May Springfield Healthy Cells 2011

SPRINGFIELD/DECATUR

area

Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional • Nutritional

TM

www.healthycellsmagazine.com

M A G A Z I N E

Hands, Wrists, & Elbows…

The Shoulder to Fingertip Practice of

Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Jeff Smith pg 14

FREE

HealthyCells May 2011

for Seniors

Benefits of Folate

pg 10

pg 12

Distracted Driving pg 26

Celebrate Nurses For Hands that Heal and Hearts that Care

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May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

MAY

2011 Volume 2, Issue 5

5

Healthy Living: US Cancer Survivors

This Month’s Cover Story: Hands, Wrists, & Elbows…

The Shoulder to Fingertip Practice of Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jeff Smith

6

Emotional: “Killer Clichés About Loss”

8

Nutritional: New NIH Cookbook Encourages Families to Eat Healthfully

10

Physical: FleXTOBa for Seniors

11

Senior Living: Searching for a Retirement Community?

12 17

page 14

Women’s Health: Benefits of Folate

Communication: Skills to Help Ask for Something and/or Say “No” in Relationships

For information about this publication, contact Becky Ar ndt, owner at 217-413-1884, Becky@healthycellsmagazine.com Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of:

18

Healthy Aging: Skin Care and Aging

20

Healthy Sleep: Get to Bed

22

Preventative Care: Know the GLOW

24 26

Gestational Diabetes: Healthy Habits Can Help Prevent Diabetes in Your Future

Safety: Distracted Driving

1711 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria, IL 61615 Ph: 309-681-4418 Fax: 309-691-2187 info@limelightlink.com • www.healthycellsmagazine.com

Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher.

Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the Greater Springfield and Decatur area, including major grocery stores, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and health clubs. Healthy Cells Magazine is published monthly and welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in the Springfield/Decatur Illinois area.

I wish to thank all the advertisers for their support of Healthy Cells Magazine’s mission to bring positive health related information to our readers. Because of their generosity we are able to provide this publication FREE to you.

– Becky Arndt

healthy living

US Cancer Survivors Grows to Nearly 12 Million

T

he number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. There were 3 million cancer survivors in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001.

A cancer survivor is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis through the balance of his or her life.

The study, “Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2007,” is published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“It’s good news that so many are surviving cancer and leading long, productive, and healthy lives,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Preventing cancer and detecting it early remain critically important as some cancers can be prevented or detected early enough to be effectively treated. Not smoking, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy foods, and limiting alcohol use can reduce the risk of many cancers.”

To determine the number of survivors, the authors analyzed the number of new cases and follow-up data from NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program between 1971 and 2007. Population data from the 2006 and 2007 United States Census were also included. The researchers estimated the number of persons ever diagnosed with cancer who were alive on Jan. 1, 2007 (except non-melanoma skin cancers, which are fairly common and rarely fatal).

Study findings indicate: • Of the 11.7 million people living with cancer in 2007, 7 million were ages 65 years or older.

• Women make up a large proportion of cancer survivors (54 percent).

• Breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors (22 percent), followed by prostate cancer survivors (19 percent) and colorectal cancer survivors (10 percent).

• Among all survivors, 4.7 million received their diagnosis 10 or more years earlier.

“As the number of cancer survivors continues to increase, it is important for medical and public health professionals to be knowledgeable of issues survivors may face, especially the long-term effects of treatment on their physical and psychosocial well-being,” said Arica White, Ph.D., M.P.H., an

epidemic intelligence service officer in CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “This understanding is critical in promoting good health and coordinating comprehensive care for cancer survivors.”

The authors note that the increase in number of cancer survivors is due to many factors, including a growing aging population, early detection, improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatment, and improved clinical follow-up after treatment.

“There is now a growing number of people who have faced a cancer diagnosis and what that means for them and their loved ones – from the time of diagnosis through the rest of their lives,” said Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D., director of NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship. “Unfortunately for many cancer survivors and those around them, the effect of cancer does not end with the last treatment. Research has allowed us to scratch the surface of understanding the unique risks, issues, and concerns of this population. This report underscores the need for continued research, as well as for the development and implementation of best practices to provide optimal care and support for all cancer survivors.”

For the full report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/. CDC works with public, non-profit, and private partners to create and implement strategies to help the millions of people in the United States who live with, through, and beyond cancer. For more information about CDC’s survivorship efforts, visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivorship/. NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship is dedicated to enhancing the length and quality of life of survivors and addressing their unique and poorly understood needs. More information about the Office of Cancer Survivorship, as well as research tools, publications, and other resources, is available at http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/.

NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH effort to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web site at www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

Contract Worker Needed for Distribution Purposes Perfect for retirees or homemakers Approximately one or two days per month.

Must have reliable transportation, be able to lift 35 lbs, dependable.

For more information, please contact Becky at 217-413-1884 or Becky@healthycellsmagazine.com May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 5

emotional

“Killer Clichés About Loss” Healthy Cells magazine is pleased to present the first in a series of feature articles on the subject of Grief ❣ Recovery®. The articles are written

by Russell P. Friedman, Executive Director, and John W. James, Founder, of The Grief Recovery Institute. Russell and John are co-authors of WHEN CHILDREN GRIEVE - For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses - Harper Collins, June, 2001 - & THE GRIEF RECOVERY HANDBOOK - The Action Program For Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses [Harper Perrenial, 1998]. The articles combine educational information with answers to commonly asked questions.

W

e have all been educated to acquire things. We have been taught how to get an education, get a job, buy a house, etc.

There are colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical schools. You can take courses in virtually anything that might interest you.

What education do we receive about dealing with loss? What school do you go to learn to deal with the conflicting feelings caused by significant emotional loss? Loss is so much more predictable and inevitable than gain, and yet we are woefully ill-prepared to deal with loss.

One of the most damaging killer cliches about loss is time heals all wounds. When we present open lectures on the subject of Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Grief ❣ Recovery ®, we often ask if anyone is still feeling pain, isolation, or loneliness as the result of the death of a loved one 20 or more years ago. There are always several hands raised in response to that question. Then we gently ask, “if time is going to heal, then 20 years still isn’t enough?”

While recovery from loss does take some time, it need not take as much time as you have been led to believe. Recovery is totally individual. There is no absolute time frame. Sometimes in an attempt to conform to other people’s time frames, we do ourselves great harm.

This idea leads us to another of the killer cliches — you should be over it by now.

It is bad enough that well-meaning, well-intentioned friends attack us with killer cliches, but then we start picking on ourselves. We start believing that we are defective or somehow deficient because we haven’t recovered yet.

If we take just the two killer cliches we’ve mentioned so far, we can see that they have something in common. They both imply that a nonaction will have some therapeutic or recovery value. That by waiting, and letting some time pass, we will heal. Let’s add a third cliche to the batch — you have to keep busy. Many grievers follow this incorrect advice and work two or three jobs. They fill their time with endless tasks and chores. At the end of any given day, asked how they feel, invariably they report that their heart still feels broken; all they accomplished by staying busy was to get exhausted.

OVERWHELMED? TIRED OF BEING TIRED?

Dr. Rohde can help!

3798 E. Fulton Ave. Decatur, IL 62521 www.DrRohde.com 217-864-2700

“Grief ❣ Recovery® allows you to have fond memories not turn painful and helps you retake a happy and productive place in your own life.”

Now, with only three basic killer cliches we can severely limit and restrict our ability to participate in effective recovery. It is not only that people around us tell us these cliches, in an attempt to help, but we ourselves learned and practiced these false beliefs for most of our lives.

It is time for us to learn some new and helpful beliefs to assist us in grieving and completing relationships that have ended or changed.

Functional Medicine and Hormonal Evaluation

QUESTION: I have heard that it takes two years to get over the death of a loved one; five years to get over the death of a parent; and you never get over the death of a child. Is this true?

ANSWER: Part of the problem is the phrase get over. It is more accurate to say that you would never forget a child who had died, any more than you would ever forget a parent or a loved one. Another part of the problem is one of those killer cliches we talked about, that time, of itself, is a recovery action. Although recovery from loss does take some time, it is the actions within time that lead to successful recovery.

The primary goal of Grief ❣ Recovery® is to help you “grieve and complete” your relationship to the pain caused by the emotional changes caused by death, divorce, and other losses. Successful application of the principles and actions of Grief ❣ Recovery® allow you to have fond memories not turn painful and help you retake a happy and productive place in your own life. In addition, you regain the ability to begin new relationships, rather than attempting to replace or avoid past relationships.

Next month: “Less Than Loved Ones — Hopes And Dreams” For information about programs and services, write to The Grief Recovery Institute, P.O. Box 6061-382 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413. Call [818] 907-9600 or Fax: [818] 907-9329. Please visit our website at: www.grief-recovery.com.

5/31/11

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 7

nutritional

New NIH Cookbook Encourages Families to

Eat Healthfully

N

utritious meals can be tasty and easy to prepare, according to a new family cookbook from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Keep the Beat™ Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Family Meals has more than 40 kid-tested recipes featuring a variety of healthy entrees, side dishes, and snacks that parents and children can enjoy together. The free cookbook also offers time-saving tips and helpful resources for busy families. “Good food choices made early in life can support a lifetime of healthy habits. This cookbook can help parents make good decisions about the foods they serve their families,” said NHLBI Acting Director Susan B. Shurin, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician. “With a healthy approach to cooking, families learn to enjoy the taste of heart-healthy meals that can help lower their risk of heart disease and other conditions.”

The recipes in the cookbook were designed and created for the NHLBI by David Kamen, a professor in Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America, trained chef/instructor, and father of two. All of the recipes are based on heart-healthy principles from the NHLBI, include nutrition analysis, reflect the principles of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and provide guidance for preparing meals that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. The recipes also adhere to the NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which supports an overall healthy eating plan.

Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Family Meals was developed in collaboration with the NIH’s We Can!® (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) program. We Can! is a national education program supported by four NIH institutes and led by the NHLBI. The program is designed to provide parents, caregivers, and entire communities with strategies, tactics, and tools to help children stay at a healthy weight by eating healthfully, being active, and reducPage 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

ing screen time. The cookbook can be used by the We Can! community sites as they implement programs for both parents and youth.

The cookbook as well as individual recipes are available for free on the Keep the Beat: Deliciously Healthy Eating website, and hard copies can be ordered through the NHLBI Health Information Center. The site also features a searchable database, family resources, healthy shopping and cooking tips, videos, and information for the media. Visitors are also invited to engage in an online community through the Keep the Beat Facebook page, which contains information about upcoming events and cookbook highlights. Log on at http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/healthyeating or contact the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573 for more information.

To arrange an interview with an NHLBI spokesperson, please contact the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236 or nhlbi_news@nhlbi.nih.gov.

Part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation’s Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Researchers at the University of Illinois are studying the effectiveness of a home-based physical activity program delivered via DVD. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to an exercise group that receives the set of DVDs and starts exercising right away, or a wait-list group that will receive the exercise DVDs at a later time.

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION IF YOU: Are between 65 and 85 years old Are interested in exercising with a DVD program designed specifically for older adults Can do flexibility, strengthening and balance exercises without aggravating any pre-existing conditions Have access to a television and DVD player Are not regularly exercising more than two days a week SPACE IS Are able to read and understand English LIMITED! Are able to attend a two-hour assessment session at locations in Bloomington-Normal and Springfield

For more information, call Susan Herrel, Project Coordinator FlexToBaTM program at 217-265-9848 or toll free 888-359-0022 or herrel@illinois.edu.

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 9

physical

Research on a Flexibility, Toning and Balance Program for Seniors

By Susan Herrel, Research Coordinator, University of Illinois

D

r. Edward McAuley, a professor in the Exercise Psychology Laboratory (EPL) in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, has spent much of his career researching the effects of physical activity on different populations. One of his current projects will examine the effects of a homebased, DVD-delivered physical activity program that emphasizes flexibility, toning and balance (FlexToBa™) exercises designed specifically for older adults between 65 and 85 years of age.

The 2000 U. S. Census results have shown that older adults (>65) represent the fastest growing segment of the population. Now representing 35 million U. S. residents, this group will grow to nearly 87 million thanks in part to the Baby Boom generation.

Medical advances have increased life expectancy and people are living longer but McAuley’s research examines what can be done to increase older adults’ quality of life (QOL) while also decreasing limitations in physical function through increased physical activity.

“Living longer does not necessarily equate with an improved quality of life,” McAuley said. “The point at which the trajectory of living longer evolves into poor quality of life is likely to differ according to the individual, and the extent to which they are able to lead a healthy lifestyle may be determined by many factors including how active they are.”

The FlexToBa DVD was funded by the National Institutes of Health and was developed specifically for this project after years of research with older adults in the Champaign-Urbana area. Dr. McAuley is currently bringing this research to the BloomingtonPage 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Normal and Springfield areas and is looking for men and women between the ages of 65 and 85 who are not already exercising regularly to participate in this research.

Qualifying participants would be randomly assigned to either an immediate exercise group, who will receive the DVD following the initial testing, or a waitlist group, who will receive the exercise DVDs at the end of the testing, 12 months later.

All potential participants will be interviewed by phone to determine if they qualify for the study and must be able to provide contact information for their physicians so that researchers may obtain medical consent for the exercise and testing that will be a requirement of the study. Testing for this project involves wearing an activity monitor for seven days. This device, much like a pedometer, measures activity levels during all waking hours. Participants also answer a series of questionnaires that have to do with their feelings, their confidence about usual activities, and their day-to-day routines. Finally, participants will also perform a series of tests of their physical functioning specifically related to flexibility, strength and balance. Researchers will be coming to the Bloomington and Springfield areas to complete these assessments this summer. If participants qualify for the study, they will be asked to complete these assessments in July and then repeat them six and 12 months later.

Interested participants should contact Susan Herrel, research coordinator at 217/265-9848 or toll-free at 888-359-0022 or by email at herrel@illinois.edu.

senior living

Searching for a Retirement Community?

Submitted by The Glenwood Assisted Living Community

L

et The Glenwood Assisted Living in Mt. Zion map out a route for you to be successful. . . It is very important to find the right retirement community for you or your loved one. Education can be your best tool. Choosing the appropriate facility can have a profound impact on one’s dignity, quality of life and sense of well-being.

Size / Shape / Functionality There is a huge variation among assisted living communities in the market today. The facility you will be happiest with won’t necessarily be the most fancy or expensive. The right facility will be the one where you or your loved one will feel most at home. At The Glenwood Assisted Living, we offer plenty of green space outside with walking paths, gardens, gazebo and a waterfall retreat area to be enjoyed by all. Inside our community we have designed our apartments with “comfort, coziness and contentment” in mind. Each has French doors leading out to a private patio, large living and kitchen area, bedroom with a walk-in closet and a large personal bath with walk-in/roll-in shower. There are many common areas within the facility for friends and family to gather ~ some favorites include: a large theatre room/chapel, coffee bar, family room with fireplace, exercise room and an on-site beauty and barber shop. Our facility has all the comforts of home, plus some special added “extras”.

• Grub Prevention

Dining / Activities / Interests Meals and activities are the two biggest concerns for seniors living in retirement communities. Any facility giving home to a variety of residents will generate a variety of preferences pertaining to food, interests, hobbies and activities enjoyed. Home-cooked meals served hot... matters! Providing opportunities for daily interactions via entertainment, organized activities, community outings, or social gatherings... matters! At The Glenwood Community guests are encouraged to dine with our residents. We are proud to say that each meal is 100% home-cooked, prepared on site, and served hot three times per day. Resident input is encouraged in meal planning and our cook staff can meet the needs of any special / therapeutic diets. Meals are not the only “event” for residents. Shopping trips, musical entertainment, movie nights with popcorn, ice cream socials, games, crafts, community events and parties fill our activity calendar every month providing more than enough options to meet the social needs of our seniors. Each resident can participate in as little or as much as they choose!

Staffing When choosing a retirement community it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Remember, amenities matter much less than staffing. It’s the people that truly make the place a home. That statement is truly our motto at The Glenwood. We spend an incredible amount of time choosing our staff, training our staff, and mentoring our staff with that philosophy in mind. Our nursing team is all licensed or certified, not just “in house trained”. They are available onsite 24 hours a day/7 days a week. We provide individual service plans and quarterly health evaluations for each resident (this goes above and beyond our state requirements). 100% of our staff is CPR certified. Our team focus is to make a difference in each of our resident’s lives... everyday.

For more information please call 217-864-1073 or visit www.theglenwoodcommunities.com. The Glenwood Assisted Living Community is located at 1635 Baltimore Ave, Mt. Zion, IL 62549.

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

women’s health

Some Women of Reproductive Age Lack Knowledge About the

Benefits of Folate

A

ccording to a recent omnibus survey of 643 women ages 18 to Their collective goal is to invite women to spread the message about the 45, nearly half of women (43 percent) are unaware of the health importance of daily folate supplementation to all of their girlfriends. benefits of taking folate or folic acid daily. Further, 67 percent Women can join the Girlfriends for Folate movement by registering on report they do not take a supplement containing folate or folic acid the campaign’s Facebook page at www.GirlfriendsforFolate.com. Here, daily, with more than half visitors will also find educa(52 percent) saying they tional materials about folate, don’t take a supplement such as a folate fact sheet containing folic acid at all. and an interactive folate quiz.

Folate, a B vitamin (synFor every woman who bethetically available as folic comes a “GFF,” Bayer will acid) helps regenerate cells give $1, up to $25,000, to and when taken before support the 2011 March of pregnancy and during the Dimes March for Babies®, early months of pregnancy, the organization’s largest helps reduce the risk of serifundraiser that raises funds ous birth defects of the spine to improve the health of baor brain, also known as neubies. The U.S. region with ral tube defects (NTDs). That the most GFFs will be recis why it is especially imporognized nationally during its tant for women of reproduclocal March of Dimes March tive age to supplement their for Babies(R) event, where diet with the right amount Minnillo will join other women of folic acid. If women have committed to raising awarequestions about folate or ness about the importance of folic acid supplementation, daily folate intake. they should speak with their “As girlfriends, we have healthcare provider. to look out for ourselves March of Dimes ® recand for each other,” Minnillo says. “I’ve learned that ommends that all women of reproductive age supfolate is good for me now and in the future if I decide to plement their diet with at have a baby. The Girlfriends least 400 mcg of folic acid for Folate campaign is imdaily. Further, an objective portant because it educates of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ women about the impor(HHS) Healthy People 2020 tant role folate plays in their overall health. It’s my goal national initiative is to into spread the word to all of crease the proportion of Photo By ARA my girlfriends to make folate women of childbearing potential with intake of at least supplementation part of their 400 mcg of folic acid from Vanessa Minnillo has teamed up with Bayer and March of Dimes to launch daily health regimen too.” fortified foods or dietary As part of the nationGirlfriends for Folate ‚ a national educational campaign to help spread the word supplements - an objective wide campaign, the GFF about the importance of daily folate intake for all women of reproductive age. that was not met in 2010. who raises the most money To help the HHS reach for March of Dimes March for its Healthy People 2020 objective, Bayer and March of Dimes® have Babies® will get the opportunity to walk alongside Minnillo, showcasing joined forces with TV personality Vanessa Minnillo and DailyCandy.com, their shared commitment to the mission of Girlfriends for Folate. a popular women’s online resource, to launch Girlfriends for Folate, a Bayer and March of Dimes® continue to demonstrate their shared national educational campaign to raise awareness about the importance commitment to advancing women’s health and hope others will too by of daily folate and folic acid intake among all women of reproductive age. becoming a “GFF.” Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

feature story

Hands, Wrists, & Elbows…

The Shoulder to Fingertip Practice of Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jeff Smith

By Alan Scherer

S

ometimes patients have time to think over a medical choice or whether to even pursue a medical option to a particular problem.

For example, one might just choose to live with the index finger pain from banging on the mouse with too much enthusiasm, and switch hands for a while. And some people postpone dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome until the problem grows unbearable. Then they call an orthopedic hand surgeon.

But just as often, patients see such a specialist when a serious hand or arm injury has occurred, which allows no time to delay. When you can’t even drive yourself to the emergency room, you just hang on, hope, and pray that “they” can repair your body, erasing all effects of the injury. In the emergency room, Dr. Smith may be waiting for you.

The first of only two orthopedic hand surgeons in Decatur, Dr. Jeff Smith has been practicing in Central Illinois since August 1, 1998. He combines training in orthopedic surgery and microvascular surgery with

a concern for the patient’s well being and his motivation to restore function. An experienced staff of nursing and hand therapists also add to the care from the practice known as Central Illinois Hand Center.

Jeff Smith: Experience Leading to Experience Like a lot of professionals, Jeff Smith got a boost during his youth toward deciding his career path. He had his own orthopedic need when he broke an ankle playing football in high school. Much more serious was a brother’s injury: As a teenaged construction worker, his hand was badly injured in a power saw accident. Jeff saw close up the initial damage and the progress made toward recovery. It was motivating. So he eventually chose orthopedics and hand surgery.

An orthopedist can be general, or further specialize as upper (arms) or lower (legs). Dr. Smith is an “upper” man (though he may do a hip in ER). Of course, a tremendous amount of training goes into the making

Dr. Jeff Smith Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

L to R: Gretchen Riser, Occupational Therapist; Brenda Sargeant, R.N.; Mary Burns Keller, Practice Manager; Sandra Payton, Transcriptionist; Tanya Bone, Medical Assistant; Char Brooks, Patient Services; Wendy Salefski, Occupational Therapist; Sharon Longcor, Patient Services. of an orthopedic hand surgeon. Fracture care requires five to six years of training. And specialized hand and microvascular surgical training is required, especially for the skin and complex soft tissue of the hand. Dr. Smith’s goal is to get the best possible function to return to an injured limb. Among the most professionally satisfying things Dr. Smith does for the patient is to fix a complex medical problem—a badly injured hand, for example—so that there is a complete return to function and strength.

For most physicians these days, keeping current with advances in treatment is essential. In fact, even insurance companies require and monitor training. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand, of which Dr. Smith is a member, offers seminars, training, and conferences to the surgeon. At two major annual conferences and other lesser ones, recognized leaders come from all over the world to discuss and lecture on diagnosis and treatment.

One of Dr. Smith’s special interests is thumb arthritis, which can be quite painful. He uses a reliable technique for younger patients, which also works for older patients. It relieves pain almost instantaneously, and it allows a revision, or follow-up operation, later, if necessary, which is fairly common.

Among the more common conditions and injuries he treats are carpal tunnel syndrome (repetitive motion damage to the wrists); trigger finger (finger tendonitis); crushed hands and fingers and fractures; wrist fractures and sprains (often occuring as a fall on an outstretched hand); and arthritic and fluid filled cysts.

Though a surgeon, Dr. Smith sometimes treats patients without surgery. Among conditions not needing surgery are elbow and shoulder tendonitis. Some problems can be treated with steroid injections. Sometimes he educates a patient on how to modify activities to reduce symptoms.

able.” That allows him to focus on surgery, freeing time he might otherwise have to spend on interacting with and managing staff.

When asked, “Do you postpone appointments to go to the emergency room?” he replies, “Yes. And I take the ‘on call’ responsibility at least two to three nights a week,” as do all orthopedic surgeons. That means that the doctor may have to leave his office during the day to go to the ER if a patient arrives with injuries too critical to delay treating and too complex for the general surgeon to address. Sometimes he will operate right then; at other times he may be able to stabilize a patient for surgery in the evening or the next day. In either case, when finished in the ER he returns to his office to resume seeing patients.

It also means he may get a call while doing hospital rounds in the evening; and he may be awakened at home at 2 or 3 AM, sometimes to stabilize a badly injured patient until surgery in the morning, sometimes to provide the surgical treatment right then.

Dr. Smith’s regular schedule is clinic (seeing patients in office) on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and surgery on Mondays, Wednesdays, and

Location and Duty Dr. Smith identifies medical and other advantages to his office’s location next to Decatur Memorial Hospital. “It’s a great location near a hospital. Especially for one coming in to the emergency room.” He goes on to describe the “Outpatient Surgical Center, a superb environment for surgery: it’s private, has a lower volume of surgerical patients, and has better access in and out.

Highly specialized, skilled, and professional support staff operate the facility. They are helpful and knowledgeMay 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15

feature story

(continued) cluding for orthopedics. This includes delivery of the patient to the right doctor and the patient’s going through however many stages of preparation and treatment. This means that whenever time is of the essence, the Decatur patient often is better served than patients in other areas.

One sphere of orthopedic success not possible twenty to twentyfive years ago involves the ability to fix broken bones with more advanced hardware. Locking plate technology (metal emplaced during surgery) has revolutionized orthopedics in general and hand treatment in particular. Locking intramedullary (center of bone) rods allow for an earlier return to motion and function.

Christy Hutchins, X-ray Technician Fridays (during which shifts an emergency surgical need might suddenly force the postponement of a planned operation). On all of those days he also has rounds to make, and he may be on call. On Tuesday, April 5th, and Wednesday, April 6th alone…: Tuesday afternoon in office he saw some twenty-five old patients and twenty new (some of whom he operated on Wednesday). He saw on an emergency basis a patient in office whose finger had been crushed by a seventy-five pound weight.

Another patient had a seizure during which he dislocated his shoulder.

Dr. Smith restored it with the help of the ER physician. During and after rounds Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital, he saw another patient whose badly injured arm was also deformed (left out of place) in a four-wheeler accident. She was treated to avoid vascular or neurological compromise (additional damage); Wednesday she had surgery.

Between initial visit and surgery, the four-wheeler patient was allowed to go home; sometimes patients are kept in the hospital, depending on how serious the injury and whether family members are able to care for them. Other factors can also play into whether a patient will go from ER to OR or from ER to the office, and whether, if to OR, it will be immediately or a half day later, e.g., whether delay would be harmful or helpful to the patient, or at least neutral; and whether a more complete and better rested surgical team can be gathered at 8 AM rather than at 2 AM. According to Dr. Smith, the average wait from first doctor-patient contact to full-fledged treatment is exceptionally short in Decatur, inPage 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Long-Time Staff Dr. Smith seems to pass his enthusiasm and job satisfaction on to his staff. According to Mary Burns Keller, Dr. Smith’s practice manager, there has been no turnover in the office since she started in 2002.

And since the Doctor started in 1998, the only two to leave did so when their husbands found jobs out of state. She describes Dr. Smith as “easy to work with and compassionate,” more interested in patient care than in money. Registered Nurse (R.N.) Brenda Sargeant has been with Smith since 1998. She and Sherry Birkey, R.N., schedule operations, prepare patient histories and physical questionnaires (which they review with the patient), discuss whether medications should or should not be taken before surgery, and make calls to patients. They handle medication refills. Tuesdays and Thursdays the RN’s see 60 or more patients per day with the doctor, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, they see post-op patients, while Dr. Smith is usually in surgery. But Doctor can be called, or called in, if necessary: Brenda can call the circulator nurse, part of the surgical team, who can pass essential phone messages to and from the operating Dr. Smith and his office. Thus they are always in contact, and patients in need are never without his input. Dr. Smith wants to be kept informed.

In all the US, there are about 5000 certified hand therapists (CHTs).

Decatur is quite well served in having two of them in Dr. Smith’s office: Wendy Salefski and Gretchen Riser. The CHTs work according to orders from Dr. Smith or from other area orthopedic surgeons who don’t have CHTs in their offices.

To become a CHT one must first become an occupational or physical therapist, which now requires a Master’s Degree. In addition, five years experience in hand therapy are required. Continuing education is mandated. They work with the patient to improve strength and range of motion with exercises or other therapy. The office has the ability to simulate many work environments, so the patient can try tasks needed on the job. There are tools for practice. They may start out having therapy two to three times a week, decreasing over time, transitioning to at-home exercises. The CHTs may on occasion see three to four patients at a time, rotating among the working patients.

An orthopedic practice consists of many professionals. A highly trained staff complements the doctor, administering treatment and working toward rehabilitation. Be careful, but when an accident occurs or a condition arises, go to a competent orthopedic specialist. The right treatment can make all the difference.

For more information about Dr. Smith contact: Central Illinois Hand Center 304 W. Hay St. Decatur, IL Ph: 217-875-HAND (4263)

communication

Skills to Help Ask for Something and/or Say “No” in Relationships

By Jonathan Marin, Ph.D.

M

uch of life involves interacting with other people through interpersonal relationships. These relationships might be with close friends, family members, or people we know at work or school. Despite the nature of any of these relationships, two particular abilities are very important. These abilities are: to ask for what we want or need in a relationship, and also to be able to say NO to unreasonable demands placed on us by others.

There are many reasons why individuals may struggle with asking for something or being able to say no to someone else’s demands.

First, we might not know what to specifically say. Second, there might be worry thoughts associated with asking for something or saying no (such as worries about bad consequences or worries about whether we deserve what we are asking for). Third, we might struggle with indecisiveness about what we really want or want to say. Finally, we might be in an environment that makes it difficult for us to ask for something or say no (such as asking your boss for a raise).

The goal of interpersonal effectiveness skills is to help us communicate our needs or say no in such a way that is most likely to accomplish the outcome we desire. One thing to remember, however, is that sometimes we will not get want we want in a relationship, even if we go about asking for something or saying no in the most skillful way possible. However, utilizing the following skills can help maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

There are two sets of skills that can help us be interpersonally effective in relationships. The first set, called “DEAR MAN,” involve specific skills that are helpful for getting what we want or saying no to someone else. The second set of skills, called “GIVE FAST,” involve skills which help maintain both a relationship worth maintaining and our own self-respect in our relationships.

DEAR MAN is an acronym for each of the skills which can help us ask for what we want or say no to someone else’s unfair demands.

First, we must DESCRIBE the current situation, telling the other person exactly what we are reacting to. Next, we must EXPRESS our feelings and opinions about the situation. We need to assume that our feelings and opinions are not self-evident, and utilize phrases such as “I want,” “I don’t want”, instead of “I need,” “You should,” or “I can’t.”

Third, we must ASSERT ourselves by asking for what we want or saying no clearly. We need to assume that others will not figure it out or do what we want unless we ask. Fourth, REINFORCE or reward the person ahead of time by explaining the consequences of you getting what you want, or your saying no.

When asking for something, or saying no, we need to stay MINDFUL of our objectives, maintain our position, and not allow ourselves to be distracted. Be a “broken record,” repeating the same message over and over, and ignore any attempts by the other person to argue, attack, threaten, or change the subject. Try to APPEAR confident, with a confident voice tone, good eye contact, and no stammering, whispering, or staring at the floor. Finally, be willing to NEGOTIATE by giving something to get what you want. Consider reducing your request, maintaining your “no,” but offering to do something else, or turn the issue over to the other person by saying, “what do you think we should do?”

When attempting to maintain a relationship and our self-respect in a relationship, a helpful acronym to remember is GIVE FAST. When communicating in a relationship, be GENTLE by not attacking, threatening, or judging the other person. Act INTERESTED by listening to what the other person has to say, and not interrupting or talking over them.

VALIDATE or acknowledge the other person’s feelings, wants, difficulties, and opinions about the situation by using statements such as “I can understand how you feel, but…” Also, use an EASY manner when talking. Don’t be afraid to smile, use a little humor, or be light-hearted.

When trying to maintain your self-respect, be FAIR to yourself and the other person. Don’t overly APOLOGIZE. No apologies are necessary for having a different opinion or disagreeing. STICK to your own values, and don’t sell short what you believe. Finally, be TRUTHFUL in what you ask for or say no to. Don’t lie, act helpless, or exaggerate the situation. Don’t make up excuses that might get in the way of what you want or your ability to say no to an unreasonable demand.

Dr. Jonathan Marin is a post-doctoral psychology resident with Psychology Specialists.

For more information call www.psychologyspecialists.com

217-520-1047

or

visit

A New Supportive Living Community in Mt. Zion

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 17

healthy aging

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Skin Care and Aging

my had always been proud of her skin, especially her summer tan. But as she grew older, she saw she was getting more fine lines and wrinkles. She began to worry about what other skin problems she may have. What were those brown spots on her hands and arms?

Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to help your skin.

Dry Skin and Itching Many older people suffer from dry skin, often on their lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Dry skin feels rough and scaly. There are many possible reasons for dry skin, such as: • Not drinking enough liquids • Staying out in the sun • Being in very dry air • Smoking • Having stress • Losing sweat and oil glands (common with age)

Dry skin also can be caused by health problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume and taking hot baths will make dry skin worse.

Because older people have thinner skin, scratching itches can cause bleeding that can lead to infection. Some medicines make the skin itchier. Itching can cause sleep problems. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see your doctor.

Moisturizers like lotions, creams, or ointments can soothe dry, itchy skin. They should be used everyday. Try taking fewer baths and using milder soap to help your dry skin. Warm water is better than hot water for your skin. Some people find that a humidifier (an appliance that adds moisture to a room) helps.

Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Bruises Older people may bruise more easily than younger people. And, it can take longer for the bruises to heal. Some medicines or illnesses cause easier bruising. If you see bruises and you don’t know how you got them, especially on parts of your body usually covered by clothing, see your doctor.

Wrinkles Over time, skin begins to wrinkle. Things in the environment, like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, make the skin less elastic.

Gravity can cause skin to sag and wrinkle.

Certain habits like frowning also wrinkle the skin. Some of these habits are easier to change than others. You may not be able to change how you lie when you sleep, but you can quit smoking. Not smoking is a great way to prevent wrinkles.

A lot of claims are made about how to make wrinkles go away.

Not all of them work. Some can be painful or even dangerous and many must be done by the doctor. Talk with a doctor specially trained in skin problems (a dermatologist) or your regular doctor if you are worried about wrinkles.

Age Spots and Skin Tags Age spots are sometimes called “liver spots,” but they have nothing to do with the liver. These flat, brown spots are often caused by years in the sun. They are bigger than freckles, flat, and many times show up on areas like the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Age spots are harmless, but if they bother you, talk to a dermatologist about removing them. Also, a sunscreen or sunblock may prevent more sun damage.

Skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They are a common problem as people age, especially for women. They are most often found on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the arm pit, chest, and groin. Skin tags are harmless, but they can become irritated. A doctor can remove them if they bother you.

Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone can get cancer, but people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are found mostly on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms, but can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Check your skin regularly, like once a month, for things that may be cancer. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a bleeding mole. Also, check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the “ABCDE’s.” ABCDE stands for: A = a symmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half) B = borders that are irregular C = color changes or more than one color D = diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser E = e volving, meaning changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color

Keep Your Skin Healthy `The best way to keep your skin healthy is to be careful in the sun: • Limit time in the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are strongest. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun’s rays can pass through clouds.

You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean.

• Use sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label. “Water resistant” sunscreen stays on your skin even if you get wet or sweat a lot, but it isn’t waterproof and needs to be put on about every 2 hours.

• Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

• Avoid tanning. Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.

For more Information visit www.nih.gov.

Don’t wait for the area to hurt—skin cancer isn’t usually painful.

See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

healthy sleep

Get to Bed

Z

Z

Z

ZZ

Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Sleeping

By Erica Smith, St. John’s Hospital

B

ears do it. Snakes do it. Even robins do it. But human beings, particularly Americans, don’t seem to be doing it nearly enough. Sleep is much more than just taking a break. It’s a vital physical function, and we’re finding that chronic sleep deprivation has detrimental effects that go beyond yawning through a meeting and getting wrinkles.

According to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, middle-aged adults who sleep fewer hours appear more likely to be hypertensive and to experience adverse changes in blood pressure over time. A 20 year study conducted by a researcher at the University of Chicago found that insufficient sleep and high blood pressure were connected.

“After adjustment for age, race, and gender, analyses revealed that shorter sleep duration or lower sleep maintenance predicted significantly higher levels of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) levels cross-sectionally as well as more adverse changes in SBP and DBP levels over 5 years.

Short sleep duration also predicted significantly increased risk for hypertension. Each hour of reduction in sleep duration was associated with a 37% increase in the odds of incident hypertension,” said the report, which was conducted by Kristen L. Knutson, PhD, and colleagues.

Besides an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, lack of sleep is being recognized as a public health problem. Jerry Reedy, MD, and medical director of the St. John’s Sleep Center said the most immediate concern is public safety. While total sleep deprivation (not sleeping at all for 24 hours or more) is a hazard, even partial sleep deprivation is dangerous. For example, while drivers who fall asleep at the wheel can cause accidents, studies have shown an increased amount of incidents involving drivers who reported sleeping less than seven hours a night.

Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Sleep lowers a person’s metabolic rate and energy consumption, as well as gives the body time to heal and replace cells. Recent studies have even linked proper sleep with weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight.

We don’t need medical reports to tell us how important sleep is – feeling tired and cranky is all the evidence we need that not enough sleep is bad for us. However, the National Sleep Foundation reports that approximately 29% of U.S. adults report sleeping less than seven hours per night and 50–70 million Americans have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders.

So if we know we should sleep, and if it feels good to do so, why aren’t we getting enough?

Dr. Reedy recommends the average adult needs about eight hours of sleep each night, but says there are many reasons why people don’t. “Any chronic health problem can prevent sleep including sleep apnea, arthritis, heart failure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma, and allergies,” he said.

While we know physical problems can interrupt sleep, stress is also a factor when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep for the night. A recent study found that 68 percent of American women admit to sleeping less than recommended average of eight hours per night. Overall, 19 percent of individuals ages 45-64 admit to losing sleep a few nights per week due to stress.

“Learning to ‘turn off’ that stress of course causes people to relax,” said mindfulness expert Bridget Rolens, who serves as an instructor of mindfulness classes at the Center for Living at St. John’s Hospital. “The goal of mindfulness instruction is to give participants practical tools they can use to help themselves live, work and relax better.”

Research has shown that the connection between mindfulness and better sleep isn’t just a dream. A 2008 Stanford University

Think these statements about sleep are true?

Keep dreaming…

You can catch up on lost sleep.

Probably not so, says Dr. Reedy. “We call it a person’s ‘sleep debt,’” he said.

“Let’s say you need eight hours a night, but you only get six or seven hours throughout the week. That means by Saturday you’re five-ten hours in ‘debt.’ Even if you sleep eight or nine hours on the weekend, you still have not made up that lost sleep. Therefore, people who are chronically sleep deprived – meaning they go for several days or weeks without the proper amount of sleep – never really erase that sleep debt.”

“Beauty sleep” is an old wives’ tale.

Okay, so maybe your Grandma was wrong when she told you that sitting on concrete would give you hemorrhoids, but she’s right when it comes to needing your beauty sleep.

Sleep does lessen the severity of wrinkles in the face and neck, at least temporarily. Part of this is due to a decline in body temperature and a shift in body position. The body cools in anticipation of bed time (about half a degree) and to do so, the circulatory system increases blood flow to the skin. This is why the cheeks often flush at night.

Early in the nighttime sleep cycle, people typically have a surge in growth hormone. This period of deep sleep contributes to what people call “beauty sleep” as secretion of growth hormone helps repair and rebuild body tissues like muscle and bone.

Many of the body’s cells also show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep may truly be “beauty sleep.”

Answer from SleepDex.org I know it’s important to sleep eight hours a night – but I have to get this work done.

If you care about your work performance, the best thing you can do is shut off the lap top and get to bed.

Sleep deprivation costs U.S. businesses nearly $150 million annually. Why? Lost productivity and absenteeism. Respondents to a survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council said sleep deprivation impaired their quality and accuracy of work (31 percent), clear thinking or judgment (31 percent) and memory of important details (30 percent).

Employees who don’t sleep enough are also more likely to say they’re irritable at work – and when it comes to customer service, cranky doesn’t make the sale.

study concluded that mindfulness, when combined with cognitivebehavioral therapy, is an effective treatment for chronic insomnia.

While mindfulness alone has not been proven to increase sleep amounts, people who deal with stress in a healthy manner are more likely to report they sleep better.

Surveys have reported that women are more likely than men to have greater difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. The survey, conducted by BetterSleep.org, said the top three selfreported factors that rob women of sleep are: • W ork- and/or family-related stress • Ailments such as an allergy or cold • Uncomfortable mattress or pillows Adequate sleep is not a luxury; it is a physical necessity as vital to good health as food or water. Depriving our bodies of sleep harms us physical, mentally, and even socially when we consider the safety of others. If you aren’t sleeping enough, take the time to learn why. Dr. Reedy advises contacting your doctor if you believe your sleep loss has a physical source.

Academic Sources: Brookes, Linda. “Salt, Salt, Salt -- Plus Sleep and Job Stress: More Data to Share With Your Patients: Less Sleep Associated With High, Worsening Blood Pressure in Middle Age.” Medscape Cardiology © 2009 Medscape, LLC. LR McKnight-Eily, PhD; Y Liu, MPH; GS Perry, DrPH; LR Presley-Cantrell, PhD; TW Strine, MPH; H Lu, MS; JB Croft, PhD. “Perceived Insufficient Rest or Sleep among Adults—United States.” Posted: 02/24/2010; Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.

2009;58(42):1175-1179. © 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 21

preventative care

Clues to Childhood Eye Diseases Could Be Hiding in Plain Sight

W

hen Megan Webber downloaded family photos off her digital camera, she found the usual problems that need touching up — some were too dark, some were a little grainy, and some needed a little red-eye removal. Some of the pictures of her 5-year-old son, Benjamin, had a golden glow in his left eye.

“Benjamin has always had a freckle in his left eye,” said Megan, “so I thought the flash was just a difference due to the coloring of his eye and ignored it — I even did red-eye correction to remove it from photos.” But when her sister noticed that same glow in some family vacation pictures she had taken, she gave Megan a concerned call.

“She said it was probably nothing. But she had seen on a television show that this could be a sign of a tumor in the eye and recommended I have him seen,” said Megan.

Benjamin’s pediatrician didn’t find anything, but he sent them to a specialist who urged them to come in right away.

They were stunned to learn he was legally blind in his left eye.

“He’d never bumped into walls or rubbed his eyes — he’d even just passed the paddle eye test in the doctor’s office,” said Megan. “His left eye could not see a letter E the size of a full computer screen eight feet away.”

Scans of his eye showed a white mass, which had been causing the reflection in the photograph. After testing and a tense few days, they discovered that Benjamin had Coats’ Disease, a life-long disease that can damage the eye to the point where eye removal is necessary. Fortunately, Benjamin’s problem was caught early enough for treatment.

“While Benjamin has had three eye surgeries, we were very lucky to have caught his disease in time,” said Megan.

“Had it been more advanced Ben could have immediately lost his eye. We are so grateful to Dr. Tom Lee and the doctors at The Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Without the work that they do so many families would not have access to the quality and caliber of care that is provided there.”

Benjamin is doing well, and is a happy, thriving first-grader.

“He wears protective Nike shatterproof glasses which the other Page 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

Benjamin with his father Brian Webber in The Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Photo courtesy of Getty Images and Know the Glow

Benjamin wears a patch one hour a day to help strengthen his eye.

Disorders Related to the Glow Abnormalities perceived through the red reflex test can indicate several types of diseases, such as: • Amblyopia • Cataract • Choroidal • Coats’ Disease • Congenital Cataract • Coloboma • Norrie’s Disease • PHPV • Refractive Error • Retinal Detachment • Retinal Dysplasia • Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) • Retinoblastoma • Strabismus • Toxocariasis • Trauma

kids think are pretty cool,” said Megan. “The glasses are primarily to keep his unaffected eye safe, for without that eye he would be blind.”

A vision to help other children Megan said that she doesn’t want any more parents to miss the signs of potentially life-threatening eye diseases.

“We are amazed that something so simple, just the glow in a photo, was all that was needed to spot this disease,” she said. “If there is a way through our family’s experience we are able to get the message out about the glow, we are anxious to do so. We’ve created a campaign to raise awareness.” The Know the Glow campaign is combining the efforts of concerned individuals, corporations and physicians who are pioneers in the field of pediatric diseases of the eye.

“I can’t tell you how many kids come in with advanced eye diseases; it’s a tragedy,” said Dr. Tom Lee, director of the Retina Institute in The Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Parents don’t realize they are an important part of the diagnosis. They will see this sign before doctors will. Every child has had this screening process — all it takes is for parents to open up the photo album.”

The website, www.KnowTheGlow.org, has information on the diseases that can be indicated by the glow. “Had I known about the glow earlier, Dr. Lee could have saved more of Ben’s vision,” said Megan. “Knowing what it felt like to possibly face a fatal outcome and knowing that I ignored such a huge red flag that was right there in front of me, I don’t want another parent to have to suffer through that or another child to needlessly lose their sight or their eyes due to a lack of awareness of the glow!”

Retinoblastoma Retinoblastoma (reh-tin-oh-blast-oma) is a malignant cancer of early childhood that arises from immature retinal cells in one or both eyes. Retinoblastoma can start growing at any time before birth up until about 3 years of age. Occasionally, it is not detected until ages 7 or 8.

Coats’ Disease Coats’ disease is a rare eye disorder involving abnormal development of the blood vessels of the retina, which line the interior chamber of the eye. As various components of blood leak into the retina, fluid accumulates under the retina. The result may be loss of vision, particularly central vision, and detachment of the retina from other layers of the eye.

If you believe you have seen a glow, you should obtain a referral immediately to a pediatric ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Text GLOW to 90999 to donate $10.

Scan this code with your smartphone to watch a video with more of Benjamin’s story, or visit http://bit.ly/EyeGlow.

Know the Facts • 1 in 80 children are at risk of getting The Glow.

• 80 percent of childhood blindness is preventable.

• 80 percent of Retinoblastoma and Coats’ Disease cases are diagnosed initially by a parent through a photograph.

• The Glow is an indicator of 15 eye diseases and cancers.

• In some cases, The Glow can lead to the removal of the eye, blindness, and, in extreme cases, death.

May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 23

gestational diabetes

Healthy Habits Can Help Prevent

Diabetes in Your Future G

estational diabetes is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. If you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you and your child from that pregnancy have a lifelong risk for developing diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. The good news is there are steps you can take to prevent or delay diabetes and lower that risk for yourself and your child.

“Women with a history of gestational diabetes can lower their chances for developing diabetes by taking steps to reach and mainPage 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

tain a healthy weight, making healthy food choices, and being active,” according to Judith Fradkin, M.D., of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Keeping a healthy lifestyle as a family is good for everyone.”

Keep up healthy habits — even after the baby is born.

Many women who have gestational diabetes see a dietitian or a diabetes educator to guide them in developing healthy habits during pregnancy. But what many women don’t realize is that it’s just as important to keep up with those healthy habits even after the baby is born.

If you are a woman who had gestational diabetes, it is important to get tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born, and at least every three years after that.

It is also important to reach and maintain a healthy weight by making healthy food choices, such as following an eating plan lower in fat and calories and high in fiber, and being active for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Even if women do not reach their “goal” weight, research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risk.

Busy? Build physical activity into your day one step at a time.

Physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and preventing type 2 diabetes. Set a goal to be active at least 30 minutes, 5 days per week. If you have not been active, start slowly, building up to your goal. Take small steps to include physical activity in your day-to-day routine.

Busy moms can use these tips to get started: • Park your car farther away from the store, movie theater, your office, etc.

• Get your friends and family involved. Set a regular walking date, such as after dinner. Or do something that all ages can enjoy — shoot hoops, take a bike ride, or just dance around the house.

• Take a walk during your lunch break or push the baby’s stroller around the mall.

• Don’t just watch the kids at the playground... play with them.

• Deliver a message to a coworker in person instead of by e-mail, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Exhausted from a busy day and just want to plop on the couch in front of the TV? Use the commercial breaks to stretch, take a quick walk around your home, do some sit-ups, or march in place.

Get Tested!

Women who develop gestational diabetes have high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels during pregnancy. Immediately after pregnancy, 5 to 10 percent of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually type 2. All women with gestational diabetes should be tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after their baby is born. In many cases, their blood glucose levels show they are no longer considered to have diabetes at this time.

But what many people don’t realize is that having gestational diabetes increases a woman’s future chances of developing diabetes by 35 to 60 percent. Any woman who had gestational diabetes should get tested for diabetes and pre-diabetes at least every three years. This follow up testing is very important and usually consists of a simple blood test.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes should also talk to their health care provider about earlier screening for gestational diabetes in future pregnancies. Children born from a mother who had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for obesity and diabetes, so it’s a good idea for mothers to let their child’s doctor know that they had gestational diabetes and take steps to promote healthy habits for their child.

Holly’s Story Holly Romans was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with her first child. After the baby was born, a blood test showed Holly’s blood glucose was back to normal, so she didn’t think any more about it. But later a follow-up test showed she was at risk for developing diabetes.

She shared her history of gestational diabetes with her daughter’s doctor and a note was made in her daughter’s health record. Holly also made sure a note was made in her own health record as well.

Holly joined a diabetes prevention program at a local hospital and learned how to have a healthy lifestyle for herself and her family. She lost weight by making small changes in her daily routine, such as replacing her chocolate snack-cake stash with fresh fruit, preparing more salads, eating smaller portions, and taking daily walks.

In just a few months, Holly’s glucose numbers had returned to a normal level. And thanks to her lifestyle changes, she did not develop gestational diabetes when she became pregnant with her second child.

Today, Holly knows she needs to continue her healthy lifestyle habits and get tested for diabetes at least every three years. Holly continues to work to keep her weight down by doing aerobics and walking with her two kids.

She makes sure she and her family maintain a healthy lifestyle by staying physically active and making healthy food choices.

Because she had gestational diabetes Holly now: • Exercises daily • Satisfies her cravings in a healthy way by adding a tablespoon of peanut butter to a smoothie • Practices portion control by occasionally eating one 100-calorie cookie pack • Enjoys walking with her kids at the park, on the boardwalk, and at the beach • Her favorite healthy snacks are raw veggies and salads For more information, visit the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/GDM. May 2011 — Springfield / Decatur — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 25

safety

Distracted Driving I

n today’s overwhelmingly busy society, with ever increasing demands on our personal and professional time, learning to juggle multiple tasks at once is something we all must face on a daily basis. While it is not clear whether or not multitasking is effective or if it costs more time than it saves, multi-tasking while driving has sparked a national debate about distracted driving and the latest statistics prove that not focusing on the road can be deadly.

One of the most widespread forms of distracted driving, cell phone usage, has some alarming statistics. According to a Carnegie Mellon study, driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent, and a report from the National Safety Council reported that 28 percent of traffic accidents are caused by people talking on cell phones or sending text messages.

“Stopping distracted driving is a major initiative that we are undertaking, and one that we believe will make our roads significantly safer. While there are many forms of distracted driving, an obvious distraction for most people is using a cell phone while driving,” said LaHood. “We are working with states across the nation to pass legislation that authorizes law enforcement to stop and cite drivers who are texting while driving—one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.”

Texting is of heightened concern because it combines three types of distraction – visual, taking the eyes off the road; manual, taking the hands off the wheel; and cognitive, taking the mind off the road. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

While cell phones are a major focus of the distracted driving campaign, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is encouraging people not to do any other task while driving, as distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increases the risk of crashing. This can include using a cell phone, eating and drinking, grooming, tuning the radio or even talking to passengers.

In 2009, nearly 5,500 people lost their lives and almost 450,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the police crash report.

To tackle this ever-increasing problem, NHTSA is focusing on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education—the same tactics that have curbed drinking and driving and increased seat belt use.

“Decades of experience with drunk driving and getting people to buckle up has taught us it takes a consistent combination of education, effective enforcement, a committed judiciary and collective efforts by local, state and national advocates to put a dent in the problem,” said LaHood.

NHTSA’s message is simple—“Put It Down”; and it’s one that isn’t going to go away anytime in the near future. With supporters ranging from President Obama to Oprah and legislation passing across the nation to discourage distracted driving, drivers will hopefully get the message loud and clear, just like with the drunk driving and seatbelt campaigns that have helped make the roads safer.

So the next time you are pressed for time, and you consider multitasking while you’re driving, remember that the best multitasker knows that some things require your undivided attention, and you must know when you should put other things aside and focus your energy on the task at hand. Driving is definitely one of those times.

Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Springfield / Decatur — ­ May 2011

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