuries; as it enhances your own immune response normally, leaving you with long-term immunity and lower rates of resistant bacteria. Thankfully there is still time to make some changes. We are not completely helpless against these superbugs, but we are very close. First we need to educate those prescribing antibiotics; when are they necessary and when should one be given other options for treatment. Much of this problem stems from the inadequacies of the “system” that doesn’t allow the doctor to spend more than a few min-
utes with you. Second, I am not sure we should continue to practice the idea of giving someone antibiotics for viral infections just in case they contract a secondary bacterial infection. The literature does not support this method nor do the benefits outweigh the costs. Third, working with your doctor to develop a good lifestyle plan can help prevent you from getting sic in the first p ace. here are cer tain compounds particular foods that fuel the proper immune response. There are even herbal preparations that have strong effects on already resistant bugs. Some compounds are even more effective than antibiotics and do not pose as great of a risk for resistance. We are in the days of fast-paced, corporate medicine. An average doctor visit is five to seven minutes and there is not much you can learn in that time. Think about the time it took you to read this article — do you think learning the full health history for a 55-year-old woman can be obtained in that time? Educate yourself, demand more from your doctor, and put prevention of sickness and disease above all else. Waiting to do something about your health is like “digging a well when you are already thirsty.”
Body & Soul •
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 29, 2016 Page 15