SUMMER 2013
CALHOUN COUNTY
Running BOOM!
Canine Therapy Man’s best friend, in sickness and in health
The Face Of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Three stories of pain, and perseverance
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HEALTHY LIVING Calhoun County Summer 2013 Editor: Brooke Carbo
ContentsSummer2013 Health & Wellness
4
4 The Face Of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Three stories of pain, and perseverance 10 Operational Efficiency Stringfellow’s operating room upgrades provide tools to improve patient care
Photographers: Stephen Gross • Trent Penny Bill Wilson • Shannon Tucker
14 Holistic Healthcare 16 Digital Diagnosis Searching for reliable medical information online
Fitness & Nutrition
Writers: Kristen Bonner • Rachael Brown Brett Buckner • Leah Cayson Patrick McCreless • Sara Milledge Brooke Nicholls-Nelson Meghan Palmer Katie Turpen • Rebecca Walker
18
18 Running Boom! Why everyone’s in such a hurry, and why you should be too
Illustrator: AnnaMaria Jacob Magazine Design: Bill Adams / Potts Marketing Group
30 Take 5 Guide Best bets for outdoor sports from those in the know
Advertising Manager: Dollie Robinson
34 Lifestyles For Healthy Eating
Advertising Executive: Jessica Ledlow
38 Saving Face Prevent and treat skin problems for a lifetime of healthy skin
Mind & Body
42
42 Canine Therapy Man’s best friend, in sickness and in health 52 The Natural Choice After two C-sections, a mother strives to give birth naturally 56 The Deinstitutionalizing Of Mental Illness Budget cuts, treatment norms shift emphasis to community mental health care 68 Divine Intervention Oxford service provides assistance for transitioning seniors 70 Calendar For Healthy Living in Calhoun County
2 Healthy Living
Consolidated Publishing Co. H. Brandt Ayers, Chairman and Publisher P. A. Sanguinetti, President Bob Davis, Associate Publisher Robert Jackson, VP of Operations and Sales Scott Calhoun, VP of Finance Healthy Living Calhoun County is a publication of Consolidated Publishing Company 4305 McClellan Blvd. Anniston, Ala. 36206 For editorial questions: 256-235-3581 For advertising: 256-235-9222 Copyright 2013 Consolidated Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
EDITOR’S NOTE
I
Koopa and Brooke Carbo t is with sincere pride, and a touch of nervous
the record, include longer lifespan, faster recovery
excitement, that I welcome you to the first issue
from illness and a multitude of mental and emotional
of Healthy Living Calhoun County.
benefits). But I was amazed, and inspired, by the
Regular readers of The Anniston Star may remem-
enormous impact the dogs of Hand in Paw are having
ber Healthy Living from its days as a quarterly news-
in nearby children’s hospitals, crisis centers, nursing
paper insert designed to keep residents of Calhoun
homes and countless other programs.
County plugged into their health and wellness com-
It is my hope that you will as well.
munity. And at the heart of those inserts, among
It was an honor to serve as the inaugural editor of
fitness trends and medical innovations, were inspiring stories of resolution and willpower, strength and survival. As Healthy Living has grown into a standalone fea-
Healthy Living Calhoun County. As a first-time editor, it was inevitable that I would take every aspect of this brand new publication to heart. Countless late nights — and more than a few
ture magazine, its story-telling abilities have grown as
early mornings — were spent triple-checking health
well. But its heart remains on the uncommon stories
stats, second-guessing headlines and debating the
of the common pursuit of health.
merits of “5K” versus “5k” by the glow of a computer
Among the many faces featured in this issue are a
monitor.
mother of three who bucked years of maternity-ward
It is my hope that the magazine you hold in your
protocol to realize her dream of a natural childbirth, a
hand reflects the tremendous talent of its contributors
man who once heard voices helping others like him-
— and, above all, that it does justice to the stories it
self while navigating the changing culture of mental
has been trusted to tell.
health, and three women with nothing in common but their unwavering resolve in the face of unpredictable, untreatable pain. You’ll also meet the volunteers, both two-legged and four, of the canine therapy group, Hand in Paw. As an
Brooke Carbo, Editor
ardent and unabashed dog person, I have long touted
Healthy Living Calhoun County
the health benefits of canine companions (which, for
bcarbo@annistonstar.com Healthy Living 3
Health & Wellness
A R
The Face Of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Three stories of pain, and perseverance By Brett Buckner Photos by Stephen Gross
IVY JACKSON
P
ZOEY CHAMBLEE
ain is meant to be fleeting — to be felt and then to disappear as quickly as it appeared. Pain is to be endured, to be outlasted. From skinned knees and broken bones, torn ligaments to post-op surgery, pain doesn’t last forever. Tell that to the 1.3 million people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Tell it to those who live with its threat, who wake every morning with the fear of its inevitable return. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, debilitating, often crippling disorder that destroys joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissue. And it’s a disease no one fully understands. “We don’t know what causes it,” explains Dr. Vishala Chindalore, a rheumatologist at the Anniston Medical Center. “Genes play a role. There is a genetic predisposition … but just because you have the genes doesn’t mean you’ll get RA.” In a healthy person the autoimmune system protects the body by attacking foreign cells such as viruses and bacteria. But for those with RA, as it’s commonly known, the immune system essentially wages war against itself, attacking
4 Healthy Living
BEAUTIFUL PHILLIPS
the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium — a thin membrane that lines the joints. This assault causes fluid to build up in the joints, but the inflammation can be systemic, meaning throughout the entire body. RA can affect not only joints, cartilage and tendons but also the optic nerve (leading to blindness), skin, liver, lungs, kidneys and heart. This is not an old person’s disorder, like osteoporosis, that’s brought on by wear and tear. “This is a chronic condition,” Chindalore says. “It can go on for years or forever. There is no cure.” That is why early detection and treatment is crucial because RA can strike at any age. It usually begins with stiffness in the morning — a stiffness that won’t let go — followed by warm, tender joints, fatigue and occasional weight loss. “There is a lot that we can do to treat RA,” Chindalore says. “With the right treatment, there’s nothing someone with RA can’t do.” The following stories of three women — a single mother, a nursing student and an entrepreneur — are testament to that fact.
A
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Ivy Jackson I’ve seen what this thing can do. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to keep it from getting to that.
couldn’t dress herself or even stand fabric touching her skin. “All I knew was to take some Aleve and hope the pain would go away,” she says. At the time, Jackson was manag-
Stress seems to be a likely culprit for Jackson’s flare-ups, a grave possibility for someone raising four children alone. The pain lessens in summer and worsens in winter, she says, estimating that she has two flare-ups a week during the colder months and one when it’s hot. Though it’s unknown what causes vy Jackson will know as soon RA, specialists tend to agree that as her feet touch the floor what genetics likely play a role. Jackson kind of day she’s going to have. doesn’t need to be told that. She It’s an assessment that has nothing need only look at her 47-year-old to do with the four children, ages cousin with RA who’s living in a 9-16, she’s raising as a single mother, nursing home because he can no but rather by the pain that courses longer take care of himself. through her body. And it’s because of him, wasting In that early morning moment, away, that Jackson is determined to Jackson knows that her responsibilido everything she can to keep her ties will either be met with excruRA in check. Part of that is stayciating agony or without, so it’s no ing mobile and exercising as much Ivy Jackson stands in front of drawings she did as a child wonder she often lingers in bed for as possible. She even does yoga at her home in Talladega. The mother of four is no lonas long as life will allow. ger able to hold a pen due to her rheumatoid arthritis. — when the pain is bad, she has her “My toes are a giveaway,” says the children help get her into position. 34-year-old, who lives in Talladega. ing an apartment complex. She had “When I actually think about the “If it takes me awhile to work through no health insurance but in November future, it terrifies me because I’ve it, to get ’em to ease up so I can walk, she finally went to the doctor who seen what this thing can do,” she says. that’s when I know it’s gonna be a bad sent her to Dr. Elizabeth Perkins, a “That’s why I’m doing everything I can day.” rheumatologist at Rheumatology Care to keep if from getting to that … that’s When RA first struck Jackson she no way to live.” Center in Sylacauga. Perkins evenfelt totally alone, isolated by pain with- tually diagnosed Jackson with RA. out end, without reason and without And while the diagnoses brought the Zoey Chamblee mercy. blessing of knowledge, the damage had I want to be normal. I “When it would flare up, I couldn’t been done. Jackson lost her job at the know I have arthritis, but I do anything,” she says. “It was like my apartment because she “just couldn’t life was coming to an end and it got so function.” still try … to just live. bad I wouldn’t have minded if it did.” She eventually got on Medicaid and Jackson was 31 when she first nolast November was granted disability or Zoey Chamblee, it started ticed her shoes weren’t fitting quite — a good thing considering she takes with a race. Zoey was a runright. The pain followed soon after. nine pills every day, 16 on Monday, ner, a member of Oxford High Her first “flare-up” actually happened a and gives herself a shot once a week. School’s cross-country team. It was a few years earlier in 2005, but her docJackson has pain medication for the passion she’d discovered years before, tor put her on Vioxx, an anti-inflamflare-ups but tries to avoid it for fear of running with her brother. She was the matory used to treat osteoarthritis, and addiction. model of good health — athletic and the pain went away — until it came “People just don’t understand how outgoing — and when she wasn’t runback with a vengeance in 2009. During terrible the pain is,” she says. “When ning she was dancing. that first “full-blown attack,” Jackson it’s in my chest, I can’t sleep or even But during her freshman year at said she couldn’t walk or wear shoes. really lie down. It feels like I’m having OHS, Zoey started having problems She couldn’t eat or pick up a drink. She a heart attack.” with her hip. The pain was nagging
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Healthy Living 5
Health & Wellness
but not unbearable. Doctors suggested that she might have a hairline fracture in her growth plate and recommended physical therapy in hopes the pain would simply go away. After all, she was only 14. That same year she was running in a county-wide cross-country meet. She was in second place, a minute off the leader, and well ahead of the rest of the pack. “Nobody was catching us,” the now 19-year-old Zoey says with a laugh. That’s when the pain in her hip came crashing down on her again, this time slowing her momentum. Zoey was in fourth place by the time she reached the finish line, where she fell to the ground in pain. “After that,” she says, “(the pain) just got worse … spreading everywhere.” It took another two years before Zoey was diagnosed with RA. In the meantime she was going to the doctor and the emergency room “all the time.” They’d run tests, she says, the results of which were often contradictory, making a complete diagnosis impossible
to pin down. All Zoey understood was the flare-ups could come at any time. “I was taking ibuprofen all the time,” she says. “I was tired and weak. Then I got a cold, which shouldn’t have been a big deal, but I just couldn’t fight it off.” Doctors thought she had leukemia because her blood count and her liver enzymes “were crazy.” She couldn’t go to school because of the pain. She was sleeping straight through the dance classes she once loved. Her life had become so miserable that she says she honestly didn’t care what it was — she just wanted to know what was wrong with her. “I went through two years of suffering,” says Zoey. “It was so awful. If I wasn’t in pain, I was sleeping all the time. I would have been fine if it had been leukemia, because at least then I could’ve known and we could’ve found a way to beat whatever it was.” Finally after two years of trial and error, Zoey was diagnosed with RA. But her fight was far from over. Medications — ranging from steroids, antiinflammatories and painkillers — are the main weapons, along with various forms of physical therapy, used to combat RA. Fortunately for those suffering with the disorder, there are numerous drugs on the market. The downside, as was the case with Zoey, is that it can take time to find the right combination of drugs to get RA under control. Thanks to a monthly IV infusion of Remicade, Zoey’s condition has only just become Zoey Chamblee rides her bike at home in Munford. The manageable. She’s graduated former high-school athlete continues to work out daily from high school and is attending despite her RA diagnosis. 6 Healthy Living
Gadsden State Community College, where she expects to graduate with a degree in nursing in the next two years. She’s very active, works out daily and rides bikes upwards of 10 miles with her friends. “And I don’t know how smart that is, but I want to be normal,” she says. “I know I have arthritis, but I still try … to just live.” Today, no one would even know Zoey has RA, unless they watch her eat. RA has settled into her jaw, to the point where she can barely open wide enough to eat or brush her teeth. She is having to consider the possibility of surgery, but as with most things, Zoey just smiles and prepares to meet the challenge straight on. “It’s gonna be a big thing,” Zoey says, adding that she eats pretty much whatever she wants simply by taking smaller bites. “But I know I’m going to be alright.”
“
Beautiful Phillips ‘No’ just wasn’t in my vocabulary. If there was something I wanted to do I did it.
B
”
eautiful Phillips’ mother thought her 5-year-old daughter was clumsy, that she couldn’t hear properly or was simply hard-headed. Her mother would try to get her attention, pointing and calling her name, but Phillips wouldn’t follow directions — not because she couldn’t hear or because she was ignoring her mother. “I just couldn’t see,” says the now
45-year-old Phillips while riding the train from Atlanta to Anniston, something she does weekly, dividing her time between her houses in both cities. “Nobody knew. I was that good at covering it up.” By the age of 5, Phillips had lost 70 percent of her vision due to RA attacking her optic nerve. Over the course of her life, multiple surgeries followed. She lost her left eye entirely after the birth of her second child and now wears a prosthesis. Visibility in her right eye is so low that it can’t be measured. But while Phillips’ world may be dark, her outlook is anything but. “I have my good days,” she says, “and I have my better days.” For all the pain and agony that RA has caused her, Phillips would be a fitting spokesperson for the determination of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle — seen or unseen. Despite her blindness, Phillips runs multiple businesses, including 1 Eye Works advertising and promotions and Door Openers R Us, a contracting business that modifies homes for the disabled and elderly. She’s also a singer and soon-to-be author. She attributes her uncompromising attitude to her parents who wouldn’t let her use her blindness as an excuse. But that didn’t come without its consequences. She was on a first-name basis with all the area ER doctors who at one point thought she was being abused when, it fact, she was riding bikes and roller skating. “‘No’ just wasn’t in my vocabulary,” she says. “If there was something I wanted to do I did it. I didn’t know
that I was any different from the other kids.” If there was one thing about herself she didn’t like, it was her name. “I wasn’t born ‘Beautiful,’” she says. “I was born with another name … a name that I hated.” Her name was Kathy, but everywhere she went, whenever she had to introduce herself in a crowd, Beautiful Phillips reads print with the aid of a magnifyit seemed as if there was always ing glass at her home in Anniston. another Kathy. It more than stole “And that’s kind of a blessing,” she her thunder, she says. In a way it says. “I just thought I was normal … stole her identity. That was until an and still do … though not exactly like afternoon years ago at a conference in everyone else.” Biloxi, Miss. As always, during introductions, someone stood up and said her name was Kathy. To learn more about Beautiful “It broke my heart because right Phillips various business ventures, then and there I became ‘the other visit www.beautifulphillips.com Kathy,’” Phillips says. “So when I stood up to tell them something about 321563 myself, I said, ‘Hello, my name Anniston OG-GYN is Beautiful’ — 901 Leighton Avenue, Suite 501 • Anniston, Alabama 36207 (256) 237-6755 and that became who I am. “It totally NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FOR changed my OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY world.” RA hasn’t J. Patrick Stewart, MD, F.A.C.O.G. affected any Lucy K. Ballard, MD, F.A.C.O.G. Cynthia Cater, MD F.A.C.O.G part of Phillips’ Jacquline Tessen, MD, F.A.C.O.G. life other than Larry Jones, MD, F.A.C.O.G. her vision, and because it caused her blindness at Full Digital Diagnostics Suite to Include: such a young age, •Digital Mammography - First in Calhoun County since August it’s really the only 2007 with computer aided detection capability. life she’s ever •Bone Densitometry - Osteoporosis screening and monitoring. known. •4D Ultrasound - Incredible real-time images of your baby. Healthy Living 7
Health & Wellness
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY Stringfellow’s operating room upgrades provide tools to improve patient care By Patrick McCreless • Photos By Bill Wilson
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r. Clint Ray's patient was in need of serious and immediate treatment. His hand had accidently been caught in the fan blade of a car engine, cutting major tendons and damaging several bones. Plenty of space was required for the tools and equipment needed to properly repair the hand. But because Ray was working out of one of Stringfellow Memorial Hospital's recently opened new operating rooms, space was not a problem. “The old operating rooms were quite small but the new ones are quite honestly the nicest I've ever seen,” Ray said. “Their size lets you do anything you want.” The Anniston hospital's $7.4 million, 22,000 square-foot expanded wing
opened for business June 3 following a year of construction. Ray wasted little time breaking in one of the three new operating rooms — surgery to repair his patient’s hand took place the next day. Ray said the new operating rooms provide a better environment for patients and doctors, resulting in better care. “In orthopedics, you have lots of hardware ... so if the room is not large, everything becomes crowded. But the new rooms have dedicated space for what you need,” he said. “It takes stress off the doctors and assistants.” In addition to the operating rooms, the expanded area has 16 waiting rooms and several surgery recovery bays and holding areas, all with
Top: RN Van Barclay works with the updated equipment in Stringfellow Memorial Hospital’s newly expanded wing.
Right: RN Stephanie Elder checks a patient’s blood pressure in a newly expanded wing of Stringfellow Memorial Hospital.
10 Healthy Living
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Healthy Living 11
Health & Wellness
state-of-the-art equipment to care for patients. Each of the new ORs has a large flat-screen television that can display real-time video, close-ups of the surgery underway or even X-rays. Two smaller touchscreen devices hang above the surgery beds, allowing surgeons a better view inside their patients. And all the beds in the ORs and the waiting rooms are made of memory foam, which is designed to prevent painful stress on any part of a patient's body. The expanded wing has a new reception area as well. Family members can keep an eye on loved ones progress through surgery and into post-operation via a large flat-screen TV. Stephanie Elder, a registered nurse at Stringfellow, said the expanded section is designed with improved patient care
in mind. “Everything is more efficient ... you're in closer proximity with the operating room,” Elder said. “And it's quieter — here you can focus more on patients.” Fellow registered nurse Katie Rogers echoes Elder’s praise. “Everything is close,” Rogers explained. “You're closer to the surgeon if you have a problem.” In Stringfellow's older operating wing, which is still in use, nurses have to travel to another area in the hospital to get medicine, Rogers said. “Now it's just right there,” she said. “Everything is more centrally located for supplies.” Jennifer Jackson, a scrub tech whose responsibilities include assisting during surgery and sterilizing surgical
equipment, said the new facility makes her job easier as well. “There's more thought out operating rooms so we're better prepared for our cases,” Jackson said after placing a number of surgical tools into a specially designed washing machine. Registered nurse Candy Davis said the new wing will help attract more business to Stringfellow. “We've already had patients come in because they heard this was brand new and that's what brought them here,” Davis said. “We're going to have a lot more business because of the new OR and doctors will want to post more cases because it's new to them too.” Jackson agreed that both physicians and patients seem attracted to the facility. “It's a new toy with a lot more space,” Jackson said. “It's great.”
Scrub tech Lezlie Ivey sterilizes surgical tools using a new specially designed washing machine in Stringfellow’s expanded operating room wing.
12 Healthy Living
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Health & Wellness
An alternative approach to health care
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By Meghan R. L. Palmer • Illustration by AnnaMaria Jacob
keptics may hear the word holistic and think quack, but there are more health care choices in America than just mainstream, or allopathic, medicine. There are osteopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, homeopaths, naturopaths — the list goes on. The term holistic quite simply means “whole.” In health care, this means the whole person — body, mind and spirit — must be considered in diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors, for example, are generally holistic practitioners. They focus on the spine and nervous system, operating under the
14 Healthy Living
tenet that treating the central nervous system will affect the entire body. Acupuncturists strive to flush out toxins and improve energy flow throughout the body (energy is a physics term — all things in chemistry and biology run on energy). Traditional doctors can also practice holistically. Allopathic medicine is based on the principle of mechanism, which states the body is a series of mechanical parts bathed in chemistry. So if something goes wrong, all that’s required is either a drug-induced chemical change, or removal or replacement of the faulty part. In contrast, vitalistic health care assumes the body is more than the sum of its parts, so great attention must be paid to how changing one part will affect the rest of the body. Each system in the human body — be it skeletal, pulmonary, nervous or muscular — relies on its fellow systems to survive and thrive. Every cell relies on the health of the whole. Think about the journey of a single atom of oxygen. Once breathed in, it passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream where it travels via pressure from the heartbeat in a closed system of vessels. The atom then passes out of the blood vessel and into a cell somewhere in the body where it is used as fuel before returning to the bloodstream as waste to be cycled out of the body. If one tiny molecule affects so many bodily systems, what happens to the food we eat? Or the drugs we take? We assume pain relievers go directly to the source of our discomfort and eradicate it. In truth, the pill must be metabolized and dispersed to every part of the body before a fraction of its contents reaches the symptomatic area. Meanwhile, a bevy of side effects take place, which may cause more harm than the good the pill is meant to accomplish. Today, many health care professionals are
gravitating toward treatment options that incorporate principles of both mechanism and vitalism philosophies. ••• Dr. Tom Barrett has practiced naturopathic medicine in Alabama for six years. He runs a naturopathic practice in Alexander City that he describes as a “general family practice with a holistic bent.” In addition to his formal medical training at Bastyr University in Washington, Barrett trained under working naturopaths and herbalists. His goal is to heal by treating the whole person — finding the cause of the symptom is crucial. “Prevention is a big focus,” Barrett said, “using knowledge of nutrition, etc.” Barrett does some osseous manipulation and soft tissue manipulation as well. He strives to promote an integrative approach, a balance of conventional practices and complementary alternative practices. “I found this as a way to combine my love of nature and medical science,” he said. “I worked as a medical autopsy assistant in
a hospital, and I found that conventional medicine alone was not enough.” One of the biggest differences between a traditional medical doctor and Barrett’s approach can be seen in the amount of time spent with a patient. When a patient comes in with symptoms of otitis media, a common earache in children, Barrett sits down with the parent and patient and tries to find the root cause of the pain, exploring lifestyle, nutrition and possible allergens in the child’s environment. What would normally be a 10-minute exam becomes a 90-minute personal, in-depth conversation. Barrett treats everything from the common cold to high blood pressure and diabetes, from gastrointestinal issues to PMS and erectile dysfunction. No matter what issue a patient is having, his advice is always the same: “The integrative medicine approach works best.” Currently, 16 states and Washington D.C. have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. Alabama is not one of those states. Until that changes, insurance companies
will not pay for Barrett’s services. Barrett, who still maintains his professional license in the state of Washington, says the naturopathic approach is not taken “instead” of mainstream medicine — but in combination with it. Barrett says his practice and others like it are in a position to complement mainstream treatment. For instance, he does not treat cancer, but he can mitigate side effects of chemotherapy and radiation by addressing diet, nutrition and exercise and boosting a patient’s immune system. He counsels patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) on toxicity levels, dietary habits, exercise routines and smoking habits. A naturopaths’ role, he says, is “to do good work and promote naturopathic medicine within the bounds of the law.” For more information, visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at http://naturopathic.org. Meghan Palmer is a holistic chiropractic practitioner and freelance writer in Rutledge, Tenn.
Partners with 86 Years of Experience The partners of Animal Medical Center, Drs. Tom Nelson, Susan LeCoq and Barry Nicholls, have been practicing veterinary medicine for a combined total of more than 86 years. They are committed to providing our area with the highest standard of veterinary healthcare, but their commitment does not end there, as all three are involved in a diverse variety of extracurricular activities enhancing the rich fabric that is Calhoun County. These doctors support the efforts of the following organizations to make our community a better place to live: Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association, Dancing With Our Stars, Anniston Runners Club, Rotary of Anniston, Boys and Girls Clubs, Relay for Life, Boy Scouts, Anniston Museum of Natural History, Calhoun County Chamber Adopt-A-School Program and individual church affiliations. Drs. Nelson, LeCoq and Nicholls’ roots run deep, and their commitment to the pets and people of Calhoun County runs deeper.
Committed to Our Community 719 Quintard Avenue, Anniston 24 Hour Emergency Service (256) 236-8387 www.amcvets.com
Health & Wellness
Digital Diagnosis Searching for reliable medical information online By Kristen Bonner
Photo AnnaMaria Jacob
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cratchy throat, feverish chills, stuffy head and body aches — typical symptoms of the flu or the common cold, easily resolved on its own with “just a little bit of rest and at-home care.” Or so says the website into which you typed your symptoms. But what if you’ve missed a symptom? What if the website isn’t credible? What if you are actually suffering from strep throat? Strep throat will also make you scratchy, feverish and achy. An infection with symptoms similar to the cold or flu, strep throat must be treated with antibi-
otic drugs to prevent further sickness or complications. “We have countless numbers of students coming in with posterior nasal drainage, a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, convinced they have strep throat,” Robert Mills, director of JSU Student Health Center, said. “But after an exam and a negative strep screen test, they leave here with allergy medicine.” Today, more and more people are opting to spend their sick days sifting through the results of an Internet symptom search. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2012 one out of 321698 three Americans typed their sympAlways There toms into an online search engine before scheduling an appointment with their doctor. It’s understandable considering You can’t always be there for a loved one. Always There the rising costs of can. We offer everything from basic care—like bathing, health care. grooming and dressing—to skilled nursing care. Not to But physicians mention the comfort of trusted companionship. urge patients to To learn more, call Always There today. be cautious when We’ll take care of your loved one. it comes to their And your worries. health. “I’m not against patients doing 931 MARTIN STREET SOUTH (Next to Winn Dixie) their own rePHONE: 205.824.0224 • FAX: 205.227.0512 search,” said Mills. WWW.ALWAYSTHEREINC.COM Locations in Huntsville, Birmingham and Pell City “It’s just not what I’m used to ... For you. And for them.
16 Healthy Living
I’ve been in the medical field for 40-plus years. If I can’t put my hands on it and feel it, I don’t believe it.” The Pew study found that the vast majority of people who seek health advice online go straight to standard search engines like Google or Bing for the sake of convenience. But the cost of convenience might be their safety, cautions Dr. Arden Aylor, a physician with the Talladega Primary and Urgent Care Center. “What the patient has to understand is that their search will return with thousands of junk websites that can turn out to be dangerous to the patient if they decide on the type of treatment the website suggests,” Aylor said. “The three free, most-reputable medical websites I suggest to my patients are Medscape, Mayo Clinic and Google Scholar.” Medscape.com, which is owned by WebMD, is organized by medical specialty — each specialty has a customized website and all content is evaluated by an advisory board of medical professionals. According to the website, it also provides “the Internet’s first primary-source medical journal,” as well as a comprehensive prescription drug database and drug interaction checker, the Medscape Drug Reference. All content on Medscape’s websites is available free of charge, though registration is required.
The Mayo Clinic is the oldest nonprofit medical group practice in the world and still leads the field in research and innovation. MayoClinic.com gives users access to the experience and knowledge of a network of more than 3,400 physicians and scientists with intuitive, easy-to-access tools such as a symptom checker and first-aid guide. The site also features an in-depth guide to a multitude of diseases and conditions and advice for healthy living, including the famous Mayo Clinic Diet. Google Scholar, found at scholar. google.com indexes the full text of scholarly literature across an array of publishing formats and disciplines. While it is not strictly a medical search engine, Google Scholar is at least a reliable database, Aylor says. “If you want to make sure you are making the best, safest decision, take the information you have found from your original search and then research Google Scholar to see if you are able to find anything to back up your findings,” he said. So what if, after all the Internet research, a patient still winds up in the doctor’s waiting room? Some patients worry that a professional will take offense to an attempt at self-diagnosis, but Mills says physicians can often sense when a patient comes in with an idea of what’s wrong. “It’s not insulting,” Mills says, but he suggests letting the doctor perform an examination. If at the end, his notes don’t match up with a patient’s expectations, by all means voice any thoughts or concerns. “But allow the doctor to do what he spent eight to 10 years in school to be able to do.”
Medical Chart-Topping Apps Smartphones put do-it-yourself healthcare at your fingertips — literally. Type “medical app” into your Apple or Google Play store and in a matter of seconds, you’ll have access to tools that will have you feeling like you went to medical school. These five medical chart-topping apps are all free and available to both iPhone and Android users. HEALTHTAP: The main draw is the ability it gives patients to seek answers from a network of 40,000 licensed U.S. physicians. The doctor rankings make it easy for users to see which answers are considered the most trustworthy. The app also provides daily “TipTaps” — tidbits of health and wellness info on topics of importance to each individual user. URGENT CARE: Urgent Care, by Great Call, gives users 24/7 access to a nurse, who can — if necessary — escalate to a boardcertified physician who can give assessments and advice and prescribe medication over the phone. Users also get access to the award-winning A.D.A.M. medical encyclopedia and a consumer-friendly symptom-checker. ITRIAGE: The iTriage app not only lets users search symptoms but discover potential causes, locate a nearby healthcare provider and make an appointment. It also acts as a digital method for storing personal health records and provides medication refill reminders. And in case of emergencies, users can check in at select hospital emergency rooms and urgent care facilities via their phone while still in route. FOODUCATE: “Healthify” your shopping list with Fooducate’s scientific algorithms that grade grocery items and break down findings with simple, concise explanations. The app then suggests healthier alternatives from its extensive database of UPCs — over 200,000 products and growing. And the tracking function is a great tool for anyone trying to shed a few pounds in a sensible, healthy way. NATURAL AWAKENINGS: The national magazine’s official app allows users to search by topic from an extensive archive of articles detailing practical, natural approaches to nutrition, fitness and wellbeing for the mind and body, written by experts with “fresh perspectives and inspired ideas.” Users also get access to a directory of natural health care experts, calendar of local events and links to exclusive members discounts and coupons on products and services for healthy living. Healthy Living 17
Fitness & Nutrition
RUNNING
BOOM!
18 Healthy Living
Why everyone’s in such a hurry, and why you should be too By Brooke Nicholls Nelson
T
he runners charge up a hill, struggling in the summer heat and happy to see a water station just ahead with cheering volunteers. Some participants reach out for cups of cold water and chug a few mouthfuls before continuing on their mission. Others charge on through without missing a beat, headphones stuffed in their ears, oblivious to the crowd, the cups, the cheers. It looks just like any other footrace in Calhoun County, but this is one of the Anniston Runners Club’s training runs, held every Thursday for the two months leading up to the 33rd annual Woodstock 5K, which this year falls on Saturday, Aug. 3. The pre-race runs have been wildly popular, even taking into account the area’s active running community. Woodstock Race Director Haley Gregg says she received requests to begin the training runs weeks in advance. The popularity of these runs is indicative of the running boom the area, and the nation as a whole, is experiencing. The Anniston Runners Club (ARC) could be the poster child for the sport’s growth, having exploded from a membership list of 49 in 2005 to 748 on the official list to date. Members hail Opposite: Woodstock 5K 2009/The Anniston Star
from Calhoun, Talladega, Etowah and Cleburne counties and beyond. Nancy Grace, 74, president of ARC and a former race director, credits the club’s burgeoning membership on its focus on meeting members’ needs. “ARC is not just a ‘runners’ club,” said Grace. “We have different groups, different divisions, such as youth running, women’s running, triathlon, ultra trail, rookie runners and We All Run (WAR), a group for middle- and highschool youths.” The ARC Grand Prix Event Calendar, an event in which members earn points for participating in a series of 14 local races ranging in distances from 5K to 10K to half marathon, is also attributed with stimulating interest. And the club’s website, e-news and Facebook pages have provided a digital method for recruiting and encouraging runners and for alerting members to upcoming races, training runs and activities in the running community. ARC offers two other motivational competitions that put members in control of their success — both on the honor system. The 1200 Mile Club is a special designation for runners who tally an average of 100 miles or more a month. The Mile-A-Day Club is a group of runners who are just getting started, or those just coming back to the sport after an injury perhaps, and who will tally at least 365 miles for the year. Running, cross-country ARC is not the only club basking in the running revival. The newly formed Gadsden Runners Club (GRC) is giving ARC a run for its money —
Woodstock 5K 2011/The Anniston Star
so to speak — in terms of membership. After the Gadsden Track Club disbanded in 2007, Etowah County runners flocked to Anniston’s active running community. But by 2012, they were hungry to once again have a club of their own. “We are in a running boom, and we all knew that we needed to get it started back up,” said GRC President Dennis Davis. “It’s been fun to watch GRC grow.” Since November, GRC’s membership list has swelled to 321 members. Davis credits the club’s success in part to local support. Healthy Living 19
Another indication of a full-blown running boom is the number of events on local race calendars. A few years ago, runners had to search to find a race every few months, but now there are usually a number of different options each weekend, all within the area or just a short drive away. Also worth noting, in the last five years there has been an upsurge of extreme challenge races, competitions for those who crave more than just the open road. For instance, mud-ridden obstacle course races, once a novelty category, now boast a participation level somewhere around 1 million. However, the 5K remains the first choice in road races, according to Lampa, with 5.2 million finishers — nearly 38 percent of all road-race finishers in the U.S. in 2011. A reason to run So what is the catalyst that has spurred this growth? GRC’s Davis said he believes people are motivated to run by health, weight
Woodstock 5K Finishers 1500 1400 1300 -
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Fitness & Nutrition
“The city of Gadsden and the city of Rainbow City have done a great job enhancing our places to run,” he said, but added that the Anniston club was also instrumental in getting GRC “back up and running.” “We couldn’t have done it without ARC and their support.” In Running USA’s 2012 State of the Sport report, Media Director Ryan Lampa points to statistics of a “second running boom, particularly as it relates to U.S. road races,” noting a 170 percent increase in road-race finishers since 1991. (The first running boom is commonly thought to have taken place in the 1970s, when more than 25 million Americans joined the fitness craze.) Paralleling the growth in ARC’s membership has been the record number of finishers for the club’s signature event — the Woodstock 5K. In 2005, 75 runners crossed the finish line on Woodstock Avenue in front of Anniston High School. Last year 1,293 of the 1,500 registered made it to the end.
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20 Healthy Living
Woodstock 5K 2009/The Anniston Star
loss, speed, distance and competition, but he says no matter what the reason, it can be life-changing. ARC’s e-news director, Justin Thurman, elicited some interesting insight with a recent post on the club’s Facebook page. He posed a simple question: “Why did you start running?” The responses were candid, heartfelt and real — ranging from the expected (“to get in shape”) to the blunt (“because I wanted to”). The No. 1 reason commenters gave as to why they’d started running was related to health. Most wanted to lose weight, others wanted to get their blood pressure down. Quite a few said they used running to relieve stress. One response, from 40-year-old James Mink, painted a particularly sobering picture: “Flashback to February 2011. My wife told me we were joining the YMCA,” Mink shared. “I was like, ‘Why?’ She said, ‘So one of us can be
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Healthy Living 21
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Fitness & Nutrition
around for our daughter when she is older.’ “I had my last cigarette April 21 (2011),” the post went on to say. As runner after runner shared their inspiration, many members weighed in with advice and words of encouragement to those just starting out. Paige Powers, 50, said that she started running to lose weight, explaining that she was tired of sitting at home on the couch while her family went out to run. When her husband, Robert, told her he was going to add her to his ARC membership, she said, “I told him I wasn’t a runner because I’m slow.” A few minutes after Powers’ post, a fellow ARC member typed, “You are a runner! It has nothing to do with speed. If that were the case a lot of us (myself included) would not be runners. The fast people are called ‘sprinters.’ LOL.” According to ARC member Will Williams, 57, a college friend tried to entice him to run, saying they would build up to run more than five miles. “I told him he was crazy,” Williams said, but admitted that he got hooked on the idea. Not long after that, Williams went out alone into a dark, rainy night and ran 15 miles, just because he
wanted to. That was more than 30 years ago, he said, and he’s been running ever since. Downside of the boom Dr. Buddy Vandervoort, a partner at Anniston Orthopaedics, has seen the impact of the running boom in several ways. A runner since his college days, 56-yearold Vandervoort says he sees more runners and walkers in his own Anniston neighborhood and around the Woodstock course, especially this time of year when train- Woodstock 5K 2011/The Anniston Star ing for the 5K ramps up. joints. “New runners should start slow The downside to that, he says, is the and progress in graduated fashion.” increase in patients he sees with runExperienced runners should be carening-related injuries. All the doctors ful not to bump up their mileage or inin his practice have seen an increase in tensity too sharply as the “sudden sigpatients with lower-extremity issues, nificant shifts in a training schedule” he said. can cause injuries, he added. “Listen to “Running is an impact exercise as your body and add some lower-impact opposed to a low-impact, which carries cross training to your schedule, like the risk of overuse injuries,” Vandercycling, swimming or walking, to help voort said, explaining that overuse prevent problems.” injuries occur over time from repetiAccording to Vandervoort, the most common running injuries are caused tive trauma to the tendons bones and
In June, the Anniston City Council passed and adopted the Historic Preservation Committee’s designation of the Woodstock 5K as an historic route, and on July 11, signs were erected on Woodstock Avenue at 12th and 14th streets marking the start and finish lines. The signs announce the race’s newly established historic status, declaring it to be “one of the oldest continuous footraces in the southeast.” Photo by Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star
24 Healthy Living
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Fitness & Nutrition
by increased mileage and overuse. Take note of what type of surface you run on, and try to vary your routes, he advises. A cambered or crowned road, one with a rise in the middle and sloping sides, can cause injuries. Fortunately, Vandervoort says, the vast majority of injuries can be treated without surgery through conservative management. That’s good news as the running boom is showing no signs of slowing down. Just like the rest of the country, Calhoun County is hooked on endorphins, and those in the know predict this is just the beginning. “I believe GRC and ARC will keep getting stronger and better,” says Davis. Both clubs offer plenty of motivation to new and old runners alike, he said, so expect the local boom to continue. “I love running,” he added. “It’s addictive.” For more information, visit the Anniston Runners Club on Facebook or at www.annistonrunners.com. Brooke Nicholls Nelson served as Woodstock race director from 20062010, and held the office of ARC president during two of those years. She has
Photos courtesy of The Anniston Star
served on the ARC Board for eight years as VP, president, triathlon director and, currently, as member-at-large.
A survey on the Anniston Runners Club Facebook page asked members “What is your favorite place to run?” The responses revealed the wide variety of options available to runners in the area. ARC member Terry Barger summed it up well in his response: “Anywhere as long as I’m doing something. It is always good to be out and about with friends, running, walking, talking...” 26 Healthy Living
The top four responses were:
1 The Chief Ladiga Trail and McClellan (tie for first) 2 Local trails – Trails mentioned included Cheaha, Pinhoti, Coldwater Mountain and Coleman Lake
3 Golden Springs 4 Woodstock 5K course
Running Injuries: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention 1 Achilles Tendonitis — The largest tendon in the body, the Achilles connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. Over time, inflammation can produce a covering of scar tissue, which can tear or rupture. Symptoms: Mild pain after exercise that may gradually worsen. Mild swelling, morning tenderness and stiffness that appears to improve with use. Dull or sharp pain along the back of the tendon, usually close to the heel. Limited ankle flexibility with redness or heat over the painful area. Lumpy nodule on tendon. Crackling sounds with ankle movement. Partial or complete tear of the tendon. Causes: Often occurs with over-training, rapid increase in training intensity or distance, or the introduction of new training techniques when body is not fully conditioned. Tight or fatigued muscles, which transfer the burden of running to the Achilles. Poor stretching. Excessive hill running or speed work. Overpronation (feet rotate too far inward on impact). Prevention: Appropriate stretching of tendon. Wearing the correct running shoes. Strengthen foot and calf muscles. Avoid excessive hill training. Orthotics. 2 Patellar Tendonitis/Chondromalacia (Runner’s Knee) — The knee, which consists of four joints, is more likely to be injured than any joint in the body. Symptoms: Dull ache around the front sides of the patella and patella tendon. Pain is most severe after hill running. Swelling around the knee. Causes: Patella out of alignment. Overpronation or overuse of joints. Running on an old injury or weak quadriceps muscles. Prevention: Strengthen and condition upper leg and hip muscle. Avoid excessive downhill running and cambered roads. Stretch quadriceps, hamstrings, IT Band and gluteal muscles. Wear correct shoes and/or orthotics. 3 Illiotibial Band (IT Band) — The IT Band rubs against the femur as it runs alongside the outside of the knee joint. Symptoms: Pain and inflammation on the outside of the knee. Dull ache that occurs shortly into a run and disappears after a run, returning as a severe sharp pain later. Pain is worse on downhill and crowned roads. Causes: Anything that causes the leg to bend inwards, stretching the IT Band against the femur. Overtraining and overpronation. Lack of stretching. Excessive hill running or crowned roads. Prevention: Avoid excessive downhill running or crowned roads. Specific stretching. Correct shoes or orthotics.
4 Plantar Fasciitis — An inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of tissue in the bottom of the foot which runs from the heel to the base of the toe. Symptoms: Pain at the base of the heel and along the fascia. Severe pain in the morning, especially when getting out of bed and when beginning a run. Causes: Stress, tension and pulling on the plantar fascia. Inflexible calf muscles and tight Achilles. Overtraining or overpronation and high arches. Incorrect or worn-out running shoes. Prevention: Stretching of tendon, particularly before running. Correct shoes. Gradual progression in training program. 5 Shin Splints — New runners are most susceptible to shin splints, the inflammation of the muscle attachments and membranes along the medial side of the tibial bone. Symptoms: Pain or tenderness along the inside of the shin, usually about halfway down the shin and may extend to knee. Pain is most severe at the start of a run, and may disappear as muscles loosen. Causes: Repeated movements during exercise that cause muscle fatigue. Inflexible calf muscles and tight Achilles tendons. Overpronation. Incorrect or worn-out shoes. Prevention: Stretching. Alter training schedule. Wear appropriate shoes, specifically motion-control shoes and orthotics to correct overpronation. Strengthen foot and calf muscles. Apply ice after running. Run on soft surfaces and limit time on pavement. Avoid over-striding, which places more stress on shins.
Where Does It Hurt?
1 Achilles Tendonitis 2 Patellar Tendonitis/ Chondromalacia 3 Illiotibial Band
3
2 4 Plantar Fasciitis
5
5 Shin Splints
1
Illustration: AnnaMaria Jacob/MCT
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Healthy Living 27
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Fitness & Nutrition
Best bets for outdoor sports from those in the know By Katie Turpen
It’s summer in Alabama, which means it’s time to escape to the great outdoors. From award-winning golf resorts to some of the country’s most scenic bike paths, adventure lurks around every corner in the bold and beautiful terrain of Northeast Alabama. Five local outdoor sports enthusiasts break down their top five picks for runners, golfers, bikers, boaters and fishers in Calhoun County and the surrounding areas. Brooke Nicholls Nelson’s Top 5 Running Trails
Brooke Nicholls Nelson / 2011 Mercedes Marathon / Submitted photo
30 Healthy Living
Brooke Nicholls Nelson, an active member of the Anniston Runner’s Club and fitness columnist for The Anniston Star, says out-of-town runners are often surprised by the variety of available trails in the area. “Trail running has exploded in this area over the past few years,” Nelson said. “We are blessed to have so many different venues.” Nelson says interest in trail running has increased because runners are looking for “something a little bit different” — a challenge that transcends the pavement. “With trail running you contend with a lot of ups and downs and dif-
ferent routes that contain water and wildlife.” Nelson’s recommended trails are easily accessible and still challenging.
1 Mount Cheaha 50K
Nelson’s favorite trail is also the route of February’s 50K run, which finishes at the summit of Mount Cheaha in Cleburne County. “There is a really great section that takes you through a beautiful waterfall,” she says. “It goes from Turnipseed Camp to Chinnabee Trail.”
2 Pinhoti Trail
The Pinhoti Trail, also near Cheaha, boasts 100 miles of hiking grounds, but Nelson says she’s partial to the
trails around Dugger Mountain, the state’s second tallest peak.
3 Coldwater Mountain
The Coldwater Mountain trails are also a popular destination for area cyclists, Nelson says, thanks to their accessibility.
4 Henry Farms
Trails such as this Jacksonville favorite, the site of a 4-mile run scheduled for October, allow runners, hikers and bikers to come together, Nelson says. “The terrain allows for a lot of overlap of athletes.”
5 Oak Mountain State Park
and Red Mountain Park “You forget you’re in the middle of a big city,” says Nelson of these two lush Birmingham escapes. Runners looking for something a bit different will find it here, from up-close views of the Vulcan statue to a zip-line tour.
special of $79 for all-day unlimited play is underway, and Muskewitz says heavy-duty sandwiches are available at the clubhouse restaurant.
resource conservation and community education.
4 Farm Links
In 2010, Oxford’s Cedar Ridge at the base of Mount Cheaha underwent a million-dollar restoration. But many of the course’s historical touches were left in tack — golfers can still see what is left of an old mill and rock reservoir.
In addition to a golf course and lodging amenities, the 3,500-acre Farm Links resort is home to a research farm and environmental-testing facility. And for those looking to add a gourmet touch to their golf game, “You will get a really good meal there,” Muskewitz pledges.
3 Twin Bridges Golf Club
5 Limestone Springs Golf Club
2 Cider Ridge Golf Club
Twin Bridges in Gadsden offers scenic trails stretching along the Coosa River. “It has a beautiful lake running through it,” Muskewitz said, and a long veranda around the clubhouse sits on a bluff overlooking the course. The club is part of the Audubon’s Signature Sanctuary Program, which emphasizes
Designed by U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate, Limestone Springs in Oneonta provides challenging plays and spectacular views of flowing streams, valleys and ridges throughout the course. Not to mention, it was voted the state’s No. 1 public access course from 2006-2009 by GolfWeek Magazine.
Al Muskewitz’ Top 5 Golf Courses Anniston Star sports writer Al Muskewitz, who covers Jacksonville State University athletics and golf, is a regular visitor to the local golf scene. Here, in no particular order, are his recommendations for golfers of all levels looking to get the best play, best views and best eats.
1 Robert Trent Jones Trail at Silver Lakes Golf Digest named this course, situated at the edge of the Talladega National Forest, one of the nation’s “Great Value” courses. A summer
Al Muskewitz / 2013 Silver Lakes Championship / Photo by Bill Wilson
Healthy Living 31
Fitness & Nutrition
Patrick Wigley / 2010 Sloss Cross cyclocross race Photo courtesy of Melissa Moore
2 Iron Legs Trail
This versatile Anniston trail offers riders 6 miles of fast, technical sections with challenging climbs and downhill slopes thrown in for fun.
3 Gene’s Loop
Wigley describes this 6.4-mile trail off Highway 9 as fun, fast and challenging, with a variety of climbs, including a particularly difficult peak called “Blow Hard Hill.”
4 Henry Farms
Jacksonville’s 3-mile long trail consists of a variety of loops and climbs. In October, the farm will be hosting a Jacksonville Health Festival and Trail Run, Wigley notes.
5 Coldwater Mountain Patrick Wigley’s Top 5 Bike Trails Patrick Wigley is the owner of Wig’s Wheels — the Noble Street bicycle and skateboard shop that sponsors every cycling event in Calhoun County — and not coincidently an avid mountain biker. Maps of many of the trails listed here are available at wigswheels.com in the “Where to Ride” section.
For an epic mountain-biking experience, Wigley recommends the trails that put Anniston on the map as a biking destination. Included in the 14-mile scenic trail are the Forever Wild trails, which were designed by the International Mountain Biking Association.
David Haynes’ Top 5 Canoeing Streams For his latest book, “Paddling Alabama: From the Mountains to the Sea,” adventure author David Haynes packed his canoe and two Golden Retrievers for 45 days on the Alabama Scenic River Trail. Haynes breaks down his top five canoe trips in order of popularity and provides important reminders before heading out on the water. “Water level is important on all of these runs but especially for the freeflowing streams,” he warns. “It’s no fun dragging a canoe over exposed rocks for miles on a hot summer day.”
1 Coosa River
First on his list is the Coosa River, between Jordan Dam and the town of Wetumpka, where two shops rent canoes and kayaks to visitors. This river keeps a steady water level all summer long and makes for an exciting ride. “This section features several small rapids and shoals as well as one Class II-III rapid called Moccasin Gap,” Haynes said.
1 Chief Ladiga Trail
Alabama’s first rails-to-trails project has attracted attention from runners and cyclists nationwide. One portion of the trail, which connects cities, neighborhoods and parks, stands out for its gorgeous views, says Wigley. “There is a real scenic segment between Piedmont and the Georgia state line.”
32 Healthy Living
David Haynes, with travel companions Roscoe and Bailey / Alabama Scenic River Trail / Submitted photo
Charles Johnson and bass / Lake Guntersville / Submitted photo
2 Mulberry Fork
The 3 miles along the Warrior River between Garden City and Bangor aren’t for the faint of heart. This pass sports “numerous Class II rapids and ends with a long Class III,” Haynes said. “It is usually runnable during winter, spring and only after heavy rains in summer.”
3 Locust Fork
“For experienced boaters only!” warns Haynes of another Warrior River hotspot, between Highway 79 at Cleveland and Highway 160 at Nectar. “It has nearly continuous Class II-III rapids and one Class III-IV and an 8-foot waterfall.”
4 Bear Creek
Thanks to scheduled releases throughout the summer, this Northwest Alabama run is sure to have a steady water flow, which means “paddling is available when other streams are dried up,” Haynes explains. It’s an easy ride, he adds, except near Factory Falls, where a tricky rapid must be carefully paddled.
5 West Fork of the Sipsey
Also in Northwest Alabama, this Bankhead National Forest fork begins at the picnic area off of Cranal Road and ends beside Double Springs. “And it’s suitable for all skill levels,” Haynes says. “This 10-mile run has only one Class II rapid and several easy shoals and smaller rapids.”
Charles Johnson’s Top 5 Fishing Spots Charles Johnson, the outdoor reporter for The Anniston Star, is an avid fisherman who loves spending time on the water. Johnson says people travel from all over the country to fish Alabama’s nationally recognized lakes and streams. His favorite spots offer a variety of fishing opportunities.
1 Lake Guntersville
For bass fishing, Johnson recommends Alabama’s largest lake, which stretches about 75 miles from Guntersville to Bridgeport, Tenn. “If you want to catch a 5-pound bass, that’s the place to go,” he says. Lake Guntersville is home to the 2014 Bassmaster classic and was No. 4 on Bassmaster magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes in 2013.
2 Logan Martin
Coming in at No. 100 on Bassmaster’s list, Logan Martin along the Coosa River is Johnson’s pick for a fun family getaway.
“This lake definitely sees a lot of boat traffic,” he said. There’s just one drawback: “It’s the only lake in the Coosa River chain with no public boat ramp."
3 Sipsey Fork on the Black
Warrior River With an average water temperature of 68-72 degrees, this is the go-to destination for trout. “People travel several thousand miles to go trout fishing here in Alabama,” Johnson said adding, “It’s also great for kids’ fishing.”
4 Clay County Public Lakes
The three lakes of Clay County, covering an area of about 40-50 acres near Highway 9, are Johnson’s suggestion for catfish. The lakes are kept up by the Alabama Department of Conservation of National Resources. “They have picnic tables, a bait shop and a boat ramp,” said Johnson.
5 Lay Lake
“Lay Lake is a top choice for bass, crappie and catfish,” says Johnson. Located about 35 miles south of Birmingham, its waters have hosted several Bassmaster Classics, not to mention it boasts seven public access areas. Healthy Living 33
Fitness & Nutrition
Lifestyles for Healthy Eating
F
By Leah Cayson
ad diets come and go, but with the wide range of lifestyle diets common today, more people than ever seem to be subscribing to these healthier, long-term solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all diet, says Beth Kitchin, a registered dietitian and associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Sciences at UAB. “If you’re a carb lover, going on a low-carb diet will be miserable,” Kitchin explains. All diets provide the opportunity to make both healthy and unhealthy choices, she said, but everyone has different needs. “Food is something that should be a pleasure,” she says. “My first priority is, ‘Do I like this?’ I’m not going to eat it just because it is healthy and I hate it.” Think about your medical history and personal needs, Kitchin advises, and meet with a registered dietitian to develop a healthy lifestyle diet that’s right for you. VEGETARIAN DIET WHAT IT IS: Vegetarians, strictly speaking, do not eat meat, poultry or seafood. People may choose a vegetarian lifestyle for health, ecological, moral or religious reasons. A lacto vegetarian (also called a lactarian) is a vegetarian who consumes dairy products, including milk and cheese. A lacto-ovo vegetarian is a lactarian who also consumes eggs. WHAT YOU CAN EAT: tofu, beans, grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT: meat, poultry, fish and other seafood PROS: According to the American
34 Healthy Living
Dietetic Association, a well-planned vegetarian diet is healthy and nutritionally adequate, and has been known to assist in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer. Vegetarian diets are approved for women who are pregnant or nursing, children from infants to adolescents, and for athletes. CONS: There is an increased risk of vegetarians not getting enough protein, iron, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B12 from their diet.
lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and may help prevent chronic diseases. It also increases antioxidant intake. CONS: There is an increased risk of vegans not getting enough protein, iron, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B12 from their diet. There is the potential for interference with existing medical conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes. It can be difficult to dine out.
DAY ON THE PLATE (sample menu): Breakfast: French toast with fruit Lunch: Greek salad with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and feta cheese Dinner: Eggplant parmesan Snack: Peanut butter with a sliced apple
DAY ON THE PLATE (sample menu): Breakfast: Oatmeal made with soymilk and strawberries with brown sugar Lunch: Spicy tofu lettuce wraps Dinner: Taco salad with vegetarian refried beans, salsa, guacamole and corn tortilla chips Snack: Kale chips
VEGAN DIET WHAT IT IS: Vegans do not consume any food derived from animals, such as eggs, dairy products and sometimes honey. Vegans’ protein needs can be met through legumes, grains and various greens. Veganism allows people to achieve a cruelty-free lifestyle by avoiding all animal products. Ethical, or environmental, vegans abstain from animal products not just in their diet, but in all areas of life, which includes wool, silk, bone china and any product tested on animals.
PALEOLITHIC DIET WHAT IT IS: Sometimes referred to as the caveman diet, the paleolithic diet is a generally low-carb diet that mimics the foods humans’ hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed during the Paleolithic era. Characteristics include higher protein intake, low carb intake, low glycemic index, low sodium intake and high fiber intake. The paleo diet also encourages a higher fat intake, which mainly consists of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with balanced Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats.
WHAT YOU CAN EAT: tofu, beans, grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT: meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy and any animal product including gelatin, whey, lard, etc.
WHAT YOU CAN EAT: meat, fish poultry, fruits and vegetables WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT: refined sugar, dairy, legumes and grains
PROS: Like the vegetarian diet, a well-planned vegan diet has a number of health benefits such as weight loss,
PROS: The paleo diet creates stable energy levels and keeps you fuller longer, reducing hunger in between meals. The elimination of carbs has been known to result in the loss of fat and, Photos courtesy of MCT
ultimately, rapid weight loss. CONS: Many nutrients are lost by cutting out all dairy and grains. Maintaining a paleo lifestyle can also be more expensive than diets that are not meat-centric.
most oats and barley. Gluten-free diets are suggested for people with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease caused by an allergy to gluten. Due to inflammation in the small intestine caused by gluten, they cannot absorb food properly.
DAY ON THE PLATE (sample menu): Breakfast: Eggs fried in coconut oil, bacon and avocado Lunch: Ahi Poke made with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, red onion and sesame seeds. Dinner: Salmon, asparagus and sliced tomatoes Snack: Banana with almond butter
WHAT YOU CAN EAT: Beans, seeds, nuts in their natural unprocessed form, fresh eggs, fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated), fruits and vegetables, most dairy products. Some grains and starches including rice, corn, quinoa, buckwheat, soy, sorghum, tapioca, etc. WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT: Bread, cereal, pasta, cake/cookies/pastry, processed lunch meat, fried food with breading, many seasonings, most gravies, sauces and dressings.
GLUTEN-FREE DIET WHAT IT IS: Gluten is a combination of proteins found in wheat, rye, spelt,
PROS: A gluten-free diet often results in fewer digestive issues, less inflam-
mation and more energy. People with diabetes, IBS, autism and osteoporosis have been known to benefit from the dietary restrictions associated with this lifestyle. Adherents eat less fast food and processed food, replacing those foods with fruits and vegetables, which provides a number of health benefits, not least of all weight loss. CONS: Gluten-free diets are often low in B vitamins, iron, calcium and dietary fiber. It can be challenging to follow a strictly gluten-free diet. Because of the prevalence of gluten in many ingredients and processed foods, there is a high risk of accidental ingestion and cross contamination. DAY ON THE PLATE (sample menu): Breakfast: Omelet with ham, cheese and veggies Lunch: Pizza rice cakes and freshpopped popcorn Dinner: Baked chicken seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika and a side of steamed broccoli Snack: Edamame
322810you know‌ Did Dr. Angela Martin
Asthma remains one of the main causes for hospitalization and death in children.
Helping our local children breathe easy is a worthy cause.
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The Pediatric Care Center of Northeast Alabama has received a grant to combat this terrible malady affecting children of all walks of life. Training will be for teachers, nurses and parents of asthmatics; as well as school staff. Emphasis will be on addressing and mitigating the asthma triggers.
The Pediatric Care Center 256.237.1184
304 East 4th Street, Anniston, AL Healthy Living 35
Fitness & Nutrition
Saving Face
Prevent and treat skin problems for a lifetime of healthy skin By Rebecca Walker
Diana Wilson catches some rays as she sunbathes on the beach in Destin, Fla., July 7. Photo by Trent Penny
Wash Your Face Daily. Wear Sunscreen. Don’t Smoke. This mantra for healthy skin is usually committed to memory, if not practice, by adulthood. However, as it ages, changes in skin’s makeup require different approaches. It’s easy to see the differences in an 80-year-old’s skin compared to a 20-year-old, but understanding why those differences exist is important. Pinch healthy skin and it rebounds smoothly back into place. That’s elastin at work. As skin ages, it produces less and less elastin as well as collagen — a protein that keeps skin looking plump and supple. Along with the loss of these proteins, skin becomes thinner and the underlying fat layer erodes, which helps keep skin looking smooth. Dr. Shelley Ray, medical director of Prestige Medical Spa in Oxford, says she’s seen countless middle-aged adults wanting to treat wrinkles and saggy skin in her 12 years practicing dermatology and internal medicine. “As you age, you lose volume,” she said. “This leads to a lot of problems around the mouth, such as wrinkles and down-turning outside of lips.” Dry skin is another symptom of aging. Fatty acids known as lipids keep 38 Healthy Living
skin moisturized. Fewer and fewer are produced by the body as years go by. A loss of oil and sweat glands also contributes to dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends adults with dry skin refrain from full-body bathing on a daily basis. Those who can’t stand the idea of not bathing daily should use water at a cooler temperature, as well as a moisturizing cleanser, rather than soap, which can dry skin further. Ray says moisturizer isn’t usually necessary until you’ve reached an age where skin is drying out. “Until you’re in your late 50s or 60s, when oil glands decrease oil productions, you don’t have to moisturize unless you have hereditary dry skin,” she said. Normal, healthy skin produces the moisture it requires. It’s a myth, Ray says, that everyone should be using moisturizer, and the sooner the better. “That’s just not the case,” she said. “I see teenagers coming in saying they moisturize daily, and I say, ‘You don’t need to do that. You’ve got enough oil in your skin for you, me and all of us.’” The skin’s ability to heal and regenerate also slows down as it ages. Healing takes two to three times longer for older adults as compared to young adults. It’s for this reason that exfoliating becomes more important for adults
in their late 30s or 40s. “It helps skin cells come off because they don’t shed as well or as fast as they need to,” Ray explained. “Skin doesn’t turn over as rapidly as it did in your 20s.” Ray recommends using a loofah pad or a cleaning product with an exfoliating scrub in it every week or 10 days beginning in the late 30s.
Skin’s worst enemy: Sun
“General skin care is the same for everybody, regardless of age,” Ray said. “Sunblock is so, so, so important. If someone never moisturizes and has a little dry skin, so what? But if you get really sunburned and have sun damage, it can hurt you. Skin cancer kills.” The terms “UVA” and “UVB” get tossed around a lot when talking about sun damage. UVA rays make up 95 percent of the UV radiation on earth and cause the majority of skin tanning, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Tanning is actually damage to skin’s DNA. These rays penetrate the skin, accelerating the aging process, and darkening results as the skin attempts to prevent further damage. After decades of sun exposure, dark patches of skin known as liver or age spots appear. This is caused by excess melanin produced in younger years in an attempt to protect skin from ultra-
violet ray exposure. Scientists once believed that UVA could not cause cancer, but in the last 20 years, studies have suggested that UVA rays initiate the development of skin cancer. Most skin cancers are caused by sun exposure during a person’s 20s, 30s and 40s, and exposure to tanning beds, which primarily give off UVA, during youth increases the risk of skin cancer by 75 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Studies have also shown those who use tanning beds are more likely to develop carcinoma. Ray recommends avoiding both outdoor and indoor tanning, but says she’s not sure that society will ever break its addiction to tanning. “People always tell me brown fat is better than white fat,” Ray said, laughing. “So I always try to talk people into using self tanner and not getting into a tanning bed.” Prestige Medical Spa offers a full line of self-tanning products, she says — the award-winning St. Tropez line includes products for gradual selftanning, one-night instant color and tan enhancers. UVB rays lead to sunburn and damage the outside layer of the skin. These rays also play a large part in developing
skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends avoiding the sun from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the months of April through October to prevent damage from UVB rays. Obviously, avoiding the sun during the day is not always a reasonable expectation. “Men get out there to cut grass without a shirt on and end up with a red face and shoulders,” Ray said. “Wear a hat and long sleeves and long pants to cover up when possible.” Ray acknowledged it can be difficult
The two most common accelerants in the aging of skin: sun and cigarettes
Baylely Wilson applies sunscreen for a day on the beach in Destin, Fla., July 4. Photo by Trent Penny
to convince people to wear long sleeves during the hot Alabama summers, but because skin cancer is the No. 1 problem Ray treats at her practice, she still urges patients to take precautions. She recommends people of every age wear sunscreen regularly. A sunscreen’s SPF indicates how long a product will delay sunburn caused by UVB. For instance, it will take 15 times longer for skin to burn with SPF 15 compared to no sunscreen. Experts recommend a minimum of SPF 15 for adequate protection, which screens against 93 percent of the sun’s UVB rays. SPF 30 protects against 97 percent, and SPF 50 against 98 percent. “Start with day one. Even put it on infants. A large majority of skin cancers start before you’re even 20,” she said. “You’ve just got to keep wearing it.” Repairing sun damage: Though there’s no guarantee for complete repair, there are procedures and treatments to try and minimize damage already caused by the sun. When sunburn develops, Ray recommends taking an anti-inflammatory
Skin’s worst enemy: Smoking Smoking cigarettes leads to premature wrinkles, among other health issues. The nicotine found in cigarettes restricts blood flow to the skin, causing it to become oxygen-starved, which leads to pruning. “You never want to smoke,” Ray warns. “It definitely causes more wrinkles. It also causes vertical lip lines.” The way a smoker holds his or her face while inhaling and exhaling creates these lines. This repeated muscle movement ingrains deep lines in the face. According to the Mayo Clinic, these wrinkles and skin damage begin to appear after 10 years of smoking, and the longer a person smokes, and the more cigarettes they smoke, contribute to worse damage over time.
drug, such as ibuprofen, and also applying antioxidant creams which can help limit sun damage. Using aloe vera, or any cool emollients or moisturizer cream, can also aid in healing the skin. “Sunburn kills the skin. That’s why everything peels,” Ray said. Ray sees a lot of women and men coming in for wrinkle treatments, wanting to reverse sun damage from their 20s. Procedures like Retin-A and laser treatments, as well as other topical treatments, can help with longterm damage, Ray said. “We have different procedures for pre-cancers, such as photodynamic light therapy,” she said. “It’s a light treatment that attacks abnormal cells. It won’t take you back to before you had all the damage, but it can help, and might prevent future precancers or skin cancers from coming up.” Healthy Living 39
Fitness & Nutrition St. Tropez sunless tanning products, available at Prestige Medical Spa in Oxford, offer sunbathers an alternative to skin-damaging UVA rays. Photo by Steven Gross
Lifestyle for healthy skin Though medical treatments are often effective, they can also be costly. To avoid a trip to the dermatologist, make active decisions for a lifestyle that will keep skin healthy longer.
also increases epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline. This causes blood flow to decrease, which leads to a yellow complexion and an increase in toxins.
Sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation leads the body to produce less collagen, the protein that keeps skin plump and supple, and more cortisol, the hormone that breaks down elastin, which allows skin to stretch and return to it’s normal appearance. It is recommended that adults sleep six to eight hours, or five complete sleep cycles, for optimum health. But how you sleep can impact skin as well. “If you sleep on one side or the other, you will see more wrinkles on the side you’re sleeping on,” Ray said. “Sleeping on your back helps reduce wrinkles.”
Exercise: One way to reduce the presence of cortisol is exercise. Exercise also flushes toxins from the body via sweat, which research has found can improve the skin’s ability to heal by up to 25 percent, according to research conducted at Ohio State University. Often, people see increased breakouts after working out, typically due to clogged pores. To keep pores clean of bacteria, wear cotton workout clothes and no makeup while exercising, wash hands before and after and shower as soon after a workout as possible.
Stress: Cortisol is produced not only in response to sleep deprivation, but any type of stress. Cortisol puts the immune system on alert so the body is prepared for infections, but an excess of cortisol increases blood sugar and causes fat to collect around the body’s organs and promotes glycation, which makes collagen stiff and can result in wrinkles. Stress reduces hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes and helps protect skin — especially after sun exposure. Stress 40 Healthy Living
Diet: The debate over whether fatty foods leads to breakouts is ongoing, but the research shows that certain foods can improve skin’s condition. “Eating foods with antioxidants in them, such as salmon and blueberries, reduces free radicals in the skin,” Ray said. “And drink plenty of water. That’s just good for healthy skin.” It won’t increase skin’s moisture, she said, but compared to “junky” sodas, including diet sodas, it will help clear up acne and improve skin’s overall condition.
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Healthy Living 41
Mind & Body
Canine therapy: Man’s best friend, in sickness and in health By Brooke Carbo • Photos by Shannon Tucker
42 Healthy Living
Cold noses spread warm feelings from group homes to cancer wards
O
n the first Saturday of the month, three small dogs trot down a hallway in the longterm care unit of NHC HealthCare. The two long-haired pups — one white, one grey — turn their heads expectantly at each open door, as the tiny rat terrier tugs slightly on his leash, inspecting something on the other side of the hall. It is nearing the end of the monthly PAWS visit — a ministry of First United Methodist Church of Anniston where church members and their pets visit NHC assisted living residents and rehabilitation patients. As they pass one of the last doors on the hall, a petite brunette pops her head out and flags them down. “Can you bring them in and let my mom see them, please?” Three wagging tails happily oblige. A calendar on the wall of Bille Woodward’s room has the PAWS visit clearly marked. Her daughter, Joni Ray, says she always visits when she knows the dogs are coming. “It just calms her down so much …
she’s happier — I can tell she’s happier,” Ray said. Woodward has been a resident at NHC since November 2012. Before that, she was in and out of rehab and before that, Ray brought her home to live with her. At the time, her daughter’s dog, a Westie by the name of Chloe, was staying there as well. The two became instantly attached, Ray said. “She watched over Mom,” Ray said. “She’d sit right beside her on the couch, she’d go get in the bed with her.” During one of Woodward’s stint at the rehabilitation center, Ray often brought Chloe with her to visit. It seemed to make a difference.
“I think dogs have a sense of people’s needs,” she said. “They know when people have special needs.” FUMC’s canine visitation program was established more than 25 years ago. Every month since, a group of church members and their four-legged friends gather at NHC HealthCare and spend the afternoon going room to room — the dogs clamoring into wheelchair-bound laps and sidling up to bedsides all along the way. Everyone wants to pet them and often ask to hold the smaller dogs. Often patients will share stories about a pet they once loved. It’s been about eight years since founder PAWS Rita Wells handed
Opposite: Cash gets ready to greet residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham during a July 3 visit by Hand in Paw. Right: Daisy the Bichon happily visits with Helen Green at NHC during the PAWS visit in May.
Healthy Living 43
Mind & Body
over the reigns to Yvonne Alt. But Alt knows that to the residents and patients of NHC, she is not the face of PAWS — that role is filled by the furry faces of Gili and Twila, the two Havanese that make the rounds with her each month. Alt believes it’s their natural gentleness and their unconditional love for humans that make dogs so uniquely gifted at this type of therapy. “Mine are always happier when people are around,” she said. Especially for patients for whom visits come few and far between, the PAWS pups’ wagging tales offer the simple joy of knowing someone is glad to see you.
44 Healthy Living
‘Even for a minute’ Canine therapy programs like PAWS are popping up across the country in what seems to be an endless variety of programs — from calming frazzled airline passengers at LAX to comforting residents of Newtown, Conn., in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting. And throughout central Alabama, human/canine therapy teams, instantly recognizable by their cheerful yellow Hand in Paw bandanas, can be found in more than 60 facilities — visiting the sick, comforting the troubled and inspiring recovery. The dogs of Hand in Paw, a canine therapy organization founded in Birmingham in 1996, are
professionally trained volunteers, all registered through Pet Partners, the worldwide authority for animal-assisted therapy. Volunteer Leah LaGrone, who has two rescued Great Danes active in Hand in Paw, says dogs must be “bomb proof ” to pass the organization’s rigorous standards, meaning “they can’t react to people running up to them, loud noises, being around other dogs.” Two days a week, LaGrone spends her afternoon in the Safe Harbor Palliative Care unit of the Birmingham VA Medical Center. On Wednesdays she’s accompanied by 4-year-old Pink and on Mondays by 6-year-old Blue who, at 150 pounds, “makes a big impression
Maude Whorton greets Twila the Havanese therapy dog, owned and handled by Yvonne Alt with PAWS at NHC.
321746 Anniston EMS
Healthy Living 45
Mind & Body
wherever he goes,” she says. Safe Harbor’s bereavement coordinator, Helen Italiano, calls the visits “one of the most meaningful volunteer programs we have on the unit.” When Italiano took over as bereavement coordinator in 2009, one of her first acts was to get hospital policies updated to allow canine visitors. “Our patients are very ill — they live with unpredictability,” she explained. “The comfort and joy (the dogs) bring our vets is immeasurable.” According to LaGrone, the patients are not the only ones who look forward to their visits — it’s therapeutic for the families and even the staff. “It’s a very stressful job,” she explained. “This lets them forget for a few moments what’s going on.” Just down the road from the VA hospital, Cathy Ward and a big, black dog named Cash hope to have the same effect — just on a much younger audience. Ward is a team leader for Hand in Paw’s Ronald McDonald House visits. Cash is a Great Dane-Lab rescue who “was made to do this,” Ward says. The pair joins several other therapy teams for twice monthly visits to the Birmingham children and family facility. “If we can take their minds off of it, even for a minute, it makes a huge difference,” she says. That’s an assessment many are quick to back up. Ronald McDonald House manager Erin Bowman has spent eight years witnessing the effect therapy dogs have on the young residents in her care. “As soon as they find out (the dogs) are here, they’re running,” Bowman said. “It lifts their spirits a lot — their whole demeanor changes.” 46 Healthy Living
Hand in Paw therapy dog McGee listens as a child tells him how much she loves his Fourth of July photo during a visit at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.
A resident of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham plays with Hand in Paw therapy dogs Cocoa and Molly.
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Healthy Living 47
Mind & Body
“They’re angry, they’ve got all these Ben Kendall of Marshall County walls up. They don’t want to be there, doesn’t need eight years of delighted children to know the profound impact they don’t want to be with you,” she describes. That’s where Olsson’s partner, of an outstretched paw — one smile a 2-year-old Golden Retriever named peeking out from behind the mask Susie, and others worn by his daughter, like her come in. Brooklyn, was proof “The dogs just break enough. through that barrier.” In their three weeks For children with at the Ronald McDonevery reason not to ald House, Kendall and rely on those en3-year-old Brooklyn trusted with their were visited by Hand care, Susie’s temin Paw teams both at perament of calm the facility and at the Cynthia Olsson, Kirkland Clinic where Pawsitive Living volunteer trust and unflagging loyalty often sparks a Brooklyn was undergoing radiation treatment. “When the dogs come in she just brightens up,” Kendall said.
“Animals can be so comforting and therapeutic in a way that people can’t be.”
Learning to trust In addition to hospital visits, Hand in Paw dogs have stopped by the campuses of Montevallo, Samford and UAB during finals week to offer students a few stress-free moments. There are programs in place at Magnolia Creek for young women struggling with eating disorders and at the Bell Center, where doctors have built physical therapy programs designed with canine partners in mind. Hand in Paw dogs have even managed to get through to the abandoned and at-risk youths of Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center. Twice a year, Pawsitive Living conducts a 12-week session with the young residents of the Daniel Houses — homes for boys ages 4-16, many of whom have been removed from dangerous home environments or find themselves facing juvenile detention. Cynthia Olsson has participated in the Pawsitive Living program at Glenwood for close to a decade. 48 Healthy Living
connection that weeks on a therapist’s couch couldn’t manage. “They know the dog isn’t going to hurt them, isn’t going to abuse their trust, doesn’t care what they look like, doesn’t care what they’ve done. And that’s how we build a relationship with them,” explained Olsson. The weekly two-hour sessions are “very structured,” she says. “That’s what they need.” The sessions are moderated and, besides acting as an icebreaker, the dogs take a central role in activities designed to address complex issues such as self-control and intolerance. One message that Olsson said often hits home with the troubled youths is
Hand in Paw volunteers Cathy Ward and Cash visit with a resident of the Ronald McDonald House July 3 in Birmingham.
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Healthy Living 49
Mind & Body
the lesson on being a responsible pet owner. Many come from backgrounds in which the only dogs they’ve encountered have been abandoned, neglected, often abused. “That hits a nerve with the boys that have been abandoned,” she says. “We explain that all the dogs have problems — this one barks all night, this dog digs under the fence. Does that mean you are going to send one to the pound?” Without fail, the boys are horrified at the thought of turning one of the dogs out. “In this way we talk about their feelings, to parallel you don’t have to be perfect.” The younger boys sometimes don’t
50 Healthy Living
grasp the concepts, Olsson said. “They just want to pet the dog but as they’re petting and brushing, they start talking.” Susie is Olsson’s second canine therapy partner. For eight years, Boyd, also a Golden, accompanied her to Glenwood. The last child who got to know Boyd started the program “deathly afraid of dogs,” Olsson recalls. “But Boyd was so calm and sweet, it got to where he’d zoom into the room and go straight to Boyd, he was so happy to see him. He really loved Boyd.” They were not yet halfway though the 12-week session when Boyd died. Although it was incredibly difficult, Olsson said the thought of the young
man waiting for her weekly visit kept her showing up — even without her partner. She worried how losing his friend would affect him, and in a few weeks got her answer. “Later on he said to me, ‘Ms. Cynthia, I just want to tell you I’ve had a hard time with anger for a long time, but now when I get angry I think about Boyd and how calm he was,’” Olsson recounts. “And then he got to meet to Susie.” For more information on Hand in Paw, visit www.handinpaw.org. To participate in FUMC’s PAWS program, contact Yvonne Alt at 256-236-5605.
A young girl staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham pets therapy dog Molly during a Hand in Paw visit on July 3.
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utumn Cove Retirement Community is located on 25 Autumn Cove landscaped acres in a pastoral setting in Golden Springs. Our beautifully designed 65-bed community features private studio-style, one and two-bedroom units for a total of 56 apartment homes that residents may furnish to their own taste and style. “My mom is at home here. We know our family could not make it without Autumn Cove and we apprectiate all the wonderul care we’ve gotten.” -Ellen Bass. All utilities including broadband internet service, cable TV, local phone service, housekeeping and maintenance services are included at no additional cost. Skype is also available for our residents to speak face to face with loved ones who live abroad! At Autumn Cove our goal is to assist our residents with their daily needs while encouraging as much independence as possible. Licensed by the State of Alabama for Assisted Living and Specialty Care Assisted Living, each resident is assessed to determine their individual needs and a customized service plan is developed that will best meet their needs. Our Specialty Care program is designed to provide the care and services needed for individuals who have mild to moderate memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our program promotes memory stimulation through specialized activities designed to allow residents with memory impairment to live an interesting, enriched and dignified life. “Anyone with a loved one in need of assisted living or special needs such as Alzheimer’s, dementia or a physical disablilty should seriously consider Autumn Cove as a choice for this all important decision.” –Todd Caldwell Our professional staff is available 24 hours a day to provide assistance and to guarantee a secure residential environment.
This includes our nursing staff that is available around the clock to provide medication assistance or administration and to monitor the health and wellbeing of each resident. Our nurses work closely with our residents’ preferred physician to ensure that they receive the appropriate medications and other health services needed to enhance and prolong their life. “I was able to see first hand the type of care Autumn Cove residents receive. What I saw gave me tremendous relief and peace of mind. Everyone without fail, was kind, thoughtful, and totally attentive to my mother’s needs.” –Todd Caldwell Scheduled transportation to medical appointments is provided while a local Podiatrist holds clinic, in-house, for our residents every 8 weeks, providing valuable preventive and ongoing foot care. Our grounds include the beautiful ¼ mile Woody’s Way Nature Trail with a level walking area, cozy seating areas, flower gardens, bird houses and feeders and more. In addition, our residents enjoy the accessability of laundry facilities and coziness of our restaurant-style dining room. All meals are provided with delicious food with ample portions that are served for all palates and fully planned to accommodate a healthy age appropriate diet. “This is where you need to come for that final point in your life when you have earned a vacation.” –Maggie Aderholdt Long Term Care Insurance is accepted. Also, Veterans Benefits are available in many cases for veterans and spouses of deceased veterans. Information can be obtained from your local VA Administration Office. To schedule a tour of our facility or to request a brochure, call 256-831-7474.
Autumn Cove Retirement Community
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Southern Belles fellowship on the Veranda. Dancing the night away.
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Healthy Living 51
Mind & Body
a natural choice
After two C-sections, a mother strives to give birth naturally with doctor, family support By Rachael Brown Photos by Stephen Gross
W
Robby and Crystal Joplin spend time with their children, from left, 4-year-old Eli, 3-month-old Jude and 6-year-old Luke in the family’s backyard in Oxford.
hen Crystal Joplin became pregnant with her third child, her doctor told her it would be difficult — perhaps impossible — to deliver the baby without another cesarean section. Joplin said that before she became pregnant with Jude, now 3 months old, she just assumed she’d have another C-section. “I just thought that I didn’t have a chance,” she said. But she was also apprehensive about having another surgery. Joplin delivered her 6-year-old son, Luke, and 4-year-old son, Eli, at Regional Medical Center. She used epidurals during both deliveries to help ease the pain and eventually both boys were delivered via C-section. “For me I guess I just knew that I just was not settled with my first two births. I felt like I wasn’t educated enough. There were too many interventions that led to my C-sections,” Joplin said. Joplin believes C-sections are necessary in some cases, but she preferred to avoid surgery if at all possible. It was her husband, Robby, who suggested
she attempt a vaginal birth with their third child. “I was concerned because it’s very rare for a woman who’s had two Csections to find a doctor that will allow it,” Joplin said. Her previous doctor told the mother of three she could attempt a vaginal birth, but he wanted her to schedule a C-section as a precautionary measure before her due date. “I essentially had a deadline,” Joplin said. “That was just a red flag to me.”
“
52 Healthy Living
No matter how your birth is you will always remember it like it was yesterday. Nancy Makransky, doula at RMC
”
But she says she knew a vaginal birth was possible with the right support. So she used Facebook to seek advice from fellow mothers and to look for a doctor who could help her achieve the kind of birth she’d wanted from the beginning. Joplin met Dr. Joshua Johannson when she was 17 weeks pregnant and
in him she found an ally. Johannson, an ob-gyn at RMC and the Cheaha Women’s Health and Wellness Center at Fort McClellan, told Joplin he believed the best way for her to achieve a vaginal birth after a cesarean would be for her to deliver without pain medication and with the help of a doula — a doula helps parents prepare for childbirth and uses physical techniques and calming measures during the birthing process. Joplin said she talked over the plan with her husband and 20 minutes later they agreed to attempt a natural birth with Johannson’s help. Soon after, Joplin and her husband met with Nancy Makransky, a doula recommended by Johannson. “She was so encouraging to me,” Joplin said of Makransky. “She was very positive.” Makransky helped Joplin prepare for the birth of her third child by teaching her comfort measures to help ease labor pains naturally. “My husband said that she even helped him to be more confident in our decision,” she added. When Joplin went into labor,
Makransky arrived at the family’s home to get ready for Jude’s birth. Before going to RMC, Joplin labored at home for eight or nine hours, where she said Makransky did everything in her power to make her comfortable. “She’s in for the long haul. She was rubbing my back. She gave me a foot massage,” Joplin said. “Just her presence was an encouragement.” On Feb. 18, after more than 24 hours of labor, Joplin held baby Jude in her arms for the first time. She credits both Makransky and Johannson for helping her achieve her goal of not just a vaginal birth, but a natural one as well. Joplin described her experience with the doula as a “ministry for women.” “She was a servant to me during my birth. I’m glad to be a recipient of what she does,” she said. While Makransky was working as a labor and delivery nurse in Valdosta, Ga., she said a midwife told her she
was a natural doula. Makransky said she’d never heard that term before and didn’t even realize the pain management and comfort techniques she employed were exactly what a doula is trained to do. It’s been seven years since Makransky became a practicing doula and she’s helped more than 40 women give birth. Makransky said she currently works with one or two women each month, helping them deliver at RMC. Makransky said the childbirth classes she provides for parents are very hands-on and include massage techniques and breathing exercises. She also focuses a great deal on teaching fathers how they can be helpful during a delivery. “I show dads how to calm their wives and calm themselves,” Makransky said. The doula also encourages mothers in labor to follow their instincts since, as she explains, they know what’s best
for their babies and their bodies. “I’m very much into preparing and childbirth classes, but I really believe a woman could have a baby by herself. You don’t know it all intellectually, but you do know it instinctually,” Makransky said. According to Makransky, most doulas charge between $350 and $1,000 for their services, which include two prenatal visits, support and encouragement during the labor and birth, and a postpartum visit with breastfeeding assistance. “No matter how your birth is you will always remember it like it was yesterday. If it is an empowering experience then you are an empowered woman and empowered mother,” she explains. Johannson is an advocate of water labor and the help of a doula to support mothers through a natural birth. “Immersion in the warm water relaxes the muscles and creates pain relief. A lot of women will get a lot of
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Healthy Living 53
Mind & Body
Crystal Joplin recently gave birth to her third child naturally after delivering her first two sons via C-section.
Labor tub at RMC offers wave of relief
RN Jessica Ledbetter explains RMC’s water labor pool to expectant mother Emily Henderson. Photo by Trent Penny
By Rachael Brown
relief from a deep soaking in the pool,” he said. The pool at RMC has been used by around 10 laboring mothers, and is a safe and natural approach to pain relief. Johannson said he’s very supportive of women who want to deliver their babies without the use of medical interventions. “I think that’s not a very common thing so women looking for that don’t have a lot of options,” Johannson said. “I think it’s more feasible than people believe it is.” Johannson said it’s important for mothers who want to attempt a natural birth to be supported by their families and their health care providers. “I’ve had patients who want a natural birth and have had their families talk them out of it,” he said. Oftentimes, he says, one medical intervention leads to another, which Joplin said was the case during her C-sections. For example, Johannson said, a woman who is induced into labor often needs pain medication, which could lead to fetal heart rate abnormalities and the need for a C-section. “The healthiest pregnancies go into spontaneous labor between 29 and 41 weeks,” he said. Johannson said every medical intervention could also have a potential side effect. An epidural could cause a woman’s labor to slow, blood pressure to drop and the baby’s heart rate could change. In the most extreme case, he saw a woman paralyzed because of an epidural. Not all epidurals have the same pain relief, he said, because the dosage depends on the anesthesiologist administering the drugs. “I’m not against epidurals. I think there’s a place for them, but there are potential side effects,” he said. “I think for women who don’t want it they need to be supported. They’re not irrational.” “Anything you can do that makes labor better for women, that supports women, that’s a healthier option you kind of have to promote,” Johannson said. “Some people need interventions, but we’d like to use it sparingly.” 54 Healthy Living
Women looking for relief from labor pains during a natural birth at Regional Medical Center have turned to warm water for comfort. Lynn Watson, a registered nurse and clinical coordinator for obstetrics at RMC, said eight women have used the hospital’s water labor tub since February. Watson said many laboring mothers find the tub soothing as it allows them to move around and change positions, rather than being confined to a bed connected to monitors. The tub is available to women who haven’t used medical interventions, such as an epidural, during their labor and who aren’t at risk for medical complications. “I had one girl tell me it was better than an epidural,” Watson said. The woman was giving birth to her second child and she’d had an epidural with her first. “She came in the second time and really wanted to do it without one,” Watson said. “She said it really helped.” The warm water is monitored by nurses throughout the labor to ensure it remains close to the mother’s natural body temperature. “If the mother’s temperature gets too low or high it affects the baby,” Watson said. When a mother feels the need to actively push, she’s helped out of the tub to continue with the birth. Watson said she’s seen an increase in women who prefer to have a natural birth and want to try water labor. She credited Dr. Joshua Johannson’s encouragement of natural labor for some of that growth. “Whatever they want to do we just try to support them through the process,” Watson said. The hospital encourages expectant mothers to attend prenatal classes and create a birth plan so they’re more prepared for the process. During preparation, Watson said, an expectant mother must also check with her primary physician to make sure water labor is an option. For instance, a mother who has high blood pressure that must be continually monitored throughout the birth would not be a candidate for water labor, Watson said. With RMC’s success and patients’ newfound interest in water labor, the hospital is considering purchasing another tub to continue to support the needs of mothers in Calhoun County, she said.
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Healthy Living 55
Mind & Body
the
deinstitutionalizing of mental illness Story and Photos by Sara Milledge
“
I saw people running up and down the street like the world was going to come to an end. That’s what I saw, you know. That’s what I thought I saw… That’s when my momma took me back to the hospital.
”
-Tim Tart
56 Healthy Living
Budget cuts, treatment norms shift emphasis to community mental health care
T
im Tart purses his lips. A pair of wire-rimmed glasses hangs from his shirt. His eyes focus on the ceiling and his hand finds his mouth as he prepares to tell his story. It’s a story he’s told a hundred times — to students, doctors, coworkers, friends. He is not ashamed. Tart is an employee of the Crisis Center of Birmingham. He owns a candy-red truck. He collects car tags. He rents a small apartment. He also suffers from mental illness. “I was in school when it happened, when it first started,” said Tart. “I was at Alabama A&M. I got depressed up there. To be honest, I started drinking really heavily. That’s when I got sick.” Tart was diagnosed with obsessivecompulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behavior. “You know how some people have OCD for washing their hands? Mine’s checking things. You know, like twisting knobs. Just checking things, you know,” Tart said, repeating the statement over and over. “Twisting handles on doors,” he continued. “Like at my house — I twisted the knob on the faucet on my sink to the point that it broke the rubber washer in it. It broke it. I just kept twisting to make sure it was off.” Tart also suffers from schizoaffective
disorder, a condition in which a person experiences symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia, such as delusions or hallucinations, combined with mood disorder symptoms, like mania or depression. “I heard voices maybe once or twice in my whole life,” Tart said. “I saw things about once. You want me to tell you what I saw? I don’t mind.” He doesn’t flinch. “The voices. The voices I heard were like, ‘Satan, Satan.’ That’s what I thought I heard. As I was sitting in the living room of my house, I was looking out the door. I saw people running up and down the street like the world was going to come to an end. That’s what I saw, you know. That’s what I thought I saw. My illness, you know,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “That’s when my momma took me back to the hospital.” After withdrawing from school, Tart was admitted to UAB’s Center for Psychiatric Medicine. “To be honest, I tried to commit suicide,” he said. “My head started feeling real tight. I went to UAB Hospital. That’s the first hospital I went to. Then I started hearing voices and seeing things, just for a short period of time. Then the doctor recommended that I go to Bryce.” Bryce Hospital is Alabama’s largest and oldest inpatient mental health facility. Opened in 1861, the hospital currently holds 268 beds for full-time committed patients. Bryce is now one of the two mental health facilities in the state slated to remain open after this year. •••
Opposite: Tim Tart, an employee of the Crisis Center of Birmingham who suffers from a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, tells his story for a graduate student project at the University of Alabama.
In February 2012, the Alabama Department of Mental Health announced plans to lay off 948 employees and close all but two of its psychiatric hospitals by spring of 2013. The decision was prompted by a 10 percent slash in the department’s 2013 budget, reducing it from $116 million a year to about $104.4 million. Patients like Tart who already participate in an outpatient rehabilitation program will not be affected by the cuts, but demand for such programs is expected to increase. Piper Place, the program Tart attends, is an outpatient rehabilitation program in Birmingham for adults with serious mental illnesses. It currently serves approximately 150 of Birmingham’s estimated 11,000 citizens suffering from serious mental illness. And the wait list is growing. Although prompted by budget cuts, the state’s plan to close inpatient psychiatric facilities in favor of outpatient community mental health programs is part of a nationwide movement. Known as deinstitutionalization, it’s a process that involves taking people with mental illnesses — often referred to as mental health clients or consumers rather than patients — and moving them out of extended-stay psychiatric hospitals. Instead of receiving treatment in a hospital, mental health consumers participate in community treatment that’s less isolated with an emphasis on socialization. Alabama’s recent shift toward deinstitutionalization does “a couple of things,” said Mickey Turner, executive director of the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board. “One, it’s cheaper.” Healthy Living 57
Mind & Body
In 2012, the ADMH estimated that the cost to care for one psychiatric patient at an inpatient facility to be $140,000, compared to about $60,000 for community resources to provide outpatient treatment. Medicaid does not cover institutionalized care, but it will reimburse ADMH for most of the cost of community care. “The second thing we’re able to do in outpatient is we’re able to keep the person out in the community,” Turner continued. “Family can help provide the support system they need.” The director of the Crisis Center of Birmingham, Mike Falligant, oversees the Piper Place program. He echoed Turner’s thoughts on the benefits of deinstitutionalization and outpatient treatment programs. “Being in an environment where it’s
321611 Staff Medical
58 Healthy Living
safe and they can talk to other people who have a mental illness and learn to develop those basic social skills that most of us have learned is very important and it gives them confidence, it gives them practice. We place a high value on that social interaction piece,” Falligant said. Although the statewide shift toward deinstitutionalization has been fairly recent, it’s an option that’s been available locally for decades. “We’ve had outpatient programs since the inception of the facility,” said Turner. “Everything we do right now is outpatient.” The Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Board came into existence in 1967 after the Alabama Legislature passed a bill establishing regional mental health boards or authorities, and
relies primarily on federal funding. During its tenure as the area’s only mental health center, CCMHB has grown its staff, expanded its facilities and extended its programs with the help of government grants. Piper Place does not receive such grants to help fund programs, relying instead on funding from Medicaid and the United Way and community donations. ••• At the CCMHB, Turner sits at his well-organized desk behind stacks of papers and a half-empty candy dish. His office walls are lined with diplomas and family pictures. He listens intently and when he speaks, he does so quietly and deliberately. The couch across from his desk is not the only clue to his background in psychology.
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Mind & Body Mental health consumers at Piper Place West in Bessemer participate in a group therapy session.
In the courtyard outside his office, mental health consumers sit in white wire chairs. Hazy smoke from their cigarettes contrasts with the bright summer sun. “They must be on a smoke break,” Turner offered, explaining that cigarettes and soda help curb some of the side effects of psychiatric medications. The consumers at CCMHB participate in one of four outpatient programs for adults with mental illnesses. Whether they are referred by the court or a doctor or have come on their own referral, each begins treatment in the General Outpatient Program. “They can just call and make an appointment,” Turner said, adding selfreferrals are the most common. “If it’s an emergency, we’ll see you that day. If 60 Healthy Living
not, we’ll schedule the earliest available appointment.” From there, consumers are referred to more intensive programs, like the Rehabilitative Day Program, which requires consumers to come in at least once a week for therapy. The program is available at CCMHB satellites in Heflin and Jacksonville, as well as Anniston. “They receive individual therapy, they receive group therapy, they do psycho-educational training,” said Turner, explaining that the program works to help consumers improve functioning and facilitate recovery. However, the Rehabilitative Day Program goes beyond striving to achieve clinical goals — it also emphasizes achieving personal goals, regaining
self-worth and participating within families and communities. The Adult Day Treatment Program is a more aggressive treatment option. Consumers come in three to five days a week for in individual therapy, group therapy, medication monitoring and psycho-education. The program is designed to act as a bridge between acute treatment and less intensive services, and focuses on community living skills and enhanced integration into the community. The highest level of mental health programs the CCMHB offers at this time is the Partial Hospitalization Program. “It’s a lot more intense,” Turner said simply. Consumers remain in the program
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Mind & Body
for six months and are expected to attend therapy multiple times during the week. While most of the programs emphasize social and living skills, the Partial Hospitalization Program focuses on keeping mental health consumers out of the hospital. After six months, the consumers are discharged from the program and may choose to reenter a less intensive program. But in most cases, consumers in the Partial Hospitalization Program suffer from illnesses that will not allow them to return to another program. “They usually will come back to adult day treatment,” Turner explained. “Oftentimes that’s needed.” Although Turner feels outpatient treatment is beneficial for the patient and the taxpayer, nationally people have found fault with the trend of deinstitutionalization. A recent news report cited a 2004 study that estimated 16 percent of
inmates suffer from a serious form of mental illness. That same year, there were about 100,000 beds in inpatient mental health facilities across the country, one-third the number of people with mental illnesses in jail or prison. There is also the issue of stereotyping. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, one in four adults suffers from mental illness each year, and about 187,000 Alabama residents live with a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Despite its pervasiveness, mental illness is often stigmatized and some communities are not comfortable with outpatient treatment centers operating in their area. Some mental health professionals blame the media for perpetuating these fears. Mike Latham, or “Little Mike” as Piper Place consumers call him, is the programs director at Piper Place
West in Bessemer and has a master’s in counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In his opinion, the media’s representation of mental health consumers like Tart is “totally inaccurate.” “It doesn’t represent in any way the mental health population. People always talk about that movie ‘A Beautiful Mind’ and (say) ‘That’s so close to the real thing,’” Latham said. “I don’t think it comes anywhere close.” To understand the reality of mental illness, you need to see it firsthand, he said. “I think that the only way you can really know is to spend time with people.” Falligant’s son, 22-year-old John Michael Falligant, grew up working with people with mental illnesses. He said he did not realize that his comfort with mental health consumers was anything out of the ordinary until he got to college, where he realized that age-old stereotypes still prevailed. “For me, growing up with consumers, having them over at the house, going with my dad to work and hanging out with these people who have a serious mental illness, I never thought anything different about it. I never really thought that was weird because that’s what I was exposed to,” Falligant said. The reaction of his
Alicia Ingalls talks with friends during a game of bingo at Piper Place West .
62 Healthy Living
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Mind & Body
peers around people with mental illness confused him initially. “They’d act really uncomfortable or even surprised and I couldn’t understand what the deal was,” he said. “A lot of times, people with serious mental illnesses may look differently, talk differently and act differently than the people that you’re used to. You kind of have to get over your initial (discomfort) because they are different from you and they’re different from the people you’re used to being around.” Still, members of some communities don’t like the idea of people with mental illnesses living or being treated next door. Some community mental health centers have even received complaints from neighboring businesses. But with Alabama experiencing some of the largest budget cuts to
Teresa Stewart calls out her winning bingo card. The mental health consumers at Piper Place West often play bingo as part of the program's focus on socialization.
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Mind & Body
mental health spending in the country, the deinstitutionalization of mental health in the state may be here to stay. For consumers like Tart, at least, outpatient treatment has proved much more beneficial than years spent bouncing from hospital to hospital. “If you work hard and do what you’re supposed to, the program will work for you,” he said. “It worked for me.”
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66 Healthy Living
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FACILITY AND THE MANY OTHER PARD PROGRAMS CALL (256)236-8221 Healthy Living 67
Mind & Body
Divine Intervention Oxford service provides assistance for transitioning seniors
Story and Photos by Katie Turpen
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TOP: Divine Help in Health Care in Oxford provides sitters and homemakers for senior citizens in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne and Tallapoosa counties. ABOVE: Nakia Street, a RN and certified senior adviser, opened Divine Help in Health Care in March.
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akia Street vividly remembers tagging along with her mother on caregiving visits in her hometown of Ashland, a small community in Clay County. After years of witnessing the gift her mother had for caring for the elderly, she was inspired to attend nursing school. “She always tells people, ‘Well, now I get to live my nursing dream through my daughter,’” says Street. In 2002, Street took a break from nursing to start up a nonprofit, Northeast Alabama CDC, with a friend. However, after seven years flew by, she decided she would be happier pursuing a career that combined her passion for nursing with her skill in business. “I’m more of a business person than the hands-on type,” Street explained. “I decided to take the next step beyond just sitting for someone and turn it into an actual business.”
In March, Street opened Divine Help in Health Care in Oxford, a service that provides sitters and homemakers for senior citizens in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne and Tallapoosa counties. The Divine Help office also holds weekly primary caregiver training sessions, led by regional agents of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, that are open to the public. Isaac Chappell, an Extension office regional agent, led an eightweek summer program called “Preparing Families for Future Health and Wealth Challenge.” These sessions focused on debt consolidation and money management. The goal of caregiver training is to equip employees with tools to help struggling families come up with a financial plan. Additional topics for trainings include nutrition, health and safety issues. “Anybody can come to these trainings as long as they RSVP,” Street said. “They will even provide lunch for you.” The training sessions are held every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at either the office or, if there is a large turnout, at a local senior citizen center. “We do training using iPad technology,” Street said. “They are allowed to keep the iPad for three days and that device contains all the caregiving information.” Street is a certified senior advisor and non-practicing registered nurse. Her team at Divine Health consists of a marketing director, licensed social worker and 10 sitters, all of whom have undergone at least 75 hours of training. Street says the company is still in the process of getting Medicaid certification, at which point it will be able to provide medical services and accept Medicaid. Homemakers run errands, do laundry, shopping and take senior citizens
Weekly primary caregiver training sessions, led by Alabama Cooperative Extension agents at the Divine Help office, are open to the public.
to doctor’s appointments. They also make regular check-ups and safety calls. “We give each participant the Alabama home caregiver’s manual,” Street explained. “It has guidelines for caregiving, aging, communication with the elderly, personal care, bathing, health monitoring skills, etc.” In addition to the manual, the office has a model bedroom for a senior citizen with a sign that reads, “What’s wrong with this bedroom?” At first glance, the twin bed, lamp and rocking chair seem acceptable but Street makes sure her trainees learn to take a closer look. “We make them find all of the safety issues,” she said. “For example, a grandmother would need a bedside table instead of a lamp so she can have something sturdy to hold onto when she gets out of bed.” Street says she is hoping to keep the number of employees at a modest number of 10 because it allows her to establish relationships and build trust with the individuals she is sending out as official caregivers and sitters. “I don’t like just letting someone fill out an application and then sending
them off to someone’s home. That’s not safe,” she said. “Once I get to know someone and their personality, I know who to place in what home.” Divine Health’s clientele comes from referrals, word of mouth or through local senior citizen community centers. Street makes a point to define the difference between a caregiver and a sitter. Her business offers both, depending on the client’s need. “A sitter is someone who is simply brought in as a companion,” Street said. “A caregiver actually cooks, cleans and runs errands. We also do livein care where the caregiver actually moves in with the family.” Street wants to make it clear that her business is not meant to be in competition with nursing homes or assisted living facilities in the area. She and her team have one central goal: to make the transition to a nursing home smoother for both the senior citizens and their families. “A sitter is the first step before assisted living,” Street said. “We are the eyes and ears to let you know if it’s time for them to go into assisted living.” Healthy Living 69
Calendar for Living Healthy Calhoun County 2013 JULY JULY 31 2013 Project REAL Conference on Reentry Substance abuse and HIV prevention 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Anniston City Meeting Center www.hscal.com
AUGUST AUG. 3 Health Fair sponsored by RMC Anniston 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Quintard Mall, Oxford AUG. 3 Woodstock 5K RRCA National Championship Kidstock 1-mile run 7:30 a.m. Anniston High School www.woodstock5k.com AUG. 9 ADPH Women’s Health Update Conference “Women’s Health: Understanding the Heart of the Matter” 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Bruno Conference Center, Birmingham AUG. 10 JSU Field Schools: Take A Hike! Explore Pinhoti Trail with the Anniston Outdoor Association Call 256-782-8010 for times, meeting locations AUG. 12 Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation Open House 4-7 p.m. Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation AUG. 12 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 10 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Calhoun Career Tech, Jacksonville AUG. 17 Hobson City Public Library 5K and Charity Ride 7 a.m. Hobson City Library AUG. 21 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Coldwater Elementary School, Anniston 70 Healthy Living
AUG. 22 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 12:30-2:30 p.m. Cobb Elementary School, Anniston AUG. 24 Top Trails 5K/10K 7 a.m. Top Trails Outdoor Park, Talladega AUG. 26 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30-10:30 a.m. Anniston Middle School AUG. 27 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30-10:30 a.m., Pleasant Valley High School, Jacksonville 12:30-2:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Jacksonville AUG. 28 Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. CE Hanna School, Oxford AUG. 28 Lunch & Learn: Getting to Know The Talladega Forest 12-1 p.m. Cane Creek Community Garden at McClellan www.aces.edu/Calhoun/mg/
SEPTEMBER SEP. 3 Flu Shot Clinic, Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30-10:30 a.m., Dearmanville Elementary, Dearmanville 12:30- 2:30 p.m., White Plains High School, Anniston SEP. 4 Flu Shot Clinic, Health/Osteoporosis Screening 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wellborn High School, Anniston SEP. 5 Flu Shot Clinic 8:30-10 a.m., GSCC Ayers campus, Anniston 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Constantine Elementary School, Anniston
SEP. 7 Birmingham Bicycle Club 40th Annual Century Ride Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series Ashville High School, Ashville www.bhambikeclub.org SEP. 11 Flu Shot Clinic 8:30-9 a.m., Ohatchee High School, Ohatchee 10:30-11:30 a.m., Ohatchee Elementary School, Ohatchee 1-2 p.m., Weaver Elementary School, Weaver SEP. 14 XTERRA Red Mountain State Park 9/4.5 Mile Trail Run A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Trail Running Series race 7 a.m. Red Mountain State Park, Birmingham SEP. 14 JSU Field Schools: Take A Hike! Explore Pinhoti Trail with the Anniston Outdoor Association Call 256-782-8010 for times, meeting locations SEP. 16 Flu Shot Clinic 8:30-10 a.m., Oxford High School 10:30-11 a.m., Oxford Freshman Academy 12:30-1 p.m., Oxford Board of Education 1:30-2:30 p.m., Oxford Elementary School SEP. 18 Flu Shot Clinic 8:30-10 a.m., Wellborn Elementary, Anniston 12:00-12:45 p.m., Randolph Park Elementary School, Anniston 1:15-2 p.m., Cobb Elementary School, Anniston SEP. 19 Flu Shot Clinic 8:30-10 a.m., Kitty Stone Elementary School, Jacksonville 11-11:30 a.m., Calhoun Career Tech, Jacksonville SEP. 21 Spring City Cycling Club “All-You-CanEat” Century Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series Madison County High School, Gurley www.springcity.org
Calendar Calendar for Living Healthy Calhoun County 2013Cal SEP. 21 Wags Walk 1-Mile Walk 9 a.m. Zinn Park, Anniston
OCT. 5 Janney Furnace 5K 8 a.m. Janney Furnace Museum, Ohatchee
SEP. 21 Break Their Chains 5K on Broad 8 a.m. Broad Street, Gadsden
OCT. 12 11th Annual Glassner Autumn Challenge Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series Pintlala Baptist Church, Pintlala www.mgmbikeclub.org
SEP. 22 Talladega 21000 Half Marathon and 5K Lap Around the Track 7:30 a.m. Talladega Superspeedway www.talladegahalfmarathon.com SEP. 25-26 National Hazing Prevention Week Presentation Leone Cole Auditorium, JSU campus Contact khsmith@jsu.edu SEP. 28 XTERRA Cheaha State Park 10K A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Trail Running Series race 7 a.m. Cheaha State Park, Delta SEP. 28 10th Annual Johnny Ray Century Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika www.eastalabamacyclingclub.com SEP. 29 Walk Now for Autism Speaks 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Theron Montgomery Building Lawn, JSU campus
OCTOBER OCT. 2-3 Blood Drive 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Theron Montgomery Building Auditorium, JSU campus OCT. 4-6 Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop Alabama 4H Center, Columbiana www.outdooralabama.com OCT. 5 Boy Scouts Strong 10K/5K/1 mile 8 a.m. Camp Sequoyah, Delta
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OCT. 12 JSU Field Schools: Take A Hike! Explore Pinhoti Trail with the Anniston Outdoor Association Call 256-782-8010 for times, meeting locations OCT. 16 Better Breathers Club Meeting Stringfellow Memorial Hospital Call 256-235-8762 for time, location OCT. 19 XTERRA Alabama 4-mile Trail Run A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Trail Running Series race Henry Farm Park, Jacksonville OCT. 26 Gamecock Gallop 5K JSU Campus, Jacksonville
NOVEMBER NOV. 2 NHC Healthcare Golden Memories 5K Fun Walk/Run 8 a.m. Golden Springs Community Center, Anniston NOV. 2-3 Pinhoti 100-Mile Trail Run Pine Glen Campground, Heflin NOV. 9 Second Annual Run for Missions 9 a.m. USATF Certified 5K Route, Gadsden NOV. 9 CPT Kyle Comfort Memorial 5K Walk and Run 8 a.m. McClellan Medical Mall, Anniston
SEP. 21 SEP. 21 NOV. 9 Wags Walk 1-MileWags WalkWa JSU Field Schools: Take A Hike! 9 a.m. Explore Pinhoti Trail with the Anniston 9 a.m. Zinn Park Outdoor Association Zinn Park, Anniston Call 256-782-8010 for times, meeting SEP. 21 SEP. 21 locations Break Th Break Their Chains 5K on 8 a.m. 8 a.m. NOV. 10 Broad Str Broad Street, XTERRA Oak Mountain State ParkGadsden 21K/10K/5K SEP.Trail 22 RunningSEP. 22 A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Talladeg Talladega 21000 Half Mara Series race Lap Arou LapPelham Around the Track Oak Mountain State Park, 7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. Talladega Talladega Superspeedway NOV. 16 www.talla Mocs on the Trail Runwww.talladegahalfmarathon 5K Gadsden SEP. 25 SEP. 25-26 National National Hazing Preventio NOV. 21 Presenta Presentation Great American Smokeout Leone Co Leone Cole Auditorium, JSU American Cancer Society Contact k Contact khsmith@jsu.edu www.cancer.org
SEP. 28 SEP. 28 Nov. 30 XTERRA 9.6/2.4 CheahaXTERRA State Pa XTERRA Coldwater Mountain A 2013 X A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Mile Trail Run Series raceRunningSeries rac A 2013 XTERRA Alabama Trail 7 a.m. 7 a.m. Series race Cheaha State Park,Cheaha Delta S Coldwater
DECEMBER
SEP. 28 SEP. 28 10thRay Ann 10th Annual Johnny C Alabama Alabama Backroads Centur DEC. 7 Trinity U Trinity United Methodist C Chief Ladiga Half Marathon www.east www.eastalabamacyclingclu 8 a.m. Piedmont Eubanks Welcome Center, SEP. 29 SEP. 29 Piedmont WalkSpea No Walk Now for Autism 11 a.m.-3 11 a.m.-3 p.m. DEC. 14 Theron M Buildi Dashing Through the Theron SpringsMontgomery 5K campus campus Talladega www.shocco.org
OCTOBER OCTO
DEC. 14 OCT. 2-3 OCT. 2JSU Field Schools: Take A Hike! Blood Explore Pinhoti Trail with theDrive Anniston Blood Dr Outdoor Association 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 10:30 a.m Theronmeeting Montgomery Theron Buildi M Call 256-782-8010 for times, JSU campus JSU camp locations
OCT. 4-6 OCT. 4DEC. 28 Becoming an Outdoors Becomin W Etowah’s Heroes 5K/1-Mile Fun Run Workshop Worksho Convention Hall, Gadsden Alabama 4H Center, Alabama Colum www.outdooralabama.com www.out
OCT. 5 OCT. 5 Boy Scouts StrongBoy 10K/5K Scou 8 a.m. 8 a.m. Camp Sequoyah, Delta Camp Se Compiled by Katie Turpen
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1 Membership 2 YMCAs Month to Month Membership Includes ALL of this: Indoor Climate Controlled Pool Indoor Walking Track Gymnasium Racquetball Courts Free Weights Cardio Theatre Wi-Fi Whirlpools Sauna Steam Room Youth and Adult Locker Rooms Area’s Largest Variety of Fitness Classes
NO CONTRACTS Anniston YMCA 29 West 14th Street Anniston AL 36201 256-238-YMCA
Visit us at www.ymcacalhoun.org
Oxford Y For Now 1710 Alabama Hwy 21 South Oxford AL 36203 256-832-YMCA
YMCA OF CALHOUN COUNTY
OPE- N Friday
Monday 5 pm 8 am -
Dr. Beatrous, Dr. Sycheva and Dr. Lattuada are accepting new patients and referrals can be made by calling (256) 847-3369.
Providing Radiation Treatments and Chemotherapy Treatments in one convenient location. Thomas E. Beatrous MD Radiation Oncologist
Thomas E. Beatrous, MD received his medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine and completed an internship at Tulane Medical Center. He completed his residency at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. He is board certified in radiation oncology. Dr. Beatrous is a fellow of the American Board of Radiology and the American
Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Southern Medical Association, the Southern Oncology Association, and the Alabama Medical Association.
Tatyana Sycheva, MD
Medical Oncologist/ Hematologist
Dr. Sycheva obtained her medical degree from Minsk State Medical Institute, Minsk Belarus. She completed a fellowship in Hematology from Byelorussian State Institute of Advancement for Physicians, Minsk, Belarus. A native of Belarus, Dr. Sycheva immigrated to the US in 1996. After moving to the USA she completed a Residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology from Tufts University School of
Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Sycheva has practiced Hematology/Oncology in San Francisco, California prior to relocating to Alabama. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Sycheva is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology.
Charles P. Lattuada, Jr., MD, FACP Medical Oncologist
Charles Lattuada, Jr, MD, FACP obtained his medical degree from Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed an Internship and first year Residency in Family Practice at Carswell Air Force BaseRegional Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He also completed an Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Wilford Hall Medical Center Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology and Infectious Disease at Wilford Hall Medical Center Lackland AFB. A native of Wisconsin, after a 20 year career in the United States Air Force, Dr. Lattuada has practiced Oncology and
Infectious Disease in Louisiana and Arkansas prior to relocating to Alabama. Dr. Lattuada is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Infectious Disease. He holds licensure in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. Dr. Lattuada is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Infectious Disease Society of America, and a Fellow of American College of Physicians. He has several published articles and has presented at several national meetings.
OUR COMMUNITY COMMUNITY Benefits
More Than $25 Million Million In In Employee Wages And And Benefits Benefits $27.7 Million In Uncompensated UncompensatedCare Care Paid In Excess Of $1.2 $1.2 Million Million In InTaxes Taxes OUR PEOPLE OUR
QUALITY QUALITY
OUR FACILITY OUR
GIVING GIVINGBACK BACK
321 Associates tt 321 174 Physicians on Medical tt 174 Medical Staff Staff 16 Volunteers tt 16 Invested $10.2 $10.2 Million Million for Invested for facility facility and and serservice improvements improvements over vice over the the past past five five years years
These benefits benefits highlight highlight some These some of of the the many many ways that Stringfellow Memorial Hospital ways that Stringfellow Memorial Hospital positively impacts impacts our positively our community. community. Our Our asassociates, physicians and hospital volunteers sociates, physicians and hospital volunteers work hard hard to to provide provide the work the highest highest quality quality care care available to our patients. available to our patients. We are proud to have served Northeast Alabama We are proud to have served Northeast Alabama since 1938. since 1938.
ttChest ChestPain PainAccreditation Accreditation ttAmerican AmericanHeart HeartAssociation AssociationGet Getwith withthe the Guidelines GuidelinesSilver SilverAward Award ttRaised Raised$6,750 $6,750ininFundraising Fundraisinginin2011 2011 ttDonated Donated$14,061 $14,061ininSponsorships Sponsorshipsinin2011 2011
STRINGFELLOW STRINGFELLOW memorial hospital memorial hospital
301 301East East18th 18thSt. St. Anniston, AL 36207 Anniston, AL 36207 Phone: Phone:256.235.8900 256.235.8900 This Hospital is owned or invested in by physicians. This Hospital is owned or invested in by physicians.
StringfellowMemorial.com StringfellowMemorial.com