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AUGUST 2014 | A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
Health&
Fitness Dental Fears.........2 Seasonal Flu.........5 How to ease your mind while in the dentist’s chair.
How to stay healthy during a season of sneezes and sniffles.
Adult Anxiety.......3 Flu Facts vs Fiction.....6 Understanding the disorder and how to overcome it.
How to prevent the stress and strains of everyday life.
Ergonomics..........4 Prostate Predicament..6 How to prevent the stress and The good news is that men can strains of everyday life. protect themselves.
Ice is Nice.............4 Medication Safety....7 The power of the ice pack The power of the ice pack shouldn’t be underestimated. shouldn’t be under estimated.
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
How to ease your dental fears
Few people relish the idea of going to the dentist. Dentists prod and poke sensitive areas of the mouth, but their efforts are for the benefit of their patients. Fear of the dentist’s chair is not uncommon, and that anxiety prevents millions of people from seeking proper preventative dental care. The consequences of succumbing to those fears extend beyond pain or lost teeth. Diseases of the mouth have been linked to other ailments, including diabetes, stroke and heart disease. A fear of the dentist may stem from past unpleasant experiences, such as a dentist with a poor chair-side manner, while others may fear the lack of control they experience while in a dentist’s chair. According to Ellen Rodino, PhD, who has studied dental fear, lying down with a dentist hovering above you can be off-putting. Couple that with the discomfort many people have when instruments that interfere with their ability to communicate are placed in their mouths, and fear of the dental chair does not seem so unreasonable. Easing fears at the dental office involves communication with the dentist and his or her staff, as well as finding a dentist with whom you feel comfortable. Working through your fears of the dentist is an important step toward getting the oral health care you need.
higher levels of dental care-related fear and fear of pain. They also may have more negative beliefs about dental professionals and dental treatment. Patients should discuss their propensity for gagging with the dentist or hygienist in advance. Some dentists can recommend nose breathing and other relax-
Sounds The sounds of cleaning tools and drills elicit fear in many people. But ignoring or avoiding such sounds can help men and women conquer their fears of the dentist’s chair. On your next dental visit, bring a pair of headphones and some favorite music to listen to while you’re in the chair.
their needs and fears known. Speak to your dentist about what can be done to deal with the pain. Discuss the procedure and find out if novocaine or another pain reliever can be used. Although use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, has diminished in dental practices, a dentist may offer medication to relieve anxiety or even sedate patients who are especially nervous. Pain may be more tolerable if you ask the dentist to take frequent breaks or use a numbing agent on your gums. Dentists may prescribe a sensitivity-relieving toothpaste prior to certain dental procedures if your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold.
Rushing Patients can help themselves relieve anxiety by choosing appointment times that are convenient and at times when they’re less likely to be rushed. An early-morning appointment or a weekend appointment may have patients in and out faster, which cuts down on anxiety-inducing wait time.
Choice of provider Your choice of dentist may come down to who is in your health insurance network. Those with more flexible insurance plans may have more freedom when choosing a dentist. In either case, people should interview dentists and get recommendations from others Be open and honest with your dentist about any fears you have. The dentist to find a provider that will keep may customize your treatment to avoid anxiety triggers. comfort and care in mind. Espeation techniques. Distractions, Pain Gagging cially fearful individuals may need Some dentists cause unnecesAccording to the American Den- such as televisions in the examto use a dentist who specializes in ination room, also can help to sary fear in patients because they sedation dentistry to make their tal Association, authors of the relieve anxiety and the likelihood assume every person in the chair visits more tolerable. study, “Gagging and Its Associathat you may gag while in the den- has the same pain threshold. One tions With Dental Care-Related Avoiding the dentist because tist’s chair. person may be able to tolerate a Fear, Fear of Pain and Beliefs of perceived pain or other fears Dentist also may opt for smaller tooth extraction without numbing, is unnecessary. Advancements About Treatment” found patients cleaning instruments or take other while another may need pain relief in today’s dentistry coupled with who have a higher frequency of for a routine cleaning. gagging problems during a dental measures to reduce the liklihood open communication can alleviate Fearful patients should make visit are more likely to experience of stimulating a gagging reflex. situations that cause anxiety.
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
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Hope for older adults with anxiety phobia is a marked or persistent fear of a social or performance There are many people who can situation. Obsessive-Compulsive be described as “worriers.” They Disorder and Post traumatic feel an uneasiness or apprehenStress Disorder are other types sion about what might happen, of anxiety disorders. Perhaps the or how they will resolve their most common anxiety disorder problems. Worry and anxiety may experienced late in life is Genbegin to interfere with day to day eralized Anxiety Disorder. This functioning. Many older adults involves excessive, uncontrollable face real concerns about mediworry or apprehension occurring cal conditions, but research has for at least six months. The anxfound that seniors who experiiety is associated with three or ence anxiety may actually overmore of the following symptoms use medical services. Is there – restlessness, fatigue, poor anything that can be done to concentration, irritability, musreduce the anxiety and improve cle tension and sleep problems. quality of life? Yes! The Senior When this anxiety interferes with Life Improvement Program at functioning, it’s time to get help. DeSoto Memorial Hospital offers In health care, professionals programs that successfully treat are always looking for evidence anxiety. based treatment - those practicWhat is an anxiety disorder? es that are supported by reThere are several different types. search. A review of studies of the A panic attack is a short-term treatment of Generalized Anxiety feeling of intense fear or discomDisorder in older adults (Ayers, et fort. It may include sensations al, 2007) reveals that Cognitive of a pounding heart, sweating, Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relaxtrembling, nausea, or shortness ation training, and supportive of breath. There are different therapy are effective treatments phobias, such as an excessive for this type of anxiety. These fear of flying or heights. Social SUBMITTED BY: JENNIFER WINER
treatments in combination with prescribed medication can bring lasting relief. At the Senior Life Improvement Program each patient is evaluated by a board certified psychiatrist to determine the right combination of medication, group and individual therapy that will enhance quality of life. The therapists at the Senior Life Improvement Program have expertise in providing CBT, supportive therapy, and teaching relaxation techniques as well as other coping skills. CBT involves education about anxiety, self-monitoring, and helping the senior restructure thought patterns that contribute to anxious feelings. Relaxation techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, meditation, and education about the impact of stress and anxiety. Supportive therapy in both group and individual sessions allows each person to express
thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-judgmental setting. These empirically supported treatments are at the core of each individualized treatment plan. At the Senior Life Improvement Program the older adult can overcome anxiety. There is hope!
For more information call the Senior Life Improvement Program at DMH, 863-993-7787.
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
Wellness while you work attention given to office workers, especially those who sit at a desk or a computer all day. If the majority of your work at the home or office is in a chair, make sure you get a good one.
a five star base for good stability. Also, make sure you know how to adjust it properly. Maintaining proper posture, that is basically ensuring the small of your back is supported,
hands in line and avoid resting them on hard surfaces or sharp edges. As a chiropractic physician, Another important issue for much of my practice is devoted those who are tied to a desk all to relieving peoples’ aches and day is to take frequent breaks. pains. It seems that the stressOur bodies were meant for es and strains of everyday life movement, so changing positake a heavy toll on our bodies. tions and breaking up activities But there are ways to cut down is important to relieve tired or on the amount of pressure work sore muscles. Another good and your daily routines put on practice is to give your eyes a you. In fact there is a whole break by closing them momendivision of health science devottarily, gazing at a distant object ed to this topic, better known as and blinking frequently. Good Ergonomics. Those who study even light also helps relieve ergonomics analyze and find fatigue on your eyes. Most of ways for people to do things all get comfortable, if you feel more efficiently and safely. At stress or strain, no matter what work and at home there are simit is, change it. Work does not ple ways to avoid that “pain in have to hurt. your neck” or the “ache in your It is important to remember back.” that good posture and healthy Ergonomics simply stated is habits do not happen overnight. “fitting work to people.” It is your shoulders relaxed, and that Proper exercise will complement Your chair is the single most about planning environments, important piece of office equip- there is no pressure under your any ergonomic program in any tools and systems in which we thighs is key to avoiding stress setting. You are only given one ment you have, and often the work, rest and live in order to most neglected. Make sure it is on you spine. Proper alignment body so it is important to care assure safety, productivity and in the “neutral” position is for it as best you can. Most of adjustable for not only height, comfort. According to the Dethe best way to take pressure all, make sure you listen to your but also the backrest. Those partment of Labor, Repetitive off your body. Simply making body; it tells you when you have Stress Injuries are a $100 billion big plush executive chairs are sure your head is resting over a problem by making you unnot always the best. The seat a year problem for corporate comfortable so you will change should be short enough to allow your shoulders and not leanAmerica. Utilizing ergonomics things. Make your mind up to ing forward will save your neck full back support without pushin the work place is essential for ing into the back of your legs. It and relax your overall posture. do something about it. preventing these types of body should be well padded and have Also, keep forearms, wrists and strains. There has been much BY: DR. DANIEL KIRSCHNER
Ice is nice for aches and pains well as relieve pain. In cases of acute trauma, or recent injury, the most common We have all seen football players on the sidelines with big and effective treatment is cold bags of ice on strained muscles therapy. Because injured tisor pulled ligaments. But not ev- sues are often in an acute stage eryone grabs a cold pack when of inflammation, cold therapy they strain or injure themselves is perfect for counteracting the pain and swelling associated at home. Often it is straight to with sprains and strains. The the medicine cabinet for some numbing effect that ice or cold sports creme or a heating pad. So what do you do when you find therapy has on local tissues and nerve endings is very effective your muscles are sore or you at controlling pain. By reducing have a pain? The answer is simple; apply a the amount of pain causing subcold pack wrapped in a towel to stances around the area of injury, as well as slowing the pain the area of injury for no more signals to the brain, cold is a than 15 minutes per hour. In most cases cold therapy will not very effective anesthetic. There is a widespread belief only help, but more importantly that sore muscles, backaches, it will never hurt. Often times a person may have an old injury or and arthritis should be treated problem that seems to become with heat. There are several forms of therapeutic heat: dry, irritated. If this exacerbation is moist, diathermy, paraffin baths, acute in nature, inflammation can develop. In cases like this, and microwave. These therapies are very effective when heat will actually aggravate the used properly under professioncondition making the pain and discomfort worse. Cold therapy al supervision, however too ofmay actually be used to reduce ten heat is used incorrectly. The same concerns are true for cold the amount of inflammation as BY: DR. DANIEL KIRSCHNER
therapies, however the chance for injury is much less. With a few exceptions, such as rheumatoid or vascular conditions, cold therapy can be used safely on many aches and pains. Another misconception concerns the use of sports cremes. Some will feel like they are heating up your sore muscles, others have a cooling effect, and some do both. These products fall into the category of counter-irritants. While they are very good at “covering up” the pain of aching muscles or joints, they do not “cure” anything. In fact, they are designed to distract your nervous system long enough for your brain to forget you are in pain. The benefit of these cremes is unfortunately only temporary. Of course, it should be noted that any time you have an injury or serious pain you should immediately consult with a physician who can deliver the supportive care you need. To not do so leaves you at risk for further injury. Ignoring your body’s
signals of pain will only make recovery more difficult.
Dr. Daniel Kirschner has been a practicing chiropractic physcian for the last 17 year . He and his wife Dr. Jamie Kirschner own and operate two offices in DeSoto County. To learn more visit www.KirschnerWellness.com, or call 863-494-7110.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
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Stay healthy during the season The cold weather brings with it a season of smiles, the first snowfalls and, unfortunately, cold and flu outbreaks. While everyone else is suffering, there are ways you can make it through the season unscathed. It is estimated that a billion people across North America will succumb to the cold virus this year, says Medline. Considering there is no cure for cold and flu viruses, prevention remains a person’s best option at fending off cold and flu. There are different precautions to take that can help protect you against getting sick or at least reduce the frequency and severity with which cold and flu strikes. Although there is no magic pill to take that will prevent you from catching a cold or the flu, there are ways to improve your odds. * Wash your hands the right way. Washing your hands frequently remains the single-best way to keep viruses and bacteria that can make you sick from infiltrating the body. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds can effectively remove any dirt, grime and invisible invaders. * Skip antibacterial products.
Because colds and the flu are the severity. Doctors’ offices, clinics and result of viruses, which are different even pharmacies all offer annual flu in behavior and structure from bac- shots. * Use sanitizer on items around teria, they will not be killed off with
can travel up to 12 feet (from a sneeze or cough). Steer clear of anyone exhibiting symptoms, especially someone who is frequently sneezing or coughing. Parents should keep children home from school if they are sick. Do so until symptoms subside so as not to infect others. * Use a sanitizer product. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that when hand-washing is not readily available, a good way to kill germs is to use an alcohol-based sanitizer lotion. While not as effective as washing hands in warm, soapy water, sanitizing products can be used in a pinch while you’re on the go. The elderly are more at risk for serious side effects from the cold and flu. * Cough into your sleeve. Rather the use of antibacterial products. the house. Surfaces that are frethan coughing or sneezing into your What you may succeed in doing is quently touched by all members hands, do so into the crook of your killing off any beneficial bacteria on of the household should be wiped elbow since this area rarely touches your hands as well as creating resis- down with a disinfectant product. A anything else. tant bacteria that form with overbleach-and-water solution is an ef* Skip the buffet lunch. Bufuse of antibiotics and antibacterial fective sanitizer. Surfaces to sanitize fet-style offerings are convenient include phones, doorknobs, light and offer variety, but they are also a products. switches, remote controls, computer breeding ground for illnesses. These * Get the flu shot. There is no vaccination to prevent the common keyboards, faucets, toys, and coun- foods may have been sneezed or coughed on. Also, the serving cold, but there are immunizations tertops. spoons have been touched by dozthat can help reduce your risk of * Avoid sick people. KidsHealth. org states that flu viruses and colds ens of people. getting the flu or help minimize its
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Thursday, August 28, 2014
Separating flu facts from fiction
Cold and flu season seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year. As more people begin to sniffle and sneeze and feel lousy, they may look for ways to shorten the time they spend battling the flu. Myths about the flu are nearly as plentiful as the myriad home remedies to banish it. Separating flu facts from fiction can help people more effectively deal with their next bout of influenza. The following are a few of the more widely spread myths with regard to the flu. * Cold weather causes the flu. Going out in the cold weather with your hair wet is probably not a good idea if you want to keep your immune system healthy. However, the weather is not a direct cause of cold or flu. Rather, contact with the virus through contaminated surfaces or by saliva or mucous transmission is how many people catch the flu. * The flu shot injects the body with the flu virus. Some people vehemently oppose getting the flu shot because they believe the immunization itself will cause them to get sick. Actually, the virus in the flu shot is inactive and cannot make a person ill. The virus used in the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs and killed off before it would cause illness. Minor reactions, such as muscle soreness, can occur at the injection site. Nasal flu immunizations do contain the live virus, but even with nasal applications, it is
very rare to get sick from the immunization. * You can starve a fever. Chills, fever and nausea are potential flu symptoms. The notion that you should “feed a cold and starve a fever” has prevailed through the years, but this treatment method really isn’t beneficial. Although a person with the flu may not feel like eating much, he or she should try to remain hydrated and eat as healthy as possible. Salt and potassium are important electrolytes, so consuming crackers, bananas, vegetable soup, and fruit juices can help the body fight the illness. * Zinc and vitamin C can kick the flu to the curb. Evidence that taking zinc and high doses of vitamin C will help make the cold or flu go away faster is somewhat mixed. Some indications point to throat lozenges with zinc as helping the body fight the flu. Although some people stand by mega-dosing with vitamin C, the body most likely won’t absorb that much of the extra vitamin C for it to have any benefit. Getting vitamin C through fresh fruits and vegetables can help boost the immune system, however. * If you received the flu shot last year, then you should be fine this year. Some people believe if they received the flu vaccine last year that they do not need to get vaccinated this year. But experts warn there are hundreds of different strains of flu
viruses and vaccines are made from three of the most common types currently circulating. Therefore, a vaccine from last year may not protect a person this year. Even if a person had the flu in December, he or she may catch another strain in January. Vaccinations help individuals be safe rather than sorry.
* Antibiotics banish the flu. Running to the doctor for an antibiotic prescription will not make the flu go away more rapidly. Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, even though they may be used to treat certain side effects or bacterial infections that result from the flu, such as an ear infection.
The Prostate Predicament
cancer diagnoses. Since most people would agree prostate cancer screening is easy, painEvery man is at risk for prosless, and necessary for early tate cancer, whether it runs in his family or not. The good news diagnosis, there is really no reason not to have it done. is that men can protect themA screening should include a selves from the disease with PSA blood test and a DRE (Digiscreenings. tal Rectum Exam). A large study Unfortunately, more than performed recently reported 30,000 men still die each year PSA screening was found to from prostate cancer. Some reduce prostate cancer death studies that appeared in the media have stated that screen- by almost 30%. Since there are ing was not cost effective, which usually no symptoms until the disease has spread, screening affected some early prostate BY: DR. JAMES DEMLER
Did you know?
makes good medical sense. If you or loved one hasn’t been screened, make this a priority!
FREE PSA & PROSTATE EXAM When: October 2, 2014 Where: DeSoto Memorial Hospital 3rd Floor (enter through administration entrance) How: Call Kristen for an appoitment: 863-993-7601 900 N. Robert Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266
James Demler, MD, FACS 863-494-4474
Honey has long been touted for its medicinal qualities, but the United States Department of Health and Human Services still warns parents of infants to avoid feeding honey to children. That warning was issued because honey can give infants botulism, a rare paralytic illness cause by a nerve toxin. Spores of botulism are found in dust and soil, but they also can make their way into honey. Infants’ immune systems are not strong enough to combat such a bacterial infection, and their gastrointestinal tract is not as fully developed as an adult’s, making them even more vulnerable to the bacteria associated with botulism. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, have a weak cry, have poor muscle tone, and suffer from constipation. When left untreated, these symptoms can lead to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
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Practice medication safety
A cancer diagnosis is seldom easy for the person receiving the news or his or her loved ones. Cancer treatment often involves weeks of intensive medical therapy that can include radiation, chemotherapy and oral medications. Though such medications can be a key component of successful treatment, extra pills in the home can pose additional hazards to children and even elderly residents who may inadvertently get into unsecured pills. Cancer patients may be prescribed a number of prescription medications during the course of their treatments. Antidepressants, opioids, steroids, anti-convulsants, and radiopharmaceuticals may be prescribed to treat pain and other side effects of cancer. When taken in the right doses, these medicines can help patients withstand and ultimately overcome their disease. In the wrong hands, the same drugs can prove poisonous, especially to young children. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 500,000 parents and caregivers per year call a poison control center because a child accidentally ingested medicine or was given the wrong dose. In 2011, 67,000 children were
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treated in an emergency room for medicine poisoning. Based on emergency room visits, many children come in contact with these medications in places other than the medi-
homes where there is an abundance of medications being used to treat cancer or other illnesses, diligence is needed on the part of adults. Childproof bottles are seldom
cine cabinet. Kids may find spare pills on the ground, in a purse or bag or on a counter or nightstand. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a 160 percent increase in poisonings in children from 1999 to 2009, 91 of which are the result of a drug overdose. The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital says that kids ages five and younger are the most likely victims of prescription drug poisoning. In
enough. Very often adults forget to close the lids properly. Tenacious children can sometimes figure out how to get lids off of bottles even if they are touted as childproof. Cancer patients taking medication might want to employ some additional safety measures in order to protect young children. * Do not advertise medication use to your children. Take pills away from curious eyes so that youngsters are
not tempted to try Mom or Dad’s medicine, which for all intents and purposes, looks like candy to a child. * Store medications high up, ideally in a locked cabinet. Remain careful when returning pill containers to these locked cabinets after use. * Use individual-dose cases, many of which can be locked with a key or a combination code. This can protect against spills should the case fall on the floor. * Ask for medications to be prescribed in blister packs that are more difficult to open. * Dispose of any expired medication or pills you no longer need so there are no extras lying around the house. * Dispose of pills in an outside garbage receptacle so that children or pets cannot find them and swallow them. * Never store pills in a container other than the prescription container or a medication dispenser. When cancer treatment necessitates the taking of additional medications, it becomes even more important to protect children from accidental -- and sometimes intentional -- ingestion of medications.
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