your
health [ Your guide to Healthy Living from Georgia Regents Medical Center ]
Summer 2013 | gru.edu/health
today
Cancer center opens
Genetics Clinic Reducing teen pregnancies The pill cam: Who may need it and why? Internationally renowned spine center
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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
PAGEs 4–5 Cancer Prevention GRU Cancer Center opens Genetic Center Music therapy playing at Cancer Center
PAGE 6 Heart-Healthy Living Chronic inflammation and heart disease
PAGE 7 GRU Cancer Center commemorates 500th bone marrow transplant
Georgia Regents nurse named CSRA Nurse of the Year
When people across the Southeast need bone marrow transplants, they often depend on Georgia Regents University (GRU) Cancer Center’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinics. The center is the only facility in our community, and one of only a few in the Southeast, offering this lifesaving therapy. To commemorate its 500th bone marrow transplant, the staff sponsored a reception recognizing patients, families, physicians and other caregivers involved in the bone marrow transplant program. The event was held in the Cancer Center on July 8. Speakers included the first patient to receive a bone marrow transplant at the center, the 500th transplant patient and Anand Jillella, MD, a medical oncologist who heads the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinics deliver multidisciplinary, holistic care and access to clinical trials not available anywhere else in our area. Patients are cared for in a dedicated 12-bed inpatient bone marrow transplant unit. To learn more, visit gru.edu/cancer.
Georgia Regents University (GRU) and Health System takes great pride in staffing and educating nurses, the keystone of the American health care system. We were recognized for our achievements in nursing when Saundra “Sandy” Turner, EdD, RN, GRU College of Nursing Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships, was named Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Nurse of the Year by the CSRA Chapter of the Georgia Nurses Association. Dr. Turner received the honor at the 14th annual Spirit of Nursing Showcase and banquet on May 3 at First Baptist Church in Augusta. The event is an annual prelude to National Nurses Week, which begins on May 6 and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Focus on Women Reducing teen pregnancies
PAGE 8 Neuroscience World-class spine care
PAGE 9 Digestive Health The pill cam: Who may need it and why?
PAGES 10–11 Family Health Common eye symptoms Understanding acne
PAGE 12 In the News Meet a child champ
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.
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Copyright © 2013 Georgia Regents Health System
Images on any of these pages may be from one or more of these sources: © 2013 Thinkstock and © 2013 istockphoto.com.
now hear this! prevent
swimmer,s ear
ear is a painful infection in the outer ear canal and is often caused by [ S] wimmer’s water that remains in children’s ears after swimming. To prevent swimmer’s ear:
• Give your child wear earplugs for swimming. • Dry your child’s ears with a towel or a hair dryer on a low setting after swimming. • Use eardrops based on isopropyl alcohol, or use a 1-to-1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar, unless your child has ear tubes. • Don’t use cotton swabs in your child’s ears.
Common
(sun) sense
can occur very quickly, and they increase the risk of skin cancer. To protect [ S] unburns your family, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and when outside seek shade when possible. Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher and apply it generously. Wearing hats, protective clothing and sunglasses when outdoors will also help block out the sun’s rays. Keep babies younger than 6 months of age out of direct sunlight. Stay away from tanning beds and be aware of sun-sensitizing medications.
Tips for a safe and healthy summer Sunburn:
When to see a doctor?
your doctor if you experience a sunburn with blistering that covers a large [ S] eeportion of your body or is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, headache, confusion, nausea or chills. If your sunburn does not respond to home care within a few days, call your doctor. Blisters can increase the risk of infection, so seek medical care if you notice increasing pain, tenderness or swelling. Yellow drainage or red streaks leading away from an open blister should receive medical attention right away.
grillin’
guidelines
cooking is a rite of summer, but understanding food-safety guidelines [ O] utdoor is important to keep the party going. When grilling, use a meat thermometer to make sure that you cook meat and poultry thoroughly. This includes ground beef. Avoid cross-contamination by putting cooked meat on a fresh plate instead of back on the plate that held the raw meat. Always make sure to wash hands, work surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water right after they come into contact with raw meat or poultry. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. And when you’re done, refrigerate leftovers promptly.
gru.edu/health
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cancer prevention
Easing
family fears [I]
• have a rare cancer or unusual tumor • have two or more primary cancer diagnoses “We begin by discovering familial patterns through a detailed history,” says Mallory Hire, MS, CGC, genetic
f you have a family history
of cancer, you may think you
have a genetic link to the disease. In truth, only about five to 10 percent of all cancers have a hereditary link. But patients with those genes may be five times more likely to develop cancer. To serve these patients, Georgia Regents University (GRU) Cancer Center has opened the area’s first
The caring professionals at our dedicated Genetics Clinic help patients discover—or rule out—a family link to cancer. This can provide peace of mind and allow families to take active steps to reduce their risks for cancer.” – Dr. Samir N. Khleif, director of the GRU Cancer Center
and testing, if necessary, and take steps to reduce their risk.
Genetic counseling: The first step You and your family may benefit from genetic counseling if you:
Genetic testing Depending on those patterns, genetic testing may be an option. The simple blood or saliva tests determine if patients have a genetic mutation that increases their risk of cancer. “We then counsel patients and families with hereditary genetic mutations, and help provide
dedicated Genetics Clinic. It allows patients to access genetic counseling
counselor at the GRU Cancer Center.
• have family members diagnosed with cancer at age 50 or younger • have multiple close family
preventive and supportive services,” says Hire. For example, women born with the
members with the same type of
BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are
cancer or related cancers
at increased risk of early breast or ovarian cancers as well as increased risk of colon and skin cancer. “We help these family members review their options, which include more frequent screenings, drug therapies or even surgery,” says Hire. “Our role is not to make decisions for families, but to give families the information they need to make informed decisions.”
Call today! To schedule an appointment or to learn more, call 706-721-1314.
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gru.edu/health
A dose of music GRU Cancer Center offers music therapy
[M]
usic has long been
considered a healing
art. The ancient Greeks believed it could mend body and spirit. Native Americans chanted during healing rituals, and the Veterans Administration used it to treat patients suffering from “shell shock” in World War II. Scientific evidence now suggests that music can indeed promote healing, help relieve pain and foster well-being, giving birth to a specialty called music therapy.
patients and their families as well
as other local musicians, will
as three group sessions each week.
perform weekly in the lobby of the
and other integrative therapies
“People really come alive in these
Cancer Center.
as part of our holistic approach to
sessions,” he says. “Music just seems
care,” says Samir N. Khleif, MD,
to open doors for cancer patients and
hopes to launch a formal music
director of the Georgia Regents
let them connect with their feelings
therapy program where students will
University (GRU) Cancer Center.
and express themselves.”
work closely with cancer patients.
“We believe in the power of music
And, by fall 2014, the university
“In addition, we’re working with the
Montgomery also works with
“The partnership between the
Summerville campus to make these
patients in the infusion center,
liberal arts and health care at the
disciplines available to the people
helping them overcome pain, anxiety
University will also allow researchers
we serve.”
and discomfort during chemotherapy.
to examine the role of music in controlling pain and other cancer
Medical music The music therapy program is
Partnering with GRU’s music department
led by Stephen Montgomery, a
The program demonstrates how
board-certified music therapist.
collaborations between the medical
Montgomery uses both musical and
and Summerville campuses can
psychological skills to help patients
benefit patients, students and
deal with the stress, fear and pain
the community.
of cancer. He offers one-on-one consults with
Students and faculty from the GRU Music Department, as well
symptoms,” says Dr. Khleif.
Let music help heal you To learn more about music therapy at the GRU Cancer Center, contact Stephen Montgomery at 706-721-0550 or smontgomery@gru.edu.
gru.edu/health
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Heart-Healthy living
Chronic inflammation and
•E at a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eliminate trans fats and reduce saturated fats found in red meats, butter and
heart disease
other products. • Exercise regularly. •R educe stress and get plenty of sleep. • Lose weight, if needed.
Is there a connection?
[I]
•D on’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. Use of certain medications,
f you suffer a cut or burn,
sedentary, tend to have higher levels of
particularly statins, may help to
your immune system responds
inflammation. “If you’re overweight,
prevent heart attack or stroke in
with inflammation to protect the
particularly in the midsection, you’re
patients with elevated inflammatory
area from bacteria. While the
at increased risk of having high blood
markers, even when cholesterol levels
resulting swelling and redness may
pressure, insulin resistance or high
are normal.
be unattractive, this is an example
triglycerides that are caused in part by
of good inflammation because it
inflammation,” Dr. Litwin says.
contributes to healing. But chronic inflammation in the
“Good health habits can reduce inflammation and possibly lower your risk for heart disease and stroke,”
Take heart!
body may cause tissue damage rather
Fortunately, the following lifestyle
than promoting healing. A growing
changes can help reduce or prevent
body of evidence indicates that
chronic inflammation:
Dr. Litwin says.
inflammation may be a contributing factor to heart disease.
How does inflammation affect the heart? “Chronic inflammation may contribute to the formation of plaque in the walls of blood vessels. Perhaps more importantly, inflamed plaques are more likely to become unstable and to become the site of clot formation. This is the situation that most
Practice risk reduction
commonly leads to a heart attack or
Many first heart attacks and strokes are fatal, so it’s important to know your risks. At Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Services, specialists in interventional cardiology, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging and open-heart surgery work as a team to diagnose and treat the full range of cardiovascular diseases. To schedule an appointment, call 706-721-2426.
stroke,” says Sheldon Litwin, MD, a cardiologist at Georgia Regents Heart & Cardiovascular Services. People with poor health habits, especially those who are obese or
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gru.edu/health
focus on women
teen health clinic Reducing teen pregnancies
[T]
een pregnancies can
derail young lives, affect
We Are Change consists of
The clinic is held in the Women’s
11 youth-serving organizations and five
Center on the 5th floor of the Georgia
subsequent generations and take a
clinical partners in the county. They’re
Regents Medical Office Building
social and economic toll.
working together to implement
at 1447 Harper Street. Walk-ins
The good news is that U.S. teen
“evidence-based” programs proven
are welcome.
pregnancies have declined in recent
to reduce teen pregnancies, some of
years. The bad news? Rates remain
which go beyond teaching abstinence.
high across the South, and they’re
“We offer teen-friendly, confidential services such as education, STD screenings and treatments and birth
particularly high in Richmond
A Teen Health Clinic
control counseling and services at
County.
Georgia Regents Women’s Center
reduced fees,” says Dr. Latif, the
is sponsoring a Teen Health Clinic
clinic’s director. “Birth control
twice as high in Richmond County
“Teen pregnancies are almost
three days a week from 3 to 5 p.m., so
options include everything from
as they are nationally,” says Erin
teens can access the care they need.
abstinence to pills to the longer-lasting
Latif, MD, an Ob/Gyn at Georgia
contraceptives recommended by the
Regents Women’s Center.
American College of Obstetricians and
A coalition to protect teens The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is funding a campaign called “We Are Change” to reduce the county’s rates by 10 percent by 2015. This program is administered by the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential, which works to improve the health and well-being of Georgia’s youth.
Teen pregnancies by the numbers In 2010, the teen pregnancy rate was: • 34.2 per 1,000 in the United States • 37.7 per 1,000 in Georgia • 66.5 per 1,000 in Richmond County
Know your options To schedule an appointment at the clinic, call 706-721-1567.
Gynecologists (ACOG),” she says.
New recommendations The ACOG now recommends that physicians point teens seeking birth control toward intrauterine devices (IUDs) or hormonal implants. “These have proven to be more effective at preventing teen pregnancies since they don’t have to be taken daily,” says Dr. Latif.
gru.edu/health
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neuroscience
Get back in action At our world-renowned spine center
[B]
Comprehensive care and therapy The team offers both traditional and minimally invasive spine surgery as well as:
ack problems can turn
in both neurosurgery and orthopaedic
your life upside down,
surgery and directs the Spine Center.
causing pain and disrupting your
“This includes revision surgeries
normal activities.
for patients who had a poor surgical
The staff at Georgia Regents Spine Center can get to the bottom of your
outcome elsewhere.” The center’s neurosurgeons work
• spinal embolization to stop the flow of blood to tumors
• Gamma Knife surgery to treat tumors or lesions with radiation
• spinal stimulators/drug pumps to relieve pain
• physical and occupational therapy
problem and deliver medical and
closely with general neurologists,
surgical care for virtually every type of
something that is not always the case,
spinal problem.
to help in the diagnosis of unusual
Specialized neuroimaging
neurological conditions and identify
Neuroimaging is performed by
A nationally recognized referral center
nonsurgical treatment options first.
a highly trained team following
“Many people don’t realize that we serve as a national and international
Treating virtually every spinal condition
referral center for highly complex
Dr. Choudhri and his colleagues treat:
cases that are extremely difficult to diagnose and treat,” says Haroon Choudhri, MD, a spine surgeon who is board-certified and fellowship trained
strict protocols and using the most
• c ervical, thoracic and lumbar disc disease
advanced imaging equipment on the market. “This ensures exceptionally clear, high-quality CT scans and MRIs for more accurate diagnoses,”
• s pinal and spinal cord tumors • c ongenital defects • scoliosis • spinal infections • herniated disks • f ractures and spinal
Dr. Choudhri says.
A weekly spine conference A weekly spine conference lets neurosurgeons discuss in-house cases and review complex spinal cases,
injuries
which have been referred from as far
• degenerative spinal
away as Kuwait. “These conferences
diseases such as cervical and
give us invaluable experience that
lumbar stenosis
we pass on to other patients,” says
“We also have a dedicated
Dr. Choudhri.
neuroanesthesiologist. This allows us to perform more sophisticated procedures, including revision surgeries,” Dr. Choudhri says.
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Don’t live in pain To schedule an appointment, call 706-723-0115 or visit gru.edu/spine.
digestive health
Capsule
endoscopy A camera in a pill
[W]
hen brenda williford
of Garfield, Ga.,
awoke with stomach pain and gastrointestinal bleeding one Sunday morning, she and her husband headed for Georgia Regents Medical Center. “I had a very good previous experience there, and never want to go anywhere else,” Brenda says. After emergency care, Brenda’s physician began a series of tests to discover the cause of her bleeding. When none of the traditional tests identified the problem, Sherman Chamberlain, MD, a
Digestive problems? The Georgia Regents Digestive Health Center staffs the largest team of gastroenterologists and hepatologists in the area, offers the widest range of tests and treatments and serves as a national referral center. It also operates specialty clinics for: • motility disorders • GERD/heartburn pelvic floor disorders • • irritable bowel syndrome • lactose and fructose intolerance • gastroparesis • dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) • constipation To schedule an appointment, call 706-721-9522 or to learn more visit gru.edu/digestivehealth.
gastroenterologist at Georgia Regents Digestive Health Center, suggested
tract. The images were transmitted
A diagnostic marvel
capsule endoscopy.
to a small wearable recorder for
In addition to obscure GI bleeding,
Dr. Chamberlain’s review. The pill
the pill cam can be used to diagnose:
The diagnostic procedure uses the “pill cam,” a vitamin-sized pill that contains a tiny wireless video camera.
itself is not retrieved. “The pill cam is the gold standard
The test allows physicians to view
for diagnosing disorders of the small
the inside of the small intestines, an
intestine, when traditional GI work-
area that can’t easily be reached with
ups fail to find the problem,” says
conventional endoscopy.
Dr. Chamberlain. The images showed that Brenda’s
• inflammatory bowel disease • tumors in the small intestine that may be difficult to find
• complications of celiac disease, or gluten intolerance
• polyps, especially in people who have inherited polyposis
An accurate diagnosis
bleeding was caused by small bowel
Brenda swallowed the pill, and the
diverticulosis. Brenda had surgery to
camera took thousands of pictures
remove that area of the bowel, and she
everyone involved was just great,”
as it traveled through her digestive
has experienced no further bleeding.
Brenda says.
syndromes “The test was very easy and
gru.edu/health
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Family health
or detachment that requires care,” Dr. Nussbaum says.
Halos and glare Halos are bright circles that appear around a light, such as oncoming headlights. Glare is light that enters your eyes and interferes with your vision. Both can be uncomfortable and temporarily impair your vision.
Common eye
problems
Floaters, glare, halos and twitching
[M]
Halos and glare can be signs of cataracts, diabetes or a deficiency of vitamin A or zinc. And they may occur after LASIK surgery or sunlight exposure. If halos and glare are ongoing, Dr. Nussbaum suggests you see an ophthalmologist.
Twitching Many people also experience occasional involuntary twitching of
ost people experience
Dr. Nussbaum recommends you see
occasional problems with
an ophthalmologist if you experience:
the eyelid. Common causes include alcohol or
their eyes, but it can be difficult to
• more floaters than usual
caffeine, bright lights, irritation of the
know when to see a physician for
• a sudden onset of new floaters • flashes of light • a loss of peripheral vision
eye, lack of sleep, smoking and stress.
“These could indicate a retinal tear
see your physician if:
these problems. Julian Nussbaum, MD, an ophthalmologist at Georgia Regents
Floaters You may have noticed black or gray specks, strings or spots that drift across your eyes. Known as floaters, most are caused by age-related changes that happen within the gel-like vitreous inside your eyes. Microscopic fibers in the vitreous clump together, creating tiny shadows on the retina. Most floaters are harmless, but
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own within a few days or weeks. But
• the twitching continues longer
Medical Center, shares some information.
Eye twitching usually subsides on its
Take care of your eyes Georgia Regents Eye Care Associates cares for: • cornea and external diseases • glaucoma • neuro-ophthalmology • retina and vitreous problems To make an appointment with Georgia Regents Eye Care Associates today, call 706-721-2020 for downtown or 706-651-1291 for the Washington Road office.
than a few weeks
• your eyelid closes completely with each twitch, or it’s difficult to open your eye
• twitching happens in other parts of the face
• your eye is red, swollen or has a discharge
• your eyelids droop Many eye diseases can be treated if caught early. Protect your vision and eye health through regular dilated eye exams.
Understanding acne Prevention, home care and treatments
[A]
cne is annoying at best.
At worst, it can cause
emotional pain and scarring. Luckily, there are effective
• premenstrual women • pregnant women • p eople who use certain medications,
treatments for acne. “And the
including
sooner they’re used, the lower
corticosteroids,
the risk of psychological distress
androgens or lithium
and lasting physical damage,”
“Despite popular
says Janis Coffin, DO, medical
belief, acne isn’t caused
director at Georgia Regents Family
by greasy foods and
Medicine Center.
chocolate or dirty skin,” Dr. Coffin says. In fact, studies show
What causes acne?
that dairy products and carbohydrate-
Acne erupts when hair follicles
rich foods like bread may trigger acne.
• not picking or squeezing
are clogged with oil, dead skin and possibly bacteria. It may appear
Home care may be enough
blemishes. This may cause
under the skin as blackheads or as
Light or moderate cases of acne can
scarring.
slightly raised, skin-colored bumps
often be controlled by home care,
called whiteheads.
such as:
Most common on the face, neck,
• g entle washing with a mild
When to see a doctor “If your acne persists, becomes
chest, back and shoulders, acne can
cleanser. Don’t over wash or
inflamed or is particularly
be amazingly persistent and very
scrub the skin, and avoid facial
distressing, see a dermatologist,”
slow to heal. And, as soon as one spot
scrubs, astringents and masks
Dr. Coffin says. He or she may
clears up, another often erupts.
that may irritate the skin.
recommend:
• u sing over-the-counter acne
• over-the-counter or prescription
Who is at risk?
lotions designed to dry excess oil
medications, including antibiotics,
The condition is often provoked or
and promote peeling of the skin
medicines containing Retin-A or
aggravated by hormonal changes and most often occurs in:
• teenagers
• a voiding oily, greasy irritants in cosmetics and sunscreens. Look for products that are labeled “water-based”
Keep your skin healthy To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, call 706-721-CARE (2273).
oral contraceptives
• laser or light therapy, to reach the deeper layers of skin
• cosmetic procedures, such
on “noncomedogenic.”
as chemical peels and
Noncomedogenic products
microdermabrasion
do not clog pores.
• k eeping hair, hands and objects off your face.
Your dermatologist may also be able to perform procedures to diminish the scars left by acne.
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In the news
Children’s Miracle Network names
Emma Taylor a 2013 ‘champ’ [S]
ix-year-old emma taylor
needed for treatment, recovery and
medical challenges she faces, made
was officially named the
the care of children,” says Catherine
her the perfect choice for the 2013
champion her caregivers at Children’s
Stewart, CMN development officer.
CMN Hospitals Georgia Champion.
Hospital of Georgia have long known
Since 2010, when she was first
Emma and her parents, Jeremy
her to be. Emma was chosen as the 2013
admitted to the Children’s Hospital
and Nikki Taylor, will accompany
of Georgia, Emma has fought a rare
champions from other states on
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN)
condition known as mitochondrial
an official ambassador trip to
Hospitals Georgia Champion. As such,
disease with grace, charm and humor.
Washington, DC, and Orlando, Fla.,
she will serve as a fundraising and
Because of the disease, Emma’s
awareness ambassador for Children’s
cells cannot efficiently turn sugar
Hospital of Georgia and other
and oxygen into energy. She is unable
hospitals in the CMN.
to walk or even stand on her own,
CMN Hospitals raises funds for
has lost her fine motor skills and has
170 children’s hospitals across North
seizures. Unfortunately, the disease
America. Every year, they identify a
is progressive and there is not yet
child with a remarkable medical
a cure for it.
story from each state to serve as that state’s champion. Emma was a natural choice for
But that doesn’t stop Emma’s infectious laugh, high spirits and delightful singing,
Georgia. “Emma illustrates the
often inventing lyrics as she
impact Children’s Hospital of Georgia
goes along.
has on children and families, and demonstrates why donations are
Her oversized personality, combined with the unique
this fall.