LEADING MEDICINE SP RING 16
DON'T FALL FOR THESE WORKS OF FICTION
TIPS TO
LOWER WOMEN’S STROKE RISK
Cancer Survivor’s Day Luncheon
YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN FORT BEND AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES
How Old Is
YOUR HEART?
5 things that are aging your ticker Forget about laugh lines, crow’s feet and age spots. Your heart is the single most important indicator of age. And certain habits can cause it to mature well beyond Dr. Sangeeta its years. Here are the Saikia top five things that are adding years to your heart age.
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SMOKING
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smokers are two-to-four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than nonsmokers,” said Dr. Sangeeta Saikia, a board-certified cardiologist with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates. That’s because smoking causes arteries to thicken and narrow, which in turn raises blood pressure and heart rate.
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UNMANAGED DIABETES
More than two-thirds of people who have diabetes will die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Keep your heart young by working with your doctor to manage the condition and keep blood glucose levels under control. Being sedentary raises your risk for blood vessel disease. Even moderate-intensity exercise, when performed regularly, can help control your cholesterol levels, diabetes and body weight.
“Having extra weight around your middle, even if you have no other risk factors, means you are more likely to develop heart disease than someone with a healthy body weight,” said Saikia. “But the good news is that losing just 3-to-5 percent of your weight can help reduce your risk.”
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STRESS
The jury is out on whether stress alone raises your risk for heart disease. But researchers agree that stress most certainly makes you more likely to have other unhealthy habits, such as smoking, binge drinking and poor nutrition. Keep stress under control by making time for yourself each day — even if that means taking just three minutes to do deep breathing exercises before bed. n
Heart attacks don’t always come out of the blue as TV would have you believe. Plenty of people experience early warning signs before a heart attack, such as Unexplained fatigue. Are you feeling more worn out than usual even though your routine hasn’t changed? Heart palpitations. Do you ever get the sensation that your heart is skipping a beat or that it’s beating too quickly? Angina. Do you experience chest pain during activity that’s relieved by rest? If you’ve noticed these warning signs, talk to your doctor about a heart evaluation today.
Take Charge of Your Health
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sangeeta Saikia with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.274.0148.
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PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
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INACTIVITY
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OBESITY
WARNING SIGNS
Attention, Men: Take Time to Check Yourself Self-exams can help detect testicular cancer, the most common cancer among younger men Most men aren’t thinking about cancer during their 20s and 30s, when they’re establishing careers and families. But that’s exactly the time when testicular cancer Dr. John Boon typically appears. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among males 15 to 34, with 33 being the median age for diagnosis. It is a rare but highly treatable cancer. Still, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 8,430 men were diagnosed and 380 men died of the disease last year. “Men of all ages should watch for testicular cancer by doing self-exams and reporting changes to their doctors,” said Dr. John Boon, a board-certified urologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Even if it doesn’t hurt, swelling or a lump on the testicle is cause for concern.” Painless swelling is the main symptom of testicular cancer, seen in
75 percent of cases; but in some cases, the lump or swelling does cause pain. Additional symptoms include aching or pain in the lower abdomen or groin or a sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum.
LOOKING FOR CHANGES
Before they can notice changes, men need to know the usual look and feel of their testicles. It’s normal for testicles to be different sizes or for one to hang lower than the other. And what may feel like bumps could actually be blood vessels, tissues or tubes. Although the ACS doesn’t have a recommended schedule for self-exams, some doctors advise men to check their testicles monthly. During self-exams, feel for changes to the testicle’s size, shape and consistency. Be sure to see your physician within two weeks of noticing suspicious changes; delaying a visit gives time for cancer to spread to other parts of the body. For localized testicular cancer, the prognosis is hopeful – the five-year survival rate is 99 percent.
See a Specialist
To schedule an appointment with Dr. John Boon or another urologist in your area, call 281.274.7500.
“An annual checkup with your doctor is still the most important screening method,” added Dr. Boon. “Men with a family history of the disease or an undescended testicle are more likely to be diagnosed. But most men don’t have any risk factors, making awareness of testicular cancer even more important.” n
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
SELF-EXAM: 101 Perform the exam during or after a shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum and the sac containing the testicles, making issues easier to spot. Holding the penis out of the way, look and feel each testicle separately. Roll the testicle between the thumb and fingers, using both hands. Look for changes to the testicle’s size, shape and consistency.
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Women’s Health
MYTHS Don’t fall for these works of fiction
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here’s a lot of misinformation about women’s health out there, making it difficult to know what’s true. Here, we debunk five common myths.
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MYTH: Nothing can be done about urinary incontinence. FACT: While the
condition is common, you don’t have to live with it.
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MYTH: Most breast cancer is hereditary. FACT: Only 5 to 10
percent of breast cancers are hereditary.
Even so, it’s certainly useful to recognize if breast cancer runs in your family. After all, “if a woman does have an affected gene for breast cancer, she has a 40 to 80 percent chance of having breast cancer in her lifetime,” said Khera. Whether you have a genetic risk or not, you have control over factors such as exercising, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, breastfeeding, and limiting use of combined hormone replacement therapy after menopause, Khera explained.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine, has a number of treatment options, including behavior techniques and both nonsurgical and surgical procedures. Some also believe that urinary incontinence can occur only after a vaginal delivery. Whether you gave birth through a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, you might experience incontinence afterward, according to Dr. Vandana Khera, an internist with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group. Talk to your doctor about what you can do.
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But the biggest risk factors for breast cancer are two things you can’t do anything about: being a woman and getting older. So make sure you talk to your doctor about your situation and the best age to begin screening mammograms.
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MYTH: Women don’t have to worry about heart disease. FACT: Heart disease is
the leading killer of women.
It’s especially important for women to know the signs of a heart attack because they are more likely to have more subtle symptoms, such as jaw pain (instead of the classic chest pain), increased shortness of breath and sweating. Plus, you need to understand your personal risk for heart disease and have your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels checked regularly. Khera also recommends that as women get older, they consider seeing an OB-GYN in addition to an internist or a primary care provider. “Medicine is becoming more specialized, and because of this, gone are the days when one doctor can manage all of your different needs,” she said. “Make sure you’re getting the specialized care you need. If you have cardiac risk factors, you want to make sure you have
UNDERSTANDING GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS You’ve heard it time and time again: Listen to your body. That’s because it’s true. Symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding or pain, are trying to tell you something. They could signal something harmless and easy to treat, but they can also be signs of cancer. Our chart highlights a few women’s cancers and the symptoms to watch for.
a doctor who can follow you and work with you to prevent a major cardiac event such as a heart attack.”
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MYTH: If you’re done having children, you don’t need an annual well-woman exam.
FACT: These annual exams are
potentially even more important as you get older.
“Yearly exams are designed to help catch things early,” said Khera. “As a woman ages, her risk for female cancers (breast, uterine, ovarian, cervical and vaginal) also increases. Annual exams check for signs and symptoms.” Menstrual irregularities, which are important to review with your doctor yearly, can signal other health issues, she noted. And don’t confuse the well-woman exam with a Pap test. While a Pap test might not be necessary every year, the well-woman exam remains important.
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MYTH: Calcium alone will keep your bones strong. FACT: Calcium is
important, yes, but vitamin D and lifestyle choices are also essential. “Women reach their peak bone mass by their 30s, and bone mass
Symptoms
Cervical Cancer
drops significantly the year leading up to menopause,” said Khera. “So it’s important not to wait until after menopause to worry about your bone health.” Doing regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, hiking and weight training, and not smoking are key to having strong bones. So is making sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Premenopausal women need 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, and postmenopausal women, 1,200 milligrams — preferably through diet. And 800 IU is a good daily goal for vitamin D, Khera recommended. n
Schedule a Check-Up
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Vandana Khera with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, visit houstonmethodist.org/ pcg or call 713.394.6638.
Ovarian Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal bleeding or discharge that isn’t normal for you Pelvic pain Back pain Bloating A change in bathroom habits (increased frequency or urgency with urination or constipation or diarrhea)
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Stroke: The Female Factor Learn about the risk factors that make women uniquely vulnerable to stroke Did you know that stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer each year? Or that 55,000 more women than men will have a stroke in the coming year? Dr. James Ling If this is news to you, it is to many women: 40 percent said in a recent survey that they were only somewhat or not at all concerned about stroke, and most were not knowledgeable about risk factors. “Women and men share some of the same stroke risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and a personal family history of stroke,” said Dr. James Ling, a board-certified neurologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Neuroscience and Spine Center. “But women also have other risk factors that don’t affect men. For one, they generally live longer, and the odds of having a stroke increase with age.” Guidelines recently introduced by the American Heart Association/American
We’re Here to Help
RISKS FOR WOMEN
If you’ve had preeclampsia — a common pregnancy complication that causes a sharp increase in blood pressure — your risk of having a stroke during your lifetime doubles. Your odds of developing high blood pressure are four times higher, which means your stroke risk increases, too. As a result, preeclampsia should be considered a risk factor throughout your life. If you have high blood pressure, taking birth control pills can also increase your risk of stroke. Smoking is a stroke risk for everyone, but it’s multiplied if you are a woman prone to migraine headaches with aura. Other risk factors that tend to be more pronounced or more common in women than in men include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, depression and emotional stress.
Our team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, orthopedic spine surgeons and interventional pain specialists treats a wide variety of disorders: Alzheimer’s and memory disorders Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Back and neck pain Brain and spinal tumors Epilepsy and seizures Migraines and headaches Multiple sclerosis (MS) Muscle and nerve injuries Muscular atrophy Myasthenia gravis Neuromuscular disorders Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders Peripheral neuropathy Sleep disorders Stroke
important to schedule a test if you haven’t had one recently. • Slim down. Losing even 10 pounds can make a difference in blood pressure levels. n
REDUCE YOUR RISK
“For both men and women, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke,” said Ling. To reduce your risk of high blood pressure and stroke: • Understand your risk factors. Many of these, including smoking, drinking, obesity and high cholesterol, can be controlled with lifestyle changes. • Adopt a healthy diet. A low-fat, low-salt regimen that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables can reduce elevated blood pressure. • Get your blood pressure checked annually. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it is especially
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PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
To evaluate your risk with a stroke expert at Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Neuroscience & Spine Center, call 281.274.7979.
Stroke Association outline the extra risks for women.
CONSULT AN EXPERT
Collaboration for a
CURE
New technologies help physicians team up against lung cancer
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ugar Land resident Clifford Price is a living example of how important technology is in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Like many people in his generation, Price smoked cigarettes as a young man. But he gave up the habit 40 years ago, and the thought of lung cancer no longer crossed his mind. Last year, however, a persistent cough and unexplained weight loss led to a visit to his primary care physician at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. A subsequent CT scan showed a small tumor in his lung and Price was referred to Dr. Priya Oolut, a board-certified pulmonologist with Houston Methodist Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists, who performed a bronchoscopy using electromagnetic navigation to obtain a biopsy of the tumor. The biopsy confirmed Price’s lung cancer, and within the next few days, he met with Dr. Charles Conlon, board-certified hematologist/
Seated: Clifford Price, patient and lung cancer survivor Standing: (L-R) Dane Thannoo, PhD, medical physicist; Charles Conlon, MD, hematologist/oncologist; Clive Shkedy, MD, medical director of radiation oncology; and Priya Oolut, MD, pulmonologist
oncologist, and Dr. Clive Shkedy, medical director of radiation oncology at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land, who began treating Price with the center’s new radiation system, known as TrueBeam™. “TrueBeam is extremely accurate,” said Shkedy. “Because it is imageguided, we know we are aiming directly at the tumor, even as it moves. As a result, we are able to protect healthy tissue in and around the lungs.”
TECHNOLOGY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Shkedy believes this image-guided technology that gives physicians unmatched control of radiation therapy is a real benefit for patients with lung cancer as well as other types of cancers where sophisticated, complex radiation therapy is required. It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, depending on the individual patient. “This is the most advanced technology available in Sugar Land and surrounding areas,” said Shkedy. “It is
making a real difference in our ability to fight cancer and win.” In the past, radiation treatment often took up to nine weeks. Because of TrueBeam’s power and precision, however, Price underwent just five treatment sessions, lasting a few minutes each. But what impressed him more was the personal, compassionate approach of the staff at the cancer center. For more information about our lung cancer program and screenings, call our nurse navigator at 281.276.8989. n
CANCER SURVIVOR’S DAY LUNCHEON Friday, June 3 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Brazos Conference Center
Need a Pulmonologist?
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Priya Oolut with Houston Methodist Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.325.0005.
Local cancer survivors and a guest are invited to join us as we honor all survivors in a celebration of life. RSVPs are required. To reserve a seat, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.274.7500.
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Taking care of the entire family. With locations throughout Greater Houston, Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is dedicated to providing care for the entire family and proud to ensure efficient access to specialty and hospital services whenever the need arises. To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 713.394.6638.
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For more information about Houston Methodist or for a physician referral, please visit houstonmethodist.org or call 281.274.7500.
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