Your Health Today Spring 2016 by Augusta University

your

health TODAY Spring 2016

“A New Lease on Life” DBS SURGERY AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE

SPRING INTO

GOOD HEALTH /////////////////

augustahealth.org /yourhealth

A healthier way to grill

TABLE OF contents

features 4

Cancer Prevention A healthier way to grill

Skin cancer check, step by step

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Brain Surgeon Writes Award-Winning Children’s Book Augusta University brain surgeon Dr. Cargill Alleyne was recently honored with a second place at the 2015 Royal Dragonfly Book awards for his second children’s book, Bart’s Heart. The series, which debuted with Ned’s Head in 2012 and which Alleyne hopes to follow with Joan’s Bones, Nelly’s Belly and Malachi’s Eye, features fun sing-song facts and lively illustrations to inspire children to think about science. The books are available locally at Barnes & Noble® and other booksellers, as well as online at Amazon.com.

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Heart-Healthy Living Dine the Greek way Focus on Women Help for overactive bladder

Simpler Billing Launches

Starting last November, patients and families at Augusta University 's health system may have noticed a change in their billing statements. Now, anyone receiving treatment at our health system will receive a single, newly designed and easy-to-understand bill (only anesthesia and ER physicians will bill separately). In addition, patients and families may choose to log on to a new online Patient Billing Portal (augustahealth.org/billing), where you may pay and manage all of your accounts from one convenient site — and even chat live with a customer service representative for fast answers to any questions.

Neuroscience A new lease on life

Digestive Health Weighing my options

Why can’t I sleep?

Family Health From 500 seizures to zero

In the News New year, new name

The material in Your Health Today is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment. For more information, please call 800-736-CARE (2273) or visit our website at augustahealth.org/yourhealth. Images may be from ©iStock and/or ©Fotolia. Copyright © 2016 Augusta University

NAVIGATE THE GROCERY STORE

with Ease

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esearchers have found that shoppers who regularly use grocery lists make healthier food choices and have lower body weights. Create your go-to shopping list by: creating a master list of items you buy every time, such as milk or eggs; checking your inventory; adding special items needed for planned meals; and saving your list in an easily accessible place, such as on your refrigerator or on your smartphone. Most importantly, organize your list by grocery department or aisle for easy shopping.

HEADS UP,

Kids!

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hat’s the best helmet for your kids to wear during sports such as biking, football, skateboarding or baseball? It’s one they’ll wear every time! Aside from good looks and smart colors, choose a helmet that fits snugly and doesn’t slip back and forth or side to side. Instill good helmet habits: Your child should wear it every time he or she participates in the activity. Finally, if a helmet has been involved in a crash or fall, replace it, even if it looks fine. Damage to a helmet can’t always be seen.

Good Health SPRING INTO

THE

Upside OF DOWNTIME

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re you constantly busy? For a few minutes, just stop. Downtime is an important part of good health, allowing you to rest and replenish yourself. Give yourself a break by scheduling time for a walk in a local park, exercising, or taking a quick nap or meditating. Remember too that recharging yourself is more important than charging your digital devices. Spend more time with people than screens and you might be surprised at how your stress levels drop.

Stop THE SNEEZING get sidelined by springtime allergies. Here’s your four-step plan to get [ D] on’t symptoms under control. First, remember that pollen counts are usually higher in the mornings or on dry, breezy days and plan outdoor activities accordingly. Second, shut your windows and use the air conditioning at home and in the car. Third, try overthe-counter antihistamines and/or decongestants. Finally, consider prescription options if OTCs aren’t helping. Talk to your doctor about options that can help. augustahealth.org

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CANCER prevention

A Healthier WAY TO GRILL

And cut your cancer risk too

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hile there’s nothing like that distinctive

smoky taste from your backyard barbecue, scientists have raised concerns about grilled meats due to the formation of certain chemicals during grilling, including heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can increase cancer risk. What to do? Don’t banish the barbecue — you can have your meat and grill it too! Sarah Deen, a registered dietitian at the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, offers these tips to reduce your risk:  Precook meats in the oven or microwave. Microwaving meat for two minutes before grilling reduces HCA content by 90 percent. Pouring off the liquid that forms during microwaving further decreases HCAs.  Marinate meat before grilling. A marinade can reduce HCAs by as much as 99 percent. Experts suspect that typical marinade ingredients of olive oil, vinegar, citrus juice, herbs and spices may help prevent HCA formation or act as a barrier.  Create a barrier between the heat source and your food. Line the grill with aluminum foil, poking small holes in the foil so some fat can drain away. Or increase the space between the charcoal and food to minimize charring.

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 Trim away. Cut away visible fat and chicken’s skin to reduce the amount of fat dripping into the flames. Remove any burned or charred portions before eating.  Shorten grill time. Use a thermometer and choose thinner, leaner cuts of meat.  Eat less meat. Tofu or veggie burgers are a healthier choice and produce few, if any, HCAs or PAHs.  Grill more vegetables or fruits. These foods don’t produce HCAs. Try grilled portobello mushrooms, onions, green and red bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, potatoes, papaya, pineapple and mango. Alternate small pieces of meat with vegetables or fruit on skewers to maximize flavor and minimize harmful chemicals.

WHAT’S YOUR CANCER RISK? If you’re concerned about your risk of developing certain cancers, the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University can help. Visit augusta.edu/cancer, search for Cancer Risk and choose any of several quizzes available to assess your risk. Still concerned? Call 706-721-6744.

Check IT OUT A step-by-step guide to checking for skin cancer

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ow healthy is the skin

you’re in? You’re missing out if your skincare routine doesn’t include a monthly skin self-exam. “Monthly skin checks are the best way to catch potentially cancerous skin conditions when they are still highly curable,” said Dr. Daniel Sheehan, an Augusta University dermatologist.

SEE A SUSPICIOUS SPOT? Make an appointment with a dermatologist in our skin cancer program, which offers a team approach in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of skin cancer. Visit augustahealth.org/dermatology.

The head-to-toe exam Using a bright light, first inspect your face, ears, head and the inside of your mouth using a hand mirror. A blow-dryer can help part your hair for a closer look at your scalp. Next, examine your hands (including your fingernails and palms), elbows, arms and underarms. Raise your arms and check your right and left sides. Examine your neck, chest and torso. If you’re a woman, check beneath your breasts. Use a hand mirror and full-length mirror to carefully look at your back, shoulders and the back of your neck, as well as your buttocks and the backs of your legs.

Sit down and examine your genitals, then inspect your legs and feet, including your heels, soles, toenails and the area between your toes.

• For moles, follow this “ABCDE” checklist:

What to look for

B order. The mole has ragged, notched or blurred edges.

If you notice any of these skin changes, see your physician immediately to determine if the condition needs further medical attention: • Any new growths or suspicious bumps that may or may not cause pain • A change in a spot or in skin color, itching, scaling, bleeding, pain or tenderness

A symmetry. One half doesn ’t match the other in shape.

C olor. The mole is a varying shade (or shades) of tan, brown, black, red, blue, blue-black or white. D iameter. The mole is the size of a pencil eraser or larger. E volving. The mole has changed in nature or appearance augustahealth.org

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HEART-HEALTHY living

DINE THE

Greek Way It’s heart healthy and tasty too

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ant a heart-healthy diet that’s also tasty?

Nutritionists found that the traditional Greek diet — which focuses on vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, nuts and yogurt; olive oil as the sole source of added fat; only a few weekly servings of fish, poultry, eggs and sweets; and red meats saved for special occasions only — is one of the healthiest eating styles you can choose. “In fact, Greeks are 20 percent less likely to die of coronary artery disease and about 30 percent less likely to die of cancer than Americans,” said Dr. Vinayak Kamath, director of the Augusta University Heart and Cardiovascular Center. Here’s one easy recipe:

Greek-style Stewed Chicken • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 1 pound chicken breast tenders, visible fat discarded • 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch strips • 2 medium shallots, peeled and quartered • 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained • ½ cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth • ¼ cup Kalamata olives, drained and coarsely chopped • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon pepper • ¹/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and cook chicken for 2 minutes on each side. Add the bell pepper and shallots. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Serves 4. Per serving: 197 calories, 5 g total fat (1 g saturated fat, 0.5 g polyunsaturated fat, 3 g GET SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART monounsaturated fat), 66 mg cholesterol, 404 mg To help prevent heart disease, diet and exercise are both great ways sodium, 10 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 28 g protein to start. Call 706-721-8637 to make an appointment to meet with an Recipe adapted with permission from the American Augusta University dietitian who specializes in heart health. Heart Association’s Low Fat Low Cholesterol Cookbook. [ 6 ]

augustahealth.org

FOCUS ON women

Overactive Bladder: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Plus lifestyle changes that really help

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f you and your toilet are on a first-name basis,

you’re not alone. “Overactive bladder or OAB is a common condition characterized by a sudden, urgent need to urinate or frequent urination, affecting as many as 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men,” said Dr. Brent Parnell, a urogynecologist at Augusta University Women’s Health Services. “In fact, those numbers may be even higher, as many Americans don’t report the condition, either because they’re embarrassed or they assume it’s just another symptom of aging.”

Don’t be embarrassed — help is available If your doctor diagnoses OAB, he or she can recommend a variety of treatments, many of which do not involve drugs. In fact, nondrug treatments such as bladder training and simple lifestyle changes may be recommended as a first line of defense. • Keep a journal. The Urology Care Foundation suggests keeping a journal to record what and how much you drink and when you go to the bathroom. This information can help you and your doctor notice patterns between your fluid consumption and urination frequency. • Do Kegel exercises. These exercises help strengthen and control your pelvic floor muscles. • Try bladder training. Bladder training — scheduling or delaying bathroom trips — can help you feel more in control of your urge to urinate. • Watch your fluids. Work with your doctor on limiting your fluid intake, especially before bedtime.

GOTTA GO? While lifestyle changes may not cure your OAB, they may help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to lifestyle changes, medication or other treatments may be necessary. Schedule an appointment with an Augusta University urogynecologist if you have questions about your bladder health. Call 706-721-4959.

augustahealth.org

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neuroscience

A NEW

Lease on Life John Baker hasn’t let Parkinson’s disease slow him down

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stroll along the beautiful

streets of Paris isn’t the most likely place to spot an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease, but for John Baker of Columbia, South Carolina, that’s exactly what happened. During a family trip to the City of Lights, his sister-in-law noticed that his left arm wasn’t swinging normally as it should while Baker was walking. Over the next few months, more symptoms showed up: a slight tremor in his left hand, a bent-over posture and balance issues affecting his walking, none of which was normal for the busy real estate developer who was accustomed to rushing from property to property. Still, the diagnosis didn’t come as a total surprise: Baker’s father’s business partner had experienced similar symptoms before he was diagnosed, but — “It was a tremendous relief,” said Baker. “I finally knew what the problem was and how to address it so I could have a normal life.” After the initial diagnosis, Baker was referred for a second opinion to Kapil Sethi, M.D., at the Movement Disorders/Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence at Augusta University Neuroscience Center. For Baker, there was never any question that he’d make the round-trip drive to Augusta for care at this center. “I did my research, and I heard good things about Dr. Sethi. And I kept hearing good things,” he said. “I’m thankful [ 8 ]

augustahealth.org

Augusta is close enough to Columbia that I could make the trip.” Dr. Sethi began Baker on a medication regimen to help manage his symptoms, but cautioned him that the disease often outlives available drug therapies and that surgery might be in his future. No one likes the idea of surgery, but in 2013, when Dr. Sethi advised the then-57-year-old Baker that it was time, “Surgery is not for everyone, and certain people don’t qualify. So I was glad I did. I felt blessed to know the doctors and nurses at Augusta, and to have my health put into their hands.” Neurosurgeon Cole Giller, M.D., performed Baker’s deep brain stimulation surgery in spring 2013; a two-step process that involves implantation of electrodes in specific brain areas causing the Parkinson’s symptoms, then implantation of a pulse generator under the skin of the chest. During a follow-up visit, the pulse generator is programmed to deliver the proper dose of stimulation for the specific patient. Today, Baker says his symptoms are 75 to 85 percent under control. He’s still active and working, and when he sees Drs. Sethi and Giller, “I just give them a pat on the back and say, ‘Thank you.’ They’re my partners in crime — they’d do anything to have those of us with this disease have a normal life. And I certainly have that now.”

THE LATEST THERAPIES As the first center of excellence for Parkinson’s disease in Georgia or South Carolina, we offer the latest treatment options, including deep brain stimulation surgery. To make an appointment, call 706-721-4581.

Dr. Cole Giller

Dr. Kapil Sethi

DIGESTIVE health

Weighing MY OPTIONS

Is weight loss surgery right for me?

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ver considered weight loss

surgery? Join the crowd. From 1998 to 2004, the total number of bariatric surgeries has increased ninefold, according to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. And the demand could rise even faster, the study predicts, because so far, only a small fraction of those medically eligible have actually had it done.

Who’s a candidate? “Obesity surgery promotes weight loss by either restricting the amount of food you’re able to take in and/or bypassing parts of the digestive tract to limit the amount of food, calories and nutrients your body absorbs,” explained Brian Lane, M.D., of the Augusta University Center for Obesity & Metabolism. Plus, structural changes created by surgery cause a normalization of a patient’s appetite-control hormones, making it easier to eat smaller amounts of food. Candidates must meet the following: • A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or about 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds for women; or a BMI between 35 and 39.9 and a serious obesity-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea (when breathing stops for short periods during sleep)

DON’T WEIGH(T) If you’ve been struggling with your weight for years and want to find out more about weight loss surgery, the Augusta University Center for Obesity & Metabolism offers both. View an online seminar right now about what to expect. Visit augustahealth.org/weightloss.

• Lack of substance abuse problems, including tobacco, alcohol and other drugs • Willingness to undergo medical, nutritional, psychological and surgical examinations • An understanding of the operation and the lifestyle changes you will need to make

What’s the risk? Although most patients lose significant amounts of weight, not all are able to keep it off, and side effects

can include nausea, dehydration and ulcer problems in bypass patients. However, current surgical techniques by properly trained teams now make bariatric operations as safe as gallbladder surgery. “It’s also important to remember: Surgical options aren’t an easy fix to weight problems,” added Dr. Lane. “Longterm success depends largely on a lifelong commitment to healthier eating habits, physical activity and regular medical care.”

augustahealth.org grhealth.org

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FAMILY health

FROM 500 SEIZURES TO Zero

Two-year-old Ami’s life-changing miracle story

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t s a time that Marjorie

St. John describes as “March madness” — the month that her 2-year-old daughter suffered 500 grand mal seizures and three hospitalizations. From talking, giggling and walking, Amelia, or Ami as her family calls her, regressed to newborn status and even beyond, unable to eat, drink or hold up her head, paralyzed due to the seizures ravaging her brain. Ami’s first documented seizure occurred when she was just 5 months old and living in a Chinese orphanage. But the photo of the little girl on the adoption site tugged at St. John’s heart and wouldn’t let go. By the time St. John and her husband, James, arrived in China for the two-week adoption process, Ami’s seizures had progressed, until at one point she had 19 in one 24-hour period. At home in Milledgeville, Ami’s neurologist, “tried everything, and all the meds — nothing — was stopping the seizures,” said St. John. So he referred the family to epileptologist Yong Park, M.D., at the Augusta University Epilepsy Center: “He said, ‘If anybody can help you, he can.’” While reviewing Ami’s past EEGs and MRIs, Dr. Park’s experience led him to notice early signs in the scans that pointed to the cause of Ami’s seizures: Rasmussen’s encephalitis. The treatment — hemispherectomy, or removing part of one hemisphere and fully disconnecting the remaining portion — brought

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augustahealth.org

Ami St. John at play and Dr. Yong Park, epileptologist.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE! Mark your calendars for the CMN Celebration, airing on WRDW-TV this August. Last year’s event raised more than $15,000 and celebrated over $1 million in donations for programs and services to help kids just like Ami treated at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Learn more at gachildrens.org.

St. John to tears. But the early detection (and the fact that her right hemisphere was affected) meant that at most, Ami would have some weakness on her left side and vision loss. As a mom of six other children — several with disabilities — once St. John was assured that Ami would survive the surgery and be fine, she said, “When can we do it?” Neurosurgeon Cole Giller, M.D., performed Ami’s hemispherectomy

this past fall during a 15-hour procedure, and just three weeks later, Ami was laughing, sitting up and scooting around on the floor chasing her brother. She took her first steps next and is back to the babbling, giggling little girl that St. John first met. “It really was life-changing,” said St. John. “With him catching the Rasmussen’s like he did, Dr. Park saved her life, changed her life and changed our lives.”

WHY CAN’T I

Sleep?

6 easy ways to start snoozing

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eel like you’re in a fog? That’s what poor

sleep can do to you — and it can be bad for your health too. Lack of sleep lowers your concentration, affects your memory, saps your energy and increases your risk for an accident — and can even lead to conditions such as depression, high blood pressure and obesity.

Trouble sleeping? Change your behavior Thoughts and behaviors can affect your ability to sleep, but you can change these habits. Amy Blanchard, M.D., medical director of the Augusta University Sleep Center, suggests:

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Relaxation training. Mental exercises, as well as deep breathing and meditation, can help you relax and fall asleep. Remaining passively awake. It seems counterintuitive — instead of trying to fall asleep, you don’t try at all. This technique lets you stop worrying about it and calm down enough to sleep. Sleep environment improvement. Your bedroom should be free of stimuli such as a television, smartphone or clock directly in view. The cooler, darker and quieter — the better. Sleep hygiene. This is “hygiene” in that you are cleansing yourself of habits that impact your sleep, such as caffeine consumption late in the day or smoking. Sleep restriction. If you take naps during the day to combat fatigue and go to bed early but are unable to fall asleep, stop. Late bedtimes and a lack of naps cause short-term exhaustion, but make it easier to fall asleep. Stimulus control therapy. This treatment involves sticking to a strict regimen of consistent bedtimes, no naps and leaving the bedroom if you’re unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes.

FROM A TO ZZZZ’S If you’re suffering from chronic lack of sleep — defined as difficulty sleeping for six months or more — it’s time to consult a sleep specialist. He or she can help identify what’s causing your insomnia and offer treatments that work. Call 706-721-2273 (CARE).

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ADVANCING THE POWER OF

YOU

At Augusta University Health, we offer you a remarkable advantage when it comes to your healthcare. As the region’s only academic health center, we combine the power of research, innovation and teaching to deliver children and adults a level of care beyond compare. That means access to the absolute latest treatments, caregivers who partner with you at every step and everything dedicated to advancing your options, health and life. To choose a primary care physician at Augusta University Health, visit augustahealth.org.