Mesa County Healthy Families

MESA COUNTY

BREATHE BETTER your energy

Sunscreen PROTECT YOUR SKIN THIS SUMMER

healthyfamilies

Techniques to increase

QUARTERLY JULY - JULY SEPT. 2014 - SEPT. 2014 1

your community. your free press.

At the Free Press we believe that the Grand Valley is a great place to live, work and play. We have been your community paper since 2003 and we look forward to the next decade in our beautiful home.

Keep on reading and enjoying your community paper.

970.243.2200 | gjfreepress.com

145 N. Fourth St. | Grand Junction, CO

We Deliver Babies & Provide Well-Baby Care

A tradition of caring since 1946

Close to home Our highly skilled and experienced pediatric therapists are dedicated to providing the best possible treatment for children with special needs.

We provide specialized physical, speech, and occupational therapy services in a warm, community-based setting to children from birth through age 21 who are experiencing difficulty successfully meeting the demands of development.

Family Physicians of Western Colorado

Western Colorado Physicians Group

3150 N. 12th St.

1120 Wellington Ave.

SUSAN SAYERS, MD PEGGY WRICH, DO

LYNN HOLLIDAY, MD GLENN MADRID, MD PATRICK PAGE W/ PAUL SIMMONS, MD

245-1220

556 Kokopelli Blvd., Suite F, Fruita • 858-2572 www.familyhealthwest.org

241-6011

A division of Primary Care Partners

Stay gluten free with these tips

QUARTERLY

MESA COUNTY

healthyfamilies

11

J U LY - S EP T. 2 0 14 Vol. 2 No. 3 G EN ER A L M A N AG ER Ben Rogers M A N AG I N G ED I TO R Caitlin Row A DV ER T IS I N G S A L ES Tamara Morris P U B L I C AT I O N D ES I G N ER Malisa Samsel P H OTO G R A P H Y thinkstockphotos.com CO N T R I B U TO RS Scott Rollins, M.D. April L. Schulte-Barclay, DAOM Phil Mohler, M.D. Caren Vogt Angela Wetzel Keith Roach, M.D. Sam Mazzotta P R I N T I N G & P R E- P R ES S Colorado Mountain News Media 200 Lindbergh Dr. Gypsum, CO 81637 P U B L IS H ED Q UA R T ER LY BY

FAMILY WELLNESS

NUTRITION

Protect your skin ... 4

Gluten-free living ... 11

Wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage this summer.

Keeping gluten out of health & beauty products.

Remedy allergies ... 7 Why certain ailments exacerbate seasonal allergies.

Are you taking your meds? ... 9 Grand Junction Free Press 145 N. 4th St. Grand Junction, CO 81501 www.gjfreepress.com 970.243.2200 The content provided in Mesa County Healthy Families quarterly magazine is designed for informational purposes only.

It is not intended to be a substitute for personal medical advice or care. Always consult your family physician if you have any questions or concerns.

BONUS FEATURES

The many reasons folks don’t follow doctor’s orders.

Health Bulletin ... 13

Health questions answered ... 12

Paw’s Corner ... 14

Learn about nerve pain & more.

Fun facts for you to enjoy.

Your pet questions answered.

FITNESS & EXERCISE Don’t forget to breathe ... 10 How practiced breathing encourages increased energy.

Unless otherwise noted, photos and illustrations are courtesy of thinkstock.com.

JULY - SEPT. 2014

3

FAMILY WELLNESS

SCREEN

YOUR SKIN Prevent sun-damaged skin

T DR. SCOTT ROLLINS

4

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

this summer with sunscreen

he No. 1 thing that ages skin is sunshine. Not limited to sunburn, relentless day-to-day exposure to the sun causes skin damage that leads to discolored spots, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Don’t be fooled - most sunscreens do not protect from all the skin-damaging rays. If you want youthful skin then your No. 1 skin-care strategy is to avoid excessive sun and use a true sun protective sunblock.

The No. 1 thing that ages skin is sunshine.

SUNLIGHT BASICS

Just below the spectrum of light that is visible to our eye lies the ultra-violet (UV) light spectrum. First is the longer wavelength UVA (315-400 nanometers, nm), then intermediate UVB (280-315 nm), and last the shortest wavelength UVC (100-280 nm). The shorter wavelengths are more irritating to the surface, while the longer wavelengths penetrate the skin and do deeper damage.

The visible light spectrum (400-780 nm) gives us our rainbow of colors, starting with violetindigo-blue-green-yellow-orange and finally red as the light spectrum goes on up into the “infrared” spectrum (greater than 780 nm). Infra-red rays radiate heat and give us warmth.

UVC is actually the most damaging of the UV rays, causing the skin to burn and promoting cancer changes. UVC will even kill germs and is known as “germicidal” rays. Fortunately most all UVC is blocked by the earth’s ozone layer.

UVB causes the familiar “sunburn” by damaging the skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, leading to dark spots, fine wrinkles, broken surface capillaries, and skin cancers that arise from the epidermis. Cumulative sun exposure causes the familiar basal and squamous cell skin cancers to erupt from the skin’s epidermal layer.

These are typically gray in color, either smooth or scaly lesions, that show up on the face or arms where the skin has been most exposed.

UVA causes the darkening of skin known as “suntan” and was once thought to be harmless, but is now known to be very damaging to the skin. By absorbing into the deeper dermal layers UVA causes the collagen that supports our skin to simply waste away leading to thinning and sagging of the skin. UVA is responsible for much of the premature aging of skin evidenced by inflammation and dryness, and eventually uneven pigmentation, fine wrinkles, and skin cancer.

UVB exposure occurs mainly in the summer months and is worse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It does not penetrate glass and is basically filtered out during winter months. However, the UVA rays are present all year round, all day long, and go right through glass. Even while driving the UVA rays are streaming into the auto and soaking right into exposed skin.

High altitude allows much more of the UV rays to get through the atmosphere. This explains why the mountain states have a high incidence of skin cancer and more sun damaged, aging skin.

up into the UVA range, but they are limited in effectiveness.

Physical blockers, known as “metal oxides” are the most complete remedy for truly blocking the UVA and UVB rays. These natural occurring particles will physically block all UV rays, as well as protect from wind and block the heat from infra-red rays thus keeping the skin cooler.

Titanium dioxide, used to lighten cosmetic products, blocks most of the UV spectrum but misses a bit of UVA. Zinc Oxide really blocks the UVA spectrum well and thus is commonly blended with titanium dioxide to add full UVA coverage.

Further, the actual protection offered by any and all sun-protective products relates directly to their level of concentration, how long they remain stable when exposed to sun, the film thickness applied to the skin, as well as the careful, total coverage of the exposed skin sites.

>>>>

SUN PROTECTION

The well-known sun-protection-factor or SPF is misleading, outdated, and frankly worthless when it comes to insuring your skin is protected. The SPF ratings only apply to UVB rays.

Many products advertise “blocking both UVB and UVA,” but in fact only a tiny percentage of the UVA spectrum is really blocked - just enough to allow the marketing but not even close to the complete blockage we really need.

There are about 15 FDA approved chemicals that will absorb UV rays and are used in various combinations as sunscreens. Some examples include Octyl Salicylate, the oldest in use, Padimate O which is the most common in the U.S., and Octyl Methoxycinnamate which is the most common world-wide. These sunscreens block a narrow range of UVB light in the 300-315 nm range, leaving the UVA spectrum untouched.

Thus, other chemical absorbers, such as Oxybenzone and Avobenzone, are mixed in to give a bit more protection

JULY - SEPT. 2014

5

r aking u o Is y hild t ! c s?? drug

Don’t panic!

We can help!

Find out for sure with a simple urine test.

We offer a confidential low cost screening, so you can take the first step in getting your child help.

MCC DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING

www.mccdrugandalcohol.com • phone 970-256-7772 1236 N 7th St., Grand Junction, CO 81501

Enjoy reading the printed version of the GJFP online?

SKIN PROTECTION

Now we are as mobile as you are!

The new and improved eEdition provides even more options: • Works on iPhone & iPad • Clip newspaper articles and share on email • Like your favorite pages on Facebook • Search recent newspaper editions in the archive • Download original pages to your computer • Print pages to your own printer • Access our magazines in the eEdition too!

Now works on iPhone & iPad!

As skin goes through repeated cycles of sunburn and suntan, inflammation and skin darkening occurs, and over time photo-aging and skin cancer. UV rays cause damage to the skin, generating damaging “free radicals” that react and oxidize any tissue in the area. The inflammation and oxidation lead to skin breakdown and DNA damage that promotes cancer. Even the defenses against infection are impaired as the UV rays suppress the skin’s immune system.

Supplemental nutrients can be added to provide direct and indirect protection to the skin. Antioxidants such as vitamins E, C and A, and selenium help “clean up” the free radicals generated by sun damage.

Bioflavonoid antioxidants such as pycnogenol from pine-bark, and resveratrol from grapes, are also found in better products. Studies describe the ability of these highly specialized antioxidant bioflavonoids to augment vitamin C, protect cells and collagen tissue, and also to strengthen blood vessels and capillaries.

If you want to preserve your youthful skin, then get a high quality sunblock and apply it generously and regularly. Reapply several times during prolonged outdoor activity. Apply daily to the face and back of the hands where we see the most sun exposure. Remember, it’s easier to keep healthy skin than it is to reverse the clock of sun damage.

Scott Rollins, M.D., is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia, weight loss and other complex medical conditions. He is founder and director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com).

Call 970-245-6911 for an appointment or more

6

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

Meaning behind

FAMILY WELLNESS

YOUR ALLERGIES

T

he wind is howling, the blossoms are bursting, and your sinuses, respiratory tract, and skin may be crawling.

You’ve likely tried it all, from overthe-counter allergy medications to allergy shots to good ol’ Benadryl. But have you considered that lurking behind seasonal allergies is a root cause such as a weak digestive system, baseline fatigue, or even unresolved grief?

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to an APRIL SCHULTE-BARCLAY, DAOM ordinarily harmless substance.

This time of year harmless substance tends to be pollen, however other common allergens include dust, mold, and pet dander. Common symptoms include swelling of mucous membranes, itching, sneezing or wheezing, and break outs on the skin. Western medicine is challenged to explain why allergies afflict some, while others seem to sail through exposure to allergens without a single sneeze.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers several plausible explanations as it considers THE MOST COMMON how organ systems relate to one another, and CAUSES OF A WEAK therefore how a weakness in one system can affect another. In TCM, the lung organ system “LUNG QI” INCLUDE: includes the sinuses, skin and immune system.

A weak digestive system When one is experiencing allergies, we take an A weak digestive system has trouble entire review of systems to find clues as to what assimilating nutrients properly. This often leads factors may be causing the lungs to become to a condition called “dampness,” which causes weak. Once that is determined, we are often able considerable sluggishness in the body and to fix the underlying cause of the negatively impacts the immune system. For allergies (referred to as the these folks, it is recommended to avoid “root” of the problem) eating cold/raw foods and to reduce as well as address consumption of damp foods like the symptoms dairy, sugar, and alcohol.

The lungs connect (the “branch” of the with the throat and nose problem).

and they regulate respiration as well as water flow in the body.

An imbalance in the lung energy results to feeble cough, asthma, shortness of breath fatigue and lusterless complexion.

A weak constitutional force often caused by over-work, over-stress, and over-thinking

We are all born with a certain amount of gas in our tanks. When we use up our gas and do not learn to refill our tanks, we become tired. This fatigue makes it challenging to support the lung organ system and thus one is more susceptible to having allergies. Sound like you? If so, try meditation and learn qigong to restore Kidney qi.

Chronic constipation or intestinal problems

In TCM, the large intestine being blocked directly affects lung function. Usually from excessive dampness and/or dryness, restoring healthy bowel function will allow the lungs to be more efficient as well.

>>>>

JULY - SEPT. 2014

7

Unresolved grief causing lung qi deficiency

TCM considers that each organ system is correlated to emotions which, when imbalanced, can weaken organ function. Unresolved grief is one common emotion that directly weakens the lungs. When stuck in a grief pattern, it may seem impossible to get out. Acupuncture, homeopathy, and effective counseling can help.

April L. Schulte-Barclay is a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist.

She is licensed by the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners and is certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

She is founder and clinic director of Healing Horizons Integrated Health Solutions, located at 2139 N. 12th St. #7. For more information, call 970-256-8449.

We are complex beings.

Often, mapping a web and then untangling the web is the way toward resolving health problems and then maintaining wellness. With the help of health care practitioners you trust, your willingness to look deeper into your health picture will allow you to achieve your best health possible.

Small-town caring. World-class care.

left to right: Michael Rooks, MD • Waqqar Khan-Farooqi, MD • Robert Frazho, MD • Thea Wojtkowski, MD • Mark Luker, MD • Mary Beth Deering, MD Kirk Clifford, MD • Steven Gammon, MD • Jeffrey Nakano, MD • Steven Heil, MD •Pete Scheffel, MD • James Gebhard, MD • Michael Reeder, DO

Fracture Care • Foot & Hand Surgery Joint Replacement • Pediatric Orthopaedics Physical Therapy • Spine Care • Sports Medicine

627 25 1/2 Road, Grand Junction 970.242.3535 • 1.800.856.9640 • www.rmodocs.com Grand Junction • Delta find us on facebook

8

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

ARE you TAKING YOUR MEDICINE? Phil Mohler, M.D. The headline reads like an extraordinarily paternalistic physician berating his supposedly non-compliant patient. Does the doc have reason for concern? A newly published study suggests that 33 percent of all new prescriptions are never filled.

Even for this old skeptical physician, a third of all new prescriptions being discarded seems high, but multiple studies over the last 40 years have shown the same pattern. I could hardly believe it during my first year in practice when my receptionist Sue found my carefully considered, quite legible prescription wadded up in our waiting room wastebasket. In chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, rates of adherence (continuing to take your medications fairly regularly) fall precipitously after six months of therapy, commonly to levels of 50 percent or so.

Why should we care? Often, the physician is in the dark about his/her patients’ compliance with medication taking; and as patients we want to please our doc, so we are often than less

4) “This new medicine makes me sick.

Until I started this medicine, I never had any problem with headaches, nausea, erections, rashes, hot flashes ...”

forthcoming about our medicine-taking behavior.

Plus, we spend a lot of time and money seeking medical advice and then totally ignore the pricey recommendations.

WHY DON’T PATIENTS TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDS? 1) The medication regimen is too complex multiple medications, several times a day, “on an empty stomach and not within two hours of another medication.”

2) Medications are too expensive. Even though 85 percent of commonly prescribed drugs are available as generics, a handful of generic medications can add up to $200-$300 per month.

The monthly dilemma of deciding whether to refill your prescriptions or pay the light bill is a common phenomena in the Grand Valley.

3) Patients may not feel that the medication is necessary or very important. We physicians may be at fault for not spending adequate time in explaining the importance of a new medication.

APPOINTMENTS WHEN YOUR DOCTOR ISN’T AVAILABLE!

FAMILY WELLNESS

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AS A PATIENT First and foremost, be open with your physician.

If you cannot afford the medicine, tell your doc. Ask if there is a less expensive alternative.

If you do not understand how to take the new prescription, or more importantly why you are taking the medicine, let your physician know.

Perhaps your physician can simplify your three or four times a day dosing to once or twice a day. Set the alarm on your smart phone as a reminder. It is critical that you understand the specifics of why you are taking each of your medications. If your new prescription makes you sick, don’t just stop the drug, but also call your physician.

Finally, play an active role in your care. Ask,”Do I really need this medicine?” Take your up-to-date medication list to every physician visit and be certain your doc knows exactly what you’re taking.

Dr. Mohler has practiced family medicine in Grand Junction for 39 years. He has a particular interest in pharmaceutical education. Phil works part-time for both Primary Care Partners and Rocky Mountain Health Plans. Email him at pjmohler@bresnan.net.

The Counseling and Education Center -Someone You Can Talk To Individual and Family Counseling • Couples Counseling Play Therapy • Anger Management Accepting New Clients All day and early evening appointments.

• All ages welcome • Affordable fees, Medicaid, CPH+, and some insurances accepted. Sliding Fee Scale for those in need.

Counseling and Education Center

970.243.9539

2708 Patterson Road | 12th & Patterson | www.cecwecare.org Business Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 9am - 5:30pm | Fri: 9am - 12pm

DOCS A division of Primary Care Partners

ON CALL

Now Hiring Providers 3150 N. 12th Street | 255-1576 JULY - SEPT. 2014

9

Breathe in, breathe out

FITNESS & EXERCISE

Exercise your lungs for more energy, vitality Caren Vogt

O

xygenation and circulation are the keys to feeling good and increasing energy and vitality for life. To quote Joseph Pilates, “Breathing is the first act of life, and the last. Our very life depends on it.”

Most people don’t realize that with practice and mind/body awareness you can actually increase your lung capacity to fully expand and inflate all areas of your lungs. This greatly increases the oxygenation of all organs, muscles and living tissue, including brain function.

If you are feeling sluggish or lazy, chances are you need to improve your breathing. Equally important in this breathing process is the ability to fully exhale. By strengthening all the intercostal and abdominal muscles around the ribs and torso, you can improve the body’s ability to “squeeze” out every drop of air from the lungs and rid the body of any toxins. This ability to “ring out” the lungs creates a vacuum that starts the process all over again and greatly increases the supply of oxygen that is readily available and circulating to all parts of the body.

Practice by placing your hands on the sides of your rib cage and try to expand outward and backward into your lungs. Actually feel your rib cage widening. To exhale, make a “haaaa” sound and with your hands gently assist your ribs toward each other to help squeeze out the air. Notice how your abdominals assist in this process and lift in and up to support your efforts. Keep practicing and notice how much more oxygen is moving through you and how much better you feel!

Pilates is about increasing oxygen supply and efficiently circulating that oxygen through the body, strengthening from the inside out. The exercises are designed to move that oxygen through the body and stimulate better circulation.

Joseph Pilates teaches us that we move because we breathe. Many of the rolling exercises, like “rolling like a ball” and the “roll up” are designed to empower us to move the air as we articulate the spine one vertebra at a time as if we are a wheel, rolling and unrolling. This action massages the spine and central nervous system and forces

10

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

the impurities out of the lungs as we roll over them. The body will then automatically inflate as we roll back again.

So, if you want to increase your energy, vitality and brain function ... breathe in, breathe out.

Caren Vogt is a fully certified Pilates instructor and owner of Core Connections Pilates Studio at 321 Rood Ave., in downtown Grand Junction. Call 970-3669155 for more information.

Breathing is the first act of life, and the last. Our very life depends on it.

— Joseph Pilates

GLUTEN

NUTRITION

HIDES IN HEALTH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS Angela Wetzel

Gluten has a way of playing hide and seek with us that live gluten free; it’s hidden in foods and products we would never guess.

For example, gluten is a binder in lots of health and beauty products. I bet you’ve never thought that maybe your toothpaste or lip gloss contains gluten. This also goes for products like hairspray, shampoos, hair coloring, lotion and so much more.

There is a lot of debate on the topic, especially since celiac disease is an autoimmune response which affects the small intestine; and beauty and health products aren’t typically ingested, or we don’t think they are.

The debate goes like this: Celiac disease affects the small intestine, so how can a lotion bother you? While the jury is still out, there is some thought that if you have a break in the skin due to a rash (which is a side effect of celiac disease) then it can be absorbed and bring back symptoms of celiac. Continuing to put these items onto your skin can continue to damage your insides. This argument changes when it comes to toothpaste, mouthwash and lipstick or lip gloss, as accidentally swallowing toothpaste/mouthwash or licking your lips and ingesting the wheat in lip gloss, after time, can cause damage.

I actually know someone who, when getting her hair colored at the salon, would end up with irritation on her head because

the products used contained wheat. It affects us in many ways, because our immune systems aren’t completely intact.

Luckily, if you are gluten free, there are many products out there that you can use. First, check online for products that are safe. There are many companies that create gluten-free items. Second, call the companies to make sure or write a letter asking for a list of their gluten-free items.

I’ve made a choice to play it safe with my health and beauty items. I’ve got one life to live. Why take chances?

Angela Wetzel has celiac disease and is president of Gluten Free Grand Valley, a support group for those with celiac disease and wheat allergies. Contact her at glutenfreegrandvalley@gmail.com or visit Gluten Free Grand Valley on Facebook.

JULY - SEPT. 2014

11

CUT THE NERVE, END THE PAIN?

FAMILY WELLNESS

Keith Roach, M.D. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 85 and in fairly good health, but I am in my ninth year of extremely painful post-herpetic neuralgia. Instead of diminishing, the pain is increasing. It could be that the gabapentin (600 mg, three times daily) is wearing off. I tried Lyrica, but stopped when it hurt my eyes. The pain can be excruciating, even from the touch of a shirt. A relative suggested cutting the affected nerve. What would you recommend? -- F.S. ANSWER: Post-herpetic neuralgia is a syndrome of pain due to inflammation of the nerves after an infection with herpes zoster. The older you are, the more likely you are to get this complication, and the longer the pain tends to last -- but nine years is much longer than normal.

Treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia is often with several medications. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is one, but the effective dose is sometimes quite high, as high as 1,200 mg three times daily. Many people get very fatigued at that high a dose. A much older medication, nortriptylene, is more

health. Nuts have healthy fats, proteins and micronutrients that may be responsible for the lowered risk of disease. Nuts also make you feel full and less likely to eat snacks that are less healthy.

effective in some people and may be worth a try.

Capsaicin cream provides relief for many people, although it can cause some burning when first applied. I recommend starting with the regular, not high-potency, strength.

Unfortunately, surgery -- at any level, from the end of the nerve to the brain -- has not been consistently effective and carries the risk of permanent nerve damage. A neurologist can advise you on other treatments, including injection of steroids around the spinal cord in extreme cases.

Fortunately, this complication can be largely prevented with the use of the shingles vaccine, which most people over 60 should get, even if they have had shingles before.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently heard on the news that eating nuts reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. Is this true? -- Anon.

ANSWER: The data is now pretty solid that all kinds of nuts not only reduce heart disease risk, but also cancer risk, including pancreatic cancer.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a reduction in all cancers.

I wouldn’t eat nuts just to reduce pancreatic cancer risk, but it’s a good way to improve overall

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have worn a sterling silver chain and cross for years. Over time, I have noticed that it’s gone from shiny to dark. I have never polished it. Right now it is almost black.

Is it something in my body chemistry that does this? -- V.S. ANSWER: The black discoloration is tarnish, an oxidation of the metal. Even sterling silver can tarnish, and some people’s body chemistry can indeed make tarnishing more likely. Some people will complain of the dark discoloration if the tarnish rubs off on the skin. More-acidic sweat, and more traces of sulfur, will cause more tarnish.

This is very different from nickel allergy, which can cause mild but occasionally more severe skin reactions. Sterling silver does not contain nickel.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell. edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2014 North America Synd., Inc.

GET BACK IN YOUR GAME We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions

Open from 8am to 5pm Monday - Friday Same Day Appointments Available

www.pcpgj.com | Call 970-256-5201 for an appointment Primary Care Partners Bldg | 3150 N. 12 Street | Grand Junction, Colorado Located next to the Physical Therapy Specialty Center in the lower level of the Primary Care Partners Building

12

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

HEALTH BULLETIN Myth: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for the eyes.

FACT: Although parents have been saying this ever since TVs first found their way into our homes, there’s no evidence that plunking down right in front of the TV set damages someone’s eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says that kids can actually focus up close without eyestrain better than adults, so they often develop the habit of sitting right in front of the television or holding reading material close to their eyes. However, sitting close to a TV may be a sign of nearsightedness.

Myth: If you cross your eyes, they’ll stay that way.

FACT: Contrary to the old saying, eyes will not stay that way if you cross them. If your child is crossing one eye constantly, schedule an evaluation by an ophthalmologist.

Myth: If parents have poor eyesight, their kids will inherit that trait.

FACT: Unfortunately, this one is sometimes true. If you need glasses for good vision or have developed an eye condition (such as cataracts), your kids might inherit that same trait. Discuss your family’s visual history with your doctor.

Myth: Eating carrots can improve vision.

FACT: Although it’s true that carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for sight, so are many other foods (asparagus, apricots, nectarines, and milk, for example). A wellbalanced diet can provide the vitamin A needed for good vision, says the AAO.

Myth: Computer use can damage the eyes.

FACT: According to the AAO, computer use won’t harm the eyes. However, when using a computer for long periods of time, the eyes blink less than normal (like they do when reading or performing other close work).

This makes the eyes dry, which may lead to a feeling of eyestrain or fatigue. So encourage your kids to take frequent breaks from Internet surfing or video games.

Source: www.kidshealth.org

TOP 10

FOODS FOR HEALTHY HAIR 1. Salmon 2. Walnuts 3. Oysters 4. Sweet Potatoes

GROSS FACT of the day Think you’ve got it bad when you vomit? The

longest recorded projectile vomiting is 27 feet.

5. Eggs

I wonder what he ate.

6. Spinach

Source: www.voices.yahoo.com

7. Lentils 8. Greek yogurt 9. Blueberries 10. Poultry Source: www.webmd.com

WEBSITE WE’RE

LOVIN’ h e a l t hy wo m e n . o r g

WORD OF THE DAY

CEREBELLUM Say: sair-uh-beh-lum Yo-yoing, walking, playing soccer - you couldn’t do any of it without this small but powerful part of the brain. The cerebellum controls balance, coordination, and movement. It’s way in the back of the brain, down low and near the spinal cord.

Source: www.kidshealth.org

by the numbers

AMAZING EYE FACTS

Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.

The percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the United States who were obese increased

from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent in 2012.

Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 1219 years who were obese increased from 5 percent to nearly 21 percent over the same period.

Source: www.cdc.gov

JULY - SEPT. 2014

13

PAW’S CORNER

HEALTHY PETS

Training dogs to ‘stay’

Sam Mazzotta DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I understand why I should train a dog to “sit” or “come,” but why do training books always want you to teach them to “stay”? Doesn’t telling them to sit mean the dog should stay there? - Peter L., via email DEAR PETER: “Stay” is a reinforcing command used after you order a dog to either sit or lie down. I can see your point in that it seems unnecessary, but it’s really an important training command.

During basic obedience training - which you should do with your dog daily - com-

mand the dog to “sit” in a firm voice. As soon as it follows the command and sits, use the command “stay.” Walk a few steps back, wait a moment and command the dog to “come.”

The power of this command is that it reinforces, particularly in early training stages, that the dog should stay right there.

It doesn’t get a reward until the entire training sequence is done correctly: the dog sits, stays and then comes to the owner on command.

This can take awhile for the dog to get right, so many owners break up the command training into three levels: first, teaching the dog to “sit” on command, rewarding that success with a pat or a tiny treat.

Western Valley Family Practice

For the entire family REDLANDS AFTER HOURS

970.243.1707

Mon - Fri: 5pm-9pm • Sat: 9am-4pm • Sun:10am-2pm Open to the Community Nights/Weekends

Accepting New Patients Thomas Motz, D.O. Kurtis Holmes, D.O.

Michael Hughes, M.D. Mynette Foley, M.D. Kelly Common, D.O. Korrey Klein, M.D

Ona Ridgway NP Sandra Christenson PA Cathie Hren PAC Vanessa McClellan, D.O.

“Your Family ~ your Health” www.westernvalleyfp.com

281 N. Plum St. Fruita, CO

858-9894

14

MESA COUNTY

healthy families

2237 Redlands Pkwy, GJ, CO

243-1707

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 9pm Saturday 9am-4pm | Sunday 10am-2pm

Second, getting the dog to stay seated for more than a couple of seconds. This takes a great deal of patience and repetition. Again, a reward is given when the dog “stays” for a specific amount of time, like 3 seconds, and then 10 seconds and upward. The third stage is getting the dog to stay while you’re walking away, gradually increasing the time and distance.

As the dog’s training progresses, some owners stop using the “stay” command. But it’s a word that makes obedience training much easier for both owner and dog.

Send your questions or comments to ask@ pawscorner.com.

They are your best friend, shouldn’t their health be a top priority? tarts s h t l a e ’s h Your pet t they eat. a with wh

Open Late

Mon-Fri 9am-8pm Sat 9am-7pm Sunday 10-6pm

“The Pet Professionals”

2851 North Avenue 970-245-2526 | JMAquaticsAndPetCenter.com Like us on Facebook!

JULY - SEPT. 2014

15

Now accepting new patients

Grand Valley

Pediatrics

(970) 263-2670 Monday-Friday • 8am-5pm

A service of:

603 28 1/4 Road Grand Junction, CO gvprimarycare.com Betsy Robbins, PNP

Jan Leah Lamb, DO