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Toughing it out and walking it off are part of who you are. But when back pain causes you to lose your breath, grit your teeth and use your bad cowboy words, a visit with our specialists might be worth its weight in gold. Our experts perform leading-edge joint and spine procedures. The difference is we do it based on your input, pace and direction.
Make plans to join us for an in-depth discussion about the latest in pain management for chronic back pain:
“Myths & Facts about Back Pain… Know your Options” Tuesday, April 23rd 5:30pm Richard Manos, MD – Spine Surgeon West Valley Medical Center – Kaley Auditorium RSVP: 208.455.3995 2
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[ summer ] contents | 2013 cover stories
6
THE POWER TO DO
Happiness and success in life are built
by persistently choosing the difficult, beneficial choice until the better choice becomes easy.
9
tips to HELP YOU DRINK UP LIFE.
10
HIDE YOUR AGE
14
COMMON BACK PAIN MYTHS
22
Years Old Versus Age
26
EATING RIGHT FOREVER
Sometimes a reminder is all it takes.
Looking years younger is no secret. Find out how you too can turn back the hands of time and hide your real age with these 5 most common minimally invasive procedures.
Statistics show an 80 percent chance of re-injuring your back if you don’t get proper care.
By looking at changes in the rate of methylation with different biomarkers in more than 650 persons, researchers found that the data could be used to accurately predict aging.
Get off the diet treadmill and get real with a no-nonsense guide to good eating habits. You’ve tried every diet there is, and nothing seems to be working.
16 25 10
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Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital (SIACH) is YOUR CHOICE for advanced long-term ACUTE care. Our compassionate and highly-trained medical team provides
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AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 5
AGELESS
EDITOR'S NOTE
TM
from the publishers of
Healthy
The Power To Do
It’s an interesting time in our world, and the game is clearly changing. Still, I believe that the difference between more or less in life is choice. And that choice is very simply how we define ease, and the things that are easy to do. I’ve always loved Mr. Emerson’s quote:
idaho
SUMMER 2013
less because change seems too challenging. Instead of adding more fitness, more fun, more education, and more love into our lives, we are sadly content to let things remain how they are or even worsen. As business guru, Jim Rohn said: The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.” We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today.
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do— not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased.”
®
Volume 2, № 3 Editor-in-Chief
John A. Anderson | john@ageless-mag.com PUBLISHER
Kenneth J. Shepherd | ken@ageless-mag.com Sales and Marketing
Julie Guyer 208.371.4533 Steve Wallace 208.850.4983 Kristi Hendry 208.703.7448 sales@ageless-mag.com Design Editor
Phillip Chadwick design@ageless-mag.com Managing Editor
When considering changes, use your imagination. Dream big. Consider that in 1960 it was technologically impossible for man to travel into outer space. But with vision and ten years, Neil Armstrong took a small step and a giant leap. Dream became reality in the wake of one voice challenging the scientific community to do whatever was necessary to see to it that America “places a man on the moon by the end of this decade.” The charge awakened the spirit of possibility in an entire nation, planting the seed of possibility into the fertile soil of imagination. A dream. A bold challenge. It wasn’t easy, but it became reality. Today, space flight is commonplace.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson Think about the things in your life you find easy to do. Now contrast those things with their opposites. For example, which is easier for you to do—work or rest? Education or entertainment? Confidence or doubt? Fear or faith? Is it easier for you to choose healthy snacks or stay a junk-food junkie? How easy is it to get on your excise clothes and get out after it? Even in challenging weather? Think about your relationships; is it easy to do the things that help build true friendships and true love? May I submit that happiness and success in life are built by persistently choosing the difficult, beneficial choice until the better choice becomes easy. Sure, it may not be easy at first, but, as Emerson says, with persistence, it becomes easier.
Let’s apply that lesson to our lives. Hopefully we are each keenly aware of personal traits and qualities— weaknesses—that we would like to change and strengthen. Let’s identify them. Let’s challenge ourselves to turn weaknesses into strengths. Let’s push ourselves towards new experiences and improvements. During these summer months when freedom and patriotism fill our hearts, let’s be forever grateful for the opportunities we have and the power to do. Remember, the difference between easy-to and easynot-to lies in simple persistence.
All of us have difficult choices that could make our life more meaningful and happy, but starting is often daunting. Remember, at any time, we can choose to change it all. We could choose any day to take a class and open a new door. We can start a new activity, a new hobby, a new attitude, a new career. We can easily start it today—or tomorrow, or next month, or next year. It’s our choice.
It’s a great time to persist in doing.
But, doing nothing is easy too. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend rather than to perform. It’s easier to sit rather than to run, and easier to stagnate rather than to set out towards something new. We often settle for
Michael Richardson editor@ageless-mag.com Online editor
Dallin Law | editor@ageless-mag.com DIREC TOR OF OPERATIONS
Sandy Wise | 866.884.3258 Contributing writers
Denise Austin, Lois Bujold Bill Phillips, Emma Penrod, Heather Hooke, Brooke Kittel, Ryan Larrondo, Patty Trela, Steven E. Warren Circulation AGELESS Magazine is printed qurterly and is made available for pick up at hundreds of locations, including doctors, dentists, chiropractors, medical practitioners, health clinics, and other senior focused businesses. If you would like to have Ageless Magazine delivered for distribution in your place of business, please contact us.
AGELESS Magazine
info@ageless-mag.com 866.884.3258 PLEASE NOTE that the articles contained in this publication are meant to increase reader awareness of development. Its contents should not be construed as medical advice or instruction on individual health matters, which should be obtained directly from a health professional.The opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Call for reprint permission. All photography courtesy of Shutterstock.com unless otherwise noted.
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Life Lives Better at Heatherwood... Can Retirement Living really be different? Yes. At Heatherwood, the idea of ‘aging’ is redefined. We expect more out of the day because life is meant to be lived. We make a choice to turn left when everyone else is turning right. Bingo’s fun, but we prefer to be a little more adventurous and involved… like learning to blow glass at Boise Art Glass or create beautiful ceramics to donate back to local charity Idaho Food Bank for their ‘Empty Bowls’ event. Our creativity flows in our Soap project, making organic and natural varieties variety’s to showcase at this year’s state fair. We’re going for a “clean” sweep of the awards. If you want to be a part of something special in retirement, join us at Heatherwood and “turn left” !
It can be different...let us show you how. Call for information about our Life-Long Learning Series. “Different” starts today!
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7
{health tips} The secrets to a healthy, happy life.
By cutting down on the number of calories taken in and being physically active, you can reduce your chances of becoming overweight or obese. By Healthy-Idaho.COM
8
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
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Simple ways to be
Healthy Every Day These tips may reduce your risk of developing certain life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Here are some tips on healthy eating and physical activity:
Start your day with breakfast.
Snack smart.
Balance your food choices.
Breakfast fills your “empty tank”
Choose snacks from different food groups: a
Choosing foods based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
glass of low-fat or fat-free milk, an apple, or celery sticks with peanut butter.
My Pyramid Plan and checking out the Nutrition Facts label on food packages will help you get all of the nutrients you need without taking in too many calories.
— it gets you going after a long night without food. Easy-to-prepare breakfasts include cold cereal with fruit and low-fat or fat-free milk, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, and whole grain waffles.
Work up a sweat.
Physical activities are easy to fit
Regular vigorous workouts—when you’re
into your daily routine. Walk, bike or jog to see friends. Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator or elevator. Take a 10-minute activity break every hour when you read or watch TV. Try to do these things for at least 30 minutes on most if not all days of the week.
breathing hard and sweating—improve the health of your heart and lungs, help relieve stress and anxiety and reduce some of the effects of aging.
Get moving.
Make healthy eating and physical activities fun.
Take advantage of physical activities you and your friends enjoy doing together, and eat healthy foods you like. Be adventurous— try new sports, games and other activities, as well as new foods.
10 tips to drinking up life 1.
2. Keep only cheerful
Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That's why you pay them.
friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about computers, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.
4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourself. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
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6.
Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
7. Laugh often, long and
loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity. AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 9
{beauty tech} 1
Botox Wrinkles above the nose
2
Laser resurFacing Acne scars & Fine lines
3
HIDE Your Age
Hyaluronic-acid injection Superficial wrinkles & acne scars
4
Microdermabrasion All over face treatment
5
Calcium Hydroxylapatite filler Nasolabial folds, sunken cheek & sagging
Written by Aubrey Merrell
Looking years younger is no secret. Find out how you too can turn back the hands of time and hide your real age with these 5 most common minimally invasive procedures. Let your beauty define you.
L
et’s face it, we’re obsessed
totally exposed. Sure there’s makeup, but that sometimes fails miserably. And then the woes of wrinkles. You can’t hide those under foundation—it only makes matters worse. Fortunately, wrinkle reversal is no longer at the mercy of the unpredictable knife. In this, the face-age, what took years of repetitive smiling to create can be undone, at least temporarily, in a matter of minutes. Technology has come a long way to alleviate the evidence of aging with “minimally invasive” procedures.
with our mugs. We pick at them, plump them, cleanse and tone them, and we insist on knowing everything about them. Every wrinkle, every pore, every blemish, you probably know your face better than any other part of your body. And for good reason—your face is the first thing people see, and like a bad dream, it’s always naked. On a fat day, you can cover your butt in a pair of jeans or cover a bloated stomach with stylish layers. But on a puffy eye or a red nose day, there is no such hiding. It’s just you and your face, 10
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
But don’t let the catchy title fool you. “Minimally invasive” does not mean idiot proof. These treatments still require an artist’s hand and a board’s certification. Before letting just anyone plump your furrow, find a few board-certified dermatologists and schedule consultations with each of them. Look for specialty certification and credentials, as well as refreshedlooking before and after pictures. Then, based on your facial needs, choose a procedure that is right for you. Here are our top five picks. Ageless-Mag.com
1 | THE PROCEDURE:
Botox
For: Wrinkles above the nose and on the forehead The technology: Since its FDA approval in April 2002, Botox has created quite a facial
frenzy. The fame of this injectible comes from its “insta-youth” effect. When injected, Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, temporarily interrupts the communication between muscles and nerves, paralyzing the facial muscles. The theory goes: If it can’t scrunch, it can’t wrinkle. Cost: Around $500 per treatment Results last: Between two and six months
brand names Restylane, Perlane and Juvéderm, this gel-like dermal filler pumps volume and fullness into deflated skin. We usually shun water retention, but here it’s a good thing. The hydrophilic or “water loving” nature of the hyaluronic acid molecules and their 3-D structure allow them to bind many times their own weight in water and retain their voluminous results. Its non-animal nature also limits any risk of disease transmission or allergic reaction. Cost: Around $600 Results last: Between six and 12 months 4 | THE PROCEDURE:
Microdermabrasion
For: Allover facial treatment The technology: It’s like a much-needed facial sandblast. As your skin ages,
2 | THE PROCEDURE:
Laser Resurfacing
For: Acne scars and fine lines The technology: During this procedure, an intense beam of light energy (a.k.a. a laser)
is directed at the area of skin you want treated. The intensity of the laser destroys the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis, in that area. The laser also heats the underlying layer, the dermis, to stimulate new collagen growth. As the dermis heals, new smoother, tighter skin replaces the old epidermis. In comparison with chemical peels and dermabrasion, laser resurfacing actually gives doctors more control over the depth of treatment penetration. The precision of a laser also allows doctors to treat delicate facial areas, such as around the eyes and lips, where fine lines occur. Cost: Around $2,200 Results last: Three months or longer, depending on the treatment 3 | THE PROCEDURE:
Hyaluronic-Acid Injection
For: Superficial wrinkles and acne scars The technology: In a world of fillers and injectibles, here’s another family.
Sold under the
it’s natural exfoliation system ebbs, resulting in flaky, dull and dry areas. During microdermabrasion, aluminum or salt microcrystals pelt your skin, removing the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. The procedure reveals a younger, more vibrant epidermal layer. Cost: Around $260 per treatment Results last: Between three to six weeks 5 | THE PROCEDURE:
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Filler
For: Sunken cheeks, sagging jowl and deep nasolabial folds The technology: You know it as Radiesse. Yet another injectible, this calciumbased gel filler stimulates new collagen production, so it not only provides volume and smoothes wrinkles, it strengthens. As your body absorbs this biodegradable filler, your body’s own collagen begins to grow and replace the gel, yielding such long-term results. Cost: Around $800 Results last: Around two years.
Life is short, you deserve to eat what you desire... Mini implants can allow you to have tight comfortable dentures ■ Mini implants are a fraction of the cost of traditional dental implants ■ Mini implants require no sutures or months of healing ■ We may be able to modify your existing denture or new natural life like dentures may be the answer for you ■ Many people can eat with their Mini Implants immediately ■ Mini implants may also replace a single missing tooth ■
Call for your complimentary consultation 208-342-3695
Dr. Errol Fife
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■
1675 Hill Rd
■
Boise, ID 83702
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 11
Be Happy, Be Healthy! W
hat do making new friends, learning new skills, supporting your community and positively impacting your health have in common? They are all benefits of volunteering!
In a report published by the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), a strong relationship has been established between volunteering and health. CNCS goes on to state that volunteering and physical well-being are part of a positive reinforcing cycle. A study from the Americans’ Changing Lives survey supports CNCS' findings concluding that those who volunteered reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, a sense of control over life, and physical health; while those who reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, a sense of control over life, and physical health were more likely to volunteer.
FitOne Fast Facts: • Welcome to the Evolution of the 20-year St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration—now FitOne!
FitOneBoise.org
• Early bird registration is open at FitOneBoise.org—register for the 5K or 9K before Aug. 1 to save a few dollars.
We love our volunteers!
A team of nearly 1,000 volunteers is essential to the success of the FitOne 5K, 9K and Expo. Volunteers greet attendees, hand out race packets to participants at the FitOne Expo, help with race set-up, keep our courses safe and provide water to participants during the 5K and 9K run/ walk events. We thank our volunteers for their efforts and welcome each and every one as an integral member of our FitOne team.
(Source URL: nationalservice.gov/serve-yourcommunity/benefits-volunteering)
• Give-A-Gift of healthy fun! Gift registrations for the 5K and 9K are available on our website—easy peasy! • Even our Facebook and Twitter pages are active—so let’s Move For Fun, Get Fit For Life.
Volunteer groups are welcome.
Do you have a club, organization or group of people who are looking to volunteer? If so, we can work with you to schedule your team together over a particular area or volunteer role at FitOne.
• Monthly meet-ups and fun goodies from our sponsors—if you’re a friend or a "tweep" you get them here first!
For more information on the FitOne Volunteer Program, please visit FitOneBoise.org, email volunteer@fitoneboise.org or call 208.381.2221.
• Healthy, fun ideas—we’re sharing them often so you can share them with friends and family.
FitOne Volunteer Program presented by KeyBank.
12
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
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5 {pain management}
Have you ever experienced back pain? Most of us have, and it can be excruciating. Chances are, you’ve either suffered from back pain in the past, or will in the future. Statistics show an 80 percent chance of re-injuring your back if you don’t get proper care. So listen carefully. To avoid back pain before it happens — and treat the pain once it occurs — it takes education and awareness. There are a variety of back problems and treatment options that can be effective. The first step is clearing away a few misconceptions regarding back pain.
Myth #1: “It Won’t Happen To Me.”
Reality: The fact is about eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the leading cause of disability in men over 40 years old. And it’s the second most common reason for a visit to a primary care doctor. Back pain is also the third-most common reason for surgery and fifth-most common reason for hospitalization. So, unfortunately, most people do experience back pain, or will at some point in their lives.
Myth #2: “I’m Physically Active, so I Shouldn’t Get Back Pain.”
Reality: Being physically active is definitely a plus. And it’s true that well-conditioned individuals are less likely to 14
Written By Robert J. Inglis
Most Common Back-Pain
myths experience back pain than sedentary people. However, back pain can affect all people regardless of their activity level. In fact, runners are notorious for having back pain as a result of the forces and compression that take place during running. Golfers, people who play volleyball and people who engage in aerobics also experience back pain. So whether you’re active or not, chances are you’re going to experience back pain at some point.
Myth #5: “There Is A Standard Cure For Most Causes Of Back Pain.”
Reality: Surprisingly, there is no “magic bullet” when it comes to back pain. In fact, compared to other medical conditions, there are very few standardized approaches. There are numerous reasons why your back could be causing you pain. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with a
specialist and licensed physical therapist at the first sign of back pain. In addition, there are many different schools of thought in regards to treating back pain. Even different specialists within the same discipline may have different opinions. So no, there really is no “standard cure.” That’s why it’s so critically important to visit a licensed professional who will evaluate and design an individualized approach to your problem.
Myth #3: “Bed Rest Is The Secret To Recovering From Back Pain.”
Reality: Actually, this is partially true. New studies reveal that it normally takes about three days of rest to recover from back pain. But 48-72 hours is all you need. Any more than that, and you’re making the problem worse. Here’s why: too much rest can stiffen and weaken the muscles and joints and, in turn, increase the pain. You should gradually start stretching to reduce your pain and increase your mobility. Any more than 48-72 hours can lead to more back pain in the long run.
Myth #4: “Heat And Massages Feel Good So They Must Be Helping Me.”
Reality: Sorry. While these shortterm remedies might feel good, they don’t provide a long-term solution. Of course, we do try to manage pain during recovery to allow patients to heal and get back to life, but heat and massages do not address the underlying causes of back pain.
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
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AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 15
Have a Peak 3 Mountains
to Climb in Idaho 16
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
McGown Peak Located in the incredible Sawtooth Moutain wilderness area, McGown Peak has some of the best that Idaho nature has to offer. The peak reaches nearly 10,000 feet high, and is located near Stanley. To get to the trailhead, drive out of Stanley on highway 21 and get onto Stanley Lake Rd. The trailhead is near the Inlet Campground. When on the trail, you will merge with a trail called the Alpine Way trail. Turn east onto this trail, and it will be a few miles of trail until you reach the summit. Hike this trail in the summer or early autumn.
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a
Borah Peak This is the tallest mountain in Idaho, at 12,662 feet, and sits in the Lost River Range. It is usually best to hike this mountain in late summer. At other times of the year, the hike should only be done by experienced mountaineers. The route normally taken by hikers involves an ascent of more than 5,000 feet in less than five miles. To get to the mountain, take US Highway 93 about 20 miles north of Mackay to the Borah Peak Access Road, also called Birch Springs Road. Take this road for three miles until you reach the trailhead.
South Loon Mountain South Loon Mountain is somewhat of a hidden peak in the mountains north of McCall, in the Payette National Forest (pictured). The trail isn’t always maintained well, so make sure you are oriented as you hike, so as to not get lost. The trail to the summit is more than 14 miles, so even experienced hikers should expect to start early. Less experienced hikers might attempt the hike over two days. The hike involves crossing a ridge before reaching the summit, which ups the total elelvation gain you should expect during the hike. The mountain itself is 9,287 feet tall, the elevation gain during the hike exceeds 4,000 feet. After reaching McCall, take Lick Creek Road, which is the road to get to Ponderosa State Park. The trailhead is about 25 miles from McCall. Source: Summitpost.org
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AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 17
Better Hearing helps
Aging Workers The Great Recession put a kink in many American’s retirement plans. Combine that financial blow with the general uncertainty regarding Medicare and the future cost of private health insurance.
As a result, more boomers are staying in the workforce longer. In fact, between 2006 and 2016 the number of older people in the workforce is expected to soar, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Workers between the ages of 55 and 64 are expected to increase by 36.5 percent; workers between 65 and 74 are expected to climb by 83.4 percent, and workers 75 and older are expected to grow as well. So what does this mean for individuals? It means people need to do what they can to age productively. It means they need to take charge of their health— including their hearing health —so they can maximize their chances for success on the job. It’s important that boomers routinely get their hearing checked—and that they address hearing loss. Hearing loss happens. But if you are working, you need to be able to hear and communicate well in order to be productive. Your job performance will depend upon it. There are no more excuses for ignoring hearing difficulties, especially given the technological advances of modern hearing 18
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013
aids, and the compelling data that illustrate the downside of leaving hearing loss unaddressed. Maturing workers should be getting their hearing checked. And if there is hearing loss, they need to address it—with hearing aids.
Call one of the five Elks Hearing and Balance Center office locations: Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa or Ontario to set an appointment. 489-4999.
About the Author
Consider this: More than 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss—about 11 percent of the U.S. population. Research shows that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with mild hearing loss, and up to 77 percent for those with more significant hearing loss. Those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who do not use hearing aids.
Debbie Baerlocher
Doctor of Audiology Elks Hearing and Balance Center elkshearingandbalance.org
Today’s employers recognize the changing demographics of the modern aging workforce and increasingly are making efforts to hold onto their older workers. “Never before has good hearing been so important—or so attainable,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. “When people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, and stave off depression.” So, moral of this story? Get your hearing tested by an audiologist, and if you have hearing loss, the time to act is now. Hearing aids work! You’ll be successful and you just might surprise yourself by wondering why you waited so long!
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208.375.0666 Bring in this article to receive a
Now there is a Non-Surgical Option for
Knee Arthritis!
F
rom the time we begin to walk, we spend our lives on our feet moving from place to place. Because of this, the knee is the joint in the body that is most commonly affected by arthritis. As the pain from the arthritis worsens, people naturally begin to modify their lifestyles, doing less and less. Over time, individuals begin to stop doing those things they enjoy and slowly succumb to the growing pain in their knees. Once the pain is so severe and their lifestyle is significantly limited they turn to the option of having a total knee replacement. There are approximately 650,000 total knee surgeries performed a year. Though it is a highly successful surgery, many people are anxious about it due to the invasiveness of surgery, the associated pain and rehabilitation. Now there is another treatment option for knee arthritis that is non-surgical and can provide significant pain relief in just a few weeks. People who are suffering from severe knee arthritis can now receive joint injections that have an 87% success rate in decreasing the pain from arthritis. In as little as 5 weeks, patients report a significant reduction in their knee pain, and in some cases it is eliminated. The process involves receiving a series of knee injections (that are specifically guided into the joint using live motion imaging) using a hyaluronic acid. FDA approved hyaluronic acid bonds with the natural joint fluid in your body to create a lubricating and cushioning layer within your knee. The joint injections are coupled with a specific, customized physical therapy program to help circulate the hyaluronic acid through the joint while also restoring lost motion and strength to the leg. This procedure reduces the pain, inflammation and swelling within the joint, allowing you to Facebook.com/AgelessMag
quickly return to those activities you enjoy. The joint injections are approved by and supported by Medicare and because of their high success rate are quickly becoming the first line of defense in the battle against arthritis. Freedom Healthcare has brought this innovative procedure to Idaho and is partnering with Peak Physical Therapy, who has been providing rehabilitation services to the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas for 13 years. They are passionately working together to help restore the active lifestyles to those who are suffering from arthritis. If you are suffering from knee pain and think it is arthritis, you can receive a free knee evaluation from any Peak Physical Therapy clinic when you bring in this article. For more information about this procedure please contact: Peak Physical Therapy: Darin Tucker (208-375-0666) Freedom Healthcare: 208-884-3387
About the Author Darin Tucker
CEO Peak Physical Therapy (208) 375-0666 PeakPhysicalTherapy.net AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 19
.
>> Advisor Spinal Surgery
Sciatica What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal canal in the lower back. The large nerve travels down through the buttock, then its branches extend down the leg to the ankle and foot depending on which portion of the nerve is being compressed. Pain traveling down the back of the leg and calf is the most common form of sciatica.
What causes sciatica? The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to compression on a specific nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury or degenerative cysts. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.
How is it treated? In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:
What are the symptoms? Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttock and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur. •
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Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse. Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as pressups) may relieve symptoms.
How is sciatica diagnosed? Sciatica is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. And your doctor may be able to tell just by asking you these questions that you have sciatica. But X-rays and tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sometimes done to help find the cause of the sciatica. 20
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Avoiding sitting (unless it is more comfortable than standing).
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Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain.
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Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
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Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy singleuse heat wraps that last up to 8 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.
Additional treatment for sciatica depends on what is causing the nerve irritation. If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may suggest physical therapy, injections of medicines such as steroids, stronger medicines such as muscles relaxants or opioids, or even surgery for severe cases.
About the Author
Joseph M. Verska, MD Boise Spine Surgery BoiseSpineSurgery.com 208-378-7700
The mission of the Boise Spine Surgery is to comprehensively address the concerns of patients and their families as they pursue treatment for spine related problems in a professional and attentive environment.
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Written by Tammy Hadfield, MSN, WHNP-BC
hen you ponder the words anti-aging, you most likely will begin thinking of plastic surgery, miracle creams and injectable skin rejuvenation. Procedures can change our outward appearance, but they cannot do anything for our internal clock. While many of Americans will contribute to the billions spent on products and procedures to keep a youthful exterior, it is important to realize the best anti-aging is nearly free. Exercise is essential to anti-aging. Moderate exercise stimulates growth hormone release, improves serotonin production, and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced in the body at high levels when we are stressed. It dampens the effectiveness of our other hormones, causes middle weight gain, and lowers the body’s immune response. Exercise can lower stress, and it can be as simple as a brisk walk, and will only cost you a good pair of walking shoes. In order to exercise, we must have the energy to be motived to move, and sleep is vital to a good energy level. Insomnia hinders metabolism and hormone production. Chronic insomnia can also increase the severity of age related diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, obesity and memory loss. To boost sleep naturally, try melatonin, magnesium, 5-HTP or valerian root. It is a medical fact that sleeping less than 8 hours increases skin aging at a cellular level. While sleep can improve your skin health and may decrease your need for the next best miracle cream, adequate hydration is also important for your skin as it helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Most of us take hydration for granted, but it is truly essential to life. The average body loses 2-3 quarts of water a day. It is important to hydrate throughout the day and not wait until you feel thirsty. Along with water, good nutrition is a must for longevity. Eating organic, whole foods and reducing processed foods, dairy and grains helps lower chronic inflammation in the body. It is said that inflammation contributes to 80-90% of all human diseases and cancers. Anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Zone and paleolithic diets, show a direct correlation to longevity. Finally, to live a long, youthful life studies show that happiness is crucial. Chronic stress ages the body. Finding joy and happiness rejuvenates the body. Clinical data shows that having faith in a higher power outweighs diet and exercise as a positive variable to health and longevity. Studies have also shown that older adults report a greater degree of happiness when they have faith based upon something greater than themselves vs. adults in their twenties with no faith-based relationship. AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 21
Years Old Versus Age New research says they may be different Written by Michael Richardson
Research from UC San Diego recently discovered a new way to determine age by looking at changes in DNA biomarkers, and found that these markers might provide a measure of true biological age, versus simply how many years a person has lived. 22
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Researchers measured a central DNA process called methylation, which regulates gene expression. In this process, certain molecules are added to cytosine molecules, one of the four bases in DNA. By looking at changes in the rate of methylation with different biomarkers in more than 650 persons, researchers found that the data could be used to accurately predict aging. “An individual’s “methylome”—the entire set of human methylation markers and changes across a whole Ageless-Mag.com
This could be used to predict disease, and could open doors for the improvement of treatment and medication. genome—predictably varies over time,” a UCSD news release states, “providing a way to determine a person’s actual age from just a blood sample.” The finding could have a broad impact, most immediately in forensics, to determine a person’s age solely based on a blood or tissue sample, the release states. But Kang Zhang, MD, professor of ophthalmology and human genetics at UCSD, and a lead researcher in the study, says the findings have deeper implications. The data provided a “biological measure of age—how quickly or slowly a person is experiencing the passage of time.” In other words, now there is a way to know how far our bodies have physically degenerated, which is more important than simply knowing how many years-old we are, Zhang says. Aging itself is largely
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a matter of damage to cells and molecular processes, not just how long our bodies have lived. Some people age quickly, while others look far younger than their years suggest. Furthermore, different parts of the body age at different rates for everyone, and diseases often speed up the process of aging in specific parts of the body. Methylation measurement might be a window into understanding these variances in aging, providing “a more accurate measure than your chronological age,” Zhang says.
compounds to see if they retard the aging process at the tissue or cellular level.” UCLA professor of human genetics Dr. Eric Vilain also sees the potential. "Doctors could predict your medical risk for a particular disease and customize treatment based on your DNA's true biological age, as opposed to how old you are," he said in a news release.
This could be used to predict disease, and could open doors for the improvement of treatment and medication.
In 2011 researchers at UCLA were able to predict age by simply examining the methylation in their the DNA of saliva. Principal investigator Dr. Eric Vilain said in a news release that their “approach supplies one answer to the enduring quest for reliable markers of aging.”
“For example, you could serially profile patients to compare therapies, to see if a treatment is making people healthier and ‘younger,’” Zhang says. “You could screen
Zhang has high hopes for the future. “I hope to use these biomarkers of age measurement to come up with drugs that can slow or reverse aging,” he says.
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food Diet Secrets
do not skip meals.
freopoodrt
Skipping meals may cause your metabolism to slow down or lead you to overeat at your next meal.
lower your risk. To lower your risk for chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, select high-fiber foods like beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.
make the right choice. Choose lean beef, turkey breast, fish, or chicken with the skin removed over fattier meats.
manage servings. Have three daily servings of vitamin D–fortified dairy products, like lowfat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese. You can also take a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement. Choose foods
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fortified with vitamin B12.
snack smart.
Secrets of a Good Diet
To help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan, follow these tips:
Keep healthy snacks like dried apricots, whole wheat crackers, peanut butter, low-fat cheese, and low-sodium soup on hand. Stay away from snacks that are high in fat and sugar, like cake, candy, chips, and soda.
hydrate your health. Make sure to drink plenty of water or water-based fluids.
remember your most important meal
Did you know that eating breakfast can help rein in your appetite for the rest of the day? Breakfast gives our bodies that all-important first energy boost—so we can make it through our day feeling great! But it also keeps us from snacking and overindulging at lunch and dinner. Pretty great, right? 24
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Remember, breakfast doesn't have to take a long time to prepare. Whole grain toast with jam, cheese and crackers, a bowl of oatmeal —a simple, nutrient-rich food—is really all it takes. If you're strapped for time, you can even bring your breakfast along to work with you! Take a baggie filled with dry, ready-to-eat high-fiber cereal; a banana; and a small carton of skim milk. Now, that's the way to get healthy!
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Breakfast is a great opportunity to get your day off to a healthy start!
food
food on the go day for a picnic
Create simple wrap
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Sometimes the best way to enjoy a meal on a sunny day is to take it outside. Picnics are a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon. And, while a park or the beach can provide the ultimate atmosphere for relaxation, a cozy corner of your backyard where you can spread out a blanket or nap under a tree can work just as well.
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Here are a few tips on packing a delicious picnic, whether you’re venturing into the great outdoors or just going out the back door.
sandwiches by combining whole wheat tortillas with grilled chicken, your favorite sauce or seasonings, and a variety of washed and sliced vegetables.
Pack bottled water to stave off thirst and dehydration, especially if you’re planning an active day. Try this trick: Fill plastic water bottles the night before and freeze them. (Leave room for expansion — about an inch at the top of each bottle.) Then pack them in the cooler to keep your food cold. As they thaw throughout the day, you’ll have more water to drink!
To avoid soggy sandwiches,
pack the ingredients separately and assemble them once you get to your picnic destination. AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 25
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Perfect
Eat your way to health
Food
11steps to eating right
forever Get off the diet treadmill and get real with a no-nonsense guide to good eating habits. You’ve tried every diet there is, and nothing seems to be working. Here are our suggestions for eating right. W R I T T E N B Y F r a n B er ko ff
1. Diet when you’re really ready to make a healthy change. Ask yourself why you want to lose weight and if this is the right time for you to do it. If there are problem areas in your life, weight loss alone is not likely to resolve them. What’s more, changing your eating style is difficult and can contribute to stress. Losing weight requires a commitment. Do it because you’re ready to make a change that is healthier for you.
2. Do a reality check. Do you really need to lose weight? See the body mass index (BMI) chart to determine if your weight is in the healthy range. Then check your waist-to-hip ratio to find out if your body shape puts you more at risk. Research suggests that it’s not just our total body fat, but also the distribution of fat that determines health risks. Specifically, abdominal fat (measured by waist-to-hip ratio) may put you at greater risk for developing heart disease. To find your waist-to-hip ratio: 1. Measure your waist at the navel and your hips around the largest part of your buttocks
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2.
Divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement to get your ratio. For men this number should be one or less; for women it should be 0.8 or less.
3. Keep a food diary. Write down what you eat, where you eat, when you eat and with whom you eat. Do this for a week or until you begin to notice patterns in your eating. For example, if you notice that you eat out a lot, look over some restaurant menus for healthier choices. If you’re a working mom and find that from the time you arrive home until you put dinner on the table you’ve already eaten a mini-dinner, prepare healthy snacks for the predinner hour. Vegetables with low-fat dip, or a dish of yogurt with fresh fruit can curb your appetite, and both are healthful low-calorie choices.
5. Identify your eating style. Are you most satisfied when you have larger servings of protein foods - meat, fish, chicken, cheese and eggs? Or are you a carb lover who would never feel satisfied with a large steak alone? Work within your own eating pattern, making small changes that you can live with. Instead of pasta and bread at dinner, just eat the pasta. Instead of a 10-ounce steak, make it six ounces. If you like to graze, do so with increased awareness. For example, have a low-fat hot chocolate rather than a handful of chocolate chip cookies. There is no one correct eating style to suit everybody. Do it your way.
6. Set realistic, achievable goals. You’ve heard it all before: aim to lose one to two pounds a week and don’t be hard on yourself if you occasionally plateau. If you prefer to stay off the scales, find
4. Identify your good habits. Work to strengthen them and add new ones to the list. Make one or two changes at a time. Over the course of a year, small changes add up to big ones. For example, if you take time to eat slowly and always enjoy breakfast, you already have two great habits. Don’t focus on the bad. In the course of a week, you eat about 21 meals; don’t worry if two or three of those are less healthy choices.
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another way to monitor your progress - look at your cholesterol or blood pressure level or the fit of your clothes. If you want to reduce added fats, butter only one piece of bread in your sandwich or use mustard or salsa instead. Cut calories moderately - use 2% milk instead of cream in your coffee, remove the skin from chicken or eat sherbet or low-fat frozen yogurt instead of premium ice cream. Trash quick fixes along with the diet books.
7. Increase your eating awareness. Identify your eating patterns and triggers (stress, boredom, a hard day at the office or a fight with your partner). If you go out for a brownie
every afternoon at 3 p.m. because you’re feeling tired and restless, that will become a habit. After a while, you want the brownie whether you’re tired or not. Consider whether you’re truly hungry and what’s happening at 3 p.m. that sends you down for a snack. Take a break, go for a walk, stretch or drink some water, then see if you still want a snack. If you do, forget the brownie and select something healthier. Call a friend, go for a bike ride, take a bubble bath instead of raiding the fridge, or explore some stress management techniques, such as yoga or exercise.
8. Exercise. If you can’t do something physically active for a full 30 minutes, try three 10-minute sessions. Find something you enjoy doing that makes you sweat - even a little bit. Try to
increase the number of times or the length of time that you’re physically active. Exercise, of any kind, can lower body fat and control weight, manage blood pressure, reduce insulin resistance and build muscle tissue. At rest muscle burns more calories than fat. As you increase the amount of muscle you have, your resting metabolic rate rises. Make exercise an automatic part of your day; eventually, you won’t remember a time when you weren’t active.
9. stop eating when stressed. Many of us turn to food in times of stress, which can derail your diet and set a bad example for your children. It is important to first recognize and accept that you find comfort in food when the stakes are high. Then work on changing your reaction to stress. Experts suggest dieters substitute eating with behavior-modification techniques, such as meditating or phoning a friend for support. If you find yourself tempted to indulge in emotional eating, try finding other outlets to release tension.
A well-balanced diet including fruits, vegetables and proteins are the simple keys to good nutrition. If you choose to indulge in a hot fudge sundae, then enjoy. However, make sure you indulge moderately, offsetting high-fat and highcholesterol foods with vitamins, minerals and other foods your body needs to stay healthy. Above all, incorporate exercise into your life. You’ll not only see the pounds shed, you’ll feel great and have a sense of renewal. Practice makes perfect, and the more healthy choices you make, the more it will become second nature to you.
11. Be patient with yourself. Changing eating habits is one of the most difficult challenges you face, and it takes time. Don’t beat yourself up over a bad day. If you skip a day, it doesn’t mean that you’ve blown it. It just means you’ve skipped a day and will be back on track tomorrow.
10. Find support.
HEL P YOUR FAMI LY ENJOY HEA LTHY EATIN G HABIT S b y p r o m ot i n g a WHO L E - L IFE MAKEOVER .
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If your partner brings home rich desserts every night, negotiate a compromise so you won’t have tempting food around. If it suits you, seek out a weight management group in your neighbourhood. Make sure the program is flexible and can be personalized to suit your lifestyle. If you’re beginning to exercise, try to find a partner at the gym or a neighbour to walk with. Having a workout buddy makes exercising easier.
Fran Berkoff is a consulting dietician/nutritionist. She is co-author of three best-sellers: Power Eating: How to play hard and eat smart for the time of your life, The Vitality Cookbook, and More Vitality Cooking.
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food / chef support QUICK BLACK BEAN SOUP This is one of those recipes that you can put together in 5 minutes, yet it always is a favorite with everyone. Even kids like it—and vegetable haters too— although you may want to use a bit less hot sauce for those people. Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Servings: 2-4
Ingredients 3 15 ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth 1 cup fresh salsa ¼ teaspoon ground oregano ¼ teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste) 1/8 teaspoon smoked chipotle chili powder (optional) several dashes hot sauce (optional) Reserve 1 cup of the beans in a separate bowl, place the remaining beans, the vegetable broth and the salsa in a blender jar. Process until fairly smooth, then pour into a saucepan. Mash the reserved beans slightly with a fork or bean/potato masher. Add to the saucepan with the remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes to blend flavors. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving. You can also add some garlic to the initial vegetable broth and cook it for a while. Then I add some spinach or other greens and cook it for a while until it is softened. Then I blend it up in the blender. I don’t add the chipotle powder but I do add cumin. It’s a great soup that you can make lots of changes to and it will still taste yummy.
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Tip
This is great to make ahead of time and then heat just before serving. Make a double batch so you can enjoy a quick bowl of soup when you are hungry.
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Crescent Rolls Ingredients 1 c. milk 1/2 c. butter 1 T. yeast in 1/4 c. water 1 T sugar Warm milk enough to melt butter, but not too hot that it kills yeast. Then add yeast and sugar ‘til bubbly. 3 eggs 1/2 c. sugar 3/4 tsp. salt 4 1/2 c. flour Beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add sugar, yeast mixture, salt, and flour. Mix well. Dough will be sticky. Cover and let rise ‘til double. Turn out on well-floured board and divide into two balls. Roll each ball into a circle, rather thin. Spread with melted butter. Cut into 16 pie-shaped pieces. (pizza cutters are great for this). Roll into crescent shape (start rolling from the wide end). Let rise until about double in size. Bake 10-15 min. at 375 just until golden brown
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Cookies Ingredients 2 C. Whole Wheat Flour 1 C. Oats (quick, uncooked) 1 t. Baking Soda 1/2 t. Salt 3/4 C. Butter 1 C. Firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 C. Sugar 1 Egg (1 T. dry powdered egg + 2 T. Water) 1 t. Vanilla 1 C. Pumpkin 1 t. Pumpkin Pie Seasoning 1/2-1 C. Butterscotch or Chocolate Chips Pre-heat oven to 350 degress. Cream the butter, add the sugars, beat together until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Alternate between dry ingredients and pumpkin. Add chips. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls and bake for 10-12 minutes.
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Source: Elise Stolle
AGELESS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 29
LEGS TOO VEIN?
Painful veins could be telling you something.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
Are you feeling burning, aching pain in your legs? Or, how about swelling or heaviness, with noticeable bulging veins? Do you see a darker “stain-like” or copper skin color around your ankles? If so, you could be experiencing symptoms of varicose veins – a common, and sometimes serious, disease affecting your vascular system. This vein condition is treatable and symptoms should give you cause to seek immediate medical attention from experienced vein healthcare providers. Affecting males and females alike, 20-somethings and older, varicose vein disease does not pick a particular gender or age group. It is typically found in individuals who have a history of family members experiencing varicose veins. “Genes play the largest role in determining whether or not one will suffer from varicose veins,” says Shawna Beechinor, Physician Assistant at Advanced Vein Therapy (AVT), in Boise. Pregnancy and occupations that require standing for long periods of time heighten the chances of suffering from varicose veins. Though highly technical, the procedures involved for relief of varicose veins are usually performed in an outpatient setting. They begin with diagnostic vein mapping, using noninvasive vascular ultrasound. Ultrasound technologists should be specifically trained for this technically challenging two-hour venous exam, offering the patient detailed and highly specific diagnostic information. To best determine the level of damage within your veins, it is also important that diagnostic results are interpreted by specialists in the field, such as the fellowship trained interventional radiologists at AVT. Their medical expertise helps direct patients toward the most appropriate treatment options; Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) and/or – equally as important – Sclerotherapy, can both be administered to treat unhealthy veins. Recovering from the treatment of varicose veins is fairly uneventful. An annual follow-up and careful attention to keeping symptoms under check are very important in maintaining healthy veins. Though the disease may be unavoidable for some, wearing compression stockings, resting and elevating legs after standing for long periods of time, routine exercise, maintaining a normal and healthy weight and receiving routine vein therapy can alleviate symptoms. Left untreated, venous valvular insufficiency is progressive and can lead to advanced skin changes. Ultimately, a person with long-standing vein disease may become vulnerable to developing a venous ulceration. Venous ulcerations typically occur at the medial (inside) ankle and usually require treatment by a wound clinic. When inflammation in veins increase, damage to the surrounding tissues also increases – leading to open skin ulceration and ensuing wound care. Shirley is a patient who had recurrent venous ulcerations on and off for 15 years and had received wound care whenever she had an active ulceration. Although she loved working as a store greeter for 18 years, she was forced to retire, as standing for hours worsened her condition. Following in-office treatment for her varicose veins, she experienced a brief recovery, her wound healed, and she is once again delighted to be able to run and play with her grandchildren. If you would like to learn more about varicose veins and venous disease, please visit www.AboutAVT.com and www.Phlebology.org. You can also request a referral from your personal healthcare provider or simply call to make an appointment. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover medical care for varicose veins.
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Enjoy cool days this summer with our
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