Your Health Today - Spring 2014 by Augusta University

health your

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

Spring 2014 | gru.edu/health

today

STROKE TEST:

Do you know the signs? Spring into fitness! Bright kid, bad grades Poison-proof your home

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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 spring

PAGES 4-5 Cancer Prevention Watch your mouth When a loved one has cancer

PAGE 6 Heart-Healthy Living 3 fast diet fixes

PAGE 7 Focus on Women GRMC ALLIANCE NAMED DEAL OF YEAR BY GEORGIA BIO An alliance between Georgia Regents Medical Center (GRMC) and Philips, one of the world’s largest electronics companies, has been named a Deal of the Year by the Georgia Bio Awards, which annually recognize the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, companies, and organizations within the Georgia life sciences community. The 15-year, $300 million agreement—a first in the United States—brings together Philips’ advanced medical technologies and GRMC’s clinicians, staff, and patient advisors to help design new technologies to improve the patient care experience. These solutions, impacting areas such as radiology, cardiology, neurology, oncology, and pediatrics, could change the way health care is delivered both nationally and internationally.

NEW IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR A FIRST AT GRMC Heart patients at Georgia Regents Medical Center (GRMC) are now benefiting from the latest implantable defibrillator (ICD), which sits just underthe skin and never physically touches the heart. While most typical ICDs use electrical wires surgically threaded through the veins into the heart, the S-ICD and its corresponding wire sit just under the skin, monitoring for abnormal heart rhythms and delivering a shock to reset the heart’s normal rhythm when needed. GRMC is the first in the region to offer this new technology, which offers a far less invasive option for patients, and reduces the risk of complications.

Check, please

PAGE 8 Neuroscience Different stroke signs for different folks

PAGE 9 Digestive Health Take control of IBS

PAGES 10-11 Family Health Poison alert! Bright kid, bad grades

PAGE 12 In the News A $56 million economic impact

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 gru.edu/health. Copyright © 2014 Georgia Regents Health System

STOP THE

sneezing

there’s no cure for hay fever, you can minimize your symptoms and [ A] lthough savor the season rather than simply suffering through it. Stay indoors and use an air conditioner, if possible, especially during peak pollen times. Don’t hang bedding or clothes outside to dry. If you need to work outside, wear a dust mask. Shower or bathe before bedtime to wash off pollen. Finally, talk to your doctor about taking an allergy medication—before symptoms start.

BATTER

up!

your children or teens start a new sports season, encourage them to play safe. [ A] sAbout six to eight weeks before the sport begins, make sure children are active, exercising at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Next, schedule a physical before beginning a new sport. Stuck in one sport? Cross-train for good overall physical fitness. On the field, ensure children use proper equipment and take breaks to let their bodies rest and recover.

Tips FOR A safe AND healthy spring SPRING INTO

fitness

warm spring days enticing you to jump-start your exercise routine? If you’ve had [ A] rea sedentary winter, avoid injuries by walking a few times a week before gradually adding more activity. A partner can help keep you accountable, and keeping a journal can help you see what activities work best for you and track your progress. Finally, have fun! Be sure to integrate a variety of activities that you enjoy, such as biking, hiking, or swimming to stave off boredom.

CLEAN AND

green

green in your spring cleaning with just a few simple ingredients: baking soda, [ G] ovinegar, plain soap, and a sponge or rag. Baking soda with a touch of soap can make porcelain tubs, toilets, and sinks gleam; vinegar diluted in warm water gives a squeaky-clean shine to windows, mirrors, and floors; and an equal amount of baking soda and vinegar, followed by boiling water, can naturally keep drains clear.

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[ 3 ]

CANCER prevention

FREE SCREENING! Georgia Regents University Cancer Center will offer free oral, head, and neck cancer screenings on Thursday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 706-721-6744 to schedule your free screening.

WATCH YOUR

mouth

least five servings of fruits and

vegetables a day and cut back on processed and red meats.

Four easy ways to prevent oral cancer

[M]

Revamping your diet. Eat at

Performing monthly self-exams. Check your lips, gums, the roof

of your mouth, and the inside of your cheeks and your tongue, noting any sores or white patches.

What to watch for ore than 35,000 people

100 times more likely to get oral

If you notice any changes, let your

are diagnosed annually

cancer than those who don’t.

health care provider or dentist know

with oral cancer, yet it is one of the

Quit smoking, stop using chewing

right away. Look for:

easiest cancers both to prevent and

tobacco/dip/snuff, and limit alcohol

detect. According to Frank Mott,

to one drink a day for women or two

M.D., co-leader of the Head and

drinks a day for men.

Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic at Georgia Regents University Cancer Center, you can start today by:

• white or red patches in your mouth • a sore that won’t heal • bleeding

Protecting yourself. Wear lip

• loose teeth

balm with an SPF of at least

• problems/pain with swallowing

15. Stay in the shade or wear a hat,

or tongue movement

Ditching your vices. People who

especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,

• a lump in your neck

use tobacco with alcohol are

when the sun’s rays are strongest.

• unrelenting pain in one ear

[ 4 ]

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WHEN A LOVED ONE

has cancer

Five strategies to help caregivers cope

[W]

hen caring for someone

if your loved one is consistently

your spirits and stave off feelings

with cancer, you need to be

depressed, help find professional

of resentment.

at your best. But long, busy days can leave you exhausted and emotionally drained. Follow these guidelines to help cope with stress and sustain energy.

Learn what to expect. Fear of the unknown along with day-

to-day anxieties may overwhelm

counseling.

Take care of yourself. Make time for healthy meals, regular

exercise, and social activities.

Take time for others you love. Your loved one’s cancer

Be alert for signs you’re nearing burnout. Call our Cancer Information Line at 888-365-0747 for local resources that can help.

treatment can last months—while

you. Seek advice from your loved

others you love continue to have

one’s caregivers, or visit Georgia

birthdays, score winning goals,

Regents University Cancer Center’s

and get promoted. Share in

online resources at gru.edu/

their joy. In showing love

cancer/community.

for others, you get love in

CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH CANCER?

return, which will bolster Help when and where it’s needed. You may not have to

do as much as you think. Ask your loved one what you can do, and don’t be afraid to delegate to others who want to help.

Let your loved one talk. Sometimes just listening is

good enough. It’s normal for the person you’re caring for to have occasional down moments. But

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[ 5 ]

HEART-HEALTHY living

FAST DIET

3 fixes A heart-healthy eating plan for today’s lifestyle

[M]

oms (and dads)—take

heart. Eating a heart-

healthy diet that is also familyfriendly is easier than you may think. All it takes is a little preparation. Here are three quick ways that you can incorporate healthy eating into your family’s daily lifestyle, according to Sarah Schmidt, a registered dietitian with expertise in nutrition education and wellness

NEED A DIET RX? The Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Center has professional dietitians who can help design a diet plan that works for you. Call 706-721-CARE (2273) to schedule an appointment.

at the Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Center.

Add color to your plate. At every meal, fill half your plate

with a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables for maximum health

Don’t think diet—think

dairy products, and seafood in

moderation. Variety, after all,

your diet.

is the key to any healthy diet. So if

Make it a habit. This can be

benefits. These can be fresh, frozen,

you love donuts, they can still be

dried, or canned—just aim for low

part of your diet. Just make sure to

sodium and no added sugars. Other

moderate your portions and read

easy ways: Grab a piece of fruit for

labels. Remember, the goal is to have

the grocery store, visit the produce

a quick snack as you head out the

fewer foods with sodium, saturated

section first and stock up on healthy

door, try fresh veggies with hummus

fats, trans fats, cholesterol, added

fresh fruits and vegetables, then

or low-fat dressing, or add a handful

sugars, and refined grains, and to

continue around the perimeter of

of roasted vegetables to pizza, pasta,

include more fruits, vegetables,

the store so you can add lean protein

or rice.

whole grains, fat-free and low-fat

and whole grains.

[ 6 ]

gru.edu/health

as simple as changing your

shopping patterns. When you go to

FOCUS ON women

CHECK, please Making the most of your annual checkup

[T]

oo busy to get an

personal health concerns, doctors

lowering cholesterol—now is the time

annual checkup? Think

often need to know more about your

to discuss them with your doctor.

again. “Your annual checkup helps

family’s medical history. Take stock of

keep you—and hence your family—

your family’s medical history before

running smoothly,” says Kelli Braun,

your appointment so you and your

M.D., a gynecologist with Georgia

doctor can tackle potential health

Regents Women’s Health. Follow

concerns.

these tips to make the most of your time with your doctor. Prepare (and bring!) a list of

Ask about future exams. Your annual appointment is the ideal time to schedule other exams,

questions. An annual exam is

such as a colon cancer screening or

your time to ask about any health

mammogram.

concerns you might have. Review your family’s health history. When addressing your

Anticipate future concerns. If you

IS IT TIME FOR A SCREENING? Talk to your doctor about how often these and other screening tests should be done. Age

Screening test(s)

20s and beyond

Blood pressure, diabetes (if you have high blood pressure), cervical cancer, pelvic exam

30s and beyond

Cholesterol (check with your doctor)

40s and beyond

Breast cancer (check with your doctor)

50s and beyond

Breast cancer, colon cancer

60s and beyond

Osteoporosis

have set any future health goals— losing weight, quitting smoking,

MORE THAN JUST GYNECOLOGICAL CARE Georgia Regents Women’s Health offers the widest range of women’s health services in the area. Call 706-721-CARE (2273) or visit gru.edu/women to find out more.

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[ 7 ]

neuroscience sudden onset of: • numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body • confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • trouble seeing in one or both eyes • difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination • severe headache with no known cause • problems with memory, spatial orientation, or perception Women may also experience sudden onset of: • pain in the face, chest, arms, or legs

DIFFERENT STROKE SIGNS

for different folks Common—and uncommon— stroke symptoms

[A]

recent national stroke

at Georgia Regents Medical Center.

Association Survey found

Fast action must

that 1 in 3 Americans can’t name

be taken to restore the brain’s

a single stroke symptom. “What’s

blood flow.

more, women may experience different, nontraditional symptoms

Know all the symptoms

than men—leading to delayed

It’s important that men and women

treatment, which can be deadly,” says

are familiar with the most common

David Hess, M.D., a stroke specialist

stroke symptoms, which include

[ 8 ]

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• a seizure • a pounding or racing heartbeat • nausea • shortness of breath • loss of consciousness, fainting, falls, or accidents

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS To help remember the most common stroke symptoms and seek prompt medical treatment, think of the acronym FAST: ace: Does one side of the face droop when asked to smile? rms: When raising both arms, does one arm drift downward? peech: When trying to repeat a simple sentence, are the words slurred or incorrect? ime: Rush to emergency care immediately for evaluation and treatment.

F A S T

DID YOU KNOW? The Stroke Center at Georgia Regents Medical Center is the first in the state to earn Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center status from The Joint Commission. Call 706-721-1691 or visit gru.edu/ stroke to learn more about our compassionate stroke team.

DIGESTIVE health

TAKE CONTROL of

IBS

Get freedom from your symptoms

[I]

s your digestive system so

temperamental you’re afraid

Write down the foods that seem to bring on symptoms and discuss

to travel? Or do frequent bloating,

your findings with your doctor.

cramps, and unpredictable bowel

Once you identify food triggers, scale

movements force you to stay close to

back your intake. Common culprits

a restroom at all times? “If so, you

are dairy products, caffeine, beans,

may have irritable bowel syndrome

cabbage, fat, and alcohol. Many of

(IBS), a common intestinal disorder

the nutrients you need may be in the

that causes cramps, diarrhea, gas,

foods you are avoiding, so be sure to

bloating, and constipation,” says Satish

make healthy substitutions. Limit

Rao, M.D., director of the Georgia

spicy foods.

Regents Digestive Health Center. Although help is available,

Eat smaller meals. Large meals can cause cramping and

embarrassment causes many with

diarrhea, so try eating

IBS to suffer in silence rather than

a few small meals

seek treatment.

throughout the day.

What you can do

of the brain–bowel

Control stress. Because See a digestive specialist as soon

connection, high tension

as symptoms appear. A digestive

levels can trigger IBS

specialist will know what treatments

symptoms. To unwind,

are best for you. And because the

go for a daily walk, talk

symptoms of IBS may mimic those

with a friend, dust off

of a serious disease, it’s important

an old hobby, or listen

to rule out any underlying disorder.

to music.

THINK YOU HAVE IBS? The Georgia Regents Digestive Health Center is here to help, offering the region’s most advanced diagnostic tests and treatments. To make an appointment now, call 706-721-9522 or visit gru.edu/digestivehealth to request an appointment online!

gru.edu/health

[ 9 ]

FAMILY health

POISON alert! Five stay-safe steps to stopping household accidents

[C]

hildren ages 5 and

coordinator of Safe Kids Greater

Childproofing measures

younger accounted for

Augusta at the Children’s Hospital

Take steps to keep your kids safe

50 percent of all poison control

of Georgia. “What’s more, their

by following these tips:

center calls in 2011, according

natural curiosity means they put

to Safe Kids Worldwide. “Young

everything in their mouths. To them,

children are more susceptible

dishwasher soap granules resemble

because their small size and faster

candy sprinkles, bleach looks like

original containers with lids tightly

metabolism make them less able to

water, and brightly colored cologne

closed and locked in a cabinet.

handle toxins,” says Rene Hopkins,

or mouthwash could be juice.”

Ensure that visitors (such as

Ask for child-resistant caps on all medications and

vitamins. Keep all drugs in

Grandma) hang purses carrying medications high and out of reach of small children.

Keep cleaning solutions in original containers. If you

use juice or milk bottles to store such fluids, a child may take a drink, thinking it’s OK. Always return products to safe storage immediately after use.

Don’t leave your children alone with household

products. Most poisonings occur when the product is in use and the child is unsupervised. If you stop to answer the phone, take your child with you.

4 POISON PREVENTION EDUCATION Interested in scheduling a poison prevention program at your child’s school or other event? Call Safe Kids Greater Augusta at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia at 706-721-7606 or email safekids@gru.edu.

[ 10 ]

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Check your home or yard for poisonous plants. Place plants

so your child can’t get to them; otherwise, remove them.

Check your garage for toxic chemicals. Store them high up

and in a locked cabinet.

If you suspect your child might have a learning disability, talk with his or her teachers and pediatrician. Their observations can help clarify the problem.

and Nelson Rockefeller—some of the country’s most brilliant and celebrated citizens—all of whom had learning disabilities.

BRIGHT KID,

What to do While learning disabilities can

bad grades Does your child have a learning disability?

occur at any age, they’re most often detected when kids hit school age and reading, writing, and math skills come into play. If you suspect your child might have a learning disability, talk with his or her teachers and pediatrician. Their observations can help clarify the problem.

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS Call 706-721-KIDS (5437) or toll-free at 888-721-KIDS (5437) for an assessment by a developmental behavioral specialist if you suspect a learning disability.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Check out these online resources for more information: LD Online: ldonline.org National Center for Learning Disabilities: ncld.org

[A]

Once you have an accurate

child’s occasional

diagnosis, your pediatrician can

struggle with schoolwork is

direct you to programs and services

normal. But for some kids, ongoing

that can benefit your child, help him

issues with school can be traced to a

or her overcome academic challenges,

learning disability. Nearly 3 million

and truly blossom. For example,

public school students—or roughly

a speech therapist can improve

5 percent—are diagnosed with

communication skills and reading,

learning disabilities, which can

and math specialists can decipher

translate to poor reading, writing,

troublesome concepts. Individualized

listening, communication, and math

instruction such as a curriculum that

skills.

builds on your child’s strengths can

With proper treatment, your

instill confidence and hone skills.

child doesn’t have to be held back

The bottom line: Be supportive and

by a learning disability. Just look

encouraging, and don’t be afraid to

at Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein,

seek help.

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[ 11 ]

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IN THE news

GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY AND HEALTH SYSTEM CONTRIBUTE NEARLY $56 MILLION

to local community

Economic impact focuses on health care, education, the arts, and community projects

health system’s mission: To provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and service. To date, the fund has distributed more than $400,000 to local nonprofits and organizations, including the Augusta Mini Theatre, Augusta Wounded Warriors, Christ Community Health Services, First Tee of Augusta, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Lamar Medical Center–Beulah Grove, CSRA

[H]

Alliance Fort Gordon, the Morris ow do you measure

including education and economic

Museum of Art, Press On to Cure

someone’s positive impact? If

vitality,” says David S. Hefner,

Childhood Cancer Fund, the Augusta

it’s in numbers, then Georgia Regents

executive vice president for Clinical

Symphony, and nearly 30 others.

Medical Center (GRMC) is brimming

Affairs at Georgia Regents University

over with positivity.

(GRU) and CEO of Georgia Regents

be used to continue to address the

Medical Center and Georgia Regents

unmet needs in our community and

Medical Associates.

deliver on our continued commitment

According to a recent Georgia Hospital Association study, Georgia Regents Medical Center provided

“Our hope is that these funds will

to serve those in our own backyard,”

nearly $56 million in uncompensated

Community impact

says Cedric Johnson, director of

care to patients in need in 2011—a

Outside the hospital walls, the

Community Affairs at GRU.

number nearly equal to indigent and

university and health system

uncompensated care reported by other

have also joined to promote and

local hospitals combined.

enhance health, education, civic and

“Our health care system is

community issues, and quality of

indispensable. It is a primary guardian

life in this community through the

of health, a referral resource for

GRU-GRHealth Sponsorship Fund.

advanced and complex care across the

The fund is designed to support

region, and a key building block for

local organizations and events

everything else in our communities,

that align with the university and