Your Health Today by Augusta University

healthtoday

your Volume I, Issue 2

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Your Guide to Healthy Living from Georgia Health Sciences Health System

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Conquer obesity at our new Weight Loss Center Preventing stroke: The area’s only interventional care

New treatments for prostate and kidney cancers ADHD: The help your child deserves

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A shoulder to lean on

Support groups at Georgia Health Sciences Health System ALS Support Group Lunch and Learn When: Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Lunch is served. Where: Medical Office Building, 4th floor, Room 4306 Call: 706-721-2681 for more information.

Autism Support Group When: First Tuesday of each month, 6–7 p.m. Where: Children’s Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Resource Library Call: 706-721-5160 for more information.

A.W.A.K.E. Support Group

Breastfeeding Class When: Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 28, 7–9 p.m. Where: Medical Center, 1120 15th St., West Entrance, 1st floor, Patient and Family Resource Library Call: 706-721-9351 for more information.

Let’s Talk Cancer Support Group When: Second Monday of each month, 5:30–7 p.m. Where: Cancer Center, 1411 Laney Walker Blvd., 1st floor, Community Room Call: 706-721-0550 for more information.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

Support for sleep apnea patients When: Fourth Thursday of each month, 7–9 p.m. No meetings in November or December. Where: Children’s Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., 1st floor, Family Resource Library, Room 1801 Call: 706-721-0793 for more information.

When: Nov. 21, no Dec. meeting, Jan. 30, Feb. 27, 6–7:30 p.m. Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, Augusta MS Center, 6th floor Call: 706-721-1411 for reservations or information.

Blood Cancer/BMT Support Group

Weight Loss Surgery Seminars

When: Third Wednesday of each month, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Where: Cancer Center, 1411 Laney Walker Blvd., 1st floor, Community Room Call: 706-721-1634 for more information.

Breast Cancer Support Group When: Second Thursday of each month, 5:30–7 p.m. Where: Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center, 1st floor, community room Call: 706-721-4109 for more information.

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Inside this issue Page 3 Tips for a safe and healthy fall

Pages 4–5

Focus on Women • Take control of incontinence • Cosmetic dermatology

Pages 6–7

Cancer Prevention • Finding lung cancer early • Cryotherapy for prostate and kidney cancer

Pages 8–9

Heart-Healthy Living • Georgia Health Sciences opens Weight Loss Center

Pages 10–11

When: Second and fourth Thursday of each month. No seminar November 24. Where: Columbia County Library, second Thursday of each month; Georgia Health Sciences Alumni Center, fourth Thursday of each month Call: 706-721-2609 for more information.

Family Health

Trauma Support Group

• REACH Program saving lives

When: Third Wednesday of each month, noon–1 p.m. Where: Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center Call: 706-721-0278 for more information.

Please call to confirm dates and time due to the holiday season.

• ADHD: The help your child deserves • The area’s only interventional stroke care

Page 12

In the News

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 georgiahealth.org. Copyright © 2011 Georgia Health Sciences Health System

Tips for a safe and healthy fall

Food for thought

acking your child’s lunch is one way to ensure that he or she eats a fresh, healthy midday meal and maximizes the connection between nutrition and academic performance. Be sure to use a freezer pack or insulated lunch bag to keep food cold and safe. Lunch could include an egg, tuna, turkey or peanut-butter sandwich on whole-grain bread, a small salad in a plastic container, fruit, nuts, raw vegetables, low-fat yogurt, cheese sticks or even leftovers from last night's dinner.

Pertussis: Whoop it down

ertussis, or whooping cough, is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Pertussis can cause serious illness, especially in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. New guidelines issued in January 2011 recommend TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines for people ages 11 to 64 and those 65 and older who have close contact with infants. If you or your children fall into these categories, speak to your physician. Parents should ask their child’s physician for an updated immunization record and give a copy of the record to the school.

Teens and sleep

Cell phone safety

ven mild sleep deprivation can affect academic performance and lead to accidents. But studies indicate that only 15 percent of teens actually get the nine hours of nightly sleep physicians recommend. Many teens have irregular sleep patterns, staying up late and sleeping in on the weekends. This can affect their biological clocks all week long. Set limits that make sleep a priority. Establish a bed and wake-up time for your teen and stick with it. Help teens avoid caffeine close to bedtime, and make sure their rooms are cool, quiet and dark.

any people are concerned about the possible connection between cell phone use and brain tumors. However, years of study have yielded mixed results, so there is no consensus about this issue. If you’re concerned, limit your family’s use of cell phones or use speakers or handsfree devices that keep the cell phone antenna, which is typically in the cell phone itself, away from your head.

An emergency department just for kids When childhood emergencies strike, depend on Georgia Health Sciences Pediatric Emergency Department. You’ll find a team of double-board-certified pediatric emergency physicians, a child-friendly environment and easy access to a full range of pediatric specialists. For more information, please visit georgiahealth.org/pedsER.

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Focus on Women

Minimally invasive options for stress incontinence With da Vinci robotic surgery

Take back control To schedule an appointment with an experienced urogynecologist, call 706-721-4959.

Benefits of da Vinci Sacrocolpopexy Sacrocolpopexy has traditionally been performed as an open surgery, requiring a 10- to 12-inch horizontal incision in the lower abdomen. But the da Vinci system's robotic technology lets surgeons perform the procedure through a series of small incisions. The da Vinci procedure offers numerous benefits

A minimally invasive surgical solution If you have more severe pelvic organ prolapse, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive robotic surgery called da Vinci Sacrocolpopexy. Performed by specially trained surgeons such as Dr. Parnell, the procedure uses mesh to hold the pelvic organs in place and eliminate stress incontinence and other problems related to pelvic organ prolapse.

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over traditional open surgery:

• significantly less pain • less blood loss and need for transfusions • less risk of infection • less scarring • shorter hospital stays • shorter recovery times • quicker return to normal activities

ver time, the muscles in a woman's pelvic floor can weaken, allowing tissue from one or more pelvic organs, most often the bladder, to bulge from the opening of the vagina. Known as pelvic organ prolapse, this condition can result in embarrassing urinary stress incontinence and even cause problems with bowel movements. “Stress incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women, and the risk increases with aging,” says Brent Parnell, MD, a urogynecologist with Georgia Health Sciences Women’s Center. “Childbirth, smoking, obesity and diabetes also increase the risk.” But stress incontinence can generally be managed. “After performing a physical exam and possibly other tests, a urogynecologist may recommend painless urodynamic studies to measure the function of your bladder, urethra and pelvic floor muscles and identify the cause of incontinence,” Dr. Parnell says. Behavioral changes such as giving up alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated beverages may help. Other treatment options include medications, medical devices, pelvic floor muscle training and surgery.

Cosmetic dermatology Reduce wrinkles, redness and folds without scars

un damage, birthmarks and other factors can impact your appearance, self-image—even your career. But many people think cosmetic surgery is the only answer. That’s not true. “Our specially trained dermatologists offer a range of inpatient, non-surgical cosmetic services to reduce the signs of aging in both men and women,” says Bette C. Potter, MD, a dermatologist with Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center. Unlike spa treatments, these procedures are performed in a clinical setting by highly skilled, boardcertified dermatologists. “We can also prescribe FDAapproved products to help prevent further damage to your skin,” Dr. Potter says.

volume and fullness to wrinkles, lines and folds around the nose and mouth, making them much less noticeable. They can also be used for lip augmentation,” Dr. Potter says. A chemical peel may be the solution for blotchiness, sun damage or mild acne. Your dermatologist can help you select the option that’s right for you.

Redness, brown spots and spider veins Port wine stains, rosacea and other diseases or disorders that cause redness respond well to VBeam pulsed dye laser treatments. “The laser targets and destroys the blood vessels causing the redness, leaving surrounding tissue unharmed,” Dr. Potter says. Dermatologists at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center also perform cryotherapy and laser treatments

Wrinkles, sun damage and acne

to remove brown spots and unwanted hair. And they

If you’re bothered by lines between the eyebrows, crow’s-feet or lines on your forehead, BOTOX Cosmetic ®

offer sclerotherapy, a therapy that uses an injectable that minimizes spider veins in the legs.

can help. “This injectable medication reduces the muscle activity that causes lines and aging in the upper portion of the face. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. There’s no recovery time, and you can have the injection on the day of your initial appointment,” Dr. Potter says. Signs of aging in the lower half of the face can be treated with Restylane® or Juvederm® fillers. “These products add

Get back to beautiful skin To schedule a quick, convenient appointment with an experienced dermatologist, call 706-721-3291.

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Cancer Prevention

Finding lung cancer early New study shows promise involved more than 53,000 high-risk people ages 55 to 74 who had smoked at least one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. It also included heavy smokers who had quit smoking within the last 15 years. It did not include older former smokers who had quit more than 15 years ago, because the risk of lung cancer drops considerably over the years.

Are screening tests now recommended? Not yet, but that may change. A committee of experts is delving into the details of the study and creating guidelines based on their findings. “If you’re a high-risk smoker or former smoker and

A new study, new hope Now, a new study has found that most lung cancers can be detected early through yearly CT scans of middle-aged and older smokers and former smokers. The study also found that these screening tests can reduce the risk of death from lung cancer by 20 percent. Known as the National Lung Screening Trial, the study

Elevating cancer care Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center delivers multidisciplinary care in an environment that fosters optimism and well-being. The center features worldclass physicians, sunlight, local art, live music and 30 chemotherapy infusion stations overlooking a terrace garden. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273).

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are concerned about this issue, speak to your physician,” says Dr. Hao.

ung cancer strikes more than 220,000 Americans each year and kills about 160,000. “The high death rate is at least partially due to late stage at diagnosis, because most lung cancers can be successfully treated if diagnosed early, when cancers are still largely localized,” says Zhonglin Hao, MD, a medical oncologist specializing in lung cancer at Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Center. Historically, X-rays have generally detected lung tumors only when they were advanced and difficult to treat. But that is changing as computed tomography (CT) technology evolves and becomes more sensitive.

The cold facts Cryotherapy for kidney and prostate tumors

f you think cancer always requires open surgery, think again. Bruce Shingleton, MD, a urologist at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, is offering a new minimally invasive procedure to treat several types of tumors. These include small tumors of the kidney and locally recurring Cryotherapy is prostate tumors in patients less invasive than who have had radiation open surgery, treatments. results in less Known as cryotherapy, pain and patients the procedure uses advanced recover much technology to destroy tumors more quickly. by freezing cancer cells. —Bruce Shingleton, MD “Cryotherapy has been around for a number of years, but evolving technology has now made it a safe and effective treatment with minimal side effects,” says Dr. Shingleton. Dr. Shingleton was involved with the development of these techniques and is the only local physician who performs these procedures.

now available to patients with small kidney tumors who want to avoid open surgery, shorten or eliminate hospital stays and recover more quickly,” says Dr. Shingleton. Anesthesia is required, but kidney cryotherapy can often be performed on an outpatient basis. In some cases, patients may be required to stay in the hospital overnight.

Freezing prostate cancer Prostate cancer patients who have had radiation therapy and experience a local recurrence of cancer may also prefer cryotherapy to surgical removal of the prostate. Prostate cryotherapy is performed on an outpatient basis. “Patients have a catheter for a few days, but experience very little pain and can quickly return to

A less invasive option for kidney cancer For years the first-line treatment for kidney cancer has been open surgery, since chemotherapy and radiation are not used to treat tumors in the kidneys.

normal. The procedure is effective in 50 to 60 percent of patients,” Dr. Shingleton says. In both prostate and kidney cancer, cryotherapy is also considerably less expensive than open surgery.

But many patients are now benefiting from less invasive cryotherapy, which is proving to be as effective as surgical removal of the tumor. “We initially performed this procedure on older patients who could not withstand open surgery. But it is

Know your options To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 706-721-CARE (2273).

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Heart-Healthy Living

Conquer obesity At the new Georgia Health Sciences Weight Loss Center

f you are overweight or obese, you know that excess pounds weigh you down in more ways than one. They take a psychological, social and physical toll. Indeed, the complications of obesity include diabetes, stroke, arthritis, infertility, some types of cancer as well as heart, lung, liver and gallbladder disease. Left untreated, obesity can even shorten your lifespan.

Definition and causes of obesity Obesity is measured primarily by body mass index (BMI), a number that is based on your weight, height and gender. Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese or morbidly obese. According to Michael Edwards, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of the new Georgia Health Sciences Weight Loss Center, the reasons for obesity include the number of calories a person takes in, physical activity level, family history, genetics, metabolism and behaviors.

Why select Georgia Health Sciences Weight Loss Center? • You’ll partner with a multidisciplinary treatment team that includes a bariatrician, bariatric surgeons, psychologist, registered dietitian, bariatric nurse coordinator, cardiologist and others. • You’ll be treated in a sensitive, caring environment. • You’ll be treated by professionals who are committed to your long-term success. • You’ll have access to the largest, most diverse team of physicians in the area, including specialists of all types who work with the center’s physicians to treat the complications of obesity.

Get on the path to wellness Some insurance policies cover weight-loss surgery, and the center offers easy self-pay options. Call 706-7212609 to schedule an appointment at the center. To learn more, visit georgiahealth.org/weightloss.

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Comprehensive, coordinated care for obesity

Learn more at a FREE Weight-Loss Surgery Seminar

Although obesity is a complex disease, weight loss comes down to a simple equation: burning more calories than you take in. For many people, that is easier said than done. The Weight Loss Center’s multidisciplinary team attacks obesity from all angles. The team includes:

• a bariatrician, or medical physician who specializes in obesity

• experienced bariatric surgeons • a psychologist with expertise in eating disorders • a registered dietitian • a bariatric nurse coordinator to help you navigate care

• dedicated anesthesiologists • a dedicated operating room team

• a pulmonologist and a

hese educational events allow you and your family to meet members of our staff, learn more about weightloss surgery and get factual answers to your questions.

Columbia County Library

When: Second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. Where: 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd.

Georgia Health Sciences University Alumni Center When: Fourth Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. (no seminar in November) Where: Alumni Center Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. To register, call 706-721-2609, or visit georgiahealth.org/weightloss.

respiratory care specialist

• a dedicated cardiologist After performing a thorough

According to Dr. Edwards, weight-loss surgeries are

evaluation, the team will work with you to determine the

classified as restrictive, malabsorptive or a combination

best possible plan of care.

of both. “Restrictive procedures involve creating a small stomach pouch, placing a band around the upper portion of

Lose weight without surgery The center offers a medical weight-loss program for

full after eating only small meals. Malabsorptive procedures

people who want to lose weight without surgery, to lose

bypass a portion of the intestine, so fewer calories are

weight to prepare for surgery or to maintain weight loss

absorbed during digestion. Some surgeries, such as gastric

after surgery. The program features:

bypass, combine the two techniques,” he says.

• nutritional consults by a registered dietitian and medical physician, who will develop an individualized eating plan for you

• a customized, supervised exercise program • meal replacement, to speed the weight-loss process • education, a support group and monitoring • medication as needed

the stomach, or removing part of the stomach, so you’ll feel

If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to lose weight and have

Less invasive surgical options The Weight Loss Center offers laparoscopic bariatric surgery to qualified patients. Less invasive than traditional surgery, these procedures reduce scarring, speed recovery and reduce certain complications. Surgical options include:

• laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass • adjustable gastric banding • laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy “You don’t have to live with obesity,” Dr. Edwards says.

serious obesity-related health problems, you may be a

“Bariatric surgery is a safe way to help motivated patients

candidate for weight-loss surgery.

lose weight, keep it off and improve their health.”

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Family Health

A treatment program for ADHD The help your child deserves

Left untreated, ADHD can lead to poor academic performance, less likelihood of graduating from high school and social and employment problems.

What causes ADHD? Although scientists are still studying the cause of ADHD, there is increasing evidence that the parts of the brain that regulate stimulation and impulse control

on-stop motion. Poor impulse control. An inability to listen to and follow directions. These behaviors are typical in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and they can disrupt your entire family. The disorder affects about 8 percent of Americans, and is much more common in males. Symptoms generally Studies show appear between ages 3 and that ADHD 8 and may continue into patients who are adolescence and adulthood.

Symptoms and complications By now, most people know the core symptoms of ADHD: hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.

treated with a combination of medication and behavior therapy have improved long-term outcomes.”

—Alex Mabe, PhD

function differently in people with ADHD. The disorder may run in families.

Treatment options Fortunately, medications can help with the core symptoms of ADHD. “But medications cannot address all the associated symptoms of ADHD. Studies show that patients treated with a combination of medication and behavior therapy have improved long-term outcomes,” Dr. Mabe says.

A program for children and parents Led by ADHD specialists within the Division of Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatry at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, the program runs throughout the school year in eight-week sessions. It is designed for children between ages 6 and 14 who have been diagnosed with ADHD and their parents. Children learn fundamental social, organizational and behavioral skills. A concurrent program teaches parents

“In addition, people with

strategies for improving interactions with their children.

ADHD often experience

The program also offers individual family consultations.

associated problems such as troubled relationships, a poor language, learning or motor skills,” says Alex Mabe, PhD, a child and adolescent psychologist who directs Georgia Health Sciences ADHD Treatment Program.

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Get help for ADHD To learn more or enroll, call outpatient psychiatry at 706-721-6597.

sense of time, emotional ups and downs and problems with

Preventing stroke The area’s only interventional stroke care

ew conditions are as frightening as stroke, a disease that kills or disables thousands of Americans each year. When symptoms occur, prompt expert care can save lives and prevent disability. Georgia Health Sciences Primary Stroke Center has the advanced technology and medical expertise to deliver that care.

entire blockage in patients with ischemic stroke, something earlier technology could not do,” Dr. Rahimi says. The system’s Flex Screen imports MRI and CT scans and overlays images,

Clearer images, better outcomes Using the area’s most advanced biplane angiography technology, stroke experts can quickly diagnose and treat

so physicians can view not

Georgia Health Sciences Primary Stroke Center offers advanced imaging technology, medical expertise and interventional stroke care not available at other area hospitals.” — Scott Rahimi, MD

only the vessels but the relationship between vessels and brain and bone tissue.

stroke, carotid stenosis and other problems with blood

Preventing stroke and brain damage

flow in the brain. “This system delivers clear three-dimensional images

The program also staffs the area’s only vascular

of the arteries and veins in the brain and neck to pinpoint

neurosurgeons and delivers the only interventional stroke

blockages. And we can rotate these images and use

care in the area. Performed in the Angiography Suite,

the system’s high resolution capability to better assess

these procedures can often prevent primary or secondary

treatment options,” says Scott Rahimi, MD, a vascular

strokes. They include:

• carotid artery angioplasty with stenting. During

neurosurgeon with the program. The new Angiography Suite is the first in the region to be equipped with VasoCT technology. “It lets us see the

this catheter-based procedure, a small stent is inserted to keep the artery open. An embolic prevention device catches clots or debris that

The new Angiography Suite at Georgia Health Sciences is the first in the region to be equipped with VasoCT technology.

might break loose during the procedure.

• emergency mechanical thrombectomy for stroke patients who are experiencing symptoms caused by plaque or a clot in the brain. “Using the latest imaging and catheter-based technology, we can remove the clot and restore blood flow to the brain,” says Dr. Rahimi.

Stop stroke If you think you are having a stroke, call 911. Then go to Georgia Health Sciences Primary Stroke Center.

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In the News

REACHing out, saving lives Stroke telemedicine program rescues “Outlaw”

t 6-feet-2-inches tall, former professional wrestler and Lavonia, Ga., resident Tommy “Outlaw” James is not easily knocked over. But a stroke dropped him like a rock. Paramedics took him to Cobb Memorial Hospital in nearby Royston, Ga. Like many small hospitals, that facility doesn’t have an inhouse stroke specialist. Fortunately, its physicians did have 24/7 access to stroke experts at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center through REACH—the Remote Evaluation for Acute Ischemic Stroke system developed at Georgia Health Sciences University. The program connects neurologists on our staff with physicians at participating remote hospitals throughout the state. Through REACH, Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center neurologists were able to diagnose James and

Tommy "Outlaw" James and wife, Sally, benefited from the neurological expertise at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, which minimized the impact of Tommy's stroke using advanced remote diagnosis and a combination of drugs that have shown promise in clinical trials.

prescribe the stroke medicine tPA within the threehour treatment window. What’s more, they had him flown to Augusta to receive an additional therapy called minocycline, an intravenous antibiotic shown to lessen the damage caused by stroke. This was available through a Food and Drug Administration clinical trial. In less than a day, James was on his feet and essentially back to normal. “They really need to get the word out about REACH and this medicine,” he says. “They saved me, I tell you.”

For advanced stroke care Learn more about REACH and Georgia Health Sciences Stroke Center at georgiahealth.org/stroke or 706-736-CARE (2273).