Hit the Ground Running (Or Walking) in 2021
Inspiration from Reggie Kinchen for Your Workout
Courage and Faith
How Ms. Joyce Mims Faced a Challenge With Grace
BREAD OF LIFE
SHOULD YOU EAT OR ESCHEW CARBOHYDRATES IN 2021?
It All Began with a Single Step
Derrick Sinclair’s Journey to Better Health
PIONEER, INVENTOR & INSPIRATION MEET DR. “MAC” SIMS
Jan/Feb 2021 | FREE1
The most advanced, patient-centered therapy clinic in the region is now open.
229.228.8050 archbold.org/atsm 2300 E. Pinetree Blvd. Thomasville, GA Physicial, Speech and Occupational Therapy Accepting new patients and offering new therapies exclusive to our facility. 2
Our network is growing Help us welcome the following physicians to South Georgia Medical Center and the South Georgia and North Florida region. Now accepting new patients in the following specialities: Infectious Disease | Interventional and General Cardiology | Neurosurgery | Gastroenterology Call to schedule your appointment today. To learn more visit sgmc.org.
Dr. Matthew Brown Infectious Disease 229-433-1838
Dr. Kimberly Mackey Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery 229-433-6002
Dr. Daryoosh Derakhshan Interventional and General Cardiology 229-433-8160
Dr. Loan Vu Gastroenterology 229-433-4310
Dr. "Sai" Raghavapuram Gastroenterology 229-433-4310
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Jan/Feb
2021
Happy New Years
Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Denise K. James Graphics Mandy Douthit
Cover Photography Brandon Pham Feature Photography Brandon Pham Copy Editor Denise K. James
Feature Writers Denise K. James Sarah Harder Esther Curry Mariann D'Arcangelis Michelle Wilkerson Isabella Schnieder Tyrah Walker
Advertising & Marketing Michelle Wilkerson michelle@itgnext.com Andrew Pipkin andrew@itgnext.com
It All Began with a Single Step
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Archbold Opens New Therapy Clinic
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Wiregrass Tech Health Science Programs Rising to the Top as Construction Underway for New Facility
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Hit the Ground Running (Or Walking) in 2021
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Colds, Flus, COVID-19, Oh My
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Pioneer, Inventor and Inspiration
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A Labor of Love
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Not All Who Wander are Lost
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Bread of Life
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Buns (in the Oven) of Steel
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The Heart of the Matter
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Courage and Faith
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Putting Her Best Foot Forward
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Sweetening the Deal
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Make Yourself Brush
Derrick Sinclair’s Journey to Better Health
Archbold
Inspiration from Reggie Kinchen for Your Workout
Understanding Different Symptoms
Meet Dr. “Mac” Sims
SGMC
Understanding the Vagus Nerve
Should You Eat or Eschew Carbohydrates in 2021?
Why I Exercise While Pregnant
Understanding Heart Disease
How Ms. Joyce Mims Faced a Challenge With Grace
A Local Student Shares Her Experience
Understanding Diabetes and Lifestyle Choices
How to Try Dry Brushing at Home
Website Manager Mandy Douthit
Have questions or comments? Give us a call at 888.715.4263 or email us at healthlife@itgnext.com Health Life Magazine is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2021 Dykes Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.
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IT ALL BEGAN WITH A SINGLE STEP Derrick Sinclair’s Journey to Better Health Written by: Denise K. James Photography by: Brandon Pham
About four years ago, Police Lt. Derrick Sinclair got a wakeup call that most likely saved his life. Suffering from high blood pressure and prediabetes and weighing 340 pounds at the time, Sinclair landed in the hospital and received dire news from his physician that he either needed to “lose weight or [he] was going to die.” Sinclair knew he had to do something right then and there for the sake of his family and his future. Initially, he signed up for the Team Lean program through the local YMCA. While Sinclair lost a bit of weight — 20 or 30 pounds each time he did the program — he would find himself slipping up and gaining those pounds back. Strangely enough, it was the coronavirus pandemic that truly gave Sin-
clair that “extra something” he needed to finally get serious about losing the weight and keeping it off for good. “This past year, with COVID-19 and not being in the office, I told myself either I was going to sit around all day, eat potato chips and get up to 400 pounds, or I was going to do something about it,” he recalled. Most of us need an inspirational boost when creating real change, and for Sinclair, one such boost came from someone in his own profession: a cop in New York named Chris Rowan who hosts an accountability group known as “Team Rowan Fitness.” After discovering Rowan through a comment he posted on the Police 1 website, Sinclair found himself fully
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immersed in the group, which he referred to as “very supportive.” “He offers health, diet and workout advice; it’s a group with participants from all over the country and even Canada,” he shared. “While my goal is to help anyone interested in living a healthier lifestyle … as a police officer, I especially want to see my fellow officers take better care of themselves,” Chris Rowan commented. “There’s no secret that it’s a very stressful career … and while better nutrition and physical fitness are not the only answers, they are …. the areas [where] we truly do have the most control. I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to help my fellows officers like Derrick and so many others.” Besides chatting with other like-minded individuals, Sinclair found that a variety of workouts suited him best and kept him engaged with his fitness journey. At the peak of the pandemic, he enjoyed working out at home — lots of pushups and sit-ups — as well as getting outdoors and walking the community. Once it became safe, Sinclair soon enrolled in boxing classes at the Fit Fighter Fitness and began spending ample time at the YMCA. “The Y is where I get my workout in, like aerobic exercise on the elliptical and weights. Once you start seeing results, you get excited, and you want to get better at it,” he said. “You just have to find something that you enjoy doing. I found that I enjoy going to the YMCA — I go five times a week — and I enjoy boxing at Fit Fighter Fitness. I had never boxed before.” For Sinclair, who was active as a water polo player in his younger years, being accompanied to his workouts by his 12-year-old daughter, Leah, and his 13-year-old son, Derrick, was the ultimate validation. It became quite the family affair to go to the YMCA. “My son has definitely been supportive — he loves to work out with me. He’ll say, are we going to the gym today? He loves going to the gym. He has his own preferences; he’ll try different things and different machines. My daughter comes sometimes too, and she’ll walk on the elliptical machine. They both love the YMCA. We even had one of my daughter’s birthday parties there,” he said. At home, while the kids weren’t always as interested in dad’s strict diet — he joked how he has often “cooked them Totino’s Pizza Rolls while he has grilled chicken” — Sinclair can depend on his wife, Katy, to stock their fridge with plenty of healthy options for meals such as fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. Sometimes the family eats a modified meal together, with cheese and bacon added for the younger members. But deprivation is not the name of the game for Sinclair — he is still known to have his occasional bite of something sweet. 8
“I try to be cautious about what I eat and throw in a salad once in a while,” he said of his ongoing diet. “I still eat a lot of greens. I love candy though, so every once in a while I’ll have a small Snickers bar on a Saturday, something like that.” At the time of my conversation with Sinclair, he was clocking in right around 260 pounds with a goal weight of 250 pounds, give or take. Given his height of 6 feet, two inches and being a self-proclaimed “big guy,” Sinclair confessed that during the days of weighing 360 pounds, folks could not usually tell that he was overweight — and if they found out, they would say he carried it well. “But my health did not carry it well,” he countered. “I was determined not to be prediabetic, and my doctor told me that if I could get under 300 pounds, he could take me off some medications. Then, once I got under 300, I decided 250 was a good goal. I’d like to stay in that range.” Sinclair wants to reassure those who are contemplating a major change regarding diet and exercise that losing 100 pounds did not happen overnight and was not “a speedy pro-
cess.” He said that just getting off the couch and out of the house is more than half the battle. “The hardest part is walking into the gym. Sometimes you don’t want to leave your house,” he said, chuckling. “But just getting up and going for a walk is good. Being active is good. And the thing about the Valdosta YMCA is that they are there to help you — they can kick-start your journey with their trainers and staff. They are incredible.”
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Archbold Opens New Therapy Clinic Archbold Memorial Hospital recently celebrated the opening of their new Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine clinic. Now located on Pinetree Boulevard in Thomasville, the new facility is home to a full range of physical, occupational and speech therapy services, as well as a quickly growing sports medicine program. Formerly known as Archbold’s Outpatient Rehabilitation clinic, the newly-named Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine clinic is a spacious, 12,000 square-foot building with several new additions, including an aquatic therapy pool, a set of stairs that will allow patients to train for real-world situations after an injury or surgery, and new speech therapy equipment to perform swallow studies. Staff will also be able to perform computer-assisted testing on athletes recovering from injuries. “Our clinic is the only one in the area that has all of these services under one roof,” said Jami Stephenson, OTR/L, CHT, Director of Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine. “Our new facility helps us provide more advanced care than we ever have, but with the same high quality, specialized treatment we have a reputation for as the therapy leader in this market.”
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Archbold’s Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine is home to a growing sports medicine program, and they are the exclusive sports medicine providers for Thomasville High School and Thomas County Central High School athletics.
Archbold’s new Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine facility has an aquatic therapy pool, enabling the potential for patients to have land and aquatic-based therapy in the same visit. The benefits of aquatic therapy for patients include less pressure on joints, reduced swelling, decreased pain, ease of movement and faster rehabilitation progress.
The new facility has a much larger therapy gym for patients. The new gym area features several new pieces of equipment and additional amenities for physical and occupational therapy.
The new building has two dedicated rooms for pediatric and speech patients. The spacious rooms will allow therapists the option to privately meet with patients and their parents.
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STAY IN THE Introducing
Celestine Nnaeto, MD, FACP, CAQSM
Board-certified in Primary Care Sports Medicine and Internal Medicine If there is one thing that sports and medicine share, it’s the desire to maximize performance. Whether you are starting out as an athlete, competing at a high level, or just trying to stay active, Dr. Nnaeto is available to help you reach your goals. • Sports physicals • Non-surgical orthopedic and spine interventions • Sports related concussion management
• Sports rehabilitation • Injury prevention
James Scott, MD | William Smith, MD | Edward Hellman, MD | David Banks, MD | Kyle Fleck, MD 2227 Highway 41 North, Tifton | Next to Affinity Clinic | 229-386-5222 | tiftregional.com/GSM
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New High Tech Health Sciences Building Opening in 2022!
WIREGRASS.EDU 229.333.2100 Equal Opportunity Institution / A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia / WGTC is accredited by SACSCOC
Wiregrass Tech Health Science Programs Rising to the Top as Construction Underway for New Facility WHAT’S NEW: A term we have heard over and over again in 2020 is “essential workers.” On average, 25% of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College graduates are “essential workers” employed on the front lines in health care fields working to keep you, your families, friends and your community safe during the pandemic. Health Care employees are in high demand pretty much everywhere and to answer this demand Wiregrass is constructing a new Health Sciences Building on the Valdosta Campus. The building is slated to open Spring of 2022. The high-tech building will have 96,100 gross square feet and provide much needed up-to-date classroom and lab space for the college. Programs that will be housed in the new building include; Associate Degree in Nursing, Nursing Technician, Biology Labs, Chemistry Labs, Dental Assisting, Dental Office Assistant, EMS Professions, Medical Assisting, Neuromuscular Therapy, Opticianary, Paramedicine, Patient Care Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Phlebotomy, Advanced Patient Care Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Practical Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Surgical Technology. Valdosta and Lowndes County serves as the regional medical center for South Georgia with more than 79 healthcare entities including hospitals, home health agencies, nursing, and assisted living facilities in the area. More than 650 physicians’ offices are located within the region employing thousands of medical personnel. Many of these facilities have a constant shortage of qualified healthcare personnel. Employee turnover due to job changes, promotions, retirement, relocation, or termination cause a shortage in every area of the healthcare sector.
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BRAGGING POINTS: In 2020 three of the college’s Health Science programs received special recognition on both state and national levels for their commitment to quality education. The Pharmacy Technology program was ranked 8th in the nation and 3rd in the state by Pharmacy Technician Guide. This distinction is based on a combination of tuition cost, quality of education, graduation rates, and student friendly services offered by the schools. The Medical Assisting Associate of Science Degree was ranked number 1 in the nation and state according to the Med Assistant EDU. Wiregrass’ Degree program was recognized for having an outstanding record of student success including a five-year job placement rate of 99% and a contemporary curriculum standard developed with the guidance of business and industry leaders. The site also pointed out how easy it is to transfer credits to the college and universities within the University System of Georgia. For the second time the college’s Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) program was ranked number 1 in the state by the NursingProcess.org. The college is ranked among other technical colleges and four-year colleges and universities. The ranking was based on the students’ National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rates.
COVID RESPONSE: During the early stages of COVID in 2020 when face to face instruction was prohibited most of the program’s accrediting bodies allowed flexibility in instructional methods and relied on the expertise of faculty to make changes within certain parameters in order to allow continuation of education. The faculty did a truly remarkable job of transitioning, in a very short amount of time, from a typical hands-on environment of education to a virtual or online format. The courses were quickly set up to be delivered online both synchronously, and asynchronously. College faculty also had to determine the best way to teach lab concepts which are typically demonstrated and practiced until proficiency is achieved. Many of the programs found software that could be used to simulate labs and became very creative with adapting home supplies to be used for demonstrating purposes. The program’s accrediting agencies also allowed a set number of clinical hours to be completed in an alternate format and/or a deferment was granted. Limited labs began meeting again face to face following recommended COVID guidelines in late May. Students were allowed back on campus in small groups utilizing lab areas. By Fall 2020, most labs hours were made up and students were back on track toward graduation.
CLINICAL PARTNERS: Wiregrass is privileged to have outstanding community partners that allow, invite, assist, and encourage students to be on site for clinical training. There are around 98 clinical sites that are used by varying programs with larger partners being South Georgia Medical Center and Coffee Regional Medical Center. Many of the clinical sites also support the programs through scholarship opportunities and/or through student recognitions. The college serves 11 counites in South Georgia and is proud to have many of the area clinics, acute care facilities, labs, pharmacies, physician practices, mental health facilities, and long-term facilities as partners. Thanks to their partnerships the college is able to offer outstanding programs. Very early on in the pandemic many of the clinical partners allowed students to return as long as all proper protocol and PPE were made available to students. This allowed most of the programs to keep students in sequence and complete graduation as planned.
General Office Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
General Info (229)333-2100 14
WIREGRASS SUPPORTERS: The college recently held a special topping off ceremony for the new building while recognizing supporters for their generous donations to the college. Guests were able to sign the beam for the topping off ceremony for the new Health Sciences Building. The beam was on display prior to the ceremony for college students and employees to sign along with members of the health care field and graduates. At the ceremony Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson thanked Dr. Ed and Rhonda Mark for their generous donation to the college and announced the new building will be officially named the Edward and Rhonda Mark Health Sciences Building at the grand opening. She also thanked South Georgia Medical Center for their support of the college’s health sciences programs and for helping with a generous donation in support of the college’s new LPN to RN Bridge program that is housed on the Valdosta Campus. Their donation will provide superior equipment in the new building for many years to come. For more information about the college’s program and or to see how you could become a Wiregrass supporter, visit www.wiregrass.edu.
Campus Locations Main Campus
Ben Hill-Irwin Campus
Coffee County Campus
Cook County Center
4089 Val Tech Road Valdosta, Georgia 31602 (229) 333-2100
667 Perry House Road Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750 (229) 468-2000
706 West Baker Highway Douglas, Georgia 31533 (912) 389-4303
1676 North Elm Street Sparks, Georgia 31647
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Call 229-276-2286 now for an appointment!
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Hit the Ground Running (Or Walking) in 2021 Inspiration from Reggie Kinchen for Your Workout Written by: Tyrah Walker | Photography by: Brandon Pham
When it comes to physical fitness, it can be hard to remain consistent in your routine, especially when you’re balancing work, family and other commitments. Although it can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s necessary to try to fit in some form of physical activity on a daily basis. This is what personal trainer and fitness guru Reginald “Reggie” Kinchen tells his clients. Kinchen has always been active in fitness. He began his journey participating in taekwondo at a young age, which then turned into taking his workouts more seriously in 2003. From there, Kinchen would help his coworkers by giving them advice on what to do at the gym and even doing the workouts with them. Once
he helped his coworkers with their intimidation inside the gym — and helped one lose weight — Kinchen realized he had a natural gift for helping others reach their fitness goals. “For the longest time, I was trying to find my purpose,” he shared. “But I feel like my purpose found me within that moment. From there, I looked toward achieving my personal training certification — that way, I could have other stories just like that one … in my community.” Kinchen achieved his goal of being certified by completing his certification at Ace Fitness. Since then, he’s been training people from all walks of life. His clients rage from 10-year-old athletes to grandmothers. He’s trained supremely athletic individuals 17
as well as people who have hardly been active in their lives. He started by offering group fitness plans, then worked his way up by offering other specialty training.
“It all started just with someone reaching out and thanking me for … helping them with their fitness journey,” he said, beaming. For Kinchen, it’s all about having fun while working out. In Tifton, Kinchen teaches a group workout class called, “Body Blast,” which he refers to as a “fitness gumbo” — throwing everything into a pot, such as cardio boxing and martial arts, and having fun doing it. Don’t have enough time to work out with a trainer? No worries. Kinchen also writes workouts for his clients who have limited time or those that find comfort in working out in their own home. Speaking of working out from home, Kinchen has produced four fitness DVDs throughout his career: “Total Body Sculpt,” “Total Body Burn,” “Total Body Tone” and “Total Core 360,” his newest release. The DVD collection is a great way for individuals who don’t live in the South Georgia area to stay connected to his brand. Speaking of branding, Kinchen also produces fitness apparel. “If your swag is on point, your workout will be on point,” he said, smiling. “That’s what I always try to tell people.” If you’ve ever worked out before, you know that
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it requires a lot of motivation, dedication and determination. There will be times you want to give up and eat junk food, even when you’re trying to lose weight. For this reason, Kinchen is also a motivational speaker. “I feel that with fitness it’s a mind and body connection,” he said. “To reap the maximum amount of results is having both of those, like a well-oiled machine.” “Any time you’re entering something new, that’s going to be a realm that you’re unfamiliar with, and it’s going to be scary,” he continued. “Try … not to be scared of something you haven’t done before. It’s ok to be scared, but what I try to motivate people with — whether it's in the gym or personal advances in life — is that if you’re trying to reach somewhere you’ve never been, you’re going to have to evolve yourself into something that’s uncomfortable.” What are some tips Kinchen has about the gym? One is making sure you choose a gym that fits your needs and build a community of people that will help you along the journey. He noted that it’s all about accountability because it’s not going to be easy to get through the “murky forest,” as he called it. There are some gyms that are perfect for beginners, for example, and others are more advanced. Knowing your level and building from there is essential to your fitness growth. Since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, it’s
also important to remember that gyms are not the only way to remain fit. Being versatile is the key. Kinchen suggested staying active in multiple ways, such as walking or running around the neighborhood, bicycle riding, yoga and even using household items to work out with.
“Try doing something different because it will give you different results — but will also give you backups if anything happens,” he said. “During the pandemic, you have to really have some kind of variety in your workout. That way, you still can reach your goals no matter what the climate is, [and] you still can take care of you.”
So what’s next for the fitness instructor? Kinchen can add author to his list of accomplishments. His first book, “The Key Fundamentals to Getting Your $hit Together,” is a personal development guide that he hopes will be debuting on the market as you read this magazine in early 2021. “You may not have to have an intense workout every single day,” he said. “But I encourage people to move every single day in some form.” You can find Reggie Kinchen on Instagram, @regthetrainer, and on Facebook.
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Colds, Flus, COVID-19, Oh My Understanding Different Symptoms Written by: Sarah Harder
Entering cold and flu season during a global pandemic means a sniffle can earn the side-eye and a cough can send people running. As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the United States, it is important to be able to differentiate between a cold, the flu and COVID-19. Catching and monitoring symptoms early on is critical in determining whether rest and hot tea will do the trick or if close observation and complete isolation is necessary.
Symptoms and Treatment for a Cold
Symptoms and Treatment for COVID-19
Despite being the mildest virus of the three, some symptoms of a cold are similar to both the flu and COVID-19. Cold symptoms can include sneezing, a stuffy nose and a sore throat. However, unlike with the flu, symptoms have a more gradual onset and are usually milder. Symptoms typically last no longer than seven to 10 days. Because there is no cure for a common cold, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Rest, hot liquids and decongestants are typically used.
COVID-19 shares common symptoms with both the flu and a cold, including coughing, fatigue, fever, sore throat and aches. Perhaps the most distinguishing symptom is the loss of smell and taste reported by many COVID-19 patients. Unless severe symptoms surface, including trouble breathing, chest pain, bluish lips or face, and/or an inability to stay awake, you will most likely be required to stay isolated in your home. If you are experiencing severe symptoms and require immediate medical care, it is best to call ahead to the emergency care center to notify them so that they can prepare accordingly. Several promising vaccine trials make it likely a vaccine will be available in upcoming months. According to Harvard Medical School, promising treatments are also emerging, including two different antibody treatments for those with a mild to moderate case of the virus, as well as a convalescent plasma treatment for patients hospitalized with a severe case of COVID-19.
Symptoms and Treatment for the Flu Influenza symptoms are usually more severe and have a more rapid onset. Unlike with a cold, a fever, fatigue and body aches are fairly common with the flu and could be confused with COVID-19. The flu typically runs its course over the span of a few days, although it can linger up to two weeks. Even though the overwhelming majority of flu cases are mild, a small percentage of cases can result in sinus and ear infections or pneumonia. Similar to the cold, home treatments such as getting rest, staying hydrated and taking pain relievers for fever and aches can temper symptoms. Prevention and treatment for the flu includes both the flu vaccine and prescription antiviral drugs.
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Colds, Flus, COVID…What to Do? Although there are distinct differences between the cold, the flu and COVID-19, some overlap makes it tricky to tell them apart. Keep in mind that shortness of breath is only associated with COVID-19, and loss of taste/smell are much more common with COVID-19 than colds and flus. The most common overlapping symptoms (especially between COVID-19 and influenza) are coughing and fatigue. Feeling sniffly and sneezy? It’s probably just a cold. Regardless, you’d rather be safe than sorry, so contact your healthcare provider for guidance when you aren't sure. Also remember that free or low-cost COVID-19 tests are available nationwide and can be located either with the help of your health care provider or on your local government website. Even if you have a mild case of COVID, it is important to receive a diagnosis so that you can take proper precautions for those around you.
Always contact your medical practitioner when experiencing the following, as described by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): • Difficulty breathing • Persistent pain in the chest • Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse • Seizures • Trouble urinating • Severe muscle pain • Severe weakness or unsteadiness • Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens • Worsening of chronic medical conditions To read more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm.
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Pioneer, Inventor and Inspiration Meet Dr. “Mac” Sims
Written by: Tyrah Walker | Photography by: Brandon Pham
Dr. Hewatt McGraw “Mac” Sims is a pioneer of the orthopedic world, specializing in spinal surgery. He has changed the game in medicine by being an inventor, educator and teacher. His invention, The Syzygy Stabilization, has helped many battling with spondylolisthesis, a disease that causes one of the lower vertebrae to slip forward onto the bone directly beneath it. Dr. Sims began his interest in orthopedic surgery years ago as an athlete in Tifton, Georgia. In high school, he played a number of sports, including football, basketball and tennis, which led to his interests in exercise, weightlifting and, eventually, science. From there, Dr. Sims went on to college for three years at Valdosta State College, finishing with one year at The University of California in Santa Barbara. After that, he attended medical school at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, then obtained a speciality in orthopedics by attending The Medical College of Georgia’s orthopedic surgery program for five years. Once his five years were complete, Dr. Sims relocated to Denver, Colorado, where he received a spine surgery fellowship at The Center for Spinal Disorder. “I had a professor at The Medical College of Georgia during my orthopedic residency named Dr. Allan Goodrich, and he was an incredible, patient professor and attending spine surgeon,” said Dr Sims. “Through his tutelage — also the intensity in the focus that was required as well as the anatomy of the spine — I gained an intense interest in spine surgery.” Currently, Dr. Sims is practicing back in his hometown of Tifton, where he operates and has clinics. He has locations in Douglas and Val23
dosta and operates at Coffee Regional Medical Center and Tift Regional Medical Center. As if that weren’t enough, Dr. Sims’ special device, The Syzygy Stabilization, has kept him busy traveling since its invention in 2013. The word “syzygy” can be synonymous to having perfect alignment. The production of the device was created with the help of a company located in Atlanta. Dr. Sims and his collaborative team developed a remarkable device that controls reduction of spondylolisthesis — which the doctor described as “the abnormal slippage of two vertebral bodies in the lumbar spine.” The disease can cause a patient to have severe back and leg pain, but fortunately, The Syzygy Stabilization has made realigning the bones of the lumbar vertebral body much simpler. For the last six years, Dr. Sims has traveled extensively, introducing his device and encouraging other doctors to use it. The procedure is done by reducing the three lumbar vertebral bones into the proper alignment and taking the pressure off of those nerves, releasing any pain from the back and leg(s). 24
“Like any surgeon would, we noted ways during surgery that certain maneuvers and things we had to accomplish during the surgery could have been done easier,” he said, regarding what prompted the device’s invention. “Through seeing these surgeries for years and years, a lightbulb went off, and I decided that there was an easier way to accomplish what we were trying to do and also a way to accomplish it better.” Who is at more risk to suffer from spondylolisthesis or other spinal problems? According to Dr. Sims, people who are more at risk include individuals who smoke, who have diabetes or vascular disorders or who are obese. When Dr. Sims is not busy operating, he also enjoys speaking and teaching other spinal surgeons, nurses and soon-to-be medical professionals about the anatomy and the basic concepts surrounding spinal surgery. Since 2002, he’s traveled to numerous countries, such as Canada, Switzerland and Brazil, as well as around the United States. “It brings great joy to me to be able to meet
people … learn about and understand the spine, the pathology of the spine and how we go about treating the various diagnoses and disorders,” said Dr. Sims. “It’s been a great part of my career to be able to share my knowledge and experience that I’ve accumulated over the last 17 years of practice.” It’s no question Dr. Sims’ numerous experiences have made him the doctor he is today. During his early years of practicing, he trained in Santiago, Chile and Nottingham, England. In England, he studied different kinds of medical philosophies, and in Chile, he worked at the Soltero Hospital, serving financially underprivileged patients. “There was one point where I was doing a posterior neck surgery at Soltero Hospital, and our only air supply was an open window,” he shared. “We were placing screws in the back of this patient's neck with a Black + Decker drill! When I finished the surgery, I remember walking out, and my entire clothing and everything else was drenched with sweat, as if I had just jumped out of a pond.” During his leisure time, Dr. Sims enjoys bicycling, motorcycle riding and planting trees. However, he clearly loves and enjoys his work, and his advice to future medical professionals reflects that. “I think one of the most important things is to enjoy what you do. Choose your interest and capitalize on what interests you. That is what's going to make you happy over time,” he said.
Douglas 912-383-6575 Tifton & Valdosta 229-387-8061 orthopedicsurgeonsofgeorgia.com
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THE BIRTHPLACE AT SOUTH GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
Wireless maternal/fetal monitoring allows mothers more mobility during the labor process.
A LABOR OF LOVE The Birthplace at South Georgia Medical Center welcomes over 2,100 babies to Lowndes County and surrounding communities every year—which is why SGMC invested in numerous enhancements over the past months, for both expecting mothers and babies.
Wireless Monitoring In December the Labor and Delivery department added advanced wireless technology for monitoring that provides mothers the freedom to safely move around during the labor process. The maternal/fetal wireless patch technology is a single patch system placed on the expectant mother’s abdomen. This cord-free, belt-free solution monitors maternal and fetal heart rate and uterine activity while offering patients more freedom of movement during the birth experience. Without cords connecting the patient to a fetal monitor, laboring mothers are free to get up as needed. The wireless patch technology may also be worn in the shower and bath.
AngelEye Health provides 24/7 live stream video 26access to newborns via a secure app.
“One of the great things about this system is the increased
comfort and mobility it provides our patients,” said SGMC Administrative Director of Women and Children Services Peggy Knight, RN. “This really is a game changer for the labor experience and we are thrilled to have it. The monitor allows patients the opportunity to choose how they want to labor, offering more freedom to move around the hospital, their room, and various positioning.
AngelEye Health “We continue to focus on providing technology that supports a greater patient experience, which also includes a new secure video monitoring system for our newborns known as AngelEye,” said Knight. AngelEye is a secure, video live stream that families can access 24/7 through an app and view their baby. SGMC recognizes that all family members can't be present during this very special time. AngelEye is a wonderful way to keep newborns connected to their siblings or grandparents awaiting their arrival. 26
Expecting mothers can download SGMC's pregnancy app for interactive educational tools and tracking. To provide the highest standard of care to patients, SGMC now offers 24/7 coverage by OB Hospitalists and an specialized OB Emergency Department.
OB Hospitalists These highly skilled clinicians add an extra layer of safety for patients with emergency deliveries and complications before or after childbirth. If a patient's regular OB/GYN is unavailable or delayed, the on-site hospitalist will review their medical record and birth plan with their physician to accommodate their delivery wishes, depending on their medical circumstances. The OB hospitalist will then provide a complete treatment report to their doctor, to ensure consistent and thorough care. OB hospitalists are also available to assist patients who do not have an obstetrician. And in the case of a sudden gynecological emergency, SGMC's OB Hospitalists are in-house and ready to assist.
NICU Most moms-to-be don’t plan for their newborn to end up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. But should a problem arise during pregnancy or after a delivery, expecting mother's should be prepared. Reasons a baby might need a NICU include premature birth, difficulties in delivery, birth defects, or illness. SGMC continues to provide a Level IIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 24/7 coverage from board certified neonatologists to provide a higher level of care for babies born prematurely.
prenatal care, labor and birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care. The app also features a kick counter tool. contraction timer, measurement tracker,
and more.
Commitment to Women SGMC's healthcare team features 12 obstetricians, two neonatologists, four midwives, and dozens of nurses with decades of experience. SGMC is committed to being the leader in women's health and is excited to continue developing this important program for women in this region. For more information on SGMC's Birthplace, visit sgmc.org.
Pregnancy App Finally, SGMC believes it's important for an expectant mother to understand what's happening before, during, and after her delivery. That's why pregnant women can download the Yomingo app and access evidence-based education on
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Not All Who Wander are Lost Understanding the Vagus Nerve Written by: Denise K. James
The vagus nerve has been around for a while — it’s part of the body, after all — but you might have recently started hearing more about it. The word “vagus,” which is Latin for “wander,” is a fitting name for this complex pathway connecting your head and your gut — a path also known as the parasympathetic nervous system. Put simply, the parasympathetic nervous system controls your body while you’re not conscious of it — such as when you’re asleep or extremely relaxed. The system is responsible for controlling breath, digestion and other vital functions of the body. You’ve probably heard of the term “fight or flight” when it comes to your nervous system. Well, the parasympathetic system kicks in when there is no need to fight or flight — when your body can rest and be at ease. Naturally, with all the hype about self-care, relaxation and ways to “chill out” circulating the internet, the vagus nerve has found a moment in the spotlight. However, the vagus nerve has been a star in the medical community for longer than that. According to the Q&A section of a 2006 Mental Health Letter by Harvard Health Publishing, “in the early 1990s, physicians began to notice that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve could reduce the rate of epileptic seizures. The treatment, known as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), was approved by the FDA to treat seizures that do not respond to medications.” Furthermore, the same electrical stimulation that helps seizures can be useful for treating some cases of depression and anxiety. An article in “Frontiers in Psychiatry,” published online in 2018, explains the role of the vagus nerve as follows: “The most important function of the vagus nerve is afferent, bringing information of the inner organs, such as gut, liver, heart and lungs to the brain. This suggests that the inner organs are major sources of sensory information to the brain.” In other words, your other organs are working together with the brain at all times and trading more information than you may realize. Calming the vagus nerve will calm your entire body.
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So how can you send calming messages throughout your entire system, destress your body and perhaps even protect yourself from illness? Here are a few tips.
Singing, Humming and Chanting The vagus nerve is connected to your throat and voice box, so singing, humming and chanting can kick it into action to calm you down.
Taking Probiotics Because the vagus nerve is responsible for gut health and digestion, anything you can do for gut health is great for the parasympathetic system. You can try plain yogurts and fermented foods as well as probiotic supplements.
Taking Omega-3 Fatty Acids These fats are not naturally produced in your body, but they are essential for optimal brain and nerve function. To introduce omega-3s into your diet, eat plenty of fatty fish, such as sardines and tuna, or take a supplement.
Deep Breathing Deep breathing is still a loyal stand-by on calming the vagus nerve. Meditation and slow, focused breaths can enhance relaxation and tell your body and mind to chill out.
Cold Exposure Not a fan of crisp winter weather or chilly water? Maybe this will change your mind. The vagus nerve can be stimulated by cold exposure, as the neurons along the nerve are “charged” by cooler temperatures. Try a few seconds of cold water the next time you bathe or wash your face.
Socializing and Laughter Believe it or not, being around people and sharing a few giggles can stimulate the vagus nerve to calm your internal organs and let your brain know everything is A-OK. So go ahead and have dinner with your closest friends or watch a comedy — it’s good for your health. 30
Bread of
Life
Should You Eat or Eschew Carbohydrates in 2021? Written by: Esther Curry
We’ve all been there — when you think it’s a good idea to cut out carbs as a way to lose some weight fast. You think to yourself, I will finally get rid of my extra belly fat just in time for summer. All I have to do is cut out carbs! A few days later (probably a Monday), you find yourself filling a grocery cart with lean meats and a long list of vegetables that will surely change your body for the better. But then you remember how cranky you got when you tried carb-cutting in the past, so you toss plain rice cakes into your cart, thinking they will satisfy the cravings while you stick to your diet. But after a week goes by, you find yourself dreaming of crusty bread with real butter slathered on top…and the rice cakes don’t quite cut it. You also feel like you’ve eaten the same meal three different ways for the past few days, and you are beginning to feel bored with food altogether. According to Harvard Health Publishing, we do need carbs. The simple reason is that carbohy-
drates fuel the body with energy. When we cut out carbs, our body must rely upon protein and fat as its energy sources. Although that is possible, it’s not as efficient. But wait! If carbs are great for energy, why do we always feel so tired after eating a large bowl of pasta? Why is it that the Standard American Diet is high in carbohydrates, but no one seems to be flourishing? We know there are two types of carbs — to be healthy, we should eat one very sparingly and enjoy a moderate amount of the other. Simple carbs are found in sugary cereals, highly processed breads, sweeteners, fruit juices, corn syrups and candy. These we are told to eat sparingly. On the other hand, complex carbs, which we have the green light on, include sweet potatoes, brown rice and butternut squash, to name a few. OK, so you knew all that. This information is everywhere on the internet — to eat complex carbohydrates and very few simple carbs. However, it’s still a big struggle in a lot of people's minds. Why? 31
There is one thing missing from all this advice. Most articles never talk about how carbs are prepared. We live in an industrial food age, and most of our food is processed in big plants. We’re inundated with labels at the grocery store claiming products are 100% whole grain, freerange, gluten-free — and it feels like we can easily make good, healthy choices, no matter what we grab. Still, we’re missing a large part of the truth: how the food is prepared. No matter which classic culture you read about, you will learn they fermented grain, vegetable or dairy products before they fed them to people. Preparing food back then was a serious job, and it was not taken lightly. Take, for example, ancient Aborigine women, who were in nearly perfect health. They ate a balanced diet, and carbs were part of it. However, the way they prepared their starchier foods was nowhere near the practices of the modern era. Here is a description from the book “Nourishing Diets: How Our Ancestral and Traditional People Really Ate” by Sally Fallon Morell. “Black beans were soaked in water for eight to 10 days and dried in the sun. Then came roasting on hot stones, pounding into a coarse meal, mixing with water to make a thin cake and then baked again on a hot stone.” Nowadays, we have the option to buy dried black beans from the grocery store, and all we do is simply boil them before we eat them. We don’t even know the steps the company takes to prepare the beans — we just buy them. Another example 32
to think about in terms of preparation is sourdough bread. Many loaves of bread on the grocery store shelves today are not traditionally fermented. They are processed with enriched wheat flours — 100% whole wheat flours, even — but the flours have not been fermented. Fermented breads have many benefits. Not only do they contain fewer than four ingredients, they contain less gluten, and they are easier to digest. When you eat foods prepared in thoughtful ways, you are getting a high-quality product that is easier on your body. Another example is Llymru, an ancient Welsh recipe for fermented oatmeal. That’s right — they would ferment their grains. The recipe calls to place the oats, water and kefir or buttermilk into a bowl and let it all sit on the countertop for two nights. This is the fermentation process before the oats even get cooked. Somehow, we have stopped fermenting foods and started opting for processed, lower quality foods instead. We wonder why we can’t thrive on carbs, yet we seem to crave them all the time, and books and articles tell us we need them. It's time to look to our past and engage with our ancestors’ wisdom of food. We will then understand that carbs are not evil — they just need to be lovingly rendered.
How to Buy Good Bread If you have an artisan bakery in your area, you could visit the bakery and ask them if they make naturally leavened sourdough bread. If they say yes, you could have some nutritious bread in your hands in a matter of minutes. If you feel inclined, you could also ask them how many ingredients are in their sourdough bread. If they mention commercial yeast, note that it’s not the ideal place to get nutritious bread. Another promising place to seek sourdough bread is at your local farmers market. Many farmers market vendors care deeply about the quality of their foods, and they prefer to sell their goods in places that sell other high-quality products. Again, simply ask the baker about the ingredients, and that should give you the answer you are looking for. Organic grocery stores are another option for finding sourdough breads. Many of these organic grocery stores pride themselves in supporting local farmers and artisan bakers. There is a higher chance they would carry fresh loaves of artisan sourdough bread, compared to large supermarket chains.
Should You Bake Your Own? COVID-19 has made baking popular, but one should be aware that if you are interested in making your own loaf of sourdough, it is actually more of an ongoing hobby than a quick and fun recipe to try. Your first loaf is probably not going to be a home run, and you may feel overwhelmed with the labor of love involved with making homemade bread. There are a number of sourdough recipes and videos on the internet. While you are making your starter, take notes of everything. This will help you learn what is happening, and it will help you avoid making the same mistake twice if it doesn’t turn out right. Not only do you need to measure everything precisely, you also have to “feed” your growing sourdough starter every day to keep it in optimal condition. If you do decide to make your own bread, don’t be discouraged if your loaf is not pretty and doesn’t look anything like an artisan loaf. It doesn’t have to be perfect to taste good, and you can keep trying.
How to Keep Your Bread Fresh After you’ve spent the time searching your town for the best sourdough bread, or you’ve spent your entire weekend baking loaves in your kitchen, the last part of the process is knowing how to store your living, breathing loaf of bread. If you’ve bought bread from a bakery, hopefully they placed the loaf in a waxed or plain paper bag when they sold it to you. If they did, all you need to do is leave your loaf of bread in the bag on the counter. It doesn’t need to be tightly closed, as you want air to come in and out of the bag. You can also order a traditional bread box online — these boxes have holes so that fresh breads remain protected but also get some air. Never place your sourdough bread in a plastic bag or in the fridge. The plastic prevents air flow and will stale your hardearned prize quickly. When you get your hands on a good loaf of bread, plan to consume it in a timely manner — usually within one week. You can also freeze bread (just don’t refrigerate it). If your bread happens to get hard before you eat it all, don’t fret. Simply place the hard loaf in the oven, and let the heat do its magic, softening the bread back to life. You can also sprinkle your loaf lightly with water beforehand to add steam, then place it on a sheet pan and warm at between 300350 degrees.
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Buns (in the Oven) of Steel Why I Exercise While Pregnant Written by: Michelle Wilkerson
Here it comes again — that insidious tickle in the back of my nose, alerting me. And here I am in the grocery store, where any sneeze attracts enough unwanted attention during a global pandemic. A sneeze is undesirable for most any expectant mother due to the lack of bladder control, but add that to my regular sneezes, and it is beyond ugly. My sneezes are loud and vicious. My husband gets startled, the kids jump and the dog tucks its tail and runs. Here we go again — I dive behind a display of canned baked beans just in time so that I can hold myself while I sneeze to avoid the incontinence and strange looks cast my way by other shoppers. Incontinence would be a great excuse to avoid exercise during pregnancy. Severe nausea or raging hormones would also suffice as justifications for avoiding workouts. Or maybe the extreme lethargy or the sciatic nerve pain that bolts down my right leg every time I move. So many excuses to choose from! Yet social media posts by expectant mothers regularly state how they cannot wait until after the baby comes to get their “beach bod” back. So why wait until after the baby? Our need for routine exercise should not stop upon conception. No excuses. I kicked off my own health and fitness journey four years ago and was astonished at how much it helped in the way of my mental health. I began lifting and jogging during an extremely stressful time in my life, when my anxiety and depression were unbearable. We are quick to seek help and feel better through prescription medications, but I am not a fan of taking pharmaceuticals unless absolutely necessary. Thus, I was
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Social media posts by expectant mothers regularly state how they cannot wait until after the baby comes to get their “beach bod” back. So why wait until after the baby? willing to do anything else to feel better. The first week, I cried as I jogged around the track. I had no energy, and my body ached from depression. But after one week, my depression was completely gone, and my anxiety was about 50% better. It did not take long to turn me into a believer as far as exercising for mental health. That said, we all know pregnancy can take a serious toll on our emotions — just ask my poor husband. The first trimester, I was in the bed and only climbed out to drag my sluggish body to the kitchen or restroom. I did not work out at all, and I felt miserable. After the passing of that hellacious first trimester, my energy returned, and I immediately picked the weights back up. Once again, I beat the funk. The health benefits of working out while pregnant are more than worth pushing through discomfort during exercise. The misery not only gets better with each workout session, everyday life becomes easier. Benefits other than improvement to mental health include increased energy, improvement in posture, deeper sleep and, yes, easier “bouncing back” after the birth. Working out while expecting can also reduce bloat-
ing, swelling, backaches and constipation. And exercising and making healthier food choices can even lower chances of gestational diabetes. The type of exercise you choose while pregnant depends on you and your health care provider. My physician told me I could keep going with the workout routine I was already doing. Expert advice across the board seems to agree that an expectant mother can maintain her current exercise level as long as it does not consist of overly heavy weightlifting, and as long as her body does not warn her she’s going too hard. Exercise should be ceased and a physician contacted if there is shortness of breath, overheating, dizziness and/or pain. I have recently learned it is perfectly fine to burn fat while pregnant. This was great news for me because I gained way too much weight during that first trimester. Whether you were overweight prior to pregnancy or you gained too much during the first trimester, as long as your body is not being starved of nutrients, losing fat is OK and even encouraged. Fat is burned by exercising and making responsible food choices. Another erroneous statement many expectant mothers make is that she is “eating for two.” I truthfully cringe when I hear this. Our bodies need just 300 more calories per day while pregnant, and many of us are overeating by at least that much prior to conception. The human body must have exercise, period. Whether you are expecting or not, exercise is vital to both physical and mental health. We need water; we need food; we need sunlight; and we need exercise. But exercise and a healthy diet take serious commitment and dedication. So
you have a choice to make: instant gratification — skipping the workout and drinking that fat-filled, sugary shake — or the long-term benefits of being healthy and confident. Trust me, the most difficult part of a healthier routine is the beginning. Simply start a routine, and stick to it. In a mere matter of days, you will begin to see and feel the changes. This will encourage you to continue and begin to ignite the fire that will carry you through pregnancy and beyond. Sadly, many humans go through their entire lives never experiencing just how amazing their bodies are. They never experience what the human body is capable of, nor just how good anyone can feel when making the right choices. I invite you to make the decision to feel better and fight for it. It is worth it. And don’t let embarrassing moments in grocery stores deter you from this afternoon’s workout!
Disclaimer: I’m not a dietician, fitness trainer or medical professional. Do not change your diet or attempt exercise before first consulting with your physician. Prior to weight-lifting, seek expert advice to keep you and baby safe. The prior article is my experience and should not be taken as medical advice.
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The Heart of the Matter Understanding Heart Disease Written by: Sarah Harder
February is American Heart Month. Despite it being the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease is often misunderstood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four Americans dies from heart disease. However, according to the American Heart Association, 80% of heart disease incidents could be avoided with the help of lifestyle changes and education. Understanding different types of heart disease and their symptoms can help save lives.
Coronary Artery Disease Regarded by the CDC as the most common type of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by the buildup of plaque on artery walls, narrowing the passage for blood flow. Its most common symptom is chest pain, and a heart attack is often the first indication that you have CAD. Risk factors include high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If you suspect you are at risk for CAD, there are different ways to test for it, from an EKG to a cardiac CT scan. Prevention and recovery include healthy eating, exercise and medication.
Heart Attack Heart attacks occur when a section of heart muscle does not get proper oxygen flow. The longer the muscle remains without oxygen, the more damage is caused, so early intervention is critical. Symptoms of an impending heart attack commonly include chest pain or discomfort, as well as pain in other areas like the arms, neck, shoulders or abdomen. Nausea, light-headedness or fatigue are also common. Treatment after a heart attack can include both medications and surgery. Although heart attacks can be deadly, more than 90% of people who have a heart attack survive, according to Harvard Medical School.
Congestive Heart Failure Unlike a heart attack, heart failure takes place more slowly, as the heart muscle weakens and does not pump blood throughout the body like it should. Symptoms of heart failure can include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen or neck. Because heart failure can worsen with time, it is important to discuss treatment options—typically medication—with a doctor to manage the disease.
Other Heart Conditions Heart Valve Disease occurs when your heart valves do not operate properly, either not opening to allow proper blood flow to the heart or not sealing shut fully, causing leakage. There are different types of valve diseases, and causes can range from birth defects to infection. Noticeable symptoms of heart valve diseases include tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of ankles, feet and abdomen or light-headedness. Serious symptoms should be discussed with a physician, as surgery to repair or replace the heart valve might be necessary. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that creates challenges for your heart to get blood pumped throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy can cause the heart muscles to become thick, rigid or swollen, thus weakening heart function. The disease can be either acquired or inherited. Related to other heart conditions, cardiomyopathy can be the result of heart attacks, high blood pressure, valve problems and more. Arrhythmias usually feel like a racing heart, an irregular fluttering or a skipped beat. Some arrhythmias are harmless, although you should consult with your doctor if you notice them happening frequently for an extended period of time or the presence of other symptoms. Congenital Heart Defects are heart defects that are present at birth. The term can cover any number of infant heart problems, such as a leaky valve, hole in the heart structure or irregular rhythm. Recognizing symptoms can drastically reduce the damage caused by heart disease. If you recognize yourself on this list, consult your doctor on how best to take care of your health and live a long life, free of heart disease.
What to do if you or someone else is having a heart attack: Call 911 right away. If you’re the one having symptoms, avoid driving yourself to the ER if possible, since it creates highway risk. Chew and swallow a baby aspirin. If another person is having the heart attack and is conscious, have them chew and swallow an aspirin. If the other person is not conscious, perform CPR. If you don’t know how to do CPR, the emergency dispatcher should be able to instruct you until more help arrives. If you are reading this and don’t know CPR, educate yourself for the future. If you have an Automatic External Defibrillator, or AED, follow the instructions for use.
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Courage and Faith How Ms. Joyce Mims Faced a Challenge With Grace Written by: Michelle Wilkerson | Photography by: Brandon Pham
When misfortune strikes, we tend to cry, “Why? Why does this have to happen to me?!” But when Ms. Joyce Mims was diagnosed with throat cancer back in January 2019, her response was, “Why NOT me?” Her husband, Judge Larry Mims, said that he was shocked — that the news came out of nowhere and that there were no indicators whatsoever. Ms. Joyce sat there in the doctor’s office, facial expression unwavering, and responded to her diagnosis calmly with, “OK. We got this. God’s got this.” The amount of courage and faith contained in those few words is utterly amazing and, according to Judge Mims, shaped their entire journey. It all started when, one evening after dinner, Ms. Joyce began losing her voice. At first, she thought she was coming down with a cold. As things progressed, she went from doctor to doctor, having x-rays taken to no avail. Finally, a gastroenterologist did a procedure called a laryngoscopy, where the doctor inserts a scope into the patient’s nose to examine the throat. The doctor found a mass near Ms. Joyce’s esophagus and told her and Judge Mims that it may be malignant. Once the doctor delivered the news that it was, in fact, malignant, the journey for Ms. Joyce began. It was her
second journey, actually, since Ms. Joyce is also a 25-year breast cancer survivor. She fought hard for a year, undergoing chemo and radiation, and eventually won her first cancer battle. Upon receiving this second cancer diagnosis, Ms. Joyce had more than enough reason to wallow in self-pity, but that was simply not an option for her. The Judge and Ms. Joyce soon headed to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where she would receive treatment. They were fortunate enough to secure a place to stay at Hope Lodge. Hope Lodge is a part of the American Cancer Society and offers cancer patients and their caregivers a nurturing, home-like environment when the best choice for treatment is too far from home to commute. Not having to worry about a place to stay enables patients and their loved ones to focus on getting better, and it certainly lifted some weight from the Mims’ shoulders. Soon, love and support from their family and the community began to pour in. Their son, M. Jay Hall, flew in like Superman. While his parents directed their attention toward his mother’s recovery, Hall took on their business back home — day-to-day household affairs as well as their rental properties and other business ventures. At the time that his
Ms. Joyce praised Tift Regional and how exceptional the staff was during this time. Local doctors took it upon themselves to break away from their busy schedules and visit the Mims in Atlanta.
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Today, Ms. Joyce Mims remains cancer-free. She began this journey by stating, “We got this. God’s got this.” Clearly, her determination and faith carried her through. wife was diagnosed, Judge Mims was three years into his retirement from acting as Tift County State Court Judge. He had transitioned into working for a local law firm but eventually pulled out of the firm and practiced law from home so that he could take care of Ms. Joyce. Their daughter, Andrea, was also a blessing. She went to Hope Lodge and relieved Judge Mims by staying with her mother for several days every other week. That way, Judge Mims could go home and maintain his law practice. The Mims also shared how they were amazed at all the heartfelt cards, flowers, and phone calls they received. A dear friend, Ms. Debbie Richardson, even texted inspirational messages every single day throughout their journey. Ms. Joyce praised Tift Regional and how exceptional the staff was during this time. Local doctors took it upon them40
selves to break away from their busy schedules and visit the Mims in Atlanta. Their hometown church, St. Anne’s Episcopal, provided “tremendous support” for the family during their challenges. The entire experience revealed just how loved and appreciated the Mims family is by our community. Ms. Joyce went through several weeks of radiation, followed by chemotherapy. She said from the beginning that she would not use a feeding tube — and she went through a period where she could not eat. Still, true to her word, she never used a feeding tube! The determination and strength of this woman are incredible. Today, Ms. Joyce Mims remains cancer-free. She began this journey by stating, “We got this. God’s got this.” Clearly, her determination and faith carried her through.
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Putting Her Best Foot Forward A Local Student Shares Her Experience Written by: Isabella Schneider
Feet are the foundation of everything. Pain in the feet is not normal and should not be disregarded. As a college student, I have had to endure a flat foot reconstructive surgery that is typically experienced by older people. Flat foot is a deformity that means you have a fallen arch. Depending on the severity, it can result in a lot of pain. It can cause overpronation and cause the heel to go out of alignment. It can happen to one or
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both feet. According to the Institute for Preventive Foot Health, 18 million American adults aged 21 and older have flat feet. While flat feet can affect anyone at any age, it is most often diagnosed in women between ages 30 and 50. Common symptoms include pain on the inside of the ankle, pain in the heel and pain across the midfoot. Typical causes of flat feet include genetics, a congenital deformity or aging. An individual will either have a flexi-
ble or a rigid flat foot, depending on the severity of the deformity. As for me, both of my feet are flat from a congenital deformity caused from cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects muscle movement. The spasticity and rigidness of the muscles in my foot contributed to my feet moving out of alignment. This resulted in pain in both of my feet — as well as pain in my knee, hip and back that became too much to bear. In 2019, I saw Dr.
Andrew Woods, a foot and ankle specialist in Valdosta at Ankle and Foot Associates. He examined my feet, looked at my shoes, took x-rays, and explained that the only way to correct my problem was surgery. A diagnosis when symptoms are mild will make more treatment options available to you before resorting to surgery. Conservative treatments like bracing or physical therapy can help, but once those options fail, surgery is required.
Dr. Woods explained that this condition can remain undiagnosed because moderate to mild symptoms often go unnoticed until they become more severe. “When I see an adult, often they may have had a congenital flat foot deformity that was untreated,” he said. “In those circumstances, oftentimes you’re having to look into surgical options earlier.” I went home to St. Petersburg, Florida for my surgery and for my family’s support during
what turned out to be a nearly year-long recovery. I got my right foot corrected first, since I had more pain on that side. The surgery on February 10, 2020 took three hours in an outpatient facility. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. The surgeons used two screws to construct an arch, then plates and screws to straighten my big toe, fuse a joint and lengthen my calf muscle. The first 10 days after surgery, I had to keep my foot in a cast and elevated while lying on my back. No weight-bearing or getting up for anything except to eat or visit the restroom. I learned to hop on one foot with a stable walker and rely on my
family to help me with everything. After seven weeks, I was approved for and moved into a walking boot. Two weeks later, I moved into a regular shoe, still using a walker, and started physical therapy. I also got custom in-sole orthotics, formed to my new arch, to wear in my shoes. Three times a week over the next six weeks, I went to physical therapy to learn how to walk again. I did numerous exercises to strengthen the mobility in my foot and ankle and worked on my gait. By May 15, I was able to start walking independently. In August, I returned to school, doing activities independently. How-
ever, one big adjustment was easing back into a more active lifestyle. My endurance level was not great at first, but the more I walk, the more I become comfortable. My quality of life has improved drastically with increased balance and better gait movement. Most importantly, I am painfree on the right side and that’s just with having one side corrected. While this entire process may seem daunting, in hindsight, I wish I had gotten treated sooner — before my pain became severe. If I waited until I was in my 30s or 40s, my body would’ve been compensating for my feet, resulting in more pain.
“I always tell people ... that when it starts to affect or keep you from the things that either you enjoy doing, want to do or have to do — if it’s keeping you from walking out your door — then we need to do something more,” Dr. Woods noted. The older you get, the harder it is to endure the flat foot deformity. Remember, foot pain is not normal, and, more importantly, you have options to resolve it.
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Sweetening the Deal Understanding Diabetes and Lifestyle Choices Written by: Mariann G. D’Arcangelis
Diabetes is a disease that indicates there is too much sugar in the blood or the amount of sugar in blood is not regulated properly. One in 10 Americans has diabetes; one in three Americans has prediabetes. 90 to 95% of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes. When we eat food, our digestive system breaks down most of the food into sugar. Sugar in the blood is called glucose. Ideally, we want this glucose to go to our cells so we can think, move, breathe and function. Diabetes can interfere with how much sugar stays in the blood versus going where it is supposed to — fueling the body’s cells. Type 1 diabetes is a problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone; a hormone is a chemical in your body that tells your cells what to do. Without insulin, your cells are not able to accept glucose. Insulin is like a key that opens the lock to let the glucose into the cell. Type 1 diabetes patients must take insulin to live. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed early in life, between the ages of 4 and 14, though cases can be diagnosed 44
later. The cause for Type 1 diabetes is unknown. Researchers believe there could be a genetic component and that viral infections can cause type 1 diabetes. Common signs of type 1 diabetes include being unusually thirsty, frequent urination and unintended weight loss. Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting are more serious signs of untreated type 1 diabetes. Treatment for type 1 diabetes always includes administering insulin. Patients will inject insulin using an insulin pen, a syringe or a pump. A pump will deliver insulin in small amounts throughout the day, and the patient can calculate how much insulin to deliver with meals. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mainly are caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the pancreas may make enough insulin, but cells are not able to let the insulin in. Prediabetes rarely has any noticeable symptoms, but damage can still occur in the body. A doctor can prescribe one of two tests for detecting prediabetes: an A1c, which measures how much glucose has been in the blood for the past three months,
or a glucose tolerance test. A normal A1c result is below 5.7%. A person with prediabetes has an A1c between 5.7% and 6.4%. Signs for type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, feeling hungry all the time, and feeling fatigued. Treatment for type 2 diabetes may include a variety of oral medications used to control blood sugar. Gestational diabetes is a third type of diabetes that occurs when a person is pregnant. It usually resolves after the baby is born but can increase a person’s chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes later in life. Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a person’s race or ethnicity. Alaskan Indians/Native Americans, Black/African Americans, Hispanic/Latin Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than white/Caucasian people, due to unknown reasons. A family history of diabetes, being born weighing over 9 pounds and being over the age of 45 are all additional risk factors that cannot be changed.
All persons with diabetes or prediabetes need to take their medicines as prescribed. Insulin is necessary for all type 1 diabetics to live, and some type 2 diabetics also are insulin dependent. However, with a doctor’s supervision, the following lifestyle modifications can help manage diabetes and manage or reverse prediabetes: • Checking your blood sugar as prescribed. • Losing weight if overweight or obese. • Cutting back on or cutting out juice, soda and sugary snacks or starchy snacks like crackers and chips. • Eating a balanced diet, such as meals and snacks that include three to four ounces of protein, a little fat, green or low-starch vegetables and whole grains. • Working toward exercising 150 minutes a week or more, as exercise naturally lowers your blood sugar. • Lowering your triglycerides and cholesterol. • Quitting smoking. Smoking raises your blood pressure and raises your blood sugar. • Managing stress, as stress raises your blood sugar. • Lowering your blood pressure. You and your health care team can treat or even prevent diabetes and complications from diabetes. Exercise and diet are the most common ways to change your lifestyle, but everything you do to take care of yourself, including managing stress and mental health, can help.
Without insulin, your cells are not able to accept glucose. Insulin is like a key that opens the lock to let the glucose into the cell.
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Make Yourself Brush How to Try Dry Brushing at Home Written by: Denise K. James
Chances are, you have a few brushes in your bathroom already. The toothbrush, of course. The hairbrush. Maybe a few makeup brushes or an eyebrow brush as well. But what about the body brush, for the purpose of dry brushing? Do you have one? And more importantly, should you have one? If you aren’t sure what dry brushing is or what it does, it’s the act of brushing your skin with a coarse-bristled brush, starting with your feet and hands and moving toward your heart, according to a WebMD Skin Blog written by board dermatologist Dr. Laurel Naverson Geraghty.
What kind of brush do you use? The equipment for a dry brushing session is a coarsely bristled brush with a long handle. Experts recommend natural bristles, such as boar’s hair or vegetable fibers, which are considered better for the skin than synthetic bristles. Most skin care retailers sell body brushes — think Ulta or Sephora — if you want to try brushing at home in your bathroom. Some day spas offer brushing as well.
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What does dry brushing do?
Folks have been dry brushing since ancient Greece, according to Dr. Geraghty’s blog. It has turned into a recent phenomenon all over again thanks to social media and celebrities, claiming that the practice is ideal for draining the lymph system, promoting circulation, reducing cellulite, shrinking pores and even aiding digestion. If that all sounds too good to be true to you, you aren’t alone. Doctors aren’t certain that dry brushing actually does much, but like many “natural” remedies, it’s more of a “try it and see if you like it” approach. According to Cleveland Clinic, while dry brushing can be ideal for invigorating dry winter skin, “there is absolutely no evidence … to confirm that dry brushing aids in digestion or the appearance of cellulite. It’s carelikely covers the that what people interpret as cellulite reduction is really just a temporary ‘plumping up of the skin’ from GHHS provides increased blood circulation.” %! (Darn.)
How do I try it at home? Still want to give dry brushing a try? Before taking a shower is the best option, so any loose skin can be rinsed away. Skin should be completely dry — don’t turn on the shower and create humidity or put on lotion before brushing. Start with your feet or hands and brush toward your heart, using small, repetitive strokes or circular motions. Avoid dry brushing the face. And don’t press too hard with the brush, experts say — the point is not to roughly exfoliate the skin. After you finish, shower as usual, and slather on moisturizer afterward.
What are the possible risks? According to Dr. Geraghty’s blog, you might want to avoid dry brushing if the following conditions apply to you:
• Having unusually sensitive skin • Having open wounds • Having cystic acne • Having rashes caused by conditions, such as pso-
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• Having other active skin infections, such as warts or athlete's foot, since dry brushing could unintentionally spread germs around.
While most experts suggest brushing once or twice per week, those with sensitive skin may want to stick to just once or twice a month for best results.
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