July 2014 United Blood Services by Healthy Cells Magazine Valley of the Sun

VALLEY OF THE SUN

east valley area

Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional

JULY 2014

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HealthyCells

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M A G A Z I N E

• Nutritional

“I Wonder Whose Blood This Is?” 11-year-old Mia McPoland receiving her 110 th blood transfusion

What’s Causing My

Low Testosterone? The Benefits of

Prenatal Massage Injury Prevention in the Gym

I n - H o m e

S e n i o r

C a r e

S e r v i c e s

Interactive Caregiving®

Make Every Moment Matter

Interactive Caregiving® is the unique way our Comfort Keepers® deliver care to our clients. It centers on four interrelated aspects – engagement of the mind, an active body, proper nutrition, and safety. A Plan of Care which addresses these aspects, together, will enhance quality of life and ultimately, independence. S e r v ic e s

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• Integrated midwife and physician practice • Routine and high risk pregnancy • Female pelvic medicine • Menopause • Urinary leakage treatment • In office tubal occlusion • In office uterine ablation to treat abnormal bleeding • In office lab work • In office ultrasounds

atient and community education includes but not P limited to the following: • iWomen’s Sharing ~ prenatal education • Menopause and a Movie ~ light hearted but valuable discussion about menopause • Breastfeeding ~ education and support

iWomen’s Health Care 655 S Dobson Rd Suite 101 Bldg A Chandler, AZ 85224 Office Fax

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letter from the owner

his issue of Healthy Cells Magazine ® features United Blood Service, an organization constantly working to supply the life-saving blood

needed daily for people having surgery, involved in car accidents, and requiring blood transfusions. Donating blood is a very simple process that only takes about one hour of your time. Each time you donate, you are giving life to someone. Mia McPoland is an 11-year-old who knows a lot about blood transfusions; she’s had 110 of them. Mia will continue to receive blood transfusions every 3–4 weeks for the rest of her life. Her only chance for a cure would require finding a perfect match for a bone marrow donor; probably unlikely, but not impossible. Each time someone registers to be a bone marrow donor; it increases the odds that a patient like Mia will find their match. Learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor at bethematchfoundation.org/goto/MiaMcPoland. Have a safe Fourth of July, as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

“Donating blood is a Monica Tegg/Owner Healthy Cells Magazine ®, East Valley Monica@healthycellsmagazine.com www.healthycellsmagazine.com/valley-of-the-sun-az 480-204-3090

very simple process that only takes about one hour of your time.”

July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

JULY 5

Gastrointestinal Health: What is the Treatment for Crohn's Disease, Part III

Physical: What’s Causing My Low Testosterone?

Emotional: Mental Orgasms – Myth or Reality?

Nutritional: Our Bodies Are Under Attack Every Day!

Children's Health: Head Lice is Not Taking a Summer Break

Women's Health: What Is Rh Incompatibility?

Body Alignment: Injury Prevention in the Gym

Treatment Options: Managing and Alleviating Low Back Pain With Physical Therapy

Changing Routine: Quick Parenting Tips to Regain Structure in Your Summer

Pregnancy Care: The Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Natural Essences: Five Essential Oils for Summertime!

Hearing Health: Myths and Facts About Hearing Loss

Finding Community: Senior Living … It’s About CHOICE!

Summer Safety: How to Beat the Heat

Senior Health: Warning Signs of Dementia

2014 This Month’s Cover Story:

Volume 2, Issue 7

United Blood Services

“I Wonder Whose Blood This Is?” page 14 Cover and feature story photos by KimmyBee Photography

For advertising information, contact Monica Tegg, owner, Valley of the Sun Edition Cell: 480-204-3090 • Fax: 309-691-2187 PO Box 6233, Chandler, AZ 85246 monica@healthycellsmagazine.com Healthy Cells Magazine® is a division of: 1327 E. Kelly Ave., Peoria Heights, IL 61616 • Ph: 309-681-4418 • Fax: 309-691-2187 info@limelightlink.com 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 East Valley. 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 health care 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 East Valley, including medical facilities and other waiting rooms. Healthy Cells Magazine® welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living in the East Valley area. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

gastrointestinal health

What is the Treatment for Crohn’s Disease? Part III of III Submitted by Healthy Cells Magazine®

reatment may include medications, surgery, nutrition supplementation, or a combination of these options. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment can help control Crohn’s disease and make recurrences less frequent, but no cure exists. Some people have long periods — sometimes years — of remission when they are free of symptoms, and predicting when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return is not possible. Medications • Anti-inflammation medications: Most people are first treated with medications containing mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation. Possible side effects of mesalamine-containing medications include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache. • Cortisone or steroids: These medications, also called corticosteroids, are effective at reducing inflammation. Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, including greater susceptibility to infection and osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones. • Immune system suppressors: Immunosuppressive medications work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation. Some people are treated with a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications. • Biological therapies: Biological therapies are medications given by an injection in the vein or in the skin. They bind to TNF substances to block the body’s inflammation response. • Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by stricture, fistulas, or surgery. For this common problem, the doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole. • Anti-diarrheal medications and fluid replacements: Diarrhea and abdominal cramps are often relieved when the inflammation subsides, but additional medication may be needed. People with diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Surgery About two-thirds of people with Crohn’s disease will require surgery at some point in their lives.* Surgery becomes necessary to relieve symptoms that do not respond to medical therapy or to correct complications such as intestinal blockage, perforation, bleeding, or abscess. People with Crohn’s disease commonly need more than one operation because inflammation tends to return to the area next to where the diseased intestine was removed. • Proctocolectomy: This surgery involves removing the rectum and part or the entire colon. People will receive sedation and general anesthesia during surgery. Most people need to remain in the hospital for one to two weeks, and full recovery can take four to six weeks. • Ileostomy: During proctocolectomy, the surgeon also performs an ileostomy — an operation that attaches the ileum to an opening made in the abdomen called a stoma. The stoma is about the size of a

quarter and is usually located in the lower right part of the abdomen near the beltline. An ostomy pouch is then attached to the stoma and worn outside the body to collect stool. The majority of people with an ostomy pouch are able to live normal, active lives. • I ntestinal resection surgery: Sometimes only the diseased section of intestine is removed. The intestine is cut above and below the diseased area and the ends of the healthy sections are connected. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments. Nutrition Supplementation The health care provider may recommend nutritional supplements, especially for children whose growth has been slowed. A small number of people may receive nutrition intravenously to help those who need extra nutrition temporarily, such as those whose intestines need to rest, or those whose intestines cannot absorb enough nutrition from food. Have questions or need support? The Crohn’s and Colitis Advocate Program offers free personalized support, education, resources, and information. Visit www.CDandUC.com to learn more and sign up. Source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/ * Lichtenstein GR, Hanauer SB, Sandborn WJ, and The Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Management of Crohn’s disease in adults. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;104(2):465–83. Photo credit: Brejeq/Thinkstock July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 5

physical

What’s Causing My Low Testosterone? Jarom Ipson, NMD, Real Health Men’s Clinic

ou may have heard that “testosterone levels naturally decline as we age.” But if you look at the average total testosterone of men in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, you may notice something interesting. Seventy-year-old men in 1987-89 had an average testosterone level that was almost 100 points higher than even 55-year-old men in 2002-04. So if testosterone levels decline naturally as we age, that would mean men in 2002-04 were aging at a much greater rate than men in 1987-89, and that trend seems to be getting worse. These men have the same basic DNA and physiology. Why, then, 15 years later and even today, do men have so much lower testosterone and are aging faster? There is nothing natural about that. Signs of low testosterone include: fatigue or decreased energy, reduced sex drive (libido), sexual dysfunction (weak erections, fewer erections), depressed mood, increased body fat (especially around the midsection), reduced muscle mass and strength, decreased bone strength, and/or night sweats. What are the causes of low testosterone? • Stress • Nutrition • Endocrine disruption Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

Stress We live in a stressed-out world. Deadlines coming, bosses looming, phones buzzing, coffee brewing, traffic not moving, you not sleeping, kids screaming, wife nagging (sorry, hun, we still love you). No wonder people are aging faster today than 25 years ago. It seems like we are consistently burning the candle at both ends. The physical and psychological stress has huge impacts on our testosterone levels and us. But there is another often overlooked factor relating to stress and cortisol levels. Stress in the body creates a rise in cortisol. While cortisol in the body is a good thing to deal with immediate stress, chronically high cortisol levels are not good. The production pathway of cortisol and testosterone are closely related. In fact both hormones are produced from the same hormone, pregnenolone. When the body is under stress, especially chronic stress, it uses all of the pregnenolone available to produce more cortisol. This means that the body has less pregnenolone to use on the testosterone production side, resulting in lower testosterone levels. Multiple studies have shown this to be the case. Our stress is not just burning us out physically as we age, but it is burning out our ability to have healthy testosterone levels.

Nutrition Why would nutrition be a second leading cause of low testosterone? A recent study reports that poor dietary habits lead to low testosterone levels. The study doesn't go into specifics, but when we remember that testosterone doesn't magically appear but is produced in the body, it makes sense. This production requires vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make it happen correctly. The testosterone production and signaling pathways have many intricate steps. Each one of these steps requires nutrients, enzymes, or energy to make it happen. If the body doesn't have enough of these building blocks and production facilitators, testosterone production will be limited or even stop. Processed foods have less of these vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. So it's very possible to eat lots of food but be malnourished. Also poor diets are commonly full of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress inside our body. To fight this, our bodies use what little amounts of vitamins that we do have to counteract the effects of these free radicals. This further depletes our usable nutrient storage for testosterone production. The standard American diet is having a huge impact on aging and lower testosterone levels found in men. Endocrine Disruption Stress and nutrition are known terms but what is an endocrine disruptor and how does it affect testosterone? The endocrine system controls your hormones. An endocrine disruptor is a substance that affects the normal balance and flow of hormones in the body. The Environmental Working Group has a great list of what endocrine disruptors do: “Increase production of certain hor-

mones, decrease production of other, imitate hormones, turn one hormone into another, interfere with hormone signaling, tell cells to die prematurely, compete with essential nutrients, bind to essential hormones, and accumulate in organs that produce hormones.” The production, utilization, and signaling pathways mentioned previously are the endocrine pathway for testosterone. Endocrine disruptors can affect every arrow and box in the pathway causing imbalances, destroying cells, shutting off testosterone production, and/or preventing testosterone functions. These chemicals are in everyday items that we use, consume, and come in contact with. More and more chemicals are being produced and used every day. Some of these chemicals have been shown to be so potent they can turn male animals into female ones. One amazing thing about the body is its ability to heal. There are many other possible causes of low testosterone. But addressing these three factors of stress, nutrition, and endocrine disruption can have a huge impact. At Real Health Men’s Clinic, our Testosterone Restoration program identifies and targets your individual obstacles to healthy testosterone levels and stimulates your body to optimize testosterone production. If you want to naturally take control of your testosterone levels, call and schedule today. Chandler Office: 480-726-7800, Gilbert Office: 480-861-4362. Find us online at www.MensRealHealth.com. Photo credit: Digital Vision/Thinkstock

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July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 7

emotional

Mental Orgasms Myth or Reality?

Chelsie Reed, PhD Psychology

By Chelsie Reed, PHD, LPC, PhD Psychology, Licensed Professional Counselor

The subject matter of this article is of an explicit nature, and may not be suitable for some readers.

magine a young man between 18-30 with hopes of one day having a family and children, then suddenly paralyzed by a spinal cord injury. At one time it was believed his only option to conceive was medical intervention. Now he has the option of mental orgasms, to not only help enjoy intercourse more, but to help conceive a child in the comfort of his home, not a medical office. Mental orgasms actually “jump the cut” of spinal injury or full spinal cord cut allowing a full sexual response cycle mentally and physically. We hear that Lady Gaga reports having mental orgasms. It was a news headline and very titillating, though for those in the know, not that uncommon. Mental orgasms are purposeful orgasms by thought alone, without physical stimulation. This simply means you “think-off,” as stated by a subject of Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, the Page 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

acclaimed sex therapist, supervisor and author of "Return to Desire" and other publications. The brain is allowing an orgasm to occur, not because the body is receiving stimulation, but because the brain is deciding to have an orgasm, and then the body responds in an orgasm. It is a lot like a doctor hitting your knee to cause it to kick a little, or you simply kicking your leg yourself — by choice. This does not mean that there is no stimulation occurring in the body, but that it is not the stimulation itself that is driving the orgasm. Most men can recall having wet dreams in their youth and waking to know that their bodies are practicing for future behavior. Women may not always notice the effects of having an orgasm while sleeping. Either way, a mental orgasm is like having an orgasm at night. It is all built up and created in the mind, but the response is felt throughout the body.

Mental orgasms are not just a party trick. It is a chance for those who have physical disabilities and differences to reclaim their orgasmic abilities. Yes, orgasm can be for fun and enjoyment as well as for procreation. Women with spinal cord cuts, who have been studied “achieving” a mental orgasm while in an MRI machine, have the same reaction in their brains as when they have a masturbatory orgasm. Yes, there is a difference in the brain’s reaction to masturbatory orgasm in women’s brains and partnered sex orgasms — the amygdala is activated with partnered sex and not with masturbation. The amygdala is the emotion center of the brain. Men with spinal cord cuts — full cuts not just crushes — have reported and shown to have produced an orgasm resulting in ejaculation. This then makes mental orgasms another option for those men to father children. Even more importantly, they can father children without medical intervention that can be expensive and physically invading. Many people often ask “why say ‘purposeful’, aren’t all orgasms on purpose?” The simple answer to that is, no. There are a variety of intriguing conditions that cause orgasms which are not purposeful or wanted. Orgasm can be created by the brain as part of the precursor to a seizure. This is not a welcome happening to those who are trying to live their lives, but yet seem to orgasm in public at random, often prior to a seizure or during. Also, many women have orgasms during the letdown of milk while breastfeeding or pumping. The chemical release of prolactin is similar in breast-feeding and orgasm; the two mechanisms are quite similar. Breast-feeding also has an effect on the physical tightening of the uterus, which can add to stimulation of genitals and

sexual response and may be part of the stimulus for breast-feeding orgasms, although it is not entirely clear. So breastfeedinginduced orgasms are probably more physically induced, although sometimes just the cry of a baby can cause the prolactin release and letdown. The benefits of mental orgasms are known to be equal with those of physically-induced orgasms. The defining reactions of an increase of pain threshold, pupil dilation, and decrease in muscle tension can all occur; including the more well-known feelings of relaxation, overall ecstatic pleasure, and an increase in dopamine release (the joy chemical). It is suspected that the same decrease in carcinogens, an increase in cardiac health, and the plethora of other benefits from physically-induced orgasms would also be expected, though this has not yet been studied. Whether it is Lady Gaga titillating the TMZ viewers or a man with a spinal cord cut trying to start a family, mental orgasms are just another sexual option. As more and more people contact me telling me about their mental orgasms — how they first started, what they think about them, and what they use them for — the less rare and more simply recognized mental orgasms seem to be. Happy Orgasms. Dr. Chelsie is in private practice in the Ocotillo area of Chandler, Arizona. Find out more at www.drchelsie.com or phone 480-8554009 and like her on Facebook. Photo credit: agsandrew/Thinkstock

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July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 9

nutritional

Our Bodies Are Under Attack Every Day!

Judith Garner

By Judith Garner, Garner Healthy Living Everyday

ne of the most direct sources of toxic exposure is in the foods we eat. Over the last 100 years we have introduced thousands of man-made toxins into our environment thus changing it dramatically. In fact, man-made toxins are so prevalent today that they are impossible to avoid. Researchers and health practitioners have recently begun to understand the long-term effects of toxic chemicals present in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the products we use, and those that are present within the buildings we occupy: our homes and workplaces. In addition to external environmental toxins, there are powerful internal toxins that place a strain on our health that may ultimately cause cellular malfunction that can lead to disease. Internal toxins — generated by our own bodies, are becoming more prevalent as a result of lifestyles, modern diets, medical treatments, and side effects of prescription drugs. Our bodies are not genetically designed to deal with the unprecedented levels and types of poisons that are accumulating in our tissue faster than our body can process and get rid of them. Generally, people aren’t aware that their own body can be a source of dangerous toxins — mainly in the digestive system, but also from stress, allergic reactions, and other sources. The human body has the ability to tolerate certain amounts of chemicals and excrete them. The body naturally attempts to eliminate substances that are harmful or not used. However, the body may not be able to remove all the chemicals. As stated in the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ article “Health Effects From Chemical Exposure”: “The amount, type, and length of time you are exposed to harmful substances will determine if you are at risk for adverse health effects.” To prevent or reverse disease, we must limit our exposure to toxins and give our bodies what they need to naturally detoxify themselves daily. The first step is to understand that our bodies require foods that do-no-harm due to toxins in ingredients (most processed foods contain many unnatural additives). Foods ingested for health must serve to cleanse and balance by alkalizing the body, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and providing adequate nutrition. Trying to overhaul a poor diet that consists of toxic, highly processed food overnight may leave you feeling overwhelmed and suffering from food cravings. It is not uncommon for people to experience withdrawal symptoms when eliminating addicting food additives from their diet. Thus, a more practical approach is to lean gradually into improving the diet by introducing healthier whole foods while working to eliminate the harmful and toxic processed foods that you may be consuming. The body will respond in a way that leaves you feeling more clean and balanced, naturally eliminating old cravings. Over time, you will find your taste palate changes and certain foods you used to like are no longer desired. You will also have more energy and motivation to exercise, finding that you are more willing to make other positive changes in your life. Page 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

“Our health is threatened not only by individual chemicals — deadly or toxic — but even more by the overall chemical load that the human organism now has to sustain.” — Joseph D. Beasley, MD, PhD, The Kellogg Report Food additives and their effects on human health are disturbing as we learn more and more about them. Despite mounting evidence, the U.S. Government still loosely regulates food additives on the FDA’s Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) list. This ineffective system cannot guarantee safety as the GRAS designation is a voluntary process — instead of being required to register food additives, companies may notify the FDA about their product if they so choose. There are no testing requirements for proven safety for a food additive to make the FDA’s GRAS list currently. With the proliferation of processed foods in the second half of the 20th century, thousands of synthetic additives have been introduced into our foods. The FDA maintains a list of more than three thousand in-

gredients in its database titled “Everything Added to Food in the United States.” Many of the ingredients listed we are familiar with such as sugar, baking soda, spices, but the majority of them are chemicals synthetically made in laboratories. There is a whole industry devoted solely to food chemistry. A food chemist’s main job is to formulate new chemicals for the purpose of preserving, developing, or improving foods and beverages shelf life and taste. Sadly, neither the health of people eating these foods, nor the overall nutritional value of the foods, is the central consideration or top priority for many food companies. Chef Julia Child once stated, “Fake food — I mean those patented substances chemically flavored and mechanically bulked out to kill the appetite and deceive the gut — is unnatural, almost immoral, a bane to good eating and good cooking.” When it comes to preparing our food today, this is prudent advice: Know what’s in your food and how it affects your body, as this is the single most important factor to reaching your optimal weight and nurturing your body for longevity and sustainable long-term health. To receive a FREE Food Analysis Journal and 15 minute phone consultation, call Judith Garner, Certified Independent Health Coach at 480-560-7842. Receive personalized self-guided steps that you can take to release weight and other resources you can use to improve your health. Garner Healthy Living Everyday-Certified Independent Health Coaching offers services with Take Shape For Life®, Fueled by Medifast®, and Processed-Free America™ Photo credit: George Doyle/Thinkstock

Shoebox Ministry Restoring dignity to the homeless since 1988.

We need your help getting some much needed toiletry products. The most needed items are: • Toothpaste • Shampoo • Shaving cream

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Donations can be made online via paypal at www.shoeboxministry.org/ways-to-donate/ AZ residents may qualify for the state tax credit. Financial donors may qualify to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit when you file your Arizona state taxes. Any donation amount qualifies, up to $200 for single filers or $400 for married filers. Shoebox makes bulk purchases and will put your donations to good use by purchasing items like deodorant for .33 cents each and toothbrushes for only .06 each. Please join us in making a difference in the lives of the Valley’s homeless and working poor. Drop off locations listed on website.

www.shoeboxministry.org • info@shoeboxministry.org • 480-905-1610. July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

children’s health

Kids May Be Out of School but Head Lice is Not Taking a Summer Break By Amy Guzek, MD Pediatrician, Banner Health Center

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back of the neck. If your child has no lice, they can prevent getting it by avoiding contact with beds, furniture, or clothing used by any contaminated children. Anyone can get lice despite good hygiene and frequent hair washing. Common symptoms include rash and an itchy scalp. If you suspect your child may have lice and you inspect their hair, you should look for nits, which are tiny white eggs that are laid by lice. If your child does get head lice, you may know right away or it may take a few weeks for symptoms to appear. If an outbreak is detected, carefully go over your child’s clothing, particularly hats, coats, and shirts that may have been worn in the past two days, to see if nits or lice are present. Wash any clothing, bedding, and furniture surfaces that lice could infest by using hot water or the sanitizing cycle on your washing machine. Several over-the-counter treatment products are available, which often include a shampoo and a fine-toothed comb to remove lice and nits from the head. The process can take several hours to complete so be patient when getting rid of lice. Your pediatrician can recommend a product appropriate for your child and advise you on ways to eliminate any future infestations.

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ow that school is out for the summer, your child may be susceptible to head lice. In fact, there tends to be a higher infestation rate during the warmer months when children have more time to play together. Your child may be spending a lot of time with other kids this summer whether at camp or during sleep-overs. The best defense for your child is to have them avoid sharing anything that might touch their head, such as brushes, combs, hats, helmets, hair accessories, blankets, or towels. Lice are parasitic insects that thrive feeding on human blood. They don’t fly or hop but rather they spread by crawling through close person-to-person contact. While children are at high risk for getting lice, they can also spread it to adults if not treated quickly. The good news is that an infestation of lice is treatable and rarely poses any serious health risks. Being proactive is the best way to prevent getting lice and an infestation. You can reduce risks by doing regular screenings of your child’s head, including around the ears and

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Photo credit: Justin Cleary/Thinkstock Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

women’s health

What Is Rh Incompatibility? Submitted by iWomen Health Care

h incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood. "Rh-negative" and "Rh-positive" refer to whether your blood has Rh factor. Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells. If you have Rh factor, you're Rh-positive. If you don't have it, you're Rh-negative. Rh factor is inherited (passed from parents to children through the genes). Most people are Rh-positive. Whether you have Rh factor doesn't affect your general health. However, it can cause problems during pregnancy.

find out early in your pregnancy whether you're at risk for the condition. If you're at risk, your doctor will carefully check on you and your baby throughout your pregnancy and prescribe treatment as needed. Injections of a medicine called Rh immune globulin can keep your body from making Rh antibodies. This medicine helps prevent the problems of Rh incompatibility. If you're Rh-negative, you'll need this medicine every time you have a baby with Rh-positive blood. Other events also can expose you to Rh-positive blood, which could affect a pregnancy. Examples include a miscarriage or blood transfusion. If you're treated with Rh immune globulin right after these events, you may be able to avoid Rh incompatibility during your next pregnancy. For information or to schedule a consultation, contact iWomen’s Health Care at 480-855-5900, email: info@iwomenshealthcare.com, or visit www.iwomenshealthcare.com. iWomen’s Health Care is a boutique style practice that believes in partnering with patients for care. “Your care, your comfort, our expertise!” Source: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health//dci/Diseases/rh/rh_what.html Photo credit: pojoslaw/Thinkstock

Causes When you're pregnant, blood from your baby can cross into your bloodstream, especially during delivery. If you're Rh-negative and your baby is Rh-positive, your body will react to the baby's blood as a foreign substance. Your body will create antibodies (proteins) against the baby's Rhpositive blood. These antibodies usually don't cause problems during a first pregnancy. This is because the baby often is born before many of the antibodies develop. However, the antibodies stay in your body once they have formed. Thus, Rh incompatibility is more likely to cause problems in second or later pregnancies (if the baby is Rh-positive). Risks The Rh antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells. This can lead to hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) in the baby. Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Without enough red blood cells, your baby won't get enough oxygen. This can lead to serious problems. Severe hemolytic anemia may even be fatal to the child. Prevention With prompt and proper prenatal care and screening, you can prevent the problems of Rh incompatibility. Screening tests allow your doctor to

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1600 W. Chandler Blvd, #250 Chandler, AZ 85224 July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 13

feature story

Find the hero in you.

“I Wonder Whose Blood This Is?” Submitted by United Blood Services

Mia with Registered Nurse, Christine Jorgensen, receiving her blood transfusion at Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

“

wonder whose blood this is… ” pondered 11-year-old Mia McPoland as she received her 110th blood transfusion on May 29, at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa. Mia put the unit of blood against her cheek, her way of giving the donor a hug to thank them for giving her a chance to grow up. As she examined the second unit of blood needed to complete her transfusion, she proclaimed “it’s (type) A like me.” Mia understands the different types of blood. In fact, there have been times that her type wasn’t available and they had to substitute type O, the universal blood. Worse yet, once she was turned away until compatible blood could be located. Mia was born with a rare disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia, so her body cannot produce red blood cells. Since Mia was 6 weeks Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

old, she has relied on the kindness of strangers to provide blood for lifesaving transfusions every month — a need that is expected to continue the rest of her life. “Hope is the best medicine,” Mia said. “Blood donors have given me a chance to do the things I love most, like playing with my friends and dancing to Taylor Swift songs.” There have been a few scary moments along her journey. When she was about two years old, her mom, Kristi, took Mia to the hospital for her regular transfusion, but there was not a match available for her blood type. The staff sent them away for about five hours until they could locate blood for Mia. Cardon Children’s Medical Center is one of the 58 hospitals depending upon United Blood Services, Arizona’s largest non-profit

community blood provider. Every day, United Blood Services works to attract about 500 blood donors to meet patient transfusion needs across the state. When summer arrives, maintaining Arizona’s blood supply becomes even more challenging. Vacations prevent many organizations from holding blood drives this time of year — the source of more than half of Arizona’s blood supply. The biggest impact is felt when students recess for the summer and take a break from hosting blood drives, as teens provide one out of every seven red blood donations given in Arizona during the school year. The most needed blood component, Arizona patients required 167,000 red blood transfusions last year. “Drive Away a Hero” Summer Car Raffle With the summer vacation season in full swing, United Blood Services has ramped up efforts by partnering with the seven Valley Volkswagen dealers and AZ-TV for the 5th Annual “Drive Away a Hero” summer car raffle. Mia McPoland enthusiastically volunteered to share her story to inspire blood donors as a face behind the campaign. All June 1 – August 31 blood donors are automatically entered to win a 2014 Passat S that has been donated by Volkswagen. Throughout the summer, 10 blood donors are being drawn as finalists to participate in the September grand prize drawing. One of those lucky donors will drive away the proud owner of a new Volkswagen and a hero to Arizona patients. During the three-month summer campaign, United Blood Services hopes to attract nearly 50,000 blood donors.

The Blood Donation Process • Appointments Recommended: · BloodHero.com · 1-877-UBS-Hero (827-4376) • Drink plenty of water and eat a meal before donating • Bring a photo ID and a list of medications • The entire process takes about 1 hour: · Complimentary mini physical & health history interview · Relax in a comfortable chair while donating about 1 pint of blood · Enjoy refreshments • It’s safe, easy and painless • Your single donation will save 2–3 lives after component separation

Summer Awareness Program The two weeks surrounding the Independence Day holiday have traditionally been the most difficult time of the summer to meet patient blood needs. To solve this problem, Channel 12 News, The Arizona Republic, and 17 Valley radio stations have launched a community awareness campaign to encourage blood donations. For information on the status of the blood supply around the Independence Day holiday, tune in to one of the participating radio stations: 95.5 The Mountain 99.9 KEZ 101.1 The Beat 102.5 KNIX 104.7 KISS FM 550 KFYI Arizona Sports Now On 98.7 Business 1230 KFYI FOX Sports 910

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Between June 24 and July 5, donors at all six United Blood Services fixed site center locations receive a voucher for a free Whataburger in appreciation for donating around Independence Day, courtesy of Whataburger. They are also entered into six daily raffles for a pair of roundtrip train tickets to the Grand Canyon, donated by Grand Canyon Railway. Saving Arizona Blood Drive The effort heats up with the Saving Arizona blood drive on July 5, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Sponsors from across the Valley have joined forces to host Arizona’s largest blood drive, where one lucky donor will be drawn as one of the 10 finalists for the Volkswagen Passat S — the best odds of being drawn! The first 500 donors will take home vouchers for a pair of D-backs tickets and a free Whataburger. Who is Eligible to Donate Blood? United Blood Services has set qualifications for donating blood within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established

Registered Nurse, Natalie Prinkey, with Mia who’s feeling strong thanks to blood donors July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15

feature story

continued guidelines. In addition to protecting the safety and potency of each blood transfusion, donor qualifications help ensure that it is safe for each donor to give blood. Additional donor eligibility information can be found online at UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org (Learn More/The Donor Experience) or by calling United Blood Services at 1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376). The basic minimum donor qualifications include: • Age: 16 years old (with parental consent) or 18 years old without • Weight: 110 pounds (Power Red: 130 lbs. male and 150 lbs. female) – additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 16 – 22 years old • Temperature: 99.5 F maximum • Blood Pressure: 90 – 180 systolic and 50 – 100 diastolic • Pulse: 50 – 100 beats per minute • Hemoglobin: 12.5 grams/deciliter (Power Red: 13.3 g/dL)

The staff at United Blood Services practices what they preach by regularly hosting blood drives for their employees, where Lyn Souter gladly rolls up her sleeve in support of Arizona patients.

Hundreds of blood drives are held annually throughout Arizona, like this one for Banner Health employees.

According to United Blood Services, the need for blood donors has escalated since the beginning of summer, especially for type Onegative, the universal blood type required primarily by emergency and trauma patients. “In emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type, doctors depend on O-negative blood to sustain life until the patient can be stabilized,” emphasized Audrey Jennings, United Blood Services’ regional executive director. “An ample supply gives transfusion options when shortages of other blood types arise.” Doctors also routinely rely on O-negative blood when premature babies and infants under 6 months old require lifesaving transfusions. In the past 11 years, Mia has accompanied her mom to dozens of blood drives to remind donors that their generous gift of life saves someone just like her. “Words cannot express my thankfulness to blood donors,” said her mom, Kristi McPoland. “If I could, I would hug each one to let them know how much they mean to my daughter and to our family.”

Donate blood and Find the Hero in You. To make an appointment,call 1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376) or visit BloodHero.com.

All blood donors from June 1 – August 31 are automatically entered to win a 2014 Volkswagen Passat S, donated by your Valley Volkswagen dealers. Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

body alignment

Injury Prevention in the Gym By Kyle White, NASM CPT, CES, Total Fitness Solutions

njuries are an all too common problem for gym goers. The best way to avoid getting hurt is to know your body. Stretching is often recommended as part of a necessary warm-up routine but is it enough by itself and which stretches should you do? Due to repetitive exercises and daily tasks, certain muscles can become overused leading other muscles to weaken. These muscle imbalances eventually distort your posture, leaving you more vulnerable to injury. Stretching weakened muscles runs the risk of furthering any imbalance already present. Only a warm-up that specifically addresses your overactive and underactive muscles can effectively restore your natural alignment and reduce your risk of injury. For example, a “rounded shoulder” posture is a very common alignment issue. It is characteristic of extremely tight pectoral (chest) and posterior deltoid (front shoulder) muscles. Exercises that may contribute to such a condition include barbell chest presses, push-ups, and triceps extensions. The only way to prevent or treat a postural distortion is to implement a plan that counters the repetitive movement(s) that caused it. If you know your shoulders are even slightly rounded forward, it would be best to stretch the muscles of the chest and front shoulder while performing strengthening exercises for the middle trapezius, rhomboids (middle back), and rear deltoid (back of shoulder) muscles. If the issue is not addressed, symptoms may worsen leading to conditions such as biceps tendonitis, rotator cuff impingement, or thoracic outlet syndrome (compressed nerves/blood vessels). Pinpointing the right exercises for your warm-up is a critical step in preserving your fitness in the gym. Muscle imbalances are likely to plague you now and then. If you are diligent in evaluating your exercise

form and overall alignment, you will become more proactive in preventing injuries while pursuing your fitness goals. Total Fitness Solutions offers free postural fitness assessments. These assessments go beyond evaluating one’s alignment by determining your level of core strength, stabilization and joint range of motion. For more information, visit www.totalfitsolutions.net or call 480-225-9730. Photo credit: Estudi M6/Thinkstock

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July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 17

treatment options

Managing and Alleviating Low Back Pain with Physical Therapy

Hannah Parry, PT

By Hannah Parry, PT, Ideal Physical Therapy

ack pain is one of the most common health problems reported in the United States. There is a very good chance that most of us will experience spinal discomfort at some point in our lives. Acute back pain can often be caused by car accidents, fitness activities, heavy lifting, gardening, and other activities. Occasionally acute pain may occur with very light activity or without any known injury. Chronic, long-term pain can result when symptoms persist over time either due to a prior injury that never resolved or can slowly develop over time. In both cases physical therapy can help to eradicate or manage symptoms. Your goal may be to have a better quality of life, return to work, and/or get back to doing the things you enjoy. Activities: It is often necessary to limit or modify activities at least temporarily. Certain positions may be causing inflammation or damage to spinal structures and should be scrutinized and altered appropriately. Education: Learning about the anatomy of your back and possible causes for your pain can be very useful in helping you understand why certain treatments may be beneficial in reducing pain. This can encourage you to be more compliant with advice, exercise programs, and other more passive treatments provided by your physical therapist. Manual Therapy: There are a variety of manual techniques which can further alleviate symptoms such as massage, myofascial release, tool assisted soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilizations and manipulations, stretches, nerve glides, dry needling, etc. Modalities: Some modalities commonly used in the treatment of low back pain include traction, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or mechanical traction. If traction proves to be effective, you may benefit from an inversion table or home traction device if deemed appropriate. If electrical stimulation proves to provide relief, a home unit can be obtained and may be covered under your insurance. Exercises and Stretches: This is often the most important component to a successful treatment regimen. Performing the correct exercises that take into consideration your particular condition is where skill and reassessment are important. In many cases your spine may Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

respond better to an exercise program emphasizing a directional preference. You might require core strengthening, or stretches to tight structures, to begin to notice improvements. No two people are exactly alike, so it is important to constantly monitor how your back is responding to treatment. If progress is not being made, then your physical therapist may consider a change in your plan of care. Contact Hannah Parry, PT, DPT, COMT, Cert MDT, RYT at Ideal Physical Therapy – Mesa Gilbert Clinic at 480-306-8512. They are located at 3048 East Baseline Road, Suite 125, Mesa, AZ 85204. Or contact any Ideal Physical Therapy’s valley-wide clinics at 480-2220655 to schedule an appointment. We have been in the valley as a leader in physical therapy since 2006 and are in most health insurance plans networks. Ideal Physical Therapy is committed to providing quality care with Ideal results. Photo credit: Keith Brofsky/Thinkstock

changing routine

Quick Parenting Tips to Regain Structure in Your Summer By Kelly O’Horo, LPC, Infinite Healing and Wellness LLC

ummer is now in full swing! The kids don’t have to be anywhere, they can sleep in, and the hustle that existed when the schedule barely allowed time for a home-cooked meal is in the past. You may have really enjoyed it for a couple weeks. Then you begin to notice you don’t like the new pattern. The kids are sleeping in too late and eating poorly, as the video games and YouTube

• Avoid “credit card parenting” where doing the easy thing now will require you to “pay more later.” When you apply a few of these tips, you will likely notice a little resistance at the onset of the changes. Consistency is the key to the adjustments. Don’t give up and you will notice that the “little things” set the tone for the rest of the summer and will benefit everyone when they have to slide back into the rigor of the demanding school year schedule. For more information, contact Infinite Healing and Wellness LLC, a collaborative counseling practice designed to serve children, families, teens, adults, and couples; and cater to first responders, military veterans and their families. Practitioners provide comprehensive treatment to address various mental health care concerns. Call 480-448-1076, email: info@infinitehw.com, or visit www.infinitehealingandwellness.com. Photo credit: Andrew Olney/Thinkstock

videos seem to suck them in like a bug is drawn to the light. They may even neglect self-care like showering and brushing teeth. The common response to your request is “just a sec” or “Can I do it after this game?” They have begun leaving their dishes wherever they last ate and their bed hasn’t been made in at least a week. You begin to think, “I can’t wait until they are all back in school!” The fact of the matter is they are doing exactly what they have been allowed to do! Don’t be too hard on yourself because we all make the same mistakes — hey, we are tired too! Here are a few tips to bring some order back into your home without cramping their summer too much. In fact, studies show that structure, clear expectations, and consistency create much happier and healthier children (parents too)! • Set a bedtime that works for your house so that everyone isn’t sleeping in until lunch. • Create a list of daily tasks that must be completed before they have free time. Post it! • Provide something daily that requires critical thinking like reading, a puzzle, or a project. • Include kids in on some family chores, this is where modeling becomes the best teacher for long-term lessons learned.

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623.229.6097 www.facebook.com/kimellenphotography July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

pregnancy care

The Benefits of Prenatal Massage By Susan Wagner, Owner, Elements Massage Chandler Village

aking care of a woman during pregnancy requires extra care and conditioning. As exciting and tremendous changes occur physically and emotionally, massage is a great way to encourage health and wellness. From shifting appetites to expanding bellies, mounting anticipation (and sometimes anxiety) about the changes to come, leg cramps, and cravings, pregnancy is a wild and thrilling process. With prenatal massage, there are several different modalities geared toward addressing the range of symptoms pregnant women experience. From a relaxing Swedish massage to hot stone, trigger point, and others, most prenatal massages last around one hour. In the studio, the lights are dimmed to help provide an atmosphere to promote calmness and oftentimes quiet music will be played in the background to ease the mind and help relinquish tension and stress that the body can hold. The benefits of prenatal massage can encourage a happy, healthy pregnancy. Here are several examples of its many benefits: • Boosts body’s natural production of endorphins, serotonin, and cortisol • Helps promote better sleep • Reduces muscle spasms and leg cramps • Provides relief from neck and back pain

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• Eases stress and anxiety • Promotes positive feelings of well being • Encourages circulation and oxygenation of the blood Training to Perform Prenatal Massage For any massage therapist, giving prenatal massages can be an incredibly rewarding experience. To best prepare for addressing the specific bodily needs of a pregnant client, additional training on new techniques is necessary to provide the best massage possible for the mind and body of a pregnant woman. When scheduling a prenatal massage, ask if they have a special cut-out massage table with additional pillows and bolsters to promote maximum comfort for a pregnant woman’s body. This is particularly needed in the last trimester to allow a woman to lie on her belly during the massage. Whatever type of massage you seek out, it’s important to maintain a line of communication with your therapist to enable them to perform a massage that addresses your individual needs. Before heading to the closest massage studio, you should also check in with your care provider to discuss your prenatal routine. Massage is a perfect supplement for any prenatal routine. At Elements Massage, we go the extra mile to ensure our massage therapists are trained and excel in the important responsibility of providing care for any pregnant woman. For more information or to schedule a massage, call 480-917-4880 or visit elementsmassage.com/chandlervillage. Elements Massage Chandler Village is located at 3431 W Frye Rd Suite 6, Chandler, Arizona 85226. Photo credit: Steve Mason/Thinkstock

Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

natural essences

Five Great Essential Oils for Summertime! By Holly Olmstead, Holly’s Home Health

ummer is a wonderful season and many peoples’ favorite. The beautiful weather, travel to new places, outdoor eating and activities are just some of the many attractions. There are also bugs, excessive heat, and allergies! Using the right essential oils can help alleviate many of the annoyances and let you enjoy your summer to the fullest.

Peppermint The peppermint plant is best known for its high menthol content and sweet flavor. Peppermint has frequently been used internally as toothpaste and chewing gum for oral health, as well as tea for stomach upset. It has also been used to promote healthy respiratory function, when it is in a pure botanical form. My favorite use in the summer however, is when I use it as a cooling agent. Peppermint naturally cools the body when applied topically. Simply add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil with 4 oz of water and spritz on the skin or place 1-2 drops in your hand along with a little carrier oil and rub across the back of your neck to cool and energize you! You may also want to try placing a drop of peppermint on a cotton ball near your picnic and see if those darn ants will leave you alone! Lavender Sometimes called the “Swiss Army Knife” of oils, lavender has been used for centuries in soaps, baths, and perfumes due to its delightful aroma. In addition to its famous aroma, lavender is known for its natural abilities to relax the nerves and reduce anxiety. I have heard many people say that they have their best sleep ever when using CPTG™ lavender essential oil at bedtime. However, I like lavender the most during the summer for its ability to help the skin recover quickly from a sunburn! Mix a few drops of lavender EO with a tablespoon of aloe vera gel and spritz or rub it directly on the burn (of any kind). Together they offer a faster relief when applied immediately and often! Lemon As with the first two, lemon has several therapeutic uses. But this month we are talking about summer and if you love the outdoors, but don’t enjoy the itchy eyes and sniffles it brings, you may want to try using lemon, with lavender and peppermint. When used together, they are known to offer a powerful antihistamine effect, quickly relieving you from those itchy eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Another wonderful thing about lemon essential oil is that it tastes great in a canteen of water and even helps keep the water fresh! Repellent Blend If you are looking for a powerful insecticide, consider using a repellent blend of essential oils, which include lemongrass, lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, and citronella in it. This combination of oils is known to discourage the mosquitoes, gnats, and other bugs from biting you in the first place! You will find this to be a much healthier option than the over-the-counter insect repellents that contain DEET. Avoiding the bug bites is better than dealing with them. Don’t let the bugs ruin your summer outings!

Cleansing Blend If you are traveling and come in contact with a lot of public places where you are concerned with germs, you will want to bring a blend of oils that are very purifying. Lemon, lime, pine, citronella, melaleuca alternafolia, and cilantro are highly antibacterial and will help cleanse cars, bathrooms, hotel rooms, and the like from unwanted germs and odors! My favorite part of this blend, however, is that is acts quickly in relieving the sting of a bite from insects as well as spiders! You won’t want to leave home without it! Last of all, like the Boy Scouts’ motto — Be Prepared! Make essential oils part of your first-aid kit and daily routine! Take them wherever you go and you will find that your family vacation, outdoor adventure, or whatever you choose, will be a healthier, safer, and more enjoyable summer! If you would like a free sample of one of these oils or information on how to make a first-aid kit using essential oils, please contact Holly at 480-540-8014 or hollyshomehealth@gmail.com.

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July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 21

hearing health

Myths and Facts About Hearing Loss By Sandra Ann Harper, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA, Harper Hearing Services

MYTH 1: Hearing problems are rare. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States. It currently affects more than 40 million Americans. MYTH 2: Hearing disorders only affect the elderly. More than half of all hearing-impaired persons are younger than 65 years old, including infants and children. MYTH 3: When people don’t hear well, it probably means they are getting senile. Senility does not cause hearing loss. Exposure to hazardous noise and aging are two known causes of hearing loss. Other causes are: ear infections, ear trauma, or ear disease; hearing toxic medications; certain diseases such as diabetes; vascular problems and certain viruses. Note that hearing loss can result in communication difficulties as well as some psychological effects such as frustration, withdrawal, depression, paranoia, and loss of self esteem, all of which can be mistaken for symptoms of senility or dementia. MYTH 4: If I did have a hearing loss, I would certainly know about it. Hearing loss can occur gradually and the decline may not be easily noticeable. A hearing test can determine if a hearing impairment does exist. MYTH 5: If I had a hearing loss, my doctor would have told me. Family practice doctors usually don’t have the equipment to accurately measure your hearing. It is difficult for most doctors to recognize your hearing loss unless it is very advanced. MYTH 6: Living with hearing loss is not a big deal. Relationships are strained when communication with others becomes difficult. It is better to do something about the hearing loss rather than pretending it does not exist. MYTH 7: If you shout loud enough, people with a hearing loss will understand you better. Loud conversations may be painful and distorted for the hearingimpaired. This can make it more difficult to understand what is being said. It is better to speak clearly, not loudly or rapidly, and to use a slower speaking pace with natural pauses. MYTH 8: Your hearing loss cannot be helped. With today’s advanced digital technology, 90 percent of hearing losses can be helped with hearing instruments. MYTH 9: Hearing aids are obvious and unattractive. Today’s hearing aid technology has made these devices quite discreet, unlike the large instruments of the past. The inability to hear and communicate with others will be more obvious than the hearing devices will ever be. MYTH 10: Hearing aids do not work very well. Modern hearing aids can help the vast majority of people with hearing loss. Hearing aids cannot restore normal hearing. They can, howPage 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

ever, improve hearing to get the most listening enjoyment from the hearing you still have. Hearing aids improve the quality of your life. Hearing Checklist: • Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone? •D o you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time? • Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high? • Do you have to strain to understand conversation? • Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background? • Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves? •D o many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)? •D o you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately? • D o you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children? •D o people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say? If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, you may want to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation. If you have questions about your hearing or would like to have your hearing evaluated, please call 480-838-1212 to schedule an appointment with Sandra Ann Harper, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA at Harper Hearing Services which is located at 10 S. Kyrene Road, Suite 1, Chandler, AZ 85226. Sources available upon request Photo credit: Meinzahn/Thinkstock

finding community

Senior Living… It’s About CHOICE! By Allyson Nathan, Generations at Agritopia

e all want choices; we always have and we always will. Whether they are about the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the people we spend time with, or where we live, we are typically happier with our decisions when we have had a say in them. Each and every decision we make creates the story of our lives, and our right to make our own decisions should not diminish due to our age. Gone are the days when seniors were “put in a home” by their children. Today, searching for senior living options can be almost as excit-

Allyson Nathan

a retirement community should be one of them. While we like to think we will always have the opportunity to make our own choices, we can learn from those who have gone before us. If I had to guess, I would think those who chose for themselves are happier than those who did not. If you or someone you care about is considering a move to a senior living community, make the effort to find the right one based on what matters to you most. The earlier you make your choice, the less likely someone else will decide for you. As we all know, we are happiest with our choices when we have had a say in them. And that’s what life, and senior living, should be about. Stop by Generations at Agritopia for a tour or attend our open house July 10th 4-7pm. 2811 East Agritopia Loop S, Gilbert, AZ 85296. For additional information, visit www.generationsseniorliving.com, or call 480-822-1400, or email info@generationsseniorliving.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/generationsseniorliving. Discover freedom for life on your terms at Generations — a community full of possibilities, with freedom from the burden of everyday household tasks. Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock

Join Valley of the Sun HealthyCells on Facebook! ing as buying a first home or planning a long overdue vacation. With companies investing more and more in the experience they offer their residents, everything from dining options and hospitality services to life enrichment activities, are developed with the values of todays’ seniors in mind. And, with so much more to choose from, seniors are more interested than ever in choosing for themselves. Choosing the right community is directly related to a person’s ability to identify what matters most to him or her. If enjoying an active lifestyle with chef-prepared meals, culturally or educationally rich activities, and relief from home maintenance and chores are appealing; an independent living community may fit the bill. If all of those things, plus the knowledge that personal care services are available if needed, a community with assisted living might be the answer. And, for those with concerns about memory issues, a community that offers an even higher level of care may be the solution. Regardless of what someone’s potential need for personal care may be today, the sooner they plan now, the more choices they will have in the future; including how decisions may be made on their behalf. Those of us who enjoy choosing for ourselves will continue to appreciate this as we age. Typically, our best decisions are the ones we are best prepared to make, while the ones made on the fly may leave us wondering what could have been. We all make a number of critical decisions throughout our lives, including where we live, and choosing

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dvertising with Healthy Cells has been a terrific marketing tool for us! Being able to include an educational article each month has really helped us broaden our client base and helps clients understand the benefits of our unique style of bodywork. Monica Tegg and her team have been extremely helpful and professional. They have been available anytime we need them for ideas and help with the articles, etc. The publication catches your eye and looks very professional. Almost immediately we had people call in because they saw our article in Healthy Cells. The combination of an ad plus an educational article in a professional magazine is very powerful. I would recommend Healthy Cells without reservation to anyone looking to boost their bottom line and get their name out in the community!

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Page 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

summer safety

How to Beat the Heat By Cathy Peterson, Gemini Hospice LLC

on’t wait until you “feel thirsty” before you drink water in the hot Arizona summer months. Unfortunately, as we age, we lose the ability to determine when we are thirsty, so it is very important to continually drink water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Although hot weather alone can be dangerous, when combined with humidity and other pre-existing health issues, it can be deadly. Any combination of these, which can push your core body temperature to 104 degrees, can cause confusion, strange behavior, loss of memory, and an inability to think clearly. When your system starts to go haywire, it puts excessive stress on the heart and your organs can begin to fail. The brain and central nervous systems are particularly sensitive to high temperatures, which can lead to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and even heat strokes. Some other signs to look for are dizziness, rapid or strong pulse, fatigue, decreased urination, unconsciousness, nausea and vomiting, convulsions and shortness of breath. When these symptoms occur, it’s important to get the body temperature down, with cold cloths or a cool bath. If symptoms do not improve or get worse, call 911.

Cathy Peterson

Ways to Stay Cool • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can act as a diuretic and promote dehydration • Eat water-filled fruits such as watermelon, cucumbers, and grapes • Carry around a spray bottle with chilled water inside • Visit air-conditioned facilities • Put a container of ice in front of a fan to cool the air as it blows • Spray your sheets with cool water at night before you go to bed • Go to an indoor ice-skating rink Have a safe summer! If you or a loved one needs hospice, we can help. Gemini Hospice is family owned and operated with care and compassion being our main goals. For information about Hospice, call 480-883-1353 or visit www. geminihospice.com. Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock July 2014 — East Valley — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 25

senior health

Warning Signs of Dementia By Patricia Day, Lifelong LLC

ith seniors living longer, we are seeing more diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Research has shown that early detection and treatment are able to slow the progression of this disease. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize the early signs of dementia and implement a care plan on the onset of diagnosis. Early warning signs may include, but are not limited to:

Personality/Habits You may notice uncharacteristically apathetic and/or negative behavior. They may become suspicious and unusually fearful of crime. Often their ability to manage personal care and grooming may decline. Telephone Conversations may become increasingly vague. They ramble and become forgetful, often repeating themselves. Letters/Notes Look for changes in handwriting. If once known for writing routinely, you may notice a decline or omission of frequency. Meals/Medication You may see a change in eating habits. They may lose their appetite or choose to only eat certain foods such as sweets even if a meal is prepared for them. Medications may not be taken correctly or forgotten altogether. Home Maintenance Look for burnt cookware, indicating they do not remember to turn off stoves and burners. Sinks left full of dirty dishes. Bathroom toilets left soiled and unflushed. If you suspect onset of dementia, you will want to take the proper course in diagnosis. Both a family practitioner and neuPage 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — July 2014

Patricia Day

rologist will manage their care. There will be a series of tests requested, and once a definitive diagnosis has been reached, patients are often given a prescription to fill and asked to follow up in six months. Through all this, the patient can begin to feel frightened or alone. There are many resources available to assist in the question, “What’s next?” I recently came across a new website: www.dementiamentors.com. Dementia Mentors is about helping newly diagnosed patients understand their diagnosis and inspire hope. It is created by dementia patients for dementia patients. The site offers simple navigation and is clear and concise. If someone has difficulty reading the text, they are able to click a button to hear audio. Approximately 30 pre-recorded videos will be available giving personal accounts of living with dementia. They offer a mentor video chat with someone who is facing the same challenges. To keep the mind active, there are over 70 puzzles available on the activity page. All puzzles are designed with dementia patients in mind. Addressing the feeling of loneliness, which is often associated with dementia, memory cafes are available where patients can log in virtually and enjoy socializing with each other as a group. Dementia Mentors’ approach is “rule your dementia and prevent it from ruling you.” Should you find yourself seeking advice and/or direction in creating a care plan for yourself or a loved one, please do not hesitate to contact Lifelong, LLC. We will become your advocate and assist in navigation of this complicated diagnosis. Call 480-720-4651, email: lifehealthplanning@yahoo.com, or visit our website: www.lifehealthplanning.com. At Lifelong LLC, we have taken the responsibility of elder placement to a personal level. Photo credit: gemenacom/Thinkstock

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