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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS The data for 2012 shows a marked rise on the 12.7 million cases in 2008.
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James Bond is an 'impotent drunk' Vodka martini, "shaken not stirred" - often said as part of a bad Sean Connery impersonation - is one of the most quotable lines from Bond.
Yet Her Majesty's top secret agent's love of the bottle would leave him impotent and at death's door.
Doctors analysing the Ian Fleming novels show James Bond polishes off the equivalent of one and a half bottles of wine every day.
continued on page 2
Jonathan Chung, DC GLOBAL HEALTH TRIBUNE P.O. Box 213424 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421
By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News
Canadian Doctors Explore New Theory of Migraine Headaches
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December 2013
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MEDICAL NEWS
Global cancer cases reach 14 million, World Health Organization says
They say he is not the man to trust to deactivate a nuclear bomb.
Doctors in Derby and Nottingham sat down to read the 14 Bond novels in their spare time. With a notebook at hand they charted every day and every drink.
Excluding the 36 days Bond was in prison, hospital or rehab, the spy downed 1,150 shots of alcohol in 88 days.
T
By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News
he number of people being diagnosed with cancer in the world each year has leaped to more than 14 million, the World Health Organization says. The data for 2012 shows a marked rise on the 12.7 million cases in 2008.
In that time the number of deaths has also increased, from 7.6 million to 8.2 million.
The rising burden of cancer is being driven by a rapid shift in lifestyles in the developing world
J
It works out at 92 units a week about five vodka martinis a day and four times the recommended maximum intake for men in the UK.
to more closely reflect industrialised countries.
Rising rates of smoking and obesity as well as people living longer are contributing to the rise. Lung cancer, which is mainly caused by smoking, was the most common cancer globally, with 1.8 million cases - about 13% of the total.
The WHO also described a "sharp rise" in cases of breast cancer. Both the incidence and mortality have increased since 2008. The disease in now the most common cancer in women in 140 countries.
Dr David Forman, from the WHO's International Agency for
Researchers looking at data on more than 84,000 postmenopausal women found that engaging in any type of light physical activity can help prevent the formation of these pebbles in the kidneys. Even light gardening might curb their development, according to the study, which was published recently in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
From Russia with vodka He also had a "Drink and Let Drive" habit after consuming 39 units in Casino Royale then crashing in a high-speed car chase and needing two weeks in hospital.
On his biggest bender, Bond had 50 units in a single day during From Russia With Love and only 13 days in all the novels were free of the sauce. Charting James Bond's drinking habits with age, he starts off drinking heavily in Casino Royale (1953) before seemingly starting to get his life in order as
"This is partly because a shift in lifestyles is causing an increase in incidence, and partly because clinical advances to combat the disease are not reaching women living in these regions."
The WHO said there was an "urgent need" for the advances made in detection, diagnoses and treatment of breast cancer to be implemented in developing nations.
The WHO predicts the number of cancer cases will soar to more than 19 million a year by 2025. the exercise does not seem to matter."
"Even small amounts of exercise may decrease the risk of kidney stones," said study author Dr. Mathew Sorensen, of the University of Washington School of Medicine. "It does not need to be marathons, as the intensity of
"So he might be practising safe sex after all," said Dr Davies.
Research on Cancer, said: "Breast cancer is also a leading cause of cancer death in the less developed countries of the world.
Light Exercise Might Reduce Risk of Kidney Stones
ust a little exercise each week -- jogging for an hour or walking for about three hours -- can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones by up to 31 percent, according to a new study.
James Bond is an 'impotent drunk' continued from cover page
Kidney stones, which have become increasingly common, are more prevalent among women. During the past 15 years, research has shown that kidney stones might actually be a systemic problem, involving more than just the kidneys. Recent research has linked the stones to obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. In conducting the study, the researchers analyzed information compiled since the 1990s on the women's eating habits and level of physical activity.
The doctors' report in the festive edition of the British Medical Journal concluded: "Although we appreciate the societal pressures to consume alcohol when working with international terrorists and high stakes gamblers, we would advise Bond to be referred for further assessment of his alcohol intake." Patrick Davies, a consultant in paediatric intensive care at Nottingham University Hospitals, told the BBC: "You wouldn't want this person defusing a nuclear bomb.
"He's a very glamorous person, he gets all the girls and that's totally incompatible with the lifestyle of an alcoholic, which he is."
He said Bond would be classified in the "top whack" of problem drinkers and would be at high risk of liver damage, an early death and impotence.
he heads towards Goldfinger (1959).
However, his intake starts to soar again and peaks at 132 units a week in You Only Live Twice (1964). The researchers argue this may be a response to the death of his wife a year earlier in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
They say the study is lighthearted, and did not interfere with their day jobs, but raises an important message about alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumption is thought to cause 2.5 million deaths every year around the world. "The level of functioning as displayed in the books is inconsistent with the physical, mental, and indeed sexual functioning expected from someone drinking this much alcohol," the doctors said.
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December 2013
Page 3
THE FORGOTTEN FOOT
There’s a Fungus Among Us
O
Arthur Hansen DPM, M.S.
h, how we love our most comfortable sneakers. You know the ones, the ones that are ‘perfectly’ broken in, and the ones you have had for the past six years. Guess what? Someone else loves them too; the ubiquitous fungus we South Floridians have the pleasure of hosting. Those oh so comfortable and broken-in sneakers of ours harbor a warm and moist environment, which just so happens to be one of the most favorite places of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. It thrives in the sweat and heat inside our sneaks multiplying to cause athlete’s foot.
Since our feet stay in shoes most of the day, there is no air circulating and the fungus grows. And once athlete's foot breaks out, scratching the maddeningly
itchy irritations between the toes can cause a break in the skin, allowing a second and even more painful bacterial infection to develop. It burns, it itches, and it hurts and since its best not to itch, you can try these treatments so you don’t have to suffer:
• Take an antihistamine. It doesn't treat the fungus, but an over-the-counter antihistamine can simmer the irritating need to scratch.
• Wet it and dry it. Use an
over the counter astringent, like Domeboro, to swab the infected area leaving the gauze pad on the site. As the gauze dries, it will draw moisture from the skin, aiding in the fight against infection.
• Toast those tootsies. After bathing, dry carefully between toes using a clean towel.
• Get creamed. After drying
well between the toes, apply an antifungal cream. It is best to apply the antifungal cream just prior to bedtime.
• Dust those dogs. Take a
few minutes twice-a-day to sprinkle antifungal powder like Tinactin or Lotrimin on your feet and in your shoes.
• Sock it to ‘em. If your feet are prone to sweating, take an
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extra pair of cotton socks with you and change them midday.
• Take a shoe break. Instead of wearing the same shoes every day—to the office or to work out—give them a 48-hour break to allow them to air out. You might even leave them in the sun to help dry them out completely. While your shoes are on a break—and even on days when they're not—dust them with an over-the-counter antifungal powder or spray that contains an antifungal agent such as tolnaftate to kill any bacteria living inside the shoes.
Athlete’s Foot can have an embarrassing side effect, it stinks! Try to control the foot
odor with the following suggestions.
• Go natural. Try to wear
shoes made only from natural materials like leather. Weatherproof and plastic shoes don't "breathe," creating the ideal environment for hostile fungi.
• Watch what you eat. Like the spicy stuff? Got a taste for jalapeños and other hot stuff? In some people, spicy foods can cause odor by making the feet sweat. It is best to wash your feet soon after spicy meals.
If after trying the above you continue to have itching, burning and pain, make an appointment with your podiatrist as you may need a prescription strength antifungal.
• Throw a tea party. Tannic acid, a substance found in tea,
Get back on your Feet!
can help eliminate foot odor. Make some tea, let cool, and then soak your feet. Ten minutes should do the trick to fight off odor caused by fungus and bacteria.
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December 2013
T
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Expert Tips for Those Grieving During Holiday Season he holidays can be a time of sadness and grief for those who have lost a loved one, but there are things people can do to ease those feelings, an expert advises.
"Personal issues don't magically go away because the calendar turns to November or December. Problems with relationships, jobs, finances or health can take on enhanced importance during the supposedly 'merry' holiday period," Josh Klapow, an associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, said in a university news release.
"The death of a loved one during the holidays can trigger strong feelings, even if the death occurred several years ago," he noted. "In the case of someone who died recently, the holidays can take on a whole new meaning for their family and friends."
Klapow offered four ways to ease feelings of grief and sadness during the holidays: • Don't expect this holiday season to be the same as those in the past. This might lead to disappointment. It is better to celebrate and grieve at your own pace.
P
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U.S. Pregnancy Rates Continue to Fall regnancy rates continue to decline in the United States, a federal report released shows.
The rate reached a 12-year low in 2009, when there were about 102 pregnancies for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• It is normal to sometimes become overwhelmed with emotions. If you worry about feeling sad at holiday gatherings, try to allow yourself to grieve and maybe cry before going out. It might make it easier to get through such occasions if your emotions have been released beforehand.
• Do not feel obligated to attend events that do not appeal to you. It is important to accept support from family and friends, but you should not overcommit yourself. It is best to give yourself some time alone but avoid becoming isolated.
• If faith is important to you, try to spend some time with likeminded people. They will often share your desire to pray and talk about common beliefs.
That rate is 12 percent below the 1990 rate of about 116 pregnancies per 1,000 women. Only the 1997 rate of 102 has been lower during the past 30 years, according to the report.
Overall, pregnancy rates have continued to decline for women younger than 30.
"The amount of knowledge that young women have about their birth control options is very different compared to a few decades ago," said Dr. Margaret Appleton, director of the division of obstetrics and gynecology at the Scott & White Clinic in College Station, Texas. "Birth control is more readily available to women, and they are more knowledgeable about it."
Experts said two factors are driving the downward trend: improved access to birth control and decisions by women to put off childbearing until later in life.
Those trends have caused the average age of pregnancy to shift upward.
Pregnancy rates for teenagers also have reached historic lows that extend across all racial and ethnic groups. Between 1990 and 2009, the pregnancy rate fell 51 percent for white and black teenagers, and 40 percent for Hispanic teenagers.
The teen birth rate dropped 39 percent between 1991 and 2009, and the teen abortion rate decreased by half during the same period.
At the same time, pregnancy rates have steadily increased for women aged 30 to 44. The rate increased 16 percent between 1990 and 2009 for women aged 30 to 34, for example, and 35 percent for women aged 35 to 39. Dr. Jeanne Conry, president of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the report's findings are consistent with the trend of
women having children later in life that has emerged in developed countries.
"This may reflect the opportunities for women to establish educational and career objectives," Conry said.
In addition to women having children later in life, they also are choosing to have fewer kids, Appleton said, which is driving down pregnancy rates.
"More women in the professional workforce are delaying childbearing, and then when they get around to it, they choose to have fewer kids," she said. "I think you see women choosing to have one or two children compared with four or five, which was more common in the 1970s." Women who hold off on pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities in their children, a risk that increases as they grow older, Appleton said. They also have an increased risk of infertility. A mother in good health, however, likely will remain healthy and produce a healthy baby no matter what her age, she said. "If the mom is healthy, [age] is not likely to affect the child's health," Appleton said.
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December 2013
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Less Physical Activity, More TV for Today's Moms, Study Finds merican mothers watch more TV and get less physical activity today than mothers did four decades ago, a new study finds.
"With each passing generation, mothers have become increasingly physically inactive, sedentary and obese, thereby potentially predisposing children to an increased risk of inactivity, adiposity [body fat] and chronic non-communicable diseases," said study leader Edward Archer, an exercise scientist and epidemiologist at the University of South Carolina.
"Given that physical activity is an absolute prerequisite for health and wellness, it is not surprising that inactivity is now a leading cause of death and disease in developed nations," Archer noted in a university news release.
The analysis of 45 years of national data focused on two groups of mothers: those with children 5 years or younger, and those with children aged 6 to 18. The researchers assessed physical activity related to cooking, cleaning and exercising. From 1965 to 2010, the average amount of physical activity among mothers with younger children fell from 44 hours to
Page 5
less than 30 hours a week, resulting in a decrease in energy expenditure of 1,573 calories per week.
The average amount of physical activity among mothers with older children decreased from 32 hours to less than 21 hours a week, with a reduction in energy expenditure of 1,238 calories per week, the researchers found.
The findings mean that mothers in 2010 would have to eat 175 to 225 fewer calories per day to prevent weight gain than mothers
in 1965, according to the study published in the December issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
These significant declines in physical activity corresponded with large increases in sedentary pastimes such as watching TV, the investigators noted. On average, sedentary behaviors increased from 18 hours a week
in 1965 to 25 hours a week in 2010 among mothers with older children, and from 17 hours a week to nearly 23 hours a week among mothers with younger children.
Compared to working mothers, stay-at-home moms had about twice the decrease in physical activity and much larger increases in sedentary behaviors, according to the report.
The findings provide important insights into the growing problems of childhood obesity
and diabetes in the United States, the study authors noted in the news release.
"The confluence of our results and other research suggests that inactivity has increased significantly over the past 45 years and may be the greatest public health crisis facing the world today," Archer said in the news release.
M
Most Americans Don't Deal With End-of-Life Issues ost Americans do not deal with end-of-life issues and wishes, a new study indicates.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 8,000 people who took part in nationwide surveys conducted in 2009 and 2010, and found that only about 26 percent had completed an advance directive, also called a living will. There were significant associations between completing an advance directive and age, income, education and health status, according to the study in the January issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Advance directives were more common among women, whites, married people and those who had a college degree or postgraduate training. People with advanced directives also were more likely to have a chronic disease or a regular source of care. "For black and Hispanic respondents, advance directives were less frequent across all educational groups. These data indicate racial and educational disparities in advance directive completion and highlight the need for education about their role in facilitating [end-of-life] decisions," Dr. Jaya Rao, who
conducted the study while an associate professor in the division of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy at the University of North Carolina, said in a journal news release.
Lack of awareness was the most common reason for not having an advance directive. Some previous studies have shown that health care costs are highest during the final years of life, but the use of advance directives reduces Medicare spending and the likelihood of in-hospital death. "Given the current discussions about implementing various models of health care delivery, including the patient-centered medical home, [end-of-life] issues need to come to the forefront of planning efforts," Rao said. "Hopefully, these findings will contribute to the current national conversations about [end-of-life] care."
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December 2013
AROUND WORLD
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Cheers! People who drink alcohol outlive those who abstain, study shows
L
Heather Saul, The Independent
ONDON: A contentious new study is suggesting people who drink regularly live longer than those who completely abstain from drinking.
Research published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found those who did not consume any alcohol appeared to have a higher mortality rate, regardless of whether they were former heavy drinkers or not, than those who drank heavily.
Instead, "moderate" drinking, defined as one to three drinks per day, was associated with the lowest mortality rate. A team led by Charles Holahan, a psychologist at the University of Texas followed 1,824 participants over two decades. They conceded the gender ratio of participants was disproportionate as sixty-three per cent of participants were male. All of the individuals were aged between 55 and 65.
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Sixty-nine per cent of the participants who abstained from drinking alcohol died during the 20 year observation period, in comparison to 60 per cent of the heavy drinkers. Only 41 per cent of moderate drinkers died within this time frame.
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These results came even after the team controlled variables such as sociodemographic factors, health and social-behavioural factors.
The authors noted: "A model controlling for former problem drinking status, existing health problems, and key sociodemographic and social-behavioral factors, as well as for age and gender, substantially reduced the mortality effect for abstainers compared to moderate drinkers.
"However, even after adjusting for all covariates, abstainers and heavy drinkers continued to show increased mortality risks of 51 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, compared to moderate drinkers".
They concluded: "Even after taking account of traditional and non-traditional covariates, moderate alcohol consumption continued to show a beneficial effect in predicting mortality risk".
Chinese couple finds they are brother and sister after DNA test By Saibal Dasgupta, TNN
EIJING: A Chinese married couple have discovered they were brother and sister after a DNA test, which they took as part of plans to have a child. The shocking news revealed by the Furong Forensic Centre of the No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital in Hunan has left the couple confused about their next course of action, reports said.
They had approached the center for tests to ensure a safe and successful pregnancy. But tests conducted at the center showed there was a 99.9% possibility that the two spouses have a biological relationship.
S
The woman's father had now confessed
that he was in love with her husband's mother and got a son out of wedlock. He then went on to marry another woman, which resulted in the birth of a girl. The two children grew up in the same neighborhood in China's Jiangxi province and decided to marry a few years back. Reports from Jiangxi said that people in their neighborhood often remarked about the striking similarity in their appearances. There were no objections raised, even by the woman's father, when they announced plans to marry. It is not clear if the woman's father was ignorant about the husband's antecedents or deliberately kept silent even after knowing the truth. The man's mother has been dead for over 20 years.
Join a Choir, Sing Your Way to Happiness?
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inging in a choir might be good for your mental health, a new study suggests. British researchers conducted an online survey of nearly 400 people who either sang in a choir, sang alone or belonged to a sports team. All three activities were associated with greater levels of mental well-being, but the levels were higher among those who sang in a choir than those who sang alone. The poll also revealed that choral singers regarded their choirs as more meaningful social groups compared to how athletes viewed their sports teams. The study, presented at a meeting of the
British Psychological Society in York, England, did not actually show a causeand-effect link between singing in a choir and being happy, however. "Research has already suggested that joining a choir could be a cost-effective way to improve people's well-being," study author Nick Stewart, of Oxford Brookes University, said in a society news release. "Yet we know surprisingly little about how the well-being effects of choral singing are brought about." "These findings suggest that the experience of using your voice to make music may be enhanced when you feel part of a cohesive social group," he said.
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December 2013
Page 7
LIVING HEALTHY
Switching to Healthier Eating May Cost You More oes it really cost more to stick to a healthy diet? The answer is yes, but not as much as many people think, according to a new study.
The research review combined the results of 27 studies from 10 different countries that compared the cost of healthy and unhealthy diets.
The verdict? A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish costs about a person about $1.50 more per day -- or $550 per year -compared to a diet high in processed grains and meats, fat, sugar and convenience foods. By and large, protein drove the price increases. Researchers found that healthy proteins -think a portion of boneless skinless chicken breast -- were 29 cents more expensive per serving compared to less healthy sources, like a fried chicken nugget. The study was published online Dec. 5 in the journal BMJ Open.
"For many low-income families, this could be a genuine barrier to healthy eating," said study author Mayuree Rao. She is a junior research fellow in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston.
For example, a family of four that is following the USDA's thrifty eating plan has a weekly food budget of about $128. An extra $1.50 per for each person in the family a day adds up to $42 for the week, or about 30 percent of that family's total food tab.
Rao says it's wouldn't be such a big difference for many middleclass families, though.
She said that "$1.50 is about the price of a cup of coffee and really just a drop in the bucket when you consider the billions of dollars spent every year on dietrelated chronic diseases."
Researchers who weren't involved in the review had plenty to say about its findings.
"I am thinking that a mean difference in cost of $1.50 per person per day is very substantial," said Adam Drewnowski, director of the nutritional sciences program at the University of Washington, in Seattle. He has compared the cost of healthy versus unhealthy diets.
Dr. Hilary Seligman, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said healthy food can be expensive for families in ways that go beyond its cost at the checkout. For that reason, she said, the strict cost comparison in
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this review probably underestimates the true burden to a person's budget. She said the academy recommends the following nutrient-rich, budget-friendly foods:
Beans. They provide fiber, protein, iron and zinc. Dry beans are cheaper but need to be soaked. Canned beans are more convenient but should be rinsed to reduce the salt content. Canned beans are about 13 cents per quarter-cup serving. Dried beans cost about 9 cents per ounce. Bananas. They provide
vitamin B6, fiber, potassium and vitamin C. They make an easy grab-and-go snack or quick topping for yogurt and cereal. Once they are the ripeness you prefer, place them in the fridge. The peels will turn black, but the banana itself will keep. Or, peel and freeze for using in smoothies. Cost is about 36 cents each -- much cheaper than a candy bar.
Peanut Butter. One tablespoon of crunchy or smooth peanut butter has around 95 calories, 4 grams of protein and 8 grams of hearthealthy unsaturated fat. Choose natural peanut butter, if possible. It does not have added sugars or fats. Cost for 2 tablespoons is about 27 cents.
Yogurt. Plain or nonfat yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and protein. It can make a good substitute for sour cream or mayonnaise when you want to cut fat in recipes. To save money, buy yogurt in large tubs instead of single-serve containers. Buy plain yogurt and add your own flavorings such as hot chocolate powder mix or granola/cereal or canned fruit in its own juice. Cost for 6 ounces is about 60 cents. Whole-Grain Pasta. It
provides more fiber, protein and vitamins than regular pasta. Plan ahead as it takes longer to cook. One ounce of dry whole-grain pasta is about 14 cents.
Frozen Peas. Frozen vegetables are an excellent alternative to fresh. They are frozen at the peak of freshness and pack important nutrients, and they won't rot in the crisper drawer. Frozen peas are full of protein, fiber and vitamin A. They're easy to toss into soups,
salads, rice, pasta dishes and stews. They cost about 23 cents per half-cup. Almonds. They're packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fat and antioxidant vitamin E. Save money by buying unsalted raw or blanched almonds in bulk. Cost for an ounce of almonds is about 55 cents.
Eggs. Protein is one of the most
expensive components to people's diets. Eggs are cost effective at about 11 cents per egg and provide a source of high-quality protein. They're also very versatile. Have a bowl of hard-cooked eggs in your fridge at all times for a quick breakfast or grab-and-go snack, or to add some protein to a lunch or dinner salad.
Canned Tuna. It's packed
with protein, heart-healthy omega-3 fats, selenium and B vitamins. Choose packed in water instead of oil. Chunk light tuna has less mercury than albacore. Have it on hand for quick meals like tuna salad sandwiches or tuna on green salads. Tuna cost about 27 cents per ounce. NOTE: The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women, women of childbearing age and children limit their consumption of canned tuna. The FDA advises these groups to eat no more than 6 ounces of white, or albacore tuna, and no more than 12 ounces of chunk light tuna, each week.
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December 2013
ONCOLOGY NEWS
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Focus on Breast Cancer Treatment - Multi Modality Clinics breast conserving therapy is whole-breast external beam radiation therapy.
A
Eugene Shieh, MD
Radiation Oncologist – South Florida Radiation Oncology, LLC
t SFRO, our mission is to use state-of-the art technology and treatment techniques to deliver the best possible care in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. For breast cancer, we have implementeda multidisciplinary approach with Multi Modality Clinics (MMC’s).This approach is a very beneficial one for patients because the process begins at diagnosis.
W
The alternative option of accelerated partial breast radiation (APBI) is being explored in a current clinical trial, NSABP B-39. This trial will help determine if APBI will become a standard of care option for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
Kishore K. Dass, MD Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist
The benefits of themulti modality clinic include:
1) Patient care is expedited.
2) Prior to starting treatment, the patient is seen and evaluated by all specialties, establishing an overall treatment plan. 3) Patient outcomes are optimized.
Currently, the standard of care treatment for breast cancer after
According to Dr. Eugene Shieh, board certified radiation oncologist, “For the properly selected patient, APBI is generally very well tolerated and allows for the completion of radiation therapy in an expeditious manner of 5 days as compared to 5-7 weeks with traditional external beam radiation therapy. .”
The physicians of South Florida Radiation Oncology have significant experience treating women with breast cancer with external beam radiation therapy and Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation.
Graduation Time for the Cancer-Related Fatigue Program By Deborah Lynn
hat a marvelous time of year to not only celebrate the holidays with family and friends, but to also celebrate a new way of life.
For anyone whose life has been changed due to cancer, you know first-hand that it not only takes a toll on your mind and body, but that optimism that once existed has taken such a beating that it truly is an uphill battle. The Cancer-Related Fatigue Program was designed for just that – boosting your spirit through support, motivation, exercise, and learning a healthier way of life. Studies have proven that there are numerous benefits to exercising while undergoing your cancer treatment and this program offers that and so much more.
Stephen Sylvester is the director of the program and along with an incredible team of studentvolunteers, Dr. Carisa Pearce of the Palm Beach Cancer Institute, and Judy Armstrong from the South Florida Radiation Oncology Survivorship Clinic –
this program is a complete success. It, quite frankly, was a life-altering experience for all those that participated and one they surely will never forget.
When you look into the eyes of each survivor and student, you immediately realize that they were all brought together for a reason. Although the students do not receive any type of credit, they still line up to join this program and in doing so, they have given from the most beautiful place of all – their heart.
As the graduation celebration was coming to a close, each
student and survivor offered their insight as to what the program meant to them. As I listened, one thing became abundantly clear - this program was a gift to everyone that participated. Not only did everyone feel loved and accepted, but one sentiment from a student truly summed it all up, “You changed my life.” If you would like information about the Cancer-Related Fatigue Program, please contact Stephen Sylvester at Stephen_Sylvester@pba.edu or Judy Armstrong at the SFRO Survivorship Clinic at 561-775-7748.
If you are interested in receiving more information about your diagnosis and treatment options,
please contact us at: 1-877-930-7376, or visit our website at www.sfrollc.com.
Prostate Cancer
There has been significant recent debate regarding prostate cancer screening and treatment. In 2012 241,740 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer of men in the United States today.
In large part due to prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, the number of men diagnosed with early stage disease has increased from 30% in 19891992 to 45% from 1999-2001.
Additionally, because of screening and early detection, death rates from prostate cancer have decreased by 4.1% annually from 1994-2001. Despite these advances, in 2012, 28,170 men passed away from prostate cancer and many more are living with metastatic prostate cancer that is affecting their overall quality of life and may ultimately take their lives. The debate in prostate cancer stems from the notion that PSA screening has been "too successful" in diagnosing prostate cancer. Some men are being diagnosed with very slow growing prostate cancers that are unlikely to lead to urinary or bowel problems, bony pain, paralysis, or death.
For these men with “non-lethal” prostate cancer, prostate screening may lead to unnecessary biopsies, worry, and treatment with hormonal therapy, surgery or radiation therapy. These concerns have led to a national debate over whether PSA screening should be performed on all men and in what age groups it is most appropriate for. The American Urology Association has issued guidelines on PSA screening.
These guidelines state that the greatest benefit for PSA screening appears to be for men between the ages of 55 and 69. However, very importantly, this does not mean that PSA screening should not be
performed in men younger than 55 or older than 69.
Younger men with higher risk factors such as family history or African American race and men older than 69 who are in good health should make PSA testing decisions based on individual discussions with their physician.
In our practice, we see many men younger than 55 and older than 69 who are diagnosed, because of PSA screening, with prostate cancers that have a very high risk of spreading and causing local/regional problems or death. Without PSA screening, these men would likely have presented to their doctors with advanced, incurable disease.
PSA screening definitely saves many of these men’s lives. For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, treatment options include observation, surgery, and radiation therapy. The treatment decision is a shared one between the patient and his primary care physician, urologist and radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy involves the usage of high energy x-ray beams precisely focused onto the prostate gland. Hormonal therapy and brachytherapy (internal radiation treatment) may be added for men with higher risk disease. Treatment is generally very well tolerated, with limited short and long term side effects. Men are able to continue to work and enjoy their daily activities.
At South Florida Radiation Oncology, we have a caring and highly skilled team of physicians, nurses, and therapists utilizing the latest in technologies such as the Varian TrueBeam, Cyberknife, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and RapidArc to maximize cure rates and minimize side effects. To learn more, please contact us at: 1-877-930-7376, or visit our website at www.sfrollc.com.
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I
December 2013
AROUND TOWN
Can Your Fatigue Be Due to Cancer?
Advanced Medical, P.A. Internal Medicine & Family Practice
By Ishan Gunawardene, M.D.
’m sure we’ve all experienced that feeling of being so incredibly drained that it would take a fork lift to even lift you off the couch! Often, it’s simply just a matter of our minds or bodies being overworked, but it’s those other times that can become worrisome to physicians.
Clinically, fatigue is composed of three categories; general weakness, physical fatigue, and mental fatigue.
General weakness occurs when you have overworked your muscles. It can be from pushing yourself working out or another form of activity when you haven’t worked those arm or leg muscles in quite some time.
Physical fatigue can be from a long hard day at work when you repeat the same activity over and over again, or by running yourself ragged with a crazy schedule.
Mental fatigue drains you mentally and makes it difficult to complete tasks due to cognitive failure. This can be caused by lack of sleep or even a poor diet. Although all of these are symptoms, there may be an underlying health-related issue that exists. If fever is present with fatigue, it shows an infection in the body is possible.
Some of the diseases that can cause fatigue are an over or under active thyroid gland, infection, bipolar, sinusitis, mononucleosis, sleep apnea, and anemia. Auto-immune diseases, such as Lupus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as various types of cancer can cause you to become tired. New onset or worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially of the heart and liver known as carditis and hepatitis can also cause fatigue.
“If you ever need to be hospitalized, we will be with you from the office to the hospital and at your bedside”.
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Researchers also found that using acidsuppressing drugs called histamine-2 receptor antagonists -- also known as H2 blockers -- for two years was associated with a 25 percent increase in the risk of B12 deficiency. Common brands include Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac. "This study raises the question of whether or not people who are on long-term acid suppression need to be tested for vitamin B-12 deficiency," said study author Dr.
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Fatigue may also be an effect of psychological conditions which include; insomnia, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.
In addition, alcoholism, side effects from drugs, sleep medications, narcotics, and commonly used blood pressure medications belonging to the beta-blocker family can also be a contributing factor. Discuss your symptoms in detail with your primary care physician so they can determine the cause through a variety of tests. Those tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function test, thyroid function test (TSH), as well as various electrolyte tests as deemed necessary.
If you are feeling tired, there are certain things that you can do to help you feel more motivated, those include; resistance training and aerobic exercise. When you increase your performance, it will help those with a prevalence of fatigue. Watching what you eat, drink, exercise, how much sleep you get a night, can also help.
As you can see, there are countless reasons why one might feel fatigued, however if it persists longer than a week or if you are losing weight, you should make an appointment to see your primary care physician. If you do not have a physician, give my office a call at 561434-1935 to schedule your appointment today.
Douglas Corley, a research scientist and gastroenterologist at Kaiser Permanente's division of research in Oakland, Calif.
Taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to ease the symptoms of excess stomach acid for more than two years was linked to a 65 percent increase in the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Commonly used PPI brands include Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid.
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Acid-Reflux Drugs Tied to Lower Levels of Vitamin B-12
People who take certain acid-reflux medications might have an increased risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency, according to new research.
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Corley said, however, that these findings should be confirmed by another study. "It's hard to make a general clinical recommendation based on one study, even if it is a large study," he said.
Vitamin B-12 is an important nutrient that helps keep blood and nerve cells healthy, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). It can be found naturally in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products. According to the ODS, between 1.5 percent and 15 percent of Americans are deficient in B-12.
Although most people get enough B-12 from their diet, some have trouble absorbing the vitamin efficiently. A deficiency of B-12 can cause tiredness, weakness, constipation and a loss of appetite. A more serious deficiency can cause balance problems, memory difficulties and nerve problems, such as numbness and tingling in the hands or feet.
Stomach acid is helpful in the absorption of B-12, Corley said, so it makes sense that taking medications that reduce the amount of stomach acid would decrease vitamin B-12 absorption.
Coventry Health Care Over Weight
Florida Plus Humana
Blood Drawing Medicaid EKG / Echo Blood Pressure
Ishan Gunawardene, MD
Blood Sugar
Diplomate of American Board of Internal Medicine
Se Habla Español
Chief, Dept of Medicine Wellington Regional Medical Center
Medicare United Healthcare (commercial) And more... please call
Palomino Park III • 3347 State Road 7 Suite 206 • Wellington, FL 33449 Phone: 561.434.1935 • Fax: 561.434.3169
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December 2013
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HEALTHCARE NEWS
Dear Deborah
DEAR DEBORAH: How do you deal with coworkers that are so competitive and greedy that they lie and treat people poorly in an attempt to get others in trouble to benefit themselves? - Climb that ladder of deceit
Dear Climb that ladder of deceit: There always seems to be one person at any organization that is all about making themselves look better at the expense of another. Sadly, this is a form of bullying and it will probably continue. I would personally start a log book and document any and all of their negative behavior as well as the time and date that it occurred. If someone else was around, document that too. You can always talk with this individual and let them know that you do not appreciate when they discuss you with others – regardless of the circumstances. However, it will probably not
change their behavior as they have likely been exhibiting it for years. If you get to a point when you have had enough, go to human resources with your journal and discuss the matter with them. Hopefully, a peaceful resolution can be achieved in doing such. Good luck.
DEAR DEBORAH: What are your thoughts on regifting? I am in so many clubs and each one of them has a grab bag type of gift exchange. Do you think it’s appropriate to rewrap a gift and give it at another exchange? - Passing it along
Dear Passing it along: There is nothing wrong with regifting items - that is if the new recipient can honestly use the gift. As a matter of fact, my mother is a member of Red Hats and Bunco. Some of the ladies are members of both groups and it was agreed that they can regift any items they receive from either grab bag. With that being said, let me offer a few guidelines that will make regifting that much easier. Make sure the item is new and if you have a price limit, please be sure that the gift reflects that dollar amount. If you feel as though an item you received is not appropriate to regift, just donate it as someone will surely enjoy it.
Dear Deborah is a monthly advice column written by Deborah Lynn with a common sense approach to dating. If you have any questions or comments, please forward them to: questions@globalhealthtribune.com as we would love to help.
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Participants receive study related care, diagnostic tests, and study medication at no cost. Payment for time and travel to the study center may be provided For more information about the research study, please contact:
Vitaly Piluiko, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Brings More Than 20 Years of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Experience to Bethesda Heart Hospital
(Boynton Beach, FL) Bethesda Health, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of Vitaly Piluiko, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Piluiko joins Bethesda Hospital’s Medical Staff and will practice at Bethesda Heart Hospital located at 2815 S. Seacrest Blvd., in Boynton Beach, Florida. Dr. Piluiko is a Board Certified cardiothoracic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience and training.
Fully trained as a CV Surgeon, he moved to the United States in 1991 after being invited to serve as a Visiting Physician on the Transplant Service at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, TX. He was also awarded the Intermedics Research Fellowship, where, under the direction of renowned heart surgeon Dr. Denton Cooley, he performed research on ventricular assist devices and transmyocardial laser revascularization. Upon completion of his Research Fellowship, Dr. Piluiko went on to complete his General and Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.
Most recently, Dr. Piluiko served as an Assistant Professor at Loyola University and surgeon in private practice in Chicago. There he introduced minimally invasive methods in the treatment of heart valve diseases, atrial fibrillation, and lung cancer. He is a member of the Denton A. Cooley International Surgical Society, the American Heart Association’s Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He is also a Fellow of both the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Surgeons.
Palm Beach Gastroenterology Consultants, LLC
Vitaly Piluiko, M.D.
About Bethesda Heart Hospital Bethesda Heart Hospital is part of Bethesda Health, Inc., a hospital network comprised of flagship nonprofit Bethesda Hospital East, a 401-bed comprehensive hospital and non-profit Bethesda Hospital West, an 80-bed, state-of-the-art hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida. Bethesda Health and its affiliates offer an array of healthcare services including the Bethesda Heart Hospital, Bethesda Orthopaedic Institute, Bethesda Center for Women & Children, Bethesda Women’s Health Center, Cornell Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine; and the Bethesda Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Krishna Tripuraneni M.D., M.B.A.
Call Us Today If You Suffer From Any Of The Following: Digestive Diseases Stats Dysphagia Gallstones Gastroesophageal Jaundice Lactose Intolerance Liver Disease Nervous Stomach
Abdominal Pain Bleeding Chest Pain Cirrhosis of the Liver Colitis Constipation Diarrhea
Pancreatis Stomach and Duodenal Ulcer Ulcerative Colitis Reflux Disease Hemochromatosis Hemorrhoids Hepatitis
Two Convenient Locations: Venra Clinical Studies, LLC 561-795-3330 ex. 249 info@venraclinicalstudies.com
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1200 South Main Street #102 Belle Glade, Florida 33430
561.795.3330
561.996.5600
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At Palm Beach Surgery Center we provide a safe and friendly environment, with a highly qualified and dedicated staff. A variety of procedures such as colonoscopy, endoscopy, gastroplications, ERCP, Liver Biopsy, 24 PH Monitoring/BRAVO can be done at our facility thus avoiding the need for hospitalization.
Now Let the Experts in Breast Cancer Treatment Take Care of You. The American Cancer Institute predicts that, despite a healthy lifestyle, more than 200,000 women in the U.S. will contract breast cancer this year. That’s why at South Florida Radiation Oncology, our team of radiation oncologists renders the most technically advanced treatments in the field, including protocol based, IMRT, TrueBeam™ and partial breast irradiation. Our medical staff — together with you, your specialist and primary care physician — will collaborate and select the best treatment option for your particular diagnosis as well as your personal requirements. At South Florida Radiation Oncology, we recognize that every patient is an individual, with unique treatment needs and a distinctive lifestyle. Call South Florida Radiation Oncology and let us take gentle, compassionate and effective care of you today so you can get back to taking care of yourself tomorrow.
Get back to living your life.
877.930.SFRO ( 7376 ) www.sfrollc.com
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December 2013
HEALTHCARE NEWS
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Select Specialty Hospital Do you have a success story?
Mike Corvaia has been in healthcare administration for over ten years and is currently the Director of Business Development for select specialty hospital in Palm Beach. he holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is completing his master’s Degree this year in Business Administration, with an emphasis on healthcare Administration.
Please feel free to send any healthcare related questions to mcorvaia@selectmedical.com
Ventilator Care
Judy Barth was working in her yard when she experienced what she thought was heartburn. The pain increased to the point that she called for help. The last thing she remembers is
scrambling for her insurance cards and passing out. Her next memory is one month later when she woke up at Select Specialty Hospital- North Knoxville. Judy had gone into cardiac arrest and was admitted to the local medical center where she was treated and stabilized. Doctors were concerned that a lack of oxygen might have affected her brain. Judy had spent almost a month unconscious and on a ventilator in the ICU when she was referred to Select Specialty Hospital to get her off the ventilator and functioning again. During her two week stay at Select Specialty Hospital, Judy woke up, got off the ventilator and beat the odds by discharging home. She has since returned to work and walks one to two miles every day.
Wound Care
Eugene Harris and his wife Jerlean were working on his antique truck, trying to get it to start. He was working with the carburetor when it blew up. Eugene was sent to the burn unit in Memphis in critical condition with twenty-four percent of his body burned. His family was told he might not survive. A month and a half later, still
unconscious and having survived several life-threatening infections, Eugene was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital in Memphis. He was on a ventilator with pneumonia and required dialysis. Eugene was with Select for nearly two months, his wife by his side every day. While he was at Select, he weaned from the ventilator and saw his kidney injuries resolved. He no longer needed dialysis. His burns continued to heal and he was discharged to a rehab facility with the goal of returning home as soon as possible. Almost four months after the accident, Eugene returned home. He says now he plans to enjoy the
comforts of home with his wife of 46 years.
Cardiac Care
Thirty eight year old Myrtle Mason had been struggling for breath for about a month. Her body was swollen from fluid retention due to congestive heart failure and she had been sleeping upright in a chair so she could breathe at night. When she could no longer take it, Myrtle sought the help of a physician. She was admitted to the local medical center with acute respiratory failure and was placed on a ventilator. Doctors told her family that getting off the ventilator would be a long shot
and she might not survive. Then, Myrtle was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital- Fort Smith. At Select, the team got her up and moving again. Her congestive heart disease, diabetes and blood pressure were brought under control and she was weaned from the ventilator. Myrtle was originally scheduled to go to rehab, but she surprised everyone by walking out of the hospital on her own and discharging home. It was her son’s 18th birthday. Myrtle feels like she has learned the importance of taking care of herself and is grateful for a second chance. “They gave me my life back. They were there for me.”
www.GlobalHealthTribune.com
December 2013
Page 13
PRACTICE TRENDS
What is a Physical Exam? that… routine. I have seen various cases in my practice where the patient simply came in for their annual examination as mandated by their insurance company and in the process, have a life-changing experience that ultimately saved their life.
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I feel it is so important for you to have that annual exam, that I’ve decided to go through a few of the many “routine” physical examinations that I have performed with quite interesting outcomes. I want you to focus on what it takes for a physician to complete a physical exam.
Shekhar V. Sharma, M.D. Board Certified in Internal Medicine
chools require them annually and if you get hired for a new job, chances are that they will require one too. Everyone should really have a physical exam every year. But what does the term “physical exam” actually mean? It essentially means examining the human body from head-to-toe after taking a thorough medical history of a person.
Case Study One:
A 40-year-old seemingly healthy young man comes into my office with no complaints, but needs his annual physical examination performed. On taking his full medical history, I find that he has no medical conditions, could not remember having any diseases in the past, and simply wants his medical examination performed quickly during his lunch hour so he can return to work. I started by asking him about any complaints he may have, of which he has none. As I started taking his medical history, I asked him about any medications that he is taking and again, he stated none. As I continue, I asked about any allergies to medications, family history
Many of you have visited your physician annually with various complaints and not knowing what was amiss. I have had many people visit my office believing they were completely healthy, have no medical problems (as far as they know), and come with the belief that a routine annual physical examination should be just
(which was clean), he also denied smoking cigarettes, abusing drugs or alcohol, and of course, I question him about his organ system. I move on to give him a thorough head-to-toe physical examination and find nothing wrong. Therefore, upon completion of my initial exam, I found nothing alarming.
tumor in his kidney which he was completely unaware of. Later, when I referred him to a specialist, he found out that he had kidney cancer. Now, let me tell you this – kidney tumors go undetected and are found incidentally as they grow slowly and are asymptomatic. However, if you do not find them, they do spread and can cause great harm. Essentially, the kidney with the tumor was surgically removed and he has gone on to lead a normal and healthy life. Case Study Two:
My next course of action is to do a urinalysis, run several blood tests, and have him return a week later to discuss his lab work. I received the report to my computer which is where the medical records are stored. All of his blood work looked good. Those included blood sugar, kidney and liver function, and also an anemia test. He had passed everything except for one so called minor issue, he had a trace of blood in his urine which was microscopic and could not be seen by the human eye. I informed him that he had to get an ultrasound of his kidney due to the blood in the urine. When the results came back, it was determined that he had a
This case truly has had an impact on me to this day. A young and strapping 38-year-old man came into my office for a full physical examination with his only complaint being that he had been tired for the past few weeks after work, but he slept and ate well. There was nothing abnormal in his medical history and again, after completing his physical examination, I found nothing abnormal. But, as you are becoming more and more aware by reading my articles, I do not stop with just a physical exam. I ordered some blood work and an EKG, since he had been tired for a few weeks. His EKG was normal. When I reviewed the results of his lab work, I found that he had an elevated blood sugar level which was in the diabetic range which is fasting
blood sugar levels greater than 125mg. After repeating the test again, we established that the test was positive and he had diabetes mellitus type 2, which he was not aware of. Because of the finding of diabetes, I ordered a stress test for his heart because a sizeable number of diabetics have silent heart disease. Unfortunately, his stress test came back positive. Needless to say, he potentially had underlying coronary artery disease and a cardiac cauterization was performed. That test revealed he had severe three-vessel coronary artery disease, which is commonly known by the acronym CABG. This gentleman was fortunate enough to survive the surgery and has led a healthy life since.
Now you can easily see why as physicians we support annual physical examinations which can pick up on disease, silent killers, and those other culprits which can be life threatening if not found and treated appropriately. I am quite certain that I could write a book about all of my experiences since starting medical school at the age of 19.
I cannot stress enough the importance of preventive medicine being good medicine. Unfortunately, I still go by the old British school way of saying it, “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.”
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December 2013
AROUND WORLD
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135 Million People Worldwide Will Have Dementia by 2050: Report
he number of people worldwide living with dementia could more than triple by 2050, a new report reveals.
Currently, an estimated 44 million people worldwide have dementia. That number is expected to reach 76 million in 2030 and 135 million by 2050. Those estimates come from an Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) policy brief for the upcoming G8 Dementia Summit in London, England.
The projected number of people with dementia in 2050 is now 17 percent higher than ADI estimated in the 2009 World Alzheimer Report.
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The new policy brief also predicts a shift in the worldwide distribution of dementia cases, from the richest nations to middle- and low-income countries. By 2050, 71 percent of people with dementia will live in middle- and low-income nations, according to the experts.
countries, but all nations, that must commit to a sustained increase in dementia research," ADI executive director Marc Wortmann said in a news release. The G8 Dementia Summit, to be held Dec. 11, will seek to identify and agree on a new international approach to dementia research and policy.
Research must become a global priority if improvements are to be made to the quality and coverage of dementia care. Equal emphasis should be given to policymaking, health and social care service and health system development, the report recommends.
"The absence of dementia public policy renders governments woefully unprepared for the dementia epidemic, and there is an urgent need for a collaborative, global action plan for governments, industry and nonprofit organizations like Alzheimer associations," the ADI news release stated.
"At the eve of the G8 Dementia Summit . . . it is not just the G8
More Than 6 Percent of U.S. Teens Take Psychiatric Meds: Survey
lightly more than 6 percent of U.S. teens take prescription medications for a mental health condition such as depression or attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new survey shows. The survey also revealed a wide gap in psychiatric drug use across ethnic and racial groups. Earlier studies have documented a rise in the use of these medications among teens, but they mainly looked at high-risk groups such as children who have been hospitalized for psychiatric problems. The new survey provides a
Upcoming Medical and Fundraising Events December 15, 2013 January 15, 2014
December 18
Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Pink Tie Guys Reception at Club-Colette in Palm Beach. The event begins at 6:30pm and all ages are welcome. For additional information, contact Donna Ross Dodson at 561-307-8000 or by e-mail to
January 9
Salvation Army: Candlelight Soiree at The Breakers in Palm Beach. The event begins at 7:00pm and all ages are welcome. For additional information, contact Betty Brophy at 561-686-3530 or by e-mail to carol_brophy@uss.salvationar my.org.
January 11
Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Perfect Pink Party Gala at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The event begins at 7:00pm and all ages are welcome. For additional information, contact Donna Ross Dodson at 561-307-8000 or by e-mail to palmbeach@komen.org.
snapshot of the number of adolescents in the general population who took a psychiatric drug in the past month from 2005 to 2010. Teens aged 12 to 19 typically took drugs to treat depression or ADHD, the two most common mental health disorders in that age group. About 4 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 have
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experienced a bout of depression, the study found. Meanwhile, 9 percent of children aged 5 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, a behavioral disorder marked by difficulty paying attention and impulsive behavior. Males were more likely to be taking medication to treat ADHD, while females were more commonly taking medication to treat depression. This follows patterns seen in the diagnosis of these conditions across genders. Exactly what is driving the new numbers is not clear, but "in my
opinion, it's an increase in the diagnosis of various conditions that these medications can be prescribed for," said study author Bruce Jonas. He is an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). But these are stressful times and it is also possible that children are becoming more vulnerable to these conditions as a result. "The recession and various world events might be a contributing factor," Jonas speculated. "Adolescents and children do take psychiatric medications. It is
not the majority, but it's also not rare," he said. "There are many ways to treat mental health problems and mood disorders in adolescents, and medication is just one of them." A mental-health expert not involved with the new study cautioned that psychiatric drugs are not a cure-all. "Using psychiatric medication is always a serious thing. You want to do it carefully and not use them inappropriately," said Dr. Glenn Saxe, chair of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.
Toy drive to benefit local kids battling cancer a huge success!
he past Saturday, December 7th the Smoke Inn in there Boynton Beach Store held a special event to present the Kids Cancer Foundation with all the toys they collected from their 11 stores in the Toy Drive they did to benefit the Kids Cancer Foundation.
They collected so many toys that the holidays will not only be brighter for our young patients and families but they will be able to help brighten the entire
P
year for these children. There will be toys to celebrate Birthdays, Eno of Treatment Parties or just to give to kids after procedures or to just brighten up their day!
We cannot thank Abe Dababneth, the owner of Smoke Inn enough for doing this toy drive to benefit the Kids Cancer Foundation. We are so grateful for his support. A special thank you also goes out to all the employees at Smoke Inn and everyone who donated a toy to the Toy Drive.
community. Little Warriors need Big Heroes like Abe and Smoke Inn.
Thanks to individuals like Abe and businesses like Smoke Inn we are able to provide hope and support to children and families battling childhood cancer in our
If you are interested in learning more about the Kids Cancer Foundation or interested in making a donation to the Kids Cancer Foundation log on to the website: www.kidscancersf.org or send your checks to: Kids Cancer Foundation 246 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 or you can contact Michelle O’Boyle direct at: 561-371-1298.
Kids' Movies Deliver Mixed Messages on Eating, Obesity In terms of activity, 40 percent of the movies showed characters watching television, 35 percent featured characters using computers, and 20 percent showed characters playing video games.
opular children's movies, from "Kung Fu Panda" to "Shrek the Third," contain mixed messages about eating habits and obesity, a new study says.
Many of these animated and liveaction movies are guilty of "glamorizing" unhealthy eating and inactivity, while at the same time condemning obesity, according to study corresponding author Dr. Eliana Perrin, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She and her colleagues analyzed 20 top-grossing G- and PG-rated movies from 2006 to 2010. Clips
from each movie were examined for their depictions of eating, physical activity and obesity. The findings show that many popular children's movies "present a mixed message to children: promoting unhealthy behaviors while stigmatizing the behaviors' possible effects," the
researchers said. Among the movie segments that included eating, 26 percent featured exaggerated portion sizes, 51 percent included unhealthy snacks and 19 percent included sugar-sweetened beverages, according to the study published online Dec. 6 in the journal Obesity.
Unhealthy movie segments outnumbered healthy ones by two to one, according to the researchers. They also found that nearly three-quarters of the films included negative weight-related messages. For instance, a panda who wants to be a martial arts master is told he can't because of his "fat butt," "flabby arms" and "ridiculous belly." And a donkey is referred to as a "bloated roadside pinata."
www.GlobalHealthTribune.com
December 2013
Page 15
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Canadian Doctors Explore New Theory of Migraine Headaches headaches. They also found that headache was the 5th leading cause of emergency room visits in the US. Because it is so common, many people underestimate how disabling a severe headache can be. Many of the patients I see with headaches talk about how it can cause them to take dozens of sick days at work and how it impacts their relationship with friends and family.
Dr. Jonathan Chung is a Doctor of Chiropractic who focuses on Structural Correction and is primarily concerned with Structural Shifts of the spine. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Dr. Chung then went on and received his doctorate from Life University's College of Chiropractic. Dr. Chung is certified in pediatrics from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and is a Structural Chiropractic Researcher who has been published in scientific peerreviewed journals.
M
igraines are the most common neurological disorder in the developed world according to a 2013 study in the journal Headache, 16.6% of adults report having migraines or severe
Historically, chiropractors with a focus on correcting the upper cervical spine have seen a great amount of success in helping headache patients, but little research has been done that explains why. Last year, a group of Canadian doctors set out to understand why the upper neck is such a problem for headache sufferers. Their initial results have started to change our understanding of headaches and other neurological disorders.
The researchers studied a small sample of people with chronic migraine headaches. They studied these patients using magnetic resonance angiography. Each patient had a neurologist verify their diagnosis and was sent for a study that measured blood flow going in and out of the head. Each patient was evaluated for a structural shift in the top bone of the spine called the Atlas. The authors noted that those with a displacement of the
Atlas had sluggish blood flow out of the skull which caused old blood and cerebral spinal fluid to back up into the head. When these patients received a correction of the Atlas, 90% reported improvement in headache symptoms in conjunction with an improvement venous blood flow leaving the head.
Why does a venous back up cause headaches? Venous blood is full of metabolic waste and deoxygenated blood. When you couple that with the increased pressure pushing back into the head, you have a recipe for major problems. Although there is more pressure going back into
the head, the skull will not allow pressure to rise because it is a solid, immovable object. The end result is the extra venous pressure will lead to softer tissues in the head to shrink or degenerate; namely, brain tissue.
Two years ago, I had a young lady referred to my office by a neurologist in Jacksonville’s Mayo Clinic. She was 18 years old at the time and had been suffering with DAILY migraines after a fall from a horse when she was 5. It had forced her into being home schooled, with the possibility of going away to college a virtual fantasy. Our testing revealed that her Atlas was the culprit, and within a few
weeks of gentle corrections she was headache-free and the opportunity to go to a school in California was now a reality.
On the surface, it seems hard to believe that such a small thing could cause such a major problem. After all, it’s just a small bone, shifted a small amount, blocking a small amount of fluid. Just remember that it just takes a small bit of cholesterol to form a small clot, and tiny microorganisms can wreak some major havoc. The one thing we should all remember is that we’re talking about the health of the brain and spinal cord, and small changes can affect the brain in big ways.
KEYSTONE CHIROPRACTIC WHEN THE SPINE SHIFTS
• Arm Pain • Carpal tunnel (wrist) • Canal stenosis • Degenerated Joints • Digestive Disorders • Disc herniation • Dizziness (Vertigo) • Dowager’s hump • Fatigue • Fibromyalgia • headaches • hearing Issues • Itchiness • Low Back Pain • mid Back Pain • migraine headaches • muscle spasm • muscle tension • Neck Pain • Numbness/tingling • Pinched Nerve • Poor Posture • Rotator Cuff • shoulder Pain • sinus Conditions • spinal Decay • strength Issues • thoracic Outlet syndrome • tmJ Issues • Upper Back Pain
Royal Palm Beach office now open!
KEYSTONE CHIROPRACTIC 420 State Road 7 Suite #170 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 247-0044
Call Dr. Jonathan Chung at CALL FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION
Where a Consultation is a Conversation, not a Commitment mention this ad and receive a gift certificate applicable to your structural exam
Keystone Chiropractic is focused on structural correction of the spine. we use state of the art technology and techniques to restore full function of the spine and nervous system to allow the innate recuperative capacity of the body to work optimally.
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WellingtonLivingProof.com WellingtonLivingProof.com ER / Car Cardiac diac Program Program Physicians are are independent practitioners who ar are e not employees or agents of Wellington Wellington Regional Medical Center. Center. treatments provided provided by physicians. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments