Your Health Today-Summer 2014

health your

[ Your guide to Healthy Living from Georgia Regents Medical Center ]

Summer 2014

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grhealth.org

today

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Your health and Augusta GreenJackets Our littlest heroes: Meet Milla, Ben, and Ken Look "abs"-olutely fabulous for summer!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WHAT’S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY AT

Georgia Regents Medical Center?

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 summer

PAGE 4 Cancer Prevention Is it safe to vape?

PAGE 5 Heart-Healthy Living Get the workout your heart needs

PAGE 6 Focus on Women "Abs"-olutely fabulous

PAGE 7 GRMC EARNS GOLD FOR DONOR OUTREACH

GREENJACKETS PARTNER WITH GRMC

Georgia Regents Medical Center recently became the only hospital in Georgia to earn a gold award for making a difference in the lives of those waiting for an organ, eye, or tissue transplant. Through the Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Campaign, GRMC joined 322 hospitals from across the nation last year to educate employees, families, and local communities on the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donors, and to register new donor designations. More than 4,000 Georgians are currently waiting for a transplant, according to LifeLink of Georgia.

Baseball is one of America’s favorite pastimes, drawing the young and old alike, and Georgia Regents Medical Center is excited to continue supporting the hometown team, the Augusta Greenjackets. GRMC first partnered with the Greenjackets in 2011 and have now entered another three-year agreement to be the official health care provider of the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. GRMC will also continue to work with the GreenJackets on several themed promotions and events to generate awareness about health and wellness needs in our community.

Tired? It could be your parathyroid

PAGE 8 Neuroscience Back pain? Don't take it lying down

PAGE 9 Digestive Health Gut feelings

PAGES 10-11 Family Health When a hero comes along

PAGE 12 In the News $6 million gift for cancer care

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.

TAKE THE

plunge

[I]

t’s pool time! Along with sunscreen, keep the following tips in mind for a safe and fun family experience: Pool toys are great, but don’t rely on them or “floaties” to keep young or nonswimmers afloat. Always supervise children when they are in or near the water. Swimming alone is never fun — so have a swimming buddy! Finally, learn to swim.

It’s the best way to stay safe in the water — but even if you swim well, always know your limitations.

ROAD

trip!

[I]

f you’re traveling this summer, make space in your suitcase for one more thing: a first-aid kit. A basic kit takes up little room and keeps items handy in case your summer adventures lead to bumps and bruises. It should include: emergency phone numbers; a list of allergies and prescriptions for each family member; an over-the-counter pain reliever; first-aid ointment; bandages; antiseptic wipes; thermometer; tweezers; and a first-aid manual.

Tips FOR A safe AND healthy summer KEEP AN

[ W]

eye on it

hile you’re slathering on the sunscreen, remember one part of your body that can’t be protected by a cream or spray: your eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, exposing your eyes to bright sun can increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and vision loss. So when you’re outdoors, choose sunglasses that block 99 percent of UVB and 95 percent of UVA radiation. Large and wraparound styles are not only fashionable but also provide added protection.

GETTING

[ G]

grilled

rilling can be a great way to enjoy delicious food that’s also low in fat and calories.

Choose leaner meats such as skinless chicken breasts, beef round, sirloin, and loin cuts or meaty fish steaks like tuna and salmon. Fruits or vegetables can go on the grill, too.

Get creative by marinating foods in salsa, fat-free salad dressing, wine, and fruit juices. An added plus? When you grill, fat drips away, leaving fresh, flavorful food.

grhealth.org

[ 3 ]

CANCER prevention

IS IT safe

to vape?

E-cigarettes and your health

[I]safer alternative to cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, or—e-cigarettes, t sounds like a dream come true for smokers

a supposedly

are rechargeable, battery-powered inhalers filled with a liquid that generally contains nicotine, flavoring, and/or other additives. A heater within the device creates a vapor, which is inhaled (“vaped” is the lingo) just like cigarette smoke, but without the tar and certain other chemicals.

Proponents claim that e-cigarettes may help people quit or cut down on real cigarettes. An Italian study found a sustained 50 percent reduction in the number of real cigarettes smoked per day by 13 of 40 regular smokers, and another nine quit smoking altogether. “But these are small studies,” says Zhonglin Hao, MD, leader of the Thoracic Oncology Program at the Georgia Regents University Cancer Center. “Many patients are asking for advice about e-cigarette use — and whether or not these devices are safe.”

No regulation, few restrictions According to the Food and Drug Administration, which has unsuccessfully tried to regulate e-cigarettes as a drug, vaping has some serious concerns. Without extensive testing, there is no way to know how much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are in e-cigarettes or how much is inhaled during use. We also don’t know the long-term effects of inhaling the vapor into the lungs.

Until more information is available, most experts suggest relying on FDAapproved smoking cessation aids, such as nicotine gums or patches, counseling, medications (including Chantix or Wellbutrin), or other techniques, if you want to quit smoking. [ 4 ]

grhealth.org

STOP SMOKING NOW Visit the Georgia Regents University Cancer Center’s Tobacco Cessation Clinic for health assessments, a cessation class, and more resources. To make an appointment, call 706-721-6744.

Many patients are asking for advice about e-cigarette use — and whether or not these devices are safe."

-Zhonglin Hao, MD

HEART-HEALTHY living

GET THE WORKOUT

your heart needs Do you know your target heart rate?

[Y]that a well-rounded exercise

ou probably already know

program, including aerobic activity, strength training, and flexibility exercises is good for you. “While all three types of exercise are important, aerobic activities are the ones that provide the greatest benefit for the heart,” says Preston Conger, MD, director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Services at Georgia Regents Medical Center.

How hard should your heart work?

Engaging in moderate-intensity activity for 30 minutes on most, and preferably all, days of the week can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Whether you’re just beginning to exercise or stepping up your workout, it’s also important to know if you’re improving your heart and lung fitness.

One way is to track your target heart rate during your activity. The most healthful activity level uses 50 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate.

To check your heart rate, measure your pulse as soon as you stop your activity. Count it for 10 seconds and multiply that number by six to get the number of beats per minute.

Then use the chart to see whether you’re in the desired zone according to your age.

TARGET HEART RATE ZONES Age

Target heart rate: 50%-85% (beats per minute)

20

100-170

25

98-166

30

95-162

35

93-157

40

90-153

45

88-149

50

85-145

55

83-140

60

80-136

65

78-132

70

75-128

Fewer than 1 in 5 American adults get the recommended amount of activity each day to help prevent heart disease.

Take advantage of the warm summer weather to get out and get moving. Your heart will thank you.

GETTING ACTIVE AGAIN Returning to activity after a heart problem? Cardiac rehabilitation safely guides you back to better health. To schedule a tour or for an appointment, call 706-721-9055 or visit grhealth.org/cardio.

grhealth.org

[ 5 ]

FOCUS ON women

“ABS”-OLUTELY fabulous Smart moves for a tauter tummy

favorite old pair of jeans still fit — as long as you [D]oholdyour your breath? Many people tend to develop extra abdominal

weight as they get older, which can set the stage for several serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. “The good news is that whittling your waist to a healthy size may help ward off these conditions and can ease or even prevent low back pain,” says Janis Coffin, MD, a family medicine physician at Georgia Regents Medical Center who specializes in women’s health.

Consistent exercise, along with a healthy diet, can help you zip up those Levi’s without sacrificing any oxygen. Try targeting your core with these belly busters. To begin, aim for eight repetitions of each exercise.

SHAPE UP THE SMART WAY If you’re starting an exercise regimen, it’s a smart move to also check in with your doctor to assess any health concerns. To find a women’s health physician, call 706-721-4959 or visit grhealth.org/women.

The crunch With your back flat against the floor and your knees at about a 90-degree angle, slowly lift your upper body with your abdominal muscles, raising just the bottom of your shoulder blades off the floor.

The plank Hold your body in a straight line and off the floor, supporting yourself with your forearms and toes. Hold for 30 seconds with abs contracted.

The bicycle With your hands behind your head, legs bent, and toes pointed, touch one elbow, then the other, to the opposite knee.

The V-up To work your lower abdominals, lie on your back with your hands stretched behind your head and your bent legs at an angle of about 90 degrees. Bring your arms over your head, raise your upper body, and reach your hands beyond your knees, parallel with your lower legs.

[ 6 ]

grhealth.org

FOCUS ON women

Tired? IT COULD BE YOUR PARATHYROID

This 15-minute surgery can help

[T]up of four tiny glands

he parathyroid is made

located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. Each is about the size of a corn kernel, but when one of these glands becomes diseased, it can lead to big problems.

Since the parathyroid helps regulate the amount of calcium in our blood and bones, problems in the gland can cause hyperparathyroidism, leading to high calcium levels and a host of non-specific symptoms, including: • Tiredness • Trouble sleeping • Irritability or moodiness • Feeling “old” • Osteoporosis • Bone pain • Kidney stones “While many people may have never even heard of the parathyroid, hyperparathyroidism is actually quite common,” says David Terris, MD, surgical director of the Georgia Regents Thyroid and Parathyroid Center. It’s estimated that hyperparathyroidism affects 1 in 100 people and 1 in 50 women over 50.

An easy, 15-minute fix The old way to treat hyperparathyroidism meant a large incision across the front of the neck to biopsy all four glands, identify the diseased gland and remove it — not a pretty sight — leading to a lengthy hospital stay, months of recovery, and a high risk of complications since the neck is a nerve-rich area.

A new method — embraced

by Dr. Terris — uses a nuclear medicine scan and high-resolution ultrasound to identify which of the four parathyroid glands is affected.

Then, using minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Terris makes a ¾-inch incision in the neck — virtually scarless — to remove the diseased gland, all in a matter of minutes.

Calcium levels regulate almost immediately, and patients just as quickly report a boost in their energy and overall well-being.

“Patients often don’t realize how bad they felt until after they’ve had the surgery. They come back and say, ‘I’m a different person,’” says Dr. Terris. “It’s gratifying both for the patient and for me.”

COULD YOU HAVE A PARATHYROID PROBLEM? Think your parathyroid might be affecting your health? To schedule an appointment with the Georgia Regents Thyroid and Parathyroid Center, call 706-721-4400 or visit grhealth.org/ent.

grhealth.org

[ 7 ]

neuroscience

Back pain?

DON’T TAKE IT LYING DOWN

Four steps to a better back ? .

[A]Lower back pain is one of the ching back join the club

top five reasons Americans see their doctors.

Although you may be tempted to stay in bed until the pain subsides, prolonged bed rest can actually delay relief. “An active lifestyle can help prevent discomfort or recurring injuries by helping you build a stronger, more supple back; improve your posture; and get rid of excess weight,” says Haroon Choudhri, MD, director of the Neurosurgery Spine Service.

What you can do Follow these simple steps to improve your back health:

[ 8 ]

grhealth.org

Exercise your back — and then some. Whole-body exercise is crucial for maintaining good posture. Make sure your workouts include aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming to stretch and strengthen back muscles; strength training and flexibility exercises to make your back more durable; and core exercises, since weak abs can stress out your lower back.

Live well. Eat a balanced, healthy diet to help shed extra pounds that could be putting strain on your back.

If you smoke, quit. Smokers tend to have lower levels of oxygen in their spinal tissue, which slows recovery from back problems.

Get a lift. Lift objects with your legs, not your lower back. Try to perform any heavy lifting late in the day instead of first thing in the morning when your back is less flexible.

Straighten up. Use good posture with your head and neck aligned, and sit with your lower back properly supported.

GOT BACK PAIN? Get the care you need close to you at our new comprehensive Spine Clinic at 1220 West Wheeler Parkway. To make an appointment, call 706-869-1515 or visit grhealth.org/spine.

DIGESTIVE health

Gut FEELINGS Got stomach woes? Sort them out

[B]simple indigestion, check out this list of symptoms. efore you chalk up your next bellyache to

While it could just be yesterday’s taco, recurring problems can point to a chronic condition or even a medical emergency.

YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE

Severe abdominal pain, especially on the left side.

YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE

Burning abdominal pain especially after meals.

YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE

Abdominal pain or cramps, urgent stools.

YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE

YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE YOU HAVE

YOU COULD HAVE

IS IT TIME FOR A CHECKUP? Particularly if you’ve been experiencing new pains or discomfort in your abdomen, a visit to a digestive health specialist may be in order. Contact the Georgia Regents Digestive Health Center at 706-721-9522 or visit grhealth.org/digestivehealth.

YOU HAVE

YOU COULD HAVE YOU HAVE YOU COULD HAVE

Diverticulitis. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and a liquid diet. Daily fiber (20-35 grams) can reduce symptoms.

Gastritis, or an inflamed stomach lining or acid reflux. Treatment depends on the cause.

Irritable bowel syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe drugs and healthful lifestyle changes.

Yellow eyes, dark stools, or excess fatigue.

Hepatitis, jaundice, or liver disease. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, stomach acid neutralizers, or other drugs.

Upper-right abdominal pain lasting for 30 minutes to several hours.

Gallstones. In most cases, you’ll need surgery to remove your gallbladder.

Acute pain or swelling in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, inability to pass gas, or low fever.

Appendicitis. Get emergency medical assistance.

Bloody stools; a change in bowel habits; abdominal pain; weight loss or fatigue; appetite loss; a bloated feeling; vomiting or stomach pain after eating.

Colon or stomach cancer. See your doctor to have your symptoms evaluated.

Diabetes, kidney disease, and are overweight (and have tried losing weight without success).

Obesity or a metabolic syndrome. Treatment can include surgery and weight loss programs. grhealth.org

[ 9 ]

FAMILY health

WHEN A hero COMES ALONG

Our new Heroes campaign spotlights our patients, volunteers, and donors ’ .

[B]volunteer their time, or donate their support to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia (CHOG), that story is our ehind every hero there s a back story and for the thousands of people in our community who

patients and families. Look for our new Heroes campaign this summer, featuring patients like Milla, Ken, and Ben and how they inspire our volunteers and donors.

Milla’s story When Milla laughs, your heart melts. When she reaches out with a fist bump, you can’t help but reach back. Sitting perched on her father’s knee, she sings softly to herself, but grins when she catches you watching. In the next minute, when Susan, her therapist, comes to take her back to her appointment, her lower lip forms a little pout before she gives in and waves goodbye.

In other words, Milla’s a typical 2-year-old — who also happens to have Down syndrome. But really, she’s just Milla. And for parents Amelia Torres and Brian Mooney, she’s beat the odds since the beginning.

“A fighter since day one”

[ 10 ]

grhealth.org

When Amelia was four-and-a-half months along, she found out that her baby would be a little girl — and that her daughter would also have Down syndrome. Her community-based specialists weren’t positive. They told Amelia the baby had fluid in her brain and would need surgery. When Milla was born two weeks early in mid-November, they predicted she would stay in the community hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until at least after Thanksgiving. As for the future — one health care provider told them bluntly not to expect their daughter to do much.

But Milla didn’t need surgery. She left the NICU after only one day. And her parents had much bigger plans for their daughter.

Because children born with Down syndrome often have poor muscle tone, Amelia and Brian worked with Milla all during her first year. But after that, their pediatrician referred them to the pediatric rehabilitation department at CHOG. At 1 year old, Milla was barely sitting and couldn’t crawl. But in a matter of months, her therapists had her crawling, then walking. Now she even starts dancing when Brian puts on her favorite music — anything but classical. “She fought them all the way,” says Amelia, laughing at the memory of her stubborn daughter. “But the therapists wouldn’t give up on her.”

Milla continues to thrive and progress. “It’s like family, coming here,” says Amelia. “They’re not focused on her diagnosis; they’re focused on her as a child. And the future we want for her hasn’t changed since we received the diagnosis. We want her to go on and attend college and do whatever she wants to do — Milla’s choice.”

VOLUNTEER OR MAKE A GIFT TODAY! Come on, be a hero.

Visit giving.gru.edu/heroes or call 706-721-4004.

Ben and Ken’s story When identical twins Ken and Ben were born at only 27 weeks old, they each weighed only a little more than 2 pounds, just large enough to cradle in two hands. The micropreemies spent 79 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at CHOG, two-plus months that were a rollercoaster ride of emotions for parents Colleen and Lance Herr.

“I can’t believe he’s making it another day” For first-time mom, Colleen, pregnancy with twin boys was going smoothly until she suddenly went into labor at 26 weeks. Diagnosed with a rare and potentially dangerous uterine infection, Colleen was immediately put on bed rest, literally tipped upside down to give the boys their best chance. But 10 days later, she needed an emergency C-section, and the babies immediately went to CHOG’s NICU. Ken, a few ounces smaller than his brother, had a number of complications, including a hole in his underdeveloped lungs. Both boys were unable to breathe on their own, had to eat through a feeding tube, received multiple blood transfusions, and fought off infections.

Inside the dim and quiet NICU, with its constant, soft beeping of machines, the two parents watched and waited as the boys got the care they needed. The scares came often and suddenly. Preemies can sometimes stop breathing, causing a sudden drop in heart rate and the need for quick resuscitation. “When I look back on it now, I realize how scary the situation was, that at any minute they could have died,” says Colleen. “But living in that moment, it was really the people surrounding me that made the situation much more manageable. The second anything happened, they just stepped in, and I had full confidence in them.”

Now, 18 months later, both boys are balls of energy, constantly running and playing. They still come to CHOG three days a week for physical, occupational, and speech/swallowing therapy.

But as for their future? Anything goes. “I have two kids that totally beat the odds,” says Colleen. “I hope they will realize how far they’ve come, and that, one day, they will be able to say, ‘I was a micropreemie but that did not stop me from doing anything in my life.’”

grhealth.org

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IN THE news

$6 MILLION GIFT Moves GRU Cancer Center closer to NCI designation $6 [A]Tournament is helping to drive the Georgia recent

million gift from the masters

Regents University Cancer Center closer to its goal of achieving National Cancer Institute designation and is also supporting a new, local camp facility for children with cancer and other special needs.

About $4 million will help build a new clinical cancer research building that will expand the current infrastructure to more than 155,000 square feet of space for more than 500 faculty, staff, and researchers dedicated to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. The University System of Georgia has also already committed $45 million in bond funding, and another $8 million will be provided through community support. With design and concept work already underway, the research building will become part of a larger comprehensive cancer center for both cancer research and clinical treatments, paving the way to NCI designation.

The remaining $2 million supports the creation of Camp Lakeside, a collaboration of the GRU Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and The Family Y. Located in Lincoln County, Georgia, Camp Lakeside will be a fully accessible facility where children

of all ages with disabilities and illnesses can take advantage of recreational activities in a medically safe environment, including children with cancer and their siblings who currently attend CHOG’s Camp Rainbow every summer.

“We believe the leadership and generosity shown by the Masters Tournament and the Augusta National through the Community Foundation of the CSRA will be the catalyst we need to make the Cancer Center a leading resource throughout this region,” says Samir N. Khleif, MD, director at the GRU Cancer Center. “It allows us to strengthen our ability to not only research and treat cancer, but also to support the patients and families impacted by this disease.”