health your
[ Your guide to Healthy Living from Georgia Regents Medical Center ]
Fall 2014
|
grhealth.org
today
"EARLY DETECTION SAVED ME" Test your cancer risk IQ Feel younger now Scan this code with a QR code reader to visit our website!
WHAT’S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY AT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
GRHealth? As part of an academic health center, we are continuously upgrading our services, technology, and outreach. Here are a few of our latest initiatives, achievements, and honors.
PAGE 3 Tips for a safe and healthy fall
PAGES 4-5 Cancer Prevention BECOME A GRHEALTH V.I.P. Want test results or need to talk to your medical team without the hassle of waiting for a phone call or making an appointment? How about full online access to your medical history and appointment requests? GRHealth’s new V.I.P. (Virtually Informed Patient) program is a secure online portal that gives patients more control over their own health care. Patients can log on with a username and password for access to their medical history, speedy test results, appointment requests, and more. To sign up for this free service, simply fill out a form and provide your I.D. at your next appointment. To learn more, click on the GRHealth V.I.P. link at grhealth.org.
Cut your cancer risk every day “Early detection saved me”
PAGE 6 Heart-Healthy Living Comfort and joy
PAGE 7 Focus on Women Feel younger now
PAGE 8 Neuroscience Seizure free at last
PAGE 9 Digestive Health 3 steps to overcoming overeating EXPLORE THE NEW GRHEALTH.ORG Finding the information you need is easier than ever with the newly redesigned grhealth.org, which launched this summer. Patients and families can find the right health care specialties, choose a doctor, get directions to our locations, and see how we compare. Explore important information, as well as a health and wellness library, right from the homepage. Referring physicians will find all the details they need to refer a patient to one of our specialists, or subspecialists. Other helpful tools include our “Email a Patient” function, a user-friendly Calendar of our free classes and events, and even Online Bill Pay.
PAGES 10-11 Family Health School safety at every age Bullying: Recognize the signs
PAGE 12 In the News Introducing our new location
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 grhealth.org. Copyright © 2014 Georgia Regents Health System
Images on any of these pages may be from one or more of these sources: ©2014 Thinkstock and ©2014 istockphoto.com.
IS IT A
cold or an allergy?
[ S]
pring isn’t the only time allergies strike. For sufferers, fall ragweed and other weeds can trigger allergy symptoms. Many, however, confuse allergies with colds, which also typically occur in the fall. While both can cause a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing, allergies usually have a clear discharge and don’t cause aches, pains, or fever. Allergies may come on suddenly, but symptoms tend to linger through a season or more. Colds usually run their course within a week.
FALL ASLEEP
faster
[ A]
s the days grow shorter, get back to better sleep with these easy sleep secrets: Aim for at least 20 minutes of exercise per day, at least three hours before bedtime. Relax every night by writing in a journal or reading. Turn your clock away — the less you know and stress about the time, the better. Finally, if you’re still tossing and turning, get up, and do something relaxing like listening to music. Then go back to bed when you feel tired.
Tips FOR A safe AND healthy fall Easy [ E]
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
at seasonally — and healthfully! — with this simple-to-prepare golden butternut squash soup, loaded with beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin C, and potassium.
Ingredients 2 lbs. butternut squash, peeled, and chopped 5 cups of low-sodium chicken stock 1 tsp. dried rosemary 1 tsp. ground sage ¼ cup 1 percent or skim milk Salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Combine butternut squash and chicken stock, making sure stock covers the squash. 2. Add a pinch of salt. Cook on high heat until boiling. 3. Add herbs and pepper, reduce heat and cover. 4. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until squash is tender. 5. R emove from heat and cool, then mix soup in a blender until smooth, or use an immersion blender. 6. Stir in milk, and add salt and pepper to taste. Per two cup serving: 92 calories, 1 g fat, 19 g carbohydrates, 20 g protein.
grhealth.org
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CANCER prevention
CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
every day
Test your knowledge with this quick quiz
[T]everyday life to help reduce your risk of cancer. Do you know what they here are several things you can incorporate into your
are? Take this quiz to see how you stack up.
1
Which fruit contains carotenoids, plant chemicals that may significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer? [a] watermelon [b] grapes [c] cantaloupe
2
Some scientists believe a chemical called EGCG could be the most powerful anticancer compound ever discovered. EGCG is present in: [a] apple juice [b] green tea [c] milk
3
Limiting what food in your diet helps prevent colon cancer? [a] red meat [b] fish [c] bran flakes
4
How often should you reapply sunscreen? [a] every 30 minutes [b] every hour [c] every two hours
5
True or false: Eating charred or burned meat can increase your risk for certain types of cancers.
6
Broccoli loses its cancer-protective flavonoids when it’s microwaved. What percentage does it lose? [a] 60 percent [b] 78 percent [c] 97 percent
7
Adding exercise to your daily routine may help reduce your risk of some cancers. What is the minimum amount of exercise you should get a on a daily basis? [a] 15 minutes [b] 30 minutes [c] 60 minutes
8
True or false: Self-exams may increase your chances of detecting cancer early, when it is most treatable.
9
True or false: Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer.
Answers: 1. c; 2. b; 3. a; 4. c; 5. true; 6. c; 7. b; 8. true; 9. true [ 4 ]
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CHECK YOUR RISK A screening is one of the easiest ways to check your cancer risk — and to catch cancer early. To make an appointment for a screening, call the Georgia Regents University Cancer Center at 706-721-6744 or visit gru.edu/cancer.
“EARLY DETECTION saved me”
How a mother-in-law’s advice saved Shana Cunningham’s life 42S [F]Cunningham, listening to her or
year old
hana
mother-in-law just might have saved her life. When Shana turned 40, she celebrated by doing what her motherin-law, Wallette, suggested: Getting her first mammogram. This checkup showed nothing to worry about. During her second mammogram at age 41, the radiologist at Georgia Regents Breast Health Center spotted something concerning on Shana’s 3D mammogram and follow-up ultrasound.
Confronting breast cancer head-on Shana’s mother, Carolyn, and her sister, Teresa, supported her during the biopsy and her first meeting with Matthew Pugliese, MD, surgical oncologist at Georgia Regents University Cancer Center. “He told me that I had breast cancer, specifically bilateral breast cancer, with tumors in both breasts,” said Shana. For this mother of five, the news came as a shock. Although she comes from a large family, Shana had no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. At the same time, she felt a surprising sense of calm: “These folks around me were great … as I went from place to place [in the cancer center], they were so easy to talk to, and they made everything very easy
to deal with. I felt like it was going to be a walk in the park.” Shana had a lumpectomy on both sides, as well as a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. When people told her they were sorry she had cancer, she’d respond, “Why? Did you do it? If you did, let me know.” It was an answer that would always bring a laugh and was Shana’s way of saying, “It’s going to be all right.”
Family support is key During four months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation, her family and friends rallied around her. Her husband, Roan, a survivor of non-Hodgkins lymphoma 15 years ago, made sure she stayed hydrated and rested as much as possible. Her son, Jarvis, took a leave of absence from college to help care for her. In a heart-pulling moment, her daughter, Kamala, gently shaved Shana’s head when her hair started falling out, and her sisters, brothers, mother, and other friends and family all either shaved
their heads, too or cut their hair in camaraderie. Her family and coworkers — 200-strong — also bought T-shirts and walked in a local cancer fundraiser in her honor. A year later, Shana is a proud cancer survivor who takes every moment she can to share her mother-in-law’s good advice. “The most important thing is to get your mammogram,” Shana said. “Early detection saved me. Women need to take screenings seriously.”
SATURDAY SCREENINGS AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER Too busy to come in for a screening mammogram on a weekday? During the month of October, you can schedule a Saturday appointment. The Georgia Regents Breast Health Center is the area’s only facility with tomosynthesis or 3D mammography, a more thorough mammogram that reduces false positives and improves breast cancer detection rates. Schedule your mammogram today by calling 706-721-CARE (2273).
grhealth.org
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HEART-HEALTHY living
Comfort AND JOY
Satisfy your cravings — and stay active — this holiday season ? [T]If you’re talking about the holidays, most would—agree that this season of oo much food and too little exercise
sound familiar
comfort and joy can take a toll on their heart health. “While a little indulgence on special occasions is OK, you don’t have to entirely abandon your healthy lifestyle,” said Gyanendra Sharma, MD, a cardiologist at Georgia Regents Chest Pain Center. “There are several easy ways that you can sneak fitness and healthy eating into your holiday plans.” Walking, for example, offers cumulative cardiovascular benefits, so invite family and friends for a long walk after a meal. To help beat holiday stress (a contributor to high blood pressure), fit in a yoga or exercise class. Craving comfort food? Look for easy, healthful substitutions, such as frozen yogurt instead of ice cream or air-popped popcorn instead of greasy chips. Or try this lightened-up mac and cheese recipe.
TAKE THE HOLIDAYS TO HEART It’s a sobering fact: More people have heart attacks during the holidays than at any other time of the year. Concerned about your heart health? Make an appointment to see one of our chest pain specialists by calling 706-721-2426 or visiting grhealth.org/cardio.
Classic macaroni and cheese Makes 8 servings. Ingredients 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni ½ cup chopped onions ½ cup evaporated skim milk 1 egg, beaten ¼ tsp. black pepper 1¼ cups low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)
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Directions • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. • Spray a two-quart casserole dish and a small saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. • Cook macaroni in unsalted water. Drain and set aside. • Add onions to the prepared saucepan and sauté for 3 minutes. • Mix macaroni, onions, and remaining ingredients, and pour into prepared casserole dish. • Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Variation: For added fiber and color, consider using whole-wheat macaroni. Rich in fiber, iron, and vitamin C, spinach is a fun, festive addition. Prepare a 10 oz. package of frozen spinach, squeeze out excess moisture, and layer in casserole dish with macaroni. Per ½-cup serving: 200 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated), 34 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 11 g protein, 29 g carbohydrates, 119 mg potassium
FOCUS ON women
FEEL YOUNGER now
Four keys to locating your own fountain of youth
[A]
ccording to the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the aging of the U.S. population is one of the major public health challenges of the 21st century. But we all hold the keys to the fountain of youth. “These aren’t quick fixes or magic pills. Just four simple steps can ensure we feel younger, are stronger, and live longer,” said Shilpa Brown, MD, an internal medicine physician at Georgia Regents Women’s Health Center.
KEY #1
Combine resistance training and exercise. Studies have shown that resistance training — using bands, weights, or your own body weight — can help rejuvenate muscle tissue, in essence reversing the aging process itself. Add in 30 minutes of daily activity, such as walking, to help avoid health problems such as cardiovascular disease, falls, osteoporosis, and depression.
KEY #2
Eat a nutritious diet. Eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats, refined sugar, processed foods, and sodium. Include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean protein, and add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, several times a week. Also, try to avoid eating heavy meals late in the evening or too close to bedtime.
KEY #3
Avoid smoking. Not only does smoking contribute to heart disease, but it ages your skin, hair, and nails faster, too. If you smoke, seek assistance to help you stop, and steer clear of secondhand smoke.
KEY #4
Maintain a positive attitude. Having a strong social network — friends, children, grandchildren, or even a pet — is important for nurturing emotional health and for easing the stress or loneliness that often accompanies aging.
WOMAN-TO-WOMAN Do you have questions about your health that only another woman would understand? Georgia Regents Women’s Health Center has a large group of female physicians specializing in ob-gyn, family medicine, internal medicine, and more. To schedule an appointment, call 706-721-4959 or visit grhealth.org/women. grhealth.org
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neuroscience
Seizure free AT LAST
After surgery at Georgia Regents Epilepsy Center, Joey Gaines is living a joyful life. ,J G [L]did something that most ast fall
oey
aines
people wouldn’t: To celebrate his and his wife Linda’s first wedding anniversary, they checked one item off their bucket list — jumping out of an airplane. But just 15 years ago, the thrill of skydiving would have been impossible for Joey: He was an epileptic, suffering up to three to five violent seizures every single day.
A lifetime of seizures It started when Joey was just a baby. A high fever led to his first seizure. Doctors believe Joey had seizures throughout his childhood without being aware of them. When he was a teen, Joey had two major seizure episodes that put him in a coma for days and completely wiped out his memory. “From that point on, I was officially diagnosed with a seizure disorder,” said Joey. He found neurologist, Robert A. Ringel, MD, of Spartanburg, S.C., and through his early 20s, his epilepsy seemed under control. Joey became a pipe welder, helping to construct large power plants and factories. But the seizures started again, multiplying in number and strength despite the best medications available at the time. Not only was he no longer able to work, but his neurologist told him
[ 8 ]
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bluntly that unless he had epilepsy surgery, his next seizure could completely debilitate, or even kill him.
Advanced care, positive outcome Joey’s doctor sent him to Georgia Regents Epilepsy Center, a nationally recognized Level IV (highest level) referral center since 1977. Under the care of epileptologist Don W. King, MD, and neurosurgeon Joseph Smith, MD, Joey had detailed testing to find out exactly where the seizures were starting. It was good news. Although his left temporal lobe was damaged, testing showed that the right side of his brain had already taken over much of Joey’s speech and motor skills. On April 13, 1999, Joey had a left anterior temporal lobectomy. More brain tissue had to be removed than expected. Doctors prepared Joey’s dad for the worst — Joey might not ever be able to work again, and could spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. But from the beginning, Joey beat the odds. Four days after surgery, he woke up, rolled over, and told his father, “Call Uncle Jerry and let him know I’m all right.” Just six weeks after surgery, he was walking again, and at seven weeks, he was jogging. And the seizures? Totally, miraculously gone. Joey went off disability and back to the job he loved. He moved to Tennessee, and
in a chance meeting at a Starbucks, met Linda, a nurse, whom he married in 2012. In between, Joey’s back to driving safely, riding motorcycles, and living a joyful life. “I didn’t go through brain surgery to die,” said Joey. “I did it to live. And I’ve never looked back.”
NEED AN EPILEPSY EVALUATION? If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy or have been suffering from seizures, the Georgia Regents Epilepsy Center offers the latest medical and surgical treatments. Contact us today at 706-721-4581 or by email at epilepsy@gru.edu.
DIGESTIVE health
3 steps TO OVERCOMING OVEREATING
— [T]big meal. “While occasional overindulging is common and relatively here it is again
that uncomfortable feeling after a
harmless, a daily habit of eating too much can show up on your scale and around your waistline,” said Nicole Moore, a registered dietitian with Georgia Regents Weight Loss Center. Put down the fork and retrain yourself to stop overeating in three easy steps.
STEP 1 Manage your triggers. Do you reach for the ice cream or chips when you’re angry, sad, bored, tired, lonely, or anxious? Realize when you’re feeling blue compared to when you’re truly hungry. To quell a stronger urge, walk around the block or keep fresh cut carrots and other veggies in the fridge when you need to chew on something.
STEP 2 Use portion control. Many restaurants serve portions that can feed two people, so share your meal or take half home. Do you know your portion sizes? For example, 3 ounces of meat is the size of a deck of cards, and 8 ounces is about as big as a slim paperback book. A medium-sized potato is the size of a computer mouse and a half-cup of pasta is as big as a tennis ball.
STEP 3 Get moving every day. Regular activity can also improve your mood and reduce stress; even doing housework counts! Thirty minutes most days of the week is adequate, but 60 minutes is better if you want to lose weight. One big bonus? You continue to burn calories anywhere from 15 minutes to 48 hours after the activity is over.
SCALING BACK Has overeating added too many pounds to your scale? If you need assistance with medical or surgical weight loss, Georgia Regents Weight Loss Center is here for you. Find out more at grhealth.org/weightloss.
grhealth.org
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FAMILY health
School safety AT EVERY AGE
From grade-school through college
[A]
s a new school year begins, parents and children should take steps to help ensure safe
and enjoyable school days. Safe Kids Greater Augusta, supported by the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, offers these age-appropriate safety tips for parents to discuss with their children.
Tips for grade-schoolers Use proper bus etiquette, including staying seated until the bus stops and always walking in front of, never behind, the bus. Have your child practice looking both ways before crossing the street Ensure your local or school playground takes adequate precautions to prevent and/or minimize falls, including safety mats or padded surfaces.
Tips for teens To prevent sports injuries, encourage your teen to use the right protective gear for his or her sport, to warm up before playing, to rest when tired, and to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Buy a quality backpack with padding and wide shoulder straps. A full backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of your child’s body weight. Your teen should also carry the backpack over both shoulders to evenly distribute the weight.
MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY Safe Kids Greater Augusta is the area’s resource for child accident prevention tips, checklists, and more. Call 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org/safekids.
[ 10 ]
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Tips for college students College students should be aware of their surroundings and take the necessary precautions, such as traveling with a group and avoiding compromising situations to ensure their personal safety. Students should keep their belongings safe by locking dorm rooms and windows, and never leaving backpacks, purses, laptops, cell phones, etc., unattended. Don’t be a “pedtextrian.” Texting, listening to music, and other distractions lead to distracted pedestrian behavior, and college-age students are at highest risk.
Bullying:
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS
Teach your kids how to respond
[K]
ids often keep things to themselves, and they might be afraid
to tell you they are being picked on. Here are a few signs to look for: • unexplained cuts and bruises, or ripped clothing • changes in mood, anxiety, tearfulness, few friends • avoids going to school or extracurricular activities • trouble sleeping, loss of appetite • frequent complaints of illness If you discover your child is being bullied, find out as much as you can from them, and also talk with adults who interact with them (teachers, counselors, coaches, etc.). Keep in contact with their school to monitor the situation. “Bullying should be addressed head-on and in an assertive manner, because someone could get hurt,” said Alex Mabe, MD, a clinical psychologist with the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Dealing with bullies Help your child practice different ways to respond to bullies. Here are a few options to try: • If a bully calls you out or picks on your differences, don’t cry or show fear. • If a bully tries to fight with you, calmly, and loudly (so others hear) tell them to leave you alone, and walk away. • Use humor. For example, if a bully makes fun of your hair, laugh and say, “I must be having a bad hair day.” • Stay in the company of other people, as the bully will be less likely to harass you if you’re not alone. • Tell your parents and/or another trusted adult right away if you are being bullied. Every situation is different, and your child’s response should vary with the situation. The more prepared your child is to deal with a bully, the more successful the outcome.
IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED? The Children’s Hospital of Georgia has one of the area’s largest child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology programs, with specialists who can help your child with the anxiety and depression that can accompany bullying. For an appointment, call 706-721-9331.
grhealth.org
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IN THE news
A NEW LOCATION TO BETTER SERVE YOU: 1220 West Wheeler Parkway
[W]
hen patients go to their doctor, they’re typically looking for high-quality care. The latest technology. Doctors who are leaders in their field but who still have that human touch. But when you dig down, they also admit they want a location that’s an easy drive from their workplace or home. Convenient parking once they arrive. And a comfortable, welcoming office environment.
The best of both worlds GRHealth West Wheeler combines the top-notch physicians and high-quality care patients have come to expect with the convenience and ease of a community-based practice that’s centrally located near state Route 520 and Interstate 20. The new location, which launched in August, combines many of GRHealth’s key services, including: • Orthopaedics •O phthalmology (adult • Podiatry and pediatric) • Sports Medicine •O bstetrics and • Outpatient Rehabilitation Gynecology • Internal Medicine • Rheumatology • General Pediatrics • Sleep Medicine • Adolescent Medicine • Spine • Pediatric Subspecialties • Neurology
“We’re bringing highly specialized care to you, making it more accessible,” said Randall Ruark, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon. “We’re bringing this care right into your own backyard, making it more convenient and easy for our patients. Essentially, it’s a one-stop shop.”
CARE THAT’S CLOSE GRHealth West Wheeler is located at 1120 West Wheeler Pkwy. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Schedule your appointment today! Adult services: 706-869-1515. Pediatric services: 706-312-KIDS (5437).