Mv igh 95 january14 by In Good Health: MV's Healthcare Newspaper

in good January 2014 • Issue 95

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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Stave Off Sickness

The health benefits of sex Pages 6-7

Protect yourself by bolstering immune system Page 3

Special Kids/ Teens Edition

Go healthy after holidays See Page 12

It’s time to Meet Your Doctor! See Page 4 Get ‘In Good Health’ at home. See coupon inside

Those terrible teens! Page 9

Autism

iPads help children with autism develop language skills See Page 8

Debunking caffeine myths Page 13

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HEALTH EVENTS

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Jan. 7

Tobacco cessation classes scheduled The Tri-County Quits tobacco cessation program is offering a three-part “Fresh Start” class to help participants stop smoking. The program is a group-based tobacco cessation support program offered by the American Cancer Society. Classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 14 and 21 at The Regional Cancer Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The program is designed to help individuals quit smoking by providing essential information, skills for coping with cravings and group support. For more information or to register, call 315-624-5639.

Jan. 8

LE EARN N MORE AT ONEIDAHEALTHCARE.ORG LEARN

Schedule a consult today! Call 361–2988 Page 2

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Women’s support therapy group to meet A women’s support therapy group will begin meeting Jan. 8 at 1 Ellin-

wood Court, New Hartford. Meetings will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Topics of discussion include family issues, stress, depression, anger, relationships and grief. Cynthia Davis, who has 20 years experience leading groups, will facilitate the meetings. Group size will be limited to protect anonymity. Call early to register at 736-1231, 794-2454 or e-mail cindycsw@yahoo.com. There will be a small fee to register.

Jan. 8

Need a New Year’s resolution? Quit smoking If you have promised yourself that 2014 is the year you will give up smoking, Rome Memorial Hospital is ready to give you the support you need to break the addiction. Starting Jan. 8, the hospital will begin a four-week smoking cessation clinic.

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Cover Story

All systems go!

Keeping your immune system in shape will help maintain health By Mary Christopher

s winter’s wrath continues to fall over the Mohawk Valley, so are the seasonal bouts of colds, viruses and other infections that leave people feeling run down. Knowing how to boost your immune system can help the body fight off illness and fatigue. Drinking enough water, getting enough sleep and maintaining a balanced diet are not only golden rules for healthy living, they are helpful while trying to rev the immune system. Local health experts and dietitians say keeping those tips in mind will help a person maintain wellness during these flu-filled months. “It all comes back to what our mothers would tell us,” said Kelli Corasanti O’Brien Corasanti, a personal trainer and owner of Studio 8 Fitness in Clinton. “We need to take care of ourselves overall and we forget that we need enough sleep to function well. It really is a practice and you have to commit to doing it.” If a person is not getting enough sleep, then exercise will not make a difference because you are straining the body and making it less effective in fighting illness. Taking a proactive stance about keeping healthy allows the body to function better, Corasanti said. She recommended exercising not necessarily vigorously but “getting outdoors and moving with purpose every day. The less we move, the more we ache and the more susceptible we are to environmental factors,” she said. The body needs a strong immune system to tell a difference between the “self” and “non-self.”

Significant role

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks from microbes (tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites and fungi) that can cause infection. It is the immune system’s job to keep them out or destroy them, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website, www. niaid.nih.gov. To stay strong, the immune system heavily depends on the stomach for support. Malnourished individuals are more susceptible to disease as opposed to those who practice a nutritious diet. Foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, Miso soup and Kombucha tea, are helpful with building the immune system. So are spices including raw garlic, rosemary, dill, oregano

and fibers, said Angela Miazga, a clinical dietitian at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. Chicken soup is a homemade dish she tells clients to make because a compound in chicken soup — called carnosine — helps fend off the flu in its early stages. Keeping the body hydrated along with taking plenty of vitamin D is also crucial to making the body work efficiently, Miazga said. Eating throughout the day and taking a multivitamin give the body more to run on steadily.

Vitamins beneficial

Multivitamin supplements are a good choice for health conscious people who want to give their body the right nutrients. A regular diet may not always be able to supply your body Miazga with daily nutritional requirements. With multivitamin supplements, you can get the most of the nutrients required by the body for proper functioning. Taking these supplements can prevent deficiencies in vitamins and minerals because most supplements contain 100 or more of the suggested dietary allowance of vitamins. As multivitamin supplements contain all the necessary minerals and vitamins, they provide a number of benefits to the body. It’s often hard for some people to remember fruits and vegetables in the winter months because they don’t think of them being in season, but frozen fruits and vegetables actually have more nutrients in them, said Alessandra Kershaw, a registered dietitian at

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Most canned vegetables tend to lose a lot of nutrients during the preservation process. Frozen vegetables may be even more healthful than some of the fresh produce sold in supermarkets because fruits and vegetables chosen for freezing tend to be processed at their peak ripeness, a time when — as a general rule — they are most nutrientpacked.

“It really is a balance of everything and eating throughout the day,” Kershaw said. “All of this combined with exercise does boost the immune system.” Kershaw recommends visiting the website www.choosemyplate.gov for anyone interested in learning more about healthy recipes, snacks and diet information suitable for different lifestyles.

Dr. Graber is pleased to welcome Gregory Dalencourt, MD to the practice Dr. Dalencourt is now seeing new patients for surgical consultation for those considering weight loss surgery Our program has successfully met the highest standards set forth by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and is recognized as an ASMBS Center of Excellence. Surgeries are performed at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Dr. Graber is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at both hospitals.

To ﬁnd out more, visit DrGraberMD.com or call 877-269-0355 to discuss how we might help you in your search to ﬁnd a healthier you! January 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Hospitals closer to affiliation agreement SEMC, FSLH on verge of bonding

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica have moved several steps closer to their proposed affiliation agreement. FSLH and SEMC recently met with the New York State Project Review Committee of the Public Health and Health Planning Council. The committee endorsed the affiliation proposal, which was approved by the PHHPC. The hospitals also reached an agreement with the New York State Attorney General’s office to move forward. The organizations caution that while this is positive news, there is one more step to complete. “We are pleased with the support we have received from the New York State Department of Health and the Attorney General’s office,” commented Scott H. Perra, FACHE, president/CEO of FSLH. “Our last step is when we file our notification with the Department of Justice under the HartScott-Rodino Act. The DOJ reviews affiliations from an antitrust perspective. If they have no objections, we will be able to move forward with the affiliation as early as the spring of 2014.” Mohawk Valley Health System is the name of the proposed “parent organization” that will govern the two organizations. A new board of directors, comprised of 18 members with equal members from the FSLH and SEMC boards, will oversee the parent organization and the two hospitals. Consolidation and joint partnerships are not new for the organizations. Faxton Hospital and St. Luke’sMemorial consolidated their services in 2000. SEMC and FSLH jointly sponsor the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute and have a collaborative agreement for the Central New York diabetes education program.

Tickets remain for dream bike rafﬂe

ickets remain for Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center’s 18th annual Harley-Davidson fundraiser. This year’s model is a 2014 Street Glide FLHX, valued at $20,899. Tickets are $10 each, and a total of 4,250 will be sold. They can be purchased securely online at www.sitrin.com, in person at Sitrin, 2050 Tilden Ave., New Hartford, or by calling 315-737-2245. The raffle will be held at noon on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at Sitrin. Ticket buyers do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Entrants must be 18 years of age. Tickets are available to U.S. residents only. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Sitrin, which provides a variety of comprehensive medical rehabilitation services for children and adults. Page 4

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Shelby Scott Cooper

Shelby Scott Cooper has been a vascular surgeon since 2012 at Little Falls Hospital, part of the Bassett Healthcare Network. He recently spoke with In Good Health senior staff correspondent Patricia J. Malin about his career and developments in vascular surgery. Q.: Why did you decide to have a practice in the Mohawk Valley? Is Little Falls the smallest metro area in which you’ve practiced? A.: This is part of Bassett’s outreach. I’m replacing Stratton Danes, who left Bassett last summer. I also see patients in Delhi, Oneonta and Cooperstown. Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor and to specialize in vascular surgery? A.: I started as a general surgeon in 1996. After practicing general surgery for five years in Bloomington, Ind., I was ready for a change and pursued a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Tennessee in 2001-2002. Q.: What specific ailments or disorders do you treat? A.: Any disease of the peripheral vascular system (outside the heart), such as aortic aneurysms, carotid disease, lower extremity arterial disease, varicose veins, etc. Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job? A.: Balancing work, home life and outside interests Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job? A.: Patient care. Vascular surgery lends itself to long-term patient relations. I also enjoy the technical challenges. Q.: What are the newest developments in the field of vascular surgery? A.: Endovascular surgery has taken over the field. This means surgical repairs using catheters, wires and Xray guidance — minimally invasive approaches. This has drastically changed how we approach many vascular problems, such as aortic aneurysms, arterial blockage, and even varicose veins. Q.: Between 1996-2000, you authored or contributed to 16 research papers. Do you have time now to pursue similar research? A.: Some. I recently published a paper on uterine artery embolization in the journal “Vascular”. This is a minimally invasive approach to uterine fibroids using catheters, wires, and embolization with Xray guidance. Q.: How do you keep up with the latest research and developments in healthcare? A.: (Through) both annual society meetings and peer review journals. I am preparing for my vascular surgery board recertification exam, which occurs every 10 years. Q.: I believe the American public is keenly interested in medical research.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Do you feel your patients are adequately informed about these new developments? A.: Yes. Many patients are well prepared prior to a vascular consultation, especially with the widely available resources through the Internet. We certainly have resources for them here if needed. Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare (e.g. shortages of nurses and doctors, rising

costs for medical education, training and health insurance)? A.: The Accountable Care Act will change things for sure. More patients will have coverage; that’s a good thing. Electronic records make for more consistent and available patient records, but require resources and sometimes more provider time. The future will certainly involve cost-cutting all around. Q.: Some of the presentations early in your career dealt with the rising costs of hospitalization and trauma care. How can hospitals and doctors address this issue? A.: Awareness of costs whenever feasible is clearly necessary. This will become more mandatory as coverage becomes more capitated in the future. Q.: What suggestions do you have to improve vascular health? A.: Stop smoking! Q.: Is it possible for a doctor at the local level to make changes in medical care or is it best left to fulltime researchers working at universities or private labs? A.: Both play a role. Providers at smaller institutions can certainly be involved in research both through peer review journals and internally through quality initiatives. Q.: What do you do to relax from a stressful job? A.: Family (not always stress-free of course), and sailing. I just got back from sailing to Bermuda, a beautiful place.

Lifelines Age: 49 Birthplace: Indianapolis, Ind. Current residence: Cooperstown Education: Bachelor’s degree, Indiana University, 1987; medical degree, Indiana University, 1991; general surgery, Greenville Hospital System, affiliated with the University of South Carolina, 1996; vascular surgery fellowship, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn., 2001-2002; endovascular fellowship, Columbia University, 2005 Affiliations: Fellow, American College of Surgeons; fellow, Southeastern Surgical Congress; American Medical Association Family: Wife, three children Hobbies: sailing, running

Report: Need for increased tobacco control program funding Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids releases report with national health groups

ifteen years after the 1998 state tobacco settlement, New York ranks 21st in the nation in funding programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, according to an annual report on states’ funding of tobacco prevention programs. The report is titled “A Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 15 Years Later.” The report was released by the Campaign for TobaccoFree Kids and other health organizations. “While New York has long been recognized as a leader in the public health arena, implementing innovative tobacco policies, we fail when it comes to funding the necessary resources that are essential to keeping kids off tobacco,” said Jeff Seyler, president & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “We cannot be truly successful in combating tobacco’s burden until we implement comprehensive policies across the board and invest funds in proven resources. Across the nation we have squandered an opportunity to fight back against an industry that heavily targets our children and addicts them to deadly products.” New York spends $39.3 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, just 15.5 percent of the $254.3 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This equates to just 2 cents on every $1 in tobacco revenue to fight tobacco use. As conveyed in the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control 2013 report, New York was given two A’s for having the highest cigarette tax in the nation and comprehensive indoor smoke-free air laws, yet fails when it comes to tobacco

prevention and cessation. At one time, New York had an adequately funded tobacco control program, with $85.5 million being spent on tobacco prevention in 2008. Just five years later, program spending has been cut by more than half. Big Tobacco spends five times that amount — more than $213 million annually — marketing their products to New York’s children alone. “It is clear that investing in tobacco control programs works to reduce smoking, save lives and reduce health costs,” said Michael Burgess, New York state advocacy director for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. “New York needs to become a leader again in tobacco control by spending more on tobacco control from the huge sums generated by our high tobacco taxes.” “The progress we’ve made to combat smoking has come to a screeching halt within certain vulnerable populations,” said Julianne Hart, New York state government relations director, American Heart Association. “Tobacco money must be used for tobacco control programs to help poor New Yorkers and protect children. The fight against Big Tobacco is one we can’t lose.” In New York, 11.9 percent of high school students smoke, and 15,300 more kids become regular smokers each year. In recent years, the state’s high school smoking rate has stalled; between 1999 and 2011, New York reduced high school smoking by 61 percent (from 31.8 to 12.5 percent). Tobacco, the leading cause of premature death, causes an estimated 25,432 deaths in New York annually.

ONEIDA, HERKIMER, MADISON AND OTSEGO COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Christopher Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Jasmine Maldonado Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Ofﬁce Manager: Laura Beckwith

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Foot and Ankle Specialist Calvin Hu, M.D. joins Hamilton Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Dr. Hu’s fellowship training focused speciﬁcally on the disease, injury, and treatment of the feet and ankles. Before joining our practice in 2013, he worked with a renowned group of foot and ankle specialists at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Procedures offered by Dr. Hu include, but are not limited to: � Fracture care � Correction of arthritic deformities � Total ankle replacements � Bunion and hammer toe correction/fusions � Flat foot correction � Heel cord lengthening � Tendon repairs and transfers � Brostrom procedures Call 315-824-1250 to make an appointment with Dr. Hu at one of our three ofﬁces located in Rome, New Hartford, and Hamilton. Please visit our website for more information www.hamiltonorthopedic.com

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No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

January 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Sexual Health Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

Sex with benefits 10 (really healthy) reasons to be intimate

ou eat right, watch your weight and exercise daily. But there’s one important step you may be forgetting — making love. Not only is it a lot of fun, it does a body good too. Think of all the health advice you’re bombarded with daily: Eat more vegetables, stop smoking, exercise, get more sleep, use sunscreen, floss, boost your fiber, don’t text while driving. Protective? Sure. Fun? Not so much. But here’s one suggestion that’s hardly drudgery: Have more sex. Yep, you read that right. Romping regularly in the sheets really does a body good. “Having sex benefits us in many psychological and biological ways,” says Irwin Goldstein, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, Calif. How so? Well, for starters, sex makes you feel alive and connected to your body and to someone else’s, Pierce says sex educator/counselor Ellen Barnard of A Woman’s Touch in Madison, Wis. But it pays some big-time physical dividends too. Having sex reduces stress and helps you sleep better and live longer. It’s even good for your heart. Of course that’s as long as it’s safe, consensual and you’re somewhat selective. Not that we’re judging, but risky, casual encounters introduce hazards like sexually transmitted diseases. “If you live an unhealthy lifestyle, having more sex isn’t going to overcome that,” Barnard says. That means the occasional “nooner” won’t erase a lifetime of bacon double cheeseburgers and unfiltered cigarettes. But if you’re healthy enough to have sex, then doing the deed regularly can only make you more so.

The top-10

sex:

Here are 10 great health benefits of

1. Sex makes menopause easier to handle. Menopause is the time when a woman’s sexual appetite dries up with her estrogen, right? Not really. The “use it or lose it” credo is established fact, says Barnard. “Regular penetration with lubricant, two to three times a week by anything — including a vibrator or fingers — fights vaginal atrophy and improves Page 6

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the flexibility and thickness of the skin inside the vagina,” she says. Slack off during menopause or perimenopause (the time before menstrual periods cease) and “you’ll see a much quicker acceleration of loss of flexibility and thickness of that skin,” Barnard says. Other research suggests that regular sex may reduce hot flashes. In a small study, middle-aged Nigerian women who had sex at least once a week had fewer hot flashes than women who avoided it. 2. Sex relieves pain. This one’s proven too, especially when orgasm is involved. A climax releases endorphins, natural pain-relievers that can blunt all kinds of pain from menstrual cramps and arthritis to whiplash, back pain, even labor contractions and migraines. A study of 83 women with migraines, done at Southern Illinois University, found that nearly half of those who climaxed during sex reported that their headaches disappeared. Why? In the throes of orgasm, pain tolerance jumps dramatically, according to Beverly Whipple, co-author of both “The G Spot” (Holt Paperbacks) and “The Science of Orgasm” (The John Hopkins University Press), who has measured the effects in her lab. “When women had orgasms, their pain thresholds went up over 108 per-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

cent,” she says. And it’s not a distracter or anesthetic. “It’s an analgesic,” she says, and even better than Motrin. Unfortunately, relief is short-lived — 10 minutes at best. Which is the perfect excuse to lure your mate back for another round. 3. You’ll live longer. One of the health benefits of sex is it may help you live longer, but what’s interesting is that for women, quality counts; for men, it’s all about quantity. In one of the best-known studies on sex and longevity, involving nearly 1,000 middle-aged British gents, those who had at least two orgasms a week had half the mortality risk of those who reported just one a month. And a Swedish study found that men past their 75th birthdays were the ones who stayed sexually active; those who died before 75 had holstered their pistol long before. For women, frequency has no bearing on longevity — the sex has to be good. In one 25-year-long North Carolina study published in 1982, women who said they enjoyed sex lived longer. The findings suggest that it’s orgasm, not just sex, that’s important for women’s health, Barnard says. 4. It’s good for your heart. “Dissatisfaction with sexual activ-

ity” is linked with peripheral artery disease, a condition that boosts the risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke by up to seven times, according to data from the Women’s Health Initiative, a multi-year study by the National Institutes of Health. Of course, that hardly proves an unhappy sex life will give you a heart attack. But researchers know that stress, anger and depression are huge markers for heart disease. Plus, when we’re in emotional turmoil, we hardly feel like making love. But we should. Sex helps men and women cope with stress by lowering blood pressure, a notion that’s solidly backed by research. Even simple caresses are known to slow women’s heart rates and reduce the stress hormone cortisol in anxious situations. In a 2006 small study of 67 women done at Switzerland’s University of Zurich, those who got a neck and shoulder massage from their husbands or boyfriends before encountering a stressful situation had lower heart rates and cortisol levels than women who just talked with their partners or had no contact at all. “We know that improving your mood and reducing stress lead to

Continued on Page 7

Sexual Health

Sexuality and health Be happier, live longer Continued from Page 6 healthier cardiovascular status, and we know those things come from sexual experiences,” Barnard says. “For that reason, sex is good for your heart.” 5. It counts as exercise (sort of). Having sex — even lots of it — is unlikely to get you in shape for a triathalon, especially if your partner is driving most of the action. But it’s no slouch either. The energy spent in sex is said to equal “walking several flights of stairs or washing windows,” Goldstein says. Unfortunately, few calories are spent in sexual activity, because — at least in the U.S. — it’s a seven-minute event. “So the calories burned are not that great,” Goldstein says. But regular sex keeps your pelvic floor in shape, says Barnard. And that’s important because a toned pelvic floor means big orgasms. 6. It prevents cancer. For guys, anyway, there’s iron-clad evidence that regular sex (with someone they love or just by themselves) lowers the risk of certain cancers. According to a 2003 Australian study, 20-something guys who ejaculated five or more times a week cut their risk for getting prostate cancer later in life by a third. Another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that for every three ejaculations a man had during the week, his prostate cancer risk dropped up to 19 percent. That’s because ejaculation is a workout for the prostate, explains sex and relationship expert Laura Berman, author of “The Book of Love” (DK Publishing). “The prostate contracts during orgasm and ejaculation, and that keeps it in good shape,” she says. Plus, it “keeps the plumbing clean.” 7. Sex improves immunity. Don’t skip your flu vaccine for a lost afternoon in bed, but research suggests some — but not too much — sexual activity may help boost immune function. In a small 1999 study of 112 students at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, those who had sex once or twice a week had 30 percent more infectionfighting immunoglobulin A in their saliva than students who made love less frequently. Interestingly, it may be possible to get too much of a good thing. Randier students had IgA levels on par with their celibate compadres. 8. Sex helps you sleep. Ever gone wild with your man only to have him roll over and snore afterward? It’s because of a potent combo of strenuous exertion and feel-good brain chemicals, like oxytocin and endor-

phins, released during orgasm, Berman says. “You relax, get calmer, disconnect from the worries of the day and it makes it easier to drift off,” she explains. 9. Sex can make you happier. If just touching and hugging gets oxytocin flowing to your brain, orgasm makes it surge. That’s like being hooked up to happy drugs and explains why having sex can put us in a great mood and even guard against depression. Oxytocin, knows as the “bonding hormone,” makes moms fall in love with their newborns. It also makes us feel more connected to the person we’re making love to. According to a 2008 Arizona State University study, when women were sexual and affectionate with their partners, they felt better and were less stressed the following day. Which led to more sex. Preliminary research from SUNY Albany even suggests that semen may contain some antidepressant compounds. In that study, women exposed to more semen (because they didn’t use condoms) scored lower on depression scales than those who either had less sex or used condoms more frequently. Still, you might want to wait for the follow-up studies before tossing out your Paxil. 10. It improves fertility. But not in the way you might think. Having frequent sex regulates menstrual cycles, which makes conception easier. Plus, having an orgasm, especially after your partner finishes, may even boost the odds of getting knocked up. “During orgasm, the uterus dips down into the vagina and vacuums up sperm, so orgasm may actually assist with fertilization by helping sperm get into the uterus [and] the egg,” says Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show” and co-author of “YOU: Having a Baby” (Free Press). And because semen contains prostaglandins, once you reach your due date, having sex (an old folk remedy) is often suggested to kick-start labor. “When we need to induce labor, we put prostaglandins in the vagina,” says Terry Hoffman, an OB-GYN at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “Sex puts them there naturally.” • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” contact her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com, or contact her if you have any concerns you would like her to address.

Aphrodisiacs anyone?

Foods that rev up one’s sex life

phrodisiacs stimulate sexual desire, and one of the strongest happens to be food. It can add serious sizzle to your sex life. Aphrodisiacs affect no two people alike. So to see what works best for you, you may need to experiment. • Chocolate: Several qualities make chocolate a potent aphrodisiac. It contains more antioxidants than red wine, as well as “the love chemical” (phenylethylamine). PEA helps release the feel-good chemical dopamine in the brain, and dopamine may induce arousal — even euphoria. Chocolate also contains tryptophan, a chemical that promotes comfort and lowers inhibitions. • Licorice: Extracts of licorice have been used in holistic medicine for centuries. It can relieve ulcers, rheumatism, arthritis, constipation, menopause symptoms, night sweats, and much more. Licorice can inspire lust. The smell alone greatly increases blood flow to the genitals. Women seem to be more affected than men. • Honey: Honey is made from nectar and pollen, the sperm of plants. No wonder it’s an aphrodisiac. Honey is rich in nutrients that promote estrogen in females. Both estrogen and testosterone are needed to improve libido. • Oysters: The ancient Romans began using oysters to stimulate arousal during the 2nd century A.D. They may have chosen oysters because of their resemblance to female genitalia, but that’s definitely not

January 2014 •

what makes them an aphrodisiac. Oysters are rich in zinc, a mineral that helps produce sperm and increase sex drive. • Almonds: The smell of almonds rouses passion more than ingesting them does. Almonds stimulate women in particular. • Bananas: This fruit has long been considered an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape, but there is more to the banana than meets the eye. Bananas are chock-full of potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin B, plus the sex drive-enhancing bromeliad enzyme. • Pineapple: It is considered an aphrodisiac because of its use in treating impotence. Mix it with other aphrodisiac fruits when you want to rev up your sex life, or try drinking pineapple juice with breakfast each morning. • Avocado: Ancient Aztecs called the tree “Ahuacuatl”, which translates to “testicle tree.” Some time afterward, avocados were forbidden by Catholic priests in Spain who thought they were too sexual. Now we’re free to partake in this smooth-textured aphrodisiac. Elements from Vitamin B6 to bromocriptine combine for an intoxicating effect. • Asparagus: Asparagus is rich in potassium, fiber, Vitamin B6, and folic acid. It increases the production of histamine, which is needed for the ability to orgasm in men and women. Everyday foods like this vegetable can keep your body at peak health and maximum pleasure.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Kids/Teen Health

KIDS Corner iPads help children with autism develop language skills

ew research indicates that children with autism who are minimally verbal can learn to speak later than previously thought, and iPads are playing an increasing role in making that happen, according to Ann Kaiser, a researcher at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. In a study funded by Autism Speaks, Kaiser found that using speech-generating devices to encourage children aged 5 to 8 to develop speaking skills resulted in the subjects developing considerably more spoken words compared to other interventions. All of the children in the study learned new spoken words and several learned to produce short sentences as they moved through the training. For some parents, it was the first

time they’d been able to converse with their children,” said Kaiser, Susan W. Gray Professor of education and human development. “With the onset of iPads, that kind of communication may become possible for greater numbers of children with autism and their families.” Augmentative and alternative communication devices—which employ symbols, gestures, pictures and speech output—have been used for decades by people who have difficulty speaking. Now, with the availability of apps that emulate those devices, the iPad offers a more accessible, cheaper and more userfriendly way to help minimally verbal children with autism to communicate. And, the iPad is far less stigmatizing for young people with autism who rely on them for communicating with fellow students, teachers and friends.

The reason speech-generating devices like the iPad are effective in promoting language development is simple. “When we say a word it sounds a little different every time, and words blend together and take on slightly different acoustic characteristics in different contexts,” Kaiser explained. “Every time the iPad says a word, it sounds exactly the same, which is important for children with autism, who generally need things to be as consistent as possible.” As many as a third of children with autism have mastery of only a few words by the time they are school age. Previously, researchers thought that if children with autism had not begun to speak by age 5 or

6, they were unlikely to acquire spoken language. But Kaiser is encouraged by study results and believes that her iPad studies may help change that notion. Building on findings from this research, Kaiser has begun a new five-year long study supported by the National Institutes of Health[nih. gov]’s Autism Centers of Excellence with colleagues at UCLA, University of Rochester, and Cornell Weill Medical School. She and a team of researchers and therapists at the four sites are using iPads in two contrasting interventions (direct-teaching and naturalisticteaching) to evaluate the effectiveness of the two communication interventions for children who have autism and use minimal spoken language.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

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Kids/Teen Health

Terrible Teens Why are teens so mean and self-centered? Or, as your child is older, encourage him or her to volunteer. Time spent at an assisted living facility or hospital will teach valuable lessons. The youth advisory committee at the Jervis Public Library in Rome is a great place for teens to volunteer. “The kids have the opportunity to do something for the community. That makes them feel good about themselves,” said coordinator Lisa Kinna. The teens meet monthly to advise the library on what they would like to see offered, do crafts, and do volunteer work for the library. “It’s low key, low stress and fun,” added Kinna. She can be reached at 315-336-4570.

By Barbara Pierce

“

She doesn’t care about anybody but herself,” said the mother of a teen. “And she’s so cruel to the girls she calls her friends.” “He doesn’t seem to have any compassion toward anyone at all,” said a dad about his teenage son. “He used to care about his brother and sister; now he’s just mean to them.” These parents are right; teenagers do seem insensitive and selfish. Even kids who behaved kindly before seem to become insensitive when they hit the teen years. Parents worry that they are doing something wrong. Parents can stop blaming themselves. New research shows that biology, not parenting, is to blame, says an article in The Wall Street Journal online. There are critical social skills needed to feel concern for other people and to understand how other people think. In adolescence, these skills undergo major changes. The mental ability to understand how others think, to see the perspective of others, or empathy, begins rising steadily in girls at age 13. But boys don’t begin to show gains in perspective taking, which helps in problem-solving and avoiding conflict, until age 15 or 16. In fact, between the ages of 13-15, adolescent males actually show a temporary decline in empathy, the ability to recognize and respond to others’ feelings. The decline may spring at least partly from a spurt during puberty in testosterone. Fortunately, their sensitivity recovers in the late teens. Boys in this age group don’t know how to speak out when they see someone hurt. They may not understand how hurtful it is to the victim. So they laugh out of their discomfort and nervousness. “They don’t know what ‘Do the right thing,’ means,” said one expert. “They go through a period when they really don’t know what the right thing is, and they don’t know how to do it.” These are new findings. Researchers used to believe that empathy was fully formed during childhood. Research had shown that children, in their preteen years, do understand and practice empathy. What is new is information that the brain, as it changes dramatically and develops in so many areas, changes in the area of empathy. Teens temporarily lose their empathy, but they do regain it and redevelop it. Empathy is necessary for kids to form healthy relationships. And, those who are empathetic argue less with their parents.

What can parents do?

Empathy is grounded in the limbic region of the brain, which regulates emotions. This capacity begins developing in infancy. Children learn to practice empathy by watching their parents and by experiencing it themselves when they are treated well by adults who respond

warmly to their feelings. As a parent, you are your child’s first and most influential teacher. If we expect our children to grow into caring, empathetic adults, we must model these behaviors. Let your children see your kind and thoughtful actions, let them hear you express your concern for the feelings of others, and see you demonstrate empathetic parenting. Listen carefully to your children and ask questions that help them clarify their thoughts and feelings. As their empathy grows because of your modeling, they’ll be more able to relate deeply to others. They will also grow in their ability to practice good listening skills, help others, and show generosity. As parents, we can seize everyday opportunities to point out situations that call for empathy. For instance, a TV program like “Glee” features kids who are considered “nerds” having slushies thrown at their faces. Parents use that to talk to your child about how the person being bullied must feel. Or, if your child comes home and shares with you that a new kid in school was being made fun of, you can model caring by saying, “He must be feeling so alone and sad. Maybe we can invite him over one day” When we do this, we are taking things one step further because not only are we labeling feelings, we are also helping kids recognize opportunities for caring for other peoples’ emotional needs. This helps them brainstorm different ways to help.

Dads play significant role

Fathers play a special role. Teens whose fathers are supportive, who say they feel better after talking over their worries with their dads, are more skilled at perspective taking, says one study. Volunteer as a family. Helping out

at a food bank for an afternoon, an animal shelter, the Red Cross, an arts center, or a hospital can help your child learn the value of service and to be more grateful for the things that he has. The Mohawk Valley Regional Volunteer Center connects people with organizations who help those in need. It can be reached at 315-223-39723.

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Spiritual Health

Father Joe

Beloved Mohawk Valley priest endeared by many and work with local parish councils. For example, he occasionally celebrates mass at St. John the Evangelist Church and also assigns other priests to assist at church. “I have to make sure the parishioners’ spiritual needs are met,” he said.

By Patricia J. Malin

ould anyone add anything else to Rev. Joseph A. Salerno’s hefty plate? Father Joe, as he is known throughout the Mohawk Valley, appears to be a master at being in more than one place at one time. A priest for 32 years, he is the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica. He also serves as the archbishop’s appointed regional vicar for Oneida County. He is one of 19 vicars in New York state, so he is the top administrator for parishes, schools, Catholic institutions and other religious activities in the city of Utica and its suburbs, including New York Mills, New Hartford and Whitesboro. By default, he is director at St. John The Evangelist Church in New Hartford since that church is without a fulltime priest. He is chaplain to both the Utica police and fire departments. He has served on the boards of Hope House and St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Utica. A crowd of 250 turned out at Hart’s Hill Inn recently to honor the popular priest as caregiver of the year and raised $15,000 for the Community & Elder Wellness Council, a division of the Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care. The Elder Wellness Council is a nonprofit entity established in 2005. Proceeds from this event are used to expand in-home and long-term care services for persons served by the Office for Aging. This was the third annual Celebrating Life event and only the second time CEWC recognized a caregiver of the year. William Krause, a family medicine practitioner, was honored last year. Salerno, 65, the grandson of immigrants, was raised in east Utica. He was a communicant of St. Mary of Mount Carmel, and active in its youth societies and the parish education program.

Here today, gone tomorrow

Rev. Joseph A. Salerno, left, addresses a gathering at Hart’s Hill Inn during an event which honored the priest as caregiver of the year and raised $15,000 for the Community & Elder Wellness Council, a division of the Oneida County Ofﬁce for Aging and Continuing Care.

Fulfilling a dream

“It was a dream of mine (to become a priest),” he said in an interview prior to the dinner. “And now it has worked out.” He was in sixth grade when he began considering his career path. “It was the influence of my family and priests, the parish community,” he added. His sister, Angela Pardi, still lives in Utica. In lieu of attending high school in Utica, he enrolled at seminary in Chicago and studied with the Scalabrinians for 13 years. Father Joe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology

from Maryknoll College and a Master of Divinity Degree from St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was appointed first to St. Mary of Assumption Church in Binghamton in 1980. In 1985, he came back to Utica as associate pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1991, he was welcomed as the 10th pastor at his home parish of Mount Carmel and stayed until 2002. Salerno was then appointed to his present post at Our Lady of Lourdes. As vicar, he is expected to travel to parishes throughout the county, to celebrate mass, meet with parishioners

Given his whirlwind schedule, it’s not surprising if Father Joe seems invisible or suddenly pops up in an unexpected location. “Some days I tease the parishioners,” he added. “I tell them I’m at one place, but I’m someplace else. It’s always challenging, but we’re doing a lot of good work.” Funds raised through the Celebrating Life dinner supplement in-home services for the elderly after other funds and grants have been exhausted. June Hanrahan, the Office for Aging’s coordinator for the Celebrating Life event, said the contributions help Oneida County residents in several ways. For example, the county will contract with several healthcare agencies, such as U.S. Care, Visiting Nurse Association and Caregivers Inc., to provide home aide services. The county also contracts with companies to provide “lifeline” equipment to elderly shut-ins, such as the alarm device that can be worn as a necklace. The units, said Hanrahan, cost between $28 and $50 a month after an initial installation fee of between $50 and $100. Also, funds from Celebrating Life have been used to assist senior homeowners with emergency repairs. She cited a case in which an elderly woman had fallen in her home. Emergency personnel, including the police, had to break down the door at her home in order to rescue her. The county later provided funds to help her buy a new door. “A lot of times we are helping people who don’t qualify for traditional grants or when those grants have been cut out of the budget,” said Hanrahan.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Harley-Davidson goes to winner

on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at Sitrin. Ticket buyers do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Entrants must be 18 years of age. Tickets are available to U.S. residents only. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Sitrin, which provides a variety of comprehensive medical rehabilitation services for children and adults, including the STARS adaptive sports program for people with physical disabilities.

SmartBites

feel fuller, faster, and take a while to digest — two sensations that thwart the urge to snack. Personally, I reach for almonds, midday, when my sails are sagging. Packed with more riboflavin (an essential B vitamin that helps convert food to energy) than any other nut, almonds provide a delicious pick-me-up. Last but not least, recent evidence has emerged that eating nuts may stave off weight gain. Go, almonds!

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Why we should go nuts for almonds

Helpful tips: Store almonds — both shelled and unshelled — in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place. Refrigerating almonds extends the shelf-life of both. If buying almonds in bulk, be sure to smell the almonds. They should smell sweet and nutty, not sharp or bitter (a sign of rancidity).

f Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon were alive today, all bets are in that he would declare nuts — not mystical water — the true Fountain of Youth. Swayed by Harvard’s most recent and largest study on nuts and mortality, Ponce would see the light of these nutritious nuggets. Harvard’s findings? In a nutshell: People in the habit of eating a daily handful of nuts are more likely to live longer compared with people who rarely consume nuts. Although researchers don’t know why nuts may boost health, data suggest that their unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients lower cholesterol reduce inflammation, and help control blood sugar. Does one nut reign supreme? All things considered, and in moderation, all nuts are healthy additions to any diet. Nutritionists, however, do recommend certain nuts over others. Almonds and walnuts, for example, are good to eat daily, while cashews, macadamias and Brazil nuts should be consumed less so. Almonds are today’s featured nut

because— ounce per ounce— they’re one of the most nutrient-dense tree nuts on earth. Just one handful (about 24 nuts) serves up 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and over a third of our daily requirement for vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from free-radical damage, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. Almonds are also lower in fat and calories than many nuts, delivering per handful: 160 calories, 14 grams of “good” unsaturated fats, and just 1 gram of saturated fat. If 160 sounds high, keep in mind that nuts help us

Almond Butter Hummus Adapted from www.almonds.com 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ½ cup plain Greek-style yogurt 1/3 cup almond butter* 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon water ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

process until minced. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the hummus is well blended and smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Taste for seasoning, and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to five days. *To make your own almond butter, first roast two cups almonds at 375 degrees for nine minutes. Let cool. Process in food processor until creamy (about 10 minutes). Add salt, if desired.

Place garlic in food processor and

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Food & Nutrition

Get hefty over holidays? No worries: Nutritionist offers six keys to rebounding By Patricia J. Malin

he dark days of winter are upon us and so are the extra pounds we packed on during the recent holiday revelry. It’s tempting to follow a primal instinct and hibernate. We’ll just flop on the couch thank you, nachos and a six-pack and remote control nearby as we feast on the NFL playoffs. Maybe you haven’t noticed the extra pounds, but the average person gains between two and four pounds during the holidays, pointed out Pat Salzer, Salzer a registered dietitian with Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and public relations coordinator for the Mohawk Regional Dietetic Association. The “holiday season” begins as early as Halloween, she said. With parties galore, frequent snacking and big dinners at Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s, the hefty holiday weight gain can easily stretch to Super Bowl Sunday. During a recent lecture at the New Hartford Library, Salzer provided commonsense tips on how to manage weight. She offered painless ways to prevent extra pounds with a little planning and regular exercise. With a disciplined approach to balancing calories consumed (intake) with expenditure (out take), weight and health management can become part of one’s daily lifestyle. “Calories don’t have balance every day, but they do over time,” she said. Once you learn to understand your BMI (body mass index), which is a measurement of one’s height versus weight (including muscle), you can make small changes in the way you eat and move, she explained. Weight gain begins unobtrusively enough, but it can spiral out of control as the weeks and months pass. Extra calories brought on during the holidays tend to stay with us because we’re less active during the winter months, she pointed out. If we accept it and refuse to acknowledge it or believe nothing can change, it becomes burdensome and dangerous to our health.

Half-dozen helpers

Here are six tips to improve your lifestyle: 1. Keep a food diary. 2. Know what you should eat and rethink your drink. Page 12

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3. Read food labels 4. Control portions 5. Eat healthy meals and snacks 6. Exercise every day “Do you remember what you ate yesterday?” she asked, referring to rule No. 1. “If food is in front of us, we eat it and then we seem to have amnesia. “Literally write down everything, every crumb, even if it’s a piece of candy. You can’t change what you don’t know or remember. Once you know what you’re eating, you can determine how to make changes. For example, do you eat when you’re stressed?” To follow point No. 2, make good choices from each food group. Meats, fish, fruits and vegetables and desserts should contain carbohydrates, fiber, protein and even fat. Nuts for example, are high in fat and seemingly on the banned list, but they’re a good source of protein. As she stressed throughout her presentation, moderation is the key. Most people realize that soda is high in sugar, fructose and calories. But should you automatically replace soda with fruit juice, eggnog or apple cider? You might be just replacing the sugar. Salzer said juice is still preferable, in moderation. Fresh fruit is even better than juice because the sugar and fructose in fruit will break down during digestion and can even give you an energy boost. Vegetable juice is loaded with minerals and vitamins, but it also contains significant amounts of sodium, which can raise blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to record all beverages in your food diary. In addition to water, coffee and tea are fine, if you can consume the latter two without adding milk and sugar. A study released by the American Heart Association based on research among a small number of Japanese adults indicates the caffeine in a cup of coffee can increase blood flow and help the small blood vessels work better. Rule No. 3: “It’s easier to cut the calories you consume rather than increase the calories used up,” said Salzer. Thanks to pressure from the public, scientific agencies, federal and state governments and influential politicians (think ex-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg), food labels and menus have become more detailed. Restaurants and fast food outlets are reluctantly keeping consumers better informed.

Labels tell all

Food labels are required to list total calories, calories per serving, saturated fat, trans fats, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, and all natural and artificial ingredients, with the highest quantity listed first. Salzer recommends adults pre-portion their food (rule no. 4) before sitting down to enjoy a meal. For example, take a handful of potato chips or snacks and place them on a plate, then put

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

the bag out of sight. Salads should be prominent on the table. Pay attention to your meals and “make eating a singular activity,” she said. Watching TV or using the computer while eating or standing up while eating leads to mindless consumption. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Salzer said in discussing rule No. 5. “Don’t skip meals, but eat three small meals a day combined with healthy snacks,” she added. Interestingly, healthy snacks not only stop hunger but create an active metabolism that burns more calories. The sixth rule is surprisingly easy to accomplish. Movement is natural, but at the holidays, we sometimes have a tendency to sit too much. She revealed one surprising way to get exercise: brushing your teeth after every meal can burn 100 calories a day!

Heart-healthy approach

Based on a 2,000-calorie per day diet, the AHA and American College of Cardiology recommend this hearthealthy eating pattern: • Fruits: 4-5 servings a day • Vegetables: 4-5 servings a day • Whole grains, preferably high fiber: 6-8 servings a day • Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products: 2-3 servings a day • Lean meats, poultry and fish: 6 or fewer ounces a day • Nuts, legumes and seeds: 4-5 servings a week • Fats and oils: 2-3 servings of healthy oils per day; limit trans and saturated fat • Limit sweets and added sugars

Eating an overall heart-healthy diet and being physically active is critical for preventing heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases, the AHA says. Saturated fat is found mainly in foods derived from animals, such as fatty cuts of meat and poultry with skin, and full-fat dairy products, tropical oils, such as coconut and palm oil, and trans fat contained in products made with partially hydrogenated fat such as many commercially prepared baked and fried foods. To lower blood pressure, the guideline emphasizes the importance of sodium restriction down from the current excessive average in U.S. adults of about 3,600 milligrams (mg)/day. Adults in general should consume no more than 2,400 milligrams a day of sodium. The AHA notes limiting sodium to no more than 1,500 milligrams a day is associated with greater reductions in blood pressure. Sodium is found mainly in salt and processed frozen and canned foods. The guideline recommends eating a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while including low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts, and limiting red meat, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. Physical activity is also an important part of lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The guideline advises moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, for an average of 40 minutes three to four times a week.

Food & Nutrition

Caffeine Craze Moderation is the key when consuming caffeinated drinks By Kristen Raab

ook around and you are likely to see adults and teenagers with caffeinated beverages fueling their

days. Some people prefer soda or energy drinks while others get their fix from coffee or tea. There are plenty of facts and myths regarding caffeine, and it is important to know the truth in order to make healthy choices. Consuming too much caffeine is not a good idea. There is an amount of caffeine that is generally considered safe. “For most adults, an intake of 200-300 milligrams of caffeine daily is generally considered safe,” said Angela Miazga, a registered dietitian at St Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. The recommended amount is what is found in about 6 ounces of brewed coffee. Some caffeinated options are better than others. Green tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols, which may be helpful with reducing inflammation and the incidence of cancer. Indulging in a little bit of chocolate is also fine, especially if it is dark chocolate. “Dark chocolate is another caffeine source that can be included in moderation within a healthful diet,” Miazga says.

Are energy drinks safe?

The news has been aflutter with reports of the dangers of energy drinks. Miazga said moderation is essential, which is true for anything containing caffeine. In addition, there are often many other additives within energy drinks along with caffeine, like guarana or taurine. These ingredients can amplify its often times negative effects, including anxiousness or irregular heart rate. Because some of the supplements have not been thoroughly studied, it is important to be cautious with consumption, she said.

“Most troubling is energy drink companies market toward younger people,” Miazga said. “Children really should not be consuming more than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day.” Drinking too many energy drinks has the potential to “cause serious issues with long-term dependency and in some cases excessive sugar or caloric intake.”

The risks

For some people, caffeine should be severely limited or avoided. Miazga encourages individuals with any history of heart arrhythmias, irritable bowel disease, severe acid reflux, chronic migraines, or fibrocystic breast disease to avoid significant sources of caffeine. Pregnant women must also be careful about their intake. “Limiting intake to one caffeinated beverage or less than 200 milligrams daily is best.” People taking antibiotics or antidepressants should talk to their doctors about the safety of consumption of caffeine. “Some of these drugs can alter metabolism or breakdown of caffeine, which in turn can enhance or prolong its effect within the body,” she noted. “It is always best to speak with your own physician to make the best decisions about your health,” she added. Use caution with any type of supplemental form of caffeine that provides a high dose of caffeine that is ingested quickly. Miazga says caffeinated beverages “typically will not dehydrate us so much that we need to worry. However, it’s always a good idea to make sure you are consuming enough caffeine free fluids — preferably water — throughout the day.” While further studies need to be done for conclusive results, a possible connection to caffeine intake and reduction in bone mass density has been found.

“The findings do not indicate that caffeine intake is connected to osteoporosis, but it does imply that people with a strong family history of osteoporosis or even populations that have higher rates of osteoporosis, particularly among elderly Caucasian women, may want to avoid excessive caffeine consumption on a regular basis,” Miazga notes. Are we addicted to caffeine? Probably not, but the body can and often will develop a dependency on caffeine, especially when daily intake greatly exceeds 300 milligrams on a consistent basis, Miazga said. Symptoms of this dependency include headaches, irritability, shakiness, or even fatigue.

Cutting out caffeine abruptly is not recommended. Instead, slowly reduce your intake with Miazga’s suggestions: • Reduce brew time on caffeinated teas. • Mix decaf and caffeinated coffee • Be mindful of medication sources. Some caffeine containing pain relievers can add up if taken multiple times in a day. • Try to maintain a proper sleep pattern that will make weaning from caffeine easier. • Reduce caffeine intake gradually over the course of a week to 10 days rather than in one to two days A little caffeine is typically not harmful, but as with other parts of our diet, moderation is the key.

Study links nut consumption to reduced death rate

n the largest study of its kind, people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than were those who didn’t consume nuts, say scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Their report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, contains further good news. The regular nuteaters were found to be more slender than those who didn’t eat nuts, a finding that should alleviate the widespread worry that eating a lot of nuts will lead to overweight. The report also looked at the

protective effect on specific causes of death. “The most obvious benefit was a reduction of 29 percent in deaths from heart disease — the major killer of people in America,” said Charles S. Fuchs, director of the gastrointestinal cancer center at Dana-Farber, who is the senior author of the report. “But we also saw a significant reduction — 11 percent — in the risk of dying from cancer,” added Fuchs, who is also affiliated with the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s. Whether any specific type or types of nuts were crucial to the protective effect couldn’t be determined. However, the reduction in mortality was similar

both for peanuts and for “tree nuts” — walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pecans, cashews, pistachios and pine nuts. Several previous studies have found an association between increasing nut consumption and a lower risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, gallstones and diverticulitis. Higher nut consumption also has been linked to reductions in cholesterol levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, adiposity and insulin resistance. Some small studies have linked increased nuts in the diet to lower total mortality in specific populations. But no previous research studies had looked in such detail at various

January 2014 •

levels of nut consumption and their effects on overall mortality in a large population that was followed for over 30 years. For the new research, the scientists were able to tap databases from two well-known ongoing observational studies that collect data on diet and other lifestyle factors and various health outcomes. The Nurses’ Health Study provided data on 76,464 women between 1980 and 2010, and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study yielded data on 42,498 men from 1986 to 2010. Participants in the studies filled out detailed food questionnaires every two to four years.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Farm to Fridge

By Victoria Treadwell

Milk: essential fuel for our bodies

By Jim Miller

How to guard against wintertime heart attacks Snow shoveling can mean big trouble Dear Savvy Senior, When I had a mild heart attack about six months ago my doctor told me I needed to be extra careful during the winter when recurring heart attacks are more common. Is this true? How can the seasons affect your heart? Leery Senior Dear Leery, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but most people don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have heart disease or have suffered a previous heart attack. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself. Heart attack season

In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high as it is during the summertime. Why? There are a number of factors, and they’re not all linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk. Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter.

Cold temperatures

When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. This causes blood pressure to go up and makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So stay warm this winter, and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before you breathe it in.

Snow shoveling

Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling. Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine those factors with the cold temperatures and the risks for heart attack surges. If your sidewalk or Page 14

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driveway needs shoveling this winter, hire a kid from the neighborhood to do it for you or use a snow blower. Or, if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow as much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks.

New Year’s resolutions

Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you.

Winter weight gain

People tend to eat and drink more, and gain more weight during the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for someone with heart disease. So keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid binging on fatty foods and alcohol.

Without this nutrient, the body’s s a second-year biology student energy harvesting systems would be at SUNY IT, I am fascinated by impaired and the body would not be able our bodies’ inner workings. to function in its proper manner. As the Herkimer County Dairy Thankfully, milk products Princess, I know that milk are a great, natural source of contains nine essential nutrients riboflavin, with one serving such as protein, vitamin containing 27 percent of the D, calcium, phosphorous, daily value of riboflavin the potassium, vitamin A, niacin, body needs daily. vitamin B-12 and riboflavin. So next time you feel you The riboflavin and niacin need to refuel and replenish nutrients enthrall me due your body’s resources, make to their involvement in our it milk, cheese or yogurt, with intricate digestion process. We its nine essential nutrients, eat to give our body energy and including riboflavin and unbeknownst to many (aside niacin. from biology geeks like myself), Treadwell Three servings of milk and our body requires nutrients to fuel dairy products every day will keep the first-stop at the system that turns our your energy harvesting engines at top food calories into usable energy. performance. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential As a dairy farm employee taking to the process of harvesting energy from pride in the care I give cows, I toast dairy carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that we farmers’ contribution to our economy, consume. landscape and their milk that contributes Once digested, riboflavin provides much to our health and vitality all year the flavin molecules so our body can long with three servings of cheese every synthesize flavin-adenine-dinucleotide day. My favorite is mozzarella. molecules. By far, my favorite activity is the These molecules, working in tandem school programs, in which I visit schools with nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide and educate students. molecules that are derived from niacin, • Victoria Treadwell is the 2013will then donate their high-energy, 2014 alternate dairy princess for bonded hydrogen ions to power the Herkimer County. She can be reached at body’s energy harvesting systems. hcdairyprincess@hotmail.com.

Shorter days

Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develop seasonal affective disorder — or SAD — a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) per day. And to find treatments for SAD, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.

Flu season

Studies show that people who get flu shots have a lower heart attack risk. It’s known that the inflammatory reaction set off by a flu infection can increase blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. So, if you haven’t already done so, get a flu shot for protection. See flushot. healthmap.org to find a nearby vaccination site. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

St. George Orthodox Church raises $800 for cancer center Cindy Nimey and Rita Albert recently presented a $800 donation from the St. George Orthodox Church in New Hartford to Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Breast Care Center at The Regional Cancer Center. The church held a Mediterranean Festival recently and donated 10 percent of the proceeds to the breast care center. Celebrating the occasion are, from left, Albert, Nimey and Nancy Borden, executive director of The Regional Cancer Center. “Breast cancer touches most people in one way or another,” said Nimey. “Whether it’s your mother, sister, daughter or friend, most people know someone affected by the disease.”

The Ragin’ Cajun

By Malissa Stinger

New York state of mind Former Southern belle enjoys the Camden area, despite its incredible weather

lthough I love the peace and serenity out here in Camden, I still dread the lack of training and the pounding I take with a New York winter blizzard. I have lived here three years now, but I am nowhere close to being “ready” for the snow here. Every time the snow hits it reminds me of the first winter I was here, so unprepared and quiet naïve to a real winter. It takes me back to think about how different my life is since moving from Louisiana to New York. Life today is totally different than the fear I had when it was just my two small kids and I. Let me tell you why. I am from the South — Plain Dealing, La., to be exact. It is a very small town where everyone knows everyone. I love that town today for giving me all that is embedded in Stinger me. I am indeed 100 percent southern, born and raised in the pure country with all the grandest things life could offer. I survived many sweltering summers, ticks, rattlesnakes under every leaf, copperheads and cottonmouths lying in prey as I stepped carefully to my favorite fishing hole. There were scorpions large enough to give you a heart attack if the snakes didn’t. We rode bikes down country roads and survived Katrina and all her devastation. We all love the New Orleans Saints, whether they win or lose. The French Quarter is a place that once you experience the culture of the French, known to most as pure hardcore Cajuns, you will never be the same. Crawfish, (not CRAY-fish, CRAWfish) is as commonly eaten as shrimp and we actually have a season for them. We do cook and we cook a lot, and yes,

we think butter is a spice. We do have gators as big as a 4-by-4 truck and they will eat you alive.

Interact through cooking

We get together for any reason at all to cook, eat and call it a holiday. From what I am told, I have a thick southern accent which always brings about the question, “Where are you from?” I get asked this so much I am considering having a tattoo of my state put on my forehead. I look back on my raising and think of how incredibly lucky I was to grow up in such a close-knit, 100 percent southern family. I brought so much of my childhood here with me such as my love for cooking and am making a career out of it. My huge love for cooking was passed down by many generations to me through my mom and I pass the same down to my children. Cooking is not just something we do for our own families; we take food to people for just about any reason, such as sickness, death, life, marriage,

or divorces. We even get together with people we don’t even like just to get to cook and eat. Sending food to a sick friend, or one that is down on his or her luck, or to just someone who wants what we southerners take for granted: our southern foods such as gumbo, purple hull peas and cornbread. Today, I live in a place that has so much beauty to it. I crave the air, the scenery, and the artistic fields that I know only God could have created. Today, I live in Camden. To those who live here, it seems just like another small town. But as an outsider looking in, you could not be more wrong. This is what I see now that I live in New York. The history is as much part of my soul as the French Quarter in New Orleans is to me.

Where the heart is

I moved to Rome three years ago from the only place I have ever known as “home.” The old saying that “home is where the heart is” really is true. I didn’t move here because the pounding snow in the winter seemed like so

much fun. I moved here for my specialneeds child. I stay here because it has become home to me. I moved to Camden, married a Camden firefighter and have so many friends up here that I could start my own Facebook edition. I see all four seasons and the stunning beauty that comes which each. The winters to people here are dreadful. Although I wanted to tuck my tail and run back home my first winter here, I now love to see the snow-covered evergreens. We hardly ever saw snow and when we did, it was a flake or two. There is scenery in between Camden and Rome that simply takes my breath away when it is covered in snow. It’s the same place that I have to pull over in the fall and smile as I see a field full of deer or wild turkeys in a beautiful open field pretty enough to be a Christmas card. The Amish amaze me. I probably make them feel as though I am a stalker when I see them because I find them to be incredibly fascinating people. Driving down through the village, one can take notice of its rich history, young and old. The buildings are unique; the people are all friends and family that again, know all your business. The silos stand tall in an open field giving a stunning view of a generation’s hard work to keep a family farm going, even when times fell hard. I have been blessed to see both sides of this world that have made such a huge impact on the person I am. Remember when the South was in war with the North? My heart feels a divided love, and wants to be in both places, but there are no battles between the two. I love how both have enhanced my life. These are places I came from, and where I am today — home. • Malissa Stinger is a gluten-free chef and cooking instructor based in Camden.

Preparation can help prevent common skiing injuries

efore heading out to a ski resort, most people prepare by reserving a room, booking a flight, packing their winter clothes and, of course, their skis. However, if they do not prepare their body, they might end up spending more time in the doctor’s office than on the slopes. Of the nearly 144,000 skiing injuries per year, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are the most common, followed by ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears, or skier’s thumb. “Most of us don’t train before going on vacation, but it’s important for skiers to work out because they tend to fall more when they are tired,” said Dr. David Lintner, avid skier and chief of sports medicine at Houston Methodist

Hospital. “Cardiac conditioning, leg strengthening and agility exercises are simple ways to increase endurance.” To prevent ACL tears, Lintner recommends skiers start their preparation by jumping rope, then progress to jumping side to side and back and forth over a pillow or other object and playing basketball or tennis. Playing basketball or tennis are also good workouts. These lateral movements will help strength the knee and familiarize the body with skiing motions.

Get your equipment ready

Lintner says it is also important to properly prepare your equipment. Always get the bindings, the attachment that secures the boot in place on the ski, checked by an expert to ensure

they are properly adjusted. He also cautions skiers to be aware of snow and sun conditions. “Few shadows on a cloudy day make it hard to see the slope’s contours and even harder to avoid the bumps that can lead to falls,” said Lintner. “Also, check the snow conditions. If the snow is heavy and lumpy, check to see which slopes are groomed that day.” If an injury does occur, Lintner encourages skiers to have the injury evaluated by a physician before returning home.“Most ACL tears will require surgery to repair,” Lintner said. “After patients return from their skiing vacation, I usually start them off with some physical therapy to reduce the swelling and keep the muscles in motion

January 2014 •

prior to surgery. This will speed up the recovery process, which usually takes four to six months.” Skier’s thumb is another common injury that occurs when skiers fall awkwardly on their hands while holding a ski pole. This can cause the ulnar collateral ligament on the inside of the thumb to tear. “While skier’s thumb can’t be prevented, manufacturers have created safer designs to help skiers protect their hands,” said Lintner. “Many UCL tears in the thumb joint are treated by immobilizing the thumb for four to six weeks while the ligament heals. In the most severe cases, surgery might be required.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

The Social Ask CALENDAR of Security Ofﬁce

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2 Space is limited and advance registration is required. Call RMH’s Education Department at 338-7143 by Jan. 3 to register. The class is open to adults 18 and older. A $10 registration fee is due at the first session. Participants will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29. Participants should plan to attend all four sessions for best results. Smoking cessation class participants may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement patches provided through The New York State Smokers Quitline. It would be advantageous to call Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS before attending the first class to receive the free “startkit” of nicotine replacement patches. Anyone who is interested in learning more about smoking cessation can call the hospital’s education department at 338-7143 or contact the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 866-NYQUITS (866-697-8487) or www.nysmokefree.com. Other information may be obtained by visiting www.smokefree.gov.

Jan. 9

Free lecture series offered on Alzheimer’s A free educational lecture series, presented by Rome Memorial Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association, will offer helpful information for those living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Attendees to the educational series of lectures will learn about memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The dates and topics of the sessions are: • Thursdays, Jan. 9, 16 and 23: “Living with Alzheimer’s — Early Stage for Individuals Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s” • Thursdays, Feb. 13, 20 and 27: “Living with Alzheimer’s — Middle Stage for the Caregiver” • Thursdays, March 20 and 27: “Living with Alzheimer’s — Late Stage for the Caregiver” All sessions will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. in the hospital’s second floor classroom. To reserve a seat for one or more of the lecture series, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 315-472-4201 ext. 108.

Jan. 10

LMV ‘Follow the Leader’ nominations accepted Each year, Leadership Mohawk Valley honors eight local leaders and two businesses during the annual “Follow the Leader” dinner. Now celebrating its 13th year, more than 100 individuals and 10 businesses throughout the community have been honored to date. Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 awards. Candidates must be graduates of the LMV program that have demonstrated excellence in the workplace or community. The LMV executive committee will Page 16

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select businesses and organizations based on their outstanding commitment and support of Leadership Mohawk Valley and its programs. To nominate an individual, for eligible nominees and a list of past award winners, visit the LMV website at www.leadershipmohawkvalley.net. The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 10. Interested parties may also call the LMV office at 315-792-7551 or e-mail info@leadershipmohawkvalle y.net for more information. The 2014 Follow the Leader dinner will be March 14 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica.

Jan. 12

Troubled marriage? Try The Third Option The Third Option will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and Jan. 26 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The Third Option is a support group for married couples. For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-735-6210 ext. 228, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Jan. 30

Early bird drawing winner announced The American Heart Association’s 10 of Hearts Drive Away Drawing had its second early bird drawing recently on NBC-WKTV Channel 2 in Utica. The early bird prize was a Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ Tablet donated by Holland Farms Bakery & Deli. The winner was Ira Coffin from Newport. The last mini-telethon will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 on WKTV. Anyone who purchases a ticket by noon on Feb. 5 will be entered into the last early bird drawing. The winning ticket will be drawn on Feb. 6 on WKTV. The grand-prize winner of the 10 of Hearts Drive Away Drawing will get to choose one of 10 vehicles. One first-prize winner will receive a $500 Fastrac Markets gas card. One second-prize winner will receive a $250 Fastrac Markets gas card. Tickets will be available until the drawing on March 1, or until they sell out. They are available at www.uticaheartrunwalk.org or www.wktv.com. Individual tickets are $30 each or two or more tickets for $25 each ticket. Proceeds will benefit the AHA in the fight against heart disease and stroke. The winning ticket will be drawn on March 1. The drawing will be live on the WKTV Heart Telethon at America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk between noon and 12:30 p.m. Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation and Preferred Mutual Insurance Company co-sponsor the drawing. For more information, contact the AHA at 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Now is time to prepare for tax season

ise taxpayers may want to take advantage of winter months indoors to prepare for tax filing season this spring. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you. • Are Social Security benefits taxable? Yes, for some people with higher incomes. About one third of those receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxes.htm. • Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes. Beneficiaries should receive their Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2013 on or before Jan. 31. If you receive Social Security and don’t receive your 1099 by the end of January, you can request one online at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099. • We had a baby in 2013. Does our child need a Social Security number? Yes. Most people apply for their baby’s Social Security number while they’re still in the hospital at the same time they register for the birth certificate. But if you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for your child’s Social Security number before you file your tax return in order to claim the child as a dependent. You’ll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of your child or your family. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. • I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one

Q&A

Q: I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because I am elderly and have no income. My sister recently died and left me the money she had in a savings account. Will this extra money affect my SSI benefits? Will my SSI payments stop? A: The money inherited from your sister is considered income for the month you receive it and could make you ineligible for that month, depending on the amount of the inheritance. If you keep the money into the next month, it then becomes a part of your resources. You cannot have more than $2,000 in resources and remain eligible for SSI benefits ($3,000 for a couple). Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778) to report the inheritance. A

source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded and you may not get all the benefits you are entitled to when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. Failing to change your name on your Social Security record could also cause a delay in your receipt of any federal income tax refund. You can learn more about your Social Security number and how to change your name at www. socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. • I own a small business. Can I report my employees’ W-2s to Social Security electronically? Yes, and we encourage you to do just that at www.socialsecurity.gov/ bso. Filing your W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus there’s an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31. You’ll also receive an electronic receipt. And when you enter your W-2 information online, you can simultaneously print out the W-2s for your employees. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer. • Does Social Security have any tips at this time of year for those filing their taxes? Yes. We encourage you to carefully check: your name, Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your online Social Security Statement; and your Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you don’t have access to your card or statement but know your Social Security number, make sure the number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much easier to fix early on. If you do notice an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer. For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

representative will tell you how your eligibility and payment amount might be affected. Learn more by visiting us online at www.socialsecurity.gov. Q: My parents recently moved into a retirement community and they are signing their house over to me. Can I still get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or will home ownership make me ineligible? A: You can own a home and still receive SSI as long as you live in the home you own. In most cases, when determining SSI eligibility we don’t count as a resource the home you own and live in or the car you use. For more information about SSI and Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778).

H ealth News Utica AHA board recognized for excellence The American Heart Association Greater Utica Area Board of Directors was recently recognized by the AHA National Board for being one of the top local boards in the country with the prestigious AHA bronze designation for excellence. This is the first year the board has received the bronze recognition. This is the first major initiative of the national AHA to identify and recognize best practices of its local boards and to measure the subsequent impact in the community. “As we launched our 2020 Impact Goal, we recognized that we will only achieve it if we engage more volunteers, more deeply,” said executive director Dick Mattia. “Strengthening the core of our volunteer leadership, our local boards and committees, is one of the keys to our success.” A major focus of this past year’s board was to educate Mohawk Valley residents on how to react in a cardiac emergency and how to prevent one. Board members worked to increase the number of Utica-area residents who are trained in CPR and know how to use an automated external defibrillator by holding several hands-only CPR training sessions throughout the year. Board members also worked with AHA staff members to increase the number of “Fit-Friendly Worksites” in Mohawk Valley. Worksites recognized as “Fit-Friendly” take extra steps to protect the health of their employees. To get involved with the board or with the AHA, contact the Utica office at 315-266-5403.

Director of health appointed to state committee Phyllis Ellis, director of the Oneida County Health Department, has been appointed to the New York State Association of Counties’ Public Health and Mental Health Standing Committee. The NYSAC serves to represent, educate, and advocate for New York state’s 62 counties, including New York City, and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public, according to its mission statement. NYSAC provides research on public policy to federal, state and local officials and to its membership on issues important to the counties and advocates to the legislative and executive branches of government at the state and federal levels. Ellis’ appointment to the position of director of health for Oneida County was announced by Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. and approved by the board of legislators in August of 2013. Ellis, who holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing as well as a Master of Science degree in health service administration, began her nursing career in 1974. She previously served as vice president of St. Elizabeth Medical Center since 1993.

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Teamwork between Rome Memorial Hospital’s team of doctors, nurses and midwives has helped the hospital maintain a birthrate by cesarean section that is the lowest of the 20 level one hospitals in the Central New York Region. Shown seated from left are Drs. Georges Akl, Lauren Giustra and Ankur Desai; standing from left are Katie Painter, nurse manager maternal/child services; nurse practitioners Patricia Swagart, Betty Guisinger, JoAnn Roberts and Nancy Peek; and Deborah Worth, director of perioperative and maternal services.

RMH C-section rate declines to 5.7 percent, lowest in region

ith the goal of delivering healthy babies to healthy mothers and reducing complications in mind, the percentage of babies delivered by C-section at Rome Memorial Hospital continues to be the lowest in the Central New York Region, according to director of perioperative and maternal services, Deborah Worth. In 2012, RMH’s primary C-section rate was 5.7 percent, the lowest of the 20 hospitals in the region, according to Worth. The average of the 20 level one hospitals in the Central New York Region is 14.9 percent. For the last several years, the physicians, midwives and nursing staff at Rome Memorial Hospital have been working together to avoid unnecessary C-sections, resulting in shorter hospital stays, reduced complications and a quicker recovery time for the mother. “The proactive strategies that we’ve used to facilitate the natural progression of labor, combined with our concerted efforts to reduce early induction of labor, are the reasons why our C-section rates are the lowest

in the hospital’s history,” said Ankur Desai, chairman of the department of obstetrics. A surgical delivery can be lifesaving for a mother and her child if the baby is in distress, too large, or positioned the wrong way. However, a C-section is major abdominal surgery, so avoiding an unnecessary one is important. The number of first-time C-sections among low-risk women has been growing steadily across the nation from 14.7 percent in 1995 to 26.4 percent in 2010, the most recent year national statistics were available. Through Healthy People 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established a national goal of reducing primary C-sections to 23.9 percent. “Research shows that natural birth results in far fewer complications from both infections and blood loss,” Worth noted. “Lower rates of C-sections also correspond to lower usage rates in neonatal intensive care units and fewer complications in subsequent pregnancies,” she said. “As long as mom and

January 2014 •

baby are doing well, the nursing staff, midwives and obstetricians give the mother the time and support she needs to have the baby naturally.” To ensure the best outcomes for both the baby and the mother, RMH does not induce labor before 39 weeks unless medically indicated. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. It was once thought that babies born a few weeks early — between 37 weeks and 39 weeks — were just as healthy as babies born after 39 weeks. Experts now know that babies grow throughout the entire 40 weeks of pregnancy. Agreeing with ACOG, the health care team at RMH recommends that unless there is a valid health reason or labor starts on its own, delivery should not occur before at least 39 weeks. Cesarean delivery or labor induction for a medical reason means that the benefits of having the baby early outweigh the potential risks. When a pregnancy is normal and healthy, it should continue for at least 39 weeks, and it is preferable for labor to start on its own.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 Ellis holds membership in multiple professional organizations and has been the recipient of numerous awards. Ellis resides in New Hartford with her husband Arthur, who retired from the New York State Police after more than 30 years of service. They have two adult children and one grandchild.

MVCAA leader lands partnership board slot Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency and the National Community Action Partnership recently announced that Amy Turner was elected to the partnership’s board of directors. Turner will represent Region II, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National Community Action Partnership is the Turner nonprofit, national membership organization representing the interests of the 1,100 community action agencies across the country. Together, these CAAs help 17 million low-income Americans achieve economic security annually. Whether it’s through a Head Start, weatherization or job training program, housing or energy assistance, a food bank, financial education or any of the other 40-plus distinct programs under the community action umbrella, CAAs work to make America a better place to live. Turner is the executive director of MVCAA, a position she has held since 1997. MVCAA serves Oneida and Herkimer counties with an annual operating budget exceeding $18 million, employs 300 people and has numerous funding sources. During Turner’s tenure, the agency’s budget has tripled in size through expansions and enhanced collaborations. She has also served on the New York State Community Action Association Board of Directors, including four years as president. Turner holds the title of certified community action professional, a distinction she has held since 1994. Her experience has provided her with a strong working knowledge of poverty issues affecting both rural and urban communities.

RMH breast health care lauded The Women’s Imaging Center at Rome Memorial Hospital has been recognized as a certified quality breast center in the national quality measures for breast centers program, a quality initiative of the National Consortium of Breast Centers, Inc. The center received this recognition in honor of the hospital’s commitment Page 18

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From left, Brian Adey and his 4-year-old daughter Ella help Kirk Hinman of Rome Strip Steel ﬂip the switch to light the 2013 Twig’s Tree of Light in front of a cheering crowd which gathered for the event that raised over $12,675. At far right, this year’s honoree Rev. Philip A. Hearn and Sally Hinman of Rome Strip Steel also look up at the tree that sits atop the hospital.

Tree of Lights a brilliant campaign

ore than 150 people celebrated the success of the Twigs’ 2013 Tree of Lights campaign with the annual lighting of the tree that stands over Rome Memorial Hospital’s North James Street main entrance. Every light on the tree has been placed through donations, either in honor or in memory of a loved one, or to express thanks. This year’s campaign set a record, raising more than $12,675 to help the Twigs, a nonprofit to provide the highest level of quality breast health care to patients in Rome and surrounding communities. “We are a small community hospital which thinks like a large medical center,” said Linda Lyon, nurse navigator for the Women’s Imaging Center. “Designation as a quality breast center is a result of the commitment by Rome Memorial Hospital to ensure patients are cared for in a manner consistent with the highest standards around the country. We have the capability and expertise to provide our breast patients with the full range of diagnostics including digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI imaging, as well as stereotactic, ultrasound, and MRI-guided needle biopsy.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

organization, continue their long tradition of service in support of the hospital and its mission. This year’s fundraising campaign was dedicated to Rev. Philip A. Hearn for his many years of devoted service to the hospital. Kirk and Sally Hinman of Rome Strip Steel, principal sponsor of the campaign, were given the honor of flipping the switch to light the tree which has been a visible symbol of the season at the hospital since 1989.

The evening’s events included the unveiling of the scroll that lists each of the individual donors and honorees, as well as entertainment by the Westernville Trombone Choir and refreshments provided by the Twigs. The 25-member committee, along with several departments of the hospital, was thanked for its fund-raising efforts. Members of the community may still send contributions to Rome Twigs, c/o Rome Memorial Hospital, 1600 N. James St., Rome, N.Y. 13440.

Hospital names new RHCF administrator

in organizational behavior from SUNY Binghamton. He served as associate executive director with the Masonic Care Community, in Utica, from 1986 until his retirement in 2009. Prior to that, he also served as director of human resources for the Masonic organization and worked in human resources for St. Elizabeth Hospital, Utica. After retirement, Heinrich said he found that he missed the daily challenges and joys of working in a residential care setting and the relationships he enjoyed with the residents he served. Looking for an opportunity to resume his career, Heinrich said he

Keith Heinrich has been named the new administrator at Rome Memorial Hospital’s Residential Health Care Facility. Heinrich, a licensed nursing home administrator, has a bachelor’s degree in management from SUNY Buffalo and a master’s degree Heinrich

Continued on Page 19

H ealth News Continued from Page 18 was impressed with the quality of care found at Rome Memorial Hospital’s RHCF and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the facility’s staff. Heinrich and his wife, Cathy, reside in Utica. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

VHS names its top employee of year Debbie Bellinger, activities assistant at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, was selected as the VHS employee of the year for 2013. Bellinger joined the staff at VHS in November of 1999 as a certified nursing assistant and transferred to the activities department in 2003. The co-workBellinger er who nominated Debbie stated, “For the past two years, Debbie has really stepped up to the plate in the activities department. She is one of those behindthe-scenes employees who know what

has to be done and takes the initiative to get it done.” As the VHS employee of the year, Bellinger received a $75 gift card and one paid day off.

Sodexo donates food to Country Pantry

LPN named SDMG employee of quarter LPN Lisa Smith has been named employee of the fourth quarter at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Smith has been an employee with SlocumDickson Medical Group since 2005 and is working as an LPN in the cardiology department. “Lisa is a highly motivated and dedicated employee. She possesses a variety of skills and Smith positive characteristics that have earned her the recognition of employee of the quarter,” a spokesperson said. “She has excellent clinical skills and makes decisions on a daily basis that are well thought out and help create a smooth work flow process.”

Sodexo Senior Living at LutheranCare recently presented nearly 154 pounds of non-perishable food items to Mary Zimbler, coordinator of The Country Pantry. The donation was collected from LutheranCare employees during Sodexo’s STOP Hunger Food Drive. The Country Pantry, now in its 38th year, serves those in need in Clinton, Clark Mills, Westmoreland and New Hartford. The number of families served on a regular basis has risen substantially over the years and is currently at 204. In addition, volunteers at The Country Pantry provide assistance to individuals and families applying for services like HEAP and food stamps. Upon receiving the donation, Zimbler said, “The need is so great this year. Due to cuts in Medicare funding of meal programs, more families are coming to us for help. Their stories are heart-breaking.” The pantry operates from the Church of the Annunciation on East South Street in Clark Mills and those in need of support are encouraged to stop in. Working to fight hunger is part of Sodexo’s global efforts to support the communities in which it operates. So-

dexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is the company’s charitable arm that has a mission to ensure that every child in the United States, especially those most at-risk, grows up with dependable access to enough nutritious food to enable them to lead a healthy, productive life.

LFH employee awarded for ‘Going the Extra Mile’ Judy Thibado, RN, was surprised when Little Falls Hospital President/ CEO Michael Ogden and Marlene Little, human resources senior director, recognized her as a GEM (going the extra mile) at work. The GEM award recognizes staff for going above and beyond their typical Thibado job duties and making a significant difference by improving the quality of health for those the hospital serves. Thibado was nominated for exemplifying the role of an RN. She is the chairperson for the Med/Surg Unit Practice Council.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Aligned the right way Philanthropic Utica chiropractor aids those in dire need

what they need to do to increase their chances to survive. “Dr. Paul is a great friend of ours who shares his service as a chiropractor and brings supplies to our orphan children,” said Alex Thony, supervisor of an orphanage in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. According to Mickler, he has always had a nature to help and defend those who could not or do not have the means to do so. He does what he does, without getting paid, because he can, not because he is expected to.

By Amylynn Pastorella

hilanthropy by definition is an effort or inclination to increase the well being of human kind through charity or donations. It’s a love of human kind in general. As there are many known philanthropists, one Mohawk Valley resident is making his own mark by helping others through a combination of professional experience and a big heart. Paul Mickler, 35, of Utica, is a doctor of chiropractic care by profession that supports his passion for helping others. Mickler, along with the organization Mission Life International, travels to underdeveloped countries to spread a message of chiropractic care that allows people to live and function at optimal levels. Mickler largely corrects vertebral subluxations. Having worked in Haiti and the Dominican Republic with future plans to go to Uruguay, Cambodia and Cuba, Mickler spends two weeks at his locations and returns every three months. “I have never done anything like this before and Mickler it does open my eyes to deplorable conditions and true pain and suffering,” said Mickler. Having been affected by natural disaster and warfare, Mickler has had the extraordinary opportunity to give people who are less fortunate the chance to live healthier lives at a high capacity, even if only for a brief amount of time.

‘Humbled and privileged’

Mickler has had the fortune of treating people from all over the spectrum — people ranging from the age of seven months old to 102. He said he feels personally “humbled and privileged” to be able to treat as well as make a difference in the lives of so many people. Page 20

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Selfless mission

Utican Paul Mickler performs a chiropractic procedure on a patient during a recent mission to Haiti. Along with spreading a chiropractic message for care, Mission Life International has opened an orphanage and school in Haiti, assists a local church and is in the process of opening the Dr. Paul Mickler Haitian Public Library through funding and donations. “Dr. Mickler has been an integral part of our organization by helping us tremendously and acts as one of our mission leaders,” said Peter Morgan, president and co-founder of Mission Life International. “He has contributed financially and has helped instruct students at our orphanage in Haiti.” Mickler has been involved with Mission Life International for a few years now, helping the poor where resources are terribly limited. While one important goal of the organization

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

is to educate people around the world about natural health care, another goal intended is to raise funds for food, clothing and shelter for those in need. “The response has been amazing. I’ve had patients who I haven’t seen in nine months, upon my return, being 100 percent receptive to their treatments and still performing the exercises and protocols I prescribed months ago,” said Mickler. For the residents of these countries that Mission Life International visits, the help they are getting is unconditional. Mission Life International is an organization providing comfort and care that gears people toward living a better life for years to come. With their endeavors still continuing, more people in need are learning

Mickler explains he never felt the need to be glorified or gain recognition. “When you see the poorest of the poor get down on their hands and knees to thank you for taking the time to care for them and making them feel better, it gives you focus for your mission in life,” said Mickler. In addition to his international accomplishments, Mickler is the chief executive officer of the Westside Senior Center in Utica. Faced with the center’s imminent closing, Mickler has brought new vision, direction and philosophy that have increased membership as well as offer quality and beneficial programming to not only the senior center population, but the community. The “Best Buddy Pen Pal” program — held in conjunction with Kernan Elementary School in Utica — not only focuses on intergenerational interaction between seniors and children, but assists in educating students on comprehension and literacy in a fun way. “Paul has been with the center for a year and has become a great asset. He has increased our programming, but he has also helped create a welcoming place for people to go. He even adopted a cat, named Ty, for pet therapy that we can enjoy,” said Patty Majka, board member for the center. Mickler’s future plans include opening multiple practices across the country and worldwide. He wants to continue sharing his knowledge of chiropractic and help people live the healthy lives they deserve. For this philanthropist, traveling and working may take up a lot of his time, but he finds time to engage in personal hobbies and interests such as scuba diving, fitness, reading, dancing and playing guitar.