Inspire Spring 2015

INSPIRE SPRING 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 2

A Healthier You

St. Thomas More Hospital

EASY STREET It wasn’t a matter of if, but when this Cañon City rider would be back in the saddle after a shoulder injury.

After a nasty fall on ice led to a torn rotator cuff, Bill Oster found the road to recovery started at St. Thomas More Hospital.

Read his story on Page 4.

ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR Page 3

BRAIN HEALTH TIPS Page 6

DANGEROUS SLEEP HABITS Page 7

STMHOSPITAL.ORG WINTER 2015

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PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

WELL GROUPED ST. THOMAS MORE PHYSICIAN GROUP provides primary care and specialty services in the fields of family medicine; internal medicine, pediatric health services, orthopaedics, OB-GYN, general surgery, and ear-nose-and-throat. Three new physicians recently joined the group to expand care to the community. All are accepting new patients.

Janice Hartman, MD, Family Medicine

Prior to becoming a doctor, Dr. Hartman was a medical researcher at RAND. As a family medicine doctor, she enjoys helping patients of all ages stay healthy and manage illnesses. She focuses on women’s health and senior care. Dr. Hartman also has her private pilot’s license.

RUN FREE

WHEN BECKY VETTESE, A REGISTERED NURSE AT ST. THOMAS MORE HOSPITAL, TOOK UP RUNNING, it was to fulfill a lifelong dream. The fact that running — even for as little as five to 10 minutes a day, according to a recent study — can add years to her life was just a bonus for the occupational health nurse.

Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Cardiology, the study showed that compared with nonrunners, runners had significantly reduced risk of heartrelated deaths and lived at least three years longer.

What else does Vettese gain from the sport? “Running makes me feel strong, gives me quality time alone to relax, and helps me maintain a healthy weight,” she says. Here are Vettese’s tips for getting started:

Becky’s Tips

Keep trying — you will improve! “I’ve been running since I was 48. I wanted to run all of my life and decided it was now or never.”

Stretching is important. “After running, stretch when muscles are warm.

Before your run, it’s better to do dynamic stretching such as high knees or walking lunges.”

Ananya Lusero, MD, Pediatric Health Services

Dr. Lusero chose pediatrics as her specialty because she wanted to see children every day of her life. She believes in working with parents to keep children healthy. A Florida native, she moved to Cañon City because of the community’s need for a pediatrician.

Steven Olson, MD, Family Medicine

Dr. Olson worked as an emergency medical technician and a nursing assistant before going to medical school at the University of Minnesota.

Wanting to live in a place with much better weather, he chose to practice in Cañon City to provide full-spectrum family medicine in a rural community.

To learn more about St. Thomas More Physician Group, its locations, and make an appointment, go to stmhospital.org/physician-group.

Sign up for a race. “I have done many 5ks, 10ks, 13 half-marathons and two marathons.

You don’t have to go fast — you just have to go!”

JOIN THE RUNNING CLUB!

St. Thomas More Hospital offers a running club open to the public. The Inspire Running Club is for all levels, from walkers to runners, and varies in distances (1 mile, 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and full marathon runners). This is a great opportunity to meet people, train, and have fun! For more information and a list of upcoming running club events, contact Emma Glancy at 719-285-2630 or emmaglancy@centura.org, or visit stmhospital.org/running-club.

BRUSH YOUR TEETH People who brushed their teeth less than once per day were up to 65 percent more likely to experience dementia, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. For more tips on maintaining your brain as you age, go to page 6.

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PHOTOS TOOTHBRUSH ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/KENISHIROTIE, RUNNING PHOTOS BY STEVE BIGLEY

health notes

health notes

BETTER TOGETHER

Adding HPV testing to Pap smears can better predict cervical cancer risk ANNUAL PAP SMEARS ARE NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY RECOMMENDED for all women, but that doesn’t give you permission to skip your annual gynecologic appointment. A yearly pelvic exam screens for abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina. Women also should have a clinical breast exam every year.

In addition to a Pap test, it’s now recommended that women are screened for the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This sexually transmitted disease is carried by more than half of all adults and causes virtually all cases of cervical cancers.

Here are current screening recommendations by age: Women age 21-29: Pap test every three years Women age 30-65: Pap test and HPV test every three to five years Women over 65: Stop cervical cancer screening if they don’t have a history of cervical cancer or dysplasia (precancerous changes)

FREE Screening Program

The Women’s Wellness Connection offers FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income women ages 40-64, and pays for treatment if any cancer is found. The St. Thomas More Physician Group and Hospital work together to screen eligible women from Fremont, Custer, and Park counties. To learn more or schedule a screening, call 719-285-2473 or visit stmhospital.org/wwc.

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

PHOTOS COFFEE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/WAVEBREAKMEDIAMICRO, HEART ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/CHAYATHON2000

Does your heart make the grade?

ALTHOUGH HEART DISEASE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH in Colorado, most people don’t know the health of their own hearts.

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Assessing your heart health is as easy as 1-2-3. What’s more, studies have found that just the simple act of taking a measurement leads to improved health!

Measure your waistline. Belly fat has been linked to cardiovascular health. Women should stay below 35 inches and men under 40.

Know your numbers. Beginning at age 20, every American should have their cholesterol and blood pressure tested regularly. Shoot for a total cholesterol level under 200 mg/dL and blood pressure under 120/80 mm Hg. “Knowing and managing your cholesterol can reduce your risk for heart disease, liver disease, and improve your overall health,” says Janice Hartman, MD, a family medicine physician with St. Thomas More Physician Group.

Talk to your doctor. If your numbers are high, talk to your doctor about your risk for heart disease. You may be able to lower your risk through lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet and exercising more, or your doctor may recommend medication.

The 2015 KOAA 5 Southern Colorado Health Fair will be held on Saturday, April 25, at Evangelical Free Church in Cañon City from 7 a.m.-noon. Many FREE and low-cost screenings will be offered, including blood work, blood pressure, skin cancer checks, foot and hand, height/weight measurement, diabetes risk, lung function, memory, oral health, nutrition, sleep apnea, stress, prostate, and cardiac risk, among others. Registration is not required to attend, but you can save time on fair day by paying for the low-cost screenings online in advance. For more information, call 719-285-2630 or visit 9healthfair.org.

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of the Centura Health Heart Network, the region’s leading provider of cardiovascular care.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SPRING 2015

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orthopaedic advancements

the shoulder

Shoulder injuries and pain may be common, but there’s no need to suffer for long ON A CLEAR DAY IN COLORADO, you’re likely to find Bill Oster riding his beloved HarleyDavidson with wife Rusty behind him, cruising along the scenic byways with nothing but outstretched road before them.

Oster is overjoyed to be back on his bike, after a nasty shoulder injury last winter sidelined him from his favorite pastime. A truck mechanic for Howard’s Disposal, Oster, 54, slipped and fell on the job during an ice storm.

“It was minus 12 degrees and I was trying to get some of the trucks started early that morning,” he says. “I had my hands in my pockets to keep warm and as I walked around one of the trucks, I fell on the ice and landed hard on my shoulder.”

An MRI confirmed what doctors suspected: Oster had torn his rotator cuff — the group of muscles and tendons that helps stabilize the shoulder. Fixing it would require surgery.

Common shoulder problems Rotator cuff problems are the most common source of shoulder pain, accounting for more than two-thirds of shoulder problems. In addition to rotator cuff injuries, other common shoulder problems include bicep tendon inflammation, shoulder dislocations Dr. Keith Minihane or instability, arthritis, and fractures, says Keith Minihane, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at St. Thomas More Hospital.

“Shoulder injuries are very common, particularly in athletes and individuals who use their shoulders a lot,” he says. “More often, repetitive overhead activities such as tennis, swimming, or overhead throwing activities can cause wear and tear, resulting in inflammation and pain.”

Rotator cuff injuries, for example, are often caused by irritation that gradually builds over time, leading to a partial or full tear as you age, Minihane says.

Treating shoulder pain without surgery In most cases of shoulder pain caused by activity or aging, physical therapy is the first line of treatment. In trauma cases where there is a fracture or a tear such as Oster’s accident, surgery may be necessary, but therapy follows.

Bill and Rusty Oster are back on the road.

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“In many cases, if we get involved early enough, and the patient is compliant, physical rehabilitation can do the trick,” says Rick Kamerzell, PT, administrative director of orthopaedic and rehabilitative services at St. Thomas More Hospital. “Through physical therapy, we can work to treat the acute pain and get the inflammation under control.”

DON’T SHOULDER THROUGH PAIN

Many people, especially athletes, try to ignore shoulder pain and keep going. That’s the wrong approach, warns orthopaedic surgeon Keith Minihane, MD. “With most injuries involving the shoulder, you do not want to push through. This is a great time for you to work on your short game, rather than practicing long drives, or work on breaststroke rather than front crawl that can cause pain and inflammation. By doing so, you can still engage in the sports you enjoy.”

Therapy typically involves exercises to restore flexibility and movement, and to strengthen the shoulder. Other nonsurgical treatments for shoulder injuries include resting the shoulder, icing it, avoiding activities or movements that cause pain, and taking antiinflammatory medications.

for example, we can include sports-specific exercises to meet the patient’s needs.”

For Oster, getting back on his bike was priority No. 1. He returned to work four days after his surgery and attended therapy sessions at St. Thomas More Hospital twice a week for three months.

Rick Kamerzell, PT

“If those methods do not relieve the pain, we may prescribe a steroid injection into the joint,” Minihane says. “When used correctly, cortisone is a very effective antiinflammatory medicine. It can provide a temporary relief to symptoms so that physical therapy can take place.”

When surgery is necessary In instances where the shoulder has structural damage, surgery may be a more appropriate treatment. Nearly all shoulder surgeries can be performed arthroscopically, which means the surgeon makes tiny incisions and performs the procedure by inserting a fiber optic camera and pencil-sized instruments.

Such was the case with Oster, whose rotator cuff was torn from the bone.

During outpatient arthroscopic surgery, Minihane was able to reattach the tendons to the bone, allowing rehabilitation to take place.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/HOMYDESIGN, /ERAXION, /SNAPTITUDE, MOTORCYCLE BY STEVE BIGLEY

Following surgery, each patient receives a customized therapy program based on the patient’s individual needs.

“If the person is active, we keep that in mind when devising their program,” Kamerzell says. “If they are a golfer or tennis player,

“Bill really wanted to get back on his bike, and we knew that,” says Kamerzell, whose physical therapy team customized Oster’s program with a focus on strengthening his core, hips, and upper back. “When you’re riding a motorcycle, your arms are outstretched for long periods of time, and the vibration from the bike travels up your arms to your shoulders. You need a strong back, core, and good posture. If your muscles are firing like they should, they will absorb the stresses of the ride and you will not have as much strain on the shoulder.”

Three months after his icy fall, Oster got the go-ahead from Minihane to ride his bike. “That was an awesome day,” says Oster, who was surprised at his home by 45 fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, ready to accompany him on his first ride.

“They took good care of me at St. Thomas More,” he says. “Sometimes pain will sneak up on me, but I just work on my exercises and rest if I need to. I can lift my arm and ride my Harley again, so I’m all good. If it’s not snowing, I’m riding.”

MEN’S SPORTS READINESS EVENT

If you’re chomping at the bit to get outside to golf, hike, cycle, kayak, or participate in many of the other sports and activities, you can get a healthy start at the St. Thomas More Hospital men’s health event on Thursday, May 14, from 5-7 p.m. This event is geared at getting men ready for summer sports. Participants will receive a FREE personal sports readiness assessment with a team of physical therapists and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Keith Minihane. Then you’ll receive customized exercise instructions to get you ready for your sport. Attend this FREE event and learn techniques to: Improve your core strength p Prepare your body p Reduce risk of injury p Improve your performance This event is FREE, but you must register online at stmhospital.org/calendar or call 719-285-2179. The event will be held in the hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation center; be sure to wear active sportswear because you’ll get your heart pounding. Light refreshments will be served.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SPRING 2015

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brain health

Maintain YOUR BRAIN Good health habits can help stave off age-related mental decline As you age, you lose mental capabilities and capacity?

THAT’S A TRICK QUESTION because the answer is both fact and fiction. It’s true that age is the No. 1 risk factor for cognitive impairment, which is medical jargon for not thinking, remembering, or reasoning as well as you once did. That’s because as we age, our cells age and start to die. That includes brain cells.

But while aging cells may be inevitable, there are things you can do to minimize or even prevent any mental declines.

Progressive Care Center, the longterm care facility at St. Thomas More Hospital, is recognized as a leader in dementia care by the Alzheimer’s Association — Colorado Chapter and is currently one of the few dementiacertified care facilities in southern Colorado.

Progressive Care Center is Medicareand Medicaid-certified.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour, call 719-285-2540 or visit stmhospital.org/ progressive-carecenter.

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Only one in 14 people over the age of 65 develops dementia.

Helen Whitener, RN, NHA

“Age-associated cognitive decline or normal cognitive aging differs between individuals,” says Helen Whitener, RN, NHA, administrator of St. Thomas More Hospital’s Progressive Care Center.

“Certain interventions may sharpen cognitive processes and slow down age-related changes. Those include reducing stress, maintaining good health, especially cardiovascular health, maintaining good blood glucose levels, and staying mentally stimulated. Regular exercise may also be helpful.”

Older adults who stay physically, mentally, and socially active have a lower risk of developing dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Walking your dog, doing a crossword puzzle, and going to church may help you maintain the brain cells you have, and research is showing that they might also help grow new brain cells. Other tips for maintaining brain health include:

Eat fish.

Specifically, fatty fish such as tuna and salmon. A study conducted by the University of South Dakota found that higher omega-3 levels were associated with greater volume in the hippocampus, the region of the brain in which the memoryrobbing disease Alzheimer’s first attacks.

Brush your teeth.

Research over the past decade has found that poor oral hygiene is linked to heart disease and heart attacks, and now researchers are finding that it is also associated with dementia.

Limit alcohol.

Especially as you age. It’s long been known that excessive alcohol contributes to dementia, but new research is showing that increasing your drinking as you age to even moderate levels might increase your risk.

Stop smoking.

Smoking causes plaque buildup in the arteries, which restricts blood flow to the brain, and it also causes cells to age faster.

Get your shut-eye.

Men with the lowest levels of blood oxygen at night due to conditions such as emphysema or sleep apnea were four times as likely to have brain lesions that lead to dementia, according to a study published in December.

TYPICAL AGE-RELATED MEMORY LOSS AND OTHER CHANGES COMPARED TO ALZHEIMER’S Typical age-related changes Signs of Alzheimer’s Making a bad decision once in a while Missing a monthly payment Forgetting which day it is and remembering later Sometimes forgetting which word to use Losing things from time to time

Continual poor judgment and decision making Inability to manage a budget Losing track of the date or the season Difficulty having a conversation Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them

Source: Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org

LEARN MORE TIPS to “Maintain Your Brain” at our upcoming seminar on Monday, June 22, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Community Room at St. Thomas More Hospital. You’ll learn about the different forms of dementia, why Alzheimer’s is different, and ways to keep your brain agile. This program is co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information or to register, call 719-285-2540 or go online to stmhospital.org/calendar.

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INSPIRE ST. THOMAS MORE HOSPITAL

PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/VALERY121283, /GEKASKR, /MICROPIC, /HAYATIKAYHAN, /PEDROLIEB

FACT or FICTION:

Sweet Dreamzzz Americans risking their health by shortcutting their sleep time ONE OUT OF THREE American adults gets less than six hours of sleep each night. Many others are getting the recommended eight hours, but they may still feel exhausted because they are suffering from a sleep disorder that doesn’t allow them to get the right kind of sleep.

Insufficient sleep is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and obesity. In fact, sleep is so critical to our health that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now calls the lack of sleep in our country a public health epidemic.

Here, Michael Todd, RPSGT, RST, from the Sleep Disorders Center at St. Thomas More Hospital helps us take a closer look at sleep.

HIGH-TECH PROBLEM Falling asleep by the soft glow of your smartphone, tablet, or laptop could be hurting your health and leaving you feeling sick and tired.

A recent study found that two hours of exposure to those glowing screens at night may reduce melatonin levels by 22 percent.

“Light is alerting and suppresses melatonin production, which is a hormone that makes you sleepy,” says Todd.

BETTER SLEEP = BETTER GOLF If you or your partner has a sleep problem, getting help is not only good for your health but could be good for your golf game. A study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that men with sleep apnea who were treated cut their handicap by 11 percent!

PHOTOS: SLEEP ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DIANE39, BALL ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/MICHAELFLIPPO

“It’s not just about golfing,” Todd says. Treatment for sleep disorders “improves any activity that requires focus and fine motor skills.”

HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE Women who don’t get enough sleep — or get poor quality sleep — are twice as likely to have high blood pressure that can’t be controlled by medication, according to a 2013 Italian study published in the journal Sleep Medicine.

“Sleep is our personal repair system,” Todd says. “If you don’t get enough or the right kind, it can literally take years off your life.”

“Sleep is our personal repair system.”

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’re not alone.

Find support through a FREE sleep apnea group called AWAKE, sponsored by St. Thomas More Hospital. AWAKE is intended for people with sleep apnea or anyone interested in learning more about sleep disorders. The group meets every other month, with upcoming meetings on April 9 and June 11 from 6-7 p.m. in the Community Room at St. Thomas More Hospital. For more information, call 719-285-2260 or visit stmhospital.org/sleep.

SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA:

u Snoring u Fatigue u Daytime sleepiness even

after a full night of sleep u Difficulty waking up u Depression If you or your partner show any of these signs, take our FREE online sleep quiz at stmhospital.org/sleep and one of our sleep specialists will call you to discuss the results and your options.

SLEEP ON THESE FACTS

People who miss a few hours of sleep perform like people with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent, putting them at increased risk of accidents. Losing even small amounts of sleep leads to a spike in the stress hormone cortisol, which lowers your ability to deal with stress. It also is linked with depression and weight gain.

– Michael Todd, St. Thomas More Sleep Disorders Center

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SPRING 2015

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INSPIRE

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INSPIRE is published quarterly

by St. Thomas More Hospital as part of our Mission to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement, not replace, advice provided by a licensed healthcare provider.

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To comment or unsubscribe, email us at inspire@centura.org.

INSPIRE is produced by Clementine Words LLC. Executive Editor: Jillian Maes.

S T M H O S P I TA L.O R G St. Thomas More Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading healthcare network.

Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2015.

INSPIRATION KOAA5 SOUTHERN COLORADO HEALTH FAIR SATURDAY, APR 25  7 A.M.-NOON

Fremont County’s largest annual health fair is brought to you by St. Thomas More Hospital, in partnership with KOAA5 Southern Colorado Health Fair and 9Health Fair. Enjoy FREE and lowcost health screenings and education. To learn more or prepay for screenings, visit 9healthfair.org.

Location: Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St. Information: 719-285-2630

Join our health experts to learn how you can make small changes that make a big impact on improving your health! For a complete list of classes and details, visit stmhospital.org/calendar.

MEN’S SPORTS READINESS THURSDAY, MAY 14  5-7 P.M.

Get a healthy start to your summer sport with a personal sports readiness assessment from our team of physical therapists and an orthopaedic surgeon, and customized exercise instructions to help you get ready for your sport.

Location: St. Thomas More Outpatient Rehabilitation Center Cost: FREE Registration: stmhospital.org/calendar or 719-285-2179

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

PHOTO ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/MARIUSZBLACH

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 6-27 OR JUL 8-29  6-9 P.M.

Prepare yourself, your partner, and baby for labor and delivery during this fourweek program. Learn what to expect in your third trimester, labor techniques, pain management, breastfeeding, and postdelivery care.

Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community Room Cost: $25 for you and a support person; scholarships available upon request Registration: stmhospital.org/ childbirth-education or 719-285-2058

CREATE CAÑON CITY BALLOON CLASSIC

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 23-25

St. Thomas More Hospital is the presenting sponsor for the 2nd Annual Create Cañon City Balloon Classic featuring 15 hot air balloons, balloon glows (weather permitting), military honors ceremony, wine-tasting, live music, food, arts and crafts, kite flying, model rocket launch,

Ongoing education and support: Diabetes education class, monthly support group: stmhospital.org/diabetes, 719-285-2712.

Gluten-free and bariatric weight loss monthly support groups: 719-285-2548.

Women’s Wellness Connection, FREE breast/ cervical cancer screenings for qualifying women: stmhospital.org/wwc, 719-285-2473.

skydiving demonstration, and wellness events including a cycling event and a fun run; something for everyone!

Location: The Holy Cross Abbey Campus Information: 855-946-4222 or canoncityballoonclassic.org

MAINTAIN YOUR BRAIN

MONDAY, JUN 22  11:30 A.M.-1 P.M.

Learn about the different forms of dementia, how Alzheimer’s is different, and ways to keep your brain agile! Co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. Lunch will be provided.

Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community Room Cost: FREE Registration: stmhospital.org/calendar or 719-285-2540