HW-101207

HW +

BE STRONGER. LIVE LONGER.

GAM BIT’S HEALTH & WELLNESS > DECEM BER 2010 >VOLUME 2 > NUM BER 12

G A M B I T ’ S H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S

SOMETHING ABOUT

MERRY

LEARNING HOW TO BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES

STRETCH IT OUT

A WORKOUT WARMUP

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CURE’S VIRGIN COCKTAIL

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YOU’RE SO VEIN

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Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

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Beating

Blues F

or many people, the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s brings with it an unwelcome bout of the blues. Images of holiday celebrations depict picture-perfect families, gourmet meals, piles of presents and plenty of cheer, an idealized perception that can be difficult to reproduce —try as we may. Experts in the mental health field advise turning unrealistic ideas and demands into manageable goals, taking care of our health and reaching out in order to prevent dipping into the doldrums.

• Causes and symptoms •

BY Lee Cutrone

functioning and lasts only a brief period of time.

• who’s at risk •

While no one is exempt from depression, women are especially prone to these feelings. “Women are at much greater risk for depression than men in general, and the stress and burden of the holidays tends to fall on women more than men because they tend to be the ones who do most of the shopping, cooking, party planning, etcetera,” Dansereau says. “Women are typically the keeper of relationships and family and home,” Benton adds. “They feel the burden to make [the holidays] happen perfectly.”

The holidays may trigger a worsening of symptoms in individuals with pre-existing conditions such as generalized anxiety, a history of depression or eating disorders. Those who have seasonal affective disorder, unhappy memories of the holidays, or a desire to recreate idealized Christmases may also be at risk.

• ways to Cope •

Learning to handle holiday stressors, according to experts, begins with recognizing the feelings, then putting together a plan. “One of the biggest mistakes people make is not acknowledging that they might not be feeling as joyful as they should,” Santone says.

“Denying the problem through drinking or too much shopping is going to have consequences.” Unlike self-medicating with overeating, drinking too much or overspending, caring for ourselves physically, emotionally and financially has long-term rewards.

Change your expeCtations/ know your limitations

“Decrease the expectations you have for yourself, the people around you and holidays in general,” Dansereau says. “Don’t over-commit your time, money or emotional energy. You don’t have to go to every party or family function. Cut yourself some slack and know that ‘no’ is a magical word that requires no further explanation.” Planning, pacing yourself and learning to delegate can alleviate day-to-day burdens and help you relax and enjoy holiday festivities.

• eat right, get enough sleep •

Mom’s counsel that you’ll feel better after a healthy meal and a good night’s sleep is sound advice. “Exercise, sleep and eating properly are going to be your three best friends during the holidays,” Santone says.

reach out to friends, family members and professionals for help when you’re depressed.

Exercise helps elevate serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood) levels; adequate sleep alleviates stress and fatigue, and the medical community is realizing myriad ways a healthy, well-rounded diet — one rich in fiber, complex carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein — benefits mental health.

In her book The Jungle Effect, San Francisco family

Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

“What happens over the holidays is that people overextend themselves or don’t have realistic expectations,” says Michael Santone, a psychiatric nurse practitioner whose practice includes child, adolescent and adult therapies. “We want the holidays to be the way we see them on TV. But that’s actually not that common. Most holidays are also stressful for people.”

In addition to unrealistic expectations and increased demands on time (going to holiday functions, shopping, cooking, cleaning and the like), Dr. Degan Dansereau, a psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Tulane University, points to the financial stress of holiday shopping, the break with one’s normal routine, decreased sleep and the belief that we should be extra happy during the holidays.

The holidays may be particularly difficult for those already experiencing grief, relationship conflicts or economic hardships, says Robin Benton, a doctor of social work and therapist in private practice. “It’s supposed to be all about community, getting together, eating and having fun. But if you have lost a loved one or have trauma in your current or past history, those losses are more poignantly and deeply felt. The empty chair at the table can be profound.”

Financially, the recession and high unemployment have resulted in a greater divide between our commercialized notions of the season and our resources.

And many locals are still recovering — economically and emotionally — from the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil disaster. “Many [New Orleanians] still have post-traumatic stress disorder,” Benton says.

Mental health professionals say symptoms of depression can range from mild anxiety and sadness to hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. Common signs of holiday-related depression include weight loss or gain, sadness, anger, withdrawal, loss of motivation and enthusiasm for activities that normally bring pleasure, crying spells, and drug and alcohol use, the same symptoms typically associated with more serious forms of depression. The difference, Dansereau says, is that holiday-related depression or stress is usually milder, does not significantly disrupt one’s

Learning to Manage StreSS and depreSSion over the hoLidayS Can heLp put Joy BaCk into the SeaSon.

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Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

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practitioner Dr. Daphne Miller, who specializes in the therapeutic power of food, correlates the low incidence of depression in Iceland with a diet chock full of omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

Dr. Kashi Rai, whose Elmwood-based medical practice specializes in the use of hormone therapies to optimize health and well-being, has found that stabilizing patients’ blood sugar levels often helps stabilize their moods.

“My experience indicates that fluctuating blood sugar levels, which produce fluctuating insulin levels, seem to go hand-in-hand with fluctuating serotonin levels,” she says. Rai adds that foods rich in protein and healthy fats, such as salmon, sardines, egg salad, almond butter and nuts; foods high in fiber; and even cinnamon, a spice frequently used during the holidays, help regulate blood sugar.

Minimizing alcohol and sweets consumption and taking natural supplements can help, too. Rai recommends chromium to stabilize blood sugar; SAM-e (a synthetic form of an energy-producing compound found in cells), B12 and methyl folate to stabilize nerves; combination supplements with GABA, theanine, and inositol to reduce anxiety; valerian, which mitigates insomnia; St. John’s wort, which enhances one’s sense of well-being; and 5HTP, a serotonin elevator.

“There are some supplements that have good data when it comes to treating very mild depression while … someone (is) monitoring the person taking them,” Dansereau says. He adds that in cases of more serious depression, supplements usually are not enough. Those already taking antidepressants should check with their physicians before taking supplements.

• GET ACTIVE •

“One of the best things we can do as adults is to take ourselves out as a child,” says Santone, who recommends reconnecting with things that brought you happiness in the past, like a trip to the French Quarter, viewing Christmas lights, enjoying Celebration in the Oaks, decorating the tree, spending time with friends and family or sending out Christmas cards. Planning activities can help combat isolation, cabin fever and loneliness.

DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS

Volunteering helps others and provides an outlet for meeting and interacting with people. Even small SOME HOLIDAY SNACKS AND SPICES, LIKE NUTS AND CINNAMON, MAY HELP WARD OFF DEPRESSION BY REGULATING BLOOD SUGAR.

random acts of kindness can make someone’s day. “When the shopping center is crowded, remember the importance of saying ‘thank you’ or ‘excuse me’ or helping someone with a large package,” Santone says. “If you do say something off-key or snap at someone, the power of an apology can go far.”

CREATE A NEW TRADITION

Every tradition began somewhere.

If the way you’ve been spending the holidays leaves you unfulfilled, try something new. “Think of what you can do to make this Christmas a special celebration that you will look forward to,” Santone says.

• REACH OUT •

If you’re feeling lonely or sad, call a friend or family member and ask to spend some time together. Likewise, if you notice someone feeling depressed, don’t wait for him or her to ask for help. Companionship is a gift that costs nothing.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU NEED IT “Therapy gives an individual an opportunity to sit and take stock of what’s happening to them,” Benton says. “In sorting through things, usually individuals feel less overwhelmed.”

If you need professional help, call the customer service number on your insurance card to find a provider who’s covered by your plan or speak with your primary care physician, who can prescribe medication or make a referral to a specialist like a psychiatrist. For the uninsured, Family Service of Greater New Orleans offers individual, couple and group counseling on a sliding scale. Social workers and psychologists can provide psychotherapy. A psychiatrist can provide psychotherapy as well as prescribe and monitor medications, such as antidepressants, when needed.

“If you are experiencing significant depression, not just holiday-related stress, then there is no substitute for professional help,” Dansereau says.

e x e r ci s e fo r li f e

Warming Up A

BUTTERFLY STRETCH

be stronger. live longer.

g a m b i t ’ s h e a lt h + w e l l n e s s

RUN IN PLACE

do three sets of running in place for 60 seconds each. rest for 30 seconds Between sets. to keep your heart rate up, don’t rest longer than that.

sit with the soles of your feet touching each other and knees out. slide your feet in as close to your Body as you can. holding your ankles, press your knees down to the floor until you feel a stretch in the inner thigh. complete three to five repetitions, holding the stretch for 20 seconds each. rest for 30 seconds in Between. do not Bounce while executing the stretch.

STANDING TOE TOUCH

Bend at the waist, drawing in your aBdominal muscles, and try to touch your toes without rounding your shoulders. hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds or longer. repeat three times.

Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

t 24-hour fitness center Gym Matrix (5300 Tchoupitoulas St., 899-4624; www.gymmatrix.net), founder Stephen Smith teaches personal training-style sessions in a group setting.

The former bodybuilder believes the team element boosts motivation and gives participants a sense of camaraderie.

“The key (to fitness) is showing up,” Smith says. “It’s those small wins that are important. With each workout, you are one step closer to gaining your confidence and achieving that positive mental state.”

To motivate yourself to maintain a consistent exercise routine, an action as small as finding a buddy with whom to take daily neighborhood walks or jogs can go a long way. For those training at home, Smith stresses the importance of the warmup, an oft-neglected workout component. According to trainer and Gym Matrix general manager Kyle Gadin, a good warmup psychologically prepares you for the workout ahead and delivers nutrientrich blood to the muscles, preparing you physically. Warmups also improve flexibility, which is essential to any workout routine.

“Many trainers don’t pay enough attention to the warmup.

Even if you are training at home, you’ve got to get the proper warm-up,” Smith says. “Flexibility contributes greatly to quality of life and conditions your body to resist injury.”

Smith emphasizes that the common habit of stretching first is not the proper way to gain flexibility. Stretching should be done after you have accelerated blood flow. Before any workout, Smith recommends warming up with three sets of cardiovascular exercises, like jumping jacks or running in place, followed by a series of stretches. “Intensity is the name of the game,” Smith says, “so work as much as you can for as long as you can because you get a break in between repetitions.”

HW +

By Morgan riBera

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Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

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A virgin cocktAil gets you loAded with AntioxidAnts And minerAls.

whaT &

The fifTh coluMn

how

Serves one

4 sage leaves 1 cucuMber slice (abouT 1/4 inch Thick) 1 oz. fresh leMon juice 1.5 oz. hoMeMade siMPle syruP* 3 oz. soda waTer ginger beer (enough To ToP off The drink)

Muddle the cucumber in a shaker tin. Add four sage leaves and very lightly muddle for just a few seconds. Add lemon juice, simple syrup and ice. Shake hard for five seconds. Double strain the ingredients into a Collins glass filled with ice. Add three ounces of soda and top with ginger beer. Garnish rim of glass with a cucumber slice.

*hoMeMade siMPle syruP 1 cup granulated cane sugar 1 cup water Stir or shake ingredients until the sugar is completely diluted.

offer one caveat. “The vein that is being ablated is the same one used as the major source of graft material in cardiovascular surgery. Once the vein is ablated, it is no longer viable for grafting. This becomes a problem if a patient needs cardiac bypass surgery three years down the road. I will not

A simple procedure eliminAtes pAinful, unsightly vAricose veins.

ablate the vein for anyone with a history of cardiac disease if the vein can be used for bypass later.” He advises all patients with a history of heart disease to approach varicose vein removal with caution.

For many people, however, this technique is a welcome option to surgical ligation or vein stripping and radio frequency electrosurgery. The success rate for endovenous laser treatment is as high as 98 percent — better than other, more invasive options.

The smaller but still noticeable varicose veins that branch off the great saphenous vein can also be resolved with a simple, minimally invasive procedure called Ambulatory Phlebectomy. Kerri MacDonald, a registered nurse with the Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute explains, “We can treat those veins by using a local anesthetic on the problem area. The doctor will mark the dilated veins and remove them through tiny incisions.” The incisions are so small that no stitches are required, decreasing the likelihood of scarring and improving the cosmetic outcomes.

Recovery following either of these techniques is relatively simple. It usually takes a couple of weeks and requires patients to wear compression hosiery and take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol if they experience discomfort.

“Patients come in with obvious, lumpy varicose veins, and when they come back in a few weeks, the veins are all unnoticeable,” MacDonald says.

“The results are really remarkable.”

Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

T

is the season for overindulgence, but whether you’re the designated driver, a nondrinker or simply mindful of getting too tipsy at a work function, this custom virgin cocktail by bartender Turk Dietrich of Cure (4905 Freret St., 302-2357; www.curenola.com) keeps the celebratory spirit intact while foregoing the actual spirits. It also packs a nutritional punch, with an ounce of lemon juice delivering vitamins C and B and trace amounts of potassium. Sage infuses the cocktail with flavor and is high in vitamins C, E and K, and the ginger beer eases indigestion.

Healthy cocktails are a natural fit for Cure, which co-owners Matthew Kohnke and Neal Bodenheimer originally envisioned as a “constructive space” fit for professional or social gatherings. The nonsmoking bar is situated underneath a yoga studio and regularly hosts community events like coat drives and blogger meet-ups. “We really wanted to make a positive change and do a very constructive space,” Bodenheimer says. “How else could we put a yoga studio above our bar?”

resting the 30-year mark means entering a whole new world of self care. A slowing metabolism makes it much more difficult to work off extra calories. Hair sprouts in unseemly places and, for many, varicose veins begin to make an appearance.

By some estimates, these gnarled, vine-like veins bulge along the legs of 40 percent of women and 25 percent of men. They are most common in people between the ages of 30 and 70 — and once they appear, the problem tends to worsen over time if they aren’t treated.

Varicose veins can be embarrassing and inhibiting, but the problems they potentially pose go well beyond the cosmetic. These veins are often painful. They are known to cause inflammation, external ulcers, blood clots and bleeding.

Varicose veins are caused by a malfunction called venous reflux disease.

Normally, a healthy vein’s valves open and close to push blood into the heart.

In people who have venous reflux disease, however, the valves no longer open and close properly, instead allowing blood to flow backward into the legs. Varicose veins become more prominent and often more painful as increasing amounts of excess blood pool in the leg veins.

They occur for many reasons, but perhaps the most common factor is heredity. Other reasons some people develop this affliction include age, gender, pregnancy, obesity, physical trauma and standing for long periods.

Endovenous laser treatment, a new, minimally invasive therapy, treats varicose veins using a quick, relatively pain-free procedure. A thin laser fiber is guided by ultrasound into the great saphenous vein — a large vein that runs the length of the leg from groin to foot.

The laser renders the vein inactive by gently heating and closing it. Once the vein is closed, venous reflux no longer occurs, and blood is simply rerouted to healthy veins. Without a source of blood, the varicose vein essentially disappears from sight.

Dr. Tod Engelhardt, cardiovascular surgeon at the Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute at East Jefferson General Hospital, says, “The procedure takes about 45 minutes under local anesthesia. Patients can get up and walk on a treadmill before getting discharged and can even go back to work that day, if they choose.”

Although there are no harmful side effects associated with endovenous laser treatment, Dr. Engelhardt does

09

STAYING HEALTHY DURING

THE HOLIDAYS T

BY ALEXANDRA GROSS

DISTRIBUTED BY FEATUREWELL.COM

he holidays are a prime time for colds, thanks to a combination of high stress levels and decreased physical activity during winter months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that U.S. children lose more than 22 million school days to the common cold; the average adult contracts two to three colds per year. Because these colds are viral, not bacterial, doctor visits and antibiotics offer little relief. Yet, the road to wellness can be low impact and low cost, involving little more than a cup of tea, a warm bath and conscious breathing.

T H E R E A L 411

10 Ways to Eat for Better Moods

1 2

Protein is a good source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid the body converts into the hormone serotonin (too little serotonin can cause depression).

3

Consuming a combination of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, walnuts) and uridine (molasses, walnuts, tomatoes, broccoli, liver) has been shown in animal studies to increase brain function and help alleviate depression, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

TEA TIME

10

Tea and tisane — better known as herbal and spice teas — are age-old bedside remedies for combating colds. Tea is a cornerstone of Eastern medicine widely utilized for its healing properties.

“Green tea provides a fantastic amount of antioxidants and polyphenols, stress-reducing and immune-boosting compounds that are wonderful for the whole system and really great to maintain your health throughout the winter,” says Gregor Bertram of Arogya Holistic Healing in Westport, Conn.

While green tea is often considered the champion among wellness-enhancing teas, rooibos and tulsi also hold powerful medicinal properties.

Rooibos, a caffeine-free herbal tea harvested in South Africa, is antioxidant-rich and also known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic powers. Tulsi, or holy basil, is an herb native to India known for its incredible phytochemical properties, “which help to promote health and fight stress,” according to Bertram.

Sourcing these teas, however, leaves a serious environmental impact, especially if they are traveling thousands of miles from plant to teapot. But there are local alternatives. Traditional culinary herbs such as rosemary, thyme and mint also improve digestion and circulation. Further, chamomile, calendula, echinacea and fennel can be sourced locally at farmers’ markets or grown in home gardens.

While many medicinal herbs and spices can be grown at home, no two teas or tisanes are treated the same. Bertram suggests consulting an expert before starting a tea regimen to maximize healing benefits.

SWEAT IT OUT

Long before the emergence of luxury day spas and expensive hydrotherapy treatments, Native American tribes used sweat lodges to rid their bodies of fevers and colds, according to Marybetts Sinclair’s Modern Hydrotherapy for the Massage Therapist. And Turkish and Roman bathhouses served not only as settings for social rituals, but were also places to cleanse the body of harmful viruses. But you don’t need a pricey spa retreat, just a bathtub.

THE ANTIOXIDANTS AND POLYPHENOLS IN GREEN TEA BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY AND REDUCE STRESS LEVELS.

SAUNAS CAN BOLSTER NATURAL IMMUNITY BY RAISING THE BODY’S TEMPERATURE.

Connecticut-based naturopathic physician Mark J. Romano suggests that a hot bath can alleviate stress and sweat viruses out of the body by inducing a fever. “I prescribe it to my patients, and I do it myself,” Romano says. “It’s a really good way to boost your immunity and help your body fight off a virus with a fever.”

Soak in a hot bath for about 20 minutes and raise the body’s temperature up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit to create a natural immunity to start to fight the virus.

4

DEEP BREATHING

Eat well. Exercise regularly. While these are essential to a healthy lifestyle, a third element is often overlooked: a mind-body practice. The Chinese practice of qigong (pronounced ‘chee-gong’) combines the consciousness of breath and air — “qi” — with the work to cultivate and balance this energy — “gong.”

“The three points [exercise, nutrition and mind-body practice] are all necessary,” says Tom Rogers, vice president of the Qigong Institute in Los Altos, California. ‘The number-one reason you need a mind-body practice is [to relieve] stress, [which] causes so much illness — between 70 and 90 percent — and can make illness worse.”

There are different ways to practice qigong, but basic exercises, which can be incorporated into everyday activities, include adjusting posture and breath and cultivating awareness of the mental state. Tai chi is a popular movement form of qigong.

Qigong is accessible to people of all physical abilities, and since the foundation of qigong is consciousness and movement of breath, it doesn’t cost anything, Rogers says.

“You do three simple adjustments in qigong. You get your M.B.A.: movement, breathing and awareness,” Rogers says. “Traditional Chinese medicine says that you get sick because you don’t have enough energy, or qi, because it’s blocked. By doing qigong, you can take care of unblocking your energy.”

Qigong allows people to experience the present moment, a key aspect in alleviating stress.

“Qigong is not something you just want to go into the gym to do,” Rogers says. “The spiritual part of qigong, which is built into the practice itself, is being present and being in the moment.”

Building these practices into the holiday months will alleviate the added stress of the season — and keep colds at bay, too.

Eat at regular intervals during the day to maintain a good blood sugar level (low blood sugar can cause mood swings).

5 6

Drink plenty of water (10.5 cups a day is recommended) to keep hydrated. Keep caffeine and alcohol consumption low as they can lead to dehydration, which can cause stress, anxiety and sleep problems — all factors in mood disturbances.

Sunlight and vitamin D help curb depression and other mood disorders.

Vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (found in certain fruits, vegetables and legumes) feed your brain and keep your mood balanced.

7

B vitamins, especially folic acid and B6, help strengthen synapses in the brain and make the liver better able to clear stress hormones from the body.

8

Selenium — a mineral found in wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, grains, garlic, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, liver, fish and shellfish — significantly affects mood.

9

Blueberries and green leafy vegetables contain strong antioxidants that protect the brain, which is highly susceptible to oxidative damage.

10

The chemical curcumin (found in the curry spice turmeric) reportedly reduces memory deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and brain trauma.

E

W LL spring stEmming DisEasEs

TCA Cellular Therapy (101 E. Fairway Drive, Suite 514, Covington, 985-867-4860; www.tcacellulartherapy.com), among the top 10 companies in the U.S. researching stem cell therapies, has received a Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. TCA will use the grant to continue developing adult stem cell therapies for heart attack, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, spinal cord injury and a lack of blood flow to the legs or heart. The QTDP grant, part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, provides a 50 percent tax credit for investments in qualifying projects.

The FDA this year allowed TCA to conduct the only adult stem cell clinical trial in the U.S. for the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

bE aWarE

Giving a patient fish oil following a stroke can help prevent brain damage — even if the treatment is delayed up to five hours, according to research published in November in Translational Stroke Research.

Dr. Nicolas Bazan, director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, led researchers who found the fish oil component Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can protect brain tissue and promote recovery from ischemic strokes caused by fatty buildup in the arteries or blood clots. Bazan says the research not only supplies health professionals with a new treatment, but also shows a more liberal timeline for successful treatment of ischemic strokes, which result from clots that keep blood from flowing to the brain. According to the American Heart Association, 87 percent of strokes are ischemic in nature.

Bazan’s research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found DHA treatment not only saved brain tissue that would have died without the therapy, but also triggered repair processes that returned some tissue to normal within seven days. Currently, ischemic stroke patients are treated with clot-busting drugs that must be administered quickly and help only 3 percent to 5 percent of patients.

DHA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid found in fish including salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring and shellfish. It is vital for proper brain function and development of the nervous system.

otCs not tax frEE in 2011

If you have a tax-deferred flexible spending arrangement (FSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you might want to stock up on over-the-counter (OTC) medications before Dec. 31. The Affordable Care Act has changed rules governing these accounts for 2011, and OTC medications such as pain relievers and sinus and allergy medicines no longer will be eligible for reimbursement unless your doctor writes a prescription for them, even if they are available off the shelf without a prescription.

The new rules do not affect reimbursement for insulin with or without a prescription, devices such as crutches or medical supplies such as bandages. These items still will be reimbursed without a prescription.

For more information about the new rules, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=227308,00.html.

QuELL thE sWELL

Two surgeons have founded a new institute to find a cure for lymphedema, a debilitating condition that causes swelling of the arms and trunk of the body following some cancer treatments.

Dr. Scott Sullivan, a plastic surgeon and cofounder of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery (1717 St. Charles Ave., 899-2800; www.breastcenter.com) and St. Charles Surgical Hospital (same address, 529-6600; www.scsh.com), and Marga F. Massey, an oncologic breast reconstruction surgeon and founder of the Dr. Marga Practice Group with centers in Chicago, Charleston, Salt Lake City and New Orleans, have established the National Institute of Lymphology.

The institute is a consortium of leaders in the field and is dedicated to finding the best treatments — and a cure — for lymphedema, fluid retention that sometimes follows infection or cancer treatments such as lymph node dissection and radiation therapy. It affects more than 5 million Americans and is common among breast cancer patients.

It can cause swelling and often is accompanied by pain and skin infections. There is no known cure.

In 2009, Sullivan and Massey collaborated to develop a dedicated and comprehensive lymphedema treatment program at the St. Charles Surgical Hospital in New Orleans, incorporating a multidisciplinary approach for treating the condition. The National Institute of Lymphology will offer management care for lymphedema patients, cutting-edge surgical interventions and approved clinical trials. For more information, visit www. nilymph.com or call (312) 288-8759.

brEathing EasiEr

Dr. Jay Kolls, chairman of genetics at the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, has received a Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

The award provides Kolls up to 10 years of research support without the administrative burden of preparing a research grant renewal application.

Kolls was selected from a group of

Cellular biologist Jose J. Minguell and tCa Cellular therapy president and MediCal direCtor gabriel lasala with adult steM Cells used for disease therapy.

investigators whose work shows promise in solving health care problems; researchers do not apply for the award. Kolls’ research deals with advancing treatments for lung infections by identifying a unique group of white blood cells that are key in the body’s defense against bacterial pneumonia infections. That defense mechanism is not fully understood, but learning how it works will help advance prevention, treatment and vaccine development against lung infections including pneumonia, influenza and drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

CybEr hEaLth CarE

Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital (67252 Industry Lane, Covington, 985-809-9888; www.fairwaymedical.com) is offering a free smartphone application, iTriage by Healthagen, to help patients access health information including possible causes of symptoms they are experiencing and the nearest locations for treatment.

ITriage was designed by emergency room physicians to provide consumers with quick medical information, including thousands of symptoms, diseases and medical procedures as well as contact information, hours and what health care facilities are available in areas where they travel.

To download the app, visit www.itriagehealth.com.

roboting thE stonE

Dr. Rohan Walvekar, a surgeon and director of clinical research and the Salivary Endoscopy Service at LSU Health Sciences Center, has, for the first time, successfully used a surgical robot and miniature endoscope to remove a 20-millimeter salivary stone and repair the salivary duct of a patient. Stones that large previously required removal of the entire salivary gland. According to Walvekar, the combination of robotics and endoscopic surgery saves the salivary gland while reducing blood loss, scarring and recovery time in the hospital.

The case has been published online in The Laryngoscope, a peer-reviewed journal of The Triological Society.

no smoking, pLEasE

Ochsner Health System campuses will become tobacco-free on April 1, 2011, and no longer will provide designated smoking areas or ashtrays.

The move is part of Ochsner’s Living the Legacy initative, carrying on the work of the system’s founder, Dr. Alton Ochsner, who in 1939 discovered the link between tobacco use and lung cancer and thereafter dedicated himself to educating people about the dangers of smoking.

The new policy will be in effect in and around Ochsner’s eight medical centers and its multiple health centers in the area. The policy will prohibit the use of all tobacco products by employees, patients and visitors while on Ochsner properties. The health system also will offer free smoking cessation classes to the public.

high sChooL Community hEaLth CLiniC opEns

The Interim LSU Public Hospital is opening a community health clinic at L.B. Landry High School (1200 L.B. Landry Ave.) on the West Bank. It will offer comprehensive health care for Landry students as well as members of the community. Call 308-3550 or 903-2373 for an appointment.

CLiniC proposaL Wins prizE

Students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have won $25,000 — the top prize in the 2010 Chase Community Development Competition — for their proposal to create a new $3.5 million health clinic at 13001 Chef Menteur Hwy. in eastern New Orleans. Now the process begins to obtain funding for the clinic.

The Chase Community Development Competition, operated by Enterprise Community Partners, pairs college students with local nonprofits to develop sustainable real estate plans that meet a community need. Students from 10 universities across the nation participated in this year’s competition.

Health & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > DECEMBER 07 > 2010

Surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in late November the common respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rose to epidemic levels in Louisiana — at least 10 percent of all children in the state tested for RSV were positive for two consecutive weeks.

RSV is very common and infects nearly all children at some time by the age of 2. It generally causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms, but can develop into a serious respiratory illness requiring hospitalization in premature infants and children with certain medical conditions. CDC statistics show RSV is responsible for one of every 10 visits to a pediatrician and one of every 38 emergency room visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics says RSV season typically runs from November through April.

fish on thE brain

by k a n DaCE p oW E r g r avE s

h E a Lt h n E Ws b r i E f s

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Time you’ll have to fill out paperwork.

Sometimes numbers speak louder than words. Especially when it comes to your medical history. That’s why Ochsner has Electronic Medical Records (EMR) for our patients. Providing one efficient source for all your medical information that allows our doctors to access your most vital information at a moment’s notice. It’s just one of the ways our Coordination of Care provides you with more accurate, better quality care. Ask any of our

3 0 1 , 7 8 8 patients we cared for last year.

Healthcare with peace of mind begins at Ochsner.org/choose

© 2010 Ochsner Health System (ochsner.org) is a non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system dedicated to patient care, research and education.

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