LEADING MEDICINE W INT ER 2019
Long Live Your Lungs
Strength in Numbers:
LOSING WEIGHT TOGETHER 5 Secrets to Feeling Young at Heart YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN
CELEBRATING Heart Month
F
ebruary is American Heart Month! Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital marks its eighth year of providing open heart surgery procedures to Baytown area residents during the Heart Month Celebration on Friday, Feb. 22. Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Walter O'Hara, director of the Dr. Walter CV surgery team at Houston Methodist O'Hara Baytown, will discuss the success of the program and what the future holds in store during the event. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the U.S., but many people are unaware of their heart disease risk. The free event provides the opportunity for Baytown area residents to learn their 10-year risk of heart disease and receive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Managing your risk factors for cardiovascular disease is only possible if you know what they are, and routine screening tests can reveal the answers. Ask your doctor at your next checkup to assess your weight and BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol and fasting blood glucose level. All of these tests offer important clues to cardiovascular health as well as your overall health. To register for the Heart Month Celebration, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.428.2273.
IN THIS ISSUE - WINTER 2019
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L ower Back Pain? It Could Be a Herniated Disk Many people will experience lower back pain during their lives. For some, that pain may be caused by a herniated disk.
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5 Secrets to Feeling Young at Heart Age is just a number when you’re young at heart, physically and emotionally. Here are some great ideas to stay feeling young no matter your age.
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S trength in Numbers: Losing Weight Together Maybe it feels like you’ve tried everything to lose weight. But have you unleashed the power of your family and social network?
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Long Live Your Lungs If you’re sensitive to airborne triggers, have asthma or are dealing with injury or disease, you’re at greater risk of breathing troubles.
D on’t Let BPH Slow You Down It’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, but for men living with the life-disrupting symptoms, it is anything but benign.
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Dense Breast Tissue and Your Mammogram If you’ve been told by your health care provider that you have dense breasts, you may be confused about what it means for your health.
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2 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN
5 Flu Facts You Should Know Are you worried about getting the flu? Learn the facts about flu and how you can avoid getting sick.
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Lower Back Pain?
It Could Be a Herniated Disk H ours of standing on the job or at a social gathering can mean trouble for your lower back. A dull ache in your lower back that becomes a sharp pain running from your buttock down the back of your leg is called sciatica. If the pain doesn’t subside after a day or two of rest, it’s time to schedule a visit with a doctor to determine what else may be going on. Dr. Shalin Patel “Many people will experience sciatica during their lives. But for some, the pain is caused by a herniated disk,” said Dr. Shalin Patel, an orthopedic spine surgeon with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Baytown.
WHAT’S A HERNIATED DISK?
The spinal column consists of 26 bones (vertebrae) separated by soft, gel-like disks. When the disk herniates, or slips outside the vertebral column, it can press against nerves and cause pain. “Disk pain is often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration. Herniated disks can occur anywhere along the spine, but they often occur in the lumbar or lower back,” Patel explained. Symptoms include: Arm or leg pain. Depending on the location of the affected disk, the pain can radiate from the buttock to the foot or through the shoulder and arm. Numbness or tingling can occur in the affected area. Muscle weakness can occur, causing you to stumble or have difficulty lifting or holding items. Risk factors that can lead to a herniated disk include: Obesity, which puts stress on the lower back Jobs that involve repetitive lifting, pulling or pushing Genetic factors
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Conservative treatment varies based on your overall health, age, activity level and severity of the symptoms. Initially a short period of rest and pain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxers, may be followed by physical therapy. Depending on your condition, physical therapists may combine exercise with: Heat or ice Traction Electrical stimulation Bracing the neck or lower back As the pain improves, you may learn core-strengthening exercises to avoid a recurrence. Generally, most symptoms improve within a month of starting conservative treatment.
We’ve Got Your Back
If back pain has sidelined you from daily activities, the specialists at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Baytown can put you back in the game. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics/ locations/baytown or call 281.427.7400.
“If physical therapy doesn’t relieve the pain, an epidural (medication is injected into the affected area of the spinal cord) injection may be suggested. These injections help reduce inflammation around the disk to relieve symptoms. Your doctor may use X-ray or another type of imaging to help guide the injection,” Patel said.
SURGERY
For people whose symptoms don’t subside with other treatments, surgery may be necessary. In most cases, the surgeon removes the section of the disk sticking out.
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Secrets to Feeling YOUNG AT HEART
1 Walk. Walking is great for your heart, and it’s easy to squeeze into your daily routine. Take the stairs every chance you get for a stronger, healthier heart. For every hour of brisk walking, life expectancy for some people may increase by two hours.
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ge is just a number when you’re young at heart. This is a great motto to live by, but staying young at heart, both physically and emotionally, often takes some effort — and positive energy. Dr. Nadia Fida, a cardiologist with Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at Baytown, has some great ideas to stay feeling young at heart no matter your age.
Protect Your Heart
Laugh it up. Spending time socializing and laughing with others can give you a lift, and that’s good for your heart, too. Laughter releases the body’s natural endorphins, and this can protect your heart by lowering blood pressure and stress levels.
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2 Get outdoors. Fresh air and sunshine are good for the body and spirit. A brief time in the sun (10 minutes is enough) can help ensure you have healthy levels of vitamin D, which may be beneficial in protecting your health and preventing heart disease.
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3 Cook smart. Get creative in the kitchen with fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, whole grains, nuts and legumes. Bake foods instead of frying, and avoid saturated and trans fats.
Get your zzzs. Sleep is essential for good heart health. Getting a good night’s sleep allows your body to relax so your heart rate and blood pressure go down naturally. Poor sleep, on the other hand, has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular and heart disease. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about ways to improve the quality of your sleep.
Visit houstonmethodist.org/heart-vascular/locations or call 281.837.7587 to schedule an appointment with a cardiovascular specialist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital.
4 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN
CELEBRATING HEART HEALTH
Join Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital in celebrating American Heart Month during the annual Heart Month Celebration on Friday, Feb. 22. In addition to marking the eighth anniversary of providing open heart procedures at HMB, the event includes free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. To register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.428.2273.
Stay on top of your heart health by having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.” — Dr. Nadia Fida, cardiologist and member of Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
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STRENGTH IN NUMBERS:
Losing Weight Together
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aybe it feels like you’ve tried everything to lose weight. But have you unleashed the power of your family and social network? Research Dr. Laura Choi suggests that couples have a higher likelihood of losing weight when they team up to adopt healthy behaviors. More research is needed to understand the power of community and its effects on weight loss, but it’s clear that friends and family have a strong influence in this area. “When people decide to make a committed step to change their lives, it definitely has ripple effects on their relationships,” said Dr. Laura Choi, bariatric surgeon and medical director of bariatric surgical services at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. Whether you’re planning to lose weight, considering weight-loss surgery or needing a new outlook on weight loss, partnering can improve your odds of
Get Started Jump-start your weight loss by attending a free orientation at Houston Methodist Weight Management Center at Baytown. We can answer questions about our medical weight management, StepLITESM and surgical weight-loss programs to help you get started. Visit houstonmethodist.org/ weight-management or call 832.667.LOSE (5673) to register.
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reaching your goals. Weight loss with a partner provides motivation, support and even a little healthy competition.
1MOTIVATION
“Motivation is often tied to experiences with our loved ones,” said Choi. “We want to be there for the big moments in life, and we want to go places and enjoy time together.” Whatever your motivation to lose weight, you can put more power behind it when your loved ones know what you’re fighting for. Picture this: A busy mom wants to lose weight so she can set a healthier example for her kids. The changes she makes with nutrition and exercise have an impact on her whole family. Try it: Keep a visual reminder, such as a family photo, vacation destination on a map, etc., in a special place so you can stay committed when you need it.
2A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM
“When you embark on this journey together with family members, you have a built-in support system,” Choi said. “For anyone considering weight-loss surgery, it’s a big decision and a lifelong commitment that affects everyone in the family. Having a great support system can amplify the benefits of surgical weight loss.” Picture this: A husband struggling to lose weight on his own decides to explore weight-loss surgery. He signs up for an informational session. Try it: A spouse can provide mental and emotional support by attending the orientation session, going to appointments and committing to a mutually changed lifestyle after surgery.
3EAT BETTER TOGETHER
Changing the way you eat starts with meal planning, grocery shopping and a commitment to cooking meals at home. “Food is central to our day-to-day life
and family interactions, so it’s vital to involve others in your life when making significant dietary changes,” Choi said. Picture this: A mother and daughter both had weight-loss surgery about six months apart. Planning meals and cooking together helped them adjust to their new diet plan. Try it: Attend a healthy cooking class with friends or family members.
4TEAM UP FOR EXERCISE
Being active together and exercising regularly is key to success with weight loss. “Having someone else to hold you accountable might be exactly what you need to show up and challenge yourself more than you would when working out alone,” Choi added. Picture this: Two friends who played football together in high school gained a lot of weight in their 20s and 30s. After one friend started a new exercise program, the other friend joined, too and both lost weight. Try it: Transform couch time into something more active. Meet at the gym to watch your favorite TV shows while walking on a treadmill, or throw a football around before watching the game on TV.
5TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Keeping track of total pounds and inches lost as a group can be highly motivating. “Also seeing health numbers improve and high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar go down is our top priority,” Choi said. “It’s really about achieving a better quality of life and a better state of health.” Picture this: Co-workers start a weightloss challenge to lose 500 pounds total among the group. Try it: Talk to your doctor about your target numbers and attend support groups, nutrition or fitness classes, or start a friendly competition among friends.
APPLE OR PEAR SHAPE? What it means for your health
A HEALTHY 6MAINTAIN LIFESTYLE
“Losing weight and keeping it off requires working through a different relationship with food,” Choi said. “Having someone on your side can help you get back on track after slip-ups or setbacks.” Picture this: Three sisters join forces to plan healthy food alternatives for a family gathering. Try it: Keep the lines of communication open with family and friends so they understand what you’re doing to change old habits and why it matters to you.
You might be focused on trimming your tummy or slimming your thighs to feel good and fit in your favorite clothes. But it’s not all about looks. Where you carry extra fat can make a big difference for your health, too. With an apple shape, excess fat is stored around your abdomen. This type of fat (called visceral fat) lies beneath your muscles and surrounds your abdominal organs. It has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Having a pear shape and carrying more weight around the hips doesn’t increase those health risks. What can you do about it? Genetics, hormones and age all play a part in how your body stores fat. These factors are beyond your control, but you can combat belly fat with diet and exercise. Try adding more moderate-intensity exercise to your day, watching portion sizes, limiting sugar, refined carbohydrates and avoiding trans and saturated fats.
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LONG LIVE Your Lungs
Y
ou breathe in an incredible amount of air everywhere you go. But with each breath, you also inhale pollen, dust, viruses, bacteria, exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke. If you’re sensitive to airborne triggers, have asthma or are dealing with injury or disease, you’re at greater risk of breathing troubles.
Dr. Houssam Oueini
GET TESTED
“Lung function tests, also called pulmonary function tests, measure the size of your lungs, how much air you can breathe in and out, how fast you can exhale, how strong your breathing muscles are and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood,” explained Dr. Houssam Oueini, pulmonologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. “They also check for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and determine how treatments for existing breathing problems are working.” If you’re experiencing any breathing difficulties or are exposed to lung irritants on a regular basis, ask your doctor if lung function testing could benefit you. Common lung function tests include: Spirometry measures how much air you breathe in and out, and how fast you can blow air out. Peak flow meter measures how much air you can blow out from your lungs and helps track breathing over time. Lung volume measurement shows how big your lungs are and how much air you have left in your lungs after you exhale. Lung diffusing testing measures how well oxygen passes from your lungs into your bloodstream.
Pulmonary Function Testing
HEALTHY LUNGS FOR LIFE You can slow or reverse your lungs’ aging process with the following tips: Clear the air. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. And stay away from secondhand smoke. Smoking is the worst thing you can do to your lungs, and it can take several attempts to finally kick the habit. Check for radon. Radon, an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil and water, is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Have the radon levels in your home tested, especially if you live in an area where radon is or was a problem. Contact the local public health department for more information. Stay fit. Be sure to get regular exercise, at least 30 minutes, on most days of the week. It’ll keep your body — and your lungs — in good shape. Eat right. A diet high in fat and cholesterol can increase your risk of developing lung disease, while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk.
How healthy are your lungs? Visit houstonmethodist.org/pulmonology or call 281.428.4510 to find out if pulmonary function testing is right for you.
8 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN
Don't Let BPH SLOW YOU DOWN I Dr. Bayo Tojuola
t’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, but for men living with the life disrupting symptoms, it is anything but “benign.” BPH, a common condition in which the prostate enlarges, affects over 500 million men worldwide. More than 70 percent of men in their 60s have symptoms of BPH, which affects men as they get older. It can cause loss of productivity and sleep, depression and decreased quality of life.
A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SOLUTION
Dr. Bayo Tojuola, urologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, says the minimally invasive UroLift system procedure offers rapid symptom relief without the need for more invasive surgeries or a long-term medication regimen. “The UroLift procedure can be done in an office setting or in the hospital. The urologist uses the UroLift device to lift and move the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra (the passageway that urine flows through),” Tojuola said. “Tiny implants are placed to hold the tissue in place, like tiebacks on a window curtain. The UroLift device is removed, leaving an unobstructed urethra for urine to flow normally again.” Other treatment options for BPH include: Medications that relax the muscles around the bladder, making it easier to urinate, or shrink the prostate Thermotherapies that use heat to destroy prostate tissue Surgical options, including laser resection of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) Tojoula said the UroLift procedure offers advantages over these surgical options. “The UroLift procedure typically does not require an overnight stay,” Tojoula said. “It usually does not require a catheter following surgery and requires no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue. It also preserves sexual function.” Tojoula added that the most common side effects of the procedure are mild pelvic pain and urge incontinence, with both symptoms usually lasting two to four weeks following the procedure.
SYMPTOMS OF BPH Men with BPH commonly experience symptoms, such as: A frequent need to urinate both day and night Weak or slow urinary stream A sense that you cannot completely empty the bladder Difficulty or delay in starting urination Urgent feeling of needing to urinate A urinary stream that stops and starts Dr. Bayo Tojuola, urologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, said many men who experience mild symptoms may choose to do nothing, or “watchfully wait.” However, the prostate gland does continue to grow over time, so seeking treatment is likely at some point.
Learn More
Don’t delay treatment for BPH — find out if the UroLift procedure may be right for you. Visit houstonmethodist.org/urology/locations/ baytown or call 832.556.6046 to schedule an appointment with a urologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital.
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Dense Breast Tissue and Your Mammogram What it means for your breast health screenings
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f you’ve been told by your health care provider that you have dense breasts, you may be confused about what it means for your health. Dr. Ana Benveniste, a board-certified breast radiologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, answers some of your frequently asked questions.
Dr. Ana Benveniste
Q: What is breast density?
A: Breast density refers to the composition of a woman’s breasts. All breasts are made up of lobules (glandular tissue that produces milk), ducts (tiny tubes that carry milk), and fatty and fibrous connective tissue that give breasts their size and shape. Dense breasts have less fat and more fibrous and glandular tissue than nondense breasts. Q: Why does breast density matter? A: Dense breasts are normal and common. Being aware of your breast density is important because women with dense breasts have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Having dense breasts can also make it more difficult to detect a small cancer on a standard screening mammogram, because dense breast tissue can look similar to cancer or hide the cancer on a mammogram. If you have dense breasts, talk to your doctor about what types of screenings are appropriate for you.
ON-SITE RADIOLOGY RESULTS
Q: Should I get a mammogram if I have dense breasts?
Having your imaging results interpreted by a breast radiologist at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital benefits you in a number of ways:
A: Yes. Mammograms are the best way to detect cancer, even for women with dense breast tissue. Talk to your doctor about a screening schedule that’s right for you.
1 Less wait time. Our radiologists interpret imaging tests on-site so you don’t have to wait hours or days to get your results.
Q: What should I do if I have dense breasts? A: If a mammogram reveals you have dense breast tissue, additional screening tools, such as tomosynthesis, or 3D mammography, and breast ultrasound, can help distinguish between dense breast tissue and potential hidden cancers. It’s important to know your family history. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may need additional screenings, like breast MRI.
2 Personalized care. You can meet face to face with the radiologist and ask questions to make sure you understand the results. 3 Accuracy. There’s less chance you’ll need follow-up imaging tests when the radiologist interprets your results accurately.
Schedule Your Mammogram At Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Baytown, our doctors review individual risk factors so they can help you make an informed decision about your breast health. Please visit houstonmethodist.org/ breast-care or call 844.454.PINK (7465) to schedule your mammogram.
10 LEADING MEDICINE IN EAST HOUSTON/BAYTOWN
5 FLU FACTS
YOU SHOULD KNOW
A Dr. Katasha Lindley
re you worried about getting the flu? Flu typically peaks between December and February so don’t delay. Learn the facts about flu and how you can avoid getting sick.
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FACT
Flu affects millions of people every year. Most people recover from the illness in less than two weeks, but the flu can lead to more serious conditions, such as pneumonia. Flu-related illnesses result in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths every year.*
FACT
FACT
FACT
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A flu vaccine can’t cause the flu. The vaccine is made from inactivated, noninfectious viruses or no viruses at all. “People who develop flu-like symptoms after receiving a flu shot were going to get sick anyway,”
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A vaccination isn’t a guarantee against the flu. “Take additional steps to protect yourself, such as avoiding people who have the flu, washing your hands often and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support your immune system,” Lindley said. “That includes eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep and managing stress.”
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccination begin soon after the vaccine becomes available, if possible, by the end of October. Immunity lasts through a flu season for most people. However, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later, since flu viruses are still circulating.
FACT
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“Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot this flu season and every year,” said Dr. Katasha Lindley, a family medicine doctor with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at Baytown. Vaccinations are especially important for people at high risk for flu-related complications, including: ** Those with chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease Children younger than age 5, especially those younger than age 2 Adults ages 65 and older Nursing home and other long-term care residents Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after delivery
Lindley said. “Their illness is not a result of having received the vaccine.”
ONLINE SCHEDULING AVAILABLE Visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/ east to choose your doctor, schedule an appointment online or to find additional locations. BAYTOWN 2610 N. Alexander Dr., Suite 201 Baytown, TX 77520 832.556.6670 MONT BELVIEU 8608 N. Hwy. 146, Suite 600 Baytown, TX 77523 832.556.6936
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ** People with severe allergies to chicken eggs as well as certain other individuals, should talk to their doctors before getting vaccinated.
Get a Flu Shot
Take steps to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Get vaccinated. Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at Baytown makes getting a flu shot quick and easy. Call 713.394.6724 or visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/east for information.
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