LEADING MEDICINE FA LL 016
THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM
5
COMMON CANCERS
What Your Joints Are Telling You Get Your Athlete Ready for School Sports
YOUR LINK TO HEALTH INNOVATIONS, NEWS AND TIPS IN WEST HOUSTON/KATY
HEARTY, DELICIOUS MINESTRONE
SOUP Three cheers for a soup that’s equally flavorful and nutritious
H
earty enough for a meal, this soup is thick with beans, vegetables, pasta and flavor — even without the traditional topping of Parmesan cheese. To make it even healthier, try using whole-wheat pasta.
INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 large carrot, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 28-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can no-salt-added garbanzo beans, drained 1 15-ounce can no-salt-added kidney beans, drained 1 cup (dry) elbow macaroni 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano Salt and pepper to taste
SERVING STATS: Servings
DIRECTIONS eat oil in a large pot over mediumH high heat
dd celery, carrot and garlic and A cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes
dd macaroni and peas and A cook until vegetables and pasta are tender, about 10 minutes tir in oregano and salt and pepper S to taste
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Calories..................264 Total fat..................4.6 g Protein....................14.7 g Carbohydrates.....42.6 g Cholesterol...........0 mg Sodium...................736 mg Dietary Fiber.........8.6 g
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
dd onion and cook, stirring A occasionally, for 4 minutes
dd broth, tomatoes, garbanzo A beans and kidney beans and bring to a boil
Makes 8 (about 2 cups)
What Your Joints Are Telling You Joint pain is common — but what’s causing it? If your joints could talk, you’d get an earful. Instead they pop, they creak and they crackle. They just plain ache. And you could use a translator. “With hundreds of Dr. Winfield joints in the human Campbell body, deciphering their messages can be challenging,” said Dr. Winfield Campbell, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist West Hospital. “Unlocking the mystery is worth the effort, though,” Campbell said. “Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent, minimize or delay joint damage and pain and enhance quality of life.” Here’s a guide to common ailments for which joint pain can be a symptom.
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
ARTHRITIS
For pain in the hands, knees, hips and spine, osteoarthritis is a possible culprit. Weight-bearing joints are most commonly affected by this wearand-tear arthritis, but others can fall prey, too. You might hear creaking or grinding, experience worse pain in the morning and notice stiffness or swelling in the affected joint.
Also consider autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints, usually the same ones on both sides of the body and often in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles and knees. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint pain, stiffness and swelling in the fingertips, spine and elsewhere. Lupus is known as “the great imitator” because symptoms often resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and other conditions. Signs include pain, stiffness and swelling in foot, leg and hand joints.
BURSITIS
Pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip or other joints that perform repetitive motions may point to bursitis. Knees and toes also are targets.
FIBROMYALGIA
This can be tough to identify, because it’s characterized by generalized, widespread, sometimes intermittent body pain, especially in the arms and legs. Pain occurs on both sides of the body, above and below the waist. Temporomandibular joint disorders, which cause pain in joints and muscles controlling jaw movement, sometimes accompany fibromyalgia. The jaw’s
JOINT PAIN BY THE NUMBERS More than 63 million adults, or 26.3 percent of the population, suffer from chronic joint pain, according to a 2014 report from the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative. Knee pain is the most common, at 16.7 percent, followed by pain in the shoulder (7.8 percent) and hip (6.4 percent). Fingers, ankles, wrists, elbows and toes are other common targets.
temporomandibular joints work together and are the most used joints.
GOUT
If pain in your big toe wakes you, gout is a likely suspect. The joint may be so hot and swollen that it feels on fire. Pseudogout, however, usually causes painful swelling in the knee or other joints. It’s a form of arthritis.
LYME DISEASE
Severe pain and swelling in the knees or other joints may be your first hints of this disease. It’s transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Pain can shift, and other symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash. n
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THE
BEST WAYS
5
to protect yourself from
I
COMMON CANCERS BREAST CANCER
PROSTATE CANCER
Lose weight Body weight plays a role in several types of cancer, including breast cancer. In fact, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates one in five cancer deaths is related to excess body weight. Being overweight doesn’t seem to affect breast cancer in premenopausal women, but it has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women after menopause, according to the American Cancer Society.
Eat a heart-healthy diet Although researchers don’t quite understand why, diet seems to play an important role in prostate cancer. Some experts have estimated that eating a healthy diet could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to 30 to 50 percent, according to AARP. Past studies have shown that certain foods such as leafy vegetables and tomatoes may offer some protection against prostate cancer, but the American Cancer Society simply recommends
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PROTECTION STRATEGY
PROTECTION STRATEGY
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
t seems every time you check your email there’s another story or news alert about some household item or behavior that causes cancer. “It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to protecting yourself,” said Dr. Phat Le, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Houston Methodist West Hospital. “But the worst thing you can do is not starting at all.” To help separate the signal from the noise, we’ve compiled the most important steps you should take to reduce your risk for developing the five most common types of cancer.
OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Houston Methodist recommends women get annual mammograms beginning at age 40. At 55, women can get them every two years if they are not high risk. “If hormone therapy is necessary for treating symptoms of perimenopause, take the smallest dose for the shortest amount of time,” said Dr. Candy Arentz, a breast surgical oncologist at Houston Methodist West.
NONINVASIVE TECHNOLOGY HELPS FIGHT AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER Houston Methodist West Hospital has added high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to its arsenal of technology that it already uses for the radical treatment of localized prostate cancer. “HIFU will allow us to help more men and to refine our treatment options for each patient. This technology will have a strong role in the management of recurrent cancer in men who have not had success with radiation, but also as a primary therapy in men with newly diagnosed early disease,” said Dr. Brian J. Miles, a urologist at Houston Methodist Hospital and professor of urology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Baylor College of Medicine. According to Dr. David Mobley, a urologist at Houston Methodist West and an associate professor of clinical urology at Weill Cornell Medical College, HIFU has demonstrated a very high rate of cure of prostate cancer by carefully choosing the proper patient for this therapy. “Many of my patients are pleased that this therapy is now available in the United States and will soon be up and running at Houston Methodist. This is a breakthrough event for men with prostate cancer,” said Mobley. Houston Methodist Hospital is the first location in Texas to install an Ablatherm® Robotic HIFU device for the ablation of prostate tissue. eating a low-fat diet similar to the DASH diet for heart health.
OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
“There are conflicting studies regarding the effects of dietary calcium and its role in prostate cancer,” said Dr. Wesley Ekeruo, urologist at Houston Methodist West. Until we have better studies of this role, the Prostate Cancer Foundation recommends not taking any supplements that include calcium and aiming to get less than 1,500 milligrams per day. Men at average risk for prostate cancer should talk to their doctor at age 50 about screenings. Men at increased risk should have this discussion sooner.
LUNG CANCER
likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. “But it’s really never too late to cut your risk,” said Le. Talk to your doctor about effective ways to quit.
OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Not smoking isn’t always enough. Secondhand smoke leads to nearly 3,000 lung cancer-related deaths per year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Also avoid carcinogens at work and test your home for radon.
COLON CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Get your colonoscopy Most colorectal cancers start out as polyps — small
growths — inside the colon. During a colonoscopy, a screening test for colon cancer, doctors can remove polyps before they turn cancerous. “Today’s five-year colon cancer survival rate is 90 percent, and that’s largely because of early detection,” said Le. If you’re 50 or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened. If you have a family member with colorectal cancer, you may need screening at an earlier age. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Talk to your doctor about the best diet to follow. A low-fat, high-fiber diet has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Limit alcohol use and avoid smoking.
SKIN CANCER
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Be sun safe Sun damage is the No. 1 cause of skin cancer, with about 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers attributed to ultraviolet radiation exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Avoid the sun during peak hours of the day (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and wear protective clothing, including long-sleeve shirts, long pants, a widebrimmed hat and sunglasses when outside. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen every day. Daily use of SPF 15 or higher can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by as much as 50 percent. OTHER IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE
Check your skin monthly for new or changing moles and have your doctor perform a skin check annually. “And of course, stay away from tanning beds,” said Le. n
PROTECTION STRATEGY
Don’t smoke Almost everyone has heard a story of someone who’s had lung cancer and never smoked a day in their life. But the reality is 90 percent of lung cancers can be attributed to smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smokers and former smokers are 15 to 30 times more
Leading Care for Prostate Cancer Houston Methodist urologists are leaders in minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer. Our physician-researchers also lead more than two dozen clinical trials focused on prostate cancer. To learn more or find a urologist, visit houstonmethodist.org/west or call 832.522.5522.
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A SPORTING
CHANCE Get your student-athlete ready for success with a comprehensive physical
M
ost student-athletes never reach professional athlete status, but they deserve all-star treatment nonetheless. This starts with paying attention to youth athletes’ health even before their first team practice. Completing a medical history and undergoing a physical exam can identify potential health issues, point to simple adjustments and, of course, make mom and dad rest a bit easier. “Don’t dismiss the medical history as another annoying form to fill out,” said Dr. Timothy Sprockel, a sports medicine
PHOTO BY ISTOCK
6 LEADING MEDICINE FROM HOUSTON METHODIST/KATY
and primary care physician at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at West. “Instead, think of it as one more way to protect your kids, just like you did when they were little and you buckled them into their car seat,” Sprockel suggested. In Texas, the University Interscholastic League requires an annual medical history and physical exam before student-athletes can participate in sports. Students and parents fill out the medical history together. This is information doctors don’t want to get wrong. They use the history in
concert with the physical exam to assess a potential team member’s risk of having a heart condition, for example, or to note medications used for allergies. “This health history can guide a physician in the evaluation of musculoskeletal problems that, if not diagnosed and managed, may compromise a student-athlete’s wellbeing on the field or on the court,” said Sprockel. “Early recognition and prompt treatment yields the best results for athletes of all ages. While the physical exam is important, a thorough history is critical in making the correct diagnosis.”
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at West provides physical exams that include checks of students’ height, weight, vision, blood pressure, pulse, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, spine and all joints in the upper and lower body. During the exams, medical professionals might ask how a student deals with asthma and can offer suggestions for better management of the condition while playing sports. They could spot a curvature of the spine or elevated blood pressure or even suggest that a student with mild knee pain wear running shoes with greater support. As needed, the medical team consults with parents and refers students to specialists. In many intramural sports, injuries are inevitable. In 2009, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said that among kids ages 5 to 17, sports activity caused 22 percent of injury-related visits to hospital emergency departments. More than 98 percent were superficial “treat-and-release” injuries, the agency found. The remainder ranged from fractures to traumatic brain injuries. “But with proper attention, most student-athletes will find the benefits derived from sports — from lower rates of obesity and diabetes to better academic and career performance — outweigh the risks,” said Sprockel. n
Student Physicals To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/ orthopedics or call 832.522.BONE (2663). Print the UIL medical history (www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/ forms/PrePhysForm15.pdf) and bring it to the physical.
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Houston Methodist West Hospital 18500 Katy Frwy. Houston, TX 77094 houstonmethodist.org/west
LEADING MEDICINE IN GREATER HOUSTON Just around the corner Houston Methodist has locations throughout the Greater Houston area to best serve you near your home or workplace. Our locations include hospitals, and emergency care and imaging centers.
HOSPITALS SPECIALTY HOSPITALS EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS IMAGING CENTERS
832.522.5522
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HOSPITALS 1. Houston Methodist Hospital
5. Houston Methodist West Hospital
2. Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital
6. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
. Houston Methodist St. John Hospital
7. Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Opening in 2017
4. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
SPECIALTY HOSPITAL 8. Houston Methodist St. Catherine Hospital
EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS 713.441.ER24 (3724)
9. Houston Methodist Kirby Emergency Care Center 10. Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center 11. Houston Methodist Sienna Plantation Emergency Care Center 12. Houston Methodist Voss Emergency Care Center
1. Houston Methodist Cinco Ranch Emergency Care Center 14. Houston Methodist Cypress Emergency Care Center 15. Houston Methodist Spring Emergency Care Center
IMAGING CENTERS 7. Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at The Woodlands
16. Houston Methodist Imaging Center
9. Houston Methodist Breast Care Center
For more information about Houston Methodist or for a physician referral, please visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3333.
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